Abstract: An image reader (100) has a removable memory device (2) which stores authentication information for performing identity authentication of a user. An image reader body (1) has an authentication processing unit (6) performing the identity authentication to identify whether a user is the authorized person by checking authentication information (8) stored in the removable memory device (2) and registered authentication information (9) in advance in the image reader (100) with each other. Only when the authentication by the authentication processing unit (6) is successful, a document (3) is read by using the image reader (100), and a digital signature or approval information is added to image data (15) which has been read.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processing of color images and more particularly to a method for smoothing a color boundary between an object and a background. A method for changing the color of an object against the color of a background to smooth the color boundary between the object and the background includes the steps of: identifying the color of the boundary part of the object as a boundary color; obtaining a mixing ratio for mixing the color of the object and the color of the background to produce the boundary color; changing the color of the object relative to the color of the background; and changing the boundary color while maintaining the mixing ratio substantially constant at the boundary part before and after the color change process.