Abstract: Devices and methods wherein if a predefined recognition dot pattern designed to prohibit an image data outputting is detected from image data acquired by an image data acquiring unit, outputting of the image data is prohibited, and if a predefined recognition mark to cancel image data outputting prohibition is detected, the outputting of the image data is permitted.

Abstract: An image output system includes a computer and a complex machine connected to the computer. A password generating section of the complex machine, in a case where a user ID transmitted from a transmitting section of the computer is stored in a HDD, generates a password which is different from the user ID, and the transmitting section transmits the password generated by the password generating section. A controller, in a case where the password received by a password receiving section and the password transmitted from the password transmitting section to the computer, controls an image forming section to output image data which is not combined with electronic watermark information by an electronic watermark information combining section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a determining section for determining if a value indicative of a size of the background portion in the background pattern is smaller than a predetermined threshold value; and a background pattern correcting section which corrects the background portion and the latent image portion, when the determining section determines that the value is smaller than the threshold value, so that the value indicative of the size of the background portion becomes equal to or larger than the threshold value, and which forms a background pattern having a corrected background portion in which a copy prohibiting pattern is embedded, wherein the image forming section forms on a sheet the background pattern when the determining section determines that the value is smaller than the threshold value, and forms on the sheet the background pattern when the value is equal to or larger than the threshold value.

Abstract: A complex machine includes an image reading section for reading an image from a document. A determining section determines whether the read image includes a predetermined confidential pattern. A breaking pattern inserting section inserts a breaking pattern to the document image to break the document image. A printing section can print an image onto a recording sheet and a transmitting section can transmit the image read by the image reading section to external equipment. A controller controls the printing section to print a document image, to which the breaking pattern is inserted by the breaking pattern inserting section, if the copy function is executed. However, the controller prohibits the transmission section from transmitting the document image to outside if the facsimile function or the scanner function is executed and if the determining section determines that the image read by the image reading section includes the confidential pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes: an image acquisition section (110) which reads an original and acquires an original image; a specific-pattern storage section (141) which stores a specific pattern which expresses, using a dot pattern, apparatus identification information for identifying an apparatus that prints the original image on a sheet of recording paper; an extraction section (132) which extracts an actual image area except a blank area in the original image, and base on the extracted actual image area, extracts a specific area corresponding to an area for printing the specific pattern; and a print section (150) which prints the specific pattern within the actual image area, using a yellow toner.

Abstract: An apparatus prohibits an unfair copying of a document by forming a latent image region and a background region on the document in a manner that prevents detection of their existence. The apparatus has a controller that detects background region densities and latent image region densities. The controller extracts only a background region density, which enables a special dot pattern to be detected when copying the image of the document. The controller also extracts only a latent image region density, at which a dot image corresponding to the dots constituting the latent image region is not formed on a copy when copying the image of the document. The controller then derives the background region densities and the latent image region density matching with the background region density.

Abstract: An information acquisition part 21 acquires fluctuation information fluctuating in real time, such as a time at the time of acquiring information. The write position setting part 23 obtains a write position of a tracing pattern 5 in image data based on the fluctuation information obtained by the information acquisition part 21. The image processing part 13 applies image processing to the input image data, with the information specific to the apparatus turned into a tracing pattern and written in the write position. Therefore, by adding an anti-copying tracing pattern to different positions in the individual pages of the image data, the tracing pattern can be made hardly recognized.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reader for reading image data from a document. An inherent information storage stores information inherent to the image forming apparatus. An encryption key generator generates an encryption key based on the inherent information in the inherent information storage, and an encryptor encrypts the image data read by the reader based on the encryption key to generate encryption data. An acceptor accepts an image formation designation to form an image on a recording sheet. A decryption key generator generates a decryption key based on the inherent information in the inherent information storage if the image formation designation is accepted by the acceptor. A decryptor decrypts the encryption data based on the decryption key to acquire the image data, and an image forming section forms the image on the recording sheet based on the data acquired by the decryptor.

Abstract: An image processing device 100 has a reading unit 2, a density measuring unit 81, and an extraction unit 82. The reading unit reads a plurality of samples 9. The density measuring unit 81 measures the density of the background image of the plurality of samples 9 having been read by the reading unit 2 and the density of the latent images included in the plurality of samples 9. The extraction unit 82 extracts combinations of background image and latent image. The background image has a density being equal to or less than a first predetermined value. The latent image has a density difference from the background images having a density equal to or less than the first predetermined value. The latent image has a density being equal to or less than a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A sample inclination measuring method rotates, by a predetermined angle with respect to an interferometer apparatus, a columnar member having a leading end face in a planar form while the columnar member is held by a clamping apparatus, detects a relative angle between a reference surface of the interferometer apparatus and the leading end face at each of two rotational positions, and measures the inclination of the axis of the columnar member by using a predetermined arithmetic expression according to thus detected two angles.

Abstract: In an inclination adjusting apparatus comprising two base members opposing each other, an adjusting screw for relatively inclining the two base members with respect to each other is rotatably threaded into and held by one of the two base members while projecting a leading end part from the one base member toward the other base member. The other base member is provided with a sphere-bearing surface opposing the leading end part of the adjustment screw. A rigid spherical member is held between the adjustment screw and the sphere-bearing surface.

Abstract: In an image forming device, output is prohibited by an output control unit if specific image data is detected in image data obtained by reading an original document. The current data is acquired when the output control unit prohibits output, and the password is created in accordance with the current data. The image data which is prohibited from being output by the output control unit is transmitted to an administrator, and then if output permission is obtained by the administrator, output permitted data is generated as an image in which a password created by the password creating unit is embedded in such a manner that a user can not identify the password, and is output by the output unit. The output permitted image outputted by the output unit is read by the reading unit, and then the embedded password data is extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: While a ferrule held by a clamping apparatus is rotated by a predetermined angle, respective interference fringe images of a spherical leading end part of the ferrule are obtained at three or more rotational positions. Respective interference fringe center positions are obtained in thus obtained three or more interference fringe images. The center position of a circle passing near each of the interference fringe center positions is calculated and defined as a measured center position. Relative distance information between the measured center position and a position corresponding to the rotational center position of the spherical leading end part of the ferrule or the relative distance information and relative directional information thereof are outputted as an inclination error adjustment value for the axis of the ferrule.