Image processing apparatus
Abstract
THE PRESENT INVENTION PROVIDES AN APPARATUS FOR THE PROCESSING OF INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF IMAGES FROM A SCANNER 101 OR AN EXTERNAL INTERFACE 102, SUBMITTING PICTURE INPUT INFORMATION TO SEVERAL PICTURE PROCESSES AND THEN DELIVERING PICTURE INFORMATION CONTAINING A SECTION THAT DETERMINES PAYMENT ORDER 104A TO MAKE A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER INFORMATION PUT IN PICTURE IS OF A SPECIFIC PAYMENT ORDER LIKE INVOICES OR VALUES, AND A SYSTEM 108 CONTROLLER AS A SUSPENSION INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC PAYMENT ORDERS THAT INDICATES THE RESULT OF A DETERMINATION THROUGH THE SPECIFIC PAYMENT ORDER DETERMINATION SECTION (104A), AND AN EXTERNAL INTERFACE 106.

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11 claims: 10 independent, 1 dependent
- 1ES 2 176 273 T3 REIVINDICACIONES 1. Aparato de procesado de imíagenes para recibir datos de imíagenes desde un escíaner o un dispositivo externo, sometiendo los datos introducidos de las imíagenes a varios tipos de procesado de imagen que dan como resultado secuencias (Y, M, C, K) de bits que representan la imagen a imprimir, en los que las secuencias respectivas expresan valores que representan respectivamente el nivel de gris del color de un punto de los datos de las imíagenes, y para a continuacioín dar salida a los datos de las imaígenes, que comprende:unos medios de determinaciíon de un patroín especíifico para determinar si dichos datos introducidos de las imaígenes se corresponden con un patríon especíifico cuya copia estía prohibida, tales como, billetes o valores;y unos medios anadidores de datos para anadir a los datos a los que se ha dado salida unos datos correspondientes a un patroín especíifico que indican un resultado de la determinaciíon realizada por dichos medios de determinaciíon del patroín especifico, anadiendose dichos datos al anadir un bit o varios bits a una o maís de dichas secuencias o rescribiendo un bit o varios bits de una o maís de dichas secuencias en aquella parte de la secuencia que tiene menos influencia sobre el valor representado por la secuencia, controlando dichos datos el procesado posterior de los datos de las imaígenes mediante un dispositivo externo.
- 2Aparato de procesado de imíagenes seguín la reivindicacioín 1, en el que la reescritura es uínicamente realizada si el valor representado por la secuencia a rescribir estía por encima de un valor predeterminado.
- 3Aparato de procesado de imaígenes para recibir datos de imíagenes desde un escaíner o un dispositivo externo, sometiendo los datos introducidos de las imíagenes a varios tipos de procesado de imagen, y a continuaciíon dar salida a los datos de las imíagenes, que comprende:unos medios de descodificacioín para descodificar datos de imíagenes cuando dichos datos introducidos de las imíagenes son datos de las imaígenes codificados;unos medios de codificaciíon para codificar datos de imaígenes que han sido sometidos a dichos varios tipos de procesado de la imagen;unos medios de determinaciíon de un patroín específico para determinar si dichos datos introducidos de las imíagenes se corresponden con un patroín específico cuya copia estía prohibida, tales como, billetes o valores;y unos medios anadidores de datos para anadir a dichos datos codificados de las imíagenes unos datos correspondientes a un patroín específico que indican un resultado de la determinacioín realizada por dichos medios de determinaciíon del patrón específico, en los que dicha anadidura de informacioín del patroín especíifico es ejecutado utilizando bits de informacioín en una secciíon a codificar de acuerdo con un míetodo reversible, o en una secciíon que no se va a codificar, controlando dichos datos anadidos el procesado posterior de los datos de las imaígenes mediante un dispositivo externo;y en donde dichos medios de descodificacioín no ejecutan la operaciíon de descodificaciíon normal si dichos datos introducidos de las imaígenes son datos de las imaígenes codificados y al mismo tiempo dichos datos correspondientes a un patrón especifico no han sido anadidos a los datos de las imíagenes.
- 4Aparato de procesado de imaígenes seguín las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, en el que dichos medios de determinaciíon del patríon específico realizan una determinacioín, cuando se especifica un procesado nuevo de la imagen para dichos datos introducidos de la imagen, sobre si dicha imagen introducida se corresponde o no con un patroín específico utilizando datos de la imagen que han sido sometidos al procesado especificado de la imagen, y dichos medios anadidores de datos anaden dichos datos de acuerdo con un ultimo resultado de la determinaciíon obtenido a la salida de dichos medios de determinaciíon del patroín específico.
- 5Aparato de procesado de imíagenes seguín las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, en el que dichos medios de determinacioín del patroín específico determinan si dichos datos introducidos de las imíagenes se corresponden o no con un patríon específico, o deciden que no se puede realizar ninguna determinacioín particular de acuerdo con el grado de similitud entre ellos;y, dicho aparato de procesado de imaígenes comprende unos medios inhibidores para impedir las operaciones correspondientes al procesado de la imagen o la salida de datos de imíagenes en un caso en el que un resultado de la anterior determinacioín indica que los datos introducidos de las imaígenes se corresponden con un patríon específico, o en un caso en el que se da salida sucesivamente durante un nuímero especificado de veces o mías a un resultado de la determinaciíon que indica que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinacioín particular.
- 6Aparato de procesado de imíagenes seguín las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, que comprende unos medios de almacenamiento con cíodigo cifrado almacenado previamente en su interior;unos medios de introduccioín para introducir cíodigo cifrado;y en el que dichos medios de determinacioín del patroín específico determinan si dichos datos introducidos de las imaígenes se corresponden o no con un patroín específico, o deciden que ninguna determinacioín particular puede ser realizada de acuerdo con el grado de similitud entre ellos;y, que comprende ademaís unos medios inhibidores para impedir las operaciones correspondientes al procesado de la imagen o la salida de datos de imíagenes cuando ha sido introducido cíodigo cifrado y un resultado de la determinaciíon realizada por dichos medios de determinacioín de un patroín específico indican que los datos introducidos de las imíagenes se corresponden con un patroín específico, y tambiíen para impedir las operaciones correspondientes al procesado de la imagen o la salida de datos de imíagenes en un caso en el que no ha sido introducido cíodigo cifrado y un resultado de la determinacioín realizada por los medios de determinaciíon del patroín específico indica que los datos introducidos de las imíagenes se corresponden con un patríon específico, o se da salida sucesivamente durante un nuímero especificado de veces o mías a un ES 2 176 273 T3 resultado de la determinaciáon que indica que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinacioán particular.
- 7Aparato de procesado de imaágenes seguán las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, que comprende:unos medios de almacenamiento con cáodigo de usuario, almacenado en su interior, y fijado previamente para cada usuario;unos medios de introducciáon para introducir coádigo de usuario;y en el que dichos medios de determinacioán del patroán especáfico determinan si dichos datos introducidos de las imáagenes se corresponden o no con un patráon especáfico, o deciden que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinaciáon particular de acuerdo con el grado de similitud entre ellos;y que comprende ademáas unos medios inhibidores para impedir las operaciones correspondientes al procesado de la imagen o la salida de datos de imáagenes cuando ha sido introducido cáodigo de usuario y un resultado de la determinacioán realizada por dichos medios de determinaciáon de un patráon especáfico indican que los datos introducidos de las imáagenes se corresponden con un patráon especáfico, y tambiáen para impedir las operaciones correspondientes al procesado de la imagen o la salida de datos de imáagenes en un caso en el que no ha sido introducido coádigo de usuario y un resultado de la determinacioán realizada por los medios de determinaciáon del patroán especáfico indica que los datos introducidos de las imaágenes se corresponden con un patráon especáfico, o se da salida sucesivamente durante un nuámero especificado de veces o máas a un resultado de la determinacioán que indica que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinaciáon particular.
- 8Aparato de procesado de imaágenes seguán las reivindicaciones 5, 6 áo 7, en el que dicho escáaner tiene una placa de sujecioán del patráon y una funciáon de bloqueo para bloquear la placa de sujeciáon del patroán, y dichos medios inhibidores impiden las operaciones correspondientes al procesado de la imagen o la salida de datos de imaágenes y evitan tambiáen la extracciáon de un patroán al activar dicha funciáon de bloqueo de la placa de sujecioán del patráon.
- 9Aparato de procesado de imáagenes seguán las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, en el que dichos medios de determinacioán del patroán especáfico determinan si dichos datos introducidos de las imaágenes se corresponden o no con un patráon especáfico, o deciden que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinaciáon particular de acuerdo con el grado de similitud entre ellos;y que comprende ademaás unos medios de almacenamiento de la situaciáon de procesado para almacenar la situacioán del procesado tal como una fecha de la determinaciáon o el contenido del procesado de la imagen en un caso en el que un resultado de la determinaciáon por dichos medios de determinacioán del patráon especáfico indica que los datos introducidos de las imáagenes se corresponden con un patroán especáfico, o que no puede se realizada ninguna determinaciáon particular.
- 10Aparato de procesado de imáagenes seguán las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, en el que unos medios de determinacioán del patroán especáfico determinan si dichos datos introducidos de las imaágenes se corresponden o no con un patráon especáfico, o deciden que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinacioán particular de acuerdo con el grado de similitud entre ellos;y que comprende ademáas unos medios de almacenamiento de datos de imaágenes para almacenar los datos de las imáagenes a los que se ha dado salida en un caso en el que un resultado de la determinacioán realizada por dichos medios de determinaciáon del patroán especáfico indica que los datos introducidos de las imaágenes se corresponden con unos datos especáficos o que no puede ser realizada ninguna determinacioán particular.
- 11Aparato de procesado de imáagenes seguán las reivindicaciones 1 a 11, en donde dichos medios de determinacioán del patráon especáfico realizan una determinaciáon, utilizando los datos de las imáagenes que han sido sometidos al procesado especificado de la imagen, sobre si los datos introducidos de las imáagenes se corresponden o no con un patráon especáfico en un caso en el que el procesado de la imagen asociado con la deformacioán o el procesado tal como un cambio de tamano, reflexiáon de la imagen, inclinaciáon, conversiáon de color o coloreado, estáa especificado para dichos datos introducidos de las imáagenes. NOTA INFORMATIVA:Conforme a la reserva del art. 167.2 del Convenio de Patentes Europeas (CPE) y a la Disposición Transitoria del RD 2424/1986, de 10 de octubre, relativo a la aplicacion del Convenio de Patente Europea, las patentes europeas que designen a España y solicitadas antes del 7-10-1992, no producirán ningún efecto en Espana en la medida en que confieran proteccion a productos químicos y farmaceuticos como tales. Esta informacion no prejuzga que la patente esté o no incluída en la mencionada reserva.
Independent claims11
72 paragraphs in 3 sections, as filed
IS 2 176 273 T3
DESCRIPTION
Image processing apparatus.
Technical sector of the invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for receiving image data from a scanner or external device, subjecting input image data to various types of image processing, and then outputting image data. , and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that has a function to determine if the input data of the images correspond to a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as banknotes and securities.
Background of the invention
In recent years, in association with progress in the image processing technology and imaging technology sectors, it has become possible to form an image in such a thorough manner that sometimes a banknote copied and prepared with a Color copier machine cannot be distinguished from a real banknote. For this reason, devices have been developed to determine specific patterns such as banknotes and securities and to prevent illegal copying of those specific patterns. An apparatus of this type is described in EP-A-0342060.
However, with conventional technology, apparatuses have been provided that prevent the output of an image when the image is determined as corresponding to a specific pattern, but no apparatus has been provided that allows the output of an image in a case in where, for example, the image is processed by an external device, adding information that the image can correspond to a specific pattern, with the condition that the image is not printed directly on printing paper.
In addition to conventional technology, a determination is made as to whether or not an image corresponds to a specific pattern based on entered image data, but no particular consideration has been made for a case in which an image can be treated as the one. corresponding to a specific pattern or as the one not corresponding to a specific pattern subjecting the image to a particular deformation or processing such as change of size, reflection of the image, inclination, color or colored conversion.
Furthermore, no imaging apparatus has been provided in which a degree of stringency in recognizing a specific pattern can be changed following the criteria of the user or the conditions of use.
In addition to conventional technology, a determination as to whether or not an image corresponds to a specific pattern is performed by comparing a certain threshold value and a degree of similarity, so that sometimes a pattern suspected of being a specific pattern is determined as non-specific pattern due to prior setting of a threshold value, and similar images as described above have been processed based on the recognition that the images do not correspond to a specific pattern.
Summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that enables the output of dubious image data in a case where the image data is processed by an external device that adds information that the image data they can correspond to a specific pattern.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that can accurately make a determination as to whether or not the entered data of the images correspond to a specific pattern taking into account a case in which the data of the images Images may or may not correspond to a specific pattern once subjected to a particular deformation or processing such as a change in size, a reflection of the image, inclination, they converted color, and colored.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus in which a degree of rigor in the recognition of a specific pattern can be varied according to the user's criteria or the conditions of use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that can prevent the copying of an image that has not been definitively determined as a specific pattern but is suspected of corresponding to a specific pattern. These objects are achieved by an image processing apparatus as set forth in the claims.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, if a means for determining a specific pattern determines whether data input from images and received from a scanner or an external device corresponds to a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as , bills or securities, data adding means adds to the data of the images to which data corresponding to a specific pattern will be output that indicates a result of the determination made by the means for determining the specific pattern, so that, in never of the images are processed by an external device, Output can be allowed by adding information to the image data that the image data to be output can correspond to a specific pattern.
In an image processing apparatus, the present invention will follow, if the means for determining a specific pattern determine whether data input from images received from a scanner or an external device corresponds to a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as, banknotes or securities, data adding means adds to the data of the images to which data corresponding to a specific pattern will be output, indicating a result of the determination made by the means for determining the specific pattern, so that, images are processed using a
ES 2 176 273 T3 external device, output can be allowed by adding information to the image data that the image data to be output can correspond to a specific pattern. Furthermore, in a case where the input image data is encoded image data, and at the same time the data corresponding to a specific pattern has not been added thereto, a decoding means does not perform the normal decoding operation. .
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the means for determining a specific pattern make a determination, using the image data that has been subjected to the specified image processing, as to whether the entered data of the images correspond or not with a specific pattern in a case in which a new image processing is specified for the entered image data, and the data adding means add the data according to a last determination result obtained from the specific pattern determination means, so that, even in the case that the entered data of the images are never treated as corresponding to a specific pattern by submitting the data entered in images to a specified image processing, a determination result can be precisely added to the image data.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the means for determining a specific pattern calculates a degree of similarity between the entered data of the images and a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as banknotes or securities, and determines if the data entered from the images correspond or not to a specific pattern, or decide that a particular determination cannot be made according to the degree of similarity between them, and then inhibitory means prevent operations for image processing or image data output in a case in which a result of the determination made by the determination means of a specific pattern indicates that the entered image data correspond to a specific pattern, or in a case where a determination result is output successively for a specified number of times or more indicating that no particular determination can be performed.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the means of determining a specific pattern calculates a degree of similarity between the entered data of the images and a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as banknotes or securities, and determines if the data entered from the images correspond or not to a specific pattern, or they decide that a particular determination cannot be made according to the degree of similarity between them, and then the inhibiting means prevent operations for image processing or image data output in a case where encryption code has been entered and a result of the determination made by the determination means of a specific pattern indicates that the data entered from the images corresponds to a specific pattern, and also prevent operations for image processing or image data output in a case in which no encryption code has been entered and a result of the determination made by the means for determining the specific pattern indicates that the data entered of the images correspond to a specific pattern, or in a case in which a result of the determination made by the determination means of the specific pattern indicating that no particular determination can be made is successively output for a specified number of times or more.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the means for determining a specific pattern calculate a degree of similarity between the input data of the images and a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as banknotes or securities, and determine if the data entered in the images correspond or not to a specific pattern, or decide that a particular determination cannot be made according to the degree of similarity between them, and then the inhibiting means prevent the operations corresponding to the processing of the image or the output of image data in a case in which user code has been entered and a result of the determination made by the determination means of a specific pattern indicates that the data entered from the images correspond to a specific pattern, and also prevent operations for image processing or image data output in a case where no user code has been entered and a result of the determination made by the specific pattern determination means indicates that the data entered images correspond to a specific pattern, or in a case in which a result of the determination made by the determination means of the specific pattern indicating that no particular determination can be made is successively output for a specified number of times or more.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the inhibiting means prevent the operations corresponding to the image processing or the image data output, and also bypass the operation of falsifying a specific pattern by preventing the extraction of a pattern at the time. activate the clamping plate locking function.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the means for determining a specific pattern calculate a degree of similarity between the entered data of the images and a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as banknotes or securities, and determine if the data entered in the images correspond or not to a specific pattern, or decide that no particular determination can be made according to the degree of similarity between them, and then some storage means of the processing situation
ES 2 176 273 T3 store the processing situation, for example, a date of the determination or the content of the image processing in a case in which a result of the determination made by the specific pattern determination means indicates that the data entered from the images correspond to a specific pattern, or that no particular determination can be made.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the means of determining a specific pattern calculates a degree of similarity between the input data of the images and a specific pattern whose copying was prohibited, for example, banknotes or securities, and determines if the data entered from the images correspond or not to a specific pattern, or they decide that no particular determination can be made according to the degree of similarity between them, and then some image data storage means store image data to be output in a case in which a result of the Determination made by the means of determination of the specific pattern indicates that the data entered from the images correspond to a specific pattern, or that no particular determination can be made.
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the specific pattern determination means perform a determination, using image data that has been subjected to the specified image processing, on whether or not the entered data of the images correspond to a specific pattern in a case in which for the entered data of the images an image processing associated with the deformation or a processing such as a change in size is specified, image reflection, tilt, color conversion, or colored.
From the following description with reference to the attached drawings, other objectives and characteristics of this invention will be understood.
Brief description of the drawings
Fig.1 is a block diagram showing a digital color copier machine with an external interface according to the present embodiment;
<sup>Y</sup> Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C are explanatory views showing a locking function according to the present embodiment.
Description of the preferred embodiment
Next, a detailed description corresponding to a digital color copying machine with an external interface is made in the form of an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention with reference to the related drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a configuration of a digital color copier machine with an external interface according to the present embodiment which comprises a scanner 101 that optically reads an image of a pattern, subjects the read image to an A / D conversion (analog / digital conversion), a MTF conversion or the like, and outputs the image as R, G, B data, an external interface 102 to receive image data input from an external device, a selector 103 to receive R, G data, B from the scanner 101 as well as from the external interface 102 and selectively output any of the image data, an image processing section 104 to receive R, G, B data from the selector 103, submit the entered data from the images to various kinds of image processing, and output the image data as Y, M, C, K data, a printer 105 to form an image on recording paper according to the Y, M, C data, K obtained at the output of the image processing section 104, an external interface 106 to output the Y, M, C, K data obtained at the output of the image processing section 104 to an external device, a selector 107 to selectively output the Y, M, C, K data obtained at the output of the image processing section 104 either to the printer 105 or to the external interface 106, an operational section 108 to execute various keyboard inputs and message outputs, and a system controller 109 to control each of the components described above.
Image processing section 104 has an image processing function to subject input data of images to various types of image processing such as γ correction, conversion of R, G, B data to Y, M data , C, K, the processing of the gray level, or a γ correction for a printer according to the characteristics of a device (in this document the printer 105) or a mode of processing the image data, an image processing function to subject the input data of the images to deformation or processing such as resizing, image reflection, tilt, color conversion, or coloring according to specified conditions, and a determination function of a specific pattern to determine if the data entered in the images corresponds or not to a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as, bills and securities as shown in the section on determining the specific pattern.
The external interface 102 corresponds to a decoding means according to the present invention that has a function of decoding data of images entered from an external device, and a function of reading data for a specific pattern from image data entered from the external device.
The external interface 106 corresponds to encoding means and data adding means according to the present invention, and has a function of encoding data of images to be output and a function consisting of adding to the data of the images that have been outputted with data corresponding to a specific pattern that indicate a result of the determination made by the section 104a of determination of the specific pattern.
The operating section 108 can enter encryption code and user code making use of various types of keyboard inputs.
ES 2 176 273 T3 previously described.
The system controller 109 controls each section (each unit) as well as the communications through the external interface 102 and the external interface 106, and has a function of storing, maintaining and checking the encrypted code as well as the user code, a function of counting and verifying a result of the determination carried out by means 104a for determining the specific pattern, a function of storage and maintenance of data corresponding to the status of the processing such as the date of the determination or the content of the image processing performed by the sections 104a of determination of the specific pattern, and a function of storage and maintenance of data of images according to a result of the determination made by section 104a of determination of the specific employer.
With the configuration described above, the following is a description corresponding to the operations of the image processing apparatus. In the case of ordinary copy processing, that is, in a case where an image of a pattern is read by a scanner and the image data is input to the image processing apparatus, the scanner output 101 is the R, G, B data, and the R, G, B data is sent to the image processing section 104. In the image processing section 104, the R, G, B data are converted to density data by means of the γ correction, then the density data is converted to Y, M, C, K data by solving the equation for masking, and also the data is subjected to γ correction for a printer according to the characteristics of the printer.
In this document if the printer 105 is a printer that has 4 sets of imaging units, the Y, M, C, K data is entered all at once from the image processing section 104, and on the paper. printing, a full color image is formed. In addition to a case of a printer having only one imaging unit set, the Y, M, C, K data are sequentially converted from the R, G, B data and output in section 104 Image Processing System to execute the image formation on the recording paper 4 times, thus forming a full color image by overlaying colors sequentially. That is, in a case of a printer having only one set of imaging units, the scanner 101 executes the scan 4 times to form the images corresponding to Y, M, C, and K respectively. Also, when an image is formed. full color image with 3 colors of Y, M and C, scanning runs 3 times.
On the other hand, in a case where the external interfaces 102 and 106 are used the image data is sent to the image processing section 104 through the external interface 102 from the outside instead of the scanner 102, I heard Image data is output to various external devices through external interface 106 instead of to printer 105.
The data of the images subjected to various types of image processing in the image processing section 104 is sent to the specific pattern determination section 104a in the image processing section 104, where a determination is made as to whether the data of the images correspond to a specific patron whose copying is prohibited, such as, bills or securities. First, the means 104a for determining a specific pattern calculate a degree of similarity between the processed data of the images and a specific pattern whose copying is prohibited, such as banknotes or securities, and the data of the images in question are classified in 3 values of (T) that indicates that the image data corresponds to a specific pattern, (F) that indicates that the image does not correspond to a specific pattern, and (N) indicating that no decision can be made for the image data based on the degree of similarity calculated.
In this embodiment, the determination of whether or not the image data corresponds to a specific pattern is made according to a degree of similarity. For example, in a case where a degree of similarity is calculated as a degree between 0% and 99%, if a degree of similarity is greater than 90%, the image data is determined as (T) which indicates that the image data is correspond to a specific pattern, if a degree of similarity is 69% or less, the image data is determined as (F) which indicates that the image data does not correspond to a specific pattern, and if a degree of similarity is less than 90% and greater than 69%, the image data is determined as (N) indicating that no particular decision can be made for the image data.
A determination result (T, F, N) is sent to a system controller 109. The image data used in the determination for a specific pattern is then sent through a selector 107 to the printer 105 or the external interface 106.
When a determination result is input, the system controller 109 executes a processing to prevent copying as well as to add data corresponding to a specific pattern as would be described later in accordance with the determination result. First, when image data is output to the internal printer 105, if a determination result indicates that the input image data corresponds to a specific pattern (T), at that instant in time it stops ( prevents) output of image data. Specifically, all the content of the image data (assuming in this document that the image data is based on 256 gray levels) is converted to “0” or “255”, or if the printer drive stops 105 In addition, when image data is output to an external device, system controller 109 causes external interface 106 to perform processing to add data corresponding to a specific pattern.
IS 2 176 273 T3
Next, a description is made of a method for adding data corresponding to a specific pattern on the external interface 106. The image data is output in synchronization with a main scan synchronization signal (LSYNC), a signal auxiliary scan synchronization (FGATEB), and a pixel clock (CLK). In recent years, color image data has a resolution of approximately 400 dpi, 300 dpi, and 240 dpi, and is expressed as 8 bits for R, G, and B or Y, M, C, and K respectively ( 256 levels of gray). In this document, the lowest bit is considered to be the data bit corresponding to a specific pattern. However, in a case in which the data value is not greater than 15, that is, in a case in which the highest 4 bits are zero (0), if any data is put in the lowest bit , a noise component becomes larger, so that the lowest bit is used as the data bit only when the data value is 16 or greater.
Also, it should be noted that although the following description considers the image data to consist of 8 bits, the lowest bit can be used as the data bit if the data consists of approximately 6 bits or more. In other cases, even if 1 bit is added as a dedicated data bit, there is no substantial cost problem, so a new bit is added if necessary.
The external interface 106 tracks the data point by point in the main scan direction, and the low bit in the data consisting of 16 points or more is stored in a memory (not shown herein). When 8 or more data segments consisting of 16 points each have been detected, data sampling is complete. In a case in which the number of pixels each comprising data of 16 or more points is 7 or less, the data corresponding to a specific pattern are not added to the line.
Even if 8-bit data has been sampled, in a case where a determination result (T) is provided to the subsequent data with a value of 16 or more according to an instruction from the system controller 109, only the Lower bits are rewritten with the contents of the memory described above in succession. When 8 data segments have been rewritten, the data rewrite restarts from the first bit. If a result of the determination is (F), in the data only the lowest bits are rewritten with the previous memory content after inverting it.
If a result of the determination is (N), of the 8 bits that are the lowest bits corresponding to 8 points (pixels) that each comprise the first 16 or more bits stored in memory as described above, inverts any 1 bit or several bits in your case. At this point it is possible to add data corresponding to a similarity with a specific pattern (for example, a value that indicates a degree of similarity) by specifying a bit or bits to invert. By deciding which bit or bits to invert, it is also possible to determine, when any other bit has been inverted, that the data has not been correctly added to the image data or that the image data has been intentionally distorted (or modified). . It should be noted that, as in the case of data consisting of 6 bits or more, only the lowest bit is rewritten, there is no problem related to image quality, and it is considered as a type of noise in the image. output.
On the other hand, in a case where the image data is compressed (encoded) on the external interface 106 and output to an external device, such as ADCT conversion or the similar procedure generally used for image compression multi-valued is not reversible, it is impossible to store data corresponding to a specific pattern according to a method in which the lowest bit in the image data is used as the data bit as described above. For this reason, in this case, when image data is compressed by means of ADCT conversion, data corresponding to specific data is added using the lowest bit of a DC component signal. The encoding of the DC component is reversible, and the encoding may run after data corresponding to a specific pattern is added, and may not run. However, in this case, the data corresponds to each 8x8x8 pixel.
Next, a description is made for a data reading process corresponding to a specific pattern in an external I / F. In a case where the data corresponding to a specific pattern has been added to image data as described above, and at the same time the image data has not been encoded, a lower bit is sampled in memory. of 8 points in the first 16 or more data segments for each line, and the lowest bit is checked for each point in the subsequent 16 or more data segments. In a case where any different data is found in any element, the element is recognized as an image corresponding to a specific pattern.
Furthermore, in a case where the encoded data is received from an external device, the data corresponding to a specific pattern is uniquely checked with its DC component signal. The data corresponding to a specific pattern is transferred to a system controller 109, treated as a result of the determination by the specific pattern determination section 104a, and a control is executed to prevent the corresponding operations.
In this operation, in a case in which the image is subjected to processing and is then output to an external device, the 104th section for determining the specific pattern makes a determination as to whether or not the image data corresponds to a specific pattern after having been subjected to various types of image processing, the data corresponding to a specific pattern are
ES 2 176 273 T3 added on external I / F 106. For this reason, even in a case where the data corresponding to a specific pattern added to the inputted image data indicates (T), the specific pattern determination section 104a determines the image as (N), (N) is added to it as data corresponding to a specific pattern in the external I / F 106 and it is output in a case in which the image data after having been subjected to image processing does not they are treated as corresponding to a specific pattern. And furthermore, even in a case where the data corresponding to a specific pattern added to the input data of the image indicates (N), the 104th section of determination of the specific pattern determines the image as (T), (T) is added to it as data corresponding to a specific pattern in the external I / F 106 and it is output in a case in which the image data after having been subjected to image processing is treated as corresponding to a specific pattern. In addition, the external I / F 102 decodes the image data by subjecting it to processing in which the DC component is set to zero (0) in a case where the data corresponding to a specific pattern is not added precisely. to the first data (or just not appended).
The system controller 109 always checks which is the result of the determination on the input data of the image from among (T), (F), or (N), and when the result is (T), a processing is executed to prevent the image from being output normally. In addition, the normal output of the image stops until a state (F) is calculated if a sequence of a state (N) is recognized and it reaches a previously specified number of times C.
Furthermore, if the (N) state is recognized, the system controller 109 requires input of the encrypted code by an operator, and if the encrypted code is entered through the operation section 108, the encrypted code is compared with the encrypted code. previously stored cipher code, then, if correct, the image data is output. In the present embodiment, in a case where the encryption code is not entered within a specified period of time, or in a case where the encryption code entered does not match the previously stored encryption code, the data of the image are abandoned and each section of the device is returned to its initial state.
Also in the present embodiment, the operator may be required to re-enter the encryption code before exiting the image data so that the entered encryption code is again compared with the previously stored encryption code.
In addition, a plurality of encrypted codes can be previously prepared, assigned as a user code to each user or to each section to which a user belongs so that each user can enter the user code as described above to compare it with the code. previously stored encryption. With this operation, even if an image corresponding to a specific pattern is misused, it is easier to keep track of the reason because users are placed under more strict control.
As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, in the case where the input image data from the scanner 101 is determined to correspond to a specific pattern (T), the system controller 109 controls the lockout function by providing a locking function in a section of the pressure plate of a scanner 101 (a pattern holding plate), so that the pattern cannot be removed, which makes it possible to effectively thwart the copy of a specific pattern.
In addition, when it is determined that the image data corresponds to a specific pattern (T) or that no determination (N) can be made independently of the scanner 101 or the external I / F 102 from which the data of the image is received. image, the system controller 109 stores the image data in an internal memory (not shown in the present embodiment). And furthermore, said data such as the date of determination or the content of the image processing at the time described above can be stored at that time in the internal memory (not shown in the present embodiment) as a status of the processing. With this operation, it is possible to specify or consider the data entered for the image.
It should be noted that, in a case where the image data is stored in the internal memory, to reduce the required memory capacity, a compressed image data storage method can be used or only a part of the image can be stored. important of them for the determination.
As described above, in the present embodiment, a determination is made as to whether or not the entered image data corresponds to a specific pattern, and to the image data which will be output as corresponding data. a determination result is added to a specific pattern, so that the copying or falsification of a specific pattern can be avoided even in a case where the image data is transferred uniquely through the external I / F 106 without actually being output on the recording paper.
Furthermore, in a case where the data corresponding to a specific pattern has not been added to the input image data through the external I / F 102, the normal processing (normal decoding) cannot be performed, so that the data corresponding to a specific pattern is always added to the image data in a case where it is expected to receive normal image data from an external device and obtain a normal image.
Furthermore, even in a case in which certain image data is determined as corresponding or not to a specific pattern according to changes in the criteria for the determination in the processing of each image, an accurate result can always be obtained from the determination for the image data to be output, and the result obtained
ES 2 176 273 T3 can also be added to them as data corresponding to a specific pattern.
In determining whether or not the image data corresponds to a specific pattern, in a case where a state indicating that no determination can be made (N) is continuously obtained successively, it is possible to prevent the copy of the image the same as never in which it is determined that the image data corresponds to a specific pattern (T), so that error-free copying or falsification can be avoided even in a case where the image cannot be accurately determined as corresponding to a specific pattern.
In addition, a user is controlled with their encrypted code or user code, and the criteria for determining whether or not the image corresponds to a specific pattern can be made rigorous for users who are not authorized users.
Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the extraction of a template with the internal locking mechanism, so that the device can be simultaneously identified when a copy or forgery is executed.
Furthermore, in a case where it is determined that an image corresponds to a specific pattern (T) and that no particular determination (N) can be made, the image data is stored, so that the specific pattern can be easily checked later.
Furthermore, in a case in which it is determined that an image corresponds to a specific pattern (T) and that no particular determination (N) can be made, the date of the determination or the content of the image processing are stored. as a situation of the processed, so that the situation of copying or falsification of said data can be clearly defined.
Contents3
2 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2
13 members in 4 offices
Priority claims5
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19940272296 | Japan | – | |
| 27229694 | Japan | A | |
| 27229694 | Japan | A | |
| 27229694 | – | – | – |
| JP19940272296 | – | – | – |
Members13
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP0711061A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| JPH08139906A | Japan | A | |
| EP1111900A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP1111900A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EP0711061B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| DE69526831D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| ES2176273T3This record | Spain | T3 | |
| DE69526831T2 | Germany | T2 | |
| EP1111900B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| DE69530136D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| DE69530136T2 | Germany | T2 | |
| ES2194799T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| JP3602581B2 | Japan | B2 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2176273
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2176273
- Publication, EPODOC
- ES2176273T
- Application
- 95117505
- Application, DOCDB
- 95117505
- Application, EPODOC
- ES19950117505T
Titles2
- Spanish
- APARATO DE PROCESADO DE IMAGENES.
- English
- IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE.
Classification
- IPC, 4
- H04N1 387
- G06T1 00
- H04N1 00
- H04N1 40