Image forming apparatus, system, and method having an anti-counterfeiting function

• US 6,515,755 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Hasegawa, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly A.
• Application Number:
  US09/272,129
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.14, 358/1.16, 358/1.18, 358/296, 382/100, 382/135, 382/137, 399/366, 283/113, 283/902
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5087 for receiving image data
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/04 Preventing copies being made of an original
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1806 Receiving job control commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1822 Analysing the received data before processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00843 based on recognising a copy prohibited original, e.g. a banknote pattern authentication and markers therefor, forgery detection G06V20/95; character recognition G06V30/10; document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/40; testing paper currency or similar valuable papers for genuineness G07D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00864 Modifying the reproduction, e.g. outputting a modified copy of a scanned original details of composing or otherwise geometrically modifying originals H04N1/387
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00867 with additional data, e.g. by adding a warning message details of embedding additional information in an image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00872 by image quality reduction, e.g. distortion or blacking out
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/902 Anti-photocopy

Abstract

An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses which sends via the network print-data including identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus to the image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data. The image forming apparatus receives print-data from each of a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via the network, recognizes characteristics of the received print data, and judges whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden. If the received print data is forbidden, the image forming apparatus alters the received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of the received print-data to be lost or deteriorated and adds to the altered print-data identification information identifying the specific print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data. An image of the altered print-data and an image of the added identification information is printed on a sheet of paper and output as a hardcopy. A computer readable medium stores instructions for controlling an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and at least one print-data-outputting apparatus which sends via the network print-data including identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data to the image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and at least one print-data-outputting apparatus, wherein each of said print-data-outputting apparatus sends via said network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to the image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, the image forming apparatus comprising:

print-data-receiving means for receiving print-data from said at least one print-data-outputting apparatus via the network;

judging means for recognizing characteristics of said received print-data and judging whether reproduction of said received print-data is legally forbidden;

image-processing means for altering said received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of the reproduction of the received print-data to be lost and adding to altered print-data identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data;

control means for activating said image-processing means, when said judging means judges said received print-data to be legally forbidden for reproduction, so as to alter said received print-data and add to said altered print-data said identification information; and

printing means for printing an image of said altered print-data and said added identification information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

memory means for storing information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus ending print-data; and

wherein, when the print-data received by said the print-data-receiving means is judged by said judging means as legally forbidden for reproduction, said control means stores said information regarding said print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data in said memory means and inhibits outputting a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from said print-data-outputting apparatus.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification information includes an identification code of said print-data-outputting apparatus.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification information includes a user identification code that is logged in the print-data-outputting apparatus when print-data is sent by said print-data-outputting apparatus.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said image-processing means to add said identification information to said altered print-data such that an image of said information is printed in an area outside of a printed image of said altered print-data in said hardcopy.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said image-processing means to add said identification information to said altered print-data such that at least part of an image of said identification information is superimposed on an image of said altered print-data.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said image-processing means to add said identification information to said altered print-data such that a plurality of images of said information regarding said print-data-outputting apparatus are printed across said hardcopy.

8. An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and at least one print-data-outputting apparatus, which sends via the network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, said image forming apparatus comprising:

print-data-receiving means for receiving print-data from each of said print-data-outputting apparatus via said network;

judging means for recognizing characteristics of said received print-data and judging whether reproduction of said received print-data is legally forbidden;

memory means for storing information regarding a print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data;

printing means for printing an altered image of received print-data as a hardcopy; and

control means for storing information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data in said memory means when print-data received from said print-data-outputting apparatus is judged by the judging means to be legally forbidden for reproduction and for printing, via the printing means, an altered image of the received print-data and for inhibiting further outputting of a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from said print-data-outputting apparatus until the occurrence of a specific event.

9. An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, wherein each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses sends via the network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, said image forming apparatus comprising:

print-data-receiving means for receiving print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network;

judging means for recognizing characteristics of said received print-data and judging whether reproduction of said received print-data is legally forbidden;

image-processing means for altering received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of said received print-data to be lost, adding to the altered print-data first information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data, and second adding information indicating that reproduction of the print-data is legally forbidden;

control means for activating said image-processing means, when said judging means judges reproduction of received print-data to be legally forbidden, so as to alter said received print-data, add to said altered print-data said first information and said second information; and

printing means for printing images of said altered print-data, and said added first and said added second information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

10. An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, wherein each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses sends via said network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a print-data-receiving device configured to receive print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network;

a judging device configured to recognize characteristics of said received print-data and to judge whether reproduction of said received print-data is legally forbidden;

an image-processing device configured to alter said received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of said received print-data to be lost and to add to said altered print-data identifying information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data;

a control device configured to activate said image-processing device, when said judging device judges reproduction of said received print-data to be legally forbidden, so as to alter said received print-data and add to said altered print-data said identification information; and

a printing device configured to print an image of said altered print-data and an image of said added identification information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a memory device configured to store information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data; and

wherein, when reproduction of the print-data received by said print-data-receiving device is judged by said judging device to be legally forbidden, said control device is configured to control storing of said identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending said print-data in said memory device and inhibits further outputting of a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from said print-data-outputting apparatus until the occurrence of a specific event.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said identification information includes an identification code of said print-data-outputting apparatus.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said identification information includes a user identification code that is logged in said print-data-outputting apparatus when print-data is sent by the print-data-outputting apparatus.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control device controls said image-processing device to add said identification information to said altered print-data such that an image of the identification information is printed in an area outside of a printed image of said altered print-data in the hardcopy.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control device controls said image-processing device to add said identification information to said altered print-data such that a part of an image of the information is superimposed on an image of said altered print-data.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control device is configured to control said image-processing device to add identification information to said altered print-data such that a plurality of images of the identification information are printed across the hardcopy.

17. An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses sending via the network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to the image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data, the image forming apparatus comprising:

a print-data-receiving device that receives print-data from each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via the network;

a judging device that judges whether the received print-data is legally forbidden to be reproduced by recognizing characteristics of the received print-data;

a memory device that stores the information regarding a print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data;

a printing device that prints an image of print-data as a hardcopy; and

a control device that stores the information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data in the memory device when the print-data received from the print-data-outputting apparatus is judged by the judging device as legally forbidden to be reproduced and to print, via the printing device, an altered image of the received print-data and to inhibit outputting a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from the print-data-outputting apparatus.

18. An image forming apparatus for use in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, wherein each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses sends via said network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to the image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a print-data-receiving device configured to receive print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network;

a judging device configured to recognize characteristics of the received print-data and to judge whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

an image-processing device configured to alter the received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of the received print-data to be lost, to add to said altered print-data first information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data, and to add second information indicating that reproduction of the print-data is legally forbidden;

a control configured to activate said image-processing device, when said judging device judges reproduction of the received print-data to be legally forbidden, so as to alter the received print-data and to add to said altered print-data said first information and said second information; and

a printing device configured to print images of said altered print-data, said first information and said second information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

19. A network system comprising:

a network for transmitting data;

a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, each of which outputs print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus; and

an image forming apparatus comprising,

a print-data-receiving device that receives print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network,

a judging device configured to recognize characteristics of the received print-data and to judge whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden,

an image-processing device configured to alter received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of the received print-data to be lost and to add to said altered print-data

identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data,

a control device configured to activate said image-processing device, when said judging device judges reproduction of the received print-data to be legally forbidden, so as to alter the received print-data and add to said altered print-data said identification information, and

a printing device configured to print images of said altered print-data and said added identification information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

20. A network system comprising:

a network for transmitting data;

a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, each of which outputs print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus; and

an image forming apparatus comprising,

a print-data-receiving device configured to receive print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network,

a judging device configured to recognize characteristics of received print-data and to judge whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden,

a memory device configured to store information regarding a print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data,

a printing device configured to print an image of print-data as a hardcopy, and

a control device configured to store said identification information in said memory device when reproduction of the received print-data is judged by the judging device to be legally forbidden and to print, via the printing device, an altered image of the received print-data and to inhibit outputting of a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from said print-data-outputting apparatus until the occurrence of a specific event.

21. A network system comprising:

a network for transmitting data;

a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, each of which print-data-outputs print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus; and

an image forming apparatus comprising,

a print-data-receiving device that receives print-data from each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network,

a judging device configured to recognize characteristics of received print-data and to judge whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden,

an image-processing device configured to alter the received print-data so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of the received print-data to be lost, to add to said altered print-data first information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data, and to add second information indicating that reproduction of the print-data is legally forbidden,

a control device configured to activate said image-processing device, when said judging device judges reproduction of the received print-data to be legally forbidden, so as to alter the received print-data and to add to said altered print-data said first information and said second, and

a printing device configured to print images of said altered print-data, said added first information and said added second on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

22. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and at least one print-data-outputting apparatus which sends via the network print-data including information regarding the at least one print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, comprising the steps of:

receiving print-data from said at least one print-data-outputting apparatus via the network;

recognizing characteristics of the received print-data and judging whether reproduction of said received print-data is legally forbidden;

altering said received print-data, when reproduction of said received print-data is judged to be legally forbidden, so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of said received print-data to be lost and adding to said altered print-data identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending said print-data; and

printing images of said altered print-data and said added identification information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

23. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, each of which sends via the network print-data including information identifying said print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, comprising the steps of:

receiving print-data from at least one of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via the network;

recognizing characteristics of said received print-data and judging whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

storing information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data when reproduction of the print-data received from said print-data-outputting apparatus is judged as legally forbidden;

printing an altered image of said print-data as a hardcopy when printed-data received for the print-data-outputting apparatus is judged by the recognizing step to be legally forbidden for reproduction, and for inhibiting further outputting of a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from said print-data-outputting apparatus until the occurrence of a specific event.

24. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, wherein each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses sends via said network print-data including identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, comprising the steps of:

receiving print-data from at least one of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network;

recognizing characteristics of said print-data and judging whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

altering said received print-data when reproduction of the received print-data is judged as legally forbidden, so as to cause the fidelity of the reproduction of the received print-data to be lost;

adding to said altered print-data first identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending said print-data, and adding second information indicating that reproduction of said print-data is legally forbidden; and

printing images of said altered print-data, said first added information, and said second added information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

25. A computer readable medium storing instructions for controlling an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and at least one print-data-outputting apparatus, which sends via said network print-data including identification information identifying said at least one print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, by performing the steps of:

receiving print-data from at least one of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network;

recognizing characteristics of said received print-data and judging whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

altering said received print-data when reproduction of said received print-data is judged to be legally forbidden, so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of said received print-data to be lost and adding to said altered print-data identification information identifying said at least one print-data-outputting apparatus sending said print-data; and

printing images of said altered print-data and said added information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

26. A computer readable medium storing instructions for controlling an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and a plurality of int-data-outputting apparatuses, each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses sending via the network print-data including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus to the image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data, by performing the steps of:

receiving print-data from each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via the network;

judging whether the received print-data is legally forbidden to be reproduced by recognizing characteristics of the received print-data;

storing information regarding a print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data when the print-data received from the print-data-outputting apparatus is judged as legally forbidden to be reproduced;

printing an altered image of said print-data as a hardcopy when print-data received from the print-data-outputting apparatus is judged by the judging step to be forbidden for reproduction and for inhibiting outputting a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from the print-data-outputting apparatus.

27. A computer readable medium storing instructions for controlling an image forming apparatus used in a network system including a network and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, each of which sends via the network print-data including identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus to said image forming apparatus for outputting a hardcopy of said print-data, by performing the steps of:

receiving print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses via said network;

recognizing characteristics of said print-data and judging whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

altering the received print-data when reproduction of said received print-data is judged to be legally forbidden, so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of the received print-data to be lost, adding to said altered print-data first identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending said print-data, and adding second information indicating that reproduction of said print-data is legally forbidden; and

printing images of said altered print-data, said added first information, and said second information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy.

28. An image forming method for a network system including a network, an image forming apparatus, and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, comprising the steps of:

sending print-data for outputting a hardcopy of print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses to said image forming apparatus via said network, including identification information identifying said print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data;

receiving print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses with said image forming apparatus via said network;

recognizing characteristics of said print-data and judging whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

altering the received print-data when reproduction of said received print-data is judged to be legally forbidden, so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of said received print-data to be lost and adding to said altered print-data identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data to said image forming apparatus; and

printing images of said altered print-data and said added identification information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy with said image forming apparatus.

29. An image forming method for a network system including a network, an image forming apparatus, and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, comprising step of:

sending print-data for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data from each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses to the image forming apparatus via the network, including information regarding the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data;

receiving the print-data from each of the plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses with the image forming apparatus via the network;

judging whether the received print-data is legally forbidden to be reproduced by recognizing characteristics of the received print-data with the image forming apparatus; and

storing information regarding a print-data-outputting apparatus sending print-data when the print-data received from the print-data-outputting apparatus is judged as legally forbidden to be reproduced;

printing an altered image of said print-data as a hardcopy when print-data received from the print-data-outputting apparatus is judged by the judging step to be forbidden for reproduction, and for inhibiting outputting a hardcopy of print-data subsequently received from the print-data-outputting apparatus with the image forming apparatus.

30. An image forming method for a network system including a network, an image forming apparatus, and a plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses, comprising the steps of:

sending print-data for outputting a hardcopy of the print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses to said image forming apparatus via said network, including first identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data;

receiving the print-data from each of said plurality of print-data-outputting apparatuses with said image forming apparatus via said network;

recognizing characteristics of said received print-data and judging whether reproduction of the received print-data is legally forbidden;

altering the received print-data when reproduction of the received print-data is judged to be legally forbidden, so as to cause the fidelity of a reproduction of the received print-data to be lost, adding to said altered print-data first identification information identifying the print-data-outputting apparatus sending the print-data, and adding second information indicating that reproduction of the print-data is legally forbidden with said image forming apparatus; and

printing images of said altered print-data, said first added information, and said second added information on a sheet of paper and outputting said sheet as a hardcopy with said image forming apparatus.