Abstract:
This patent specification describes an image forming apparatus which can effectively check and prevent the unauthorized image processing so that the obtained image data may not be different from the content which a user demands. In one example, an image forming apparatus includes a defining mechanism, a reader, a detector, a comparator, and a notifier. Then, a certain tint block pattern is detected and information of the result is notified effectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a method and a computer program product for capable of detecting a copy-prohibited manuscript and warning about an unauthorized copy. 
   2. Discussion of the Background 
   A conventional image forming apparatus has a number of peripheral devices such as an image input device (e.g., a scanner), an image output device (e.g., a printer), and an image storage device. This conventional image forming apparatus is capable of performing several kinds of image data conversion, depending upon user instructions. 
   Various kinds of standards associated with information security have been studied and established. Image data may often be an item to be protected under such an information security rules. Accordingly, certain measures have been taken against unauthorized access to and copying of image data from, for example, a local storage device which may be installed in a host apparatus such as the background image forming apparatus. Offices may contain a considerable number of confidential documents and may be provided with high security devices for strictly handling confidential documents. 
   As one example of the above-mentioned high security apparatuses, a secure color image forming apparatus has been recently introduced. This apparatus can handle a special document such as a bill, a stock certificate, and so forth, strictly prohibiting a reproduction of it. At a user attempt to reproduce such document, the apparatus provides a warning to the user that the copying of the document is unauthorized and it may also provides a warning notice to a third person about user&#39;s unauthorized copying. Once the color image forming apparatus generates a warning notice to the third person, the warning mode of the apparatus can only be cancelled through a special procedure. Also, a background image processing unit has been introduced. This apparatus is designed to prevent reproduction of copy-prohibited image data without sacrificing versatile page editing features. 
   Another conventional image printing system has been developed and widely used in the issuance and verification of securities such as stock certificates. In issuance, for example, this system performs the printing on a surface of securities based on information associated with a printing with black toner and transparent fluorescent color toner item by item to be printed on the surface of securities. In this system, the information about black toner and transparent fluorescent color toner is memorized. Thus, an inexpensive printing system has been achieved for printing a high-level security document such as securities. In addition, a securities managing system has been proposed, which prints an issuance number of the securities onto a surface of the securities in an illegible manner and acquires an image of the surface to use to verify identification of securities withdrawn at a later time. 
   Moreover, unlike special manuscripts such as a bill or securities, confidential documents handled in offices, for example, have various kinds of marks indicating a copying prohibition. Another conventional image forming apparatus can handle these documents and change access levels for copying, transferring, and storing according to confidentiality levels defined by the mark. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A novel image forming apparatus, method and computer program product for effectively checking and preventing unauthorized image processing. In one example, a novel image forming apparatus includes a defining mechanism, a reader, a detector, a comparator, and a notifier. The defining mechanism is configured to set an identifier according to a certain tint block pattern. The reader is configured to read image data according to an original of image. The detector is configured to detect the certain tint block pattern in the image data read by the reader. The comparator is configured to compare the detected tint block pattern with the certain tint block pattern. The notifier is configured to provide information as a result of the comparison performed by the comparator in accordance with the identifier. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration illustrating an example system configuration of a digital copying apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of an upper side of a manuscript table included in the digital copying apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a timing chart of image synchronizing signals output from an IPU in a reader part of the digital copying apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an example configuration of a memory part of the digital copying apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration illustrating an example configuration of a multi functional image forming apparatus according to another example embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration illustrating an example hardware configuration of the multi functional image forming apparatus of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration illustrating an example configuration of an engine part of the multi functional image forming apparatus of  FIG. 5 , including a tint block pattern recognizing part; 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an example functional configuration of the tint block pattern recognizing part illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of an example of isolated pixel information; 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of an example of physical relationship information of isolated pixels; 
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of examples of a certain tint block pattern in a case of pattern matching; 
       FIG. 12  is an illustration illustrating example resultant images after reading of a copy-prohibited manuscript with or without recognition of copy-prohibition; 
       FIG. 13  is an illustration illustrating example resultant images after reading of a copy permitted manuscript with or without recognition of copy-prohibition; 
       FIG. 14  is a general illustration illustrating an example system of registering a registrant ID to a certain tint block pattern with an image forming apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart of an example procedure of a registration operation performed by the system of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram of an example functional configuration of the engine part illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram of an example functional configuration of displaying an unauthorized printing result on an operation panel illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a general illustration illustrating an example system of registering a registrant ID and a registrant e-mail address to a certain tint block pattern with an image forming apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is an illustration illustrating an example general configuration of a system which notifies an unauthorized printing result by e-mail, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart of an example procedure of a registration operation performed by the system of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 21  is an illustration illustrating an example of a display of an operation panel which chooses notifying method of the unauthorized printing result according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 22  is a flowchart of an example procedure of the image forming apparatus of the example embodiment of  FIG. 21 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, particularly to  FIG. 1 , a system configuration of a digital copying apparatus  100  according to an example embodiment of the present invention is described. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the digital copying apparatus  100  includes a reader part  150 , an image forming part  160 , an operation part  132 , a system controller part  131 , a memory part  133 , a facsimile part  134 , an interface part  136 , and a selector part  135 . 
   The reader part  150  includes a manuscript table  101 , an exposure lump  103 , a reflecting mirror  104 , an image sensor (CCD)  105 , an image processing unit (IPU)  106 , and a scanner controller  107 . The image forming part  160  includes an electrostatic charger  111 , a photoconductor  112 , a writing part  113 , paper feeding rollers  114 , a paper feeding tray  115 , resist rollers  116 , a transferring charger  117 , a separating charger  118 , a fixing unit  119 , paper ejecting rollers  120 , a paper ejecting tray  121 , a cleaning unit  122 , a removing electricity charger  123 , a plotter controller  124 , and a developing unit  125 . 
   In the reader part  150 , an original manuscript  102  is put on the manuscript table  101 . The manuscript is set as shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows a general illustration of upper side of the manuscript table  101 . The manuscript table  101  has the length of 12 inches main scanning direction M and the length of 17 inches in sub-scanning direction S. 
   The scanner controller  107  detects sensors, controls driving motors and set parameters in the IPU  106  so that the reading process to be performed. 
   The exposure lump  103  moves along the manuscript table  101  to expose the manuscript so that the reflecting light reflects by the reflecting mirror  104 , and then, the image sensor (CCD)  105  photoelectrically transfers to electric signal according to the intensity of the light. The image processing unit (IPU)  106  converts the electric signal to 8-bit digital signal with the process of shading correction. After image processing such as zooming or dithering, the signal is input into the image forming part  160  with image synchronizing signal. 
   In the image forming part  160 , the electrostatic charger  111  charges the photoconductor  112  which rotates in a certain speed. The photoconductor  112  is exposed in laser light  126  from the writing part  113 . The laser light  126  is modulated by image data. 
   The developing unit  125  develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor  112  to toner image. 
   With the thus-structured digital copying apparatus  100 , transfer paper is conveyed from the paper feeding tray  115  to the resist rollers  116  by the paper feeding rollers  114 . Then, the transfer paper is further conveyed to the photoconductor  112 , and the toner on the photoconductor  112  is electrostatically transferred onto the transfer paper by an action of the transferring charger  117 . Then, the transfer paper is separated from the photoconductor  112  by an action of the separating charger  118 . 
   After that, the toner on the transfer paper is fixed with heat and pressure onto the transfer paper through the fixing unit  119 . The paper ejecting rollers  120  eject the transfer paper with the fixed toner image thereon onto the paper ejecting tray  121 . 
   The toner remaining on the photoconductor  112  after the transferring process is cleaned by the cleaning unit  122  which touches the photoconductor  112  and removes the toner. Remaining electricity on the photoconductor  112  is neutralized by the removing electricity charger  123 . The plotter controller  124  detects sensors and controls driving motors so that the image forming process to be performed. 
     FIG. 3  shows a timing chart of image synchronizing signals output from the IPU  106  in the reader part  150  of the example embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , a timing chart has horizontal direction as time and vertical direction as each type of signals. A period T 1  of upper two signals is enlarged shown as T 1  below. 
   The /FGATE is a signal of image effective area in the sub scanning direction. When this signal is low, the image is effective. The /FGATE is asserted or negated on the trailing edge of a line synchronizing signal (/LSYNC). The /LSYNC signal is asserted on the leading edge of a pixel synchronizing signal (PCLK) by a certain clock number. After rising of the /LSYNC signal and after a certain clock number of PCLK, the image data in the main scanning direction become effective. 
   The number of sent image data is one to one cycle of PCLK. The image data starts from the point P shown in  FIG. 2  and has a resolution of 400 DPI. The image data is output as raster type data. The size of transfer paper defines effective area of image data in the sub-scanning direction. 
   In  FIG. 1 , the system controller part  131  detects the input state of the operation part  132  input by an operator. The system controller part  131  also sets various parameters and directs process execution to the reader part  150 , the memory part  133 , the image forming part  160 , the facsimile part  134 , and the interface part  136  by communication. The state of the whole system is displayed on the operation part  132 . The directions to the system controller part  131  are performed through the operation part  132  input by an operator. 
   With the directions from the system controller part  131 , the facsimile part  134  compresses the sent image data with the method of G3 or G4 facsimile regulations and outputs to telephone line. Meanwhile, input data in the facsimile part  134  from telephone line is decompressed to binary image data and sent to the writing part  113  in the image forming part  160  to be formed image. With the directions from the system controller part  131 , the interface part  136  outputs the data in the memory part  133  to an external storage device (not shown) or inputs the data from outside to the memory part  133 . 
   With the directions from the system controller part  131 , the selector part  135  changes the state of the selector and selects one of the original data for image forming from the reader part  150 , the memory part  133 , and the facsimile part  134 . The memory part  133  generally memorizes the image data of the manuscript  102  from the IPU  106 , and the stored data is used for copy applications such as repeat copy, rotation copy, etc. The memory part  133  is also used as a buffer memory of the binary image data from the facsimile part  134 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of a configuration of the memory part  133  of the example embodiment of the present invention. The memory part  133  includes a direct memory access controller (DMAC) for image input/output  401 , an image memory  402 , a memory control part  403 , a DMAC for image transmission  404 , a DMAC for code transmission  405 , a compressor/decompressor  406 , a controller of a hard disk drive (HDD)  407 , and a hard disk (HD)  408 . 
   The DMAC  401  includes CPU and logic circuit (not shown). The DMAC  401  communicates with the memory control part  403 , receives a command, sets operation directions according to the command. And for notifying the state of the DMAC  401 , the DMAC  401  outputs the status information. When the DMAC  401  receives a command of image input, the input image data is packed as 8-pixel memory data according to the input image synchronizing signal. The packed memory data is output to the memory control part  403  with a memory access signal at any time. Meanwhile, when the DMAC  401  receives a command of image output, the image data from the memory control part  403  is output, synchronized with the output image synchronizing signal. 
   The image memory  402  is a primary memory configured by semiconductor storage cells such as DRAM which memorizes image data. The total memory size 9 MB consists of 4 MB for binary image data which has a size of A3 and has a resolution of 400 DPI, 4 MB for accumulation of electronic sorting, and 1 MB for accumulation of data conversion. Reading and writing of image memory  402  is controlled by the memory control part  403 . 
   The memory control part  403  includes CPU and logic circuit (not shown). The memory control part  403  communicates with the system controller part  131 , receives a command, sets operation directions according to the command, and outputs status information of the memory part  133 . Operation commands from the system controller part  131  are image input, image output, compression, decompression, etc. The image input and output commands are transmitted to the DMAC for image input/output  401 , the commands related to compression are transmitted to the DMAC for image transmission  404 , the DMAC for code transmission  405 , and the compressor/decompressor  406 . 
   The memory control part  403  is initialized by the image input directions from the system controller part  131 , and it waits for image data. The image data is input into the memory part  133  when the scanner operates. First, the input image data is written in semiconductor memory. Then, the number of processing lines of the written image data is calculated by the DMAC  401  for image input/output, and it is input into the memory control part  403 . The compressor/decompressor  406  outputs the transmission memory access demand signal in response to the command of image transmission, but the memory access is not performed actually because the demand mask part of the memory control part  403  masks the demand signal. By the input data of one line from an image input/output part being completed, the mask of the transmission memory access demand signal is canceled. Then, the semiconductor memory is read, and the transmission of image data to the compressor/decompressor  406  starts. During this operation, a difference calculator (not shown) calculates a difference between the numbers of processing lines. When a calculation result is 0, the transmission memory access demand signal is masked so as not to pass the address. 
   The DMAC for image transmission  404  includes a CPU and a logic circuit (not shown). The DMAC for image transmission  404  communicates with the memory control part  403 , receives a command, sets operation directions according to the command, and outputs status information of the operations. If the DMAC for image transmission  404  receives a command of compression, the DMAC for image transmission  404  outputs memory access demand signal to the memory control part  403 . If memory access enabling signal is active, the DMAC for image transmission  404  receives the image data, and transmits the image data to the compressor/decompressor  406 . The DMAC for image transmission  404  includes an address counter (not shown), outputs 22-bit memory address which shows the storing place where image data is stored. 
   The DMAC for code transmission  405  includes CPU and logic circuit (not shown). The DMAC for code transmission  405  communicates with the memory control part  403 , receives a command, sets operation directions according to the command, and outputs status information of the operations. If the DMAC for code transmission  405  receives a command of decompression, the DMAC for code transmission  405  outputs memory access demand signal to the memory control part  403 . If memory access enabling signal is active, the DMAC for code transmission  405  receives the image data, and transmits the image data to the compressor/decompressor  406 . The DMAC for code transmission  405  includes an address counter (not shown), outputs 22-bit memory address which shows the storing place where image data is stored. 
   a. The compressor/decompressor  406  includes CPU and logic circuit (not shown). The compressor/decompressor  406  communicates with the memory control part  403 , receives a command, sets operation directions according to the command, and outputs status information of the operations. For example, binary image data is processed by a Modified Huffman method (MH). 
   b. The HDD controller  407  includes CPU and logic circuit (not shown). The HDD controller  407  communicates with the memory control part  403 , receives a command, sets operation directions according to the command, and outputs status information of the operations. The HDD controller  407  reads status of the secondary memory storage HD  408 , and transmits the data. 
   As mentioned above, with the directions from the system controller part  131 , the memory part  133  reads and writes the image data to the certain image domain of the image memory by using the DMAC for image transmission  404  during image inputting and data accumulation. At this time, DMAC for image transmission  404  counts the number of image lines. 
   Next, a multi functional image forming apparatus  501  as another example embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an example configuration of the multi functional image forming apparatus  501 . The multi functional image forming apparatus  501  includes a software group  502 , a multi functional machine starting part  503 , and hardware resources  504 . 
   When a power of the multi functional image forming apparatus is turned on, first, the multi functional machine starting part  503  is executed. Then, the multi functional machine starting part  503  starts an application layer  505  and a platform  506 . For example, the multi functional machine starting part  503  reads programs of the application layer  505  and the platform  506  from the hard disk drive unit (hereinafter HDD), or other memory, corresponding to the memory storage connected outside. Then, the read programs are transmitted to memory domains, such as a system memory (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and starts. The hardware resources  504  include black and white laser printer (B&amp;W LP)  511 , a color laser printer (Color LP)  512 , and the other hardware resource  513 , such as a scanner, a facsimile, etc. 
   The software group  502  includes the application layer  505  and the platform  506  which are on an OS (operating system), such as UNIX (registered trademark). The application layer  505  includes the program which performs processing peculiar to the user service related to image formation of a printer, a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, etc. 
   The application layer  505  includes a printer application  521 , a copy application  522 , a facsimile application  523 , and a scanner application  524 . 
   The platform  506  includes the control service layer  509 , a system resource manager (SRM)  539 , and a handler layer  510 . The control service layer  509  interprets the processing demand from the application layer  505 , and generates the acquisition demand of the hardware resources  504 . The SRM  539  manages one or more hardware resources  504 , and arbitrates the acquisition demand from the control service layer  509 . The handler layer  510  manages the hardware resources  504  according to the acquisition demand from SRM  539 . 
   The control service layer  509  is configured to include one or more service modules, such as network control service (NCS)  531 , delivery control service (DCS)  532 , operation panel control service (OCS)  533 , facsimile control service (FCS)  534 , engine control service (ECS)  535 , memory control service (MCS)  536 , user information control service (UCS)  537 , and system control service (SCS)  538 . 
   The platform  506  is configured to perform through API  553  which receives the processing demand from the application layer  505  according to the previously defined function. The OS parallel executes software of the application layer  505  and the platform  506  as a process. 
   The process of NCS  531  offers the service used in common to the application which needs network I/O (Input/Output). The process of NCS  531  distributes the data received by each protocol from the network to each application. The process of NCS  531  also intermediates the data from each application to be transmitted to the network. 
   NCS  531  controls data communications with the network device connected to a network by HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) by HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon (httpd). The process of DCS  532  controls distribution of an accumulation document etc. The process of OCS  533  controls an operation panel  610  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) used as the means of communication between an operator and this machine. 
   The process of FCS  534  offers API  553  for performing the facsimile transmission/reception which uses Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) from the application layer  505 , registration/quotation of the various facsimile data managed by a local memory for backup (refer to  FIG. 6 ), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, etc. 
   The process of ECS  535  controls engine parts, such as the B&amp;W LP  511 , the Color LP  512 , and the other hardware resource  513 . The process of MCS  536  controls acquisition/opening of memory domains, such as a system memory (refer to  FIG. 6 ), the use of HDD (refer to  FIG. 6 ), etc. UCS  537  manages user information. SCS  538  processes application management data, operation part control data, system screen display data, LED display data, hardware resource control data, interruption application control data, etc. 
   The process of SRM  539  controls a system and manages the hardware resources  504  with SCS  538 . For example, thief there is an acquisition demand from the higher layer using the hardware resources  504 , such as the B&amp;W LP  511  and the Color LP  512 , the process of SRM  539  arbitrates and performs execution control. The process of SRM  539  judges whether the hardware resources  504  can be used or not (i.e., whether it is used by other acquisition demands). Whether the hardware resources  504  can be used is notified to a higher layer. Moreover, the process of SRM  539  schedules for use the hardware resources  504  to the acquisition demand from a higher layer. And the process of SRM  539  directly carries out, the purport that the hardware resources  504  by which the acquisition demand was carried out the contents of a demand (for example, paper conveyance and image forming by printer engine, memory reservation, file generation, etc.) 
   The handler layer  510  includes facsimile control unit handler (FCUH)  540  which manages facsimile control unit (FCU) (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and image memory handler (IMH)  541  which assigns memory corresponding to process and manages the memory assigned to the process. SRM  539  and FCUH  540  demand processing to the hardware resources  504  using engine I/F  554  which enables transmission of the processing demand to the hardware resources  504  with a function defined beforehand. 
   The multi functional image forming apparatus  501  can centrally perform processing which is required in common by each application by using the platform  506 . 
     FIG. 6  shows a configuration of the multi functional image forming apparatus of the example embodiment of the present invention. The multi functional image forming apparatus  501  of the present invention includes a controller  600 , an operation panel  610 , the FCU  620 , a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device  630 , an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 device  640 , and an engine part  650 . 
   The controller  600  includes a CPU  601 , a system memory (MEM-P)  602 , a Northbridge (NB)  603 , a Southbridge (SB)  604  and an ASIC  606 , a local memory (MEM-C)  607 , and the HDD  608 . The operation panel  610  is connected to the ASIC  606  of the controller  600 . The FCU  620 , the USB device  630 , the IEEE 1394 device  640 , and the engine part  650  are connected to the ASIC  606  of the controller  600  by a PCI bus  609 . The FCU  620  is used for connection with a facsimile, and the USB device  630  and the IEEE 1394 device  640  for connection with a scanner, a plotter, etc. 
   The MEM-C  607 , the HDD  608 , etc. are connected to the ASIC  606 . The CPU  601  and the ASIC  606  are connected through the NB  603  of a CPU chip set. Thus, if the CPU  601  and the ASIC  606  are connected through the NB  603 , it can cope with the situation that the interface of CPU  601  is not exhibited. 
   The ASIC  606  and NB  603  are not connected through the PCI bus  609  but connected through an accelerated graphics port (AGP)  605 . Thus, in order to carry out execution control of the one or more processes which form the application layer  505  shown in  FIG. 5 , the ASIC  606  and NB  603  are not connected through the low speed PCI bus  609  but connected through the AGP  605  so that the fall of performance is prevented. 
   The CPU  601  controls the multi functional image forming apparatus  501 . The CPU  601  starts and executes the NCS  531 , DCS  532 , OCS  533 , FCS  534 , ECS  535 , MCS  536 , UCS  537 , SCS  538 , SRM  539 , FCUH  540 , and IMH  541  on the OS. And the CPU  601  also starts and executes the printer application  521 , the copy application  522 , the facsimile application  523 , and the scanner application  524  which form the application layer  505 . 
   The NB  603  is a bridge for connecting the CPU  601 , the MEM-P  602 , the SB  604 , and the ASIC  606 . The system memory  602  is used, for example, as a memory for drawing of the multi functional image forming apparatus  501 . The SB  604  is a bridge for connecting ROM, peripheral devices, or the PCI bus  609  which are not shown. The MEM-C 607  is a memory for buffering code and copy image. 
   The ASIC  606  is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for the image-processing uses which have a hardware element for image processing. The HDD  608  is storage for performing accumulation of image data, accumulation of document data, accumulation of a program, accumulation of font data, accumulation of form, etc. The operation panel  610  corresponds to the operation part  132  which displays towards an operator while receiving the input operation from the operator. There are a scanner and DRAM including image conversion process, and a plotter in the engine part  650 , which connect with the function of the ASIC  606  through the PCI bus  609 . 
   A function of a DMA controller which transmits image is one of the functions of the ASIC  606 . The ASIC  606  has a video input DMA controller and a video output DMA controller. When transmitting the image which the scanner reads to the MEM-C 607 , the IMH  541  secures the memory for transmission image size in the MEM-C  607  according to the process demand which came from the SRM  539 , and transmission is enable by setting the address of the secured memory and the transmission image sizes Xw and Yw to the video input DMA controller. 
     FIG. 7  shows a configuration of the unit related to recognizing a certain tint block pattern in the engine part of the example embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 7 , the engine part  650  includes a CPU  701 , a tint block pattern recognizing part  702 , a scanner input part  703 , and a plotter output part  704 . 
   The scanner input part  703  sends the binary image data of the read manuscript image to the tint block pattern recognizing part  702 . The tint block pattern recognizing part  702  performs tint block pattern recognition of the image data sent from the scanner input part  703 . The tint block pattern recognizing part  702  sends a tint block pattern detection result to the scanner input part  703 . The scanner input part  703  fixes the image data in a predetermined gradation and a predetermined phase according to the tint block pattern detection result sent from the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  and directions of CPU  701 , and the image data is converted so that the manuscript image is unreadable. The plotter output part  704  outputs the image data for outputting. 
     FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of a functional configuration of the tint block pattern recognizing part of the example embodiment of the present invention. The tint block pattern recognizing part  702  includes an isolated dot detection part  800 , a phase information memory part  801 , a pattern matching part  802 , and a tint block pattern detection part  803 . 
     FIG. 9  shows an illustration of example of the isolated pixel information of the example embodiment of the present invention. Isolated pixel information  820  includes the isolated pixel in an area which has d pixels in the main scanning direction and l lines in the sub scanning direction.  FIG. 10  shows an illustration of example of the physical relationship information of the isolated pixels of the example embodiment of the present invention. The physical relationship information of the isolated pixels of the example embodiment of the present invention  830  includes the isolated pixels information  820 , for example, information about the physical relationship of the isolated pixels in a block which has Bd pixels in the main scanning direction and Ll lines in the sub scanning direction.  FIG. 11  shows an illustration of example of a certain tint block pattern in a case of pattern matching of the example embodiment of the present invention. Pattern matching is performed by comparing with the tint block pattern  840  and the physical relationship information  830  of the isolated pixel. 
   The isolated dot detection part  800  receives binary image data from the scanner input part  703 . The isolated dot detection part  800  detects the isolated pixel in an area which has d pixels in the main scanning direction and Ll lines in the sub scanning direction, and outputs the isolated pixel information  820  to the phase information memory part  801  with image data. The phase information memory part  801  memorizes the physical relationship of the isolated pixels in the block which has Bd pixels in the main scanning direction and Ll lines in the sub scanning direction from the isolated pixel information  820  in the area which has d pixels in the main scanning direction and Ll lines in the sub scanning direction, and outputs the physical relationship information  830  of the isolated pixels to the pattern matching part  802 . The pattern matching part  802  performs pattern matching with the physical relationship information  830  of the isolated pixels in the block (Bd×Ll) memorized in the phase information memory part  801  and the certain tint block pattern  840 . For example, the certain tint block pattern  840  may be a certain tint block pattern printed on a bill, a stock certificate, confidential documents, etc., and may be a configuration capable of setting or adding previously by a user. And the pattern matching part  802  outputs the result of pattern matching to the tint block pattern detection part  803 . The tint block pattern detection part  803  has a configuration of outputting a detection signal when it recognizes the tint block pattern by n times of certain pattern matching detection in the line of sub scanning. In addition, the resolution more than predetermined is required for the isolated dot detection part  800  and the pattern matching part  802  at the time of manuscript reading. The resolution of manuscript image data becomes lower than predetermined because it becomes impossible to detect the tint block pattern by interference of pixels. 
     FIG. 12  shows an example of the image after manuscript reading of the copy prohibited manuscript. After tint block pattern recognition, if a copy prohibited manuscript  900  with which the tint block pattern is printed is read and the tint block pattern is recognized by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702 , the engine part  650  processes and outputs image  901  according to directions of CPU  701  so that the manuscript image is unreadable. For example, the processing resulting in the unreadable image may be image elimination or smeared away processing. 
     FIG. 13  shows an example of the image after manuscript reading of the copy permitted manuscript. After tint block pattern recognition, even if a copy permitted manuscript  1000  with which the tint block pattern is not printed is read, since a tint block pattern is not recognized by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702 , the manuscript is read as it is, and image  1001  is output. Further, even if a copy permitted manuscript  1000  with which the tint block pattern is not printed is read without tint block pattern recognition, the manuscript is read as it is, and image  1002  is output. 
   A system registering a registrant&#39;s registrant ID (IDentifier) into a certain tint block pattern is described using  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a general illustration showing the system of registering Registrant ID to the certain tint block pattern with an image forming apparatus. In  FIG. 11 , the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  are connected with a database  1120  through LAN (Local Area Network)  1110 . 
   The image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  has the function relative to the above-mentioned engine part  650 . The image forming apparatus may be connected to the LAN  1110 , or the plural image forming apparatuses may be connected to the LAN  1110  as of its configuration. Through the LAN  1110 , communication between the database  1120  and the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  is possible. The database  1120  includes image information size, image data information, printing mode information, and registrant information. And in the case where the tint block pattern is output, the Registrant ID is input from the operation panel  610 . Registrant information and image information (image data information, printing mode information) are registered into the database  1120  after reading the manuscript. For example, the image data information includes an image ID (IDentifier) which makes the image unique, a transmission size of image data, an image format, information containing image size, etc. The printing mode information includes print sheet size, a printing rotation angle, information containing print copies etc. The image information size includes information about a total size of the image data information and the printing mode information. The registrant information includes the registrant ID which determines a registrant uniquely, and which can be input from the operation panel  610 . Although this example is configured connecting the database  1120  outside the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  as shown in this figure, the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  may have the function of the database  1120 . Moreover, instead of inputting Registrant ID in the case of the output of the tint block pattern, it may be configured to register the certain tint block pattern related to the copy prohibited manuscript beforehand, and to register an administrator&#39;s ID related with the certain tint block pattern. 
     FIG. 15  shows a flowchart showing the details of processing of the image forming apparatus of the example embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of  FIG. 15 , first, image data is input from the scanner input part  703  (S 1201 ). Then it is determined whether a tint block pattern is recognized by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1202 ). 
   In Step S 1202 , when a tint block pattern is recognized (S 1202 : Yes), registrant information registered into the database  1120  is searched (S 1203 ), and the registrant is notified (S 1204 ). Then, image data is processed by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1205 ), and the image is output (S 1206 ). 
   In Step S 1202 , when a tint block pattern is not recognized (S 1202 : No), the image is output as it is and without the steps of searching, notifying and processing (S 1206 ), 
   According to the example embodiment of the present invention, only when a tint block pattern is recognized, are the steps of outputting image processed from the manuscript and notifying a registrant prevent unauthorized copy performed so that a tint block pattern registrant can check whether the unauthorized copy has been performed. 
   Another example embodiment of the present invention is described next. An image forming apparatus of this example embodiment of the present invention can prevent an unauthorized printing result in addition to notifying a registrant by e-mail as in the previous embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16  is an illustration showing the functional configuration of the engine part which saves the unauthorized printing result related to the embodiment of the present invention. When image input processing is performed in the scanner input part  703  and the tint block pattern is recognized, after notifying a registrant and processing the image, an unauthorized printing result is recorded on EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)  1302  in the engine part  650  through DRAM  1301 , and image output processing is performed. The unauthorized printing result recorded on EPROM  1302  may be checked by the third person who is not a user when processing the unauthorized printing is performed. For example, the unauthorized printing result may include information that the unauthorized printing is performed, information about the recognized tint block pattern, etc. 
   The example which displays the above-mentioned unauthorized printing result on the operation panel  610  is described next.  FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of displaying the unauthorized printing result on the operation panel  610  of the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 17 , the engine part  650  includes the plotter output part  704 , the DRAM  1301 , the scanner input part  703 , it connects with the function of the ASIC  606  through the PCI bus  609 . The ASIC  606  has a function as DMA controller which transmits image, and a function as the DMA controller which transmits the unauthorized printing result. The ASIC  606  includes a video input DMA controller  1401 , a video output DMA controller  1402 , and an operation input DMA controller  1403 . 
   When image input processing is performed and a tint block pattern is recognized in the scanner input part  703 , or when the unauthorized printing result is transmitted to the operation panel  610 , after notifying the registrant and processing the image, the unauthorized printing result is acquired. And transmission becomes possible by setting the information which displays the unauthorized printing result on the operation panel  610  to the operation input DMA controller  1403 . As the operation panel  610  displays the unauthorized printing result, the user can check the unauthorized printing result when processing of the unauthorized printing is performed. 
   Next, the system which registers a registrant&#39;s Registrant ID and registrant e-mail address into a certain tint block pattern is described using  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  is a general illustration showing the system of registering Registrant ID and the registrant e-mail address to the certain tint block pattern with an image forming apparatus. In  FIG. 18 , the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  are connected with a database  1520  through LAN (Local Area Network)  1110 . The description of  FIG. 14  is applicable to  FIG. 18 . 
   Through the LAN  1110 , communication between the database  1520  and the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  is possible, and the database  1520  includes image information size, image data information, printing mode information, and registrant information. And in case the tint block pattern is output, the Registrant ID and the registrant e-mail address are input from the operation panel  610 . Registrant information and image information (image data information, printing mode information) are registered into the database  1520  after reading the manuscript. In addition to the Registrant ID, the registrant e-mail address is also registered as registrant information. 
     FIG. 19  is an illustration showing the general configuration of the system which notifies an unauthorized printing result by E-mail. The description of  FIG. 18  is applicable to  FIG. 19 . 
   Image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103 , a database  1520 , an e-mail server  1610 , a PC  1621  and a PC  1622  are connected through LAN  1110  so that communication is possible. The e-mail server  1610  manages transmission and reception of e-mail. The mage forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103 , the e-mail server  1610 , and the PCs (personal computer)  1621  and  1622  transmit and receive e-mail by the present communications protocol, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and POP (Post Office Protocol) in here. For example, PCs  1621  and  1622  may be possessed by the registrant, or may be managed by an administrator. 
     FIG. 20  is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the image forming apparatus related to the embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of  FIG. 20 , first, image data is input from the scanner input part  703  (S 1701 ). And it is judged whether a tint block pattern is recognized by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1702 ). 
   In Step S 1702 , when a tint block pattern is recognized (S 1702 : Yes), a registrant registered into the database  1520  is searched (S 1703 ). And e-mail including the unauthorized printing result is created (SI  704 ), and the e-mail is transmitted to the PC  1621  and PC  1622  (S 1705 ). The transmission of this e-mail follows the procedure specified by SMTP. 
   Then, image data is processed by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1706 ), and image is output (S 1707 ). 
   In Step S 1702 , when a tint block pattern is not recognized (S 1702 : No), image is output as it is (S 1707 ), 
   According to the embodiment of the present invention, the unauthorized printing result can be checked by seeing the e-mail, and the result can also be saved in the outside of the image forming apparatus. Further, even if it does not check directly with the image forming apparatus, it can be checked with PC which a registrant or an administrator owns. Furthermore, when printing and outputting image is performed without knowing unauthorized printing, a user is not confused, because the unauthorized printing result can be displayed on the operation panel. 
   Another example embodiment of the present invention is described next. An image forming apparatus of this example embodiment of the present invention has a configuration which can select notifying or saving an unauthorized printing result as in first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 21  is an illustration showing an example of a display of an operation panel which chooses notifying method of the unauthorized printing result according to the embodiment of the present invention. If the image forming apparatuses  1101 - 1103  according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs a tint block pattern, it can select notifying method of an unauthorized printing result from the operation panel  610 . A displaying example  1800  on the operation panel  610  has a selecting screen of the notifying method of the unauthorized printing result  1801 , and a registering screen of the registrant information  1802 . On the selecting screen of the notifying method of the unauthorized printing result  1801 , when 1) saving in the image forming apparatus and 2) displaying on the operation panel are chosen, only one registrant ID is registered on the registering screen of the registrant information  1802 . Further, on the selecting screen of the notifying method of the unauthorized printing result  1801 , when 3) notifying by e-mail is chosen, registrant ID and registrant e-mail address are registered on the registering screen of the registrant information  1802 . 
     FIG. 22  shows a flowchart showing the details of processing of the image forming apparatus of the example embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of  FIG. 22 , first, image data is input from the scanner input part  703  (S 1901 ). And it is judged whether a tint block pattern is recognized by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1902 ). 
   In Step S 1902 , when a tint block pattern is recognized (S 1902 : Yes), a registrant registered into the database  1520  is searched (S 1903 ), and a notifying method of the unauthorized printing result is judged. 
   About the notifying method of the unauthorized printing result, when the saving in the image forming apparatus is chosen (S 1904 : Yes), the unauthorized printing result is saved in the image forming apparatus (S 1905 ). Then, image data is processed by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1906 ), and image is output (S 1907 ). 
   In the step S 1904 , about the notifying method of the unauthorized printing result, when the saving in the image forming apparatus is not chosen (S 1904 : No), it is judged whether displaying on the operation panel is chosen (S 1908 ). When displaying on the operation panel is chosen (S 1908 : Yes), the unauthorized printing result is displayed on the operation panel (S 1909 ). Then, image data is processed by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1906 ), and image is output. 
   In the step S 1908 , about the notifying method of the unauthorized printing result, when the displaying on the operation panel is not chosen (S 1908 : No), in order to transmit e-mail, email including the unauthorized printing result is created (S 1910 ), and the e-mail is transmitted to the set email address when a tint block pattern is output (S 1911 ). Then, image data is processed by the tint block pattern recognizing part  702  (S 1906 ), and image is output (S 1907 ). 
   In Step S 1902 , when a tint block pattern is not recognized (S 1902 : No), image is output as it is (S 1907 ). 
   According to the embodiment of the present invention, depending on the use of the unauthorized printing result, the unauthorized printing result can be used for every image output process. 
   The image forming method explained with the embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program with computers, such as a personal computer and a workstation. This program is recorded on a recording medium which can be read by computers, such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, etc. and is executed after being read from the recording medium by computer. Further, this program may be a transmission media which can be distributed through networks, such as the Internet. 
   Also, this invention may be conveniently implemented using a conventional general purpose digital computer programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The present invention may also be implemented by the preparation of application specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this patent specification may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 
   This patent specification is based on Japanese patent application, No. JPAP2005-153086 filed on May 25, 2005 in the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.