Composite Image Pattern Generation for Multi-Vendor Copy Guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments where multiple vendors' image forming apparatuses are used, existing technologies fail to detect and prevent unauthorized copying due to differences in algorithms used by different printer drivers, leading to successful reproduction of protected documents.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and printing system that includes a printer driver wrapper to generate and combine image patterns from multiple printer drivers, creating a composite image pattern detectable by various apparatuses, ensuring unauthorized copying is prevented regardless of the vendor-specific algorithms used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vendor-specific image pattern generation algorithm is used, then the copy guard function works correctly for that specific vendor's apparatus, but the pattern cannot be detected by apparatuses from other vendors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vendor-specific image patterns into a single composite pattern that includes patterns from different vendors. The pattern generation unit creates a composite pattern by merging patterns generated by different printer drivers, enabling detection by multiple types of image forming apparatuses while maintaining copy protection functionality across vendor boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal image pattern that can be detected by apparatuses from multiple vendors. The pattern generation unit generates a single pattern that serves multiple functions: it acts as a copy guard pattern for each vendor's apparatus while maintaining compatibility across the entire multi-vendor environment, eliminating the need for separate patterns for each vendor.
2Manufacturing precision
If different image patterns are generated for different printer drivers, then each pattern is optimized for its specific driver, but combining them creates complexity in the pattern generation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pattern generation process into distinct stages: first, individual patterns are generated for each printer driver using their respective algorithms; second, these individual patterns are combined into a composite pattern. This segmentation allows each pattern to be optimized for its specific driver while maintaining a manageable generation process through systematic combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pattern combination unit as an intermediary that bridges the individual pattern generation processes. This intermediary component receives patterns from multiple printer drivers and integrates them into a unified composite pattern, simplifying the overall process by centralizing the combination logic rather than requiring direct coordination between all drivers.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-usable medium having computer-readable program codes embodied in the medium. The program codes when executed cause a computer to function as: an instruction module that instructs each of a plurality of printer drivers to generate an image pattern to be embedded in print image data; an acquisition module that acquires the plurality of image patterns generated by the printer drivers; an embedding module that embeds the acquired plurality of image patterns in the print image data; and a print instruction module that transmits the print image data in which the plurality of image patterns are embedded, to an image forming apparatus.