Detection of undesired document alteration and duplication, and generating verification data for such detection

• US 20050152006A1
• Filed: 12/27/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Abe, Yasushi, Ishii, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,715,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/3.280
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0051 Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0047 using checkcodes, e.g. coded numbers derived from serial number and denomination

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an image processing apparatus, system, method, computer program and product, capable of generating verification data for detecting document alteration, generating a protected document embedded with the verification data, and detecting document alteration using the verification data. Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an image processing apparatus, system, method, computer program and product, capable of generating verification data for detecting image alteration or document duplication, generating a protected document embedded with the verification data, and detecting image alteration or document duplication using the verification data.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a verification data generator configured to receive a set of original images arranged in a sequential order, and to generate a set of verification data corresponding to the set of original images, with each verification data generated based on a corresponding original image and an original image preceding or succeeding the corresponding original image; and

a verification data adder configured to generate a set of protected images corrresponding to the set of original images, with each protected image generated by adding corresponding verification data to the corresponding original image.

5. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an original document obtainer configured to read an original document, to convert the original document to the set of original images, and to input the set of original images in the sequential order.

6. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a protected document output configured to output the set of protected images, in a visual form, as a protected document.

7. The image processing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a protected document output configured to output the set of protected images, in a visual form, as a protected document.

16. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the verification data generator encodes the verification data using cryptography.

2. -4. (canceled)

8. -15. (canceled)

17. -19. (canceled)

20. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a page number extractor configured to receive a set of original images, and extract page number data from each of the original images;

a verification data generator configured to receive the set of original images, and to generate a set of verification data corresponding to the set of original images, with each verification data generated based on a corresponding original image, an original image preceding or succeeding the corresponding original image, and page number data of the corresponding original image; and

a verification data adder configured to generate a set of protected images corresponding to the set of original images, with each protected image generated by adding corresponding verification data to the corresponding original image.

21. The image processing apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

an original document obtainer configured to read an original document, to convert the original document to the set of original images, and to input the set of original images.

22. The image processing apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a protected document output configured to output the set of protected images, in a visual form, as a protected document.

23. The image processing apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a protected document output configured to output the set of protected images, in a visual form, as a protected document.

24. -31. (canceled)

32. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a verification data extractor configured to receive a set of protected images in a sequential order, and to extract a set of detected verification data from the set of protected images;

a verification data generator configured to generate a set of generated verification data, with each generated verification data generated based on a corresponding protected image and a protected image preceding or succeeding the corresponding protected image; and

a verification data comparator configured to compare the set of generated verification data with the set of detected verification data to generate a comparison result, and to determine whether the set of protected images differs from a set of original images based on the comparison result.

33. The image processing apparatus of claim 32, wherein the set of detected verification data includes at least one verification data generated based on a corresponding original image and an original image preceding or succeeding the corresponding original image, of the set of original images.

37. The image processing apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a protected document obtainer configured to read a protected document, to convert the protected document to the set of protected images, and to input the set of protected images in the sequential order.

38. The image processing apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a comparison result output configured to output the comparison result in a visual form.

39. The image processing apparatus of claim 37, further comprising:

a comparison result output configured to output the comparison result in a visual form.

42. The image processing apparatus of claim 32, wherein the verification data generator encodes the generated verification data using cryptography.

43. The image processing apparatus of claim 32, wherein the verification data generator decodes the detected verification data using decryptography.

34. -36. (canceled)

40. -41. (canceled)

44. -46. (canceled)

47. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a verification data extractor configured to receive a set of protected images, and to extract detected verification data from the set of protected images;

a page number extractor configured to extract page number data from the set of protected images;

a verification data generator configured to generate a set of generated verification data, with each generated verification data generated based on a corresponding protected image, a protected image preceding or succeeding the corresponding protected image, and the page number data of the corresponding protected image; and

a verification data comparator configured to compare the set of generated verification data with the set of detected verification data to generate a comparison result, and to detect whether the set of protected images differs from a set of original images based on the comparison result.

49. The image processing apparatus of claim 47, wherein the set of detected verification data includes at least one verification data generated based on a corresponding original image and an original image preceding or succeeding the corresponding original image, of the set of original images.

50. The image processing apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

a protected document obtainer configured to read a protected document, to convert the protected document to the set of protected images, and to input the set of protected images in the sequential order.

51. The image processing apparatus of claim 47 further comprising:

a comparison result output configured to output the comparison result in a visual form.

52. The image processing apparatus of claim 51, further comprising:

a protected document obtainer configured to read a protected document, to convert the protected document to the set of protected images, and to input the set of protected images in the sequential order.

55. The image processing apparatus of claim 47, wherein the verification data generator encodes the generated verification data using cryptography.

56. The image processing apparatus of claim 47, wherein the verification data generator decodes the generated verification data using decryptography.

48. (canceled)

53. -54. (canceled)

57. -59. (canceled)

60. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a first verification data generator configured to receive a set of original images arranged in a sequential order, and to generate a set of original verification data corresponding to the set of original images, with each original verification data generated based on a corresponding original image and an original image preceding or succeeding the corresponding original image;

a verification data adder configured to generate a set of first protected images corresponding to the set of original images, with each first protected image generated by adding corresponding original verification data to the corresponding original image;

a verification data extractor configured to receive a set of second protected images in a sequential order, and to extract a set of detected verification data from the set of second protected images;

a second verification data generator configured to generate a set of generated verification data, with each generated verification data generated based on a corresponding second protected image and a second protected image preceding or succeeding the corresponding second protected image; and

a verification data comparator configured to compare the set of generated verification data with the set of detected verification data to generate a comparison result, and to determine whether the set of second protected images differs from the set of original protected images based on the comparison result.

61. The image processing apparatus of claim 60, wherein the verification data comparator is configured to compare the set of generated verification data with the set of original verification data.

62. An image processing system, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device configured to store a plurality of instructions which, when activated by the processor, cause the processor to perform an image processing operation including;

providing a set of original images having a target original image; and

generating a set of verification data based on the set of original images, having target verification data generated based on the target original image and an original image preceding or succeeding the target original image.

63. The image processing system of claim 62, wherein the operation further includes:

generating a set of protected images having a target protected image generated by adding the target verification data to the target original image.

64. -67. (canceled)

69. An image processing system, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device configured to store a plurality of instructions which, when activated by the processor, cause the processor to perform an image processing operation including;

providing a set of protected images having a target protected image;

extracting a set of detected verification data from the set of protected images;

generating a set of generated verification data based on the set of protected images, including a target generated verification data generated based on the target protected image and a protected image preceding or succeeding the target protected image;

comparing the set of generated verification data with the set of detected verification data to generate a comparison result; and

determining whether the set of protected images differs from a set of original images, based on the comparison result.

72. The image processing system of claim 69, further comprising:

a display configured to display the comparison results.

74. The image processing system of claim 69, further comprising:

a communication interface configured to connect the image processing system to at least one of a network and a communication line.

70. -71. (canceled)

73. (canceled)

75. An image processing method, comprising:

providing a first original image and a second original image of an original document;

converting the first original image to a first bit sequence;

converting the second original image to a second bit sequence;

combining the first bit sequence and the second bit sequence into a combined bit sequence; and

generating first verification data based on the combined bit sequence.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the second original image is arranged right before or after the first original image in the original document.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the first original image is arranged first in the original document, and the second original image is arranged last in the original document.

78. The method of claim 75, wherein the first original image is arranged last of the original document, and the second original image is arranged first of the original document.

79. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

adding the verification data to a non-data portion of the first original image.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the generating includes:

encoding the combined bit sequence using cryptography.

81. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

extracting first page number data from the first original image.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the generating includes:

adding the first page number data to the combined bit sequence.

83. The method of claim 76, wherein the generating further includes:

encoding the combined bit sequence having the first page number data, using cryptography.

84. An image processing method, comprising:

providing a first protected image and a second protected image of a protected document;

extracting first detected verification data from the first protected image;

generating first generated verification data based on the first protected image and the second protected image;

comparing the first generated verification data with the first detected verification data to generate a comparison result; and

determining whether the protected document differs from an original document based on the comparison result.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the second protected image is arranged right before or after the first protected image in the protected document.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein the first protected image is arranged first of the protected document, and the second protected image is arranged last of the protected document.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein the first protected image is arranged last of the protected document, and the second protected image is arranged first of the protected document.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein the generating includes:

converting the first protected image to a first bit sequence;

converting the second protected image to a second bit sequence; and

combining the first bit sequence and the second bit sequence into a combined bit sequence.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the generating further includes:

encoding the combined bit sequence using cryptography.

90. The method of claim 84, wherein the comparing includes:

decoding the first detected verification data.

91. The method of claim 84, wherein the comparing includes:

extracting page number data from any one of the first generated verification data and the second detected verification data.

92. -94. (canceled)

95. A computer readable medium storing computer instructions for performing an image processing method, the method comprising:

providing a set of original images having a target original image;

generating a set of original verification data based on the set of original images, having target original verification data generated based on the target original and an original image preceding or succeeding the target original image; and

generating a set of first protected images having a target protected image generated by adding the target original verification data to the target original image.

96. The medium of claim 95, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a set of second protected images having a target second protected image;

extracting a set of detected verification data from the set of second protected images;

generating a set of generated verification data based on the set of second protected images, including a target generated verification data generated based on the target second protected image and a second protected image preceding or succeeding the target second protected image;

comparing the set of generated verification data with the set of detected verification data to generate a comparison result; and

determining whether the set of second protected images differs from a set of original images, based on the comparison result.

97. The medium of claim 95, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a set of second protected images having a target second protected image;

extracting a set of detected verification data from the set of second protected images;

generating a set of generated verification data based on the set of second protected images, including a target generated verification data generated based on the target second protected image and a second protected image preceding or succeeding the target second protected image;

comparing the set of generated verification data with the set of original verification data to generate a comparison result; and

determining whether the set of second protected images differs from a set of original images, based on the comparison result.

98. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a verification data generator configured to receive an original image, and to generate at least one verification pattern based on the original image, with the verification pattern being formed by a plurality of dots having one or more dot types; and

a verification data adder configured to add the verification pattern to the original image to generate a protected image.

99. The image processing apparatus of claim 98, wherein the verification pattern includes:

a tampering verification pattern formed with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types, including a large dot type.

100. The image processing apparatus of claim 99, wherein the verification pattern further includes:

a copy verification pattern formed with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types, including a small dot type.

101. The image processing apparatus of claim 99, wherein a density of the plurality of dots forming the tampering verification pattern is made uniform over the original image.

102. The image processing apparatus of claim 100, wherein the large dot type provides a dot size large enough to be visible to the human eye when printed, and the small dot type provides a dot size small enough to be invisible to the human eye when printed.

103. The image processing apparatus of claim 100, wherein a plurality of dots of the small dot type is arranged to form a predetermined outline.

105. The image processing apparatus of claim 98, further comprising:

an original document obtainer configured to obtain the original image.

106. The image processing apparatus of claim 99, further comprising:

an image forming apparatus configured to print the protected image having the tampering verification pattern.

107. The image processing apparatus of claim 100, further comprising:

an image forming apparatus configured to print the protected image having the tampering verification pattern and the copy verification pattern.

108. The image processing apparatus of claim 105, further comprising:

an image forming apparatus configured to print the protected image.

104. (canceled)

109. -118. (canceled)

119. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a verification data extractor configured to receive a protected image having a tampering verification pattern formed with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types, and to extract characteristics of the tampering verification pattern;

a verification data comparator configured to compare the obtained characteristics with desired characteristics of the verification pattern to generate a comparison result, and to determine whether the protected image is altered from a corresponding original image based on the comparison result.

120. The image processing apparatus of claim 119, wherein the obtained characteristics include a random number sequence detected from the tampering verification pattern, and wherein the desired characteristics include a random number sequence previously assigned to the tampering verification pattern.

121. The image processing apparatus of claim 119, further comprising:

a protected document obtainer configured to obtain the protected image.

122. The image processing apparatus of claim 119, further comprising:

a comparison result output configured to output the comparison result in a visual form.

123. The image processing apparatus of claim 121, further comprising:

a comparison result output configured to output the comparison result in a visual form.

124. -126. (canceled)

127. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a verification data generator configured to receive an original image, and to generate an original verification pattern based on the original image, with the original verification pattern being formed by a plurality of dots having one or more dot types;

a verification data adder configured to add the original verification pattern to the original image to generate a first protected image;

a verification data extractor configured to receive a second protected image having a detected verification pattern being formed with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types, and to extract the detected verification pattern;

a verification data comparator configured to compare the detected verification pattern with the original verification pattern to generate a comparison result, and to determine whether the second protected image differs from the first protected image based on the comparison result.

128. The image processing apparatus of claim 127, wherein each of the original verification pattern and the detected verification pattern includes:

a tampering verification pattern formed with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types.

129. An image processing system, comprising:

a processor;

a storage device configured to store a plurality of instructions which, when activated by the processor, cause the processor to perform an image processing operation including;

providing an original image; and

generating at least one verification pattern based on the original image, formed with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types.

130. The image processing system of claim 129, wherein the operation further includes:

generating a protected image by adding the at least one verification pattern to the original image.

135. The image processing system of claim 129, further comprising:

a communication interface configured to connect the image processing system to at least one of a network and a communication line.

131. -134. (canceled)

136. An image processing system, comprising:

a processor;

a storage device configured to store a plurality of instructions which, when activated by the processor, cause the processor to perform an image processing operation including;

providing a protected image having a tampering verification pattern;

extracting characteristics of the tampering verification pattern;

comparing the obtained characteristics with desired characteristics of the tampering verification pattern to generate a comparison result; and

determining whether the protected image is altered from a corresponding original image based on the comparison result.

139. The image processing system of claim 136, further comprising:

a display configured to display the comparison result.

141. The image processing system of claim 136, further comprising:

a communication interface configured to connect the image processing system to at least one of a network and a communication line.

137. -138. (canceled)

140. (canceled)

142. An image processing method, comprising:

defining a copy detection area of an original image;

forming a copy verification pattern having a predetermined outline, with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types; and

adding the copy verification pattern to the copy detection area.

143. The image processing method of claim 142, further comprising:

defining a tampering detection area of the original image;

forming a tampering verification pattern, with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types; and

adding the tampering verification pattern to the tampering detection area.

144. -145. (canceled)

146. A computer readable medium storing computer instructions for performing an image processing method, the method comprising:

defining a copy detection area of an original image;

forming a copy verification pattern having a predetermined outline, with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types; and

adding the copy verification pattern to the copy detection area.

147. The medium of claim 146, wherein the method further comprises:

defining a tampering detection area of the original image;

forming a tampering verification pattern, with a plurality of dots having one or more dot types; and

adding the tampering verification pattern to the tampering detection area.