JP2009290550A - Image processing apparatus, log recording method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record image data obtained by image processing while saving on a capacity of the recording medium of a server and reducing communication traffic between an image processing apparatus and the server. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with: a ground tint pattern image detection section 101 for detecting a ground tint pattern image GP from an image to be processed; a ground tint pattern image embedding processing section 103 for adding a new ground tint pattern image GP to the target image in a case where the ground tint pattern image GP is not detected; a ground tint pattern image embedded image output processing section 104 for outputting the target image to which the new ground tint pattern image GP is added, when no ground tint pattern image is detected, or for outputting the target image to which the new ground tint pattern image GP is not added when any ground tint pattern image is detected; a job completion notification section 121 for notifying an image log server 2 of an output by the ground tint pattern image embedded image output processing section 104 together with transmission of the target image to which the new ground tint pattern image GP is added, when the ground tint pattern image GP is not detected, or for notifying the image log server without transmitting the target image when detected; and a ground tint pattern image embedded image transfer section 122. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as an MFP, a method of recording a process log in the image processing apparatus, and the like.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses called “multifunction peripherals” or “MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals)” that integrate various functions such as copy, scanner, fax, network printing, and document server Popular in offices.

  Particularly in an office, log data indicating which image forming apparatus has performed what kind of processing may be recorded. The image data obtained by the processing may be recorded. In some cases, each image forming apparatus in the office is connected to a server, and log data is recorded and managed centrally by this server.

In addition, Patent Document 1 proposes a method for recording and managing log data related to a copy of a literary work. According to this method, input means for inputting image data to the image processing apparatus, and additional information embedded in the image data input by the input means and related to copyright of the image data are extracted. An extraction unit and a transmission unit that transmits the additional information extracted by the extraction unit to the management apparatus each time image data is input by the input unit are provided.
JP 2001-245145 A

  Recording log data of processing in the image forming apparatus together with image data obtained by the processing has an advantage that it is possible to more specifically identify what processing has been performed later. . However, there are the following disadvantages.

  Image data obtained by a certain process is much larger than text data indicating the contents of the process. Therefore, recording the image data uses much more storage capacity of the server's hard disk than when not recording it. The traffic for communication between the image forming apparatus and the server also becomes very large.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention saves the storage capacity of the recording medium of the server that manages the log for the recording of the image data obtained by the image processing as compared with the conventional one, and An object is to enable communication traffic to be reduced while reducing the traffic.

  An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs image-related processing that is processing related to an image, and that is a processing target image acquisition unit that acquires a processing target image that is a target image of the image-related processing. And image identification information detecting means for detecting image identification information that is identification information of a predetermined format from the acquired processing target image, and when the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the processing An image identification information adding means for adding new image identification information to the target image; and if the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the processing target image to which the new image identification information is added is Output to the image management means for outputting the processing target image to which the new image identification information is not added, and a log management device for managing logs , If the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the report on the output of the processing target image by the image output means is sent to the image data of the processing target image to which new image identification information is added. And an output reporting unit that performs the transmission together with the transmission, and performs detection without transmitting the image data of the processing target image.

  Alternatively, the output report unit may report a report on the output of the processing target image by the image output unit to a log management apparatus that manages logs, instead of the output method described above, from the processing target image. When the information is not detected, it is performed together with the transmission of the image data of the processing target image to which the new image identification information is added. When the information is detected, the processing target image is converted into a monochrome or low resolution image. This is done along with data transmission.

  Alternatively, the output reporting unit may report a report on the output of the processing target image to a log management apparatus that manages logs instead of the output method described above, and the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image. If the image identification information is detected, the image data corresponding to the image identification information is stored in the log management device. Is compared with the image to be processed and if both match, the report is made without transmitting the image data, and if they do not match, the image data of the difference between the two images or the image of the image to be processed The report is made along with the data transmission.

  According to the present invention, recording of image data obtained by image processing saves the storage capacity of the recording medium of the server that manages the log more than before, and communication traffic between the image processing apparatus and the server than before. Can be done while mitigating.

  1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the network system NWS, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image log server 2, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image log server 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network system NWS includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, an image log server 2, a plurality of terminal apparatuses 3, and a communication line TC. As the communication line TC, a LAN line, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used. The image forming apparatus 1 can be connected to the image log server 2 and each terminal device 3 via a communication line TC.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a processing apparatus that integrates various functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, PC printing, and file server. Sometimes called a multi-function peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripherals). Hereinafter, each image forming apparatus 1 may be described separately as “image forming apparatus 1A”, “image forming apparatus 1B”,.

  The function of the file server is a function of providing and managing a storage area called a “personal box” or “box” corresponding to a folder or directory in a personal computer for each user. The user can store image data or the like in the user box in units of files. This function is sometimes called a “box function”.

  According to the PC printing function, the user can give an instruction to print an image on a sheet to the image forming apparatus 1 by operating the terminal device 3. As a result, it is possible to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to print materials created or collected by application software such as word processing software, spreadsheet software, or Web browser installed in the terminal device 3. This function is sometimes called a “network printing function”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a hard disk 10d, a control circuit 10e, an operation panel 10f, a scanner 10g, a printing device 10h, a LAN interface 10j, and a FAX modem 10k. The

  The control circuit 10e is a circuit for controlling the hard disk 10d, the operation panel 10f, the scanner 10g, the printing device 10h, the LAN interface 10j, the FAX modem 10k, and the like.

  The scanner 10g is a device that optically reads an image of a document made up of sentences, mathematical formulas, symbols, photographs, diagrams, illustrations, and the like written on a sheet to generate image data.

  The printing device 10h prints an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by the scanner 10g or image data transmitted from the terminal device 3 or the like.

  The LAN interface 10j is a NIC (Network Interface Card) for communicating with the image log server 2 and the terminal device 3 by TCP / IP.

  The FAX modem 10k is a device that communicates with a FAX terminal using a fax protocol.

  The operation panel 10f includes a touch panel type liquid crystal display and a numeric keypad.

  The liquid crystal display includes a screen for giving a message or an instruction to the user, a screen for inputting processing conditions desired by the user (such as the number of copies to be printed or an enlargement ratio, a destination of image data), and the CPU 10a. A screen showing the result of the executed process is displayed.

  The user operates the liquid crystal display or the numeric keypad while viewing the above screen to give the image forming apparatus 1 a command to start or stop processing, specify processing conditions, and enter a user ID and the like. In addition, various other items can be specified or input.

  The ROM 10c and the hard disk 10d include a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image detection unit 101, an image number issue request unit 102, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern embedding processing unit 103, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image output processing unit 104, an embedded text recognition processing unit 105, A program and data for realizing the text format determination unit 106, the management file acquisition unit 107, the image number use presence / absence determination unit 108, the job completion notification unit 121, the tint block embedded image transfer unit 122, and the like are stored. These programs and data are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a.

  All or part of the configuration shown in FIG. 3 may be used as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The image log server 2 records a log of a job including image processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, a job such as copying, PC printing, or FAX transmission) together with image data of an image handled in the job. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image log server 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, a hard disk 20d, a control circuit 20e, a LAN interface 20f, and the like. A so-called server machine or workstation is used as the image log server 2.

  The control circuit 20e is a circuit for controlling the hard disk 20d, the LAN interface 20f, and the like. The LAN interface 20f is a NIC for communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 3 by TCP / IP.

  The ROM 20c and the hard disk 20d include an image number assignment processing unit 201, a log file providing unit 202, a log entry processing unit 203, an image entry processing unit 204, a log file storage unit 205, and an image file storage unit 206 shown in FIG. A program and data for realizing such functions are stored. These programs and data are loaded into the RAM 20b as necessary and executed by the CPU 20a.

  The terminal device 3 is a client such as a personal computer or a workstation used for a user to receive a service provided by the image forming apparatus 1. The terminal device 3 is installed with word processing software, spreadsheet software, application software such as a Web browser, and a driver for controlling the image forming apparatus 1.

  According to each part of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 and each part of the image log server 2 shown in FIG. 5, job logs including image processing can be collected while saving a recording medium and reducing traffic as compared with the related art. it can. Hereinafter, processing contents of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and each unit of the image log server 2 will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the job log file 5JF, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the image management file 5KF.

  In FIG. 5, the log file storage unit 205 of the image log server 2 stores a job log file 5JF and an image management file 5KF.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the job log file 5JF includes log data 6LD for each job executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The log data 6LD includes the date (execution date) when the job was executed, the name (device name) of the image forming apparatus 1 that executed the job, the job type (job type), and the image processing of the job. The name (file name) of the used or generated image data is indicated. As will be described later, this image data is stored (saved) in the image file storage unit 206 as an image file 7GF.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image management file 5KF includes image file attribute data 6AD for each image data (image file 7GF) used or generated in a job executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image file attribute data 6AD indicates the image number of the image reproduced by the image file 7GF, the file name of the image file 7GF, and the date (generation date) when the image file 7GF was generated. The “image number” is used when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated. This will be described later.

  The format of the job log file 5JF and the image management file 5KF may be a text format such as CSV (Comma Separated Value) or tab-delimited format, or may be a binary format used by spreadsheet software or the like.

  In FIG. 3, a tint block image detection unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 detects a tint block image GP from an image to be processed (hereinafter referred to as “processing target image GA”). A “background pattern image” can be seen as a simple background pattern (halftone dot pattern) to human eyes, but represents text (text consisting of letters, numbers, or symbols such as “#”) by the arrangement of dots (dots). Say the image.

  When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image detection unit 102 does not detect the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP from the processing target image GA, the image number issue request unit 102 issues an image log server to issue an image number to the processing target image GA. 2 is requested.

  Then, when the image number assignment processing unit 201 of the image log server 2 receives a request for issuing an image number from the image forming apparatus 1, it selects an image number that is not currently used for any image and requests it. A reply is made to the original image forming apparatus 1. That is, an image number is assigned.

  Specifically, the format of the image number is determined in advance. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the image number is a four-digit number. The image number assignment processing unit 201 selects one 4-digit number that is not shown in any of the image management files 5KF stored in the image file storage unit 206. Then, it responds to the image forming apparatus 1 that is the request source.

  The tint block embedding processing unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs a process of embedding the tint block image GP indicating the image number issued by the image log server 2 in the processing target image GA. Hereinafter, the processing target image GA in which the tint block image GP is embedded is referred to as a “processing target image GB”.

  The tint block embedded image output processing unit 104 performs processing for outputting the processing target image GB. The output process differs as follows according to the type of job. In the case of a job involving printing processing such as copying or PC printing, output processing is performed by printing the processing target image GB on paper. Electronic data transfer such as FAX transmission, SCAN-TO-PC (transmission of scanned processing target image GB to personal computer), or SCAN-TO-BOX (storing scanned processing target image GB in a box) In the case of a job involving processing or saving processing, the data of the processing target image GB is converted into an image file 7GF in a predetermined format (for example, PDF or TIFF), and the FAX terminal or network address (FAX number specified by the user) (IP address or the like) is transmitted to the terminal device 3 or stored in a box designated by the user.

  When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image detecting unit 101 detects the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP, the embedded text recognition processing unit 105 recognizes the text represented by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP.

  The embedded text format determination unit 106 determines whether the text recognized by the embedded text recognition processing unit 105 is an image number in a predetermined format (format).

  The management file etc. acquiring unit 107 requests the job log file 5JF and the image management file 5KF from the image log server 2 and downloads them.

  The log file etc. providing unit 202 of the image log server 2 calls the job log file 5JF and the image management file 5KF from the log file etc. storage unit 205 in accordance with a request from the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits them to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image number use presence / absence determining unit 108 determines whether or not the image number recognized by the embedded text recognition processing unit 105 and determined to be of a predetermined format by the embedded text format determining unit 106 is currently used. Is determined based on the image management file 5KF acquired by the management file etc. acquiring unit 107. That is, when the image number is indicated in any of the image file attribute data 6AD in the image management file 5KF, it is determined that the image number is currently in use. If it is not shown in any image file attribute data 6AD, it is determined that it is not used.

  Each time a job is completed, the job completion notifying unit 121 executes the job, the name of the image forming apparatus 1 that executed the job (that is, the image forming apparatus 1 itself), the type of the job, and the Job completion notification data 8KD indicating the file name of the image data (image file 7GF) used or generated in the image processing of the job is transmitted to the image log server 2.

  The embedded tint block image transfer unit 122 sends the image file 7GF to the image log server 2 every time a job is completed, if the image used or generated by the job is handled for the first time in the network system NWS. Send. At that time, the image log server 2 is notified of the image number of the image and the generation date of the image file 7GF.

  When the log entry processing unit 203 of the image log server 2 receives the job completion notification data 8KD from the image forming apparatus 1, the log entry processing unit 203 generates log data 6LD (see FIG. 6) indicating the contents shown therein, and stores a log file storage unit. Add (entry) to the job log file 5JF stored in 205.

  The image entry processing unit 204 stores the image file 7GF transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in the image file storage unit 206. Furthermore, image file attribute data 6AD (see FIG. 7) indicating the image number and generation date notified from the image forming apparatus 1 and the file name of the image file 7GF is generated and stored in the log file storage unit 205. Is added (entry) to the image management file 5KF.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of the image log server 2.

  Next, processing procedures of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and each unit of the image log server 2 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.

  For example, a user sets a sheet on which an image that has never been handled in the network system NWS is set in an arbitrary image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter, the case of the image forming apparatus 1A will be described as an example), and is copied. Is given to the image forming apparatus 1A.

  Then, the scanner 10g of the image forming apparatus 1A acquires the image data of the image by scanning the original surface of the paper and reading the image (# 1 in FIG. 8). The read image is the processing target image GA.

  The tint block image detection unit 101 tries to detect the tint block image GP from the processing target image GA (# 2). This time, since the processing target image GA is an image that is handled for the first time in the network system NWS, it is detected only when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP is embedded in a system other than the network system NWS.

  If the image number cannot be detected (No in # 3), the image number issue request unit 102 requests the image log server 2 to issue the image number of the processing target image GA (# 4). ).

  When the image number allocation processing unit 201 of the image log server 2 is requested to issue an image number (Yes in # 21 of FIG. 9), the image management file 5KF (see FIG. 7) sets the currently unused image number. ) And assigns one of them to the processing target image GA (# 22). The assigned image number is notified to the image forming apparatus 1A.

  The tint block embedding processing unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 1A generates the processing target image GB by embedding the tint block image GP indicating the assigned image number in the processing target image GA (# 5 in FIG. 8).

  The tint block embedded image output processing unit 104 performs a process for outputting the processing target image GB (# 6). Since a copy job command is given this time, the processing target image GB is output by printing on paper.

  Then, the job completion notification unit 121 transmits job completion notification data 8KD of the current job to the image log server 2, and the tint block embedded image transfer unit 122 transmits the generation date and the embedded image of the image file 7GF of the processing target image GB. The number is transferred (transmitted) to the image log server 2 together with the number (# 7).

  When the log entry processing unit 203 of the image log server 2 receives the job completion notification data 8KD (Yes in # 25 of FIG. 9), the log entry processing unit 203 generates log data 6LD (see FIG. 6) indicating the contents shown in the job log. The file 5JF is entered (# 26). In addition, when the image entry processing unit 204 receives the image file 7GF or the like (Yes in # 27), the image entry processing unit 204 stores the image file 7GF in the image file storage unit 206, and the file name, image number, and Image file attribute data 6AD (see FIG. 7) indicating the generation date is generated and entered in the image management file 5KF (# 28).

  On the other hand, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP can be detected (Yes in # 3 in FIG. 8), the embedded text recognition processing unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1A recognizes the text represented by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP (# 8).

  The embedded text format discrimination unit 106 discriminates whether or not the text is in a predetermined format (# 9).

  The management file acquisition unit 107 requests the image log server 2 for the image management file 5KF and acquires it (# 10). When receiving the request (Yes in # 23 of FIG. 9), the log file providing unit 202 of the image log server 2 transmits the image management file 5KF and the like to the image forming apparatus 1A (# 24).

  The image number use presence / absence determining unit 108 of the image forming apparatus 1A determines whether or not the recognized text is currently used by checking whether or not the recognized text is indicated in the image management file 5KF. (# 11 in FIG. 8).

  If the text is in the format of this system (that is, a 4-digit number in the present embodiment) and the text (4-digit number) is not currently used (Yes in # 12, No in # 13) The tint block embedded image output processing unit 104 handles the processing target image GA acquired in step # 1 as the processing target image GB (that is, an image in which the tint block image GP is embedded in the processing target image GA), and this processing target image GA. Is processed (# 14). Since a copy job command is given this time, the processing target image GA is printed on paper.

  Then, the job completion notification unit 121 transmits job completion notification data 8KD of the current job to the image log server 2, and the tint block embedded image transfer unit 122 generates the image file 7GF of the processing target image GA, the generation date, and the recognized image. The number is transferred (transmitted) to the image log server 2 together with the number (# 15).

  When receiving the job completion notification data 8KD (Yes in # 25 in FIG. 9), the log entry processing unit 203 of the image log server 2 generates and enters the log data 6LD as described above (# 26). In addition, when the image entry processing unit 204 receives the image file 7GF or the like (Yes in # 27), the image entry processing unit 204 performs the entry of the image file 7GF and the generation and entry of the image file attribute data 6AD as described above (# 28). ).

  If the text recognized in step # 8 is not in a predetermined format (No in # 12), the tint block embedded image output processing unit 104 performs processing for outputting the processing target image GA input in step # 1 ( # 16). This time, the processing target image GA is printed on paper.

  Then, the job completion notification unit 121 transmits job completion notification data 8KD of the current job to the image log server 2, and the tint block embedded image transfer unit 122 transfers the image file 7GF of the processing target image GA to the image log server 2 ( Send) (# 17). However, since no image number is given to the processing target image GA this time, the image number is not indicated in the job completion notification data 8KD.

  When receiving the job completion notification data 8KD (Yes in # 25 of FIG. 9), the log entry processing unit 203 of the image log server 2 generates and enters the log data 6LD (# 26). However, an image number is not shown in the log data 6LD. Further, when receiving the image file 7GF (Yes in # 27), the image entry processing unit 204 performs the entry of the image file 7GF as described above (# 28). However, generation and entry of the image file attribute data 6AD are not performed.

  Thereafter, the user sets a sheet on which the processing target image GB is copied by the image forming apparatus 1A to an arbitrary image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter, the case of the image forming apparatus 1B will be described as an example), and SCAN-TO-. Assume that a PC job command is given to the image forming apparatus 1B.

  Then, the scanner 10g of the image forming apparatus 1B scans the original surface of the paper and reads the processing target image GB (at this time, it is handled as the processing target image GA), thereby acquiring image data of the image. (# 1 in FIG. 8).

  The tint block image detection unit 101 tries to detect the tint block image GP from the processing target image GA (# 2). This time, since the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP is already embedded in the processing target image GA, it is detected.

  When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP is detected (Yes in # 3 in FIG. 8), the embedded text recognition processing unit 105 recognizes the text represented by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP (# 8). The embedded text format discrimination unit 106 discriminates whether or not the text is in a predetermined format (# 9). The management file acquisition unit 107 requests the image log server 2 for the image management file 5KF and acquires it (# 10). When receiving the request (Yes in # 23 of FIG. 9), the log file providing unit 202 of the image log server 2 transmits the image management file 5KF and the like to the image forming apparatus 1A (# 24).

  The image number use presence / absence determining unit 108 of the image forming apparatus 1A determines whether or not the recognized text is currently used by checking whether or not the recognized text is indicated in the image management file 5KF. (# 11 in FIG. 8).

  This time, since the tint block image GP is embedded by the image forming apparatus 1A, the text is in a predetermined format (Yes in # 12). The image number is indicated in the image management file 5KF (Yes in # 13). That is, it can be seen that the processing target image GA input in step # 1 is the processing target image GB. Therefore, the background pattern embedded image output processing unit 104 performs a process of outputting the processing target image GB without the image number issuance requesting unit 102 requesting the issuance of the image number (# 18). This time, the data of the processing target image GB is converted into an image file 7GF of a predetermined format and transmitted to the device designated by the user.

  Then, the job completion notification unit 121 transmits job completion notification data 8KD of the current job indicating the image number recognized in step # 8 to the image log server 2 (# 19). When receiving the job completion notification data 8KD (Yes in # 25 in FIG. 9), the log entry processing unit 203 of the image log server 2 generates and enters the log data 6LD as described above (# 26). Since the image file 7GF of the processing target image GB is already registered in the image log server 2, this time, the entry of the image file 7GF is not performed.

  According to the present embodiment, image data (image file 7GF) of an image that has been handled by any one of the image forming apparatuses 1 and has already been recorded by the image log server 2 is transferred from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image log server. 2 is not sent. Instead, the image number of the image data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image log server 2 and recorded in the image log server 2. As a result, the storage capacity of the recording medium of the image log server 2 can be saved more than before, and the traffic between the image forming apparatus 1 and the image log server 2 can be reduced more than before, and the image data obtained by the job can be recorded. It can be carried out.

  In this embodiment, image data of an image that has already been handled by any of the image forming apparatuses 1 and is already recorded by the image log server 2 is not transmitted to the image log server 2. You may do it. When the image data obtained by the job is already registered in the image log server 2, the image forming apparatus 1 converts the image data into image data of a monochrome image. Convert to low resolution image data. Or perform compression. Then, the image data after conversion or compression is transmitted to the image log server 2. The image log server 2 stores this.

  In the present embodiment, when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image that is not in a predetermined format has already been embedded in the processing target image GA, the processing for embedding the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP in a predetermined format in the processing target image GA is not performed, but the embedded space is processed. If it is in the target image GA, an embedding process may be performed and the image data of the image may be registered in the image log server 2.

  Although one of the image forming apparatuses 1 has already been handled and the image log server 2 has already recorded the image data, the image handled by the image forming apparatus 1 this time and the previous image are completely May not match. For example, this is the case.

  The image forming apparatus 1 adds the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP to the processing target image GA to be handled for the first time, and prints it on paper. The image file 7GF of the processing target image GA (that is, the processing target image GB) to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP is added is recorded in the image log server 2. The user writes on the paper with a pen or the like, and causes the image forming apparatus 1 to perform processing for copying the paper.

  At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the processing target image GA to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP is added, and specifies an image number from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP. The image file 7GF corresponding to the identified image number is called from the image log server 2. The read processing target image GA and the image reproduced from the image file 7GF are compared to determine whether or not they are the same. For example, coverage analysis of each color of RGB of both images may be performed, and determination may be made based on whether or not the analysis results match.

  If they do not match, the read image data of the processing target image GA may be transmitted to the image log server 2 and recorded. Alternatively, the image data of the difference between the two (that is, handwritten) may be transmitted to the image log server 2 and recorded.

  If there is a sufficient free space in the storage medium of the image log server 2, image data of an image that has been handled by any of the image forming apparatuses 1 and has already been recorded by the image log server 2 is stored. Alternatively, it may be recorded redundantly in the image log server 2. When the free space of the storage medium of the image log server 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the image data of the same image is duplicated and transmitted to the image log server 2 using the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image GP of the image number. May be avoided.

  When there is almost no free space in the storage medium of the image log server 2, that is, when the free space is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, even the image data of the image handled by the image forming apparatus 1 for the first time is stored in the image log server 2. You may make it not record. In this case, the background pattern image GP is not embedded. This is because it does not make sense to embed it.

  In addition, the entire network system NWS, the image forming apparatus 1, and the image log server 2 or the configuration of each unit, the processing content, the processing order, the data configuration, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of a network system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of an image log server. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of an image log server. It is a figure which shows the example of a job log file. It is a figure which shows the example of an image management file. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process of an image log server.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device (image processing device)
10g scanner (processing target image acquisition means)
10j LAN interface (processing target image acquisition means)
101 Copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image detection unit (image identification information detection means)
103 Background pattern embedding processing unit (image identification information adding means)
104 Ground pattern embedded image output processing unit (image output means)
121 Job completion notification section (output report means)
122 Background pattern embedded image transfer unit (output report means)
GA image to be processed GB image to be processed GP background pattern image (image identification information)

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus that performs image-related processing, which is processing related to an image,
Processing target image acquisition means for acquiring a processing target image that is a target image of the image-related processing;
Image identification information detecting means for detecting image identification information which is identification information of a predetermined format from the acquired processing target image;
Image identification information adding means for adding new image identification information to the processing target image when the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image;
When the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the processing target image to which the new image identification information is added is output. When the image identification information is detected, the new image identification information is added. Image output means for outputting the image to be processed that is not,
A report on the output of the processing target image by the image output means to the log management device that manages the log is added to the log management apparatus when the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image. An output report unit that performs the transmission together with the transmission of the image data of the processing target image and, if detected, without transmitting the image data of the processing target image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: When the image-related processing is copy, SCAN-TO-PC, or FAX transmission, the processing target image acquisition unit acquires the processing target image by scanning a paper sheet of the document. If it is a print, the image to be processed is obtained by receiving image data from a personal computer,
When the image-related processing is a copy or PC print, the processing target image output means outputs the processing target image by printing on a sheet, and when the image-related processing is SCAN-TO-PC The processing target image is output by transmitting the image data of the processing target image to a personal computer designated by the user. When the image-related processing is fax transmission, the fax terminal having the FAX number designated by the user is output. Outputting the processing target image by transmitting image data of the processing target image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. An image processing apparatus that performs image-related processing, which is processing related to an image,
Processing target image acquisition means for acquiring a processing target image that is a target image of the image-related processing;
Image identification information detecting means for detecting image identification information which is identification information of a predetermined format from the acquired processing target image;
Image identification information adding means for adding new image identification information to the processing target image when the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image;
When the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the processing target image to which the new image identification information is added is output. When the image identification information is detected, the new image identification information is added. Image output means for outputting the image to be processed that is not,
A report on the output of the processing target image by the image output means to the log management apparatus that manages the log is added to the new image identification information when the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image An output report means for performing the transmission together with the transmission of the image data of the processing target image and, if detected, the transmission of the image data of the processing target image that has been converted to a monochrome or low-resolution image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus that performs image-related processing, which is processing related to an image,
Processing target image acquisition means for acquiring a processing target image that is a target image of the image-related processing;
Image identification information detecting means for detecting image identification information which is identification information of a predetermined format from the acquired processing target image;
Image identification information adding means for adding new image identification information to the processing target image when the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image;
When the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the processing target image to which the new image identification information is added is output. When the image identification information is detected, the new image identification information is added. Image output means for outputting the image to be processed that is not,
If the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, a report on the output of the processing target image to the log management apparatus that manages the log is added to the processing target with the new image identification information added. When the image identification information is detected, the image corresponding to the image identification information and the image data recorded in the log management device is compared with the processing target image. Output reporting means for performing the report without transmitting image data if they match, and performing the report together with transmission of the image data of the difference between the two images or the image data of the processing target image if they do not match,
An image processing apparatus comprising: A log recording method for recording an image related process which is a process related to an image executed by an image processing apparatus,
Obtaining a processing target image that is a target image of the image related processing;
Detecting image identification information which is identification information of a predetermined format from the processing target image;
When the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the image processing unit adds and outputs the new image identification information to the processing target image, and logs the image data of the processing target image to which the image identification information is added. Report the output by sending it to the management device,
When the image identification information is detected from the processing target image, the image identification information is output without adding the new image identification information, and the image data of the processing target image is transmitted to the log management device. Report the output without
And a log recording method. A computer program used for an image processing apparatus that performs image-related processing, which is processing related to an image,
In the image processing apparatus,
A process of acquiring a processing target image that is a target image of the image related processing;
A process of detecting image identification information which is identification information of a predetermined format from the acquired processing target image;
When the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, a process of adding new image identification information to the processing target image is executed.
When the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, a process of outputting the processing target image to which the new image identification information is added is executed.
When the image identification information is detected from the processing target image, a process of outputting the processing target image to which new image identification information is not added is executed.
If the image identification information is not detected from the processing target image, the process of reporting the output of the processing target image to the log management apparatus that manages the log is added with the new image identification information. It is executed together with transmission of the image data of the processing target image, and if detected, it is executed without transmitting the image data of the processing target image.
A computer program characterized by the above.

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