JP2003337682A - Image processing apparatus and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To appropriately manage security of image data when advertisement data is included in a print image. SOLUTION: Image input means for photoelectrically converting document information and inputting it as image data, storage means for storing advertisement data in advance, security level setting means for setting a security level of the advertisement data, and Determining means for determining whether the stored advertisement data is included in the image data; image forming means for forming a copy image according to the image data; a result determined by the determining means and the security level Means for judging the security level of the image data based on the security level set by the setting means, and judging permission / non-permission of grandchild copy.

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 an image processing system such as a digital copying machine,
It is particularly suitable for use in detecting a specific image such as an advertisement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system such as a multifunction digital copying machine has been known as a system for inputting / outputting images, and a scanner for reading an original image recorded on paper and a read image or a host. It consists of a printer that outputs the image sent from the computer to media such as paper, and also controls the operation of these scanners and printers, or performs various image processing, and the device controller and the device. It is composed of an operation unit for providing an operation to the user, a memory for temporarily or permanently storing a plurality of image data and processing programs, a hard disk, and the like.

In addition to the current copying, image data read by a scanner can be transferred to a host computer via a LAN (network), or conversely, a document created on the host computer can be printed out on a network. .

[0004]

The information and advertisements of companies and organizations are output at a proper timing to digital copying machines and printers connected via such a network.
There are demands to be part of various public relations and publicity activities.

Further, since costs for paper, toner, etc. are involved in copying and printing, a method is proposed in which the advertiser assists a part of the cost for printing the image when the advertisement is included in the printed image. Has been done.

[0006] Among these movements, the importance of security management of advertisement images tends to increase more and more. This is because the method of managing the security of the advertisement image directly affects the billing and the like generated at the time of copying and is highly likely to be related to the profit margin.

[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to appropriately manage security of image data when advertisement data is included in a print image.

[0008]

Therefore, in the present invention, image input means for photoelectrically converting optically read document information to input as image data, storage means for storing advertisement data in advance, and the advertisement data. Security level setting means for setting the security level of the image data, and a determination means for determining whether the image data includes the advertisement data stored in the storage means, and a copy image is formed according to the image data. Image forming means for determining the security level of the image data based on the result of the determination made by the determining means and the security level setting means, and determining whether the grandchild copy is permitted or not. Output the image data including the advertisement data or not include the advertisement data according to We propose an image processing apparatus and the system made it possible to output serial image data.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image processing apparatus and an image processing system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual schematic diagram for explaining the image processing system configuration of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, 10
Reference numeral 1 is a network using a known technique for connecting devices, and in the present embodiment, it is assumed that Ethernet (R) using the TCP / IP protocol is used.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a network scanner which optically reads a document or the like printed on a sheet of paper or the like, and is equipped with a network interface.
1 to each device. The read image data is a color scanner of RGB three colors.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a network scanner 102,
Network printers 108, 107 and 106, and network facsimile (network FAX) 104
A management server that stores configuration information (hereinafter, referred to as a transfer path profile) when configuring a virtual MFP (multifunction device) by a combination of the above and provides the transfer path profile in response to a request from an input device and an output device. .

The management server 103 is usually realized by introducing server software into a personal computer or a workstation. Management server 103
Is equipped with a network interface,
It is connected to each device via the network 101.

Reference numerals 108, 107, and 106 are provided with a network interface, receive print data and image data sent through the network interface, and actually print them on a medium such as paper by using a known printing technique such as electrophotographic technique. It is a network printer that prints on. Network printers 108, 107, 106
Also connects to each device via the network 101. Here, 108 is a monochrome digital multi-function peripheral, 107 is a color laser printer, and 106 is a monochrome laser beam printer.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a facsimile (FAX) having a network interface and transmitting / receiving image data via the public line 105. Network 1
01, the image data read by the scanner 102 is transmitted, and the received image data is sent to the printers 108, 10
7, 106, or management server (PC) 103
It is also an interface for inputting and outputting image data to be filed on the public line 105.

Details of the hardware and software of this embodiment will be described below.

[Hardware] (Overall Configuration) An overall configuration diagram is shown in FIG. A controller unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 which is an image input device and a printer 2095 which is an image output device, and on the other hand, LA
It is a controller that inputs and outputs image information and device information by connecting to N2011 or public line (WAN) 2051.

The CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. The RAM 2002 is the CPU 20
01 is a system work memory for operating and also an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

The ROM 2003 is a boot ROM,
Contains the system boot program. HDD
A hard disk drive 2004 stores system software and image data.

Operation unit interface (operation unit I / F)
An operation unit (UI) 2012 and an interface unit 2006 output image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, it has a role of transmitting information input by the user of the image processing system of this embodiment from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

The network 2010 is L
It connects to AN2011 and inputs and outputs information. A modem (MODEM) 2050 connects to a public line (WAN) 2051 and inputs / outputs information.

The above devices are the system bus 2007.
Placed on top. Image bus interface (Imag
The e Bus I / F) 2005 connects the system bus 2007 and the image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed,
It is a bus bridge that converts data structures.

The image bus 2008 is, for example, a PCI (Peri
pheral component interconnect) bus or IEEE
(Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer
s) 1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

Raster image processor (RIP) 2
Reference numeral 060 develops a PDL (Page Description Language) code into a bitmap image. The device interface unit (device I / F) 2020 connects the scanner 2070 or printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, to the controller 2000, and synchronizes the image data.
Performs asynchronous conversion.

The scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. Image rotation processing unit 2
At 030, the image data is rotated. Image compression processing unit 2
040 performs compression / expansion processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

(Image Input / Output Section) FIG. 3 shows an example of the external configuration of the image input / output device of this embodiment. A scanner 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on a paper sheet serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert it into electrical signals as raster image data 2071. The document sheets are set on the tray 2073 of the document feeder 2072, and the user of the apparatus operates the operation unit 20.
By issuing a reading start instruction from the CPU 20,
01 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070 (scanner instruction signal 2071), and the feeder 2072 feeds original sheets one by one and performs an operation of reading an original image.

A printer 2095 which is an image output device
Is a portion for converting the raster image data 2096 into an image on the paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photoconductor drum or a photoconductor belt, or an image is directly printed on the paper by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array. Although there is an ink jet system for printing, etc., any method may be used.

The print operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the CPU 2001. Printer 2095
Has a plurality of paper feed stages and corresponding paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, and 2104 so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected. The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the printed paper.

(Operation Unit) FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the operation unit 2012 of this embodiment. Liquid crystal display (LC
D) The display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet attached on a liquid crystal display (LCD), displays an operation screen of the system, and transmits the position information to the CPU 2001 when the displayed key is pressed.

The start key 2014 is used when starting the reading operation of the original image. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 2018 of two colors, green and red, is provided at the center of the start key 2014 and indicates whether the start key 2014 is ready for use depending on the color.

The stop key 2015 functions to stop the operation during operation. The ID key 2016 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. Reset key 2017
Is used when initializing the settings made on the operation unit 2012.

(Scanner Image Processing Unit) FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080 of this embodiment. The image bus I / F controller 2081 is the image bus 2
It has a function of connecting to 008 and controlling its bus access sequence, and a function of controlling each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080 and generating timing.

The filter processing unit 2082 is a spatial filter and performs convolution calculation. Editing unit 2083
Recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from input image data, and performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area.

The scaling processing unit 2084 performs interpolation calculation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image, and performs enlargement / reduction. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of the image reading line sensor (not shown).

The table 2085 is a table conversion performed for converting the read image data, which is the brightness data, into the density data. The binarization 2086 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing. The image data for which the processing has been completed is transferred onto the image bus 2008 again via the image bus I / F controller 2081.

(Printer Image Processing Unit) FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 of this embodiment. The image bus I / F controller 2091 is the image bus 2
It has a function of controlling the bus access sequence by connecting with 008, and a function of controlling each device in the scanner image processing unit 2090 and generating timing.

The resolution conversion unit 2092 is a LAN 2011.
Alternatively, resolution conversion for converting the image data coming from the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 2095 is performed. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs processing for smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary portion such as a diagonal line) of image data after resolution conversion.

(Image Compression Unit) FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the image compression processing unit 2040 of this embodiment. Image bus I /
The F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, and controls the timing for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045.
It has a function of performing control such as mode setting for the image compression unit 2043. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 2040 is shown below.

Via the image bus 2008, the CPU 200
From 1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041, settings for image compression control are performed. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression / JBIG decompression) for the image compression unit 2043.

After making the necessary settings, the CPU 20
From 01, the image bus I / F controller 2041 is permitted to transfer image data. Image bus in accordance with this permission
The I / F controller 2041 starts transfer of image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008.

Received image data, input buffer 20
The image is temporarily stored in 42, and an image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer is the image bus I / F controller 204.
When it is impossible to transfer the image data between both the first and the image compression unit 2043, and it is impossible to read the image data from the image bus 2008 and write the image to the image compression unit 2043. Performs control so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake).

The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing, and image data of several lines must be prepared before the first one line of compression can be performed. Because there is no.

The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. Output buffer 204
In step 5, handshaking is performed with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and the image data is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2041.

In the image bus I / F controller 2041,
Transferred compressed (or expanded) image data to RAM2
002 or data is transferred to each device on the image bus 2008.

This series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when the processing for the required number of pages is completed) or a stop request is issued from the image compression unit 2043 (when an error occurs during compression and expansion). Etc.) is repeated.

(Image Rotation Unit) FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the image rotation unit 2030 of this embodiment. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus sequence of the image bus 2008, and controls the image rotation unit 203.
2 has a function of performing control for setting a mode and the like and a function of performing timing control for transferring image data to the image rotation unit 2032. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit 2030 is shown below.

Via the image bus 2008, the CPU 200
From 1 to the image bus I / F controller 2031, settings for image rotation control are performed. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2031 causes the image rotation unit 2032 to perform settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction,
Angle etc.).

After making the necessary settings, the CPU 200
From 1 the image bus I / F controller 2031 is permitted to transfer image data. According to this permission, the image bus I /
The F controller 2031 starts transfer of image data from each device of the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. In addition, here, the size is 32 bits,
The image size for rotation is 32 × 32 (bit),
In addition, when transferring image data to the image bus 2008, image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits (the image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, the above-mentioned unit data transfer needs to be performed 32 times, and the image data must be transferred from discontinuous addresses ( See FIG. 9).

The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2033 so that it is rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, 90
If it is a counterclockwise rotation, 32bi transmitted first
As shown in FIG. 10, the image data of t is changed in the Y direction (Y dire
ction). X direction (X dir
The image is rotated by reading it to the section.

32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (RAM
(Writing to 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 20
The image bus I / F controller 2031 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-mentioned reading method.
Transfer the image to.

The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the image data that has been subjected to the rotation processing is subjected to the continuous addressing, and then the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008.
Transfer data to each device above. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when the processing for the required number of pages is completed).

(Device 1 / F) FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 of this embodiment. The image bus I / F controller 2021 is the image bus 2008.
, And has a function of controlling the bus access sequence and a function of controlling each device in the device I / F unit 2020 and generating timing.

It also has a function of generating control signals to the external scanner 2070 and printer 2095. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 2070 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008.

The serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 arranges or decomposes the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order, and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be transferred to the image bus 2008.

The parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024 decomposes the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 or arranges them in order and converts them into a data width of image data that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008,
The image data is output in synchronization with 95.

The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is shown below.
The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is saved in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070.

When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when image data of 32 bits or more is stored in the buffer, the image data of 32 bits is sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 by first-in first-out. , Serial image data, and the image bus 20 through the image bus I / F controller 2021.
08 on.

The processing procedure for image printing is shown below.
If the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is transferred to the image bus I / F.
The controller receives it, sends it to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel converter 2024, decomposes it into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 2095, and saves it in the print buffer 2025.

Further, the image bus 2008 is IEEE139.
In the case of 4, the serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image I / F controller 2021, sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024, and decomposed into image data having the number of input data bits of the printer 2095, It is saved in the print buffer 2025.

Further, the image bus 2008 is IEEE139.
In the case of 4, the image bus I / F controller 2021 receives the serial image data sent from the image bus, and the parallel serial / serial parallel conversion 2024 is performed.
The image data having the number of input data bits of the printer 2095 is converted and stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 2095.

[Software] (Overall Configuration of Software Block) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the multifunction peripheral of this embodiment.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes a UI, that is, a user interface, and is a module that mediates with the equipment when the operator performs various operations and settings of the multifunction peripheral. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, according to an operator's operation, requests processing, sets data, and the like.

Reference numeral 1502 denotes a database module for managing Address-Book, that is, a data transmission destination, a communication destination and the like. The contents of Address-Boo are used to add / delete / acquire data by operation from the user interface (UI) 1501 and to send data / communication destination information to each module described later by operator's operation. It is something.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a Web-Server module, which is used for notifying management information of this multifunction peripheral in response to a request from a Web client (not shown). The management information is read via the Comtroll-API 1518 described below,
HTTP1512, TCP / IP1516, Netw described later
The Web client is notified via the ork-Driver 1517.

Reference numeral 1504 is a Universal-Send module, that is, a module for controlling data distribution, which distributes data instructed by the operator through the user interface (UI) 1501 to the similarly instructed communication (output) destination. is there.

If the operator uses the scanner function of this device to instruct the generation of distribution data,
Operate the device via Controll-API 1518 described later,
Generate data.

Reference numeral 1505 denotes a module executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the Universal-Send 1504. A module 1506 is executed in the Universal-Send 1504 when an E-mail address is designated as a communication destination. A module 1507 is executed in the Universal-Send 1504 when a database is designated as an output destination.

Reference numeral 1508 denotes a module that is executed when a multifunction peripheral similar to this device is designated as an output destination in the Universal-Send 1504. 1509 is Remote-Copy-Scan
It is a module that uses the scanner function of this multifunction device.
The output destination is another multi-function peripheral connected via a network, etc.
This module performs the same processing as the Copy function realized by this multi-function peripheral alone. 1510 is Remote-Copy-Prin
t module, which is a module that uses the printer function of this multifunction device and uses the other multifunction devices connected via a network etc. as an input destination to perform the same processing as the Copy function realized by this multifunction device alone. .

Reference numeral 1511 denotes Web-Pull-Print, that is, a module for reading and printing information of various homepages on the Internet or intranet. 1512
Is a module used when the multi-function peripheral communicates by HTTP, and is a TCP / IP module 1516 described later.
This provides communication to the above-mentioned Web-Server 1503 and Web-Pull-Print module 1511. 1513
Is an lpr module, which provides communication to the printer module 1505 in the Universal-Send 1504 described above by a TCP / IP module 1516 described later.

Reference numeral 1514 is an SMTP module, which is used by the TCP / IP module 1516 to be described later to
Communication is provided to the E-mail module 1506 in the sal-Send 1504. 1515 is SLM or Salutatio
n-Manager module, which is a database module 1517 and a DP module 15 in the Universal-Send 1504 described above by a TCP / IP module 1516 described later.
18, and Remote-Copy-Scan module 1509, Remo
The te-Copy-Print module 1510 is provided with communication.

Reference numeral 1516 is a TCP / IP communication module, which is used in addition to the various modules described above for the Network-Driver.
To provide network communication. 151
A network driver 7 controls a portion physically connected to the network. 1518
Is a Cntroll-API that provides an upstream module such as Universal-Send 1504 with an interface with a downstream module such as Job-Manager1519 described later, and reduces the dependency between the upstream and downstream modules. To improve the diversion of.

Reference numeral 1519 denotes a Job-Manager which interprets processing instructed by the various modules described above via the Cntroll-API 1518 and gives an instruction to each module described later. In addition, this module centrally manages hardware-like processing executed in this multifunction peripheral. 1
520 is a CODEC-Manager, Job-Manager 1519
Manages various compression / decompression of data in the process instructed by
To control. Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE-Encoder, which stores data read by the scan processing executed by the Job-Manager 1519 and Scan-Manager 1524.
It is compressed by the FBE format.

Reference numeral 1522 is a JPEG-CODEC, Job-Mana
ger1519, scan processing executed by Scan-Manager1524, and print processing executed by Print-Manager1526
G compression and JPEG expansion processing of print data are performed. 1523 is MMR-CODEC, and Job-Manager15
19. In the scan processing executed by the Scan-Manager 1524 and the print processing executed by the Print-Manager 1526, MMR compression of read data and MMR expansion processing of print data are performed.

Reference numeral 1524 is a Scan-Manager, which is Job-Ma
It manages and controls the scan processing instructed by the nager 1519. 1525 is a SCSI driver, Scan
-The Manager 1524 communicates with the scanner unit internally connected to the multifunction machine.・ 1526 is Pr
The int-Manager manages and controls the print processing instructed by the Job-Manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1527 is an Engine-I / F driver,
It provides the I / F between the Print-Manager 1526 and the printing unit. A parallel port driver 1528 provides an I / F when the Web-Pull-Print 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

(Application) The embedded application in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an embedded application related to distribution according to the present embodiment. 40
50 is a block diagram showing the operation unit application of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 4100 is a block diagram showing the transmission side of the remote copy application. 4150
[Fig. 4] is a block diagram showing a transmission side of broadcast distribution.

Reference numeral 4200 is a block diagram showing the Web Pull Print module. 4250 is a block diagram showing a Web Server module. Reference numeral 4300 is a block diagram showing a remote copy reception side (print side).
Reference numeral 4350 is a block diagram of receiving and printing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution by a general-purpose printer.

Reference numeral 4400 is a block diagram showing the receiving side (printing side) of the remote print. The 4450 is
The image sent by broadcast distribution is the well-known Notes Serv
It is a block diagram which is received and stored by er. Reference numeral 4500 is a block diagram for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution as a binary image.

Reference numeral 4550 is a block diagram for receiving / storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution in a known Mail Server. Reference numeral 4600 is a block diagram for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution as a multivalued image. 4650 is a well-known Web containing information content
It is a figure which shows Server. 4700 is the Web Serv of the present invention
It is a figure which shows the well-known Web browser which accesses er etc.

The application group will be described in detail below with reference to each block. (User Interface application) User Interface
Details of (hereinafter, UI) 4050 are as described above, but here, Address Book 4051 will be described. The Address Book 4051 is stored in a non-volatile storage device (non-volatile memory, hard disk, etc.) in the device of the present embodiment, and the features of the device connected to the network are described therein. . For example,
It includes the ones listed below.

-Formal name and alias name of device-Network address of device-Network protocol that can be processed by device-Document format that can be processed by device-Compression type that can be processed by device-Image resolution that can be processed by device-Printer Paper size that can be fed in the case of equipment, paper feed tray information, folder name that can store documents in the case of server (computer) equipment

Each application described below can determine the characteristics of the delivery destination based on the information described in the Address Book 4051. Also this Addres
The s Book 4051 is editable, and it is also possible to download and use what is stored in a server computer or the like in the network, or to directly refer to it.

(Remote Copy Application) The remote copy application stores the resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination in the Address Book 4051.
More discriminating, and in accordance therewith, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using a known MMR compression, and it is converted into a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and SLM4
It is sent to the printer device on the network through 103. The SLM4103 is not described in detail, but the well-known Salutation Manager (or Smart Link Manager
r) is a type of network protocol that includes device control information.

(Broadcast Delivery Application) Unlike the remote copy application, the broadcast delivery application can send an image to a plurality of delivery destinations with one image scanning. Further, the distribution destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be directly distributed to a so-called server computer.

Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the delivery destination. Address Book says that the delivery destination device can process LPD (Line Printer Daemon) which is a publicly known network link protocol, and publicly known LIPS as a printer control command.
If determined from the 4051, the Address Book 405 is also used.
The image is read according to the image resolution determined from No. 1, and the image itself is the known FBE (Fi
Compressed using rst Binari Encoding) and then LIP
It is S-coded and transmitted to the partner device by LPR, which is a known network link protocol.

The delivery destination device can communicate with the SLM,
In the case of a server device, the address book 4051 determines the server address and the designation of the folder in the server, and the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression as in the remote copy application. It is possible to create a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and store it in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM.

In the device of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the server, which is the other device, can process a well-known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image, the multi-valued image is read in the same manner as the binary image. Can be converted into a known JFIF by using a known JPEG compression, and can be stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM.

When the device of the delivery destination is a publicly known E-mail server, the mail address described in Address Book 4051 is discriminated, the binary image of the image read by the scanner is compressed by the publicly known MMR compression, and Known TIFF (Tag
ged Image File Format), and known SMTP (Simpl
e Mail Transfer Protcol) 4153, E-mai
l Send to server. Subsequent delivery is Mail Server 45
50.

(Web Pull Print application) Web
Since the Pull Print application is not directly related to this embodiment, its description is omitted. (Web Server Application) Since the Web Server application is not directly related to this embodiment, the description is omitted.

(Device Information Service (DI
S)) Within the controller, a database that holds setting values for jobs, functions of devices (scanners, printers, etc.), status, billing information, etc. in a data format conforming to the Control API, and the I / F with the database are deviated.
It is defined as ce Information Service (hereinafter referred to as DIS).

FIG. 14 shows the DIS 7102 and Job Manager.
7101, and Scan and Print Document Man
Shows interaction with agers 7103, 7104. Basically, dynamic information such as Job start command is displayed in Job Manager 710.
The document managers 7103 and 7104 are directly instructed from 1 to DlS7102 for static information such as device functions and job contents. Each Document Manager 71
03, 7104 static and dynamic information, event is D1
It is notified to the Job Manager 7101 via S7102.

When data is set in and acquired from the database of DIS 7102 from each Document Manager 7103, 7104, the internal data format of DIS 7102 is Cont.
Since it is rolAPI compliant, it performs mutual conversion processing between the data format compliant with Control API and the data format that each Document Manager 7103, 7104 can understand.

For example, each Document Manager 7103, 7
When setting the status data from 104, the device-specific data is interpreted, converted into the corresponding data defined by the Control API, and written in the database of the DIS 7102. Job Manager 7101 to DIS7
When setting and acquiring data in the database of 102, data conversion does not occur between the Job Manager 7101 and the DIS 7102.

Further, the DIS 7102 contains Document Man.
The event data is updated based on the various event information notified from the agers 7103 and 7104.

FIG. 15 shows various databases (hereinafter referred to as DB) held inside the DlS7102.
Each database (DB) will be described. Circled rectangles in FIG. 15 represent individual DBs.

Reference numeral 7201 denotes the Supervisor database (D
B) is a database (DB) that holds the status and user information for the entire device, and the information that needs to be backed up, such as the user ID and password, is HD.
It is held in a device or a non-volatile storage device such as a backup memory.

Reference numeral 7202 denotes a ScanComponent database (DB), 7203 denotes a PrintComponent database (DB), and these Component databases (D
B) is held corresponding to each existing Component.
For example, if the device consists of a printer only, PrintCompo
There is only a nent database (DB), and, for example,
In the case of a device equipped with a FAX, a FAX Component database (DB) is held.

In each Component database (DB), at the time of initialization, the corresponding DocumentManager has Compone
Set the function and status of nt. 7204 is ScanJo
The bService database (DB) and 7205 are PrintJob databases (DB), and these JobService databases (DB) are the same as the Component database (DB), and the functions that the corresponding DocumentManager can use on the device at initialization and their support. Set the situation.

Next, the Job database (DB) and Docume
The nt database (DB) will be described. 7206 is
ScanJob database (DB), 7207 is each JobDB of PrintJob database (DB), and 7208 is ScanDo.
The cument database (DB), 7209 is. PrintDocum
ent database (DB).

The Job database (DB) and the Document database (DB) are the Job and the accompanying Docume.
Every time nt is generated, JobManager dynamically secures and initializes it, and sets the necessary items. Each Document
The Manager reads the items required for the processing from the Job database (DB) and the Document database (DB) before starting the Job processing, and starts the Job. After that, when the job ends, these jobs and the database (DB) of the Document attached thereto are released.

Since a Job has one or more Documents, a plurality of Document databases (DB) may be reserved for a certain Job. 7210 is each Docu
The database 7211 holds the event information notified from the mentManager, and the reference numeral 7211 is a counter table for recording the number of scans and the number of prints of the apparatus.

The event notified from the DocumentManager includes the state transition of the Component from the ScanDocumentManager, the completion of the Scan processing operation and various errors, and PrintDocum.
There are state transitions of components from entManager, print processing operation completion, paper jams, paper feed cassette open, etc., and event IDs for identifying respective events are predetermined.

When an event is issued from the DocumentManager, the DIS 7102 stores the event database 721.
The event ID issued in 1 and the detailed data associated with the event are registered if necessary. Also, DocumentManage
When the release of the event is notified from r, the event data designated to be released is deleted from the event database 7211.

When the JobManager polls for an event, the DIS 7102 uses the event database 7
Referring to 210, the currently generated event ID and, if necessary, detailed data attached to the event are returned to the JobManager, and if no event is currently generated, this is returned.

When the event of the scan processing operation completion and the print processing operation completion is notified, the counter value of the user who performed the scan and print is updated. The software counter writes back the value to the non-volatile memory device such as the backed up memory device or HD device each time the value is updated so that the value is not lost by accidental power-off.

(Scan Operation) The details of the scan operation will be described below. FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of a block of hardware control related to the scan operation. CPU 8101 and memory 810 on the PCI bus 8105
2. Image compression / decompression board (CODEC) 8104, scanner (Scanner) 8107, and SCSI I / F circuit (SCSI Controll) that provides I / F for connecting this system.
er) 8103 is connected.

SCSI I / F circuit 8103 and scanner (or scanner function unit of copier having composite function) 81
07 is a SCSI interface cable (SCSI Cable) 8
Connected at 106. Also, an IDE controller 8108 is connected to the PCI bus 8105, and IED Cabl
It is connected to the IDE Hard Disk 8110 via the e8109.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the software structure relating to the scan operation. JobManager 8201 has a function of classifying and storing application-level requests. The DIS8202 stores parameters required for scan operation from the application level. The request from the application is stored in the memory 8102. The scan operation management unit 8203 uses the JobManager 8201 and DIS.
The information necessary to perform the scan is acquired from 8202.

Scan operation management unit 8203 is JobManager
18 receives the job number / document number table data ... 1 from 8201, and the DIS 82 based on the job number / document number table data 8301.
02 receives the scan parameter 8302. As a result, scanning is performed based on the scanning conditions requested by the application.

The scan operation management unit 8203 uses the DIS 82.
The scan parameters 8302 acquired from No. 02 are passed to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in the document number order. Upon receiving the scan parameter 8302, the scan sequence control unit 8204 receives the scan image attribute 8308.
The SCSI controller 8207 is controlled according to the contents of the above.

As a result, by operating the SCSI Controller 8103 connected to the PCI 8105 of FIG. 16, the scanner 8107 is connected to the S via the SCSI cable 8106.
The scan is executed by sending a CSI control command.

The scanned image is a SCSI Cable8106
Over SCSI Controller 8103 via
It is stored in the Memory 8102 via the CI 8105. The scan sequence control unit 8204 finishes scanning,
When an image is stored in the Memory 8102 via the PCI 8105, the Memory 810 is stored according to the content of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302.
In order to compress the scan image stored in No. 2, a request is issued to the compression / expansion control unit 8205.

The compression / decompression control unit 820 that has received the request
5 uses the CODEC 8104 connected to the PCI 8105 to perform compression by designating the scan image compression format 8309 from the scan sequence control unit 8204. compression. The decompression controller 8205 converts the compressed image to PCI8105.
It is stored in the Memory 8102 via.

In the scan sequence control unit 8204, the compression / decompression control unit 8205 controls the scan image compression format 830.
Compress the scanned image into the format specified in 9, and use Memory8
When stored in 102, scan parameters 8302
Memory 81 according to the image file type 8307 of
The compressed scan image stored in 02 is converted into a file. The scan sequence control unit 8204 sends the scan parameter 83 to the file system 8206.
No. 02 image file type 8307 is requested to be converted into a file in the specified file format. The file system 8206 uses the Memory 8 according to the image file type 8307 from the scan sequence control unit 8204.
The compressed image stored in 102 is made into a file, transferred to the IDE Cable 8109 via the PCI 8105, and the IDE Hard Disk 8110 via the IDE Cable 8109.
The scanned compressed image is filed by transferring to. When the file system 8206 stores the filed image in the IDE Hard Disk 8110, the scan sequence control unit 8204 returns a scan end notification to the scan operation management unit 8203, assuming that one current process on the Scanner 8107 is completed. .

At this point, there is an original document that has not been scanned on the Scanner 8107, and the Job Manager 82
If there is a scan request from 01, the
Scan parameters 8302 stored in 8202
To request the scan operation to the scan sequence controller.

If there is no original document that has not been scanned on the Scanner 8107, or if there is no scan request from the JobManager 8201, it is assumed that the scanning operation has ended and a scan end notification is issued to the JobManager 8201.

(Printing Operation) The printing operation will be described in detail below. FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of blocks relating to the printing operation. CPU 900 on the PCI bus
1 and memory 9002, image compression / expansion board 900
4, a printer 9007, and an Engine I / F board 9003 that provides an I / F for connecting this system. Engine I / F board 9003 and printer (or printer function unit of copier having multiple functions)
9007 is an engine interface cable 900
Connected at 6.

The Engine I / F board 9003 has a DPRAM inside, through which parameter settings to the printer, printer status reading, and print control commands are exchanged. This board also has a Video controller, VCLK (VideoCloc) that is given from the printer via the engine interface cable 9006.
k) and HSYNC, the image data developed on the PCI is transferred to the engine interface cable 90.
To the printer via 06. The timing of this transmission is shown in FIG. 20.

VCLK is always output, and HSYNC is 1 for printer.
It is given in synchronization with the start of the line. The Video controller reads the data for the set image width (WIDTH) from the memory (SOURCE) on the set PCI,
o Engine interface cable 900 as signal
Output to 6. After repeating this for designated lines (LINES), an IMAGE_END interrupt is generated.

As described above, when a print job instruction is passed from the application program on the CPU to the Controll API, the Controll API passes it as a job to the controller-level JobManager. Furthermore this Jo
bManager stores the job settings in DIS, and PrintManag
Instruct er to start the job.

When the PrintManager receives the job, the DI
Information necessary for job execution is read from S and EngineI / F
Configure the printer via the board and DPRAM. EngineI
21 shows the setting items of the / F board, and FIG. 22 shows the setting items, control commands, and status commands via the DPRAM of the printer.
Shown in.

For simplicity, assume that this job is uncompressed, letter (11 "x8.5") binary image, 2 pages, 1 copy, and printer has a performance of 600 dpi.
The operation will be specifically described. First, when you receive this job
The PrintManager calculates the number of image bytes of the width of this image (in this case, on the 8.5 "side) by the following (1 expression): W1DTH = 8-5 × 600 ÷ 8≈630 (Bytes) ...・ (1 set)

Next, the number of lines is calculated according to the following equation (2). LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600 (Lines) (Equation 2) These calculated values and the SOURCE address in which the given first page image is stored are shown in FIG. , LINES, SOURCE.

At this point, the Engine I / F board has completed preparations for image output, but since the HSYNC signal from the printer has not come (VCLK is coming), it has not output image data.

Next, PrintManager is the DP shown in FIG.
Write 1, which is the number of output copies, to a predetermined address (BookNo) of RAM. After that, the output paper feed request (FEED_REQ) for the first page is issued, and the IMAGE_REQ from the printer is issued.
Wait for When IMAGE_REQ comes from the printer, IMAGE_STA
Give RT. In response to this, the printer starts issuing HSYNC, and H
The Engine I / F board that was waiting for SYNC outputs an image.

When the printer detects the trailing edge of the output paper, it outputs IMAGE_END and SHEE when the output paper is discharged.
Output T_0UT. PrintManager is the first page IMAGE
Receiving _END, WIDTH and LINE on the second page
Set S and SOURCE on the Engine I / F board, and FEED_R
Give EQ and wait for IMAGE_REQ. IMAGE_R on the second page
The operation after the EQ comes is the same as the first page.

(Advertisement Data Management Information) Next, the advertisement data management information which is the center of this embodiment will be described.
When the advertisement registration mode key is selected on the copy screen on the operation panel 2013 shown in FIG. 4, the advertisement image is scanned and the mode shifts to a mode for registering image data management information. RAM 2002 when scanned in advertising image mode
The following image recognition processing is performed by software on the image data expanded in the above.

(Advertisement Image Recognition Process) In this embodiment, the "region separation process" and the "character recognition process" are used as means for the advertisement image recognition process.

[Region Separation Processing] In the area separation processing of this embodiment, first, black pixels of the document image data are detected, and a rectangular frame of the black image block is created by contour line tracking or labeling. .

Next, a character area (title, text, calibration, etc.), a graphic area, a natural image area, etc. are determined based on the black pixel density in the rectangle, the presence / absence of an adjacent rectangle block, and the aspect ratio of the rectangle. Determine the table area, etc.
A rectangular area of a character required for character recognition is determined based on the result of this processing.

[Character Recognition Processing] One method of character recognition processing is a feature vector extraction and comparison method. For example, it is assumed that a character area including the character "book" is identified. As the first step, character cutting processing is performed on this character area. An example of this is shown in FIG. This is 1
This is obtained by detecting the black pixel continuity state in the process of cutting out a rectangle of one character.

Then, as a second step, one character is cut out into m × n pixel blocks. An example of this is shown in FIG. Then, a window of 3 × 3 pixels is shifted from that, and several tens of direction vectors are obtained. This example is shown in FIG.
3 (c). This vector information is recognized as a character feature, and this feature vector is compared with the contents of the character recognition dictionary in HD 2004, and the first candidate, the second candidate, ... will be. In this case, the closeness of the feature to the feature vector is represented by a closeness of the distance to the character, that is, the confidence level (accuracy) of character recognition.

(Area Separation, Character Recognition Processing Result) By the above processing, the advertisement image data and the advertisement image management data can be obtained and stored in the advertisement image area and the advertisement image management area of the HD 2004 as shown in FIG. To be done. The advertisement image management data is managed with an advertisement ID, and is composed of area separation data and character recognition information as shown in FIG.

The area separation data has a format shown in FIG. First, “header” indicating that the data is region separation data, and the identifier “rect1” for each separated rectangular region
~ Equipped with "rectn". The information of each area (block) distinguished by this identifier is “orde” indicating the block number.
r ”,“ at ”indicating the attribute of the block (character part, graphic part, etc.)
t ”, block upper left coordinate value“ x1 ”,“ y1 ”, block width“ w ”, block height“ h ”, spare area“ rese ”
rve ”.

Further, as shown in FIG. 25 (b), the character recognition information has a "header" indicating that it is character recognition information, and character recognition for a single character such as "book" is performed. Information "OCR1" and combination information of "blk-header1" corresponding to the above-mentioned "rect1" indicating a block including the character are provided up to "OCRn" and "blk-headern".

Each character recognition information such as "OCR1" is "typ" indicating whether it is a character or a blank.
e ”, the first to fifth candidate characters“ character 1 ”to“ character 5 ”according to the confidence level of the character recognition, the cutout positions“ x1 ”and“ y1 ”of the character, and the width“ w ”of the character. , The height of the character “h”, and the spare area “reserve”.

The data structure shown in FIG. 25 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the data structure can be appropriately changed according to the purpose of use of the processing result. The area separation data and the character recognition information are the CPU 200 that controls the main body of the image processing apparatus.
1 will be notified. As a result, the image data temporarily stored in the HD 2004 in the image processing unit 2080 is printed on a sheet through the image rotating unit 2030 and the printer image processing unit 2040, and is ejected.

(Security Management of Advertising Data) 1) Advertising Registration Mode FIG. 26 is a flowchart when the advertising registration mode is executed. When the advertisement registration mode is selected on the operation panel 2013, the advertisement manuscript set on the manuscript table is scanned. The effective portion of the advertisement image may be a means for automatically recognizing the area or a means for the user to manually set the area.

After the advertisement image is scanned, a screen as shown in FIG. 27 appears on the operation panel 2013. Select whether to perform a test print of the advertisement image on this screen. Advertisement image, Advertisement I when test print is not performed
Register D and security level.

This data is used to determine the permission / non-permission of the grandchild copy used in the flow of the copy mode described in the item. Here, the security level shows an example of a case in which it is an expiration date during which grandchild copying can be performed. When performing the test print, after the test print is executed, a display for confirming whether or not the result of the test print is OK appears on the operation panel 2013.

If the test print result is OK, the advertisement image, advertisement ID and security level are registered.
When the result of the test print is not OK, the state before the advertisement image is input is returned. The advertisement image is registered by the above flow, and information is stored in the HD 2004 as a database for determining whether to permit or deny the grandchild copy of the advertisement data in the operation such as the copy mode described in the next section.

2) Copy Mode In the present embodiment, the advertisement image included in the scan image starts from the state in which the user has operated the operation panel 2013 to indicate the start of the permission / non-permission control of the grandchild copy of the advertisement. Is output as it is (the grandchild copy is allowed) or the advertisement image is deleted (the grandchild copy is not allowed).

FIG. 28 is a flow chart when the copy mode is executed. The operation of copying is the operation panel 20
When selected on 13, the document set on the platen is scanned. At this time, the count value i of the advertisement ID for searching the array is set to 1 on the software.

Thereafter, the count value i of the advertisement ID is compared with the number n of the advertisement images, and when the count value i of the advertisement ID exceeds the number n of the advertisement images, it is determined that the advertisement for the grandchild copy is not included. Then, the image is output.

If the count value i of the advertisement ID does not exceed the number n of the advertisement images, the image with the advertisement ID = i and the scanned image are compared based on the area separation data and the character recognition information shown in FIG. . If it is determined that the features of the images match, it is determined whether the image can be copied by the grandchild according to the security level described in the preceding paragraph. If it is determined that the image can be copied by the grandchild, the advertisement image is displayed. Output the entire image including.

If it is determined that the image cannot be copied by the grandchild, it is determined whether or not the copy number is the first one by including a predetermined identification code (eg, bar code) in the scan data of a predetermined portion of the document. Judge by If it is determined that the copy count is not the first copy, the entire image not including the advertisement image is output, thereby preventing grandchild copying. When it is determined that the number of times of copying is the first time, the entire image including the advertisement image is output, but a predetermined identification code is added to a predetermined portion and output. As a result, when the output image is scanned next time, the above determination is made by reading the predetermined identification code, and the entire image not including the advertisement image is output, thereby preventing grandchild copying.

Further, in the comparison between the image of the advertisement ID = i and the scanned image, if it is determined that the features do not match, the count value i of the output ID is incremented, and the count value i of the ID is output again. The process returns to the comparison process of the number n of completed advertisement images.

As described above, the scan image and the advertisement image are compared, and when a document including an advertisement image that is considered to be the same as the advertisement image is scanned, the security level is referred to and permission for grandchild copying is given. It has become possible to control the disapproval and appropriately manage the security of the image data obtained by scanning the document containing the advertisement image.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) In order to operate various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a computer in an apparatus or system connected to the various devices is operated in the above-described embodiment. Supply the program code of software to realize the function of
What is carried out by operating the above various devices according to a program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer,
For example, a recording medium storing such program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Moreover, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the supplied program code by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) or other OS in which the program code is operating in the computer. Needless to say, the program code is also included in the embodiments of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or function expansion unit is instructed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like included in the above performs a part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0154]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Based on the determination result of whether the image data includes the advertisement data and the security level of the image data, it is determined whether or not the grandchild copy is permitted, and the advertisement data is included according to the determination result. Since the image data that does not include the advertisement data or the advertisement data is output, when the advertisement data is included in the image data, whether the grandchild copy is permitted or not is determined according to the security level of the image data. Therefore, security management of image data including advertisement data can be appropriately performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is an overall configuration diagram of a network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of an overall configuration of a network system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of an external configuration of an image input / output device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a configuration of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a configuration of a scanner image processing unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printer image processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a configuration of an image compression processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a configuration of an image rotation unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating data transfer when performing image rotation processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image rotation process according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of a configuration of a device interface unit.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a software configuration of the multi-function peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an embedded application relating to distribution according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an exchange between a disc information service (DIS) and each document manager (Document Manager).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing various databases held inside a disc information service (DIS).

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of a hardware control block relating to a scan operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of a software control block in a scan operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a parameter table in a scan operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a printing operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a transfer timing of print image data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a print parameter register table in the engine interface board according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a communication command table between the printer and the engine interface board according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a character recognition process according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and showing an advertisement image area and an advertisement image management area of a hard disk (HD).

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing region separation data and character recognition information.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention when executing an advertisement registration mode.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a security level registration screen in the advertisement registration mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 shows the embodiment of the present invention and is a flowchart when the copy mode is executed.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 network 102 network scanner 103 management server 104 network facsimile 105 public line 106-108 network printer 2000 controller unit 2012 operation part 2030 Image rotation processing unit 2040 image compression processing unit 2080 Scanner image processing unit 2090 Printer image processing unit 2020 device interface

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5B021 AA05 BB01 BB04 BB09 CC05                       EE04                 5C062 AA05 AA29 AB17 AB22 AB23                       AB42 AC04 AF06 AF08 BA00                       BD06                 5C077 LL14 PP22 PP27 PP28 PP51                       PP68 RR21

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image input unit for photoelectrically converting optically read document information to input as image data, a storage unit for storing advertisement data in advance, and a security level setting for setting a security level of the advertisement data. Means, a determining means for determining whether or not the advertisement data stored in the storage means is included in the image data, an image forming means for forming a copy image according to the image data, and the determining means And the security level set by the security level setting unit, the security level of the image data is determined, the determination unit for determining whether the grandchild copy is permitted or not, and the determination result by the determination unit. The image data including the advertisement data or the advertisement data Image data output means for outputting any of the image data not including the image data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the security level is an expiration date during which grandchild copying can be performed. 3. An image input unit for photoelectrically converting optically read document information to input as image data, a storage unit for storing advertisement data in advance, and a security level setting for setting a security level of the advertisement data. Means, a determining means for determining whether or not the advertisement data stored in the storage means is included in the image data, an image forming means for forming a copy image according to the image data, and the determining means And the security level set by the security level setting unit, the security level of the image data is determined, the determination unit for determining whether the grandchild copy is permitted or not, and the determination result by the determination unit. The image data including the advertisement data or the advertisement data Image data output means for outputting any of the image data not including data. 4. The image processing system according to claim 3, wherein the security level is an expiration date during which grandchild copying can be performed.