JP2004191709A - Image writer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image writer capable of judging a writing system of a display medium and prohibiting writing of an image in the case of a display medium of different writing system. <P>SOLUTION: Information including the writing system is preliminarily stored in an ID tag 16 of a display sheet 10, in the case of writing the image in the display sheet 10, the stored information is read by a tag reader 42, the writing system is judged from the read information by a controller 48 and in the case of the display sheet 10 of the writing system different from that of the device, writing of the image is prohibited. Thus, even when a display sheet of the different writing system is erroneously used, the display sheet 10 is not damaged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image writing device, and more particularly to an image writing device that reads information unique to a display medium added to each display medium and restricts writing of an image according to the information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various recording / display media capable of electronically recording an image and retaining the recorded image for a certain period of time have been developed. These recording / display media are called "electronic paper" because they are as thin as paper. For example, a photo-writing type electronic paper is configured by laminating a photoconductive layer made of an organic photoconductive material and a liquid crystal layer made of a liquid crystal display material used in a copying machine, and a pair of front and back transparent electrodes is used. When light is irradiated while applying a voltage to the device, the intensity of the light is instantaneously converted into a reflection density, and an image is recorded and displayed.
[0003]
In an optical writing apparatus that writes an image on an optical writing type electronic paper, the optimum recording conditions are recorded in advance on the electronic paper with a barcode or the like, the recording conditions recorded on the electronic paper are read, and the read recording conditions are read. There has been proposed an invention in which writing is performed by controlling a medium driving unit and an optical writing unit so that the writing operation is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the present invention, even with electronic paper having different recording conditions, it is possible to perform recording under the optimum recording condition on the medium, and with one optical writing device, various electronic papers having different recording conditions can be recorded. It is possible to perform recording by good optical writing.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-100243 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, besides the optical writing type electronic paper, manufacturers such as twist ball type, electrophoresis type, toner display type, liquid crystal display type, electrochemical change type, rewritable paper type, movable film type, interference control type etc. Electronic paper of a different recording method has been proposed for each case. On the other hand, regarding these electronic papers of different recording systems, there is a possibility that the shape and connection connector shape with an external device as a recording / display medium are standardized. As described above, if it becomes impossible to distinguish electronic papers having different recording methods in appearance, the electronic paper is erroneously used in a writing device having a different recording method, and a voltage or a magnetic field is applied under an improper condition, and the electronic paper is destroyed. There is a possibility that it will be done.
[0006]
In addition, since electronic paper can rewrite an image, it is highly likely that the electronic paper is owned by a specific user. Therefore, means for prohibiting writing by anyone other than the owner is required. Further, since rewriting is easy, a mechanism for discriminating a stored document and prohibiting writing is required.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image writing apparatus capable of prohibiting image writing in a display medium of a writing method different from the writing method of the apparatus. Is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first image writing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image writing unit for writing an image on a display medium according to input image data; and information unique to the display medium added to the display medium. Information reading means for reading the information, and control means for controlling the image writing means so as to prohibit writing of an image on the display medium when the information read by the information reading means is other than predetermined information. And is characterized by comprising.
[0009]
In the first image writing device of the present invention, when writing an image on a display medium by the image writing means, the information reading means reads information unique to the display medium added to the display medium, and the control means reads the information reading means. If the information read in step 3 is other than the predetermined information, the image writing unit is controlled so as to prohibit the writing of the image on the display medium. By adding predetermined information only to a display medium of a writing method that matches the writing method of the device, writing of an image can be prohibited in the case of a display medium of a writing method different from the writing method of the device. . Therefore, even if a display medium of a different writing method is used by mistake, the display medium is not damaged.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above object, a second image writing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image writing unit that writes an image on a display medium in accordance with input image data; and an information reading unit that reads information added to the display medium. Means, and a writing method is determined based on the information read by the information reading means. If the method is writable by the image writing means, an image is written on the display medium, and writing is not possible by the image writing means. In the case of such a system, a control means for controlling the image writing means is provided so as to prohibit writing of an image on the display medium.
[0011]
In the second image writing device of the present invention, when writing an image on the display medium by the image writing means, the information reading means reads information added to each display medium, and the control means reads the information by the information reading means. The writing method is determined based on the information. In the case of a method that can be written by the image writing means, the image is written on the display medium. In the case of the method that cannot be written by the image writing means, the image is written on the display medium. The image writing means is controlled so as to prohibit writing. Accordingly, in the case of a display medium of a writing method different from the writing method of the device, writing of an image can be prohibited. Therefore, even if a display medium of a different writing method is used by mistake, the display medium is not damaged.
[0012]
In the above image writing device, the control unit, when the information read by the information reading unit includes information that inhibits writing, the control unit controls the image writing unit to inhibit writing of an image on the display medium. Can be controlled. In the case of a display medium on which an image that needs to be stored is already recorded, writing of the image can be prohibited by distinguishing the display medium from the others by adding in advance information that prohibits writing.
[0013]
Further, a password input unit for inputting a password is further provided, and the control unit is configured so that the password included in the information read by the information reading unit and the input password are used in a case where the image writing unit can write the password. The image writing means may be controlled so that when the passwords match, the image is written on the display medium, and when the passwords do not match, the writing of the image on the display medium is prohibited. By performing authentication using a password when writing an image, writing of an image of a person other than a predetermined user can be prohibited, and security can be improved.
[0014]
Further, the control unit may further determine the characteristics of the display medium for each display medium based on the information read by the information reading unit, and generate image data according to the characteristics. The characteristics include at least one of the size of the display medium, the resolution of the display medium, and the display color of the display medium. By generating image data according to the characteristics of the display medium, a good image can be recorded.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image writing apparatus that writes an image on a display sheet provided with an optical writing type electronic paper will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, a display sheet 10 used in the present embodiment has an image display section 12 made of optical writing type electronic paper, and the front and back surfaces of an image area of the image display section 12 are exposed. And a rectangular thin substrate 14 that supports the edge of the image display unit 12. The thin substrate 14 is provided with an ID tag 16 for storing a unique individual identification number and the like, and a connector 18 for electrically connecting to an image writing device described later when writing an image. The ID tag 16 includes a plurality of IC chips 20. The optical writing type electronic paper performs writing from the back side, and the ID tag 16 is attached to the front surface of the thin substrate 14.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a light-writing type electronic paper includes a writing-side transparent electrode layer 26 and a photoconductive layer between a writing-side transparent substrate 22 and a display-side transparent substrate 24 in order from the writing side. The layer 28, the display element layer 30, and the display-side transparent electrode layer 32 are stacked. The photoconductor layer 28 and the display element layer 30 are connected in series, the resistance of the photoconductor layer 28 is changed by light irradiation, and the voltage applied to the display element layer 30 is controlled to display an image.
[0018]
As the transparent substrate 22 and the transparent substrate 24, a known transparent substrate made of glass or plastic can be appropriately used, and a flexible substrate such as a polyester film such as polyethylene terephthalate can also be used. Note that the thickness of the transparent substrate is preferably about 100 μm to 500 μm. As the transparent electrode layer 26 and the transparent electrode layer 32, an ITO electrode is preferable.
[0019]
The photoconductive layer 28 is composed of, for example, an organic photoconductor having a dual CGL structure in which a charge generation layer (CGL) is provided on both an upper layer side and a lower layer side of a charge transport layer (CTL) made of a charge transporting material. Is preferred. Of course, not limited to the organic photoconductor having the dual CGL structure, an organic photoconductor having another structure, amorphous silicon, or the like can be selected. Further, it is preferable that the display element layer 30 is formed of a liquid crystal having a memory property such as a cholesteric liquid crystal which is microencapsulated.
[0020]
In the IC chip 20 of the ID tag 16, in addition to the individual identification number (sheet ID) unique to each display sheet 10, various information on the writing method, the writing condition, and the characteristics of the display sheet are stored. Information other than the sheet ID is encrypted and stored, and is decrypted by the sheet ID. Note that the writing conditions include a driving voltage, a pulse application time, a pulse cycle, a light amount, and the like. The characteristics of the display sheet include the size, resolution, display color (color / black and white) of the display sheet, and the like.
[0021]
The IC chip 20 can also store information related to saving (prohibition of rewriting), a password, and the like. For example, in the case of an electronic ticket or electronic certificate using electronic paper, by storing information that can be connected only to a writing device having a special pass function, illegal connection and illegal copying can be prevented. , Security can be ensured.
[0022]
Note that all of these pieces of information may be stored in one IC chip, or may be separately stored in a plurality of IC chips.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, the image writing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a connector 40 for electrically connecting to the connector 18 when the display sheet 10 is set at a predetermined position by a support mechanism (not shown). A tag reader 42 for reading information stored in the ID tag 16, an optical writing unit 44 for writing an image on the image display unit 12, a control device 48 for directly or indirectly controlling the connector unit 40 and the optical writing unit 44, It has.
[0024]
The connector section 40 is connected to the drive pulse generation section 46. The drive pulse generator 46 is connected to the controller 48, detects a trigger signal (drive signal) for driving waveform output input from the controller 48, generates a drive pulse, and outputs the drive pulse via the connector 40. A drive pulse is applied between the electrodes of the image display unit 12.
[0025]
The tag reader 42 is arranged at a position facing the ID tag 16, contacts each of the IC chips 20 constituting the ID tag 16, and reads information stored in each IC chip 20. The tag reader 42 is connected to the control device 48, and receives information read from the ID tag 16.
[0026]
The light writing unit 44 generates a light pattern according to the image data input from the control device 48, and irradiates the generated pattern light to the back surface side of the display sheet 10 to perform optical writing. The light writing unit 44 is configured by combining a light source such as a fluorescent light, a halogen lamp, and an electroluminescence (EL) light with a transmissive display such as a liquid crystal display using a TFT and a simple matrix liquid crystal display. Can be. Further, for example, it can be constituted by a light-emitting display such as an EL display, a CRT, and a field emission display (FED).
[0027]
The control device 48 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The ROM stores a control program for reading information stored in the ID tag 20 and controlling writing of an image in accordance with the information. I have.
[0028]
The control device 48 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, converts image data input from the outside into image data for writing, and based on the information read by the tag reader 42, the connector 40 and the optical device. The writing unit 44 is controlled. Further, a control panel 50 for displaying an input screen and receiving an operator's input is connected to the control device 48.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the above-described image writing device will be described.
[0030]
When the display sheet 10 is set at a predetermined position of the image writing device, the tag reader 42 comes into contact with the ID tag 16 and reads information stored in the IC chip 20. The information read by the tag reader 42 is input to the control device 48, and a predetermined processing routine is executed.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 4, in step 100, it is determined that the information read from the ID tag 16 has been input. In step 102, information on the writing method is extracted, and the writing method of the display sheet 10 is changed to the writing method of the image writing device. It is determined whether or not the method matches. If it is determined that the writing method is different, a message indicating that "writing is not possible" is displayed on the control panel 50 in step 104, and the routine ends. Thus, in the case of a display sheet of a different writing method, writing of an image can be prohibited.
[0032]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the writing methods match, the process proceeds to the next step 106, where a password input screen for prompting the input of a password is displayed on the control panel 50.
[0033]
When the operator inputs a password from the control panel 50, in step 108, a preset password is extracted from the information stored in the ID tag 16, and if the entered password matches the preset password. Determine whether or not you have That is, authentication using a password is performed. Thus, it is determined whether the display sheet belongs to the owner who set the password or is a common writing medium. Note that an ID number encoded on each display sheet may be input instead of the password.
[0034]
If it is determined that the passwords do not match, at step 110, a message that "the passwords do not match" is displayed on the control panel 50, and the routine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the passwords match, then in the next step 112, it is determined whether or not information on write-protection is included.
[0035]
If it is determined that the information includes the write-protection, the control panel 50 displays "cannot re-write" at step 114, and the routine ends. Accordingly, in the case of a display sheet for which rewriting is prohibited, such as a stored document, writing is rejected. On the other hand, if it is determined that the information relating to the write-protection is not included, the image data is fetched from the external device in step 116, and in step 118, the characteristics of the display sheet such as the display sheet size, resolution, display color, etc. , And converts the fetched image data into image data corresponding to the information on these characteristics, and outputs the image data to the optical writing unit 44.
[0036]
In the next step 120, information on write conditions such as drive voltage, pulse application time, pulse period, light amount, etc. is extracted, a control signal corresponding to the write conditions is generated, and output to the drive pulse generator 46.
[0037]
The drive pulse generator 46 generates a drive pulse according to the input control signal, and applies a predetermined pulse voltage to the display sheet 10 via the connector 40 and the connector 18. At the same time, the light writing unit 44 generates a light pattern corresponding to the input image data, and irradiates the generated pattern light to the back surface of the display sheet 10 to perform optical writing. When the processing routine ends without generating a control signal, the display sheet 10 is discharged out of the apparatus by a transport device (not shown) without writing an image.
[0038]
As described above, in the image writing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the writing method is stored in the ID tag of the display sheet in advance, and when writing an image on the display sheet, the image is read and the writing method is determined. In the case of a display sheet of a writing method different from the writing method, image writing is prohibited, so that even if a display sheet of a different writing method is erroneously used, the display sheet will not be damaged.
[0039]
In addition, a password is stored in advance in the ID tag of the display sheet, and when an image is written, it is read out and authenticated by a password, so that writing of an image by a person other than a predetermined user can be prohibited, Security can be improved.
[0040]
In the case of a display sheet corresponding to a stored document, by storing information that inhibits writing in the ID tag, it is possible to distinguish the display sheet from other display sheets and inhibit writing of an image. .
[0041]
In addition, the writing conditions and the characteristics of the display sheet are stored in advance in the ID tag of the display sheet, and when the image is written, these are read out, a driving pulse voltage corresponding to the writing conditions is applied, and the characteristics of the display sheet are applied. Since the corresponding image data is generated, a good image can be recorded.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the writing method pre-stored in the ID tag is read, and writing of an image is prohibited in the case of a display sheet of a writing method different from the writing method of the device. Since a unique individual identification number (sheet ID) is assigned to the sheet, writing of an image may be prohibited when the sheet ID is other than a predetermined ID.
[0043]
In the above embodiment, the image writing device including the ID tag recognition device as the information reading device has been described. However, a recording device for recording information on the ID tag may be further provided. For example, the provision of the recording means allows the user of the display sheet to set the password, the write prohibition information, and the like by himself. When an image is written from a paid information site to electronic paper, charging information for writing the image may be recorded in the ID tag.
[0044]
In the above embodiment, the case where information unique to the display sheet is stored in the contact-type IC chip has been described, but the information storage device is not limited to the contact-type IC chip. For example, information unique to the display sheet may be stored using an RF-ID or IC chip that can be used in a non-contact manner, an optically or magnetically readable pattern (for example, a barcode), or the like. When a non-contact type RF-ID or IC chip is used, information unique to the display sheet can be read through a network such as a wireless LAN.
[0045]
In the above embodiment, the case where an image is written on a display sheet provided with an optical writing type electronic paper has been described. However, if the writing method of the device and the writing method of the display sheet do not match, writing may be prohibited, Various types of electronic paper such as a twist ball type, an electrophoretic type, a toner display type, a liquid crystal display type, an electrochemical change type, a rewritable paper type, a movable film type, and an interference control type can be used.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the image writing apparatus of this invention, there exists an effect that the writing method of a display medium can be determined, and if a display medium of a different writing method is used, image writing can be prohibited.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display sheet.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked configuration of an optical paper type electronic paper.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image writing device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine executed by a control device when writing an image.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 display sheet 12 image display unit 14 thin substrate 16 ID tag 18 connector unit 20 IC chip 40 connector unit 42 tag reader 44 optical writing unit 46 drive pulse generation unit 48 control device 50 control panel

Claims (6)

Image writing means for writing an image on a display medium in accordance with the input image data;
Information reading means for reading information unique to the display medium added to the display medium,
When the information read by the information reading means is other than predetermined information, control means for controlling the image writing means, so as to prohibit writing of an image on the display medium,
An image writing device including: Image writing means for writing an image on a display medium in accordance with the input image data;
Information reading means for reading information added to the display medium,
The writing method is determined based on the information read by the information reading means, and in the case of a method capable of writing by the image writing means, an image is written on the display medium, and a method in which writing is not possible by the image writing means. In such a case, control means for controlling the image writing means so as to prohibit writing of an image on the display medium,
An image writing device including: 3. The control unit controls the image writing unit to prohibit writing of an image on the display medium when the information read by the information reading unit includes information that prohibits writing. 4. An image writing device according to claim 1. Further comprising a password input means for inputting a password,
The control means writes an image on the display medium in a case where the password is included in the information read by the information reading means and the input password, in a case where the image writing means is capable of writing by the image writing means. 4. The image writing device according to claim 1, wherein the image writing unit is controlled so that writing of an image on the display medium is prohibited when the values do not match. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a characteristic of the display medium for each display medium based on information read by the information reading unit, and generates image data according to the characteristic. Image writing device. The image writing device according to claim 5, wherein the characteristic includes at least one of a size of a display medium, a resolution of the display medium, and a display color of the display medium.

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