JP2003244424A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system in which image deterioration caused by repeated copying can be avoided and the same image quality as an original document or electronic document information can be infinitely maintained. <P>SOLUTION: Printed matter shown in Fig. 2-4 is obtained (S32) by processing (S31) a first situation or a second situation. In this printed matter, an original document portion printed with the original document and a code information portion encoding the original document are printed on the margin of the original document portion in the printed matter, for example. When a user copying this printed matter by a copy machine, the copy machine acquires the code information out of the printed matter (S33), decodes the code information (S34) and acquires digital information, and the image data of the original document are produced from this digital information (S35) and copied (S36). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly, to a margin of an original document portion or electronic document information portion in a printed matter created from an original document or electronic document information, a back surface of the printed matter, or another The present invention relates to an image forming system that encodes print contents of a printed matter on a print medium, records the code information, and decodes the code information to restore an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique of adding code information to a printed matter so that information related to the printed content of the printed matter can be accessed.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 7-121673 discloses an information providing method of converting character information and information related to the character information into a bar code, and printing the same on the same paper corresponding to the character information. . This information providing method includes a barcode input means for recognizing barcode information, a storage means for storing output information corresponding to the barcode information input from the barcode input means, and the barcode information and the output information. It includes output information generating means for checking correspondence and means for storing the output information. According to the description of this publication, the bar code of the information expressed by characters and the information related to the information (voice information of the characters, pronunciation information, video information, recording information, etc.) is printed on the same paper surface.
For example, when the user needs to output the information expressed by characters on the electronic medium, the user reads the corresponding bar code information and outputs the information related to the information from the electronic medium.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-284222 discloses related information relating to visible information (characters, line drawings, photographs, etc.) 2 recorded on a recording sheet 1 as shown in FIG. It has a magnetic disk device 6 for recording. Further, the address information indicating the address of the magnetic disk device 6 in which the related information related to the visible information 2 is stored is invisiblely recorded on the recording paper 1 together with the visible information 2 in association with the visible information 2. To be done. Further, on the recording paper 1, marks 4a, 4a such as underlines and colors indicating that the address information is stored in association with the visible information 2 are stored.
b, 4c are recorded visually.

According to the description of this publication, when the marks 4a, 4b, 4c associated with the relevant portion of the visible information 2 that the user wants to take out are scanned by the pen type scanner 3, the central processing unit 4 The magnetic disk device 6 is searched based on the address information read by the pen-type scanner 3, and predetermined information is displayed on the display device 5.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 12288/1993 discloses that
In a word processing device, together with document information or image information,
A technique for converting the above information into a barcode and printing the barcode information is disclosed.

In this publication, input means for inputting characters or image information, and input text or image information are converted into coded information according to a predetermined conversion procedure (converted into JIS code and then converted into bar code). Converting means, a printing means for printing the encoded information (bar code) on the recording paper from the converting means, a reading means for reading the encoded information printed on the recording paper, and a restoration procedure for predetermining the encoded information. There is disclosed an information processing apparatus including a restoring unit that restores text information or image information according to the above. In the technology described in this publication, a visually recognizable pattern representing the content of an electronic document created by a word processor and a barcode decoded by a dedicated reading unit are printed on a recording paper by a printer. Even if a recording paper is copied or transmitted as image form information by a facsimile machine, the deterioration of information can be prevented as compared with the case where a sentence or an image is printed as it is. An object of the invention described in this publication is to provide an information processing apparatus that can easily perform information management such as transmission, correction, and storage of document information.

Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-186703 discloses a technique of printing a two-dimensional code corresponding to the front and back of a paper in a word processor.

In this publication, there is provided a reading means for optically reading a paper surface on which a two-dimensional pattern is provided, each of which is provided with optically readable marks on a virtual matrix of cells, and a document / figure or the like. Inputting means for inputting data, data storing means for storing inputted data such as documents / graphics, and converting the data stored in the data storing means into a visually recognizable pattern such as characters / symbols and outputting. The first conversion means, the second conversion means for converting the data stored in the data storage means into a two-dimensional pattern in which the optically readable marks are provided in the virtual matrix cells, and outputting the two-dimensional pattern; A third means for converting the two-dimensional pattern read by the means into document data and outputting it to the data storage means
A conversion unit and a printing unit for outputting each pattern converted by the first conversion unit and the second conversion unit on a sheet are provided, whereby data such as a document / graphic is converted into a two-dimensional pattern or a two-dimensional pattern. A data processing device capable of performing mutual conversion from a pattern to data such as a document / image is disclosed.

According to this publication, an electronic document created by a word processor (example of document description, example of document with comment) is
Printing is performed on one side of the sheet in a state that can be seen by human eyes, and on the other side of the sheet, the electronic document is converted into two-dimensional code information and printed. This allows the user to use the two-dimensionally encoded electronic information prepared by the word processor manufacturer as a document template. After reading and editing this document template, the user can print the electronic document.

[0011]

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-121673, only the identification information of the information to be output to the electronic medium is encoded by the bar code. It is indispensable to provide an external storage means for searching the identification information obtained by decrypting with the search information and outputting the output information. Therefore,
The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-121673 has a problem that an external storage means for storing information to be output to an electronic medium must be provided separately.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-284222, the central processing unit 4 searches the magnetic disk device 6 based on the address information read by the pen-type scanner 3 to determine a predetermined value. Information of the display device 5
However, as in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-121673, there is a problem that a predetermined storage means must be separately provided.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 12288/1993, in a word processor, the document information or the image information is printed with the bar coded information. Techniques for adding to a surface are disclosed. However, since it is converted into a JIS code and then converted into a bar code, there is a problem that the processing load is large. Furthermore, since the code information is added to the surface on which the document information or the image information is printed, the information based on the code information is added. There is a problem that the amount is limited. Further, since it is a technology related to a word processing device, there is a problem in that these processes cannot be distributed and processed flexibly as a system.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-186703 is for easily managing information such as transmission, correction, and storage of document information in a word processing device, and a general original document. However, there is a problem in that it cannot be applied to prevent repeated deterioration of the photographic image printed matter in order to prevent image quality deterioration.

Further, as in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 12288/1993, since it is a technique related to a word processor, it is impossible to distribute these processes and perform flexible processing as a system. There is. In other words, in the present publication, since reading, analysis, and image formation of code information are performed by a single device called a word processor, a device for reading an original document or a printed matter having code information and a device for encoding / decoding the information, and An image forming device that forms printed matter, a device that creates electronic information, etc.
There is a problem that it cannot be applied to a system in which many devices are connected not only locally but also through a network.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a margin of an original document portion or an electronic document information portion in a printed matter created from an original document or electronic document information, a back surface of the printed matter, or another printing medium. By encoding the print contents of the printed matter and recording the code information, and decoding this code information to restore the image, image deterioration due to repeated copying is avoided, and it is infinitely the same as the original or electronic document information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system that maintains the image quality of the above.

[0017]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs means for solving the problems having the following features.

The invention described in claim 1 is a printed matter having an original document portion on which an original document is printed and a code information portion obtained by coding the original document, wherein the code information portion is the printed matter. In the image forming system, the image information having the same content as the original document is formed based on the code information printed on the margin of the original document portion, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium. An image reading device for reading an original document, a coding device for coding the original document read by the image reading device, image information read by the image reading device, and code information coded by the coding device And a printing device for producing the printed matter, and a printed device printed by the printing device. From said code information, and having and an image forming apparatus for forming image information of the original document and the same content.

According to the invention described in claim 1, an image reading device for reading an original document, a coding device for coding the original document, and a print for printing a printed matter by printing the image information and the code information. By having an apparatus and an image forming apparatus that forms image information having the same content as the original document from the printed code information, image deterioration due to repeated copying is avoided, and the image quality is infinitely the same as the original document. It is possible to provide an image forming system that maintains the above.

The invention described in claim 2 is a printed matter having an electronic document information portion which is information of an electronic document created by an information processing apparatus and a code information portion which is obtained by encoding the electronic document information. , The code information part is
The image information having the same content as the original document is formed based on the margin of the electronic document information portion in the printed matter, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium and based on the code information printed in the code information portion. In the image forming system, a coding device that codes the electronic document information, the electronic document information, and a printing device that prints the code information coded by the coding device to create the printed matter; An image forming apparatus that forms image information having the same content as the electronic document information from the code information printed on the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 2, a coding device for coding the electronic document information, a printing device for printing the electronic document information and the code information to create a printed matter,
By having an image forming apparatus that forms image information having the same content as the electronic document from the printed code information, image deterioration due to repeated copying is avoided, and the same image quality as the electronic document information is maintained indefinitely. It is possible to provide an image forming system that continues.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect, the code information is information including a bar code having an error correction function or a two-dimensional bar code. Is characterized by.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the code information is information including a bar code having an error correction function or a two-dimensional bar code, so that the image forming system excellent in environment resistance is provided. Can be provided.

Further, since a standardized or prevailing bar code or a two-dimensional bar code can be used as the encoding / decoding algorithm, it is possible to provide an image forming system which can be constructed inexpensively and easily.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
In the printed matter, at least the code information portion is printed in color.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the printed matter, at least the code information portion is printed in color, so that the data amount of the code information portion can be increased.

As a result, it is possible to cope with color printed matter in which image quality is severely deteriorated due to copying, and to use a plurality of color codes capable of realizing a larger capacity, so that a larger full-color image with higher resolution can be obtained. It is possible to provide an image forming system capable of performing the above.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
When the code information is printed on the back surface of the printed matter, the code information is printed with an intermediate color or stealth ink.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the code information is printed on the back surface of the printed matter, the code information is printed with the intermediate color or the stealth ink, so that the human eye or a copying machine,
The code information can be formed in a state where it is difficult to read with a scanner or the like. This makes it possible to provide an image forming system with improved confidentiality.

The invention described in Item 6 is the image forming system according to any one of Items 1 to 5,
At least two of the reading device, the encoding device, the printing device, the image forming device, and the utilization device that utilizes the output of the image forming device are connected via a network.

According to the invention described in claim 6, at least two of the reading device, the encoding device, the printing device, the image forming device, and the utilizing device utilizing the output of the image forming device are network devices. Since a plurality of devices can cooperate with each other to configure the image forming system by being connected through the image forming system, an image forming system with improved system configuration flexibility and system usability can be provided. Can be provided.

For example, the printed matter can be used even in a place away from the environment in which the printed matter is created. Also,
It becomes possible to select a device having the same function as the information processing device that has generated the original document or the electronic document from among several image forming devices. It is possible to select a preferable reading device or the like from the devices or the like. In addition, it is possible to select and use an optimum device for printing, displaying, editing, processing, or saving the restored original document or electronic document.

Further, since it becomes possible to organically use a device having a reading / writing function at a distant place, the range of use and the environment of use are greatly improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the second aspect, the image forming apparatus comprises:
When forming information with electrons having the same content as the electronic document information, the image forming apparatus forms the electronic document according to the file format of the electronic document created by the original information processing apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 7, when the image forming apparatus forms the information of the electron having the same content as the electronic document information, the image forming apparatus is created by the original information processing apparatus. By forming an electronic document according to the same file format as that of the electronic document, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of immediately displaying the electronic document, editing and processing the electronic document, and the like.

In this case, the code information is analyzed to restore the original electronic document, and at the same time, the application program that created the electronic document or the application program that can handle the electronic document (these programs are not included). If it does not exist, obtain and use these programs from the device connected by the network that provides these programs.), And convert them to the file format of the electronic document originally created by the information processing device. Form a compliant electronic document.

The term "print" in the above claims is sometimes used as a concept including both "print" and "copy" which are ordinary concepts. For example, the “printed matter” in claim 1 is a copy and a printed matter because the original document is copied and the code information is printed, to be exact, but it is referred to as a printed matter here. Further, the claims define that the printing device prints the image information and the code information. Strictly speaking, however, the printing apparatus copies the original document and prints the code information. Therefore, not only printing but also copying and printing are performed, but here it is referred to as “printing”. The same applies to other claims. Therefore, in this sense, the printing device does not have to be a printing device in the normal sense, and may be a copying machine having a printing function.

An image forming apparatus for forming image information having the same content as an original document is a concept including not only forming an image for printing or copying, but also obtaining electronic document information. The user obtains the electronic document information formed by the image forming apparatus and performs processing, printing, and the like.

In the "network" of claim 6, a plurality of devices are connected to one network,
This is a concept including a mode in which individual devices are connected by a line such as a cable. Further, a network to which a plurality of devices are connected and a line between individual devices may be mixed. In addition, the network includes a wired network cable such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) (registered trademark) cable,
It also includes wireless networks such as infrared and radio waves.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In a copying machine, image deterioration occurs when copying is repeated from grandchild copy to grandchild copy. As a result, if the process is repeated 5 to 6 times, it becomes impossible to read the information after that. Therefore, the present image forming system does not scan and read the original document, for example, when making a copy, but scans and reads the code information portion that encodes the original document, and further decodes the read code information. Restore the original document and print or print out. As a result, it is possible to copy infinitely maintaining the original image quality.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Printed matter) In the present invention, a special printed matter is used. Therefore, first, the printed matter will be described. This print is
Created from original manuscript. This printed matter has the aspect of FIG. 2 or FIG.

The printed matter 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a preprinted printed matter or a prepared copy (in the present specification, a "printing original" which is an original for printing or an original for copying).
And the “copy original” are collectively referred to as “original original”. Therefore, the “original manuscript” in this specification is
It means "printed document" and / or "copy document". )
Is read by a predetermined reading device, and the code information 12 obtained by coding the read content into code information is printed in the margin of the original document 11. When copying this printed matter 10, the code information 1 of the printed matter 10
Since the original manuscript is restored from 2 and used as the original manuscript 11 of the printed matter 10, there is no image deterioration in copying, and copying can be done infinitely.

As the printed matter, in addition to FIG. 2, FIG.
Alternatively, it may be as shown in FIG. Those in FIG. 3, Table 10 ₁ of prints, print the original document 11 (FIG. 3
(A)), on the back 10 ₂ of the prints were printed code information 12 (FIG. 3 (B)) is intended.

When the code information is printed on the back side of a printed matter or a copy, printing is performed in an intermediate color such as yellow or sepia or stealth printing so that the printing on the back side does not adversely affect the printed matter or the copy on the front side. Etc. should be given. When reading the intermediate color and stealth printing, it is advisable to use a sensor sensitive to the wavelength of light emitted from a light source such as a black light. Further, the code information in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be printed by the printing unit in the copying machine when the original document is copied.

The code information 12 shown in FIG.
The original document is printed on a print medium 13 different from the printed print medium. In the present invention, a copy obtained by copying the original document and the printed matter of FIG. 4 is also referred to as a printed matter.

Further, the printing on the other printing medium 13 in FIG. 4 may be performed by the printing section in the copying machine. In addition, printing may be performed by a recording method such as an electrophotography attached to the outside of the copying machine, a thermal printer, or an inkjet. The other print medium 13 includes a release paper, a label, a sticker, etc. corresponding to the recording method. In the case of the release paper on which the code information is printed, the code information can be attached to the margin or the back side of the copied original document. (Code Information) The code information in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 will be described. The code information in the present invention is
It may be a one-dimensional barcode. However, a two-dimensional bar code is suitable for increasing the amount of information. As the two-dimensional barcode, any of the barcodes shown in FIG. 5 can be used.

Among these two-dimensional bar codes, the two-dimensional bar code sold by INTACTA Laboratories Ltd. of Israel under the code name “InfoImage” is a code similar to the Veri code and can be used for this purpose. In addition, the glyph code is 0 for the leftward slash and the rightward slash.
It is a code system that expresses 1 and 1. For example, by using a printing device and a reading device of 600 dpi to 1200 dpi to 2400 dpi, data of several megabytes (MByte) to several tens of megabytes (MByte) can be recorded and restored on one A4 sheet. Note that the capacity that can be recorded on one sheet changes depending on the degree of code error correction. By compressing the file with a predetermined algorithm and printing it based on the glyph code, it is possible to record a larger capacity. In recent years, many prints and copies are in color, so that the present invention corresponds to monochrome and color prints and copies. Further, by printing the code information in color, reading it by a reading device with a built-in full-color sensor, adding a color factor to a storage element, and recognizing and restoring it, it is possible to carry out recording with a larger capacity.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, when a single pixel of a code can be controlled to have four densities of zero density, cyan, magenta, and yellow, 2-bit data is stored for zero density. When both are zero, "00", only the lower bit is 1 and "01" in the case of yellow, only the upper bit is 1 and "10" in the case of magenta, and the 2-bit data is 1 and "11" in the case of cyan. Since the relationship "" can be provided, the amount of data that can be represented by the code information is doubled. Further, when a plurality of colors and the densities of the respective colors are controlled in a plurality of stages, the capacity becomes larger, and it becomes possible to hold larger photographic image data. (First embodiment) FIGS. 2 to 3 show three printed materials.
There are two modes for creating these three printed materials. In the first mode, the original document is read by a predetermined reading device, the read content is encoded into code information, and the code information is printed on a margin of the original document, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium. It is a thing. A processing flow for creating the printed matter of FIG. 2 will be described based on FIG. 7. First, the original document is read by a scanner or a digital copying machine (S10). Read the image information,
The digitizing device digitizes (S11). Data compression is performed on the digitized image information data (S1).
2). Data compression is performed as needed. The data compressed data is coded by the coding device (S1
3) Obtain code information. In the coding, for example, error detection / correction bits are added to the data compressed data and converted into a two-dimensional code. On the other hand, the margin of the original document is detected from the image information (S14), and the margin information is obtained. Next, based on the image information, copy is performed, and further, based on the margin information, the margin portion is
The code information is printed to obtain a printed matter as shown in FIG. 2 (S15). Either of the printing of the code information and the copying of the image information may be performed first.
A processing flow for creating the printed matter of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the original document is read by a scanner or a digital copying machine (S10). The read image information is digitized by a digitizing device (S
11). The digitized image information data is compressed (S12). Data compression is performed as needed. The data-compressed data is coded by the coding device (S13) to obtain code information. In the coding, for example, error detection / correction bits are added to the data compressed data and converted into a two-dimensional code. Also,
Simultaneously with or prior to Steps 11 to 13, based on the image information, a copy as shown in FIG. 3A is made on the document of the printed matter (S16). Thereafter, the code information is printed on the back surface of the printed matter as shown in FIG. 3 (B) (S17). The image information may be copied after the code information is printed. The processing flow for creating the printed matter in the case of FIG. 4 will be described based on FIG. First, the original document is read by a scanner or a digital copying machine (S10). Based on the read image information, the original document is copied on the front surface of the printed matter (S18). Separately from step 18, the digitized device digitizes the read image information (S11). The digitized image information data is compressed (S12). Data compression is performed as needed. The data-compressed data is coded by the coding device (S13) to obtain code information. afterwards,
Printing as shown in FIG. 4 is performed on a printing medium different from the printed matter of step 18 (S19). Printing on another print medium may be performed by a copying machine that copies the original document or by another printing machine. (Second aspect) The second aspect is to print or print out an electronic document created by a computer through a device for generating printable print data, at the same time as the printing or printout, or before or after the print. The electronic information is encoded into readable code information, and the code information is printed on the margin of the electronic document, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium through a device that generates printable print data. is there. The second aspect will be described with reference to FIG. First, an electronic document created by a computer is acquired (S20). Then, this electronic information is encoded into readable code information (S
21). At this time, data compression and error detection / correction bit addition may be performed in the same manner as the processing in FIG. Next, the electronic document is printed, and the code information is printed on the margin of the electronic document, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium (S22). The printed matter is
Although the original document in FIGS. 2 to 4 is an electronic document, it is possible to obtain a printed matter in the same manner as that shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. When the printed document is provided as electronic information, the printed matter is obtained in the second mode. (Overall Processing Flow) FIG. 11 shows the overall processing flow of this system.

As described above, by the processing of the first aspect or the second aspect (S31), for example, a printed matter as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is obtained (S32).

When the user copies this printed matter,
This printed matter is set in a copying machine and a normal copying operation is performed. The copier scans the printed matter to obtain image data of the printed matter. Further, the copying machine analyzes the image information of the image data, acquires code information from the printed matter (S33), and decodes the code information (error detection /
If there is a correction bit, error correction detection is performed and decoding is performed. (S34), the compressed data is expanded to obtain digital information, image data of an original document or electronic document information is generated from this digital information (S35), and copying or printing is performed (S36). (Copier) In the present invention, the reading device, the coding device, the printing device, and the copying device may be separate, but they may be integrated.

FIG. 12 illustrates a copying machine in which a reading device, a coding device, a printing device and a copying device are integrated. The copying machine shown in FIG. 12 includes a developing unit 20 and a scanner unit 2.
1, optical writing unit 22, photosensitive drum 23, intermediate transfer unit 2
4, a transfer unit 25, a fixing unit 26, an ink ribbon 27, a thermal printing unit 28, and a print medium 30.

As in a normal copying machine, the original document set in the scanner section 21 by the developing section 20, the scanner section 21, the optical writing section 22, the photosensitive drum 23, the intermediate transfer section 24, the transfer section 25 and the fixing section 26. Make a copy of. Figure 1
29 in 2 is a copy portion of the original document copied to the print medium 30. The copier of FIG. 12 can control the thermal printing unit 28 to print the two-dimensional code on the surface of the print medium 30 opposite to the copy of the original document.

It operates as follows. As the first step, read the color original on the original plate of the digital color copying machine,
An encoder / decoder program (for example, 3DFAX / E-
mail (developer INTACTA Laboratories Ltd.))
It is converted into a two-dimensional bar code (for example, a two-dimensional bar code of "InfoImage" (manufactured by INTACTA Laboratories Ltd.), which is a type of Vericode, and stored in a memory in the copying machine. At this time, the interlock is activated by issuing a command from the control unit of the copying machine, so that the feeding and feeding of paper is not performed. Next, as the second step, the color original image side is placed in the paper feed tray and the print button is pressed to start feeding, and at the same time the color original is copied, the color original is copied at the thermal transfer section. The above two-dimensional bar code is printed on the back surface. In the third step, the decoding program operates by placing the surface of the two-dimensional bar code on the platen and reading the bar code to restore the original image and reproduce the color image on the copy paper. For the document detection in each step, a method similar to that of the automatic document size detection system and a method for detecting the mark written in the code are used. The first step and the second step may be performed in one step.

Signal processing will be described with reference to FIG. 13, which focuses on the signal processing function of the copying machine shown in FIG.

The system shown in FIG. 13 has an optical system 31 and a CCD.
(Charge Coupled Device) 32,
Memory 33, MPU (Microprocessing)
Unit 34, an image forming unit 35, and an image processing unit 50. In addition, the image processing unit 50
An image analysis unit 37 that detects a blank portion of the original document, detects the presence or absence of code information, a decoding unit 38 that decodes the code information, an encoding unit 39 that converts the original document into code data, and a required size and position of characters and images. RIP that is placed in and expanded as a filled bitmap
It has a (Raster Image Processor) unit 40 and a data compression / expansion unit 41 for compressing or expanding data. The original document set in the scanner section 21 is controlled by the MPU 34 and the optical system 31 and C
It is read by the DD 32 and stored in the memory 33.
Further, the image information of the original document stored in the memory 33 is copied under the control of the MPU 34, and further, code information is generated by the image processing unit 50, the margin of the original document portion, the back surface of the printed matter, or another image. Printed on the print medium.

When the printed matter shown in FIG. 2 is set in the scanner section 21, the optical system 3 is controlled by the control of the MPU 34.
1 and CDD 32 to read and store in memory 33. If the code information is included, the information analysis unit 37 notifies the MPU 34 of that fact. Upon receiving the notification, the MPU 34 decodes the code information stored in the memory 33 by the decode 38, and performs copying using the decoded image information. Then, the thermal printing unit 28 is controlled to print the code information in the margin of the original document.

When printing the electronic document information of the copying machine, the MPU 34 can store the electronic document information in the memory area 33, and the RIP unit 40 can print the electronic document information stored in the memory 33. Data into
Further, the image processing unit 50 prints this data. On the other hand, the MPU 34 causes the encoding unit 39 to generate code information from the electronic document information, and prints the code information on the margin of the electronic document information portion, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium. Note that the same processing is performed when printing an electronic document created by another device.

As described above, this copying machine reads as electronic information by the reading device of the scanner unit of the copying machine,
It has a function of encoding the electronic information and a function of selecting and encoding an electronic document generated in this apparatus or an electronic document created by another apparatus.

As the encoding used here, various coding methods shown in FIG. 5 can be used. The reading device, the coding device, the printing device, and the copying device may be different from each other. in this case,
As shown in FIG. 14, at least two of the image reading device 41, the code / decoding device 42, the copy / printing device 43, and the image forming device 44 need to be connected via a network 50. A utilization device 45 that utilizes the output of the image forming device may be connected to the network 50. For example, the encoding may be performed not by a copying machine but by a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation that has installed or holds a program for performing encoding. The printed matter may be printed by another printing device instead of the copying machine. The original document or the like may be read by another reading device instead of the copying machine. The image formation of the original document or the like may be performed by another image forming apparatus instead of the copying machine. In addition, the image forming apparatus is
When generating electronic information having the same content as electronic document information, the image forming apparatus displays or edits code information by forming an electronic document according to the file format of the electronic document created by the original information processing apparatus. It is possible to provide an image forming system capable of immediately performing processing and the like.

In this case, the program for forming the electronic document may be obtained from another device, if necessary. According to the present embodiment, the same code information as the print content is recorded in the margin or the back surface of the printed matter of the copying machine, and by decoding and restoring this code information, it is possible to avoid the copy image deterioration due to the repetition. . The printed matter according to the present embodiment has a code information printing unit and a printing unit of an original document, and when a copy is made, the original document is not read, but the code information printing unit is read by a predetermined reading device. By restoring, it is possible to avoid image deterioration due to repeated copying and to maintain the same image quality as the original document indefinitely.

According to this embodiment, general-purpose image formation is performed because the use of an image forming apparatus suitable for forming code information and special conditions for various characteristics such as transportability, heat resistance, and water resistance are required. It is possible to provide a printed matter, a copied matter, and a system relating to the printed matter, which have many excellent features such as the use of the printed matter that is not suitable for the apparatus and the use of the apparatus that cannot write on the back surface of the printed matter.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the margin of the original document portion or the electronic document information portion in the printed matter created from the original document or the electronic document information, the back surface of the printed matter, or the printed matter on another print medium. By encoding the print contents of the code, recording the code information, and decoding the code information to restore the image, image deterioration due to repeated copying is avoided, and the image quality is the same as the original document or electronic document information indefinitely. It is possible to provide an image forming system that maintains the above.

[0063]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a diagram (No. 1) for explaining a printed matter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (No. 2) for explaining a printed matter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram (No. 3) for explaining a printed matter.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a two-dimensional code.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a two-dimensional color code.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (No. 1) for explaining the first mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram (No. 2) for explaining the first mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (No. 3) for explaining the first mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second mode.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the overall processing flow of the present system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a copying machine used in this embodiment.

13 is a diagram focusing on the signal processing function of the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram in which this system is configured using a network.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printed matter 11 original manuscript 12 Code information 13 Different print media 20 Development Department 21 Scanner 22 Optical writing section 23 Photosensitive drum 24 Intermediate transfer unit 25 Transfer part 26 Fixing section 27 Ink ribbon 28 Thermal Printing Department 29 Copy of original manuscript 30 print media 31 Optical system 32 CCD 33 memory 34 MPU 35 image forming unit 37 Image Analysis Department 38 Decoding section 39 Encoding part 40 RIP section 41 Data compression / decompression unit 50 image processing units

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 EF term (reference) 2C061 HH03 HJ06 HN02 HN09 HN15 JJ02 JJ14 5B021 AA13 CC08 5B072 CC01 CC24 DD02 DD21 GG07 MM02 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB02 AB17 AB22 AC06 AC30 AE07 BA00 5C076 AA14 AA37 AA40 BA02 BA06 CA09

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A printed matter having an original document portion on which an original document is printed and a code information portion obtained by coding the original document, wherein the code information portion is a margin of the original document portion in the printed matter, An image reading system for reading an original document in an image forming system that forms image information having the same content as the original document based on the code information printed on the back surface of the printed matter or another print medium and printed on the code information portion. A device, a coding device for coding an original document read by the image reading device, image information read by the image reading device, and code information coded by the coding device, and the printed matter From a printing device that creates, from the code information printed on the printed matter printed by the printing device, Serial imaging system comprising: an image forming apparatus for forming an original document and the image information of the same contents, the. 2. A printed matter having an electronic document information part, which is information of an electronic document created by an information processing device, and a code information part obtained by encoding the electronic document information, wherein the code information part is Image information having the same content as the electronic document information is formed based on the margin of the electronic document information portion of the printed matter, the back surface of the printed matter, or another print medium and based on the code information printed on the code information portion. In the image forming system, a coding device that codes the electronic document information, a printing device that prints the electronic document information and the code information coded by the coding device to create the printed matter, An image forming apparatus that forms image information having the same content as the electronic document information from the code information printed on the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus. Characteristic image forming system. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the code information is information including a bar code having an error correction function or a two-dimensional bar code. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein at least the code information portion is printed in color on the printed matter. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when the code information is printed on the back surface of the printed matter, the code information is printed with an intermediate color or stealth ink. 6. At least two of the reading device, the encoding device, the printing device, the image forming device, and a utilization device that utilizes the output of the image forming device are connected via a network. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: 7. When the image forming apparatus forms information of electrons having the same contents as the electronic document information, the image forming apparatus uses an electronic document according to a file format of an electronic document created by an original information processing apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein a document is formed.