JP2005236740A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for limiting a function of image data using an electronic water mark, with no illegal releasing of limit on function. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus 10 comprises a built-in clock 16 for setting internal time information. The image processing apparatus 10 comprises an electronic water mark detector 22 which detects time and functional limit from the image data in which a temporal functional limit is embedded, and a radiowave information acquiring part 17 for acquiring the standard frequency broadcast for confirming a current time other than the internal block. When the electronic water mark detector 22 detects the temporal functional limit from the image data, the current time is confirmed on the basis of the standard frequency broadcast acquired from the radiowave information acquiring part 17, and an image processing unit 25 performs image processing for outputting by an engine 13 only when a functional limit time is not reached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus that detects a digital watermark embedded in digital data representing an image or the like and performs control based thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called digital watermark technique is known in which information is embedded in image data to a degree that cannot be perceived by humans. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-268336 (Patent Document 1) discloses a method of embedding time information as such a digital watermark and thereby restricting the use of image data.
JP 2001-268336 A (FIG. 4, paragraph numbers 0033 to 0045, etc.)

  The use restriction of the image data using the conventional digital watermark technology has been performed as described above. However, in the conventional method, use restriction is performed by comparing the time inside the device that can be changed from the operation unit with the time, and if the time information is illegally operated, the use restriction is illegally released. There was a fear.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that performs function restriction on image data using a digital watermark, in which unauthorized function restriction release is not performed. And

  According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus having time information setting means for setting internal time information includes a digital watermark detection unit that detects time and function restriction from image data in which function restriction by time is embedded by a digital watermark; Time confirmation means for confirming the current time from external time information other than the internal time information, and when the digital watermark detection unit detects a function restriction due to time from the image data, an image based on the current time confirmed by the time confirmation means Image data processing means for processing data.

  Preferably, it includes means for reading an image, the digital watermark detection unit detects time and function restrictions from the image data of the image read by the reading means, and the time confirmation means has a function restriction by the digital watermark detection part. Check the current time when it is determined that it is embedded in the image data.

  More preferably, the image data in which the time-based function restriction is embedded includes visible data and invisible data, and the digital watermark detection unit determines whether the image data in which the time-based function restriction is embedded is visible data or not. The time confirmation unit performs time confirmation when the detection unit determines that the image data in which the function restriction by time is embedded is visible data.

  More preferably, it further includes changing means for changing the time detected by the digital watermark detection unit or the function restriction content.

  More preferably, it includes an elapsed time detecting means for detecting an elapsed time since the time setting by the time information setting means, and when the time confirming means cannot confirm the time, and the digital watermark detecting unit detects the time from the image data. When it is determined that the elapsed time after the elapsed time detecting means sets the time is less than or equal to a predetermined time, the output of the image data is prohibited.

  More preferably, the time confirmation means compares the internal time information with the external time information, and updates the internal time information if they are different.

  According to the present invention, when a function limitation due to time using a digital watermark is detected from image data, the image data is processed based on the current time confirmed using external time information other than the internal time information. Therefore, image data is not output unless the internal time information and the external time information match. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that performs function restriction on image data using a digital watermark without illegal function restriction release.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine and a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 10 includes a CCD 11 serving as a reading unit that reads a document, an A / D converter 12 that converts data obtained by the CCD 11 into digital data, and digitized image data. An image processing unit 20 to be processed, an engine 13 for outputting processed image data, a CPU 14 connected to the image processing unit 20 via a bus 19 for controlling the entire image processing apparatus 10, and a desired document The operation unit 15 for inputting the operation, the built-in clock 16 for holding the internal time information, the radio wave information acquisition unit 17 for receiving the standard radio wave as a standard time, and the time from the outside via an external network or the Internet LAN interface 18 for obtaining information.

  Since the user can change or set the time of the built-in clock 16 using the operation unit 15, the operation unit 15 operates as a time information setting unit. The radio wave information acquisition unit 17 and the LAN interface 18 operate as time confirmation means because they are used to obtain accurate time information from outside and confirm the current time.

  The image processing unit 20 includes an input image correction unit 21 that performs input correction such as shading correction of image data converted into digital data, a memory 24 that stores input corrected image data, and an image stored in the memory 24. An electronic watermark detection unit 22 that analyzes digital watermark data from data, a watermark embedding unit 23 that embeds electronic data in an output image according to an instruction from the CPU 14 based on an input from the operation unit 15, and a memory 24. And an image processing unit 25 for outputting the image data to the engine 13.

  The digital watermark detection unit 22 detects a function limitation of image data using a time based on a digital watermark described later.

  The image processing unit 25 performs image processing on the image data on the memory in response to a request for enlargement / reduction, density, character / photo mode, etc. in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 15.

  Here, the digital watermark is detected by hardware such as the digital watermark detection unit 22, but may be realized by software by the CPU 14.

  Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, in image processing apparatus 10, a document containing information on function restriction by time designation is read by CCD 11 (step S <b> 11, the following steps are omitted).

  The function restriction information by time designation is, for example, information that has been restricted to a designated period such as printing and electronic file creation until November 29, 2003, or from November 29, 2003 to 2003 This means that the function is enabled only for a specified period, such as printing not possible until December 3rd.

  The image processing apparatus 10 also has a function of holding current time information input via the radio wave information acquisition unit 17 while updating it in units of 1 / n seconds.

  The image data read from the CCD 11 is once stored in the memory 24 in the image processing unit 20 (S12), and the digital watermark detection unit 22 analyzes the information of the embedded digital watermark (S13). Specifically, as described in Patent Document 1 described above, this analysis is performed based on a specific position on the image or data that periodically exists on the image.

  In this analysis, when it is determined that there is time limit information (YES in S14), it is determined whether or not the digital watermark is readable by OCR or the like (S15). If visible (YES in S15), it is determined whether or not the current time can be confirmed outside (S16). If possible (YES in S16), the radio wave information acquisition unit 17 receives standard radio waves or collects accurate time information from the network or the Internet via the LAN interface 18. If it is different from the current time of the built-in clock 16 in the image processing apparatus 10, the current time is updated (S17).

  If it is not possible to confirm the time from the outside, such as when the radio wave information acquisition unit 17 fails or external information cannot be obtained via the LAN interface 18 in S16 (NO in S16), the time of the built-in clock 16 It is determined whether or not a certain time has elapsed after setting or updating (S18). Here, the fixed time is preferably about one day.

  Here, if connection to the outside such as a network or the Internet is impossible, a document containing a digital watermark with a time designation cannot be printed for a certain period after the time setting of the built-in clock 16 is performed. This is because there is a possibility that the time is changed illegally.

  After the current time is updated in S17, or if a certain time has passed in S18 (YES in S18), it is determined whether there is a restriction on the image data based on the current time of the built-in clock 16 (S19).

  If there is no problem with the time designated by the digital watermark in S19, the image data is printed by the engine 13 and / or filed (S20). Note that in this case, when the digital watermark limit expires when it is output, the image processing unit 20 deletes the limit information and outputs it.

  If there is a problem such as the function being restricted by the digital watermark in S19, a message indicating that the digital watermark cannot be operated is displayed on the operation unit 15, and printing and filing are not performed (S21).

  Even if the predetermined time has not elapsed after the time setting in S18 (NO in S18), a message indicating that the electronic watermark cannot be operated is displayed on the operation unit 15, and printing and filing are not performed (S21).

  In the above embodiment, when the digital watermark is visible, it is determined whether or not the current time can be confirmed to the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When it is known that the information is embedded, accurate time information is collected from the network or the Internet via the radio wave information acquisition unit 17 or the LAN interface 18 every time the original is read. Also good. Alternatively, when accurate time information is collected periodically from the LAN interface 18 via the network or the Internet, the time change by the operation unit 15 is performed between the last collection and the reading of the image data. If it is not done, time confirmation to the outside at the time of reading may not be performed.

  In the case of a digital watermark of invisible time information, the time limit is not known unless the information is displayed. Therefore, in the above embodiment, the current time is confirmed to the outside only in the case of a visible digital watermark. An example was described. This is because collecting accurate time is time consuming.

  However, for the invisible digital watermark, the current time may be confirmed in the same manner as described above.

  Next, a case will be described in which image data is printed or filed by changing the time specified by the digital watermark or the restriction information.

  In order to allow the user to change the time and restriction information specified by the digital watermark to print or file, a password for permitting the change is similarly applied to the digital watermark by the digital watermark embedding unit 23 when creating the image data. Embed.

  The digital watermark detection unit 22 detects this password. In this case, the digital watermark detection unit 22 may display on the operation unit 15 whether or not the restriction information needs to be changed by the digital watermark, and may confirm it to the user. When there is an instruction to change the time or restriction information designated by the user via the operation unit 15, the user is caused to input the password from the operation unit 15.

  The CPU 14 can change the electronic watermark restriction or the like only when the passwords match.

  In addition, when changing such information, when increasing a limiting factor, it may be possible even without a password.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when printing or the like is performed on image data whose function is limited by time due to digital watermarking, the current time is not detected by a built-in clock, but by detection of a standard radio wave or a LAN interface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized restriction release by an operation of the time information on the built-in clock and an unauthorized digital watermark change by the user.

  In addition, since the function restriction can be canceled or changed using a password, an easy-to-use image processing apparatus can be provided while the function can be restricted using a digital watermark.

  In the above embodiment, the case where both the LAN interface for connecting to an external network and the radio wave information acquisition unit are provided in the image processing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of them exists. Needless to say, it is good.

  In the above embodiment, one day is preferable as the fixed time after the time setting of the built-in clock. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary time may be set.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an image processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus, 11 CCD, 12 A / D converter, 13 Engine, 14 CPU, 15 Operation part, 16 Built-in clock, 17 Radio wave information acquisition part, 18 LAN interface, 19 Bus, 20 Image processing part, 21 Input image Correction part, 22 Digital watermark detection part, 23 Digital watermark embedding part, 24 Memory, 25 Image processing unit.

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus having time information setting means for setting internal time information,
A digital watermark detection unit for detecting the time and the function restriction from image data in which the function restriction by the time is embedded by a digital watermark;
Time confirmation means for confirming the current time from external time information other than the internal time information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: image data processing means for processing the image data based on a current time confirmed by the time confirmation means when the electronic watermark detection unit detects a function restriction due to time from the image data. Including reading means for reading an image;
The digital watermark detection unit detects the time and function restriction from the image data of the image read by the reading unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time confirmation unit confirms a current time when the digital watermark detection unit determines that the function restriction due to the time is embedded in the image data. The image data in which the function limitation due to time is embedded includes visible data and invisible data,
The digital watermark detection unit includes means for determining whether or not the image data in which the function restriction by time is embedded is visible data,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time confirmation unit performs time confirmation when the digital watermark detection unit determines that the image data in which the function restriction due to the time is embedded is visible data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes the time detected by the digital watermark detection unit or the function restriction content. Including elapsed time detection means for detecting an elapsed time since the time setting by the time information setting means is performed,
When the time confirmation unit cannot confirm the time, and when the digital watermark detection unit detects a function restriction due to time from the image data, the elapsed time from the time setting by the elapsed time detection unit is a predetermined time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the output is below, the output of the image data is prohibited. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time confirmation unit compares the internal time information with the external time information, and updates the internal time information if they are different.

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