JP2006192619A - Image-recording apparatus and image-recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-recording apparatus which enables to output the whole content of manuscript image data by such a style that can read the whole content at one time and enables to copy the manuscript image data without removing a staple from a manuscript. <P>SOLUTION: The image-recording apparatus binds a plurality of sheets of recording papers on which the manuscript image data are recorded by a printer part 300 recording the manuscript image data inputted by a reader part 200 on the recording papers by using the staple with an IC chip, stores the manuscript image data on the IC chip on the staple binding the recording papers, reads out the manuscript image data stored in the IC chip, and records the read-out manuscript image data on the recording papers by the printer part 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Generally popular image recording apparatuses include a plurality of apparatuses that input and output a document such as an image reading apparatus, an image printing apparatus, a network apparatus, and a storage apparatus, and a control method thereof. In such an image recording apparatus, in order to print again the image data of a document once printed and erased, it is necessary to input the image data of the document again using an image reading device or the like.

  If the image information is stored in a format that can be read once on output paper (recording paper), the user does not need to read the document again with an image reading device or the like.

  Examples of conventional techniques having means for storing image data in an output image include the following.

  (1) An electronic sentence search apparatus and an electronic search method that make it easy to search an original document even if it is output as a paper document (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  (2) A recording medium capable of outputting sound by embedding a reduced image of several centimeters square on a manuscript sheet at the time of printing and applying the manuscript sheet to a reading device (see, for example, Patent Documents 2, 3, 4, and 5) .

  (3) A printing apparatus capable of easily restoring a document by printing a reduced document and a coded document on the first page (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

(4) Concerning document storage on electronic paper with IC chip, the contents of one sheet, supplementary information, and other information can be stored by inserting or pasting the IC chip into the sheet. An information transmission method using IC chip-containing paper (see, for example, Patent Document 7).
JP 2001-256256 A JP 2002-297170 A JP 2002-297173 A JP 2002-298077 A JP 2003-076962 A JP 2002-170075 A JP 2000-285203 A

  However, in the above-described invention of Patent Document 1, for example, in order to reprint a plurality of sheets of recording paper that have been subjected to binding processing, a staple member used for the binding processing is removed, and feature amounts are extracted from each of the plurality of recording papers. There was a problem that processing etc. had to be done.

  In addition, the inventions of Patent Documents 2, 3, 4, and 5 described above require a special rectangular image to be printed at the corners of the paper and cannot be used for borderless full-face printing. It was.

  Further, the above-described invention of Patent Document 6 has a problem that large image data that has been coded and cannot be grasped by the user has to be printed on paper.

  In addition, the above-described invention of Patent Document 7 has a problem that it is difficult to take measures against heat at the time of printing because an IC chip is inserted into paper, and image data of a plurality of documents cannot be input / output at a time. It was.

  That is, any of the above-described patent documents 1 to 7 has a problem that it is difficult to store image data of one or more originals in an output original in a format that can be read at a time.

  Conventionally, when copying a stapled document, it has been necessary to go through three steps: removing the staple from the document, copying the image data of the document, and stapling the document again. . Such work has a problem that it is particularly difficult for a disabled person who has difficulty in removing the staple from the manuscript itself.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to output all the contents of image data of a document in a format that can be read at one time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method capable of copying image data of a stapled document without removing the document from the document.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus of the present invention includes an information input unit for inputting image information, an image recording unit for recording an image on a recording sheet based on the image information input by the information input unit, Stapling means for performing binding processing on a plurality of recording sheets on which the image is recorded by the image recording means, and performing binding processing using a staple member to which a storage medium for storing information relating to the image is added. Staple means, information writing means for writing information relating to the image to the storage medium, information reading means for reading information relating to the image stored in the storage medium, and a plurality of sheets subjected to binding processing by the staple means Based on the information concerning the image read by the information reading means from the storage medium added to the staple member for binding sheets of recording paper, And having a control means for controlling said image recording means to record an image on another of the plurality of sheets of recording paper, a.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording method of the present invention includes an information input step for inputting image information, and an image recording for recording an image on a recording sheet based on the image information input in the information input step. And a stapling process for performing binding processing on a plurality of recording sheets on which the image is recorded by the image recording process, using a staple member to which a storage medium for storing information on the image is added. A stapling process for processing, an information writing process for writing information on the image to the storage medium, an information reading process for reading information on the image stored in the storage medium, and a binding process in the stapling process Based on information relating to the image read in the information reading step from the storage medium added to a staple member that binds a plurality of printed recording sheets Characterized by and a control step of controlling the image recording step to record the image into another plurality of recording sheets.

  According to the present invention, when it is desired to record an image on a plurality of recording sheets subjected to binding processing, information stored in a recording medium added to the staple member without removing the staple member from the recording sheet. Based on the above, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method for performing image recording of images on a plurality of recording sheets.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image recording apparatus and an image recording method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Hardware of image recording device>
First, the hardware of the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system having an image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. This image processing system includes an image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and another image recording apparatus. 101, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of host computers (PC: personal computers) 401 and 402, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) FAX (facsimile) 501 and 502, Consists of.

  An image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control device (controller unit) 110, an image input device (reader unit) 200, and an image output device (printer unit) 300.

  The reader unit 200 optically reads image data (image information) of a document and converts it into image data of an electrical signal. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading image data of a document, and a document feeding unit 250 (hereinafter referred to as a feeder) having a function for conveying document paper. .

  The printer unit 300 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data on the recording sheet as a visible image, and discharges the recording sheet 100 to the outside. The printer unit 300 sorts and staples a paper feeding unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing image data onto recording paper, and recording paper on which image data is printed. The paper discharge unit 330 has a function of outputting to the outside of the image recording apparatus.

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to an operation unit 150, a reader unit 200, a printer unit 300, a FAX (facsimile) modem 510, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 520, and further via a network (LAN: local area network) 400. Are connected to host computers (PC: personal computers) 401 and 402 and another image recording apparatus 101, and to FAX (facsimile) 501 and 502 via a FAX modem 510 and a telephone line 500, respectively. The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. Further, the control device 110 converts the image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and transmits it to the host computers 401 and 402 via the network 400, and the host computer 401 and 402 via the network 400. A printer function that converts the received code data into image data and outputs the image data to the printer unit 300, a FAX (facsimile) function that transmits / receives the input image data to / from the FAX modem 510 via the telephone line 500, and the transmitted / received image data to the HDD 520 Provide a box function that accumulates in

<Operation unit 150>
Next, the operation unit 150 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 150 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110 and configured by a liquid crystal touch panel. Thus, a user I / F (interface) for operating the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is provided.

  In FIG. 2, 600 is an LCD (liquid crystal display) touch panel, and main mode setting and status display are performed here. Reference numeral 601 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value from 0 to 9, and reference numeral 602 denotes an ID (identifier) key. When the image recording apparatus 100 is under department management, an identifier such as a department number and a password mode is input. It is what is used. 603 is a reset key for resetting the set mode, 604 is a guide key for displaying an explanation screen for each mode, 605 is a user mode key for entering the user mode screen, and 606 is for performing interrupt copying. The interrupt key 607 is a start key for starting the copying operation.

  Reference numeral 608 denotes a stop key for canceling the copy job being executed. Reference numeral 609 denotes a soft power switch (SW). When the soft power switch 609 is pressed, the backlight of the LCD touch panel 600 is turned off, and the image recording apparatus 100. Is in a low power state. Reference numeral 610 denotes a power saving key. When the power saving key 610 is pressed, the power saving state is entered. By pressing the power saving key 610 again, the normal state is restored from the power saving state. Reference numerals 611, 612, 613, and 614 denote function keys for shifting to copy, transmission, box, and expansion. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a standard screen for copying is displayed, and other function keys 612 and 613 are displayed. , 614 are pressed, a standard screen for each function is displayed.

  Reference numeral 615 denotes an adjustment key for adjusting the contrast of the LCD touch panel 600, and reference numeral 616 denotes a counter confirmation key. When the counter confirmation key 616 is pressed, a count screen for displaying the total number of copies specified so far is displayed on the LCD touch panel. 600 is displayed. Reference numeral 617 denotes an execution / memory LED (light emitting diode) which is a display indicating that the job is being executed and the image is being stored in the image memory (memory). Reference numeral 618 denotes an error in the image recording apparatus 100 such as jamming or door opening. An error LED (light emitting diode) 619 is a display indicating that the main switch of the image recording apparatus 100 is turned on (ON), and a power LED (light emitting diode) is a display indicating that the main switch of the image recording apparatus 100 is on. Reference numeral 629 denotes a microphone, 621 denotes a speaker, and 622 denotes a non-contact type IC (integrated circuit) chip (storage means) reader.

<Reader unit 200 and printer unit 300>
Next, the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit 200 feeds the documents one by one to the platen glass 211 in order from the top, and after completing the reading operation of the image data of the document, the document on the platen glass 211. Is discharged to a discharge tray 219. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on, and the movement of the optical unit 213 is started to scan the document for exposure. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215, 216 and lens 217. Thus, the scanned image data of the document is read by the CCD 218. Image data output from the CCD 218 is transferred to the control device 110 (see FIG. 1) after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  On the other hand, the laser driver 321 of the printer unit 300 drives the laser light emitting unit 322 and causes the laser light emitting unit 322 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the control device 110. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 323. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 323 by a developing device 324. When the recording paper is fed from any of the recording paper cassettes 311, 312, 313, and 314 or the manual paper feed stage 315 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is transferred by the transfer path 331 to the transfer unit. To 325. Then, the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the recording paper. The recording sheet to which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 327 by the conveyance belt 326, and the developer is fixed to the recording sheet by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 327. Thereafter, the recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 327 passes through the transport path 335 and the transport path 334 and is discharged to the paper discharge bin 328. Alternatively, when the recording surface of the recording paper is reversed and discharged to the paper discharge bin 328, the recording paper is guided to the transport path 336 and the transport path 338, from which the recording paper is transported in the reverse direction, and the transport path 329. And the conveyance path 337.

  If double-sided recording of recording paper is set, the recording paper passes through the fixing unit 327 and is then guided from the transport path 336 to the transport path 333 by the flapper 329, and then the recording paper is transported in the reverse direction. The flapper 329 then guides the transport path 338 and the refeed transport path 332. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 332 passes through the conveyance path 331 at the timing described above and is fed to the transfer unit 325.

<Finisher>
Next, the finisher unit mounted on the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the internal configuration of the finisher unit mounted on the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, 350 is a finisher unit that is attached to a place where the paper discharge bin 328 provided in the printer unit 300 is removed. The recording paper is discharged from the conveyance path 334 and is sent to the finisher unit 350. At this time, the printing surface of the printed recording paper faces upward, and the finisher unit 350 reverses the orientation of the recording paper in order to make the printing surface downward when paper is discharged. In this reversal process, the flapper 351 is lowered and the recording paper is temporarily sent upward by the conveying roller 352. When the recording paper reaches the top, the conveying roller 352 is reversed to send the recording paper to the paper discharge port. is there.

  The finisher unit 350 has four paper discharge bins 361. Then, the sheet discharge unit 360 is moved up and down by the sheet discharge port driving device 353, so that the recording sheet can be output to an arbitrary sheet discharge bin 361. When stapling a plurality of discharged recording sheets, the plurality of recording sheets are temporarily held in the conveyance path 363, and when the originals are gathered, the reversing roller 362 is reversed from the conveyance direction. It is possible to discharge the stapled recording paper to the paper discharge bin 361 by setting the ends of the plurality of recording papers in the stapling device 354 and stapling, and then reversing again. The stapling device 354 has a function of writing data to an IC chip that is a storage medium attached to a staple member (needle).

<Control device 110>
Next, the control device 110 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control device 110 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 111 denotes a main controller, which is mainly a CPU (central processing unit) 112 and a bus. It comprises a controller 113 and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from a ROM (read-only memory) 114 via a ROM I / F (interface) 115. To do. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the host computer and expanding it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F (interface), and controls arbitration at the time of bus contention and DMA (direct memory access) data transfer.

  A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 116 is connected to the main controller 111 via a DRAM I / F (interface) 117 and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for storing image data. .

  A network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 through an I / F (interface) 123 and is connected to an external network through a connector 122. The network generally includes a telephone line via Ethernet (registered trademark) and a FAX modem.

  An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O (input / output) control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. The general-purpose high-speed bus 125 is generally a PCI bus.

  The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting / receiving control commands to / from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. It is connected to a scanner I / F (interface) 140 and a printer I / F (interface) 145 which are F (interface) circuits.

  A panel I / F (interface) 132 is connected to an LCD (liquid crystal display) controller 131, an I / F (interface) for displaying on the LCD touch panel 600 on the operation unit 150, hard keys and touch panel keys. It consists of key input I / F (interface) for input.

  The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input by the touch panel or the hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 132. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the operation unit 150 of the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The real-time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  The E-IDE connector 161 is for connecting an external storage device. An external storage device such as a hard disk or a CD-ROM drive can be connected via the E-IDE connector 161, and programs and image data can be written and read.

  The connectors 141 and 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of synchronized step-synchronous serial I / Fs (interfaces) 143 and 148 and video I / Fs (interfaces) 144 and 149.

  The scanner I / F (interface) 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142, and is also connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and the image data received from the reader unit 200 is processed in the subsequent process. Depending on the content of the processing in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus has a function of performing an optimal binarization process, a main-scanning / sub-scanning scaling process, and based on a video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 It also has a function of outputting the generated control signal to the scanner bus 141. Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147, and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The printer I / F 145 performs smoothing processing on the image data output from the main controller 111, and It has a function of outputting to the printer unit 300, and further has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146.

  Transfer of raster image data expanded on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit 300 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

<Main controller 111>
Next, the main controller 111 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main controller 111 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, a processor core (CPU) 401 is connected to a system bus bridge (SBB) 402 via a 64-bit processor bus (SC bus). The SBB 402 is a 4 × 4 64-bit crossbar switch, and is connected to a memory controller 403 that controls an SDRAM or ROM including a cache memory in addition to the processor core 401 via a dedicated local bus (MC Bus). Furthermore, it is connected to a G bus 404 which is a graphic bus and a B bus 405 which is an IO bus, and is connected to a total of four buses. The SBB 402 is designed so as to ensure simultaneous parallel connection between these four modules as much as possible. The SBB 402 is connected to a data compression / decompression unit (CODEC) 418 via a CODEC I / F (interface).

  The G bus 404 is cooperatively controlled by a G bus arbiter (GBA) 406 and is connected to a scanner / printer controller (SPC) 408 for connecting to the scanner unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The B bus 405 is cooperatively controlled by a B bus arbiter (BBA) 407. In addition to the SPC 408, a power management unit (PMU) 409, an interrupt controller (IC) 410, and a serial interface controller using a UART (SIC) 411, USB controller (USBC) 412, parallel interface controller (PIC) 413 using IEEE 1284, LAN controller (LANC) 414 using Ethernet (registered trademark), LCD panel, keys, general-purpose I / O controller (PC ) 415 and a PCI bus interface (PCIC) 416. An operation panel 417 having a display panel, a keyboard and the like is connected to the PC 415.

<Interrupt controller 410>
Next, the interrupt controller 410 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The interrupt controller 410 is connected to the B bus 405, integrates each functional block in the main controller chip and interrupts from outside the main controller chip, and has six levels of external interrupts and non-maskable interrupts (NMI) supported by the processor core 401. Redistribute to Each functional block includes a power management unit 409, a serial interface controller 411, a USB controller 412, a parallel interface controller 413, an Ethernet (registered trademark) controller 414, a general-purpose input / output controller 415, a PCI interface controller 416, a scanner / printer controller 408, and the like. It is.

<Memory controller 403>
Next, the memory controller 403 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The memory controller 403 is connected to an MC bus that is a local bus dedicated to the memory controller, and controls a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a flash ROM, and a ROM.

<System Bus Bridge 402>
Next, the system bus bridge 402 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the system bus bridge 402 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The system bus bridge (SBB) 402 is a multi-channel system that provides interconnection between the B bus (input / output bus), G bus (graphic bus), SC bus (processor local bus), and MC bus using a crossbar switch. It is a bus bridge. Two systems of connections can be established simultaneously by the cross bus switch, and high-speed data transfer with high parallelism can be realized.

  In FIG. 7, the SBB 402 includes a B bus interface 2009 for connection to the B bus 405, a G bus interface 2006 for connection to the G bus 404, a CPU interface slave port 2002 for connection to the processor core 401, In addition to the memory interface master port 2001 for connecting to the memory controller 403 and the CODEC bus interface 2014 for connecting to the compression / decompression unit (CODEC) 418, the address switch 2003 for connecting the address bus, and the data for connecting the data bus A switch 2004 is included. The SBB 402 also includes a cache invalidation unit (cache invalidation unit) 2005 that invalidates the cache memory of the processor core 401. The address switch 2003 has a sequencer 2003a.

  In FIG. 7, 2008 is a G bus interface slave port, 2009 is a G bus interface data port, 2010 is a B bus interface slave port, 2011 is a B bus interface master port, 2012 is a B bus interface data port, and 2013 is a B bus. , 2015 is a CODEC bus interface data port, and 2016 is a CODEC bus interface slave port.

<PCI bus interface 416>
Next, the PCI bus interface 416 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The PCI bus interface 416 is a block for interfacing between the B bus, which is a general-purpose IO (input / output) bus inside the main controller, and the PCI bus, which is a chip external IO (input / output) bus.

<G bus arbiter 406, B bus arbiter 407>
Next, the G bus arbiter 406 and the B bus arbiter 407 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The arbitration of the G bus is a central arbitration method, and each bus master has a dedicated request signal and grant signal. The G bus arbiter 406 can program a control method. Also, as a method of giving priority to the bus master, all bus masters are given the same priority, the fair arbitration mode in which the bus right is given fairly, and the priority of any one bus master is raised, and the bus is used preferentially. Either priority arbitration mode can be specified.

  The B bus arbiter 407 accepts a bus use request for the B bus 405, which is an IO (input / output) general-purpose bus, and after arbitration, gives a use permission to one selected master. Prohibit access. The arbitration method has three levels of priority, and a plurality of masters can be assigned to each priority in a programmable manner.

<Scanner / Printer Controller 408>
Next, the scanner / printer controller 408 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner / printer controller 408 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, a scanner / printer controller 408 is a block that is connected to a reader unit 200 and a printer unit 300 by a video interface (Video I / F), and interfaces to the G bus and B bus which are internal buses.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the scanner / printer controller 408 is roughly composed of three blocks: a scanner controller 4302, a printer controller 4303, and G bus / B bus I / F units (GBI) 4301A and 4301B.

  The scanner controller 4302 is connected to the reader unit 200 through a video I / F (interface), and performs operation control and data transfer control. The scanner controller 4302 is connected to the G bus / B bus I / F unit (GBI) 4301A via the IF bus, and performs data transfer and register read / write.

  A printer controller 4303 is connected to the printer unit 300 through a video I / F and performs operation control and data transfer control. The printer controller 4303 is connected to the GBI 4301B via an IF bus, and performs data transfer and register read / write.

  The CP bus is a bus for directly connecting image data of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 and a synchronization signal for horizontal and vertical synchronization.

  Further, G bus / B bus I / F units (GBI) 4301A and 4301B are units for connecting the scanner controller 4302 and printer controller 4303 to the G bus or B bus. The G bus / B bus I / F units (GBI) 4301A and 4301B are independently connected to the scanner controller 4302 and the printer controller 4303, and are connected to both the G bus and the B bus.

<Power management unit 409>
Next, the power management unit 409 in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The main controller 111 is a large-scale ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) with a built-in CPU. For this reason, if all the internal logics operate simultaneously, a large amount of heat is generated and the main controller chip itself may be destroyed. In order to prevent this, the main controller 111 performs power management for each block, that is, power management by the power management unit 409, and further monitors the power consumption of the entire main controller chip.

  Each block performs power management (power management) individually. Information on the power consumption of each block is collected in the power management unit 409 as a power management level. The power management unit 409 adds up the power consumption of each block and monitors the power consumption of each block of the main controller 111 collectively so that the value does not exceed the limit power consumption.

<Software of image recording apparatus 100>
Next, software of the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment provides copy, transmission, box, and expansion functions.

  In the copy function, when the user presses the copy key 611 to instruct the start of a copy operation, the image data of the original is optically read and converted into the image data of the electric signal from the reader unit 200, and the image is printed on the recording paper. A series of flow up to the printer unit 300 for transferring data is provided to the user. Copying includes functions such as magnification conversion, paper selection, density setting, sorting, duplex printing, application function setting, and system management.

  In the transmission / reception function, the user presses the transmission / reception key 612 to instruct the start of transmission / reception, and the image data captured using the reader unit 200 or the like is transferred between the image recording apparatus 100 and the PC 401 via the LAN 400. Alternatively, the function of transmitting and receiving between the image recording apparatus 100 and the FAX 501 via the telephone line 500 is provided to the user.

  In the box function, when the user presses the box switch 613 to instruct the start of the box, the image data captured using the reader unit 200 or the like is stored in the HDD 520 and the content stored in the HDD 520 is printed or deleted. In addition, a function such as display on the panel I / F 132 is provided to the user.

  Since the box function is well known, its description is omitted.

  The extended functions are functions such as device management of the image recording apparatus 100, job management such as printing, copying, transmission / reception, box management, system information management, etc., when the user presses the expansion switch 614 to instruct expansion start. The user is provided with means for operating from the PC 401 via the LAN 400.

  This will be described in more detail using the hardware and software configurations of the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment described above, a flowchart described below, and a data area definition example of an IC chip.

<Method of stapling by inputting document image data to an IC chip attached to a stapling member>
Next, a method for stapling a plurality of recording sheets by inputting document information to the IC chip on the stapling in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  This method corresponds to the first, second, and fifth aspects of the invention, and is a method that is performed before the image data of the original is printed by the image recording apparatus 100 and before the stapling process is performed by the stapling apparatus 354 of the finisher apparatus 350. It is.

  In FIG. 9, first, in step S901, the storage capacity (remaining capacity) of the IC chip is detected, and in the next step S902, the storage capacity of the IC chip is greater than that obtained by adding document data and supplementary information to the document data. It is determined whether it is large (IC chip storage capacity ≧ document data amount + additional information amount). If it is determined that the storage capacity of the IC chip is larger than the sum of the document data and the additional information, the process proceeds to step S903, the document data is stored in the IC chip, and then the process proceeds to step S907.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S902 that the storage capacity of the IC chip is smaller than the sum of the document data and the additional information, the process proceeds to step S904 to issue an ID (identifier) or the like. In step S905, the ID and the original data are stored in the MFP / server. In step S906, an ID and the like (information such as an IP address) indicating the stored device are stored in the IC chip. At the same time, extended information such as keywords and encryption keys is stored as data to be input to the ID area. Next, in step S907, printing of original image data onto a recording sheet using the printer unit 300 and stapling of a plurality of recording sheets using the staple with the IC chip using the stapling device 354 are performed, and then this processing operation is performed. Exit.

  The IC chip includes basic information of image data such as characters, images, and page layout, setting information at the time of printing such as double-sided, Nin1, and finisher processing, and extended information such as moving images, sounds, and URLs. Save one or more pieces of information. The location of the information indicated by the ID is the image recording device 100 or a file of a PC / server connected to the image recording device 100 via a network.

<Method of Reading Document Information from IC Chip Attached to Staple Member and Recording and Outputting Image Related to Document Information>
Next, a method of outputting document information from the stapled IC chip in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  This method corresponds to the inventions according to claims 18 and 19, and is a method that is performed when image data is read and copied from a document on which an IC chip is stapled.

  In FIG. 10, first, in step S <b> 1001, image data of a document is read using the IC chip reading device 622. In step S1002, it is determined whether the image data of the document read in step S1001 is in a specified format. If it is determined that the image data of the read document is not in the specified format and the information cannot be decoded, the process proceeds to step S1007, and an error is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 150 by sound, light, UI, etc. This processing operation ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1002 that the image data of the read original is in the specified format and the information can be decoded, the process proceeds to step S1003, where the data is analyzed, and the read data is the ID and the IP address. It is determined whether one or more of these are included. If it is determined that the read data does not include one or more of ID and IP address, the process proceeds to step S1005.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1003 that the read data includes one or more of an ID or the like and an IP address, the process proceeds to step S1004 and the image data of the document related to the ID or the like exists on the MFP / server. Judge whether to do. If it is determined that the document image data related to the ID or the like does not exist on the MFP / server, the process proceeds to step S1007, and an error is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 150 by sound, light, UI, or the like. Then, this processing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1004 that the image data of the document related to the ID or the like exists on the MFP / server, the process proceeds to step S1005 and the image of the document indicated by the ID or the like of the device designated by the IP address. If there is no IP address, the image data of the document indicated by the ID of the image recording apparatus 100 is retrieved and acquired. If the information can be analyzed and the read data is other than the IP address, ID, etc. (that is, the actual document data itself), the image data of the document is acquired from the IC chip. Next, in step S1006, after performing printing and IC stapling processing, this processing operation ends.

  The scanned image data is not only printed or IC stapled, but is also stored in a copying machine such as a function for storing original image data in the image recording apparatus 100, a function for transmitting original image data to a PC or e-mail, and a voice output function. Although it is possible to perform processing using the provided functions, it is out of the scope of this proposal, so the explanation is omitted.

<Definition of IC chip data storage format>
Next, the definition of the data storage format of the IC chip in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the classification of the data storage format of the IC chip, and the data storage format of the IC chip is classified using the figure. There are three classified patterns. That is, there are three patterns: (1) less than the code amount indicating the host, (2) more than the code amount indicating the host and less than the image data amount of the document, and (3) more than the image data amount of the document.

  Pattern 1 (N50) is a case where the capacity of the IC chip is less than the code amount indicating the host (32-bit Ipv4 in the present embodiment) as shown in FIG. If the capacity is 0, one can be stored in the designated host, and if it is an IC chip of less than 32 bits, the document information can be stored in the image recording apparatus 100 or the host indicated by the image recording apparatus 100 by the number that can be expressed by the bits in the ID area.

  Pattern 2 is a case where the capacity of the IC chip is not less than the code amount indicating the host (32-bit Ipv4 in the present embodiment) and less than the capacity of the original image data, and there are two types. As shown in FIG. 11B, the first pattern 2-1 is a case where the capacity of the IC chip is 32 bits or more and less than 128 bits (N60), and the remaining 32 bits are used as Ipv4 and the rest is set as an ID. If it is a 32-bit IC chip, one document information can be stored in the designated host, and if it is less than 128 bits, the document information can be stored in the host indicated by IPv4 in the number of bits that can be expressed in bits. As shown in FIG. 11C, the second pattern 2-2 is a case where the capacity of the IC chip is 128 bits or more and less than the image data capacity of the document (N70), and the remaining 128 bits are used as Ipv6. Let bit be an ID. If it is a 128-bit IC chip, one piece of document information can be stored in the host indicated by Ipv6, and if it is an IC chip having a capacity larger than that, it can be stored in the host indicated by Ipv6 in the number of bits that can be expressed in bits. However, in the case of an IC chip of slightly more than 32 bits or more than 128 bits, the numerical value that can be expressed with a small number of ID bit assignments is small, so if the IC chip is slightly more than 128 bits, the data storage format of pattern 2-1 shown in FIG. In the case of an IC chip of slightly more than 32 bits, it is possible to use the data storage format of pattern 1 shown in FIG.

  Pattern 3 (N80) is a case where the capacity of the IC chip is equal to or larger than the image data capacity of the document, as shown in FIG. 11D, and the image data of the document is stored in the IC chip.

  However, pattern 3 can also be held using IP addresses and IDs as in patterns 1 and 2, and it is necessary to consider a trade-off with system requirements.

  Since the ID section can have zero or more IDs, it has not only an ID indicating document information but also extended information (printing information, files, directories, etc.), keywords, key data of the document, etc. It is also possible. The ID part has a fixed format and a variable format. The fixed format is a format in which one ID is fixed to several bits (for example, 8 bits), and the variable format is a format in which a designated bit string (for example, 1111111) is inserted at the beginning and end of the ID bits. Similarly, a fixed length / variable length method can be adopted for the actual data area. Similarly, you can have multiple IP addresses.

<A sequence of document image data input/output>
Next, a sequence of document data input / output in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 and FIG.

  Copying using the pattern 1 (N50) in FIG. 11A is a method of storing image data of a document in the image recording apparatus 100 or the designated host 401.

  Here, the IC chip of pattern 1 (N50) is less than 32 bits.

  The image data of the original is input to the image recording apparatus 100 from a reading device or the like that is an external device. Comparing the capacity of the IC chip of pattern 1 (N50) with the capacity of the original image data, the capacity of the IC chip is smaller than the capacity of the original image data (step S902 in FIG. 9). Therefore, an ID for uniquely determining the image data of the document is issued (step S904 in FIG. 9), and the ID, the image data file name and location of the document, the location of additional information, etc. are added to the default file of the image recording apparatus 100 or the like. Is added and stored in a designated location (step S905 in FIG. 9). The same ID as the image data of the stored document is stored in the IC chip, the image data of the document is subjected to image processing, printed on recording paper by the printer unit 300, and stapled with the IC chip using the stapling device 354 of the finisher device 350. Thus, a plurality of recording sheets are stapled (step S907 in FIG. 9).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to store the document image data, the ID indicating the location of the document image data, the IP address, the keyword, the data structure, and the like on the IC chip on the staple. Thus, it is possible to read the image data of the original from the IC chip on the staple, search the keyword, and decrypt the document.

  Traditionally, when copying a document that has been stapled, the user has to go through three steps: removing the staple from the document, copying the document, and then stapling the document again. Such an operation is particularly difficult for an upper limb handicapped person who is difficult to remove the staple from the document itself, but according to the present embodiment, the user can remove the staple from the document once without removing the staple. Data of all originals can be copied only by reading.

  In addition, since the recording paper is stapled after printing, the thermal problem of the IC chip is also solved.

  That is, in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, there are two types of document information storage methods between the IC chips on the staple, and when the size of the IC chip mounted memory is larger than the required area, Document information is held on the IC chip, and if small, an ID indicating the location of the document information is held on the IC chip. The document information entity is stored in one or more of the IC chip, the image recording apparatus 100, the server, the PC, and the like. The manuscript information is one or more of documents, images, related information, IDs representing the actual state of the manuscript, and the like included in the manuscript.

  Image data is printed on recording paper and stapled using a staple with an IC chip having document information, and the document information is read from the IC chip on the staple, so that the image data is printed again without removing the staple from the document. It becomes possible.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a series of flow of image data input / output in the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to pattern 2 (N60) in FIG. 11A and the flowchart in FIG.

  The configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

  Pattern 2-1 (N60) is a method of storing document data in a network-connected host. The IC chip of pattern 2-1 (N60) has a capacity larger than the data capacity of the IP address (32-bit Ipv4) but smaller than the document data.

  This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that device information (image recording apparatus 100, server, PC, etc.) that can store image data of a document set in the image recording apparatus 100, and available space The IP address is obtained by selecting one of the devices having the most free capacity from the capacity, and the document data is stored in a device connected to the network. In order to shift to Ipv6 in the future, it is also possible to use 128-bit Ipv6 of pattern 2-2 (N70) shown in FIG.

  The image data of the original is input to the image recording apparatus 100 from a reading device or the like that is an external device. The IC chip capacity of the pattern 2-1 (N60) is smaller than the original data capacity (step S902 in FIG. 9). Accordingly, an ID that uniquely determines the image data of the document is issued (step S904 in FIG. 9), and device information that can store the image data of the document set in the image recording apparatus 100 (image recording apparatus 100, server, PC, etc.) ) And an IP address by selecting one of the devices with the most free space from the free space. A table indicating the location such as ID, document image data file name, and additional information is added to the default file of the device obtained from the acquired IP address, and stored in the designated location (step S905 in FIG. 9). The IP address and the ID are stored in the IC chip, the image data of the document is image-processed and printed on the recording paper, and the stapling device 354 of the finisher device 350 is used to staple a plurality of recording papers using the staple with the IC chip. (Step S907 in FIG. 9).

(Third embodiment)
Next, a series of flow of image data input / output in the image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to pattern 3 (N80) in FIG. 11D and the flowchart in FIG.

  The configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

  Pattern 3 (N80) is a method of storing image data of an original on an IC chip. The IC chip capacity of pattern 3 (N80) is larger than the image data capacity of the document.

  The difference of the present embodiment from the first and second embodiments described above is that the image data of the document is stored in the IC chip itself.

  The image data of the original is input to the image recording apparatus 100 from a reading device or the like that is an external device. The IC chip of pattern 3 (N80) is larger than the original image data (step S902 in FIG. 9). Therefore, the image data of the document is stored in the IC chip (step S903 in FIG. 9), the image data of the document is subjected to image processing, printed on the recording paper, and the staple device with the IC chip is used by the stapling device 354 of the finisher device 350. Then, a plurality of recording sheets are stapled (step S907 in FIG. 9).

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

  This embodiment is performed in addition to the copying operation described in the above embodiment. The ID area in FIG. 11 includes not only the ID but also a keyword, a decryption key, and the like described in the present embodiment. The identification of these additional function data is supported by tagging.

  A method of searching for a similar document from a document that has been subjected to stapling by printing and stapling with an IC chip and printing again in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The keyword search is performed when a document is searched using the ID stored in the IC chip but there is no document.

  In FIG. 12, first, in step S1201, data is read from the IC chip. In step S1202, it is determined whether or not the data in the IC chip read in step S1201 has a specified format. If it is determined that the data in the IC chip is not in the specified format, the process proceeds to step S1210, and an error is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 150 by sound, light, UI, etc., and then the processing operation is terminated. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1202 that the data in the IC chip has the specified format, the process proceeds to step S1203 to determine whether a keyword exists. If it is determined that the keyword does not exist, the present processing operation is terminated. If it is determined that the keyword exists, the process proceeds to step S1204.

  In step S1204, keyword search is performed on stored documents in the local network and the network. In step S1205, it is determined whether the stored document is in an image format. If it is determined that the stored document is in the image format, the process proceeds to step S1206, and one frequent character string is extracted (text detection) by OCR, and then the process proceeds to step S1207.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1205 that the stored document is not in an image format, the process advances to step S1207.

  In step S1207, a list of matching documents (keyword detection documents) is extracted using the frequent character string as a keyword. For selection from a plurality of detected similar documents, a list is output to the operation unit 150 to allow the user to select. In step S1208, if all stored documents have been searched, in step S1209, one document (original image data) is extracted from the detected plurality of documents, subjected to image processing, printing, and an IC chip. The image data of the original is stored in the recording paper, the stapling process is performed on the recording paper using the staple with the IC chip, the recording paper is discharged to the outside of the image recording apparatus, and the processing operation is finished.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, as a fifth embodiment, a method for detecting a decryption key from a document that has been subjected to printing and stapling with an IC chip and reprinting the encrypted document will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do.

  The configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 13, first, in step S1301, data is read from the IC chip. In step S1302, it is determined whether or not the data in the IC chip read in step S1301 has a specified format. If it is determined that the data in the IC chip is not in the specified format (the format is incorrect), the process proceeds to step S1306, and an error is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 150 by sound, light, UI, or the like. Then, this processing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1302 that the data in the IC chip is in the specified format (format is correct), the process proceeds to step S1303, where it is determined whether or not a decryption key exists. Turn into. If it is determined that the decryption key does not exist, the processing operation is terminated. If it is determined that the decryption key exists, the process proceeds to step S1304.

  In step S1304, it is determined whether or not the document decoded in step S1304 has a format that can be read by the image recording apparatus. If it is determined that the format is not readable, the process proceeds to step S1306, and an error is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 150 using sound, light, UI, or the like, and then this processing operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1304 that the format is readable, the process advances to step S1305 to perform printing and IC stapling, and then ends the processing operation.

  This method is substantially the same as the outline description of each embodiment described above. If the data read from the IC chip includes a decryption key, the document image data is decrypted when the document image data is acquired. There is a difference of doing.

  However, since a better data format is defined depending on the number of bits that can be stored and consistency with the system, and the method to be executed each time is changed, the data structure in FIG. 11 is merely an example.

(Other embodiments)
The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the embodiments can be achieved. Any configuration is applicable.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium and program storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. it can.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. However, it is needless to say that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image input / output system having an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation unit in the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit in the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a sectional side view showing the composition of the finisher part connected to the image recording device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus in the image recording device concerning 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main controller in an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system bus bridge in the image recording device concerning 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner controller and a printer controller in the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of image data output operation of a document in the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of image data input operation of a document in the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a classification diagram of a data storage format of an IC chip in the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the similarity search process operation | movement in the image recording device concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the decoding process operation | movement in the image recording device concerning 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image recording apparatus 110 Control apparatus 200 Reader part 210 Scanner unit 300 Printer part

Claims (7)

Information input means for inputting image information;
Image recording means for recording an image on recording paper based on the image information input by the information input means;
Stapling means for performing binding processing on a plurality of recording sheets on which the image is recorded by the image recording means, and performing binding processing using a staple member to which a storage medium for storing information relating to the image is added. Stapling means;
Information writing means for writing information on the image to the storage medium;
Information reading means for reading information on the image stored in the storage medium;
Based on information relating to the image read by the information reading means from the storage medium attached to a staple member for binding a plurality of recording sheets subjected to binding processing by the stapling means, the image is transferred to a plurality of other sheets. Control means for controlling the image recording means to record on recording paper;
An image recording apparatus comprising:   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the image is the image information.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the image is information for the image recording apparatus to access the image information.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information input unit inputs the image information by reading a document.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information input unit inputs the image information based on information received from an external apparatus.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information writing unit inputs information related to the image based on information received from the external apparatus. An information input process for inputting image information;
An image recording step of recording an image on recording paper based on the image information input in the information input step;
A stapling process for performing binding processing on a plurality of recording sheets on which the image is recorded by the image recording process, and performing binding processing using a staple member to which a storage medium for storing information on the image is added. Stapling process;
An information writing step of writing information on the image to the storage medium;
An information reading step of reading out information relating to the image stored in the storage medium;
Based on the information relating to the image read in the information reading step from the storage medium added to the staple member that binds the plurality of recording sheets subjected to the binding process in the stapling step, the image is transferred to another plurality of images. A control process for controlling the image recording process to record on a sheet of recording paper;
An image recording method comprising:

Images