JPH1146265A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store data to confirm both the contents of an original and an image of the operator. SOLUTION: After an original has been set and a start button has operated, it is confirmed that an image-pickup section of a digital camera is not closed, the digital camera is used to photograph the operator of the copying machine and stores (108) image data of the operator thus obtained to a memory. Then an original is read (110), the image data of the original obtained by the reading and image pattern for plural characteristic parts of the copy inhibit original are subjected to pattern matching and whether or not the copy object original seems to be the copy inhibit original is discriminated (112) depending on whether or not the matching image patterns are a prescribed number or over. In the case that the original of the copy object seems to be the copy inhibit original or is decided to be the copy inhibit original (when all image patterns are match), the image data of the original and the image data of the operator and also date information at a corresponding point of time are composited (122) and composited image data obtained through the compositing are stored in a memory (124).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly, to reading an original set at a predetermined position by an operator to obtain original image data and recording an image based on the obtained original image data. The present invention relates to a copying machine for copying the original by recording the original on a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital copying machine that reads an original with an image scanner, converts the original into digital image data, and records an image based on the digital image data on a recording sheet, thereby copying the original. A technique has been proposed in which when a prohibited document (for example, securities, etc.) is read by an image scanner, a warning sound is emitted and the copying operation is stopped.

[0003] However, in the above-described technology, although copying of a document for which copying is prohibited can be prevented beforehand, since information about the person who attempted to copy is not recorded, it is difficult to identify the person. Met.

[0004] On the other hand, security cameras are conventionally installed in places where cash dispensers are installed in financial institutions and in 24-hour stores (for example, convenience stores), and monitoring is performed by the security cameras.

[0005] In view of this, by applying such a monitoring technique, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-44777 discloses a copying machine in which a copy is prohibited from being copied (for example, securities). A copier monitoring system has been proposed in which an operator is photographed by a surveillance camera device, and a monitor member waiting in a separate room can monitor the behavior of the operator.

[0006]

However, in the copying machine monitoring system described in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-44777, a monitoring person monitors the behavior of the operator photographed by a monitoring camera, and ultimately monitors the behavior of the operator. In such a case, it is necessary to confirm the contents of the original document to be copied by holding down the operator at the site, and it is difficult to confirm the contents of the original document and the operator at a later date.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a copying machine capable of storing data for confirming both the contents of a document to be copied and an operator. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copying machine in which an operator reads an original set at a predetermined position to obtain original image data, and obtains the obtained original image. A copying machine for copying the original by recording an image based on data on a recording medium, wherein the copying machine stores a digital camera for photographing the operator and image data obtained by photographing with the digital camera. A memory for photographing an operator with the digital camera at a predetermined timing, capturing image data of the operator obtained by the photographing, and storing the captured image data of the operator in the memory; It is characterized by having.

Further, the copying machine according to the second aspect is the first aspect of the invention.
The copying machine according to the above, further comprising data determination means for determining whether or not the original image data obtained by reading the original matches predetermined copy-inhibited original image data, wherein the control means comprises: If it is determined by the determining means that the two images match, the original image data and the image data of the operator obtained by the photographing are combined, and the combined image data is stored in the memory in place of the image data of the operator. To be characterized.

In a copying machine according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine according to the second aspect, the control means adds, to the combined image data, time data relating to the time when the document was copied. It is stored in the memory.

In a copying machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine according to the second or third aspect, the data determining means includes a plurality of image patterns representing characteristics of the copy-inhibited original image data and the plurality of image patterns. It is characterized in that pattern matching is performed with the original image data, and when the image patterns match with at least a predetermined number of image patterns, it is determined that the original image data matches the copy-inhibited original image data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copying machine as set forth in any one of the second to fourth aspects.
The control means captures an image of the operator with the digital camera when the data determination means determines that they match.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The control means is configured to take an image of the operator with the digital camera when the operator gives an instruction to start copying a document.

Further, the copying machine according to claim 7 is the same as claim 1.
7. The copying machine according to claim 6, further comprising a prohibiting unit for prohibiting a copying operation when a photographing unit facing a photographing target of the digital camera is closed. I do.

Further, the copying machine according to claim 8 is the same as claim 2.
8. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein: a data selection unit for selecting desired image data from the combined image data stored in the memory; Processing designation means for designating the processing to be executed by the processing means, and processing execution means for executing the processing designated by the processing designation means on the image data selected by the data selection means. Features.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine of the eighth aspect, the processing designation means includes at least one of print output, erasure from the memory, and transfer to a remote information processing device. It is characterized in that one can be designated.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine according to the eighth or ninth aspect, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the most one of the image data stored in the memory. The image processing apparatus further includes: a data erasing unit for erasing long-stored image data from the memory; and an operation selecting unit for selecting whether to enable the erasing operation by the data erasing unit. .

In the copying machine according to the present invention, there is provided the copying machine according to the tenth aspect, wherein a number input means for inputting a password is provided, and the password input by the number input means is a regular password. Number determining means for determining whether or not the password matches the password, and only when it is determined by the number determining means that the input password matches a regular password, Processing control means for validating selection, designation of the processing to be executed by the processing designating means, and selection of whether or not to enable the erasing operation by the operation selecting means;
Is further provided.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine of the eleventh aspect, a password is input by the number input means, desired image data is selected by the data selection means, and the processing designation means is provided. At least one of the designation of the process to be executed and the selection of whether or not to enable the erasing operation by the operation selecting means can be executed by remote control.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an operator reads a document set at a predetermined position to obtain document image data, and records an image based on the obtained document image data on a recording medium. (So-called digital copying machine).

In such a copying machine, the control means includes:
An operator is photographed by a digital camera at a predetermined timing. This digital camera is a camera that converts a photographed image into an electric signal by a charge-coupled device (CCD) and records digital data based on the electric signal as image data of the photographed image. For example, a camera that continuously shoots an image like a television camera or a camera that shoots an image at a certain point in time, such as a so-called ordinary camera, can be adopted.

However, if a digital television camera which continuously captures images as in the former is adopted, the image data of the captured image (operator of the copying machine) can be converted into a large number of still images at minute time intervals. It can be obtained as a collection of data. That is, a large amount of image data of the operator can be obtained in a short time.

The control means fetches the image data of the operator obtained by the photographing, and stores the fetched image data of the operator in the memory. In this manner, in the copying machine according to the first aspect, not only can the original be read to obtain the original image data, but also the image data of the operator can be captured and stored in the memory. Thus, when a copy-inhibited document is to be copied, image data for confirming both the content of the document and the operator can be saved.

For this reason, the side monitoring the copying machine (hereinafter, referred to as an observer and distinguished from the operator) immediately transmits the copy-protected document to the operator when the operator attempts to copy the copy-inhibited document. It is no longer necessary to identify the document and the operator can be reliably identified later even at a later date. In addition, by transferring image data to a remote monitoring center, etc.,
It is possible for a supervisor at a remote location to identify the manuscript from the operator.

Further, in the copying machine according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the original image data matches the predetermined copy-inhibited original image data by the data determining means. Here, if it is determined that they match, the control means combines the original image data with the image data of the operator obtained by shooting, and stores the combined image data (hereinafter, referred to as combined image data) in a memory. Store. Accordingly, image data for confirming both the contents of the document and the operator can be stored in a state where the document and the operator are associated with each other, and the document and the operator can be easily identified.

It is preferable that the control means adds time data relating to the time when the document was copied to the combined image data and stores the combined image data in the memory. This makes it possible to search the composite image data stored in the memory by specifying the date.

The data judging means judges the coincidence by performing pattern matching between the document image data and a plurality of image patterns representing the features of the copy-inhibited document image data, for example. May be. In this pattern matching, it is possible to determine that the original image data coincides with the copy-inhibited original image data if a predetermined number or more of the image patterns match, even if not all of the plurality of image patterns match.

Further, the control means may take an image of the operator with a digital camera when the data determination means determines that they match. In this case, the image is taken only when there is a possibility that the copy-inhibited document is copied, so that there is an advantage that there is no useless photographing operation and there is no need to increase the capacity of the memory for storing the image data.

Further, the control means may take an image of the operator with a digital camera when the operator instructs the start of copying of the document. in this case,
In particular, in the case where the operator is photographed using a digital TV camera, even if the copy-forbidden document is copied for a very short time, the operator must continue to photograph the operator from before copying the document to after copying. Therefore, a large amount of image data of the operator can be reliably obtained.

There is a possibility that an operator trying to copy a copy-inhibited document may block a photographing section of the digital camera facing a photographing target so as not to be photographed. As a countermeasure against such a case, as described in claim 7, a prohibition means is further provided, and when the photographing unit of the digital camera is closed, the prohibition means may prohibit any copying operation. desirable. Thus, it is possible to prevent the copying operation from being performed in a situation where the operator cannot be photographed.

By the way, the observer can perform desired processing on the composite image data stored in the memory according to the second aspect of the present invention by the following eighth aspect of the invention.

That is, as described in claim 8, the copier further includes a data selection unit, a process designation unit, and a process execution unit, so that the observer can obtain a desired one of the image data stored in the memory. The image data can be selected by the data selecting means, and the processing to be executed on the desired image data can be specified by the processing specifying means.

The processing designating means may be, for example, a ninth aspect.
As described in the above section, at least one of print output of image data, deletion of image data from a memory, and transfer of image data to a remote information processing device may be designated. Then, the processing executing means automatically executes the specified desired processing (for example, printout, erasure from memory, transfer to a remote location, etc.) on the selected image data.

Since the storage capacity of the memory for storing the image data is limited, the old image data stored in the memory must be erased to secure the remaining storage capacity of the usable memory to a predetermined value or more. Is desirable.

Therefore, in the invention according to claim 10, a data erasing means is provided in the copying machine, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the remaining storage capacity of the memory becomes less than a predetermined value). The longest stored image data among the image data stored in the memory can be automatically erased from the memory by the data erasing means. Further, the monitor can select whether or not to enable the erasing operation by the data erasing means by using the operation selecting means. For example, normally, the erasing operation by the data erasing unit is enabled, and when important image data to be prevented from being automatically erased is stored in the memory, the erasing operation by the data erasing unit is disabled, and monitoring is performed. The operator can manually take measures such as manually deleting image data other than important image data from the memory.

Next, in the invention according to the eleventh aspect, when the observer inputs the password by the number input means, the number determination means determines whether or not the input password matches the regular password. . Here, only when it is determined that the input personal identification number matches the normal personal identification number, the processing control unit selects the desired image data by the data selection unit, specifies the processing to be executed by the processing specification unit,
And whether or not the erasing operation by the operation selecting means is made valid. Thereby, the unauthorized person can select the desired image data by the data selecting means, specify the processing to be executed by the processing specifying means, and select whether or not to enable the erasing operation by the operation selecting means. , Can be prohibited, and control can be performed so that only a person who has input a valid password can execute the password.

Further, as described in claim 12, the password input by the number input means, the selection of desired image data by the data selection means, the designation of the processing to be executed by the processing designation means, and the operation selection means At least one of the choices of whether to enable the erase operation is
It is desirable to be configured to be executable even by remote control. Of course, if all of the above are configured to be remotely operable,
Needless to say the most desirable. In this case, by inputting a password, selecting desired image data,
The user can designate a process to be executed and select whether or not to enable the erasing operation.

[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1A is a side view of the copying machine 10, FIG. 1B is a front view of the copying machine 10, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of the copying machine 10, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, a flat plate 16 is erected along the back surface 11A of the main body 11 of the copying machine 10, and the flat plate 16 is sandwiched therebetween. The digital camera 12 is located at the upper center of the surface opposite to the main body 11.
Is installed. The digital camera 12 is configured by a digital television camera that continuously captures images. In the digital camera 12, a photographing unit 12A including a zoom lens and the like (not shown) is fitted into a circular hole 16A provided in the flat plate 16. As a result, the shooting area of the digital camera 12 is set to the area A where the operator who operates the copying machine 10 can be effectively shot.
In addition, below the digital camera 12, a cover 14 including a power cord and the like of the digital camera 12 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the copying machine 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the copier 10 includes a CPU
20, a control unit 19 including a RAM 21 and a ROM 22, and the above-described digital camera 1 for photographing an operator.
2, an image reader unit 18 for reading an original set at a predetermined position, image data obtained by photographing an operator with the digital camera 12 (hereinafter, referred to as operator image data), and an original An image processing unit 26 that performs predetermined image processing (for example, color correction or the like) on image data (hereinafter, referred to as original image data) obtained by reading the image data, and an image that is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 26. A printer unit 30 for printing and outputting data; a hard disk 28 as a non-volatile memory for storing image data subjected to image processing; and a communication control unit for performing communication control when transferring the image data subjected to image processing to the outside 24, detecting that the amount of externally received light in the photographing unit 12A of the digital camera 12 has suddenly dropped. The sensor 32 detects that the photographing unit 12A is closed, the operator sets various copy operation conditions (for example, copy magnification, number of sheets, density, etc.), and the desired image data stored in the hard disk 28. Selection of,
A key input unit 34 for designating processing contents for desired image data, inputting a password, etc., a display 36 for displaying a warning message or setting contents for the operator, and a speaker for emitting a warning sound or the like to the operator 3
8 are provided.

The communication control unit 24 includes a telephone line 42
The copier 10 is connected to a remote monitoring center 40 via the telephone line 42.

The image processing unit 26 is controlled by the digital camera 12 and the image reader 1 under the control of the CPU 20.
After receiving the image data from 8 and performing image processing on the image data, the image-processed image data is
Printing output from the printer unit 30 and communication control unit 24
Has the function of transferring to the monitoring center 40 via The image processing unit 26 converts the image-processed image data into compressed data such as TIFF or JPEG, stores the compressed data on the hard disk 28, and expands the compressed data stored on the hard disk 28. It has a function of restoring the original image data and printing out the restored image data from the printer unit 30.

In the copying machine 10, a copy-forbidden document (copy-forbidden document) is predetermined, and the image patterns of a plurality of characteristic portions of the copy-forbidden document are set to R.
It is stored in the OM 22 in advance. Although details will be described later, C
The PU 20 performs pattern matching between the plurality of image patterns and the original image data from the image reader unit 18. If all the image patterns match, the PU 20 determines that the copied original is a copy-inhibited original, and If the above image patterns match, it is determined that the copied original is a copy-inhibited original.

If it is determined that the copied original is a copy-inhibited original or seems to be a copy-inhibited original, the image processing unit 26
As shown in FIG. 3, under the control of the CPU 20, the original image data (copy-inhibited original) 60 at that time and the image data of the operator (photograph image data of the operator) obtained by photographing with the digital camera 12 70, and the date at that time (date of copying) is added to create composite image data 80. Further, the image processing unit 26 performs processing based on the process selection information selected in advance or input from the key input unit 34, to generate the composite image data 8
For 0, any one of storage in the hard disk 28, transfer to the monitoring center 40, and print output from the printer unit 30 is selectively executed.

Hereinafter, as an operation of the present embodiment, the copying machine 1
0 and a post-processing routine for the stored composite image data (FIG. 5) will be described in order.

When the operator of the copying machine 10 places a document at a predetermined position, sets copying operation conditions to desired conditions as necessary, and presses a start button, the copying processing routine shown in FIG. Is started. First, FIG.
In step 104, the photographing unit 1 of the digital camera 12
It is determined whether or not 2A is closed based on a detection signal from the sensor 32. Here, when the sensor 32 detects that the amount of light received by the photographing unit 12A has sharply decreased, and a detection signal indicating that the photographing unit 12A is blocked is input to the CPU 20, the photographing unit 12A It is determined that the copy is not possible, the process proceeds to step 106, a warning sound is issued from the speaker 38, and a message indicating that copying cannot be performed because the image capturing unit 12A is closed is displayed on the display 3.
6 is displayed. Then, the copying operation is not performed unless the state where the photographing unit 12A is closed is released. Thereby, it is possible to prevent copying by a malicious operator who intends to copy while closing the imaging unit 12A.

On the other hand, if the photographing unit 12A is not closed at step 104, the process proceeds to step 108, where the operator is photographed by the digital camera 12, and the image data of the operator obtained by the photographing is processed by the image processing unit 26. Then, the data is stored in the hard disk 28.

In the next step 110, the original placed at a predetermined position is read by the image reader section 18, and
In the next step 112, image patterns of a plurality of characteristic portions of the copy prohibition document stored in the ROM 22 in advance are read, and pattern matching is performed between these image patterns and document image data obtained by the above reading. And
Based on whether or not the number of image patterns matched by the pattern matching is equal to or more than a predetermined number, it is determined whether or not the original to be copied is a copy-inhibited original. If the number of matching image patterns is less than the predetermined number, it is determined that the document to be copied is not a copy-inhibited document, and the process proceeds to step 114.
Performs normal copy output. That is, an image based on the document image data obtained by the reading is recorded on a sheet and output. Then, the process proceeds to step 126 described later.

On the other hand, if the number of image patterns matched in step 112 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it is determined that the original to be copied is a copy-inhibited original, and the flow advances to step 116 to determine whether all the image patterns match in the pattern matching. It is determined whether or not the original to be copied can be determined to be a copy-inhibited original based on whether or not the original is to be copied. Here, if all the image patterns match, the original to be copied can be determined to be a copy-inhibited original, so the process proceeds to step 120 to perform the following copy-inhibit processing. For example, instead of an image based on the document image data obtained by reading, an image in which the entire surface is black is recorded on paper and output. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 122 described later.

On the other hand, if not all the image patterns match in step 116, the original to be copied cannot be determined to be a copy-inhibited original, so the flow advances to step 118.
Performs normal copy output. However, in this case, since there is a possibility that the original to be copied is a copy-inhibited original, the process proceeds to step 122, where the operator's image data (compressed state) obtained by the above-described photographing is read out from the hard disk 28 and expanded. The image data of the operator restored by the decompression is combined with the original image data obtained by the above reading, and the date and time information (copying date and time information) at the time is added to the combined image data at a predetermined position in the image. By adding, the composite image data including the image of the operator, the image of the document, and the copy date and time information is created. In the next step 124, the created composite image data is compressed by the image processing unit 26 and stored in the hard disk 28.

In the next step 126, it is determined whether or not there is a next original, and if there is the next original, the process returns to step 110 to execute a reading process of a new original without photographing the operator. . As described above, when the original is continuously read by the ADF (automatic original feeder) or the like, and the start button is not operated by the operator between the originals, the operator does not perform photographing and the next original is not taken. Is read, the operator's image data obtained by photographing with the digital camera 12 is not updated.

According to the copy processing routine described above,
When the original to be copied is determined to be a prohibited original or a prohibited original, the composite image data obtained by synthesizing the original image data, the operator image data, and the date and time information is stored in the hard disk 28. Image data for confirming both the operator can be stored in a state where the document and the operator are associated with each other.

In the above-described copy processing routine, an example has been described in which the operator immediately presses the start button with the digital camera 12 if the photographing unit 12A is not closed after the start button is pressed. In this case, although a useless photographing operation occurs, even if the time during which the copy-inhibited document is copied is considerably short, the operator can continue to photograph the operator for a period of time from before copying to after copying. Therefore, there is an advantage that a large amount of image data of the operator can be reliably obtained. However, in order to reduce unnecessary photographing operations due to the small storage capacity of the hard disk 28, the digital camera 12 photographs the operator after the original to be copied is determined to be a copy-inhibited original in step 112 of FIG. May be.

Next, the post-processing routine shown in FIG. 5 will be described. When the observer inputs a post-processing execution start command for the stored composite image data from the key input unit 34, the CPU 20 starts the post-processing routine of FIG. In step 152 of FIG. 5, a message prompting the user to input a personal identification number is displayed on the display 36, and in the next step 154, input of a personal identification number is waited for. When the observer inputs the personal identification number from the key input unit 34, step 1
Proceeding to 56, the formal password is read from the ROM 22, and it is determined whether or not the input password matches the formal password. If the entered password does not match the regular password, the process proceeds to step 158, where a warning sound is issued from the speaker 38, and a message indicating that the entered password does not match the regular password is sent. The information is displayed on the display 36 and notified to the supervisor.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 156 that the input personal identification number matches the formal personal identification number, step 16 is executed.
0, and as one of the conditions for selecting the stored composite image data,
The information is displayed on the display 36, and the process waits for the date and time designation (step 162).

When the operator looks at the above message and specifies the desired date and time, the flow advances to step 164 to read out the composite image data satisfying the conditions of the specified copy date and time from the hard disk 28 and expand it by the image processing unit 26. After the restoration, it is displayed on the display 36. At this time, a predetermined number (for example, four) of composite image data is displayed on one screen of the display 36 at the maximum. The observer looks at the composite image data that satisfies the desired copy date and time, and selects the desired composite image data from the composite image data.

When the desired composite image data is selected in this manner, the process proceeds to step 168, where a message prompting the user to specify a process for the target composite image data is displayed.
It is displayed on the display 36. Here, for example, as processing for the composite image data, the hard disk 2
8, transfer to the monitoring center 40, and print output from the printer unit 30 can be specified.

When the deletion from the hard disk 28 is designated by the monitor, the process proceeds to step 172, where the selected combined image data is deleted from the hard disk 28. On the other hand, if transfer to the monitoring center 40 is specified by the monitor, the process proceeds to step 176, where the selected synthesized image data is transmitted from the communication control unit 24 to the telephone line 42.
Is transferred to the monitoring center 40 via. On the other hand, when the printout is designated by the monitor, the process proceeds to step 180, where the selected synthesized image data is transmitted to the printer unit 3.
The printout is made with 0, and the process is terminated.

According to the post-processing described above, the observer selects the desired composite image data from the composite image data stored in the hard disk 28 and designates the desired processing, thereby obtaining the desired composite image data. Can execute a desired process.

In the above-mentioned post-processing, an example has been described in which the monitor inputs the personal identification number and specifies the desired combined image data and the desired processing from the key input unit 34. It may be configured so that a resident observer can input and specify. Thus, for example, the monitor of the monitoring center 40 inputs a proper password and designates that the desired composite image data is to be transferred to the monitoring center 40. In this way, it is possible to quickly execute processing such as identification of an operator who may have copied the copy-inhibited document.

In the copying machine 10 of the above embodiment, the storage capacity of the hard disk 28 has an upper limit. Therefore, when the remaining storage capacity of the hard disk 28 becomes less than a predetermined value, the composite image stored in the hard disk 28 There is an automatic erasure function that automatically erases the longest stored data. However, this automatic erasure function can be temporarily disabled by a predetermined operation from the key input unit 34 by the monitor. For example, if important synthetic image data that is desired to be prevented from being automatically deleted is stored in the hard disk 28, the automatic deletion function is disabled, and the observer manually manually stores image data other than the important image data on the hard disk 28. It is possible to take measures such as erasing from a file.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a copying machine having only a copying function has been exemplified. However, the present invention is applicable to at least general image forming apparatuses having a copying function, and has recently become popular. The present invention can also be applied to a digital multi-function peripheral having three functions of a facsimile function and a printer function.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, not only the original is read to obtain the original image data, but also the image data of the operator is captured and stored in the memory. Image data for confirming both the content and the operator can be stored, and the document and the operator can be reliably identified even at a later date.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, image data for confirming both the contents of the document and the operator can be stored in a state where the document and the operator are associated with each other. The document and the operator can be easily identified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since time data relating to the time when the document was copied is added to the composite image data and stored, it is possible to search the composite image data by designating a date. It becomes possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, pattern matching is performed between the copy-inhibited original image data and the original image data. If the original image data matches the copy-inhibited original image data when the original image data matches the predetermined number of image patterns or more, the composite image of the original image data and the operator image data can be determined even if the copied original is suspicious. Data can be stored.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a photograph is taken only when there is a possibility that a copy-inhibited document has been copied, so that there is no useless photographing operation and there is no need to increase the memory capacity.

According to the invention of claim 6, especially in the case where the operator is photographed using a digital television camera, even if the copy-protected original is copied for a very short time, the operator can copy the original. Since it is possible to continuously photograph the operator from before copying to after copying, a large amount of image data of the operator can be reliably obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the copying operation from being executed in a situation where the operator cannot be photographed.

According to the invention described in claim 8 or claim 9, the monitor can perform desired processing on desired image data stored in the memory.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the monitor can automatically erase old image data stored in the memory and make settings to secure a usable memory capacity.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an unauthorized person can select desired image data by the data selecting unit, specify a process to be executed by the process specifying unit, and delete by the operation selecting unit. It is possible to prohibit execution of selecting whether or not to enable the operation.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a personal identification number can be input, desired image data can be selected, processing to be executed can be specified, It is possible to select whether to enable the erasing operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the invention, (A) is a side view of the copying machine, (B) is a front view of the copying machine, and (C) is a copying machine. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a process of synthesizing original image data and operator image data in a copying machine, and a storage / output process thereof.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of a copying process in the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of post-processing for stored composite image data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Copier 12 Digital camera 19 Control part 20 CPU 26 Image processing part 28 Hard disk 30 Printer part 34 Key input part 36 Display

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 7/18 G03G 21/00 390 552

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine which reads an original set at a predetermined position by an operator to obtain original image data, and records an image based on the obtained original image data on a recording medium to copy the original. A digital camera for photographing the operator; a memory for storing image data obtained by photographing with the digital camera; and photographing the operator with the digital camera at a predetermined timing. Control means for fetching the image data of the operator obtained in step (a) and storing the fetched image data of the operator in the memory. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data determination unit configured to determine whether or not the original image data obtained by reading the original matches predetermined copy-inhibited original image data. If it is determined by the means that they match, the original image data and the image data of the operator obtained by the photographing are combined, and the combined image data is stored in the memory in place of the image data of the operator. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The copying machine according to claim 2, wherein said control means adds time data relating to a time at which the document was copied to said combined image data and stores the added image data in said memory. 4. The data determining means performs pattern matching between a plurality of image patterns representing characteristics of the copy-inhibited document image data and the document image data,
4. The copying machine according to claim 2, wherein when the image data matches with a predetermined number or more of the image patterns, it is determined that the original image data matches the copy-inhibited original image data. 5. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the control unit captures an image of the operator using the digital camera when the data determination unit determines that they match. The copier described. 6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit captures an image of the operator using the digital camera when the operator instructs the start of copying of the document. The copier described. 7. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting unit for prohibiting a copying operation when a photographing unit facing a photographing target in the digital camera is closed. Copy machine. 8. A data selection means for selecting desired image data from the combined image data stored in the memory, and a process designation for designating a process to be executed on the desired image data 8. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a processing unit configured to execute processing specified by the processing specifying unit on the image data selected by the data selecting unit. 9. The copier described. 9. The copying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said processing designating means is capable of designating at least one of print output, deletion from said memory, and transfer to a remote information processing device. Machine. 10. When a predetermined condition is satisfied,
Data erasing means for erasing the longest stored image data from the memory among the image data stored in the memory; and operation selection for selecting whether to enable the erasing operation by the data erasing means. The copying machine according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: 11. A number input means for inputting a password, a number determination means for determining whether or not the password input by the number input means matches a regular password, and the number determination means. Only when it is determined that the input personal identification number matches the normal personal identification number, the data selecting means selects the desired image data, the processing specifying means specifies the processing to be executed, and the operation selection 11. The copying machine according to claim 10, further comprising: processing control means for validating whether or not the erasing operation by the means is valid. 12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: inputting a password by said number input means, selecting desired image data by said data selecting means, specifying said processing to be executed by said processing specifying means, and enabling said erasing operation by said operation selecting means. 12. The copying machine according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the selections as to whether or not to perform the setting can be performed by remote control.