Abstract: An object is to provide a user with various options on a processing method of an original document including a code image. To accomplish the object, the image processing apparatus includes a decoding section for extracting information by decoding the code image contained in the original document image, and a decision section for making a decision according to selection of the user as to whether to output the original document image or the information extracted by the decoding section.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a latent image generating unit and a background image generating unit. The latent image generating unit generates a latent image using both of a first color component to be printed with a first color material and second color components to be printed with second color materials having an optical property different from an optical property of the first color material, or generates the latent image using only the second color components. The background image generating unit generates a background image, which serves as the background of the latent image, using only the second color components when the latent image generating unit uses both of the first color component and the second color components, or generates the background image using both of the first color component and the second color components when the latent image generating unit uses only the second color components.

Abstract: A method of superimposing a first image onto a second image, wherein each image is defined by a plurality of pixels is disclosed. The method includes changing target pixels of the second image corresponding in position to pixels of the first image to be superimposed on the second image. Changing target pixels of the second image includes changing the values of some of these target pixels of the second image to respective new values. Each new value is based on the original value of at least one pixel of the second image. A personalization method including such an image superimposing method and a data carrier thereby personalized are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a discrimination unit discriminates the type of printing medium conveyed to an image forming unit. A comparator compares the type of a printing medium that has been designated and the type of a printing medium that has been discriminated. A setting unit sets a second image forming condition in the image forming unit if it has been determined not to add identification information to image information in accordance with the type of printing medium designated and, moreover, the type of printing medium designated and the type of printing medium discriminated by the discrimination unit do not match. The second image forming condition is different from a first image forming condition that conforms to the type of printing medium discriminated by the discrimination unit.

Abstract: A visual display assembly adapted for use as an anti-counterfeiting device on paper currency, product labels, and other objects. The assembly includes a film of transparent material including a first surface including an array of lenses and a second surface opposite the first surface. The assembly also includes a printed image proximate to the second surface. The printed image includes pixels of frames of one or more images interlaced relative to two orthogonal axes. The lenses of the array are nested in a plurality of parallel rows, and adjacent ones of the lenses in columns of the array are aligned to be in a single one of the rows with no offset of lenses in adjacent columns/rows. The lenses may be round-based lenses or are square-based lenses, and the lenses may be provided at 200 lenses per inch (LPI) or a higher LPI in both directions.

Abstract: In one example, a printer consumable is locked to a content provider. A document that includes content restricted by a provider is printed if the printer consumable is installed in the printer.

Abstract: In one example, a first directive is received at a system. The directive is to embed, into content selected via a printer application accessed at a network-connected printer, a network address. A carrier image that includes the network address in encoded form is generated. A second directive, to provide first content to the printer, is received via the application. The carrier image is merged into the first content. After the merging, the merged first content is sent to the printer for printing.

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: An image processing terminal includes a photographing section to photograph an image of a subject. A display section displays the image. An electronic additional information obtaining section obtains electronic additional information. A display control section displays the image with an air tag superimposed over the image. The air tag includes an image object corresponding to the electronic additional information. An image analysis section analyzes the image. In the case where, while the display section is displaying a plurality of air tags, the photographing section photographs a user of the image processing terminal pointing to a particular position within the subject at a fingertip, the image analysis section specifies a position of the fingertip so as to specify the particular position, and the display section displays an air tag corresponding to the particular position.

Abstract: In a case where a reusable object extracted from a print job and is subjected to transformation processing upon reuse thereof, a print device executes halftone processing taking into account the transformation indicated by the transformation processing for the reusable object, and generates image data to store the generated image data in a cache.

Abstract: A user is able to appropriately select character data such as a watermark, and importance of the document is able to be effectively recognized by an addressee using a language which is different from that of a user who sends the document. A setting accepting portion accepts setting of a first language describing a first character indicated by the first character data, and setting of a second character which is a translation of the first character to a second language; a data generating portion generates a composite image data in which the image data is combined with the first character data indicating a first character which is a translation of the second character to the first language; and an apparatus control portion controls the image forming apparatus to cause the image forming apparatus to execute image forming processing of the composite image data.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to prevent a two-dimensional code to be additionally embedded from corrupting a two-dimensional code which has been embedded when a document in which the two-dimensional code has been embedded is copied or when a document in which the two-dimensional code has been embedded is overlaid on form data in which the two-dimensional code has been embedded. In the present invention, when it is detected that a second two-dimensional code is embedded in an input image, the input image is printed without overlay of a first two-dimensional code thereon. Furthermore, when form data for overlaying is stored, when it is detected that a third two-dimensional code is embedded in the form data or when it is detected that a second two-dimensional code is embedded in an input image, the input image is output without overlay of a first two-dimensional code thereon.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an acquisition unit, an extraction unit, a determination unit and an addition unit is provided. The acquisition unit acquires an image of one page from images of a plurality of pages included in one file. The extraction unit extracts color information, which is information about a color of the image of the one page acquired by the acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the color information extracted by the extraction unit satisfies a predetermined condition for specifying a page partition. The addition unit adds additional information, by which the page partition can be searched, to at least one of the images of the plurality of pages, when the determination unit determines that the color information satisfies the predetermined condition.

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: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image correction unit and a determination unit. The image correction unit inserts a new pixel between pixels forming image data with a plurality of pixels printed using a plurality of print color materials arranged in a main scanning direction in order to correct the image width in the main scanning direction. The determination unit determines whether or not the image data is specified for print with a dot representing given information superposed. When the determination unit determines that the image data is specified for print with the dot superposed, a prohibition unit included in the image correction unit prohibits insertion of the new pixel into a pixel string of a print color material of a similar color to the print color material for the dot.

Abstract: A document securization method includes: a first step of forming a first mark (205, 210) on a first surface of a document by utilizing a first marking element, a second step of forming a second mark (215) on another surface of the document or in the depth of the document by utilizing a second marking element, the two marks are superimposed when the document is illuminated by back-lighting and at least one (215) of the marks is a mark whose copy, made using marking elements identical to those utilized for forming the mark, causes an error rate, measured dot by dot, that is greater than a predefined value.

Abstract: A method for printing a security document on a substrate is disclosed. Firstly, a first reference image of a reference region of the substrate is generated, the image being indicative of an inherent characteristic of the substrate in the reference region. This is followed by generating encoded data indicative of the inherent characteristic of the substrate. Finally, the encoded data is printed over the reference region of the substrate, thus effecting the print of the security document.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit that includes plural photoelectric conversion elements arranged therein and that reads an image using light, the light being reflected by a document transported to a read position and being received by the plural photoelectric conversion elements, a reference plate that is disposed at the read position, a correction data generating unit that generates correction data by modifying second reference data on the basis of a ratio of first reference data to the second reference data, the first reference data being obtained by the image reading unit using light reflected by the reference plate in a clean state, the second reference data being obtained by the image reading unit using light reflected by the reference plate before reading an image, and an image correcting unit that corrects the image on the basis of the correction data generated by the correction data generating unit.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus to authenticate a sequence of video frames includes a process to choose intra-frames of the sequence and sample DC components thereof to produce a set of test fingerprints. To reduce a dimensionality of the test fingerprints, the DC components of the chosen intra-frames are multiplied by a projection matrix formed of eigenvectors associated with the larger eigenvalues of a covariance matrix for a library of frames. The projected test fingerprints are compared against a reference set of fingerprints for authentication. Time-stamp spacings of the chosen intra-frames are determined, and these spacings are employed to select candidate frames for authentication in the reference set of fingerprints.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a data encryption method for an electrical device. The method comprises: generating an identification code corresponding to the electrical device; generating a temporary key according to the identification code; encrypting first data to generate a first secret key according to the temporary key and a first encryption mechanism; and encrypting the first secret key by a second encryption mechanism to generate an encrypted key.

Abstract: A processor controls a marking engine to print a uniform region having a visually uniform color for an observer within all areas of the uniform region. The processor also controls the marking engine to print different gloss patterns within the uniform region. The different gloss patterns have first and second gloss regions, and the gloss difference between the first and second gloss regions forms gloss marks. Additionally, the processor controls the marking engine to print different infrared patterns within the uniform region to form infrared marks. In some embodiments, the infrared patterns are only within the first gloss regions and are not within the second gloss regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus employing digital watermarking and/or steganography. In one implementation a cell phone includes watermarking capabilities to facilitate image transfer/receipt. Other implementations are detailed herein as well.

Abstract: As set forth herein, methods and systems facilitate the fusing of unassociated images into an original document image. An unassociated image is received into a set of unassociated images in computer memory by an associated scanning device, and the size for each unassociated image is determined. The size of each unassociated image is then compared to at least one other known image size, and a matching related unassociated image is retrieved from the set of unassociated images corresponding to each unassociated image based at least in part on an output of the comparison. The matches of related images are then aligned and fused to form an original document image.

Abstract: A system for printing and emissive image on a substrate that includes red, green, and blue additive-color emissive inks configured to be printed to a substrate using an ink printer device intended for use with subtractive-color ink. An image to be printed can be converted to color negative form prior to printing using the subtractive-color ink printer. The system may include a subtractive-color ink printer intended for use with subtractive-color ink cartridges. The system may also include a computer device programmed to convert an image to a color negative form.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit to receive print data including image to be formed, identification information identifying a print-requesting person, personal identity verification information for verifying identity of person, and execution condition information designating priority between readability and productivity when implementing an information-leak proofed printing; an operation-input receiving unit to receive an input by an administrator; a setting unit to set whether the information-leak proofed printing is mandatory; a personal identity verification unit to verify identity of person when the information-leak proofed printing is mandatory and readability-priority is designated; a watermark embedding unit to generate a watermark-embedded image depending upon a result of the personal identity verification; a text synthesizing unit to generate a composite image by synthesizing text data to image data when the information-leak proofed printing is mandatory, and productivity priority

Abstract: A printed image erasing system in an embodiment is configured to 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, comprising: a printer unit configured to print the image information on the printing medium; an erasing unit configured to erase an image printed on the printing medium with the erasable color material; a reading unit configured to read the characteristic identification information on the printing medium to be erased by the erasing unit; and a document management 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 that is contained in the characteristic identification information read by the reading unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed where an initial placement of a watermark annotation on an output medium associated with a page and placement of an area of the page, is determined. The determined initial placement is relative to the output medium and independent of the placement of the area of the page. The initial placement of the watermark annotation is adjusted so that the watermark annotation at least partially overlaps the area of the page.

Abstract: A image generation device generates, on a print medium, an image including a first image portion and a second image portion. The device has a first screen processing unit which generates image data by an area modulation screen having a first screen ruling, for pixels of the first image portion; and a second screen processing unit which generates image data by an area modulation screen or a density modulation screen having a second screen ruling which is higher than the first screen ruling for pixels of the second image portion. And the first screen processing unit generates a halftone dot at a center of gravity position of an image of the first image portion in a cell corresponding to a halftone dot formation area in the area modulation screen processing.

Abstract: A method and system for printing simple data utilizing a raster image processor in a computer system is disclosed. The raster image processor is configured for use with a complex data stream corresponding to at least one complex page description language. The method and system include embedding at least one control structure in the complex data stream. The control structure(s) are for informing the raster image processor of the simple data. The method and system also include converting the simple data into a printable format based on the at least one control structure and without using the complex page description language to convert a portion of the complex data stream corresponding to the simple data into the printable format. The method and system also include converting a remaining portion of the complex data stream into the printable format using the complex page description language.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium stores a tint block image generation program for generating tint block image data for forming, on a print medium, a tint block image including a latent image portion which is reproduced by copying, and a background portion of which copy output density drops. The program has a latent image portion generation step of generating data of a plurality of first dots in the latent image portion based on a dot clustered screen; and a background portion generation step of generating data of a plurality of second dots and data of a plurality of third dots dispersed among the second dots and having a size smaller than the second dots. And the first dots in the latent image portion and the second dots in the background portion are arranged at positions on common displacement vectors in an area of the tint block image.

Abstract: In an image-forming device, an image-reading unit reads an image formed on an original document. A data-reading unit reads data stored in a storing member of the original document. A duplication-performing unit performs a plurality of duplication processes including at least an image/data-duplication process in which the duplication-performing unit forms the read image on a first recording medium having a storing member and writes the read data to the storing member of the first recording medium, and a data-duplication process in which the duplication-performing unit writes the read data to the storing member of the first recording medium without forming the read image on the first recording medium. A receiving unit receives an image/data-duplication instruction and a data-duplication instruction.

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: An image watermarking method includes a color transform on RGB image data to derive CMYK image data that define a constant K image. Variable infrared (IR) mark data defining an IR mark are received and a sparse two-dimensional pattern of black pixels is defined that corresponds to the variable IR data, e.g., using Gold codes or pseudorandom binary sequences. A watermarked black separation K? is defined by embedding the sparse two-dimensional pattern into the constant K black separation K? while maintaining local average levels. A watermarked image includes the watermarked black separation K? in combination with the CMY separations of the constant K image. A decoding process includes using an IR microscope fitted with IR LEDs and an IR pass filter to capture an IR image, which is subjected to exposure correction, thresholding, and dilation operations to extract the two-dimensional pattern for subsequent correlation processing.

Abstract: Additional image data of an additional image, which is based on first data and second data concerning security of obtained data, is added to image data that is based on the obtained data, and an image based on the image data to which the additional image data is added is outputted onto a recording medium, for example. Furthermore, when the additional image data is added to image data of the image obtained from the recording medium, the first data and second data are separated from the additional image data, and reference is made to these pieces of data to perform subsequent processing of the image data.

Abstract: A method of encoding data in printed halftone image features on a receiver includes providing a relief printing member; encoding first embedded data in the relief printing member by modifying surfaces of a first plurality of halftone dots; and printing the halftone image on the receiver.

Abstract: Method for security printing. A digital model of a feature for printing is received, wherein the feature is for authentication by an external device. Deviation from the digital model is compensated for, to a printed instance of the feature.

Abstract: In a digital multi-function peripheral, a QR code generation section generates image data of a QR code on the basis of first data for security of obtained image data. An encryption section encrypts second data for security of the image data. A micro gradation generation section generates a micro gradation (a gradation pattern) on the basis of the second data having been encrypted by the encryption section and history data, and adds the micro gradation to the image data of the QR code generated by the micro gradation QR code generation section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. A characteristic value calculator calculates characteristic values of a preset area set around a pixel of interest. A trapping determining unit determines, for each color plane of an N-valued image, on the basis of the calculated characteristic values, whether the pixel of interest is to be subjected to trapping processing. A pixel value calculator sets, for each color plane, a position of a reference pixel in a reference area, and calculates a pixel value for changing the pixel value of the pixel of interest on the basis of a pixel value of each color plane at the position of the reference pixel. A pixel-of-interest value changing unit changes the pixel value of the pixel of interest into the calculated pixel value when the trapping determining unit determines that the pixel of interest is to be subjected to trapping processing.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for correcting distortion in an image of a page includes identifying a set of high quality (HQ) words in undistorted regions of one or more images of pages having content related to the content of the page. At least one distorted word in the image the page is identified such that each distorted word corresponds to a high quality word of the set. A global transformation function is generated for application to the image of the page so as to transform the distorted word into its corresponding high quality word. The global transformation function is applied to pixels of the image of the page.

Abstract: The method for restricting access to sensitive contents of digital images using the digital watermarking technique for encoding and decoding sensitive contents of images is characterized in that the sensitive contents of an image are obscured, and the information necessary for the high quality reconstruction is encoded in the insensitive area of the transmitted image by modification of the DCT spectrum coefficients. The information concerning the obscured contents is retained by means of transform coefficients and processed independently. Noise with statistics identical to that of the digital watermark is inserted into the image after decoding. The system contains encoding unit including acquisition module connected with sensitive contents encoding module through sensitive patterns automatic detection module with attached memory buffer. Also, acquisition module is connected directly with sensitive contents encoding module and with compression module.

Abstract: A method and system for creating guilloché base pattern with two-dimensional periodicity in a plurality of replicate patterns is shown wherein the creating can be assessed in real-time for pattern acceptability by a user. A base pattern is set on an imaging device in vector space relative to a set of predetermined pattern nodes. The base pattern is modulated via a user interface by adjusting positions of the pattern known for selectively controlling curve shapes of the pattern. A guilloché mark is illustrated by display on the imaging device of the adjusted base pattern and a compilation of associated replicate patterns for user assessment of the mark.

Abstract: For image processing for printing an original, first and second ground patterns are generated. The first ground pattern can be recognized with naked eyes in the original but cannot be recognized with naked eyes in a reproduction of the original obtained by an image forming apparatus, while the second ground pattern has a latent image which cannot be recognized in the original but can be recognized in the reproduction of the original. The first ground pattern and the second ground pattern are synthesized, and print data to be printed by the image forming apparatus is created. The print data has an image of the original, and the synthesized first and second ground patterns.

Abstract: A method of forming security markings on a printing plate includes forming a first plurality of square spots (156) less than or equal to 11 microns; wherein a first group (157) of the first plurality of square spots is formed in a first pattern (158); and wherein the first pattern is less than or equal to 66 microns and comprises a first microdot.

Abstract: Since, for detecting a two-dimension code added to a document, the detection processing is performed by checking the four corners of the read image, if the user specifies an A3 size as a reading size of an image in the copy of an A4-size document, the two-dimensional code is not detected. When the document size detected by the copying machine differs from the reading size of the image specified by the user, the processing for the two-dimensional code detection is performed checking the four corners of the region of the document size detected by the copying machine.

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

Abstract: A method for providing a double layer GlossMark™ image includes providing a first layer text string for generating a patternink. The method further includes providing a second layer text string through the patternink. The first layer text string is visible as gloss variation between first character and background fields and the second layer text string is visible as a color difference between second character and background fields.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a security element for a security document include: a first portion of the security document, the first portion of the security document having at least one aperture therethrough, the or each aperture being defined by an internal surface of the first portion of the document; and either printing through the first portion of the security document such that ink is deposited onto at least a part of the internal surface of the at least one aperture, or printing through the first portion of the security document onto a second portion of the security document provided behind the first portion of the security document, such that ink is deposited onto at least a part of the second portion of the security document aligned with the at least one aperture.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a character data extraction unit, a contour data extraction unit, and an image density changing unit. The character data extraction unit extracts character data, forming a character image serving as a target to be read by an image reading apparatus, from image data. The contour data extraction unit extracts contour data forming a contour image of the character image from the image data. The image density changing unit changes an image density of the contour image base on the contour data extracted from the contour data extraction unit.

Abstract: A transient document management system can include a transient document identifier placement module for placing a transient document identifier on a transient physical document, a transient document information retrieval module for extracting information from the transient physical document, and a transient document processing module for performing data processing based on the information extracted from the transient physical document.

Abstract: A mixed code, and a method and apparatus for encoding the same are provided. The mixed code includes a first code image region storing a first code image obtained by encoding first information using color, shading, or a combination thereof, and a second code image region storing a second code image obtained by encoding second information using color, shading, or a combination thereof. The first code image and/or the second code image includes the results of encoding interpretation information, construction information, error control information, and code direction information. The mixed code is made by adjusting the difference in color and brightness between the first and second code images to a predetermined level and combining these images.