JP2007026288A - Printing device, system for allocating function and printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to receive a service for converting printed characters into electronic information, even when normal papers are used. <P>SOLUTION: The system for allocating the functions, comprising a plurality of the means of an ID unit for allocating functions and an ID unit for allocating stickers, each of which draws a line for connecting with a unit 011a for allocating functions and a line for connecting with a unit id0088 for allocating stickers, respectively, by using a pen device on a board 500 with a medium ID "011"; a server for recognizing identifier information, which rewrites a first table stored in a repository for the identifier information, when such actions for drawing the lines for the connections are carried out; and a sticker ID, having ID0088, which can be responded to a functional number defined as "mailing to aaaÐbbb.com", by storing this functional number in a functional number column for instructions on the first table, and as a result, which can also allocate the function of "mailing to aaaÐbbb.com" to the sticker that has the ID of the ID0088. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a function assignment system, and a printed matter.

  In recent years, characters and pictures are drawn on special paper on which fine dots are printed, and the data written on the paper by the user is transferred to a personal computer or mobile phone. The technology that makes it possible is drawing attention. In this technique, small dots are printed on this special paper at intervals of, for example, about 0.3 mm, and this is configured to draw all different patterns for each grid of a predetermined size, for example. By reading this using a dedicated pen with a built-in digital camera, for example, the position of a character or the like written on this special paper can be specified, and such a character or the like is used as electronic information. It becomes possible.

  Here, as a conventional technique described in the publication, there is also a technique for forming an encoded pattern having a plurality of marks on a sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, each of the plurality of marks provided with the coding pattern represents one of at least two different values. The coding pattern has a plurality of reference positions. Each of the plurality of marks is associated with one reference position, and the value of each mark is determined by the position with respect to the reference position. With such a configuration, all the marks may have the same outer shape, the encoding pattern can be simplified as compared with the prior art, and the recognition of the encoded pattern is easier than before.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-511761 (pages 11 to 12, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-described prior art, when characters or the like are used as electronic information, it is necessary to use paper on which fine dots are printed. Therefore, for a paper on which fine dots are not printed, a service using characters or the like as electronic information cannot be received.

  On the other hand, in the prior art, when a predetermined function is assigned to a pattern (code information), the predetermined function is defined in the pattern, and the defined pattern is printed on a sheet by the printing apparatus. . In this way, a predetermined function can be assigned to the sheet. Therefore, the function cannot be assigned to a sheet on which a pattern has not yet been printed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the technical problems as described above. The purpose of the present invention is to enable a user to provide a service for converting characters and the like into electronic information even when ordinary paper is used. It is to be able to receive.
Another object is to enable a user-desired function to be assigned to a normal sheet.

For this purpose, a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a code image generation unit that converts acquired code information for printing and generates a code image, and an allocation for allocating a function to be assigned to a separation area. Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information in the medium of the area, area image generation means for generating an allocation area image based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, and a code image generated by the code image generation means And printing means for printing the allocated area image generated by the area image generating means on the surface of the medium including the separation area.
Here, the allocation area can be characterized by being located in a place other than the separation area in the medium. On the other hand, the printing means can print the layout area image as a visible image on the surface of the medium. Further, the printing means can print the code image with a transparent toner material having an absorption wavelength region in an invisible region. The information processing apparatus may further include management means for managing the acquired code information and the allocation area position information in association with each other.

From another point of view, the function assignment system to which the present invention is applied is a code image formed by converting the separation area and the image of the assignment area to which the function assigned to the separation area is assigned and the acquired code information for printing. A database having location information of an allocation area in a medium including the code information of a code image in a separation area, and an allocation means for assigning a function to the allocation area using the location information of the allocation area. The database includes the functions assigned to the allocation area in association with the code information of the allocation area.
The data processing system further includes instruction means for indicating a separation area to which the function assigned to the allocation area by the assignment means is given, and the database includes allocation information relating to the code information of the separation area instructed by the instruction means and the function assigned by the assignment means. The code information of the area can be stored in association with each other. The code information may include information for uniquely specifying a medium to be printed and address information in the medium.

Further, when the present invention is viewed from another point of view, the printed matter to which the present invention is applied is a printed matter main body, a sticker that can be separated from the printed matter main body, and a code obtained by printing on the surface of the printed matter main body and the sticker seal. It includes a code image obtained by converting information for printing, and an allocation area image that is printed on a printed material body and assigned a function that is assigned to a sticker.
Here, it may be characterized by further including an application region image having code information associated with code information of a code image printed on the printed material main body and printed on the surface of the sticker sticker. Further, the code image can be characterized by being printed with a transparent ink whose absorption wavelength region is mainly in an invisible region. The code image may be printed with ink having wavelength absorption in the infrared region. Further, the sticker seal may be a sheet-like transparent medium having almost no wavelength absorption in the visible region.

Further, from another viewpoint, the printed matter to which the present invention is applied is a mount, a sticker that can be peeled off from the mount, and a light absorption wavelength of the printing ink of the code image that is applied to the back of the mount. And an adhesive material that does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the region, and a code image that is printed on the surface of the sticker seal and that is obtained by converting the acquired code information for printing.
Here, the mount can be characterized in that it is made of a material that does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the light absorption wavelength region of the printing ink of the code image. The adhesive material is made of a material that does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the light absorption wavelength region of the printing ink of the code image after a predetermined time has elapsed when the sticker is peeled off from the mount and attached to another object. Can be characterized. Further, the adhesive material can be characterized by being substantially transparent after a predetermined time has elapsed when the sticker is peeled off from the mount and attached to another object.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the same service as in the case of using special paper that can convert characters and the like into electronic information even when using normal paper.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system to which the present embodiment is applied. This system manages at least a terminal device 100 that instructs to print an electronic document, and identification information that is given to a medium when the electronic document is printed, and a code image that includes the identification information and the like is superimposed on the image of the electronic document An identification information management server 200 that generates an image, a document management server 300 that manages an electronic document, and an image forming apparatus 400 that prints an image in which a code image is superimposed on the image of the electronic document are connected to a network 900. It is configured.

The identification information management server 200 is connected with an identification information repository (repository) 250 as a storage device for storing identification information, and the document management server 300 has a document repository 350 as a storage device for storing electronic documents. It is connected. The identification information repository 250 has a function as a database, and the identification information management server 200 has a function as a management unit or an allocation unit.
Further, this system includes a printed material 500 output from the image forming apparatus 400 according to an instruction from the terminal device 100, and a pen device 600 that records characters or figures on the printed material 500 and reads the recorded information of the characters or figures. Including. Also connected to the network 900 is a terminal device 700 that displays the electronic document managed by the document management server 300 and the recording information read by the pen device 600 in an overlapping manner.
In this specification, the term “electronic document” is used, but this does not mean only data obtained by digitizing a “document” including text. For example, “electronic document” includes image data such as pictures, photographs, figures, etc. (regardless of raster data or vector data) and other printable electronic data.

The outline of the operation of this system will be described below.
First, the terminal device 100 instructs the identification information management server 200 to superimpose and print a code image on a specific electronic document image managed in the document repository 350 (A). At this time, printing attributes such as paper size, orientation, reduction / enlargement, N-up (printing that allocates N pages of an electronic document within one page of paper), and duplex printing are also input from the terminal device 100. This print attribute includes information such as the number, size, and position of the stickers when the mount on which the peelable stickers are previously attached is a print medium.
Thereby, the identification information management server 200 acquires the electronic document instructed to be printed from the document management server 300 (B). Then, a code image including the identification information managed in the identification information repository 250 and the position information determined in accordance with the print attribute is assigned to the acquired image of the electronic document, and the image forming apparatus 400 receives the code image. Printing is instructed (C). The identification information here refers to information that uniquely identifies each medium (paper) on which an image of the electronic document is printed. The position information refers to the coordinate position (X coordinate, Y on each medium). This is information for specifying (coordinates).
Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 400 outputs a printed material 500 in accordance with an instruction from the identification information management server 200 (D).

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the user records (writes) characters or figures on the printed material 500 using the pen device 600 (E). As a result, the image sensor of the pen device 600 captures a certain area on the printed material 500 and obtains position information and identification information. Then, the trajectory information of the character or figure obtained based on the position information and the identification information are transferred to the terminal device 700 by wireless or wired (F). In this system, an invisible image is formed using an invisible toner whose infrared light absorption rate is higher than a predetermined reference, and the invisible image is read by the pen device 600 that can irradiate and detect infrared light. It is possible.

Thereafter, the terminal device 700 requests the transmission of an electronic document corresponding to the identification information by transmitting the identification information to the identification information management server 200. Upon receiving this request, the identification information management server 200 acquires an electronic document corresponding to the identification information from the document management server 300 and transmits it to the terminal device 700 (G). As a result, on the terminal device 700, the electronic document sent from the identification information management server 200 and the trajectory information sent from the pen device 600 are combined and displayed.
However, such a configuration is merely an example, and the function of the identification information management server 200 and the function of the document management server 300 may be provided in one server, or the function of the identification information management server 200 may be formed as an image. You may implement | achieve in the image process part of the apparatus 400. FIG.

Here, the printed matter 500 output by the image forming apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIG. In other words, the printed matter 500 may be a so-called regular paper or a sticker mount described below. Hereinafter, the printed material 500 may also be referred to as a mount 500. The paper is a concept including a sticker mount.
Here, the base material of the seal affixed to the mount shown in FIG. 2 is a sheet-like substantially transparent medium that hardly absorbs in the visible region. For example, an acrylic film, a polyester film, vinyl chloride, or the like can be used. The substrate may be transparent or opaque.
On the surface side of the substrate, a predetermined code image is printed with transparent ink having an absorption wavelength in an invisible region (infrared region). An adhesive material is applied to the back side of the substrate. This adhesive material is substantially transparent even after a certain period of time has elapsed after being attached to an object such as other paper. In addition, this adhesive material does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the light absorption wavelength region of the transparent ink after a predetermined time has elapsed after being attached to an object such as other paper. Furthermore, the base material does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the light absorption wavelength region of the transparent ink.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a mount 500 having a peelable seal. Each of the mounts 500 is given a unique medium ID, and FIG. 2 shows an example of the mount 500 to which a medium ID of “011” is assigned.
As shown in FIG. 2, peelable seals of various sizes and shapes are affixed to the mount 500. That is, on the mount 500 shown in FIG. 2, three large seals, three medium seals and two small seals are affixed. Each seal is given an individual seal ID. Specifically, the seal IDs of the three large seals are ID0088, ID0089, and ID0090. The seal IDs of the three medium-sized seals are ID0091, ID0092, and ID0093. The seal ID of each of the two small seals is ID0094 and ID0095.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the mount 500, a seal allocation unit corresponding to the seal is set at a position adjacent to the place where each seal is applied. This seal allocating portion is assigned a seal allocating portion ID for clarifying the relationship with the corresponding seal. Specifically, the seal allocation unit corresponding to ID0088 is id0088, the seal allocation unit corresponding to ID0089 is id0089, and the seal allocation unit corresponding to ID0090 is id0090. The seal assignment unit corresponding to ID0091 is id0091, the seal assignment unit corresponding to ID0092 is id0092, and the seal assignment unit corresponding to ID0093 is id0093. Further, the seal allocation unit corresponding to ID0094 is id0094, and the seal allocation unit corresponding to ID0095 is id0095.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of function assignment units are set in the mount 500 having the medium ID “011”. Each of the function allocation units is set without any relation to the seal or the seal allocation unit. In the mount 500, a total of 10 function assignment units are set, and a function assignment unit ID is assigned to each of them. That is, the function assignment unit IDs of 011a, 011b, 011c, 011d, 011e, 011f, 011g, 011h, 011i and 011j are assigned to each of the function assignment units.

A predetermined code image is printed in a range including the area where the seal, the seal allocation unit, and the function allocation unit are set. Transparent ink is used for the code image printed on each of the stickers. This transparent ink has absorption in an invisible region such as infrared.
Here, as will be described later, the user can define a desired function for each of the function assignment units. And the function defined in the function allocation unit is allocated to the seal corresponding to the seal allocation unit by connecting the function allocation unit and the seal allocation unit in the mount 500 with a line using a pen device described later.
Note that the mount 500 of FIG. 2 shows an example of the size and number of stickers, the arrangement, the number of function assignment units, and the like, and other forms can be adopted. The number of function assignment units and the like are input as print attributes from the terminal device 100 (see FIG. 1) to the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1).

Next, the configuration and operation of this system will be described in more detail.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the identification information management server 200 of FIG.
The identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) includes a reception unit 20a, a correspondence information management unit 21, a correspondence information database (DB) 22, an information separation unit 23, a document image generation unit 24, and a document image buffer 25. A code image generation unit 26, a code image buffer 27, an image composition unit 29, and a transmission unit 20b.
The code image generation unit 26 includes a position information encoding unit 26a, a position code generation unit 26b, an identification information encoding unit 26c, an identification code generation unit 26d, a code arrangement unit 26g, and a pattern storage unit 26h. And a pattern image generation unit 26i.

The receiving unit 20a receives various information such as a print instruction and an electronic document to be printed from the network 900.
The correspondence information management unit 21 registers information in the correspondence information DB 22 and reads information from the correspondence information DB 22. The correspondence information DB 22 is a database that stores identification information for identifying a medium and correspondence such as a storage location of an electronic document that is a source of an image printed on the medium.
The information separation unit 23 separates the information passed from the correspondence information management unit 21 into information necessary for generating a document image and information necessary for generating a code image. The document image generation unit 24 converts the electronic document into an image based on information necessary for generating the document image separated by the information separation unit 23 and stores the image in the document image buffer 25.
The code image generation unit 26 generates a code image based on information necessary for generating the code image separated by the information separation unit 23 and stores the code image in the code image buffer 27. The image composition unit 29 synthesizes the document image stored in the document image buffer 25 and the code image stored in the code image buffer 27. The transmission unit 20b transmits an instruction to output the image after the composition by the image composition unit 29 to the image forming apparatus 400 as PDL (Page Description Language) represented by PostScript or the like.

  The position information encoding unit 26a encodes the position information by a predetermined encoding method. For this encoding, for example, an RS (Reed Solomon) code or a BCH code which is a known error correction code can be used. Also, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or checksum value of position information can be calculated as an error detection code and added to the position information as redundant bits. Also, an M-sequence code that is a kind of pseudo-noise sequence can be used as position information. When the M-sequence code is a P-order M-sequence (sequence length 2P-1), when a partial sequence having a length P is extracted from the M-sequence, a bit pattern appearing in the partial sequence appears only once in the M-sequence. The encoding is performed by utilizing the characteristic that is not present.

  The position code generation unit 26b converts the encoded position information into a format embedded as code information. For example, the arrangement of each bit in the encoded position information can be replaced or encrypted with a pseudo-random number or the like so that it is difficult for a third party to decipher. When the position code is two-dimensionally arranged, the bit value is two-dimensionally arranged in the same manner as the code arrangement.

In the present embodiment, the position information encoding unit 26a encodes the encoded position corresponding to the print attribute passed from the information separating unit 23 from the encoded position information generated and stored in advance for each print attribute. Information shall be selected. This is because if printing such as the paper size, orientation, reduction / enlargement, and N-up is determined, the position code to be printed on the paper can be specified as one.
On the other hand, when the print attributes are always the same, the position code printed on the paper is always the same. Therefore, when only printing with the same print attribute is performed, the position information encoding unit 26a and the position code generating unit 26b are combined into a position code storage unit for storing one set of position codes, and the position code is always set. You may make it use.

When the identification information is input, the identification information encoding unit 26c encodes the identification information by a predetermined encoding method. For this encoding, a method similar to that used for encoding the position information can be used.
The identification code generation unit 26d converts the encoded identification information into a format embedded as code information. For example, the arrangement of each bit in the encoded identification information can be replaced or encrypted with a pseudo-random number so that it is difficult for a third party to decipher. When the identification code is two-dimensionally arranged, the bit value is two-dimensionally arranged in the same manner as the code arrangement.

The code arrangement unit 26g combines the encoded position information and the encoded identification information arranged in the same format as the code, and generates a two-dimensional code array corresponding to the output image size. At this time, as the encoded position information, a code obtained by encoding position information that differs depending on the arrangement position is used, and as the encoded identification information, a code obtained by encoding the same information regardless of the position is used.
The pattern image generation unit 26i confirms the bit values of the array elements in the two-dimensional code array, acquires a bit pattern image corresponding to each bit value from the pattern storage unit 26h, and codes the image of the two-dimensional code array Output as.

  These functional parts are realized by cooperation of software and hardware resources. Specifically, a CPU (not shown) of the identification information management server 200 includes a reception unit 20a, a correspondence information management unit 21, an information separation unit 23, a document image generation unit 24, a code image generation unit 26, an image composition unit 29, and a transmission unit. A program for realizing each function 20b is read from the external storage device into the main storage device and processed.

Next, an operation when the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) transmits an image output instruction to the image forming apparatus 400 (see FIG. 1) in response to an instruction from the terminal device 100 (see FIG. 1). explain.
In the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1), the receiving unit 20a first receives a print instruction including designation of the storage location of an electronic document to be printed and print attributes from the terminal device 100 (see FIG. 1). Of the received information, the print attribute is transferred to the correspondence information management unit 21, and the correspondence information management unit 21 holds the print attribute. The storage location of the electronic document is transferred to the transmission unit 20b, and the transmission unit 20b sends a request for acquiring the electronic document to be printed from the storage location to the document management server 300.
As a result, the document management server 300 transmits the electronic document to be printed to the identification information management server 200, and in the identification information management server 200, the receiving unit 20 a receives this electronic document and transfers it to the correspondence information management unit 21. Then, the correspondence information management unit 21 extracts the identification information from the identification information repository 250 and registers the correspondence between the identification information and the storage location of the electronic document in the correspondence information DB 22. In addition, when a specific location of the electronic document to be printed is specified to link to the electronic document to be referenced, the correspondence between the location information and the storage location of the electronic document to be referenced is also correspondence information. Register in DB22.

When the information is registered in the correspondence information DB 22 in this way, the correspondence information management unit 21 passes the electronic document, the identification information, and the print attribute previously held to the information separation unit 23.
The information separating unit 23 separates the received information into information necessary for code generation (identification information and printing attributes) and information necessary for generating a document image (electronic document), and the former is generated as a code image. The latter is output to the document image generation unit 24 in the unit 26.
Thereby, the position information corresponding to the print attribute is encoded by the position information encoding unit 26a, and the position code indicating the encoded position information is generated by the position code generating unit 26b. Also, the identification information encoding unit 26c encodes the identification information, and the identification code generation unit 26d generates an identification code indicating the encoded identification information.
The code placement unit 26g generates a two-dimensional code array corresponding to the output image size, and the pattern image generation unit 26i generates a pattern image corresponding to the two-dimensional code array.

On the other hand, the document image generation unit 24 generates a document image of an electronic document.
Finally, the document image generated by the document image generation unit 24 and the code image previously generated by the code image generation unit 26 are combined by the image combining unit 29 and delivered to the transmission unit 20b.
Here, the correspondence information management unit 21 passes the color material information corresponding to the electronic document for which a print instruction has been issued from the terminal device 100 (see FIG. 1) to the transmission unit 20b. This color material information is information stored in advance in the document repository 350 (see FIG. 1). The color material information is transmitted by the terminal device 100. That is, when a user creates a document image of an electronic document on a terminal device, the user instructs which region in the document to use which color material, and the instruction content is used as the color material information in the terminal device 100 (see FIG. 1). ) To the document repository 350 (see FIG. 1) via the document management server 300 (see FIG. 1).

Then, the transmission unit 20b transmits the color material information delivered from the correspondence information management unit 21 to the image forming apparatus 400 together with the synthesized image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 29 and delivered to the transmission unit 20b. As a result, an output instruction for the combined image is transmitted from the transmission unit 20b to the image forming apparatus 400 (see FIG. 1).
In response to this image output instruction, the image forming apparatus 400 (see FIG. 1) prints a composite image of the document image and code image of the electronic document to be printed on the surface of the medium based on the color material information. A printed matter 500 (see FIG. 1) is obtained.

Next, the image forming apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 400. An image forming apparatus 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a so-called tandem apparatus, and includes, for example, a plurality of image forming units 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, and the like) that form toner images of respective color components by an electrophotographic method. 41I), and an intermediate transfer belt 46 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) and holds each color component toner image formed by each image forming unit 41. In addition, the image forming apparatus 400 includes a secondary transfer device 410 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 46 onto a sheet (medium) P, and the second-transferred image onto the sheet P. And a fixing device 440 for fixing on the top.

  In this image forming apparatus 400, in addition to image forming units 41Y, 41M, and 41C that form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), which are normal colors (normal colors), infrared rays are used. An image forming unit 41K that forms a black (K) toner image having absorption and an image forming unit 41I that forms an invisible toner image are provided as one of the image forming units constituting the tandem. The toner composition will be described in detail later.

In the present embodiment, each image forming unit 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, 41I) has a charger 43 that charges the photosensitive drum 42 around the photosensitive drum 42 rotating in the direction of arrow A. And a laser exposure device 44 for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 42 (the exposure beam is indicated by Bm in the figure). Further, around the photosensitive drum 42, each color component toner is accommodated, and a developing unit 45 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 42 with the toner, and each color formed on the photosensitive drum 42. An electrophotographic device such as a primary transfer roll 47 that transfers the component toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 46 and a drum cleaner 48 that removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 42 are sequentially arranged.
These image forming units 41 are arranged in the order of yellow (Y color), magenta (M color), cyan (C color), black (K color), and invisible (I color) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 46. ing.
The intermediate transfer belt 46 is configured to be rotatable in the B direction shown in the drawing by various rolls.
The secondary transfer device 410 is disposed in pressure contact with the toner image carrying surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 46, and is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 to form a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 411. A backup roll 412.
A belt cleaner 421 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 after the secondary transfer is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 411. An image density sensor 422 for adjusting image quality is disposed on the upstream side of the secondary transfer roll 411.

  Next, an image forming process of the image forming apparatus 400 will be described. When a user turns on a start switch (not shown), a predetermined image forming process is executed. Specifically, for example, when the image forming apparatus 400 is configured as a color printer, digital image signals transmitted from the network 900 are temporarily stored in a memory, and the stored five colors (Y, Y, A toner image of each color is formed based on the digital image signals of M, C, K, and I).

  That is, the image forming units 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, 41I) are driven based on the image recording signals of the respective colors obtained by the image processing. In each of the image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, and 41I, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image recording signal is applied to the photosensitive drum 42 that is uniformly charged by the charger 43. Respectively. Further, each written electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 45 that contains toner of each color to form a toner image of each color.

  The toner image formed on each photoconductive drum 42 is transferred from the photoconductive drum 42 by the primary transfer bias applied by the primary transfer roll 47 at the primary transfer position where each photoconductive drum 42 and the intermediate transfer belt 46 are in contact with each other. Primary transfer is performed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46. The toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46 in this manner is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 46 and conveyed to the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer belt 46 rotates.

On the other hand, the paper P is conveyed to the secondary transfer position of the secondary transfer device 410 at a predetermined timing, and the secondary transfer roll 411 nips the paper P against the intermediate transfer belt 46 (backup roll 412). The superimposed toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 46 is secondarily transferred to the paper P by the action of a secondary transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll 411 and the backup roll 412.
Thereafter, the paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 440, where the toner image is fixed. On the other hand, residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 46 after the secondary transfer by the belt cleaner 421.

Here, the toner used in the image forming apparatus 400 will be described in detail.
First, as the Y toner used in the image forming unit 41Y, the M toner used in the image forming unit 41M, the C toner used in the image forming unit 41C, and the K toner used in the image forming unit 41K, The toner used from the above is used. That is, the K toner uses carbon black that absorbs infrared light as a black colorant.

Further, as the invisible toner used in the image forming unit 41I, for example, a material described in JP-A-2003-186238 can be used. That is, it is conceivable to use a material containing a binder resin and a near-infrared light absorbing material made of inorganic material particles.
Here, as the binder resin, specifically, polystyrene, styrene-alkyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene- Examples thereof include maleic anhydride copolymer, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
In addition, as the near infrared light absorbing material, inorganic material particles containing at least CuO and P ₂ O ₅ can be used. The content concentration of CuO in the invisible toner particles is preferably in the range of 6% by mass to 35% by mass, and more preferably in the range of 10% by mass to 30% by mass. Furthermore, the inorganic material particles are CuO, Al ₂ O ₃ , P _{2 in} order to obtain uniform dispersibility of the inorganic material particles in the invisible toner and appropriate negative frictional chargeability required as a recording material for electrophotography. It is preferably made of a copper phosphate crystallized glass containing O ₅ and K ₂ O as essential constituent components. The composition of the copper phosphate crystallized glass is such that CuO is in the range of 20% by mass to 60% by mass, Al ₂ O ₃ is in the range of 1% by mass to 10% by mass, and P ₂ O ₅ is in the range of 30% by mass. The range is 70% by mass, and K ₂ O is preferably in the range of 1% by mass to 10% by mass.

That is, the image forming apparatus 400 forms a code image using a color material that cannot be easily identified by the human eye (substantially invisible), and generates a document material that can be identified by the human eye (visible). Use to form. Further, as the invisible color material, a material having a characteristic that the wavelength of a specific infrared region is absorbed more than the wavelength of the visible light amount region is used, and the visible color material absorbs a lot of wavelengths in the visible light region. Use those with characteristics.
In this embodiment, an example in which an invisible color material is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a code image is formed using carbon black that absorbs infrared wavelengths, and a document image is formed of yellow, magenta, and cyan color materials (usually these color materials have an absorption wavelength of infrared wavelengths). May be used.

  5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a two-dimensional code image generated by the code image generation unit 26 of the identification information management server 200 and printed on the printed material 500 by the image forming apparatus 400. FIG. is there. FIG. 5A is a diagram of a printed matter 500 that is formed by an invisible image and is expressed in a grid pattern in order to schematically show units of a two-dimensional code image to be arranged. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing one unit of a two-dimensional code image in which an invisible image is recognized by infrared light irradiation. Further, FIG. 5C is a diagram for explaining a hatched pattern of backslash “\” and slash “/”.

  The two-dimensional code pattern shown in FIG. 5B includes an area in which a position code indicating a coordinate position on a medium is stored, and an area in which an identification code for uniquely specifying an electronic document or a print medium is stored. Is included. It also includes an area for storing the synchronization code. As shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of the two-dimensional code patterns are arranged, and different position information is stored on the entire surface of the medium (paper surface) in accordance with the size of the medium to be printed. Dimensional codes are arranged in a grid pattern. That is, a plurality of two-dimensional code patterns as shown in FIG. 5B are arranged on one surface of the medium, each of which includes a position code, an identification code, and a synchronization code. In the plurality of position code areas, different position information is stored depending on the place where each area is arranged. On the other hand, the same identification information is stored in the areas of the plurality of identification codes regardless of the place where they are arranged.

  In FIG. 5B, the position code is arranged in a rectangular area of 6 bits × 6 bits. Each bit value is formed by a plurality of minute line bitmaps having different rotation angles, and the bit value 0 and the bit value 1 are expressed by the oblique line pattern (pattern 0 and pattern 1) shown in FIG. Yes. More specifically, bit 0 and bit 1 are expressed using backslash “\” and slash “/” having different inclinations. The oblique line pattern is 600 dpi and has a size of 8 × 8 pixels. The oblique line pattern (pattern 0) that rises to the left expresses a bit value 0, and the oblique line pattern (pattern 1) that rises to the right expresses a bit value 1. Therefore, 1-bit information (0 or 1) can be expressed by one oblique line pattern. By using such a minute line bitmap having two kinds of inclinations, there is provided a two-dimensional code pattern in which noise given to a visible image is extremely small and a large amount of information can be digitized and embedded with high density. It becomes possible.

That is, a total of 36-bit position information is stored in the position code area shown in FIG. Of these 36 bits, 18 bits can be used for encoding the X coordinate, and 18 bits can be used for encoding the Y coordinate. If all 18 bits are used for position encoding, 2 ¹⁸ (about 260,000) positions can be encoded. When each hatched pattern is composed of 8 pixels × 8 pixels (600 dpi) as shown in FIG. 5C, one dot of 600 dpi is 0.0423 mm. The size of the two-dimensional code (including the synchronization code) is about 3 mm (8 pixels × 9 bits × 0.0423 mm) both vertically and horizontally. When 260,000 positions are encoded at intervals of 3 mm, a length of about 786 m can be encoded. In this way, all 18 bits may be used for position coding, or in the case where a detection error of a hatched pattern occurs, redundant bits for error detection and error correction may be included. .

The identification code is arranged in a rectangular area of 2 bits × 8 bits and 6 bits × 2 bits, and can store a total of 28 bits of identification information. When using the 28-bit as the identification information can be represented the identity of two ways ²⁸ (about 270 million). Similarly to the position code, the identification code can include redundant bits for error detection and error correction in 28 bits.

In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the two hatched patterns differ in angle by 90 degrees from each other. However, if the angle difference is 45 degrees, four types of hatched patterns can be configured. When configured in this way, 2-bit information (0 to 3) can be expressed by one oblique line pattern. That is, the number of bits that can be expressed can be increased by increasing the angle types of the oblique line pattern.
In the example shown in FIG. 5C, encoding of bit values is described using a hatched pattern, but a selectable pattern is not limited to the hatched pattern. It is also possible to employ a method of encoding according to the ON / OFF of the dot or the direction in which the dot position is shifted from the reference position.

Here, the mechanism for acquiring the handwriting information of the pen device 600 and the operation of acquiring the handwriting information will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the pen device 600.
The pen device 600 has a writing unit 61 for recording characters and figures on a sheet (medium) printed by combining a code image and a document image, and monitoring the movement of the writing unit 61. And a pen pressure detection unit 62 for detecting that the pen device 600 is pressed against the paper. In addition, the control unit 63 that controls the entire electronic operation of the pen device 600, the infrared irradiation unit 64 that irradiates infrared light to read the code image on the paper, and the reflected infrared light are received. Thus, an image input unit 65 for recognizing and inputting a code image is provided.

Here, the control unit 63 will be described in more detail.
The control unit 63 includes a code acquisition unit 631, a locus calculation unit 632, and an information storage unit 633. The code acquisition unit 631 is a part that analyzes the image input from the image input unit 65 and acquires a code. The trajectory calculation unit 632 calculates a pen tip trajectory by correcting the deviation between the pen tip coordinates of the writing unit 61 and the image coordinates captured by the image input unit 65 for the code acquired by the code acquisition unit 631. Part. The information storage unit 633 is a part that stores the code acquired by the code acquisition unit 631 and the trajectory information calculated by the trajectory calculation unit 632.
In this embodiment, although not shown, a mechanism for analyzing the trajectory information stored in the information storage unit 633 and acquiring handwriting information is also provided.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed mainly by the control unit 63 of the pen device 600. For example, when characters or figures are recorded on a sheet using the pen device 600, the control unit 63 acquires a detection signal from the writing pressure detection unit 62 that the pen is recorded on the sheet. (Step 601). When this detection signal is detected, the control unit 63 instructs the infrared irradiation unit 64 to irradiate the paper with infrared light (step 602). Infrared light applied to the paper by the infrared irradiation unit 64 is absorbed by the invisible image, and is reflected at other portions. The image input unit 65 receives the reflected infrared light and recognizes a portion where the infrared light is not reflected as a code image. The control unit 63 inputs (scans) the code image from the image input unit 65 (step 603).

  Thereafter, the code acquisition unit 631 of the control unit 63 executes the code image detection process shown in Steps 604 to 610. First, the code acquisition unit 631 shapes the input scan image (step 604). The shaping of the scanned image includes tilt correction and noise removal. Then, a bit pattern (shaded pattern) such as a slash “/” or a backslash “\” is detected from the shaped scan image (step 605). On the other hand, a synchronization code, which is a two-dimensional code positioning code, is detected from the shaped scan image (step 606). The code acquisition unit 631 detects a two-dimensional code with reference to this synchronization code position (step 607). Also, information such as ECC (Error Correcting Code) is extracted from the two-dimensional code and decoded (step 608). Then, the decrypted information is restored to the original information (step 609).

The code acquisition unit 631 of the control unit 63 extracts the position information and the identification information from the code information restored as described above, and stores the extracted information in the information storage unit 633 (step 610). On the other hand, the trajectory calculation unit 632 calculates the trajectory of the pen tip from the coordinate information stored in the information storage unit 633, and stores it in the information storage unit 633 (step 611).
Thereafter, handwriting information is acquired from the trajectory information stored in the information storage unit 633 and transmitted to the terminal device 700.

Next, the mount 500 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first table referred to in the operation of the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the mount 500. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second table referred to in the operation of the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the mount 500. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining regions divided into the mount 500.
Note that the first table shown in FIG. 8 and the second table shown in FIG. 9 are stored in the identification information repository 250 (see FIG. 1) and managed by the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1). That is, the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) also functions as a seal management server.

  The first table shown in FIG. 8 has a seal ID column, a medium ID column, a seal region column, a seal allocation unit ID column, a seal allocation unit region column, and an instruction function number column. In the medium ID column, a medium ID for uniquely specifying the mount 500 printed by the image forming apparatus 400 is stored.

In the seal ID column, a seal ID assigned to each of the seals is stored. By this seal ID, even a seal peeled from the mount 500 can be uniquely identified. And the area | region where the seal | sticker in the mount 500 is stuck is stored in the area | region area | region of a seal | sticker. This area is specified by the upper left position coordinates and the lower right position coordinates of the seal. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when ID0088 is a seal ID, the position of the rectangular seal is specified by the first point (x881, y881) and the second point (x882, y882).
The seal allocation part ID column stores the ID of the seal allocation part corresponding to the seal ID. With this seal allocation part ID, the correspondence between the seal allocation part and the seal ID can be recognized. That is, the seal assigned portion with id0088 corresponds to the seal with ID0088. And the area | region of the seal | sticker allocation part in the mount 500 is stored in the area | region field of a seal | sticker allocation part. This area is also specified by the upper left position coordinates and the lower right position coordinates of the seal allocating portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the seal assigning part with id0088 is specified by a first point (x883, y883) and a second point (x884, y884).

  The function number designated by the user is stored in the designated function number column. Until there is an instruction from the user, this instruction function number field is blank. The user's instruction is performed by drawing a line on the mount 500 with the pen device 600 (see FIG. 6), as will be described later.

The second table shown in FIG. 9 is created for each medium ID, and includes a medium ID column, a function allocation unit ID column, a function allocation unit area column, a function number column, and a user-defined function column. And have.
In the function assignment section ID column, an ID assigned to each function assignment section printed on the mount is stored. As described above, since a medium ID is assigned to each mount, a function assignment unit ID corresponding to the medium ID is assigned. Specifically, in the case of the mount with the medium ID 011, 011 a to 011 j are stored in the function assignment unit ID column.
The area of the function assignment unit stores the area of the function assignment unit. This area is also specified by the upper left position coordinates and the lower right position coordinates of the function assignment unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the area of the function assignment unit 011a is specified by the first point (x011a1, y011a1) and the second point (x011a2, y011a2).

In the function number column, F01 to F10 are sequentially stored for each function assignment unit ID. For example, the function number F01 is stored for the function assignment unit ID 011a. Similarly, function numbers F02 to F10 are stored for function assignment unit IDs 011b to 011j.
The function is stored in the user-defined function column when the function is defined by the user. Examples of the function include a function of sending mail to a specific mail address, a function of linking to a home page at a specific URL, and a function of invalidating a stored function.

Next, a procedure executed when a function is assigned to a sticker attached to the mount 500 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for assigning a desired function to the seal. FIG. 12 is a diagram partially showing the second table when the function is defined by the user.
As shown in FIG. 11, first, a desired function defined by the user is acquired for the function number (step 1101). For example, if the user who acquired the mount 500 having the medium ID “011” defines “send mail to aaa@bbb.com” for the function number F01 in the terminal device 700 (see FIG. 1), the identification information The management server 200 (see FIG. 1) acquires the definition contents and rewrites the second table stored in the identification information repository 250. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, “send mail to aaa@bbb.com” is stored in the user-defined function column corresponding to the function number F01 in the second table. In this way, the user-defined function column is changed (step 1102). As a result of this change, the function “send mail to aaa@bbb.com” is defined for the function assignment part having the function assignment part ID 011a. When the rewriting of the second table is completed, the identification information management server 200 stores the second table in the identification information repository 250.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for associating a function defined by the user with a sticker attached to the mount 500, and is an enlarged view of a part of the mount 500. FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram partially showing the first table when a function is instructed by the user.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the mount 500 having the medium ID “011”, the function assigning unit having the function assigning unit ID 011a and the seal assigning unit having the seal assigning unit ID id 0088 are arranged in the pen device 600 (see FIG. 6). When the user connects a line using, the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) acquires the information (step 1103). Then, the identification information management server 200 (see FIG. 1) rewrites the first table stored in the identification information repository 250 (step 1104). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, by storing “F01” in the designated function number column in the first table, the function number F01 is associated with the seal whose seal ID is ID0088. The function number F01 is defined as “send mail to aaa@bbb.com” with reference to the second table. For this reason, the function of “send mail to aaa@bbb.com” is assigned to the seal whose seal ID is ID0088.

In this embodiment, the procedure for rewriting the instruction function number column of the first table after rewriting the user-defined function column of the second table has been described, but the reverse procedure is also conceivable. That is, a procedure for first rewriting the designated function number column of the first table is also conceivable. This will be described in the following procedure. First, the function number is associated with the seal by rewriting the first table, and then the function is defined in the function number by rewriting the second table.
Here, it is also conceivable that a plurality of function numbers can be associated with one seal. In that case, a plurality of functions are executed simultaneously.
It is also conceivable that only one function number can be associated with one seal. In that case, when a plurality of function numbers are associated with each other, the first table is sequentially overwritten and rewritten. On the contrary, it is also conceivable that the function number associated first is configured so as not to be rewritten.

In this way, the user can assign a desired function to each of the stickers attached to the mount 500.
Here, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where a sticker is attached to a sheet, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state where the sticker is attached to a curved surface. As shown in FIG. 15, when the user peels off a sticker to which a desired function is assigned from the mount 500 and pastes it on a document or the like, the code information is printed even if the code information is not printed in advance. You can get the same services as the documents you have. In addition, the service can be freely set by the user himself, and a user-friendly system can be provided.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the sticker can be attached not only to a flat document but also to an object having a curved surface.
In this embodiment, a peelable sticker is used as shown in FIG. 2, but a recording sheet that is cut and pasted by a separating means such as scissors is also conceivable. Moreover, although the sticking seal | sticker by which the adhesive material was previously apply | coated to the back surface is used, it is also considered that it is set as the recording sheet which a user isolate | separates from a base material and adhere | attaches using an adhesive agent etc. Further, in the present embodiment, the function assignment unit is set at a place other than the seal in the mount 500, but it is also conceivable to set the function assignment unit on the seal and directly assign the function to the seal.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pen device 600 (FIG. 6) is attached to a normal document or the like on which a code image is not printed by attaching a sticker to which a desired function is assigned. Service).
In the present embodiment, two business modes can be considered. That is, a sales mode as an overall system for printing on the mount 500 and a mode of selling the printed mount 500 with a seal can be considered. In the latter case, a service that allows the user who purchased the mount 500 to access the identification information management server and enables the user to define a desired function is also provided.

It is the figure which showed the whole structure of the system with which this Embodiment is applied. It is a top view which shows the mount provided with the peelable transparent seal | sticker in this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the function structure of the identification information management server in this Embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the two-dimensional code image printed on a medium in this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structural example of the pen device. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the pen device. It is a figure which shows the 1st table referred by operation | movement of an identification information management server regarding a mount. It is a figure which shows the 2nd table referred by operation | movement of an identification information management server regarding a mount. It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region divided into the mount. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which allocates a desired function with respect to a seal | sticker. It is a figure which shows the 2nd table when a function is defined by the user partially. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which links | relates the function defined by the user with the sticker stuck on the mount. It is a figure which shows partially the 1st table when there is an instruction | indication of a function by the user. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the case where a sticker is affixed on a paper. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the state which affixed the sticker on the curved surface.

Explanation of symbols

500 ... Mount, printed matter, ID0088 ... Sticker ID, id0088 ... Sticker assignment part ID, F01 ... Function number

Claims (17)

A printing apparatus for printing an image on a medium having a separation area,
Code image generation means for converting the acquired code information for printing and generating a code image;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information in the medium of the allocation area for allocating the function given to the separation area;
Area image generation means for generating an allocated area image based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means;
Printing means for printing the code image generated by the code image generation means and the allocated area image generated by the area image generation means on the surface of the medium including the separation area;
Including printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the allocation area is located in a place other than the separation area in the medium.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the layout area image as a visible image on a surface of the medium.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the code image with a transparent toner material having an absorption wavelength region in an invisible region.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a management unit that manages the acquired code information and the location information of the allocation area in association with each other. Having position information of the allocation area in a medium comprising a separation area, an image of the allocation area to which the function assigned to the separation area is allocated, and a code image obtained by converting the acquired code information for printing; and A database having code information of the code image in the separation region;
Assigning means for assigning a function to the assigned area using the position information of the assigned area;
And the database stores the function assigned to the assigned area in association with the code information of the assigned area. Further comprising instruction means for indicating the separation area to which the function assigned to the allocation area by the allocation means is provided;
7. The database according to claim 6, wherein the database stores the code information of the separation area instructed by the instruction means and the code information of the allocation area related to the function assigned by the assignment means in association with each other. Function grant system.   7. The function providing system according to claim 6, wherein the code information includes information for uniquely specifying a medium to be printed and address information in the medium. The printed material,
A sticker seal separable from the printed body;
A code image printed on the surface of the printed material main body and the sticker seal, and obtained code information converted for printing; and
An allocation area image printed on the printed matter body and assigned with a function to be given to the sticker seal;
Including printed matter.   The printed matter according to claim 9, further comprising an application region image printed on the printed matter main body and having code information associated with code information of a code image printed on the surface of the sticker sticker.   The printed matter according to claim 9, wherein the code image is printed with a transparent ink whose absorption wavelength region is mainly in an invisible region.   The printed matter according to claim 9, wherein the code image is printed with ink having wavelength absorption in an infrared region.   The printed matter according to claim 9, wherein the sticker is a sheet-like transparent medium having almost no wavelength absorption in a visible region. Mount and
A sticker that can be peeled off from the mount;
An adhesive material that is applied to the back surface of the mount and does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the light absorption wavelength region of the printing ink of the code image;
A code image printed on the surface of the sticker seal and obtained code information converted for printing; and
Including printed matter.   The printed matter according to claim 14, wherein the mount is made of a material that does not absorb in the same wavelength region as the light absorption wavelength region of the printing ink of the code image.   The adhesive material is made of a material that does not absorb in the same wavelength range as the light absorption wavelength range of the printing ink of the code image after a predetermined time when the sticker is peeled from the mount and attached to another object. The printed matter according to claim 14, wherein:   The printed matter according to claim 14, wherein the adhesive material is substantially transparent after a predetermined time has elapsed when the sticker is peeled off from the mount and attached to another object.

Images