JP2001157022A - Printed matter, issuing system and detecting system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and precisely use information which is totally invisible to persons with a printed matter as a medium. SOLUTION: The printed matter has an image in which information associated with image data is embedded so that it is not perceived by person.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printed matter on which an image in which information related to an image is embedded so as to be invisible is printed.
The present invention relates to an issuing system that issues the printed matter, and a detection system that detects information embedded from an image of the printed matter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in a printed matter on which an image such as a photograph, an illustration, or a figure is printed, information related to the image may be printed near the image. For example, in a merchandise catalog for mail-order sales, an image of the merchandise is printed, and the specifications of the merchandise, the contents of the merchandise, and a merchandise code for merchandise management of the mail-order merchant are also described. Then, when ordering products, the mail-order users can use the product code, user address,
Call the mail order company with your name, credit number, etc., FA
It must be communicated via X, postcard, or a dedicated network or the Internet.

[0003] However, since the product code is a symbol string of tasteless alphanumeric characters and the like, there is a possibility that a user may cause an order error due to an entry error or an input error. If the product code is represented by a two-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code such as a barcode, and the user reads it with a barcode reader, it is possible to prevent an ordering error due to an entry error or an input error to some extent. However, the user uses the product after recognizing the picture of the product and the barcode written together with it. Also in this case, it is difficult for the user to recognize a photograph of a product, a symbol string such as an alphanumeric character, and a barcode composed of bars in association with each other. Further, a two-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code such as a product code or a bar code is an alphanumeric symbol string or a bar that has no meaning for the user, and thus has a poor appearance.

[0004]

By the way, in recent years, in order to prevent illegal copying of digital image data, a digital watermarking technique is typically used as a typical example of such digital image data so that information such as copyright information is invisible. Embedding technology is gaining attention. If such an embedding technique is newly applied to the field of printing, it is considered that the above-mentioned problem of the conventional technique is solved.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and accurately use information that is completely invisible to humans using printed matter as a medium.

[0006]

According to the present invention, first, in the present invention, related information relating to image data is embedded in image data so as not to be perceived by humans. This is a printed matter characterized in that an image is printed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printed matter according to the first aspect, wherein an image in which related information is embedded is printed by a digital watermark technique.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image is an image relating to a product, and the information includes information necessary for ordering the product. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printed matter according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image is an image of a photograph, and the information includes a description or a sound related to the photograph.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printed matter according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image is an image of a character, and the information includes a personality of the character.

According to the present invention, the embedding means for embedding information relating to the image data into the image data so as not to be perceived by humans, and the printed matter output means for outputting a printed matter in which an image represented by the image data is printed are provided. The issuing system is characterized in that the issuing system is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the embedding means is means for embedding information related to an image in image data by a digital watermarking technique.
This is the issuing system described.

[0013] In the invention of claim 8, the printed matter is a product catalog, the image is an image relating to a product, and the information includes information necessary for ordering the product. 7 is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the printed matter is a photo album, the image is a photograph image, and the information includes a description or a sound related to the photograph. Is an issue system.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the printed matter is a trading card, the image is an image of a character appearing in a game, and the information includes a personality of the character. 7 is provided.

Further, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a reading means for reading a printed image and converting it into image data, an information extracting means for extracting information related to an image embedded in the image data, This is a detection system including application means for performing processing using related information.

In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image is an image relating to a product, the information includes information required for ordering the product, and the application means performs processing based on the information required for the extracted order. A detection system according to claim 11, wherein the detection system is a means for ordering a product.

In the invention according to claim 13, the image is an image of a photograph, and the information includes a description or sound of the photograph, and the application means reproduces or edits the description or sound of the photograph. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
1 is a detection system.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an environment in which the image is a character image, the information includes a character's personality, and the application means plays a game in which a character having the personality appears. 12. A detection system according to claim 11, wherein

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the issuing system of the present invention includes an embedding unit and a printed matter output unit. The embedding means is means for embedding information related to the image in digital image data using a digital watermark technique so that the information is invisible to human eyes. This information may be visually expressed like characters or pictures, or it may be audibly expressed like voice, and may be in any form.
The print output unit is a unit that outputs a print obtained by printing an image represented by the image data. Printed matter is a broad concept that includes not only what is printed on media such as paper, but also what is further processed, for example, there are various things such as product catalogs, photo books, trading cards, Regardless of its type.

The printed matter of the present invention is output by the issuing system of the present invention, and is a printed matter on which an image in which related information is embedded is printed. Thus, the embedded information is invisible to the human eye. For example, FIG. 2A shows a conventional printed matter on which an image of a clock is printed, and FIG. 2B shows a printed matter of the present invention on which an image in which information related to a clock is embedded is printed. No difference is recognized.

[0023] The detection system of the present invention includes reading means, information extracting means, and application means. The reading unit is a unit that reads a printed image of the printed matter of the present invention and converts the image into digital image data. The information extracting means is means for extracting information related to the image embedded in the image data from the digital image data. The application unit is a unit that performs a process using information related to the extracted image.

In the detection system of the present invention, an input device is connected via an input interface as shown in FIG.
The output device is realized by a general-purpose or dedicated computer connected via an output interface. Of course, a plurality of input devices and output devices may exist. FIG.
Has a built-in central processing unit, a main storage device, an input interface, an output interface, and an auxiliary storage device, but the auxiliary storage device may be external. Further, there may be an input device or an output device built in the computer.

As an input device, at least one of a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera or a special-purpose information reading device must be connected to the computer.
A scanner or a CCD camera is a device that reads a printed image, converts the image into digital image data, and inputs the image data to a computer via an input interface. The dedicated information reading device reads the printed image, converts it into digital image data, further extracts information related to the image embedded in the image data, and outputs the information to the computer via the input interface. This is a device for inputting to.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dedicated information reading device
An optical unit, an A / D conversion unit, and an information extraction unit are provided. The optical unit is means for optically reading a printed image and converting the image into analog image data. The A / D converter is means for converting analog image data into digital image data. The information extracting unit is means for extracting information related to the image embedded in the digital image data. The information extraction unit has a memory for temporarily saving the extracted information.

If a scanner or CCD camera is connected to the computer via the input interface, extracting information associated with the image embedded in the digital image data is stored in an auxiliary storage device. The information extraction software is loaded into the main storage device and executed by the central processing unit. Further, the process of using the information related to the extracted image is performed by loading the application software stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing it by the central processing unit. Therefore, in this case, the reading means of the detection system is a scanner or a CCD camera, the information extraction means of the detection system is a computer executing software for extracting information, and the application means of the detection system is a computer executing the application software. .

Even when the dedicated information reading device is connected to the computer via the input interface, the processing using the information related to the extracted image can be performed by using the application software stored in the auxiliary storage device. This is performed by loading the data into the main storage device and executing it by the central processing unit. Therefore, in this case, the reading means of the detection system is the optical unit and the A / D converter of the dedicated reading device, the information extracting means of the detection system is the information extracting unit of the dedicated reading device, and the application means of the detection system is A computer that runs application software.

When the publishing system of the present invention, the printed matter of the present invention, and the detection system of the present invention are combined, information relating to an image is transmitted invisible to the human eye, and processing using the information is performed. It can be performed. Hereinafter, the flow of this information transmission will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: Information relating to an image is embedded in digital image data by a digital watermarking technique by the embedding means of the issuing system of the present invention.

STEP 2: The printed matter on which the image represented by the digital image data is printed is output by the printed matter output means of the issuing system of the present invention.

STEP 3: The printed image on the printed material is read by the reading means of the detection system of the present invention, and is converted into digital image data.

STEP 4: Information relating to the image embedded in the digital image data is extracted by the information extracting means of the detection system of the present invention.

STEP 5: A process using information related to the extracted image is performed by the application means of the detection system of the present invention.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail.

<Embodiment 1> The printed matter of the present invention in this embodiment is a product catalog. In the product catalog, images related to the product such as photographs, illustrations, and explanations of the product are printed. And in the image about the product,
Information necessary for ordering the product (hereinafter referred to as order information), such as a product code, a product name, and a unit price, is embedded and invisible to human eyes.

The issuing system of the present invention in this embodiment is a system for issuing a product catalog. The embedding unit of the issuing system is a unit for making a plate of a product catalog by a computer. The digital watermarking technique is used to add order information such as a product code, a product name, and a unit price to an image of a product on a screen such as that shown in FIG. Embed. The printed matter output means of the issuing system is means for printing and binding a product catalog based on the plate making made by the embedding means.

In the present embodiment, the detection system of the present invention reads an image related to a product printed on a product catalog, extracts order information embedded in the image,
It is a system to place an order using that information. Hereinafter, the detection system in the present embodiment is also referred to as an order system. In this embodiment, an order system is realized using a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. As an input device, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like are connected in addition to any one of a general-purpose scanner, a general-purpose CCD camera, and a dedicated information reading device. Further, as an output device, a display device or the like is connected in addition to at least one of the communication control device and the printer. The communication control device is a device that connects a computer to a communication line such as a telephone line in order to place an order via the Internet or a fax.

The application software in this embodiment is software for information extraction or software for making an order using the order information extracted by the information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device, and is a commercially available software such as Microsoft's Word or Excel. You may customize and apply the application software. Hereinafter, the application software in this embodiment is also referred to as order software. The ordering software runs on an operating system such as Microsoft's Windows or Apple Computer's MacOS. The order software and the operating system are stored in the auxiliary storage device.
When connecting a general-purpose scanner or general-purpose CCD camera,
Information extraction software is also stored in the auxiliary storage device, and the information extraction software also runs on the operating system.

The flow of ordering a product using the ordering system of this embodiment when the dedicated information reading device is connected will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP1: When an image relating to a product to be ordered in a product catalog is read by a dedicated information reading device, the optical unit converts the image into analog image data.
Further, the A / D converter converts the analog image data into digital image data.

STEP 2: The information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device extracts order information (product code, product name, unit price, etc.) from the digital image data.

STEP 3: Order information is temporarily saved in the dedicated information reading device.

STEP4: When the order software is activated,
An input screen in which the order information is read from the dedicated reading device and displayed is opened via the input interface. For example, on the input screen as shown in FIG. 10, the item codes that are extracted by the extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device
The product name and unit price are displayed.

SETP5: From the input screen of the ordering system, additional information necessary for ordering, such as the quantity of the product to be ordered, the name of the orderer, the destination, the telephone number, etc., is entered.

STEP 6: Order a product from a seller. There are three ways to do this: by e-mail via the Internet, by fax directly from the ordering system, or by printing a purchase order from a printer and sending it by fax. For example, on the input screen of FIG. 10, the e-mail address of the seller is input to the right of the execution button "Send E-mail", and when the execution button is pressed, the contents of the order are sent by e-mail. Enter the fax number of the seller to the right of the execution button "Send Fax" and press the execution button to send the order details directly by fax. Further, when the execution button “print order sheet” is pressed, the order is printed from the printer.

The flow of ordering a product using the ordering system of this embodiment when a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera is connected will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: An image of a product to be ordered in a product catalog is read by a scanner or a CCD camera, and is converted into digital image data.

STEP 2: Digital image data is input from a scanner or a CCD camera to a computer via an input interface.

STEP3: Using information extraction software,
Extract order information (product code, product name, unit price, etc.) from digital image data.

STEP4: When the order software is activated,
The input screen where the order information is read and displayed opens.
For example, on an input screen as shown in FIG. 10, a product code, a product name, and a unit price extracted by the information extraction software are displayed in the non-inputtable items.

SETP5: From the input screen of the ordering system, additional information necessary for ordering, such as the quantity of the product to be ordered, the name of the orderer, the delivery address, and the telephone number, is input.

STEP 6: Order a product from a seller. There are three ways to do this: by e-mail via the Internet, by fax directly from the ordering system, or by printing a purchase order from a printer and sending it by fax. For example, on the input screen of FIG. 10, the e-mail address of the seller is input to the right of the execution button "Send E-mail", and when the execution button is pressed, the contents of the order are sent by e-mail. Enter the fax number of the seller to the right of the execution button "Send Fax" and press the execution button to send the order details directly by fax. Further, when the execution button “print order sheet” is pressed, the order is printed from the printer.

<Embodiment 2> The printed matter of the present invention in this embodiment is a photo book. In the photo book, images of photographs are printed. In the image of the photograph, a description of the photographing state of the photograph and the sound of the subject of the photograph and sound such as background music are embedded and are invisible to human eyes. The description of the shooting situation may be expressed by voice or by text. Hereinafter, the description of the photographing situation of the photograph and the sound of the subject of the photograph and the sound such as background music are also referred to as information related to the photograph.

The issuing system of the present invention in this embodiment is a system for issuing a photo book. The embedding unit of the publishing system is a unit for making a plate of a photo album by a computer, and embeds information related to the photograph in an image of the photograph by digital watermarking technology. The printed matter output means of the issuing system is a means for printing and making a photo album based on the plate making made by the embedding means.

The detection system according to the present invention in this embodiment reads an image of a photograph printed on a photo album, extracts information related to the photograph embedded in the image, and edits the information. Or, it is a system for reproducing so that a person can perceive it. In this embodiment, a detection system is realized using a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. Also, a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose C
A keyboard, a mouse, and the like are connected to one of the CD camera and the dedicated information reading device. further,
As an output device, an audio output device, a display device, and the like are connected.

The application software in this embodiment is software for information extraction or software for editing or reproducing information related to a photograph extracted by the information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device.
Commercially available application software may be used as it is or customized. This application software is Microsoft Windows or Apple Computer M
Runs on an operating system like acOS. The application software and the operating system are stored in the auxiliary storage device. General-purpose scanner or general-purpose C
When a CD camera is connected, information extraction software is also stored in the auxiliary storage device, and the information extraction software also runs on the operating system.

Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed by the detection system of this embodiment when the dedicated information reading device is connected will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP1: When an image of a photograph whose embedded information is to be edited or reproduced in a photo book is read by a dedicated information reading device, the optical section converts the image into analog image data, and further converts the image into analog image data. An A / D converter converts the analog image data into digital image data.

STEP2: The information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device extracts information related to the photograph from the digital image data (explanation such as the photographing situation of the photograph, sound of the subject of the photograph, and sound such as background music). Extract.

STEP 3; Information related to the photograph is temporarily saved in the dedicated information reading device.

STEP 4: When application software for editing or reproducing information related to the photograph is started, information related to the photograph is read from the specialized information reading device via the input interface.

STEP5: Edits or reproduces information related to the photograph using application software. Information related to photos
In the case of a sound description such as a photographing situation of a photograph, or a sound of a subject of the photograph or a sound such as background music, the sound is reproduced by a sound output device. When the information related to the photograph is a textual description such as the photographing situation of the photograph, the information is reproduced by being displayed on the display device.

Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed by the detection system of this embodiment when a general-purpose scanner or general-purpose CCD camera is connected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: An image of a photograph whose embedded information is to be edited or reproduced in the photo book is read by a scanner or a CCD camera and converted into digital image data.

STEP 2: Digital image data is input from a scanner or a CCD camera to a computer via an input interface.

STEP3: Using information extraction software,
From the digital image data, information related to the photograph (eg, description of the photographing situation of the photograph, sound of the subject of the photograph, and sound such as background music) is extracted.

STEP4: Activate application software for editing or reproducing information related to the photograph.

SETP5: Edits or reproduces information related to the photograph using application software. Information related to photos
If the description is a sound such as a photographing situation of a photograph, or a sound of a subject of the photograph or a sound such as background music, the sound is reproduced from the sound output device. When the information related to the photograph is a textual description such as the photographing situation of the photograph, the information is reproduced by being displayed on the display device.

<Embodiment 3> The printed matter of the present invention in this embodiment is a trading card. Character images are printed on the trading cards. The information about the character's personality is embedded in the image of the character and is invisible to human eyes. This personality, if the character is a soccer player,
For example, it is represented by a battle history, the number of goals, a special skill, and the like.

The issuing system of the present invention in this embodiment is a system for issuing a trading card. The embedding means of the issuing system is a means for making a plate for printing an image of a character on a trading card by a computer, and embeds information relating to the character's personality in the image of the character by a digital watermarking technique. The printed matter output means of the issuing system is a means for creating a trading card on which a character image is printed, based on the plate making made by the embedding means.

The detection system of the present invention in this embodiment reads an image of a character printed on a trading card, extracts information on the character's personality embedded in the image, It is a system that provides an environment for playing the games that appear. The detection system in this embodiment may be realized by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, or may be realized by a computer dedicated to a game.

When the detection system is realized by a general-purpose computer, a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CC is used as an input device.
In addition to one of the D camera or the dedicated information reading device,
Keyboard, mouse controller, etc. are connected.
Further, a display device, an audio output device, and the like are connected as output devices. In this case, the application software in this embodiment provides an environment for playing a game in which a character having a personality extracted by the information extraction software or the information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device appears. This application software is available from Microsoft Windows and Apple
Runs on an operating system such as Computer's MacOS. The application software and the operating system are stored in the auxiliary storage device. When a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera is connected, information extraction software is also stored in the auxiliary storage device, and the information extraction software also runs on the operating system.

When the detection system is realized by a computer dedicated to a game, a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera is not used as an input device, and a dedicated information reading device is connected. In this case, the application software in the present embodiment provides an environment for playing a game in which a character having a personality extracted by the information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device is played, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device.

Hereinafter, when the detection system is realized by a general-purpose computer connected to a dedicated information reading device or by a game dedicated computer, the flow of processing performed in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

STEP1: When the image of the character printed on the trading card is read by the dedicated information reading device, the optical section converts the image into analog image data, and the A / D conversion section further converts the analog image data into analog image data. Is converted into digital image data.

STEP 2: The information extraction unit of the dedicated information reading device extracts information on the personality of the character from the digital image data.

STEP 3: Information about the character's personality is temporarily saved in the dedicated information reading device.

STEP 4: When the application software is started,
Information related to the character's personality is read from the dedicated reading device via the input interface.

STEP5: The personality of the character appearing in the game is set based on the extracted information on the personality of the character by the application software.

STEP 6: Play a game with application software.

FIG. 1 shows the flow of processing performed in this embodiment when the detection system is realized by a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose computer connected to a general-purpose CCD camera.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP1: Scan the image of the character printed on the trading card with a scanner or CCD
The data is read by a camera and converted into digital image data.

STEP 2: Digital image data is input from a scanner or a CCD camera to a computer via an input interface.

STEP3: Using information extraction software,
The information about the character's personality is extracted from the digital image data.

STEP 4: Activate the application software.

[0108] SETP5: The personality of the character appearing in the game is set based on the extracted information on the personality of the character using the application software.

STEP 6: Play a game with application software.

[0089]

As a result, the present invention has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since a printed matter is created based on an image in which related information is embedded, there is an effect that information that is completely invisible to humans can be easily and accurately used using the printed matter as a medium. In addition, since the information is invisible to humans, the curiosity and unexpectedness of the printed matter can be created and enjoyed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since information related to an image is embedded by a digital watermarking technique so that it is invisible to humans, the degree of freedom in design of printed matter is increased, and the appearance can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, when applied to a product catalog, information such as a product code and a bar code, which are tasteless and dry alphanumeric symbol strings that are only used for ordering by the user, are used. Since the information is embedded in the image so that it cannot be seen by humans, the information provided by the printed image can be limited to information that is indispensable for selecting a product.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, when applied to a photo book, etc., it is interesting for the user.
The specifications at the time of taking the photograph, for example, information such as the model of the camera, the film used, the shutter speed, and the squeezing of the lens can be embedded in the corresponding photograph. In addition, by embedding the sound or the voice of the subject in the wind or the noise of the city when the photograph was taken, it is possible to hear information with a sense of reality even though it is a printed matter that is a two-dimensional image.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the individuality of the character is embedded in the image of the character, more images can be allocated than in the conventional trading card. In addition, the personality of the character can be embedded in detail, and can be enjoyed further.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a printed matter in a form in which information related to the image is embedded in the image, so that a printed matter in which the image and the related information are integrated can be appropriately provided. Therefore, more information can be provided in a smaller space than a conventional printed matter. Further, since unnecessary information can be hidden from the user, a printed matter having a good appearance can be issued.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the digital watermarking technique is used as the embedding means, it is embedded so that it cannot be discriminated by human eyes or ears, and a printed matter in which an image and related information are integrated is appropriately formed. Can be provided. Similar to the invention described in claim 6, a large amount of information can be provided in a small space as compared with the conventional printed matter, and unnecessary information can be hidden from the user, so that a printed matter having a good appearance is issued. can do.

According to the eighth, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, a printed matter (catalog, photo book, photograph,
Trading cards, design drawings, etc.) as appropriate. Further, a large amount of information can be provided in a small space as compared with the conventional printed matter, and unnecessary information can be hidden from the user, so that a printed matter with good appearance can be issued.

According to the eleventh aspect, the related information embedded in the image of the printed matter according to the first to fifth aspects can be easily and accurately read into the computer and used. Therefore, it is possible to read out the image embedded in the printed matter without bothering the user, and to handle the printed matter with high affinity and entertainment.

In the inventions according to the twelfth, thirteenth and thirteenth aspects, since the related information embedded in the image is the information necessary for ordering the product, the ordering error due to an entry error, an input error, etc. Can be reduced, and
An increase in cost due to a two-dimensional code such as a bar code and a three-dimensional code can be avoided. If the related information embedded in the image is specification information or audio information at the time of photographing, the history of the photographing situation and the environment around the photographed image is read, and the characters of the image of the photograph and the related information are read. It is possible to provide a printed matter with a sense of reality in which the sound and voice are integrated. Further, the related information embedded in the image is the personality of the character, and by reading this personality, the game can be played, and a new entertainment in which the trading card and the game are integrated can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a logical configuration diagram of an issuing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory view of a conventional printed matter. (B) is an explanatory view of a printed matter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a logical configuration diagram of the detection system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a physical configuration diagram of the detection system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a dedicated information reading device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmitting information related to an image according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a screen for embedding related information in a product image.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of order processing in an order system to which a dedicated information reading device is connected.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of order processing in an order system to which a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera is connected.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an input screen of order software.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing in the detection system according to the second embodiment to which a dedicated information reading device is connected.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing in the detection system according to the second embodiment to which a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera is connected.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in the detection system according to the third embodiment to which a dedicated information reading device is connected.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in the detection system according to the third embodiment to which a general-purpose scanner or a general-purpose CCD camera is connected.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 19/06 G09C 5/00 G09C 5/00 G09F 3/00 Q G09F 3/00 G06K 19/00 EF Terms (reference) 5B035 BB00 BC00 5B058 CA40 YA20 5C076 AA02 AA14 AA40 5J104 AA14 PA07 PA10 PA14 9A001 EE02 EE03 HH23 JJ21 JJ35 JJ62 JZ76 KK62

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A printed matter, wherein an image embedded in image data is printed so that related information relating to the image data is not perceived by a human. 2. An image in which related information is embedded by a digital watermarking technique is printed.
Printed matter described. 3. The printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the image is an image relating to a product, and the information includes information necessary for ordering the product. 4. The printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the image is an image of a photograph, and the information includes a description or a sound related to the photograph. 5. The printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the image is an image of a character, and the information includes a personality of the character. 6. An image processing apparatus comprising: an embedding unit for embedding information related to image data into image data so as not to be perceived by a human; and a printed matter output unit outputting a printed matter obtained by printing an image represented by the image data. Publishing system. 7. The issuing system according to claim 6, wherein said embedding means is means for embedding information related to an image into image data by a digital watermark technique. 8. The product according to claim 6, wherein the printed matter is a product catalog, the image is an image relating to a product, and the information includes information necessary for ordering the product.
The issuing system described. 9. The issuing system according to claim 6, wherein the printed matter is a photo album, the image is an image of a photograph, and the information includes a description or a sound related to the photograph. 10. The issuing system according to claim 6, wherein the printed matter is a trading card, the image is an image of a character appearing in a game, and the information includes a personality of the character. 11. A reading means for reading a printed image and converting it into image data, an information extracting means for extracting information related to an image embedded in the image data, and utilizing information related to the extracted image. A detection system comprising application means for performing processing. 12. The image is an image relating to a product, and the information includes information required for ordering the product, and the application means orders the product based on the information required for the extracted order. The detection system according to claim 11, wherein 13. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the image is a picture image, the information includes a picture description or sound, and the application means is a means for reproducing or editing the picture description or sound. The detection system according to claim 11, wherein 14. The image is a character image,
12. The detection system according to claim 11, wherein the information includes a personality of the character, and the application means is a means for providing an environment for playing a game in which the character having the personality appears.