Method, program, and apparatus for prohibiting a reproduction of an anti-copy document, and a medium storing the program

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• first storing means for storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• second storing means for storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• first copy protecting means for performing a first copy protection operation which detects a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image, compares the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first storing means, and determines whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value;
• and
• second copy protecting means for performing a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, which detects a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image, compares the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second storing means, and determines whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first and second copy protecting means simultaneously perform the first and second copy protection operations.

An image processing method, comprising the steps of:

• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• performing a first copy protection operation which comprises sub-steps of:
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value, and
• performing a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, which comprises sub-steps of:
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the performing steps of the first and second copy protection operations simultaneously perform the first and second copy protection operations.

A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium for instructing a computer which has digital circuits for performing a first copy protection operation, to execute a second copy protection operation which is smaller than the first copy protection operation, the second copy protection operation comprising the steps of:

• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protection operation executed by the digital circuits of the computer comprises the steps of:
• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value,
• wherein the first and second copy protection operations are simultaneously performed.

A computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions for instructing a computer which has digital circuits for performing a first copy protection operation, to execute a second copy protection operation which is smaller than the first copy protection operation, the computer instructions comprising the steps of:

• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protection operation executed by the digital circuits of the computer comprises the steps of:
• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value,
• wherein the first and second copy protection operations are simultaneously performed.

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• a first memory storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• a first copy protector unit configured to perform a first copy protection operation for detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image, comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first memory, and determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value;
• a second memory storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• and
• a second copy protector unit configured to perform a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, for detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image, comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second memory, and determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the predetermined background dot pattern is a dot pattern in which each of the first and second characteristic quantities is produced based on a relationship between dots having sizes substantially equal to each other and which is defined as a copy-protected background dot pattern based on the first and second characteristic quantities, the first copy protector unit is configured to detect a dot density as a characteristic quantity and is configured to perform a process for determining whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the first reference value, and the second copy protector unit is configured to detect a dot distance as a characteristic quantity and is configured to perform a process for determining whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the second reference value.

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• a first memory storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• a first copy protector unit configured to perform a first copy protection operation for detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image, comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first memory, and determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value;
• a second memory storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• and
• a second copy protector unit configured to perform a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, for detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image, comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second memory, and determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protector unit is configured to perform a first reproduction prohibition process upon determining the detected characteristic quantity as identical to the first reference value, and the second copy protector unit is configured to perform a second reproduction prohibition process upon determining the detected characteristic quantity as identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first reproduction prohibition process is a process for prohibiting a reproduction of the image data of the original image and the second reproduction prohibition process is a process for sending a notification to external equipment of a determination result.

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• first storing means for storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• second storing means for storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• first copy protecting means for performing a first copy protection operation which detects a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image, compares the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first storing means, and determines whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value;
• and
• second copy protecting means for performing a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, which detects a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image, compares the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second storing means, and determines whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the predetermined background dot pattern is a dot pattern in which each of the first and second characteristic quantities is produced based on a relationship between dots having sizes substantially equal to each other and which is defined as a copy-protected background dot pattern based on the first and second characteristic quantities, the first copy protecting means is configured to detect a dot density as a characteristic quantity and is configured to perform a process for determining whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the first reference value, and the second copy protecting means is configured to detect a dot distance as a characteristic quantity and is configured to perform a process for determining whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the second reference value.

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• first storing means for storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• second storing means for storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• first copy protecting means for performing a first copy protection operation which detects a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image, compares the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first storing means, and determines whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value;
• and
• second copy protecting means for performing a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, which detects a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image, compares the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second storing means, and determines whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protecting means is configured to perform a first reproduction prohibition process upon determining the detected characteristic quantity as identical to the first reference value, and the second copy protecting means is configured to perform a second reproduction prohibition process upon determining the detected characteristic quantity as identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first reproduction prohibition process is a process for prohibiting a reproduction of the image data of the original image and the second reproduction prohibition process is a process for sending a notification to external equipment of a determination result.

An image processing method, comprising the steps of:

• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• performing a first copy protection operation which comprises sub-steps of:
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value, and
• performing a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, which comprises sub-steps of:
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the predetermined background dot pattern is a dot pattern in which each of the first and second characteristic quantities is produced based on a relationship between dots having sizes substantially equal to each other and which is defined as a copy-protected background dot pattern based on the first and second characteristic quantities, the step of the first copy protection operation is configured to detect a dot density as a characteristic quantity and is configured to perform a process for determining whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the first reference value, and the step of the second copy protection operation is configured to detect a dot distance as a characteristic quantity and is configured to perform a process for determining whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the second reference value.

An image processing method, comprising the steps of:

• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• performing a first copy protection operation which comprises sub-steps of:
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value, and
• performing a second copy protection operation, different from the first copy protection operation, which comprises sub-steps of:
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the step of the first copy protection operation is configured to perform a first reproduction prohibition process upon determining the detected characteristic quantity as identical to the first reference value, and the step of the second copy protection operation is configured to perform a second reproduction prohibition process upon determining the detected characteristic quantity as identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first reproduction prohibition process is a process for prohibiting a reproduction of the image data of the original image and the second reproduction prohibition process is a process for sending a notification to external equipment of a determination result.

A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium for instructing a computer which has digital circuits for performing a first copy protection operation, to execute a second copy protection operation which is smaller than the first copy protection operation, the second copy protection operation comprising the steps of:

• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protection operation executed by the digital circuits of the computer comprises the steps of:
• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value,
• wherein the predetermined background dot pattern is a dot pattern in which each of the first and second characteristic quantities is produced based on a relationship between dots having sizes substantially equal to each other and which is defined as a copy-protected background dot pattern based on the first and second characteristic quantities,
• wherein the detecting step of the first copy protection operation detects a dot density as a characteristic quantity and the determining step of the first copy protection operation determines whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the first reference value, and
• wherein the detecting step of the second copy protection operation detects a dot distance as a characteristic quantity and the determining step of the second copy protection operation determines whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the second reference value.

A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium for instructing a computer which has digital circuits for performing a first copy protection operation, to execute a second copy protection operation which is smaller than the first copy protection operation, the second copy protection operation comprising the steps of:

• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protection operation executed by the digital circuits of the computer comprises the steps of:
• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value,
• wherein the first reproduction prohibition process is a process for prohibiting a reproduction of the image data of the original image and the second reproduction prohibition process is a process for sending a notification to external equipment of a determination result.

A computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions for instructing a computer which has digital circuits for performing a first copy protection operation, to execute a second copy protection operation which is smaller than the first copy protection operation, the computer instructions comprising the steps of:

• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protection operation executed by the digital circuits of the computer comprises the steps of:
• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value,
• wherein the predetermined background dot pattern is a dot pattern in which each of the first and second characteristic quantities is produced based on a relationship between dots having sizes substantially equal to each other and which is defined as a copy-protected background dot pattern based on the first and second characteristic quantities,
• wherein the detecting step of the first copy protection operation detects a dot density as a characteristic quantity and the determining step of the first copy protection operation determines whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the first reference value, and
• wherein the detecting step of the second copy protection operation detects a dot distance as a characteristic quantity and the determining step of the second copy protection operation determines whether the detected characteristic quantity is identical to the second reference value.

A computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions for instructing a computer which has digital circuits for performing a first copy protection operation, to execute a second copy protection operation which is smaller than the first copy protection operation, the computer instructions comprising the steps of:

• storing a second reference value representing a second characteristic quantity of a predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from image data of an original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the second reference value stored in the second reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the second reference value,
• wherein the first copy protection operation executed by the digital circuits of the computer comprises the steps of:
• storing a first reference value representing a first characteristic quantity of the predetermined background dot pattern;
• detecting a characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image;
• comparing the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image with the first reference value stored in the first reference value storing step;
• and
• determining whether the characteristic quantity from the image data of the original image is identical to the first reference value,
• wherein the first reproduction prohibition process is a process for prohibiting a reproduction of the image data of the original image and the second reproduction prohibition process is a process for sending a notification to external equipment of a determination result.