JPH11224029A - Copying machine control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine control system capable of obtaining not only photographing data but effective information in order to pursue and specify the user of a copying machine who performed an illegal copy, etc. SOLUTION: This copying machine control system has the copying machine 1 and a photographing device 2, takes a picture of the user of the machine 1 by using the photographing device, and also stores the photographing data in storing means 52 and 53. In this case, when the machine 1 detects a specified condition, additional information is added to the photographing data and the data are stored in the storing means. It is desirable for the machine 1 to decide whether or not an original to be copied satisfies the specified condition, and to add the additional information when the machine decides that the original satisfies the specified condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is intended to enable a user of a copying machine to be traced and specified when illegally copying a copy-protected manuscript such as a bill or a securities and abusing it. The present invention relates to a copier management system for photographing a user of the copier using a photographing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a copier management system of this kind, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-44777, it is determined whether or not a document to be copied satisfies a specific condition, for example, such as bills, securities, A system is provided in which the copier determines whether a document is copy-prohibited and, if it determines that the document is copy-prohibited, activates a surveillance camera to photograph the user of the copier. Have been.

It has also been proposed that a surveillance camera be operated at all times irrespective of whether or not a copying machine is used, as in a general security camera system.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional copying machine management system, since only the photographing data of the copying machine user who made the illegal copy can be obtained, the amount of information for identifying the user is illegal. However, there was a drawback that there was a case where it was insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a drawback. In order to track and specify the user of a copying machine that has made an illegal copy or the like, the present invention is more effective than just photographing data. It is an object to provide a copier management system capable of obtaining information.

[0006]

An object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine management system having a copying machine and a photographing device, wherein a photographer uses a photographing device to photograph a user of the copying machine and stores photographing data in a storage means. When the copier detects a specific state, additional information is added to the photographing data and stored in a storage unit.

According to this system, when the copying machine detects a specific state, additional information is stored in the storage means in addition to the photographing data of the user, so that more effective information can be obtained. Can be.

Further, the additional information is added when the copier detects a specific state, so that the useless information does not increase as in the case where the additional information is always added and stored.

As an example of the additional information, there is a serial number of a used copying machine.

[0010] Preferably, the copying machine further comprises a judging means for judging whether or not the original to be copied satisfies a specific condition, wherein the specific state is such that the judging means satisfies the specific condition. It is preferable that the state is determined to be satisfied.

In this case, if the copying machine determines that the original is a copy-inhibited manuscript such as a bill or a securities,
The additional information is added to the photographing data, and effective information with high accuracy can be efficiently obtained.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a copier management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This copier management system includes a copier 1,
It includes a photographing device 2, a coin bender 3, a human body detection sensor 4, and a monitor device 5.

The copying machine 1 includes a mechanism section 11, a control section 12,
Document detection sensor 13, Document cover open / close detection sensor 1
4, a print key 15 and a clock IC 16 are included.

The mechanism section 11 includes an image reader section 11a for exposing and scanning an image of a document by a scanner, photoelectrically converting the reflected light by an image sensor, and processing and outputting the obtained signal. A printer unit 11b that performs printing based on the image signal sent from the reader unit 11a is included. The printer unit 11b includes an image forming unit, a developing unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like (not shown).

The control unit 12 includes a CPU 12a for controlling the entire copying machine and the entire system, and a ROM 12b.
And an interface unit 12c. The ROM 12b stores image patterns of some characteristic portions of a copy-inhibited document such as a bill, and further stores a serial number of the copying machine.

The document detection sensor 13 is provided with a document table (document glass) (not shown) or an automatic document feeder (AD).
F) for detecting a document set in the document, the document cover open / close detection sensor 14 detects opening / closing of the document cover, and the print key 15 is pressed to start copying. Send a signal to the CPU 12a via the interface unit 12c. The document detection sensor 13, document cover open / close detection sensor 14, and print key 15 may adopt a known configuration.

The clock IC 16 has a calendar function so that the date and time of photography can be specified via the CPU 12a.

The photographing apparatus 2 includes a digital camera 21 for photographing a still image and a digital camera control unit 22 for controlling the same. The digital camera 21 starts photographing based on a command from the digital camera control unit 22. .

The coin bender 3 includes a coin vender main body 31 to which a user inputs a usage fee, and a coin vender control unit 32 for controlling the same. Part 3
2 sends a signal to the CPU 12a via the interface unit 12c. When a predetermined fee is charged to the coin vender body 31, the copying machine 1 is ready for copying.

The human body detection sensor 4 is provided at or near the copying machine 1, and when the user of the copying machine 1 enters the detection range of the sensor, detects this and outputs a signal. . The human body detection sensor 4 may be, for example, a reflective optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor attached to the copying machine 1 or a front of the copying machine 1 so as to detect when the user stands in front of the copying machine 1. A floor-standing pressure sensor that is arranged on a floor surface and outputs a signal when the user steps on it can be exemplified.

The monitor device 5 includes a monitor television 51 for monitoring an image photographed by the digital camera 21 by an administrator of the copying machine 1 and a first memory for storing photographing data sent from the digital camera control unit 22. It includes a memory 52 as a means and a hard disk 53 as a second storage means, and a monitor control unit 54 for controlling the monitor television 51, the memory 52, and the hard disk 53.

Reference numeral 6 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a service center for controlling the copying machine 1, the photographing device 2, and the monitor device 5 through communication means such as a telephone line. The device 2 can be activated.

Next, the operation of the copier management system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above system.

First, step 201 (hereinafter, step is referred to as S
The CPU of the copying machine 1 determines whether a document is set on the document glass or on the automatic document feeder based on a signal from the document detection sensor 13. If a document is set (YES in S201), S205
Performs a photographing process for photographing the user. The shooting processing will be described later. If the original is not set (S
In step S202, it is determined whether or not the document cover is closed based on a signal from the document cover open / close detection sensor 14.

If the document cover is closed (S202
YES), a photographing process is performed in S205. If it is not closed (NO in S202), it is determined in S203 whether or not a fee has been inserted into the coin vendor body 31. If it has been inserted (YES in S203), S2
At 05, a photographing process is performed. If not (S20
(3), NO), it is determined whether or not the user has been detected based on the signal from the human body detection sensor 4 in S204.
If detected (YES in S204), S205
To perform the shooting process. If it has not been detected (NO in S204), the process returns to S201.

After the photographing process in S205, it is determined in S206 whether the print key 15 has been pressed. When the button is pressed (YES in S206), a shooting process is further performed in S207. If it is not pressed (in S206,
NO), wait until pressed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the user enters the detection area of the human body detection sensor 4, charges the coin vender body 31, sets a document on the document table or the automatic document feeder, The photographing process is performed at any timing when the document cover is closed after the setting and when the print key 15 is pressed. In other words, these operations must be performed by the user when using the copying machine 1, and based on such inevitable actions, the photographing can be reliably performed before the copying machine 1 is started. It can be carried out. Further, since the photographing process is not performed before the timing occurs, useless photographing data is not generated.

After the photographing process in S207, the copying machine 1 reads and prints the original in S208. And S2
09, the CPU 12a reads the read image data and the ROM
A check is made with an image pattern of a characteristic portion of a copy-inhibited document such as a bill stored in advance in 12b to determine whether or not the copy is an illegal copy. If it is recognized as an illegal copy (S2
09 (YES), and a shooting process is further performed in S210.

After the photographing process in S210, this routine ends. Also, if it is determined in S209 that the copy is not an illegal copy (NO in S209), this routine ends.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of each of the photographing processes of S205, S207 and S210 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S301, the digital camera 21 is operated to start photographing. In step S302, the digital camera control unit 22 outputs photographing data from the digital camera 21 to the monitor control unit 54. On the other hand, S303
The CPU 12a outputs the date and time information by the clock IC 16 and the copy mode information set at the time of copying to the monitor control unit 54, and the monitor control unit 54 stores the received photographing data and information in the memory 52. To memorize.

Next, in S304, it is determined whether or not the copying machine 1 is currently recognizing the illegal copy. If the illegal copy is not being recognized (NO in S304), in S306
The monitor control unit 54 checks the capacity of the hard disk 53 and determines whether the hard disk 53 is near full (in this embodiment, the disk usage rate is 80% or more). On the other hand, if the copying machine is recognizing the illegal copy (YES in S304).
S) and S305, the CPU 12a outputs the serial number of the copying machine 1 stored in the ROM 12b in advance,
The monitor controller 54 stores the output serial number in the memory 52 together with the photographing data and information such as date. Then, the process proceeds to S306.

Thus, when the user enters the detection area of the human body detection sensor 4, charges the coin bender 31, sets a document on the document table or the automatic document feeder, sets the document cover after setting. When you close
The photographing process performed at the timing when the print key 15 is pressed (S205 in the flowchart of FIG. 2,
In S207), since the copying process has not been performed yet, it is determined in S304 that the copying machine is not recognizing the illegal copy. Therefore, the output of the serial number and the storage in the memory 52 are not performed.

On the other hand, in the photographing process after the recognition of the illegal copy (S210 in the flowchart of FIG. 2), if the copying machine 1 is recognizing the illegal copy in S304, the output of the serial number and the storage in the memory 52 are performed. Done. As a result, the serial number of the copying machine is added as information together with the photographing data of the person making the illegal copy, and the information becomes an effective information source for tracking and the like when the illegal copy is made.

In S306, the monitor control unit 54 checks the capacity of the hard disk 53, and when it is determined that the hard disk 53 is near full (YES in S306),
In S307, a warning is displayed on the monitor television 51. It should be noted that the warning may be an audible display using sound instead of a visual display. Then, after the warning is displayed, in S308, the capacity of the hard disk 53 is full (the disk usage rate is 100%).
Or a value close to this). On the other hand, when the capacity of the hard disk 53 is not near full (S306).
NO), it is determined whether or not the capacity of the hard disk 53 is full.

When the capacity of the hard disk 53 is full (YES in S308), the oldest data is erased in S309 to secure a storage area, and in S310, information such as the photographing data and date, or further, After storing the serial number as additional information in the hard disk 53, this routine returns.

If the capacity of the hard disk 53 is not full (NO in S308), the process proceeds to S310.
After storing the information such as the photographing data and the date on the hard disk 53, the routine returns.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the photographing data is stored while checking the capacity of the hard disk 53, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the photographing data cannot be stored due to insufficient capacity of the hard disk 53.

FIG. 4 shows a subroutine of the photographing start processing of S301 in the photographing processing of FIG.

First, in S401, the CPU 12a transmits a shutter ON signal to the digital camera control unit 22. Subsequently, the digital camera control unit 22 turns on the shutter of the digital camera 21 in S402, and captures a still image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a copier management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the photographing apparatus 2 is configured to include a video camera 23 and a video camera control unit 24, and the video camera 23 is operated for a predetermined period (in this embodiment, the power of the copying machine is turned on). Period) Photographing is always performed. The configurations of the copier 1, the coin bender 3, the human body detection sensor 4, the monitor device 5, and the service center 6 are the same as those of the system shown in FIG. .

The operation of the copier management system shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in S601, the CPU 12a determines whether or not the power of the copying machine 1 is turned on. If it is inserted (YES in S601), the video camera 23 is operated via the video camera control unit 24 in S602, and the obtained photographing data is continuously output to the monitor control unit 54 in S603. , Stored in the memory 52. If the power of the copier 1 is not turned on (in S601,
NO), wait until it is inserted.

Next, in step S604, the CPU 12a determines whether a document is set on the document glass or in the automatic document feeder based on a signal from the document detection sensor 13. If a document is set (YE at S604)
S) In S608, an output process for outputting the photographing data from the memory 52 to the hard disk 53 is performed. The output processing will be described later. If a document is not set (NO in S604), it is determined whether the document cover is closed in S605 based on a signal from document cover open / close detection sensor 14.

If the document cover is closed (S605)
, YES), and perform output processing in S608. If it is not closed (NO in S605), it is determined whether or not a fee has been inserted into the coin vendor 31 in S606.
If inserted (YES in S606), S608
Performs output processing. If it is not turned on (NO in S606), it is determined in S607 whether or not a user has been detected based on the signal from human body detection sensor 4. If detected (YES in S607), output processing is performed in S608. If it has not been detected (N in S607,
O), returning to S604.

After the output processing in S608, it is determined in S609 whether the print key 15 has been pressed. When pressed (YES in S609), output processing is further performed in S610. If it is not pressed (in S609,
NO), wait until pressed.

After the output processing in S610, the copying machine 1 reads and prints the original in S611. And S6
In step 12, the read image data is compared with the image pattern of the characteristic portion of the copy-inhibited document such as a bill stored in advance in the ROM 12b to determine whether or not the copy is an illegal copy. When it is recognized as an illegal copy (YE
S), output processing is further performed in S613.

After the output processing in S613, this routine ends. Also, if it is determined in S612 that the copy is not an illegal copy (NO in S612), this routine ends.

FIG. 7 shows the hard disk 5 of S608, S610, and S613 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the contents of each output process to No. 3;

First, in S701, it is checked whether or not the video camera 23 is operating. If it is operating (S701
In step S703, the CPU 12a sets the clock I
The information of the date and time by C and the information of the copy mode set at the time of copying are output to the monitor control unit 54, and the monitor control unit 54 converts the transmitted information into the shooting data from the video camera 23. In addition, it is stored in the memory 52.

Next, in S704, it is determined whether or not the copying machine 1 is currently recognizing the illegal copy. If the illegal copy is not being recognized (NO in S704), in S706,
The monitor control unit 54 checks the capacity of the hard disk 53 and determines whether or not the hard disk 53 is near full. On the other hand, if the copying machine is recognizing the illegal copy (YE
S), in S705, the CPU 12a outputs the serial number of the copying machine 1 stored in the ROM 12b in advance,
The monitor controller 54 stores the output serial number in the memory 52 together with the photographing data and information such as date. Then, the process proceeds to S706.

As in the copying machine management system shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, when the user enters the detection area of the human body detection sensor 4, when the coin is charged to the coin bender 31, the document table or the automatic document feeder is used. A photographing process performed when a document is set in the apparatus, when the document cover is closed after setting, and when the print key 15 is pressed (S608 and S610 in the flowchart of FIG. 6).
In, since the copy process has not been performed yet,
At 704, it is determined that the copier is not recognizing the illegal copy. Therefore, the output of the serial number and the memory 5
2 is not stored.

On the other hand, in the photographing process after recognizing the illegal copy (S613 in the flowchart of FIG. 6), if the copying machine 1 is recognizing the illegal copy in S704, the output of the serial number and the storage in the memory 52 are performed. Done. As a result, the serial number of the copying machine is added as information together with the photographing data of the person making the illegal copy, and the information becomes an effective information source for tracking and the like when the illegal copy is made.

In step S706, the monitor control unit 54 checks the capacity of the hard disk 53 and, as a result, determines whether the disk is near full (in this embodiment, the disk usage rate is 80% or more). If it is near full (YE in S706)
S), a warning is displayed on the monitor TV 51 in S707. Then, after the warning is displayed, in S708, it is determined whether or not the capacity of the hard disk 53 is full (the disk usage rate is 100% or a value close thereto). On the other hand, even when the capacity of the hard disk 53 is not near full (at S706, N
O) It is determined whether the capacity of the hard disk 53 is full.

When the capacity of the hard disk 53 is full (YES in S708), the oldest data is deleted in S709 to secure a storage area, and in S708, the photographed data is stored in the information such as date and serial number. Together with the data on the hard disk 53. This photographing data may be data of a still image or a short-time moving image.

If the capacity of the hard disk 53 is not full (NO in S708), the process proceeds to S710.
After storing the data in the hard disk 53,
This routine returns.

If it is determined in step S701 whether the video camera is operating or not (NO in step S701), copying is prohibited in step S702, and the routine returns. Examples of the method of prohibiting copying include making the operation of the print key 15 impossible,
There is a method of stopping the operation of the copying machine 1 or the like.

As described above, since only necessary information is stored in the hard disk 53, information management may be performed only for the hard disk 53. Also, even if necessary information may not be stored in the hard disk 53 for some reason, the user information and further information can be obtained from the photographing data stored in the memory 52 and the serial number of the copying machine. Information about the copier used can be obtained.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the serial number of the copying machine has been exemplified as the additional information to be stored together with the photographing data when the copying machine 1 is recognizing the illegal copy. However, other information for specifying the copying machine, Information about the location and other useful information that can be used to identify the user of the copying machine may be used as the additional information. Instead of always adding the date and time to the image data, the date and time may be added to the image data only when the copying machine 1 is recognizing the illegal copy.

Although the specific state detected by the copying machine has been described as a state in which the copying machine recognizes illegal copying, the specific state to which additional information should be added is not limited to this. When there is a risk of unauthorized use or when an unauthorized use is actually made, this may be detected and additional information may be added. For example, when a predetermined portion of the copying machine 1 is removed, it is detected that there is a possibility that the copying machine has been tampered with, and the additional information may be stored in the storage device together with the photographing data.

In the copying machine management system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a video camera is used instead of the digital camera 21, and the video camera is operated discontinuously at a predetermined timing to store moving image data and still image data. In addition to the storage in the means, when the copier detects a specific state, the additional information may be stored together with the photographing data.

[0065]

According to the present invention, when the copying machine detects a specific state, additional information is added to the image data of the image capturing apparatus and stored in the storage means. Therefore, not only the image data but also the additional information is used. This makes it possible to provide more effective information for identifying a user in a follow-up survey or the like for illegal copying.

Further, since the additional information is added when the copier detects a specific state, useless additional information does not increase unlike the case where the additional information is always added to the photographing data and stored. The additional information can be used efficiently.

When the copying machine determines that the document to be copied satisfies a specific condition, and the additional information is added to the photographed data, the copying machine is connected to a bill, It is possible to add additional information when the possibility of illegal copying or the like is extremely high, such as when it is determined that the original is a copy-prohibited original, and efficient information with high accuracy can be efficiently obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a copier management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the copier management system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a photographing process in the flowchart of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a shooting start process in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a copier management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copier management system of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of an output process to a storage device in the flowchart of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy machine 2 ... Photographing device 3 ... Coin bender 5 ... Monitor device 6 ... Service center 12a ... CPU 12b ... ROM 13 ... Document detection sensor 14 ... Document cover open / close detection sensor 15 ... Print key 16 ... Clock IC 21 ... Digital camera Reference numeral 22: Digital camera control unit 23: Video camera 24: Video camera control unit 31: Coin bender body 32: Coin bender control unit 51: Monitor television 52: Memory 53: Hard disk 54: Monitor control unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine management system having a copying machine and a photographing device, wherein a user of the copying machine is photographed by using the photographing device, and photographing data is stored in a storage means. Wherein the additional information is added to the photographing data and stored in a storage means. 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a document to be copied satisfies a specific condition, wherein the specific state is such that the determination unit satisfies the specific condition. 2. The copier management system according to claim 1, wherein the copier management system is in a state determined to be present.