Image processing device and method for indentifying an input image, and copier scanner and printer including same

• US 6,289,125 B1
• Filed: 01/09/1998
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Yanagida, Masahito, Katoh, Mitsutaka, Senga, Masanori, Sonoda, Shinya, Ohmae, Kouichi
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, JON CARLTON
• Application Number:
  US09/005,001
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 382/135, 382/137, 382/287, 382/317, 382/100, 382/232, 382/203, 382/217, 382/218, 382/194, 399/366, 283/72, 283/93, 283/902, 358/1.14
• US Class Current: 382/194
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/20 Testing patterns thereon G07D7/004, G07D7/005 take precedence
• 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 image processing device is disclosed which can reliably detect documents which may not be copied, which has a very small probability of false positives, and which can handle newly issued documents which may not be copied. In addition, an image processing scheme is disclosed which would accurately obtain the location of a pattern indicating a document to be detected; which would extract that pattern; which would determine correctly whether it is the right pattern; and which would make it difficult for anyone to tamper with the pattern. To achieve this, a specified pattern is imprinted before use on a document which may not be copied, and a previously specified number of positioning marks and dummy marks which identify the location of the pattern may also be imprinted. The device is able to detect a wide variety of documents and perform the required processing at high speed.

Claims

1. An image processing method to identify whether an input image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, comprising the steps of:

detecting a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said input image data by comparing said input image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

recognizing an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said input image data; and

judging whether a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

2. An image processing method according to claim 1, wherein said arrangement is recognized by recognizing a distance between each of said detected specified marks.

3. An image processing method to identify whether an input image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, comprising the steps of:

detecting a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said input image data by comparing said input image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

recognizing a total number and an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

judging whether a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said total number and said arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

4. An image processing method to identify whether an input image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, comprising the steps of:

detecting a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said input image data by comparing said input image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

storing locations of said detected specified marks in a memory;

recognizing a total number and an arrangement of said stored locations of said detected plurality of specified marks, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

judging whether a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said total number and said arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

5. An image processing device to identify whether an input image data contains a specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, comprising:

a specified mark detector to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said input image data by comparing said input image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognizing device to recognize an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said input image data; and

a judging device to judge whether a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

6. An image processing device according to claim 5, wherein said recognizing device recognizes the arrangement by recognizing a distance between each of said detected specified marks.

7. An image processing device to identify whether an input image data contains a specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, comprising:

a specified mark detector to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said input image data by comparing said input image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognizing device to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judging device to judge whether a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship, is contained in said input image data based on said total number and said arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

8. An image processing device to identify whether an input image data contains a specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, comprising:

a specified mark detector to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said input image data by comparing said input image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a memory to store locations of said detected specified marks;

a recognizing device to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said stored locations of said detected plurality of specified marks wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judging device to judge whether a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship, is contained in said input image data based on said total number and said arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

9. A copy machine to prevent copying of a document that is legally prohibited from being copied, comprising:

a scanning device to scan said document and generate an image data of said document;

a conversion device which is connected to said scanning device and which converts said image data into color signals for printing;

a printing device, which receives said color signals from said conversion device and performs specified processing needed for printing;

an image processing device to identify if said generated image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said generated image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognition unit to recognize an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said generated image data; and

a judgment unit to judge if said generated image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

10. The copy machine of claim 9, wherein said recognition unit recognizes the arrangement by recognizing a distance between each of said detected specified marks.

11. A copy machine to prevent copying of a document that is legally prohibited from being copied, comprising:

a scanning device to scan said document and generate an image data of said document;

a conversion device which is connected to said scanning device and which converts said image data into color signals for printing;

a printing device, which receives said color signals from said conversion device and performs specified processing needed for printing;

an image processing device to identify if said generated image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said generated image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognition unit to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said generated image data, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judgment unit to judge if said generated image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized number of and arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

12. A copy machine to prevent copying of a document that is legally prohibited from being copied, comprising:

a scanning device to scan said document and generate an image data of said document;

a conversion device which is connected to said scanning device and which converts said image data into color signals for printing;

a printing device, which receives said color signals from said conversion device and performs specified processing needed for printing;

an image processing device to identify if said generated image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said generated image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a memory to store locations of said detected specified marks;

a recognition unit to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said stored locations of said detected plurality of specified marks in said generated image data, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judgment unit to judge if said generated image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized number of and arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

13. A scanning machine to prevent outputting by scanning of a document that is legally prohibited from being read out by the scanning, comprising:

a scanning device to scan said document and generate an image data of said document;

an image processing device to identify if said generated image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said generated image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognition unit to recognize an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said generated image data; and

a judgment unit to judge if said generated image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

14. The scanning machine of claim 13, wherein said recognition unit recognizes the arrangement by recognizing a distance between each of said detected specified marks.

15. A scanning machine to prevent outputting by scanning of a document that is legally prohibited from being read out by the scanning, comprising:

a scanning device to scan said document and generate an image data of said document;

an image processing device to identify if said generated image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said generated image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognition unit to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said generated image data, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judgment unit to judge if said generated image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized number of and arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

16. A scanning machine to prevent outputting by scanning of a document that is legally prohibited from being read out by the scanning, comprising:

a scanning device to scan said document and generate an image data of said document;

an image processing device to identify if said generated image data contains specified image data which is illegal to reproduce, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said generated image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a memory to store locations of said detected specified marks;

a recognition unit to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said stored locations of said detected plurality of specified marks in said generated image data, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judgment unit to judge if said generated image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized number of and arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

17. A printing machine to prevent printing of a document that is legally prohibited from being printed, comprising:

a printing device, which receives image data from outside and performs specified processing needed for printing;

an image processing device to identify if said received image data contains specified image data which is illegal to print, comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said received image data by comparing said received image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognition unit to recognize an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said received image data; and

a judgment unit to judge if said received image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said input image data based on said recognized arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

18. The printing machine of claim 17, wherein said recognition unit recognizes the arrangement by recognizing a distance between each of said detected specified marks.

19. A printing machine to prevent printing of a document that is legally prohibited from being printed, comprising:

a printing device, which receives image data from outside and performs specified processing needed for printing;

an image processing device to identify if said received image data contains specified image data which is illegal to print, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said received image data by comparing said generated image with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a recognition unit to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said detected plurality of specified marks in said received image data, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judgment unit to judge if said received image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said image data based on said recognized number of and arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.

20. A printing machine to prevent printing of a document that is legally prohibited from being printed, comprising:

a printing device, which receives image data from outside and performs specified processing needed for printing;

an image processing device to identify if said received image data contains specified image data which is illegal to print, said image processing device comprising;

a detection unit to detect a plurality of specified marks having an identical shape in said received image data by comparing said received image data with a specified reference mark which has been previously determined;

a memory to store locations of said detected specified marks;

a recognition unit to recognize a total number and an arrangement of said stored locations of said detected plurality of specified marks in said received image data, wherein said total number and said arrangement are recognized on an outline of a previously determined pattern; and

a judgment unit to judge if said received image data contains a specified pattern comprising said plurality of specified identical shape marks arranged in a given relationship is contained in said image data based on said recognized number of and arrangement of said detected plurality of specified identical shape marks.