Patent ID: 8325361

Claim:
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a document image generator configured to generate a document image from data to be processed into a confidential document; a destination data obtainer configured to obtain distribution destination information specifying a destination to which the confidential document will be distributed; a first image generator configured to generate a first image encoded with the distribution destination information and being imperceptible to the human; an image combining device configured to combine the document image and the first image into combined data; an output device configured to output the combined data as the confidential document for distribution to the destination specified by the distribution destination information; a log manager configured to generate confidential document identification information when a specific job is performed on the confidential document and to send the confidential document identification information to the destination data obtainer, wherein the distribution destination information includes the confidential document identification information; and a storage device configured to store confidential document log information related to the specific job performed on the confidential document, and user identification information identifying at least one of a user who has instructed to perform the specific job and a user who will have the confidential document after the specific job is performed, in a corresponding manner with respect to the confidential document identification information.