Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image processing
apparatus and, more particularly, to an image processing
apparatus having a function of adding a particular
pattern to a reproduced image.
Copying machines capable of obtaining a multi-color
copy having high image qualities have been developed.
With such copying machines, a particular kind of
original which should not be copied (e.g., a bill or a
bank note) can be copied with high image qualities such
that the copy can hardly be discriminated from the
original. There is a risk of such copying machines
being abused.
For this reason, various methods for enabling a
copying machine to recognize particular kinds of
original have been proposed.
However, no method has been provided which enables
identification of a copying machine or a person who has
made a copy, after the copying machine has been used to
copy a particular kind of original which should not be
copied, and after the obtained copy has been put to a
bad use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an
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image processing apparatus free from the above-described
problems.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide an image processing apparatus capable of
identifying, from a reproduced image, an image
processing apparatus which has been used to reproduce
the image or a person who has operated the processor.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide an image processing apparatus which has a
0 function of adding a particular pattern to a reproduced
image and which is capable of suitably maintaining the
quality of the reproduced image.
To achieve these objects, according to one aspect
of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus
for processing an image comprising determination means
for determining the degree of similarity between an
input image and a predetermined image, and processing
means for processing the input original image data
according to a result of determination made by the
determination means.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing
an image comprising generation means for generating
pattern data, confirmation means for confirming the
state of the generation means, and determination means
for determining execution/non-execution of the image
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processing based on a confirmation result obtained by
the confirmation means.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an apparatus for processing
an image comprising input means for inputting image
data, composition means for combining a predetermined
pattern with the image data input by the input means,
output means for outputting the image data obtained by
the composition means, and control means for selecting
execution/non-execution of the operation of the
composition means according the input image data and/or
an output mode of the output means.
Other features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the construction of an
image scanner 201 in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the construction
of a copying machine in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 iS a block diagram of the construction of a
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determination circuit 409 of the flrst embodiment;
Fig. 4A iS a block diagram of the construction of a
thinning-out circuit 301 of the first embodiment;
Fig. 4B is a block diagram of the construction of a
frequency divider circuit 310 of the first embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the construction of an
integrator 306 of the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a diagram of timing of a signal in the
main scanning direction in accordance with the first
embodiment;
Figs. 7A and 7B are diagrams of examples of
input/output of the integrator 306 of the first
embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the construction of a
comparator module 310 of the first embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the construction of a
pattern addition circuit 410 of the first embodiment;
Fig. 10 is an example of copying in accordance with
the first embodiment;
Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a procedure of setting a
pattern level selection signal PS in accordance with the
first embodiment;
Fig. 12 is a block diagram of the construction of a
pattern addition circuit in accordance with an example
of a modification of the first embodiment;
Fig. 13 is a front view of an operating unit in
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accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 14A is a diagram of a displaying state of a
liquid crystal touch panel 1203 of the second embodiment
S when a power source is turned on;
Fig. 14B is a diagram of a displaying state of the
liquid crystal touch panel 1203 when an image repeat
function in accordance with the second embodiment is
used;
Fig. 15 iS a diagram of an example of the image
repeat function in accordance with the second
embodiment;
Fig. 16 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit
in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention;
Figs. 17A and 17B are diagrams of results of
processing using a pattern generation circuit 2411 of
the third embodiment;
Fig. 18 is a diagram of the construction of a
system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the construction of a
reader unit 201 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a sectional side view of the
construction of a digital color copying machine in
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accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 21 is a diagram of the operation in an add-on
mode in accordance with the fifth embodiment;
S Fig. 22 is another diagram of the operation in the
add-on mode in accordance with the fifth embodiment;
Fig. 23 is a flowchart of the operation of setting
the add-on mode in accordance with the fifth embodiment;
Fig. 24 is a flowchart of the copying operation in
accordance with the fifth embodiment;
Fig. 25 is a block diagram of a reader unit in
accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 6 iS a diagram of a memory map under the
lS control of a CPU for controlling the reader unit in the
sixth embodiment;
Fig. 27 is a flowchart of the copying operation in
accordance with the sixth embodiment;
Fig. 28 is a block diagram of the construction of
an image scanner unit in accordance with a seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 29 is a block diagram of the construction of a
pattern addition circuit 7410 of the seventh embodiment;
Fig. 30 is a diagram of the construction of an
information processing system in accordance with an
eighth embodiment of the present invention; and
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Fig. 31 is a diagram of the relationship between a
signal CNO and a print output.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will
be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanylng drawlngs.
Copying machines will be described as embodiments
of the present invention, but, needless to say, the
present invention is not limited to them and can be
applied to any other kind of apparatus.
<First Embodiment~
Fig. 2 is a sectional side view showing the
construction of a copying machine in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention. An image
scanner unit 201 reads an original at a resolution of
400 dpi (dots/inch) and to process a digital signal
representing the original. A printer unit 202 prints a
full-color output image corresponding to the original
image read by the image scanner 201 on a print sheet at
a resolution of 400 dpi.
In the image scanner unit 201, an original 204 is
placed on an original table glass (hereinafter referred
to as a platen) 203 while being pressed by a specular
pressing plate 200. The original 204 is irradiated with
a lamp 205, and reflection light from the original
travels via mirrors 206, 297, and 208. An image is
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formed from this light on a three-line sensor
~(hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 210 by a lens 209.
Full-color information having a red components R, a
green component G and a blue component B is thereby
obtained and is sent to a signal processing section 211.
The lamp 205 and mirrors 206 to 208 are mechanically
moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
electrical scanning of the line sensor (a main scanning
direction) to scan the surface of the origlnal (in a sub
scanning direction). For this scanning, the lamp 205
and the mirror 206 are moved at a speed v and the
mirrors 207 and 208 are moved at a speed of 1/2V.
In the signal processing section 211, the read
image signal is electrically processed to be decomposed
into a magenta component M, a cyan component C, a yellow
component Y, and a black component BK to be sent to the
printer unit 202. In one cycle of original scanning of
the image scanner 201, one of the components M, C, Y,
and BK is sent to the printer 202. One print of the
reproduced image is completed by four cycles of original
scanning.
Each image signal M, C, Y or BK sent from the image
scanner unit 201 iS sent to a laser driver 212. The
laser driver 212 drives a semiconductor laser 213 by
modulating the driving signal. A surface of a sensitive
drum 217 iS scanned with light from the laser led by a
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polygon mirror 214, an f-~ lens 215 and a mirror 216.
A rotary development device 218 has a magenta
development section 219, a cyan development section 220,
a yellow development section 221 and a black development
S section 222. These development sections are alternately
brought into contact with the sensitive drum 217 to
develop, with a toner, an electrostatic image formed on
the sensitive drum.
A paper sheet supplied from a paper cassette 224 or
225 is wrapped around a transfer drum 223, and the image
developed on the sensitive drum is transferred to the
paper sheet.
After four colors M, C, Y and BK have been
successively transferred in this manner, the print sheet
is passed through a fixation section 226 and is
discharged after the completion of fixation of the
toner.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the construction of
the image scanner unit 201 in accordance with the first
embodiment. Blocks 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 represent
CCD sensors (solid image pick-up elements) having
spectroscopic sensitivity characteristics such as to be
sensitive to red (R), green (G) and blue (B),
respectively. Each sensor converts an analog input into
an 8-bit signal having a value of 0 to 255 and outputs
this signal.
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The sensors 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 used in
accordance with the first embodiment are disposed at
certain distances, and relative spatial deviations
thereof are corrected by delay elements 401 and 402.
5 Blocks 403, 404, and 405 represent logarithmic
converters which are constituted of look-up table ROMs
or RAMs and which convert a luminance signal into a
density signal. A block 406 represents a masking UCR
(under color removal) circuit in which each time a
magenta signal M, a cyan signal C, a yellow signal Y or
a black signal BK to be output is read from three input
signals, it is output as a signal having a predetermined
bit length, e.g., of 8 bits formed in a surface-
sequential manner.
lS A block 407 represents a spatial filter circuit
which corrects spatial frequencies of an output signal.
A block 408 represents a density converter circuit which
compensates density characteristics of the printer unit
202. The density converter circuit 408 is constituted
of ROMs or RAMs similar to those of the logarithmic
converters 403 to 405.
A block 414 represents a microcomputer (hereinafter
referred to as a CPU) for overall control of this unit.
A block 415 represents a ROM in which a program for
operating the CPU 414 is stored. A block 416 represents
a RAM which is used as a work area for executing various
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programs. A block 413 represents an input/output (I/O)
port which is connected to the CPU 414. A block 409
represents a determination circuit which discriminates
particular kinds of original.
The circuit 409 for discriminating particular kinds
of originals determines a probability that at least one
of predetermined particular kinds of original is being
read, and outputs the determination results as multi-
value data i.e., two-bit determination signal H. The
value of the determination signal H is selected so that
the probability is higher if the value of the
determination signal H is greater. That is, H = "3" is
output when the probability is highest and H = "0" is
output when the probability is lowest. The
1 5 determination circuit 409 also has a function of
thinning out input signals R, G, and B by a thinning-out
circuit 301 and a frequency divider circuit 310
described later with reference to Fig. 3.
A signal CNO is a two-bit screen-sequential signal
2 0 which indicates the order of the four reading operations
with respect to four output colors, magenta (M), cyan
(C), yellow (Y) and black (BK). Fig. 31 shows the
relationship between the signal CNO and the printing
output. The signal CNO is generated by the CPU 414 and
2 5 supplied through the I/O port 413 to change conditions
of the operation of the masking UCR circuit 406. That
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is, the signal CNO is changed from 0 to 1, 2, and 3, the
output color of a print is correspondingly changed from
magenta, to cyan, yellow, and black.
The signal CNO is also input to the determination
circuit 409 to change the determination criteria with
respect to the four reading operations, so that the
determination circuit 409 can effect determination with
respect to different particular kinds of original.
A block 410 represents a pattern addition circuit
0 in which a pattern which cannot easily be discriminated
with human eyes is added to a reproduced image, i.e., a
copied image according to a two-bit pattern level
selection signal PS designated by the CPU 414.
A block 420 represents an operating section which
has various operation keys and a display panel on which
messages are displayed.
Fig. 4A is a block diagram of the construction of
the frequency divider circuit 310 in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4B
is a block diagram of the construction of the frequency
divider circuit 310 in accordance with the first
embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram of timing of various
signals with respect to the main scanning direction in
accordance with the first embodiment.
A signal VSYNC shown in Fig. 6 is a sub scanning
period signal which indicates an image output period of
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sub scanning. A signal HSYNC is a main scanning sync
signal for synchronization of the start of main
scanning. A clock CLK represents an image transfer
clock which is fundamental clock for various kinds of
image processing in the first embodiment.
A clock CLK' represents a clock which is obtained
by demultiplying the frequency of the CLK to be used as
a fundamental clock for the determination circuit 409.
A signal SEL is a timing signal for use in the thinning-
out circuit 301 described below. The CLK' and SEL are
generated by the frequency divider circuit 310 described
below.
The thinning-out circuit 301 and the frequency
divider circuit 310 will now be described below.
-15 In Fig. 4A, blocks 455 to 457, and 461 to 466
represent flip flops, and blocks 458 to 460 represent
selectors. In Fig. 4B, blocks 451 and 453 represent
inverters, a block 452 represents a two-bit counter, and
a block 454 represents and AND gate.
The flip flops 455, 456, 457, 461, 462, and 463,
and the selectors 458, 459, and 460 hold data by the
timing of CLK while the flip flops 464, 465, and 466
hold data by the timing of CLK'.
In the frequency divider circuit 310, the inverter
451 and the two-bit counter 452 are cleared
(initialized) with the signal HSYNC which is the main
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scanning sync signal, and the CLK iS thereafter counted
to output two-bit count values (D0, D1). The upper bit
D1 of these count values is output as CLK', and a
logical product of the upper bit D1 and an inverted
signal of the lower bit D0 is output as signal SEL.
Consequently, in the thinning-out circuit 301, the
signal R ~G, or B) transferred by CLK iS thinned out at
a rate of 1/4 and is synchronized with CLK' to obtain a
signal R' (G', or B'), as shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the construction of
the determination circuit 409 in accordance with the
first embodiment. The thinning-out circuit 301 also
shown in Fig. 4A thins out data to reduce the load on
the processing section of the determination circuit 409.
A block 302 represents a color tone matching look-up
table ROM (hereinafter referred to as "LUT") which
serves to examine color tone matching between an
original read by the copying machine and a plurality of
particular kinds of original (securities, bank notes,
confidential papers and the like). The LUT 302 is
stored information representing results of determination
based on examination of color tone distributions of 32
particular kinds of original, i.e., bit information
representing matching with a color tone of each
particular kind of original and bit information
representing mismatching with a color tone of each
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particular kind of original. 32 particular kinds of
original are all combinations of each of 8 particular
kinds of original with M, C, Y, and BK.
That is, the signal CNO which is a screen-
sequential signal is input to upper 2 bits of eachaddress in the LUT 302 and upper 5 bits of the thinned-
out image signal of each of colors R, G, and B are input
to lower 15 bits of the address. Determination results
according to signal CNO values 0 to 3 as to whether the
color tone of each pixel indicated by the upper 5 bit
image signal coincides with one of 8 tones of the
particular kinds of original with respect to each color
are simultaneously output in correspondence with the 8-
bit data. Consequently, determination is made with
respect to the 32 particular kinds of original by four
cycles of réad scanning for M, C, T, and BK.
Blocks 303-1, 303-2, ..., 303-8 shown in Fig. 3
represent color tone determination circuit constituted
of the same hardware, i.e., each constituted of an
integrator 306, registers 307 and a comparator module
308. Each of the color tone determination circuits 303-
1, 303-2, ..., 303-8 determines a probability of the
existence of the corresponding particular kind of
original in the read original and outputs a two-bit
determination result. A block 309 represents a maximum
value circuit which outputs the maximum of the
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determination results output from the color tone
determination circuits 303-1, 303-2, ..., 303-8. The
maximum value circuit 309 outputs a determination result
corresponding to one of the 8 particular kinds of
S original which is most probable to exist.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the construction of
the integrator 306 in accordance with the first
embodiment, Fig. 7A is a diagram of an example of an
output from the integrator 306, and Fig. 7B is a diagram
of an example of an input to the integrator 306.
Blocks 501 and 505 shown in Fig. 5 represent flip
flops which hold data by the timing of each rise of
CLK'. A block 502 represents a multiplier which is
supplied with two 8-bit input signals (A, B) and which
outputs an 8-bit signal (A x B/255). A block 503
represents a multiplier which is supplied with a 1-bit
input signal (A) and an 8-bit input signal (B) and
multiplies these signals to output an 8-bit output
signal (A x B)-. A block 504 represents an adder which
is supplied with two 8-bit input signals (A, B) and
outputs an 8-bit signal (A + B) as an addition result.
Consequently, in the operation of the integrator
306, an 8-bit signal yi with respect to a binary input
signal xi is expressed by the following equation:
yi = (a/255) yi-l+~ xi-l ................. (1)
Values a and ~ in this equation are predetermined
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constants, and various characteristics of the integrator
306 are determined by these values.
For example, when a = 247 and ~ = 8, an output yi
shown in Fig. 7A is output with respect to an input xi
shown in Fig. 7B.
An input component, such as that indicated by a
point 701 or 702, having a level "1" among other input
components having level "0", or an input component, such
as that indicated by a point 703, having a level T~O~
among other components having a level "1" can be
regarded as noise. The input signal having such
components is processed by the integrator while setting
suitable threshold values such as values 704-1 (R1),
704-2 (R2), and 704-2 (R2) in the registers shown in
Fig. 3. The output yi from the integrator 306 is
thereby two-valued to remove noise.
Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the construction of
the comparator module 308 in accordance with the first
embodiment. In Fig. 8, blocks 801, 802, and 803
represent comparators, a block 804 represents an
inverter, a block 805 represents an AND gate, and blocks
806 and 807 represent OR gates. Threshold values R1,
R2, and R3 mentioned above with reference to Fig. 7A are
previously set in the registers 307-1, 307-2, and 307-3,
respectively. A relationship R1 > R2 > R3 is
established. From the comparator module 308, the
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determination result is output by being quantized into 2
bits. That is,
OUTPUT = 11 (binary) is output if Rl < (input),
OUTPUT = 10 (binary) is output if R2 < ( input) S
5 Rl,
OUTPUT = 01 (binary) is output if R3 < (input) S
R2, and
OUTPUT = 00 (binary) is output if (input) < R3.
Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the construction of
the pattern addition circuit 410 in accordance with the
first embodiment. In Fig. 9, a block 901 represents a
sub scanning counter, a block 902 represents a main
scanning counter, a block 903 represents a LUT, a block
905 represents a flip flop, a block 913 represents an
- 15 AND gate, blocks 906, 907, 908, and 905 represent
registers, a block 910 represents 4 to 1 selector, a
block 911 represents an AND gate, a block 912 represents
an adder, and a block 914 represents an inverter.
The sub scanning counter 901 counts the main
scanning sync signal HSYNC while the main scanning
counter 902 counts the pixel sync CLK . Each counter
repeatingly counts the signal in a cycle of a 9 bit
width, i.e., 512 pixels. The LUT 903 is a read only
memory in which a pattern to be added is stored, and
which is supplied with lower 6 bits of the count value
from each of the sub scanning counter 901 and the main
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scanning counter 902. Only one bit of the output from
LUT 903 is referred to and is combined with upper 3 bits
of each of the main scanning counter 901 and the sub
scanning counter 902 by the AND gate 904 to obtain a
logical product of these bits. This logical product is
synchronized with CLK by the flip flop 905 and is
combined with both lower and upper bits of CNO which is
the two-bit screen-sequential signal to obtain a
logical product which is supplied to the AND gate 911.
This signal supplied to the AND gate 911 is effective
only when CNO = 2 (lower bit: 0, upper bit: 1), that is,
only when printing in yellow is being performed (see
Fig. 31).
Values P1, P2, P3, and P4 are previously stored in
the registers 906, 907, 908, and 909. The selector 910
selects one of the values P1, P2, P3, and P4 according
to the pattern level selection signal PS(based on
determination signal H) designated by the CPU 414. The
value output from the selector 910, i.e, a pattern
signal is supplied through the AND gate 911 and is added
to an input signal V by the adder 912. An image signal
obtained by the adder 912 is output as a reproduced
image signal V'. Thus, when CNO = 2, that is, printing
in yellow is being performed, the pattern stored in the
LUT 903 is repeatedly read out and added to the signal
to be output.
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In a pattern addition mode, a relationship P1 < P2
< P3 < P4 is established between P1, P2, P3 and P4. In
the selector 910,
Y = A is set when s = 00 (binary),
Y = B is set when s = 01 (binary),
Y = C is set when s = 10 (binary), and
Y = D is set when s = 11 (binary).
Therefore, pattern addition is effected so that
V' = V + P1 when PS = 00 (binary),
V' = V + P2 when PS = 01 (binary),
V' = V + P3 when PS = 10 (binary), and
V' = V + P4 when PS = 11 (binary).
The added pattern is formed with yellow toner alone
so as to be difficult to discriminate with human eyes.
This method is intended to utilize the fact that the
discriminating power of human eyes is low with respect
to a pattern formed with yellow toner. Further, the
arrangement is such that the level of the added pattern
is variable according to the probability of the
existence of a particular kind of original in the input
original. It is thereby possible to make the pattern
very difficult to discriminate in ordinary copies with
human eyes. The pattern is added more distinctly if the
probability of the existence of a particular kind of
original is increased.
In a pattern addition inhibition mode, "O" is set
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in all the registers storing Pl, P2, P3, and P4 to form
the reproduced image signal V' without adding the
pattern signal to the image signal V.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a result
of copying in accordance with the first embodiment. In
Fig. 10, an added pattern is indicated at 1001. The
content stored in the ROM 903 iS added. In the example
shown in Fig. 10, the added pattern has two rows of
characters "ABCD" and "1234" and is formed as a pattern
of 64 X 64 pixels such as to be difficult to
discriminate with human eyes. This patten is repeatedly
formed at intervals of 512 pixels in the main scanning
direction and at intervals of 512 lines in the sub
scanning direction. As this added pattern, a
manufacturer's serial number exclusively assigned to the
copying machine or encoded pattern of this number may be
formed to enable the machine used to copy a particular
kind of original to be identified by examining the copy.
If the probability that a particular kind of
original which should not be copied may exist in the
read image is high, a more distinguishable patten may be
added.
In the first embodiment, the pitch at which added
patterns are arranged correspond to 12 pixels in the
main scanning direction, and the patterns are therefore
added at intervals of about 32. 5 mm since the copying
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machine in accordance with the first embodiment has a
resolution of 400 dpi (dots/inch). A bank note of the
Bank of Japan, which is a particular kind of original
which should not be copied, has a width of about 76 mm
5 in the direction along its minor side, and the minor-
side width of paper moneys of principal countries in the
world ranges from about 60 to 120 mm. The pattern can
therefore be added always on the face of a copy of any
bank note. Even a part of any bank note copy cut out
0 and put to a bad use can be examined to read an added
pattern. The model number of the copying machine used
to copy the bank note can thereby be known.
Fig. 11 is a flow chart of the procedure of setting
the pattern level selection signal PS in accordance with
the first embodiment. Processing in accordance with
this procedure is controlled by the CPU 414.
Immediately after the start of copying, in step (S)
1102, "0" is set as the pattern level selection signal
PS. Next, in step 1103, the present determination level
H and the value of PS are compared. If the level H is
higher, the value of H is set as PS in step 1104. If
the level H is not higher, the process returns to step
1103. That is, the maximum of the recorded values of
the discrimination signal H between the copying start to
the present time is set as PS.
As described above, in the first embodiment, a
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particular pattern which is difficult to discriminate
with human eyes is added in accordance with the method
of identifying a copying machine, so that the pattern
can be used as a key to identifying the copying machine
S in case where a particular kind of original (e.g., a
bank note) which should not be copied is copied. The
particular pattern is repeatedly added at a pitch
shorter than the width of a bank note in the direction
along the minor side thereof, so that the added
particular pattern can always be included even in a part
of a copy of the bank note which is cut out to be put to
a bad use. It is possible to ascertain the copying
machine used or the person who has operated the copying
machine or to limit suspected machines or persons by
examining the added pattern.
Further, the degree of similarity of the read image
and the particular pattern previously registered is
detected. If the degree of similarity is high, it is
determined that the probability of a particular kind of
original being copied is high, and the added pattern is
intensified so as to be easy to discriminate. If the
degree of similarity is low, the pattern is weakened or
is not added to avoid a reduction in the image quality
of ordinary copies.
The present invention is not limited to the above-
described first embodiment. In the first embodiment,
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the manufacturer's serial number of a copying machine or
an encoded pattern of this number is used as a
particular pattern to be added. However, any other
pattern can be added so long as it has information which
serves for identification of the copying machine. For
example, it has information such as the machine
manufacturing date, the machine lot number, and/or a
machine version name for identifying the machine.
In the first embodiment, a copying machine used to
0 copy a particular kind of original is identified.
However, the present invention is not limited to this; a
person who has copied a particular original may be
identified.
A copying machine requiring inserting an
identification card for identifying an operator when the
machine is used and a machine requiring inputting an
identification number are known. Such copying machines
may be arranged to add the recognized identification
- number or an encoded pattern of this number as a
particular pattern.
The date of copying or an encoded data on the
copying date may also be added as a particular pattern.
An example of a modification of the first
embodiment will be described below.
The copying machine of this example has the same
overall construction as that of the first embodiment,
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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and only different portions will therefore be described.
Fig. 12 is a block diagram of the construction of a
pattern addition circuit in accordance with the modified
example of the first embodiment.
In this copying machine, as shown in Fig. 12, the
lower bit of the two-bit signal CNO is directly supplied
to AND gate 913 without being supplied through an
inverter as in the case of the first embodiment. In
this case, the combination of the signal CNO and an
0 output color of a print may be selected to establish
the same relationship as that shown in Fig. 31.
This copying machine also has the same advantages
as the first embodiment.
<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment of the present invention will
now be described below.
This embodiment has features relating to the
operating section shown in Fig. 1. This embodiment can
also be applied to the arrangement using either one of
the pattern addition circuit shown in Figs. 9 and 12.
Fig. 13 is a front view of the appearance of an
operating unit in accordance with the second embodiment.
A ten key cluster 1201 is provided which is used to
select the number of copies and to select one of various
operation modes. An asterisk (*) key 1201 is used in
association with the ten key cluster 1201 to select the
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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operation mode. A liquid crystal touch panel 1203
serves as both a display panel and an input panel. A
copying start key 1204 is used to start copying. An
image repeat key 1205 is used to designate an image
5 repeat function described later.
Fig. 14A is a diagram of a displaying state of the
liquid crystal touch panel 1203 in accordance with the
second embodiment when a power source is turned on. The
number of copies is designated with the ten key cluster
1201 and the designated number of copies is displayed on
the screen at an upper right position. In Fig. 14A
showing the initial display state, the indicated number
of copies is 1.
The image repeat function, which is known per se,
will be described in detail, and only an outline of it
will be given.
Fig. 15 is a diagram of an example of the image
repeat function in accordance with the second
embodiment. The image repeat function is designated
with respect to an original indicated by 1301 to enable
an image, e.g., a character A, read from the original to
be repeatedly output onto one output paper sheet such as
that indicated by 1302.
Fig. 14B is a diagram of a displaying state of the
liquid crystal touch panel when the image repeat
function in accordance with the second embodiment is
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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used.
To designate the image repeat function, the image
repeat key 1205 iS first pressed. When the image repeat
key 1205 iS pressed, the liquid crystal touch panel 1203
displays as shown in Fig. 14B. The number of images to
be repeatedly formed is designated by being increased
with an up key 1220 or by being reduced with a down key
1221 or is automatically designated by an automatic key
1222. When the setting is completed, an end key 1223 iS
finally pressed to confirm the completion of the
setting.
In the second embodiment, there are a pattern
addition mode for adding to a copying output (copy) a
hard-to-see patten to identify the copying machine used
or a person who has operated the copying machine, and a
pattern addition inhibition mode for inhibition addition
of the pattern.
In the second embodiment, when the power source is
turned on, the pattern addition mode is selected.
Ordinarily, copies are made always in this mode. If
necessary, the pattern addition inhibition mode can be
designated by using the ten key cluster 1201 and the
asterisk key 1202. For example, if the operator
successively inputs
[*] [2] [0] [4] [2] [9] ['P],
the pattern addition inhibition mode is selected. This
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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key input order is not released to general users; it is
released to servicemen or particular operators. In the
pattern addition inhibition mode, while the pattern for
identifying the copying machine or the operator is not
added to the copying output (copy), the following
restrictions upon use or measures are effected.
(1) In the pattern addition inhibition mode, the number
of copies is limited to one to prevent a large number of
copies of an original which should not be copied from
0 being made and abused.
(2) In the pattern addition inhibition mode, the image
repeat function is inhibited to a large number of copies
of an original which should not be copied from being
made and abused, as in the case (1).
(3) Simultaneously with the completion of copying in
the pattern addition inhibition mode, the copying
machine is reset in the pattern addition mode. That is,
the machine is prevented from being left in the pattern
addition inhibition mode so that a large number of
copies of an original which should not be copied can be
made and abused by unspecified users.
(4) In the pattern addition inhibition mode, the date
of use of the copying machine is stored in the copying
machine. Further, in the case of a copying machine
requiring inserting an identification card into the
machine or inputting an operator's identification number
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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to identify the operator, an operator's identification
number or the like is stored in a non-volatile memory in
the machine. That is, if copies are abused, all
information stored in the machine is examined to limit
suspected operators to some extent.
<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment will be described below.
The construction of the third embodiment is the
same as the first embodiment except that construction of
the image scanner unit is different from that of the
first embodiment. The other units are therefore
unillustrated and the description for them will not be
repeated.
Fig. 16 is a block diagram of the construction of
the image scanner in accordance with the third
embodiment. Components of this embodiment corresponding
or identical to those shown in fig. 1 are indicated by
the same reference characters and the description for
them will not be repeated.
In ~ig. 16, a block 2411 represents a pattern
generation circuit, a block 2413 an I/O port, a block
2414 a CPU, a block 2415 a ROM, a block 2416 a RAM, and
a block 2410 an AND gate.
The operation of this unit will be described below.
A logical AND of an 8-bit output V from the density
conversion circuit 408 and determination signal H output
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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from the determination circuit 409 is obtained to be
output as V'. Consequently, when determination signal H
= 1, that is, it is determined that a particular kind of
original is being read, the pattern generation circuit
5 2411 described later becomes through and output V' = FF
(255) irrespective of the value of input signal V. When
determination signal H = 0, that is, it is determined
that no particular kind of original is being read, the
pattern generation circuit 2411 described later becomes
through and the value of input signal V is directly
output as output signal V'. When determination signal H
= 2, that is, there is a probability of a particular
kind of original being read, the pattern generation
circuit described later generates a particular 2-bit
lS pattern signal which is supplied to the AND gate 2410
together with determination signal H. The pattern
signal and input signal V are thereby combined to form
output signal V'.
Figs. 17A and 17B are diagrams showing results of
processing of the pattern generation circuit 2441 in
accordance with the third embodiment.
Fig. 17A shows a processing result in a case where
a particular kind of original is read. An original 801
includes a particular image 803, i. e.,the particular
kind of original. When the copying machine is read by
the copying machine in response to a copying
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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instruction, an output image 802 is obtained. In the
output image 802, a particular region 804 corresponding
to the position of the particular image 803 is masked.
That is, the particular region 804 is painted out, for
S example, by magenta (M) -if CNO = 0, by cyan (C) if CNO =
1, or by yellow (Y) if CNO = 2. Consequently, the
particular region 804 is not normally copied and the
particular original image 803 is not reproduced in a
recognizable state.
Fig. 17B shows a case of reading a particular
image. In this case, output signal H = 2 from the
determination circuit 409 is output and the pattern
generation circuit 2411 generates a signal representing
a certain pattern to be output. For example, as shown
in Fig. 17B, information including the model number of
the machine and/or the date of use of the machine is
printed as this pattern at certain intervals over the
copy. The pattern is printed in yellow, so that even if
such information is printed by erroneous determination
while no particular image is included in the original,
the deterioration in image quality cannot be recognized
by the user and there is no serious problem in using the
output image. If an output hard copy is printed from a
particular kind of original and is put to the same use
as the original, the machine used to obtain this copy
can be identified from the pattern printed in yellow.
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
-32-
"Particular kind of original" referred to herein
denotes an original such as a bank note or bill copied
alone or a combination of a bank note or bill with other
originals. The present invention is applicable no
matter what the concept of "particular kind of
original". For example, the image 803 may be a
particular kind of original while the image 801 iS a
particular kind of original in the example shown in Fig.
17A.
<Fourth Embodiment>
In the above-described first to third embodiments,
the method of discriminating particular kinds of
original is applied to the image scanner unit. However,
the present invention is not limited to this, and an
independent image processing unit may be arranged to
discriminate particular kinds of original.
Fig. 18 iS a diagram of the construction of an
image processing system in accordance with the fourth
embodiment. A block 2901 represents an image scanner, a
block 2092 a video tape recorder (VTR), a block 2903 a
still video camera (SVC), a block 2904 an image
processing unit having a particular original
discrimination function in accordance with this
embodiment and having a frame memory, and a block 2905
2 5 an image output unit such as a facsimile apparatus or a
printer The image scanner 2901, the VTR 2902 and SVC
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
-33-
2 903 are shown as examples of input units of this
embodiment but these are not exclusive and a host
computer or the like may also be connected.
The construction of the image processing unit 2904
S will be described below. The image processing unit 2904
is provided with the determination circuit 409 and the
pattern generation circuit 2411 described above with
respect to the third embodiment to have a particular
original discrimination function. The operation of
0 particular original discrimination is the same as that
in accordance with the third embodiment and details of
it will not be repeated.
The operation of the image processing unit 2094
will be described below. When an image signal is
supplied from the image scanner 2901, the VTR 2902 or
the SVC 2903 to the image processing unit 2094, the
operation of discriminating particular kinds of original
is successively performed by using the frame memory and
discrimination results are output to the image output
unit 2905.
Thus, the image processing unit for discriminating
particular kinds of originals is independently provided
to prevent, for example, a communication system from
communicating by using particular kinds of original or
outputting such originals.
In the fourth embodiment, the image output unit
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
-34-
2905 may be provided with a determination circuit and a
patten generation circuit to enable discrimination
according to print signals Y, M, C and BK or Y, M and C,
or R, G and B and to output images according to
S discrimination results, i.e., to enable discrimination
with respect to any input as well as to reduce
deteriorations in image quality when a determination
error occurs.
In the fourth embodiment, the determination signal
0 signal H is a 3-bit signal of O to 2. However, it is
also possible to increase the number of bits to change
the density of an added pattern (add-on information)
according to the discrimination rate, i.e., the
probability of the existence of a particular kind of
original.
<Fifth Embodiment>
According to the above mentioned method, a memory
function for storing a particular pattern and a
composition function for combining this particular
pattern with an output image are added and copying is
performed by combining an output image and a particular
pattern having a color tone and a density such as to be
inconspicuous with human eyes. It is thereby possible
to recognize that the reproduced image is not an
original but a copy.
However, this method is unsatisfactory in terms of
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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security for prevention of forgery, because the
composition function for combining a particular pattern
to an output image may be removed from the copying
machine or the memory function for storing a particular
pattern may be replaced with a memory function storing
no such particular pattern to output an image without
combining a particular pattern therewith, so that it is
impossible to identify the reproduced image as an
original or a copy. This embodiment solves this
problem.
Fig. 20 is a sectional side view of the
construction of a digital color copying machine in
accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present
invention. The whole machine illustrated is generally
lS composed of a reader unit 5201 and a printer unit 5203.
(Construction of Reader Unit)
Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the construction of
the reader unit 5201 shown in Fig. 20. In Fig. 19, a
block 5100 represents an image sensor which is
constituted of a CCD or the like and which converts read
image information into an electrical signal to output an
analog image signal to an A/D conversion section 5101.
The A/D conversion section 5101 converts the analog
signal into binary data, i.e., a digital image signal,
for example, with a predetermined threshold value and
outputs the digital image signal to a color masking
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
-36-
section 5102. An under color removal section 5103
removes gray components from the three-color signal to
substitute a black signal. A gradation correction
section 5104 executes gradation processing (gamma-,
brightness- contrast-, and density-conversion and the
like). An image modulator 5105 incorporates an
unillustrated area generation circuit and executes
various kinds of image processing by this circuit. An
enlargement/reduction section 5107 effects magnification
changing processing.
An add-on board 5116 iS connected to the body of
the copying machine by a connector 5117. An image bus
5121, a signal line 5118 and a CPU bus 5120 are provided
on the add-on board. The CPU bus 5120 iS connected
through the connector 5117. The signal line 5118 iS
always maintained in an active state by an add-on
character formation section 5109 and is made positive
when the add-on board 5116 iS disconnected. The add-on
character formation section 5109 generates an image
signal based on a pattern stored in a font ROM 5110.
This pattern is used as a code indicating that an output
image is not an original image but a copy image.
An image composition section 5106 combines the
image signal from the original and the image signal from
the add-on character formation section 5109. This
composition is effected in such a manner that the image
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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from the add-on character formation section 5109 iS
output with a certain density and color tone. A pattern
having a color tone and a density such as to be
positively read with a CCD or the like while being
5 inconspicuous with human eyes is thereby selected and an
effective forgery prevention function is thereby
achieved.
An interface 5108 interfaces with the image forming
unit, i.e., the printer and functions to effect
communication with the printer unit 5203, for example,
by a serial communication section as well as to transmit
the image signal. A system bus 5111 connects a CPU
5112, a ROM 5114 and a RAM 5113 to to transmit signals
relating to the operation of this unit. The CPU 5112
operates for overall control of the unit. In the ROM
5114, a program for operating the CPU 5112 iS stored.
The RAM 5113 iS used as a work area for the CPU 5112
which performs control operations based on the program
in the ROM 5114.
An operating section 5115 has keys and switches for
setting copying conditions with respect to an image read
with the image sensor 5110 by combining copying modes
(conditions relating to the density, the number of
copies and the magnification) and has a display.
25 (Construction of Printer 5203)
Referring to Fig. 20, the printer 5203 has a
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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polygon scanner 5301 for scanning a surface of a
sensitive drum with laser light, an initial-stage image
formation section for forming an image in magenta, and
cyan, yellow and black image formation sections 5303,
5304, and 5305 having the same construction of the image
formation section 5302.
The image forming unit 5302 also has a sensitive
drum 5318 on which a latent image is formed by exposure
to laser light, and a development device 5113 for
0 effecting toner development on the drum 5318. In the
development device 5313 are provided sleeve 5314 for
applying a development bias to effect toner development,
a primary charger 5315 for charging the sensitive drum
5318 to a desired potential, a cleaner 5316 for cleaning
15 the surface of the drum 5318 after transfer, an
auxiliary charger 5316 for charging the surface of the
drum 5318 cleaned by the cleaner 5317 to enable suitable
charging at the primary charger 5315, a pre-exposure
lamp 5330 for erasing residual charge on the drum 5318,
20 and a transfer charger 5319 for effecting discharging on
the back side of a transfer belt 5306 to transfer a
toner image on the drum 5318 to a transfer sheet.
Transfer sheets are accommodated in cassettes 5309
and 5310. An attraction charger 5308 enables a transfer
25 sheet from the cassette 5309 or 5310 to be attracted to
the transfer belt 5306. A transfer belt roller 5312 iS
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used to rotate the transfer belt 5306 and to effect
attraction charging on the transfer belt 5306.
A charge removing charger 5324 enables the transfer
sheet to be easily separated from the transfer belt
5 5306. A separation charger 5325 serves to prevent an
image disturbance due to separation discharge when the
transfer sheet is separated from the transfer belt.
Pre-fixation chargers 5326 and 5327 serve to reinforce
adhesion of toner to the transfer sheet after the
separation to prevent occurrence of an image
disturbance. Transfer belt charge removing chargers
5322 and 5323 remove charge from the transfer belt 5306
to electrostatically initialize the transfer belt 5306.
A belt cleaner 5306 serves to remove contaminations on
the transfer belt 5306.
A sheet end sensor 5329 detects and end of the
transfer sheet supplied onto the transfer belt from a
paper feed section 5308. A detection signal from the
sheet end sensor 5329 is transmitted from the printer
unit to the reader unit to be used as a sub scanning
sync signal when a video signal is transmitted from the
reader unit to the printer unit.
(Copying Operation)
A procedure of attaching the add-on board 5116 to
the main body of the copying machine and using a forgery
prevention function in an add-on mode will be described
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
-40-
below.
Figs. 21 and 22 are diagrams of the operation in
the add-on mode in accordance with the fifth embodiment.
Fig. 23 is a flowchart of the operation of setting the
S add-on mode in accordance with the fifth embodiment, and
Fig. 24 is a flow chart of the copying operation in
accordance with the fifth embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 23, an image for setting the add-
on mode which is a service mode (option) is shown on the
display (not shown) of the operating section 5115, as
illustrated in Fig. 21 (step S1). In the fifth
embodiment, the display is a touch panel. The operator
presses a key 5401 which is one of icons in the
displayed image to set the add-on mode (step S2), or
lS presses a key 5400 in the icons to cancel (does not set)
the add-on mode (step S3), thereby designating
addition/non-addition of the forgery prevention
function.
Only a person who maintains the copying machine,
i.e., a serviceman or the like is allowed to effect the
above-described processing, and general users cannot
operate the machine in this manner. The maintenance man
cancels the add-on mode, for example, for maintenance
operation, checks malfunctions or the like of the
machine, and resets the add-on mode after the completion
of checking.
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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To start user's copying operation, an ordinary
copying key (not shown) of the operating section 5115 is
pressed. If the add-on mode has been set, the signal
line 5118 is checked. If the line is active (step S21),
the add-on board 5116 is in the attached state and the
copying operation is immediately started (step S22). If
the signal line 5118 is positive, that is, the add-on
board is not attached (step S21), the copying operation
is not executed and a warning message such as that shown
in Fig. 22 is shown by the display (step S23). Needless
to say, when the add-on mode is not set, a maintenance
operation or the like is performed by a maintenance man
and the ordinary copying operation can be performed.
That is, during the copying operation, the signal line
5118 is not checked.
Thus, the fifth embodiment of the present invention
is characterized in controlling the machine so that the
machine is automatically disabled from copying when the
forgery prevention function is removed by the user.
In accordance with the fifth embodiment, as
described above, a circuit for preventing forgery can
easily be added and, once the forgery prevention
function is added, the machine is automatically disabled
from copying if an act of disconnecting this circuit,
i.e., removing the forgery prevention function other
than after service operations is performed, thereby
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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ensuring security against forgery.
<Sixth Embodiment>
Fig. 25 iS a block diagram of the construction of a
reader unit in accordance with the sixth embodiment, and
Fig. 26 iS a diagram of a memory map under the control
of a CPU which controls the reader unit in accordance
with the sixth embodiment. This embodiment has the same
construction as that shown in Fig. 19 except for the
add-on board. The same functions and construction as
those of the unit shown in Fig. 19 will no be described
and only specific features of the sixth embodiment will
be described below.
Referring to Fig. 25, an add-on board 6216 of the
sixth embodiment is connected to the body of the copying
machine by a connector 6217. An image bus 6221 and a
signal line 6218 are provided on the add-on board. The
signal line 6218 iS always maintained in an active state
by an add-on character formation section 6209 and is
made positive when the add-on board 6216 iS
disconnected. The add-on character formation section
6209 generates an image signal based on a pattern stored
in a font ROM 6210. This pattern is used as a code
indicating that an output image is not an original image
but a copy image.
The font ROM 6210 storing the pattern in the add-on
board is also connected to a CPU bus 6220, SO that a CPU
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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6112 can directly read the content of the font ROM 6210.
As shown in the memory map of Fig. 26, the font ROM 6210
is divided into a header section for storing header
information such as serial numbers and a font data
5 section for storing font data.
Fig. 27 is a flow chart of the copying operation in
accordance with the sixth embodiment.
In the add-on mode, when a copy key (not shown) of
the operating section 6115 is pressed, header
information stored in the font ROM 6210 is read out
(step S31). If a predetermined condition is satisfied
(step S32), the copying operation is immediately started
(step S33). If the condition is not satisfied, a
warning message, such as that mentioned above with
respect to the fifth embodiment and shown in Fig. 22, iS
displayed on the display (not shown), and the process is
terminated without performing the copying operation
(step S 34).
Thus, in the sixth embodiment, a certain condition
related to header information is imposed as a means for
coping with a situation where the header information is
changed, for example, by interchange of the add-on
board, and the copying machine is controlled so as to be
capable of copying only when the condition is satisfied.
This embodiment is thus arranged by considering a
situation enabling forgery, which cannot simply
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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determined from the attachment state of the add-on
board.
In the above-described fifth and sixth embodiments,
a condition related to the attachment state of the add-
on board and condition adaptation of heater information
are respectively used as conditions for the copying
operation. Copying may be allowed on condition that
both these two conditions are satisfied.
<Seventh Embodiment>
0 Although means for adding a particular pattern as
described above have also been used for black-and-white
copying, it is useless to add a particular pattern to a
black-and-white copy since all particular originals
which should not be copied are chromatic, and the
quality of the reproduced image is deteriorated if a
particular pattern is added.
The seventh embodiment of the present invention
will be described below.
A copying machine in accordance with the seventh
embodiment has a construction in which a circuit for
determination as to whether a read image is achromatic
or chromatic is annexed to the image scanner unit
described above as a unit of the first or third
embodiment.
Fig. 28 is a block diagram of the construction of
the image scanner unit in accordance with the seventh
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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embodiment. In Fig. 28, circuit blocks having the same
functions as those shown in Fig. 1 are indicated by the
same reference characters and they will not specifically
be described. As particularly different circuits, there
are a CPU 7414, a ROM 7415, a RAM 7416, a pattern
addition circuit 7410, and an achromatic/chromatic color
discrimination circuit 7417 provided between the density
conversion circuit 408 and the pattern addition circuit
410.
The achromatic/chromatic color discrimination
circuit 7417 determines a read image to be copied as a
chromatic or achromatic (black-and-white) image. If it
determines that the read image is chromatic, it makes
the pattern addition circuit 410 execute pattern
addition. If it determines that the read image is
achromatic, it inhibits the pattern addition circuit 410
from executing pattern addition.
This determination result is sent to the pattern
addition circuit 7410 as a 1-bit determination signal
CH. CH = 0 if the read image is determined as an
achromatic image, and CH = 1 if the read image is
determined as a chromatic image.
The pattern addition circuit 7410 in accordance
with this embodiment will be described below.
Fig. 29 iS a block diagram of the construction of
the pattern addition circuit 7410 in accordance with the
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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seventh embodiment.
In Fig. 29, circuit blocks having the same
functions as those shown in Fig. 9 (first embodiment)
are indicated by the same reference characters and they
will not specifically be described. In this
embodiment, an AND gate 7911 which processes the
determination signal CH received from the
achromatic/chromatic color discrimination circuit 7417
always outputs 0 when CH = 0. At this time, the image
signal V is output as image signal V' while no
particular pattern is added from an adder 912 to the
image signal V.
Thus, the seventh embodiment satisfies a
requirement that no particular pattern should be added
to an image reproduced as a black-and-white copy. Thus,
image reproduction is effected without adding a pattern
in the pattern addition circuit 7410 to prevent any
deterioration in image quality.
- <Eighth Embodiment>
In the above-described seventh embodiment, pattern
addition/non-addition is controlled based on R, G, and B
signals read with the reader of the copying machine.
However, the present invention is not limited to this,
and the arrangement may be such that, with respect to
image data (R, G, and B signals) obtained from an
external unit, e.g., a host computer, determination is
CA 022368l0 l998-06-23
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also be made as to achromaticity or chromaticity in the
same manner as the seventh embodiment, and pattern
addition in the pattern addition circuit is inhibited
for black-and-white copying if a read image is
5 recognized as achromatic.
Fig. 30 is a diagram of an image processing system
in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in Fig. 30, the image processing
system includes an external unit 8001, e.g., a host
computer, an image scanner 8003, a printer 8004, and a
relay unit 8002. The relay unit 8002 relays the
external unit 8001 and the printer 8004 (image scanner
8003) and has the same components as the determination
circuit 409, the achromatic/chromatic color
lS discrimination circuit 7417, the pattern-addition
circuit 7410, the I/O port 413, the CPU 7414, the ROM
7415 and the RAM 7416.
The operation of this system will be described
below.
When the relay unit 8002 receives an image signal
from the external unit 8001, it examines the ratio of
R/G/B components and determines that the received image
signal represents a black-and-white signal if the ratio
of 1 : 1 : 1. In this case, the signal is sent to the
printer 8004 without adding a pattern by the pattern
addition circuit.
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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In each of the embodiments 7 and 8, pattern
addition is inhibited only when a black-and-white copy
is supplied. However, the copying machine may be
controlled in such a manner that addition of a
particular pattern is also inhibited when a
monochromatic copy mode or a two-color copy mode is
designated with respect to an original.
The present invention may be applied to a system
constituted of a plurality of units or to an apparatus
0 constituted on one unit. Needless to say, the present
invention can also be applied by supplying a system or
an apparatus with a program for achieving the same
effect of the invention.
With respect to the above-described embodiments,
laser beam printers have been illustrated but the
present invention is not limited to them. The present
invention is applicable to ink jet printers, thermal
transfer printers and the like. Specifically, the
present invention may be applied to a bubble-jet printer
using a type of head which jets liquid droplets by
utilizing film boiling caused by thermal energy.
The color of the added pattern in accordance with
the present invention is not limited to yellow selected
in the above-described embodiments; it may be selected
from other colors, e.g., quiet colors such as yellowish
green and gray, and high-value colors such as light
CA 02236810 1998-06-23
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violet and light green.
The means for inputting an original image in
accordance with the present invention is not limited to
the reader used in the above-described embodiments; it
may be a means using a still video camera or a video
camera or a means for inputting an image formed by a
computer graphic system.
Needless to say, the present invention also
comprises a combination of two or more of the above-
0 described embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to the above-
described embodiments and can be variously modified
within the scope set forth in the appended claims.
