Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for printing a hidden and secure barcodes and, more particularly, to digital printers structured, configured, and/or programmed to print a set of unique non-standard symbols for the purpose of representing a data string based on a barcode standard that can be hidden in the background of a media substrate.

Abstract: An image creating apparatus has a printing device configured to print a changed image on a recording medium; a difficult-to-recognize color arrangement storage unit configured to store a difficult-to-recognize color arrangement that is difficult to visually recognize; an object extracting unit configured to extract objects from an original image; a difficult-to-recognize object detecting unit configured to detect a difficult-to-recognize object; a representative color obtaining unit configured to obtain the representative color of the difficult-to-recognize object; a color arrangement changing unit configured to (i) change the color arrangement of the image so that the color arrangement of the periphery is changed from the difficult-to-recognize color arrangement in at least part of the difficult-to-recognize object and (ii) embed information about the representative color as dots; and a changed image printing unit configured to command the printing device to print the changed image with the changed color arr

Abstract: A document management apparatus in an embodiment is configured to manage a printer unit which erase image information obtained by printing both characteristic identification information and document information or only the document information with an erasable color material on a printing medium, and a reading unit configured to read the characteristic identification information on the printing medium to be erased by a erasing unit, comprising: an processor unit configured to manage an erasability condition of the document information on the basis of the characteristic identification information and instruct the printer unit to output new document information according to the erasability condition of the document information, the erasability condition being contained in the characteristic identification information read by the reading unit; and an interface unit performs respectively of the transmitting and receiving of information to the reading unit and the printer unit to the processor unit.

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 printing control device, a program, and a printing method is provided for creating printed matter for which a user can easily identify a web page on which an image included in the printed matter is published. A printing control device accessible to a server for managing a web site through a network includes a specification receiving unit receiving specification of an image published on the web site, an image acquisition unit acquiring the specified image through the server, an access information acquisition unit acquiring access information for accessing a web page on which the image is published on the web site, a code information creation unit creating code information expressing the access information using text or an image, and a printing execution unit making a printer print a synthetic image in which the acquired image and the created code information are included.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image formation apparatus has an input processing unit, a speech recognition code generation unit, and an image formation processing unit. The input processing unit inputs a document file including text data. The speech recognition code generation unit generates speech recognition codes in units of page from the text data in the document file. The image formation processing unit controls an image formation processing of forming images in which the text data is associated with the speech recognition codes in units of page on sheets.

Abstract: A printer with integral scanner obtains a digital signature from an article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. The authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image is displayed with the matched digital signature to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a physical medium configured to store data. A layout design of visible information to be printed with visible ink in a book is generated, the visible information including an article. A layout design of invisible information to be printed with invisible ink in a book is generated, the invisible information including a Universal Resource Locator (URL) of an address of a web server at which additional information is located, the URL being encoded in a code within the invisible information, the additional information being associated with the article.

Abstract: A computer-based method and a system for adding and printing variable security data. The system includes a memory, a processor, and a printer. The memory stores received print data. The processor modifies the print data for adding variable security print data and sends the modified print data for printing. The printer receives and prints the modified print data. The variable security data may vary between different printing operations. The processor captures a portion of the stored print data based on data-capturing criteria and modifies the stored print data based on the captured portion of the stored print data. The data-capturing criteria may be user-defined and may include leading tag data, trailing tag data, matching tag data, or combinations thereof for indicating a relative position of the captured data.

Abstract: A method for managing reproduction of a print generation of a document, where a machine-readable pattern of the original print has been previously generated and printed on the original print and containing document registration and management information of the original print. The method includes the steps of receiving a print-on-demand (POD) job order for producing a reprint of the original print, retrieving document registration information and print management information from the machine-readable pattern, authenticating the original print based on the document registration information, verifying reprint permission based on the print management information, generating a new machine-readable pattern for the reprint, maintaining a master machine-readable pattern on a digital form of the document or a data file for the document with updated information of the reprint, and completing the POD job order by producing the reprint with the new machine-readable pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to improve the maneuverability and usability of the apparatus concerned. The apparatus includes: a display section to display a screen thereon; a controlling section to form a synthesized image in which position detecting symbols are synthesized with an image onto which the screen displayed on the display section is to be arranged; a storage section to store a table in which the keys and corresponding positions of the keys, arranged on the paper sheet, are correlated with each other, respectively; and a printing section to print the synthesized image onto the paper sheet. When acquiring positional information, the controlling section refers to the table so as to specify a specific key correlated with the positional information, and establishes a status of the image forming apparatus, being same as that established by designating the specific key from the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-counterfeit printed matter such as a banknote or a passport which requires anti-counterfeit or anti-copy, a method of manufacturing the same, and a recording medium storing halftone dot data creation software.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for environmental watermarking. According to one embodiment, a print request is received at a printing device coupled to a processing unit, which evaluates whether an environmental print criteria has been satisfied. The document along with an environmental watermark image is printed on the print media upon determination that at least one environmental print criterion has been satisfied.

Abstract: A color shift image pattern is rendered on a recording medium, by creating, in a pre-defined image region, an image pattern including a first pattern having a first color and a second pattern having a second color, the first pattern having a width smaller than the second pattern, the first color being different from the second color; and rendering, using marking materials, the image pattern on a recording medium, a height of the marking materials used to render the second color being higher than a height of the marking materials used to render the first color such that the first pattern and the second pattern are visible when a relative angle between an observer's viewing angle and an angle of illuminating the recording medium by an illumination source is a first angle, and the first pattern is not visible when the relative angle between the observer's viewing angle and the angle of illuminating the recording medium by the illumination source is a second angle, the second angle being not equal to the first an

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

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a selecting unit and a processing unit. The selecting unit selects an embedding method from multiple embedding methods for embedding information in content data, on the basis of a first effect affecting correct interpretation of the information embedded in the content data. The processing unit causes the content data in which the information is embedded by using the embedding method selected by the selecting unit, to be processed.

Abstract: In a system where a print device is connected to a computing device but not to an external web service that relates to the print device, the computing device implements a print driver session that retrieves print device operational data, identifies the web service, and generates a barcode that encodes the device operational data as a data string with a web address for a web service. A user may use a mobile electronic device to receive an image of the generated barcode, decode the barcode to detect the web address and the device operational data, and send a web service request comprising the device operational data to a web service associated with the web address. When the mobile electronic device receives a response that is responsive to the web service request, it may present the response to a user via a display of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A method of printing a modified product code includes providing a printer and a substrate. An initial product code is determined. The initial product code includes a plurality of unmodified characters. A modified product code is determined. The modified product code includes at least one modified character that is different from a corresponding one of the plurality of unmodified characters of the initial product code. The modified character is a function at least in part by of initial product code. The printer is controlled to print the modified product code on the substrate.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an extractor to extract colors used in input data; a converter to convert signals of the extracted colors into intermediate color signals each including three color signal components including brightness; an evaluator to evaluate recognizabilities of the colors based on the intermediate color signals; a generator to generate additional image data to be added to data for ordinary image formation based on a result of the evaluation and the input data; and a color convertor to convert the input data into the data for ordinary image formation.

Abstract: A system that simultaneously prints digital image files' images and image files' internal metadata. The details for a digital image may be printed onto the front side and/or back side of a picture's printed hardcopy while simultaneously printing the digital image file's internal metadata or simultaneously displaying the digital image with its file's internal metadata on electronic media such as televisions, desktop, laptop and tablet computer screens, digital picture frames, cell phone, smart phone and telephone displays, public billboards, Internet web pages and x-ray photographs.

Abstract: In a digital multifunction peripheral having a function of preventing unauthorized duplication, a situation is prevented in which a document to which encoded images having contradictory contents are added is created. An apparatus having a control unit configured to perform detection processing of an encoded image for a document image and add a different encoded image to a document image form which an encoded image is detected by the detection processing and output the document image, characterized in that the control unit does not perform output of a document image to which the different encoded image is added upon receipt of an instruction not to perform the detection processing from a user.

Abstract: A printing system includes the following elements. An addition unit creates additional image data having a specific attribute and adds it to original image data, thereby creating document image data. An image forming unit forms a document image including an original image and an additional image on a recording medium on the basis of the document image data. An image reader reads the document image, thereby creating read image data. A difference image creator creates difference image data by calculating a difference between the original image data and the read image data. A canceling unit corrects, on the basis of the specific attribute, the difference image data by canceling a difference generated due to the addition of the additional image data, thereby creating corrected difference image data. An inspection unit performs inspection to find a defect of the original image on the basis of the corrected difference image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing apparatus that forms a color image and a background image on a medium by repeating a dot formation operation of causing ink to be discharged from a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array moving in a moving direction so as to form the color dot and the background dot on the medium and a transport operation of transporting the medium in a transport direction, wherein a pixel in which the background dot is formed on the color dot and a pixel in which the color dot is formed on the background dot are mixed so as to form an area where the color image and the background image overlap.

Abstract: As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate watermarking documents and/or images using 2nd generation stochastic halftoning. The watermark is used to spatially vary the gray level at which a frequency modulation-to-amplitude modulation transition occurs. The encoding algorithm uses as inputs a contone image and a watermark. The visibility of the watermark is controlled by the magnitude of the difference between the AM-to-FM transition threshold values.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a selecting unit and a processing unit. The selecting unit selects an embedding method from multiple embedding methods for embedding information in content data, on the basis of a first effect affecting correct interpretation of the information embedded in the content data. The processing unit causes the content data in which the information is embedded by using the embedding method selected by the selecting unit, to be processed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device having a first determining unit configured to determine whether version information included in a two-dimensional code included in an input image is version information that is supported by the device and a second determining unit configured to determine to prohibit printing of the input image when the included version information is determined to be version information that is not supported by the device or to determine whether to permit or prohibit printing of the input image based on information other than the version information included in the two-dimensional code when the included version information is determined to be version information that is supported by the device. With this arrangement, it is possible to execute processing in accordance with version information included in a two-dimensional code.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for archiving an image on a photographic medium are described. The image consists of an array of pixels, where a color depth of the pixels is n bits. In addition to recording the array of pixels on the photographic medium also a subset of the n bits describing the color of the pixel is recorded on the photographic medium for each pixel.

Abstract: To print a certified document, a user may select or a system may receive a selection of a document to be certified. The system identifies a security template to be used based on the document and/or capabilities of the print device on which the document will be printed. The system may display the document with a non-secure overlay of the selected security template, add a unique security element to the document according to the template, and cause the document to be printed at the selected print device with the added security element without permitting the added security element to be fully displayed or printed on any other device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a document or article carrying information for the audible authentication of said document or article, wherein the information is present in or on said document or article in the form of a frequency-versus-time spectral density function (spectrogram), the spectrogram being embodied using document security means. Disclosed are further a method for producing said document or article; a reader device for displaying audible authentication information from said document or article, a method for authenticating said document or article and the use of a spectrogram for document authentication purposes.

Abstract: A print media (200) comprises paper or other substrate, on which image content, whether text or images are printed with accompanying hidden data (220). The image content is printed with one or more normal printing process visible colorants (340), while the hidden data (220) is printed with spectral edge markers (320). The spectral edge marker materials (320) have a substantial spectral absorption just outside the human visible spectrum, and only slight visible absorption, which is masked by the visible colorants (340). Although the hidden data is nominally visually imperceptible, an image capture device (250) having a visible spectral response that extends into a spectral region just outside the visible spectrum where the spectral edge marker absorption occurs, can then detect the hidden data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a logical page in parallel with graphics for the sheet that are defined in a job ticket. The system includes multiple parallel Raster Image Processors (RIPs) and a control system. The control system receives print data and a job ticket, identifies a graphic that is associated with a logical page and defined in the job ticket, and transmits the logical page to a parallel RIP for processing. The parallel RIP determines page dimensions from the logical page, transmits the page dimensions, and rasterizes the logical page. The control system determines a location for the graphic based upon the transmitted page dimensions, and directs another RIP to rasterize the graphic in order to generate a rasterized graphic in parallel with the RIP that is rasterizing the logical page.

Abstract: A printer and a control method of a printer can print barcodes appropriately according to a given print medium by means of a simple, easy operation. The printer stores a constant preset value relationally corresponding to each type of print medium. The printer also stores an added correction value that is optionally input for each specific type of print medium. The constant value and the added correction value are used to adjust the printed state of the barcode, e.g. to adjust bar widths within the barcode. The print control unit prints barcodes using the constant value stored in the printer storage unit adjusted with the added correction value.

Abstract: This patent application is generally related to watermarking and steganography. One claim recites a method of transmarking an audio or video signal previously embedded with a first digital watermark using a first digital watermark embedding method. The method includes: utilizing a programmed electronic processor, decoding the first digital watermark from the audio or video signal, in which the decoding determines relationships or values associated with local masking opportunities of the media signal; converting the audio or video signal into a different form; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, embedding decoded message information from the first digital watermark into a second digital watermark in the different form such that the second digital watermark is adapted to robustness or perceptibility parameters associated with the different form. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided as well.

Abstract: A method for providing digital watermarking for text or images that uses spectral edge marking materials (320) printed on a print media (200) to embed hidden data (220). The spectral edge markers (320) have an absorption spectrum at the edge of the human visible spectrum, either at the UV edge or IR edge, which provides an optical density that is generally imperceptible to humans, but which can be detected by an image capture device (250). The crosstalk of visible optical absorption provided by these materials is largely masked by the presence of visible colorant(s) (340), with only small color differences between areas with and without the spectral edge markers (320). The image capture device (250) has a visible spectral response that extends into a spectral region just outside the visible spectrum where the spectral edge marker absorption occurs, and can be operated to detect the hidden data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit, a dividing unit, and an output controller. The receiving unit receives an output instruction for a report. The dividing unit divides, when the output instruction for the report is received, report items to be output into a main-report item to be output as characters on a recording sheet and a sub-report item to be output as a digital watermark on the recording sheet in such a manner that the report items to be output are formed within a predetermined number of recording sheets or a predetermined number of pages. The output controller causes an output mechanism to output the main-report item as characters on the recording sheet and output the sub-report item as a digital watermark on the recording sheet, based on a division result by the dividing unit.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for minimizing gray level variation in microtext are disclosed. For example, the method calculates a gray value of each one of a plurality of symbols of a first set of symbols comprising a plurality of symbols, identifies a reference symbol of the first set of symbols, determines a reference gray value of the reference symbol and adjusts the gray value of one or more of the plurality of symbols of the first set of symbols to be equivalent to the reference gray value.

Abstract: Described herein is a method to encode infrared (IR) security watermarks using a named color dictionary within a PDL in a device independent manner. A set of colors is chosen that lies within the common gamut of printing devices and then defined in a device-independent color space. For each color and output device, a metameric pair of device colorant values corresponding to minimum and maximum black (K) is obtained using inversion techniques. These extremes are selected in order to obtain the maximum perceivable IR signal. The metameric pair sets are processed to extract a smaller subset that satisfies certain criteria, including bounds on the K difference, total ink area coverage, and deviation from the neutral axis. The final data is then stored in resource files that link fixed device-independent IR color names to pairs of variable device-dependent colorant values.

Abstract: A array including array elements in a number smaller than the minimum number of pixels, having values larger than Th_c, and a plurality of array elements having values smaller than Th_c is generated. A formation array having the same size as that of a latent image is generated from the generated array. An image obtained by replacing the pixel value at a pixel position within the first region in the latent image with the value at the pixel position in the formation array is generated as a configuration image. The pixel value at each pixel position in the configuration image, that corresponds to each pixel position in the input image, is output as the amount of a highly infrared absorbent color material used to print a pixel at this pixel position in the input image.

Abstract: A printer driver for generating print job data to be transferred to a printer in response to a drawing instruction determines, based on combining condition, whether the received drawing instruction can be combined with another drawing instruction. If the printer driver determines that the received drawing instruction can be combined, the printer driver stores the received drawing instruction as intermediate data. If the printer driver determines that the received drawing instruction cannot be combined, the printer driver combines intermediate data of already stored drawing instructions into a single item of print job data and outputs the print job data to the printer. The combining condition is that the received drawing instruction meets all of three conditions.

Abstract: An imaging kiosk comprises an image printer, a frame-specification reader for reading frame-specification information specifying two or more image openings in a picture frame, an image-acquisition device, and a computer system for controlling the image printer, the frame-specification reader, and the image-acquisition device. Images are acquired for rendering a single printable image having the two or more acquired images located in positions corresponding to the two or more image openings, and for printing the rendered image to make a frame-matched multi-image print.

Abstract: A printing apparatus in which watermark data is stored and a printing control method that controls whether or not the watermark is to be printed on a receipt superimposed with specific print data received from a host apparatus. When it is determined that the watermark is not to be printed over the specific print data, a controller determines where on the receipt the specific print data is to be printed to avoid the watermark.

Abstract: As provided with a first reading section and a second reading section for reading both surfaces of a document, an image reading apparatus respectively calculates gamma correction values in gamma correcting sections and correction factors in color correcting sections, and corrects colors of criteria images being read by the first reading section and the second reading section in accordance with sample data stored on a storing section in order to substantially match the colors of both criteria images. In addition, the image reading apparatus utilizes an distinctive color range common for the both surfaces which defines a color about a distinguishing pattern, in order to determine whether images of both surfaces contain the distinguishing pattern or not.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for making a single rendered printable image corresponding to a picture frame. Two or more digital images are arranged on a print sheet according to machine decodable frame-specification information that specifies where two or more image openings in a picture frame are situated. The two or more acquired images are rendered into a single printed page of images having the two or more acquired images located in positions corresponding to the image openings.

Abstract: Original image data obtained by reading an original is joined with watermark data associated with a watermark for copy control, which appears as a result of making a copy. The watermark generating section sets the spatial frequency of a chromatic halftone pattern of a foreground, which appears as a result of making a copy, lower than the spatial frequency of an achromatic halftone pattern of a foreground, which appears as a result of making a copy. Accordingly, it becomes more difficult to recognize a foreground in an original document when the foreground is generated using an achromatic color, while a foreground in the duplication is recognized clearly when the foreground is generated using a chromatic color.

Abstract: An analogical mark printed on a document that includes a distribution of dots defined by a digital file, having, as a result of unanticipated unknowns in printing, an unpredictable variation, dot by dot, of at least one geometric characteristic of the printed dots where dots of the distribution of dots have, in the digital file, at least one geometric characteristic that digitally varies among dots, the geometric amplitude of the digital variation having the order of magnitude of said unpredictable variation and being less than an average dimension of the dots of the distribution of dots.

Abstract: A system for dynamically generating a digital image comprising a security feature for a document. The system includes a processor 222 configured to receive data indicative of a security feature to be embedded in the document. The processor 222 generates a digital image having content at least partially specified by the received data. The processor 222 transmits a signal indicative of the generated digital image. The generated digital image has a foreground and a background, at least one of which includes a line screen pattern. The foreground and the background of the digital image are configured such that a scanned reproduction of an original printed version of the digital image is reproduced in an altered form relative to the original printed version.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for restricting transmission of a document. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for restricting transmission of a document is provided. The method includes loading an image of a document into memory of a computer, receiving a request to transmit the image to a specified destination, and in response to receiving the request, locating an embedded code within the document, extracting a restriction as to the transmission of the image of the document, applying the restriction, and transmitting the image of the document to the specified destination only if permitted by the restriction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus scans an original document, coverts the original document into image data, creates an electronic file based on the image data, records a scanned mark on the scanned original document, and confirms whether the scanned mark is recorded. The scanned mark includes ID information assigned to the image processing apparatus. The electronic file is created when the scanned mark is not recorded on the original document and when the scanned mark including the ID information is recorded on the original document. The electronic file is not created when a scanned mark other than the scanned mark including the ID information assigned to the image processing apparatus is recorded on the original document.

Abstract: A printer with integral scanner for obtaining a digital signature from a sheet of paper or other article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points, typically 500 or more. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. At a later time, the authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image stored in the database with the matched digital signature is displayed to the user to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine.

Abstract: Methods and devices identify gloss levels and appearance colors for different printers based on the common printing capabilities of the different printers. Such gloss levels and appearance colors are formed from different combinations of one or more colorant marking materials combined or stacked on a print substrate surface. Further, such methods and devices identify common color metameric pairs based on the gloss levels and the appearance colors. Each of the common color metameric pairs has the same appearance color, but has a different gloss level. Patterns of different gloss levels in an area of uniform appearance color form a differential gloss security feature on a printed document. The methods herein can store a file with the common color metameric pairs in a non-transitory storage medium that is operatively connected to at least one of the different printers.