Abstract: A device may capture an image in a portable device, embed a watermark into the image in the portable device, and transmit the watermarked image through a wireless interface of the portable device.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes to encode substrates (e.g., paper, synthetics, etc.) with information, and substrates including signals encoded therein. One claim recites a substrate-making process including: obtaining an element to be utilized in a substrate-making process, the element including a property to introduce a texture pattern including an encoded signal into a substrate, the encoded signal being machine-detectable from image data corresponding to at least a portion of the texture pattern, the encoded signal including a variable component; and utilizing the element to impart the texture pattern into a substrate during the substrate-making process. Another claim recites a physical substrate including: a surface having a texture pattern provided in the surface during a substrate-making process. The texture pattern includes a machine-readable signal that is detectable from image data corresponding to at least a portion of the texture pattern.

Abstract: The present application discloses a system, method and device for placing substantially invisible marks comprising alphanumeric characters, symbols, or bar codes, on a page using clear ink or toner, which may then be read by a spectrophotometer. Such substantially invisible marks are not viewable to the unaided eye of a human observer, do not distract a viewer, and allow the viewer to focus their attention on the printed matter and text of interest to the viewer.

Abstract: A variable guilloche includes at least two guilloche curves, printed in a common space and having at least one point of overlap. The at least two curves are plotted from equations having variables corresponding to a specified data string of steganographic information.

Abstract: Insertion of a watermark corresponding to the content of a file at the time of the printing of the file is made possible. Importance and/or confidentiality is defined per keyword in advance, and the watermark to be inserted is defined based thereon. At the time of the printing of the file, a keyword search within the file is performed, and the watermark to be inserted is automatically selected based on the search result (see FIG. 5).

Abstract: A detecting unit detects output-prohibit area information indicating an output-prohibit area from image data. An identifying unit identifies the output-prohibit area in the image data based on the output-prohibit area information detected by the detecting unit. A masking unit performs a masking on the output-prohibit area identified by the identifying unit. A rearranging unit rearranges an image of an area other than the output-prohibit area over the output-prohibit area on which the masking is performed by the masking unit. An outputting unit outputs image data obtained by rearranging the image by the rearranging unit.

Abstract: A document and a related viewer for the document are constructed as image files capable of transmission to a printing site. The document file contains information for printing a document having hidden security indicia, and the viewer file contains information for printing a document viewer having a decrypting portion for revealing the hidden security indicia in the document.

Abstract: A special pattern determination section determines whether a special pattern is included in a document image read by a document reading section. If the special pattern determination section determines that the special pattern is included, the breaking pattern applying section applies a breaking pattern to the document image, and the print image generating section accumulates image data of the document image applied with the breaking pattern into a memory. On the other hand, if it is determined that the special pattern is not included, the print image generating section accumulates the image data of the document image directly into the memory. Then, if it is set by a user so as not to print the breaking pattern, the controller deletes image data of the document image accumulated in the memory and applied with the breaking pattern.

Abstract: An image processing method is disclosed. A printer driver is a program for performing the method. The printer driver forms print image data that are printed by an inkjet recording apparatus capable of forming multi-level dots by ejecting droplets of recording liquid. The printer driver transforms image data of a manuscript into manuscript image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by applying an image process such as a CMM process, a BG/UCR/? correction process, and a gradation process to the image data of the manuscript; further, forms the print image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by combining the manuscript image data with data corresponding to the multi-level dots of an image pattern indicating that the manuscript is prohibited from being duplicated by a manuscript and tint block pattern combining section.

Abstract: This invention deters information leakage by a flexible monitoring method according to the characteristic of an image or document. A job analysis section analyzes a print job and separates image data and attribute information. An image generator generates print image data from the image data by referring to the attribute information. A digital watermark generator and synthesis section embed at least part of the attribute information in the print image data. An image transmitter transmits, to a monitoring server, the print image data with at least part of the attribute information added. A monitoring method selector selectively operates the image transmitter or the digital watermark generator and synthesis section based on the attribute information.

Abstract: Provided is a device that prevents unauthorized copying of a document to which copy inhibition information is added.

Abstract: High speed printing system for printing magnetic ink systems and associated methods are disclosed. A color of the magnetic ink may be designed to resemble one of the non-magnetic inks so that instead of ejecting the one non-magnetic ink, the printing system ejects the magnetic ink. Nozzles in a printhead may also be arranged to be adjacent to each other and may be appropriately spaced without causing the inks to be mixed in the printhead. Additionally, a color transform system may be provided to transform a sheet image in accordance with ejecting at least the magnetic and the non-magnetic ink from the printhead.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a color removing unit, a determining unit, and a preventing unit. The color removing unit is configured to remove a specified color from an input image. The determining unit is configured to determine whether information is embedded in the input image. The preventing unit is configured to prevent an image in an area where the information is embedded in the input image from being removed by the color removing unit when the determining unit determines that the information is embedded in the input image.

Abstract: In an information processing device, error detection information is generated from additional information and a header is generated from error detection information. An encoded header is then generated by appending a header-error correction code to the header and encoded additional information is generated by appending an information-error correction code to the additional information. Finally, an information-appended image is generated by integratedly appending the encoded header and the encoded additional information to the target image.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the image processing apparatus includes a printing control unit, an image reading unit, an extracting unit, a difference image extracting unit, and a determination unit. The printing control unit controls printing of a plurality of pages on one sheet of paper according to a print setting information which indicates a printing form, and printing of a code indicating the print setting information on the paper. The image reading unit read the paper. The extracting unit extracts the code from the read image. The difference image extracting unit extracts a difference image between the printed image and the read image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of watermarking a binary stream resulting from the encoding of a set of coefficients comprising at least one coefficient encoded by predictive coding, called predictively coded coefficient. The method comprises the steps of: a) identifying, in the binary stream, a first binary word representing the predictively coded coefficient; b) computing a modified coefficient from the predictively coded coefficient on the basis of at least one watermarking bit; c) encoding the modified coefficient into a second binary word; and d) replacing in the binary stream the first binary word with the second binary word.

Abstract: An image output apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a density of a document image exceeds a threshold, and a control unit configured to inhibit an output of a composite image including a two-dimensional bar code and the document image if the determination unit determines that the density exceeds the threshold and configured to output the composite image including the two-dimensional bar code and the document image if the determination unit determines that the density does not exceed the threshold.

Abstract: The watermarked information embedding apparatus which inputs an image and embeds watermarked information in the input image, comprises: picture element determining means which determines whether it is a picture element constituting a background image for each of picture elements which constitute the input image; background picture element removing means which removes all of background picture elements determined as picture elements constituting the background image by the picture element determining means; and watermarked information embedding means which embeds the watermarked information in an image constituted by a picture element from which the background picture element constituting the input image is removed by the background picture element removing means.

Abstract: A variable data addition method and system are disclosed herein. The method includes generating an original image, and defining at least one sub-section of the original image to transform individually. A reversible transformation is applied to the defined at least one sub-section, thereby altering the original image to form an altered image that is non-readable until an inverse of the reversible transformation is applied to the altered image.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a generating unit and an output unit. The generating unit generates image data on the basis of which an image forming unit forms a visible image on a recording medium containing detectable substances using only a coloring material having a spectral reflection factor that is different in a particular wavelength range from a spectral reflection factor that the detectable substances have by a predetermined threshold or more. The output unit outputs the image data generated by the generating unit to the image forming unit.

Abstract: A plurality of background texture patterns each of which includes a region not having a dot and having a feature different from those of the other background texture patterns, are combined, and information is embedded in a background region of a document image. Then, a mathematical-morphology-based conversion is performed on the document image, and thereby a feature of a region not having a dot in each of the background texture patterns is extracted in order to identify the embedded information.

Abstract: When the length of a print area in a print tape is designated and an instruction to print a symbol image of a two-dimensional code and character information is given, a printing apparatus sets the print size of the symbol image of the two-dimensional code to a predetermined print size defined as the initial setting, but changes the print attributes of the character information from the initial values to adjust the length of the character string, so that the character information can be printed together with the symbol image of the two-dimensional code within the print area in the print tape, that has the designated length. The printing apparatus prints the character information whose print size is adjusted and the symbol image of the two-dimensional code maintained at the predetermined print size, in a serial arrangement, in a range of the print tape having the designated length.

Abstract: A system capable of processing an coded image stores first information including information indicating output time when an image has been output from an output apparatus and information indicating a user who has instructed the output apparatus to output the image in association with second information including information indicating an original output apparatus has output a source image of the image, information indicating output time when the source image has been output from the output apparatus, and information indicating a user who has instructed the original output apparatus to output the source image. The system searches for a coded image to acquire first information, and then displays the second information.

Abstract: A method and system for generating printable certificates to verify log authenticity. A logging module generates a compound document that includes metadata for changes made to pages in a document. Each time a change is made to the document, such as adding stroke data, the logging module updates the compound document with the changes. The online marketplace module displays an option for purchasing a printable certificate. In response to a request for a certificate, the logging module generates a printable certificate that includes a set number of hashes for previous transactions. The verification module can recreate a transaction and generate a hash that is compared to the certificate to verify that no tampering has occurred with the document.

Abstract: A document management system includes a memory portion that stores an original document identifier and a first derived document identifier in association with a second apparatus identifier, the original document identifier being provided to an original document, the first derived document identifier being provided to a first derived document created when the original document is copied, printed, edited, or sent by a first apparatus, the second apparatus identifier being provided to a second apparatus that further copies, prints, edits, or sends the first derived document; and a search portion that searches for a distribution path of the original document with the use of the association of the original document identifier, the first derived document identifier, and the second apparatus identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a recording medium with embedded information comprises: a passage mechanism including a first passage, a loop passage and recording medium conveying rollers, wherein a first opening and a second opening of the loop passage are connected to the tail end of the first passage; a first guide mechanism configured to selectively communicate the first passage with the first opening or the second opening of the loop passage; and a processing device including a magnetic head and a print head which are arranged in the first passage, wherein the magnetic head is arranged at a side of a recording medium inlet/outlet port which is adjacent to a leading end of the first passage. A method for processing the recording medium with embedded information is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a method of watermarking using a curable gel ink, and in particular, the curable gel ink is an ultraviolet (UV) curable gel ink that can be used in digital printing methods such as ink jet printing. The present embodiments provide improved scratch and rub resistance for watermarks formed with the UV curable gel ink formulations.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing the scheduling of a plurality of print jobs for a print shop. The method includes obtaining a print job input stream including the plurality of print jobs. Each of the plurality of print jobs is scheduled for processing unless at least one of the plurality of print jobs is determined to be a disturbance job, the disturbance job causing delays in processing of other print jobs in the plurality of print jobs that would not occur but for the existence of the disturbance job in the print job input stream. The disturbance job is then assigned a processing related value that decreases over time, and scheduling of the disturbance job is delayed until the processing related value is less than a selected threshold value.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a physical medium configured to store data. A layout design of visible and invisible information to be printed in a book with visible and invisible ink, respectively, is generated. The visible information includes an article. The invisible information includes a URL of an address of a web server at which additional information associated with the article is located. Print data of the visible and invisible information based on the generated layout design of the visible and invisible information are generated. The generated print data of the visible and invisible information are stored on the physical medium. A book containing the article in visible ink and the invisible information in invisible ink is produced. A cellular phone is used to obtain the additional information by identifying the URL via illuminating and photographing the invisible information in the book using a light-emitting element in the cellular phone.

Abstract: A photo composition system applies digital watermarks such as glossmarks and correlation marks to a user's image to produce a marked version of the image. A compatibility measure is computed and presented to the user as an aid in mark selection or the decision to even apply a mark to the image. Compatibility measures can be improved by automated image enhancement processes that adjust the image to be more compatible with the mark.

Abstract: An apparatus stores accumulated jobs in a storage area, and outputs a shared job among the accumulated jobs that is set to be shared by plural users. The apparatus includes a job list display unit configured to display a job list generated based on job information of the accumulated jobs; and a job control unit configured to control output of an execution job selected from the job list. The job list display unit displays a shared job included in the job list that is determined as being allowed to be executed in the apparatus based on an allowance condition set when the shared job is set, and the job control unit outputs job data of a shared job selected as the execution job from the displayed job list, in an output format specified at the time of job execution.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of printing an image encoded with an IR watermark on a substrate. According to an exemplary method, an effective gamut is used to render the image, wherein the effective gamut is formed by the intersection of a first and second gamut associated with producing a constant IR response.

Abstract: A dot pattern including a block defined as a rectangular area of a square or a rectangle of a medium face, such as printed matter. A straight line in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction configuring a frame of the block each are defined as a standard grid line. Virtual reference grid points are provided at predetermined intervals on the reference grid line. Reference grid point dots are placed on respective virtual reference grid points. Straight lines that connect the virtual reference grid points to each other and are parallel to the reference grid lines are defined as grid lines. A point of intersection of grid lines is defined as a virtual grid point. A dot pattern is generated by arranging one or a plurality of information dots, each of which has a distance and a direction around the virtual grid point.

Abstract: A method for creating a differential gloss image includes providing first and second anisotropic halftone structures. The first and second anisotropic structures have different orientations. One of the first and second anisotropic structures is applied to image data in a first region of an image to be halftoned. The other of the first and second anisotropic structures may be applied to image data in a second region of an image to be halftoned. A mixture of the first and second anisotropic structures is applied to image data in a third region of the image to be halftoned, whereby when printed, the three regions each have a gloss characteristic which differs from that of the other two regions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for protection of products and packaging against counterfeiting using dedicated authentication protocol coupled with portable devices. It is based on the product identification information, i.e., PIN, generated by the product manufacturer, stored in the product database and added to product or packaging in an open and/or a hidden form. The open part is directly available to the consumer before buying, opening or consuming the product or package or damaging its integrity while the hidden part is only revealed after these operations. The hidden information can also be disappearing after a predefined interval of time or number of trials or usages. Both parts are communicated to the authentication server in a predefined order to verify the product or package authenticity. The presence, absence, or multiple requests for the same product PIN, confirm or reject product authenticity or detect attempt at attacking the system or at using counterfeited products.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a document information receiving unit that receives document information; a placement region determining unit that selects a region from the document information and determines the region as a placement region where code information is to be placed, on the basis of the amount of information of a part of the document information; a code information generating unit that encodes additional information to be added to the document information and information for the placement region and generates code information; and a document information generating unit that generates code-information-bearing document information in which the code information is placed in the placement region of the document information.

Abstract: A method for generating documents having stored electrostatic pattern information provides security with respect to the authenticity of documents. A liquid medium including a plurality of electrostatic monopoles is applied to the surface of a document, which embeds a permanent electrostatic pattern in the document. The pattern is then readable by an electrostatic scanner. The monopoles may be associated with differing colors, including black and white, may be transparent or have a neutral color. The patterns may embed data, certificates or shapes. The monopoles may provide a watermark or visible image. The apparatus may be a pen or printer, and may include multiple selectable vessels containing ink and/or electrostatic liquid medium of one or both charge states. Visible features of the document can be compared with the detected pattern, or the pattern may be compared to a database or decrypted with a key.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for identifying a constellation of alignment marks within an arrangement of computer readable marks in an image (1412), the arrangement of computer readable marks (1412) including alignment marks (1401-1406) and data carrying marks (1407-1410). The alignment marks (1401-1406) define a reference grid within the arrangement of computer readable marks and the data carrying marks (1407-1410) are modulated with respect to the reference grid to encode data. The method selects at least two marks (1501, 1502) from the arrangement of computer readable marks and determines a rotation center with reference to the selected marks (1501, 1502). The method then determines rotated positions for the selected marks by rotating each of the selected marks by a predetermined angle about the rotation center.

Abstract: In some embodiments, techniques for voting and visual cryptography may include various enhancements.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal. The image forming apparatus includes: a two-dimensional code output unit for outputting a two-dimensional code into which address information of the image forming apparatus is converted; and a job execution unit for executing a job transmitted from the mobile terminal that has accessed the image forming apparatus based on address information into which the two-dimensional code obtained by photographing an image of the two-dimensional code outputted from the image forming apparatus by the mobile terminal is inversely converted. The mobile terminal includes: a photographing unit for photographing an image of the two-dimensional code; an inverse converter for inversely converting the photographed two-dimensional code into address information; and a communication unit for accessing an address of the image forming apparatus, which address is obtained through the inverse conversion, to transmit a job.

Abstract: A document management apparatus includes an electronic document editing unit which performs processing associated with creation and edit of an electronic document, a processing information obtaining unit which obtains processing information in the electronic document editing unit, a restriction information acceptance unit which accepts input of restriction information that restricts processing for the electronic document, and a uniformed electronic document creation unit which-creates a uniformed electronic document by attaching generation information containing the processing information and the restriction information to the electronic document.

Abstract: The accuracy of reading a barcode embedded in a printed document is maintained, and at the same time, the amount of toner and the like consumed is reduced. When document information read by scanning is analyzed and the density of the document information is higher than a predetermined threshold vale, that is, when the printed document has a space enough to contain the barcode, the density of the barcode is set such that the density of the barcode is decreased as compared with a case where the density of the document information is lower than the predetermined threshold value. By changing the size of dots and the distance between the dots and thus decreasing the density of the barcode, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner and the like consumed. Then, the set barcode is synthesized with the document information, and the synthesized image is output.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus embeds second class data that is different from sheet to sheet in first class data that is common throughout a printing operation. First and second unfolding sections unfold the first and second class data to image data. An image carrying body image examination section compares image data unfolded by the second unfolding section and picked up image data unfolded by the first unfolding section and prepared by an image carrying body image pickup section, and an intermediate transfer body image examination section compares image data unfolded by the second unfolding section and picked up image data unfolded by the first unfolding section and prepared by an intermediate transfer body image pickup section.

Abstract: In order to prevent illegal copying more effectively in an image forming apparatus, when a specified ground pattern for preventing copying is detected in input image data, the detected ground pattern is emphasized in the image data. Alternatively, information for detecting the specified ground pattern is stored in a storage device, in order to detect the ground pattern with the stored information. When the ground pattern is not detected, a ground region in the image data is analyzed further to determine whether a different ground pattern exits or not. When a ground pattern is detected, information for detecting the ground pattern is stored in the storing device.

Abstract: A print system includes: a print instruction unit that outputs a print instruction for the electronic document and print instruction specification information for specifying the print instruction; a print unit that prints the electronic document pertinent to the print instruction outputted from the print instruction unit, together with specification information specifying the electronic document or a print medium; and an output unit that outputs the specification information printed by the print unit, in association with the print instruction specification information.

Abstract: In order to prevent illegal copying more effectively in an image forming apparatus, when a specified ground pattern for preventing copying is detected in input image data, the detected ground pattern is emphasized in the image data. Alternatively, information for detecting the specified ground pattern is stored in a storage device, in order to detect the ground pattern with the stored information. When the ground pattern is not detected, a ground region in the image data is analyzed further to determine whether a different ground pattern exits or not. When a ground pattern is detected, information for detecting the ground pattern is stored in the storing device.

Abstract: A method of digital watermarking selects a mapping of a digital watermark to audio or video content and an embedding gain to produce uniquely watermarked copies for distribution. The embedding method is implemented at points of distribution, including content servers or receivers. By applying varying mapping protocols and random gain, the digital watermark uniquely serializes copies. It also has a structure and embedding configuration that minimizes the effectiveness of collusion, averaging and over-embedding attacks.

Abstract: A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to edit an electronic document including a plurality of hierarchically arranged objects. The program makes a computer execute extracting an object from the electronic document including the hierarchically arranged objects representing one of a text, an image, a drawing and a table; determining whether the extracted object is superimposed by a user specified area serving as a masking area of a target document input by a user; and converting, into different information, information included in an area of the object determined to be superimposed by the user specified area.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus which is capable of causing predetermined processes to be performed using sheets of one fixed format, in both of the case of scanning a fixed format sheet which has a description entered therein and the case of scanning a sheet which has a description entered therein but is other than the fixed format sheet. When a fixed format sheet having an entry made thereto is scanned in, a multifunction machine executes a first document processing process. When a fixed format sheet has been previously scanned in, if a sheet other than the fixed format sheet is scanned in, the multifunction machine executes s second document processing process. When no fixed format sheet has not been previously scanned in, if a sheet other than the fixed format sheet is scanned in, the multifunction machine executes a usual process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides pantograph methods, apparatus and systems. Specifically disclosed is a method of rendering a pantograph including defining a foreground region associated with a pantograph, defining a background region associated with the pantograph, and applying a first UCR/GCR strategy to the background region and a second UCR/GCR strategy to the foreground region, whereby the foreground region is less discernable after the pantograph is rendered with a printing device relative to a reproduction of the rendered pantograph.