Illegal copy prevention device and copying machine

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an unauthorized copy prevention device and a copying device.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a copying device incorporating an unauthorized copying prevention device. As shown in the figure, the copying apparatus reads the original placed on the platen as image information by the image reading unit 1 such as CCD, sends the read image information to the image control unit 2, and there. The hue, saturation, brightness, etc. are adjusted so that they are output correctly, and the form is converted to a form suitable for the image output unit 3 in the next stage. Then, based on the converted image information, the image output unit 3 prints and forms on paper or the like.

【0003】

Then, the image recognition unit 4 for determining whether or not the read image is a copy prohibited object is arranged in parallel with the image control unit 2, receives the image information output from the image reading unit 1, and performs a predetermined image recognition process. And determine if there is a specific pattern. Then, when it is determined that the copy is prohibited, a prohibition command is sent to the image control unit 2 to prevent the image control unit 2 from performing normal copying.

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the above-mentioned conventional device has the following problems. That is, the image recognition unit 4 is often attached to the copying device in parallel as an add-on. Then, as described above, the image control unit 2 performs a normal conversion process based on the image information output from the image reading unit 1 unless a prohibition command is received from the image recognition unit 4. Therefore, if the image recognition unit 4 is removed and the copy process is attempted, the image control unit 2 does not receive the prohibition command from the image recognition unit 4, so the copy process is performed as it is.

【0005】

Therefore, in order to prevent fraudulent processing due to such an act, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is always determined from the image control unit 2 side whether or not the image recognition unit 4 is dynamically attached at a fixed timing. You will have to do it.

【0006】

Even if the image control unit 2 constantly dynamically monitors the image, the monitoring action and the recognition process performed by the image recognition unit 4 are performed independently, so that the monitoring timing and the recognition process are performed independently. The timing to do does not match. Therefore, it is possible to remove the image recognition unit 4 and make an illegal copy.

【0007】

Furthermore, since the act of monitoring and the recognition process are independent, the procedure for determining the presence or absence of the image recognition unit 4 is relatively large because the image recognition unit 4 is performed during a period independent of the operation of performing the recognition process. Analysis is possible easily, and the image recognition unit 4 can be modified.

【0008】

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to perform normal copying when the unauthorized copying prevention device including the recognition processing unit is removed from the copying device. Prevents processing, prevents unauthorized copying, and prevents normal copying even with a non-genuine unauthorized copying prevention device attached, and performs copying in a state where recognition processing can be operated normally. It is an object of the present invention to provide an unauthorized copying prevention device and a copying device that can be used.

【0009】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the unauthorized copying prevention device according to the present invention sends the image information read by the image reading unit to the image control unit, performs image conversion necessary for printing there, and converts the converted image. It is an unauthorized copy prevention device mounted on a copying device that prints out from the image output unit based on the information, and performs recognition processing as to whether or not the read image information is a copy prohibited image, and the recognition result. A recognition processing unit that outputs the image to the copying device, and a detour route that receives at least a part of the image information output from the image reading unit and sends the image information to the image control unit. When removed, the legitimate image information to be sent via the detour route cannot be transmitted to the image control unit (claim 1).

【0010】

Here, normal image information cannot be transmitted when the signal line is physically cut and the information itself is not transmitted as in the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and when the information itself is not transmitted, it is normal as shown in FIG. It includes both cases where different information is transmitted by connecting with a combination that is not.

【0011】

When the unauthorized copy prevention device is removed in this way, the regular image information is not transmitted to the image control unit, so that normal copying processing cannot be performed regardless of the type of copying target. Therefore, illegal copying can be prevented. Of course, with the unauthorized copy prevention device attached, recognition processing is performed on the read image information in the same manner as before to determine whether or not the image is a copy prohibited image, and in the case of a prohibited image, a predetermined copy prohibition process is performed. Will be done.

【0012】

Further, the detour route may be composed of a plurality of signal lines, rearrange the connection state of the signal lines, and use the rearrangement information of the signal lines as individual identification information (claim 2). .. This has been achieved in the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. With such a configuration, normal copying cannot be performed unless a legitimate illegal copy prevention device is attached, so that it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying by being replaced with a fake illegal copy prevention device.

【0013】

Then, as an example of a more specific configuration for realizing each of the above claims, the connection portion between the unauthorized copying prevention device and the copying device is provided with a plurality of terminal pairs having spring properties arranged to face each other, and the connection portion thereof is provided. By making at least a part of the terminal pairs into a non-genuine combination and attaching the illegal copy prevention device to the connection portion, each terminal pair is connected to the wiring pattern provided in the illegal copy prevention device and is normal. Can be configured to be a combination of (Claim 3).

【0014】

With this configuration, when the unauthorized copy prevention device is removed, the opposing terminal pairs come into contact with each other due to the elastic restoring force of the spring and short-circuit, but since this is not a regular combination, normal image information is not transmitted. Further, even if a fake unauthorized copy prevention device is attached, normal image information cannot be transmitted to the image control unit if the wiring structure of the wiring pattern is different. Therefore, in either case, unauthorized copying cannot be performed.

【0015】

Furthermore, a copying device that sends the image information read by the image reading unit to the image control unit, performs image conversion necessary for printing there, and prints out on the image output unit based on the converted image information. An unauthorized copy prevention device mounted on the image, which is a recognition processing unit that recognizes whether or not the read image information is a copy prohibited image and outputs the recognition result to the copying device, and the image reading unit. A power supply line (signal lines S3', S4' in the embodiment of FIG. 4) connecting the image control unit and the image control unit is provided, and when the unauthorized copying prevention device is removed from the copying device, the power supply line is also cut off. May be (claim 4).

【0016】

In this way, since the power is not supplied in the first place, at least one of the image reading unit and the image control unit does not operate, so that unauthorized copying can be prevented. As described in the examples of FIG. 4, the invention according to claim 4 and the inventions according to claims 1 to 3 may be combined and implemented at the same time, or may be implemented alone. ..

【0017】

Further, the copying apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with the unauthorized copying prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 described above, and the image read based on the recognition result output from the copying prevention device. Is provided with a function to perform copy prohibition processing when is a copy prohibition image (claim 5).

【0018】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the unauthorized copying prevention device and the copying device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the copying apparatus on which the present invention is implemented gives image information of a document on a platen read by an image reading unit 10 to an image control unit 11, and performs predetermined image processing there. , Converts the image information necessary for printing and sends it to the image output unit 12. Then, the image output unit 12 prints an image corresponding to the original on paper or the like based on the image information given by the image control unit 11 and prints it out.

【0019】

Here, in the present invention, the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 is arranged in series with the signal processing system of the copying device described above. More specifically, it is interposed between the image reading unit 10 and the image control unit 11, and a part of the data transmitted from the image reading unit 10 to the image control unit 11 is performed via the unauthorized copy prevention device 14. ing.

【0020】

That is, the signal line S1 that directly connects the image reading unit 10 and the image control unit 11 and the signal line S2 that branches from the signal line S1 and reaches the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 are provided as in the conventional case. As a result, the same image information as the image information sent to the image control unit 11 via the signal line S1 is also sent to the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 via the signal line S2. Further, a signal line S5 connecting the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 and the image control unit 11 is provided, and the recognition result of the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is transmitted via the signal line S5. The wiring structure is the same as before.

【0021】

Then, in this embodiment, apart from the above signal lines S1 and S2, a signal line S3 for connecting the image reading unit 10 and the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 is provided. The signal line S3 is for sending a part of the image information read by the image reading unit 10 to the unauthorized copying prevention device 14, and the image information transmitted using the signal line S3 is sent to the image control unit 11. Cannot be sent directly. That is, a part of the image information is sent to the image control unit 11 via the signal line S3 connecting the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 and the image control unit 11, and the signal line S3 is transmitted in the unauthorized copy prevention device 14. There is a detour route connecting S4.

【0022】

In this way, most of the image information read by the image reading unit 10 is directly given to the image control unit 11, but a part of the read image information is an image via the unauthorized copy prevention device 14. It will be given to the control unit 11. Therefore, if the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is removed, all the read image information is not sent to the image control unit 11, and normal copying cannot be performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 from being removed and performing unauthorized copying processing.

【0023】

Further, in the normal operation with the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 attached, the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 can acquire the image information read by the image reading unit 10 via the signal lines S2 and S3. Perform the same image recognition processing, determine whether the image (original) to be processed is a copy prohibited object, and if it is determined to be a copy prohibited object, output a prohibition command using the signal line S5. become. Then, the image control unit 11 that has received this prohibition order performs a predetermined copy prohibition process. An example of this copy prohibition process is a method of printing out in a state that does not match the original by painting the entire surface with black or the like, printing at a reduced resolution, or printing a specific mark, or printing. Various measures can be taken, such as a method of stopping the out itself.

【0024】

As described above, if the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is not installed, the copying process cannot be performed normally in the first place. Therefore, the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is dynamically installed from the image control unit 11 side as in the conventional case. It is not necessary to check whether or not it is. Further, in the above example, a part of the read image information is given to the image control unit 11 via the unauthorized copy prevention device 14, but the present invention is not limited to this, and all of the read image information. Of course, the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 may be passed through. In this case, the signal lines S1 and S2 disappear.

【0025】

Furthermore, it is not necessary to limit the image information in this way, and the point is that it does not operate when the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is removed. Therefore, for example, the signal lines S3'and S4'are used as power lines for the image. The power supply to the control unit 11 or the image reading unit 10 may be performed via the unauthorized copying prevention device 14. With this configuration, the image control unit 11 does not operate when the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 is removed, so that unauthorized copying can be prevented.

【0026】

The specific internal structure (wiring structure) of the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 for realizing the above configuration can be, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, in this example, the signal line S2 branched from the signal line S1 is connected to the recognition processing unit 14a in the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 via the terminals a to d. Further, the signal line S3 is connected to the recognition processing unit 14a via terminals e and f. Further, the signal line S3 branches into the signal line S4 in the unauthorized copying prevention device 14, is connected at terminals g and h, and is connected to the image control unit 11 side (not shown). By adopting such a configuration, if the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 is removed and each terminal is divided, the image information sent from the signal line S3 is not transmitted to the signal line S4, so that unauthorized copying can be prevented.

【0027】

The recognition processing unit 14a referred to here is a part that executes specific recognition processing, and the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 stores and implements not only the part that executes the recognition processing but also the case. It means the entire device including the board and various connection / wiring structures. The signal lines S3, S4, etc. located in the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 form a detour route in the present invention. This also applies to the following example.

【0028】

FIG. 4 shows another specific configuration. In this example, the signal line S3 for transmitting image information is one, the signal line S4 is connected to the recognition processing unit 14a via the terminal e, and the signal line S4 branched inside the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is the terminal g. It is connected to the image control unit 11 (not shown) via. Then, the signal line S3'is bypassed in the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 without reaching the recognition processing unit 14a, and is connected to the signal line S4' via the terminal h.

【0029】

In such a configuration, when the unauthorized copying prevention device 14 is removed, the image information sent from the signal line 3 is not transmitted to the signal line 4, so that the same effect as that of the example of FIG. 3 can be exhibited. Further, in terms of image recognition, the signal line S3'S4'is a dummy line. Therefore, when the legitimate illegal copy prevention device 14 is attached, the image information from the signal line S3 is transmitted to the signal line S4 as set, and if the dummy signal line S3'is set to no signal, the signal is signaled. Line S4'is also in a no-signal state. However, if another image recognition unit is attached and the above connection structure is different, image information may not be sent to the signal line 4 or some signal may be sent to the signal line S4'. ..

【0030】

As a result, when the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is attached, it is possible to determine whether or not the device 14 is legitimate. Then, since such a determination can be passively made by the image control unit 11, real-time monitoring becomes possible relatively easily. Further, in the case of the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 in which the regular connection is not established, the image information from the signal line S3 is not transmitted to the signal line S4, so that there is a high possibility that the normal copy processing cannot be performed in the first place. Therefore, it is not necessary to make a special judgment as to whether or not it is legitimate, and to perform avoidance processing associated therewith.

【0031】

Further, in the above example, the dummy signal line S3'is set to no signal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and some identification signal may be sent. Further, since it has nothing to do with image recognition, S3 and S4 may be used as a power supply line for operating the image reading unit 10 and the image control unit 11. If the power supply line is used in this way, power is not supplied to each part unless a regular unauthorized copying prevention device 14 is attached, so that unauthorized copying can be reliably suppressed.

【0032】

FIG. 5 is an improved version of the structure shown in FIG. 4, and the connection in FIG. 4 is realized by the integrated circuit 14b. That is, which terminal is connected to each other can be determined by changing the wiring pattern in the integrated circuit 14b. In this way, it becomes more difficult to identify the wiring state, so that the wiring state becomes illegally strong.

【0033】

FIG. 6 shows yet another configuration. In this example, by improving the connector structure of the connection terminal part, the connection structure can be made different depending on whether the regular image recognition unit is attached or removed (or an invalid image recognition unit is attached). , This prevents unauthorized copying.

【0034】

That is, as shown in FIGS. (A) and (B), the spring-loaded terminals 15a and 15b attached to the connector 15 are paired and arranged to face each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the board 16 is inserted into the connector 15, the terminals 15a and 15b are electrically connected to the wiring patterns 16a and 16b formed on both sides of the board 16 and are conducted in the same figure. As shown in (B), when the board 16 is removed, the paired terminals 15a and 15b are directly connected.

【0035】

At this time, the paired terminals should be in a combination that is not originally connected, and the terminals located at the top and bottom in the figure should be connected in the correct combination according to the wiring pattern of the board 16. As an example, when the wiring structure as shown in FIG. 4 is adopted, as shown in FIG. 6C, the terminal e is connected to the terminal g by the wiring pattern 16a of the board 16, and the terminal f is the wiring of the board 16. It is connected to the terminal h by the pattern 16b. Then, the unauthorized copy prevention device 14 is incorporated on the board 16.

【0036】

As a result, when the board 16 is attached to the connector 15, the signal lines S3 and S4 are connected, and the signal lines S3'and S4'are connected, so that the board 16 operates normally. Then, when the board 16 is removed, the combination of connections is reversed and abnormal operation occurs, so that unauthorized copying can be prevented.

【0037】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, in the unauthorized copying prevention device and the copying device according to the present invention, at least a part of the image information read by the image reading unit is sent to the image control unit via the unauthorized copying prevention device, or an image. Since the power supply lines for the reading unit and the image control unit are provided in the unauthorized copy prevention device, the image information is not normally transmitted to the image control unit and / or the power is supplied when the unauthorized copy prevention device is removed from the copying device. Because it is not done, normal copying cannot be performed. As a result, unauthorized copying can be prevented. Further, in the configuration as in claims 2 and 3, since the individual identification information is given to the illegal copy prevention device, the normal connection structure cannot be obtained when the non-genuine illegal copy prevention device is attached, and the normal copy processing is performed. I can't. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying in such a state. Therefore, the copying process cannot be performed unless the unauthorized copy prevention device is attached. Therefore, when the copying process is inevitably performed, the unauthorized copy prevention device is activated to perform a predetermined recognition process, and the copy prohibited object is not copied. Can be monitored.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a figure which shows the conventional example.

[Figure 2]

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment in the state which the unauthorized copy prevention device which concerns on this invention is mounted on a copy device.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows one more specific example of an illicit copy prevention device.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows another specific embodiment of an illicit copy prevention device.

[Fig. 5]

It is a figure which shows another specific embodiment of an illicit copy prevention device.

[Fig. 6]

It is a figure which shows another specific embodiment of an illicit copy prevention device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Image reader 11 Image control unit 12 Image output section 14 Unauthorized copy prevention device 14a Recognition processing unit