Image processing apparatus

Claim 2

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting is only performed if the value represented by the sequence to be rewritten is above a predetermined value.

Claim 3

An image processing apparatus for receiving image data from a scanner or an external device, subjecting the inputted image data to various types of image processing, and then outputting the image data comprising: a decoding means for decoding image data when said inputted image data is coded image data; a coding means for coding image data having been subjected to said various types of image processing; a specific draft determining means for determining whether said inputted image data is for a specific draft inhibited to be copied such as bills or securities; and a data appending means for appending data for a specific draft indicating a result of determination by said specific draft determining means to said coded image data, wherein said appending of specific draft information is executed by using information bits in a section to be encoded according to a reversible method, or in a section not to be encoded, said appended data controlling the further processing of the image data by an external device; and wherein said decoding means does not execute the normal decoding operation if said inputted image data is coded image data and at the same time said data for a specific draft has not been appended to the image data.

Claim 4

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, wherein said specific draft determining means makes determination, when a new image processing is specified to said inputted image data, as to whether said inputted image is for a specific draft or not by using image data having been subjected to the specified image processing, and said data appending means adds said data according to a latest result of determination outputted from said specific draft determining means.

Claim 5

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, wherein said specific draft determining means determines whether said inputted image data is for a specific draft or not, or decides that any particular determination can not be made according to the degree of similarity therebetween; and, said image processing apparatus comprises an inhibiting means for inhibiting operations for image processing or output of image data in a case where a result of determination above indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific draft, or in a case where a result of determination indicating that any particular determination can not be made is outputted successively a specified number of times or more.

Claim 6

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, comprising a storage means with enciphered code previously stored therein; an inputting means for inputting enciphered code; and wherein said specific draft determining means determines whether said inputted image data is for a specific draft or not, or deciding that any particular determination can not be made according to the degree of similarity therebetween; and further comprising: an inhibiting means for inhibiting operations for image processing our output of image data when enciphered code has been inputted and a result of determination by said specific draft determining means indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific draft, and also for inhibiting operations for image processing or output of image data in a case where enciphered code has not been inputted and a result of determination by the specific draft determining means indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific draft, or a result of determination indicating that any particular determination can not be made is successively outputted a specified number of times or more.

Claim 7

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, comprising: a storage means with user code previously set to each user stored therein; an inputting means for inputting user code; and wherein said specific draft determining means determines whether said inputted image data is for a specific draft or not, or decides that any particular determination can not be made according to the degree of similarity therebetween; and further comprising: an inhibiting means for inhibiting operations for image processing or output of image data when user code has been inputted and a result of determination by said specific draft determining means indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific draft, and also for inhibiting operations for image processing or output of image data in a case where user code has not been inputted and a result of determination by the specific draft determining means indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific draft, or a result of determination indicating that any particular determination can not be made is successively outputted a specified number of times or more.

Claim 8

An image processing apparatus according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein said scanner has a draft holding plate and a locking function to lock the draft holding plate, and said inhibiting means inhibits operations for image processing or output of image data and also prevents a draft from being taken out by locking said draft holding plate locking function.

Claim 9

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, wherein said specific draft determining means determines whether said inputted image data is for a specific draft or not, or deciding that any particular determination can not be made according to the degree of similarity therebetween; and further comprising: a processing situation storage means for storing situation of processing such as a date of determination or contents of image processing in a case where a result of determination by said specific draft determining means indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific draft, or that any particular determination can not be made.

Claim 10

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, wherein a specific draft determining means determines whether said inputted image data is for a specific draft or not, or decides that any particular determination can not be made according to the degree of similarity therebetween; and further comprising: an image data storage means for storing the outputted image data in a case where a result of determination by said specific draft determining means indicates that the inputted image data is for a specific data or that any particular determination can not be made.

Claim 11

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 11, wherein said specific draft determining means makes determination by using the image data having been subjected to the specified image processing as to whether the inputted image data is for a specific draft or not in a case where image processing associated with deformation or processing such as size change, mirroring, inclination, colour conversion, or painting is specified to said inputted image data.