RU2530713C1 - Method for monitoring of documents copying process (versions) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electricity.

SUBSTANCE: while scanning n of the document pages, where N=1, 2, 3 … n, processing of data received from the matrix of scanning module, and printing n of the document pages a signal received from the matrix of scanning module is monitored at permanent basis. When the signal of scanning commencement is detected all data received from the scanning module are recorded to the memory unit as array data. The commencement and end of each n^th page are identified and marked, thereafter the marked data volume, which represents an image if N^th page, is copied to a separate file. Image of each scanned page is made in RAW format. When the end of each document scanning is detected the image of each n^th page is stored.

EFFECT: prevention of unauthorized scanning of documents due to receipt of completer data on the image of each page in the scanned document.

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Description

The invention relates to the field of electrical engineering and can be used to control the process of copying documents from paper to paper using multifunction devices (MFPs) that combine the functions of a printer, scanner and copier.

From the prior art, various methods and technical means implementing them are known that allow controlling remote access to data over a public computer network. In particular, from the publication of the application RU 99116790 A, IPC G06F 12/00, publ. 08/27/2001, there is a known method of controlling remote access to data over a public computer network, to which many user systems and many remote data resource servers are connected, while user systems for accessing remote data resources on remote data resource servers transmit messages requesting access to the resource, and a method for monitoring the use of remote data resources by users from their systems, and this method includes: forwarding a message requesting access to Ursu, directed the user system, module registration; collection by the registration module of information about the forwarded message; and transmitting the message over the data network to the remote data resource server.

From the publication of patent RU 2207618 C2, G06F 13/00, publ. 06/27/2003, a system for controlling access to information resources is also known, in which, in order to increase the level of protection for workstations and servers, a user authorization block, an access rights delimitation block, an access rights storage block, a security administrator authorization block, a timer block, an additional delimitation block are introduced access rights, storage unit for reference settings of access rights, a unit for comparing access rights with a standard, a unit for generating and restoring current access rights.

The prior art system for controlling access to running processes (programs) to ensure the closeness of the software environment at workstations, functional and information servers (see publication of patent RU 2202122 C2, IPC G06F 12/14, publ. 10.04.2003). In order to increase the security level of workstations, functional and information servers due to the effective counteraction to the launch of destructive processes (programs) and user access control to the launched processes, the following tools have been introduced into the system: an integrity block for the processes in the system, a user authorization block at the entrance to system, authorization block at process start, control block of the full path of the running process, memory block of the name and full path of the launched processes, to differentiate access to directories and files, a block to differentiate access to processes, a block to differentiate access to processes with authorization, a block for forming a process termination.

From publication US 6307640 B1, IPC B41J 29/00, publ. 10.23.2001, a method and an automated printing system are known that allow a user to send an image file to a printer for printing, excluding access by other persons. The user's request for printing images is assigned a unique job number, which is sent to the user and displayed on his computer. Then the user can enter the displayed unique number (job number) and password for the operation unit of any printer selected for printing. The computer saves the images associated with the entered unique number when the selected printer is running. Other persons do not have the ability to view a printed document, because only the intended recipient (that is, the user who issued the print job) knows the password and a unique number, respectively, the printed document cannot be received by other persons.

Known from the publication of application US 2012287487, IPC H04N 1/04, publ. November 15, 2012, a method and system for automatically scanning documents based on at least user credentials. User credentials are used to select a high level when scanning an image, while the image data is scanned in accordance with the selected high level. In addition, if the highest level is selected, by a user whose credentials are not included in the allowed list, the level is selected in accordance with the credentials, and then the task is automatically executed (the object is scanned). Authorization can be granted for a period of time (for example, at a specific time of the day) in accordance with the capacity of the equipment, or allowed to users (for example, for scanning color documents), and can be based on one or more threshold values, for example, such as percentage from the color contained in the document or when scanning.

The closest analogue of the invention is a technical solution known from the publication of application US 2012229821 A1, IPC G06F 3/12, publ. 09/13/2012, in which the module of the integrated contact image sensor is disclosed. The light switch turns on the light source in accordance with the light control signal. The contact image sensor captures the image when the light source is turned on and generates an analog signal corresponding to the image. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts an analog signal into scan data. The controller generates a control signal for the light switch in accordance with the motion signal and provides a clock signal to the ADC in accordance with the conversion of the analog signal into scan data. The controller also generates a signal in accordance with the motion signal, which corresponds to the data being monitored and corresponds to a specific transmission protocol.

None of the technical solutions described above is intended to control the process of copying documents, namely to obtain complete information about the image of each page of the copied document.

The problem solved by the invention is the receipt and formation of an image of a document that is copied from paper to paper, as well as the possibility of detecting cases of unauthorized copying of documents. The statement of this problem is related to the need to solve the issue of information security by eliminating the uncontrolled reproduction of documents, including confidential, i.e. ultimately, the solution of this problem will ensure the safety of the company by providing a workflow regime, namely, eliminating the possible leakage of information through uncontrolled copying of documentation.

The problem is solved in the following operations of the claimed method of controlling the process of copying documents:

- scan N pages of the document, where N = 1, 2, 3 ... n,

- process the data received from the scanning module about N pages of the document,

- constantly monitor the signal from the matrix of the scanning module and in case of detection of a signal of the beginning of the scanning process, record all the data coming from the scanning module in the storage device in the form of an array of data;

- determine and select in the recorded data array the beginning and end of each of the N pages;

- copy the selected data array to a separate file, which is an image of each of the N pages;

- form an image of each scanned page in RAW format;

- upon detection of the end of scanning a document, an image of each of the N pages is saved on an external computer readable storage medium;

- reset the storage device.

The technical result achieved by the implementation of the invention is to obtain an electronic copy of a document copied from paper to paper, without interfering with the design of the MFP (any design, any manufacturer), since any interference with the design of the MFP can be regarded as a change in the design of the MFP and as a result entail, for example, the termination of the warranty of the manufacturer of the MFP.

An additional technical result obtained by using the claimed invention is to save the images of the copied pages of documents as a file and print them without changing the characteristics of the MFP by the number of printed pages per minute.

Usually, when copying, the signal from the scanning MFP module after processing (by means of MFPs) is sent to print, while preserving the image of the copied document is not provided.

Achieving the indicated technical result is ensured by introducing new operations, which include determining and fixing the parameters of the start of copying, the copying process, as well as its end, which allows you to set both the start and end time of copying and the start and end time of each page individually with streaming copy).

An exact determination of the moment when the copying of the current page ends and the next copy begins (when streaming copying documents) is necessary for intercepting and forming a high-quality image of each page of the copied document. Since without interfering with the design of the MFP, you can only access information coming from the scanning module of the MFP, all the basic software algorithms used in the implementation of the method process this information. As a signal about the beginning and end of scanning a document when copying it, a signal is used from a standard backlight of the scanning MFP module, which provides illumination of the copied document.

In the MFP, at the beginning of copying, the backlight of the scanning module turns on, then there is a backlight from the original document as it moves to the work area (when scanning from glass), or when the sheet is fed into the scanning area (when scanning from the top feeder).

When a signal arrives to turn on the standard MFP backlight, a signal is sent to start fixing the data array coming from the MFP scanning module. At the same time, the backlight intensity from the standard MFP backlight is constantly monitored until a signal arrives that indicates the backlight is turned off (the moment the copy session ends is recorded). After making sure that such a signal has arrived at least over the time specified in milliseconds, they stop transmitting the data array and complete the recording of the data file. To transmit information about the length of the recorded data sequence, a unique sequence is written to the end of the file, which cannot be obtained as a result of the document scanning process.

As noted above, the technical result is provided by the ability to extract from the array of data coming from the MFP, the beginning and end of each copied page, i.e. when implementing the method, it is possible to precisely determine, within the framework of the obtained data volume, how many pages were copied in one session, and also to obtain information about the image of each page individually. The principle on which this feature is based is that at the beginning of the scanning process, an increase in the light reflectance of the points of the original document being copied is recorded. This is a signal that initiates the inclusion of the image capture mode and the formation in the random access memory (RAM) of a device for reading from copy machines (USCA) of the captured image in the form of a specific data array. Additionally, to accurately determine the beginning and end of the copied page, the data on the light reflectance intensity of the points of the original of the copied document are constantly monitored.

All MFP models are designed so that between scanned pages, the illumination intensity decreases by a hundredths of a second to a certain value, which allows you to separate the beginning and end of scanning of each page, capture and accurately form a paged image of the copied document.

The method of controlling the process of copying documents using an MFP is designed to obtain and form an image of a document that is copied from paper to paper, and is suitable for both MFPs with CCD scanners based on a CCD matrix and MFPs with CIS scanners ( Contact Image Sensor) that use photocell technology.

To implement the claimed method, a device for reading from copy machines (USKA) was developed.

To implement the USCA method, they are connected to the MFP scanning module so that the USA sensor can detect the presence or absence, as well as the illumination intensity of the original document of the scanning module being copied from the standard illumination lamp of the MFP scanning module. Prior to the start of copying, the USKA is in standby mode for the start of copying, which is ensured by constant monitoring of the transmitted data from the scanning module.

In addition, the signal from the MFP scanning module is fed to the USKA input, which is converted to the RAW format and transmitted to the USKA recorder.

Implementation of the proposed method is possible with the use of a device for reading from copying machines (USKA), which operates on the basis of a microcircuit under the control of the software “sora catcher”, also developed by the author of the proposed method, an application for a certificate for which was submitted to FIPS on 03.03.2013 and registered under No. 2013e02252 / 69 (entry No. 130023096).

The program “litter catcher”, the copyright holder of “Firm ARTI” LLC, provides the recording of an array of data corresponding to the page image of the copied document in the RAM USKA, and also allows for the receipt and formation of the image of the copied document, and, in addition, this program provides the process of saving the file copies of the copied document on an external computer-readable storage medium, for example, in a personal computer, on a server, etc.

The basis of the software functionality used in the implementation of the proposed method is the determination and fixing of the parameters of the process of copying a paper document and determining the time of start and end of copying and generating a file containing the image of the copied document in RAW format. Downloading the obtained module can be carried out, for example, using standard tools of the programming environment of the debugging board Stellaris LM3S8962 Evaluation Board manufactured by Texas Instruments.

Since the software is “sora catcher”, under the control of which the USKA, which ensures the implementation of the proposed method, has access to only the information coming from the scanning module of the multifunction device, all the algorithms of the mentioned software also have access and process only this information.

The method of controlling the copying of documents on an MFP from paper to paper is as follows.

After turning on the standard backlight of the scanning device, the MFP USKA proceeds to the processing of the data array supplied from the output of the scanning module.

In the initial state, the backlight of the MFP scanning module is turned off and the incoming data does not exceed the value of its noise. When you receive a command to copy a document from paper, the backlight turns on, the backlight data from the original of the copied document begins to arrive at the USKA. When scanning a document using an MFP with an integrated flatbed scanner, the analogue data of the first page (the so-called “backlight” data) begins to arrive as the moving carriage with the backlight moves into the work area where the original document is being copied. When scanning from a stream feeder, usually located on the MFP at the top, data on the first page of the copied document is sent to the output of the scanning module as the first page (first sheet) of the document is fed into the MFP scanning area.

After turning on the backlight, if the illumination occurs within a certain time specified in milliseconds (set by the program), USKA initiates the start of fixing the data array from the scanning module, while capturing the image (taking the signal from the matrix of the scanning device) and recording the transmitted data array, and this moment is recorded as the beginning of the copy session.

At the same time, the USKA constantly monitors the moment when the data on the backlight of the copied original document is illuminated from the backlight of the MFP scanning module, which will indicate that the backlight is turned off. If the signal to stop receiving data on the illumination of the copied original document from the backlight of the scanning MFP module arrives at least for a certain time specified in milliseconds (programmed), the USKA stops transmitting the signal from the matrix of the scanning device and writing the data array to RAM, and also completes the recording of the file with the data array on an external storage device (for example, a PC), while this moment in time is recorded as the moment the copy session ends. To transmit and save information about the length of the recorded data sequence, the USKA generates and writes to the end of the file a sequence unique to each file, which cannot be obtained during the scanning of a document.

A feature of this method is the method for determining the beginning and end of copied pages.

To separate the resulting data array into pages, it is necessary to precisely determine, within the framework of the obtained data volume, how many pages were copied in one session.

This is achieved in the following way.

1. To obtain information about the copied image, a signal is used that is transmitted via a communication cable from the scanning module and from the processor for processing light reflectance of sheet points (that is, signals from the scanning module and the processor for processing intensity of multifunction devices are used), as well as information about synchronization of element data;

2. At the beginning of the scanning process, the USKA fixes an increase in the light reflectance of the points of the original of the copied document. This is a signal that initiates the inclusion of the image capture mode (the mode of receiving a signal from the matrix of the scanning device, information about the copied page of the original document);

3. The data is intercepted and the USKA RAM is formed in RAM (that is, the memory of the reading device from copy machines is used) of the intercepted image in the form of a certain data array;

4. To accurately determine the beginning and end of the copied page by means of the USCA, the data on the light reflection intensity of the points of the copied original document are constantly monitored. Since the illumination intensity between scanned pages decreases to a certain value by hundredths of a second, the reduction in illumination intensity is recorded and the image of the copied document is accurately formed from the total data array with the division by the number of copied pages.

In this case, the MFP functions as a copy machine in the normal mode, i.e. the light of the backlight is reflected from the original document and through the optical system it enters the matrix of photosensitive elements, and then to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and then to the printing device. As soon as data begins to arrive from the scanning module, this signals the beginning of the copying process, while data from the first page begins to arrive both on the internal MFP processing module and on the USCA, where they begin to be stored in the storage device as an array of data characterizing the first page.

Then, with a short-term decrease in light reflectance, which indicates that the scanning of one page is finished and the scanning of the next page of the original of the copied document begins, an image (data array) of the copied first page is formed and it is separated from the image (data array) of the next page. The process is repeated until the end of the copy session, i.e. until the light signal ceases to come from the scanning module.

Claims (3)

1. The method of controlling the process of copying documents through a multifunctional device from paper media, which consists in the fact that
- scan N pages of the document, where N = 1, 2, 3 ... n;
- process the resulting digitized image of the document;
- print N pages of the document;
characterized in that:
- before starting to copy the first page of the document, the presence of a signal from the scanning module is constantly monitored and, if a signal is detected, the scanning process is started, the signal is written to the storage device as a data array;
- detect a change in the intensity of the light reflectance of the scanning module with a duration of t≤10 ms;
- save the image of the first page of the document in the storage device;
- repeat the steps of scanning and detection for each of the n pages of the document;
- after saving the nth page of the document in the storage device, the array of data of the document is converted and saved as a document file. 2. The method of controlling the process of copying documents, which consists in scanning N pages of the document, where N = 1, 2, 3 ... n, processing data from the scanning module and printing N pages of the document, characterized in that
- before scanning, the signal from the scanning module is constantly monitored, and if a signal is detected to start the page scanning process, the recording of said signal to the storage device in the form of an array of data is initiated;
- detect the signal of the end of the scanning process of the first page;
- save the image of the first page of the document in the storage device;
- repeat the steps of scanning, detecting and saving for each of the n pages of the document;
- after saving the nth page of the document in the storage device, the array of document data is converted into a document file and saved. 3. The method of controlling the process of copying documents, which consists in scanning N pages of the document, where N = 1, 2, 3 ... n, processing data from the scanning module and printing N pages of the document, characterized in that
- before scanning, the signal from the scanning module is constantly monitored, and if a signal is detected to start the page scanning process, the recording of said signal to the storage device in the form of an array of data is initiated;
- detect the signal of the end of the scanning process of the first page;
- save the image of the first page of the document in the storage device;
- repeat the steps of scanning, detecting and saving for each of the n pages of the document;
- after saving the nth page of the document in the storage device, the array of document data is converted into a document file and saved.