# US 2017/0257525 A1 · Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0257525 A1 - Document ID: US20170257525A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/434,653 - Filed: 2017-02-16 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-01 - Inventors: Yuichi NODA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170257525A1 ## CPC - H04N 1/444: {to a particular document or image or part thereof} - H04N 1/0048: {Indicating an illegal or impossible operation or selection to the user} - H04N 1/32122: {in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data} - H04N 1/32144: {embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp} - H04N 1/32352: {Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers (for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence)} - H04N 1/4413: {involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN} - H04N 2201/0094: Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception - H04N 2201/3205: of identification information, e.g. name or ID code (H04N2201/3209 takes precedence) - H04N 2201/3228: further additional information (metadata) being comprised in the identification information - H04N 2201/3233: of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark - H04N 2201/3246: of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images - H04N 2201/3274: Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An image processing apparatus includes a reading control unit, an extractor, an acquirer, an operation acceptance unit, and a storage control unit. The reading control unit reads a printed material containing a digital watermark to obtain image data of the printed material. The extractor extracts, from the digital watermark contained in the image data, first storage-location information indicating a storage location where electronic source data of the printed material is stored. The acquirer acquires the electronic source data from the storage location indicated by the first storage-location information. The operation acceptance unit displays pieces of to-be-acquired information that are a unit of information acquired from the electronic source data, and accepts an operation input specifying selection of at least one piece of to-be-acquired information. The storage control unit stores the selected piece of to-be-acquired information in a storage location indicated by second storage-location information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image processing apparatus comprising: a reading control unit configured to read a printed material containing a digital watermark to obtain image data of the printed material; an extractor configured to extract, from the digital watermark contained in the image data, first storage-location information indicating a storage location where electronic source data of the printed material is stored; an acquirer configured to acquire the electronic source data from the storage location indicated by the first storage-location information; an operation acceptance unit configured to display pieces of to-be-acquired information that are a unit of information acquired from the electronic source data, and accept an operation input specifying selection of at least one piece of to-be-acquired information; and a storage control unit configured to store the selected piece of to-be-acquired information in a storage location indicated by second storage-location information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication control unit configured to authenticate a user and acquire an access right level associated with identification information of the user from a storage unit, wherein when the access right level of the user is equal to or higher than an access right level assigned to the selected to-be-acquired information, the storage control unit stores the selected to-be-acquired information in the storage location indicated by the second storage-location information. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a notification control unit configured to send the second storage-location information to a contact address of the user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the to-be-acquired information contains at least one of the electronic source data, text contained in the electronic source data, and an image contained in the electronic source data. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the storage location indicated by the first storage-location information and the storage location indicated by the second storage-location information is any one of the image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via a network. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the selected to-be-acquired information is stored in the storage location indicated by the second storage-location information, the storage control unit stores a log in the storage unit, the log containing identification information of a user that has selected the to-be-acquired information through the operation acceptance unit, specifying information for identifying the selected to-be-acquired information, and the second storage-location information. ### Claim 7 An image processing method comprising: reading, by an image processing apparatus, a printed material containing a digital watermark to obtain image data of the printed material; extracting, by the image processing apparatus, from the digital watermark contained in the image data, first storage-location information indicating a storage location where electronic source data of the printed material is stored; acquiring, by the image processing apparatus, the electronic source data from the storage location indicated by the first storage-location information; displaying, by the image processing apparatus, pieces of to-be-acquired information that are a unit of information acquired from the electronic source data; accepting an operation input specifying selection of at least one piece of to-be-acquired information; and storing the selected piece of to-be-acquired information in a storage location indicated by second storage-location information. ### Claim 8 A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to function as: a reading control unit configured to read a printed material containing a digital watermark to obtain image data of the printed material; an extractor configured to extract, from the digital watermark contained in the image data, first storage-location information indicating a storage location where electronic source data of the printed material is stored; an acquirer configured to acquire the electronic source data from the storage location indicated by the first storage-location information; an operation acceptance unit configured to display pieces of to-be-acquired information that are a unit of information acquired from the electronic source data, and accept an operation input specifying selection of at least one piece of to-be-acquired information; and a storage control unit configured to store the selected piece of to-be-acquired information in a storage location indicated by second storage-location information.