JP4580260B2 - Information system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information system, in particular, as well as use the paper medium as an output medium information, output means of another information other, relates information system comprising an information output means having a medium is there.

  In recent years, copiers have taken the wave of digitalization, in addition to the functions of so-called copiers that simply copy documents in the past, digital multi-function peripherals equipped with scanner functions, fax functions, printer functions, etc. Printers and multifunction peripherals) (for example, see Patent Document 1). Along with this, such digital multifunction peripherals and MFPs are also incorporated in computer networks, and the information to be handled runs through the network as so-called electronic data. Furthermore, taking advantage of such characteristics of electronic data, it has come to have an aspect as a device having a filing function for storing a large amount of document data (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In this way, with the evolution of computers or network systems, all data can be conveniently used as electronic data, but conventional paper documents are also easy to read and feel, and their demand has not diminished. In such an era, data transmission / reception is also generally performed via a network. In the example of the MFP described above, not only the information read by the scanner is output on paper but also received by mail. This is also possible systematically (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2002-202870 A JP 2002-027192 A JP 2003-337682 A

  On the other hand, there is a demand for the certainty of receiving other than the distribution through the network where such exchange of information is not visible.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
A first object is to provide an information system including an information input / output device having a novel configuration capable of outputting to a medium other than paper in an information input / output device mainly composed of a sheet-like member. is there.

Another object is to provide a configuration of means for supplying an output medium other than the sheet-like member of such an information input / output device.

Another object is to provide a specific configuration of an output medium other than the sheet-like member of such an information input / output device.

Another object is to provide still another specific configuration of the output medium other than the sheet-like member of the information input / output device.

Another object is to provide still another specific configuration of the output medium other than the sheet-like member of the information input / output device.

Another object is to provide a characteristic configuration of means for outputting to an output medium other than the sheet-like member of such an information input / output device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information input / output device mainly composed of a sheet-like member typified by paper, which has an information input / output device having a novel configuration capable of outputting to other media other than the sheet-like member. To provide a system .

Another object is to provide still another configuration of such an information input / output device.

Another object is to provide another method of use unique to such an information input / output device.

The invention according to claim 1, becomes more an input unit and the processing unit of the information storage unit and an output unit, together with exchanges of information between them and configured by concentrating the respective parts in one location, and the output unit together consisting different means, one of which is a print-out means for applying a colorant to a sheet-like member, other Ri means der writing the desired information in the storage medium of the portable, the document as image information An information input / output device that stores image information read by the scanner in the storage unit and outputs the information from the output unit as needed, and a plurality of information terminal devices, and includes the information input device. in an information system where the output device and said information terminal apparatus is configured by connecting a network line, the information input and output device, the network line from the information terminal device Means for storing information transmitted through the storage unit, and making the information in the storage unit accessible from the information terminal device in response to an access request transmitted from the information terminal device through the network line Means, means for writing desired information to the portable storage medium in response to an information write request transmitted from the information terminal device via the network line, and a portable storage medium capable of writing the desired information A plurality of predetermined numbers in a removable magazine as a unit, and an automatic supply means for supplying the storage media from the magazine, and a manual supply means for receiving manual supply in units of the storage media, The magazine is provided with a mark that makes it possible to identify the mounting direction when the magazine is mounted on the information input / output device. Means for stocking a plurality of storage members of the portable storage medium; means for storing the storage medium in which information is written in the storage member stocked; and the storage member in which the storage medium is stored. Is integrated with a document printed out by the printout means .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information input / output device includes means for recording visual information for associating the document with the portable storage medium on the surface of the storage member. .

A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the portable storage medium is an optical memory.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect , the optical memory is an irreversible memory.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the portable storage medium is a magneto-optical memory.

The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 2 , the pickup unit for writing information to the portable storage medium is detachable.

A seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the portable storage medium is a semiconductor nonvolatile memory.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein an ink receiving layer is provided on a surface of the storage member.

According to the present invention, an information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, exchanging information between them and concentrating each unit on one place, The output unit comprises a plurality of different means, one of which is means for applying a color material to the sheet-like member, and the other is an information input / output device which is means for writing desired information on a portable storage medium. In addition, since a plurality of storage media before the desired information is written are stocked, information can be output to paper media (so-called printout) and the data content can be transferred to other than paper. Can be output to portable storage media, and electronic data can be stored and moved.
Furthermore, since the information input unit, processing unit, storage unit, and output unit are concentrated in one place, the output paper media and storage media can be obtained at the same place. It is very convenient to use.
In addition, since a plurality of storage media are stocked, it is possible to output a plurality of storage media on which information has been written, so that the output paper media and storage media can be distributed to a plurality of people. Became.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, a plurality of storage media before the desired information is written are packed in a magazine, and the magazine can be attached and detached. In addition, when writing information to the storage medium, the operator has to save the trouble of bringing one storage medium each time.
In addition, since the storage medium can be replenished in units of magazines in which a plurality of storage media are packed, an information input / output device with good operability can be obtained.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, since the portable storage medium is an optical memory, in addition to the above-described effects, output to a paper medium (so-called printout) is performed. As a portable storage medium when information is further stored as electronic data, it could be highly versatile and very easy to use.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, since the optical memory is an irreversible memory, in addition to the above effects, the price per storage medium as a consumable is low, which is very difficult. In addition to being an economical information input / output device, it has become possible to prevent falsification of written information.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, since the portable storage medium is a magneto-optical memory, in addition to the above-described effects, output to a paper medium in this way (so-called printout) is performed. As a portable storage medium in the case where the information obtained is further stored as electronic data, it can be made highly versatile and very easy to use.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, since the pickup unit for writing information to the portable storage medium is detachable, in addition to the above effects, When the life of the laser diode is reached, by replacing only the pickup unit, you can continue to use the means (drive device) to write the desired information on the storage media and the information input / output device body, so that it is very economical information input / output Could be a device.
Further, since the information input / output device of the present invention uses the Carlson process principle or the ink jet principle to output to paper, the paper dust, toner, ink, etc. are always in the environment or in the vicinity of the device. Therefore, the optical system such as the lens of the pickup unit is easily soiled, but since the pickup unit is removable, it can be easily cleaned or replaced.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, the portable storage medium is a semiconductor non-volatile memory. In addition to the above effects, the information is thus output (so-called printout) to a paper medium. As a portable storage medium in the case where the information obtained is further stored as electronic data, it can be made highly versatile and very easy to use.
In addition, because it is a semiconductor non-volatile memory, it is stored without loss of data even when the power is turned off, and there are no mechanical moving parts during operation, high-speed response and high reliability, and an information input / output device that is very easy to use. We were able to.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information input / output device comprising an information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit, which exchanges information among them and concentrates each unit in one place. The output unit comprises a plurality of different means, one of which is a means for applying a coloring material to the sheet-like member, and the other is an information input / output which is a means for writing desired information in a portable storage medium. Since the storage member of the portable storage medium is stocked in the apparatus, information can be output (so-called printout) to a sheet-like member typified by paper media, and its data The contents can be output to portable storage media other than sheet-like members, and electronic data can be stored and moved.
Furthermore, since the information input unit, processing unit, storage unit, and output unit are concentrated in one place, the output paper media and storage media can be obtained at the same place. It is very convenient to use.
In addition, since storage media storage members are stocked, storage media on which information is written can be stored on the spot.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, a plurality of the storage members are stocked. In addition to the above effects, a plurality of storage media on which information is written can be produced on the spot. It can be stored now.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, since the ink receiving layer is provided on the surface of the storage member, in addition to the above effects, good recording can be performed on the surface of the storage member. In addition, the fixability of the recorded information has been improved.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, after the desired information is written in the portable storage medium, it is stored in the storage member. The written portable storage media can be protected from accidents such as damage and can be safely carried.

According to the present invention, in such an information input / output device, the storage member that stores the portable storage medium is integrated with the sheet-like output object that is the output object. In addition, sheet-like output materials (sheet-like documents and sheet-like image printouts) and electronic information thereof can be referred to each other at any time, and the utility value can be increased.

  The embodiment of the system of the present invention will be described below. In addition, embodiment shown below is an illustration and is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an electrophotographic copying apparatus as a representative example of applying a color material to a sheet-like member typified by paper that is suitably applied to the system of the present invention. Needless to say, in addition to paper, a resin film such as an OHP sheet is also preferably used.

  FIG. 1 shows an engine part (image forming part) of the electrophotographic principle (Carlson process). Here, a dry two-component development type full color production in which photosensitive drums as latent image carriers are arranged in tandem. 2 shows an image forming unit of the image apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the whole of a full-color image forming apparatus in which photosensitive drums are arranged in tandem. As shown in the drawing, an image is formed at the approximate center of a four-tandem color image forming apparatus MFP (multifunction printer, multifunction peripheral). A forming unit 1 is disposed, a sheet feeding unit 2 is disposed immediately below the image forming unit 1, and a sheet feeding tray 21 is provided in each stage of the sheet feeding unit 2. A reading unit 3 for reading a document is disposed above the image forming unit 1. On the downstream side (left side in the figure) of the image forming unit 1 in the paper conveyance direction, a paper discharge storage unit, a so-called paper discharge tray 4 is provided, on which the discharged image-formed recording paper is stacked.

  In the image forming unit 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) plural colors are disposed above the intermediate transfer belt 5 formed of an endless belt. The image forming units 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) are juxtaposed. In FIG. 1, Y, M, C, and K representing colors are added after the reference numerals of the respective parts to distinguish the image forming parts of the respective colors. In each image forming unit 6, a charging device 62, an exposure unit 65, a developing device 63, a photoconductor cleaning device 64, and the like are arranged along the outer periphery of a drum-shaped photoconductor 61 provided for each color. The charging device 62 performs a charging process on the surface of the photoconductor 61, and the exposure unit 65 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 61 with laser light from the exposure device 7 that irradiates the image information with laser light. The developing device 63 develops and visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 61 by toner development, and the photoconductor cleaning device 64 removes and collects the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 61 after the transfer. .

  As an image forming process, an image for each color is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5, and four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to form one color image. At this time, first, yellow (Y) toner is developed by the yellow (Y) image forming unit 6Y, and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the primary transfer device 66. Next, the magenta (M) image forming unit 6M develops the magenta toner and transfers it to the intermediate transfer belt 5. Next, cyan toner is developed in the cyan (C) image forming unit 6C and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. Finally, black (K) toner is developed in the image forming unit 6K, and intermediate transfer is performed. The image is transferred onto the belt 5 to form a full-color toner image in which four colors are superimposed. The four-color toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred by the secondary transfer device 51 to the recording paper 20 fed from the paper feeding unit 2 and fixed by the fixing device 8. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4 by the paper discharge roller 41 or is conveyed to the double-sided device 9.

  During double-sided printing, the conveyance path is branched by the branching unit 91, and the recording paper 20 is reversed via the double-sided device 9. Then, the paper skew is corrected by the registration roller 23, and the image forming operation on the back surface is performed in the same manner as the image forming operation on the front surface. On the other hand, after the full-color toner image is transferred, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 52. Reference numeral 92 denotes a reverse paper discharge path from the duplex device 9.

  In the paper feeding unit 2, unused recording paper 20 is stored in the paper feeding tray 21, and one end of the paper feeding unit 2 swings to the bottom of the paper feeding tray 21 until the uppermost recording paper 20 contacts the pickup roller 25. The other end of the bottom plate 24 that is supported is raised. As the paper feed roller 26 rotates, the uppermost recording paper 20 is pulled out from the paper feed tray 21 by the pickup roller 25 and is transported to the registration roller 23 side by the paper feed roller 26 via the vertical transport path 27. . The registration roller 23 temporarily stops the conveyance of the recording paper 20, and sends out the recording paper 20 at a timing so that the positional relationship between the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the leading edge of the recording paper 20 is a predetermined position. The registration roller 23 functions similarly to the recording paper 20 conveyed from the manual feed tray 84 in addition to the recording paper 20 from the vertical conveyance path 27. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 81 denotes a branch claw and reference numeral 82 denotes a jam paper discharge tray. When a jam occurs on the downstream side of the vertical conveyance path 27, the branch claw 81 is operated to jam the paper discharge tray 82. Has a function of deriving paper.

  In the reading unit 3, the first and second traveling bodies 32 and 33 mounted with a document illuminating light source and a mirror reciprocate in order to scan a document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 31. Moving. The image information scanned by the traveling bodies 32 and 33 is collected on the imaging surface of the CCD 35 installed behind by the lens 34 and read by the CCD 35 as an image signal. The read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing.

  Here, the reading density is used. In the present invention, reading can be performed at a density of 300 dpi, 600 dpi, and 1200 dpi as necessary, and the reading density is selected. Further, after being filtered by the three primary color filters of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), it is read as an image signal by the CCD 35 and is taken in as color image data.

  Then, based on the image-processed signal, optical writing is performed on the surface of the photosensitive member 61 by light emission of a laser diode LD (not shown) in the exposure device 7 to form an electrostatic latent image. The optical signal from the LD reaches the photosensitive member 61 (photosensitive members for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively) through a known polygon mirror and lens. Further, an automatic document feeder / reader (Auto Document Feeder ADF) 36 for automatically feeding a document onto the contact glass is attached to the upper part of the reading unit 3.

  Here, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 36 applied to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This is a sheet-through type of reading a document image in the process of conveying sheet-like documents one by one and passing them through the reading surface of the reading means. Further, in the present invention, reading means are arranged at two locations along the document conveyance path so that the image document information on both sides can be read in the process of conveying the sheet-like double-sided document once.

  The automatic document feeder / reader (ADF) 36 of the present invention separates a document one by one from a document set unit A for setting a document bundle to be read, and a document set set in the document set unit A, and feeds them one by one. Feeding section B, registration section C having a function of temporarily abutting and aligning the fed document and a function of pulling out and transporting the aligned document, and turning the transported document to read the document surface (downward) Turn part D for conveying toward the head, a first reading conveying part (first reading position) E for reading the front surface image of the original document from below the contact glass 31, and a first side for reading the back side image of the original after reading the front side image. 2 reading conveyance section (second reading position) F, paper discharge section G for discharging the document whose front and back have been read out of the apparatus, stack section H for stacking and holding the document after reading, and driving these conveyance operations The drive to do, In, and a controller for controlling a series of operations.

  In the first reading conveyance section E, a contact glass 31, a reading roller 37, and a reading means (first reading means) (not shown) stopped immediately below the contact glass 31 are disposed. The first reading unit reads an image on the surface of the document. Further, in the second reading conveyance section F, a reading means (second reading means) 38 provided with a CCD and a reading roller 39 are arranged. The second reading unit 38 reads an image on the upper surface (back surface) of the document. The circumferential surface of the reading roller 39 is arranged to face the reading surface 38a of the reading means 38 in a non-contact state.

  In the present invention, a plurality of sheet originals can be efficiently and sequentially conveyed and image data can be read, but it goes without saying that even if only one original is used, it can be suitably used. The original can be read on both the front and back sides. However, depending on the type of the original, only one side is read or both sides are read. Normally, only one side is read at the first reading conveyance unit (first reading position) E, and in the case of a double-sided document, reading is performed by the second reading unit 38 at the second reading conveyance unit (second reading position) F. I am doing so.

  By the way, as described above, the color image forming apparatus MFP (also referred to as a multi-function printer or multi-function peripheral) according to the present embodiment scans an original by optical scanning, digitizes it, and copies it on a sheet of paper. In addition to the functions as a machine, the scanned image information data of the original document is stored in the memory inside the MFP, the image information of the original document is exchanged with a remote location by a control device (not shown), and the image information handled by the computer Is a multifunctional image forming apparatus having the function of a so-called printer for printing on a paper.

  This device alone has such a function. However, as will be described later, it is connected to a network and under server management, other various devices (scanners, various printers, optical disk drives, hard disk drives, etc.) It is also possible to make it a system that operates in cooperation with).

Next, an ink jet recording principle as another representative example of applying a color material to a sheet-like member typified by paper will be briefly described.
There are various methods for what is called ink jet recording depending on the principle, but here, as an example, a thermal ink jet method using heat will be described. Although the thermal ink jet method will be described here, an on-demand method using other piezos or a so-called continuous flow type ink jet called a charge control type can be suitably used in the present invention. Not too long.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of the inkjet head unit. FIG. 4A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view. The head unit 67 (in the case of other shapes rather than circles, the opening is 100μm ² ~700μm ² about an area equivalent) diameter 10μm~30μm a head chip 68 having a nozzle which ejects fine ink, there And an ink container portion 70 for supplying ink to the tube. The head chip 68 is connected to an FPC (flexible printed circuit) 69, and contacts an electrical contact provided on the FPC with a contact on the carriage side (not shown), thereby receiving an electrical signal from the printer main body side and receiving ink. Recording is performed by jetting. 71 is a back cover, 72 is an ink absorber, and the ink absorber 72 is a sponge impregnated with ink. Even if the carriage moves and vibrates, bubbles are generated in the ink inside the container. There is no structure. When the ink impregnated in the ink absorber 72 is used up, the entire head unit is replaced.

  Next, the ink ejection principle will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (e). FIG. 5A to FIG. 5E are cross-sectional views showing the vicinity of the ejection port in the thermal ink jet method. FIG. 5A shows a steady state in which the surface tension and the external pressure of the ink 10 are in an equilibrium state at the ejection port. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the heating element 11 is heated and the surface temperature of the heating element 11 rapidly rises, a film boiling phenomenon occurs in the adjacent ink layer, a boiling film is formed, and the bubbles 12 grow. At this time, the pressure at the discharge port rises as the bubble grows, the balance with the external pressure is lost, and the column of ink 10 (ink column) starts to grow from the discharge port. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the bubbles 12 have grown to the maximum, and the column of ink 10 (ink column) is pushed out from the ejection port portion. At this time, no current flows through the heating element 11, and the surface temperature of the heating element 11 is decreasing. The maximum value of the volume of the bubble 12 is slightly set from the timing of applying the electric pulse.

  FIG. 5D shows a state in which the bubbles 12 are cooled and stored by ink or the like. At the front end of the column of ink 10 (ink column), the ink moves forward while maintaining the pushed speed, and at the rear end, ink flows backward due to a decrease in the discharge port internal pressure as the bubble 12 contracts. The base of the column) is constricted, and then cut from the constricted portion to become ink droplets 13 and fly into the air. At the discharge port portion, the external pressure is higher than the internal pressure of the discharge port, so that the meniscus has entered the discharge port greatly. The tip of the ink droplet 13 has a speed of 8 to 18 m / s and flies in the direction of the recording paper. In FIG. 5 (e), the ink is supplied again (refilled) to the discharge port portion by capillary action, and the bubbles are completely extinguished in the process of returning to the state of FIG. 5 (a).

  In addition to such a principle, a method of pushing out almost all ink in front of the bubbles 12 to the outside of the discharge ports by the generated bubbles 12 by selecting the driving control method of the heating element and the dimensions of the discharge ports is also possible. It is. In this case, compared with the above-described method, there is no phenomenon of backflow of ink accompanying the contraction of the bubbles 12 and the phenomenon that the column of the ink 10 (the ink column) is constricted, and the frequency of ink droplet formation per one ejection port (drive frequency) Can be increased to 15 kHz to 50 kHz, and the printing speed can be increased (the above-described method has a range in which about 5 kHz to 12 kHz can be stably driven).

  The ink jet head having the principle and configuration as described above is designed so that three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) or four colors including black (B) can be printed. It is mounted on a carriage as shown in FIG. 6 and performs recording while serially interlocking the front of the sheet.

  In FIG. 6, 73 is a recording paper, and 74 is an inkjet head unit (the head unit shown in FIG. 4 is arranged for four colors. However, the shapes in the figure do not match), 74Y, 74M, 74C and 74B can print yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B), respectively. 75 is a nozzle of each head, 76 is a carriage, 77 is a guide rod for the carriage, 78 is a screw rod for moving the carriage, 79 is a recording paper transport roller, and 80 is a recording paper pressing roller.

  As described above, output means based on the electrophotographic principle and ink jet principle have been described as representative examples of applying a color material to a sheet-like member. However, depending on the application to be used, each MFP having a different output means can be selected as appropriate. That's fine. For example, the electrophotographic principle is good at high-speed output, and has a recording speed of 20 to 100 sheets per minute. On the other hand, in the case of the ink jet principle, color output can be performed with a relatively simple configuration. In addition, as in the case of the electrophotographic principle, the size of paper that can be output to some extent is limited by the width of the photosensitive drum, but in the case of the ink jet principle, there is no such limiting factor, and large paper (A0 to A2) In addition, it is possible to output to banner-like long paper.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of such a system of the present invention. The configuration of a part for processing an electrical signal of a printer unit that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and the part for processing an electrical signal of an information writing unit to an optical memory And the configuration of the portion for processing the electrical signal of the information capturing unit from the scanner are shown in detail.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the printer. A RAM 302 temporarily stores the results calculated by the CPU and image data handled by a printer or the like. A ROM 303 stores a program for operating the CPU, font data for generating image data, and the like.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 305 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 306 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus. A printer unit 307 is a part for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper. In addition to the image forming method based on the electrophotographic principle (Carlson process) as described above, there are various types of printer units such as an inkjet method (thermal, piezo, etc.). A printer interface unit 308 connects the printer unit and the I / O bus, and can transfer image data stored in the RAM 302 to the printer unit 307 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 301.

  An optical disk drive 309 is a part for reading information from an optical disk (memory) and writing information on the optical disk (memory). An optical disk drive interface unit 310 connects the optical disk drive to the I / O bus, and transfers electronic data transferred from the optical disk drive to the RAM 302 or from the RAM according to instructions from the CPU 301. It is possible to transfer to an optical disk drive.

  A scanner unit 311 converts an optical signal read from a document placed on a document table (not shown) into electronic data using a CCD or the like, and transfers the electronic data. Reference numeral 312 denotes a scanner interface unit for connecting the scanner unit 311 and the I / O bus 305. According to instructions from the CPU, electronic data obtained by reading a document transferred from the scanner is transferred to the RAM 302. It is possible.

  314 is an IDE interface unit and 313 is a hard disk drive for spooling image data and storing programs for the CPU 301 to perform various processes. A network interface controller 315 is used to connect to a local area network. Reference numeral 316 denotes an image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) for performing image processing such as resolution conversion.

  Reference numeral 317 denotes a raster image processor. In response to an instruction from the CPU 301, image data in a page description language transferred from the outside via the network interface controller 315 is expanded into a bitmap image, and the expanded bitmap data is stored in the RAM 302. Used for. Reference numeral 318 denotes a video RAM into which display data displayed on an external CRT or LCD panel by the CPU is written. A video interface unit 319 serves as an interface for displaying display data stored in the VRAM on an external CRT or LCD panel. Reference numeral 320 denotes an expansion I / O interface unit, for example, an interface circuit for the CPU 301 to communicate with a portable device or the like. There are forms of communication such as serial communication, Bicentro interface, or wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

  As is clear from the above description, the present invention comprises an information input unit, processing unit, storage unit, and output unit, and these units or various devices are network-connected by wireless, wired, optical transmission, or the like. Exchange of information. In addition, each device can be arranged in a distributed manner, but if necessary, each unit or various devices may be concentrated and arranged in one place.

  Note that the information input unit referred to in the present invention is not only the scanner unit but also the I / O interface unit, and information such as a keyboard, a touch panel, or an image capture device is omitted although explanation is omitted. Input means are also included. The processing unit or storage unit also means a CPU, RAM, or ROM as a device or device unit, but also includes a PC, server, and the like incorporated in a network system. Similarly, the output unit includes an I / O interface unit, an information display, various printers, a storage / memory device, and the like.

  As described above, the system of the present invention can be configured to be distributed or concentrated in one place. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus MFP (multifunction printer, multifunction peripheral) has a desired apparatus, server function, and large capacity. It is also preferable to mount and arrange the memory. In other words, the entire network system or its functions are condensed into a single machine, called an MFP, so that all work can be done with a single MFP. An output device is realized.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example thereof, which is a configuration in which an optical disk drive is incorporated in an electrophotographic principle (Carlson process) MFP which is an output function to paper. In FIG. 8, 85 is an optical disk drive unit, and 86 is an unused media stock section. In this example, the electrophotographic principle (Carlson process) is used as an output device for paper, but the above-described ink jet principle may be used.

  For example, file data such as a Microsoft Word file, an EXCEL file, a PowerPoint file, or a file converted into an Adobe PDF file is stored in the memory inside the MFP, and is output to paper as necessary. Further, by using the optical disk drive unit 85 in which the file data is incorporated, it can be carried as electronic data by burning it from the media stock unit 86 to an unused DVD-R or DVD-RW installed. Create an optical disc (portable storage). Note that the output of the paper document and the creation of the optical disc may be performed (almost) at the same time, or only one (print out of the paper document or creation of the optical disc) may be performed as necessary.

  Such an MFP of the present invention has a complete function as described above, but as described above, this MFP is also connected to a communication network such as the Internet via a local area network. You may connect and use it as one terminal of the network.

  Various servers are connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and a search server that searches for information or electronic data is stored, and electronic data held internally is distributed according to user requests. In addition, there are distribution servers that can perform services such as, and servers that perform various services for mobile devices such as mobile phones and services for mobile devices that can control charging.

  The MFP of the present invention can also inquire information to a search server via a communication network such as the Internet when a user performs a predetermined operation, and prints data received from the search server on the MFP. It is also possible to record information and store information in a portable storage medium or storage.

  Next, an example of an optical disk medium will be described as a representative example of a portable storage medium and storage applied to the present invention. Needless to say, the portable storage medium and storage of the present invention are not limited to this example.

  9 to 12 are diagrams for explaining means for supplying and transporting an optical disk medium before information is written to the optical disk drive unit of the present invention. In the present invention, a plurality of optical disk media before the information is written are stocked, and are conveyed to the optical disk drive unit one by one as needed to write the information.

  FIG. 9 shows a magazine 100 stocked with a plurality of optical disk media of the present invention (seven in this example). This magazine has a triangular direction indicator 101 displayed on the magazine surface in the direction of arrow A. On the other hand, the optical disc drive unit 109 is inserted in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of transporting the inserted optical disk medium 103 to the writing unit 110 of the optical disk drive unit 109 illustrated in FIG. 10. The optical disk medium 103 mounted on the transport tray 102 is Two hooks 106 are hooked in hook grooves 104 provided in the transport tray 102, and are pulled out by the hooks 106 operating in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the optical disk medium 103 mounted on the transport tray 102 is pulled out.
Thereafter, the optical disk medium 103 is transported in the writing unit 110 by engaging the rotary shaft 107 (shown in FIG. 10) with the hole 105 by using the vertical movement (operation in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 10) of the writing unit 110. The tray 102 is returned to the magazine 100. A notch 111 is provided in the transport tray 102 so that the transport tray 102 can be returned to the magazine 100 even when the optical disc medium 103 is fitted to the rotating shaft 107.

  After fitting the hole 105 into the rotating shaft 107 shown in FIG. 10, the optical disc medium 103 writes information on the recording layer by the laser beam emitted from the pickup shown in FIG. After the information has been written by the pickup 108, the work is completed by being transported and ejected in the direction of arrow B in FIG. .

  In the above, an example of means for supplying and transporting an optical disk medium for writing information to the optical disk drive unit of the present invention has been shown. The optical disk medium of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a disk type (outer diameter 120 mm, thickness 1.2 mm, hole diameter 15 mm, storage capacity CD format is not limited to 650 MB or 700 MB). Even if it is the same disk type, the outer diameter is 80 mm and the storage capacity is 185 MB in the CD format, or the rectangular shape (card type) is the business card size of 58 mm × 86 mm × 1 mm and the storage capacity is 18 MB to 50 MB in the CD format Furthermore, an optical disc medium having a star shape, an egg shape, or any other external shape and size is applicable.

  The storage capacity is also 20 MB to 700 MB in a CD format using a laser wavelength of 780 nm, 4.7 GB to 17 GB in a DVD format using a laser wavelength of 635 nm / 650 nm, and a Blu-ray using a blue laser having a wavelength of 405 nm. A format such as Disc (or HD DVD) may be selected and used from 23.3 GB to 27 GB (HD DVD is single-sided 15 GB, double-sided 30 GB) depending on the application.

  In addition to the recording density and capacity, the data recording layer uses a photosensitive organic dye (cyanine, phthalocyanine, azo, squarylium, etc.) for reading. There is a so-called R (Recordable) medium in which a stronger laser beam is applied to cause a semi-permanent reflectance change to the dye, and this change can be recorded only once.

  Depending on the recording format and capacity, there are CD-R, DVD-R, DVD + R, and the like. The reflectance change of the dye is semi-permanent and is an irreversible reaction, so it can be written only once, but it can be used for organic recording and can be used to form a recording layer by spin coating etc. There is an advantage that the production cost is lower than that of a rewritable medium described later. Further, it is a medium suitable for archival use, and is a medium that is used very conveniently when it is not necessary to modify the recorded data or when it is difficult to tamper with it.

  Also, since the price per piece of media is low, a paper document is output as in the present invention, and at the same time, the data (such as a file) is written as electronic data on the R media and distributed to many people. Very convenient for usage.

  Further, as another optical memory medium, there is a so-called RW (ReWritable) medium that uses a material capable of crystal and amorphous phase change for the data recording layer. As such a material, for example, there is a four-element alloy of Ag-In-Sb-Te (silver-indium-antimony-tellurium).

The crystal phase is heated up to the melting point all at once, and an irregular atomic state is created. This is an amorphous state, and then when this state is rapidly cooled, the atoms are frozen in a discrete state, and an amorphous phase is formed even when the temperature drops.
On the other hand, if the temperature is controlled to a relatively intermediate level that does not reach the melting point and then cooled relatively slowly, the atoms can now be recombined and the crystalline phase is It is formed. When erasing data, the crystal phase is changed in this way.

Amorphous is a state in which the arrangement of atoms is messy, and has a lower reflectance than a crystal. This change is called pits and lands. The RW media is equipped with lasers with different outputs so that these two temperatures can be reproduced.
This phase change between crystal and amorphous can be made to react reversibly, and therefore has the feature that it can be rewritten, unlike the aforementioned R media.
Also in the case of this medium, there are CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc., depending on the recording format and capacity.

In addition, a Blu-ray Disc using a blue laser having a wavelength of 405 nm or HD DVD using the above-mentioned blue laser similarly uses a material utilizing an irreversible reaction or a reversible reaction. In addition, R media and RW media can be realized and can be preferably used in the present invention.
By the way, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, such an optical memory is supplied in units of magazines containing a certain amount of optical disk media. However, when high-speed writing is required, it is stocked in this magazine. The optical disk medium that is used may be a previously formatted medium.

  For example, in the case of a CD, when writing to a CD-R with Windows (registered trademark), there are various logical formats for each OS (Romeo, Joliet, RockRidge, ISO9660, etc.). In the MFP of the present invention, instead of formatting the optical disk medium every time data is written, for example, the optical disk medium formatted in advance to ISO9660 level 1 that can be read by most OSs is stored in the magazine. Keep it. This eliminates the time required for format writing at the time of use, allows data to be written immediately, and shortens the creation time of the optical disk medium on which information is written.

  Usually, the most frequently used format should be supplied in such a way that pre-formatted optical disc media can be used immediately (install the formatted optical disc media in the pickup part of the drive). If you want to write in a format different from that format. Considering such points, it is also a good method to provide two optical disk media supply means.

  For example, usually the most frequently used format is supplied in a formatted format and an unformatted format is prepared assuming that you want to write in another format, even if it takes some time to create an optical disc, This is a usage in which formatting and data writing are performed by the MFP (internal write drive) of the present invention.

  Each formatted or unformatted optical disc medium may be supplied in a magazine, as shown in FIG. 9, or only in the format most commonly used. When a plurality of sheets are stored and supplied in a magazine and written in a special format that is used only occasionally, it may be manually fed one by one because the frequency is low.

  The above description has focused on the portable storage medium and the pure optical memory as the storage of the present invention. However, as another portable storage medium, the magneto-optical disk known as MO can be suitably used in the present invention. Magneto Optical Disk) and magneto-optical memory. The capacity is 128 MB, 230 MB, 640 MB, etc., and is appropriately selected depending on the intended use.

  The operating principle is that the recording layer of a disk made of a magnetic material (using various magnetic garnets, manganese / bismuth alloys, barium-based ferrites, etc. as the magnetic material) is heated by irradiating laser light to about 200 degrees. When the temperature rises, write (record) by changing the direction of the magnetic material by applying a magnetic field, and when reading data, irradiate the laser beam with lower output than at the time of writing, and check the difference in reflected light Data is read by detection.

  MO is highly reliable because it is not affected by magnetism and has no head crash. Like the above-mentioned optical memory, the MO is a very suitable medium as a portable storage medium incorporated in the information input / output device of the present invention. is there.

  Next, as another storage medium suitably used as the portable storage medium of the present invention, there is a semiconductor flash memory. Normally, data such as DRAM is lost when the power is turned off, which is not suitable as a portable storage medium of the present invention, but flash memory is non-volatile, and there is no such thing. There are various shapes, sizes, capacities, etc., such as USB flash memory, smart media, compact flash (registered trademark), memory stick, etc., such as card type and stick type, all of which are convenient to carry.

  In addition, similarly, there is a semiconductor memory known as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) as a non-volatile memory, which can also be suitably used as a portable storage medium of the present invention.

In both cases, data is stored without being erased even when the power is turned off, and unlike the optical memory described above, there are no mechanical moving parts during operation, all can be used by electrical control, high speed response and high reliability It is very easy to use.
The representative examples of various portable storage media and storages applied to the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the examples given here.

  The point of the present invention is to combine paper media and portable electronic information storage / recording media in the scene of information output and storage (recording), and they are associated with each other, and one unit fulfills its function. As a device (or a device configured as a system in one place), information is output (printed out) to paper media, or at the same time, or if necessary, the information is portable electronic information storage / recording It can be recorded on media and received by a single device (or a device configured in one place). In other words, paper printout documents, storage media, and storage can be received from a single device or from a single location (not from separate distributed devices).

  In addition, a magazine stocked with multiple storage media and storages is detachably installed in the main body of the device, and if necessary, the storage media and storage are transported to the drive part (information writing part, pickup part) to write information. An example of an optical disk has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to an optical disk, and the form of a magazine, the form of transport, and the writing of information are not limited to an optical disk. The form of (memory) / reading means is slightly different, but the way of thinking is the same and applies in the same way.

  Next, another portable storage medium and storage applied to the present invention will be described. In the present invention, an output material (printed material or the like) to a sheet-like member is produced by the MFP or the like as described above, and information is written on various portable storage media. And the portable storage media in which those printed matter and information were written are distributed and used for people. In addition, there are many cases where the data of the distribution is further modified or copied for use. At that time, it is now difficult to know where the original information is (who is the sender of the original information) and where the copied information is (who owns it). Is an information society. Furthermore, the current information society is where information that has been tampered with or new information has been flooded, making it difficult to understand where they are.

  Therefore, there is a demand for wanting to manage, track, or grasp such flooding information in some form. In view of this point, the present invention considers a very small IC chip of 1 mm or less (substantially 0.5 mm to 0.05 mm) as a portable storage medium or storage, and information writing is performed on this IC chip. The writer for performing is also provided in the MFP of the present invention or as an information output device connected to a network. However, the communication function is also provided as a chip of an RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification) system, not just as a memory. That is, a reader / writer (antenna + controller) and an ID tag capable of storing information in an electronic circuit are configured so that data communication can be performed by wireless communication.

  The characteristics of RFID chips differ slightly depending on the frequency band used, and the low frequency band (134.2 KHz) that is not affected by external factors such as noise and water and can be used over a relatively long communication distance is built into the car key. It is often used for immobilizers and ID tags for entrance / exit management, but it is somewhat thick because it requires a certain amount of antenna coil winding. On the other hand, what is used in the 13.56 MHz band can be made thinner. Furthermore, what is used with microwaves (2.45 GHz) can be made smaller.

  The RFID chip applied to the present invention incorporates a CMOS chip composed of an IC memory and a communication circuit and a micro antenna, and does not incorporate a power source. When reading and writing with a corresponding reader / writer, communication is performed by inducting power to the RFID chip via radio. For this reason, since there is no contact, the shape and usability are flexible. As will be described later, the sheet-like member produced in the present invention and various portable storage media written with desired information are integrated. It is very convenient to convert.

  In the present invention, such an RFID chip is output to a sheet-like member produced by the present invention as described above (printed material, etc.) and various portable storage media (for example, in which desired information is written) Information related to portable storage media in which these printed matter or information is written on this RFID chip, integrated with optical memory, magneto-optical memory, semiconductor non-volatile memory, etc., and their features (for example, what The history of information, such as whether it is the current final information based on the information), etc. can be written, and various storage media that are flooded can be tracked.

  Here, the information can be written to the RFID chip in accordance with a command from the MFP as in the case of other portable storage media and memories of the present invention. In addition, when a writer is incorporated in a network information system, information related to a portable storage medium on which a printed matter or information is written by an instruction from another information processing apparatus such as a PC, or these features Information etc. are written. In particular, the latter (when the writer is incorporated in the network information system) is convenient because it can issue a command to give information to the RFID chip by remote control without going to the information input / output device.

  As described above, since this RFID chip is very small, it can be easily integrated with paper which is a typical example of the sheet-like member of the present invention. That is, paper is originally a collection of fibers such as pulp, and a very small thing such as an RFID chip can be embedded in the gap between the fibers relatively easily. The RFID chip may be embedded and integrated in advance in the finished paper to be embedded at the time of paper production (paper making process), or it may be attached to the finished paper later with a resin adhesive or the like. .

  Various adhesives can be used as the resin adhesive. Examples thereof include a thermosetting adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive and a UV curable adhesive. The epoxy adhesive has a high adhesive ability and can be prevented from being easily broken (the RFID chip after being integrated can be removed). Further, the UV curable adhesive is convenient because it can be easily fixed in 1 second to several seconds in a non-contact manner by simply irradiating UV light in a non-contact manner.

  As another integration means, it is also convenient to use a heat softening type adhesive known as a hot melt resin or a hot melt adhesive. By simply attaching a resin to the place where the RFID chip is placed with a hot melt gun, it can be easily fixed (integrated) after being applied because it cools quickly depending on the ambient temperature (room temperature). In addition, as a hot-melt resin material, polyester type or nylon type can be selected as appropriate.

  Further, as other integration means, there is a method using a heat shrink resin made of a material such as polyolefin or neoprene, or a member known as a heat shrink tube. The RFID chip and the one integrated with the RFID chip can be combined, heat is applied, and the resin (resin tube) is contracted to be integrated and fixed. Heat can be easily contracted simply by applying hot air from a dryer or the like, so it is very convenient to use.

  Furthermore, it is also a good method to use toner as another integration means. In the present invention, a toner image is formed on paper using the principle of the Carlson process. This toner is a styrene (styrene acrylic) or polyester (polyester in the case of polymerization method) resin, a colorant, and charge control. An agent, a release agent, and various external additives are added. When a toner image is fixed on paper, the resin is softened and fixed by heat and pressure.

  In other words, the toner is a resin as described above, and thus acts like a heat-softening adhesive in a sense. Therefore, it is possible to embed the RFID chip in the toner image before fixing, and attach the RFID chip together with the fixing of the image.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, since the sheet-like member with the RFID chip or the portable storage medium with the RFID chip to which the coloring material is applied by the information input / output device, the output sheet-like member or Even if a portable storage medium on which information is written is distributed, it is possible to track where it is, and the contents of the sheet-like member and the portable storage medium on which the information is written Even if information is flooded as a result of being copied, altered, or new information added, the original original document or original information source can be determined.

  Next, other features of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, as described above, the data output to the paper medium is stored and recorded in the portable storage medium and storage, and such storage and recorded storage medium and storage, that is, after writing information These storage media and storages are physically carried using their portability.

  Such information can be transmitted and received as electronic data using a network line, but in some cases, it may be better to carry it as in the present invention. Or you may be forced to do so. Therefore, portable storage media and storage as in the present invention are used. However, when such storage media and storage itself are carried, information cannot be read due to contamination or damage. Accidents occur where it becomes possible, and subsequent data addition or editing becomes impossible. Therefore, in the present invention, such a portable storage medium and storage are used by being put in a member.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the present invention, which is an example of an MFP using the electrophotographic principle (Carlson process) as an output device for a sheet-like material such as paper. Needless to say, the MFP may be an inkjet-based MFP as described above. Here, an optical disk is used as the portable storage medium and storage. In FIG. 13, 85 is an optical disk drive unit, 86 is an unused media stock portion, and 87 is a storage member stock portion.

  As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the file data such as Microsoft Word file, EXCEL file, PowerPoint file, or converted to Adobe PDF file is saved in the internal memory of the MFP. Output paper if necessary. In addition, using the optical disk drive unit 85 in which the file data is incorporated, it is carried as electronic data by being burned to an unused DVD-R, DVD-RW, etc. that is transported from the media stock unit 86 and installed. Create an optical disc (portable storage) that can be used. The output of the paper document and the creation of the optical disc may be performed (almost) at the same time, or only one (print out of the paper document or creation of the optical disc) may be performed as necessary.

After the writing to the optical disk is completed, the optical disk medium 103 is stored in the storage member 88 stored in the storage member stock portion 87, so that it is safe to carry.
FIGS. 14 to 21 show examples in which the optical disk medium 103 is stored in the storage member 88. In the figure, 88 is a storage member, which is made of plastic, vinyl sheet, paper or the like. Reference numeral 89 denotes a storage unit in which the optical disk medium 103 is stored. Reference numeral 90 denotes a lid provided on the storage member 88 as necessary. 14A shows a state where the lid 90 is opened, and FIG. 14B shows a state where the lid 90 is semi-closed.

  FIGS. 14 to 18 are examples in which a disc-shaped optical disk medium 103 having an outer diameter of 120 mm is accommodated, and FIG. 14 is an example in which the disk-type optical disk medium 103 is accommodated in a plastic case. In the central part of the storage part 89, a projection part (height of 1 to 2 mm) having an outer diameter of 15 mm that fits into a hole having a hole diameter of 15 mm provided in the optical disk medium 103 is provided. I agree. The lid part 90 is openable and closable.

FIG. 15 shows an envelope-shaped storage member 88 made of paper. After the optical disk medium 103 is stored in the storage portion 89, the lid portion 90 is bent and covered to prevent dust and the like from entering.
16 and 17 are slightly different in shape from those in FIG. 15, but the storage structure is the same. After the optical disk medium 103 is stored in the storage member 88 made of paper or vinyl, the lid 90 is folded and the lid is closed. FIG. 16B shows a state where the lid 90 is closed.

FIG. 18 also has an envelope shape, but has a hole smaller than the outer shape of the optical disk medium 103 at the center so that it can be easily taken out.
FIGS. 19 to 21 are examples in which a pseudo card type optical disk medium 103 similar to an oval shape with both sides of a disk cut off is stored. The storing principle is the same as that of the above-described disk type, and is composed of an envelope-shaped storing member 88, and has a lid 90 as required. FIG. 20B shows a state where the lid 90 is closed.

Although several examples of storing the optical disk medium 103 of the present invention have been described above, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, a storage member 88 for storing such an optical disk medium 103 is always provided in the storage member stock portion 87. I stock several. Then, if necessary, the storage member 88 is taken out from this, and the optical disk medium 103 after writing is stored in the storage member 88 so that it can be safely carried.
When the storage member 88 is taken out from the storage member stock portion 87 and the optical disk medium 103 after writing is stored, it may be performed by a person as long as the number is one or two. When storing the optical disk medium 103, it should be automated.
In view of this point, the present invention has a function of packaging a portable storage medium in which desired information is written as a function of the MFP.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing a process for storing (packaging) a portable storage medium 205 (such as a card-type optical disk medium or a card-type semiconductor nonvolatile memory).
A portable storage medium 205 (FIG. 22A) in which desired information is written is sandwiched between storage members 207. The storage member 207 is formed by temporarily folding a base material 208 (FIG. 22B), in which cardboard, a resin sheet, or the like is cut into a rectangular shape and partially cut out, at the temporary folding portions 207a to 207d. (FIG. 22 (c)).

  In the storage member 207, the lower protective surface 207e having a large area is overlaid on the portable storage medium 205 (FIG. 22D), and the portable storage medium 205 and the storage member 207 are reversed together (FIG. 22). 22 (e)). Then, the other upper protective surface 207f of the storage member 207 is folded along the temporarily folded portion so as to be superimposed on the portable storage medium 205, and the two flaps 207g and 207h are attached to the side of the portable storage medium 205. It is folded so as to be protected, and a portable storage medium 210 after packaging is completed (FIG. 22 (f)).

The above is a process for storing (packaging) a portable storage medium provided as a function of the MFP of the present invention. An example of a mechanism for performing such a process will be described below with reference to FIG. .
The portable storage medium 205 in which desired information is written is transported and placed on the stacking table 269. The packaging mechanism 253 includes a robot arm unit 273 that takes out the portable storage medium 205 from the stacking table 269, a storage member handling unit 274 that holds the storage member 207, and a temporary folding unit 275 that temporarily folds the storage member 207. And a folding unit 276 that folds the storage member 207 so as to sandwich the portable storage medium 205 therebetween.

The robot arm unit 273 and the storage member handling unit 274 are general-purpose multi-axis robot mechanisms having articulated arms. A robot hand 273 a that sandwiches the portable storage medium 205 and the storage member 207 is provided at the tip of the arm of the robot arm unit 273. At the tip of the arm of the storage member handling unit 274, a suction pad 274a for sucking and holding the storage member 207 is provided.
The robot arm unit 273 and the storage member handling unit 274 superimpose the transportable storage medium 205 on the lower protective surface 207 e of the storage member 207 and transfer it to the folding unit 276.

The temporary folding unit 275 includes a fixing jig 278, a movable jig 279 that moves down so as to overlap the end surface of the fixing jig 278, and a moving mechanism that moves the movable jig 279 up and down, although not shown in detail. The storage member 207 is temporarily folded at the temporary folding portions 207a to 207d.
The folding unit 276 includes a box-shaped base 282 placed in a state where the portable storage medium 205 is stacked on the storage member 207, and an upper protective surface 207 f of the storage member 207 on the portable storage medium 205. A folding arm portion 283 that is folded into the arm portion 283, and a turning mechanism that turns the arm portion 283. Here, the upper protection surface 207f of the storage member 207 is folded along the temporary folding portion so as to be superimposed on the portable storage medium 205, and the two flaps 207g and 207h protect the side surface of the portable storage medium 205. Thus, the portable storage medium 210 after packaging is completed.

  Here, since the storage member 207 is described as an example of paper packaging, it is prepared as a large number (plurality) of base materials 208. (Multiple) pieces may be prepared (stock). In particular, the plastic case as shown in FIG. 14 is stocked as a plurality of completed cases.

  Next, other features of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, as described above, the data output to the paper medium is stored and recorded in the portable storage medium and storage, but when such storage medium and storage are viewed from the outside, I don't know what is remembered. Therefore, at least simple information that can be associated with the output paper media (printed-out document) is given, and it can be viewed from the outside. It is necessary to make sure that it can be visually confirmed by looking at itself.

  In the present invention, in view of this point, visual information is recorded on the surfaces of storage media and storage members. Specifically, output means based on an ink jet principle, which is a means for applying a color material to paper media, is used.

Recording by the ink jet principle is non-contact recording and direct recording, and the recording medium is not limited to paper, but can be recorded on a three-dimensional one. Therefore, various storage media and storage housing members used in the present invention may have various shapes depending on the shape of the storage media and storage. If recording or direct recording is performed, information can be easily output (recorded) on the surface.
Specifically, desired information can be written on the surface of the storage member by transporting various storage media and storage after storage to the ink jet recording head portion (portion for performing ink jet output) by transport means suitable for each. it can. In this case, it is more preferable to form an ink receiving layer on the surface to which the ink adheres so that the ink can easily adhere to the surface of the storage member or good pixels that do not bleed can be obtained.

For example, even if ink jet recording is performed on the case surface of an optical disk made of polycarbonate resin or the like, the ink adhesion is not so much, so the recorded information often disappears just by touching with the hand. Alternatively, even when a paper package is used as the storage member, depending on the paper material, bleeding may occur and good ink pixels may not be formed.
In order to avoid such a situation, the ink receiving layer is formed on the surface of the polycarbonate resin or on the paper surface for packaging. Specifically, a fine powder layer such as calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) is formed as an ink receiving layer together with a binder resin.

  As another example, instead of recording directly on the storage member in this way, a paper label or the like may be provided on the surface and recording may be performed thereon. In this case, a recorded paper label may be separately prepared and affixed to the surface of the storage member, or the storage member having the paper label affixed may be appropriately transported to the ink jet recording unit and recorded on the paper label surface. Also good. The label is not limited to paper, but may be a resin film. In that case, as described below, ink corresponding to the material of the storage member surface is selected. If the label has an ink receiving layer as described above on its surface, even a resin film label can be handled in accordance with paper.

  In general, when recording on a paper medium by the ink jet principle, water-based ink containing water as a main component of the solvent is used as the ink. For example, when recording directly on plastic such as polycarbonate, a normal ink is used. It is better to use solvent-based ink or oil-based ink because the ink does not soak into the fiber of the paper and it takes time to dry. Alternatively, it is better to use UV curable ink. However, this also includes the presence or absence of an ink receiving layer, recording directly on the case surface / recording on the label, label material (paper / resin film), and ink jet principle used (thermal ink jet method / on-demand using piezo) The optimum ink or the ink jet principle to be used for it is appropriately selected according to the system).

  FIG. 24 shows another configuration example of the present invention, which is an MFP having a dedicated inkjet recording unit 96 for writing information to a storage member by the inkjet principle. Reference numeral 95 denotes a paper feed cassette, in which a plurality of dedicated labels or storage members for portable storage media are stocked. Reference numeral 97 denotes an ink jet recording / discharging tray, which is a recorded label or a discharging member for a storage member. The storage member is used well both before and after storing portable storage media (those with built-in portable storage media), but recording should be performed after storage. When the storage member is considered, the storage member after storage has a bulge and is not in the form of a sheet like paper. Therefore, when the ink jet recording unit that outputs to a paper medium is diverted, it may be difficult to convey.

  However, as in this example, when the storage member has a dedicated inkjet recording unit 96 that performs recording based on the ink jet principle, a complicated mechanism of mixed conveyance of the paper medium and the storage member can be avoided, so that a jam or the like can be avoided. This is advantageous because trouble is less likely to occur.

Next, still another feature of the present invention will be described. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to output (print out) on a paper medium according to the Carlson process principle or the ink jet principle, write information on a portable storage medium, and store the information in a storage member to carry it. It is a thing.
In addition, the present invention also has a function of integrating a so-called paper document output to a paper medium or a sheet-like member such as an OHP sheet with a portable storage medium stored in the storage member. It is given to the MFP. FIG. 25 is an example.

  FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a state before integration, and FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a state after integration, in which desired information is written and placed in a storage member such as paper or a plastic bag. The portable storage medium 210 after packaging is integrated with the paper document 211 by the stapler 212. Also in this case, if only one document and one storage medium are integrated, a person may perform the operation manually. However, in the case of integrating more documents and storage media, Thus, it should have a function to be integrated with the MFP. In order to realize this, the present invention stocks a plurality of staples (staples) as staples and consumables.

  Although detailed description is omitted, this stapling (stopping) operation can be performed by diverting the function of the MFP to the present invention for binding a plurality of documents. That is, the paper document is sorted by a sorter (not shown) that aligns the pages of the output paper document, the portable storage medium after the packaging placed in the storage member is poured into the discharge path, and the paper document is The document and the storage medium stored in the storage member may be bound in the same manner as binding.

  The above explanation is an example of binding a paper document and a storage member of a portable storage medium after packaging with a stapler (stapling), but the present invention is not limited to this. In order to integrate the two, for example, a double-sided tape or a paste may be used. In any case, such integration members (stapler, double-sided tape, glue, etc.) are always housed in the MFP of the present invention as consumables. Further, not only paper documents but also sheet-like output materials (sheet-like documents and sheet-like image printout materials) that are output (printed out) by the MFP (print-out device based on the Carlson process principle or ink-jet principle) of the present invention. ) Applies to all.

  By the way, the above-described RFID chip is integrated with a sheet-like member or a portable storage medium. However, the RFID chip is integrated with the above-described storage member, and the portable storage medium and the storage member. It is also a good method for tracking or managing information on the portable storage medium of the present invention.

  Next, still another feature of the present invention will be described. Since the information input / output device of the present invention handles paper, it is in an environment where paper dust, toner, ink, and the like are constantly drifting in or near the device. Therefore, the semiconductor laser for recording in a storage such as the optical memory of the present invention and the pickup unit (see 108 in FIG. 10) composed of the optical system are destined to be easily contaminated with paper dust, toner, ink, and the like.

  Further, unlike a semiconductor non-volatile memory which is another example of the present invention, information is written / read (output) by electrical input / output, and a storage such as an optical memory is physically composed of a pickup unit and a storage. This is due to the operating principle itself of performing mechanical operation, but it is also prone to failure (life of the laser diode or failure of the mechanical operating part). In particular, the floating of paper dust, toner, ink, etc., which is peculiar to the present invention, is an important factor that causes mechanical operation failure.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in order to compensate for the low reliability due to such dirt or failure, the pickup unit can be detached from the drive part, and the optical system such as a lens is dirty, If it interferes with use, it can be easily replaced or the lens part can be cleaned.

  As described above, in the case of the present invention having such a storage such as an optical memory in the MFP, there is a contamination of the optical system due to paper dust, toner, ink, etc., or a failure of the mechanical operation part of the pickup unit. However, since this can be removed and replaced, there is an advantage that the function can be easily recovered.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image forming unit of a full-color image forming apparatus of a dry two-component development system in which photosensitive drums as latent image carriers according to the first embodiment of the present invention are arranged in tandem. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire full-color image forming apparatus of a dry two-component development system in which photosensitive drums as a latent image carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention are arranged in tandem. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an automatic document conveying / reading apparatus applied to a full-color image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the recording device of the inkjet principle which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation principle of the ink ejection in the thermal inkjet system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a structure of the printing operation of the inkjet recording which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed explanatory diagram of an electric processing unit such as a printer unit, an optical memory, a scanner, and a hard disk according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which an optical disk drive unit is incorporated in an MFP as one configuration example of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a magazine storing a plurality of optical disk media before information writing applied to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation principle of mounting | wearing an optical disk medium to the optical disk drive unit applied to this invention, information writing, and discharge | emission. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which conveys the optical disk medium after magazine insertion to the writing part. It is sectional drawing which shows a state when the optical disk medium mounted in the conveyance tray is pulled out. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which an optical disc drive unit and a storage member stock unit are incorporated in an MFP as one configuration example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example which accommodates a disk type | mold optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the other structural example which accommodates a disk type | mold optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example which accommodates a disk type | mold optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example which accommodates a disk type | mold optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example which accommodates a disk type | mold optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the structural example which accommodates the pseudo | simulation card type optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the other structural example which accommodates a pseudo card type optical disk medium. It is a figure which shows the further another example of a structure which accommodates a pseudo card type optical disk medium. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the storage (packaging) process of a card-type portable storage medium. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism for performing a process of storing (packaging) a card-type portable storage medium provided in the MFP of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an MFP having a dedicated inkjet recording unit for writing information on a storage member by an inkjet principle as one configuration example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example which integrates the storage member which accommodated the paper document and the storage medium.

Explanation of symbols

A: Document setting section, B: Separation feeding section, C: Registration section, D: Turn section, E: First reading conveyance section (first reading position), F: Second reading conveyance section (second reading position) , G ... paper discharge unit, H ... stack unit, 1 ... image forming unit, 2 ... paper feed unit, 3 ... reading unit, 4 ... paper discharge tray, 5 ... intermediate transfer belt, 6 ... image forming unit, 7 ... exposure Device: 8: Fixing device, 9: Double-sided device, 10: Ink, 11: Heating element, 12: Air bubble, 13: Ink droplet, 20 ... Recording paper, 21 ... Paper feed tray, 23 ... Registration roller, 24 ... Bottom plate, 25 ... pickup roller, 26 ... paper feed roller, 27 ... vertical conveyance path, 31 ... contact glass, 32 ... first traveling body, 33 ... second traveling body, 34 ... lens, 35 ... CCD, 36 ... automatic document Conveyance reading device, 37... Reading roller, 38... Reading means (second reading means), 3 a ... reading surface, 39 ... reading roller, 41 ... discharge roller, 51 ... secondary transfer device, 52 ... intermediate transfer belt cleaning device, 61 ... photosensitive member, 62 ... charging device, 63 ... developing device, 64 ... photosensitive member Cleaning device, 65 ... exposure unit, 66 ... primary transfer device, 67 ... head unit, 68 ... head chip, 69 ... FPC, 70 ... ink container unit, 71 ... back cover, 72 ... ink absorber, 73 ... recording paper 74 ... Inkjet head unit, 75 ... Nozzle, 76 ... Carriage, 77 ... Guide rod, 78 ... Screw rod, 79 ... Recording paper transport roller, 80 ... Recording paper pressing roller, 81 ... Branch claw, 82 ... Jam paper discharge Tray, 84 ... manual feed tray, 85 ... optical disc drive unit, 86 ... media stock section, 87 ... storage member stock section, 88 ... storage member, 89 ... storage section 90 ... lid part, 91 ... branching part, 92 ... reverse paper discharge path, 95 ... paper feed cassette, 96 ... ink jet recording part, 97 ... ink jet recording paper discharge tray, 100 ... magazine, 101 ... triangle direction indication mark, 102 ... Conveying tray, 103 ... optical disc medium, 104 ... hook groove, 105 ... hole, 106 ... hook, 107 ... rotating shaft, 108 ... pickup, 109 ... optical disc drive unit, 110 ... writing unit, 111 ... notch, 205 ... portability Storage medium, 207 ... storage member, 208 ... base material, 207a ... provisional folding part, 207b ... provisional folding part, 207c ... provisional folding part, 207d ... provisional folding part, 207e ... lower protection surface, 207f ... upper protection surface, 207g ... Flap, 207h ... Flap, 210 ... Portable storage media after package end, 211 ... Paper Document 212, stapler, 253 ... packaging mechanism, 269 ... stacking base, 273 ... robot arm unit, 273a ... robot hand, 274 ... storage member handling unit, 274a ... suction pad, 275 ... temporary folding unit, 276 ... folding unit 278 ... Fixing jig, 279 ... Movable jig, 282 ... Base, 283 ... Folding arm part, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... RAM, 303 ... ROM, 304 ... Local bus, 305 ... I / O bus, 306 ... Bridge circuit, 307 ... printer unit, 308 ... printer interface unit, 309 ... optical disk drive, 310 ... optical disk drive interface unit, 311 ... scanner unit, 312 ... scanner interface unit, 313 ... hard disk drive, 314 ... IDE interface Esu unit, 315 ... network interface controller, 316 ... image processing unit, 317 ... raster image processor, 318 ... video RAM, 319 ... video interface unit, 320 ... extended I / O interface unit.

Claims (8)

An information input unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit are used to exchange information between them, and to configure each unit in one place, and the output unit includes a plurality of different means. , one of which is a print-out means for applying a colorant to a sheet-like member, other Ri means der writing the desired information in the storage medium of the portable, together comprising a scanner for reading a document as image information, An information input / output device that stores image information read by the scanner in the storage unit and outputs the image information from the output unit as necessary ;
A plurality of information terminal devices,
In the information system configured by connecting the information input / output device and the information terminal device through a network line ,
The information input / output device includes:
Means for storing in the storage unit information transmitted from the information terminal device via the network line;
Means for making information in the storage unit accessible from the information terminal device in response to an access request transmitted from the information terminal device via the network line;
Means for writing desired information in the portable storage medium in response to an information write request transmitted from the information terminal device via the network line;
Automatic supply means for storing a portable storage medium in which desired information can be written in a removable magazine as a unit in a plurality of predetermined numbers, and supplying the storage medium from the magazine;
Manual supply means for receiving manual supply in units of the storage media,
The magazine is provided with a mark that makes it possible to identify the mounting direction when mounting the information input / output device,
The information input / output device includes:
Means for stocking a plurality of storage members of the portable storage media;
Means for storing the storage medium in which information is written in the storage member stocked;
Means for integrating the storage member in which the storage medium is stored with a document printed out by the printout means;
An information system characterized by comprising:   The information system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output device includes means for recording visual information for associating the document with the portable storage medium on a surface of the storage member. 3. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the portable storage medium is an optical memory. The information system according to claim 3 , wherein the optical memory is an irreversible memory. 3. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the portable storage medium is a magneto-optical memory. 3. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the pickup unit for writing information on the portable storage medium is detachable. 3. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the portable storage medium is a semiconductor nonvolatile memory. Information system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by providing an ink receiving layer on the surface of the receiving member.