JP2002261992A - Recording medium recovering device and printing service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium recovering device that recovers the unnecessary recording media of users. SOLUTION: When a user puts a printed paper medium on an automatic document feeding device 2 and instructs the recovery of the document, the paper medium is sent to a scanner 3 and the scanner 3 reads the document picture of the medium as image data. Then the scanner 3 judges whether or not, for example, specific characters are contained in the image data by recognizing the data. When the scanner 3 judges that the specific characters are contained in the data, this recording medium recovering device recovers the medium. When the data do not contain the specific characters, this recovering device outputs the medium to a paper ejecting tray 4 to return the medium to the user. Ordinary users are not able to take away the recovered paper medium. Therefore, the user can utilize the printing service the user wants at a reasonable charge and can be prevented from illegally evading payment of the charge. In addition, the user can utilize the information on the charge as effective sales information by transmitting the information to another information processor. Moreover, this recovering device makes recycling of resources easier by recovering unnecessary recording media.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium recovery apparatus and a print service system, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus such as a copying apparatus or a printer, which uses a technique for removing unnecessary ones of printed recording media. The present invention relates to a recording medium collection device and a print service system, which are provided with a function of determining an appropriate charge for a print job desired by a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording medium recovery apparatus and a print service system are applied to a service in which a user can operate a copying machine by himself / herself at a public facility such as a library or a convenience store. Also,
There is also a service in which a printer connected to a network in an office or the like is shared by a plurality of departments, and a usage fee is charged for each department.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-227408 of Prior Art Example 1, a result of output to a recording medium is displayed on a display device in advance, and a user can select whether or not to actually copy the data to the recording medium.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, a charge is often made for each print, so that test printing cannot be freely performed, and a copy of an undesired result is charged, and further unnecessary recording is performed. There is a problem that the medium is often discarded.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-22 of Prior Art Example 1
In Japanese Patent No. 7408, the size of the apparatus is large and the result does not completely match the actual print result on the recording medium, so that the result desired by the user cannot always be displayed correctly.

According to the present invention, when the user determines that printing is unnecessary from among the printed printing media, the printing media determined to be unnecessary are collected and their identity is determined, so that the printing job desired by the user can be properly performed. Provided is a device which can be used at a reasonable fee and which prevents fraudulently escaping the printing business. Further, a method is provided in which the information of the usage fee amount is transmitted to another information processing apparatus, so that the information can be utilized as effective sales information. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a recording medium collection device and a print service system that facilitate recycling of resources by collecting unnecessary recording media.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium collecting apparatus for reading a document image printed on a recording medium as image data, and for identifying the image data. Means for determining that the image data has the characteristic described above, and means for collecting the recording medium. When it is determined that the image data has the specific characteristic, the recording medium is collected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print service system, comprising: means for printing image data on a recording medium; a printing apparatus having means for transmitting all or part of the image data; and means for receiving image data. Means for reading a document image printed on a recording medium as image data, means for determining whether the read image data and the image data received by the receiving means are the same, and recovering the recording medium determined to be the same. Recording medium collection device having means for performing printing, a means for instructing the start of one use unit of a print job, a means for instructing the end of the use unit, and the amount and collection of the recording medium collected during one use unit of the print job And an operating device having means for recording the amount of the recording medium that has not been recorded.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print service system for printing image data on a recording medium,
Means for inserting information for identifying the recording medium into a part of the image data, a printing apparatus having means for encoding and transmitting the identifying information, means for receiving the encoded information, Means for reading the original image as image data, means for encoding information for identifying a recording medium from the read image data, and the recording medium read from the encoded information and the information received by the receiving means is printed by a printing apparatus. Means for judging whether a print medium is the same as the print medium, a recording medium collecting apparatus having means for collecting the recording medium judged to be the same, means for instructing the start of one use unit of the print job, and instructing the end of the use unit Means, an operating device having means for recording the amount of the recording medium collected during one use unit of the printing job and the amount of the recording medium not collected, Characterized in that it is constituted by Bei.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print service system for printing image data on a recording medium,
Means for transmitting all or a part of the image data, a printing apparatus having means for including time information in a part of the image data, means for receiving the image data, a document image printed on a recording medium as image data Means for reading, means for comparing the read image data with the image data received by the receiving means to determine whether the recording medium is the same as the one printed by the printing apparatus within the specified time range, A recording medium recovery device having means for recovering the determined recording medium, and means for recording the amount of the recording medium printed by the printing device and the amount of the recording medium recovered by the recording medium recovery device. It is characterized by comprising.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print service system for printing image data on a recording medium.
A printing apparatus having means for including identification information and time information of the recording medium in a part of the image data, means for encoding and transmitting the identification information and time information, means for receiving the encoded information, and recording Means for reading a document image printed on a medium as image data, means for encoding identification information and time information of a recording medium from the read image data,
Means for determining whether the recording medium read from the encoded information and the information received by the receiving means is the same as that printed by the printing apparatus within a specific time range, means for collecting the recording medium determined to be the same, And a means for recording the amount of the recording medium printed by the printing device and the amount of the recording medium collected by the recording medium collecting device.

The invention described in claim 6 is the invention according to claim 2 or 4
The print service system according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing received image data as one of means for determining whether the image data is the same, wherein the similarity between the image data read from the recording medium and the stored image data is provided. The same determination is made by

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the print service system according to the sixth aspect, the degree of approximation is obtained by using a part of the received image data and the read image data.

The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 3 or 7.
Wherein the identification information or the time information is made into a graphic and inserted into the image data.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is the third or seventh aspect.
Wherein the identification information or the time information is inserted as a visually unrecognizable image (watermark image).

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the print service system according to the second or ninth aspect, there is provided a means for transmitting a recorded amount via a communication medium.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is the second aspect of the present invention.
0, wherein the print service system further comprises means for charging according to the recorded amount.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the print service system according to the eleventh aspect, the amount of the collected recording medium is set lower than the amount of the uncollected recording medium. .

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claims 2 to 1
2. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the recording medium to be collected is limited.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a recording medium recovery apparatus and a print service system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a recording medium recovery apparatus and a print service system according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an unnecessary print collection device. When a user places a printed paper medium on the automatic document feeder (ADF) 2 and instructs collection, the paper medium is sent to the scanner 3 and the document image of the paper medium is converted. Read as image data. Further, the image data is recognized, and for example, it is determined whether or not a specific character is included. If it is determined that the specific character is included, the paper medium is collected. Return to. Ordinary users cannot take away the collected paper media.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an ordinary digital copying apparatus, which reads an arbitrary document and prints it on a paper medium or the like. Here, the read image can be transmitted as image data to another device.
Can be sent to the unnecessary printer collection device 1.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation. The operation procedure of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that a portion surrounded by a broken line (steps S05 to S07) indicates a portion to be executed by the apparatus, and the other indicates a user's operation portion. The user first instructs the start of a series of copying operations by using a button on an operation unit (not shown) of the copying apparatus 5 (step S01). Next, a desired document is copied (step S02).

At this time, if necessary, editing operations such as enlargement / reduction, density adjustment of copy, trimming (removal of unnecessary portion) and deformation, color adjustment and color conversion in color copy (specific color portion can be used for other purposes). , Etc.). The copying apparatus 5 sends all or part of the image data of the read original image to the unnecessary print collection apparatus 1 via the transmission path 8 at the same time as performing the copying.

The user determines whether or not the obtained copy has a desired result (step S03). If the result is good (Yes), the process proceeds to step S08.
However, if the result is not desired (No), the copy result is placed on the ADF 2 of the unnecessary print collection device 1 and the collection is instructed by the operation button (step S04). Upon receiving this instruction, the unnecessary print collection device 1 first moves the copy placed on the ADF 2 to the scanner 3 and reads it as image data, and all or part of the image data transmitted from the copying device 5 in step S02. Is compared with a method described later, and it is determined whether or not the copy is the same as the copy copied in step S02.

If they are not the same (No), the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 3 and returned to the user (step S06). If it is determined that they are the same (Yes), they are collected in the apparatus (step S07). Thereafter, if there is a document to be copied next, the user repeats the steps from step S02 to step S07, and if not, presses an operation button to indicate the end of the series of operations (step S09).

Copying device 5 or unnecessary print collection device 1
Records the number of copies collected and the number of copies not collected (that is, considered to have been brought back by the user) among all copies copied by this series of operations (if necessary, the sum of the two = all The number of copies is also recorded.)

Further, the number of copies recorded by the following method is stored in another device (for example, a reception terminal of a library, a cash register or a POS of a convenience store).
Terminal). That is, in one method, the copying apparatus 5 or the unnecessary print collection apparatus 1 is connected to another apparatus via a network such as a LAN, and the number of copies recorded in step S09 is transmitted. As another method, for example, there is a method using an IC card or the like. That is, the user first connects the IC card or the like to the copying apparatus 5 or the unnecessary print collection apparatus 1 before step S01, and records the number of copies on the IC card or the like in step S09.

Thereafter, the user removes the IC card or the like from these devices and brings it to a reception or the like.
The number of copies recorded on a card or the like can be transferred to another device such as a terminal. Then, the usage fee is settled at the terminal or the like. There are further methods for adjusting the usage fee as follows.

(1) The charge for the number of collected copies is set lower (for example, 1/5) than the charge for the number of uncollected copies.

(2) A fixed number of copies among the number of copies collected is free of charge. At this time, the value of the fixed number of sheets is a value for one copy sheet not collected. For example, for one uncollected sheet, up to three copies to be collected are free.

In the case where an IC card or the like is used in the above, an instruction for starting a series of copying operations is performed by inserting the IC card or the like into the apparatus, and an instruction for ending is performed by removing the IC card or the like from the apparatus. Is also good. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a special operation button on the operation unit.

In the above description, the unnecessary print collection device 1
However, the following method can be used to determine whether a copy is the same as a copied copy. (1) The image data transmitted in step S02 is compared with the image data read in step S04 to determine whether the data is the same. For this method, a known image pattern recognition technique may be used.

(2) In the above (1), a part of the image data and its position are transmitted in step S02, and compared with a part of the image data at the same position among the image data read in step S04. To determine whether the data is the same. According to this method, the amount of image data to be transmitted may be smaller than that of (1).

(3) In step S02, a specific pattern is written in a part of the image data to copy and transmit the image data, and in step S04, the specific pattern is recognized to determine whether they are the same. . Note that storing the written position facilitates pattern recognition. A well-known technique can be used for the pattern recognition technique. In this method, since the number of specific patterns is limited, it is not necessary to store document image data (arbitrary number of data) in step S02 as in (1) and (2). If a pattern for identifying the apparatus itself (for example, the serial number of the apparatus) is written, the copied apparatus can be specified.

(4) In step S02, a digital watermark is written in the original image pattern to be copied.
In step S04, the digital watermark is recognized and determined.
A well-known technique can be used as a method for writing and recognizing a digital watermark. According to this method, the written pattern is not visually obstructive and is desirable. Also in this case, the device can be specified by writing and storing a pattern for identifying the device itself.

(5) In (3), numbers, characters, symbols, or bar codes can be used as the specific pattern.

When a specific pattern is written as in (3) to (5) above, in step S02, the image data itself is not transmitted, and the values of numerals, character codes, and bar codes are encoded as numerical data. The unnecessary print collection device 1 recognizes the specific pattern as a number or character and converts it into a value (encoding), and compares it with the transmitted value of the number or character code to determine whether it is the same. You can make it.

Further, in FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the paper is to be collected for each copying operation. However, a plurality of copying operations are continuously performed, and from among the copying operations, it is determined that the user is unnecessary. A copy (one or a plurality of sheets) is placed on the ADF at a time, and then the collection is instructed. The copying apparatus sequentially determines these, and if the same is determined, it is collected and the others are returned to the paper discharge tray. You may do it.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of copies and the like are transmitted to the other apparatus for settlement of the fee, and the settlement is performed by the other apparatus. You may make it transmit. Alternatively, a known automatic toll collection device may be added to the copying machine, and the fee may be settled on the spot, without transmitting to another device.

Next, the operation procedure of the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The user copies an original using the copying apparatus 5 in step S11. The copying apparatus 5 executes step S1
In step 2, the image data is read by the scanner, and the time data at that time (which may include the date) is added to the margin and recorded on a paper medium together with the read image data.
The method of indicating the time may use a number or another symbol. Bar codes are also available.

The writing position does not have to be a blank portion. The copying apparatus 5 transmits a part or all of the image data including the part where the time data is recorded to the unnecessary print collection apparatus 1 via the transmission path 8. The user determines whether or not the obtained copy has obtained a desired result (step S13). If the result is good (Yes), the user ends the operation. The result is placed on the ADF 2 in the unnecessary print collection device 1, and collection is instructed by the operation button (step S14).

Upon receiving the instruction, the unnecessary print collection device 1 first moves the copy placed on the ADF 2 to the scanner 3 and reads it as image data (step S15).
Then, in step S12, all or a part of the image data transmitted from the copying apparatus 5 is used and compared by the above-described identity comparison method to determine whether or not the image data is the same as the copy copied in step S12,
Further, from the image data read in step S15, the numerical value of the time is recognized in the area where the time data is recorded by a known character recognition method (step S16).

As a result, if the image data is the same image data and the recorded time data is within a specific range (for example, within 10 minutes from the current time) (Yes), the copy result is collected (step S18). If not, it is returned to the discharge tray 3 (step S17), and the operation is terminated.

In the second embodiment, the range of settlement for a series of copying operations is between the operation start instruction and the end instruction (or an IC card or the like is inserted) as in the first embodiment. However, the determination as to whether or not to collect unnecessary prints (step S16) is managed at the time of copying, which is more effective in preventing fraud. Note that the method of recording the number of copies copied by the copying apparatus 5, the method of recording the number of copies collected by the unnecessary print collection device 1, and the method of charging can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the method of recording the time data on the paper medium is not only to record the numeral itself but also to use a specific pattern other than characters, symbols, bar codes, and the like. Good. Furthermore, if you use digital watermark,
It is not visually obstructive, and the time data cannot be recognized, which is more effective in preventing fraud. Further, step S1
In 2, instead of transmitting the image data itself,
A numerical value (sign) for identifying the device is transmitted, and step S16 is performed.
The method of comparing with a numerical value or the like obtained from a character recognized by character recognition or the like can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the unnecessary print collection device 1 sends the unnecessary prints placed on the ADF 2 to the scanner 3 and sends them to the discharge tray 3 according to the determination of the identity, and both the collection mechanism. Known techniques can be used.

In the description of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the copying operation by the copying apparatus is described as an example. However, the present invention is applicable to any apparatus that records image data on a recording medium. Obviously, the present invention can be applied to a print job by a printer device that prints image data.

[0049]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the recording medium collection device and the print service system of the present invention, the printing work desired by the user is collected by collecting the unnecessary recording media among the printed recording media. Can be used at an appropriate fee, and it is possible to prevent fraudulent escape of printing business charges. Further, by transmitting the information of the usage fee amount to another information processing apparatus, it is possible to provide a method that can be used as effective sales information. Furthermore, since unnecessary recording media can be collected, resources can be recycled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a recording medium collection device and a print service system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Unnecessary print collection device 2 Automatic document feeder (ADF) 3 Scanner 4 Discharge tray 5 Copying device 8 Transmission path

Claims (13)

[Claims] A means for reading a document image printed on a recording medium as image data; a means for determining that the image data has a specific feature; and a means for collecting the recording medium; When it is determined that the image data has a specific characteristic, the recording medium is collected, and the recording medium is collected. 2. A printing apparatus having means for printing image data on a recording medium, means for transmitting all or part of the image data, means for receiving image data, and means for converting an original image printed on the recording medium into an image. A recording medium recovery device comprising: means for reading as data; means for determining whether the read image data and the image data received by the reception means are the same; and means for recovering the storage medium determined to be the same. Means for instructing the start of one use unit of the print job, means for instructing the end of the use unit, the amount of the recording medium collected during the one use unit of the print job, and the amount of the recording medium not collected And an operating device having means for recording a print service. Means for printing image data on a recording medium, means for inserting information for identifying the recording medium into a part of the image data, and means for encoding and transmitting the identifying information. A printing device, means for receiving the encoded information, means for reading a document image printed on a recording medium as image data, means for encoding information for identifying a recording medium from the read image data, Means for determining whether the recording medium read from the encoded information and the information received by the receiving means is the same as that printed by the printing device, and means for collecting the recording medium determined to be the same. A recording medium collection device having the same; a unit for instructing the start of one use unit of the print job; a unit for instructing the end of the use unit; Print service system, wherein the operating device, to be configured by including a having a means for recording the amount of recording medium that has not recovered to the amount of collected recording medium between. 4. A printing apparatus comprising: means for printing image data on a recording medium; means for transmitting all or part of the image data; means for including time information in a part of the image data; Means for receiving image data, means for reading a document image printed on the recording medium as image data, and comparing the read image data with image data received by the receiving means, the recording medium Means for determining whether the apparatus is the same as the one printed within a specific time range, a recording medium recovery apparatus having means for recovering the recording medium determined to be the same, and printing by the printing apparatus Means for recording the amount of the recording medium and the amount of the recording medium collected by the recording medium collection device. Lint service system. 5. A means for printing image data on a recording medium, means for including identification information and time information of the recording medium in a part of the image data, and means for encoding and transmitting the identification information and time information And a means for receiving encoded information, means for reading a document image printed on a recording medium as image data, and encoding identification information and time information of the recording medium from the read image data. Means for determining whether the recording medium read from the encoded information and the information received by the receiving means is the same as that printed by the printing apparatus within a specific time range. A recording medium collecting device having means for collecting a recording medium; and an amount of the recording medium printed by the printing device and the amount of the recording medium collected by the recording medium collecting device. Print service system characterized in that it is configured by including means, the recording amount of the recording medium. 6. One of the means for judging whether or not the image data is the same, further comprising means for storing received image data, wherein the image data read from a recording medium and the degree of approximation of the stored image data are used. 5. The print service system according to claim 2, wherein the same determination is made. 7. The print service system according to claim 6, wherein a degree of approximation is obtained by using a part of the received image data and the read image data. 8. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the identification information or the time information is formed into a graphic and inserted into the image data.
The print service system according to 1. 9. The print service system according to claim 3, wherein the identification information or the time information is inserted as a visually unrecognizable image (watermark image). 10. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for transmitting the recorded amount via a communication medium.
The print service system according to 1. 11. The print service system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for charging according to the recorded amount. 12. The print service system according to claim 11, wherein the amount of the collected recording medium is set lower than the amount of the uncollected recording medium. 13. The print service system according to claim 2, wherein an amount of the recording medium to be collected is limited.