Abstract: By addition of a copy forgery inhibited pattern image having a lower density to an image in a saving mode, there is provided an image processing apparatus which can reduce consumption amounts of toner and ink while keeping effectiveness of the copy forgery inhibited pattern image. The present invention is an image processing apparatus having a copy forgery inhibited pattern image addition mode and a saving mode, and includes a unit configured to determine whether the copy forgery inhibited pattern image addition mode is set and a unit configured to determine whether the saving mode is set, wherein a density of the copy forgery inhibited pattern image to be added to the image in the case where the saving mode is set is lower than a density of the copy forgery inhibited pattern image to be added to the image in the case where the saving mode isn't set.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a document having a void pantograph highlight pattern is presented. The method includes computing a score for a void pantograph highlight pattern layer in relation to a document formatted content layer, incrementing a relative position of the void pantograph highlight pattern layer and the document formatted content layer, repeating the computing and the incrementing steps to obtain a plurality of scores at a plurality of relative positions, evaluating the plurality of scores to determine an optimal alignment, and printing the document using variable-data printing techniques, wherein the printed document has a multi-layer architecture including the document formatted content layer and the void pantograph highlight pattern layer. The system includes a control processor, a score computation unit and an evaluation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads image data, a drawing data storage unit that stores object data comprising the read image data so as to allow the stored object data to be distinguished between a vector object and a raster object, a vector gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored vector objects is formed of an achromatic color, a raster gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored raster objects is formed of an achromatic color, and an output data creation unit that converts the stored object data into multicolor when the stored object data includes a chromatic color and converts the stored object data into monochrome when the stored object data is formed only of achromatic colors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a medium. The image forming apparatus includes a first image forming material including a color material that is decolored at or above a first temperature, and that develops color at or below a second temperature lower than the first temperature, a second image forming material including a color material that is not decolored under heat, a heater that heats the medium to the first temperature or higher after an image is formed on the medium, and a controller that performs control to print an image on the medium using the second image forming material, and to print tracking information on the medium using the first image forming material.

Abstract: In a case where the digital watermarking onto the document is implemented once at the time of printing and printed so as to update the printing contents of the document, the contents of the newly printed digital watermark does not match with that of existing digital watermark already printed. The contents of the digital watermark are also updated so to make them in conformity with the printing contents updated. The contents of the digital watermark and the position thereof are read by the scanning operation. In a case where the original digital watermark can be overwritten at the time of on-print processing, the overwriting operation is performed, while, in a case where cannot be overwritten, the printing operation is perform onto the new paper sheet.

Abstract: There are used a first information embedding method that is used for embedding first information and specified by a first information expression rule and a second information embedding method that is used for embedding second information and specified by a second information expression rule different from the first information expression rule. The first information and the second information are so embedded that at least parts of the first and second information overlap with each other in an identical area. This makes it possible to provide an information embedding method, its program, and an information embedding device capable of generating an embedded image that is beautiful in appearance because the boundary between the first and second information is inconspicuous and is also safe because it is difficult to decipher the embedded information.

Abstract: A picture image extracting section extracts a picture image from an image shown by image data stored in an image memory. A document image creating section executes a processing of superimposing a special dot pattern and a pattern image onto the image from which the picture image is extracted. After that, the picture image is put over the image to which the special dot pattern is superimposed, so that an image is created.

Abstract: An attached file printing method of an image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus and system employing the same are provided. The attached file printing method of an image forming apparatus includes: determining whether there is a printable attached file in a printing target original document or not; converting at least one of the original document and the attached file to a printing data depending on the determining result; and printing the converted printing data.

Abstract: An image output apparatus includes a display unit configured to display on an operation unit a screen including an object indicating that printing is to be performed from a portable terminal apparatus, a generation unit configured to, when the object included in the screen is selected, generate an information code indicating address information and function information of the image output apparatus or an information code indicating the address information and status information of the image output apparatus, a reception unit configured to receive a print job from the portable terminal apparatus having read the information code, and an output unit configured to output the print job received by the reception unit, wherein the display unit displays the information code on the screen.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for combining a document image with a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image to perform printing includes a unit configured to determine a video count value from the document image, a unit configured to determine a video count value from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, and a unit configured to multiply the video count value determined from the document image by a rate of dots other than dots constituting the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image in the document image to obtain a product, and to add, to the product, the video count value determined from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image to determine a video count value for the printing.

Abstract: A printing apparatus in which data representing a watermark is stored, printing system, and a printing control method that permits the watermark to be printed on a receipt superimposed with print data received from a host apparatus including a watermark printing avoidance control unit for avoiding printing the watermark on the print area of the receipt identified for printing specific print data contained in the received print data from the host apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a non-volatile print job storage unit configured to store a print job received from an outside of the image forming device, a non-volatile mapping table storage unit configured to store a mapping table associating a watermark with an overwrite erase pattern predetermined depending on confidentiality indicated by the watermark, a judgment unit configured to judge whether or not the watermark is included in the print job, an extractor configured to extract the overwrite erase pattern corresponding to the watermark included in the print job from the mapping table upon judgment by the judgment unit that the watermark is included, and an erase unit configured to perform an overwrite erase process on the print job stored in the print job storage unit on the basis of the overwrite erase pattern extracted by the extractor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image data acquisition section configured to acquire image data corresponding to a black-and-white image which allows a feature thereof correlated with a color to be represented by a density level of one single color; a color determination section configured to determine a corresponding color which corresponds to the feature included in the black-and-white image; and a color image data creation section configured to create the color image data corresponding to a color image which allows an image area thereof indicating the feature to be represented in the corresponding color.

Abstract: Provided are a method of generating an additional information-added document and an image forming apparatus performing the method, the method including inputting a property of the additional information to at least one document box in the image forming apparatus, storing a first document, which is an object document, to one of the at least one document box, generating a second document by adding additional information corresponding to a property that is set in the document box in which the first document is stored, to the first document, and storing the second document.

Abstract: Provided is an image determination device including a sheet detecting unit that detects a sheet on which a code image is printed, a first acquiring unit that acquires information on the code image and an absorption wavelength of the code image, a second acquiring unit that acquires a reading unit necessary for decoding a code portion of the code image, a third acquiring unit that acquires a document image of an electronic document, a dividing unit that divides the document image into plural blocks corresponding to the reading unit, a detecting unit that detects a block in which an image portion of the document image that uses a color having an absorption band at the absorption wavelength of the code image overlaps with the code portion of the code image as an undecodable block, and an output unit that outputs a warning indicating the generation of an undecodable area.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information printing method and a printing device, which assure a higher level of security when outputting printed matter. The present invention provides a printing device comprising a document storage means for storing electronic document data generated at a printing instruction issuing terminal operated by a printing instruction issuer and transmitted from the printing instruction issuing terminal, an ID setting means for setting a print retriever ID of a print retriever who is to execute processing for outputting the electronic document data stored at the document storage means onto paper, a watermark information superimposing means for superimposing the print retriever ID having been set at the ID setting means as watermark information onto the electronic document data and a printing means for outputting the electronic document data having the watermark information superimposed thereupon by the watermark information superimposing means onto paper.

Abstract: A method of generating a large number of different void pantographs quickly and easily enables selecting a void pantograph that works best with a particular copy machine make and model. The background patterns are generated by varying the size of the dots and placement of the dots on an X-Y grid. The foreground pattern is generated by varying the size of the dots and placement of the dots on an X-Y grid. The foreground and background patterns may be generated by combining two separate patterns. A foreground pattern is combined with multiple background patterns to produce the different void pantographs. A full page of void pantographs having a similar density is tested on a copy machine to determine which one works the best.

Abstract: When output data is created, image data for preview image is generated based on the output data. Based on the image data, a preview image corresponding to the output data is displayed.

Abstract: A method for creating an image to be printed is provided. A first halftone pattern and a second halftone pattern for respective first and second periodic clustered dot halftone regions of the image are selected. The regions have respective frequencies and one of the frequencies is higher than the other frequency. A transition region is determined. The transition region includes a boundary between the two regions and includes additional portions of the two regions beyond the boundary. The two halftone patterns are blended with each other in the transition region based on a blending ratio of the two halftones where the blending ratio changes as a function of distance between the edges of the transition region.

Abstract: A media processing device improves the recognition rate of magnetic ink character data from magnetic ink characters printed on a medium. The media processing device 1 has a magnetic reading unit 41 that acquires the magnetic data of magnetic ink characters S2 from a check S1; and a front image scanner unit 25 that exposes the check S1 to a front image scanning light and acquires front image data. When at least a magnetic data read command to read magnetic ink characters S2 is received from a computer 80, the front image scanner unit 25 is set to a front image scanning mode 11 that acquires front image data using infrared light as the front image data. The check processing device 1 acquires the magnetic data and front image data, and sends the acquired data to the computer 80. The computer 80 recognizes the magnetic ink characters S2.

Abstract: A printing system includes an image forming apparatus and a host terminal apparatus. The image forming apparatus is operated by a first user who picks up a printed output of the image forming apparatus. A second user sends print data from the host terminal apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an input section, a receiving buffer, and a watermark embedding section. The first user inputs a first item of information indicative of the first user through the input section. The receiving buffer stores the print data therein. The watermark embedding section produces a watermark pattern in which information representative of the first item of information is embedded, and combines the print data with the watermark pattern. The image forming apparatus prints out the received print data with the watermark pattern embedded therein. The watermark pattern includes the first item of information therein.

Abstract: A method of performing prepress operations with respect to a print job may include receiving, by a prepress workflow system, a document to be processed by a workflow, and automatically generating a shell document corresponding to the received document. The shell document may include a plurality of shell pages, and each one of the plurality of shell pages may include an external reference that corresponds to one of the plurality of received pages. The method may include performing, by a processor, one or more first prepress operations on one or more of the shell pages to produce a modified shell document, performing, by the processor, one or more second prepress operations on one or more of the received pages to produce a modified received document and merging the modified received document and the modified shell document to form a merged document.

Abstract: It is possible to verify non-falsification of output data without using a device which issues proof information as information for certifying non-falsification. A proof information generation unit generates certification information for certifying non-falsification of raw data, and generates proof information including the certification information and time information representing the time of the generation of the certification information. A server transmission unit transmits the proof information to a client device. A client reception unit receives the proof information transmitted from a server device. A time information acquisition unit acquires the time information representing the time of the generation of the certification information from the proof information. A report generation unit generates report data in which the time information and publishing destination information representing a publishing destination are included in the raw data.

Abstract: Method for antiforgery marking and authentication of printed products, includes the following steps: printing sample prints with a given printer of an image that is to be associated to a product (P); digitally acquiring the prints, to obtain digital images; processing the images acquired for extracting therefrom one or more intrinsic characteristics identifying the printer used; and incorporating in the printed product (P) an identification marking containing information associated to the printed product and to the characteristics identifying the printer and a print of the image.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a security storage unit, a security information acquisition unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit, a notification unit, and an operation control unit. The security storage unit is configured to store a plurality of securities together with respective security levels associated with the securities. The security information acquisition unit is configured to acquire security information concerning the apparatus. The calculation unit is configured to calculate a total of the security level or levels of the security or securities applied to the apparatus, using the security levels of the securities stored in the security storage unit. The determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the calculated total has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus determines whether a color image is formed by reading an original with a reading unit or input from an external apparatus, and sets a conversion method for converting the color image into a monochrome image such that when an image obtained by monochrome converting the color image is output onto a recording medium, security information included in the color image is difficult to be discriminated by human eyes, if the color image is formed by reading an original. If the color image is input from the external apparatus, the image processing apparatus sets a monochrome conversion method selected by a user. The apparatus then converts the color image into a monochrome image by the set monochrome conversion method.

Abstract: A computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-usable medium having computer-readable program codes embodied in the medium. The program codes when executed cause a computer to function as: an instruction module that instructs each of a plurality of printer drivers to generate an image pattern to be embedded in print image data; an acquisition module that acquires the plurality of image patterns generated by the printer drivers; an embedding module that embeds the acquired plurality of image patterns in the print image data; and a print instruction module that transmits the print image data in which the plurality of image patterns are embedded, to an image forming apparatus.

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 process for creating a barcode with an embedded logo considers a printer gamut and divides the printer gamut into multiple regions. A virtual printer gamut is then generated with the colors in bright and dark regions. A target logo image is generated by mapping the virtual gamut to the original logo image. A logo with embedded barcode is produced using the colors specified in the target logo image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a generation unit, a calculation unit, and a storing unit. The generation unit generates, from job data, image data independent of a model of the image processing apparatus. The calculation unit calculates charging information about contents included in the image data and charging information about additional information added to the image data. The storing unit stores the charging information about the contents and the charging information about the additional information for each charging destination stored in a storage unit.

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.

Abstract: Upon adding a visible electronic signature to an electronic file, deterioration in visibility of characters is prevented by arranging a character image data of a portion overlapping with a region of the visible electronic signature in an upper position layer above the visible electronic signature. There are included a step for extracting a character image data from an image data, a step for generating a character image layer data in which only the character image data is described on a transparent background if a region where the visible electronic signature is arranged and the region of the character image data overlap with each other, and a step for generating an electronic file with a layered structure having the character image layer data, the visible electronic signature and the image data in that order from an upper position of the layered structure.

Abstract: A logic module is to identify whether to print a standard printout or an erasable printout. A print module is to print the erasable printout in response to the identifying by the logic module. The erasable printout includes an erasable feature not present in the standard printout.

Abstract: In the case that a secure mode is applied to an MFP which handles both of a QR code and an LVBC, there is a problem that convenience is lost also in LVBC utilization. An apparatus, comprising a unit configured to: enable to set any of a normal mode and a secure mode in determining whether or not to allow output of a document image, in the case that a first mode utilizing a partial code included in the document image is set; and enable setting of the normal mode and disable setting of the secure mode in determining whether or not to allow output of a document image, in the case that a second mode utilizing a whole code included in the document image is set.

Abstract: Configuring a paper medium information encrypting system to include a digital image acquiring unit acquiring a digital image of information by capturing an image of a paper medium, an encryption area designating unit designating an encryption target partial area in the digital image, an image converting unit converting the image of the partial area into a processed image on the basis of an encryption key, a pixel value converting unit generating a converted image having a regularity at a spaced interval, used for specifying a position of the partial area when performing decryption, by regularly converting pixel values of the processed image, and an output unit outputting an encrypted image containing the converted image, wherein the encryption area designating unit designates, as the encryption target partial area, an area specified by an area designating information for specifying the area on the digital image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a function of superimposing a pattern on an image based on parameters set for one or more document properties, includes a memory to store an administrator-set parameter and a user-set parameter settable for each one of the document properties of the superimposed pattern; a mode determination unit to identify a pattern superimposing mode from a plurality of pattern superimposing modes; a pattern information obtaining unit to obtain the administrator-set parameter or the user-set parameter for each one of the document properties to be used for superimposing the pattern on the image based on the identified pattern superimposing mode and by referencing a property-mode correlation table correlating each one of the document properties and the plurality of pattern superimposing modes; an image drawing information generator to generate image drawing information for the image superimposed with the pattern; and an image outputting unit to output the image.

Abstract: A method for an image forming apparatus includes scanning a document containing a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern having a latent-image part to be highlighted when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is copied and copy restriction information for restricting the number of times of copying, decoding the copy restriction information contained in the document image scanned, removing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern from the document image scanned, updating the decoded copy restriction information, and forming, on a sheet, the updated copy restriction information with the image which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern has been removed from the document image.

Abstract: If a fallback processing involving lossy compression occurs in PDL data including a special pattern, such as a texture pattern, an electronic watermark, or an Anoto pattern, the performance of the special pattern cannot be sufficiently exhibited by image degradation due to the compression. Moreover, in order to obtain an image quality capable of sufficiently exhibiting the performance of the special pattern, a high-capacity memory is necessary to raise the cost. Document information and additional information are sequentially received from other device, and a pre-preparation processing for bit-mapping the document information is started, and upon receipt of the additional information by a receiving unit, a bit map is generated using the information (display list) obtained by the pre-preparation processing for the document information.

Abstract: A password generating system includes a scanner, a coordinate obtaining unit, a writing information obtaining unit, a track obtaining unit, a dividing unit, a converter, and an output unit. The scanner includes a stylus part performing writing on a print medium with a code indicating coordinates in a password setting region. The scanner scans the code. The coordinate obtaining unit obtains the coordinates from the code. The writing information obtaining unit obtains writing information specifying the order of writing. The track obtaining unit obtains the track of writing based on the obtained coordinates and writing information. The dividing unit divides obtained tracks into units convertible to symbols. The converter converts the track in each unit into a symbol. The output unit obtains a symbol string by arranging obtained symbols in an order based on the order of writing, and outputs the symbol string as a password.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a composite image generator and a print controller. The composite image generator generates a composite image by superimposing, on a document image of a document represented by document data, two-dimensional code images individually corresponding to multiple document elements included in the document. The print controller causes a printer to print the composite image. The composite image generator determines positions of the two-dimensional code images corresponding to the document elements so that the positions do not overlap images of the document elements.

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 of creating a structural document may include receiving, by a host computing device in a cloud system, content information pertaining to one or more contents of a structural document that may be configured to encase the contents, determining a shape of a structural document based at least in part on the received content information, determining a plurality of dimensions of the structural document based at least in part on the received content information, receiving content item information associated with one or more content items, and causing a graphical representation of the structural document to be displayed at the user computing device. The method may include receiving an indication that a user is finished creating the structural document, generating a print document including an encoded data mark, and providing the print document to one or more print-related devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of processing work flow associated with a print job including Specialty Imaging such as UV and/or IR encoding. According to one exemplary embodiment, a printing system controller accesses a spatially structured ink composed of a plurality of non-overlapping primitive spot colors to render Specialty Imaging effects along with other images and text associated with the print job.

Abstract: A method of managing construction documents used on different on construction project sites includes storing digital copies of current and historical versions of the construction documents in a central document management server. A unique document version identifier and regulatory jurisdiction identifier is stored. When a paper document is printed, a matrix barcode is generated, encoded with the document version identifier, and printed on the paper document. The barcode is scanned at the project site. The central document server compares the document version identifier and regulatory jurisdiction identifier decoded from the matrix barcode to the identifiers stored in the central document server. The central document server then automatically communicates the result of the comparisons to a user of the printed document.

Abstract: A method of creating a structural document may include determining, by a host computing device in a cloud system, a shape of a structural document, determining, by the host computing device, a plurality of dimensions of the structural document, receiving information associated with one or more content items, and causing a graphical representation of the structural document to be displayed at a user computing device. A shape of the graphical representation may correspond to the determined shape, a plurality of dimensions of the graphical representation may correspond to the determined plurality of dimensions, and the graphical representation may include at least a portion of the received content items. The method may include receiving an indication that a user is finished creating the structural document, generating a print document including an encoded data mark, and providing the print document to one or more print-related devices.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed to automatically extract data from documents, such as scanned paper forms and/or digital forms that need to be pre-configured to understand a layout for the forms to be processed. The system extracts data from the form definition at a two dimensional barcode and dynamically configures a workflow with services for extracting desired user filled information from the data fields present on the form. Support for a re-flowable service is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for encoding a latent image having at least two color components into a visible image. A first and second image associated with first and second color components, respectively, are generated. The first image has a first pattern of elements and the second image has a second pattern of elements that are manipulated based on a corresponding color component provided in the latent image. A first and a second angle are assigned to the first image and the second image, respectively. The first image and second image are aligned by orienting the first pattern of elements according to the first angle and second angle, respectively. The aligned first image and second image are superimposed to render an encoded image that is decoded using a decoder that simultaneously display the first color component and the second color component of the latent image to present a color composite image.

Abstract: A method may include determining a shape of a structural document, determining a plurality of dimensions of the structural document, receiving information associated with one or more content items, receiving contact information to include on the structural document, receiving an indication of a location on the structural document where the contact information is to be displayed, and causing a graphical representation of the structural document to be displayed at a computing device. A shape and dimensions of the graphical representation may correspond to the determined shape and dimensions, the contact information may be displayed on the graphical representation at the location, and the graphical representation may include at least a portion of the received content items. The method may include receiving an indication that a user is finished creating the structural document, generating a print document including an encoded data mark, and providing the print document to print-related devices.

Abstract: With the aim of realizing an easy and inexpensive method of realizing a “stealth” dot pattern, whose presence on a medium surface is not visually recognizable, merely through minor improvements in the existing printing technology, the present invention provides dots which form a dot pattern by printing these dots using an ink of any color reactive in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength range on a medium surface on which a dot pattern is to be formed, for use with a dot pattern reading system that irradiates infrared or ultraviolet light on a medium surface having a dot pattern provided thereon, recognizes the dot pattern by reading the reflections of the light with an optical reading means, converts the dot pattern into the corresponding data, and outputs the text, voice, images and so forth contained in the data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs a density adjustment process for generating an image containing a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image for warning against the use of copy products. To help users to easily adjust the density of a latent image portion and a background portion in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, the image processing apparatus determines a density relationship of the latent image portion and the background portion by performing a plurality of adjustment operations, in combination, different in the amount of adjustment relating to the range of variable density in at least one of the latent image portion and the background portion, and sets, based on the density relationship, the density data of each of the latent image portion and the background portion in the data of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image.