Abstract: A printer (30) prints image data received from a personal computer (20). The printer stores a recognition program, which is installed for the printer driver of the personal computer. The personal computer executes the received recognition program to carry out recognition. Upon detecting a specific image, the personal computer instructs the printer to discontinue the printing operation. An image processing system is thus provided which prohibits the printer from producing printout if the personal computer connected with the printer detects a prohibited image.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus which easily sorts sheets into groups, and makes these groups readily distinguishable on a single output tray. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus located at the sheet outlet location of an image processing device, the sheet sorting apparatus including a marker attaching mechanism for attaching markers at a certain position on the output sheets. The marker attaching mechanism includes a tape feeding device in which the tape has an adhesive surface along one side edge, a cutter for making a marker by cutting the tape at a preset length, guides for positioning the marker in the proper location on the output sheet, a marker attaching roller, and a feeder for feeding the sheet and marker together. The feeder presses the marker against the sheet to attach it. The advantages of the invention include the markers for separating the groups being attached to the sheets, so they will not fall out if the sheets are removed from the output tray.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus installed on a sheet discharge side of an image processing apparatus and adapted to paste a tag on a predetermined sheet discharged from the image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flapper for switching a path, in which the sheet is transferred to either a first path in which the tag is pasted on the sheet or a second path in which the tag is not pasted on the sheet; draw-out rollers for drawing out a band tape coated at one side edge portion thereof with a pressure-sensitive adhesive; a cutting portion for preparing the tag by cutting the band tape at a predetermined portion thereof; a pasting portion for introducing the prepared tag to a predetermined position with respect to the sheet and pasting the tag on the sheet; at least one receiving tray for receiving the sheet., on which the tag is pasted; and a controller for controlling movements of the flaper, the draw-out rollers and the cutting portion.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide an image processing device which would be able to extract a specified pattern accurately even if there are fine lines in its periphery. The invention is configured as follows in order to achieve this object. The density data for R, G and B are transmitted to fine line processor. There a count is made of the number of pixels among the eight surrounding a center object pixel, which have density values within a fixed margin of the center object pixel. If there are three or fewer, the center object pixel is judged to be part of a line segment, and the determination flag 0 is output. If there are four or more, the center pixel is judged to be not part of a line segment, but a part of pattern. Once the object pixel is judged to be a part of a line segment, then a line removal device remove the object pixel from the image data in order to extract a specified pattern.