Image processing apparatus for discriminating an original having a predetermined pattern

• US 5,731,880 A
• Filed: 07/15/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takaragi, Yoichi, Yamada, Masanori, Sato, Yoshinobu, Yamada, Yasuhiro, Suzuki, Yasumichi, Kanno, Akiko, Uchida, Yoshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): FRAHM, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US08/679,562
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 358/296, 358/501, 283/901, 283/902, 399/366, 250/330, 382/135, 382/137, 382/139, 382/140
• US Class Current: 358/296
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/046 by discriminating a special original, e.g. a bank note
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00838 Preventing unauthorised reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00846 based on detection of a dedicated indication, e.g. marks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00875 Inhibiting reproduction, e.g. by disabling reading or reproduction apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for processing images, with which a specific original can be discriminated from others with a high accuracy. An image processing apparatus includes an input unit (210) for producing visible information and invisible information, a detecting unit for detecting a line image portion of an image represented by the visible information, and a discriminating unit (3) for discriminating an original having a predetermined pattern in accordance with the detection by the detecting unit and the visible information.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting visible information and invisible information, in accordance with an image;

detecting means for detecting whether or not there is a line image whose color is visually unremarkable on said image, on the basis of the visible information; and

discriminating means for discriminating the image having a predetermined pattern in accordance with the detection by said detecting means and the invisible information.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the invisible information is infrared information.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the visible information is a plurality of color component data.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a plurality of linear sensors and each respective linear sensor inputs one of visible information and invisible information.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means comprises a plurality of memory means.

6. An image processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting visible information and invisible information, in accordance with an image;

deciding means for deciding an area rate of specific invisible information included in a predetermined unit area on said image and for generating a decision result; and

discriminating means for discriminating said image having a predetermined pattern in accordance with the decision result generated by said deciding means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the invisible information is infrared information.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the visible information is a plurality of color component data.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said input means comprises a plurality of linear sensors and each respective linear sensor inputs one of visible information and invisible information.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said discriminating means comprises a plurality of memory means.

11. An image processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting visible information and invisible information, in accordance with an image;

detecting means for detecting a predetermined periodic pattern based on the invisible information; and

discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the image is a specific image, in accordance with the detection by said detecting means.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the invisible information is infrared information.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the visible information is a plurality of color component data.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said input means comprising a plurality of linear sensors and each respective linear sensor inputs one of visible information and invisible information.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said discriminating means comprises a plurality of memory means.

16. An image processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting a visible information signal and an invisible information signal, in accordance with an image;

first detecting means for detecting a presence of change of the visible information signal and an absence of change of the invisible information signal in a predetermined region;

second detecting means for detecting an absence of change of the visible information signal and an absence of change of the invisible information signal in the predetermined region; and

discriminating means for discriminating the image having a predetermined pattern in accordance with the detection by said first and second detecting means.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the invisible information is infrared information.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the visible information is a plurality of color component data.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said input means comprises a plurality of linear sensors and each respective linear sensor inputs one of visible information and invisible information.

20. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said discriminating means comprises a plurality of memory means.