Abstract: An image processing device includes a plurality of printers (Pr1, Pr2, Pr3, Pr4, . . . ) and a plurality of client machines (PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5, . . . ). When requesting an image data processing to a printer other than the printer to which an image data processing has been requested firstly, the client machine checks the security level of the other printer to which the image data processing is to be requested before requesting the image data distribution processing to the other printer. When selecting another printer to which the image data distribution processing is to be requested, the security level in each printer is sufficiently considered.

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: This invention provides an instantaneous method for a user or traveler to obtain a meaning of a symbol that is unfamiliar to said user. The symbol is captured in a format that is easily transmitted to a remote database server. Together with the symbol, the GPS coordinates of the location of the symbol must be sent to the server. The server performs an image matching search, and then uses the location information (GPS) to resolve multiple matches and to determine the meaning of the symbol and instantaneously transmits in the language of their choice the meaning to the user requesting the search.

Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for provision of at least one secured service via a security module of a franking machine for at least one procedure for data processing that is executed in a data processing device that can be connected with the franking machine, the procedure requests a secured first service from the security module in a request step; and the security module provides the first service in a provision step subsequent to the request step. The security module verifies an authorization to request the first service via the procedure in a verification step preceding the provision step.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for encrypting portions of a document using selective annotation. One method according to the invention includes: defining an annotation border adjacent a portion of a document using a digital pen; applying to the portion of the document an annotation verb specifying that the portion of the document is to be encrypted; entering into the portion of the document information to be encrypted; and encrypting the portion of the document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, a host apparatus, and an encryption method for print data, the method of encrypting the print data of the host apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus including: displaying an encryption setting screen for the print data; selecting an encryption logic to encrypt the print data through the encryption setting screen; converting the print data according to the selected encryption logic; and transmitting the converted print data to the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the print data is encrypted and decrypted on the basis of the selected encryption logic and corresponding decryption logic set up according to users, thereby increasing security.

Abstract: A secure document printing system is provided. A policy server is used to define access rules for a document, and select individual users and/or groups that will have access to the document. The policy server stores the access rules along with a document decryption key. The policy server's name and address are packed in the document, and then encrypted and sent to a print server which stores it for later access. A recipient is notified that the document resides on a particular print server. The print server retrieves the specified document, contacts the policy server named in the document, and requests the document decryption key and access rules for the user, print server, and document from the policy server which replies with the related decryption key and access rules. The print server decrypts the document and prints the document based on the access rules.

Abstract: Print job data is generated in accordance with a printing instruction from an application. When encryption of the print job data is designated, the generated print job data is encrypted, and the generated or encrypted print job data is output. When a printing apparatus serving as an output destination to which the encrypted print job data is output does not have a decryption function of decrypting the encrypted print job data, the output destination is changed to a decryption apparatus having the decryption function. When designation to save the print job data in the printing apparatus is detected in encryption, the print job is canceled.

Abstract: An electronic card is disclosed including circuits of the protected zone include at least one control circuit. The electronic card further includes another zone defining a non-protected environment; the circuits of this zone do not need to comply with the distance constraint. The communication between the circuits of the protected zone and the non-protected environment is carried out by a communication circuit allowing or not allowing the electrical signals to pass. The passage of the electrical signals in the communication circuit is conditioned by an electrical control signal sent by the control circuit. Also disclosed is a method allowing the control circuit to be blocked if the electrical status of the signal controlling the passage of the signals does not correspond to the status imposed by the control circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating a constructively multi-patterned watermark, an apparatus and a method for inserting and detecting the watermark using the same. The method includes dividing user's hidden data into plural partial data and outputs the plural partial data, performing a message-encoding of the plural partial data, modulating the plural message-encoded data into image signal format and outputting plural message signals, generating a synchronization signal for synchronizing the constructively multi-patterned watermark with a two-dimensional translation of an image, generating, plural sub-base patterns using the plurality of message signals modulated into the image signal format, and the synchronization signal, and generating a base watermark that is the constructively multi-patterned watermark, using the plural sub-base patterns.

Abstract: A method is provided for authenticating an image printed at a predefined print resolution or in accordance with a predetermined print grid. The method includes the steps of scanning the image to produce digital data and segmenting the data into first and second groups corresponding, respectively, to first and second predefined sections of the image. Next, a determination is made concerning the anticipated spatial position of select columns of digital data from each of the first and second groups of data. By examining the data, differences may be identified between the anticipated and actual spatial position of the columns, to determine the authenticity of the image. The identified differences which may include (i) a rotary/linear displacement in the actual spatial position of the select columns. (ii) a change in beat frequency between sections of the image, and/or (iii) a phase shift in a beat frequency.

Abstract: A print system which are capable of inhibiting simultaneous use of the encrypted print and the box storage to thereby increase the security of print data. A host computer has an encryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print data encrypted by the encryption function. A print server receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function of decrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job. A printer has a storage function of storing the print data decrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data. At least one of the host computer and the print server inhibits simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storage function.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

Abstract: It is analyzed whether print data includes first image data common between pages and second image data different between pages. When a specific discharge device is designated as a discharge device for discharging a printing medium printed based on the print data, and it is analyzed that the print data includes the second image data different between pages, print processing is controlled not to print the second image data.

Abstract: Communications methods and appliances are described. According to one embodiment, a communications method includes prior to deployment of an appliance, establishing a trusted association between the appliance and a certificate authority, during deployment of the appliance, associating the appliance with a communications address of a communications medium, using the certificate authority, creating a signed certificate including the communications address of the appliance, announcing the signed certificate using the appliance, after the announcing, extracting the communications address of the appliance from the signed certificate, and after the extracting, verifying the communications address of the appliance.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an identifying unit configured to identify a printing capability of an apparatus that is a transmission destination of first image data, and a converting unit configured to convert the first image data, which has been instructed to be printed with a transparent recording material, into second image data that can be printed by the transmission destination apparatus, on the basis of the identification result of the identifying unit and information attached to the first image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method that allows a third party to authenticate a manufacturer's individual product. According to said method, at least one first code that is specific for said individual product is generated and is applied to the product or the packaging thereof by the manufacturer, said first code is stored in a publicly accessible database, the first code is read by the third party and is entered into the database, and the database generates an output based on a comparison between the entered first code and the first codes of all products stored in the database, said output indicating whether the first code is identical to a stored first code and/or whether the first code has been retrieved at an earlier time. Previously known methods of this type offer no sufficiently sure possibility to verify whether the product is an original product or a counterfeit product.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates a password each time transmission of image data is instructed, encrypts the image data with the generated password, transmits the encrypted image data, and notifies the generated password.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for image processing are disclosed, each of which obtains a mark from image data, detects additional information in the mark, determines whether the mark is detected in the mark to generate a determination result, and controls processing performed by an image processing apparatus with respect to the image data based on the determination result.

Abstract: A test pattern containing plurality of patches recorded using small dot patterns and large dot patterns is printed. The dot sizes arranged in the patches are different between patches. Then the test patterns are read. The detection rate and average density of additional information embedded in each large dot pattern are obtained. A large dot pattern whose detection rate and average density fall within a reference range and are closest to ideal values is determined. The average density of each small dot pattern is obtained. A small dot pattern whose average density falls within a reference range and is closest to the average density of the determined large dot pattern is determined. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated using these dot patterns and combined with a print target image.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a hidden image product, an identification device which shows the hidden image information, an identification system, the produce method of the produce and the identification equipment, the identification equipment contains a single layer or multi-layer lens with the specified array micro-structure. The produce contains the array pixels with same-level array-distance corresponding with the identification equipment array micro-structure. The selected area of the array pixels and the identification equipment array micro-structure has the entirely or partly controlling phase excursion, shows the micro-structure or the hidden image in the pixel when the array of pixels of the product or the array of the identification equipment array micro-structure is superposition or spacedly squaring with distance. The invention overcomes the low anti-false precision and the inconvenience of the existing hidden image identification technique.

Abstract: A Multi-Function peripheral (MFP), a server apparatus, and a client apparatus for generating image output data from document data and transmitting the image output data to the server apparatus are each connected to a network. In the server apparatus, an output data management unit stores the received image output data in an output data storage unit. Upon receiving user authentication information that is input with a user operation on the MFP, the server apparatus determines whether the user authentication information is valid. When the user authentication information is determined to be valid, the server apparatus transmits to the MFP one or more among the stored image output data associated with the user authentication information.

Abstract: When image data is outputted in a special image processing apparatus which has printed confidential data before, a server confirms whether the user who has instructed output is a permitted user or an unpermitted user. If the user is a permitted user, the server permits printing. If the user is an unpermitted user, the server confirms whether a predetermined period has elapsed after the special image processing apparatus was used last. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the server permits printing. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the server restricts output by stopping printing or by document filing for storing image data. Thus, by restricting use by an outside user, leakage of confidential data is prevented.

Abstract: A computer system includes a printer configured to print invisible coded data tags on print media. Each data tag includes a target and a dot arrangement representing a value. A pen-type device includes an image sensor configured to sense the targets and wirelessly transmit sensed data associated with the dot arrangements. A relay is configured to receive the transmitted data. One or more servers are interfaced to the relay, and are configured to process the received data from the relay and to perform an action based upon the processed data.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a security setting method thereof, the method including: inputting an encryption key of a wireless network connection of the image forming apparatus; displaying a selection screen including one or more functions which the image forming apparatus provides; and selecting at least one of the displayed functions with which to share the encryption key as a password.

Abstract: A printing system is provided with a terminal sending print data; a printer performing printing based on the print data; and a transfer device transferring the print data to the printer responding to a request from the printer. The terminal includes a transmission portion configured to, when communication with the transfer device is possible, send the print data to the transfer device, and configured to, when the communication is impossible, send the print data in association with a command for authentication print to the printer without via the transfer device. The printer includes a requesting portion configured to, when user authentication of a user of the terminal is successful, request the print data from the transfer device, and a printing portion configured to, when the user authentication is successful, perform the printing based on the print data received from the transfer device or the terminal.

Abstract: A print management system for production of printed documents, said system comprising a policy editor component capable of receiving a document file, and applying a level of protection to said document file to produce a protected document file a policy enforcement component, operable for enforcing a document management policy for said protected document file; and at least one printer device, said printer device operable to receive said protected document file, refer to said policy enforcement component, and in response to an authorization signal received from said policy enforcement component, to print at least one printed document.

Abstract: An image processing device, which includes: an original reception unit that receives an original image; a dot image generation unit that generates, on the basis of additive information to be added to the original image, a dot image in which a plurality of dots each formed by one or more pixels are arranged; a state alteration unit that, when any of the dots in the dot image is determined to be not extractable, alters a state of the non-extractable dot on the basis of a relationship between a position on the dot image generated by the dot image generation unit and a corresponding position on the original image; and a composite image generation unit that generates a composite image by superimposing, on the original image, the dot image having the state of the non-extractable dot altered by the state alteration unit.

Abstract: A system for generating and printing travel documents for a customer associated with a journey having one or more parts, the system comprising: a travel documentation distribution module capable of generating travel documentation for the customer and capable of passing the documents for storage on a customer device at the request of the customer; and a printer located in the vicinity of a starting point of one of the parts of the journey which is capable of responding to a short range communication from the customer device to print the travel documents for said part of the journey for the customer.

Abstract: A print device includes a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data having a plurality of signature attachment areas defined thereon, each signature attachment area having electronic signature data produced therefor and attached thereto, a range data acquisition unit that acquires data indicative of a range of a print target area defined on the print data, and a verification unit that verifies, before completion of acquisition of the print data by the print data acquisition unit, the electronic signature data attached to the signature attachment area containing at least a part of the print target area.

Abstract: An authenticatable object comprises a surface having a latent hidden image embossed therein. The latent image is an encoded version of an authentication image and comprises a plurality of elements applied to the surface with a predetermined frequency. The latent hidden image is configured for optical decoding by a decoder having a decoder frequency corresponding to the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A watermark is embedded in a document having a plurality of pages. The pages of the document are analyzed to produce watermark information, which indicates whether the page is suitable for use with one or more of a plurality of watermarking schemes. The plurality of watermarking schemes may include page element shifting, flyspecking and text warping. An identifier (ID) is established, the ID associating the document with a user receiving the document. The ID is embedded in the pages of the document using the plurality of watermark schemes according to the watermark information. To recover an ID from a document, the pages of the document are analyzed to identify watermark information associated with the document. Embedded watermarks are recovered from the pages using the watermark information.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: an authentication server device having user information, for performing a user authentication via a computer network; and an image forming apparatus including: an authentication unit for accessing the authentication server device to perform an authentication processing for a user; and a data storage device for storing therein document data generated by an image forming processing based on the user's operation, and storing document attribute information, which has the same attribute items as a part of, or all of, attribute items of the user information held by the authentication server device, in association with the document data.

Abstract: A watermark is embedded in a document having a plurality of pages. The pages of the document are analyzed to produce watermark information, which indicates whether the page is suitable for use with one or more of a plurality of watermarking schemes. The plurality of watermarking schemes may include page element shifting, flyspecking and text warping. An identifier (ID) is established, the ID associating the document with a user receiving the document. The ID is embedded in the pages of the document using the plurality of watermark schemes according to the watermark information. To recover an ID from a document, the pages of the document are analyzed to identify watermark information associated with the document. Embedded watermarks are recovered from the pages using the watermark information.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes disclosure generally related to digital watermarking and steganographic encoding. One claim recites an apparatus including: electronic memory for buffering data representing video or imagery; and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is programmed for: analyzing the data representing video or imagery, the video or imagery comprising digital watermarking hidden therein through alterations, the digital watermarking comprising content classification information; decoding the content classification information from the digital watermarking; and controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery in response to the content classification information. Other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection and other applications. In on application, the auxiliary signal is formed as an array of elements selected from a set of print structures with properties that change differently in response to copy operations. These changes in properties of the print structures that carry the embedded auxiliary signal are automatically detectable. For example, the changes make the embedded auxiliary signal more or less detectable. The extent to which the auxiliary data is detected forms a detection metric used in combination with one or more other metrics to differentiate copies from originals. Examples of sets of properties of the print structures that change differently in response to copy operations include sets of colors (including different types of inks), sets of screens or dot structures that have varying dot gain, sets of structures with different aliasing effects, etc.

Abstract: A network device includes a content processing module that is configured to perform intelligent document content processing, such as confidential information processing, content optimization and workflow optimization. The network device authenticates a user and determines electronic document data that is to be processed. The electronic document data may be created at the network device, e.g., by a scanning module on the network device, or at a client device, e.g., by a word processing application executing on the client device. The content processing module retrieves particular user preference data based upon the user authentication. The particular user preference data may specify confidential information preferences, content optimization preferences and/or workflow preferences. The content processing module performs intelligent document content processing on the electronic document data based upon the particular user preference data and generates processed electronic document data.

Abstract: A watermark information embedding apparatus generates a document image from electronic document data that has been input thereto, modifies the electronic document data based upon the document image and embeds information in the electronic document data. The apparatus includes a document image generator for generating a document image from the electronic document data; a document analyzer for detecting layout information of each constituent image in the generated document image; a normalization information calculation unit for calculating normalization information, which is for normalizing placement of each constituent image, based upon the detected layout information; a modification unit for modifying the electronic document data; and an embedding unit for embedding information in the modified electronic document data.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device. The indicating data is generated in response to sensing of coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object and is indicative of an identity of the object and at least part of a signature. The signature is in turn a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The computer system uses the indicating to determine a received identity and a received signature part, before using the using the received identity to determine at least a determined signature part. The determined signature part is then compared to the received signature part to authenticate the object.

Abstract: A trusted hardcopy document is generated using a two-part confirmation number including a private part and a public part. A public part of the confirmation number is received at a first party creating the trusted hardcopy document. The private part of the confirmation number is sent to an owner of the trusted hardcopy document by a trusted party and is not sent to the first party creating the trusted hardcopy document. A human-readable form and a machine readable form of the public part of the confirmation number are printed on the trusted hardcopy document.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic document authenticity assuring method in which a series of procedures concerning redactable signature are divided into procedures dependent on a document to be signed and procedures dependent on a redactable signature method. Further, the present invention provides program codes that realize the divided procedures and a system comprising apparatuses for implementing those program codes. According to the present invention, even when type of electronic document to be signed is changed or added to, it is sufficient to add a procedure dependent on a document to be signed, without changing procedures dependent on redactable signature methods. Similarly, even when a redactable signature method is to be changed or added, it is sufficient to add a procedure dependent on the redactable signature method without changing procedures dependent on document to be signed.

Abstract: In a computer system in which information represented by digital data is output to plural pages of recording medium, and then information on the plural pages of recording medium is read to use digital data representing the read information, authentication information is embedded in information of a start page selected by the computer system; a page number of the start page embedded the authentication information is notified to a user; information on the plural pages of recording medium is read, wherein the start page is positioned so as to be read first; digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is authenticated based on the authentication information embedded in the start page; and a process for the digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is controlled in accordance with a result of the authentication.

Abstract: Digital data is decoded from media signals (e.g., audio, images, video, etc.) using a distributed processing in which a first device receives and pre-processes the signal, and transmits it to a remote device for further decoding. One method pre-filters the media signal, leaving a residual from which digital data is decoded. Other arrangements progressively send portions of the signal for decoding operations.

Abstract: Print job data is generated in accordance with a printing instruction from an application. When encryption of the print job data is designated, the generated print job data is encrypted, and the generated or encrypted print job data is output. When a printing apparatus serving as an output destination to which the encrypted print job data is output does not have a decryption function of decrypting the encrypted print job data, the output destination is changed to a decryption apparatus having the decryption function. When designation to save the print job data in the printing apparatus is detected in encryption, the print job is canceled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for eliminating multiple submission of user credential data in a system with multiple distinct restricted sub-systems wherein a unique credential is required for each sub-system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for imaging device credential submission wherein credentials are extracted by scanning graphical indicia on user documents using a primary document scanner.

Abstract: A method and system for performing document image correction using a document reader is disclosed. The method includes generating a document image representative of a document having a deformation; decoding an optical pattern embedded in the document from the document image to determine an optical signature for the document; receiving document classification data associated with the optical signature; and applying an image correction technique to the document image based on the document classification data to generate a corrected document image. A document capable of being read by a document reader is also disclosed. The document includes a substrate and an optical pattern embedded on the substrate. The optical pattern is part of a background pattern printed on the substrate. The optical pattern defines an optical signature unique to the particular class of document and is associated with document classification data for the document.

Abstract: A method for secure printing is presented. A document management system (DMS) is provided within a server computer for storing, displaying and printing a plurality of documents. At least a portion of the documents require authentication information for displaying and printing. A web-based capture protection system is provided that prevents proprietary content displayed on a display device from being screen-captured. The web-based capture protection system is combined with the DMS to augment the DMS with capture protection of displayed documents, including intercepting retrieval requests from a client computer to display documents from the DMS.