JP6950261B2 - Image processing equipment, image processing system, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a program.

In order to avoid information leakage due to printed matter, it is widely practiced that an image forming apparatus embeds digital watermark data in the image data when the image data is output.

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes embedding color profile data as digital watermark data in image data without obviously changing the visual appearance of the image data.

However, in the conventional technique for embedding digital watermark data, for example, when embedding digital watermark data in image data in a format capable of expressing color by RGB or the like, each of the embedded digital watermark data is used for RGB or the like. Ingredient values are subject to change.

In this case, if the digital watermark data is embedded, there is a problem that it may not be possible to properly determine the type of the image data to be printed, such as whether or not the image data is monochrome.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of appropriately determining the type of image data to be printed.

In the image processing apparatus, the acquisition unit for acquiring the first image data and the second image data including the brightness component and the two color difference components are generated based on the first image data, and the generated first image data is generated . the said two color difference components of the second image data is not embedded electronic watermark data, a generating unit that generates a third image data which the electronic watermark data is embedded in the luminance component of the second image data, wherein third, based on the two color difference component of the image data of said third image data determination section for determining a color image or a monochrome image, when the third image data is a monochrome image If it is determined, monochrome printing is executed based on the third image data, and if it is determined that the third image data is a color image, color printing is executed based on the third image data. It has a printing unit and a printing unit .

The type of image data to be printed can be appropriately determined.

It is a figure which shows an example of the image formation processing system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the software module of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure (the 1) which shows an example of a general operation flow. It is a figure explaining an example of the image in which the digital watermark data is embedded. It is a figure (the 2) which shows an example of a general operation flow. It is a figure (the 1) which shows an example of the operation flow which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure (the 2) which shows an example of the operation flow which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a billing table. It is a figure explaining an example of a billing process. It is a figure which shows an example of the formula used for the generation processing of the YCbCr image data which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the formula used for the generation processing of the CMYK image data which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the embedding process of the digital watermark data which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image formation processing system 1 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of a server device. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the processing of the image formation processing system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming processing system 1 includes an image forming device 10 and a client terminal 20. The image forming apparatus 10 and the client terminal 20 are connected via the network 2.

The client terminal 20 transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus 10. The client terminal 20 instructs the image forming apparatus 10 to output image data. The instruction includes a type related to output of image data such as color printing or monochrome printing. Further, the instruction may include an instruction for embedding the digital watermark data in the image data.

The image forming apparatus 10 outputs the image data received from the client terminal 20 according to the instruction from the client terminal 20. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 prints image data according to instructions.

The image forming apparatus 10 may receive an instruction from the user of the image forming apparatus 10 to read the image data and execute printing. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 directly receives the output type, the instruction for embedding the digital watermark data, and the like from the user.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, and a network interface 16 which are connected to each other by a bus.

The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, an NVRAM 115, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area of the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing the program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 stores a program and various data used by the program. Various setting information and the like are stored in the NVRAM 115.

The scanner 12 is hardware for reading image data from a paper document. The printer 13 is hardware for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used for transmitting and receiving image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware provided with input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input means. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless).

<Software module configuration>
The configuration of the software module of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the software module of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

The software of the image forming apparatus 10 has a hierarchical structure including an application layer 5 and a platform 8. The platform 8 has a control service layer 6 and a handler layer 7.

A software module related to the application provided by the image forming apparatus 10 is deployed in the application layer 5. In the example of FIG. 3, a print module (PRINT51), a copy module (COPY52), a fax module (FAX53), a scanner module (SCAN54), a net file module (NET FILE55), and the like are provided in the application layer 5. Here, the net file module is a software module used for storing document data, image data, and the like on a server or the like deployed on the network 2.

The control service layer 6 is provided with a module 61 for operating hardware to realize the functions provided by the application layer 5. The module 61 receives a processing request from the application layer via the application I / F 56, and executes a process for acquiring hardware resources in response to the processing request.

The SRM (System Resource Manager) 31 mediates the acquisition request of the hardware resource received from the module of the control service layer 6.

Modules (71 to 73) that manage hardware resources are deployed in the handler layer 7. The modules (71 to 73) of the handler layer 7 operate hardware such as a printer via hardware I / F57. In the example of FIG. 3, an example in which FCUH (Fax Control Unit Handler) 71, IMH (Image Memory Handler) 72, and MEU 73 are deployed as the modules of the handler layer 7 is shown. Here, the MEU controls the digital watermark and controls related to image conversion.

These software modules can be operated by causing the CPU to execute one or more programs stored in a ROM or the like.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a reception unit 110, an acquisition unit 120, an image processing unit 130, a print control unit 140, and a billing processing unit 150. These functions are realized by reading one or more programs stored in the ROM 113 or the like and causing the CPU 111 to execute them. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 has an information storage unit 160. The information storage unit 160 is realized by, for example, the HDD 114.

The reception unit 110 receives various instructions from the user of the image forming apparatus 10.

The acquisition unit 120 acquires image data to be printed from the client terminal 20. The acquisition unit 120 acquires the image data read by the scanner 12.

The image processing unit 130 executes image processing on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 120. Specifically, the image processing unit 130 generates RGB (Red Green Blue) image data of the acquired image data (first image data).

When the image processing unit 130 receives an instruction to embed a digital watermark in the image data, the image processing unit 130 performs YCbCr conversion on the RGB image data to generate YCbCr image data. The YCbCr conversion is RGB image data represented by the brightness of each color of red (R: Red), green (G: Green), and blue (B: Blue), with luminance (Y) and color difference (Cb: blue difference). , Cr: Red difference) is to be converted into YCbCr image data. Here, Cb represents the hue and saturation of the blue color, and Cr represents the hue and saturation of the red color. Then, the image processing unit 130 embeds the digital watermark data in the brightness (Y) component, and generates Y'CbCr image data (second image data) in which the digital watermark data is embedded. The YCbCr image data is an example of data having a luminance component and two color difference components, and the image processing unit 130 may use a format such as YUV or YPbPr instead of YCbCr. If there is no value in the two color difference components of the image data, the image data is a monochrome image.

The image processing unit 130 performs CMYK conversion of the image data to generate image data to be printed (CMYK image data).

The print control unit 140 controls the printer 13 and executes a process of printing CMYK image data.

The billing processing unit 150 determines the type of image data to be printed, and executes billing processing according to the type. For example, the billing processing unit 150 determines whether the color type of the image data is monochrome (achromatic color) or color (chromatic color).

If there is no value set for the color difference component (Cb, Cr) of the second image data (the value is approximately 0), the billing processing unit 150 determines that monochrome image data will be printed, and monochrome. Execute billing processing corresponding to printing.

Further, the billing processing unit 150 is in the case where there is a value set in the color difference component (Cb, Cr) of the second image data (the value is not substantially 0), and the CMYK image data is cyan (C). When a value is set for only one of the component, the magenta (M) component, and the yellow (Y) component, the billing processing unit 150 determines that the type of image data to be printed is a single color. You may judge that.

Further, the billing processing unit 150 is in the case where there is a value set in the color difference component (Cb, Cr) of the second image data, and the Cyan (C) component of the CMYK image data, magenta (M). When a value is set for any two components of the component and the yellow (Y) component, the billing processing unit 150 may determine that the type of image data to be printed is two-color.

Further, the billing processing unit 150 is in the case where there is a value set in the color difference component (Cb, Cr) of the second image data, and the Cyan (C) component of the CMYK image data, magenta (M). When the values are set for the three components of the component and yellow (Y), the billing processing unit 150 may determine that the type of image data to be printed is full color.

The information storage unit 160 stores various information. For example, in the information storage unit 160, the acquisition unit 120 instructs the image processing unit 130, the acquisition unit 120, and the like to instruct the first image data, the RGB image data, the YCbCr image data, the second image data, the CMYK image, and the like. Receive and remember. The information storage unit 160 stores the digital watermark data. Further, the information storage unit 160 stores the various types of image data output and the charge rate (parameter) to be applied in association with each other in the charge table 161.

<Processing>
(1) General Digital Watermark Data Embedding Process and Billing Process The operation flow of the general digital watermark data embedding process and billing process by the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. First, the operation procedure of embedding the digital watermark data will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S11, the image forming apparatus performs an image reading process and acquires image data.

In step S12, the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the acquired image data is an achromatic image. In the case of achromatic image data (step S12 Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the image data is not achromatic (step S12 No), the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S13, the image forming apparatus generates achromatic RGB image data.

In step S14, the image forming apparatus generates chromatic RGB image data.

In step S15, the image forming apparatus executes a process of embedding the digital watermark data in the RGB image data.

In step S16, the image forming apparatus generates image data (R'G'B'image data) in which the digital watermark data is embedded in the RGB image data. Here, since the digital watermark data is embedded in each of the red component, the green component, and the blue component, the R'G'B'image data generated is chromatic image data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image in which digital watermark data is embedded. In the example of FIG. 6, the circle 501 shown by the broken line is embedded with a digital watermark. The circle 501 is set to, for example, a color such as yellow that is difficult for the user to see. Note that the circle 501 indicates, for example, information on the original data of the image such as a data storage location.

As described above, when the general digital watermark data embedding process is executed, the chromatic image data is generated even when the achromatic image data is read. In the above-described operation procedure, the case where the image data is read has been described, but the same operation flow can be applied even when the image data is acquired from the client terminal 20.

Next, the operation procedure of the billing process will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

In step S21, the image forming apparatus receives a printing instruction for the R'G'B'image data.

In step S22, the image forming apparatus executes CMYK conversion on the R'G'B'image data to generate CMYK image data. Here, since the R'G'B'image data is chromatic image data, the CMYK image data is also chromatic image data.

In step S23, the image forming apparatus executes a printing process on the CMYK image data.

Since the image data to be printed in step S24 is the chromatic color image data, the image forming apparatus executes the charging process for the chromatic color image data.

As described above, even if the acquired image data is achromatic, the image data in which the digital watermark data is embedded becomes the chromatic image data. Therefore, the printed image data is charged for the chromatic color. Will be applied.

(2) Digital watermark data embedding process and billing process according to the embodiment Next, the digital watermark data embedding process and the billing process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the digital watermark data embedding process according to the first embodiment.

In step S31, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the image data. The acquisition unit 120 may acquire the image data read by the scanner 12, or may acquire the image data from the client terminal 20.

In step S32, the acquisition unit 120 determines whether or not the image processing unit 130 has acquired the achromatic image data. When the achromatic image data is acquired (step S32 Yes), the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if the achromatic image data has not been acquired (step S32 No), the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S33, the image processing unit 130 generates achromatic RGB image data. Here, the generated image data is stored in the information storage unit 160.

In step S34, the image processing unit 130 generates chromatic RGB image data. Here, the generated image data is stored in the information storage unit 160.

In step S35, the image processing unit 130 executes the YCbCr conversion process on the RGB image data to generate the YCbCr image data. Here, when the YCbCr conversion process is executed on the achromatic RGB image data, the values of the color difference components Cb and Cr become 0. On the other hand, when the YCbCr conversion process is executed on the chromatic RGB image data, the values of the color difference components Cb and Cr are other than 0.

In step S36, the image processing unit 130 executes a digital watermark embedding process on the generated YCbCr image data. Here, the image processing unit 130 executes a process of embedding a digital watermark in the Y (luminance) component of the YCbCr image data.

In step S37, the image processing unit 130 generates second image data (Y'CbCr image data) by executing a process of embedding a digital watermark in the Y (luminance) component of the YCbCr image data. Here, the luminance value of each pixel is represented by an integer value from 0 to 255, and when the digital watermark data is embedded in each pixel, the luminance value of each pixel is changed. Here, in an example of the image in which the digital watermark data shown in FIG. 6 is embedded, in the present embodiment, the circle 501 shown by the broken line has two values of white and black, or, for example, a brightness value of 0 to 255. , The value of the shade from white to black is set.

Next, an example of the billing process according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S41, the image forming apparatus 10 starts the printing process for the second image data.

In step S42, the charge processing unit 150 determines whether or not the Cb component and Cr component of the second image data are 0 (Cb component = 0 and Cr component = 0). When the Cb component and the Cr component are 0 (step S42 Yes), the process proceeds to step S43. On the other hand, if the Cb component and the Cr component are not 0 (step S42 Yes), the process proceeds to step S46.

In step S43, the image processing unit 130 executes a CMYK conversion process on the second image data to generate CMYK image data. The CMYK image data generated here is achromatic image data.

In step S44, the print control unit 140 executes a print process of CMYK image data, that is, achromatic image data.

In step S45, the billing processing unit 150 refers to the billing table 161, executes billing processing according to each type regarding the output of image data, and ends the processing.

In step S46, the image processing unit 130 executes CMYK conversion processing on the second image data to generate CMYK image data. The CMYK image data generated here is chromatic image data.

In step S47, the print control unit 140 executes the printing process of the CMYK image data, that is, the chromatic image data, and proceeds to the billing process of step S45.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the billing process in step S45 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the billing table 161. The billing tables 161A to 161F of FIGS. 10A to 10F correspond to various values related to image data output, such as size, color, number of faces, toner save, user, and basic charge, respectively. The billing amount (parameter) is set. The data stored in the billing table 161 may be set in advance.

The size is the size of the printed paper, and for example, values such as "A4" and "A3" are set. The color is data relating to the color to be printed, and for example, values such as "monochrome", "monochromatic color", "two-color color", and "full color" are set. The number of sides is the number of sides to be printed, and values such as "single side" and "double side" are set. The billing processing unit 150 determines, for example, the number of each toner such as CMYK used for printing CMYK image data, and when one toner other than K is used, it is "monochromatic color", and when two toners are used. Is determined to be "two-color" and "full-color" when three or more toners are used.

The toner save is data indicating whether or not to print in a mode in which toner consumption is suppressed in the printing process.

The user is a value indicating the attribute of the user to print, or the attribute of the user (including a corporation) who has the ownership or access right of the image data to be printed. The attributes of the user to be printed are acquired, for example, by inputting a user ID in the image forming apparatus 10 or reading an employee card.

The ownership or access right of the image data to be printed is acquired from, for example, a digital watermark embedded in the image processing unit 130. As a result, the type of image data can be determined based on the digital watermark data embedded in the image data, and billing or the like can be performed according to the determined type.

When the access right is set for the image data to be printed, the print control unit 140 may set the printable range differently according to the attribute of the user to print. For example, if the attribute of the user to print is "administrator", all objects in the image data can be printed, and if the attribute of the user to print is "guest", only the object of the image in the image data can be printed. May be good.

The basic charge is, for example, a basic charge per printing set for each image forming apparatus 10.

The item of "number" in FIGS. 10 (A) to 10 (F) is value identification information for each type.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of billing processing. In the example of FIG. 11, the section is when the size is "A4" (number "1" in FIG. 10 (A)) and the color is "full color" (number "3" in FIG. 10 (B)). An example of the amount is shown. In the example of FIG. 11, the billing amount according to each type is totaled, and 55 yen is determined as the billing amount.

According to the above-mentioned operation flow, even if the digital watermark embedding process is executed in the achromatic image data, it is not treated as the chromatic image data, so that the achromatic image data is charged appropriately. It becomes possible to execute the process.

For example, when it is determined that the Cb and Cr components of the second image data are 0 (step S42 Yes), the billing processing unit 150 determines that the image data is achromatic and charges the achromatic image data. To execute.

For example, when it is determined that the Cb and Cr components of the second image data are not 0 (step S42 No), the C (cyan) component, the M (magenta) component, the Y (yellow) component, and the K (black) When a value is set for one of the components, the billing processing unit 150 determines that the image data is of a single color and executes the charging process for the image data of the single color. In this case, when the value is set only for the K component, the billing processing unit 150 determines that the image data is achromatic and executes the billing process for the achromatic image data.

For example, when it is determined that the Cb and Cr components of the second image data are not 0 (step S42 No), the C (cyan) component, the M (magenta) component, the Y (yellow) component, and the K (black) When the values are set for two of the components, the billing processing unit 150 determines that the image data is of two colors and executes the charging process for the image data of the two colors. On the other hand, when the values are set for all the components, the billing processing unit 150 determines that the image data is chromatic and executes the billing process for the chromatic image data.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 10 generates the CMYK conversion process and the CMYK image data has been described, but the conversion process may be executed using the values of other color components. For example, when white toner is used, a conversion process for calculating the value of the white component may be executed.

<Image generation method>
The above-mentioned process of generating YCbCr image data from RGB image data can be realized by applying a general generation method.

For example, YCbCr image data is generated by applying Equations 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 12 to each pixel of RGB image data.

Here, in the case of achromatic image data, the values of the R component, the G component, and the B component are equal values, and the values of the Cb component and the Cr component are 0.

Similarly, the CMYK image data generation process from the YCbCr image data can be realized by applying a general generation method.

For example, CMYK image data is generated by applying Equations 4 to 14 shown in FIG. 13 to each pixel of YCbCr image data.

Specifically, RGB image data is generated by applying Equations 4 to 6 to each pixel of the YCbCr image data. Further, CMYK image data is generated by applying Equations 7 to 10 to each pixel of RGB image data. Therefore, CMYK image data is generated by applying Equations 11 to 14 to each pixel of the YCbCr image data.

In Equations 1 to 14 of FIGS. 12 and 13, in order to distinguish the Y (luminance) component from the Y (yellow) component, the Y (luminance) component is represented by Y and the Y (yellow) component is Ye. It is represented by.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, an example in which a digital watermark is embedded in a luminance component regardless of whether the original image to be printed is monochrome or color has been described. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a digital watermark is embedded in the brightness component when the original image to be printed is monochrome, and an electronic watermark is embedded in the RGB component in a predetermined color when the original image is color. Thereby, for example, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the digital watermark can be embedded in the color image with a relatively inconspicuous color such as yellow. Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a part, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

<Processing>
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the digital watermark data embedding process according to the second embodiment. Steps S201 to S206 are the same as steps S31 to S33 and steps S35 to S37 of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment.

In step S202, the acquisition unit 120 determines whether or not the image processing unit 130 has acquired the achromatic image data. If the achromatic image data has not been acquired (step S202 No), the process proceeds to step S207.

In step S207, the image processing unit 130 generates chromatic RGB image data.

Subsequently, in step S208, the image processing unit 130 executes a process of embedding a digital watermark in the RGB component with a predetermined color (for example, yellow or the like). That is, a digital watermark is embedded in the luminance component and the color difference component in the chromatic RGB image data.

Subsequently, in step S209, the image processing unit 130 generates image data (R'G'B'image data) in which the digital watermark data is embedded in the RGB image data, and proceeds to the process of step S206. As a result, YCbCr image data is generated from the RGB image data in which the digital watermark is embedded, and even when the original image to be printed is color, the same printing process and billing process as in FIG. 9 can be performed.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example in which each process such as embedding of a digital watermark and billing is executed in the image forming apparatus 10 has been described. In the third embodiment, an example in which at least a part of each process such as embedding of a digital watermark and billing is performed by an external device will be described. Thereby, for example, the digital watermark data and the billing data can be centrally managed by the server, or the processing in the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced. Since the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment or the second embodiment except for a part, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

<System configuration>
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the image forming processing system 1 according to the third embodiment. The image forming processing system 1 according to the third embodiment further includes a server device 30. The image forming apparatus 10 and the server apparatus 30 are connected via the network 2.

The server device 30 performs at least a part of each process such as embedding a digital watermark and charging according to a request from the image forming device 10.

The hardware configuration of the server device 30 may be, for example, the same as that of a general computer, or may be the same as that of the controller 11 shown in FIG.

<Functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the server device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 30. The server device 30 includes an acquisition unit 31, an image processing unit 32, a print control unit 33, and a billing processing unit 34. Each of these functional units is realized by reading one or more programs stored in a ROM or the like and causing the CPU to execute them. Further, the server device 30 has an information storage unit 35. The information storage unit 35 is realized by, for example, an HDD.

The acquisition unit 31 acquires image data and the like.

The image processing unit 32 embeds a digital watermark in the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 31.

The print control unit 33 controls the print process in the image forming apparatus 10.

The billing processing unit 34 calculates the billing amount based on various types of data related to the output of image data.

The information storage unit 35 stores various types of information. For example, the information storage unit 35 stores the billing table 161.

<Processing>
Next, with reference to FIG. 17, the processing of the image forming processing system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the image forming processing system 1 according to the third embodiment.

In step S301, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires image data from the client terminal 20 or the scanner 12.

Subsequently, in step S302, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires various different data related to the output of the image data. Here, the image forming apparatus 10 sets various values of the billing tables 161A to 161F of FIGS. 10A to 10F such as size, color, number of faces, toner save, user, and basic charge. For example, it is acquired based on an operation from the user.

Subsequently, in step S303, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the image data and various types of data related to the output of the image data to the server apparatus 30.

Subsequently, in step S304, the acquisition unit 31 of the server device 30 receives the image data and various other data related to the output of the image data from the image forming device 10.

Subsequently, in step S305, the image processing unit 32 of the server device 30 embeds a digital watermark in the image data.

Subsequently, in step S306, the billing processing unit 34 of the server device 30 is acquired by the billing tables 161A to 161F of FIGS. 10A to 10F stored in the information storage unit 35 and the acquisition unit 31. The billing process is executed based on various different data related to the output of the image data.

Subsequently, in step S307, the charge processing unit 34 of the server device 30 transmits the charge amount calculated by the charge process to the image forming apparatus 10. Here, the charge processing unit 34 causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a process of collecting the calculated charge amount from the user.

Subsequently, in step S308, the image forming apparatus 10 collects the calculated billing amount from the user. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may collect a fee by using coins, electronic money, a credit card, or the like.

Subsequently, in step S309, the print control unit 33 of the server device 30 transmits the image data in which the digital watermark is embedded to the image forming device 10. Here, the print control unit 33 controls the printer 13 of the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a process of printing the image data in which the digital watermark is embedded.

Subsequently, in step S310, the image forming apparatus 10 outputs the image data in which the digital watermark is embedded by the printer 13.

<Effect of each embodiment>
According to each of the above-described embodiments, the digital watermark data is embedded in the luminance component of the image data, and the type of the image data is determined based on the color difference component. Thereby, the type of the image data to be printed can be appropriately determined.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus or the like, when outputting image data, a billing rate according to the type of output data may be applied. For example, a color printing charge rate is applied to color image data, and a monochrome print charge rate is applied to monochrome image data. In this case, in the prior art, when the digital watermark data is embedded in the monochrome image data, the monochrome image data is recognized as the color image data by the embedded digital watermark data, and the charge rate for color printing is applied. It may end up.

On the other hand, according to each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to apply an appropriate billing rate to the image data in which the digital watermark data is embedded.

[others]
The image processing units 130 and 32 are examples of generation units. The billing processing units 150 and 34 are examples of determination units. The print control unit 140 and the printer 13 are examples of the print unit. The image forming apparatus 10 or the server apparatus 30 is an example of an image processing apparatus.

A storage medium in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is recorded may be supplied to the image forming apparatus 10. Needless to say, the above-described embodiment can be achieved by the image forming apparatus 10 reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes any of the embodiments. Here, the storage medium is a recording medium or a non-temporary storage medium.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer device, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized. The operating system (OS) or the like running on the computer device may perform a part or all of the actual processing according to the instruction of the program code. Further, it goes without saying that the function of the above-described embodiment may be realized by the processing.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be added without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 10 and the server apparatus 30 may be realized by cloud computing composed of, for example, one or more computers.

1 Image forming processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Client terminal 110 Reception unit 120 Acquisition unit 130 Image processing unit 140 Print control unit 150 Billing processing unit 160 Information storage unit 30 Server device 31 Acquisition unit 32 Image processing unit 33 Print control unit 34 Charging Processing unit 35 Information storage unit

Special Table 2004-528586

Claims (11)

The acquisition unit that acquires the first image data,
Based on the first image data, a second image data including a brightness component and two color difference components is generated, and electronic watermark data is embedded in the two color difference components of the generated second image data. Instead, a generation unit that generates a third image data in which electronic watermark data is embedded in the brightness component of the second image data, and a generation unit.
Said third based on the two color difference component of the image data, the determination unit third image data whether a color image or a monochrome image,
When it is determined that the third image data is a monochrome image, monochrome printing is executed based on the third image data, and when it is determined that the third image data is a color image, the said A printing unit that executes color printing based on the third image data,
An image processing device having. The generation unit converts the format of the third image data into a format for printing the image data, and then converts the format of the third image data into a format for printing the image data.
The printing unit, print the third image data converted into a format for the printing,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The determination unit, if there is no value of the color difference component of the third image data, the third image data is determined as the monochrome image data,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The determination unit, if there is a value of the color difference component of the third image data, the third image data is determined as the image data of the color,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The determination unit, if there is a value of the color difference component of the third image data, determines the number of toner used in printing the third image data,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the second image data is monochrome image data, the generation unit embeds the digital watermark data in the luminance component of the second image data.
When the second image data is not monochrome image data, the digital watermark data is embedded in the color difference component of the second image data.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The determination unit determines whether the third image data is a monochrome image or a color image based on the digital watermark data embedded by the generation unit.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. It has a billing processing unit that calculates a billing amount when outputting the third image data based on the determination result of the determination unit.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An image processing system having an image processing device and a server device.
The acquisition unit that acquires the first image data,
Based on the first image data, a second image data including a brightness component and two color difference components is generated, and electronic watermark data is embedded in the two color difference components of the generated second image data. Instead, a generation unit that generates a third image data in which electronic watermark data is embedded in the brightness component of the second image data, and a generation unit.
Said third based on the two color difference component of the image data, the determination unit third image data whether a color image or a monochrome image,
When it is determined that the third image data is a monochrome image, monochrome printing is executed based on the third image data, and when it is determined that the third image data is a color image, the said A printing unit that executes color printing based on the third image data,
Image processing system with. The image processing device
The process of acquiring the first image data and
Based on the first image data, a second image data including a brightness component and two color difference components is generated, and electronic watermark data is embedded in the two color difference components of the generated second image data. Instead, the process of generating the third image data in which the electronic watermark data is embedded in the brightness component of the second image data,
Based on the two color difference components of said third image data, a process for determining the third image data is either color image is a monochrome image,
When it is determined that the third image data is a monochrome image, monochrome printing is executed based on the third image data, and when it is determined that the third image data is a color image, the said The process of executing color printing based on the third image data,
Image processing method to execute. On the computer
The process of acquiring the first image data and
Based on the first image data, a second image data including a brightness component and two color difference components is generated, and electronic watermark data is embedded in the two color difference components of the generated second image data. Instead, the process of generating the third image data in which the electronic watermark data is embedded in the brightness component of the second image data,
Based on the two color difference components of said third image data, a process for determining the third image data is either color image is a monochrome image,
When it is determined that the third image data is a monochrome image, monochrome printing is executed based on the third image data, and when it is determined that the third image data is a color image, the said The process of executing color printing based on the third image data,
A program that executes.

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