GB2155860A

GB2155860A - Copying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2155860A
Application number: GB08507089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hermann Stockburger; Hans-Georg Winderlich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-03-23
Filing date: 1985-03-19
Publication date: 1985-10-02
Also published as: DE3410775C1; GB8507089D0; FR2561794A1; BE902006A; JPS60217373A

Abstract

A copying apparatus is provided comprising a copying means for generating a copy of an original. In order to allow only such originals to be copied by a user which belong to a class corresponding to user criteria proved by the user, data characterizing the class on the originals are scanned and supplied to a comparator for checking whether the criteria are fulfilled. The data may be a bar code in an area not copied or in an ink not reproducible eg UV-reflective

Description

SPECIFICATION Copying apparatus The invention generally relates to a copying apparatus comprising copying means for generating a copy of an original and more particularly to a copying machine with access control. The invention further relates to a method of generating copies or duplications of an original, in which the user proves his identity and his authorization for using the copying machine by inputting user representative data. As far as hereby and in the following the term "copying apparatus" is used, it should be understood that any kind of reproduction device is meant.

The German patent 31 32 633 makes known copying apparatus in which for the purpose of proving which original has been copied with an apparatus, an additional record of each original is produced in addition to the copy to be generated.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved copying apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a copying apparatus allowing to prove the copying of a certain original.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a copying apparatus which allows only such originals to be copied which fulfill predetermined user criteria.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a respective copying method.

In accordance with the invention the copying apparatus with access control comprises a copying means for generating a copy of an original, a support for receiving the original to be copied, means for inputting user representative data by means of an authorization card and for comparing said data with predetermined user data such that the copying operation is enabled in case of coincidence of the user representative data and the predetermined data, a sensor for scanning at least a portion of the original through the support, said portion comprising an information characterizing the original, said sensor having an output connected with a processing means for further processing the data derived from the output signal, said means for comparing the user representative data with the information characterizing the original serving for enabling or blocking the copying operation.

Further features, objects and advantages of the invention will stand out from the following description of non-limitative examplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic sectional representation of an inventive copying apparatus; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the invention; Figures 3a to 3d show different embodiments of originals to be copied; Figure 4 is a sectional representation similar to Fig. 1 of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the embodiment shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a sectional representation of a further embodiment.

In the copying apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 the front wall facing the user is omitted for clarity. In conventional manner the copying apparatus 1 comprises a copying means 2 of conventional type, a paper supply station 3 for supplying paper to the copying means and a support 4 for the originals to be reproduced with the copying apparatus. The output side of the copying means 2 is followed by a conveying channel 5 which is used for the output of a generated copy in the usual manner. The copying apparatus is provided with a control panel 6 having a display 7 and a button 8 for starting the copying operation. The actual control with the data processing portion is integrated into the control panel 6. In conventional manner the copying means 2 comprises a drum 9 as intermediate image carrier, a coloring station 10 and a fixing station 11.Furthermore, the actual imaging apparatus is provided which comprises a lamp sledge 13 with the lamps 14 reciprocating in direction of an arrow 12 parallel to the support 4.

A deflection mirror 15 is fixedly connected with the lamp sledge 13 and reciprocable together therewith parallel to the support. Spaced from the lamp sledge 13 is a deflection mirror pair 16 being movable parallel to the lamp sledge 13 and simultaneously therewith in the direction of an arrow 17, the speed of the deflection mirror pair 16 being half of the speed of the lamp sledge 13. A lens 18 is arranged in the light path behind the deflection mirror pair 16. The lens is stationarily connected with the machine frame in a manner not shown.

From the lens 18 the light path passes through a further deflection mirror 19 to the drum 9. This imaging apparatus will generate an intermediate image of an original to be copied on the drum 9.

A sensor 20 is fixedly mounted on the lamp sledge 13 and aligned such that it allows to scan the bottom side of the support 4.

In Fig. 2 the sensor is shown in a block diagramtype schematical representation. The sensor 20 comprises a lamp 21 designed as ultra-violet lamp.

The sensor further comprises a photo detector 22 which is sensitive to the wave-length region of the ardiation of lamp 21. The lamp 21 and the photo detector 22 are aligned such that the lamp illuminates that region 23 of the support 4 which is reflected towards the photo detector 22. A filter 24 which is only transparent for UV-radiation is disposed between the region 23 and the photo detector 22. Hence the sensor 20 illuminates the original 25 placed on the support 4 with UV-radiation and scans the reflexion of this radiation.

In this embodiment the lamp 21 and the photo detector 22 operate in the ultra violet region. Basically also another wave-length region may be used. It is important that a wave length region is used which is outside that wave-length region in which the copying means is sensitive, in order to separate the additional information and the information of the original to be copied.

In addition to the display 7 and the keyboard 8 for starting the copying apparatus or for inputting informations, respectively, the control panel 6 comprises a terminal 27 for receiving and processing authorization cards similar to banking cards.

The terminal comprises a controller 28 which is connected with a microcomputer 26. The microcomputer 26 is connected with the display 7 on the one hand and with the controller 29 for the copying means 2 on the other hand. In addition the microcomputer 26 is connected with a data store 30.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 26 controls the voltage supply of the lamp 21 via a power amplifier 31 at the outlet thereof. The photo detector 22 is connected with an input of the microcomputer 26 through a signal amplifier 32 and a threshold value amplifier 33.

In conventional manner the authorization card is formed to contain the data for the authenticity check, i.e. for providing evidence that the card is among the allowed cards, as well as for identification, i.e. for providing evidence with respect to whom the card was delivered, in a manner to be read out by the terminal 27, particularly in coded form and on a magnetic track. The authorization card further comprises in conventional manner adjustment members by which the authorized user may adjust a code word only known to himself in the form of a memorized number and,or memorized word. The adjustment of the adjustment members made by the user may be detected by the terminal 27. The personal code words may be stored in the computer 27.However, it is also possible to mark the authenticity data resulting from the adjustment of the adjustment members on the authorization card itself in a manner to be read out by the terminal, so that the terminal 27 and the microcomputer 26 will compare the data referring to the personal code word eventually marked in coded form on the authorization card with the actual adjustment of the adjustment members. In cases of coincidence it will be assumed that the user is actually the authorized person.

As may be seen from the Figures 3a to 3d the originals 25, 251, 252, 253 to be copied comprise a bar code information 35, 35a, 35b; 351, 351 a; 352; 353 independent and besides of the actual information 34 of the original. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a several bar code rows 35, 35a, 35b having each the same information are provided spaced from each other and extending transversely across the original. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3b two bar code information tracks 351, 351a are provided at the outer edges and extending in longitudinal direction, and in the embodiments of the Figs. 3c and 3d the bar code extends in transversal direction or longitudinal direction, respectively, between the other information 34 of the originals.In the embodiments according to the Figures 3a and 3d the code information is read out transversely in direction of the arrows 36, whereas in the embodiments of the Figs. 3b and 3c the reading is made longitudinally in direction of the arrows 37. In the embodiments shown the code information which is provided only once or in a plural manner distributed over the sheet, covers a large region of the original. It shall thereby be accomplished that it is impossible to slip smaller documents for copying thereof below a portion of the original which is not covered with bar code information.

In the cases shown in the Figs. 3a and 3b the code information which is only provided in such regions of the original where actual information 34 is present, may be recorded in usual coloring manner. In those cases in which the code information extends over regions which also contain usual information 34, i.e. in the embodiments of Figs. 3c and 3d, the code information is preferably applied with a color which is not imaged by the copying means 2. According to an embodiment a color is used which is not imaged by the copying means but emitted in the ultra violet region by illuminating with ultra violet radiation by means of the lamp 21 and detected by the photo detector 22.

The individual originals to be copied are divided into different groups which e.g. correspond to different security groups, by means of the applied code information. The micro-computer is designed such that it enables the copying means 2 for a copying operation through the controller 29 whenever the authorization card inputted into the terminal 27 indicates an information which authorizes the owner of this authorization card to copy originals of just this such coded group. If for example originals of different degrees of secrecy are concerned, then the microcomputer compares the information read from the authorization card as to whether the owner is authorized to copy an original of that secrecy degree which is represented by the code and read out by the sensor 20. If this is true the copying operation is carried through. Otherwise the copying operation is not enabled or stopped.The latter happens in particular in case that for example the code information distributed over the complete original may only be scanned over portions, because a not allowed smaller document has been slipped below.

Through the microcomputer it is stored in the data store 30 who, as proved by the authenticity card entered into the terminal 27, has copied which original, as proved by the bar code information of the original read out by the sensor 20, when and how often. The contents of the data store 30 may for example be read out by a not shown coupled screen or printed out by a not shown coupled printer. It is thus achieved that on the one hand only such documents may be copied by a person which that person is authorized to copy, and on the other hand all data concerning the copying operation are stored in a manner to be constantly recalled.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 comprises additional means for introducing information into the imaging light path of the copying means. This means comprises a flash light lamp 38 with parabolic reflector 39. A lens 40 transforming the light from the flash light lamp to a parallel ray beam is arranged at the flash light lamp 38. A so-called light valve formed as an LC-display 41 is disposed in the light path following the lens 40. The light valve is followed in the optical light path by an ob jective lens 42. The latter forms an image of the LC-display 41 via the deflection mirror 19 on the drum 9. The members 38 to 42 as well as the deflection mirror 19 are stationarily disposed relative to the machine frame by means of not shown mountings.The two light paths consisting of the members forming the image of the original and the members forming the image of the LC-display are disposed in a manner to be offset from each other such that they do not influence the respective other light path. The lamp 14 of the lamp sledge 13 and the flash light lamp 38 as well as the light valve 41 are connected with the controller 29 and are driven by the same. With this embodiment it is possible to mark for example user representative data on the copy to be generated by fading in numerical or alpha numerical information onto the drum 9 serving as intermediate image carrier as a series of characters in a manner driven by the microcomputer. The associated block diagram is shown in Fig. 5. It substantially corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig.2.The microcomputer drives the flash light lamp 38 through one output and an amplifier 43 and the light valve 41 for generating a fading-in on the drum 9 through a second output and a display driver 44.

In the above described embodiment each original comprises a coded information characterizing the association of the original to a certain class, for example a certain security degree. In addition the coded information may also identify the original itself, for example by the file number of the original or an evidence about the contents of the original.

Of course these data are also stored in the data store 30.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 a sensor 45 comprising a first reading head 46 and a second reading head 47 is provided in addition to the above described sensor 20. As well as the sensor 20 the sensor 45 is fixedly connected with the lamp sledge 13 and mounted thereon and is hence reciprocated parallel to the support 4 together with the lamp sledge. The reading heads are designed such that they scan a track of the support or of the original thereabove, respectively, when reciprocated. The reading head 46 is designed to be able to read out an inherent information of the authenticity card. The output thereof is connected with the microcomputer 26 which digitizes the output signal and supplies the same to a comparator.The second reading head 47 is designed to be able to read out an information applied to the original, which is printed on the original or written into a magnetic track thereof. The output thereof is as well connected with the microcomputer which as well forms a digitized signal of the output signal of the second reading head and supplies the same to the comparator. The comparator provides an output signal if both informations coincide, and then provides an enabling signal to the controller 29 for enabling the copying means. However, in case the comparator does not provide an output signal due to missing coincidence, the copying means is not enabled.

If this second sensor is used the originals each comprise a measuring track for scanning the material-inherent property therealong by means of the first reading head 46. Characteristic data reflecting the contents of the measuring track are printed on the track parallel thereto. By using this second sensor 45 it is achieved that the copying apparatus may detect whether the original is an authentic original or a falsification.

It should be understood that the above description is in no way limitative and that many modifications may be brought to the embodiments disclosed without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. Copying apparatus with access control comprising a copying means for generating a copy of an original, a support for receiving the original to be copied, means for inputting user representative data by means of an authorization card and for comparing said data with predetermined user data such that the copying operation is enabled in case of coincidence of the user representative data and the predetermined data, a sensor for scanning at least a portion of the original through the support, said portion comprising an information characterizing the original, said sensor having an output connected with a processing means for further processing the data derived from the output signal, said means for comparing the user representative data with the information characterizing the original serving for enabling or blocking the copying operation.

2. The copying apparatus of claim 1 comprising a light source for illuminating said portion to be scanned.

3. The copying apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light source emits light in a wave-length region in which the copying means is insensitive.

4. Copying apparatus of any of the claims 1-3, wherein said output is connected with a computer which is again connected with said means for further processing.

5. The copying apparatus of claim 4, wherein said computer is connected with means for inputting user representative data.

6. Copying apparatus of any of the claims 1-5, wherein -10- said sensor is designed as a bar code reader.

7. Copying apparatus of any of the claims 1-6, comprising means for applying information to the copy, said means being adapted to be driven by said computer.

8. Copying apparatus of any of the claims 1-7, wherein said copying means for generating said copy comprises a lamp sledge being movable along said support, and wherein said sensor is connected with said lamp sledge.

9. Method for generating copies or reproductions of an original, in which the user proves his identity and his copying authority by introducing user representative data into a control means of a copying apparatus, whereupon the copyimg operation is released in case of coincidence of of the in troduced data with presettable required data, wherein the originals are divided into classes by an additional information on the originals, the user proves his authority for copying a certain class of originals by introducing further data, the additional information on the original is scanned and the class of the original is determined thereof, and the class of the original is compared for coincidence with that class which the copying authority has been proved for.

10. Copying apparatus with access control, substantially as described above and shown in the attached drawings.

11. A method of operating a copying machine, substantially as disclosed above.