Abstract: An information input apparatus is constituted of an operation panel that inputs various types of information and an operation panel board that controls the operation panel. The operation panel includes an LCD that is the displaying unit that displays the information input screen for inputting various types of information, and a touch panel that is the input instructing unit that executes an input instruction from an input region (virtual keys) provided on the information input screen. The LCD displays on the virtual keys information different from information previously assigned to the virtual keys on the information input screen.

Abstract: A printer control processing device manages a result of the image capturing of the symbol pattern indicating information based on which a print process is controlled. The printer control processing device includes: a recording/retrieving section for obtaining reference pattern data and pattern printing data from an information storage section; a matching level determining section for determining a matching level between reference pattern data and the result of the image capturing by an image capturing device of a symbol pattern printed based on the pattern printing data; and a pattern modifying section modifying the pattern printing data corresponding to a captured symbol pattern if the matching level determining section determines that the matching level is less than a predetermined threshold. Therefore, pattern printing data can be provided which results in a reliably identifiable symbol pattern in the result the image capturing by the image capturing device.

Abstract: 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 section 67 which distinguishes a user; a particular-image judgment section 63 which 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 section 66 which determines a threshold according to the user and processing to be executed; and a control section 7 which 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 section 66 lowers the threshold as the importance degree is higher and raises the threshold as the importance degree is lower.

Abstract: A digital multi-function peripheral appends, according to the predetermined specific image information appending conditions, the image data which meets the appending conditions with the specific image information in a form which is set in accordance with the appending conditions when image data which is read at an image reading portion or image data which is externally entered via a FAX modem or communication portion is used for image formation at a printing portion. It is set so that the specific image information is appended to high secrecy image data. When trying to copy the printed image in which the specific image information is embedded, the copy machine which has detected the specific image information will not output the copied image or output a copy sheet having thereon characters such as “Copy Prohibited”.

Abstract: 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 R1 to R4 and are on a straight line L running through the center O of the concentric circles, the pattern image is detected.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for receiving image data composed of a plurality of pixels, extracting an area from an image based on the received data and detecting a type of an image included in the extracted area, includes means for calculating the ratio of pixels having a predetermined pixel value to pixels constituting the area, and detects the type of the image included in the area, based on the calculated ratio of pixels.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which a specific image including regulation information and a specific image including trace information are attached so that the specific images are different from each other is provided. An image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is provided with an image reading section 210, an image forming section 220, an image storage section 400, an operation section 240 and a control section 300, in a cabinet 2. The control section 300 is provided with a first specific image adding section 311, a second specific image adding section 308, a determination section 312, an altering section 313 and a CPU 301. The determination section 312 compares a first specific image A and a second specific image B which have been generated. When it has been determined that a part of the second specific image B is the first specific image A, the altering section 313 alters the second specific image B. The second specific image adding section 308 adds the altered second specific image B.

Abstract: 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 section 67 which distinguishes a user; a particular-image judgment section 63 which 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 section 66 which determines a threshold according to the user and processing to be executed; and a control section 7 which 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 section 66 lowers the threshold as the importance degree is higher and raises the threshold as the importance degree is lower.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A management information adding method are provided that when one piece of specific image information is detected, can detect from the specific image information the position or direction in which other specific image information is arranged and can improve the detecting speed of the specific image information as a whole. In adding the management information of a recorded image on the recorded image, the management information is formed by one or more pieces of specific image information and the specific image information is designed to have a shape indicating the position or direction in which other specific image information is arranged. A shape having a straight-line or angular element can be used as the shape of the specific image information indicating the position or direction of other specific image information. One piece of management information may be formed by combining plural pieces of specific image information.

Abstract: 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 R1 to R4 and are on a straight line L running through the center O of the concentric circles, the pattern image is detected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that can make judgment of a specific pattern accurate and easy and can judge a copying-prohibited original document regardless of the color of the original document and inputted image information of the copying-prohibited original document added with the specific pattern and even when the size of the specific pattern differs. A black detecting color filter executes a binarizing process to inputted image data in terms of black, and a yellow detecting color filter executes a binarizing process to inputted image data in terms of yellow. The black and yellow primitive pattern detecting portions respectively detect black primitive patterns and yellow primitive patterns from the black and yellow binarized image data. The copying-prohibiting added pattern detecting portion detects a specific pattern based on an arrangement of the primitive patterns detected by the black and yellow primitive pattern detecting portions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A digital multi-function peripheral appends, according to the predetermined specific image information appending conditions, the image data which meets the appending conditions with the specific image information in a form which is set in accordance with the appending conditions when image data which is read at an image reading portion or image data which is externally entered via a FAX modem or communication portion is used for image formation at a printing portion. It is set so that the specific image information is appended to high secrecy image data. When trying to copy the printed image in which the specific image information is embedded, the copy machine which has detected the specific image information will not output the copied image or output a copy sheet having thereon characters such as “Copy Prohibited”.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of extracting a target image portion included in an image targeted for processing with high accuracy, by reducing a data amount required for extracting the target image portion. The image processing apparatus mounted in the image forming apparatus includes: pre-processing section for converting information for use in image formation into low-volume information for use in image extraction; an image judging section for judging whether or not a specific image part belonging to the target image portion is included in the image targeted for processing; and an image confirming section for checking, when the specific image part is judged to be included in the image targeted for processing, whether or not a potential target image portion including the specific image part is equal to the target image portion.

Abstract: Copy discouraging information which is used for prohibiting or discouraging copying of image information is formed so that it can be positively recognized by a copy machine. The copy discouraging information which is used for prohibiting or discouraging copying is printed so that the number, position and shape of the items of the copy discouraging information are made different depending upon the importance degree of the image information to be printed. If the image information has, for example, a relatively higher importance degree, a plurality of items of the copy discouraging information are printed in the inner sides and in the vicinity of four sides of recording paper. When someone tries to copy this recording paper by the copy machine, presence of the copy discouraging information can be immediately recognized in the copy machine regardless of the scanning direction.

Abstract: An information input apparatus is constituted of an operation panel that inputs various types of information and an operation panel board that controls the operation panel. The operation panel includes an LCD that is the displaying unit that displays the information input screen for inputting various types of information, and a touch panel that is the input instructing unit that executes an input instruction from an input region (virtual keys) provided on the information input screen. The LCD displays on the virtual keys information different from information previously assigned to the virtual keys on the information input screen.