Picture-processing system/device/method and storage medium

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an image processing system, an apparatus, a method, and a storage medium capable of processing an image.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, color laser beam printers have made it possible to print high-resolution, high-gradation images on plain paper, and compared to the sublimation printers that have been the mainstay of high-definition color printing up to that point, running costs and system costs are significantly higher. Realized a significant reduction. As a result, the market for high-definition full-color printers is about to expand significantly.

【0003】

On the other hand, in the personal computer market, multimedia has progressed and it has become possible to easily handle large volumes of full-color image data, so image input devices such as digital cameras and high-definition scanners have been enhanced, and users can easily handle full-color images. The environment is getting ready.

【0004】

This makes it possible to copy high-definition full-color images on plain paper, and it has become possible to copy prohibited images such as banknotes, securities, and driver's licenses.

【0005】

In order to suppress such copying, there is a technique in the technical field of a copier that enables analysis of a situation in which an image is formed based on the prohibited image. For example, there is known a method in which an identification number unique to a printer device that forms the image is dot-patterned, combined with a printed image, and printed.

【0006】

By analyzing the dot pattern of this printed image in this way, the printer that formed the image can be identified.

【0007】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, a method of adding additional information such as an identification number unique to the device in order to prevent the formation of an image for which image formation is prohibited as described above in a conventional network-connected image processing device has not yet been established. It has not been.

【0008】

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and secures predetermined additional information in order to prevent the formation of an image for which image formation is prohibited in a network-connected image processing device or the like. The purpose is to add to.

【0009】

Specifically, for example, the printer controller and the printer engine are separate inside the printer, and even if one of the devices is rearranged, additional information is surely added, or different information possessed by each part is added together. The purpose of this is to further suppress the image formation.

【0010】

Another object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which additional areas can be adjusted with each other even when additional information is added by a plurality of devices.

【0011】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the image processing system of claim 1 of the present invention, the first image data is input and the first additional information is identified to the human eye with respect to the first image data. The second image data is generated and output by adding the second image data in a difficult manner, and the second image data output by the printer controller unit is input and the second image data is seconded to the second image data. It is characterized by having a printer engine unit that outputs a third image data by adding the additional information of the above to the human eye so that it is difficult to identify.

【0012】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Before explaining the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the color laser beam printer suitable for application to the following embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The printer applied to the following embodiments will be described as a color laser beam printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may also be used when another printing type printer such as a sublimation printer or an inkjet printer is used. It is included in the category of.

【0013】

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first output device, and shows the case of a color laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as CLP).

【0014】

In Fig. 2, 1600 is the CLP main unit, receives code data and image data written in the printer language sent from the external host computer 3000, which will be described later, and based on these data, one page of magenta, cyan, and yellow. , A controller 1000 that generates black multi-valued image data (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "controller") and a latent image by scanning a laser beam modulated according to the input multi-valued image data on a photosensitive drum. It is composed of a printer engine 1500 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "engine") that records by a series of electrophotographic processes in which an image is formed, transferred to a recording paper, and then fixed. The 1530 is an operation panel having a switch for operating a color laser beam printer, an LCD display, and the like.

【0015】

The controller 1000 and the optical unit 1518 in the printer engine 1500 are connected by an interface signal line 1200. The controller 1000 and the printer engine 1500 are not always the same combination of models. Further, as the main interface signals in the above connection, there are / RDY, / PRNT, / TOP, / LSYNC, VDO7 to VDO0, and VCLK, which will be briefly described below.

【0016】

The / RDY signal is a signal sent from the engine to the controller, indicating that the engine can start the print operation at any time when it receives the / PRNT signal described later, or in a state where the print operation can be continued. It is a signal indicating that there is. The / PRNT signal is a signal sent from the controller to the engine and is a signal instructing the start of the print operation or the continuation of the print operation. The / TOP signal is a synchronization signal in the sub-scanning (vertical scanning) direction and is sent from the engine to the controller. The / LSYNC signal is a synchronization signal in the main scanning (horizontal scanning) direction and is sent from the engine to the controller.

【0017】

The VDO7 to VDO0 signals are image signals sent from the controller to the engine and indicate image density information to be printed by the engine. VDO7 is represented by the most significant bit and VDO0 is represented by the least significant 8 bits. In the engine, the VDO7 to VDO0 signals print at the maximum density of the toner color being developed at FFH, but not at 00H. These are transmitted in synchronization with the transfer synchronization signal VCLK.

【0018】

Next, the operation of the printer engine 1500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

【0019】

When the printer engine 1500 receives the / PRNT signal from the printer controller 1000, the photosensitive drum 1506 and the transfer drum 1508 are rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a driving means (not shown). Subsequently, charging of the roller charger 1509 is started, and the potential on the photosensitive drum 1506 is uniformly charged to a predetermined value.

【0020】

Next, the paper feed roller 1511 feeds the recording paper 1528 from the recording paper cassette 1510 to the transfer drum 1508. The transfer drum 1508 is a hollow support on which a dielectric sheet is stretched, and rotates in the direction of the arrow at the same speed as the photosensitive drum 1506.

【0021】

When the recording paper 1528 is supplied to the transfer drum 1508, the recording paper 1528 is held by the gripper 1512 provided on the support of the transfer drum, and the recording paper 1528 is transferred by the adsorption roller 1513 and the adsorption charger 1514. Adsorb to 1508. At the same time, the support 1515 of the developing device is rotated, and the developing device containing the toner of magenta, which is the first toner among the four developing devices 1516M, 1516C, 1516Y, and 1516Bk supported by the support 1515. Face the 1516M to the photosensitive drum 1506. The 1516C is a developing device containing cyan toner, the 1516Y is a developing device containing yellow toner, and the 1516Bk is a developing device containing black toner.

【0022】

On the other hand, the printer engine 1500 detects the tip of the recording paper 1528 adsorbed on the transfer drum 1506 by the detector 1517, generates a vertical synchronization signal / TOP at a predetermined timing, and sends it to the controller 1000. When the controller 1000 receives the first / TOP signal for the print page, it reads out the magenta data, which is the first print color, among the image data stored in the page memory in the RAM 19 at a predetermined timing. The read 8-bit image data D7 to D0 are transmitted to the printer engine 1500 (optical unit 1518) as image signals VDO7 to VDO0 in synchronization with the VCLK signal.

【0023】

The VDO7 to VDO0 signals output from the controller 1000 are input to the pulse width modulation circuit 1501 as shown in Fig. 3, become a laser drive signal VDO with a pulse width (256 steps) according to the level, and are sent to the laser driver. .. At the time of development, which will be described later, the amount of toner adhered can be adjusted according to the pulse width of the laser drive signal VDO, thereby reproducing the shade of 256 gradations of each color.

【0024】

Next, in FIG. 4, the laser beam 1527 from the laser diode 1503 driven in response to the laser drive signal VDO is deflected by a rotating multifaceted mirror 1504 driven to rotate in the arrow direction by a motor (not shown) and arranged on the optical path. The imaging lens 1505 is scanned on the photosensitive drum 1506 in the main scanning direction, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1506. At this time, the beam detector 1507 detects the scanning start point of the laser beam, and the / LSYNC signal, which is a horizontal synchronization signal for determining the image writing timing of the main scanning, is generated from this detection signal.

【0025】

The operation of the main scanning described above is repeated, and a latent image of magenta for one page is formed on the photosensitive drum 1506.

【0026】

Returning to FIG. 2, the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1506 is developed by the developing apparatus 1516M containing the magenta toner to obtain a magenta toner image. The magenta toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 1519 to the recording paper 1528 adsorbed on the rotating transfer roller 1508. At this time, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1506 without being transferred is removed by the cleaning device 1525. By the above operation, a magenta toner image for one page is formed on the recording paper 1528.

【0027】

Next, the support 1515 of the developing device is rotated so that the developing device 1516C containing the cyan toner, which is the second toner, faces the photosensitive drum 1506. Subsequently, as in the case of magenta, the detector 1517 detects the tip of the recording paper 1528 that rotates while being adsorbed by the transfer roller 1508, generates a vertical synchronization signal / TOP, and sends it to the controller 1000. In response to this, the controller 1000 reads cyan data from the page memory 19.

【0028】

Hereinafter, by the same operation, the cyan toner image is transferred onto the recording paper 1528 over the magenta toner image. Further, in the same manner, the toner images of yellow, which is the third toner, and black, which is the fourth toner, are superimposed and transferred on the recording paper 1528 to obtain a full-color toner image.

【0029】

The recording paper 1528 on which all the toner images of the above four colors have been transferred is peeled off from the transfer drum 1508 by the separation claw 1521 via the separation charger 1520, and is supplied to the fixing device 1523 by the transport means 1522. At this time, the transfer drum surface is cleaned by the transfer drum cleaner 1526.

【0030】

The toner image on the recording paper is melted and fixed by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 1523, and becomes the final color output image. Then, the recording paper for which recording has been completed is discharged to the output tray 1524.

【0031】

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system showing an embodiment of the present invention. As will be described later, as long as the function of the present invention is executed, it is a system in which processing is performed via a network such as LAN, regardless of whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

【0032】

In FIG. 4, 3000 is the host computer of FIG. 1, which will be described later, and is a figure, an image, a character, and a table (including spreadsheets) based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM which is a part of ROM3. It is equipped with a CPU 1 that executes document processing in which the above is mixed, and the CPU 1 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system device 4.

【0033】

In addition, the CPU1 control program and the like are stored in the ROM3 program ROM, the font data and the like used during the above document processing are stored in the ROM3 font ROM, and the ROM3 data ROM is stored. Stores various data (for example, overlay form data, background image data, external characters) used when performing the above document processing and the like. 2 is RAM, which functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of CPU1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KBC), which controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown).

【0034】

6 is a CRT controller (CRTC) that controls the display of the CRT display (CRT) 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) and a floppy disk (FD) that store boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.

【0035】

Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC), which is connected to the printer 1600 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1600.

【0036】

Note that CPU1 executes WYSIWYG on CRT10 by executing outline font expansion (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on RAM2, for example. In addition, CPU1 opens various registered windows based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on CRT10 and executes various data processing.

【0037】

In the printer 1600, 12 is a printer CPU, which accesses various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on the control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or the control program or the like stored in the external memory 14. It controls comprehensively and outputs an image signal as output information to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16.

【0038】

Further, the program ROM of the ROM 13 stores the control program of the CPU 12 and the like. The font data of ROM 13 stores the font data used to generate the above output information, and the ROM of ROM 13 stores the host in the case of a printer that does not have an external memory 14 such as an IC card. It stores overlay forms, external character information, etc. used on the computer.

【0039】

The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as the main memory, work area, page memory, etc. of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

【0040】

The RAM 19 is used for an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 14 such as the IC card described above is controlled by the memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, format data, and the like. In addition, the 1530 has the above-mentioned operation unit, which is equipped with switches for operation, an LCD display, and the like.

【0041】

In addition, the above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, but at least one is provided so that multiple external memories containing optional font cards and programs that interpret printer control languages with different languages can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. It may be configured. Further, it may have NVRAM (not shown) and store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1530.

【0042】

In the present invention, in the printer control system configured as described above, a host ID / user ID storage unit for storing host identification information, user identification information, etc., which is notified by printer driver software started on the host computer 3000. The ID encoding pattern generator that generates a hidden dot pattern in the print image based on the ID information, the print image generated in the print image storage section by the conventional method, and the ID encoding pattern are combined and multi-valued to the printer engine. An image synthesizer in the printer controller that outputs as print image information, a printer ID storage unit that stores the printer ID that is a discrimination number unique to the printer, and an ID pattern generator that generates a hidden dot pattern in the print image based on the ID information. , Add an image compositing unit that synthesizes the printer ID dot pattern and the multi-valued print image information from the printer controller.

【0043】

Details of each embodiment will be described below.

【0044】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a color laser beam printer which realized the first embodiment of the present invention. The blocks already explained in FIGS. 2 to 4 are given the same number, and detailed explanations below are omitted.

【0045】

Reference numeral 1000 denotes a color printer controller used in the first embodiment, which is the same as the components of the controller 1000 described with reference to FIG.

【0046】

Reference numeral 101 denotes a host ID and user ID storage unit, which stores the host ID and user ID transmitted from the printer driver software started on the host computer 3000. In this embodiment, each ID has an amount of information up to 8 alphanumeric characters.

【0047】

In 102, the host ID and the user ID are dot-patterned by the method described later in the ID encoding pattern generator. In 103, the print image generation unit generates a print image by a conventional method based on the print information from the host, and stores the print image in the print image storage unit 19. Reference numeral 104 denotes an image compositing unit in the printer controller, which synthesizes a dot pattern of a host ID and a user ID into an original printed image so that it is difficult for the human eye to distinguish.

【0048】

Reference numeral 111 denotes a temporary storage unit for printed images in the printer engine, which is a data buffer for adjusting the timing with the next stage processing. Reference numeral 112 denotes a printer ID storage unit, which stores a printer ID, which is a printer-specific code such as a lot number and a serial number. In the present embodiment, the printer ID is represented by alphanumeric characters that can be converted into 1-byte ASCII Code. Reference numeral 113 denotes an ID encoding pattern generator, and the printer ID is dot-patterned by a method described later.

【0049】

114 is an image compositing unit in the printer engine, which synthesizes the dot pattern of the printer ID with the multi-valued print information from the printer controller so that it is difficult for the human eye to identify.

【0050】

Reference numeral 121 denotes print information, host, and user ID information transmitted from the host via the signal line. 122 is multi-valued print image information in which a dot pattern indicating a host / user ID is added to the original print image so that it is difficult for the human eye to identify. Reference numeral 123 denotes multi-valued print image information in which the printer ID dot pattern is added so as to be difficult for the human eye to identify in the printer engine. Reference numeral 124 denotes the final printed image, which is the original printed image with all the host / user / printer ID information added.

【0051】

Next, the operation of the ID encoding pattern generation unit 102 or the ID pattern generation unit 113 of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The operation method shown below is an example, and the case where a dot pattern representing additional information is formed by another method is also included in the present invention.

【0052】

In the present embodiment, the method of generating the encoded dot pattern of the additional information such as the host ID, the user ID, and the printer ID shall be the same.

【0053】

First, the encoding pattern for one character of the ID code is expressed in the area of 32 dots × 32 dots from the first line in the print area. First, fill the dots corresponding to the coordinates (0, 0) to indicate that the encoding pattern exists. Next, one character of the ID code is ASCII coded, and the value of the upper 4 bits is expressed in coordinates as the laser sub-scanning direction (Y-axis) and the value of the lower 4 bits is expressed as the laser main scanning direction (X-axis).

【0054】

For example, a is 97 (decimal) in ASCII code. 97d = C1h coordinates (1, 12) It can be expressed as. These coordinates are relative coordinates of the 16x16 matrix, but an offset of +16 is added to both the x component and the y component to finally fill the corresponding dots of the previous 32x32 matrix. That is, in the case of "a" (1 + 16, 12 + 16) (17, 28) Will be. That is, in the area within 32 dots × 32 dots, first a reference dot is generated at (0, 0), and then dots indicating information at a position relative to this reference dot are (16, 16), (31, 16) (16). , 31) It is generated in the area surrounded by (31, 31).

【0055】

Similarly, the next character fills in (0, 0) in the 32 × 32 matrix area on the right and the corresponding coordinates calculated by ASCII code. In this way, if the amount of information of the host ID and user ID is 16 alphanumeric characters, it will be represented by 32 dots scattered in the area of 512 dots x 32 dots.

【0056】

After one dot pattern indicating necessary additional information such as host ID, user ID, and printer ID is generated, if the dot pattern is generated periodically in the right area and the lower area, the printing paper can be printed. You can draw a dot pattern evenly.

【0057】

However, as shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, the dot pattern of the printer ID is further added to the image data to which the dot pattern of the host ID and the user ID is added in the controller 1000, so that the host ID and the user ID are added. If the dot pattern of is drawn in the same area as the printer ID, it becomes difficult to perform analysis for restoring the host ID, user ID, and printer ID information using the finally formed image 124. It ends up.

【0058】

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the area to which the dot pattern indicating the host / user ID and the printer ID is added by the number of lines from the tip of the printing paper, that is, each of the controller 1000 and the engine 1500 The area to which the necessary additional information is added is determined in advance.

【0059】

For example, the first 640 lines are the printer ID drawing area, the next 640 lines are the host / user ID drawing area, the third 640 lines are also the printer ID drawing area, and so on. The additional area of the dot pattern shall be allocated alternately to.

【0060】

In addition, the unit area representing one of the host ID, user ID, and printer ID (sometimes referred to as additional information) is 47 μm in diameter for 1 dot, 21 mm for 512 dots, and 27 mm for 640 Line when the resolution is 600 DPI. Since the unit area is sufficiently narrow, when an image including a prohibited image such as banknotes and securities that is generally prohibited from image formation is formed, the prohibited image in the finally formed image 124 is formed. Additional information will be reliably added to the area.

【0061】

Further, the present invention is premised on adding the above additional information to all of the images 124 finally formed. Therefore, the above additional information is added even when forming an image for which image formation is not prohibited. Therefore, the dot pattern representing the additional information needs to minimize the deterioration of the image quality of the original image. In order to solve this, in the present invention, when a color image is formed by superimposing an image of a plurality of surfaces composed of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, an image compositing unit 104 in the controller and an image compositing unit 114 in the engine are formed. Adds a dot pattern representing the above additional information only to the image of the yellow surface. According to this method, when 47 μm yellow dots are added to a white background (paper), it is hardly noticeable to the naked eye, so it can be said that the image is not substantially deteriorated.

【0062】

Further, according to the present embodiment, both the image synthesizing unit 104 in the controller and the image synthesizing unit 114 in the engine can add additional information such as a host ID, a user ID, and a printer ID. In the unlikely event that there is a problem with either the controller 1000 or the engine 1500, the other will add additional information, so additional information can be added reliably.

【0063】

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a color laser beam printer that realizes the second embodiment of the present invention. The blocks already explained in FIGS. 1 to 6 are given the same number, and detailed explanations below are omitted.

【0064】

Reference numeral 200 denotes a color printer controller of the second embodiment, which has the same components as the controller 1000 described with reference to FIG.

【0065】

Reference numeral 201 denotes a storage unit for host IDs, etc., which stores various header information such as host IDs, user IDs, application names, and file names sent from the printer driver on the host computer 3000. In the present embodiment, each information may be alphanumeric characters.

【0066】

In 211, the printer ID is dot-patterned by a method of spreading over the entire printing paper as in the method described in the first embodiment in the ID encoding pattern generation unit. 224 is the final print result in which a dot pattern indicating host / user / printer ID information is added to the original print image.

【0067】

Next, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment.

【0068】

Host ID information from the host computer 3000 is encoded in the printer controller and printed with yellow toner, and based on the printer ID built into the printer, it is encoded in the printer engine 1500 and printed with yellow toner. The series of printing flows is the same as that of the first embodiment.

【0069】

The major difference from the first embodiment is the method of allocating the area to which the printer controller 200 and the printer engine 1500 each add additional information. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the dot pattern representing the host-related additional information generated in the printer controller 200 is added for each specific number of lines (640 Lines in this case), but the printer engine The dot pattern representing the printer ID information generated within 1500 shall be added to the entire surface of the printing paper.

【0070】

In general, a specific manufacturer develops a printer engine, supplies it on an OEM basis, and other brand manufacturers often incorporate a printer controller into the product. Therefore, it is desirable to construct a closed system for each of the printer controller and the printer engine, and to minimize the interface between them.

【0071】

In view of the above background, if the dot pattern addition region on the engine side is not limited as in the present embodiment, the number of additional circuits is reduced and there is a degree of freedom.

【0072】

For example, even if the printer controller does not have a function of adding additional information, it is possible to reliably add additional information to the entire surface of the paper.

【0073】

In addition, various ID information from the host computer currently includes a file name and an application name in addition to the user ID as header information sent by the printer driver. These pieces of information are also input to the host ID and the like storage unit 201 in the printer controller, and the ID encoding pattern generation unit 102 similarly creates a dot pattern and overwrites the printed image information as a hidden pattern. As a result, the amount of information added to the image 124 increases, so that it is possible to specify the situation in which the image is formed from various angles based on the image 124.

【0074】

In the above embodiment, the paper area to which additional information is added to each of the printer controllers 1000 and 200 and the printer engine 1500 is determined in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer controller is used. If the area to which the additional information is added or the information indicating the area to be added on the engine side is transmitted to the engine side and the engine adds the additional information according to this information, the area to which the additional information of each part is added can be changed. You can also do it.

【0075】

On the contrary, after the area to be added on the engine side or the information to be added by the printer controller is transmitted from the engine side to the printer controller side, the additional information is added by the printer controller according to this information. The same effect as described above can be obtained.

【0076】

In the above embodiment, when the printer controller and the printer engine add additional information, at least one of them can be added even if one of them cannot add the additional information, and one of the devices can be rearranged. It also has the effect of being able to deal with.

【0077】

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all of the printer driver, printer controller, and printer engine of the host computer have an image composition function for adding additional information to one image, and each part is in the area of the paper allocated to each part. If the additional information possessed by the printer is added, the additional information can be added more reliably.

【0078】

Further, as in the above embodiment, the case where the additional information is added by the printer driver and the printer controller of the host computer and the case where the additional information is added by the printer driver and the printer engine of the host computer are also included in the scope of the present invention. ..

【0079】

Further, the present invention uses a host ID, a user ID, a printer ID, etc. as an example of additional information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to add information such as a network ID and an Internet address possessed by the host computer. is there.

【0080】

Further, in the above embodiment, the printer controller receives the host ID and the user ID from the host and adds them to the input image data. However, the printer controller dedicated ID for determining the printer controller itself is preliminarily used as the host ID. If it is stored in the user ID storage unit 101 and the host ID, user ID, and printer controller dedicated ID are added to the input image data, the possibility of tracking the image formation status is further increased.

【0081】

Even if the present invention is applied as a part of a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), the present invention is a device composed of one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine). It may be applied to a part of.

【0082】

Further, the present invention is not limited to the device and method for realizing the above embodiment, and the software for realizing the above embodiment is applied to the system or the computer (CPU or MPU) in the device. The case where the above-described embodiment is realized by supplying the program code of the software and operating the above-mentioned various devices by the computer of the above-mentioned system or device according to the program code is also included in the scope of the present invention.

【0083】

Further, in this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above embodiment, and the program code itself and the means for supplying the program code to the computer, specifically, the program code. The storage medium in which the storage medium is stored is included in the category of the present invention.

【0084】

As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

【0085】

Further, not only when the function of the above embodiment is realized by the computer controlling various devices according only to the supplied program code, but also when the OS (operating system) in which the program code is running on the computer is realized. The program code is included in the scope of the present invention even when the above embodiment is realized in collaboration with the system) or other application software.

【0086】

Further, the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then stored in the function expansion board or the function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code. It is also included in the scope of the present invention that the provided CPU or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing and the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

【0087】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably add predetermined additional information in order to prevent the formation of an image for which image formation is prohibited in a network-connected image processing device or the like. .. For example, the printer controller and the printer engine are separate inside the printer, and even if one of the devices is rearranged, additional information is surely added, or each part such as the host, the printer controller, and the printer engine has different parts. By adding the information together, the additional information can be surely added, and illegal image formation can be suppressed.

【0088】

Further, even when additional information is added by a plurality of devices, it is possible to provide a configuration in which mutual additional areas can be adjusted.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the color laser beam printer which is 1st Embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the color laser beam printer to which this invention is applied.

[Fig. 3]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical unit of the color laser beam printer to which this invention is applied.

[Fig. 4]

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the printer control system to which this invention is applied.

[Fig. 5]

This is a detailed description of the encoded dot pattern generation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6]

It is a figure regarding the occupied area of the encoded dot pattern in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 7]

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the color laser beam printer which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 8]

It is a figure regarding the occupied area of the encoded dot pattern in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 system bus 5 keyboard controller 6 CRT controller 7 Memory controller 8 printer controller 9 keyboard 10 CRT 11 External memory 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External memory 15 system bus 16 Printing section interface 17 Image generator 18 Input section 19 RAM 20 memory controller 21 Bidirectional interface 100 color printer controller 101/201 Host ID storage unit 102 Host ID, etc. Encoding pattern generator 103 Print image generator 104 Image Synthesis Department 111 Temporary storage for printed images 112 Printer ID storage 113 211 Printer ID encoding pattern generator 114 Image compositing means 121 Print information, host & user ID 122 Multi-value print image information 123 Multi-value print image information B 124/224 Print result with ID information pattern added 1000 color printer controller 1200 interface signal line 1500 Color printer engine 1501 pulse width modulation circuit 1502 laser driver 1503 laser diode 1504 rotating multi-sided mirror 1505 Imaging lens 1506 Photosensitive drum 1507 beam detector 1508 transfer drum 1509 roller charger 1510 Paper cassette 1511 Paper feed roller 1512 gripper 1513 Adsorption roller 1514 Adsorption charger 1515 Develop device support 1516 Each color developer 1517 Recording paper tip detector 1518 optical unit 1519 Transfer charger 1520 Separation Charger 1521 Separation claw 1522 Transport means 1523 Fixing device 1524 Paper output tray 1525 cleaning device 1526 Transfer Drum Cleaner 1527 laser beam 1528 Recording paper 1530 Operation unit 1600 color printer 3000 host computer