Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and storage medium

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• a selection unit configured to select a type of first information that is embedded in printed matter in accordance with instructions by a user via a user interface;
• an embedment unit configured to embed the first information and second information indicating a type selected by the selection unit in a printing-target image as an electronic watermark;
• a printing control unit configured to cause a printing apparatus to print the printing-target image in which the first information and the second information have been embedded by the embedment unit;
• an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data by capturing the printed matter;
• an extraction unit configured to extract the first information and the second information from the image data acquired by the acquisition unit;
• and
• a processing unit configured to process the first information extracted by the extraction unit by different processing methods in accordance with the second information,
• wherein the selection unit, the embedment unit, the printing control unit, the acquisition unit, the extraction unit, and the processing unit are implemented by at least one processor of the image processing apparatus.

An image processing method comprising:

• a selection step of selecting a type of first information that is embedded in printed matter in accordance with instructions by a user via a user interface;
• an embedment step of embedding the first information and second information indicating a type selected at the selection step in a printing-target image as an electronic watermark;
• and
• a printing control step of causing a printing apparatus to print the printing-target image in which the first information and the second information have been embedded at the embedment step,
• wherein the printed matter is captured and image data is obtained by the capturing,
• the first information and the second information are extracted from the obtained image data, and
• the first information extracted at the extraction step is processed by different processing methods in accordance with the second information.