JP2005094563A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent the deterioration of the quality of an image caused by generation copying. <P>SOLUTION: This image processing system is provided with a CCD sensor 21 which reads an image of an original optically and inputs image data of its reading result into an A/D conversion portion 22, a watermark detecting portion 23 for detecting a watermark representing the information of original image data to be an origin of image data from the image data digitalized by the converting portion 22, a watermark analyser 24 for analyzing the watermark detected by the detecting portion 23, a data generator 32 for generating original image data based on the analysis result by the analysis portion 24, and a printing portion 37 for printing and outputting the original image data out generated from the generator 32 via a raster processing portion 33, a printer image processing portion 34, an image synthesis portion 35, and a screen processing portion 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system such as a print system and a copy system configured using a host computer, a scanner, a printer, and the like.

  In general, in an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction machine having an image reading function such as a scanner, an image of a document is read by a scanner, image data is captured, and image processing is performed on the image data. A visible image is printed out (copied) on a sheet-like recording medium (paper or the like) by an image output unit such as.

  In recent office environments, image data created by a personal computer or the like is output to paper by a printer, and a printed document obtained thereby is copied by a copying machine. In addition, a copy original obtained by copying an original with a copying machine is copied again with the copying machine. Such a copy method is called generation copy. It is known that when generation copy is performed, the image quality deteriorates compared to the original image. That is, when comparing an original image recorded on a document with a copy image copied based on the original image, the image quality of the copy image is deteriorated as compared with the original image. Further, when a copy original on which a copy image is printed is further copied by a copying machine, the image quality is significantly deteriorated by a so-called grandchild copy which is a copy of the copy image.

  Therefore, conventionally, when copying an image of a document to a recording medium, a specific pattern is embedded in advance as a watermark in the image of the document, and image data of the document with the specific pattern added is captured. A technique for improving the image quality of a generation copy by adjusting image processing based on information represented by a specific pattern included in the image data has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 11-298729 A

  However, even when image processing is appropriately adjusted by embedding a specific pattern in a document image as in the above-described prior art, a processing form in which image processing is performed on image data read from a document and printed out on a recording medium. In this case, there is a limit in terms of image reading resolution and image processing optimization. For this reason, degradation of image quality due to generation copying (image color shift, position shift, shape collapse, noise addition, etc.) cannot be completely avoided. In addition, when the generation copy is repeatedly performed, the deterioration of the image quality becomes remarkable.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image processing system capable of reliably preventing deterioration of image quality due to generation copy.

  An image processing system according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs image data generated by reading an image of a document, and information on original image data that is the source of the image data from the image data input by the input unit. Detection means for detecting a watermark representing the image, analysis means for analyzing the watermark detected by the detection means, generation means for generating original image data based on the analysis result of the analysis means, and the generation means Printing means for printing out the generated original image data.

  In the image processing system of the present invention, the print output of the image data in the printing unit is not the image data (image data read from the original) input by the input unit, but the watermark detected by the detection unit is analyzed by the generation unit. This is performed using original image data generated by analysis. Therefore, even when generation copying is performed, the quality of the output image does not deteriorate.

  According to the present invention, when an image of a document in which a watermark is embedded is read, print output is performed using original image data instead of the read image data. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent deterioration in image quality due to generation copy.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied. The illustrated image processing system is configured using a host computer 1, a scanner 2, and a printer 3. The host computer 1 and the printer 3 are connected via a network communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a communication cable. The scanner 2 and the printer 3 are also connected via the same network communication network or communication cable as described above. Furthermore, the host computer 1 and the scanner 2 are connected via a network communication network or a communication cable similar to the above as necessary.

  In addition, as an example of a connection interface applied between each device (device), a parallel interface or a network interface is applied between the host computer 1 and the printer 3. A printer interface or a network interface is applied between the scanner 2 and the printer 3, and a network interface is applied between the host computer 1 and the scanner 2. In addition, data transmitted and received between each device is compressed by the transmitting device and decompressed by the receiving device as necessary in order to increase the data transfer rate or reduce the amount of data transferred on the network. Is done.

  The host computer 1 is constituted by, for example, a personal computer having a communication function. The host computer 1 includes an application program (such as word processing software, paint software, draw software, photo retouching software) that creates image data by selectively combining text data, graphics data, and image data, a scanner 2 and a printer. A device driver (such as a printer driver) that controls peripheral devices such as 3 is incorporated.

  The scanner 2 optically reads an image of a document and generates image data corresponding to the document image. As the scanner 2, for example, a flat bed scanner that reads an original placed on a transparent glass table can be used.

  The printer 3 prints and outputs image data input from the host computer 1 and the scanner 2 as a visible image on a recording medium such as paper. The printer 3 rasterizes print image data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) expressed in a page description language (PDL) and converts (decompresses) it into bitmap data, and print dots are turned on / off according to the bitmap data. By controlling the above, it is possible to use a page printer that prints and outputs a visible image on a recording medium using a printing material such as ink or toner. Incidentally, a color laser printer is used as the printer 3 in this embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated image processing system, PDL data is input from the host computer 1 to the printer 3, and scan data is input from the scanner 2 to the printer 3. Scan data refers to raster data (image data) obtained by the scanner 2 reading an image of a document. This is a set of dots consisting of characters, figures, photographs, etc. recorded (printed, etc.) on the document. It is data to represent.

  The scanner 2 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 21, an A / D (analog / digital) converter 22, a watermark detector 23, a watermark analyzer 24, and a copy image processor 25. Yes.

  The CCD sensor 21 is a reading sensor that optically reads an image of a document and inputs analog image data generated (photoelectric conversion or the like). The A / D converter 22 converts the analog image data input from the CCD sensor 21 into digital image data, thereby converting raster data in R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color spaces. Is to be generated. The copy image processing unit 25 performs a copy image process excluding screen processing on the image data digitized by the A / D conversion unit 22, as a specific example, using a target pixel as an input, repeats, etc. , Enlargement processing by using the output of multiple pixels of interest, reduction processing by outputting the pixel after thinning, color space conversion using function formulas and lookup tables, color correction, K (black) color Raster data in Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) color spaces is generated by performing generation and the like. The raster data of this YMCK color space is sent from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 via the printer interface.

  The watermark detection unit 23 detects a watermark from the image data digitized by the A / D conversion unit 22. A specific method of detecting a watermark by the watermark detection unit 23 will be described later. The watermark represents information of the original image data, and is configured by a specific pattern (described later), for example. The information of the original image data represented by the watermark includes information that can generate original image data by predetermined data development, information that indicates a storage location where the original image data is stored, and the like.

  The original image data refers to image data that represents the original image in a predetermined data format. For example, when the document read by the scanner 2 is a printed document printed and output by a printer, the image data representing the original image of the printed document in a predetermined data format is the original image data. When image data created by an application program on a personal computer or the like is printed out by a printer, the PDL data generated for printing the image data becomes original image data.

  As a specific pattern constituting the watermark, for example, an array pattern (hereinafter also referred to as a slash pattern) in which a right-up oblique line “/” and a left-up oblique line “\” are combined is adopted. The specific pattern is embedded as a watermark in the image of the document.

  The watermark analysis unit 24 analyzes the watermark detected by the watermark detection unit 23. A specific analysis method by the watermark analysis unit 24 will be described later. In the watermark analysis unit 24, when the watermark is actually detected by the watermark detection unit 23, the watermark is analyzed and the analysis result is output to the printer 3. If the mark is not detected, the printer 3 is notified accordingly.

  The printer 3 includes a data conversion unit 31, a data generation unit 32, a raster processing unit 33, a printer image processing unit 34, a raster image composition unit 35, a screen processing unit 36, and a printing unit 37. .

  The data converter 31 converts the scan data (raster data) input from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 into PDL data for generating a watermark. The data generation unit 32 generates PDL data in accordance with the watermark analysis result input from the scanner 2 to the printer 3.

  The raster processing unit 33 generates raster data by interpreting the PDL data input thereto and rasterizing it accordingly. The raster processing unit 33 also controls the superimposition relationship (lamination relationship) of images such as graphics and characters according to the interpretation of the PDL data. The printer image processing unit 34 performs printer image processing excluding screen processing on the image data (raster data) generated from the raster processing unit 33, specifically, color space conversion using a functional expression or a lookup table, Color correction, K (black) color generation, and the like are performed.

  The image composition unit 35 converts the scan data input from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 into the PDL data by the data conversion unit 31 when the predetermined condition set in advance is satisfied. Raster data processed by the processing unit 33 and the printer image processing unit 34 is synthesized.

  The screen processing unit 36 performs screen processing on the raster data generated from the raster image synthesis unit 35. The printing unit 37 prints out the raster data processed by the screen processing unit 36 on a recording medium such as paper using a printing material such as ink or toner.

  Subsequently, a specific processing example (image processing method) of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, in the scanner 2, when an image of a document is optically read by the CCD sensor 21, analog image data corresponding to the image information of the document is output from the CCD sensor 21. The image data output from the CCD sensor 21 is digitized by the A / D converter 22. This digitized image data becomes raster data in the RGB color space, and this raster data is sent from the A / D conversion unit 22 to the watermark detection unit 23. Then, the watermark detection unit 23 performs processing for detecting a watermark from raster data (image data) sent from the A / D conversion unit 22.

  When the watermark detection unit 23 detects a watermark, first, digital image data (RGB color space raster data) output from the A / D conversion unit 22 is converted into a predetermined size (for example, 16 pixels × 16 pixels). ), And whether each pixel block includes a pattern image that matches a preset pattern image is extracted as a specific pattern.

  Here, as described above, the specific pattern constituting the watermark is classified into the first pattern and the second pattern according to the difference in pattern shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first pattern P1 is a 45 ° straight line pattern (left-up diagonal line “\”) included in an image block of a predetermined size (16 pixels × 16 pixels in the example). ”), And the second pattern P2 is a 45 ° straight line pattern (upward diagonal lines) included in a pixel block of a predetermined size (16 pixels × 16 pixels in the example) as shown in FIG. “/”). The first pattern P1 represents “1” of the digital signal, and the second pattern P2 represents “0” of the digital signal.

  In such a case, the watermark detection unit 23 sequentially scans the digital image data output from the A / D conversion unit 22 in the pattern detection window having the same size as the pixel block having the predetermined size, thereby performing each scan. Whether the first pattern (upward slanting line) P1 or the second pattern (upward sloping line) P2 is included in the pattern detection window at a position is determined by pattern matching processing (pattern matching processing). judge. When it is determined that the first pattern P1 is included in the pattern detection window, the first pattern P1 is extracted, and “1” of the digital signal is output as the extraction result. If it is determined that the second pattern P2 is included in the pattern detection window, the second pattern P2 is extracted, and “0” of the digital signal is output as the extraction result.

  As a result, the watermark detection unit 23 detects “1” of the digital signal corresponding to the first pattern P1 or “1” of the digital signal corresponding to the second pattern P2 as the detection result of the watermark consisting of a specific pattern. "0" is output in order. The detection result of the watermark (a specific pattern in this embodiment) by the watermark detection unit 23 is sent to the watermark analysis unit 24.

  Then, the watermark analysis unit 24 analyzes the watermark detected by the watermark detection unit 23 and outputs the analysis result to the printer 3 through the printer interface. The watermark analysis process by the watermark analysis unit 24 is performed as follows. That is, the watermark analysis unit 24 analyzes the arrangement of the digital signals “1” and “0” sent from the watermark detection unit 23 as the watermark detection result, thereby obtaining the original image. Information on the object (hereinafter referred to as object information) such as a character, a figure, a photograph, etc. is generated. This object information includes position information (coordinate data and the like) indicating the drawing position of each object, in addition to vector data such as characters and figures and image data such as photographs. Therefore, the original image data can be reproduced from this object information.

  Also, the correspondence between the arrangement of digital signals and the object information is defined by a correspondence table (data table or the like) prepared in advance. Therefore, the watermark analysis unit 24 converts the digital signal into object information with reference to the correspondence table. Also, the watermark analysis unit 24 divides a digital signal having an array of “1” and “0” into a predetermined number of bits, and converts the digital signal into object information according to each bit array. As a result, the watermark analysis unit 24 generates object information representing the original image as the analysis result of the watermark. The analysis result of the watermark analysis unit 24 also includes information on the watermark (specific pattern) detected by the watermark detection unit 22.

  Further, in the scanner 2, the image data output from the A / D conversion unit 22 is sent to the copy image processing unit 25 for image processing. As a result, the copy image processing unit 25 generates raster data (image data) in the YMCK color space, and this raster data is output to the printer 3 through the printer interface.

  On the other hand, in the printer 3, the object information and the watermark information sent as the analysis result of the watermark analysis unit 24 are taken into the data generation unit 32, where the object information and the watermark information are converted into PDL data. As a result, the data generation unit 32 generates PDL data including the original image represented by the object information and the watermark configured by the specific pattern.

  The PDL data generated in this way is sent to the raster processing unit 33, where it is rasterized and converted (developed) into raster data (bitmap data). Further, this raster data is processed by the printer image processing unit 34 into raster data in the YMCK color space, and this raster data is sent to the screen processing unit 36 via the image composition unit 35. In this case, the raster data generated by the printer image processing unit 34 includes raster data of both the original image and the watermark. Therefore, the image composition unit 35 passes raster data from the printer image processing unit 34 to the screen processing unit 36 without performing composition of image data (raster data). The screen processing unit 36 screen-processes the raster data output from the image composition unit 35 to generate a printing screen (a set of printing dots), and sends this screen to the printing unit 37. Then, the printing unit 37 prints out a visible image on a recording medium such as paper according to the screen sent from the screen processing unit 36.

  As a result, the original image data generated by analyzing the watermark embedded in the document is applied to the data that is the basis of the image printed out by the printing unit 37. Therefore, the printing unit 37 of the printer 3 can output an image (copy image) with an image quality equivalent to that of an original image. Therefore, even when generation copying is performed, the quality of the output image does not deteriorate.

  By the way, when the watermark is not embedded in the image of the document read by the scanner 2, the watermark is not detected even if the image data digitized by the A / D converter 22 is sent to the watermark detector 23. In such a case, the watermark analysis unit 24 notifies the printer 3 that the watermark detection unit 23 has not detected the watermark.

  Then, in the printer 3, instead of performing the process of generating the PDL data by the data generation unit 32, the data conversion unit 31 performs the process of converting the raster data output from the scanner 2 into the PDL data for generating the watermark. . At this time, raster data of the YMCK color space generated by the copy image processing unit 25 of the scanner 2 is input to the data conversion unit 31. Therefore, in the data converter 31, the input raster data in the YMCK color space is used as original image data, and object information that defines the color information, pixel value, pixel position, etc. of each pixel constituting the raster data is described above. Are converted into digital signals of “1” and “0”, and this digital signal is further converted into PDL data for representing a watermark having a specific pattern (in this embodiment, a slash pattern). As a result, the data conversion unit 31 outputs PDL data only for watermark generation.

  The PDL data output from the data conversion unit 31 is converted into raster data by the raster processing unit 33 and then converted into raster data in the YMCK color space by the printer image processing unit 34. The raster data is sent to the image composition unit 35. The raster data (image data read from the original) in the YMCK color space output from the copy image processing unit 25 of the scanner 2 is also sent to the image composition unit 35.

  Then, in the image composition unit 35, the raster data (image data read from the original) input from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 only when the embedding of the watermark is not prohibited as a setting condition of the operating environment by the user. And raster data obtained by rasterizing the PDL data for watermark generation and processing the printer image. The composition processing by the image composition unit 35 is performed, for example, by adding (overwriting) watermark image data to the margin of image data read from a document.

  The image data combined by the image combining unit 35 is screen-processed by the screen processing unit 36, and the image data is printed out by the printing unit 37 in accordance with the screen generated thereby. Even when the watermark is not embedded, an image with a watermark representing the image data read from the original as an original image can be printed out (copied) by the printing unit 37. Thus, when the printed matter printed out by the printing unit 37 is copied again as a document, original image data is generated using the watermark embedded in the image of the copied document, and the original image data is used. Can be printed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the deterioration of image quality due to subsequent generation copying.

  As a method for generating a document with a watermark embedded therein, when image data created by the host computer 1 is printed by the printer 3, it is created by an application program inside the printer driver incorporated in the host computer 1. Easily generated by adding watermark image data corresponding to the object information of the original image to the original image data, converting the image data into PDL data, sending it to the printer 3, and printing it on paper or the like Is possible. In this case, PDL data is output from the host computer 1 to the printer 3 through the parallel interface. In the printer 3, the PDL data received from the host computer 1 is converted into raster data by the raster processing unit 33, the raster data is processed by the printer image processing unit 34, and then passed through the composition processing unit 35. The image is sent to the screen processing unit 36 and further sent from the screen processing unit 36 to the printing unit 37 to be printed out as a visible image on a recording medium such as paper.

    Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated image processing system, PDL data is input from the host computer 1 to the printer 3, and raster data (scan data) is input from the scanner 2 to the host computer 1 and the printer 3. However, raster data in the RGB color space (image data digitized by the A / D converter 22) is input from the scanner 2 to the host computer 1 via the network interface. Raster data in the YMCK color space (image data processed by the copy image processing unit 23) is input via the interface.

  In the image processing system according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), the scanner 2 includes the watermark detection unit 23 and the watermark analysis unit 24, and the printer 3 includes the data conversion unit 31 and the data generation unit 32. In the image processing system according to the second embodiment, the host computer 1 includes a watermark detection unit 11, a watermark analysis unit 12, a data conversion unit 13, and a data generation unit 14. ing.

  In the image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the image of the original is read by the scanner 2, the RGB color space raster data generated by the A / D conversion unit 22 is transmitted via the network interface to the scanner 2. Are output from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 via the printer interface. The raster data of the YMCK color space generated by the copy image processing unit 23 is output from the scanner 2 to the printer 3.

  Then, in the host computer 1, the raster data (RGB data space raster data generated by the A / D conversion unit 22) sent from the scanner 2 is taken into the watermark detection unit 11, where the first embodiment is described. The watermark detection process is performed in the same manner as described above, and the detection result is sent to the watermark analysis unit 12. Then, the watermark analysis unit 12 analyzes the watermark by the same method as in the first embodiment, and sends the analysis result to the data conversion unit 13 or the data generation unit 14. That is, in the watermark analysis unit 12, when the watermark detection unit 11 detects the watermark, the watermark analysis result is sent to the data generation unit 14, and the watermark detection unit 11 does not detect the watermark. If this happens, the data converter 13 is notified accordingly.

  As a result, when the notification is received from the watermark analysis unit 12, the data conversion unit 13 converts the raster data in the RGB color space read from the document into PDL data for watermark generation, as in the first embodiment. Convert to On the other hand, in the data generation unit 14, when the analysis result of the watermark is sent from the watermark analysis unit 12, if the analysis result of the watermark includes object information representing the original image and the watermark information, Similar to the first embodiment, the object information and watermark information are converted into PDL data. The PDL data generated by the data conversion unit 13 or the data generation unit 14 in this way is output from the host computer 1 to the printer 3 via the network interface.

  On the other hand, inside the printer 3, PDL data sent from the host computer 1 via the network interface is taken into the raster processing unit 33, rasterized there, and then subjected to image processing by the printer image processing unit 34 to be processed in the YMCK color space. The raster data is sent from the printer image processing unit 34 to the image composition unit 35. In the printer 3, raster data in the YMCK color space (raster data generated by the copy image processing unit 23 of the scanner 2) sent from the scanner 2 via the printer interface is also taken into the image composition unit 35.

  Then, in the image composition unit 35, if the PDL data sent from the host computer 1 is generated by the data conversion unit 13, only the raster data in the YMCK color space obtained by rasterizing the PDL data is screened. The data is sent to the processing unit 36. In the image composition unit 35, if the PDL data sent from the host computer 1 is generated by the data generation unit 14, the raster data obtained by rasterizing the PDL data is sent from the scanner 2. The combined raster data is sent to the screen processing unit 36.

  On the other hand, the screen processing unit 36 screen-processes the raster data output from the image composition unit 35 to generate a printing screen, and sends the screen to the printing unit 37. Then, the printing unit 37 prints out a visible image on a recording medium such as paper according to the screen sent from the screen processing unit 36.

  In the image processing system according to the second embodiment described above, the original data of the image printed out by the printing unit 37 is the original image data generated by analyzing the watermark embedded in the document. Even if the watermark is not embedded in the original document image, the image with the watermark is printed out. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Here, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the watermark embedded in the document represents the object information of the original image. However, for example, in the case of an original image including a natural image (photo or the like) image. Since the amount of object information representing this increases, the amount of information embedded in the document image using the watermark also increases. In such a case, it is conceivable that the watermark embedding area occupied in the original image becomes excessively large, or the watermark embedding area cannot be sufficiently secured in the original image.

  To cope with such a situation, when operating as a copy system, the background fogging level is reduced to zero, the pixel value is averaged, the pixel value of the character part is averaged, and a compression method such as run length compression The total amount of data can be reduced by embedding a watermark based on the above. Furthermore, as another countermeasure, the following system configuration can be adopted.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated image processing system includes a host computer 1, a scanner 2, and a printer 3 similar to those in the first embodiment, but in addition, a storage device on the same network as the host computer 1 and the printer 3. 4 is connected. The storage device 4 is constituted by, for example, a database server, and stores (stores) data in the own device in response to a data storage request from the external device, or in response to a data read request from the external device. Or read the data inside.

  In the image processing system according to the third embodiment, when image data is created by an application program inside the host computer 1 and this image data is printed using the printer 3, the printer driver in the host computer 1 The original image data is converted into PDL data, and the watermark image data representing the object information of the original image is converted into PDL data. At this time, the printer driver manages the total data amount when the original image data and the watermark image data are converted into PDL data, and the total data amount exceeds a preset upper limit amount (for example, a document If the original image and the watermark cannot be stored simultaneously in the image of PDL), the PDL data converted from the original image data is sent to the storage device 4 via the network interface for storage, and the PDL data (original image) is also stored. The watermark image data representing the data storage location is converted into PDL data, and this PDL data is stored in the storage device 4 together with the PDL data of the original image data. In this case, PDL data converted from original image data (hereinafter also referred to as original PDL data) and PDL data converted from watermark image data indicating storage location information (hereinafter also referred to as watermark PDL data) correspond to each other. In addition, since the data is stored in the storage device 4, the storage location is represented by position information (network address) of the storage device 4 on the network and a memory address in the storage device 4. In addition, the host computer 1 outputs the original PDL data and watermark PDL data generated by the printer driver as described above to the printer 3 via the printer interface.

  Then, in the printer 3, the original PDL data and the watermark PDL data are rasterized by the raster processing unit 33, and then the image processing is performed by the printer image processing unit 34. The image is sent to the screen processing unit 36 via (through) 35. Accordingly, the printing unit 37 prints out a visible image on a recording medium such as paper according to the screen generated by the screen processing unit 36. As a result, a visible image corresponding to the original image data is printed on the printed matter (printed document) discharged from the printer 3, and the storage location of the original image data is stored in the visible image as information on the original image data. The information shown is embedded as a watermark.

  When the document generated in this way is read by the scanner 2, the raster data of the YMCK color space obtained by this reading is sent from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 via the printer interface, and at the watermark detection unit 23. The analysis result obtained by analyzing the detected watermark by the watermark analysis unit 24 is sent from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 via the printer interface.

  Then, the data generation unit 32 of the printer 3 confirms the analysis result sent from the watermark analysis unit 24 of the scanner 2, and as a result of the confirmation, the information of the original image data represented by the watermark is stored in the original image data. In the case of the information indicating the location, the storage device 4 serving as the storage location is accessed via the network interface, and the original PDL data and the watermark PDL data are read and generated therefrom. The PDL data generated in this way by the data generation unit 32 is sent to the raster processing unit 33, where it is rasterized, and then subjected to image processing by the printer image processing unit 34 to be converted into raster data in the YMCK color space. Further, the raster data is sent to the screen processing unit 36 via the image composition unit 45 (through), and then printed by the printing unit 37. As a result, the printing unit 37 prints an image with a watermark with an image quality equivalent to that of the original image read by the scanner 2.

  On the other hand, when the scanner 2 reads a document in which no watermark is embedded, raster data in the YMCK color space obtained by this reading is sent from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 via the printer interface. In this case, since no watermark is detected by the watermark detection unit 23 in the scanner 2, a notification to that effect is given to the printer 3 side by the watermark analysis unit 24. Then, in the printer 3, the raster data sent from the scanner 2 is taken into the data conversion unit 31 as original image data, where the original image data (raster data) is converted into PDL data (original PDL data), and then this PDL. The data is sent to the storage device 4 for storage, and the watermark image data indicating the storage location is converted into PDL data (watermark PDL data). Further, the data conversion unit 31 stores the watermark PDL data in the storage unit 4 in association with the original PDL data, and sends the watermark PDL data to the raster processing unit 33.

  The watermark PDL data thus sent to the raster processing unit 33 is rasterized there, and then sent to the printer image processing unit 34 to become raster data in the YMCK color space. This raster data is sent to the image composition unit 35. . The raster data of the YMCK color space sent from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 is also sent to the image composition unit 35. Then, in the image composition unit 35, the raster data (image data read from the original) input from the scanner 2 to the printer 3 only when the embedding of the watermark is not prohibited as a setting condition of the operating environment by the user. Are combined with raster data (watermark image data) sent from the printer processing unit 34.

  The image data combined by the image combining unit 35 is screen-processed by the screen processing unit 36, and the image data is printed out by the printing unit 37 in accordance with the screen generated thereby. Even when the watermark is not embedded, the image data read from the original is used as an original image, and an image with a watermark indicating the storage location of the PDL data converted from the original image is printed out on paper or the like by the printing unit 37. (Copy output). As a result, when the printed matter printed out by the printing unit 37 is copied again as a document, PDL data including the original image data (original PDL data and watermark) is used using the watermark embedded in the image of the copy document. PDL data) can be read out and generated from the storage device 4 and printed using this PDL data. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the deterioration of image quality due to subsequent generation copying.

  In the third embodiment, the data stored in the storage device 4 is PDL data. However, in addition to this, object information represented by vector data, coordinate data, or the like may be stored. In addition, it is possible to add the storage device 4 to the system configuration of the second embodiment to obtain the same effect as that of the third embodiment.

1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the specific pattern which comprises a watermark. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image processing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image processing system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Scanner, 3 ... Printer, 11, 23 ... Water mark detection part, 12, 24 ... Water mark analysis part, 13, 31 ... Data conversion part, 14, 32 ... Data generation part, 35 ... Image Synthesizer, 37 ... Printer

Claims (6)

Input means for inputting image data generated by reading an image of a document;
Detecting means for detecting a watermark representing information of original image data that is the source of the image data from the image data input by the input means;
Analyzing means for analyzing the watermark detected by the detecting means;
Generating means for generating the original image data based on the analysis result of the analyzing means;
An image processing system comprising: printing means for printing out the original image data generated by the generating means. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the watermark is composed of a specific pattern. The generating means generates the original image data and the image data of the watermark,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints out the original image data and the image data of the watermark. When the watermark is not detected by the detection means,
Mark generating means for generating image data of a watermark representing the information of the original image data, using the image data input by the input means as the original image data;
A synthesis unit that synthesizes the image data input by the input unit and the watermark image data generated by the mark generation unit;
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints out the image data combined by the combining unit. The generation unit reads the original image data from the storage location when the information of the original image data is information indicating the storage location of the original image data as a result of analyzing the watermark by the analysis unit. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is generated. The mark generation means stores the image data input by the input means in the storage means as the original image data, and generates watermark image data representing the storage location as information of the original image data. The image processing system according to claim 4.

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