Image processing apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, storage medium, and program

[0001] The present invention implements an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and the like, which are applicable to, for example, a copying apparatus having an electrophotographic process, a copying apparatus having another process, and the like. It relates to a computer-readable storage medium that stores the program for the purpose, and the program.

[0002] Conventional Technology For example, for a confidential sentence, a "confidential" mark is inserted, a "copy prohibited" character is inserted, or a "Confidential Information" character is inserted in the manuscript. As a result, the confidentiality of the original manuscript is managed.

[0003] In recent years, some methods for confidentiality management have been proposed without including the above-mentioned characters in the manuscript. For example, there is a method of creating an original manuscript using a paper in which the characters "copy prohibited" appear when the manuscript to be managed is copied, or a paper that becomes black and cannot be copied. As a result, it is not possible to copy without permission, and confidentiality can be improved.

[0004] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional document management method as described above is an extreme confidentiality management method in which copying is not possible at all or all can be copied. In other words, even if it is a confidential sentence that can be copied if it is a certain part (page) in the whole, this could not be realized by the technology.

[0005] For example, suppose that it is necessary to copy the required number of copies of the confidential text distributed to an officer in order to explain it to the officer's subordinates at a later date. However, in the past, even if it was copied, it could not be copied because it became a black state or the characters "copy prohibited" were entered.

[0006] Further, for example, when a confidential document is a design-related material and is a manuscript for which it is necessary to discuss detailed points, in the past, copying this would result in deterioration in image quality compared to the original manuscript. There was also the problem.

[0007] Further, even if it is desired to digitally manage a document output on a paper medium, this has not been realized in the past.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an image capable of making a desired original copy as needed and obtaining a good original copy result while improving security. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing device, an image processing method, a computer-readable storage medium in which a program for carrying out the processing is stored, and the program.

[0009] [Means for solving problems] For this purpose, the image processing apparatus of the present invention reads the image on the original original document to which the first predetermined information is added by the reading means, so that the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information in the storage means is obtained. Is an image processing device that outputs the output by the output means, the generation means that generates the output restriction information for the image information stored in the storage means, and stores the output restriction information in the storage means, and the generation means. The storage means has an output control means for limiting the output of image information by the output means based on the output limit information generated and stored in the storage means, and the storage means has image information corresponding to the first predetermined information. , The output restriction information generated by the generation means and the output result information by the output means are stored in association with each other, and the output control means is the first predetermined obtained from the original document read by the reading means. When the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information stored in the storage means is specified based on the information and the output of the image information is permitted based on the output restriction information corresponding to the image information. The output means is output, and the storage means updates the output result information stored in the storage means in response to the output of the image information by the output means.

[0010] In another aspect of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, an image corresponding to the first predetermined information in the storage means is read by reading the image on the original document to which the first predetermined information is added. An image processing device that outputs information by an output means, and when the original original document to which the first predetermined information is added is read by the reading means, an image currently corresponding to the first predetermined information is displayed. An image corresponding to the first predetermined information stored in the storage means based on the determination means for determining whether or not the information is within the period for permitting the output by the output means and the determination result by the determination means. The storage means has an output control means for controlling the image information to be output by the output means when the information is within a period permitted to be output by the output means, and the storage means is the first. The image information corresponding to the predetermined information and the output limit information indicating the period during which the output by the output means is permitted are stored in association with each other, and the determination means is based on the output limit information stored in the storage means. It is characterized by making a judgment.

[0011] In the image processing method of the present invention, the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information in the storage means is output by the output means by reading the image on the original document to which the first predetermined information is added by the reading means. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus, which is a generation step of generating output restriction information for image information stored in the storage means and storing the output restriction information in the storage means, and a generation step of generating the output restriction information. An output control step that limits the output of image information by the output means based on the output restriction information stored in the storage means, image information corresponding to the first predetermined information, and output restriction information generated in the generation step. , And a storage step in which the output result information by the output means is associated with each other and stored in the storage means, and the output control step is the first predetermined position obtained from the original document read by the reading means. When the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information stored in the storage means is specified based on the information and the output of the image information is permitted based on the output restriction information corresponding to the image information. The output by the output means is performed, and the storage step is characterized in that the output result information stored in the storage means is updated in response to the output of the image information by the output means.

[0012] Another aspect of the image processing method of the present invention is an image corresponding to the first predetermined information in the storage means by reading the image on the original document to which the first predetermined information is added by the reading means. It is an image processing method in an image processing apparatus that outputs information by an output means, and when the original manuscript to which the first predetermined information is added is read by the reading means, the present is the first predetermined information. The first predetermined information stored in the storage means based on the determination step for determining whether or not the output of the image information corresponding to the above is within the period permitted by the output means and the determination result by the determination step. The storage means has an output control step for controlling the output of the image information by the output means when the image information corresponding to the above is within the period permitted to be output by the output means. The image information corresponding to the first predetermined information and the output limit information indicating the period during which the output by the output means is permitted are stored in association with each other, and the determination step is the output limit stored in the storage means. It is characterized in that the determination is made based on the information.

[0013] The program of the present invention is an image process that outputs image information corresponding to the first predetermined information in the storage means by the output means by reading the image on the original document to which the first predetermined information is added by the reading means. A program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method in an apparatus, which includes a generation step of generating output restriction information for image information stored in the storage means and storing the output restriction information in the storage means. An output control step that limits the output of image information by the output means based on the output restriction information generated in the generation step and stored in the storage means, and image information corresponding to the first predetermined information, the generation step. The computer is made to execute the output restriction information generated in the above and the storage step of associating the output result information by the output means with each other and storing them in the storage means, and the output control step is the original document read by the reading means. The image information corresponding to the first predetermined information stored in the storage means is specified based on the first predetermined information obtained from the above, and the image information is based on the output restriction information corresponding to the image information. When the output is permitted, the output by the output means is performed, and the storage step updates the output result information stored in the storage means in response to the output of the image information by the output means. It is a feature.In another aspect of the program of the present invention, the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information in the storage means is output by the output means by reading the image on the original document to which the first predetermined information is added by the reading means. A program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method in an image processing device to be output, wherein the storage means outputs image information corresponding to the first predetermined information and an output indicating a period during which output by the output means is permitted. When the original original document to which the first predetermined information is added is read by the reading means, the output of the image information currently corresponding to the first predetermined information is stored in association with the restriction information. It is stored in the storage means based on the determination step for determining whether or not the output by the means is permitted based on the output restriction information stored in the storage means and the determination result by the determination step. When the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information is within the period permitted to be output by the output means, the output control step for controlling the output of the image information by the output means is provided. It is intended to be executed by a computer.

[0014] The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that the program is stored.

[0015] Specifically, for example, specific information (predetermined information) indicating a limit on the number of copies, a copy deadline, a password setting, copying prohibition, etc. is described in advance for the original manuscript to be processed. .. Then, at the time of copying the original, the copying operation is performed based on the specific information added to the original to be processed.

[0016] As a result, for example, when an original original is created on copy-prohibited paper, it cannot be copied by a normal copying device, but can be copied by a specific copying device having the above configuration. Further, if a specific copying device having the above configuration is configured to copy using pre-stored image information corresponding to the original original, good copying can be performed even with image quality other than from the viewpoint of security. ..

Therefore, regarding the copying of the original manuscript, information such as the password, copyright information, and the number of copies can be managed as specific information, and the number of copies can be limited, copying is permitted / disallowed, or security management is performed by the password. Etc. are possible.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] The present invention is applied to, for example, the copying apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The copying apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has an electrophotographic process, and in particular, when copying a manuscript, the number of copies, the copy deadline, the password setting, the copying prohibition, etc., which are written in advance on the manuscript, are set. It is configured to make a copy of the manuscript based on specific information.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the copying apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a specific information reading unit 101 that reads specific information of the original, and a storage unit that stores specific information and image information of the original in advance. Based on the comparison result of the specific information comparison unit 104, which collates the specific information obtained by the specific information reading unit 101 and the specific information stored in the storage unit 109 in advance, and the specific information comparison unit 104, the corresponding image information is displayed. The configuration includes an image information output unit 112 that is read from and output from the storage unit 109, and an output number management unit 106 that adds up the number of output sheets in the image information output unit 112 and stores them in the storage unit 109.

[0021] Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the copying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

[0022] In the present embodiment, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is applied to a copying apparatus 100 having an electrophotographic process, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to a copying apparatus or the like having another process. It is also applicable to this.

<Creation of Original Manuscript> First, the preparation of the original manuscript will be described before the description of the configuration and operation of the copying apparatus 100.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart showing the process of creating an original manuscript. For example, a CPU having a computer function of an arbitrary device or system executes a program according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 to execute an original manuscript creation process as described below.

[0025] Step S301: Read the information of the image (original image) to be processed. Step S302: Generate specific information, which will be described in detail later. Step S303: Embed the specific information generated in step S302 into the original image information read in step S301.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows the processing result in step S303. As shown in FIG. 4, specific information 401 (see the white circle in the upper right) is embedded in the original image information 400 (one page of the original manuscript).

[0027] Step S304: The image information (original manuscript) in which the specific information is embedded in step S303 is printed out by the image information output unit 112 (print unit), which will be described in detail later. At this time, if the copy-prohibited paper is configured to be printed out as described above, copying is not possible except for the configuration described later, and more effective security is possible. However, it goes without saying that if the paper to be printed out is copy-prohibited paper that becomes black when printed out (copied) by the image information output unit 112, it is necessary to make it possible to read only specific information. To give an example of a specific method for this, for example, there is a method of inputting background data (for example, white) and character information instead of inputting only character information.

[0028] Step S305: The storage unit 109 stores the image information read in step S302 and the specific information generated in step S302 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0029] In the present embodiment, according to the configuration described later, when the image information output unit 112 prints out (copies) the original document generated as described above, the information constituting the original document is configured from the storage unit 109. Since (image information and specific information) are directly read out, a copy result with little deterioration in image quality can be obtained.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows an operation unit 501 for executing the generation and copying operations of the original document as described above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 501 includes a display unit 502, a copy start button 503, a stop button 504, and a keyboard 505 for inputting information.

[0032] The specific information here is, as an example, the specific information 502 as shown in FIG. 5, but basically includes various information related to security as described later, and the operation unit 501 Input (set) by keyboard 505. Hereinafter, specific information input (set) by the operation unit 501 will be described.

[0033] 1 In the case of "copy prohibition / permission" and "copy prohibition" setting indicating whether the original manuscript is good or bad, the copy (copy) of the original manuscript created with the above-mentioned copy prohibition paper Can not. On the contrary, in the case of the "copy permission" setting, even if the original original is created on the copy prohibited paper, the copying device 100 can copy the original.

[0034] 2 "Limitation on the number of copies" set in the case of "permitting copying" The details are based on the configuration described later, and the number of copies (number of copies) is counted for the storage unit 109. By setting a desired number of copies as the "limit on the number of copies", copying is possible up to the set number of copies.

[0035] 3 By setting the information of "deadline for permitting copying", "date for permitting copying", "deadline for permitting copying", and "deadline for permitting copying", copying is permitted with a time limit. Or, it is possible to allow copying after any date. For example, if there is no problem even if the confidential material related to the product is copied after the product is released, the product release date is set as the "deadline for permitting copying" or the "date for enabling copying".

[0036] 4 "Password" set when you want to request a password when copying If you want to request a password when copying, you can strengthen security by setting a "password". Become.

[0037] After the specific information including various information as described above is input (set) by the operation unit 501, the specific information 401 is converted into the original image information 400 (original manuscript) as shown in FIG. By embedding it, it is possible to manage the manuscript with enhanced security by the configuration described later.

[0038] Since the specific information 401 shown in FIG. 4 is encrypted information, it is indicated by a numerical value of 0 to 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, specific information may be embedded by a bar code or may be configured to be embedded by a technique such as a digital watermark. Further, as for the encryption method, since a known technique can be applied, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0039] Further, since it is not important to encrypt the specific information here, but it is important to embed the specific information related to security, it can be realized even if the specific information is embedded in the original manuscript in an unencrypted format. Needless to say, in some cases, the password included in the specific information needs to be encrypted.

<Configuration and operation of the copying device 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the copying device 100 includes a specific information reading unit 101, a specific information comparison unit 104, an output number management unit 106, a storage unit 109, and an image. The configuration includes the information output unit 112.

[0041] The specific information reading unit 101 reads specific information related to security input (set) by the operation unit 501 shown in FIG. 5, and is characterized in that it does not read the image itself. .. The specific information here is, as described above, 1 "Copy prohibition / permission" of the original 2 "Limitation on the number of copies" (number of pages) in the case of "copy permission" 3 Deadline for copying / "Due date" that enables copying 4 Information including the "password" required for copying.

[0042] The specific information comparison unit 104 receives the specific information obtained by the specific information reading unit 101 as a signal 102. The signal 102 is a signal after the specific information is read by the specific information reading unit 101 and the numerical value is recognized. In the example of the present embodiment, for example, the specific information 401 shown in FIG. 4 above. 0100106291234598765 ". As for the recognition method here, for example, a general technique such as OCR can be applied, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

At this time, the storage unit 109 transmits the specific information stored in advance when creating the original manuscript as described above to the specific information comparison unit 104 as the signal 113.

[0044] The specific information comparison unit 104 compares the signal 102 from the specific information reading unit 101 with the signal 113 from the storage unit 109, and when these signals match, the storage unit 109 and the output number management unit 106. On the other hand, if these signals do not match, the signal (NG) 105 is transmitted to the storage unit 109 and the output number management unit 106. Since general techniques can be applied to the comparison method here, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the storage unit 109 receives the signal (Good) 105 from the specific information comparison unit 104, the storage unit 109 takes out the image information corresponding to the specific information from the image information storage unit 111 and outputs the image information to the image information output unit 112. Send. The image information output unit 112 prints out the image information from the storage unit 109 on paper.

On the other hand, when the output number management unit 106, which is also a feature of the present embodiment, receives the signal (Good) 105 from the specific information comparison unit 104, the output number management unit 106 prints out the number of output sheets output by the image information output unit 112. Count.

Then, the output number management unit 106 adds the above count value to the past output count number sent from the storage unit 109 as a signal 108, and uses this as a signal 107 again in the storage unit 109. Send to. The storage unit 109 stores the signal 107 from the output number management unit 106 as the total number of printouts for each document in the specific information storage unit 110.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the image information output unit 112 prints and outputs, and the output number management unit 106 counts the number of print outputs. Specifically, for example, a CPU having a computer function. The count control is performed while confirming that the image information has been output from the image information output unit 112. Further, here, the specific information storage unit 110 and the image information storage unit 111 are provided independently. For example, by embedding the specific information in the header unit of the corresponding image information, one storage unit is provided. It may be managed by.

<Operation of Specific Information Comparison Unit 104> In FIG. 6, the specific information comparison unit 104 has a signal 102 (a signal of specific information set by the user) from the specific information reading unit 101 and a storage unit 109. Based on the result of comparison with the signal 113 (a signal of specific information prepared in advance), the operation when the signal (Good / NG) 105 is generated is shown by a flowchart.

[0050] Step S601: The specific information comparison unit 104 determines whether or not the copy prohibition information is included in the specific information set by the user based on the comparison result of the signal 102 and the signal 113. As a result of this determination, if there is copy prohibition information, the process proceeds to step S606, and if there is no copy prohibition information, the process proceeds to the next step S602.

[0051] Step S602: The specific information comparison unit 104 determines whether or not the password is included in the specific information set by the user based on the comparison result of the signal 102 and the signal 113. If the password is included as a result of this determination, for example, the operation unit 501 as shown in FIG. 5 above requests the password from the user, and the password entered by the user becomes the specific information. If it matches the included password, proceed to the next step S603, otherwise proceed to step S606. If the password entered by the user does not match the password included in the specific information, the process unconditionally proceeds to step S606.

[0052] Step S603: The specific information comparison unit 104 determines whether or not the copy deadline information is included in the specific information set by the user based on the comparison result of the signal 102 and the signal 113. As a result of this determination, if the copy deadline information is included and the current time is within the deadline, the process proceeds to the next step S604, and if not, the process proceeds to step S606.

[0053] Step S604: The specific information comparison unit 104 determines whether or not the copyable number of sheets information is included in the specific information set by the user based on the comparison result of the signal 102 and the signal 113. As a result of this determination, if the number of past copies saved as described above exceeds the number of copies that can be copied included in the specific information, the process proceeds to step S606, and if not, the process proceeds to step S607.

[0054] Step S606: The specific information comparison unit 104 outputs an NG signal 105 in order to immediately prohibit copying.

[0055] Step S605, Step S607: The specific information comparison unit 104 outputs a Good signal 105 in order to immediately permit copying (step S607). As a result, the image information output unit 112 performs a copying operation. At this time, the output number management unit 106 counts the number of copies (step S605). Therefore, in step S604, the specific information comparison unit 104 determines whether or not the number of copies (the number of outputs) exceeds the number of copies (set number) included in the specific information based on the count value of the output number management unit 106. Then, as a result of this determination, if the number of output sheets exceeds the set number of sheets during copying, the process immediately proceeds to step 606 for interrupting copying.

<Basic configuration and operation of the image information output unit 112> Here, the basic configuration of the image information output unit 112 and the operation of the image information output unit 112 when copying is possible are described with reference to FIG. explain. FIG. 2 is illustrated by paying attention to the configuration of the image information output unit 112 in the copying apparatus 100. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the image information output unit 112 has an electrophotographic process, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0057] First, as shown in FIG. 2, the image information output unit 112 has a configuration including a color scanner unit A and a printer unit B as a mechanical configuration. The scanner unit A is used when executing the original manuscript creation process shown in FIG. 3, and the printer unit B is used when actually outputting (copying) the image information on the paper. ..

[0058] In the color scanner unit A, the document feeding unit 201A feeds the originals one by one onto the platen glass 202A in order from the last page, and ejects the originals on the platen glass 202A after the original reading operation is completed. ..

[0059] The lamp 203A is turned on when the original is conveyed on the platen glass 202A. The scanner unit 204A equipped with the lamp 203A moves to expose and scan the document. The reflected light from the document due to the scanning at this time is guided to the CCD color image sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as CCD) 209A by the mirrors 205A, 206A, 207A and the lens 208A.

[0060] The CCD 209A reads and outputs the reflected light as a luminance signal for each of the three colors R, G, and B, which is color-separated. The brightness signal output from the CCD209A is, for example, digitized (AD conversion) by the computer function of the copying apparatus 100, subjected to image processing such as shading correction and gradation correction, and then stored as digital image data. It is transferred to the unit 109 and the printer unit B.

[0061] The storage unit 109 stores the specific information and the image information as described above based on the transferred image data.

[0062] On the other hand, in the printer unit B, the laser driver 221B drives the laser light emitting unit 201B, and the laser light emitting unit 201B emits laser light according to the image data for each color. The laser light emitted by the laser light emitting unit 201B is applied to the photosensitive drum 202B, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 202B. Toner, which is a developer, is adhered to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202B by the developer 203B.

[0063] In FIG. 2 above, for simplification of the illustration, only one developer 203B is shown as a developer, but in reality, toner is used for each of the colors C, M, Y, and K. Will be prepared, and four developing machines will be provided accordingly. Further, instead of the above configuration, four sets of photosensitive drums, developing devices, etc. may be provided for each color.

[0064] At the timing synchronized with the start of irradiation of the laser beam described above, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204B or the cassette 205B selected, and is conveyed to the transfer unit 206B. As a result, the developer adhering to the photosensitive drum 202B can be transferred to the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the developer is transferred is conveyed to the fixing section 207B, and the developing agent is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing section 207B. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing portion 207B is discharged by the discharge roller 208B, and the sorter 220B sorts the recording paper by storing the discharge recording paper in a predetermined bottle.

[0066] The sorter 220B stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting of the recording paper is not set.

[0067] Here, when double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208B, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208B is reversed, so that the flapper 209B transfers the recording paper to the refeeding transfer path. Be guided.

[0068] Further, when multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding transfer path 210B by the flapper 209B so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208B.

[0069] The recording paper guided to the re-feeding transfer path is fed to the transfer unit 206B according to the timing described above.

[0070] Note that the processing and fixing of the latent image and development for each color are realized by repeating the latent image formation and the like four times by using the recording paper transport mechanism described above.

[0071] According to the present embodiment as described above, the copy (copying) condition can be set in detail as specific information, which is very effective from the viewpoint of security. Further, as described above, a document created on copy-prohibited paper that turns black when copied can only be copied by the copying device 100, and illegal copying can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, in the copying apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the function related to the storage unit 109 for storing the specific information and the image information related to the features of the present invention is provided. The copying device 100 is not provided in the main body, but is provided in, for example, a server on the network.

[0073] Here, only the configuration and operation different from those of the first embodiment will be specifically described.

[0074] Specifically, for example, in the system 700 as shown in FIG. 7, the server 703 is a server having the same function as the function related to the storage unit 109. Each of the copying devices 100 (1) to 100 (3) has a function of the image information output unit 112 of the copying device 100 shown in FIG. These servers 703 and copying devices 100 (1) to 100 (3) are connected to networks 701 and 702, respectively.

[0075] The network 701,702 (network cable) is, for example, Ethernet (R). This is a network that allows information exchange and data transfer between connected units using protocols such as TCP / IP using physical cables such as 10BaseT and 10Base5.

[0076] Note that the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which each unit is connected by wire using a network cable such as networks 701 and 702, and for example, an environment as shown in FIG. 7 is constructed by using wireless. May be good.

[0077] The public line 704 such as a telephone line plays a role of connecting the connection environment (network environment) of each unit constructed by the networks 701 and 702.

[0078] In the above environment, the server 703 is configured to store specific information and image information, which is one of the features of the present invention, as described in the first embodiment. Then, copying can be performed by using any of the copying devices 100 (1) to 100 (3) connected to the networks 701 and 702 and satisfying the configuration of the present embodiment. That is, it is possible to make a copy with security management at any place.

[0079] Specifically, for example, among the copying devices 100 (1) to 100 (3), any copying device 100 (x) is first specified with respect to the server 703 via the network 701 or 702. Issue a reference request for information. The server 703 executes the process as shown in FIG. 6, and when the result is Good, the server 703 returns the image information corresponding to the specific information to the copying device 100 (x). The copying apparatus 100 (x) performs a series of image forming processes on the image information from the server 703, and prints and outputs the image information.

[0080] Even in the present embodiment as described above, since the security management is performed based on the specific information, the copy is not performed without permission as in the conventional case, and the copy is created on the prohibited paper. Since the original can only be copied (copied) by the system 700, unauthorized copying can be prevented.

[Third Embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, in the original manuscript creation process as shown in FIG. 3 above, a scanner is used based on what has been printed out in advance. , Original manuscript (image information) and specific information were generated.

[0082] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, for example, although not shown, when printing out from a personal computer (PC) with a printer, specific information is embedded from the beginning.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the printer has not only a function of simply outputting image information on paper (a function of the image information output unit 112) but also a function of embedding specific information and printing out. .. At the same time, the printer has a function of storing the image information and the specific information embedded therein in the storage unit 109 or the server 703.

Since the above function can be realized in the original manuscript creation process shown in FIG. 3 in a form in which the process of step S301 (reading of the original image) is not executed, detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.

[0085] Security management can also be performed on the printer image according to the present embodiment as described above. Further, as in the first and second embodiments, when the original original is output by the printer, if copy-prohibited paper is used, copying is not possible except for this system, so that unauthorized copying can be prevented.

[0086] An object of the present invention is to supply a system or a device with a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal according to the first to third embodiments, and supply the system or the device with the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the device reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the first to third embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention. It becomes. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, a ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, or the like can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the first to third embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that there is a case where a part or all of the actual processing is performed by the processing, and the functions of the first to third embodiments are realized by the processing. Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, there are cases where the CPU provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows the function 800 of the computer. As shown in FIG. 8, the computer function 800 includes a CPU 801 and a ROM 802, a RAM 803, a keyboard controller (KBC) 805 for a keyboard (KB) 809, and a CRT controller (CRT) 810 for a CRT display (CRT) 810 as a display unit. The CRTC) 806, the disk controller (DKC) 807 of the hard disk (HD) 811 and flexible disk (FD) 812, and the network interface controller (NIC) 808 for connecting to the network 820 are connected via the system bus 804. The configuration is such that they are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

[0088] The CPU 801 comprehensively controls each component connected to the system bus 804 by executing the software stored in the ROM 802 or HD811 or the software supplied from the FD812. That is, the CPU801 reads the processing program according to the predetermined processing sequence from the ROM802, HD811, or FD812 and executes the control to realize the operation in the first to third embodiments. Do.

[0089] The RAM 803 functions as a main memory or a work area of the CPU 801. The KBC805 controls instruction input from the KB809, a pointing device (not shown), and the like. The CRTC806 controls the display of the CRT810. The DKC807 controls access to the HD811 and FD812 that store boot programs, various applications, edit files, user files, network management programs, and predetermined processing programs in this embodiment. NIC808 exchanges data bidirectionally with devices or systems on network 820.

[Effect of Invention] As described above, in the invention according to claims 1, 4, and 9, the first predetermined information is obtained by reading the original manuscript to which the first predetermined information is added. When outputting the image information in the corresponding storage means, the output is controlled based on the output restriction information stored in association with the image information. Therefore, for example, only a specific number of images are allowed to be output. It is possible to improve security.

[0091] Further, in the invention according to claims 7, 8 and 10, when the image information corresponding to the first predetermined information is output, it is determined whether or not the current period is within the period for which the output is permitted, and the said invention. Since the output is performed when the period is within the period, the output outside the period can be prohibited, and the security can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied in the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an image information output unit of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process of creating an original document (specific information / image information) used in the copying apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of an original manuscript in which the specific information is embedded.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation unit for inputting the specific information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the specific information comparison unit of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a system having the function of the copying apparatus in the second embodiment.

[Figure 8] Bro showing the configuration of the computer that reads and executes a program from a computer-readable storage medium for realizing functions into the computer of the copying apparatus is a click view.

[Explanation of Codes] 100 Copying device 101 Specific information reading unit 104 Specific information comparison unit 106 Output number management unit 109 Storage unit 110 Specific information storage unit 111 Image information storage unit 112 Image information output unit