JP4836052B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program.

  In recent years, a so-called electronic watermark technique has been put into practical use in which additional information is synthesized with image data (image information) in a manner that cannot be easily visually identified.

  Since this electronic watermark is integrated into the content (image data) itself, it has a feature that the storage capacity does not increase.

  Image data obtained by synthesizing such an electronic watermark is read and decoded later, and is applied to document authentication, copyright protection, or embedding of user information such as a user ID.

  By the way, when extracting the additional information embedded in the image, it is generally not easy to find out exactly where the additional information is embedded in the image.

  For this reason, a method of embedding a synchronization signal for synchronizing at the time of reading in association with additional information has been developed.

Further, for example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-336220, either a sequence in which “1” is continuously arranged as a synchronization signal sequence or a sequence in which “0” is continuously arranged is used as the same signal sequence. For a signal other than the synchronization signal sequence, a plurality of information sequences prepared in advance and EX-OR (exclusive OR) are sequentially multiplied by a predetermined bit (for example, 16 bits). A technique for embedding an information sequence in which the deviation of the number of “1” and “0” after multiplying by EX-OR is the smallest and an output sequence multiplied by EX-OR into an image is disclosed.
JP 2004-336220 A

  By the way, it can be applied only to a signal sequence having an extreme bias such as a sequence composed only of “1” or a sequence composed only of “0”. There is a problem that it takes time to determine whether to perform OR.

  Further, since it is impossible to decode the information unless it is understood which information is EX-ORed, it is necessary to embed this information itself as additional information, and the amount of information that can be embedded with additional information is reduced accordingly. There was also.

  The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program that can stably and quickly read out additional information from an image in which the additional information is embedded, and that do not reduce the embedded capacity of the additional information. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an image processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes an adding means for adding a synchronization signal to image information to be processed, and additional error embedded in the image information with a predetermined error correction. An encoding means for generating a code word by encoding with a code; an arrangement means for arranging the synchronization signal added by the adding means and the code word created by the encoding means as an information sequence of a predetermined format; A determination unit that determines whether there is an information sequence that is at least partially identical to the synchronization signal sequence, and an information sequence that is at least partly the same by the determination unit. And changing means for changing the information series when it is determined that the information series exists.

  Further, the image processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the changing means is constituted by an inverting means for inverting a part of a binary code constituting the information series.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the determination unit is configured to make a similarity between a binary code constituting the information sequence arranged by the arrangement unit and a binary code constituting the synchronization signal sequence. It is characterized by determining.

  The image processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention further includes a dividing unit that divides the additional information into a plurality of pieces, and the encoding unit includes the error correction code for each piece of additional information divided by the dividing unit. Each of the codewords is encoded to create a codeword, and the arrangement means arranges the codewords as an information sequence of a predetermined format.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 is an evaluation unit that evaluates the ease of detection of the additional information when the determination unit determines that at least a part of the same information series exists. And determining means for determining an information sequence to be changed by the changing means based on an evaluation result by the evaluating means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that at least a part of the same information sequence exists, the binary code of the codeword to which the information sequence belongs is determined. Based on the evaluation means for evaluating the detectability of the information, the evaluation result of the evaluation means, and the correction capability of the error correction code relating to the codeword, any part of the information series that is at least partially identical is changed. And determining means for determining whether or not.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus suppresses embedding of the additional information into the image information on the basis of the evaluation result regarding the detectability of the evaluation means and the correction capability of the error correction code. It further comprises suppression means.

  An image processing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the changing means changes the information series within a range not exceeding a correction capability of the error correction code.

  An image processing apparatus according to claim 9 is characterized in that the correction capability of the error correction code is determined by a set value of the correction code.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system comprising: one or more image processing apparatuses according to any one of the first to ninth aspects; and the image processing apparatus via a communication line. It is characterized by comprising one or more information processing devices connected.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing program for encoding an additional process for adding a synchronization signal to image information to be processed and encoding the additional information embedded in the image information with a predetermined error correction code. An encoding process for creating a code word, an arrangement process for arranging the synchronization signal added in the adding process, and a code word created in the encoding process as an information sequence of a predetermined format, and the arrangement process A determination process for determining whether there is an information sequence that is at least partially identical to the synchronization signal sequence, and an information sequence that is at least partially identical in the determination process. If it is determined, the computer is caused to execute a changing process for changing the information series.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the additional information can be read stably and at high speed from the image in which the additional information is embedded, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. There is an excellent effect that the additional information embedding capacity is not reduced.

  In addition, according to the invention described in claim 2, the effect that the additional information can be read stably and at high speed from the image in which the additional information is embedded as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. There is.

  Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the additional information can be stably read from the image in which the additional information is embedded, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, there is an effect that the additional information divided from the image in which the additional information is embedded can be read stably. .

  In addition, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the additional information can be stably read from the image in which the additional information is embedded, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, any part of the information series is changed based on the evaluation result of the evaluation means and the correction ability of the correction code, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. This determination has an effect that the additional information can be read out more stably from the image in which the additional information is embedded.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, there is an effect that the image quality of the image is not deteriorated as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, there is an effect that the additional information can be read out more stably from the image in which the additional information is embedded as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the additional information can be read out more stably from the image in which the additional information is embedded as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 10, the additional information can be read stably and at high speed from the image in which the additional information is embedded, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided. There is an excellent effect that the additional information embedding capacity is not reduced.

  In addition, according to the invention described in claim 11, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, the additional information can be read stably and at high speed from the image in which the additional information is embedded. There is an excellent effect that the additional information embedding capacity is not reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows functions of an image processing program that operates in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional array, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of searching for a similar pattern, and FIG. 5 shows an example of embedding additional information by multiplexing a pattern image into an original image FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing basic patterns (A) and (B) and a calculation formula (C) of a pattern image. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of quadrants partitioned by edges in a block image. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of additional information embedding processing executed in the image processing system according to the embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a block showing functions of an image processing program operating in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure

  First, an image processing system S1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system S1 according to the first embodiment is connected to the image processing apparatus M1, a communication line L such as a LAN, and the image processing apparatus M1 via the communication line L. The computer includes a host computer PC1 and a personal computer PC2 as processing devices, and a printer PR as a printing device. Note that one or two or more information processing apparatuses and printing apparatuses may be connected via a communication line.

  The image processing apparatus M1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire apparatus, a storage unit 12 that stores image data, an image processing program, various control data, and the like, an operation unit 13 that includes a keyboard and a pointing device, and a liquid crystal display. The display unit 14 includes a monitor and the like, and an input / output unit 15 that exchanges image data with an external information processing apparatus or the like.

  The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and operates according to an image processing program stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, additional image data based on additional information desired to be embedded is generated for image data (image information) to be processed, and composite image data is generated. A specific procedure of this process will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 stores an image processing program executed by the control unit 11 and includes a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM that can be read by a computer.

  The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory that stores various data generated in the course of image processing by the control unit 11.

  The keyboard, mouse, and the like constituting the operation unit 13 receive the operation of the user and output the operation content to the control unit 11.

  The display unit 14 presents information to the user in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 11.

  The input / output unit 15 outputs data input from the outside via the communication line L to the control unit 11. The input / output unit 15 also serves to output data to an external device such as the printer PR in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 11 via the communication line L.

  Here, the specific content of the process of the control part 11 is demonstrated.

  The control unit 11 stores the image data to be processed in the storage unit 12, and synthesizes the additional image data with this image data in accordance with an image processing program described below.

  Functionally, the image processing program executed by the control unit 11 includes an additional information encoding unit (adding unit, encoding unit, arrangement unit) 21 and an encoded sequence analysis unit as shown in the block diagram of FIG. (Determining means) 22, an additional information changing section (changing means) 23, an additional image generating section 24, and a combining section 25 are configured.

  The additional information encoding unit 21 encodes the additional information using a predetermined encoding method, and arranges the additional information in a predetermined two-dimensional array.

  Additional information includes user authentication information such as image authentication information, copyright information, or a user ID.

  As the two-dimensional array, for example, a pattern illustrated in FIG. 3 can be considered.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, synchronization signal sequences S1a and S1b for synchronization are arranged in the top row and the leftmost column, and a 16-bit code word is 4 × in other places. 4 are packed in a rectangular shape, and 25 are arranged in order from the upper left to the lower right.

  For each codeword, the original additional information is taken 7 bits from the head, and for example, a 1-bit Don't Care bit is added to a codeword encoded with a BCH (Bose-Chundhuri-Hocquenghem) (15, 7) code ( Bits that do not need to match) or even parity is added. A Reed-Solomon code may be used.

  Here, as the error correction code, for example, a random error detection / correction block code system and a burst error detection / correction block code system can be applied.

  That is, in this embodiment, if a synchronization signal sequence exists in a part of an embedded signal and the original additional information is encoded as a plurality of codewords, the encoding method, codeword size, packing The shape of is not limited.

  In addition, the arrangement position and shape of the synchronization signal sequence may be anything.

  In FIG. 2, the encoded sequence analysis unit 22 selects a place (a place where the signal sequence is similar) that is easily mistaken for the synchronization signal sequence from the two-dimensional information arrangement arranged by the additional information encoding unit 21. The information is searched and notified to the additional information changing unit 23 in the subsequent stage.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, one part having a certain length of the synchronization signal (17 bits in the example of FIG. 4) is extracted, and a similar series (at least part of the same series) is extracted. ) Is searched for.

  Here, a similar sequence is a sequence having a difference of a predetermined value of several bits or less. Or it can be said that 90% or more of the bit strings are the same.

  The reason why the synchronization signal is “some length” is that if too short, many similar sequences appear, and if too long, the probability of similar sequences appearing decreases, but the search takes time. is there.

  In particular, when an image obtained by scanning a composite image of additional information after printing is used as a detection target, there is a spatial distortion caused by a mechanical operation of a printer, a scanner, or the like. There are also reasons why it is difficult.

  For this reason, it is desirable that the length of the series to be compared is such that the influence of distortion is not so great in the printer or scanner used.

  The additional information changing unit 23 determines whether or not to invert some bits of the similar signal sequence from the similar signal sequence received from the encoded sequence analyzing unit 22 and the original image before embedding, and inverts it. If it is determined that it is acceptable, the bit is inverted. Details of the additional information changing unit 23 will be described later.

  The additional image generation unit 24 generates an additional image to be combined with the original image based on the output of the additional information change unit 23. For example, when the additional information embedding method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-140764 proposed by the present inventor is used, each bit output by the additional information changing unit 23 is “1”. A corresponding pattern image having a predetermined size as shown in FIG. 5 is selected depending on whether it is 0 ″ or arranged in the same manner as the two-dimensional signal series.

  The synthesizer 25 synthesizes the additional image generated by the additional image generator 24 with the image data to be processed.

  The image data after combining the additional images in this way is output to a printer or the like via the input / output unit 15 by the processing of the control unit 11, and an embedded image is formed on a recording medium such as paper.

  Next, the additional information changing unit 23 will be described.

  As for an embedding method in an image, it is preferable to use the method disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-140764 (hereinafter referred to as embedding method A) according to the proposal of the present inventor. The method A will be described.

  However, other embedding methods may be used as long as the embedding method can estimate the ease of detection of each bit of the embedded image.

  Here, the embedding method A will be described.

In the embedding method A, depending on whether the bit signal to be embedded is “1” or “0”,
This is a method of embedding additional information by multiplexing a pattern image as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the pattern image in FIG. 5 defines a basic pattern (A) meaning “1” and a basic pattern (B) meaning “0”. In addition, the values (pixel values) of these elements are calculated by equations (1) or (2) shown in FIG. 6C (in these equations, “C” is the embedding strength, and “α” is Attenuation rate, which is obtained by multiplying the value defined by the user).

  In the equations (1) and (2), X and Y are the values of the coordinates (X, Y) of each pixel when the center of the pattern image is (X, Y) = (0, 0).

  As a result of this multiplication, each pattern image shown in FIG. 5 is generated based on each of FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B). In FIG. 5, for the sake of illustration, the difference in density is indicated by the difference in hatching.

These pattern images
(A) The result of adding the corresponding pixels of both pattern images is the same predetermined value (for example, “0”).
(B) The result of adding all the pixels in each pattern image is the same predetermined value (eg, “0”).
(C) Each pattern image has two discontinuous lines (referred to as edges) of pixel values passing through the center of the image and having different directions. In the example of FIG. 5, the edges are formed perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions.
(D) The absolute value of the pixel value of each pattern image is the largest at the center and becomes smaller the further from the center,

  It has the characteristics.

  In this way, by expressing a code with a pattern having an area, it is possible to acquire resistance to various image quality degradation factors that are made in printing, while preventing the density of an image from changing greatly after composition ((A), ( (B) feature) makes it easy to detect pattern images and simplify the decoding process (due to features (b) and (c)), and prevents the occurrence of edges between patterns (feature (d) )), Its presence is visually inconspicuous.

  When an image obtained by synthesizing the pattern image is decoded, the embedded image is read from the image recording medium, the block image corresponding to the pattern size is specified, and then partitioned by the edges in the block image as shown in FIG. The sum of the pixel values after synthesis corresponding to each quadrant (R1 to R4 for the first to fourth quadrants) is calculated, and the embedded signal is estimated based on the magnitude relationship and size.

  For example, when R1> R2, R1> R4, R3> R2 and R3> R4, it is determined that the code is “1”. That is, decoding can be performed by comparing the sum of pixel value groups for each quadrant.

  The additional information changing unit 23 determines whether or not the embedded signal can be correctly detected in consideration of the values of R1 to R4 obtained from the embedded signal and the electronic image immediately after the embedding and noise due to printing and scanning.

Specifically, for all codewords related to the similar synchronization signal portion output by the encoded sequence analysis unit 22 (in the example of FIG. 4, five codewords 7, 8, 9, 12, and 17), A table such as Table 1 obtained in advance by experiment is evaluated in order from the top, and a score of ease of detection is given to each bit in each code word.

  Here, the meaning of the score is that “score 3” means that there is a high possibility that the embedded signal can be correctly detected even if there is considerably large noise, and “score 2” means that the embedded signal is present even if there is moderate noise. Means that there is a high possibility that the embedded signal can be correctly detected if the noise is small.

  On the contrary, “score-3” means that there is a high possibility that the embedded signal is erroneously detected even if there is considerable noise, and “score-2” indicates that the embedded signal is not detected even if there is moderate noise. This means that there is a high possibility of erroneous detection, and “score-1” means that if the noise is small, the possibility that the embedded signal is erroneously detected is high.

  The additional information changing unit 23 uses this score to invert the bit.

  Specifically, first, if there are bits having a score of “−3” in the similar signal sequence, if there are those that do not generate a new similar signal sequence by inverting the bit, Inverts one bit of the data and ends the processing.

  Next, if there is a bit having a score of “−2” in the similar signal sequence, from among those that do not generate a new similar signal sequence by inverting the bit, The bit with the highest sum of all scores is inverted and the process is terminated.

  Next, a code word having the highest total score among the code words intersecting with the similar signal sequence is selected, and a new similar signal sequence is not generated by inverting one bit in the similar sequence, and When all the bits in the code word have a score of “1” or less and the number of error correctable bits is −1 or less, 1 bit satisfying the condition is inverted and the process is terminated.

  For example, when the code word is encoded with the BCH (15, 7) code as shown in FIG. 3 above, the number of correctable bits of this code is 2, so the score is “1” in the code word. "If the following bits are 1 or less, this condition is satisfied.

  Next, a processing procedure of the additional information embedding process executed in the image processing system S1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When this process is started, first, image information (image data) to be processed is selected in step S10, and the process proceeds to step S11. The synchronization signals S1a and S1b are embedded in the image information by the method described above.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S12, where additional information to be added (user authentication information such as image authentication information, copyright information, or user ID) is selected, and the process proceeds to step S13. Then, a code word is generated by encoding with a predetermined error correction code, and then the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the synchronization signal and the code word are arranged in a predetermined format by the above-described method, and then the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not there is an information sequence that is at least partially the same as the information sequence of the synchronization signal. If the determination result is “No”, the process is terminated as it is, and the determination result is “Yes”. In this case, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, a process of inverting a part of a similar information series by the above-described method is performed, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the image processing system according to the present embodiment, for example, image information in which additional information is embedded by the image processing apparatus M1 is transmitted to the host computer PC1, personal computer PC2, etc. When reading the additional information, the probability of erroneous reading of the synchronization signal and the additional information can be reduced, and the additional information can be read stably and at high speed.

  Further, since it is not necessary to embed code information applied in the conventional manner in an image, the capacity for embedding additional information is not reduced.

  Next, an image processing system S2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Here, differences from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The image processing system S2 according to the second embodiment is configured to suppress image quality deterioration within a range that does not affect the extraction of additional information.

  The overall configuration of the image processing system S2 is the same as the image processing system S1 shown in the block diagram of FIG.

  Functionally, the program executed by the control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus M1 in FIG. 1 includes an additional information encoding unit 21, an additional information suppression unit (suppression unit) 83, an additional image, as shown in FIG. A generation unit 24 and a synthesis unit 25 are included.

  The additional information suppression unit 83 evaluates the detectability score of all the bits in one codeword using Table 1 described above.

  In other words, when the number of bits whose score is not “3” is less than the number of bits that can be corrected by the code, the bit scored as “−3” is added so as not to multiplex the embedding pattern. Instructs the image generation unit.

  This is considered to be a case where there is a strong edge in a part of the flat image. In such a case, since the embedded signal in the flat part is easy to detect, it is possible to decode only from those signals.

  Therefore, according to the image processing system S2 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to improve the image quality by suppressing the embedding to the edge that affects the image quality.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The image processing system according to the present invention can be applied to laser printers, full color printers, ink jet printers, fax machines, and the like.

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the image processing program which operate | moves with the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a two-dimensional arrangement | sequence. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which searches for a similar pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which multiplexes a pattern image to an original image and embeds additional information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic pattern (A) of a pattern image, (B), and a calculation formula (C). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the quadrant divided by the edge in a block image. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the additional information embedding process performed with the image processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the image processing program which operate | moves with the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

S1, S2 Image processing system PC1 Host computer PC2 Personal computer PR Printer 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Operation unit 14 Display unit 15 Input / output unit 21 Additional information encoding unit (addition unit, encoding unit, arrangement unit)
22 Encoded sequence analysis unit (determination means)
23 Additional information change section (change means)
24 additional image generating unit 25 combining unit 83 additional information suppressing unit (suppressing means)

Claims (11)

An adding means for adding a synchronization signal to the image information to be processed;
Encoding means for generating a code word by encoding additional information embedded in the image information with a predetermined error correction code;
Arrangement means for arranging the synchronization signal added by the addition means and the code word created by the encoding means as an information sequence of a predetermined format;
A determination unit that determines whether there is an information sequence that is at least partially identical to the sequence of the synchronization signal for the information sequence arranged by the arrangement unit;
If the determination means determines that there is an information series that is at least partially the same, a changing means for changing the information series;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit includes an inverting unit that inverts a part of a binary code constituting the information series. The determination means includes
3. The similarity between the binary code constituting the information sequence arranged by the arrangement means and the binary code constituting the synchronization signal sequence is determined. Image processing apparatus. Further comprising a dividing means for dividing the additional information into a plurality of pieces,
The encoding means encodes each additional information divided by the dividing means with the error correction code to create a code word,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement unit arranges the code words as an information series having a predetermined format. An evaluation unit that evaluates the detectability of the additional information when the determination unit determines that at least a part of the same information series exists;
Determining means for determining an information sequence to be changed by the changing means based on an evaluation result by the evaluating means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An evaluation unit that evaluates the ease of detection of a binary code of a codeword to which the information sequence belongs when it is determined by the determination unit that at least a part of the same information sequence exists;
Determining means for determining which part of the information series at least partly the same is changed based on the evaluation result of the evaluation means and the correction capability of the error correction code relating to the codeword;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising suppression means for suppressing embedding of the additional information into the image information based on an evaluation result relating to the detectability of the evaluation means and a correction capability of the error correction code. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes the information series within a range not exceeding a correction capability of the error correction code.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the correction capability of the error correction code is determined by a setting value of the correction code. 1 or the more image processing apparatus according to claim 1 any one of claims 9,
One or more information processing devices connected to the image processing device via a communication line;
An image processing system comprising: An additional process of adding a synchronization signal to the image information to be processed;
An encoding process in which additional information embedded in the image information is encoded with a predetermined error correction code to generate a code word;
An arrangement process of arranging the synchronization signal added in the addition process and the codeword created in the encoding process as an information sequence of a predetermined format;
A determination step of determining whether there is an information sequence at least partially identical to the sequence of the synchronization signal for the information sequence arranged in the arrangement step;
When it is determined in the determination process that at least a part of the same information series exists, a change process for changing the information series;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute .

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