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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A color image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for input of color image data representing a color image;
detecting means for detecting an edge of the color image based on the input
color image; and
discriminating means for discriminating whether the color image is a
predetermined color image in accordance with the detection of the edge and
color distribution of the input color image data,
wherein said discriminating means includes a first memory means for storing
color distribution of a line-image portion of the predetermined color
image and a second memory means for storing color distribution of a
half-tone portion of the predetermined color image.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first memory means is a
ROM or a RAM and said second memory means is a ROM or a RAM.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises an
image scanner for scanning an original and generating color image data.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising processing means
for processing the color image data input by said input means and
outputting a reproduction signal.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said processing means
comprises a masking-UCR circuit and a density converting circuit.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising image forming
means for forming an image in accordance with the reproduction signal.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said image forming means is a
laser beam printer.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said image forming means is a
printer having a printing head of ink-jet or thermosensitive-transfer
type.
9. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising control means for
controlling said processing means in accordance with discrimination result
of said discriminating means.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control means prevents
output of a faithful reproduction signal.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said processing means
outputs a reproduction signal representing an image a part of which is
painted with a single color.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for
controlling the apparatus in accordance with discrimination results of
said discriminating means.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means inputs red
(R), green (G) and blue (B) component data.
14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of integrators.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of comparators.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of counters.
17. A color image processing apparatus comprising:
output means for outputting data of a plurality of color components;
image forming means for forming a color image in accordance with the data
of said plurality of color components frame-sequentially;
discriminating means for discriminating whether a color image represented
by the data of said plurality of color components is a predetermined color
image; and
control means for controlling the image forming of said image forming means
in accordance with the discrimination;
wherein said discriminating means discriminates a different predetermined
color image in synchronism with each image forming of frame-sequential
color component by said image forming means,
wherein said discriminating means includes a first memory means for storing
color distribution of a line-image portion of the predetermined color
image and a second memory means for storing color distribution of a
half-tone portion of the predetermined color image.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first memory means is
a ROM or a RAM and said second memory means is a ROM or a RAM.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said image forming means is
a laser beam printer.
20. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said image forming means is
a printer having a printing head of ink-jet or thermosensitive-transfer
type.
21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means prevents
output of a faithful reproduction image.
22. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of integrators.
23. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of comparators.
24. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of counters.
25. An image processing apparatus comprising:
reading means for scanning an original a plurality of times and generating
color image data in each scanning operation;
discriminating means for discriminating whether the original is a
predetermined image in accordance with color distribution of the color
image data; and
processing means for processing the color image data in accordance with the
discrimination result of the discriminating means,
wherein said discriminating means discriminates a different predetermined
color image in synchronism with each scanning of said reading means, and
wherein said discriminating means includes a first memory means for storing
color distribution of a line-image portion of the predetermined color
image and a second memory means for storing color distribution of a
half-tone portion of the predetermined color image.
26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said first memory means is
a ROM or a RAM and said second memory means is a ROM or a RAM.
27. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said processing means
comprises a masking-UCR circuit and a density converting circuit.
28. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising image forming
means for forming an image in accordance with the reproduction signal.
29. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said image forming means is
a laser beam printer.
30. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said image forming means is
a printer having a printing head of ink-jet or thermosensitive-transfer
type.
31. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising control means
for controlling said processing means in accordance with a discrimination
result of said discriminating means.
32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said control means prevents
output of a faithful reproduction signal.
33. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said processing means
outputs a reproduction signal representing an image a part of which is
painted with a single color.
34. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising control means
for controlling the apparatus in accordance with discrimination result of
said discriminating means.
35. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of integrators.
36. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of comparators.
37. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said discriminating means
includes a plurality of counters. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image processing apparatus and, more
particularly, to an image processing apparatus for detecting a specific
original.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent improvements in the picture quality of copying machines which now
have a color capability have been accompanied by the fear of
counterfeiting of specific originals such as bank notes and securities. In
order to recognize a specific original in a copying machine or the like, a
method such as pattern matching with the shape of an input image has been
proposed. For example, in pattern matching, the inclination of an inputted
original image is corrected and then the image is matched with an image
pattern already registered.
In the example of the prior art described above, however, there is a limit
on processing speed and it is difficult to deal with apparatus of higher
speeds. In addition, when it is attempted to execute processing
simultaneously with regard to a large variety of specific originals, this
is difficult to accomplish for the same reason.
Further, in the example of the prior art described above, however, not only
is there a limit upon processing speed, but the processing circuitry is
complicated as well. As a consequence, it is difficult to deal with
processing in a case where there is an increase in the kinds of specific
originals to be judged.
One technique for preventing the counterfeiting of bank notes or the like
is to register beforehand the data of a specific original in color space
and provide means for comparing and collating this data with an input
original image, whereby the specific original can be distinguished. Such a
technique has been proposed by the present applicant in this application.
With this example of the technique, however, only comparison and collation
in the color space are carried out. Consequently, there is the possibility
that an image having substantially the same color but a different shape
will be judged mistakenly to be the specific original.
Further, the prior-art example described above is such that pattern
matching with a specific original is performed after the position and
inclination of an original placed upon the platen have been investigated.
As a result, high-speed processing is difficult and judgments cannot be
made in real-time when the original is scanned.
In the example of the prior art described above, the degree of similarity
between an input original and a previously registered specific original is
investigated, and the input original is judged to be a specific original
when the degree of similarity exceeds a threshold value. This means that
an erroneous judgment is highly possible if an original similar to the
specific original is inputted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing
apparatus capable of eliminating the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior
art described above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing
apparatus capable of applying discrimination processing to a specific
original at the same time as an image read-in operation or processing
operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing
apparatus capable of discriminating a plurality of specific originals at a
high speed and accuracy by a simple arrangement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing
apparatus capable of raising the precision with which a specific original
such as a bank note is discriminated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing
apparatus capable of discriminating a specific original at high speed and
inhibiting the duplication thereof.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus capable of performing image reproduction processing
in conformity with the possibility that an input original is a specific
original.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus capable of raising the probability that an especially
important original will be discriminated when it is judged whether an
original image contains a specific original.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus comprising processing means for electrically
processing an input image signal, and means for judging the degree of
similarity between an image represented by the input image signal and an
already registered specific original in parallel with the processing of
the input image signal performed by the processing means, wherein the
contents of processing performed by the processing means can be made
different in conformity with the degree of similarity.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus comprising processing means for electrically
processing an input image signal, and means for judging the degree of
similarity between an image represented by the input image signal and an
already registered specific original, the contents of processing performed
by the processing means being made different in conformity with the degree
of similarity, wherein criteria for judging the degree of similarity in
the judging means is capable of being changed over in time shared fashion.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus comprising input means for inputting image data,
discriminating means for for discriminating the type of image based upon
the image data inputted by the input means, and judging means for judging
a specific original based upon the type of image discriminated by the
discriminating means and color distribution information of the image data.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus comprising input means for inputting image data,
judging means for judging identity with a plurality of specific originals
based upon the image data inputted by the input means, and processing
means for processing the image data, which has been inputted by the input
means, based upon identity judged by the judging means.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus comprising input means for inputting image data
representing an original, judging means for judging, based upon the image
data inputted by the input means, the possibility that the original is a
predetermined specific original, and processing means for executing
reproduction processing of the image data, which has been inputted by the
input means, upon changing the reproduction processing into a number of
steps based upon the possibility judged by the judging means.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image
processing apparatus comprising input means for inputting image data
representing an original, and judging means for judging identity between
the original and first and second specific originals based upon the image
data, wherein the judging means judges identity between the original and
the first specific original and identity between the original and the
second specific original using relative degrees of importance that are
different.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent
from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar
parts throughout the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image scanner 201
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an external view showing a first embodiment of an image
processing apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a judging circuit 409
according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing a thinning-out circuit according to the
first embodiment;
FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing a frequency diving circuit according to
the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an integrator 306 according to the first
embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart for the main scanning direction according to the
first embodiment;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for describing an example of the input/output
of the integrator according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of processed results according to
the first embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image scanner
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the construction of a judging circuit
409 according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of an image
processing apparatus according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the construction U of an image scanner
201 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the construction of a judging circuit
409 according to the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image scanner
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15A is a timing chart of data according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 15B is a block diagram for describing a two-bit counter according to
the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the construction of a judging circuit
according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 17A is a timing chart of data according to a sixth embodiment;
FIG. 17B is a block diagram for describing a two-bit counter according to
the sixth embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the construction of a signal processor
according to a seventh embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relative sensitivity of a CCD in
dependence upon the wavelength of light according to the seventh
embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the construction of an image scanner according
to a seventh embodiment;
FIG. 21A is a block diagram showing the construction of a color-signal
processor according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 21B is a block diagram showing the circuit construction of a
specific-original judging unit according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 21C is a block diagram showing the construction of an OR writing
circuit according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 21D is a timing chart of a timing generating circuit 5112 according to
the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 21E is a block diagram showing the construction of a smoothing circuit
according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an integrator 306 according to the
seventh embodiment;
FIGS. 23A and 23B a diagram for describing integrated results according to
the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing a method of judging a specific original
according to the seventh embodiment;
FIGS. 25A and 25B show diagrams for describing the relationship between a
specific original and color space in the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between color-space data of a
specific original and data in a judging ROM in the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a specific
original and a recognition zone in the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a flowchart for describing a operation for judging degree of
similarity according to the seventh embodiment;
FIGS. 29A and 29B are block diagrams showing the construction of an image
processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 30 is a diagram for conceptually describing the construction of a
copying machine;
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the integration coefficients of the
integrator according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating the integration coefficients of the
integrator according to the seventh embodiment;
FIGS. 33 and 34 are diagrams illustrating the circuit construction of the
integrator according to the seventh embodiment;
FIGS. 35A and 35B are conceptual views in which the processing performed by
the circuit of FIGS. 29A, 29B is described in R, G, B color space;
FIG. 36 is a block diagram for describing the construction of a zone
detecting circuit according to the seventh embodiment; Q FIG. 37 is a
diagram for describing the operation of the zone detecting circuit of
FIGS. 29A and 29B;
FIGS. 38A and 38B are block diagrams showing the construction of an edge
calculating circuit according to the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the relationship between color-space data of
the texture of a specific original and data in judging ROM according to
the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 40 is a block diagram showing the construction of the ROM according to
the seventh embodiment;
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the relationship between color-space data of
the line-drawing portion of a specific original and data in judging ROM
according to the seventh embodiment;
FIGS. 42A-42D are diagrams for describing image patterns in which edge
quantity OUT is calculated to be large in accordance with the seventh
embodiment;
FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a circuit for describing a volume-ratio
judging circuit of FIGS. 29A and 29B;
FIG. 44 is a conceptual view for describing color matching processing of a
line-drawing portion in R, G, B color space;
FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing the circuit construction of an image
processing apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 46 is a diagram for describing the integration coefficients of a
line-drawing portion color integrator according to the eighth embodiment;
FIG. 47 is a block diagram for showing the construction of the line-drawing
portion color integrator according to the eighth embodiment;
FIG. 48 is a diagram for describing the construction of the portion
enclosed by the dashed line in FIG. 47;
FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing the construction of a signal processor
according to an 11th embodiment;
FIGS. 50A and 50B a flowchart for describing the flow of processing
according to the 11th embodiment;
FIG. 51 is a diagram showing the relationship between frame-sequence
signals and image-formation color according to the 11th embodiment;
FIG. 52 is a diagram showing, in abbreviated form, the construction of a
copying machine according to a 12th embodiment;
FIG. 53 is a block diagram for describing the construction of a signal
processor (image processing unit) according to a 13th embodiment;
FIG. 54 is a block diagram for describing the construction of a smoothing
circuit according to a 15th embodiment;
FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal
processor according to a 15th embodiment;
FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal
processor according to a 16th embodiment;
FIG. 57 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal
processor according to a 17th embodiment;
FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing the construction of a signal processor
according to the 17th embodiment;
FIGS. 59A and 59B are block diagrams illustrating the construction of an
image processing apparatus according to an 18th embodiment;
FIG. 60 is a diagram for describing a judging method according to the 18th
embodiment;
FIGS. 61A and 61B are diagrams for describing a method of judging an actual
specific original according to the 18th embodiment; and
FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating an example of the construction of a
general color-original copying apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It should be noted that the term "specific original" as used hereinafter
refers to originals the duplication of which is prohibited, such as
securities, gift certificates and bank notes, and includes also originals
which are contrary to public order and good customs and originals for
specific applications.
Though a copying machine is illustrated as an example of application of the
present invention in each of the following embodiments, it goes without
saying that this does not impose a limitation upon the invention, which
can be applied also to various other apparatus, such as printers.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
FIG. 2 is an external view showing a first embodiment of an image
processing apparatus according to the present invention.
In FIG. 2, numeral 201 denotes an image scanning section for scanning an
original and performing digital signal processing. Numeral 202 designates
a printing section for printing out an image, which corresponds to the
original image read by the scanning section 201, on paper in full color.
The image scanning section 201 includes a pressure plate 200 having a
mirror surface. An original 204 on a glass platen 203 is irradiated by
means of lamps 205, an image is formed on a three-line sensor (hereinafter
referred to as a "CCD") 210 via mirrors 206, 207, 208 and a lens 209, and
the image is sent to a signal processor 211 as full color information red
(R), green (G) and blue (B) components. The entire original is scanned by
mechanically moving the lamps 205 and mirror 206 at a velocity v as well
as the mirrors 207, 208 at a velocity 1/2 v in a direction perpendicular
to the electrical scanning direction of the line sensor. The signal
processor 211 electrically processes the read signal, separates the signal
into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y) and black (Bk) components and sends
these components to the printing section 202. At least one component among
the M, C, Y, Bk components is sent to the printing section 202 per scan of
the original in the image scanning section 201, and a signal print-out is
completed by a total of four scans of the original.
The M, C, Y or Bk image signal received from the image scanning section 201
is sent to a laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives a
semiconductor laser 213 in dependence upon the particular image signal.
The laser light is made to scan across a photosensitive drum 217 via a
polygonal mirror 214, an f0.theta. lens 215 and a mirror 216.
Numeral 218 denotes a revolving developer comprising a magenta developing
section 219, a cyan developing section 220, a yellow developing section
221 and a black developing section 222. These four developers come into
alternate contact with the photosensitive drum 217 so that an
electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 217 is
developed by means of toners. Numeral 223 denotes a transfer drum upon
which paper fed from a paper cassette 224 or 225 is wound so that the
image developed on the photosensitive drum 217 may be transferred to the
paper.
After the four colors M, C, Y, Bk have thus been transferred successively,
the paper is ejected through a fixing unit 226.
Image Scanner
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image scanner 201
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Numerals 210-1, 210-2, 210-3 denote CCDs having spectral sensitivity
characteristics for red (R), green (G) and blue (B). Each CCD outputs a
signal quantized to 0-255 in eight bits. The sensors 210-1, 210-2, 210-3
used in the present embodiment are arranged so as to be spaced apart by
fixed distances, and therefore a displacement in terms of time is
corrected in delay elements 401 and 402.
Numerals 403, 404, 405 are log converters constituted by a look-up table
ROM or RAM for converting a luminance signal into a density signal.
Numeral 406 denotes a well-known masking-UCR circuit. Though a detailed
description is omitted, the circuit 406, in accordance with three
primary-color signals inputted thereto, sequentially outputs Y, M, C, Bk
signals of a prescribed bit length, e.g., eight bits, whenever there is a
reading operation.
Numeral 407 denotes a space filter which corrects the space frequency of
the output signal from the circuit 406. Numeral 408 denotes a density
converting circuit for correcting the density characteristic possessed by
the printer 202. Like the log converters 403-405, this circuit is
constituted by a look-up table ROM or RAM.
Shown at numeral 409 is a specific-original judging circuit for judging
whether at least one of a plurality of specific originals is being read
in, and for outputting a judgment signal H in the form of "0" or "1".
Numeral 410 represents an OR gate for taking the OR between the judgment
signal H, which is the output of the judging circuit 409, and each bit of
the eight-bit output V of the density converting circuit 408, and
outputting V'. When the judgment signal H is logical "1", namely when it
is judged that a specific original is being read, the output V' is equal
to FF.sub.H irrespective of the value of the input signal V. When the
judgment signal H is logical "0", namely when it is judged that a specific
original is not being read, the value of the input signal V is outputted
without change as the output V'.
Timing Chart
FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing a thinning-out circuit according to the
first embodiment, FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing a frequency diving
circuit according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart
for the main scanning direction according to the first embodiment.
In FIGS. 4A and 4B, HSYNC represents a main-scanning synchronizing signal
for achieving synchronization with the start of main scanning. CLK is an
image transfer clock which, in this embodiment, is a basic clock of a
variety of image processing operations.
CLK' represents a clock obtained by frequency division of the CLK signal by
four. This serves as the basic clock in the judging circuit 409. A SEL
signal is a timing signal using in a thinning-out circuit 301, described
above. This is generated by a circuit of the kind shown in FIG. 4B, which
is constituted by an inverter 451, a two-bit counter 452, an inverter 453
and an AND gate 454. After being cleared (initialized) by the HSYNC
signal, which is the main-scanning synchronizing signal, the two-bit
counter 452 counts the CLK signal and outputs the counted value in the
form of two bits. The higher order bit D1 of the counter 452 is outputted
as the CLK' signal, and the result of taking the AND between this signal
and a signal obtained by inverting the lower order bit D0 of the counter
is outputted as the SEL signal.
As a result, data is held by the CLK signal in the thinning-out circuit 301
shown in FIG. 4A.
The thinning-out circuit 301 comprises flip-flops 455, 456, 457 and 461,
462, 463, selectors 458, 459 and 460, and flip-flops 464, 465, 466 which
hold data by the CLK' signal.
By virtue of the construction described above, the R (or G, or B) signal
transferred by the CLK signal is thinned out at a ratio of 1/4, and an R'
(or G', or B') signal synchronized to CLK' can be obtained.
Judging Circuit
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of the judging circuit
409 according to the first embodiment.
Numeral 301 represents the thinning-out circuit of the kind shown in FIG.
4A. This circuit thins out the data in order to lighten the processing
load of the judging circuit. Numeral 302 denotes a color-matching look-up
table (hereinafter referred to as a "color-matching LUT") for subjecting
the thinned-out data to an operation for matching color, which is an image
characteristic, using plural types of images of interest (images
corresponding to specific originals, such as securities and bank notes)
that have been prepared in advance. The color-matching LUT 302 is a
read-only memory.
Numerals 303, 304, 305 denote color judging circuits, each of which is
composed of an integrator 306 shown in FIG. 5, a register 307 and a
comparator 308. These circuits independently judge whether a specific
image is contained in an original in a plurality of specific originals.
Numeral 309 designates an OR circuit which, when it is judged that one or
more outputs of the color judging circuits 303-305 contains an image of
interest, delivers an output "1" as the judgment signal H. When it is
judged that none of outputs of the color judging circuits 303-305 contains
an image of interest, the OR circuit 309 delivers an output "0" as the
judgment signal H.
Integrator
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of the integrator 306
according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 5, numerals 501, 505 denote flip-flops which hold data at the
timing of the leading edge of the clock signal CLK'.
Numeral 502 denotes a multiplier to which two eight-bit signals (A, B) are
inputted. The multiplier 502 multiplies these signals together and outputs
an eight-bit signal
##EQU1##
as the result. Numeral 503 denotes a multiplier to which a one-bit input
signal (A) and an eight-bit input signal (B) are applied. The multiplier
503 multiplies these signals together and outputs an eight-bit signal
(AxB) as the result. Numeral 504 denotes an adder to which two eight-bit
signals (A, B) are inputted. The multiplier 504 adds these signals
together and outputs an eight-bit signal (A+B) as the result.
Accordingly, in the integrator of this embodiment, an eight-bit output
signal y.sub.i is expressed by the following equation when a two-valued
input signal x.sub.1 is applied:
y.sub.i =(.alpha./255)y.sub.i-1 +.beta..multidot.x.sub.i-1 . . . (1)
where .alpha. and .beta. represent constants that have been preset by the
CPU. The various characteristics of the integrator are decided by the
sizes of these values.
For example, in a case where .alpha.=247, .beta.=8 holds, examples of
inputs and outputs of the present integrator are as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B.
That is, an output y.sub.i of the kind shown in FIG. 7B is produced in
response to an input x.sub.i-1 of the kind shown in FIG. 7A.
Regardless of the fact that the periphery is almost "0", as in the manner
of input X.sub.i-1 indicated at 701, 702, an input of kind "1" is
considered to be noise. Similarly, regardless of the fact that the
periphery is almost "1", as in the manner of input X.sub.i-1 indicated at
703, a input of kind "0" is considered to be noise. This is processed by
the integrator so that an appropriate threshold value of the kind
indicated at 704 is set in the register 307 of FIG. 3, and the output
y.sub.i of the integrator is binarized based upon this threshold value,
thereby making it possible to eliminate the noise.
Results of Processing
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the results of processing
according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, numeral 801 denotes an
original and numeral 803 designates a specific original which, in this
apparatus, is to be judged as part of an image. Numeral 802 represents
outputted results in a case where the original has been copied in this
apparatus. The portion corresponding to the specific original 803 is
painted out, as in a suppressed portion shown at 804. Thus, the portion of
the specific original 803 cannot be copied.
In accordance with the first embodiment, as described above, judgment
processing can be applied to a specific original at the same time that an
image is read in or at the same time as an image processing operation.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image scanner
according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is
a block diagram showing the construction of a judging circuit 409
according to the second embodiment.
Since the arrangement shown in FIG. 9 is substantially the same as that
shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, components corresponding to those
whose reference numerals are of the 200 and 400 series in FIG. 1 are
designated by reference numerals of the 1200 and 1400 series,
respectively, and a description of these corresponding components is
deleted. Components which differ from those in FIG. 1 are a masking-UCR
circuit 1406, a space filter 1407 and a judging circuit 1409.
In the first embodiment, the judgment signal outputted by the judging
circuit 1409 is a binary signal of "0" or "1", and the output signal is
changed to FFH by this judgment signal. The second embodiment, however,
possesses an arrangement not limited to that just described.
More specifically, in FIG. 9, the judgment circuit 1409 expresses the
degree of similarity between a specific original and an original concerned
as the judgment signal H and delivers this signal as a multivalued output
of, say, eight bits. The outputted multivalued judgment signal H is sent
to the masking-UCR circuit 1406 and space filter 1407, whereby the
processing conditions in the masking-UCR circuit 1406 and space filter
1407 are made to differ. This arrangement also makes it possible to
prevent duplication of a specific original or counterfeiting.
In FIG. 10 also, components similar to those of the arrangement of FIG. 3
according to the first embodiment need not be described, and the reference
numerals of the 300 series used in FIG. 3 are replaced by reference
numerals of the 1300 series.
In FIG. 10, color judging circuits 1303, 1304, . . . , 1305 deliver
unchanged the outputs of the integrators in the respective color judging
circuits 303, 304, . . . , 305, and therefore the comparison processing,
which involves a threshold value, performed by the registers and
comparators is eliminated, and the degree of similarity between a
plurality of specific originals and the original concerned is outputted.
The OR circuit 309 is replaced by a maximum-value output circuit 1350. The
latter outputs the maximum value of the outputs (namely the degree of
similarity with respect a specific original) from the color judging
circuits 1303, 1304, . . . , 1305. More specifically, if the value of the
judgment signal H is small, i.e., if the degree of similarity with respect
to all specific originals is small, masking-UCR processing conditions and
space filter coefficients which provide the most faithful color
reproduction of the original are selected.
On the other hand, if the value of the judgment signal H is large, i.e., if
the degree of similarity with respect to all specific originals is great,
the masking-UCR processing conditions are altered to intentionally change
the color, the space filter coefficients are altered to intentionally
apply strong smoothing to the image signal and eliminate acuteness of the
output signal, thereby effecting processing which makes the output copy
appear different from the original.
By arranging is so that the larger the value of the judgment signal H,
namely the greater the degree of similarity with respect to a specific
original of a certain type, the greater the difference will be between the
original and the copy, inconveniences caused by mis-recognition can be
mitigated.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
In the first and second embodiments described above, an example of a color
copying apparatus constitu | | |
