JP5222875B2 - Image data generation device, embedded information reproduction device, and system using them - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data generation device, an embedded information reproduction device, and a system using them.

  An information embedding technique (so-called digital watermarking technique) for embedding character information or the like that cannot be recognized by human eyes in an image is known. Such digital watermarking techniques are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3, Non-Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3.

  Among these, the process of embedding the electronic watermark data in the printed material has usage applications such as embedding information for copyright protection or embedding information necessary for managing the printed material (for example, a printing lot number). In this way, when embedding digital watermark data in a printed material, information to be embedded (hereinafter referred to as “embedded information”) so as not to damage as much information transmission and design as the original functions of the printed material, It is common to embed image data or illustrations existing at specific positions in print data (for example, Non-Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

JP 2002-232693 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-264683

Fujitsu, “Digital Watermarking for Image Data and Illustrations in Print Data: FPcode Service”, [online], [Search February 12, 2010], <URL: http://jp.fujitsu.com/solutions/ fpcode / about /> Kyodo Printing, “Technology that enables Internet connection from printed materials taken with a camera-equipped mobile phone”, [online], [Search February 12, 2010], <URL: http://www.kyodoprinting.co.jp/release /2003/nr20030616.html> NTT, “Development of Internet Access Platform“ Cyber Squash ”Using Digital Watermarking—Easy Access to Related Information by Reading Printed Images” ”, [online], [Search February 12, 2010], <URL: http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news03/0307/030707.html>

  By the way, as is well known, when creating a printed matter, ink or toner is applied to paper or the like. In addition, as a preliminary step for generating a final visible image, a latent image is formed by scanning the photosensitive film with an image-modulated laser beam. Hereinafter, paper and light-sensitive material films are collectively referred to as “recording material”, and media for forming an image such as ink, toner, and laser beam are collectively referred to as “image forming medium”.

  When the size of the recording material is relatively small, only one set of mechanism (image recording head) for applying the image forming medium to the recording material is required, but when forming an image on a large recording material, By virtually dividing the width direction of the recording material into a plurality of sections and using a plurality of image recording heads in parallel for the plurality of sections, the time for image formation can be shortened. It has been. In the case of an inkjet printer, this corresponds to a printer provided with a plurality of sets of ink heads each having YMCK color nozzles. Also, in an offset printing machine, the printing width may be virtually divided into a plurality of sections, and a plurality of ink keys may be arranged in parallel with respect to these sections to control the ink application status for each section. Also included in the concept of “multiple head image recording”.

  On the other hand, even when the above-described information embedding technique is performed in such multi-head image recording, conventionally, as in the case of single-head image recording, embedding information is placed at a specific location on the image recording surface. Localized image recording is performed. Therefore, although the image recording apparatus has a plurality of heads, only one of them is responsible for image formation in the information embedding area.

  If one of the heads is called an “embedded recording charge head”, it may be difficult to read and decode the embedded information when the recording accuracy of the embedded recording charge head decreases. . In other words, even if the recording accuracy is reduced to the extent that humans can visually recognize the recorded image, it may not be sufficient to extract and decode the embedded information from the image.

  In order to avoid such a problem, in many cases, an error correction unit for the information main body portion is added to the embedded information in addition to the main body portion of the embedded information. However, when an embedded image is configured in a format similar to a matrix type two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), the body portion of the embedded information and the error correction portion are often integrated. Therefore, the error correction unit is also recorded by the head in charge of the embedded recording in the same manner as the main body, and after all, the reading accuracy of the error correction unit is also low, so the original function of the error correction unit is reduced. There is a problem that it cannot be done.

  As described above, regardless of whether or not the embedded information includes the main body portion and the error correcting portion, recording the embedded information by a single embedded recording head makes the embedded information reproducible. There is a problem that it cannot be raised too much.

  In addition, if the embedded information is localized, there is a problem that the design of the recorded matter is impaired because the information may be embedded in a small area by using the image modulation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. When image recording is performed using an image recording apparatus having a plurality of heads, the reproducibility of embedded information when the recorded image is read later. The first purpose is to increase the value.

  The second object of the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom of information embedding and maintain the design of the recorded image.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 divides an image recording surface of a recording material into two or more image recording areas, and 2 portions of image data corresponding to the two or more image recording areas are provided. An apparatus for generating image data to be used in a divided recording type image recording apparatus for recording on the recording material by the unit image recording unit, wherein a plurality of image data are defined in the image range defined by the image main body data. Designating means for designating a plurality of unit embedding areas respectively corresponding to image recording areas, and information for generating recording image data by embedding embedding information having common information contents in each of the unit embedding areas And an embedding means.

  Further, the invention of claim 2 is the image data generation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of unit embedding areas are set as the tint areas of the image main body data, whereby the tint areas are information. It is a buried tint region.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the image data generation device according to claim 2, wherein a unique tint area provided in advance in the image main body data is used as the information embedding tint area. And

  The invention of claim 4 is the image data generation device according to claim 2, which is newly added to the image main body data as the information embedding tint area during the embedding process of the embedding information. Further additional tint regions are used.

  The invention of claim 5 is the image data generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the embedded information is divided into a plurality of partial information images, The spatial arrangement rule of the embedding location of the partial information image is not identical between the plurality of unit embedding areas, and the spatial arrangement rule in each of the plurality of unit embedding areas is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption rule. It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 6 is the image data generation device according to claim 5, wherein the embedded information includes, as the plurality of partial information images, a main body portion of embedded information and the information main body portion. And an error correction unit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image data generating device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and the recording image data generated by the image data generating device are used as the two or more image recordings. And a divisional recording type image recording apparatus that is divided into areas and records each of the plurality of unit image recording units.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image recording system according to claim 7, wherein, in the divided recording type image recording apparatus, each of the two or more image recording areas has a strip shape extending in a first direction. The two or more image recording areas are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the two or more image recording areas are arranged in only one direction of the first direction with respect to the two or more image recording areas. An apparatus for performing image recording in parallel on the two or more image recording areas while relatively moving the aggregate of the two or more unit image recording units and the recording material.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the image recording system according to claim 8, wherein the divided recording type image recording apparatus has a plurality of nozzles in which each unit image recording unit discharges droplets, and the plurality of nozzles A plurality of dots are recorded on the recording material by ejecting visible color droplets toward the recording material.

  Further, the invention of claim 10 is a visual read target image of a recorded image recorded by the image recording system according to any of claims 7 to 9 or a secondary recorded image obtained from the recorded image. Extraction means for extracting a plurality of sets of reproduction basic information corresponding to the embedding information from a reading result obtained by photoelectrically reading a portion corresponding to the plurality of image recording areas of the reading target image; Reproduction means for reproducing the embedded information based on the plurality of sets of reproduction basic information.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the embedded information reproducing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the image recording system of the fourth aspect is used as the image recording system, and the reproduction means is based on the plurality of sets of basic information. When reproducing the embedded information, the position of the information main body part and the error correction part in each unit image recording part is specified using the encryption rule obtained in advance. .

  The invention according to claim 12 is a visual read target image of a recorded image recorded by the image recording system according to any one of claims 7 to 9 or a secondary recorded image obtained from the recorded image. An image reading device that photoelectrically reads a portion corresponding to the plurality of image recording areas of the image to be read to obtain a reading result, and an embedded information reproduction device according to claim 10 or claim 11. It is characterized by providing.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing the computer to operate as the image data generating device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects when executed by a control unit of the computer.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing the computer to operate as the embedded information reproducing device according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects by being executed by a control unit of the computer.

  According to the inventions of claims 1 to 9 and claim 14, each of the two or more unit image recording sections records the embedded information having a common content on the recording material. Even when the image recording accuracy of the unit image recording unit is lowered, by comprehensively determining the information read from the image portion recorded by the other unit image recording unit or both, The accuracy of embedding information reproduction can be improved.

  In particular, in the invention of claim 2, the tint area is used as the information embedding area. Unlike natural images such as photographs, tint areas often span multiple image recording areas and are a good place to embed information according to the present invention.

  Therefore, if there is such a tint area in the image original (image body data) before embedding information, it can be used as an embedded information area.

  Further, since such a tint area is not included in the image document, even when a tint area is added for information embedding (claim 4), the tint area has a degree of freedom such as an additional place and a color scheme unlike characters and photographs. Because it is expensive, it does not significantly affect the design of the entire screen.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the embedded image is divided into a plurality of partial information images and arranged in a plurality of unit embedded regions in a non-identical manner, and the arrangement rule is encrypted. If this is not known, the information cannot be reproduced, and the information confidentiality can be improved. Further, as compared with the case where the arrangement of the plurality of partial information images is the same in all of the plurality of unit embedding regions, the image modulation due to the information embedding is less noticeable and the visual discomfort is reduced.

  In the inventions of claims 10 to 12 and 14, the embedded information can be accurately reproduced from the information embedded image having the above characteristics.

1 is a diagram showing an overall system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a divided recording type image recording apparatus that records an image on a printing sheet. An example of an image printed by an image recording apparatus is shown. It is a figure which shows the structure of an image data generation apparatus. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of an embedding information reproduction apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an image recording system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an image management system. It is a figure explaining the algorithm of an image recording system. It is a figure explaining the algorithm of an image management system.

  As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the overall system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the following two functional systems 10 and 20.

  (1) The image recording system 10 embeds embedded information in an original image to generate recorded image data, and then performs recording. The image recording system 10 includes an image data generation device 11 and an image recording device 12.

  (2) The image management system 20 reads an image having embedded information and reproduces the embedded information. The image management system 20 uses a recorded image recorded on a recording material by the image recording system 10 or a secondary recorded image obtained therefrom as a reading target image, and photoelectrically reads the reading target image. And an information reproduction device 22 that reproduces embedded information from the read image, and is used for purposes such as copyright management and print management based on the embedded information.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, the image recording device 12 is an inkjet device, and image recording is performed visually. On the other hand, as will be described later, the present invention is also applicable to the case where a latent image is formed photochemically or electrostatically on a recording material by a laser beam. In such a case, development is performed to visualize the latent image. The transferred image or an image obtained by transferring the image corresponds to a “secondary recorded image”. Even when visual recording is performed directly by the image recording apparatus 12, an image obtained by transferring or copying the recorded image can be used as a secondary recorded image.

  Hereinafter, the functional systems 10 and 20 will be described.

<1. System overview>
<1-1. Configuration of Image Recording System 10>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image recording system 10 according to the embodiment of the invention. The image recording system 10 includes an image data generation device 11 and an image recording device 12.

<1-1-1. Image recording device>
The image recording device 12 virtually divides the long printing paper PL into a plurality of image recording areas A1 to A5 (FIG. 3), and based on recording image data generated by the image data generating device 11 described later. The divided recording type image recording apparatus records an image on the printing paper PL by a parallel operation of a plurality of unit recording heads (unit image recording units) H1 to H5 controlled in this manner. In this embodiment, the number of each unit recording head and image recording area is “5”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the image recording areas A1 to A5 has a strip shape extending in the recording scanning direction (Y direction), and each of the image recording areas A1 to A5 intersects the Y direction at right angles. Are arranged in parallel. As an aggregate of unit recording heads H1 to H5, the inkjet discharge mechanism 111 moves relative to the printing paper PL only in one of the positive and negative Y directions (specifically, the + Y direction). The image recording is performed in parallel on the five image recording areas A1 to A5 while relatively moving the inkjet discharge mechanism 111 and the printing paper PL.

  This relative movement is realized by winding the roll-shaped printing paper PL set in the supply unit 112 at a constant speed by the winding unit 113. Although the printing paper PL is long, it is cut for each predetermined length L after image recording and used as an individual printed material sheet. Therefore, each unit printing paper P after being cut has an image recording surface of width 5 × D and length L, where D is the width of the image recording areas A1 to A5 assigned to the unit recording heads H1 to H5. A rectangular recording material having The image recording apparatus 21 can print the same image on the printing paper PL periodically at a rate of one for each unit printing paper P, or print different images for each unit printing paper P. You can also. Hereinafter, each unit printing paper P is simply referred to as “printing paper” unless there is a particular need for distinction.

  In the image recording apparatus 11, each of the unit recording heads H1 to H5 has a set of four nozzle groups that eject ink droplets of each color of YMCK, and the nozzles of each set are in the image recording areas A1 to A5. Among them, the ink droplets of visible color are ejected toward the printing paper P while performing reciprocating scanning in the Y direction only in the respective handling sections (for example, the unit recording head H1 is the image recording area A1). Record the dot group. By combining this with the movement of the printing paper P in the Y direction, the image recording areas A1 to A5 are scanned by the unit recording heads H1 to H5, respectively, and color images are recorded (printed) on the printing paper P. go.

  As described above, in the image recording apparatus 12, the inkjet discharge mechanism 111 is opposed across the entire width in the X direction of the print sheet PL, and the print sheet PL that is the base of each unit print sheet P is the inkjet discharge mechanism 111. The printing on each unit printing paper P is completed only by passing once below (so-called one-pass printing is performed). In other words, an image is printed on the printing paper P by one relative scanning of the inkjet discharge mechanism 111 with respect to the printing paper PL. The ink jet ejection mechanism 111 may be a mechanism that ejects visible color ink droplets by a thermal ink jet method such as a bubble jet (registered trademark) method in addition to a narrow ink jet method.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an image printed by the image recording apparatus 11. The print image illustrated in FIG. 4 is a “usage price statement” of a credit card, and the form portion of the image printed (recorded) on a series of unit print sheets P is common, but the name, amount, etc. are in units. Different contents are printed for each printing paper P. Therefore, for example, there is a request that a credit card company embeds a predetermined reference number or the like in a print image so that it can be confirmed at a later date whether or not the statement for each customer is authentic. In addition, examples of embedding information include embedding information for copyright management of images used in printed materials and printing management at a printing company.

<1-1-2. Image Data Generation Device>
On the other hand, the image data generation device 11 creates or loads image body data in which the content (image body) of the original image to be printed is configured as a digital file, and digitally inserts predetermined embedding information into the image body data. Embedded in the recording image data. The recording image data is supplied online to the above-described divided recording type image recording apparatus 12, and the image recording apparatus 12 performs divided image recording of the image illustrated in FIG. 4 based on the recording image data. The image recording device 12 itself includes a microcomputer that controls each unit, and can perform image recording based on the recording image data received from the image data generating device 11.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image data generation device 11. The image data generation device 11 is a CPU 111 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 112 that stores a program to be executed and a work area for calculation, a ROM 113 that stores a basic program, and a fixed memory that stores various types of information, as with a normal computer. The disk 114, a display 115 for displaying various information to the user, and an input unit 116 such as a keyboard and a mouse are interconnected. In the fixed disk 114, an image generation program PG1 corresponding to the features of the present invention is installed and stored. Specific contents of recording image data generation by the image generation program PG1 will be described later.

<1-2. Configuration of image management system>
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the image management system 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the image management system 20 includes an image reading device 21 and an embedded information reproduction device 22.

<1-2-1. Image Reading Device>
The image reading device 21 photoelectrically reads the image recording range of the image to be read, using the image recorded by the image recording system or the secondary image obtained from the image as a visible image to be read. This is a color image reading apparatus for obtaining a reading result in a digital data format.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the image reading device 21 includes a holding unit 213 that holds a printed printing paper P on a glass surface, and an image acquisition unit 210 that reads and acquires an image of the printing paper P. Is provided. The image acquisition unit 210 is disposed below the printing paper P held by the holding unit 213 with the printed surface facing downward ((−Z) side), and an image of the printed surface of the printing paper P is displayed. Scan line sequentially read and acquired.

  The image reading apparatus 211 includes a line sensor 211 that extends in the Y direction, a light irradiation unit 212 that illuminates an imaging region of the line sensor 211 on the printing paper P, and a sensor movement that moves the licensor 211 and the light irradiation unit 212 in the Y direction. A mechanism 214 is provided. In the present embodiment, the line sensor 211 includes a plurality of CCD elements arranged linearly, and the linear imaging area of the licensor 211 extends over the entire width of the printing paper P.

  In other words, the image recording system 10 is premised on the use of the divided recording type image recording apparatus 12, but the image reading in the image management system 20 does not have to be divided type reading.

  The image reading device 21 has a general-purpose image reading function, and an image that can be read by the image reading device 21 is not limited to an image in which an embedded image is recorded by the image recording system 10 described above. However, in the following, corresponding to the feature of the present invention, on the printing paper P to be read, an image in which an embedded image is added to the original image by the image recording system 10 and recorded, specifically illustrated in FIG. The description will proceed on the assumption that the printed image is the printing paper P on which the recorded image is recorded.

  In many cases, the printing paper that is read for the purpose of reproducing the embedded information is one that has already been printed and distributed and has been collected later.

<1-2-2. Embedded information reproduction device>
On the other hand, the embedded information reproduction device 22 extracts five sets of reproduction basic information corresponding to the embedded information from the reading result obtained from the image reading device 21 described above, and based on the five sets of reproduction basic information, It is a device that reproduces the embedded information.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the embedded information reproduction device 22. The hardware configuration of the embedded information reproduction device 22 corresponds to a normal computer, and is configured such that a CPU 221, a RAM 222, a ROM 223, a fixed disk 224, a display 225, an input unit 226, and the like are connected. An information decoding program PG2 for reproducing the embedded information is installed and stored therein.

<2. System operation>
Hereinafter, a series of operations in the image recording system 10 and the image management system 20 will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the following operations are realized as functions of the image generation program PG1 or the information decoding program PG2.

<2-1. Operation of image recording system>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operations for creating a recording image, particularly embedding information, and recording (printing) an image on printing paper in the image recording system 10.

  First, in step S1, image main body data describing the original information to be printed is created based on the operator's operation input and temporarily stored in the fixed disk 114 (FIG. 5). However, when the image main body data has already been created using an external device, the image main body data may be fetched from the outside and stored in the fixed disk 114. In either case, the image main body data is acquired by the image data generation device 12.

  In the next step S2, the embedded information is input by the operator or automatically generated by a predetermined algorithm. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the management number “2007-0921-1000-00001A” is embedded information.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, in accordance with the feature of the present invention, the embedded information DA shown in FIG. 4 is imaged (that is, converted into a spatial pattern distribution) to form an embedded image IG. The embedded image IG (digital watermark image) is embedded in each of the five image recording areas A1 to A5 shown in FIG. 4, but the embedded image IG assigned to each of the image recording areas A1 to A5 is common. Information content.

  As conceptually shown in FIG. 10, the embedded image IG in this embodiment is a plurality of partial information images, that is, information obtained by encrypting the management number “2007-0921-1000-00001A” as the embedded information DA. The character string D1 and the information character string D1 have error correction units E1 and E2 that are spatially separated. Each of the error correction units E1 and E2 has a necessary and sufficient amount of information for correcting a reading error of the information character string D1. In addition, the small square in FIG. 10 shows the pixel unit recorded by unit data blocks, such as 1 byte.

Preferably, the embedded image IG is embedded in a tint portion of the recorded image. that is,
(1) The tint portion has a high degree of freedom in arrangement on the design, and can be easily arranged to extend over all five image recording areas A1 to A5.
(2) Unlike natural images such as photographs, even if the tint part is modulated by the embedded image IG, there is relatively little visual discomfort,
For reasons such as

  And the part which belongs to each of five image recording areas A1-A5 among the tint parts is designated as unit embedding area R1-R5, and embedding image IG is constituted in each of unit embedding area R1-R5. An array of a plurality of partial information images D1, E1, and E2 is embedded.

  In this manner, by arranging the embedded image IG including the common contents in the plurality of unit embedded regions R1 to R5, even if an error occurs in image recording by some image recording heads, other image recording heads By using the result of reading the embedded image IG recorded in step 1, the reproducibility of the embedded information DA is enhanced. In other words, by adding a common embedded image to each of the image recordings by a plurality of image recording heads (generally a plurality of unit image recording units) to increase the redundancy, the deterioration of the image recording head, etc. Even if an error in image recording is caused, the embedded information can be accurately reproduced by compensating for the error.

  Further, the spatial arrangement rule is set so that the arrangement order of the plurality of partial information images D1, E1, and E2 constituting the embedded image IG is “non-identical” between the five unit embedded regions R1 to R5. Is preferably determined. That is, the arrangement order of the plurality of partial information images D1, E1, E2 can be the same among the five unit embedding regions R1 to R5, but it is encrypted in the form of non-identical spatial arrangements, By making it private, the arrangement order of the partial information images D1, E1, and E2 for each of the unit embedding regions R1 to R5 has a cryptographic character, and security against illegal decryption of embedded information is improved. .

  This spatial arrangement rule may be a rule in the sense of “random arrangement”. In other words, the spatial arrangement rule mentioned here is a “rule” in the sense that the policy of what kind of spatial arrangement is objectively determined in advance, and it is essential to be a cyclic repetition do not do.

In the case of random arrangement, random numbers are generated by the random number generation function of the computer, and for each unit embedded region, for example, R1: D1, E1, E2
R2: E1, D1, E2
R3: E2, D1, E1
R4: E1, E2, D1
R5: D1, E2, E1
The order of arrangement is as follows. In the case of such a random arrangement, it is necessary to transmit the used random number to the image management system 20 side. Of course, the image generation device 11 and the information reproduction device 21 can also be used as a single computer. In this case, it is not necessary to transfer random number information.

On the other hand, when a light encryption property that cannot be easily deciphered is sufficient, the spatial arrangement rule can be defined by a predetermined repetition rule or arrangement change rule. In the example of FIG.
R1: D1, E1, E2
R2: E1, E2, D1
R3: E2, D1, E1
The partial information images D1, E1, E2 are repeatedly arranged in the cyclic cycle. In this case, the repetition rule used in the image generation device 11 may be transmitted to the information reproduction device 21.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the arrangement order of the partial information D1, E1, E2 in the fourth unit embedding region R4 is the same as the arrangement order in the first unit embedding region R1, and the fifth unit embedding region R4. The arrangement order in the region R5 is the same as the arrangement order in the second unit buried region R2.

  In general, the security is highest when any two of the plurality of unit embedding regions R1 to R5 are different from each other in the spatial arrangement rule. Even if the same part is included in a part of the region, compared with the case of “completely the same”, “non-identical” between the plurality of unit buried regions R1 to R5 (at least in part) Security is also improved by having a different arrangement.

  In the tint portion, dots having the same halftone dot area ratio are spatially continuous, but the arrangement order of the partial information images D1, E1, E2 is changed between the unit embedding regions R1 to R5. Thus, there is also an effect that image modulation using the embedded image IG is less likely to be visually recognized as periodic stripes.

  As described above, not only the embedded information DA itself is encrypted into the information character string D1, but also the spatial arrangement relationship between the information character string D1 (embedded information DA) and the error correction units E1 and E2 is encrypted. By doing so, security against illegal decryption is doubled.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in step S <b> 3, the operator visually determines on the display whether or not a tint portion capable of embedding the embedded image IG already exists in the image main body data. A necessary condition for the tint portion used here is whether or not the tint portion extends over a plurality of image recording areas. As such a tint portion, a region continuously extending over all the image recording areas A1 to A5 is preferable.

  In the example of FIG. 4, when the tint portion CNT1 shown on the upper end side does not exist in the image main body data, the central tint portion CNT2 is a candidate. This tint portion CNT2 may be designated as an information embedding tint region, but in the example shown in the figure, the character “card usage fee description” is included in the tint portion CNT2, so that it is avoided and a more appropriate tint I will use the department.

Therefore, a dedicated tint portion CNT1 (information embedding bar BR) is added to the image main body data as an information embedding tint region (step S4). This determination is performed by the operator, and specifically, is achieved when the operator designates an area with a mouse or the like in a state where the image main body data is displayed on the display screen. In this case,
・ Tint color (color of information embedding bar BR: R, G, B value)
・ Information embedding strength (strength and degree of modulation)
Also, the operator inputs a numerical value or selects from a predetermined menu. At this time, the R, G, B value or information embedding strength of the image body is taken into consideration so that the image portion after the embedded image IG is embedded is less noticeable than the original image body. Adjust the parameters.

  The “tint portion CNT” (information embedding tint region) referred to in the following description is included in the additional tint portion CNT1 added in this manner or the image main body data, and is designated by the operator. It refers to the unique tint portion CNT2. Normally, it is sufficient to designate one tint area as an information embedding tint area, but the image body data does not have a tint area that spans all the image recording areas A1 to A2, and the design When it is impossible to add such a wide tint portion, an information-embedded tint region may be constituted by a plurality of tint portions. For example, a set of a first tint portion extending to the image recording areas A1 to A2 and a second tint portion extending to the image recording areas A3 to A5 can be designated as the information embedding tint region. .

  In the next step S5 of FIG. 8, unit embedding regions R1 to R5 are designated in the tint portion CNT. This may be performed by an area designation by an operator, or may be a program that automatically designates a tint part CNT to be used when it is selected or added. Even in the former case, even if the individual unit embedding regions R1 to R5 are not specified in detail by the operator, if the entire embedding region as an aggregate of the unit embedding regions R1 to R5 is designated, The process of dividing the whole into unit embedding regions R1 to R5 can be automatically performed.

  The order of arrangement of the partial information images D1, E1, and E2 of the embedded image IG in each of the unit embedding regions R1 to R5 can be arbitrarily set by an operator from a plurality of spatial arrangement rule menus prepared and stored in advance. One of these can be selected. However, one spatial arrangement rule may always be used, and the operator may input the spatial arrangement rule each time. In any case, the image body data, the embedded image, the embedded region, and the spatial arrangement rule are all prepared at this stage.

  Therefore, in the next step S6, the partial information images D1, E1, and E2 constituting the embedded image IG are designated in the unit embedded regions R1 to R5 corresponding to the tint portion CNT in the image main body data. Embedded with spatial alignment rules. This is performed by merging the partial information images D1, E1, and E2 with the image main body data and modulating the image main body data, and various known information embedding methods can be used as the technique. Thereafter, post-processing such as designation of other printing conditions is performed to complete recording image data after information embedding.

  In steps S 7 and S 8, the created recording image data is transferred online to the image recording device 12, and the recording image data is transferred in parallel to the plurality of unit recording heads H 1 to H 5 by a one-pass printing function in the image recording device 12. Used for printing on the printing paper PL. Since the images in the unit embedding areas R1 to R5 are assigned in a one-to-one relationship with the image recording areas A1 to A5, they are recorded (printed) by the unit recording heads H1 to H5, respectively.

  Then, the printing paper PL is cut, and a plurality of printed unit printing papers P are obtained.

<2-2. Operation of image management system>
FIG. 9 (after step S10) corresponds to the operation of the image management system 20. First, the image on the printed printing paper P is read by the image reading device 21 (step S10).

  At this time, when the operator knows where the information embedding area is in the image on the printing paper P, the entire printing paper P is pre-scanned at a low resolution and displayed on the display, and which location is embedded in the information The operator can specify with a mouse or the like whether it is an area. In this case, only the designated information embedding area (the tint portion CNT) is read with high resolution to extract information.

  Further, when a large number of printed materials are collected, it may be unclear where in the image of the printing paper P to be read at that time is the information embedding area. In particular, this can occur in a printed image including a large number of tint portions.

  In such a case, the information embedding area can be confirmed by referring to the print management record, but the entire printing paper P is pre-scanned at a low resolution, and the information embedding area is automatically detected based on the pre-scan. You can also That is, by arranging a relatively large size fixed pattern at the four corners (or three corners) of the information embedding pattern, a rectangular tint range surrounded by the fixed pattern can be automatically detected as an information embedding area. . Also in this case, only the detected information embedding area is read at high resolution by rescanning.

  The embedding information reproduction device 22 reads a plurality of sets of reproduction basic information corresponding to the embedding information DA, that is, three data blocks (D1, E1, E2) from the tint portion CNT of the image thus read. Embedded image IG is extracted from each of the unit embedded regions R1 to R5 (step S11: FIG. 11).

Here,
(1) Modulation rule for image data by embedded image IG,
(2) Unit region arrangement information indicating which of the tint portions CNT is the unit embedding regions R1 to R5, and
(3) Information on the spatial arrangement rules of the three data blocks (D1, E1, E2),
Is required.

  The key information is automatically transferred from the image recording system 10 or is input to the embedded information reproduction device 22 offline to be used for extracting reproduction basic information. However, since the modulation rule (1) is not frequently changed for each printed matter, it may be incorporated in advance in the information reproduction program PG2.

  In step S12, the contents of the embedded information DA are reproduced based on these key information and a plurality of sets of reproduction basic information.

  As an algorithm for reproducing the embedded information DA, for example, a majority method is used. That is, the reproduction basic information extracted from each of the unit embedding regions R1 to R5 is decoded (decoded), and the contents of the five embedding information DA (candidates) obtained thereby are more matched. Make it correct. In addition, various known algorithms can be used to obtain a set of correct results from a plurality of sets of reproduction basic information.

  The reconstructed embedded information DA can be displayed on the display 115 or delivered to other already installed software for post-processing such as comparison with past registration information. Good.

  By thus reproducing the embedded information DA, the correct embedded information DA can be reproduced even if a recording error has occurred in some of the plurality of unit recording heads H1 to H5.

  The effects of using the tint portion and making the spatial arrangement rules of the partial information images in the unit embedding regions R1 to R5 non-identical are as described above.

<3. Modification>
It is not essential to record the same information content in all of the plurality of unit embedding areas. For example, when there are six unit embedding regions and the embedding information is composed of a set of partial information D1, E1, and E2,
First (fourth) unit buried region D1, E1
Second (fifth) unit buried region E1, E2
Third (sixth) unit buried region E2, D1
Even in the content and arrangement order, each of the partial information D1, E1, and E2 appears four times, so that the reproducibility of the embedded information is improved.

  In other words, it is only necessary for the embedded information assigned to the plurality of unit embedded regions to have a common part, and the unit embedded regions do not have to be completely identical.

  Further, a plurality of unit embedding areas may be configured by using only a part (two or more) of the plurality of image recording areas. That is, it is not essential to use all of the plurality of image recording areas of the divided image recording apparatus for information embedding.

  The present invention can also be applied to a divided image recording apparatus using a plurality of laser heads in parallel. In this case, an exposure area (band-like area) scanned by each one laser head in the image recording area on the photosensitive material is an individual “image recording area”, and the whole of the plurality of image recording areas is one image. Cover the range to record. In this case, the image recorded on the photosensitive material is a latent image, but by developing or transferring the latent image, a visible image having embedded information according to the characteristics of the present invention can be obtained.

  The term “image” in this specification allows not only photographs, tints, illustrations, but also letters and symbols as image elements (image parts) for the purpose of visual recognition.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Overall system 10 Image recording system 11 Image data generation apparatus 12 Image recording apparatus 20 Image management system 21 Image reader 22 Embedded information reproduction apparatus P, PL Printing paper BR Information embedding bar CNT Information embedding tint DA Embedding information IG Embedded image D1, E1, E2 Partial information image

Claims (14)

The image recording surface of the recording material is divided into two or more image recording areas, and portions corresponding to the two or more image recording areas of the image data are recorded on the recording material by two or more unit image recording units, respectively. An apparatus for generating image data used in a divided recording type image recording apparatus,
A designation means for designating a plurality of unit embedding areas respectively corresponding to a plurality of image recording areas in the image range defined by the image main body data;
Information embedding means for generating recording image data by embedding an embedded image having a common information content corresponding to predetermined embedding information in each of the unit embedding areas;
An image data generation apparatus comprising: The image data generation device according to claim 1,
The image data generating apparatus, wherein the plurality of unit embedding areas are set as a tinting area of the image main body data so that the tinting area is an information embedding tinting area. The image data generation device according to claim 2,
An image data generation apparatus characterized in that a unique tint area provided in advance in the image main body data is used as the information embedding tint area. The image data generation device according to claim 2,
An image data generation apparatus characterized in that an additional tint area newly added to the image main body data during the embedding process of the embedding information is used as the information embedding tint area. The image data generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The embedded image is divided into a plurality of partial information images,
The spatial arrangement rule of the embedding locations of the plurality of partial information images is not identical between the plurality of unit embedding regions,
The image data generation apparatus, wherein the spatial arrangement rule in each of the plurality of unit embedding regions is encrypted by a predetermined encryption rule. The image data generation device according to claim 5,
The embedded image includes an information main body part and an error correction unit for the information main body part as the plurality of partial information images. The image data generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A divided recording type image recording device that divides the image data for recording generated by the image data generation device into the two or more image recording areas, and records each by the plurality of unit image recording units;
An image recording system comprising: The image recording system according to claim 7, wherein
In the divided recording type image recording apparatus,
Each of the two or more image recording areas has a strip shape extending in the first direction,
The two or more image recording areas are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction;
While moving the aggregate of the two or more unit image recording portions and the recording material relative to the two or more image recording areas in only one direction of the first direction, An image recording system which is an apparatus for performing image recording in parallel on an image recording area. The image recording system according to claim 8.
In the divided recording type image recording apparatus, each unit image recording unit has a plurality of nozzles that discharge droplets, and each of the plurality of nozzles discharges visible color droplets toward the recording material, and An image recording system for recording a plurality of dots on a recording material. A recorded image recorded by the image recording system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, or a secondary recorded image obtained from the recorded image is a visible image to be read, and the image to be read out of the image to be read Extraction means for extracting a plurality of sets of reproduction basic information corresponding to the embedded image from a reading result obtained by photoelectrically reading a portion corresponding to a plurality of image recording areas;
Reproduction means for reproducing the embedding information based on the plurality of sets of reproduction basic information,
An embedded information reproducing apparatus comprising: In the embedded information reproduction device of claim 10, the image recording system of claim 4 is used as the image recording system,
When reproducing the embedded information based on the plurality of sets of basic information, the reproduction means uses the encryption rule that is obtained in advance, and uses the information body portion and the error correction in each unit image recording unit. An embedding information reproduction device characterized by specifying each recording position with a section. A recorded image recorded by the image recording system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, or a secondary recorded image obtained from the recorded image is a visible image to be read, and the image to be read out of the image to be read An image reading device that photoelectrically reads a portion corresponding to a plurality of image recording areas and obtains a reading result;
A recorded image management system comprising: the embedded information reproduction device according to claim 10. By being executed by the control unit of the computer, the computer is
A program that operates as the image data generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. By being executed by the control unit of the computer, the computer is
A program for operating the image recording system according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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