Image processing apparatus and method using image information and additional informational or an additional pattern added thereto or superposed thereon

• US 7,057,775 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2002
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takaragi, Yoichi, Suzuki, Yasumichi, Ishimoto, Koichi, Kanno, Akiko, Funada, Masahiro, Kurita, Mitsuru, Maeshima, Katsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US10/266,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20030035151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.9, 358/2.1, 358/3.28, 358/450, 358/530, 382/181, 382/237
• US Class Current: 358/3.28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00843 based on recognising a copy prohibited original, e.g. a banknote pattern authentication and markers therefor, forgery detection G06V20/95; character recognition G06V30/10; document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/40; testing paper currency or similar valuable papers for genuineness G07D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00848 by detecting a particular original
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00867 with additional data, e.g. by adding a warning message details of embedding additional information in an image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0087 with hidden additional data, e.g. data invisible to the human eye
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping

Abstract

Predetermined additional information is superposed as a dot pattern on image information read by an image scanner, and the image information superposed with the additional information is modulated. The modulated information is demodulated and recorded on a recording medium to perform a series of operations, i.e., to simultaneously satisfy both pattern addition and modulation/demodulation.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

means for inputting a first image signal from an external device;

means for reading a second image;

means for synthesizing the first image signal input from the external device with a second image signal derived from reading the second image by said reading means, to generate a third image signal; and

means for superposing predetermined additional information on third image information based on the third image signal, the additional information being added to a color component for the third image signal that is most unnoticeable to a human eye among colors representing an image,

wherein the third image signal is formed prior to superposition by said superposing means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a host computer.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information comprises a predetermined pattern having a mark representing a position where the additional information is added to the image information.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pattern is formed by dots distributed within a predetermined range, so that an arrangement of the dots represents predetermined information.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is at least one of apparatus identification information and apparatus operator identification information.

6. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

inputting a first image signal from an external device;

reading a second image;

synthesizing the first image signal input from the external device with a second image signal derived from reading the second image, to generate a third image signal; and

superposing predetermined additional information on third image information based on the third image signal, the additional information being added to a color component for the third image signal that is most unnoticeable to a human eye among colors representing an image.

7. An image processing apparatus comprising:

inputting means for inputting an image;

editing means for performing an edit process on the image input by said inputting means; and

superposing means for superposing predetermined additional information on image information based on the edited image, the additional information being added to a color component for the edited image that is most unnoticeable to a human eye among colors representing the image,

wherein the edit process is performed prior to superposition by said superposing means.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said edit process includes a magnification process.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said edit process includes a texture process.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said edit process includes a color conversion process.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the additional information is at least one of apparatus identification information and apparatus operator identification information.

12. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

inputting an image;

editing the input image; and

superposing additional information on image information based on the edited image, the additional information being added to a color component for the edited image that is most unnoticeable to a human eye among colors representing the image.