Pieces of information are multiplexed in a plurality of portions on an image respectively. Image information which sets an edge amount becomes equal to or larger than a threshold is multiplexed in a portion of the plurality of portions where an edge amount is smaller than the threshold.

A data-bearing image (391) is created from a carrier image (371). The carrier image (371) is scaled to produce a scaled image. A clustered-dot halftone screen is applied to the scaled image to produce a halftone image. A resulting number of cells in the halftone image conforms to a cell count (372) that includes a horizontal cell value and a vertical cell value. Payload data is encoded into the halftone image to produce a data-bearing halftone image, including shifting pixel clusters within cells of the halftone image that include pixel clusters.

An image processing method is provided for acquiring additional information from image information obtained by shooting a printed product on which the additional information is multiplexed by at least one of a plurality of different multiplexing methods, the method comprising: attempting decoding of the additional information from the image information by a plurality of different decoding methods corresponding to the plurality of different multiplexing methods; and outputting, by a unit, the additional information successfully decoded.

Systems and methods are directed towards generating a verified unique watermark. More specifically, the systems and methods are directed towards generating a watermark that is as long as possible without any repetition. Such watermarks are possible by selecting characteristics of the watermark and methods for producing the watermarks (e.g., dandy rollers). By producing longer unique watermarks, users would be capable of generating longer rolls of paper whereby more sheets can be produced that each possesses a unique watermark. With the unique watermark, users can identify what information is printed on each sheet as well as authenticate the contents of each individual sheet.

Systems and methods are directed towards generating a verified unique watermark. More specifically, the systems and methods are directed towards generating a watermark that is as long as possible without any repetition. Such watermarks are possible by selecting characteristics of the watermark and methods for producing the watermarks (e.g., dandy rollers). By producing longer unique watermarks, users would be capable of generating longer rolls of paper whereby more sheets can be produced that each possesses a unique watermark. With the unique watermark, users can identify what information is printed on each sheet as well as authenticate the contents of each individual sheet.

Systems and methods are directed towards generating a verified unique watermark. More specifically, the systems and methods are directed towards generating a watermark that is as long as possible without any repetition. Such watermarks are possible by selecting characteristics of the watermark and methods for producing the watermarks (e.g., dandy rollers). By producing longer unique watermarks, users would be capable of generating longer rolls of paper whereby more sheets can be produced that each possesses a unique watermark. With the unique watermark, users can identify what information is printed on each sheet as well as authenticate the contents of each individual sheet.

When printing 3D objects a print file to be executed by a 3D printer to generate a 3D object is analyzed to identify candidate regions for insertion of printer ID information that identifies the printer printing the 3D object. Code describing the printer identification information is inserted into the print file at appropriate locations to cause the 3D printer to print one or more structures representing the printer identification information in one or more identified candidate regions. The printer identification information is printed by omitting or replacing one or more voxels in the printed object. Structures representing the printer identification information may include, e.g., barcodes, glyphs, alphanumeric sequences, etc. The printer identification information may include, e.g., a printer serial number and/or time stamp, manufacturer copyright and/or trademark information, etc.

In one or more embodiments, a control unit reads image data and date information of a main image from a memory card into a RAM. When a watermark printing is set, the control unit combines characters of the date information having a high gradation value with overcoat layer data having a mixture pattern in which pixels having a high gradation value and pixels having a low gradation value are located randomly or alternately in rows and columns to generate overcoat layer print data and stores the data in an overcoat layer data storage area. The control unit generates CMY print data from the image data of the main image to print it on image-receiving paper by using a print processing section. After printing of the main image, the control unit prints the overcoat layer print data so that it is superimposed on the main image on the image-receiving paper.

Systems and methods are directed towards generating a verified unique watermark. More specifically, the systems and methods are directed towards generating a watermark that is as long as possible without any repetition. Such watermarks are possible by selecting characteristics of the watermark and methods for producing the watermarks (e.g., dandy rollers). By producing longer unique watermarks, users would be capable of generating longer rolls of paper whereby more sheets can be produced that each possesses a unique watermark. With the unique watermark, users can identify what information is printed on each sheet as well as authenticate the contents of each individual sheet.

The present application relates to a method for producing and authenticating unforgeable printable image comprising information color values and inference color values. The present application further provides for unforgeable printed images.