Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for displaying an image including a plurality of blocks in which code information can be embedded, includes obtaining a first image including a plurality of blocks, obtaining a second image determined by changing the characteristic value of the selected blocks of the first image so as to associate the value with the code information to be embedded, and displaying the first image data and the second image data, sequentially.

Abstract: An image processing method according to the present invention is contrived to change the gradation level (of the color component corresponding to the complementary color of yellow) for a pixel within a zone located on a corner of a rectangular image so as to maximize the difference between the gradation level of a pixel that is a processing target and the gradation level of a pixel in a background area in the surrounding area of the pixel that is the processing target, that is, lowering the gradation level. This means the pixel that is a result of applying the process for changing the gradation levels looks yellowish. The human eye has difficulty in recognizing yellow and therefore the change applied to the pixel is inconspicuous as compared to the case of placing a mark or frame on the outside of a rectangular zone.

Abstract: First, the original data C is divided into an n number of pieces of partial data C1-Cn. Then pieces of position information P1-Pn are added to those pieces of divided partial data, and they are respectively embedded into the n number of duplicated images. Then, the resultant images E1-En are produced. The resultant images are displayed in the same position on a display screen as a still image for T1 seconds each. In a camera of a mobile phone, etc., the displayed images are repeatedly photographed at an interval of T2 seconds that is shorter than T1 seconds, and the pieces partial data C1-Cn and position information P1-Pn are sequentially extracted. When all the processes are completed, the pieces of partial data are integrated on the basis of the pieces of position information P1-Pn. As a result, the original data is obtained.

Abstract: When a small block area enters a first two-dimensional code during a scan and features of the image within the area of a position in the first two-dimensional code coincide with a two-dimensional code, the block area is specified as containing a code and a recognition process is performed in the nearby areas. When the recognition of the two-dimensional code has been successful, the area of the first two-dimensional code is further extracted. When the extraction of the area of the first two-dimensional code has been successful, the scan using the small block area is further continued to search for a second two-dimensional code. With an already recognized entrance to the area of the first two-dimensional code, the area is skipped to continue the search. The second two-dimensional code is detected at a high speed by repeating the operation.

Abstract: A data input device which inputs data to a navigation device includes: an image input unit capturing an image displayed on an image display carrier for displaying an image; a code extraction unit extracting a code hidden in the image; and a transmission unit transmitting the code to the navigation device.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of embedding information into an image has obtaining an image data by taking the image by an image input device, dividing the image data into a plurality of blocks, determining an area in each of the blocks on the basis of a resolution power of the image input device, where a characteristic value may be modified in accordance with the information, respectively, comparing the size of the block with the size of the area and modifying a characteristic value of each of the blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded when the ratio of the size of the area with respect to the size of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An image is split into a plurality of blocks, a feature quantity is extracted from each of the blocks, data is embedded into each of the blocks based on a difference between feature quantities of that block and at least one adjacent block, and data embedded blocks are printed.

Abstract: An apparatus that embeds data in an image includes a mark embedding unit that embeds a feature that forms a predetermined pattern in the image, as a mark to be used to specify an area in which the data is embedded, and a data embedding unit that embeds the data in the image of the area specified by the mark.

Abstract: A system includes a client that obtains a code included in an image, and sends out the code and identification information of the client, and a server that obtains content address information based on a frequency of access, the code and the identification information received from the client, from a table stored in the server provides the content address information to the client whereby the client is enabled to obtain content information by using the content address information.

Abstract: When it is determined whether the color of each cell of an image is black or white from the gradation value of each cell, the determination is made by comparison of the gradation level of the cell with a threshold if the gradation level is sufficiently close to that of black or white. In contrast, if the gradation value of the cell is within a gray zone, the color of the cell is determined from the colors of the cells adjacent to the cell of interest. That is, if the gradation value of the cell is gray and the colors of the adjacent cells are all black, the color of the cell is determined to be white; and conversely if the colors of all the adjacent cells are white, the color of the cell is determined to be black.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is attached to the top of a PDA. During the image reading operation, an operation state control signal is output from the image reading apparatus to the PDA. According to the signal, the intensity of an input display unit not required during the operation can be reduced. Additionally, the power supply or the supply of a signal not required during the operation is stopped. Furthermore, an LED of the PDA issues a notification of an operation state by lighting, blinking, or turning-off. When the input display unit displays an image, an erect image and an inverted image are appropriately switched depending on the operation state. During an image reading operation, input by input buttons and a touch panel of the input display unit are nullified to avoid the occurrence of a malfunction.

Abstract: An embedding-availability determining unit determines an availability of embedding data into an image based on an input/output characteristic of a predetermined feature amount related to a combination of an output device that outputs an image in which the data is embedded to a medium and an input device that inputs the image that is output to the medium. A result output unit outputs a result of determination by the embedding-availability determining unit.

Abstract: In an encoding device that creates an image in which data is embedded, an embedding unit divides an image into a plurality of blocks, and embeds data in the image based on a difference in value of characteristics of adjacent blocks; and a restriction information recording unit records use restriction information that restricts use of embedded data.

Abstract: A code type determining method comprises a block selecting step of selecting input image data in units of rectangular blocks, a block determining step of determining whether or not the selected block satisfies a predetermined condition, and a code determining step of determining a type of code included in the block which satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A content conversion device includes a non-still picture data detecting unit which detects non-still picture data contained in a first electronic document that is an object to be processed, an embedded image generating unit which generates, in a data addition target image representing a frame contained in the non-still picture data or an image associated with the non-still picture data, embedded image data in which information about the non-still picture data is embedded, and an electronic document converting unit which creates a second electronic document in which the non-still picture data of the first electronic document is replaced with the embedded image data.

Abstract: First, the original data C is divided into an n number of pieces of partial data C1-Cn. Then pieces of position information P1-Pn are added to those pieces of divided partial data, and they are respectively embedded into the n number of duplicated images. Then, the resultant images E1-En are produced. The resultant images are displayed in the same position on a display screen as a still image for T1 seconds each. In a camera of a mobile phone, etc., the displayed images are repeatedly photographed at an interval of T2 seconds that is shorter than T1 seconds, and the pieces partial data C1-Cn and position information P1-Pn are sequentially extracted. When all the processes are completed, the pieces of partial data are integrated on the basis of the pieces of position information P1-Pn. As a result, the original data is obtained.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of embedding information into an image has obtaining an image data by taking the image by an image input device, dividing the image data into a plurality of blocks, determining an area in each of the blocks on the basis of a resolution power of the image input device, where a characteristic value may be modified in accordance with the information, respectively, comparing the size of the block with the size of the area and modifying a characteristic value of each of the blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded when the ratio of the size of the area with respect to the size of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image decompression apparatus, a medium recording an image decompression program, and an image decompression method capable of sequentially decompressing compressed data of a plurality of images.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for displaying an image including a plurality of blocks in which code information can be embedded, includes obtaining a first image including a plurality of blocks, obtaining a second image determined by changing the characteristic value of the selected blocks of the first image so as to associate the value with the code information to be embedded, and displaying the first image data and the second image data, sequentially.

Abstract: An image processing method according to the present invention is contrived to change the gradation level (of the color component corresponding to the complementary color of yellow) for a pixel within a zone located on a corner of a rectangular image so as to maximize the difference between the gradation level of a pixel that is a processing target and the gradation level of a pixel in a background area in the surrounding area of the pixel that is the processing target, that is, lowering the gradation level. This means the pixel that is a result of applying the process for changing the gradation levels looks yellowish. The human eye has difficulty in recognizing yellow and therefore the change applied to the pixel is inconspicuous as compared to the case of placing a mark or frame on the outside of a rectangular zone.