Patent ID: 7894102

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: a creation section for scanning an image of a document to thereby create image date; an extraction section for extracting specific code data from the image data created by said creation section; a deletion section for deleting pattern data corresponding to said specific code data extracted by said extraction section, from the image data created by said creation section; and an embedment section for embedding pattern data corresponding to said specific code data into the image data with the pattern data corresponding to said specific code data deleted therefrom by said deletion section; an output section for outputting the image data; an output control section for permitting/prohibiting said output section to output/from outputting the image data, wherein when said extraction section extracts said specific code data, said output control section permits said output section to output the image data only in establishment of a predetermined condition; a storage section for storing said specific code data and an expiration date while associating said specific code data with the expiration date; and a timer, wherein when current date and time measured by said timer is within the expiration date stored in said storage section while being associated with said specific code data, said output control section determines that said predetermined condition is established.