Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Attribute control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-08
2001-07-03
Rogers, Scott (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Attribute control
C358S530000, C358S001180, C283S114000, C283S901000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256110
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to image processing apparatus and method for adding predetermined information to an input image and a storage medium in which such a method has been stored.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, an image recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer or the like forms a color image by ink, toner, or the like of four colors of CMYK.
In recent years, however, an ink jet printer such that not only the inks of four colors of CMYK mentioned above but also light inks of the same color system of the above respective colors are simultaneously used, thereby enabling a printing of three or more values to be performed for each color has been developed. Such an ink jet printer can form a color image of a higher image quality of higher gradation than those of the conventional ink jet printer using the inks of four colors.
In association with the realization of such a high image quality, the formation of an image which is almost similar to an original in which a copy or an image formation is inhibited is becoming possible by using the recent image recording apparatus.
To deter such an illegal image formation, a technique such that addition information to specify an image forming apparatus or an operator is embedded to all of the formed images by a form such that it is difficult to be discriminated by the human eye has been known. For example, a technique such that among the image forming colors (CMYK) of a copying apparatus, by changing an image signal of the yellow component which is the most difficult to be discriminated by the human eye, a pattern showing a manufacturing number or the like of the copying apparatus is embedded is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,119.
However, hitherto, with respect to a case of forming a color image by using a plurality of kinds of inks, toners, or the like having different densities in the same color system, an optimum method of embedding addition information to an input image is not yet realized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is made in consideration of the foregoing conventional example and it is an object of the invention to embed addition information into an input image while suppressing a deterioration in image quality of the input image as much as possible in case of forming a color image by using a plurality of kinds of inks, toners, or the like having different densities in the same color system (for example, yellow).
To accomplish the above object, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus which is used together with an image forming apparatus which has recording materials corresponding to a plurality of color components and, with respect to at least a predetermined one of those plurality of color components, forms a color image by using the recording material of a first density and the recording material of a second density lower than the first density, comprising:
pattern adding means for receiving color image data and forming printing image data in which a pattern showing predetermined addition information has been added to the color image data; and
output means for outputting the printing image data obtained by the pattern adding means to the image forming apparatus,
wherein the pattern adding means is controlled so that the pattern showing the predetermined addition information is formed by using the recording material of the second density.
To accomplish the above object, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus which has recording materials corresponding to a plurality of color components and, with respect to at least a predetermined one of those plurality of color components, forms a color image by using the recording material of a first density and the recording material of a second density lower than the first density, comprising:
deciding means for deciding a pattern showing predetermined addition information selectively using either one of the recording materials of the first and second densities in accordance with the contents of an input color image;
pattern adding means for adding the pattern decided by the deciding means to the input color image; and
output means for outputting the image to which the pattern was added by the pattern adding means to the image forming apparatus.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Rogers Scott
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