Patent ID: 6166750
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image processing apparatus comprising:input means for inputting a plurality of color component data;adding means for adding a predetermined number of unit dots to partial color component data of said plurality of color component data inputted by said input means so that the predetermined number of unit dots are not recognizable to human eyes, the partial color component data representing predetermined additional information and including less than all of the plurality of color component data; andoutput means for outputting all the plurality of color component data including the partial color component data to which the predetermined number of unit dots have been added,wherein the predetermined number of unit dots have a same shape, the predetermined additional information is represented by a dot arrangement of the predetermined number of unit dots, and each unit dot includes first and second areas, andwherein said adding means increases a density of a first area of each unit dot and decreases a density of a second area of each unit dot, thereby preserving a density in each unit dot.