Abstract: The characteristic variations of a printer largely influence the recognition precision of code information, and the recognition precision of code information appended to printed matter cannot often be guaranteed depending on printers. To solve this problem, a printer forms a predetermined chart, and the image forming characteristics of the printer are detected from the code information recorded on the chart. A generation method of generating code information obtained by encoding information to a regular sequence of a pixel cluster is controlled in accordance with the image forming characteristics.

Abstract: It is simpler to manage an electronic signature on a It is simpler to manage an electronic signature on a server. On the contrary, authentication in a paper is more conveniently managed by a serverless system. However, data embedded in a document relies on an authentication system and security system. In view of this, a security data extraction unit separates electronic data into security data and non-security data. An image arrangement unit arranges the non-security data on a paper surface and converts it to readable image data. An encryption processing unit encrypts the security data. An authentication program generation unit generates an authentication program that executes authentication using authentication data. A package unit packages the encrypted data and the authentication program. A background embedding unit generates background image data where the package data is embedded in a background pattern.

Abstract: When image data obtained by scanning a document is to be registered in a document management system, a search index can be generated by layout analysis and object analysis. However, when application data generated by an application is to be registered, similar analysis processing cannot be done, and a search index cannot be generated. Hence, an instruction of application data to be registered in the document management system is received, and it is checked if that application data can be processed by the document management system. If it is determined that the application data cannot be processed by the document management system, the application data is converted into PDL data (S756), and the application data or data as a combination of the PDL data and application data is transmitted to the document management system.

Abstract: A function approximation processing method comprises inputting and binarizing image data, extracting contour from the binarized image data, estimating tangent points in horizontal and vertical directions from the contour, and approximating contour between adjacent tangent points among the estimated tangent points with a predetermined function, thereby an input object such as a character or a figure can be processed at high speed, and outline data with high image quality can be generated with a reduced number of points.

Abstract: This invention provides the following environment. That is, an original document file corresponding to a document to be copied is specified from image data of that document to be copied, and a print process is made based on the specified file so as to prevent deterioration of image quality. Also, when a document to be copied is not registered, a registration process is executed to suppress deterioration of image quality in an early stage. Furthermore, since the document is converted into vector data, re-use of such document is facilitated, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even when an image process such as enlargement or the like is made. To this end, when an original digital file cannot be specified, an apparatus of this embodiment executes a vectorization process (S54), converts the obtained vector data into a data format that can be re-used by an application (S55), and registers the converted file in a file server (S56).

Abstract: When there is a possibility where an undesirable printing result may be caused, a preview image useful for the check of the printing result is displayed, prior to an actual printing, to a user. Prior to the printing an image based on data after an image processing of an image data, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility in which an undesirable printing result may be caused based on the image data and, when it is determined that there is the possibility, a warning message is issued. When it is determined that there is a possibility in which an undesirable printing result may be caused, a printer driver simulates the image processing by the printing apparatus to prepare the data after the image processing. A display apparatus displays, prior to the printing of the image, a preview image based on the data after the image processing.

Abstract: More accurate retrieval of original documents is conducted by adaptively evaluating retrieval results, which are obtained by retrieving attributes, in accordance with layout information. To achieve this, there is provided an information processing method for retrieving image data that is similar to an entered document image, the method including a step (S402) of segmenting the entered document image into a plurality of areas on a per-attribute basis; a step of calculating degree of similarity, for every area obtained by segmentation, using a retrieval step suited to the attribute; and a step (S406) of calculating overall degree of similarity in which the degree of similarity calculated for every area obtained by segmentation is weighted.

Abstract: Stored digital data is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comparing the retrieved digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the digital data. Digital data generated by composition is stored. When no digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data. Obtained region segmentation information and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information. A user designates the specific region by designating rectangular blocks in an image using a pointing device.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: The characteristic variations of a printer largely influence the recognition precision of code information, and the recognition precision of code information appended to printed matter cannot often be guaranteed depending on printers. To solve this problem, a printer forms a predetermined chart, and the image forming characteristics of the printer are detected from the code information recorded on the chart. A generation method of generating code information obtained by encoding information to a regular sequence of a pixel cluster is controlled in accordance with the image forming characteristics.

Abstract: It is simpler to manage an electronic signature on a It is simpler to manage an electronic signature on a server. On the contrary, authentication in a paper is more conveniently managed by a serverless system. However, data embedded in a document relies on an authentication system and security system. In view of this, a security data extraction unit separates electronic data into security data and non-security data. An image arrangement unit arranges the non-security data on a paper surface and converts it to readable image data. An encryption processing unit encrypts the security data. An authentication program generation unit generates an authentication program that executes authentication using authentication data. A package unit packages the encrypted data and the authentication program. A background embedding unit generates background image data where the package data is embedded in a background pattern.

Abstract: When image data obtained by scanning a document is to be registered in a document management system, a search index can be generated by layout analysis and object analysis. However, when application data generated by an application is to be registered, similar analysis processing cannot be done, and a search index cannot be generated. Hence, an instruction of application data to be registered in the document management system is received, and it is checked if that application data can be processed by the document management system. If it is determined that the application data cannot be processed by the document management system, the application data is converted into PDL data (S756), and the application data or data as a combination of the PDL data and application data is transmitted to the document management system.

Abstract: This invention provides the following environment. That is, an original document file corresponding to a document to be copied is specified from image data of that document to be copied, and a print process is made based on the specified file so as to prevent deterioration of image quality. Also, when a document to be copied is not registered, a registration process is executed to suppress deterioration of image quality in an early stage. Furthermore, since the document is converted into vector data, re-use of such document is facilitated, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even when an image process such as enlargement or the like is made. To this end, when an original digital file cannot be specified, an apparatus of this embodiment executes a vectorization process (S54), converts the obtained vector data into a data format that can be re-used by an application (S55), and registers the converted file in a file server (S56).

Abstract: When there is a possibility where an undesirable printing result may be caused, a preview image useful for the check of the printing result is displayed, prior to an actual printing, to a user. Prior to the printing an image based on data after an image processing of an image data, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility in which an undesirable printing result may be caused based on the image data and, when it is determined that there is the possibility, a warning message is issued. When it is determined that there is a possibility in which an undesirable printing result may be caused, a printer driver simulates the image processing by the printing apparatus to prepare the data after the image processing. A display apparatus displays, prior to the printing of the image, a preview image based on the data after the image processing.

Abstract: A function approximation processing method comprises inputting and binarizing image data, extracting contour from the binarized image data, estimating tangent points in horizontal and vertical directions from the contour, and approximating contour between adjacent tangent points among the estimated tangent points with a predetermined function, thereby an input object such as a character or a figure can be processed at high speed, and outline data with high image quality can be generated with a reduced number of points.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: Original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comprising the retrieved original digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the original digital data. Furthermore, digital data generated by composition is stored in the memory. Also, original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, and when no original digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data in the memory. Moreover, region segmentation information obtained in a block selection step and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information.

Abstract: More accurate retrieval of original documents is conducted by adaptively evaluating retrieval results, which are obtained by retrieving attributes, in accordance with layout information. To achieve this, there is provided an information processing method for retrieving image data that is similar to an entered document image, the method including a step (S402) of segmenting the entered document image into a plurality of areas on a per-attribute basis; a step of calculating degree of similarity, for every area obtained by segmentation, using a retrieval step suited to the attribute; and a step (S406) of calculating overall degree of similarity in which the degree of similarity calculated for every area obtained by segmentation is weighted.