JP2000140664A - Shredder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shredder in which the burden of work by an worker is lightened and which excels in workability. SOLUTION: Sheets separated and conveyed one by one have images on both the surface and back face thereof read at the same time by image read-out parts 110, 111, and the read images are accumulated and stored in a photomagnetic disk. And when the readout of the sheets is finished, the sheets undergo shredding treatment in the shape of a long, slender strip of paper to write waka(haiku) on by shredding rollers 114 and 115 and they are made to fall into and housed in a waste paper housing box 117. Or, in the case of sheets not needing shredding, by enlarging the spacing between the shredding rollers 114 and 115 a fixed distance or more, sheets 102a are passed without stopping and a waste paper guide plate 116 is rotated and moved to a prescribed position to make them fall into and housed in a non-shredded sheet housing box 118 without undergoing shredding treatment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus for cutting an unnecessary recording medium, and more particularly to a cutting apparatus having a function of reading information on a recording medium and processing information of the read information. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, information formed on the surface of a recording medium such as a visible image on paper is read,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an electronic file device that stores and records on another recording medium after performing necessary processing, transmits the same to another device via an interface line, and reproduces and displays the same on a reproducing device.

There is also known a shredder device for cutting a recording medium which has become unnecessary after being processed by such an electronic file device.

[0004] In recent years, simple printing apparatuses, such as copiers and printers, which output various information using paper as a printing medium, have been widely used in offices.

[0005] Further, today, not only business colors of about 8 to 16 colors but also ink jet printers capable of full color expression of photographic image quality have been put into practical use.
Along with this, various high-quality output media such as glossy paper, coated paper, glossy film and the like have been rapidly spread in order to bring out the printing performance of these printers to 100%.

On the other hand, devices that utilize image information formed on a transparent plastic film (hereinafter, referred to as an OHP sheet) such as an overhead projector have been widely used. A situation has arisen in which not only conventional paper but also a plastic film or a print medium using a composite material of both are mixed and used in various ways.

[0007] Although these simple printed materials vary in length depending on the use, they are currently destined to be finally discarded.

[0008] In order to minimize as much as possible the simple printed matter that is bound in a file and stored for a long period of time, and to make effective use, the simple printed matter is read by a scanner device to be converted into electronic data, An electronic file device that stores index information for search on an electronic medium such as a disc after adding it to a CRT display device or a liquid crystal display has been put into practical use and introduced into an office. I started to
Because it is difficult to design how to construct the index information for effective search, documents such as slips, drawings and specifications that originally have a clear management system and are easy to design the index are operated efficiently. However, at present, general documents that are generated daily in general offices are not necessarily widespread.

[0009] On the other hand, recently, awareness of environmental destruction has increased, and recycling of paper has been strongly desired from the viewpoint of forest protection.

Therefore, in the office, not only recycling of general documents but also highly confidential documents are not incinerated and discarded as ash, but cut into thin strips by a shredder device. There is an urgent need to provide it as recycled paper material.

[0011]

However, in the case of the above-described prior art, the following problems have occurred.

For the above-mentioned reasons, not only are the recycle boxes for general documents widely placed in modern offices, but also shredder devices so that highly confidential documents can be cut and processed and then recycled. It has come to be arranged.

However, since important documents with high confidentiality are mainly cut by the shredder device, an image is read by a scanner using the above-described electronic file device or the like before the document is applied to the shredder device. Above,
Most of the electronic media such as magneto-optical disks need to be backed up for secondary use in the future.

On the other hand, the printing medium used in the office is, as described above, a conventional paper (ie, a so-called ordinary paper in which plant fibers are entangled and adhered to each other;
Special media such as glossy films, OHP sheets, and the like have been used together.

However, shredding devices widely used in offices today are usually prohibited from cutting these special media.

That is, if the plain paper and the special medium are mixed and cut, it is difficult to separate and collect both from the waste material cut into thin strips. This is a restriction in terms of recycling.

Therefore, when there is a possibility that these special media are mixed in the print media, it is necessary to perform a sorting operation in advance to remove the special media.
This can sometimes be quite complicated.

For example, in the case where a plurality of OHP sheets are stored, such as presentation materials, each of the OHP sheets is so arranged that the ink or toner attached to one of the sheets does not transfer to the other. In many cases, plain paper is sandwiched in between, but in this case, the operator needs to sort these one by one.

Furthermore, recently, a special medium which must not be cut is included in a group of documents which does not include an OHP sheet, such as using a glossy film for including a photographic image as a material by an ink jet printer or the like. And a more complicated situation has arisen.

In addition, since the shredder device processes various miscellaneous documents in a batch, some of them include plain paper having blank white paper on both sides, and plain paper which has a solid black print portion and is not suitable for recycling. In some cases, it is desirable that the cutting process is not performed on these plain papers if possible.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting apparatus which reduces the work load on the worker and has excellent workability. is there.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above object, in a cutting apparatus according to the present invention, a conveying means for conveying a recording medium, and a reading means for reading recorded information of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means. And cutting means for cutting the recording medium from which the recording information has been read by the reading means.

A plurality of sheet-shaped recording media placed on
It is preferable to provide a separating means for separating and feeding the sheets one by one.

[0024] The reading means may read out the recording information of one recording medium in units of one recording medium, and then perform the cutting operation by the cutting means.

Preferably, the reading means is capable of reading each piece of recording information formed on both sides of a sheet-like recording medium.

It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a judgment control means for judging whether or not to perform the cutting operation by the cutting means based on the information read by the reading means.

It is preferable that the recording medium that has been cut by the cutting means be separated from the recording medium that has not been cut and stored separately.

[0028] When the judgment control means judges that there is no valid information in the read information, it is preferable not to perform cutting.

The number of black pixels formed on the sheet-shaped recording medium is read by the reading means. If the number of black pixels is smaller than a predetermined amount, the judgment control means judges that the recording medium is blank and cuts. Should not be performed.

Further, when the judgment control means judges that the effective information in the read information exceeds a predetermined amount, the judgment control means may not perform the cutting.

The number of black pixels formed on the sheet-shaped recording medium is read by the reading means, and when the number of black pixels exceeds a predetermined amount, the judgment control means does not need to perform cutting.

[0032] Preferably, a recording means is provided for storing the information read by the reading means.

When it is determined by the determination control means that there is no valid information in the read information, or when it is determined that the recording medium is blank, the information is not recorded in the recording means or the information is not read. The information may be marked with an invalid mark and recorded on the recording means.

Preferably, the invalid mark is included in a part of a file name given to information data to be recorded.

When the recording capacity of the recording means has run out or becomes less than a predetermined amount, the cutting operation by the cutting means may be stopped or a stop preparation operation may be performed.

The reading means may be a photoelectric conversion element for reading information by photoelectrically converting a visible image by an image sensor.

The cutting means may be a sheet cutting means for cutting a sheet.

The sheet cutting means is constituted by a pair of cutting rollers provided with a roller surface capable of coming and going freely. When cutting is not performed, the distance between the roller surfaces is set to a predetermined distance or more to separate the recording medium. It is good to let it pass.

Transport means for transporting the recording medium; reading means for reading the recording information of the recording medium transported by the transport means; cutting means for cutting the recording medium from which the recording information has been read by the reading means; , A cutting device comprising, the read information read by the reading means,
A plurality of information processing means for performing information processing under different condition settings are provided, and a plurality of information processing results obtained by processing one unit of information under different conditions are obtained.

It is preferable to provide a record management means for managing a plurality of information processing results obtained by the information processing means in association with each other as one unit, and to operate each information processing means based on the record management means.

The information processing means includes a recording means for storing information read by the reading means, a transmitting means for transmitting the information read by the reading means to an external device,
And at least one of information reproducing means for displaying information read by the reading means on a display unit.

The management data by the recording management means may be included in a part of a file name given to the information data to be recorded.

A transport unit for transporting a sheet-shaped recording medium, a photoelectric conversion element for photoelectrically converting a visible image formed on the surface of the recording medium transported by the transport unit with an image sensor to read information, Cutting means for cutting a recording medium from which recording information has been read by the photoelectric conversion element, wherein the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion element is binarized by setting different conditions. A plurality of binarization processing means are provided to obtain a plurality of binarization data processed under different conditions for one unit of information.

[0044] The binarization processing means may divide the visible image formed on the surface of the recording medium into a plurality of stages for each predetermined density, and perform a binarization process in accordance with information obtained for each density area. .

A plurality of information processing means for processing the binary data obtained by the binary processing means under different condition settings are provided, and one unit of the binary data is processed under different conditions. It is preferable to obtain a plurality of information processing results.

There is provided a binarized data management means for managing a plurality of binarized data obtained by the binarization processing means in association with each other as one unit. The processing means may be operated.

The information processing means includes recording means for storing and recording the binary data, transmitting means for transmitting the binary data to an external device, and image information based on the binary data on a display unit. It is preferable to have at least one of the image information reproducing means.

It is preferable that the management data by the binarized data management means is included in a part of a file name given to information data to be recorded.

Further, in a cutting apparatus having a conveying means for conveying the recording medium and a cutting means for cutting the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, the type of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means is determined. Determining means for determining whether or not to perform cutting by the cutting means based on a result of the determination by the determining means.

A measuring means for measuring the property of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means is provided, and different measuring means based on the only property obtained by the measuring result of the measuring means or by plural measuring results are provided. The type of the recording medium may be determined by the determination unit based on a combination of a plurality of properties.

The measuring means includes: a gloss measuring means for measuring the gloss of the recording medium surface; a roughness measuring means for measuring the roughness of the recording medium surface; a hardness measuring means for measuring the hardness of the recording medium surface; Color measuring means for measuring the surface color, thickness measuring means for measuring the thickness of the recording medium, transmittance measuring means for measuring the transmittance of the recording medium, conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the recording medium surface, And at least one of a hygroscopicity measuring means for measuring the hygroscopicity of the recording medium.

The measuring means is preferably provided so that both sides of the sheet-shaped recording medium to be conveyed can be measured.

[0053]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The material, shape, relative arrangement, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified.

(First Embodiment) A cutting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the configuration and the like of the entire shredder device as a cutting device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cutting device (shredder device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a stacking tray for stacking sheets as a recording medium to be cut, which is formed on the front upper surface of the apparatus itself, and a plurality of sheets 102 stacked on the stacking tray 101. Is the upper surface 10 of the device.
In response to a command input from an operation panel 104 provided on the sheet tray 3, the sheet is fed into the shredder device main body by a feed roller 105, which is one of transport means disposed below the stacking tray 101.

The fed sheets are separated one by one by separation rollers 106 and 107 serving as separating means that rotate in reverse to each other, and the sheet 102a placed at the bottom is fed along the transport path, and the downstream of the transport path, When the leading end of the sheet 102a is detected by a pair of optical sensors 108 and 109 vertically arranged so as to sandwich the transport path, a necessary delay is provided, and then the transport path located further downstream is sandwiched. The image reading units 110 and 111 constituting a pair of reading units arranged at the top and bottom simultaneously read images on both the front and back sides of the sheet 102a.

The images on the front and back surfaces of the document 102a read by the image reading units 110 and 111 are finally stored and stored on the magneto-optical disk 112a as recording means in the magneto-optical drive unit 112 through the procedure described later.

The trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the optical sensors 108 and 109, and after an appropriate delay
When the reading of 2a is completed, the cutting rollers 114 and 115 as cutting means rotate, and cut the sheet 102a conveyed along the conveyance guide plate 113 curved in an arc shape into an elongated strip shape.

The waste paper cut into elongated strips by the cutting rollers 114 and 115 is guided along a waste paper guide plate 116 as a separating means, and a relatively large space in front of the bottom of the apparatus is allocated to the transparent paper. It is dropped and stored in a waste plastic storage box 117 made of plastic.

At the outside of the waste paper storage box 117, a waste paper full detection sensor using an optical sensor composed of a pair of light emitting unit 119 and light receiving unit 120 is attached, and the cut waste paper becomes full. In this case, the cutting is interrupted, and a full warning is displayed on the operation unit 104.

Next, an image reading method (double-sided image reading method) and a storage method of the read image will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading unit (110, 111) using an image sensor provided in the cutting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit provided in the cutting device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the pair of rollers 201a, 201b and 201c, 201d is used to carry the conveyance guide 203.
Both sides of the sheet 102a conveyed along the gaps a and 203b are read by a document reading unit physically provided at substantially the same position.

The image (reflected light) on the surface of the paper 102a passes through a reading glass 202a, a total reflection mirror plate 204a, and an optical path passing through an imaging lens 205a disposed above the transport path, and then a CCD image sensor for reading a surface image. (Photoelectric conversion element) 206a is projected and imaged.

On the other hand, the image (reflected light) on the back surface of the paper 102a is read by the reading glass 202 disposed below the conveyance path.
b, total reflection mirror plate 204b, and imaging lens 205b
Is projected and formed on the back side image reading CCD image sensor 206b through the optical path passing through.

Next, the flow of the subsequent processing of the image data read by the CCD image sensor will be described with reference to FIG.

Two CCD color sensors 206a, 206b
The photoelectrically converted analog image data optically read by the
The output timing is controlled by a CCD transfer drive circuit (not shown) so that data is output from the image sensor 206a and data is output from the back side reading CCD image sensor 206b in the latter half.

The two CCD image sensors 206
The analog image data output from the a and 206b are synthesized by the analog switch 411 at the timing shown in FIG. 3, and the first half of one scan line is composed of front side image data and the second half is composed of back side image data. It becomes one signal line.

Next, the image data is converted into 8-bit digital image data by the A / D converter 412, and the multi-value image processing circuit 413 improves the image quality such as “shading correction”, “gamma correction”, and “edge enhancement correction”. After the image processing is performed, the image binarization circuit 414 generates binary image data of a black and white level.

Subsequently, the binary image data is input to the binarized image processing circuit 415, and the image quality is improved, such as “isolation point removal” and “unevenness (notch) point removal”, and the compression ratio at the time of the subsequent image compression. Image processing for improving the image quality is performed.

Next, the binary image data subjected to the image processing is input to an image data compression circuit 416, and is coded and data compressed by sequential processing. Under the control, the data is sequentially written into the first image data buffer RAM 418a and temporarily stored.

When the transfer of the compressed image data of the front and back surfaces of one sheet is completed through the above-described procedure, the number of black pixels counted by the black pixel number counting circuit built in the image data compression circuit 416 ( Valid information) is determined.

The MPU 431 reads the determined number of black pixels of the paper screen from the black pixel number reading port 419 into M
Read via the PU bus 430.

The MPU 430 executes various processes based on various programs written in the ROM 431 in advance.

The RAM 433 is used as a temporary storage area for storing temporary data necessary for the processing of the MPU 431.

Next, the MPU 431 is connected to the MPU bus 430.
, A command is sent to the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 420 to register it in the management area of the disk 112a in the magneto-optical drive 112 as the number of black pixels of the image.

In a similar procedure, the front and back images of the second sheet are temporarily stored in the second image data buffer RAM 418b.

While the reading of the second sheet and the transfer of the image data are in progress, the first image data buffer RA
The compressed image data temporarily stored in the M418a is transferred in parallel to the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 420 under the control of the compressed image data transfer control circuit 417, and further transferred to the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 420 under the control of the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 420. The output on the optical disk 421 is stored in the image storage area of the disk 112 a in the magneto-optical drive 112.

The data processing operation described above is repeated, and the first and second image data buffer RAM 418a
And 418b are sequentially operated in a double-buffer configuration, whereby both sides can be read without stopping the continuously conveyed paper, and can be sequentially recorded on the magneto-optical disk 112a.

The paper whose front and back surfaces have been read in these procedures is sent to the next stage in the procedure described with reference to FIG. 1 and is sequentially subjected to cutting processing.

However, if the MPU 431 determines that the number of black pixels on the front and back surfaces of the paper read by the MPU 431 is extremely small and the paper 102a is blank, the MPU 4
Numeral 31 energizes the cutting roller retracting solenoid 435 by the first solenoid driving circuit 434 and the waste paper guide plate moving solenoid 437 by the second solenoid driving circuit 436 so that the interval between the pair of cutting rollers 114 and 115 shown in FIG. By opening the paper 102a by a distance or more, the paper 102a is passed through, and the waste paper guide plate 116 is rotated to a predetermined position (that is, the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1), and the paper 102a is not cut. The sheet is dropped and stored in an uncut paper storage box 118 made of transparent plastic.

As described above, with respect to the sheet determined to be blank on both sides, the front and back images of the sheet temporarily stored in the first or second image data buffer RAMs 418a and 418b may be discarded. However, it is difficult to judge whether a blank page is a little dirty or contains a very small amount of effective image data based on the total number of black pixels. Since the data amount after compression processing is extremely small (less than 1/50 of the original image data amount), the image is actually stored and stored in the magneto-optical disk for these papers, It is practical to add a mark indicating that the area is blank to the management area corresponding to the image, and to perform processing such as excluding the image from the image output target when the image is reproduced and displayed or printed out later.

In this case, if necessary, an image once regarded as blank can be reproduced later, so that it is possible to cope with a case where an effective image is included.

It is more convenient to perform the above-described marking of blank paper separately on the front and back sides of one sheet when performing later reproduction and print output. In the configuration, it is preferable to separately prepare the black pixel number counting circuits built in the image data compression circuit 416 for the front and back surfaces, and it can be easily realized in practice.

In this case, the MPU 431 may determine whether or not the actual cutting is to be performed, for example, by adding the results of the two, and matching the front and back sides.

On the other hand, the number of black pixels on the front and back surfaces of the sheet read by the MPU 431 is extremely large.
If it is determined that a large amount of ink or toner is adsorbed on the sheet a and it is inappropriate to recycle even if the sheet is cut as it is, the sheet 102a is uncut sheet without being cut by the same procedure. It is dropped into the storage box 118 and stored.

The waste paper full detection sensor 119 described above,
Reference numeral 120 also monitors the storage amount of the uncut paper storage box 118, interrupts the cutting process even when the uncut paper is full, and displays a full warning on the operation unit 104.

Further, since the shredder apparatus has the magneto-optical disk 112a as an image storage medium, even if the remaining capacity of this storage medium is exhausted, the cutting process is similarly interrupted and the operation unit is operated. A storage medium full warning is displayed on the display 104.

If it is confirmed that the remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount at a stage before the remaining amount of the storage medium is exhausted, the cutting process is stopped early or the remaining amount is small. May be warned (stop preparation operation).

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, only the point of the image processing in the above-described first embodiment is different. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. It is attached.

Note that the overall configuration and the like shown in FIG. 1 and the like are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be simplified.

The 8-bit image data read through the same procedure as described in the first embodiment and subjected to the multi-value image processing is converted into the first image binarization circuit 501,
Second image binarization circuit 502, third image binarization circuit 503
Are binarized under different conditions.

For example, for 8-bit image data,
0 is white, 255 ($ FF: $ mark is 16
(Which is a symbol indicating a base number) represents black, and although not shown, a binary slice level is supplied to the first image binarization circuit 501 through an output port which can be operated by the MPU 431 in advance. 192 ($ C0), 128 ($ 80) for the second image binarization circuit 502,
By setting 64 (＄ 40) for the third image binarization circuit 503, the density of the binarized output is consequently the output of the first, second, and third image binarization circuits. "Light" in order,
"Normal" and "dark" are obtained, and binary image data of different densities can be obtained.

Subsequently, the binary image data having different densities of “light”, “standard”, and “dark” are respectively converted into a first binary image processing circuit 504, a second binary image processing circuit 505, and a third binary image processing circuit. The image data is input to the image processing circuit 506, and individually “isolated point removal”,
After performing image processing such as "removal of notch points" to improve the image quality and to increase the compression ratio at the time of subsequent image compression, the first image data compression circuit 507 and the second image data compression circuit, respectively. 508, the third image data compression circuit 509 is input and subjected to encoding and data compression by sequential processing.

Each image data compression circuit converts the input 1-bit binary image data into, for example, MH, MR,
Encoding by a standard binary image compression method such as MMR,
After the data has been compressed, the built-in serial / parallel conversion circuit generates compressed image data having an 8-bit data width, and the result is sequentially output from the compression circuit having the data.

The compressed image data, each of which is output asynchronously, is compressed data timing arbiter 5
The timing is adjusted at 10, and is output to the next stage together with a 2-bit compression circuit designation signal indicating the number of an effective image data compression circuit.

When a plurality of “compressed image data are output from the compressed image data” at the same time, the arbiter 510 gives priority (for example, an image compression circuit having a smaller number).
, The output of the image data compression circuit having the priority is output preferentially, and the other is kept waiting.
Since a bit output is to be generated, the output signal of compressed data timing arbiter 510 is
Since processing at an average speed of / 8 is sufficient, no problem occurs in this part (actually, data is compressed so that the timing of this part has more margin, but for a certain image, In the meantime, the data compression processing may cause an increase in the amount of generated data. However, even if each compression circuit generates a data amount twice as large as the input, the data amount is 6/8. No problem.).

The compressed image data selected and output by the arbiter 510 is transferred to the first image data buffer RAM 5 under the control of the compressed image data transfer control circuit 511.
The data is sequentially written in the memory 12a and temporarily stored.

Although the description has been omitted in the first embodiment, the compressed image data transfer control circuit 51 is actually used.
Numeral 1 is a DMA transfer for transferring data to each RAM, and simultaneously outputs n address signals generated by an internal address counter to sequentially write data to successive address positions in the RAM. (N is variable depending on the capacity of the RAM. For example,
To access a RAM with a capacity of 1 Mbyte, n =
20).

The compressed image data transfer control circuit 511 of this embodiment has an n-bit address counter in which three initial values (initial addresses) can be preset, and the earlier image data timing arbiter 510 The compressed image data generated by each of the image compression circuits 507, 508, and 509 is generated by the first image data buffer RAM 512 as shown in FIG.
Writing is successively performed at different address positions in a.

Further, through the same procedure, the images on the front and back sides of the next sheet are written in the second image data buffer RAM 512b. At this time, the images are already written in the first image data buffer RAM by parallel processing and temporarily stored. The front and back images of the front sheet are read and stored in the magneto-optical disk 112a. In this embodiment, however, the MPU 431 stores an independent image in the first image data buffer RAM 512a at this time. The three types of temporarily stored compressed image data are assigned to respective corresponding management areas with management data indicating "light", "standard", and "dark" density attributes. Images are sequentially transferred to the magneto-optical drive 112 via the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 420 as images corresponding to paper.

The sheet whose front and back surfaces have been read in these procedures is sent to the next stage in the procedure described with reference to FIG. 1 and is sequentially subjected to cutting processing.

Thereafter, by managing these three sheets in association with each other as image data corresponding to the read sheet, for example, when an image of the sheet is reproduced and displayed, the “standard” density attribute is normally used. If the operator decides that the image is too light or too dark, the image data with the “dark” and “light” density attributes will be played back to address the request. It is possible to do.

It is not necessary to prepare a special device for the image reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the format for writing compressed image data to be written on the magneto-optical disk 112a is that of a standard personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC). By adopting the same format as above, it can be realized by a PC in a normal office.

That is, an image search, which operates on a PC,
By providing application software necessary for reproduction display and printing, a function of reproducing an image read by the image reading device according to the present embodiment can be easily constructed without preparing a special hardware device.

Also, when the image data read by the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is transmitted to another apparatus via an appropriate interface, the three pieces of image data are always “light”, “standard”, The effect of the present embodiment can be maintained as it is even on the receiving device side only by a simple process of giving the density attribute management data of “dark” and performing batch processing.

According to the method described above, the image data itself is compatible with the compressed binary image data encoded by MH, MR, and MMR, such as the TIFF format, which is conventionally handled by a PC, FAX, or electronic file as standard. It is possible to construct an image reading apparatus that can reliably reproduce various density originals (paper) later without reproducing and confirming the quality of the image after reading at the time of input while maintaining the image quality. Was.

According to this method, since the image data itself is a standard one, even if there is no application software corresponding to the present embodiment on the PC,
If there is a normal image reproduction application (for example, a facsimile application, a standard photo retouching application, etc.) which operates as a standard on the PC, only browsing and printout of images are possible for the time being.

Further, it has been described that density attribute data of “light”, “standard”, and “dark” are added as management data of image data, but this is determined as a part of the file name of the image data. Symbol (for example, # D1 = dark, #D
2 = standard, # D3 = light), the operator intuitively selects the image of the required density even when reproducing the image using a general application as described above. It becomes possible to do.

Also, the addition mark indicating that the image is blank as described in the first embodiment is similarly included in a part of the file name (for example, _W? = Blank). , It is possible for the operator to selectively skip.

On the other hand, by giving density information and blank page information as part of the file name in this way, if necessary, the operation running on the PC can be performed without using special application software. With a standard file operation function of the system, for example, it is possible to easily retrieve, browse, and confirm only images once determined to be blank, for example.

Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, a device other than the reading device built in the cutting device (shredder device) main body can perform the reproducing operation of the read information and the like. The cutting work or the like can proceed without confirming the image, and high-speed processing can be performed.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the configuration is such that, based on an image formed on a recording medium (paper), the cutting process is not performed depending on the content of the image (in the case where the number of blank sheets or black pixels is extremely large). As described above, the present embodiment shows a configuration in which the type of the recording medium is determined and the cutting process is not performed depending on the type of the recording medium.

Since the other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cutting device (shredder device) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

A characteristic part of the present embodiment is that a pair of paper sensors 701 and 702 constituting a discriminating means arranged above and below the transport path so as to sandwich the separated paper are provided.

These paired paper sensors are used for the detection of the leading edge of the paper in the same manner as the optical sensors 108 and 109 shown in the first embodiment, and at the same time, various known measurement techniques, for example, the paper "Gloss", "roughness",
Measurement of "color" and "hardness", measurement of "electrical conductivity" of paper surface, measurement of "thickness" of paper, and measurement of optical "transmittance" of paper Means for discriminating between plain paper and other special print media such as plastic films and OHP sheets, so that paper judged to be a special print medium by these discrimination means can be collected without cutting. It is possible.

Further, since the paper to be measured is to be discarded, the paper to be measured cannot be generally employed because it damages the paper to be measured. Utilizing the nature of the paper, an aqueous solution containing conductive ions (for example, saline) is sprayed on a part of the target paper, and the change in electrical conductivity between the front and back of the front and back papers is measured. In this way, it is possible to perform means such as discrimination of plain paper.

Further, when performing a measurement relating to the front side of a sheet, a pair of sheet sensors are provided to measure both the front and back sides of the sheet, for example, by attaching a thin plastic sheet to one side of plain paper. Such a composite print medium can be reliably determined.

It is to be noted that a more effective processing apparatus can be realized by appropriately combining the configurations described in the first to third embodiments.

[0122]

As described above, the cutting apparatus of the present invention cuts the recording medium after reading the recording information of the recording medium. There is no need to perform the cutting work, the work load is reduced, and the workability is improved.

Further, based on the read information, it is determined whether the recording medium should be cut or not (for example, a blank sheet or a sheet having too many black pixels). Work efficiency is further improved,
Recycling and effective use of resources can be achieved.

By separating the recording medium waste after the cutting process from the recording medium without the cutting process, the sorting operation is not required, and the workability is improved.

If the recorded information on the recording medium has no valid information, or if it is determined that the information is blank and the cutting process is not performed, the read information is recorded together with the invalid mark. Even if valid information is included in the information, it is possible to appropriately cope with the problem, and it is possible to collectively confirm the information later by using the invalid mark, thereby improving work efficiency.

When the recording capacity of the recording means for recording the recording information is exhausted or becomes less than a predetermined amount, the cutting operation is stopped or the stop preparation operation is performed to record the information. It is possible to prevent cutting without being performed.

Further, if a plurality of information processing results processed under different conditions are obtained for one unit of the read information, the information can be effectively used.

Further, the electric signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the visible image, which is information formed on the surface of the recording medium, by the photoelectric conversion element is used by the binarization processing means to set different conditions for each unit of information ( For example, the density of the image density)
By obtaining a plurality of binarized data, the reproducibility of the image is improved.

By determining the type of recording medium and controlling whether or not to perform cutting, the operator does not need to separate what should be cut from those which do not need cutting, further improving work efficiency. In addition, recycling and effective use of resources can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cutting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading unit using an image sensor provided in the cutting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which image data is generated by an image sensor.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit provided in the cutting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit provided in a cutting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a write state of compressed data in an image data buffer RAM.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cutting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 Paper 105 Feed roller 106, 107 Separation roller 108, 109 Optical sensor 110, 111 Image reading unit 112 Magneto-optical drive unit 112a Magneto-optical disk 114, 115 Cutting roller 116 Waste paper guide plate 206a, 206b CCD image sensor 416 Image data compression circuit 417 Compressed image data transfer control circuit 501 First image binarization circuit 502 Second image binarization circuit 503 Third image binarization circuit 701, 702 Paper sensor

Claims (31)

[Claims] A transport unit that transports the recording medium; a reading unit that reads the recording information of the recording medium transported by the transport unit; a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium from which the recording information has been read by the reading unit. A cutting device comprising: 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sheet-shaped recording media mounted on the recording medium are
2. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a separating unit that separates and feeds the sheets one by one. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said reading means performs a cutting operation by said cutting means after reading recording information of one recording medium in units of one recording medium. The cutting device as described. 4. A cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reading means is capable of reading each piece of recording information formed on both sides of a sheet-like recording medium. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a judgment control means for judging whether or not to perform a cutting operation by said cutting means based on the information read by said reading means. The cutting device according to any one of the above. 6. The cutting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the scraps of the recording medium cut by the cutting means and the recording medium not cut are stored separately. 7. The cutting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the judging control means does not perform the cutting when judging that the read information has no valid information. 8. The reading means reads the number of black pixels formed on a sheet-shaped recording medium, and when the number of black pixels is smaller than a predetermined amount, the judgment control means judges that the recording medium is blank. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein cutting is not performed. 9. A cutting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said judgment control means does not perform cutting when it is judged that the effective information exceeds a predetermined amount in the read information. 10. The reading means reads the number of black pixels formed on a sheet-like recording medium, and when the number of black pixels exceeds a predetermined amount, the judgment control means does not perform cutting. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein 11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising recording means for storing and recording information read by said reading means.
The cutting device according to any one of claims 10 to 10. 12. When the judgment control means judges that there is no valid information in the read information or judges that the recording medium is blank, whether or not to record the information in the recording means is determined. 12. The cutting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an invalid mark is added to the read information and the read information is recorded in the recording means. 13. The cutting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the invalid mark is included in a part of a file name given to information data to be recorded. 14. When the remaining amount of the recording capacity of the recording means is exhausted or becomes less than a predetermined amount, the cutting operation by the cutting means is stopped or a stop preparation operation is performed. The cutting device according to claim 11, which performs the cutting. 15. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reading means is a photoelectric conversion element for reading information by photoelectrically converting a visible image by an image sensor. 16. A cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means is a sheet cutting means for cutting a sheet. 17. The sheet cutting means comprises a pair of cutting rollers provided so that the roller surfaces can freely contact and separate from each other. When cutting is not performed, the distance between the roller surfaces is set to a predetermined distance or more. The cutting device according to claim 16, wherein the medium is passed through. 18. A transporting means for transporting a recording medium, reading means for reading recording information of the recording medium transported by the transporting means, and cutting means for cutting the recording medium from which the recording information has been read by the reading means. A plurality of information processing means for processing the read information read by the reading means under different condition settings, wherein one unit of information is processed under different conditions. A cutting device for obtaining a plurality of information processing results. 19. A recording management means for managing a plurality of information processing results obtained by said information processing means in association with each other as one unit, and operating each information processing means based on said recording management means. The cutting device according to claim 18, wherein 20. The information processing means includes: recording means for storing information read by the reading means; transmission means for transmitting information read by the reading means to an external device; and information reading by the reading means. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising at least one of information reproducing means for displaying on the display unit.
10. The cutting device according to 9. 21. The management data by said record management means,
20. The cutting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the cutting apparatus is included in a part of a file name given to information data to be recorded. 22. A conveying means for conveying a sheet-shaped recording medium, a photoelectric conversion element for reading information by photoelectrically converting a visible image formed on the surface of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means with an image sensor, Cutting means for cutting a recording medium from which recording information has been read by the photoelectric conversion element, wherein the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion element is binarized by setting different conditions. A plurality of binarization processing means for obtaining a plurality of binarized data processed under different conditions for one unit of information. 23. The binarization processing means divides a visible image formed on the surface of a recording medium into a plurality of stages for each predetermined density, and performs a binarization process in accordance with information obtained for each density area. 23. The cutting apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the cutting is performed. 24. A plurality of information processing means for processing the binary data obtained by said binary processing means under different condition settings, wherein one unit of binary data is processed under different conditions. 24. The cutting apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of information processing results obtained are obtained. 25. A binarized data management means for managing a plurality of binarized data obtained by said binarization processing means in association with each other as one unit, and based on said binarized data management means, The cutting apparatus according to claim 24, wherein each of the information processing means is operated. 26. The information processing means, comprising: recording means for storing and recording the binarized data; transmitting means for transmitting the binarized data to an external device; 26. The cutting apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising at least one of image information reproducing means for displaying the image information. 27. The cutting apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the management data by said binarized data management means is included in a part of a file name given to information data to be recorded. 28. A conveying means for conveying a recording medium, a cutting means for cutting the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means,
A cutting device provided with a discriminating unit for discriminating a type of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit, and judging whether or not to perform the cutting by the cutting unit based on a discrimination result by the discriminating unit. A cutting device comprising control means. 29. A measuring means for measuring a property of a recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, wherein the measuring means is provided based on a unique property obtained by a measurement result of the measuring means or by a plurality of measurement results. 3. The type of recording medium is determined by the determining means based on a combination of a plurality of different properties.
9. The cutting device according to 8. 30. Glossiness measuring means for measuring the glossiness of the recording medium surface, roughness measuring means for measuring the roughness of the recording medium surface, hardness measuring means for measuring the hardness of the recording medium surface, Color measuring means for measuring the color of the recording medium surface, thickness measuring means for measuring the thickness of the recording medium, transmittance measuring means for measuring the transmittance of the recording medium, conductivity measurement for measuring the conductivity of the recording medium surface 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means is at least one of:
10. The cutting device according to 9. 31. A cutting apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said measuring means is provided so as to be able to measure both sides of a sheet-shaped recording medium to be conveyed.