Multifunction system and multifunction apparatus

A multifunction apparatus having plural processing functions, comprising:

• a printing unit that prints a combined image on a prescribed recording medium, the combined image being formed by combining an image based on image information with an output-restriction image selected from a group of output-restriction images having different shapes, each of the output-restriction images being assigned permission/prohibition information with regard to each of the plural processing functions;
• an image reading unit that reads, responsive to a reading instruction, the combined image printed on said prescribed recording medium;
• an image analyzer unit that analyzes the output-restriction image included in the combined image read out by said image reading unit;
• an output determination unit that determines, on the basis of an analyzed result generated by analysis by said image analyzer unit, whether the image based on the image information can be output with respect to each of the plural processing functions, and
• a storage unit for storing output-restriction images in correspondence with permission/prohibition indicators of an output-restriction schedule,
• wherein each of the plural processing functions is selectively restricted based on the output-restriction image included in the combined image, and
• wherein the output determination unit obtains the permission/prohibition indicator corresponding to the analyzed output-restriction image to determine whether output is permitted.

A copier for preventing unauthorized copying, the copier having plural processing functions, comprising:

• a memory that stores a plurality of tag images and a plurality of permission/prohibition indicators each of which corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of tag images, the tag images having different shapes and one of the tag images having a particular shape;
• an input unit that allows selection of one of the plurality of tag images;
• a reading unit that reads a first image from a first medium;
• a print unit that prints a second image on a second medium;
• a judgment unit that judges whether said first medium is allowed to be copied;
• wherein the plural processing functions are linked to the tag images;
• wherein when said reading unit reads the first image from said first medium, said judgment unit judges whether the first image includes any one of the plurality of tag images,
• wherein if said judgment unit determines that the first image includes none of the plurality of tag images, said judgment unit allows selection of one of the plurality of tag images and causes said print unit to print on said second medium a second image, which is made by combining the first image with said selected one of the plurality of tag images,
• wherein if said judgment unit determines that the first image includes one of the tag images except said tag image having a predetermined shape, said judgment unit retrieves from said memory unit the permission/prohibition indicator corresponding to said one of the tag images, and allows or disallows said print unit to print the second image on said second medium depending on the permission/prohibition indicator retrieved from said memory unit, said second image being made of the first image including the any one of the plurality of tag images, and
• wherein if said judgment unit determines that the first image includes said tag image having the predetermined shape, said judgment unit retrieves from said memory unit the permission/prohibition indicator corresponding to said tag image having the predetermined shape and then compares a limited printing-permitted time period included in the permission/prohibition indicator corresponding to said tag image having a predetermined shape with the current time and date.