Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and storage medium

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• a selection unit configured to select a type of first processing-target information that is embedded in a printing-target image in accordance with instructions by a user;
• an embedment unit configured to embed the first information and second information indicating a type selected by the selection unit in the 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 are embedded by the embedment unit;
• an acquisition unit configured to acquire captured image data obtained by capturing printed matter obtained by printing by the printing control unit;
• an extraction unit configured to extract the first information and the second information based on captured image data acquired by the acquisition unit;
• and
• a processing unit configured to process the first processing-target information extracted by the extraction unit by different processing methods in accordance with the second information.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform an image processing method comprising:

• a selection step of selecting a type of first processing-target information that is embedded in a printing-target image in accordance with instructions by a user;
• an embedment step of embedding the first information and second information indicating a type selected at the selection step in the printing-target image as an electronic watermark;
• a printing control step of causing a printing apparatus to print the printing-target image in which the first information and the second information are embedded at the embedment step;
• an acquisition step of acquiring captured image data obtained by capturing printed matter obtained by printing at the printing control step;
• an extraction step of extracting the first information and the second information based on captured image data acquired at the acquisition step;
• and
• a processing step of processing the first processing-target information extracted at the extraction step by different processing methods in accordance with the second information.