Image Processing Apparatus Selective Breaking Pattern Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preventing document copying, such as using special patterns, cannot physically prevent information leakage and often result in wasteful printing and data transmission of breaking patterns, leading to inefficiencies and resource waste.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes a reading section, a storage section for a special pattern, a determination section to identify the pattern, a breaking section to apply a breaking pattern, and a controller to manage output based on user settings, allowing selective printing or transmission of the breaking pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a breaking pattern is automatically applied and output when a special pattern is detected, then copying prevention is strengthened, but toner and sheet waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on user settings. The controller modifies the output behavior of the breaking pattern application section according to predetermined settings stored in the storage section, allowing the system to adapt between automatic breaking pattern output and user-controlled output, thereby reducing waste while maintaining security when needed
2Reliability
If a breaking pattern is automatically applied and transmitted when a special pattern is detected, then information leakage prevention is strengthened, but unnecessary data transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts data transmission based on predetermined settings. When the breaking pattern application section transmits the processed image data, the controller refers to stored settings to determine whether to actually transmit the data, thereby preventing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining security when transmission is required
3Loss of substance
If the breaking pattern output is completely controlled by user settings, then resource waste is reduced, but copying prevention reliability may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically applying the breaking pattern to the document image when a special pattern is detected, before waiting for user input. This ensures that the breaking pattern is already in place if the user chooses to output or transmit the image, maintaining security reliability while still allowing user control to prevent waste when the breaking pattern is not needed
Data Source
AI summary
A special pattern determination section determines whether a special pattern is included in a document image read by a document reading section. If the special pattern determination section determines that the special pattern is included, the breaking pattern applying section applies a breaking pattern to the document image, and the print image generating section accumulates image data of the document image applied with the breaking pattern into a memory. On the other hand, if it is determined that the special pattern is not included, the print image generating section accumulates the image data of the document image directly into the memory. Then, if it is set by a user so as not to print the breaking pattern, the controller deletes image data of the document image accumulated in the memory and applied with the breaking pattern.