Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

[0060] (First Embodiment)

[0061] In the present embodiment, the pattern matching circuit is separated, as an independent device, from the read-side image processing part 21 so that the pattern matching circuit part is detachably attached to the read-side image processing part 21. In this case, the pattern-matching device may have a pattern matching circuit and an output conversion circuit or have only the pattern matching circuit and the function of the output conversion circuit may be handed to existing other circuits.

[0062]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a structure in which a pattern matching device having the pattern matching circuit and an output conversion circuit is provided separately from the read-side image processing part 21. In FIG. 10, although the pattern matching device 23 comprises a pattern matching circuit 23a, an output conversion circuit 23b and a ROM which stored feature patterns, the pattern matching device 23 may be configured and arranged to be detachably attache

[0068] (Second Embodiment)

[0069] In the present embodiment, an arbitrary pattern matching device is selectable from among a plurality of matching devices so that prevention of an image formation of different special documents can be achieved. As examples of different special documents, there are Japanese Yen bills, one thousand Yen bill, five-thousand Yen bill, ten-thousand Yen bill, etc.

[0070]FIG. 14 is an illustration showing a concept of selection of a pattern matching device having a different feature pattern made by the main control part. In FIG. 14, the pattern matching devices 23 are provided with the description patterns A, B and C corresponding to different special documents, respectively. The pattern matching devices 23 are provided, as mentioned above, at locations (a) between any adjacent circuits in the read-side image processing part, (b) after the scanner and before the read-side image processing part and (c) after the read-side image processing part and before the ima

[0073] (Third Embodiment)

[0074] In the present embodiment, the pattern matching device is constituted by a digital signal processor (DSP). FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the read-side image processing part 21 provided with a pattern matching device constituted by DSP. In FIG. 16, the digital signal processor 26 is located before the read-side image processing part 21 and after the image accumulating part 40. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the pattern matching device constituted by a digital signal processor. In FIG. 17, the digital signal process (DSP) 26 comprises a processor part 26a and a memory (RAM) 26b. The processor part 26a performed an input of the digital image data signal, image data signal processing and an output of the image data signal. The memory 26b stores programs for controlling an operation of the processor 26a and also stores information regarding feature patterns. On the other hand, the main control part 30 of the digital copy machine has a memory (ROM) 30a which s