An object is to provide a copy function that guarantees intensity of embedded information. At the time of copying a printed material, embedded information is extracted from a scanned image obtained by scanning the target printed material. Then, in a case where it is confirmed that the copy-target printed material is an authentic document by the extracted embedded information, the embedded information extracted from the scanned image is reconfigured and printed and output.

Methods, systems, and storage media for issuing and verifying a secondary cryptographic photo ID are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: capture, using a scanning component of a printing device, a primary digital image of a primary photo ID; recognize, using a processing component of the printing device, alphanumeric information in the captured primary digital image; encrypt, using the processing component of the printing device, the recognized alphanumeric information; generate, using the processing component of the printing device, a digital watermark comprising the encrypted recognized alphanumeric information; recognize, using the processing component of the printing device, a photograph in the primary digital image; generate, using the processing component of the printing device, a secondary digital image comprising the recognized photograph and the generated digital watermark; and print, using a printing component of the printing device, a secondary photo ID comprising the secondary digital image.

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 image processing apparatus includes a sensor and circuitry. The sensor is configured to read a visible spectrum and an invisible spectrum of an image. The circuitry is configured to separate the image read into a visible image and an invisible image and perform different image correction processes on the visible image and the invisible image, respectively.

The present disclosure relates generally to signal encoding for product packaging and other printed objects. One implementation utilizes a target reflectance value for image content combined with an encoded signal at or around 660 nm to guide color changes. Luminance change is controlled through opposing color shifts, while maintaining the target reflectance value. Other implementations are provided.

A color shift security feature is provided. In at least one form, a clear colorant is used to add content to a document to provide a visual indication if the document is printed on a printer with self-limiting behavior. In this manner, in at least one form, it can be determined if a document is authentic, secure and/or authorized.

A reading device includes a light source, an imaging element, a controller, a correcting unit, and a notifying unit. The light source is configured to irradiate an object with light. The imaging element is configured to receive and read the light from the object. The controller is configured to control a second reading operation of reading the object with an invisible image. The correcting unit is configured to perform correction with respect to the invisible image. The notifying unit is configured to notify an outside of at least the invisible image corrected.

A system includes circuitry configured to embed a digital watermark data in an original image, wherein the original image is divided into a plurality of blocks each block having been embedded with a pattern corresponding to each value of the digital watermark data, store, in a memory, the original image, the digital watermark data embedded in the original image, and an embedding position of the pattern of the digital watermark data in association, detect a pattern in a scanned image of a printed matter, decode the detected pattern to acquire digital watermark data included in the scanned image, align each block between the original image and the scanned image, based on the embedding position of the pattern associated with the original image and a detection position of the pattern detected from the scanned image, and obtain a difference between the original image and the scanned image aligned with each other.

An image processing device includes a light source, an image reader, and circuitry. The light source is configured to irradiate an object at least with invisible light. The image reader is configured to read first information and second information. The first information is included in the object and indicating a first characteristic in response to the object being irradiated with the invisible light. The second information is included in the object and indicating a second characteristic in response to the object being irradiated with the invisible light. The circuitry is configured to selectively output the first information read by the image reader.