Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Koichi Sumida

Yoshiyuki Nakai

Yohichi Shimazawa

Akihiko Taniguchi

Takao Yamanouchi

Akira Tamagaki

Kiyoshi Inoue

Takao Horiuchi

Junichi Kajiwara

Katsumi Nagata

Takashi Nishimachi

Takahiro Minami

Yoshiomi Hamano

Hiroki Kai

As provided with a first reading section and a second reading section for reading both surfaces of a document, an image reading apparatus respectively calculates gamma correction values in gamma correcting sections and correction factors in color correcting sections, and corrects colors of criteria images being read by the first reading section and the second reading section in accordance with sample data stored on a storing section in order to substantially match the colors of both criteria images. In addition, the image reading apparatus utilizes an distinctive color range common for the both surfaces which defines a color about a distinguishing pattern, in order to determine whether images of both surfaces contain the distinguishing pattern or not.

Image reading apparatus for determining whether a document contains a distinguishing pattern

When an image based on RGB image data accepted by the image processing section and the ICU is to be enlarged by the zoom process section of the ICU (or when specification of an area in an image is accepted by the operation section), the leak-preventing identification mark detecting section, the positional relation calculating section and the forgery-preventing identification mark detecting section respectively determine whether patterns respectively representing a leak-preventing identification mark and a forgery-preventing identification mark are included separately in the entire area of the image and in an area to be enlarged (or an area whose specification has been accepted) or not.

Image processing device and image forming device

Provided are a specific image information adding method with enhanced detection accuracy enabling multiple pieces of information to be added, and an image forming apparatus using the method. In the method of adding specific image information about a recorded image onto the recorded image, the specific image information consists of reference information and identification information, the reference information is formed so as to be able to set a reference position for reading of the specific image information, and the identification information is formed from dot images indicative of bit information at predetermined positions on an arc or a circumference around the reference position. The identification information can represent a single information item by a plurality of dot images, which are placed on a plurality of different arcs or circumferences and arranged at predetermined spacings in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction.

Method of adding specific image information and image forming apparatus

Depending on processing to be executed, the processing is prevented from being restricted even if a particular image is included in image data. There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising an authentication sectionwhich distinguishes a user; a particular-image judgment sectionwhich detects particular images from inputted image data and judges whether or not the number of the particular images exceeds a threshold; and a threshold determination sectionwhich determines a threshold according to the user and processing to be executed; and a control sectionwhich restricts the processing to be executed when the number of the particular images exceeds the threshold. Depending on the importance degree of the security of the processing to be executed, the threshold determination sectionlowers the threshold as the importance degree is higher and raises the threshold as the importance degree is lower. Furthermore, the threshold is raised in the case of a registered user and lowered in the case of an unregistered user.

Image processing apparatus

An image detecting method is provided that permits the specific image information to be present within image data of a document and is capable of detecting the specific image information within a relatively short period of time and accurately, with little effect of interference with the image data of the document and without regard to an angle at which the document is placed. The specific pattern image comprises a plurality of dot images Sa and Sb arranged in a straight line, and by positioning one of the plurality of dot images Sa and Sb at the center O of a plurality of concentric circles of different diameters and detecting that other dot images are on the plurality of concentric circles Rto Rand are on a straight line L running through the center O of the concentric circles, the pattern image is detected.

Image detecting method

An image processing apparatus is provided which can output an image from which only specific image information can be positively detected when the specific image information used to prohibit copying of image information is added to image data. The present invention includes a specific image information adding portion that adds specific image information representing a specific image to image data when image processing is performed for input image data and a specific image information setting portion that sets a color and/or number of the specific image information.

Image processing apparatus, program, and recording medium

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus including: an image reading section for reading a document image; a particular image determining section for determining whether or not a particular image is included in image data read by the image reading section; an image processing section for processing the image data; and a resolution converting section for changing a resolution of the image data to be transferred to the particular image determining section, wherein the resolution converting section lowers a pixel frequency of the image data to be transmitted to the particular image determining section so as to perform simple processing. The lowered pixel frequency slows down processing speed of the image data and thereby improves determination accuracy.

The image processing apparatus (data processing apparatus) stores data in a storing unit (storing means), inputs and outputs the data to and from the storing unit via a storage control unit (input-output means) and processes the data outputted from the storing unit with a control unit (processing means). The storage control unit inputs and outputs image data to and from the storing unit by the DMA method through a path via a DMA control unit and inputs and outputs other data such as a control instruction to and from the storing unit by the PIO method through a path via a PIO control unit. Image data to be inputted and outputted to and from the storing unit by the DMA method is encrypted in an input operation and decrypted in an output operation by an encryption/decryption unit provided on the input-output path for DMA method.

Data processing apparatus for selecting either a PIO data transfer method or a DMA data transfer method

A power supply deviceincluding: a current sourcefor supplying current to a load circuitwhich operates on the supplied current, and a power switch unitbetween the current sourceand the load circuitto control passage of current, wherein: the power switch unitincludes a switching elementconnected in parallel with the open-close element, a power supply controllerincluding an open-close element controllerwhich controls operation of the open-close elementand a switching element controllerwhich controls operation of the switching element, and a voltage detectorwhich detects terminal voltage of the load circuit; and the power switch unitturns on the switching element before supplying current to the load circuit and closes the open-close element when the terminal voltage of the load circuit becomes almost equal to supply voltage.

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Nara, Japan

Koichi Sumida