US5832186A — Image processing system which adds information to…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 85 words

An image processing apparatus comprising: supplying means for supplying image data; forming means for forming an image on a medium based on the image data; and adding means for adding predetermined information to the image formed on the medium, wherein the predetermined information is represented by using a plurality of identically-sized units, each unit composed of plural dots, and each of the units includes a first predetermined number of dots having a maximum density and a second predetermined number of dots having a minimum density.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 85 words

An image processing apparatus comprising: supplying means for supplying image data; forming means for forming an image on a medium based on the image data; and adding means for adding predetermined information to the image formed on the medium, wherein the predetermined information is represented by using a plurality of identically-sized units, each unit composed of plural dots, and each of the units includes a first predetermined number of dots having a maximum density and a second predetermined number of dots having a minimum density.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is composed of a plurality of color components.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said adding means adds the predetermined information to a yellow component of the image.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said adding means adds the predetermined information so as to be difficult to discriminate with human eyes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is identification information given by a supplier who supplies the apparatus.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the units is composed of a single dot having a substantially maximum density and another single dot having a substantially minimum density.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 78 words

An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting M-valued image data; adding means for adding predetermined information to the M-valued image data; and output means for outputting the M-valued image data to which the predetermined information had been added by said adding means; wherein the predetermined information comprises a combination of N fixed density values (M>N), and said adding means converts a part of an image represented by the M-valued image data into a fixed density value.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 78 words

An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting M-valued image data; adding means for adding predetermined information to the M-valued image data; and output means for outputting the M-valued image data to which the predetermined information had been added by said adding means; wherein the predetermined information comprises a combination of N fixed density values (M>N), and said adding means converts a part of an image represented by the M-valued image data into a fixed density value.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 10 words

The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein M=256 and N=2.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 37 words

The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said input means inputs M-valued image data for each of plural color components, and said adding means adds the predetermined information to a yellow component of the plural color components.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising image forming means for forming an image represented by the M-valued image data output by said output means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a host computer for supplying image information representing the M-valued image data.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an image processing unit for generating the M-valued image data by interpreting image information described by a predetermined description language, and for supplying the M-valued image data to said input means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a host computer for supplying the image information described by the predetermined description language.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 79 words

An image processing method comprising the steps of: supplying image data; forming an image on a medium based on the image data; and adding predetermined information to the image formed on the medium, wherein the predetermined information is represented by using a plurality of identically-sized units, each unit composed of plural dots, and each of the units includes a first predetermined number of dots having a maximum density and a second predetermined number of dots having a minimum density.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 79 words

An image processing method comprising the steps of: supplying image data; forming an image on a medium based on the image data; and adding predetermined information to the image formed on the medium, wherein the predetermined information is represented by using a plurality of identically-sized units, each unit composed of plural dots, and each of the units includes a first predetermined number of dots having a maximum density and a second predetermined number of dots having a minimum density.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 83 words

An image processing method comprising: an input step of inputting M-valued image data; an adding step of adding predetermined information to the M-valued image data; and an output step of outputting the M-valued image data to which the predetermined information has been added in said adding step; wherein the predetermined information comprises a combination of N fixed density values (M>N), and a part of an image represented by the M-valued image data is converted into a fixed density value in said adding step.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 83 words

An image processing method comprising: an input step of inputting M-valued image data; an adding step of adding predetermined information to the M-valued image data; and an output step of outputting the M-valued image data to which the predetermined information has been added in said adding step; wherein the predetermined information comprises a combination of N fixed density values (M>N), and a part of an image represented by the M-valued image data is converted into a fixed density value in said adding step.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-11-02	2002-05-04	2002-11-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-11-02	2006-05-04	2006-11-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-11-02	2010-05-04	2010-11-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Image processing system which adds information to formed images

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