Image Processing Apparatus for Confidential Document Copy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current copy protection methods for high-tech digital color copying apparatuses are inadequate in accurately detecting and preventing the reproduction of confidential documents, as they rely on visible marks or watermarks that can be easily circumvented, and vary in accuracy depending on image reading modes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that selects appropriate image reading modes, performs pre-processing on image data, and extracts specific information to accurately detect patterns indicative of confidential documents, using a mechanism to compare detected patterns with reference patterns stored in a database, and regulate reproduction accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible marks or watermarks are used for copy protection, then document confidentiality can be indicated, but these marks can be easily circumvented by hiding them
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the confidential information indication from visible surface marks and embeds it within the document content itself through specific patterns and arrangements that are integrated into the document structure, making them不可分离 and难以 circumvent
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds confidential information patterns within the normal document content structure, nesting the protection mechanism inside the document itself rather than placing it on the surface, similar to nested dolls where one object is inside another
2Measurement precision
If pattern matching with prestored specific marks is used, then special documents can be recognized, but reference pattern data must be stored and cannot be applied to indefinite number of general confidential documents
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach from matching fixed prestored patterns to detecting specific parameter arrangements within the document content, such as specific character patterns, spacing arrangements, and structural configurations that can vary across different confidential documents while maintaining detectable characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal detection mechanism that can identify various types of confidential documents through common structural patterns and arrangements, making the system adaptable to indefinite numbers of different confidential documents without requiring separate reference data for each
3Measurement precision
If image reading modes are changed to improve detection, then detection accuracy may improve, but detection accuracy varies depending on the image reading mode selected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of the scanned image data to normalize and standardize the image characteristics before pattern detection, ensuring that the detection algorithm receives consistent input regardless of the original scanning mode, thereby eliminating the variability introduced by different reading modes
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an image input device that reads an original image and obtains image data from the original image by selecting one of plural types of image reading modes of the image input device, an image pre-processing mechanism that performs at least one pre-processing relative to the image data obtained by the image input device, an image pre-processing selecting mechanism that selects at least one pre-processing according to the image reading mode selected by the image input device and causes the image pre-processing mechanism to perform the selected at least one pre-processing, and an information extracting mechanism that extracts specific information included in the image data subjected to the at least one pre-processing performed by the image pre-processing mechanism.