APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING WITH INHIBITION CONTROL

In an image processor, a memory device stores output inhibition conditions for inhibiting print of an image including a specified pattern. The input image data is converted to first image data for image forming. On the other hand, the input image data is also converted to second image data in correspondence to a state of a print obtained by the image output device, and a detector detects the specified pattern in the second image data based on the output inhibition conditions. Alternatively, a converter converts the output inhibition conditions to detection parameters according to output characteristics of the image output device, and a detector detects the specified pattern in the input image data based on the detection parameters. Then, a controller controls the output of the processed image data according to a result of the detection.