JPH10326159A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image processing apparatus that can easily handle various types of images as targets of forgery prevention. SOLUTION: The reference data stored in an EEPROM 304 is rewritten by new reference data transferred via a network. In this case, when the new reference data is not the existing reference data that is not stored in the EEPROM 304, writing to the EEPROM 304 is performed, or when the new reference data is stored in the EEPROM 3
If the reference data is not the existing reference data that is not stored in the reference data 04 and has the same attribute as the attribute of the currently stored reference data, the existing reference data stored in the EEPROM 304 is deleted and a new reference data is deleted. Write data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of preventing forgery of, for example, official documents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer controller having a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 has been used to prevent forgery in a printer. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1100 denotes an information source for generating image data which is usually composed of a computer and its peripheral devices (such as a storage device). 1200 checks whether or not a specific image is included in the transferred image data.
A printer controller having a function of controlling image formation when it is determined that the specific image is included;
Reference numeral 300 denotes a printer engine that forms an image based on the image data output from the forgery prevention device 1200.

A printer controller 1200 generally determines whether or not a specific image is included in the transferred image data, and determines whether or not the specific image data (reference data) to be forged is prevented from being transferred to the transferred image data. Data expansion unit 120 for bitmap expansion for comparison
2. Reference data storage memory 1 for storing the reference data
203, an interface (I / F) 1204 for receiving image data from the information source 1100, and a control unit 1205 for controlling the entire printer controller.

A printer controller 1 having such a configuration
200 operates as follows.

That is, when image data is sent from the information source 1100, an interface (I / F) 1204
The image data is stored in a buffer inside the determination unit 1201 via the. When a predetermined amount of image data is stored in the buffer, the reference data is read from the reference data storage memory 1203 to the data expansion unit 1202 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 1205. The data development unit 1202 performs bitmap development on the reference data read from the reference data storage memory 1203 according to a method defined in advance, and converts the reference data into a form that can be easily compared. When the bitmap expansion of the reference data is completed, the determination unit 1201 compares this with the image data in the buffer.

As a result of the comparison, if it can be determined that the image represented by the input image data matches the image represented by the reference data, the printer engine 1300 does not perform image formation based on the image data. Action will be taken. For example, output control is performed such that a target image portion is output as a white image or, on the contrary, is painted black.

[0007]

However, in the above conventional example, since (1) a read-only element such as a ROM is used as a memory for storing reference data, (2) another reference data is referred to via a network, for example. In order to prevent various types of images from being counterfeited because they cannot be replaced with data, a ROM
There is a problem that the ROM mounted must be replaced according to the usage environment of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus which can more easily handle various types of images as objects of forgery prevention.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, an image processing apparatus connected to a host via a network, input means for inputting image data, rewritable storage means for storing reference data representing a specific image, and the storage means Determining means for determining whether the specific image is included in the image represented by the image data input by the input means by referring to the reference data stored in the input means;
An image processing apparatus is provided, further comprising rewriting means for rewriting the reference data stored in the storage means with new reference data transferred via the network.

With the above configuration, the present invention operates to rewrite the reference data stored in the rewritable storage means with new reference data transferred via the network.

Here, EEP is stored in the rewritable storage means.
ROM can be used.

Further, the input means can also input new reference data, and can distinguish the new reference data from the image data.

The rewriting means analyzes the attribute data having a hierarchical structure, for example, included in the header of the new reference data, and stores the new reference data in the storage means in accordance with the analysis result. It is desirable to include control means for controlling writing. Then, a table for storing the attribute of the reference data currently stored in the storage means is provided, and the control means compares the attribute of each layer of the attribute data with the attribute of the currently stored reference data stored in the table. Good.

Further, the control means controls the writing to the storage means when the new reference data is not the existing reference data which is not stored in the storage means. If the reference data is not the existing reference data not stored in the storage means and has the same attribute as the attribute of the currently stored reference data stored in the table, the existing reference data stored in the storage means is deleted. It is preferable to erase the data and control the writing of new reference data.

Further, the above apparatus has an image forming means for forming an image based on the image data inputted by the input means, and an image forming control means for controlling the image formation by the image forming means in accordance with the result of the discrimination by the discriminating means. May be provided.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan),
An image processing apparatus that forms an image in the order of BK (black) and superimposes the image of each color on one recording sheet to form a full-color image will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a color image processing apparatus as a typical embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that color image data composed of RGB color components is sent to this apparatus from a host computer (not shown: hereinafter, referred to as a host) via a network such as a LAN.

The controller 100, which has received the RGB image data from the host, generates a density signal of each of the YMCBk components as an image signal based on the received image data, and executes the image forming process.

When an image signal is output from the controller 100 and a semiconductor laser (not shown) is driven, the semiconductor laser emits a laser beam toward the polygon mirror 101. At this time, the photosensitive drum 105 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charger 104. The laser beam L reflected by the polygon mirror 101 scans the photosensitive drum 105 via the lens 102 and the mirror 103 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 105 based on, for example, a Y component density signal. I do. Next, a predetermined developing bias voltage is applied to the yellow developing device Dy to develop the latent image, and a yellow toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 105. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 105 is directly transferred to the transfer drum 106.

Next, a latent image based on the density signal of the M component is formed on the photosensitive drum 105 by the laser beam L, and then the photosensitive drum 1 is driven by the magenta developing device Dm.
The magenta toner image is formed by developing the latent image on the toner image 05 and transferred to the transfer drum 106.

Subsequently, cyan and black toner images are similarly transferred to the transfer drum 106, and as a result, four color toner images are formed on the transfer drum.

On the other hand, at a predetermined timing,
07, the recording paper P is fed, and is guided to the transfer drum 105 via the paper feed roller 108, where the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper P. At the same time, the cleaner 106f
As a result, the toner remaining on the transfer drum 106 is removed, and the apparatus is prepared for the next image forming process. Subsequently, the fixing device 1
In step 09, the toner image on the sheet P is fixed, and then the recording sheet P is discharged to the sheet discharge units 110 and 111.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 112 denotes an operation panel for notifying a user of an operation state relating to the apparatus or setting various operation conditions by the user, and comprises an LCD, a touch key, an LED lamp, and the like. ing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 100.

First, the interface (I / F) 300 receives RGB color image data 317 of 8 bits per pixel and a color designation signal (ICLR) 315 for each color component from a host via a network, and processes them by a color processing unit. Transfer to 301. As described above, the color image processing apparatus according to this embodiment forms a yellow (Y) image, a magenta (M) image, a cyan (C) image, and a black (Bk) image in a frame-sequential manner. , The density image data in the order of Y data of one screen (one sheet of recording paper), M data of one screen, C data of one screen, and Bk data of one screen. Is output. For this reason, the color processing unit 301 first converts the RGB color image data for one screen one pixel at a time into an 8-bit VDO (video) signal representing Y data and outputs it. Then, an 8-bit VDO (video) signal representing M data, an 8-bit VDO (video) signal representing C data, and an 8-bit VDO (video) signal representing Bk data are output.

At the time of this conversion, masking and UCR processing are executed. The color processing unit 301 determines which color of Y, M, C, or Bk the input RGB color image data should be converted into a color designation signal (ICL) sent from the host.
R) Select by 315. In this embodiment, the color designation signal (ICLR) 316 first designates M, and thereafter, every time image data for one screen is output, the designation changes in the order of C, Y, and Bk.

The density correction unit 302 includes a color processing unit 301
For each component of YMCBk output from the device, a density image signal of 8 bits per pixel is input, and density correction is performed according to the output characteristics of the apparatus. The corrected density image signal output from the density correction unit 302 is output to the image formation control unit 303.

The EEPROM 304 stores reference data representing a specific image such as a bill or a securities, and outputs a reference data signal (REF) 306 to the pattern matching unit 308. EEPROM 304
Can be replaced with new reference data sent via the network, as described later.

In the pattern matching unit 308, the EEPR
Reference data signal (REF) 30 input from OM 304
6 and a density image signal are input to perform pattern recognition processing, and it is determined whether or not the input image includes a specific image. The result of the determination is transmitted to the image forming control unit 303.
Output to The execution of the pattern recognition processing by the pattern matching unit 308 is controlled by the CPU 200 according to the processing results described later. If it is determined that the input signal includes the specific image according to the determination result by the pattern recognition, the image forming control unit 303 determines whether to perform the image forming process or specifies the entire surface of the recording paper. Control is performed to transfer color toner. On the other hand, when it is determined that the specific image is not included in the input signal as a result of the determination, control is performed to perform the image forming process.

The respective color component video signals (VDO) on which such processing has been performed are output to a PWM (pulse width modulation) unit 309. In the PWM unit 309, the density image signal of 8 bits per pixel is latched by the latch circuit 310 into an image clock (PCL).
K) Latch in synchronization with the rise of 316, further convert the density image signal into an analog voltage corresponding to the signal value by a D / A converter 311 and input the analog voltage to one input terminal of an analog comparator 312. On the other hand, the triangular wave generator 314 generates a triangular wave based on the image clock (PCLK) 316 and inputs the triangular wave to the other input terminal of the analog comparator 312. The analog comparator 312 compares the two input signals of the analog voltage and the triangular wave, outputs a PWM signal, and inverts the signal by the inverter 313 to finally obtain a PWM signal. This PWM signal is input to a laser driving unit (not shown) and drives a semiconductor laser.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire controller 100;
That stores programs required for control executed by
M and 202 execute the CPU 2 to execute the program.
Reference numeral 00 denotes a RAM used as a work area.

Next, reference data replacement processing executed in the color image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, it is assumed that the color image processing apparatus is accessed from a host via a network and the image data is transferred.

First, in step S100, when a color image processing apparatus is designated via a network and data is transferred, in step S101, whether the transferred data is reference data or an image for image output is determined. Determine whether it is data. This determination is made by determining whether a header specifically defined for identifying the reference data is included at the beginning of the transfer data (how to define the header, taking into account the network protocol, It is arbitrarily determined with the host,
Here, it is assumed that the attributes of the reference data are defined in a hierarchical structure. ). Here, when it is determined that the transfer data is the reference data, the process proceeds to step S102,
Execute reference data write processing. On the other hand, if the transfer data does not include reference data, the process proceeds to step S103.

Here, the details of the reference data writing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S201, the structure of the header of the reference data is analyzed to determine the number of layers, and the number of layers is set to "N". What information is included in this header is optional. For example, the type of the document to be forged (banknote, license, etc.) is defined in the first attribute (top of the hierarchical structure), and the second attribute in the next layer May include the name of the country (for bills and licenses, the issuing country).

Next, in step S202, all the attributes as described above are held in the buffer defined in the RAM 202, and in step S203, the format of the n-th attribute is analyzed. In the process of the first step S203, the first
The analysis of the hierarchy is sequentially advanced to lower layers such as the second hierarchy, and the analysis is performed up to the Nth hierarchy. Based on the analysis result, in step S204, it is determined whether the format matches the predetermined format. If the format does not match the predetermined format, the process proceeds to step S210.
The contents of the error are reported to the transmission source host via the network if possible. Step S21
After the processing of 0, the reference data is not written, and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the format matches the predetermined format, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the obtained n-th
The same attribute (existing attribute) as the content of the attribute is stored in the EEPROM 30
4 to see if it already exists. This process is performed, for example, by creating a table for saving the attributes and their contents in the EEPROM 304 at the time of the previous writing of the reference data, and referring to this table. Here, if it is determined that the attribute is a new attribute, the process proceeds to step S206, and a new attribute is written. This can be realized by, for example, performing a process of newly adding the corresponding relationship to the above-described table, including data defining the attribute (for example, country name and document name in ASCII code data) in the new attribute data. it can.

When the processing in step S206 is completed, or when it is determined that the n-th attribute obtained in step S205 is an existing attribute, the processing proceeds to step S207.
To check whether or not the processing has been completed for the attributes of all the hierarchies. Here, if it is determined that the processing of all the layers has been completed, the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined that there is a layer that has not been processed yet, the process returns to step S203, and the process of the next layer is performed.

Now, the process proceeds to step S208.
It is checked whether the data part of the transfer reference data is different from the existing one. This is done by comprehensively examining the attributes of all the layers of the header or by comparing the existing reference data with the transfer reference data bit by bit. Here, if it is determined that the transfer reference data is new data, the process proceeds to step S209, and the data is stored in the EEPROM 30.
Write to 4. When writing data, if all attributes are existing attributes and only the data part is different, delete the existing data part and write new data, and if the attributes are different, write the data additionally. . In addition, EEPR
When an error such as insufficient capacity of OM304 is detected,
The predetermined error processing can be automatically executed, or the error processing can be performed interactively by notifying the user of the host via a network.

When the processing in step S209 ends, the reference data writing processing ends.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the description will be continued.

In step S103, the process further checks whether the transfer data is image data for image output. This is, for example, color designation data (ICLR) 3
If it is determined that the image data is transferred, the process ends. However, if it is determined that the data is image data, the process proceeds to step S104, and the interface unit (I / F)
Image data is sequentially transferred from 300 to the color processing unit, and image data reading processing is executed.

Finally, in step S105, an image is formed by performing the above-described image processing, and the image is output.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, reference data to be forged is prevented from being transferred from the host via the network and stored in the EEPROM.
All kinds of reference data can be added to the forgery prevention target without replacing the ROM. Thereby, the forgery prevention target can be appropriately changed more flexibly according to the use environment of the apparatus.

Further, since the ROM is not replaced, there is an advantage that such a change can be made easily.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc.) comprising one device Device).

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system or an apparatus with a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, reference data stored in rewritable storage means such as an EEPROM is rewritten by new reference data transferred via a network. For example, RO that stores image data that expresses a specific image easily
There is an effect that various types of images can be added to the forgery prevention target without exchanging M.

[0055]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a color image processing apparatus as a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller 100.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a reference data exchange process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of a reference data writing process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional printer controller having a forgery prevention function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 controller 101 polygon mirror 102 lens 103 mirror 104 charger 105 photosensitive drum 106 transfer drum 106 f cleaner 200 CPU 300 interface 303 image forming control unit 304 EEPROM 308 pattern matching unit 309 PWM unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus connected to a host via a network, comprising: input means for inputting image data; rewritable storage means for storing reference data representing a specific image; Determining means for determining whether or not the image represented by the image data input by the input means includes the specific image by referring to the reference data stored in the input means; An image processing apparatus, comprising: rewriting means for rewriting the reference data stored in the storage means with the new reference data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means includes an EEPROM. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit also inputs the new reference data. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the input unit includes an identification unit that distinguishes the new reference data from the image data. 5. The rewriting unit, wherein the rewriting unit analyzes attribute data included in a header of the new reference data, and writes the new reference data to the storage unit according to an analysis result by the analysis unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to perform control. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attribute data has a hierarchical structure. 7. The storage means has a table for storing the attribute of the reference data currently stored, and the control means stores the attribute of each layer of the attribute data and the attribute stored in the table. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein attributes of currently stored reference data are compared. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the writing to the storage means when the new reference data is not existing reference data not stored in the storage means. Item 6. The image processing device according to Item 5. 9. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the new reference data is not existing reference data not stored in the storage unit, and has the same attribute as that of the currently stored reference data stored in the table. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the attribute is an attribute, control is performed so that existing reference data stored in the storage unit is deleted and the new reference data is written. 10. An image forming means for forming an image based on image data inputted by said input means, and an image forming control means for controlling image formation by said image forming means in accordance with a result of the discrimination by said discriminating means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: