Image processing device, method and program product processing barcodes with link information corresponding to other barcodes

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an extracting unit which extracts copy history information from a code included in an image;
• a generating unit which generates a new code by coding information including both new copy history information for a current copy and the extracted copy history information;
• an identifying unit which identifies another code when the code included in the image includes link information to the other code;
• and
• an embedding unit which embeds the generated new code into the image,
• wherein the identifying unit does not identify the other code when the code included in the image does not include link information to the other code.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an extracting unit which extracts copy history information from a code included in an image;
• a generating unit which generates a new code by coding information including both new copy history information for a current copy and a part of the extracted copy history information;
• an identifying unit which identifies another code when the code included in the image includes link information to the other code;
• and
• an embedding unit which embeds the generated new code into the image,
• wherein the identifying unit does not identify the other code when the code included in the image does not include link information to the other code.

An image processing method comprising:

• an extracting step of extracting copy history information from a code included in an image;
• a generating step of generating a new code by coding information including both new copy history information for a current copy and a part of the extracted copy history information;
• an identifying step of identifying another code when the code included in the image includes link information to the other code;
• and
• an embedding step of embedding the generated new code into the image,
• wherein the identifying step does not identify the other code when the code included in the image does not include link information to the other code.

A program capable of being stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the program causing a computer to execute the processes of:

• an extracting step of extracting copy history information from a code included in an image;
• a generating step of generating a new code by coding information including both new copy history information for a current copy and a part of the extracted copy history information;
• an identifying step of identifying another code when the code included in the image includes link information to the other code;
• and
• an embedding step of embedding the generated new code into the image,
• wherein the identifying step does not identify the other code when the code included in the image does not include link information to the other code.