JPH1146296A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply management of revision and restoration of data arrangement of a confidential document, with only the entry of a password without the use of a memory card or the like. SOLUTION: Revision means 60, 62 revise a pixel data arrangement of an original image which is read by a read means based on a predetermined revision procedure, in the case that revision of the arrangement of pixel data is instructed by an instruction means and symbolize a password entered by a password entry means and embed the resulting password to the image data whose arrangement has been revised. Decoding means 60, 62 extract the password information from the image read by the read means, when the instruction means indicates the decoding of the revised arrangement of the pixel data and decodes the image data which denotes the original image from the image whose pixel data arrangement is revised when the password decoded from the password information matches the password entered, based on a predetermined decoding procedure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to reading an image of a document, converting the signal into a signal corresponding to the document image, and forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document image based on the signal. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus that visualizes the electrostatic latent image to obtain a copy image corresponding to a document image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of copying machines has made it easy to copy documents, but with this, the copying of confidential documents has also been made easier, and the leakage of confidential documents to the outside has occurred. And unauthorized use problems.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-98180 discloses a technique in which read image data is divided into a plurality of areas and rearranged to make an indistinguishable image and copied. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that restores an impossible image to an original image has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-74940 discloses that a confidential portion of a partially confidential document is scrambled and copied.
Alternatively, in an image forming apparatus that restores and copies by performing descrambling processing from a copied image that has been subjected to scramble processing, an image forming apparatus that can issue an instruction to execute the descrambling processing not only with an ID card but also with a password can be used. Proposed.

[0005]

However, in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-98180, a method of designating an image area and a procedure of rearrangement processing for each area are carried out by a portable device such as a memory card or an IC card. Since the information is stored in a possible storage means and this storage means is used as a component of the apparatus, an extra cost is required, and a separate management of the memory card and the IC card is required. It is inconvenient. Further, there is a risk that the memory card or the IC card may be damaged, and if it is damaged, there is a problem that it is impossible to restore the original original image.

In the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-74940, a scramble process (a process of rearranging image data) is performed at a destination or the like because a password is stored in the image forming device. For example, when it is desired to restore a copied image to the original original image, there is a problem that even if an image forming apparatus having the same specification is present, it cannot be restored to the original original image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is intended to easily manage the change and restoration of the data arrangement of a confidential document only by inputting a password without using a memory card or an IC card. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the following.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading an image of a document, and a method for changing an array of pixel data or restoring an array of changed pixel data. Means for inputting a password, a password input means for inputting a password, and a pixel data array of a document image read by the reading means when the change of the pixel data array is instructed by the command means. While changing based on the changed change procedure, the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means is symbolized, and the pixel data array is embedded in the changed image data,
Changing means for outputting image data in which the symbolized password information is embedded, and the pixel data read by the reading means when an instruction to restore the array of pixel data changed by the instruction means is issued. The personal identification number information is extracted from the image in which the arrangement has been changed, the personal identification number decrypted from the extracted personal identification number information is compared with the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means, and the two coincide with each other. Restoring means for restoring the image data indicating the original document image from the image in which the pixel data array has been changed based on a predetermined restoration procedure, and outputting the restored image data; Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data output by the means or the restoring means.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the changing unit changes the pixel data array of the original image read by the reading unit based on a predetermined changing procedure when the changing of the pixel data array is instructed by the indicating unit. In addition, the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means is symbolized and embedded in the image data in which the pixel data array has been changed, and the image data in which the encoded personal identification number information is embedded is output.

[0010] In addition, when the restoration of the pixel data array changed by the instruction means is instructed by the instruction means, the restoration means converts the password information from the image read by the reading means and in which the pixel data arrangement has been changed. The password is extracted and compared with the password decrypted from the extracted password information and the password input by the password input means, and when the two match, the image of the pixel data array is changed. The image data representing the original document image is restored based on a predetermined restoration procedure, and the restored image data is output.

The image forming means forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data output by the changing means or the restoring means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the personal identification number is encoded, and the encoded personal identification number information is embedded in the image data whose pixel data array is changed. There is no need to change the pixel data array and copy the image as an indistinguishable image, or to restore and copy the unidentifiable image as needed, and to maintain the password information on the image forming apparatus side. As described above, since a part of the function related to the process of changing or restoring the data arrangement of the image is not shared between the memory card and the IC card, the memory card and the IC card become unnecessary. This eliminates the need for a memory card or IC card, which is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, since there is no need to separately manage the memory card or IC card, management of confidential documents becomes easy, and damage to the memory card or IC card is caused. This solves the problem that restoration of the original original image becomes impossible.

[0013] Further, by embedding the encoded personal identification number information in the image data whose pixel data array has been changed, the original original image can be obtained by using any image forming apparatus having the same specifications. It can be restored.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, there is further provided an area designating means for designating a desired area for changing the arrangement of pixel data in the original image read by the reading means. The changing unit is configured to determine a pixel data array of an area specified by the area specifying unit in the document image read by the reading unit when the changing of the pixel data array is instructed by the instruction unit. The password is changed based on the change procedure, and the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means is symbolized, and the symbolized personal identification number information and the coordinate information indicating the area designated by the area specifying means are designated by the area designation. Means for embedding the image data obtained by changing the pixel data array for the portion designated by the And it outputs the image data embedded.

The restoration means changes the pixel data array for the portion designated by the area designation means read by the reading means when the restoration of the arrangement of the pixel data changed by the designation means is instructed. The personal identification number data is extracted from the extracted image, and the personal identification number decrypted from the extracted personal identification number data is compared with the personal identification number inputted by the personal identification number input means. The coordinate information indicating the area specified by the area specifying means is extracted and decoded from the read image, and the pixel data array is determined for the area specified by the decoded coordinate information in the image read by the reading means. Is restored from the changed image to image data representing the original document image based on a predetermined restoration procedure, and the restored And outputting the image data.

In the image forming apparatus having the above structure, when the instruction means instructs to change the arrangement of the pixel data, the changing means includes a pixel in an area specified by the area specifying means in the original image read by the reading means. The data array is changed based on a predetermined change procedure, and the password input by the password input means is symbolized to indicate the code information and the area designated by the area designating means. The coordinate information is embedded in the image data in which the pixel data array has been changed for the portion specified by the area specifying means, and the image data in which the symbolized personal identification number information and the coordinate information are embedded is output.

The restoration means may be arranged such that, when the restoration of the arrangement of the pixel data changed by the instruction means is instructed, the change of the pixel data arrangement of the portion designated by the area designation means read by the reading means is performed. The personal identification number data is extracted from the performed image, and the personal identification number decrypted from the extracted personal identification number data is compared with the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means. The coordinate information indicating the area specified by the area specifying means is extracted from the image read by the area specifying means and decoded, and the pixel specified for the area specified by the decoded coordinate information in the image read by the reading means From the image in which the data arrangement has been changed, image data representing the original document image is restored based on a predetermined restoration procedure. And it outputs the image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, an area for recognizing an area designated by a desired marker for changing the arrangement of pixel data in the original image read by the reading means is further provided. A recognizing unit, wherein the changing unit is configured to determine a marker-specified area recognized by the area recognizing unit in the document image read by the reading unit when the arrangement of the pixel data is instructed by the instructing unit; The data arrangement of each pixel is changed based on a predetermined change procedure, and the password input by the password input means is symbolized, and the password is recognized by the symbolized password information and the area recognition means. Embedded in the image data obtained by changing the pixel data array for the part recognized by the area recognition means. The image data in which the encoded password information and coordinate information are embedded is output, and the restoration unit reads the image data by the reading unit when the instruction unit is instructed to restore the changed array of pixel data. The password data is extracted from the image in which the pixel data array has been changed for the portion recognized by the region recognition means, and a password decrypted from the extracted password data and input by the password input means. The password is compared with the password, and when the two match, the coordinate information indicating the area recognized by the area recognition means is extracted and decoded from the image read by the reading means, and read by the reading means. Original image from the image in which the pixel data array has been changed for the area specified by the decoded coordinate information Restored based on a predetermined restore procedure in the image data shown, and outputs the image data that has been said restored.

In the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, when the change of the arrangement of the pixel data is instructed by the instructing means, the changing means designates the marker designation recognized by the area recognizing means in the original image read by the reading means. While changing the pixel data array of the set area based on a predetermined change procedure, the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means is encoded, and the encoded personal identification number information and the area recognition means are used. The coordinate information indicating the recognized area is embedded in the image data obtained by changing the pixel data array for the part recognized by the area recognition means, and the image data in which the symbolized personal identification number information and the coordinate information are embedded is written. Output.

When the restoration of the pixel data array changed by the instruction unit is instructed, the restoration unit changes the pixel data array of the portion read by the reading unit and recognized by the area recognition unit. The personal identification number data is extracted from the extracted image, and the personal identification number decrypted from the extracted personal identification number data is compared with the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means. The coordinate information indicating the area recognized by the area recognition means is extracted from the read image and decoded, and the pixel data is extracted for the area specified by the decoded coordinate information in the image read by the reading means. From the image whose arrangement has been changed, image data representing the original document image is restored based on a predetermined restoration procedure. And it outputs the image data.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the invention according to the first aspect is also applicable to a case in which the arrangement of pixel data is changed or restored only in a designated area of an image read by the reading means. The same effect can be obtained.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes a document reading device 10 for optically reading a document image, a display / operation unit 12 for performing various displays and operations, and a recording medium (in this embodiment,
Paper. 1), an image forming unit 14 for forming an image, a sheet feeding device 16 for supplying a sheet to the image forming unit 14, and a control unit 50. The control unit 50 is shown in FIG. Absent.

Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the figure, a control unit 50 includes a system description memory (ROM) 60, a CPU 6
2, a ROM 64, a RAM 66, a page memory 68, an area recognizing unit 70, and an image processing unit 72. These units include a document reading device 10, a display / operation unit 12, an image forming unit 14, a sheet feeding device 16, and a bus 80. Connected to each other. The document reading device 10 includes a reading unit of the present invention,
The image forming units 14 correspond to the image forming units of the present invention, respectively.

The system description memory (ROM) 60 has been subjected to a pixel data array change processing program for changing the array of pixel data of the image read by the original reading apparatus 10, and a pixel data array change processing. A pixel data array restoration processing program for restoring the arrangement of the pixel data of the image to the original original image, a password conversion processing program for encoding the inputted password, and a password for restoring the password from the encoded password information A number restoration processing program, a coordinate data conversion processing program for symbolizing input coordinate data, and a coordinate data restoration processing program for restoring coordinate data from symbolized coordinate information are stored. CPU 62 and system description memory 60
The changing means and the restoring means of the present invention are realized by the various programs stored in.

The ROM 64 has a system description memory (R
Programs and fixed data necessary for various processes of the image forming apparatus other than those stored in the OM 60 are stored. The RAM 66 is provided for temporarily storing data in various processes.

The page memory 68 stores the image data of the original image read by the original reading apparatus 10, the image data of the image subjected to the processing of changing the arrangement of the pixel data, or the image data subjected to the processing of changing the arrangement of the pixel data. On the other hand, image data such as image data indicating the original document image subjected to the restoration processing of the array of pixel data is temporarily stored.

The area recognizing section 70 is means for recognizing an area of an image marked on a document with a marker. This area recognition section 70 corresponds to the area recognition means of the present invention.

The image processing section 72 reads out image data stored in the page memory 68 under the control of the CPU 62, performs image processing such as trimming, mirror image, enlargement, and reduction, and thereafter converts the image data into a print signal. Output to the forming unit 14. The CPU 62 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 as a whole. The pixel data array change processing program, the pixel data array restoration processing program, and the password conversion program stored in the system description memory 60 are CP.
This is executed by U62.

Next, the configuration of the display / operation unit 12 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the display unit 20 in the display / operation unit 12
Is composed of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel. Reference numeral 30 denotes an operation panel. The operation panel 30 includes a change key 32, a restoration key 34, a password designation key 36, an area designation key 38, and a numeric keypad 40.
, An interrupt key 42, an all clear key 44, a stop key 46, and a start key 48.

The change key 32 is a key for instructing the execution of a pixel data array change processing program for changing the data array of each pixel of the original image read by the original reading apparatus 10, and the restore key 34 is used for the pixel data array. A key for instructing execution of a pixel data array restoration processing program for restoring an image showing the original image from the image subjected to the change processing. The change key 32 and the restoration key 34 correspond to the instruction means of the present invention.

The security code designation key 36 is a key for causing the CPU 62 to recognize that the key operated when inputting the security code by operating the numeric keypad 40 is used for designating the security code. When the password is input, the password number designation key 36 is first operated, and then the password number is input by the ten keys 40, whereby the password number is recognized on the CPU 62 side. Password designation key 36 and numeric keypad 40
Corresponds to the password input means of the present invention.

Further, the area designation key 38 is
When inputting coordinate data for specifying an area in the original image displayed on the display screen 22 of the display unit 20 using the numeric keypad 40 when specifying a desired area for changing the arrangement of pixel data in the original image read by 0 Indicates that the input data is coordinate data for area designation
It is a key for making U62 recognize. First, the area designation key 38 is operated, and thereafter, by inputting coordinate data for specifying the area with the numeric keypad 40, the numeric keypad 4 is input.
The CPU 62 recognizes that the data input by 0 is the coordinate data for specifying the area of the image in which the arrangement of the pixel data is to be changed.

The numeric keypad 40 is used to input various numeric data such as a password, coordinate data for designating an area of an image whose pixel data array is to be changed, the number of copies, and a password. Is the key. The area designation key 38 and the numeric keypad 40 correspond to the area designation means of the present invention.

The interrupt key 42 is a key for avoiding resetting operation conditions when switching to the original operation mode when the image forming apparatus 1 is operated in a different operation mode.

An all clear key 44 is a key for erasing all set contents, a stop key 46 is a key for stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and a start key 48 is a copying operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Is the key to start

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a process of changing the arrangement of pixel data is performed for the entire original image read by the original reading device 10,
In addition, a restoration process is performed from the image on which the process of changing the arrangement of the pixel data has been performed to image data indicating the original document image. FIG. 4 shows the contents of the pixel data array change processing program. When a document is set on the document reading device 10 and the change key 32 is operated, a pixel data arrangement change processing program is started, and the document is read by the document reading device 10 in step 100, and the image data of the read document image is read. Are stored in the page memory 68.

In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not a password has been input. That is, the password specification key 36
Is operated and the password is input by the ten keys 40, the data indicating that the password has been input and the data of the password are stored in the RAM 66, so that the CPU 62 refers to the stored contents of the RAM 66. It is determined by this. If the determination in step 102 is negative, that is, if the personal identification number has not been input, the execution of this program is terminated.

If the determination in step 102 is affirmative, that is, if a password is input, step 1 is executed.
In step 104, the pixel data of the original image stored in the page memory 68 is read out, and the arrangement of the pixel data is changed in a predetermined procedure.
8 in an empty area. In the next step 106, the personal identification number conversion processing program stored in the system description memory 60 is executed to encode the personal identification number. The personal identification number information as the encoded image data is stored in the RAM 66
In a predetermined storage area.

Further, in step 108, the image data corresponding to the predetermined position on the copy sheet among the image data in the page memory 68 which has been subjected to the pixel data arrangement changing process and is stored in a code indicating a code number. The image information is replaced with the number information and embedded, and the image processing unit 72 performs predetermined image processing, and stores the image data in the page memory 68.

In step 110, the image data obtained in step 108 is converted into print information, and this print information is output to the image forming section 14. A part of the image is replaced with the encoded password information on the paper conveyed from the printer, and the image subjected to the pixel arrangement changing process is copied.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of the pixel data array restoration processing program. When the original having undergone the pixel data array changing process is set in the original reading device 10 and the restore key 34 is operated, a pixel data array restoring process program is started, and the original is read by the original reading device 10 in step 200, The image data of the read document image is stored in the page memory 68.

In the next step 202, the personal identification number restoring processing program stored in the system description memory 60 is executed, and the personal identification number information embedded in the image data stored in the page memory 68 is decoded. That is, of the image data stored in the page memory 68, personal identification number information (personal identification number image) on the page memory 68 corresponding to a predetermined position on the copy sheet is subjected to a personal identification number restoring process which is a reverse procedure of the personal identification number conversion process. Is executed to restore the personal identification number, and the restored personal identification number data is stored in the RAM 66.

Further, at step 204, it is determined whether or not a password has been input. If the determination in step 204 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the personal identification number has not been input, the execution of this program is terminated. If the determination in step 204 is affirmative, that is, if the password is input using the numeric keypad 40, step 2 is executed.
In step 206, it is determined whether the input password is correct, that is, whether the input password matches the password decrypted in step 202. If the determination in step 206 is negative, that is, if the input personal identification number does not match the personal identification number decrypted in step 202, the execution of this program is terminated. If the determination in step 206 is affirmative, that is, if the input password matches the password decrypted in step 202, the process proceeds to step 208.

In step 208, the original reading device 10 reads the image data in step 200, and performs a pixel data array restoring process on the image data stored in the page memory 68 so that the pixel data array is converted to image data indicating the original original image. The image data is restored by a predetermined procedure, and the restored image data is stored in another free area of the page memory 68.
In step 210, the personal identification number information is replaced with blank data in the image data restored in step 208, deleted, and converted into print information. In step 212, the print information obtained in step 210 is output to the image forming unit 14, and by operating the start key 48, the pixel data array is restored on the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 16 by the image forming unit 14. The original document image is copied.

An example of the pixel data array changing process in step 104 in FIG. 4 and the pixel data array restoring process in step 208 in FIG. 5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The pixel data array changing process is an operation of converting image information of a portion designated as a confidential portion in a certain arithmetic process.The pixel data array restoring process, that is, an original image is converted from an image subjected to the pixel data array changing process. Any known processing method may be used as long as the operation processing for restoring is possible.For example, by combining the pixel data array changing processing and the pixel data array restoring processing with the differentiation / integration processing and the line replacement processing, realizable.

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6A illustrates an example of an image to be read. FIG. 6B shows the image of FIG. 6A read by the document reading device 10 and expressed as pixel level information. In FIG. 6B, “1” indicates an image portion, and “0” indicates For each non-image part,
Is shown. FIG. 6C is obtained by performing a differentiation process in the left-right direction of FIG. 6B. Further, FIG.
When the differential processing is performed in the vertical direction in FIG.
Is obtained.

In FIG. 6D, a line exchange process is performed for each horizontal line formed by pixel data in the horizontal direction. In the example shown in the figure, the horizontal line is divided into three consecutive lines, and the first line is divided into the second line, the second line is divided into the third line, and the third line is divided into three lines. The line in the horizontal direction is cyclically replaced with the first line, and so on. FIG. 6E shows the result of performing the line replacement processing in this manner. At this stage, the pixel data arrangement changing process is completed, and the result is printed as an image as shown in FIG. That is, the image pattern shown in FIG. 6F is obtained by performing the pixel data array changing process on the image pattern shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the pixel data array restoration processing is as follows.
What is necessary is just to reverse the procedure of the above-mentioned pixel data arrangement change processing. That is, the image (FIG. 6 (f)) subjected to the pixel data arrangement change processing is read by the document reading device 10 and is represented as pixel level information, as shown in FIG. 6 (e). From this state, the cyclic line exchange in the line exchange process described above is performed in reverse, and FIG.
The state shown in FIG. 6D is obtained, and the integration processing is performed in the vertical direction in FIG. 6D to obtain the image data shown in FIG.
Further, the image data of FIG. 6C is integrated in the horizontal direction to obtain the image data of FIG. 6B, and if this image data is printed out as an image, the original image shown in FIG. can do.

Next, an example of the password conversion process and the password recovery process will be specifically described. The password conversion process is an operation of converting the input password in a certain calculation process, and there is a known appropriate method of converting the password into a barcode. FIG. 5 shows an example of a barcode. JAN (Japan Article Number)
r) In the code, the width of one bar is 0.33 mm as standard
A white or black bar (which can be 2.0 to 0.8 times) (this is called one module) is arranged in seven modules to represent one character. Here, if one module corresponds to 3 dots, one character can be represented by 21 dots. The character "1" in the JAN code can be replaced with a bar code by changing the hatched portion in FIG. 7 to a black bar.

In this way, ten types of characters "0" to "9" are stored in the ROM 6 in correspondence with the dot pattern as a character.
4, the personal identification number can be converted into a barcode.

The password recovery process can be performed by reversing the procedure of the password conversion process described above. That is, by reading the password information (password image) subjected to the password conversion process from a predetermined position of the document and expressing the information as pixel level information, the registered content of the ROM 64 is referred to and the corresponding "0""To" 9 ".

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the personal identification number is symbolized, and the encoded personal identification number information is embedded in the image data in which the pixel data array is changed, so that the personal identification number is read. It is not necessary to change the data arrangement of each pixel of the document and copy it as an indistinguishable image, or to restore the indistinguishable image as needed and copy the information, without having to hold the password information on the image forming apparatus side. In addition, since a part of the function relating to the change or restoration processing of the image data array is not shared between the memory card and the IC card as in the conventional apparatus, the memory card and the IC card become unnecessary. This eliminates the need for a memory card or IC card, which is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, since there is no need to separately manage the memory card or IC card, management of confidential documents becomes easy, and damage to the memory card or IC card is caused. This solves the problem that restoration of the original original image becomes impossible.

Further, by embedding the encoded personal identification number information in the image data whose pixel data array has been changed, the original original image can be obtained by using any image forming apparatus having the same specification. It can be restored.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted. The pixel data array change processing program (FIG. 8) and the pixel data array restoration processing program (FIG. 9) executed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment are executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Steps having the same contents as those of the programs are denoted by the same step numbers, and redundant description of the portions will be omitted or simplified.

In the present embodiment, a process of changing the arrangement of pixel data is performed on a part of a document image read by the document reading device 10, and the original document image is converted from the image on which the process of changing the pixel data array is performed. Is performed on the image data indicating the above. FIG. 8 shows the contents of a pixel data array change processing program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. When a document is set on the document reading apparatus 10 and the change key 32 is operated, a pixel data array change processing program is started, and in FIG. Is determined. This determination is made based on whether or not the area designation key 38 has been operated. Step 3
00 is denied, that is, the area designation key 3
If it is determined that 8 has not been specified, the execution of this program is terminated.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 300 is affirmative, that is, if the area designation key 38 has been operated, the flow shifts to step 302, where the area designation information is stored in the RAM 66. That is, when coordinate data for designating an area to be changed in the arrangement of pixel data is input by ten keys, the coordinate data is used to designate an area in a document image displayed on the display screen 22 of the display unit 20. Is stored in the RAM 66 as area designation information.

When an area in which the arrangement of the pixel data is to be changed is designated by a marker on the original, the area recognition unit 7
Since the range of the image whose area is designated by 0 is recognized, the CPU
62 stores the information obtained from the area recognition unit 70 in the RAM 66. In this case, the CPU 62 recognizes the range of the image whose area is specified by referring to the information obtained from the area recognition unit 70 stored in the RAM 66.

Then, the process proceeds to step 100. In steps 100 to 108, as in the process shown in FIG. 4, reading of the document, determination of whether or not a password has been input, pixel data arrangement changing process, password conversion process, The password information is embedded, and the process proceeds to step 304. Step 3
In step 04, the coordinate data stored in the RAM 66 is executed in step 302 to execute a coordinate data conversion processing program stored in the system description memory 60, and the coordinate data is symbolized. The coordinate information as the symbolized image data is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 66.

Further, at step 306, of the image data on the page memory 68 stored with the password number information obtained at step 108 embedded therein and subjected to pixel data arrangement changing processing, the information corresponds to a predetermined position on a copy sheet. The image data is replaced and embedded with coordinate information indicating symbolized coordinate data.

In step 110, the image data stored in the page memory 68 obtained in step 306 is converted into print information, and this print information is output to the image forming section 14. A part of the image is replaced with the password number information and the coordinate information on the paper conveyed from the paper feeding device 16 by the forming unit 14, and the image subjected to the pixel arrangement changing process is copied.

FIG. 9 shows the contents of a pixel data array restoration processing program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the figure, when a document subjected to the pixel data array changing process is set in the document reading apparatus 10 and the restore key 34 is operated, a pixel data array restoring process program is started, and steps 200 to 20 are executed.
In step 6, as in the processing shown in FIG. 5, reading of the document, decryption of the password information included in the document, determination of whether or not the password has been input, and the input password and the password decrypted from the document. It is determined whether the numbers match, and the process proceeds to step 400.

In step 400, it is determined whether or not the image data of the document read in step 200 includes coordinate information. If this determination is denied, that is, if the coordinate data is not included in the image data of the original read in step 200, the process proceeds to step 208, and in steps 208 to 212, the pixel data is processed in the same manner as the processing shown in FIG. The data array restoring process and the deletion of the personal identification number information are performed, and the original document image in which the pixel data array is restored is copied by the image forming unit 14 on the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 16.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 400 is affirmative, that is, if the coordinate data is included in the image data of the document read in step 200, step 40 is executed.
In step 2, a coordinate data restoration processing program stored in the system description memory 60 is executed, and the coordinate information embedded in the image data stored in the page memory 68 is decoded. That is, the coordinate information on the page memory 68 corresponding to a predetermined position on the copy sheet among the image data stored in the page memory 68 is subjected to coordinate data restoration processing, which is the reverse procedure of the coordinate data conversion processing, to execute coordinate conversion. The data is restored, and the restored coordinate data is stored in the RAM 66.

Further, in step 404, pixel data array restoration processing is performed for an area specified by the coordinate data obtained in step 402, and in step 406, personal identification number information is obtained from the image data subjected to pixel data array restoration processing in step 404. And delete the coordinate information. Next, in step 212, the original document image from which the pixel data array has been restored and the password information and coordinate information have been deleted is copied to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 16 by the image forming unit 14.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the case of changing or restoring the arrangement of the pixel data only in the designated area of the image read by the reading means is the same as in the first embodiment. Similar effects can be obtained.

[0066]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the personal identification number is encoded, and the encoded personal identification number information is embedded in the image data whose pixel data array is changed. Therefore, the data arrangement of each pixel of the read original document is changed and copied as an indistinguishable image, or if necessary, the identification number information is retained on the image forming apparatus side when restoring and copying the indistinguishable image. It is not necessary to perform a function for changing or restoring the image data array as in the conventional device.
Since it is not assigned to a card, a memory card or an IC card becomes unnecessary. This eliminates the need for a memory card or IC card, which is advantageous in terms of cost. In addition, since there is no need to separately manage the memory card or IC card, management of confidential documents becomes easy, and damage to the memory card or IC card is caused. This solves the problem that restoration of the original original image becomes impossible.

Further, by embedding the encoded personal identification number information in the image data whose pixel data array has been changed, the original original image can be obtained by using any image forming apparatus having the same specification. It can be restored.

According to the second or third aspect of the present invention, the case where the arrangement or the restoration of the pixel data is changed or restored only in the designated area of the image read by the reading means is also defined in the first aspect. The same effects as those of the described invention can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a display / operation unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a pixel data array change processing program executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of a pixel data array restoration processing program executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a pixel data array changing process and a pixel data array restoring process.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a password conversion process and a password recovery process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a pixel data array change processing program executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of a pixel data array restoration processing program executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 10 document reading apparatus 12 display / operation section 14 image forming section 16 paper feeder 32 change key 34 restore key 36 password identification key 38 area designation key 40 numeric keypad 60 system description memory 62 CPU 64 ROM 66 RAM 68 Page memory 70 area recognition unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] A reading means for reading an image of a document; an instruction means for instructing a change in the arrangement of pixel data or a restoration of the changed arrangement of the pixel data; a password input means for inputting a password; Means for changing the arrangement of the pixel data by the means, changes the pixel data arrangement of the document image read by the reading means based on a predetermined changing procedure, and inputs the code by the password input means. Changing means for symbolizing a password and embedding the pixel data array in the changed image data, outputting image data in which the symbolized password information is embedded, and changing the pixel data changed by the instruction means. When the restoration of the array is instructed, the password information is read from the image in which the pixel data array is changed and read by the reading unit. Is extracted, and a password decrypted from the extracted password information is compared with a password input by a password input unit, and when both match, an image in which the pixel data array is changed is obtained. A restoring unit that restores the original document image from image data based on a predetermined restoring procedure, and outputs the restored image data, based on the image data output by the changing unit or the restoring unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an area designating unit that designates a desired area for changing an arrangement of pixel data in a document image read by the reading unit. When the change of the arrangement of the pixel data is instructed by the instruction means, the pixel data arrangement of the area designated by the area designation means in the original image read by the reading means is determined based on a predetermined change procedure. In addition to the change, the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means is symbolized, and the encoded personal identification number information and the coordinate information indicating the area designated by the area designation means are designated by the area designation means. The part is embedded in the image data in which the pixel data array has been changed, and the encoded personal identification number information and coordinate information are embedded. Outputting image data, wherein the restoration means, when instructed to restore the arrangement of the pixel data changed by the instruction means, outputs a password from the image in which the pixel data arrangement has been read and read by the reading means. The information is extracted, and the personal identification number decrypted from the extracted personal identification number information is compared with the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means. Extract and decode coordinate information indicating the area specified by the area specifying means,
In the image data read by the reading means, an area specified by the decoded coordinate information is converted from the image in which the pixel data array has been changed to the image data representing the original document image in a predetermined restoration procedure. An image forming apparatus that restores the image data based on the image data and outputs the restored image data. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area recognizing means for recognizing an area designated by a desired marker for changing an array of pixel data in a document image read by the reading means. Means for changing a pixel data array of an area recognized by the area recognition means in a document image read by the reading means when a change of the array of pixel data is instructed by the instruction means; In addition, the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means is symbolized, and the encoded personal identification number information and coordinate information indicating the area recognized by the area recognition means are converted by the area recognition means. The recognized part is embedded in the image data in which the pixel data array is changed, and the symbolized password information and coordinate information are embedded. Outputting the embedded image data, wherein the restoring unit is configured to read a portion recognized by the region recognizing unit read by the reading unit when instructed to restore the array of the pixel data changed by the instruction unit; The personal identification number data is extracted from the image in which the pixel data array has been changed, and the personal identification number decrypted from the extracted personal identification number data is compared with the personal identification number input by the personal identification number input means, and the two match. In this case, the coordinate information indicating the area recognized by the area recognizing means is extracted from the image read by the reading means and decoded, and the image read by the reading means is specified by the decoded coordinate information. A predetermined restoration procedure from the image in which the pixel data array has been changed to the image data indicating the original document image for the set area Based and restore,
An image forming apparatus for outputting the restored image data.