Abstract: An image processing portion (1) performs binarization, segmentation, and feature extraction of a received image using a RAM (2), compares the extracted feature with specific pattern data stored in a dictionary data memory (3), performs recognition processing, and provides recognition results to a CPU (4). The dictionary data memory is a volatile memory, in which specific pattern data held by the CPU is written by the CPU when power is turned on. Since the data stored in the volatile memory is erased when power is turned off, the dictionary data memory can be removed and the contents are analyzed when the power is turned off without causing any trouble.

Abstract: A image recognition device using pattern elements is disclosed. The device comprises an image recognition device, a recording medium, and an image processing device which is be capable of executing recognition processing accurately and evaluating an input image even when the input image data is a different size because the input image has been magnified or reduced. To achieve the objectives, the image recognition device of this invention has a pattern element recognizing means to recognize the pattern elements obtained by dividing the input image into a plurality of regions which are compared with corresponding target pattern elements, and a pattern detection means to detect the relative position of the pattern elements, which determines whether the pattern elements detected by the pattern element recognizing means are arranged properly with respect to each other.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an image processing device and image input device which creates strong features, or enhanced pattern which could be recognized when the image was read and which would prove difficult to eliminate through subsequent image processing. When the image is generated at the later step, these features would be easily recognized by the processing according to this invention because the image is equipped with the enhanced pattern which is easy to detect. In order to achieve this object, the image processing device according to this invention is equipped with a data synthesizing unit to synthesize the clear target pattern on the candidate target pattern which is not fully clear when the recognition unit has detected a pattern similar to the target pattern.

Abstract: Fluctuation information produced by a fluctuation producing portion (36) is superimposed on given image data by a fluctuation superimposing portion (35). The superimposed image data where the fluctuation information is superimposed is subjected to an image recognition process by an image recognition portion (37). The results of the image recognition are sent to a printer body through a recognition result outputting portion (39). Even if the given image data is the same, fluctuation is superimposed, and therefore the image data on an object to be recognized is altered. As a result, the possibility of a recognition error is suppressed as much as possible.

Abstract: A printer (30) prints image data received from a personal computer (20). The printer stores a recognition program, which is installed for the printer driver of the personal computer. The personal computer executes the received recognition program to carry out recognition. Upon detecting a specific image, the personal computer instructs the printer to discontinue the printing operation. An image processing system is thus provided which prohibits the printer from producing printout if the personal computer connected with the printer detects a prohibited image.

Abstract: To reliably and simply prevent the output of specified image data, a unit to detect a pattern is installed in one of the devices in a system consisting of an image scanner 1, control device 2 (a personal computer) and printer 3 which are connected consecutively. This pattern detection unit contains a unit which detects a specified pattern from the mass of image data representing a document. Once this pattern has been found, either the subsequent image data are altered before being output or output of the image data is interrupted. When the system starts up, the control unit for each device checks whether that device, or one of the other devices in the system, has a pattern detection unit as described above. If it determines that no device has such a unit, it halts operation.

Abstract: A computer (901) has a function of controlling operation of an image recognition unit (201) for counterfeiting prevention in a printer (902). According to this function, a control signal (S1) for instructing operation of the image recognition unit is output to the printer when the type of a command (C1) received from an application (102) is a command type of an image as an object of counterfeiting prevention, while the control signal is not output when the type of the received command is not the command type of an image as an object of counterfeiting prevention. The printer has a function of operating the image recognition unit for image data (D1) applied from the computer only when the control signal is received from the computer.

Abstract: An non-reproducible image formation preventing apparatus has a recognition section, a storage section and a comparison/determination section. The recognition section performs recognition processing for received image data, determines whether or not the image data is an non-reproducible image, and outputs the determination result to an image formation section. The storage section stores non-reproducible image data recognized as an non-reproducible image by the recognition section. The comparison/determination section compares the non-reproducible image data stored in the storage section with an image based on input image data given through an image process section and finding a match degree therebetween. If either of the comparison/determination section and the recognition section determines that the image is an non-reproducible image, a detection signal is sent to the image formation section for stopping normal print.

Abstract: A copying machine obtains image data on the basis of a strip-shaped region by reading portion 10, converts the image data to YMCK data at image processing portion 20 in the succeeding stage, and performs zooming processing at zooming processing portion 22. YMCK binary data is produced by pseudo tone processing portion 24. Output portion 30 sequentially prints out data on the basis of a strip-shaped region based on the produced binary data. The output of the image processing portion is divided into 64 dot portions for a reduction processing (into 128 dot portions for equal size/expansion processing). Then, the output of the image processing portion is applied to a recognizing device 50, which performs recognizing processing based on data after a zooming operation.

Abstract: To reliably and simply prevent the output of specified image data, a unit to detect a pattern is installed in one of the devices in a system consisting of an image scanner 1, control device 2 (a personal computer) and printer 3 which are connected consecutively. This pattern detection unit contains a unit which detects a specified pattern from the mass of image data representing a document. Once this pattern has been found, either the subsequent image data are altered before being output or output of the image data is interrupted. When the system starts up, the control unit for each device checks whether that device, or one of the other devices in the system, has a pattern detection unit as described above. If it determines that no device has such a unit, it halts operation.

Abstract: To reliably and simply prevent the output of specified image data, a unit to detect a pattern is installed in one of the devices in a system consisting of an image scanner 1, control device 2 (a personal computer) and printer 3 which are connected consecutively. This pattern detection unit contains a unit which detects a specified pattern from the mass of image data representing a document. Once this pattern has been found, either the subsequent image data are altered before being output or output of the image data is interrupted. When the system starts up, the control unit for each device checks whether that device, or one of the other devices in the system, has a pattern detection unit as described above. If it determines that no device has such a unit, it halts operation.

Abstract: An image recognition method and device detects an object mark reliably even when the mark is defaced with a different color. RGB signals are transmitted to color extraction unit. The color extraction unit has a characteristic color extraction block to extract the characteristic color of the object mark. A binary image is generated from the extracted pixels which are the color of the mark and stored in storage device. A mark detection unit detects the location of the mark in the stored image data and an image extraction unit extracts the region where the mark is located and obtains a feature count. A matching unit compares the feature count with a reference pattern and finds the goodness of fit. A control unit subjects the goodness of fit value to threshold value processing to determine whether this is a nonreproducible document. If the mark has been defaced with black ink, the pixels constituting the mark are extracted by a likely color extraction block.

Abstract: To reliably and simply prevent the output of specified image data, a unit to detect a pattern is installed in one of the devices in a system consisting of an image scanner 1, control device 2 (a personal computer) and printer 3 which are connected consecutively. This pattern detection unit contains a unit which detects a specified pattern from the mass of image data representing a document. Once this pattern has been found, either the subsequent image data are altered before being output or output of the image data is interrupted. When the system starts up, the control unit for each device checks whether that device, or one of the other devices in the system, has a pattern detection unit as described above. If it determines that no device has such a unit, it halts operation.

Abstract: An image input device photoelectrically reads a document and outputs digital data. This image reader includes a first voltage generating circuit for generating a first voltage for setting an upper limit of contrast, a second voltage generating circuit for generating a second voltage for setting a lower limit of contrast, and an A/D converter for converting an input analog signal to a digital signal in accordance with the first and second voltages. At least one of the voltages generated by the first voltage generating circuit and second voltage generating circuit is variable.