JPH06110988A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To generate dot patterns not influencing the picture quality as additional information to picture signals. CONSTITUTION:Writing is performed in a state where information for specifying the source of copied documents is converted to the data of additional patterns so that the patterns to be added are held at an LUT 303 and the AND of respective upper two bits of a main scanning counter 301 and a sub scanning counter 302 with the output of the LUT 303 is ANDed with both CNO signal '1' and CNO signal '0' of two bits at an AND gate 307. The additional patterns are added by yellow toner so as to be hardly recognized by human eyes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of recording a color image, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a function of adding specific information to a reproduced image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the improvement of the performance of color copying machines and color printers, there is a possibility that they may be illegally used. Then, it is almost impossible to specify which device is used for the copy or to limit the person who made the copy based on the copied product.

In order to prevent such illegal copying, data of an image pattern of a specific original is registered in a color copying machine or color printer itself, and this pattern is identified by an image recognition circuit to forcibly make an illegal copy. Prohibitions are being considered. However, since the number of image patterns that can be registered is limited in a circuit for determining a specific document such as the image recognition circuit, it is impossible to register all types of specific documents.

Further, in a color copying machine or a color printer having an external interface, such a specific document determining circuit may not function. For example, if the image data on the external interface is such that the three primary color data of red, green, and blue are sent at the same time, the above-described specific document determination circuit can operate, but it is possible to use cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. If there are data specifications that match the characteristics of individual printers, there are multiple types of color-reproducible combinations, which requires multiple image patterns for determination, making determination for specific document detection extremely difficult. At the same time, the number of images that can be determined decreases.

Further, when the image data of each color component is sent in a frame sequential manner for each color, the image data must be stored in a memory for image determination, the cost of the apparatus becomes high, and the specific original A large amount of money is required for the judgment. In addition, assuming that the above-mentioned problem regarding the image signal from the external interface is solved, even if the recognition is performed by limiting the number of target specific originals to the recognizable number, the registered specific originals are often recognized. It is unavoidable that a similar picture is mistakenly recognized as a specific original, and that a dirty specific original is incorrectly determined as not a specific original.

Therefore, it is important to add a means for detecting a specific document to the apparatus itself, but there is a limit to the detection. Therefore, when a document that should not be copied is copied, copying is performed. It is important to identify the copying machine or the person who copied it. Against this background, a technique for adding information or the like that can identify the copying apparatus or the person who copied the original document is being studied. As the technique, for example, of the output color components (for example, magenta, cyan, yellow, and black) of the copying machine, the output color component (for example, yellow) that is the least noticeable to human eyes is used, and the output color component The applicant of the present invention has proposed that the image signal is modulated (for example, a constant value is added), a number or a code indicating the serial number of the copying machine is reduced, and the number is repeated at regular intervals.

In a color copying machine, a color original is color-separated, each pixel is read, and the read image data is digitally processed and output to a color LBP (laser beam printer). Digital color copiers for obtaining copies are becoming widespread. In this type of device, the output position of the image can be moved (FIG. 18A), a desired image area can be extracted (FIG. 18B), or the desired image can be processed because of the advantage that the image data can be digitally processed. Various image processings such as color conversion only for a certain color in the area of FIG. 18 (FIG. 18C), or embedding characters or images stored in the memory into a reflection original (FIG. 18D) It is possible that these are installed in the actual device.

[0008]

However, with respect to the above-mentioned conventional copying apparatus or the technique of adding information for specifying the person who can perform the copying operation to the original image,
Although yellow is the output color component that is most invisible to the naked eye as described above, modulation of the image signal must be minimized. In particular, when a color copying machine is used for design purposes, it is troublesome to see patterns that are not on the original.

Further, when copying an original, even if the original has a uniform color, the image signal is not always uniform due to variations in the sensitivity of the CCD of the copying machine. However, when an image on a host computer is printed out using an external interface of a color copying machine, CG (computer graphics) can be directly output, so that there can be a sufficient uniform area at the image signal level. . At that time, when the yellow component is modulated, the additional pattern becomes conspicuous particularly in a part where the light gray or light blue is uniform.

Furthermore, in the conventionally conceived method of forming a unit pattern in which the numbers and symbols representing the additional information are made small and repeating the unit pattern at regular intervals to form the additional pattern, the unit patterns are made small. inevitably conspicuous because, also, to the human eye and is easily recognized by people of regular patterns than the pattern of the random arrangement, when the unit pattern is arranged in a grid pattern,
It becomes noticeable. Therefore, there is no choice but to reduce the degree of modulation of the image signal, and there is a problem that the additional information may not be read depending on the specific document.

Therefore, in all the output images, it is difficult to discriminate by visual observation, but in a copy such as a specific original document, it is possible to surely discriminate it by some method. , Patterns, etc. need to be considered. A first object of the present invention is to provide a method of adding information for identifying a copying machine or a person who operates the copying machine to an original image in a pattern that is as inconspicuous as possible.

Further, in the copying machine of this type, when the processing described as the conventional example is performed, if the pattern is added before the processing, the pattern is influenced by the processing and, as a result, the pattern cannot be read. There is a nature. That is, the second object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing pattern addition which is not affected by such processing.

Further, when performing a combining process with an external device in a color copying machine having an external interface, if the pattern processing is performed before the combining process, the pattern is influenced by the combining process, and the pattern is added to the combined part. There is a possibility that there will be no. That is, a third object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that performs pattern addition that is not affected by this synthesis processing.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a means for inputting a multi-valued image signal corresponding to a plurality of colors, and a processing for the image signal. A processing means and an information superimposing means for superimposing predetermined additional information on the image signal are provided, and the processing processing is performed at a stage prior to the superimposing processing by the information superimposing means.

Further, the invention according to claim 11 is an image processing apparatus having a connecting portion for connecting an external device for inputting an image signal and a reading means for reading a document image, wherein the external device is Combining means for combining the input first image signal and the second image signal read by the reading means to generate a third image signal, and predetermined additional information for the third image signal. And an information superimposing means for superimposing the information. The third image signal is generated at a stage prior to the superimposing processing by the information superimposing means.

[0016]

In the above structure, the dot pattern is generated so as not to affect the image quality even if the additional information is superimposed on the image signal.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, a copying machine will be described as an example of application of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various other devices without departing from the spirit of the present invention. . [First Embodiment] A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described. [Description of Appearance of Apparatus] FIG. 2 is an external view of a copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 201 is an image scanner unit, which is 400 dpi (dots / inch).
This is a part that reads a document at the resolution of and performs digital signal processing. A printer unit 202 is a unit that prints out an image corresponding to the original image read by the image scanner 201 on a sheet in full color at a resolution of 400 dpi.

In this image scanner 201, 2
Reference numeral 00 denotes a mirror surface pressure plate, and an original 204 on an original table glass (hereinafter referred to as a platen) 203 is illuminated by a lamp 205, and its reflected light is guided to mirrors 206, 207 and 208, and a lens 209 is used for a three-line sensor (hereinafter , CC
Form an image on 210). Then, the full-color information red (R), green (G), and blue (B) components are sent to the signal processing unit 211. The lamp 20
5, the mirror 206 is at speed v, and the mirrors 207, 2
Reference numeral 08 denotes a speed of 1/2 v, which mechanically moves in a direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor to scan (sub-scan) the entire surface of the document.

In the signal processing section 211, the read image signal is electrically processed and decomposed into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y) and black (Bk) components, and the printer section is obtained. Send to 202. In addition, M, C, and
One component of Y and Bk is sent to the printer unit 202, and a total of four document scans completes one printout.

The M, C, Y and Bk image signals sent from the image scanner unit 201 are supplied to the laser driver 21.
Then, the laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 in accordance with the transmitted image signal. Laser light from the semiconductor laser 213 scans the photosensitive drum 217 via a polygon mirror 214, an f-θ lens 215, and a mirror 216.

The rotary developing device 218 includes a magenta developing section 21.
9, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221, and a black developing unit 222, and these four developing units alternately contact the photosensitive drum 217, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is formed by toner. develop. Further, the transfer drum 223 winds the paper supplied from the paper cassette 224 or 225 around the drum,
The image developed on 7 is transferred to a sheet.

In this way, after the four colors M, C, Y and Bk are sequentially transferred, the paper passes through the fixing unit 226, where the toner is fixed on the paper and then the paper is ejected. [Image Scanner] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit 201 shown in FIG. In the figure,
210 are R (210-1) and G (210-, respectively).
2), a CCD sensor having spectral sensitivity characteristics of B (210-3). The output from the CCD sensor is A / D converted and S / H converted by the A / D conversion / sample hold unit 101, and then 8 It is output as a signal of bit outputs 0 to 255. Further, the shading correction unit 102 performs shading correction and black correction.

In the joint correction unit 103, the sensors 210-1 to 210-3 used in this embodiment are arranged with a constant distance therebetween, so that the R signal and the G signal are delayed and their spatial deviations are delayed. Correcting. The input masking unit 104 corrects the NTSC signal,
The brightness signal is converted into a density signal in the OG unit 105. The masking / UCR unit 106 is a known masking / UCR unit.
It is a CR (under color removal) circuit, and from the three input signals,
Magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) signals for output are output in a frame-sequential manner with a predetermined bit length (e.g., 8 bits) for each reading operation. Reference numeral 107 denotes a known scaling processing circuit, which performs scaling in the main scanning direction. As a concrete hardware configuration, for example, it is reduced by thinning out the write enable of the FIFO, and enlarged by thinning out the read clock. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed optically.

The γ correction circuit 108 is, for example, a ROM or R.
It is realized by AM and its peripheral circuits. Also, MTF
The correction circuit 109 performs edge enhancement or smoothing. The pattern adding circuit 110 is a part that adds a pattern that cannot be identified by human eyes to the copied image. [Pattern Adding Circuit] FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the figure, 301
Is a sub-scanning counter, 302 is a main-scanning counter, and 3
Reference numeral 03 is a lookup table RAM (hereinafter referred to as LUT), 304, 307 and 309 are AND gates, 305
Is a flip-flop, 306 is an inverter, 308 is a register, and 310 is an adder.

The sub-scanning counter 301 outputs the main scanning synchronizing signal HSYNC, and the main scanning counter 302 outputs the pixel synchronizing signal CLK with a 7-bit width, that is, 128.
Counts repeatedly in a cycle. In addition, LUT303
Is a random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as RAM) in which a pattern to be added is held, and 4 bits obtained by removing the least significant bit from the lower 5 bits of the count value of each of the sub-scanning counter 301 and the main scanning counter 302. Is entered.

Only one bit is referenced in the output of the LUT 303, and this one bit is output by the AND gate 304.
It is logically ANDed with each upper 2 bits of the main scanning counter 301 and the sub-scanning counter 302. This result is synchronized with the CLK signal in the flip-flop 305, and
In the D gate 307, a 2-bit CNO signal “0”
A and after being ANDed with both CNO signal and "1"
It is sent to the ND gate 309. These CNO “0”, C
NO "1" means CPU (central control unit) not shown
Set by M → 0,0, C → 0,1, Y → 1,
0, Bk → 1, 1 are set respectively. here,
A valid signal is generated only if CNO = 2, ie currently printed in yellow.

Here, the level (modulation amount) of the pattern to be added is stored in advance in the register 308 where data is set by a CPU (not shown), and AND
The gate 309 is effective only when CNO = 2 (when the surface is yellow), and the adder 310 outputs the image data V
Is added to. The additional pattern is added only with yellow toner so that it is difficult for the human eye to identify it.
This utilizes the fact that the human eye has a weak discrimination ability with respect to a pattern drawn with yellow toner.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the additional pattern in the first embodiment. In the LUT 303 of FIG. 3,
The dot pattern as shown in FIG. 4, that is, the additional pattern is held. In FIG. 4, one square of the lattice corresponds to one bit held in the LUT 303, where white is 0 and black is 1. The horizontal direction of the figure corresponds to the lower 4 bits of the address and the vertical direction corresponds to the upper 4 bits of the address, and a total of 256 bits form the additional pattern.

The line in which the upper 4 bits of the address in the pattern shown in FIG. 4 are 0 (the uppermost 1 line) is a mark indicating the reference position. Also, in the shaded portion in the diagram on the left side of FIG. 4, the upper 4 bits of the address are 2, 3, and 8,
There are 6 lines of 9, E, and F. These are lines on which dots are placed, and are used every 2 lines. In each of these two lines, as shown on the right side of FIG. 4, one or two 2 × 2 bit dots are formed at a predetermined position to represent a total of 16 types of information. That is, each 2 lines represent 4 bits of information. Since these two lines are three below the mark, a total of 12 bits of information can be represented. The two lines are separated from each other without being close to each other. For example, when two lines of the same dot or similar dot arrangement such as “BBB” and “123” are continuous, the dots are arranged in the vertical direction. This is to prevent the additional pattern from becoming conspicuous due to the diagonal connection.

The LUT 303 shown in FIG. 3 is provided so that a dot pattern can be written from a CPU (not shown), and for identifying the source of the copy document, such as information for identifying the copying machine. Is written in a state in which the information of is converted into the data of the additional pattern. Further, since the data excluding the least significant 1 bit of the main scanning counter 302 and the sub scanning counter 301 of FIG. 3 is input to the LUT 303, 1 bit on the LUT 303 is 2 on the copy.
It corresponds to 4 pixels of × 2. This is because the printer unit 202 of the copying machine according to the present embodiment performs, for example, the well-known 200-line processing in the image area, and it may be difficult to read by adding a pattern on a pixel-by-pixel basis. [Description of Copying Result] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the copying result by the copying machine according to this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the image processing according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 5, 501 is an added pattern, and the contents held in the LUT 303 are added as an image. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the pattern meaning “3FC” is added in a pattern of 32 pixels × 32 pixels and is repeated every 128 pixels in the main scan and 125 lines in the sub-scan so that it is difficult for human eyes to identify. . Therefore,
By setting this as a serial number unique to the machine or as a pattern in which the serial number is encoded, it is possible to identify the copy by identifying the copy.

In this embodiment, the pattern adding interval is set to 128 pixels in the main scan (or 128 in the sub scan).
However, since the copier according to the present embodiment has a resolution of 400 dpi (dot / inch) as described above, a pattern is added about every 8 mm. This is an interval at which the additional pattern can be easily read on the watermark of the bill and the surrounding margins.

In the method using such an additional pattern, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the method shown in FIG. 6 (a) is used rather than the method of modulating the image signal by using the numerical value as it is as a pattern. By adopting the method using the pattern as shown, the number of pixels to be modulated can be reduced and the additional pattern can be made less conspicuous. As described above, according to this embodiment, a specific additional pattern including a mark indicating a position reference and one or more dots is formed on the copy as a pattern for limiting the device in the copy. By recording in, the number of pixels to be modulated is reduced,
Since the additional pattern can be made more inconspicuous, it is possible to reduce image quality deterioration due to the addition of the pattern.

Furthermore, since a kind of encryption is performed by converting the additional pattern into a dot arrangement pattern,
This has the effect that it is difficult for a third party to intentionally manipulate the pattern. Further, since the scaling circuit is located in the stage prior to the pattern adding circuit, it is possible to add a pattern that does not depend on the scaling process, in other words, to generate a pattern that does not depend on the scaling factor. When copying is performed at a magnification, there is a high possibility that the information will be erroneously read, and especially when this is a specific original, the purpose of pattern addition cannot be achieved, and (2) the enlargement ratio is, for example, 400%. In this case, the dot area becomes 16 times larger, and the problem that the pattern is visible to the user can be avoided. <Modification 1> Modification 1 of the first embodiment will be described. In the first modification, a copying machine capable of performing texture processing as the processing will be described.

The texture processing is, as shown in FIG. 8, addition or subtraction or multiplication with respect to the original image (FIG. 8B) with the signal of the pattern (FIG. 8A) stored in advance in the memory or the like. The output image (FIG. 8C) is obtained by performing calculations such as. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit of a copying machine capable of performing texture processing according to this modification. In the figure, the same components as those of the image scanner unit according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

In FIG. 7, known masking and UC
Masking / UCR unit 10 for R (undercolor removal) processing
The texture processing unit 801 is located at the next stage of the number 6.
The texture processing unit is composed of a memory and a memory and a video signal calculation unit (not shown), and outputs an image as shown in FIG. 8C. By adopting such a configuration, in the copying machine according to the present modification, pattern addition that does not depend on the texture processing, for example, the additional pattern is modulated during the texture processing and the pattern is emphasized, which is recognized by the human eye. It is possible to avoid the harmful effect of being lost. <Modification 2> In this modification 2, a copying machine capable of performing color conversion processing as processing will be described.

The color conversion processing here is performed by the circuit shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this circuit includes window comparators 1013, 1014, 1015, an AND gate 1016, selectors 1020, 1021, 1022.
Composed of. The window comparator 1013 has red input signals Rin, reg1 (upper limit value) and re
When g2 (lower limit value) is input and the value of the red input signal Rin is between reg1 and reg2, the output of the window comparator 1013 becomes logic "1".

Similarly, the window comparator 1014
The value of the green input signal Gin input to is reg3
When it is between (upper limit value) and reg4 (lower limit value), the blue input signal Bin, which is an input to the window comparator 1015, has reg5 (upper limit value) and reg6.
When it is between (lower limit value), the outputs of the window comparators 1014 and 1015 are logic "1".

As a result, the selectors 1020, 1021,
From 1022, reg7 (post-conversion color R), reg8 (post-conversion color G), and reg97 (post-conversion color B) are output Rout, Gout, Bout (1004, 100, respectively).
5, 1006). Reg1 to r above
eg9 is a value set in registers 1 to 9 (not shown) by a CPU (not shown).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a scanner section which performs color conversion processing in the copying machine according to this modification. In the scanner section shown in the figure, the same components as those of the image scanner section according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. The color conversion unit 1101 shown in FIG. 10 operates so as to perform the color conversion processing described with reference to FIG. As a result, it is possible to avoid the adverse effects such as the pattern addition that does not depend on the color conversion processing, for example, the color detection is not performed due to the pattern addition, and the dots stand out. [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 12 is an external view of the copying machine according to the second embodiment. In the copying machine shown in the figure, the same components as those of the copying machine according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the copying machine shown in FIG. 12, reference numeral 111 is an interface with an external device 228, which performs an interface for a video signal, a synchronizing signal, a signal used for communication, and the like. This interface is connected to, for example, an external device 228 (here, a reader) having the same function as the image scanner 201, and is connected to the signal processing unit 211 by a cable or the like.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit 201 which constitutes the copying machine according to this embodiment.
Also in this figure, the same components as those of the image scanner unit according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 11, the synthesis processing unit 107 ′ selects the input signal A (input from the reader 201) or the input signal B (input from the reader 228) based on the signal 117 generated by the area signal generation unit 112. , It is output from the terminal Y. Here, when the selection signal S = 0, Y = A, and when S = 1, Y = B
Becomes [Description of Image Signal Output to External Device] Here, a signal flow when an image signal is sent to an external device (here, an image scanner) 228 is shown.

The signal read by the CDD 210 is A /
A / D conversion and S in the D conversion / sample hold unit 101
After being / H, RGB 8-bit output 0 to 255 respectively
Is output as a signal. These signals are further subjected to shading correction in the shading correction unit 102, correction in the joint correction unit 103, and correction in the input masking unit 104, and then converted from a luminance signal to a density signal in the LOG unit 105.

In the masking / UCR unit 106,
Magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) signals are generated in a frame sequential manner. These C, M, Y, Bk signals are input to the terminal C of the bus selector 113, and the output mode from the terminal C to the terminal A is set in the register in the bus selector 113 by the CPU (not shown). In this output mode, the output from the terminal A is performed to the external interface 111 via the signal line 115. At this time, in the frequency conversion unit 114, the read enable signal 116 generated by the area generation unit 112.
Fixed to disable. [Explanation of Image Signal Input from External Device] Frame sequential C, M, Y, Bk signals input from the external interface 111 set in the input mode are transmitted via the signal line 116.
The frequency converter 114 synchronizes with the main scanning synchronizing signal and the image clock in the image scanner 201.

Further, this signal is input to the terminal A of the bus selector 113, is output from the terminal B by the mode setting of the register in the bus selector by the CPU (not shown), and is then input to the synthesis processing unit 107 '. . [System Operation During Composition] The main scanning synchronizing signal and the sub scanning synchronizing signal output from the printer unit 202 are transferred to another image through the scanner / printer interface 227, the image scanner 201, and the external interface 111. It is sent to the scanner 228 and the system is synchronized to obtain a color-in-color composite image.

Since the pattern adding circuit according to the present embodiment and the copy result by the circuit are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. As described above, according to the present embodiment, by arranging the synthesizing processing unit in the preceding stage of the pattern adding circuit, the pattern is generated in the image signal from the external device generated when arranging it in the latter stage of the synthesizing processing unit. The problem of not being added can be eliminated, and the synthesis process can proceed smoothly. <Modification 1> Next, Modification 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a copying machine according to this modification. In the copying machine shown in the figure, the same components as those of the copying machine according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numerals, but here, as the external device, not an image scanner but an image memory is mainly used. The memory unit 801 consisting of is connected to the signal processing unit 802 via the external interface 907. [Image Scanner] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit 201 shown in FIG. Also in the image scanner unit shown in the figure, the same components as those of the image scanner unit shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted here. Then, in the image scanner unit shown in FIG. 14, an external device (memory unit 80
Output to 1) is not C, M, Y, Bk, but R, G, B
It is done synchronously.

The flow of the image signal to the external device in this embodiment will be described below. The signal read by the CDD 210 is A / D converted and S / H converted by the A / D conversion / sample hold unit 101, and then output as signals of RGB 8-bit outputs 0 to 255, respectively. These signals are further subjected to shading correction in the shading correction unit 102, correction in the joint correction unit 103, and correction in the input masking unit 104, and then signal lines 901 to 903.
Is input to the terminal C of the bus selector 906 via. In this bus selector, the output mode from the terminal C to the terminal A is set by a CPU (not shown), so that the signal input to the terminal C is sent to the external interface 907 via the signal lines 115, 904, and 905. Is output.

In the masking / UCR unit 106,
Magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) signals are generated in a frame sequential manner. These C, M, Y, Bk signals are input to the terminal C of the bus selector 113, and the output mode from the terminal C to the terminal A is set in the register in the bus selector 113 by the CPU (not shown). In this output mode, the output from the terminal A is performed to the external interface 111 via the signal line 115. At this time, in the frequency conversion unit 114, the read enable signal 116 generated by the area generation unit 112.
Fixed to disable.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the memory unit 801. This unit has a function of storing an image signal from the outside in the image memory 1004 and a function of synchronizing with an external device (here, the image scanner unit 201) and outputting the data stored in the image memory to the external device. Have. [Writing to image memory] The RGB signal input from the external interface 1001 set to the input mode is transmitted to the frequency conversion unit 1 via the signal lines 1017 to 1019.
002. In this frequency conversion unit, the image clock in the memory unit 801 is synchronized (the main scanning signal is that of the image scanner unit 201), and the output signals 1010 to 1012 from this unit are output to the data controller. It is written in the image memory 1004 via 1003. In this case, the memory has a capacity for RGB totaling 24 bits for one pixel, and the address and the memory control signal at this time are controlled by the address controller.
It will be held at LA 1005. [Image Output to External Device] The RGB data generated by the printer unit 202 receives the main scanning synchronization signal and the sub-scanning synchronization signal input from the external interface 1001 of the external device 801 via the reader / printer interface 227 and the external interface 907. It is read from the image memory 1004 by the address generated by the address controller 1005 based on the scan synchronization signal.

This RGB signal is supplied to the signal lines 1014 to 1014.
The luminance signal is converted into a density signal in the LOG unit 1006 via 16. And the masking and UCR unit 1007
Then, a known masking UCR is applied, and after the γ correction in the γ correction unit 1008, the data controller 10
Output from the external interface 1001 set in the output mode through the signal line 03 and the signal line 1009.

To obtain one composite image, C, M, Y,
Since four colors of Bk are necessary, in this memory unit, the reading from the image memory 1004 is performed four times in one operation, and the C, M,
The Y and Bk data are sent in frame sequence. <Modification 2> FIG. 16 is an external configuration diagram of a copying machine according to this modification. The copying machine shown in the figure is different from the copying machine shown in FIG. 13 in that the memory unit 1101 and GPIB are different.
It has a host computer 1103 connected to the memory unit 1101 by a cable as a component.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of the memory unit 1101. Here, the host computer 11 is different from the memory unit shown in FIG.
03 is added to the image memory 1205. [Data Writing from Host to Image Memory] From the host computer 1103 to the CPU 1203, for example,
The image data sent by GPIB or the like is accumulated in a memory (not shown) in the CPU via the external interface 1102 and the signal line 1201. Then, the address controller 1005, the data controller 1207, and the selector 1206 are controlled to write the data from the host computer into the image memory 1205.

The above operation is repeated for all C, M, Y, Bk data (here, the image memory has C, M, Y, Bk total 32 bits for one pixel). The above writing may be performed using DMA. [Output of Image Data to Image Scanner] C, M, Y, Bk data generated by the printer unit 202 is input from the external interface 1102 of the memory unit 1101 via the reader / printer interface 227 and the external interface 111. The address controller 10 based on the main scanning synchronizing signal and the sub scanning synchronizing signal
Image memory 1205 according to the address generated in 05.
Read from. These C, M, Y and Bk data are frame sequential and are output to the external interface 1102 via the data controller 1207, for example.

The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
After processing and synthesizing image signals,
By superimposing the specific pattern represented by the dispersed dots as additional information on the image signal, it is possible to remove the adverse effect of the processing process or the combining process on the specific pattern.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image scanner unit 201 included in a copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pattern adding circuit 110.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an additional pattern in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a copy result obtained by the copying machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an effect of image processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit of a copying machine that can perform texture processing according to a first modification.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining texture processing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a color conversion process according to Modification 2;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a scanner unit that performs color conversion processing in a copying machine according to Modification 2.

FIG. 11 is a block configuration diagram of an image scanner unit 201 included in the copying machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an external configuration diagram of a copying machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a copying machine according to a first modification.

14 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit 201 shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a memory unit 801 according to Modification 2.

16 is an external configuration diagram of a copying machine according to Modification 2. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory unit 1101 according to Modification 2.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of image processing in a conventional color copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 A / D conversion / sample hold unit 102 Shading correction unit 103 Connection correction unit 104 Input masking unit 105 LOG unit 106 Masking / UCR unit 108 γ correction circuit 109 MTF correction circuit 110 Pattern addition circuit 201 Image scanner unit 202 Printer unit 210 CCD Sensor

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A means for inputting multi-valued image signals corresponding to a plurality of colors, a means for processing the image signals, and an information superimposition for superimposing predetermined additional information on the image signals. An image processing apparatus comprising: a means for performing the processing, the processing being performed at a stage prior to the superimposing processing by the information superimposing means. 2. The additional information is information represented by an arrangement of dispersed dots.
The image processing device according to item 1. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information includes identification information of the apparatus. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dots are obtained by modulating an image signal of one pixel or a plurality of adjacent pixels. 5. The additional information is arranged such that lines formed by arranging dots at equal intervals in the main scanning direction are arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction, and dot positions in the lines are set.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is represented by a relative positional relationship with a dot position of one adjacent line. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein additional information is represented by a plurality of lines and the additional information is repeated in the sub-scanning direction. 7. When the plurality of lines mean predetermined information, a dot is placed on a specific line of the plurality of lines in addition to the original dots in the line to separate the information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing apparatus is identifiable. 8. A line separating a dot from the original dot and a line for forming a dot separately from the original dot are defined as two specific lines among a plurality of lines meaning the predetermined information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the traveling direction can be identified. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is superimposed only on a color that is the most inconspicuous to the naked eye among the element colors representing the image. 10. The processing includes scaling, color conversion, MT.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is at least one of F correction and modulation. 11. An image processing apparatus having a connecting portion for connecting an external device for inputting an image signal and a reading means for reading a document image, wherein the first image signal input from the external device is used. A combining unit that combines the second image signal read by the reading unit to generate a third image signal, and an information superimposing unit that superimposes predetermined additional information on the third image signal. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the generation of the third image signal is performed at a stage prior to the superimposing processing by the information superimposing means.