Image processing apparatus for extracting code data from scanned image and control method thereof

Abstract

An image processing apparatus scans an image of a document to thereby create image data, and extracts specific code data from the created image data. If the specific code data is successfully extracted, pattern data corresponding to the specific code data is deleted from the created image data. Further, pattern data corresponding to the specific code data is embedded into the image data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a control block diagram of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of copy processing executed by the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show one example of a dot pattern recognized by the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 4 shows one example of an inclination detection filter utilized in the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 5 shows another example of an inclination detection filter utilized in the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 6 shows still another example of an inclination detection filter utilized in the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of copy processing executed by an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of copy processing executed by an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of copy processing executed by an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A shows a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a control block diagram of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of copy processing executed by the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a creation section for scanning an image of a document to thereby create image date;an extraction section for extracting specific code data from the image data created by said creation section;a deletion section for deleting pattern data corresponding to said specific code data extracted by said extraction section, from the image data created by said creation section; andan embedment section for embedding pattern data corresponding to said specific code data into the image data with the pattern data corresponding to said specific code data deleted therefrom by said deletion section.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an output section for outputting the image data; andan output control section for permitting/prohibiting said output section to output/from outputting the image data, whereinwhen said extraction section extracts said specific code data, said output control section permits said output section to output the image data only in establishment of a predetermined condition.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an input section for accepting input of information; anda storage section for storing said specific code data and the information inputted to said input section while associating said specific code data with the information inputted to said input section, whereinwhen said input section receives the information associated with said specific code data, said output control section determines that said predetermined condition is established.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a storage section for storing said specific code data and an expiration date while associating said specific code data with the expiration date; anda timer, whereinwhen current date and time measured by said timer is within the expiration date stored in said storage section while being associated with said specific code data, said output control section determines that said predetermined condition is established.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a notification section for making a notification that said output control section prohibits said output section from outputting the image data.

6. A control method of an image processing apparatus, comprising the steps of scanning an image of a document to thereby create image data;extracting specific code data from said created image data;deleting pattern data corresponding to said extracted specific code data, from said created image data; andembedding pattern data corresponding to said specific code data into the image data with the pattern data corresponding to said specific code data deleted therefrom.

7. The control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising the step of permitting output of the image data only in establishment of a predetermined condition, in a case where said specific code data is successfully extracted.

8. The control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: accepting input of information; andstoring said specific code data and the information inputted while associating said specific code with the information inputted externally, whereinwhen said information inputted is the information associated with said specific code data, it is determined that said predetermined condition is established.

9. The control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of. storing said specific code data and an expiration date while associating said specific code data with the expiration date;measuring current date and time, whereinwhen said measured current date and time is within the expiration date stored while being associated with said specific code data, it is determined that said predetermined condition is established.

10. The control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising the step of making a notification that output of the image data is prohibited.

11. An image processing apparatus comprising: a creation section for scanning an image of a document to thereby create image data;an extraction section for extracting specific code data from the image data created by said creation section;a control section for prohibiting embedment of pattern data into the image data created by said creation section when said extraction section extracts said specific code data, and permitting embedment of the pattern data into the image data created by said creation section when said extraction section fails to extract said specific code data; andan embedment section for embedding predetermined pattern data into the image data created by said creation section when said control section permits embedment of the pattern data.

12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a detection section for detecting whether or not the image data created by said creation section contains an image pattern having a fixed cycle, whereinwhen said detection section detects said image pattern having the fixed cycle, said control section prohibits embedment of the pattern data into the image data created by said creation section.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a notification section for making a notification that said control section prohibits embedment of the pattern data into the image data created by said creation section.

14. A control method of an image processing apparatus for embedding predetermined pattern data into scanned image data to output the image data with the predetermined pattern data embedded thereinto, the control method comprising the steps of: scanning an image of a document to thereby create image data;extracting specific code data from said created image data;embedding predetermined pattern data into said created image data when said specific code data fails to be extracted; andprohibiting embedment of the predetermined pattern data into said created image data when said specific code data is extracted.

15. The control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: detecting whether or not said created image data contains an image pattern having a fixed cycle, whereinsaid prohibition step prohibits embedment of said predetermined pattern data when said image pattern having the fixed cycle is detected.

16. The control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: making a notification that the embedment of said pattern data is prohibited.