Abstract: An image forming apparatus is constituted by a dark color image forming station for forming an image with such a toner of recording materials having the same hue and different lightness as has a lower lightness; a light color image forming station for forming an image with such a toner of the recording materials having the same hue and different lightness as has a higher lightness; and a control portion for effecting control so that an image to be emphasized by partly disappearing or by relatively and partly decreasing in density is formable substantially only with the toner having the higher lightness.

Abstract: An information recording system includes an image generating unit that generates, from input manuscript data, image data of the manuscript; a characteristic data extracting unit that extracts, from the image data, characteristic data indicating a characteristic of the image data generated by the image generating unit; a characteristic data coding unit that encodes the characteristic data; and an image forming unit that forms the image data on an image recording medium together with the encoded characteristic data.

Abstract: New information is added to an information medium and is managed such that the information is not leaked when outputted. An image reading section reads the information medium and inputs images including a unique image and a code image. A detecting section determines the code image and the unique image from inputted images to detect the code image. An extracting section restores the code image to obtain confidential information. Alternatively, the extracting section restores the code image and obtains access information. A control section accesses a management apparatus and requests confidential information related to the information medium. The management apparatus transmits the specified confidential information to an image processing apparatus. The control section combines an image of the information medium and the code image or the confidential information and outputs the result. An image forming section prints the image on a record sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which copies on a recording sheet an original document carrying a watermark, where a watermark comprising a specific character or a pattern is embedded inconspicuously into an image of the original document, the image forming apparatus including: a discrimination section which discriminates a color mode of the original document and a color of the watermark; and a counting section which counts a number of copied sheets as monochrome printing in cases where the discrimination section has discriminated the color mode of the original document as monochrome and has discriminated the color of the watermark as colored.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for encoding/decoding data in a cover contone image via halftone dot orientation modulation. Arrays of halftone threshold values are used to determine a desired orientation, e.g. 0/90°+/?45° for a given single data value of the original message to be embedded. Message data is embedded as a function of halftone dot orientation. Detection modeling of the print-scan process enables the determination of dot orientation from the image scan via statistically motivated image moments. A probabilistic model of the print-scan channel conditions received moments on input orientation. Density values of the received moments are used to determine dot orientation for each halftone cell. The embedded data is retrieved based on the determined orientations. The present method is applicable to areas of data embedding, document security, and the like.

Abstract: A first-information obtaining unit that obtains first information and a second-information obtaining unit obtains second information. The second information has a higher degree of importance than that of the first information. A generating unit generates watermark image data including a group of first dot patterns including the first information and a group of second dot patterns including the first information and the second information and having a dot size enlarged from a dot size of the first dot patterns. A superposing unit superposes the generated watermark image data on a target image data.

Abstract: A retrieving system includes a requesting device and a plurality of storage devices. The requesting device includes an input unit configured to input image data, an extracting unit configured to extract a retrieval key from the image data input by the input unit, a selecting unit configured to select at least one retrieval device from the storage devices according to a characteristic of the image data input by the input unit, and a requesting unit configured to request the retrieval device selected by the selecting unit to perform a retrieval based on the retrieval key extracted by the extracting unit.

Abstract: A form of stochastic random distribution is used to print an invisible watermark using a typical, e.g., 600 dpi, printer. The watermark contains such information as “Do Not Copy,” or other such information. Although the watermark is not visible on a first generation version of a document that is printed, various techniques are used to print the watermark in such a way that it becomes readily apparent when the first generation document is photocopied. The preferred embodiment of the invention is concerned with a technique for improving such techniques, for example so that gray levels are improved to address variations from printer to printer. Another preferred embodiment of the invention is also concerned with a technique for performing error diffusion watermarking without the need for performing a calibration step.

Abstract: The present invention prevents necessary image data from deviating from a print medium and thereby executes a good printing operation without a loss of necessary image data. For this purpose, when performing a so-called marginless printing, in which ink is applied also to an area overrunning from the print medium to form an image without leaving a blank margin at edges of the print medium, the overrunning widths of the area are made adjustable.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first memory, a data detector, a second memory, a third memory, and a determiner. The first memory stores a reference pattern including a plurality of reference basic units, each of which represents specific minimal information, is superposed on input image data, and represents specific entire information. The data detector detects a basic unit in the input image data based on the reference basic unit included in the reference pattern stored in the first memory. The second memory accumulates a number of basic units detected by the data detector. The third memory stores a predetermined value. The determiner determines whether the number of basic units detected by the data detector and stored in the second memory is equal to the predetermined value stored in the third memory.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus is provided which can produce an appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image by adding a monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern even if monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which a color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set. When the monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which the color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern color is output with its color unchanged, the color is not converted into 100% black. Considering this, when a forced monochrome mode is selected, even if the user's setting for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is color, the color is changed to monochrome (black) before output.

Abstract: A test pattern printed by a printer is assessed—without colorimetric equipment—to provide data used in recalibrating the printer. The assessment may be made by an unskilled operator, and can include discerning whether a particular pattern is visible in the printed test pattern, or whether a feature in the test pattern is relatively wider or narrower. From such assessment, needed changes to the printer's calibration data are inferred and implemented. A variety of other printer calibration techniques are disclosed. The technology is illustrated in the context of dye sublimation printers, and is particularly useful in optimizing printing of digitally-watermarked graphics.

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

Abstract: A fluorescence-based correlation mark is included in a printed document by encoding the correlation mark as phase shifts in the yellow halftone image only of a printed color document. The correlation mark transparency key is likewise printed using only yellow colorant or can be printed in black or with another colorant or mixture of colorants that will appear dark or black when subjected to UV illumination. UV illumination of the document without use of the transparency key, and use of the transparency key without UV illumination of the document are insufficient to reveal the fluorescence-based correlation mark. UV illumination of the document while the transparency key is overlaid with the document will allow the correlation mark to be perceived.

Abstract: A processing apparatus, method and medium storing a computer program that combine two or more designated images (S1254), and input the type of security process to be performed for the combined image (S1253). The security process is performed for the combined image using the information associated with the input type of security process (S1255).

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can print material by which specific information is not revealed without prohibiting printing, even where the printing data contains information that causes problems by printing specific information. By detecting information to be restricted in the printing data and restricting the image formation of the detected information, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can form the image in which the image of the information is not formed. Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can print material by which specific information is not revealed without prohibiting printing, even where the printing data contains specific information.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a first obtaining section for obtaining a first image and a color mode for the first image; a second obtaining section for obtaining a second image and a color mode for the second image; a priority setting section for setting which of the color mode for the first image and the color mode for the second image priority is to be given to; a color-mode setting section for setting a color mode for a composite image based on the color mode for the first image, the color mode for the second image, and the setting of the priority setting section; a combining section for combining the first image and the second image to produce the composite image; and an outputting section for outputting the composite image with the color mode set by the color-mode setting section.

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: A system for printing a second document by interacting with a first document. The system includes: a first document having visible textual information and first coded data; a handheld optically imaging sensor which generates indicating data indicative of the position of the sensor relative to the first document using sensed coded data; and a printer for printing the second document in response to interpretation of the indicating data by a computer system. The second printed document includes visible textual information and second coded data in the form of a plurality of tags, each tag defining unique coded data identifying the second document and a position of that tag on the second document.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a printed document is disclosed. Barcode stamps are added to an original document image near the corners of the page to act as registration markers. The original document image bearing the barcode stamps is printed and circulated, while the original document image is stored in a database. To authenticate a printed document, the printed document is scanned into a target document image, which is compared to the stored original document image. The barcode stamps are used as registration markers to perform a global image registration. Then, the target image and the original image are divided into multiple sub-images, and local image registration is performed on the sub-images before performing an image comparison. Difference sub-images are generated from the pairs of sub-images, and merged into a global difference image for the purpose of detecting any alterations in the printed document.

Abstract: A method of controlling an apparatus which is capable of determining a dot disposition of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is disclosed. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image has a latent image area in which a number of first dots and a number of second dots smaller than the first dots are disposed and a background area in which a number of the second dots are disposed. The first dots can be reproduced when copied. The method includes displaying information related to a disposition of the first dots and the second dots in the latent image area, setting a rate of the first dots that are disposed in the latent image area, or a rate of the second dots that are disposed in the latent image area, in accordance with a designation performed by a user, and determining the dot disposition in the latent image area in accordance with the setting of the rate.

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: A method for enhancing security printing of a layout template is disclosed. The method includes receiving the layout template, and acknowledging one or more constraints for the layout template. At least one unconstrained layout element of the layout template is varied, thereby generating a varied layout template. The varied layout template is printed and scanned. The method further includes determining a number of bits that can be encoded in the varied layout template, where the number of bits depends on the varying of the at least one unconstrained layout element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating information embedded halftone screen code. According to this method, massive digital information can be stored through printing on at least one type of print media. The information embedded can be read and recognized simply and reliably. The quality of the images will not be reduced after information embedded. The information printed on the media includes a predetermined array of halftone dots with different morphology including physical and geometrical characteristics, which forms the computer codes to embed information into printed content. The advantages of this invention are: the maximum similarity value can be reduced to under the threshold value according to this method; the recognition performance of the halftone screen code can be improved; and robustness can still be maintained at a high level even though the paper is defected or polluted.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with detection of a “fragile watermark” in a printed image to aid in a determination whether a document under examination is an original or a copy. The watermark may be applied by phase-space encoding data to be included in the watermark. The image may be examined on a block-by-block basis after scanning. Correlation of detected watermark strength with block brightness and/or with wave vectors used for encoding may be used to detect that the image is a copy.

Abstract: A hidden image method comprising: obtaining a first image and a second image, the first and second images providing between them a hidden image and a decoder such that a hidden image is decoded by the decoder when the first image and the second image are superposed at least one decoding position; printing the first image onto a light transmissive substrate to produce a printed substrate; displaying the second image on an electronic display; and superposing the printed substrate relative to the display at a decoding position to decode the hidden image.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading data encoded as an array of dots printed on a substrate together with an image. The dots of the array are substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye. The apparatus includes a light source for illuminating the substrate; a detector for receiving the illumination from the light source reflected off the substrate, the detector outputting a first signal representative of the array of dots, the detector extending a distance that is less than a width of the substrate; a decoder interconnected to said detector for receiving and decoding said first signal to obtain the data encoded by the array of dots; and a top substrate covering the detector and the light source. The top substrate has an emission portion and a reception portion. The emission portion is shaped with a semicircular cross section adapted to focus illumination from the light source onto the substrate.

Abstract: A device, such as a cell phone, uses an image sensor to capture image data. The phone can respond to detection of particular imagery feature (e.g., watermarked imagery, barcodes, image fingerprints, etc.) by presenting distinctive graphics on a display screen. Such graphics may be positioned within the display, and affine-warped, in registered relationship with the position of the detected feature, and its affine distortion, as depicted in the image data. Related approaches can be implemented without use of an image sensor, e.g., relying on data sensed from an RFID device. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Techniques for determining authenticity of analog forms such as packaging or documents (117). One of the techniques determines whether the analog form has been made directly from a digital representation (903) or by photocopying or scanning an analog form. The technique makes the determination by comparing (911) an original digital representation of a portion of the analog form with a digital recording (203) of the portion from the analog form and measuring differences in features that are affected by the operations of photocopying or scanning. The original digital representation (105) and the analog form may have a “noisy”, i.e., random or pseudo random pattern. Such noisy patterns may further be used for other authentication purposes, such as determining whether the portion of the analog form that has the noisy pattern has been altered and to carry hidden messages. The noisy pattern may carry a logo or may be. part or all of a barcode.

Abstract: System and methodologies are provided herein for low-distortion image watermarking. Parity relationships between multiple pixels and/or regions of an image can be leveraged as described herein to reduce the amount of toggling required to embed a watermark in an image, thereby increasing watermark efficiency and reducing visual artifacts introduced in a watermarked image. Various algorithms for leveraging parity relationships are described herein, including a Block-Overlapping Parity Check (BOPC) algorithm, a Champagne Pyramid Parity Check (CPPC) algorithm, and a Tree-Based Parity Check (TBPC) algorithm.

Abstract: A system is provided for copying interactive documents which has a copier for scanning a surface of a document, a computer system networked with the copier and a printer networked with the computer system. The document is printed with document content and a plurality of coded tags. Each tag encodes an identity of the document and the position of that tag on the document. The copier incorporates a sensor for sensing the coded tags. The computer system identifies a digital version of the document from the document identity of a sensed tag and determines user input, requesting copy content and/or coded data from the computer system, on the scanned document using the tag position of the sensed tag. The printer prints a copy of the scanned document to incorporate the scanned document content and coded tags and the requested copy content and/or coded data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who can not take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus is provided which can produce an appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image by adding a monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern even if monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which a color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set. When the monochrome mode printing is performed in the condition in which the color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is set, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern color is output with its color unchanged, the color is not converted into 100% black. Considering this, when a forced monochrome mode is selected, even if the user's setting for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is color, the color is changed to monochrome (black) before output.

Abstract: A system for generating an interface surface is provided which has a code generator for generating coded data and a printer for printing the generated coded data onto a surface to generate an interface surface. The code generator generates the coded data to be arranged in accordance with a layout having order n rotational symmetry about a center of rotation, where n is at least two. The layout includes n sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about the center of rotation. Each sub-layout includes rotation-indicating data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automatically generating a dynamic set of metadata from digitized hardcopy media. The technique includes scanning the image side and non-image side of a plurality of hardcopy media. A dynamic digital metadata record of each of the plurality of hardcopy media is created and used for manipulating each of the plurality of hardcopy media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that annotates an image with a barcode is disclosed. The method may include receiving one or more image parameters from a user, determining information concerning a device to be used for processing, determining a date on which image processing occurs, determining a number of copies of the image to be processed, generating a barcode that contains at least coded information concerning the device to be used for processing, the date on which the image is processed, the number of copies of the image to be processed, and at least one of the one or more image parameters received from the user, and sending the generated barcode to the device to be used for processing to enable the barcode to be placed near the image when processed.

Abstract: A document comprising a latent security image that is visible when the document is reproduced after being scanned by a standard commercial bank scanner. The security image comprises a plurality of lines, dots, or spots having a frequency and a density such that the image is reproduced after being scanned by the standard commercial bank scanner. A method of making a reproducible document comprising a security device comprises generating the document by creating an original containing the security device, scanning the original to a digital computer using a conventional scanner, and converting the scanned original to a digital image file which is printable via a digital press, a color copier, etc. A document comprises a security image that is not visible under ordinary light, and is visible when the document is exposed to a predetermined type of light. The security image is printed with an ink visible under one of UV light, infrared light, X-rays, of Gamma rays.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a visible image depicted in a photograph carrying digitally encoded data printed in invisible ink. The digitally encoded data having pixel values for all pixels in the visible image.

Abstract: A method of creating a printed interactive document using a printer connected to a computer. The method includes the steps of: receiving a print request for the interactive document at the computer; requesting and retrieving a unique document identity to a server in response to the print request; indexing the document with the unique document identity and archiving the indexed document in a database; sending the unique document identity and the document to the printer; and printing the graphic content together with coded data coincident with the graphic content onto a substrate so as to create the printed interactive document. The coded data identifies the unique document identity and a plurality of locations on the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting frames of a compressed video stream that may be used for client-side watermarking. In general, a content source evaluates a number of Intra-Frames (I-Frames) in the compressed video stream using a sample watermark that is similar to actual watermarks that may be used for client-side watermarking. More specifically, each of a number of I-Frames in the compressed video stream is evaluated by first watermarking the I-Frame with the sample watermark. Associated frames in the compressed video stream are then decoded using the watermarked I-Frame. An error value for the decoded video frames is then computed. If the error value is outside of a predetermined error threshold range, the I-Frame is selected as an I-Frame that may be used for client-side watermarking.

Abstract: Proposed is the use of a document widget for representing a property of a document. The document widget comprises: a human-readable portion for interpretation by a user; and a machine-readable portion representing the document property. By comprising information about a property of a document, a document widget may be processed in accordance with an optical recognition process so as to identify the document widget and enable extraction of the document property.

Abstract: A system and method print an output sample including print cartridge characteristic information.

Abstract: In a method of creating a secure document with a multi-function apparatus, identity information of a user is obtained. The identity information is converted into a security feature, which is created to enable the user's identity information to be retrievable directly from the security feature. In addition, the security feature is printed onto the document with the multi-function apparatus.

Abstract: A compound security feature is formed by printing latent images together with visually integrated settings using an invisible ink. Even if illuminated by a wavelength capable of rendering the inks visible, the latent images remain visually indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings. However, the latent images and visually integrated settings differ in one or more less obvious ways so that the latent images can be distinguished by using a visual aid.

Abstract: In print processing performed for a print document based on a print instruction that instructs plural processes applied to the print document, a process that uses resource information embedded in the print document is identified among the plural processes instructed by the print instruction. Then, a process for embedding the resource information into the print document is performed before starting the identified process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an original-document-attribute determining unit that determines attribute of an original document image, a form-attribute determining unit that determines attribute of a form image, and a compositing unit that performs sequence of compositing of the original document image, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, and the form image, the sequence of compositing being determined based on the determined attribute of the original document image and the determined attribute of the form image.

Abstract: A printing system and printer with an electronic signature capability, and a method thereof are provided. To print security documents using an electronic signature stored in a portable memory, the printing system of the invention includes a portable memory for storing an electronic signature. A memory interface connects detachably to the portable memory. A printer receives the electronic signature from the memory interface, composes the received electronic signature with print data, and executes a print operation. Accordingly, a stamping or signature process on numerous documents can be facilitated, and excessive stamping or signature execution can be prevented. Moreover, the electronic signature of the invention can be executed on various types of forms or documents.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a command input portion, an acquiring portion that acquires image data, a judging portion that determines if specified image data is included in the image data, a control portion and a printing portion that prints an image based on the image data onto a medium. Upon receiving the print command, a determination by the judging portion is performed, and when the judging portion determines that the specified image data is included, a first copy that includes invalidation processing on at least a section of the image is produced, and a second copy that includes invalidation processing on all of the image and the image in all subsequent copies that are printed thereafter is produced, to thereby execute printing of a number of copies that are specified by the print command and subsequently enter a state in which a next print command can be executed.

Abstract: A method of downloading a software object using a printable surface having disposed therein or thereon coded data is disclosed. Data indicative of the software object is downloaded from a server. Next, a print medium is received in a media feed path of a printer. The print medium includes coded data indicative of an identity of the print medium. A sensor module in the media feed path is used to sense at least some of the coded data, and the identity of the print medium is identified using the sensed coded data. A representation of the software object is next printed on the print medium. Association data associating the software object and the identity of the print medium is generated and transferred to the server.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a document image generating portion that generates a document image which is instructed to be printed; a code image generating portion that generates a code image indicating a position on a medium; an accepting portion that accepts information indicating at least one of a first mode and a second mode, wherein a print image including the document image and the code image being printed in the first mode and a print image including the code image but not including the document image being printed in the second mode, and a printing portion that prints the print image on the medium in the mode pointed by information that the accepting portion accepts.