JP3295103B2 - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method for adding a specific pattern to an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the high image quality and colorization of copiers, specific originals (for example, securities and banknotes) that should not be copied are copied with high image quality almost indistinguishable from actual products. There is a risk of abuse.
Therefore, various methods for recognizing a specific original in a copying apparatus have been proposed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is almost impossible to specify which device has made the copy or limit the person who made the copy, based on the copied copy. It was.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to add information for specifying a copying apparatus or a person who made a copy to a copy.

[0005]

The present invention has the following arrangement as one means for achieving the above object. The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an adding unit that adds a pattern indicating device-specific information to the input image, a determining unit that determines a degree of similarity between the input image and the specific image, and a determining unit that determines the similarity. Determining means for comparing the degree of similarity with a preset threshold value to determine the magnitude of the degree of similarity; and control means for controlling an additional strength of the pattern by the adding means in accordance with a result of the determination by the determining means. The adding means always adds the pattern to the input image, and the control means makes the pattern easier to identify when the similarity is large compared to when the similarity is small. When the additional strength is high and the similarity is small, control is performed such that the additional strength is weaker than when the similarity is large. An adding unit for adding a pattern indicating information for identifying the apparatus user to the input image; a determining unit for determining a similarity between the input image and the specific image; and a similarity determined by the determining unit. When,
A determination unit configured to compare the similarity with a preset threshold value and determine a magnitude of the similarity; and a control unit configured to control an additional strength of the pattern by the addition unit in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit. The adding means always adds the pattern to the input image, and the control means increases the additional intensity so that the pattern is easier to be identified when the similarity is large than when the similarity is small. When the similarity is small, control is performed such that the additional strength is weaker than when the similarity is large.

An image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for adding a pattern indicating device-specific information to an input image, wherein a similarity between the input image and a specific image is determined, and the determined similarity is determined. And comparing a degree with a preset threshold value to determine the magnitude of the similarity degree, and control the additional strength of the pattern to be added according to the result of the determination. Always attached to the image,
When the similarity is large, the additional strength is strong so that the pattern can be easily identified as compared with the case where the similarity is small, and when the similarity is small, the additional strength is small as compared with the case where the similarity is large. It is characterized by being controlled to be weak. An image processing method for adding a pattern indicating information for identifying an apparatus user to an input image, wherein a similarity between the input image and the specific image is determined, and the determined similarity is set in advance. By comparing the threshold value
Each step of determining the magnitude of the similarity and controlling the additional strength of a pattern to be added according to the determination result, wherein the pattern is always added to the input image, and when the similarity is large, The additional strength is strong so that the pattern can be easily identified as compared with the case where the similarity is small,
When the similarity is small, the additional strength is controlled to be weaker than when the similarity is large.

[0007]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following embodiments, an example of a copying machine will be described as an application example of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various other apparatuses.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an image scanner unit,
This is a part for reading an original at a resolution of pi (dots / inch) and performing digital signal processing. Reference numeral 202 denotes a printer unit which prints out an image corresponding to the document image read by the image scanner 201 in full color on a sheet at a resolution of 400 dpi.

In the image scanner section 201, a document 204 disposed between a specular pressure plate 202 and a platen glass 203 is
Irradiated with light from the lamp 205. The reflected light from the manuscript 204
Guided by mirrors 206, 207 and 208, by lens 209
An image is formed on a three-line sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 210. Red of full color information output from CCD210
(R), green (G) and blue (B) components are processed by the signal processing unit 211.
Sent to The speed of the lamp 205 and the mirror 206 is v
The mirrors 207 and 208 are mechanically moved at a speed v / 2 in a direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning direction (main scanning direction) of the CCD 210, so that the entire surface of the document is scanned (sub-scanning).

In a signal processing section 211, the read image signal is processed electronically, decomposed into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (BK) components, and then output to a printer section. Send to 202. Further, M, C,
One component of Y and BK is sent to the printer unit 202, and one printout is completed by a total of four document scans.

Each of the M, C, Y, and BK image signals sent from the image scanner unit 201 is sent to a laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 according to the transmitted image signal. The laser beam scans on the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215, and the mirror 216.

The rotary developing unit 218 includes a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221 and a black developing unit 222.
17, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 217 is developed with toner. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 217 is supplied from the paper cassette 224 or 225, and is transferred to the transfer drum 223.
The image is transferred to the paper wound around.

After the four colors of M, C, Y, and BK are sequentially transferred in this manner, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 226 and is discharged after the toner is fixed on the sheet.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image scanner unit 201. In FIG. 1, 210-1, 210-2 and 2
Reference numeral 10-3 denotes a CCD (solid-state imaging device) sensor having red, green, and blue spectral sensitivity characteristics, and outputs an 8-bit (0 to 255) signal which is A / D converted.

Since the sensors 210-1, 210-2 and 210-3 are arranged at a fixed distance, the delay element 401
And 402 correct the spatial shift. The log converters 403, 404, and 405 are configured with a look-up table ROM or RAM, and convert a luminance signal into a density signal. The well-known masking / UCR (under color removal) circuit 406 will not be described in detail. However, based on three input signals, magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black ( BK) is output with a predetermined bit length (for example, 8 bits) in a frame-sequential manner at each reading operation.

The spatial filter 407 corrects the spatial frequency characteristics of the output signal. The density conversion circuit 408 corrects the density characteristics of the printer unit 202, and is composed of the same ROM or RAM as the log converters 403 to 405. I / O port (hereinafter “I /
The “O port” 413 is connected to a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a “CPU”) 414 that controls the apparatus.

A determination circuit 409 for determining a specific document determines the possibility that at least one of the plurality of specific documents is being read, and outputs a 2-bit determination signal H. That is,
When it is most likely that at least one of the plurality of specific originals is being read, H = 3 is output, and when the possibility is low, H = 0 is output.

The CNO signal generated by the CPU 414 via the I / O port 413 is a 2-bit field-sequential signal which is a control signal indicating the order of four reading operations.
Switch the operating condition of 06.

That is, when the CNO signal is switched to 0, 1, 2, or 3, the print output correspondingly becomes magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), black (B).
K).

Further, the above-described frame sequential signal CNO is also input to the determination circuit 409, and for each of the four reading operations, determination criteria can be switched to determine a different specific document.

The pattern adding circuit 410 responds to a 2-bit pattern level selection signal PS output from the CPU 414.
A pattern that is difficult for human eyes to recognize is added to the copied image.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the appearance of the operation unit in the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1201 denotes a numeric keypad, which is used for setting the number of copies and setting various modes. Reference numeral 1202 denotes an asterisk (*) key, which is used when performing various mode settings together with the numeric keypad 1201. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a liquid crystal touch panel, which also functions as a display unit and an input unit. A copy start key 1204 is used to start a copy operation. An image repeat key 1205 is used to designate an image repeat function described later.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal touch panel 1203 when the power is turned on according to the first embodiment. The number of copies is designated by the numeric keypad 1201,
The designated number of copies is displayed at the upper right of the display surface.
In the same figure, one is displayed because of an initial state.

Since the image repeat function is well known, its detailed description is omitted and only its outline is described.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of the image repeat function according to the first embodiment.
Like the output paper indicated by 302, for one output paper,
An image read from a document can be repeatedly output a plurality of times. In the figure, the letter A is given as an example.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal touch panel 1203 when the image repeat function is used according to the first embodiment.

When designating the image repeat function, first, the image repeat key 1205 is pressed. When the image repeat key 1205 is pressed, the display on the liquid crystal touch panel 1203 switches to the display shown in FIG. Next, the number of times image repeat is repeated is determined by the up key 1220 and the down key 1221.
To increase or decrease, or use the auto key 1222 to specify automatically. Finally, the end key 1223 is pressed to finish the setting.

In the first embodiment, copy output (copies)
In addition, there are a pattern addition mode in which a pattern that is difficult to see is added and a pattern addition prohibition mode in which the pattern is not added in order to limit the device used for copying or the person who made the copy. In the first embodiment,
When the power is turned on, the pattern addition mode is selected.
Most copies are performed in this mode. The designation of the pattern addition prohibition mode can be performed using the numeric keypad 1201 and the asterisk key 1202. For example, when the user presses the keys in the following order, the mode becomes the pattern addition prohibition mode. [*] [2] [0] [4] [2] [9] [*]

This key input order is not disclosed to the public, and is notified only to a service person or a specific operator. Further, in the pattern addition prohibition mode, a pattern for limiting the device and the user is not added to the copy output (copied material), but the following use restriction or action is taken.

(1) In the pattern addition prohibition mode, the number of copies is limited to one. That is, a large number of originals to be copied are prevented from being copied and abused. (2) The image repeat function is prohibited in the pattern addition prohibition mode. As in (1), a large number of originals to be copied are prevented from being copied and abused. (3) Return to the pattern addition mode at the same time as the copy in the pattern addition prohibition mode is completed. In other words, the device is left in the pattern addition prohibition mode, and an unspecified user
A large number of originals to be copied are prevented from being copied and misused.

(4) In the pattern addition prohibition mode, the use date is held in the apparatus main body. Further, in a device that requires an ID card to be inserted into the device in order to limit the user or a device that requires the user to enter the user's ID number, the user's ID number and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory of the device main body. Keep in memory. That is, when a copy is abused, the user can be limited to some extent by collecting all the information held in the apparatus main body.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing scanning timing in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the thinning circuit 301. In FIG. 6, VSY
NC is a sub-scanning section signal and indicates an image output section of sub-scanning. HSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal and is a signal indicating the start of main scanning. CLK is an image transfer clock and is a basic clock for various image processing.

CLK ′ is a signal obtained by dividing the CLK signal by four, and is a basic clock in the judgment circuit 409. SEL is shown in Fig. 4 (a)
Are timing signals used in the thinning circuit 301 shown in FIG. The CLK 'and SEL signals are generated by a frequency dividing circuit as shown in FIG. That is, after being cleared (initialized) by the HSYNC signal input via the inverter 451, the 2-bit counter 452 counts the CLK signal and outputs a 2-bit count value (D0, D1). And the upper bits
D1 is output as the CLK 'signal, and the logical product of the inverted signal of the lower bit D0 and the upper bit D1 is output as the SEL signal.

As a result, the flip-flops 455 to 457 and 461 holding data by the CLK signal shown in FIG.
6 to 463, selectors 458 to 460, and flip-flops 464 to 466 that hold data with the CLK 'signal, the thinning circuit 301, as shown in FIG. , B) signals are thinned out at a rate of 1/4 to obtain an R ′ (or G ′, B ′) signal synchronized with the CLK ′ signal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the decision circuit 409. The thinning circuit 301 shown in FIG.
Decimate data to reduce the processing load of 09. The look-up table ROM 302 for color matching performs color matching with a plurality of types of specific original colors.

The color distribution of 32 types of specific originals is checked in advance, and the result of determining whether or not the color of the pixel matches the color of the specific original is stored in the ROM 302.

The CNO signal which is a frame sequential signal is input to the upper 2 bits of the address of the ROM 302, and the lower 15 bits are
The upper 5 bits of each of the thinned RGB image signals are input. Then, in each of the values 0 to 3 of the CNO signal, whether or not the color of the pixel matches the color of the eight specific originals is simultaneously output in correspondence with each bit of the 8-bit data. . Therefore, in four reading scans,
A total of 32 types of specific documents are determined.

The color judgment circuits 303-1, 303-2,..., 303-8, each constituted by the same hardware, include an integrator 306, registers 307-1, 307-2 and 307-3, and a comparator. And outputs the possibility that a specific document exists in the document as a 2-bit determination result. The maximum value circuit 309 outputs the determination result of the maximum value from the determination results of the color determination circuits 301-1 to 301-8. That is, the determination result of the specific document having the highest possibility of being present among the eight types of specific documents is output.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the integrator 306 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of input and output of the integrator 306 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, reference numerals 501 and 505 denote flip-flops for retaining data at the rising timing of the CLK 'signal. A multiplier 502 receives an 8-bit 2-input signal (A, B) and receives an 8-bit signal (A) as a multiplier.
× B / 255). 503 is a multiplier, and 1
Bit input signal (A) and 8-bit input signal (B)
And an 8-bit output signal (A × B) as a multiplier
Is output. An adder 504 receives an 8-bit 2-input signal (A, B) and outputs an 8-bit signal (A + B) as an addition result.

As a result, in this integrator, an 8-bit output signal yi is represented by the following equation (1) with respect to the binary input signal xi. That is,

[0042]

(Equation 1) Here, α and β are preset constants,
The characteristics of the integrator are determined by the magnitudes of these values.

FIG. 7 shows, as an example, the input / output of the integrator 306 when α = 247 and β = 8. FIG. 7 (a) shows the input xi as shown in FIG. 7 (b). ) Is output.

In FIG. 7, an input in which x = 1 despite almost x = 0 as indicated by reference numerals 701 and 702, or almost x in front and rear as indicated by reference numeral 703.
An input such that x = 0 despite x = 1 is considered noise. Such an input signal xi is processed by the integrator 306, and is stored in the registers 307-1 to 307-3.
An appropriate threshold value such as a level R1 indicated by 4, R2 indicated by reference numeral 704 ′, and R3 indicated by 704 ″ is set, and the output signal y of the integrator 306 is set.
By binarizing i, noise can be removed.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the comparison module 310. The comparison module 310 includes comparators 801 to 80
3, inverter 804, AND gate 805, and OR gate 80
Consists of 6 and 807. Thresholds R1, R2 and R3 (R1>R2> R3) are set in the registers 307-1 to 307-3, respectively. Therefore, the comparator module 310
As described below, the determination result of the specific document is quantized to 2 bits and output.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pattern adding circuit 410 according to the first embodiment. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a sub-scanning counter; 902, a main scanning counter; 903, a look-up table ROM (hereinafter referred to as "LUT"); 905, a flip-flop;
13 is an AND gate, 906, 907, 908, 909
Is a register, 910 is a 4to1 selector, and 911 is A
An ND gate, 912 is an adder, and 914 is an inverter, respectively.

The sub-scanning counter 901 transmits the HSYNC signal, and the main scanning counter 902 transmits the CLK signal with a width of 9 bits, ie, 512 bits.
Count repeatedly at intervals. Further, the LUT 903 is a ROM in which a pattern to be added is held, and the lower 6 bits of the count value are input. The output of the LUT903 refers to only one bit, and the AND gate 904 controls the main scan counter.
A logical AND is performed with each of the upper three bits of the sub-scan counter 901 and the sub-scan counter 902. The result of the AND operation is synchronized with the CLK signal by the flop flop 905, and the 2-bit CN is output by the AND gate 913.
After being ANDed with both the lower bit CNO 0 and the upper bit CNO 1 of the O signal, it is sent to the AND gate 911. That is,
CNO = 2, that is, a signal effective when printing yellow. On the other hand, P1, P2,
The values of P3 and P4 are held in advance, and one of P1 to P4 is selected according to the pattern level selection signal PS output from the CPU 414, and is input to the adder 912 via the AND gate 911. Therefore, the pattern that is repeatedly read from the ROM 903 is the adder 912 during yellow printing (CNO = 2).
Is added to the input signal V.

Here, in the case of the pattern addition mode,
P1 <P2 <P3 <P4, and the selector 910 determines that Y = A when s = 00 (binary number), Y = B when s = 01 (binary number), and Y = B and s = 10 ( When Y = C when s = 11 (binary number), Y = D when s = 11 (binary number), and when PS = 00 (binary number), V ′ = V + P1, PS = 01 ( When V '= V + P2, PS = 10 (binary number), V' = V + P3, and when PS = 11 (binary number), the pattern is added so that V '= V + P4.

Here, the pattern to be added is added only with the yellow toner so that it is difficult for the human eye to identify it. It is based on the weak ability. Further, by changing the level of the pattern to be added in accordance with the possibility that the specific document exists in the input image, the pattern can hardly be recognized by human eyes in a normal copy, and the specific document can be used. The higher the possibility of the presence, the sharper the pattern is added.

In the pattern addition prohibition mode, P
"0" is set in all registers 1, P2, P3, and P4, and no pattern is added.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a copy result in the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes an added pattern, and the contents held in the ROM 903 are added. In the example shown in FIG.
The pattern in which the character strings of “ABCD” and “1234” are arranged in two rows is 64 pixels × 6 so that it is difficult for the human eyes to recognize it.
It is added in a pattern of four pixels, and is repeated every 512 pixels in the main scan and 512 lines in the sub-scan. So, this
By making the serial number unique to the machine or the encoded serial number, the copied device can be identified by judging the copy, thereby limiting the copied device.

Further, when there is a high possibility that a specific document that should not be copied is present in the read image,
You can also add a tight pattern.

Further, in the first embodiment, the pitch to which a pattern is added is set to 512 pixels (or lines) in the main scan.
However, in the first embodiment, 400 dpi (do
Since the resolution is ts / inch), a pattern is added about every 32.5 mm. On the other hand, the width of the specific manuscript banknote (Bank of Japan) in the short direction is about 76 mm, and the width of the banknotes of major countries in the short direction is also approximately between 60 mm and 120 mm. This pattern is always added to the inside of the copied bill when the bill is copied. Therefore, even if only the bill portion is cut off and misused, the copy number can be limited by examining the copy and reading the added pattern.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for setting the pattern level selection signal PS according to the first embodiment. This procedure is controlled by the CPU 414. First, immediately after the start of copying, step 1102
, "0" is set to the pattern level selection signal PS. Next, in step 1103, the current judgment level H is compared with the value of PS. If H is larger, the value of H is set in PS in step 1104. Otherwise, return to step 1103. That is, the determination signal H
According to the history, the maximum value from the copy start to the present is set in PS.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, as a method for limiting the apparatus in a copy, a specific pattern which is difficult to be recognized by human eyes is added to the copy to originally copy. When a specific document (for example, a bill) that should not be copied is copied, it can be used as a clue to limit the copying device. Furthermore, by repeatedly adding a specific pattern with a pitch shorter than the length of the banknote in the width direction, even if a part of the copy is cut off and misused, the specific pattern is always added to the copy. ,
By judging this, the copied device or copied person can be determined or narrowed down.

Further, the similarity between the read image and the specific pattern registered in advance is detected. If the similarity is large, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the specific document is copied, and the pattern to be added is identified. For the sake of simplicity, when the pattern strength is increased and the similarity is small, the pattern strength is reduced or not added, so that the normal copy image quality is not impaired.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, as a specific pattern to be added, a device-specific serial number or a coded version thereof is added. However, information for limiting the device is not limited to this. Absent.

For example, the information may be information for limiting the apparatus, such as the manufacturing date of the apparatus, the lot number of the apparatus, and the version of the apparatus.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the number of copied devices is limited has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of copied people may be limited.

For example, in the use of the device, a device that requires insertion of an ID (identification) card for limiting users and a device that requires input of an ID number have already been known. In these devices, the recognized ID number or its encoded ID number may be added as a specific pattern.

Further, the date of copying or the encoded date may be added as a specific pattern.

Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described.

<Modification> This modification is a modification of the image scanner unit 201 of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image scanner section according to a modification of the first embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 2411 denotes a pattern generation circuit;
413 is an I / O, 2414 is a CPU of a modification, 2410
Indicates an AND gate.

In operation, a judgment signal H, which is an output of the judgment circuit 409, and a logical AND are taken with respect to the 8-bit output V of the density conversion circuit 408, and V 'is output. As a result, when the determination signal H = 1, that is, when it is determined that the specific document is being read, the pattern generation circuit 2411 described later becomes through, and the output becomes V regardless of the value of the input signal V. '= FF (255),
When the determination signal H = 0, that is, when it is determined that the specific document has not been read, the pattern generation circuit 2411 described later becomes through, and the value of the input signal V is output as it is as the output signal V ′. Also, the judgment signal H = 2
In this case, that is, when there is a possibility that a specific document is being read, a specific pattern signal having two bits is generated by a pattern generation circuit 2411 to be described later, and sent to the AND gate 410 together with the determination signal H. , A certain pattern signal and an input signal V are combined to form an output signal V ′.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a processing result by the pattern generation circuit 2441.

FIG. 11A shows a case where a specific document is read. Reference numeral 801 denotes a specific image 80 serving as a specific document.
3 is shown. Copy 801 and the original 801
Is read by the present apparatus, an output image 802 is obtained. The output image 802 includes the specific image 8
The specific region 804 corresponding to the position 03 is masked.
That is, the specific area 804 is filled with magenta (M) when CNO = 0, cyan (C) when CNO = 1, and yellow (Y) when CNO = 2, for example. As a result, the specific area 804 is not normally copied, and the original specific image 803 is reproduced in a state where it cannot be recognized.

FIG. 17B shows an example in which a specific document is read.

In this case, the output signal H = 2 from the determination circuit 409 is output, and the pattern generation circuit 2411 outputs
A certain pattern signal is generated and output. In this pattern, as shown in FIG. 17 (2), information such as the machine number of the machine, the date and time of use of the machine, and the like are printed on the entire document at certain intervals. At this time, since the printing is performed in the Y color, even if there is no specific image in the document, even if the above information is printed due to erroneous determination, it is enough that the user cannot recognize the deterioration of the image. There is no problem in the use of. In the case of a specific manuscript and the output hard copy is used as the role of the specific manuscript,
The model to be used can be specified from the pattern printed in the Y color.

Here, the concept of the specific manuscript includes a case where the manuscript itself such as bills and securities is referred to, and a case where the manuscript such as bills and securities is combined with another manuscript. The invention applies in both concepts. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 17, 801 is a specific document, but 803 may be a specific document.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the determination of a specific document is applied to the image scanner section. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a configuration for determining a specific document may be provided in an independent image processing apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 2901 denotes an image scanner, 2902 denotes a video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as “VTR”), 2903 denotes a still video camera (hereinafter referred to as “SVC”), and 2904 denotes a specific document determination function and a frame memory of the present embodiment. An image processing apparatus 2905 includes an image output device such as a facsimile or a printer. In the present embodiment, as an example, an image scanner 2901, a VTR 2902, an SVC
2903, but there is a host computer and the like, and the present invention is not limited to this.

Here, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 2904 will be described. The image processing apparatus 2904 includes the determination circuit 409 and the pattern generation circuit 2411 described in the modification of the first embodiment in order to obtain a specific original determination function. The operation of the specific original determination is the same as that of the modification of the first embodiment, and thus the detailed description is omitted.

As an operation, the image processing apparatus 2904 includes an image scanner 2901, a VTR 2902, and an SVC 29.
When an image signal is input from the image output device 290, a specific document is sequentially determined using the frame memory, and the image output device 290 is determined.
5 is output.

As described above, since the image processing apparatus for judging a specific document is provided independently, communication and output of the specific document can be prevented as a communication system, for example.

In the second embodiment, the image output device 905 is provided with a judgment circuit and a pattern generation circuit, and judges based on the print signals Y, M, C, BK or Y, M, C or R, G, B. , By performing an output according to the result, it is possible to determine any input, and
Image degradation at the time of erroneous determination can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, the judgment signal H
Is 0 to 2 bits, but the number of bits is increased,
It is also possible to change the density of the additional pattern (add-on information) according to the determination rate, that is, the existence probability of the specific document.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to an apparatus composed of one device. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

As described above, according to the embodiment, a specific pattern which is hard to be recognized by human eyes is added to the copy as information for limiting the device, so that the copy should be originally made. However, when a specific document (for example, a bill) is copied, it can be used as a key to limit the device used for copying. In addition, by repeatedly adding a specific pattern at a pitch shorter than the length of the bill in the short direction, a part of the copy is cut off, and even if misused, the specific pattern is always added to the copy. By judging this, it is possible to find out or narrow down the device used for copying or the person who made the copy. Further, the similarity between the read image and the specific pattern registered in advance is detected. If the similarity is high, it is determined that the specific document is likely to be copied, and the pattern to be added is easily identified. If the similarity is small, the strength of the pattern to be added can be reduced, or the normal copy image quality can be prevented from being impaired by not adding the pattern.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When adding a pattern indicating device-specific information or information for specifying a device user to an input image, a pattern having an intensity corresponding to the degree of similarity between the input image and the specific image is always added. Therefore, if the similarity is high and the specific image is likely to be copied, the information used to determine the device used for copying the specific image or the person who copied the image, or narrowing down the information, as a strong pattern, is Can be added to If the similarity is small,
By adding a pattern having a low intensity, the image quality of a copy can be prevented from being impaired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image scanner unit 201 according to a first embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows a structure of.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a determination circuit 409 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a determination circuit 409 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an integrator 306 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the timing of signals in the main scanning direction in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of input and output of the integrator 306 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a comparator module 310 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pattern adding circuit 410 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy result according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting a pattern level selection signal PS according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating an appearance of an operation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal touch panel 1203 when the power is turned on according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display state of the liquid crystal touch panel 1203 when the image repeat function is used according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image repeat function according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image scanner according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a processing result by a pattern generation circuit 2441;

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200 Mirror pressure plate 201 Image scanner unit 202 Printer unit 203 Platen 204 Document 205 Lamp 206-208 Mirror 209 Lens 210 3 Line sensor 210-1 to 210-3 CCD sensor 211 Signal processing unit 212 Laser driver 213 Semiconductor laser 214 Polygon mirror 215 f-θ lens 216 mirror 217 photosensitive drum 218 rotary developing device 219 magenta developing unit 220 cyan developing unit 221 yellow developing unit 222 black developing unit 223 transfer drum 224, 225 paper cassette 226 fixing unit 301 thinning circuit 302 LUT 303-1 to 303 -8 Color judgment circuit 310 306 Integrator 308 Comparator module 401, 402 Delay 403 to 405 Log conversion circuit 406 Masking / U R circuit 407 spatial filter 408 density conversion circuit 409 the determination circuit 410 the pattern addition circuit 413 I / O 414 CPU

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/38-1/393 G06T 1/00 500

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An adding unit that adds a pattern indicating device-specific information to the input image; a determining unit that determines a similarity between the input image and the specific image; a similarity determined by the determining unit; A determination unit configured to compare a predetermined threshold value to determine the magnitude of the similarity; and a control unit configured to control an additional strength of the pattern by the addition unit in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit. the adding device adds always the pattern in the input image, wherein if the similarity is large the compound
The pattern is easier to identify than when the similarity is small.
Uni said additional strength is strong, when the similarity is small before
An image processing apparatus, wherein control is performed such that the additional intensity is lower than when the similarity is high . 2. An adding unit for adding a pattern indicating information for identifying an apparatus user to an input image; a determining unit for determining a similarity between the input image and the specific image; Determining the magnitude of the similarity by comparing the similarity with a preset threshold value; and controlling the additional strength of the pattern by the adding unit in accordance with the determination result by the determining unit. and means, said adding device adds always the pattern in the input image, wherein if the similarity is large the compound
The pattern is easier to identify than when the similarity is small.
Uni said additional strength is strong, when the similarity is small before
An image processing apparatus, wherein control is performed such that the additional intensity is lower than when the similarity is high . 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is added with a yellow color component. 4. The pattern intensity according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the pattern is a level intensity of a pattern to be added.
Alternatively, the image processing device according to claim 2. 5. An image processing method for adding a pattern indicating device-specific information to an input image, wherein a similarity between the input image and a specific image is determined, and the determined similarity is set in advance. Comparing with a threshold value, determining the magnitude of the similarity, and controlling the additional strength of the pattern to be added according to the determination result, wherein the pattern is always added to the input image; said case similarity is large compared to when the degree of similarity is less
The additional strength is strong so that the pattern can be easily identified, and the similarity is small as compared with the case where the similarity is large.
An image processing method, wherein the additional intensity is controlled to be weak. 6. An image processing method for adding a pattern indicating information for identifying an apparatus user to an input image, wherein a similarity between the input image and the specific image is determined. compares with a preset threshold, to determine the magnitude of the similarity, in response to said determination result, has the steps of controlling the additional strength of the additional pattern, the pattern in the input image It is always added, when the similarity is larger the than when the similarity is small
The additional strength is strong so that the pattern can be easily identified, and the similarity is small as compared with the case where the similarity is large.
An image processing method, wherein the additional intensity is controlled to be weak.