A method for processing images generated by unsupervised end-users, the method comprising determining whether or not at least one digital image of a document was generated by scanning an original document, including using a processor for applying a resolution analysis test to a textured region of interest; and sending at least one output indication of the determining operation.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium and circuitry that controls the image forming device. The image forming device forms an invisible image with an invisible material on the recording medium and forms a visible image with a visible material on the invisible image. Each of first and second adhesion amounts includes respective adhesion amounts of the visible material and the invisible material per unit area in a portion, in which the visible image is formed on the invisible image, of the composite image. The second adhesion amount is smaller than the first adhesion amount. The controller adjusts the amount of the invisible material included in the second adhesion amount to be smaller than that included in the first adhesion amount, to cause the image forming device to form the image according to the second adhesion amount.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium and circuitry that controls the image forming device. The image forming device forms an invisible image with an invisible material on the recording medium and forms a visible image with a visible material on the invisible image. Each of first and second adhesion amounts includes respective adhesion amounts of the visible material and the invisible material per unit area in a portion, in which the visible image is formed on the invisible image, of the composite image. The second adhesion amount is smaller than the first adhesion amount. The controller adjusts the amount of the invisible material included in the second adhesion amount to be smaller than that included in the first adhesion amount, to cause the image forming device to form the image according to the second adhesion amount.

An article, including a substrate; an image printed on the substrate; in which the image includes two or more types of pixels; in which the two or more types of pixels are chosen from an RGB pixel, an RGBW pixel, and a hybrid pixel; and in which at least one type of pixel, of the two or more types of pixels, includes an optically variable pigment is disclosed. A method of making and using the article is also disclosed.

A method for producing security elements in an image which are not visible to the human eye and which cannot be copied, in particular for checking the authenticity of images. The image is imaged by means of a halftone, the halftone consisting of individual image dots arranged adjacent to each other. This is characterized in that at least one field having a random geometric shape or freeform is defined in the image/the halftone. By means of manipulation of image dots in the field and/or by means of manipulation of the entire field, an encrypted information that cannot be copied is stored for comparison with at least one database and the serial number is displayed by means of contours formed in the halftone.

An image output apparatus includes a controller that controls display of a first setting screen including setting items of a system to be used for a setting of operation of the image output apparatus and a second setting screen including setting items of a job to be used in a setting of operation in job execution, and an image outputter that outputs an image by executing a job based on the setting of the operation in the job execution. The controller disables a selection of the setting items of the job that uses a specific function on the second setting screen when use of the specific function is prohibited on the first setting screen.

An image forming apparatus includes an image processing device, an image forming device, an operating device, a vital sensor, and a controller. The image processing device corrects an image. The image forming device performs an image formation of forming the image on a recording sheet. The operating device is operable by a user and through which an instruction to start the image formation by the image forming device is inputted. The vital sensor is provided at the operating device and detects a blood oxygen level of the user who is operating the operating device. The controller, when the instruction to start the image formation is inputted through the operating device, causes the image processing device to correct the image in accordance with the blood oxygen level of the user detected by the vital sensor and causes the image forming device to form a corrected image on the recording sheet.

A method for producing security elements in an image which are not visible to the human eye and which cannot be copied, in particular for checking the authenticity of images. The image is imaged by means of a halftone, the halftone consisting of individual image dots arranged adjacent to each other. This is characterized in that at least one field having a random geometric shape or freeform is defined in the image/the halftone. By means of manipulation of image dots in the field and/or by means of manipulation of the entire field, an encrypted information that cannot be copied is stored for comparison with at least one database and the serial number is displayed by means of contours formed in the halftone.

A method for checking the authenticity of products, by checking an image (A) of a product. The proof of authenticity is not visible to the human eye and cannot be copied. This is characterized in that a code stored in a halftone image by manipulation of dots and/or a manipulated field bounded in the halftone image can be read by means of an optical device and compared with a retrievable value in at least one database. In at least one field (F1 to F5) a part of a serial number is determined which describes the structure of the serial number and a hash function used for transmitting the serial number to the database, and this is also characterized in that the serial number is subsequently assembled and encrypted with the corresponding hash function.

An information processing apparatus includes a setting unit, a detector and a controller. The setting unit sets setting information associating a registered image obtained by reading an image with control information indicating whether input image data is to be stored or not. The detector detects the registered image from the input image data. The controller controls whether or not the input image data including the registered image is stored in a storage based on the setting information.