An image reading apparatus includes: a hardware processor that acquires scan data obtained by reading from printed matter outputted by an image forming apparatus; an acquisitor that acquires print data used for image formation of the printed matter from the image forming apparatus; a first determiner that compares the scan data and the print data and detects whether or not the scan data and the print data match; a second determiner that determines whether or not a predetermined reference image is included in the scan data when a determination result by the first determiner is negative; and a first discarder that causes the scan data to be discarded when a determination result by the second determiner is positive.

An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an image of an original document, an image processing unit that processes image data of the image read by the image reading unit, and a suspension unit that suspends, if a predetermined pattern has been detected from the image read by the image reading unit, the image processing unit in an operation of processing the image data until the original document is removed from the image reading unit.

An electronic apparatus which prevents and/or reduces photographing of contents is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a camera and a processor configured to cause the electronic apparatus to turn off the display and/or control a display to display a UI for restricting photographing of the content in response to a predetermined object being detected in an image received by the camera.

Method(s) and apparatus(es) relate to notification to pick-up a printed document (document). In a method, stored are: at least one operation image of the document, and operation metadata and a user identity associated with a scanning or printing. A scan of at least one page of the document is received by the printer to generate at least one scanned image and scan metadata. The scan metadata is compared with data entries in a printer log to obtain a match to the operation metadata. The at least one operation image stored in relation to the operation metadata matching the scan metadata is retrieved. The at least one scanned image is compared to the at least one operation image. Responsive to determining the at least one scanned image matches the at least one operation image, sent from the printer is a confidential notification for the user identity to pick up the document.

An image processing apparatus includes: a receiver that receives image data; a magnification changer that generates each of a plurality of magnification-changed images by magnifying the image data at a plurality of magnifications different from each other; a detector that detects a specific image from the plurality of magnification-changed images; and a hardware processor that restricts printing of the image data under a part of printing conditions in a case where the specific image is detected by the detector.

This disclosure relates to a banknote validator. The banknote validator comprises a banknote path formed within an interior of the banknote validator to transport a banknote from an opening of the banknote path through an interior of the banknote validator, a banknote imaging zone defined within a portion of the banknote path, the banknote imaging zone including a reflective region in a first portion of the banknote imaging zone, and a dark region in a second portion of the banknote imaging zone, and an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of at least a portion of the banknote imaging zone.

This disclosure relates to a banknote validator. The banknote validator comprises a banknote path disposed within an interior of the banknote validator, the banknote path including a banknote imaging zone, one or more banknote edge detection surfaces each configured to provide images of edges of a banknote in the banknote path, a banknote imaging sensor configured to provide an image of at least one portion of the banknote imaging zone, and an image sensor configured to capture the images of the edges of the banknote provided by the one or more banknote edge detection surfaces, and capture the image of the at least one portion of the banknote imaging zone provided by the banknote imaging sensor.

This disclosure relates to a banknote validator. The banknote validator comprises a banknote path formed within an interior of the banknote validator to transport a banknote from an opening of the banknote path through the interior of the banknote validator, one or more banknote edge detection surfaces each configured to provide images of edges of a banknote in the banknote path, an image sensor configured to capture the images of the edges of the banknote provided by the one or more banknote edge detection surfaces, a steerable drive wheel at least partially disposed within the banknote path, the steerable drive wheel operable to reorient a banknote in the banknote path, and the steerable drive wheel operable to move from a first position to a second position to angle the steerable drive wheel in relation to the banknote path.

Certain aspects of the present technology involve automated capture of several image frames (e.g., simultaneously in a single exposure, or in a burst of exposures), and application of a data-extraction process (e.g., watermark decoding) to each such image. Other aspects of the technology involve capturing a single scene at two different resolutions, and submitting imagery at both resolutions for watermark decoding. Still other aspects of the technology involve increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of a watermark signal by subtracting one image from another. Yet other aspects of the technology involve receiving focus distance data from a camera, and employing such data in extracting information from camera imagery. Smartphone camera APIs can be employed to simplify implementation of such methods. A great number of features and arrangements are also detailed. Embodiments of such technology can simplify image processing required for data extraction, with attendant reductions in required program memory and battery power consumption. Moreover, they can enlarge a system's operational envelopeenabling information to be extracted from imagery under conditions that lead to failure in prior art arrangements.

An image formation device includes an image formation section that forms an image on a transfer medium, and a control section that acquires a read image for which the image formed on the transfer medium is read, the control section has a function of determining abnormality regarding the read image, and a function of performing masking processing on the read image in a case where user content is included in the read image.