Image processing device, image processing system, image processing method, recording medium storing a program, and data signal

An image processing system comprising an original reception device that receives an original image, a dot generation device, a determination device, and an image synthesizer, wherein:

• the original reception device includes an original image transmission unit that transmits the received original image to the dot generation device;
• the dot generation device includes a dot image generation unit that generates a dot image in which a plurality of dots each formed by one or more pixels are arranged, on the basis of additive information to be added to the original image transmitted by the original image transmission unit;
• the determination device includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the dots in the dot image can be extracted 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;
• the dot generation device further includes a state alteration unit that alters a state of a dot that is determined to be not extractable by the determination unit;
• and
• the image synthesizer includes a composite image generation unit that generates a composite image by superimposing, on the original image, the dot image having the state of dots altered by the state alteration unit.

An image processing method, comprising:

• receiving an original image;
• generating, 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;
• when any of the dots in the dot image is determined to be not extractable, altering a state of the non-extractable dot on the basis of a relationship between a position on the generated dot image and a corresponding position on the original image;
• and
• generating a composite image by superimposing, on the original image, the dot image having the state of the non-extractable dot altered.

A computer readable recording medium storing an image processing program that causes a computer to execute a process, the process comprising:

• receiving an original image;
• generating, 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;
• when any of the dots in the dot image is determined to be not extractable, altering a state of the non-extractable dot on the basis of a relationship between a position on the generated dot image and a corresponding position on the original image;
• and
• generating a composite image by superimposing, on the original image, the dot image having the state of the non-extractable dot altered.

A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave for enabling a computer to perform a process for image processing, the process comprising:

• receiving an original image;
• generating, 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;
• when any of the dots in the dot image is determined to be not extractable, altering a state of the non-extractable dot on the basis of a relationship between a position on the generated dot image and a corresponding position on the original image;
• and
• generating a composite image by superimposing, on the original image, the dot image having the state of the non-extractable dot altered.