Image processing apparatus and image processing system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing system and method. The image processing apparatus sections an image to be processed into a plurality of blocks, rearranges the blocks into positions specified by an encryption key that uniquely specifies the positions of the blocks in the image, determines a computing method used to convert pixel values of pixels that form a minimum area included in each of the blocks after the blocks are rearranged based on the pixel values of predetermined pixels that do not belong to the minimum area, and converts the pixel values based on the computing method.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device and an image processing method. Background technique [0002] In an advancing information society, information leakage is a serious problem, and thus there is a need to develop techniques for preventing information leakage. For example, technology to encrypt digital data has been developed so that even if the data is stolen, a third person cannot read the data, which has been used as an effective way to prevent information leakage. [0003] On the other hand, there has not been an effective technique for preventing leakage of information from printed materials such as paper media. Therefore, as with digital data, there is a demand for immediate development of techniques for preventing leakage of information from printed materials. [0004] Examples of printed materials that need to be protected from information leakage include purchase receipts, personal IDs such as credit card numbers and s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This technique assumes that the information to be encrypted is basically black and white characters or images, so it cannot be applied to images with multiple tones, such as photographs

For example, if the technique is applied as Figure 23A An image with a halftone background as shown, such as Figure 23B As shown, the pixel values ​​of the background are difficult to change, so it is difficult to detect block boundaries

Images