JP2006251378A - Information recording apparatus and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable sure reading of an information image and processing using the information image at the time of forming the information image as an invisible image while superposing the same on a visible image. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 18 for forming the image on a form 16 is provided with developing units 34Y, 34M, 34C, 34K for forming the visible image and is provided with a developing unit 34I using a non-visible toner having a region of high light reflectivity to visible light and low light reflectivity to non-visible light. At the time of forming an identifier to be made into the non-visible image, the toner image including black is formed by the developing units 34Y, 34M, 34C and the identifier is formed by the developing unit 34I and is transferred to the form in such a manner that the identifier comes to the lowermost layer. As a result, the image making the identifier exactly readable can be formed while the identifier is prevented from eventually degrading the finish quality of the visible image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on an image forming medium such as recording paper by an electrophotographic process, and more specifically, an information recording apparatus that forms a predetermined information image as an invisible image, and the information recording The present invention relates to an information processing system that performs information processing based on an information image recorded in an apparatus.

  An information embedding technique in which various types of additional information are embedded in an image such as a paper document has been proposed and implemented. Such information embedding includes recording information in a document as an invisible image in addition to recording information as a visible image such as a barcode. Various proposals have been made for recording additional information on a document and performing information management using the additional information (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a glyph address carpet is formed on a recording medium, and a glyph at an arbitrary position is read to obtain an (X, Y) address of a corresponding area position. The operation is executed.

  In Patent Document 2, a code area is provided on a document, predetermined information is associated with each code area, a two-dimensional position code is formed in the code area, and the position code is read. The user can input handwritten information from the detection result by selecting related information or by continuously detecting position codes.

  For such input of handwritten information, a proposal to record the relevant information on the digital calendar for recognition as calendar information by inputting writing information in coordinate format from the digital pen on the calendar etc. (See Patent Document 3).

  By the way, when a document or the like is created by recording an image or the like on paper or the like, an image forming apparatus (printer) to which an electrophotographic process is applied is common. In a printer to which an electrophotographic process is applied, toners of each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are used, and toners of C, M, Y, and K are used according to image data. An image corresponding to the image data is formed by forming an image and transferring the toner image while superposing it on the recording paper.

  On the other hand, when various information is recorded as a visible image on a recording sheet, the image quality of the visible image may be impaired. From here, there is a method of recording as an invisible image when recording information on a recording medium such as paper. As this method, in addition to a method of recording in a shape that is substantially difficult to see, such as a glyph code or an Anoto pattern, the light reflectance is high for visible light, and for non-visible light such as infrared light. There is a method using a recording material having a region with low light reflectance.

  From this, when forming a dot pattern used for handwriting input on a recording medium, a proposal has been made to use ink that emits light of a predetermined wavelength with a ground color or a transparent color of the recording medium (for example, Patent Documents). 4).

  Such a ground color or transparent ink has a region having a high light reflectance with respect to light in the visible light region and a low light reflectance with respect to non-visible light such as infrared light. Although it is an invisible image, an image recorded as an invisible image can be recognized by using a light source that emits infrared light and an imaging unit capable of recognizing infrared light.

  However, the K color (carbon black) toner applied to the electrophotographic process has a low light reflectivity with respect to visible light, but has a region with a low light reflectivity with respect to infrared light. For this reason, even when an invisible image is formed using a material having low light absorption with respect to infrared light, when the invisible image is read, the image formed with the K color toner is also read. There is a problem.

  From here, using a recording material having a region having a high light reflectance with respect to visible light and a low light reflectance with respect to infrared light outside the visible light, an invisible image is formed, A proposal has been made to use a recording material having a high light reflectance with respect to invisible light (see, for example, Patent Document 5).

  In addition, a proposal has been made to form a black (process black) image using Y, M, and C colors instead of K toner (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

As described above, when an image is formed using an electrophotographic process, it is difficult to easily read only the invisible image even if the invisible image is superimposed and recorded. It is necessary to read a large number of restrictions and complicated processing.
JP 2000-99257 A Special table 2003-500777 gazette Special table 2003-501286 gazette JP 2003-256122 A JP 2001-265181 A JP 2002-240387 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and invisible images are formed together with reliable reading of invisible images while forming invisible images together with visible images on various image forming media such as paper. An object of the present invention is to propose an information recording apparatus and an information processing system capable of providing and managing information based on images.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a region where the light reflectance is less than a predetermined value (for example, less than 60%) in the visible light region (wavelength of about 380 nm to 700 nm), and a non-visible light region (for example, a wavelength). However, a visible image forming means for forming a visible image on an image forming medium using an image material having a light reflectance of not less than a predetermined value (for example, 60% or more) at 700 nm to 950 nm) and a visible light region (wavelength is about 380 nm to 700 nm ) In which there is a region where the light reflectance is not less than a predetermined value (for example, less than 60%) in the non-visible light region (for example, the wavelength is 700 nm to 950 nm). Invisible image forming means for forming an invisible image on the image forming medium using a material, and forming a predetermined information image as the invisible image on the image forming medium A coordinate position setting means for setting the coordinate position of the image, and forming a visible image on the image forming medium based on the image data, and making the information image an invisible image based on the coordinate position set by the coordinate position setting means And image forming control means for forming, and information output means for outputting information related to the information image together with the information image and the coordinate position of the information image.

  According to the present invention, a visible image is formed on an image forming medium, and predetermined information is formed as an invisible image. An invisible image is formed using an image material having a high light reflectance with respect to visible light, and a visible image is formed using an image material having a region with a high light reflectance with respect to invisible light.

  Thereby, even if an invisible image and a visible image are formed, an information image formed as an invisible image can be read accurately.

  When an information image is formed, the position coordinates of the image forming medium are set, image formation is performed based on the set position coordinates, and information related to the information image is output together with the information image and the position coordinates.

  As a result, various processes using an information image formed as an invisible image on the image forming medium can be performed.

  In the present invention as described above, it is preferable that the coordinate position setting means sets position coordinates including information that enables the image form medium forming the image to be specified, thereby identifying information based on the information image. Can be performed accurately.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the image material forming the invisible image contains any of OP frit, ytterbium oxide, naphthalocyanine, or croconium.

  OP frit, ytterbium oxide, naphthalocyanine or croconium all have high light reflectivity with respect to visible light and appear substantially white, but have a region with low light reflectivity with respect to infrared light. This makes it possible to form an invisible image that can be detected by infrared light.

  In the present invention, at least one of the visible image forming unit or the invisible image forming unit may form an image by an electrophotographic process, and the visible image forming unit and the invisible image forming unit are When forming an image by superimposing the images of the respective colors on the image forming medium by an electrophotographic process, it is preferable to form the information image as the lowest layer.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the visible image from being impaired when the invisible image and the information image are formed.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the dot size of the information image recorded on the image forming medium is 74 μm or more, whereby the information image can be reliably formed in an electrophotographic process, and Accurate reading is possible.

  Further, the information processing system of the present invention includes a coordinate position setting unit that sets a coordinate position when a predetermined information image is formed as the invisible image on the image forming medium, and a light reflectance in the visible light region is less than a predetermined value. And a visible image forming means for forming a visible image on the image forming medium using an image material having a light reflectance of a predetermined value or more in a non-visible light region, and a light reflectance in a visible light amount region. The information image is formed as an invisible image at the coordinate position set by the coordinate position setting unit of the image forming medium using an image material in which an area having a light reflectance of less than a predetermined area exists in the invisible area. An image forming apparatus including an invisible image forming means, a storage means for storing information related to the information image together with the information image and the coordinate position of the information image, Reading means for reading the information image recorded on the image forming medium as a visible image, and information processing for performing processing based on the information read from the storage means based on the information image read by the reading means And means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an invisible image is formed along with reliable reading of an invisible image while forming the invisible image together with the visible image on various image forming media such as paper. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that it is possible to provide and manage information based on.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an information management system 10 applied to the present embodiment. The information management system 10 stores information related to information recorded on the image forming medium by the information recording apparatus 12 that can record predetermined information together with the image on the image forming medium, and The information management apparatus 14 is configured to perform information processing based on the corresponding information recorded on the image forming medium.

  In the present embodiment, recording paper (hereinafter referred to as paper 16) is used as an example of an image forming medium. The information recording device 12 includes a printer 18 serving as an image forming device that forms an image on the paper 16, and A print server 20 that controls print processing using the printer 18 and an information processing terminal 22 that outputs image data and the like recorded on the paper 16 by the printer 18 are provided.

  The information processing terminal 22 outputs document data such as a document created, processed, and edited by various applications and image data such as page layout to the print server 20 as a print job. The print server 20 executes print processing based on the print job, and outputs a printed matter based on the print job (hereinafter referred to as a document 24 as an example) from the printer 18. As such an information processing terminal 22, a general configuration such as a personal computer or a workstation can be applied.

  The print server 20 performs image processing of the image data supplied from the information processing terminal 22 and RIP processing, and Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). Raster data for each color is generated. The print server 20 outputs the generated raster data to the printer 18.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the printer 18 applied as an image forming apparatus. The printer 18 controls the operation of the printer 18 and a paper feed unit 28 having a paper feed tray 26 that stacks and stores the paper 18, a print engine 30 that forms an image on the paper 16 taken out from the paper feed unit 28, and the printer 18. The controller 32 is configured.

  The print engine 30 includes Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) developing units 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K (hereinafter collectively referred to as developing units 34). Is provided. Each of the developing units 34 is provided with photosensitive drums 36Y, 36M, 36C, and 36K (collectively referred to as photosensitive drums 36), and a charger 38 is opposed to each of the photosensitive drums 36. In addition, developing devices 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K (hereinafter collectively referred to as developing device 40) are arranged.

  The charger 38 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 36, and the developing device 40 supplies charged toner particles of each color to the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 36, and the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 36. A toner image can be formed.

  Further, the printer 18 is provided with a ROS (Raster Optical Scanner) 42 and a ROS controller 44 that controls the ROS 42. The ROS 42 can irradiate each photosensitive drum 36 with a light beam, and the ROS control unit 44 controls the irradiation of the light beam to each photosensitive drum 36.

  The controller 32 receives raster data of each color from the print server 20, and the controller 32 outputs the input raster data to the ROS control unit 44 at a predetermined timing.

  The ROS control unit 44 controls the light beam irradiated while scanning each photosensitive drum 36 based on the input raster data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the raster data is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 36, and toner of each color is supplied from the developing device 40 to the photosensitive drum 36 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 36.

  On the other hand, the print engine 30 is provided with a transfer belt 46 as an intermediate transfer member. The transfer belt 46 is wound between the transfer roller 48 and the roller 50, and comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 36 of each developing unit 34 when moving from the roller 50 side to the transfer roller 48 side. . Further, the print engine 30 is provided with a transfer device 52 so as to face the photosensitive drum 36 in contact with the transfer belt 46, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 36 to the transfer belt 46. At this time, the print engine 30 transfers the toner images of the respective colors while being superimposed on the transfer belt 46.

  Further, the print engine 30 is provided with a roller 54 facing the transfer roller 48, and the printer 18 moves the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 46 from the paper 16 taken out from the paper feed tray 26. Synchronously, the paper is fed between the transfer roller 48 and the roller 54, the paper 16 and the toner image are overlapped and sandwiched, and the toner image is transferred to the paper 16.

  The paper 16 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed through the printer 18 toward the discharge tray 56. At this time, the printer 18 melts and fixes the toner image when it is transferred to the paper 16. As a result, the paper 16 on which an image corresponding to the print job is formed is discharged onto the discharge tray 56.

  By the way, in the information management system 10, an invisible image can be formed on the paper 16 together with a visible image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 18 is provided with a developing unit 34I in addition to developing units 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K for the process colors Y, M, C, and K. The developing device 40I provided in the developing unit 34I supplies toner having a region having a high light reflectance in the visible light region and a region having a low light reflectance in the invisible light region to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36I.

  Thus, the photosensitive drum 36I is scanned and exposed by the ROS 42 to form an electrostatic latent image, and toner development is performed on the electrostatic latent image so that a toner image that does not absorb visible light is formed. ing.

  In the printer 18 applied to the present embodiment, infrared (infrared light) is applied as invisible light, and a toner (hereinafter referred to as invisible) formed of an image forming material having low light absorption with respect to the infrared light. Toner). In this embodiment, infrared light is applied as invisible light. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and ultraviolet light may be applied.

Infrared light absorbing materials having high light reflectivity with respect to visible light and low light reflectivity with respect to infrared rays include OP frit (Cu—P-containing glass (SiO ₂ )), ytterbium oxide (Yb ₂ O ₃ ). , Naphthalocyanine (vanadyl naphthalocyanine (BuO naphthalocyanine)), croconium (CR44 (OH) ₂ ST173), and the like.

  In FIG. 3, the outline of the light absorptivity characteristic with respect to the light wavelength of croconium and naphthalocyanine as an infrared-light absorption material is shown. Note that here, croconium and naphthalocyanine are illustrated, but OP frit and ytterbium oxide also have substantially the same characteristics.

  As shown in FIG. 3, croconium and naphthalocyanine have a high light reflectivity for visible light having a wavelength of 700 nm or less, which makes the visibility extremely low when used as a toner. Yes.

  Moreover, croconium and naphthalocyanine have a low reflectance with respect to light (infrared light) having a wavelength of about 850 nm as a peak, and easily absorb light of the corresponding wavelength.

  By forming toner using such an infrared light absorbing material, it is possible to form an image that is highly invisible and can be read by using infrared light. That is, it is difficult to visually recognize with the naked eye, but it is possible to form an invisible image that can be detected by image reading means using infrared light.

  When forming an invisible toner using an infrared light absorbing material, the infrared light absorbing material and a base material (binder) are mixed using any one of the above infrared light absorbing materials instead of the pigment. The formed particles are coated with a general external additive that controls the charging characteristics and peelability of the toner particles. In addition, general methods, such as an emulsion condensation process, can be applied to the mixing of the base material and the infrared light absorbing material.

  In the printer 18, this invisible toner is loaded into the developing device 40I of the developing unit 34I, and a toner image can be formed using the loaded invisible toner.

  On the other hand, among the process colors, toners of each color of C, M, and Y are known to have high absorbability with respect to infrared light. By using each color of C, M, and Y, K color (process Black) image formation is possible. Further, it is known that a general K color (carbon black) toner has a low light reflectance with respect to not only visible light but also infrared light. When an image is formed using K color toner, Reading with infrared light is also possible.

  Accordingly, in the print server 20, when an image is formed using invisible toner, a K-color image is formed by process black using C, M, and Y color toners. In the present embodiment, process black is used when forming a K-color visible image, but the light reflectance is low in almost the entire visible light region, and the light reflectance in the invisible light region. A material having a high area may be used.

  Further, in the print engine 30 applied to the present embodiment, each color of Y, M, C, and K is transferred to the transfer belt 46 in this order, and then a toner image formed with invisible toner is transferred to the transfer belt 46. To do. As a result, on the paper 16, the toner of K color is the uppermost layer, and after the toner images are superimposed in the order of K, C, M, Y, an invisible toner image is formed on the lowermost layer.

  Here, for example, when the invisible toner is superimposed on the visible toner, the invisible toner reflects visible light, and absorption of visible light by the toner on the lower layer side of the invisible toner is suppressed. As a result, image defects or the like occur in the visible image formed on the paper 16, and the image quality is impaired.

  In contrast, the printer 18 forms an image using invisible toner in the lowermost layer, so that the visible image is not damaged.

  On the other hand, when forming a photographic image or the like, it is preferable that the resolution is high, but when forming a line or a character, it is preferable that the resolution is about 600 dpi. When a character is read using the OCR function, a fine line is used. It becomes difficult to reproduce.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which one line is 1/600 inch and a thin line is formed. In order to form a continuous line with respect to both vertical and horizontal directions, it is necessary to use two or more lines. For this reason, the line width w ₁ is 74 μm in the line formed vertically and horizontally, and the line width w ₂ is 78 μm in the line formed obliquely. In FIG. 4, the squares corresponding to the pixels of the image portion are shown filled.

  From this point, in this embodiment, the line width w when forming an image using invisible toner is set to 74 μm or more, whereby the invisible toner is removed by an image reading apparatus such as a scanner. When an image formed by using this method is read, the read image can be accurately recognized.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, in the information management system 10, an information image forming unit 60 is provided, and the information image forming unit 60 is connected to the print server 20. The information image forming unit 60 may be provided in any of the information processing terminals 22 and may be formed in the print server 20 or the printer 18. The information image forming unit 60 may be formed on a dedicated server, may be formed on an intermediate server such as a file server, and may be provided in the information management apparatus 14.

  When the print server 20 outputs a document 24 that forms an image (hereinafter referred to as an identifier) indicating predetermined information using invisible toner together with an image based on a print job input from the information processing terminal 22 The position setting on the paper 16 for each identifier is requested.

  In the information image forming unit 60, information specifying a document and a paper position (page position) in the corresponding document are set as one parameter, and in addition to this parameter, a position (positional coordinate) on the paper 16 is assigned, By indicating the printing position three-dimensionally, the position coordinates for each identifier are assigned.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a document 62 having a large number of pages is printed out as the document 24, the position coordinates of the identifier 64 on the corresponding page are allocated together with the document (document) and the page forming the identifier 64. . The identifier 64 is set according to the information to be formed.

  By forming such a virtual space and setting the position coordinates in the virtual space, the information at the time of forming the identifier 64, the document provided with the identifier 64, the position on the document for each identifier 64, etc. are clarified. So that it can be managed accurately.

  In the print server 20, the print position (coordinate position) of the identifier 64 is set based on the coordinate position assigned by the information image forming unit 60, and the corresponding identifier 64 is formed at the set print position on the paper 16. Raster data for invisible toner is generated.

  On the other hand, the information management apparatus 14 includes an information storage unit 70 and a management control unit 72. The information storage unit 70 stores document data, a document or a specific image or data in the document, information related to characters (character strings, words, etc.), symbols, and the like.

  In the print server 20, together with the position information of the identifier 64 acquired from the information image forming unit 60, the information related to the identifier 64 and the information related to the identifier 64 are output to the information management device 14. The management control unit 72 provided in the information management device 14 stores the input information in the information storage unit 70 based on the information on the identifier 64, and the stored information can be specified from the information on the identifier 64. It is trying to become.

  Such an identifier 64 may be obtained by converting predetermined information into a preset code, or may be a character string such as a character, a symbol mark, or a URL. As the identifier 64, a predetermined information encoded such as a glyph code or an anode pattern can be applied, and a dot pattern that can specify the position coordinates on the paper 16 can be used. .

  In the information management system 10, a portable terminal 74 is connected to the information management apparatus 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the portable terminal 74 includes an image reading unit 76 that can read the identifier 64 recorded as an invisible image on the paper 16 on which the image is formed by the printer 18.

  The image reading unit 76 includes a light source 78 that emits light having a wavelength (for example, 850 nm) corresponding to the invisible toner, and an imaging unit 80 that is formed by a light receiving element that receives light of the corresponding wavelength.

  Thereby, the portable terminal 74 can read the image data corresponding to the identifier 64 formed in the document 24.

  The portable terminal 74 is provided with a code conversion unit 82, and converts the read identifier 64 into the original code. That is, information set according to the identifier 64 is extracted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 74 outputs the read information to the information management device 14. The management control unit 72 of the information management device 14 executes processing based on information input from the mobile terminal 74.

  At this time, for example, when a code corresponding to the identifier 64 or the identifier 64 that specifies information stored in the information storage unit 70 is read, the management control unit 72 displays information specified from the read information as information. Read from the storage unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 74 can include a display device 84 such as an LCD and a display control unit 86 that controls display on the display device 84. Thereby, when the information specified by the identifier 64 is document data or image data, the management control unit 72 acquires the corresponding information (for example, image data or document data) read from the information storage unit 70, and the display device 84. Can be displayed.

  As such a portable terminal 74, for example, an electronic pen or a handy scanner can be applied as a device including only the image reading unit 76, and as a device including the display device 84, a mobile phone, a digital camera, or the like can be applied. Various portable information processing terminals such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can be applied.

  The information management system 10 configured as described above outputs document data of a corresponding document to the print server 20 as a print job when a document created by the information processing terminal 22 is printed. When a print job is input, the print server 20 performs predetermined image processing on document data (image data) of each page in the print job, and performs RIP processing (raster processing). Raster data for each color component of Y and K is generated, and the generated raster data is output to the printer 18. The print server 20 may be one that performs predetermined image processing and performs RIP processing with the printer 18, or the printer 18 may have the function of the print server 22.

  The printer 18 receives the raster data of each of the C, M, Y, and K color components, so that the photosensitive drum 36 of the developing unit 34 is charged and exposed in accordance with the raster data, and then toner development is performed. , M, C, and K are formed, and the formed toner image is transferred while being superimposed on the transfer belt 46.

  In the printer 18, the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 46 is transferred to the paper 16 taken out from the paper feed tray 26, further subjected to a fixing process, and discharged to the discharge tray 56.

  Thereby, a document of a document input as a print job is obtained. A general configuration can be applied to such a printing process.

  By the way, the printer 18 provided in the information management system 10 is provided with a developing unit 34I capable of forming a toner image with invisible toner. In the printer 18, in addition to a visible image using process color toner. Thus, it is possible to form an invisible image using an invisible toner.

  Here, creation of the document 34 in which the identifier 64 is embedded and processing using the identifier 64 on the created document 24 will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of the image forming process (printing process). This flowchart is executed when a print job is input to the print server 22. In the first step 100, it is confirmed whether or not predetermined information is embedded by adding an identifier 64.

  Here, when information embedding is not performed, a negative determination is made in step 100, the process proceeds to step 102, and normal printing processing is executed. On the other hand, when embedding information, an affirmative determination is made in step 100 and the process proceeds to step 104. In this step 104, the embedded information and the identifier 64 corresponding to the embedded information are acquired.

  Thereafter, in step 106, an allocation request for the acquired identifier 64 is made to the information image forming unit 60. At this time, when embedding a plurality of identifiers 64, an allocation request for each identifier 64 is made. Further, when forming a dot pattern as embedding information, an allocation request is made for each dot.

  In response to this allocation request, the information image forming unit 60 sets position coordinates on the information image and transmits the set position coordinates to the print server 22.

  When the print server 22 makes an allocation request, the process proceeds to step 108, where it is confirmed whether or not the position coordinates have been set by the information image forming unit 60. The process is determined and the process proceeds to step 110 to acquire the set position coordinates.

  Thereafter, in step 112, image processing and RIP processing are performed on the print job so that the identifier 64 can be formed based on the allocated position coordinates. At this time, the black image component is formed using each of the C, M, and Y color components. For the identifier 64, raster data is generated separately from the process color.

  Accordingly, when raster data of Y, M, C, and invisible toner is generated, the process proceeds to step 114, and printing processing is executed based on the generated raster data.

  Thereby, the document 24 in which the identifier 64 is embedded as an invisible image is created.

  At the same time, in step 116, the information of the identifier 64 is output to the information management device 14. As a result, the information management apparatus 14 stores information corresponding to the identifier 64 in the information storage unit 70 and holds it.

  Here, in the printer 18 used for the printing process of the document 24, the developing units 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K for the respective colors Y, M, C, and K along the moving direction of the transfer belt 46 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). Is provided, and a developing unit 34I that uses invisible toner is provided on the most downstream side in the moving direction, so that the identifier 64 using invisible toner is the lowest layer.

  Thereby, in the document 34 printed out from the printer 18, even if the invisible image (identifier 64) overlaps the visible image, the quality of the visible image is not deteriorated, and a high quality visible image is formed. can do.

  In the print server 22, when the identifier 64 is formed on the paper 16, for example, when the invisible image is read by including black pixels in the raster data of each color of Y, M, and C, the black component of the visible image (Black pixels) are prevented from being read together.

  Thus, the identifier 64 can be properly read from the document 24 output from the printer 18.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of an operation and processing based on the operation when the identifier 64 formed in the document 24 is used.

  In this flowchart, the identifier 64 is read by scanning the document 24 (paper 16), for example, using the portable terminal 74 in the first step 120. Thus, when the identifier 64 is detected, the image data of the detected identifier 64 is read in step 122, and the information of the identifier 64 is encoded from the read image in the next step 124.

  For example, when the identifier 64 is a character string, a character is extracted using the OCR function, and a code for the extracted character is generated.

  The code generated by reading the identifier 64 by the portable terminal 74 is output to the information management apparatus 14 (step 126).

  In the information management apparatus 14, when a code corresponding to the identifier 64 is input from the portable terminal 74, information on the read identifier 64 is read from the information storage unit 70 based on the corresponding code (step 128), and the read information Is executed (step 130).

  Thereby, for example, if the identifier 64 is linked to information (data) recorded in the information storage unit 70, or if the corresponding information indicates a predetermined link destination, the data specified by the identifier 64 Can be displayed on the display device 84 of the portable terminal 74 or acquired by the portable terminal 74.

  Furthermore, if the identifier 64 indicates the coordinate position on the paper 16 and the mobile terminal 74 is an electronic pen or the like, the mobile terminal 74 traces on the paper 16 so that the movement trajectory of the mobile terminal 74 can be obtained as information. The management apparatus 14 can acquire the information, thereby enabling handwritten character input and the like, and allowing the portable terminal 74 to have an input device function such as a mouse.

  In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated above does not limit the structure of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, naphthalocyanine, croconium, ytterbium oxide, OP frit and the like having low light reflectivity with respect to infrared light are exemplified as the invisible image forming material. Any material having a high light reflectivity with respect to infrared light and a low light reflectivity with respect to infrared light can be applied.

  In addition, a material having a region having a low light reflectance with respect to ultraviolet light instead of infrared light can be used. In this case, a material that emits ultraviolet light may be used as a light source for detection.

  In this embodiment, when forming a visible image and an invisible image together, process black is applied as a chestnut color of the visible image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and K light is absorbed by infrared light. A colorant having a high rate may be used.

  In this embodiment, the printer 18 is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and the formation of a visible image using a process color and the use of invisible toner are used. Any configuration can be applied as long as the invisible image can be formed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the paper 16 such as recording paper is described as an example of the image forming medium. The image forming medium is not limited to this, and any image can be used as long as image formation is possible by an electrophotographic process. Forming media can be applied.

  Furthermore, the present invention can use so-called electronic paper that forms a visible image by emitting light of each color of R, G, and B as an image forming medium. At this time, the pixels of the invisible image may be formed using a material that emits infrared rays or the like. Further, when applying electronic paper, a writing device used for writing an image on electronic paper may be applied as the image forming device.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information management system applied to this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printer. It is a diagram which shows an example of the light reflectivity characteristic with respect to the light wavelength of the infrared-light collection material applicable to this invention. It is the schematic which illustrates the dot pattern formed on a paper. It is the schematic which shows an example of the position of the identifier which forms a document as an example of a document, and a document. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the form terminal used as an image reading means. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of image forming processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information processing using the identifier formed in the document.

Explanation of symbols

10 Information management system (information processing system)
12 Information Recording Device 14 Information Management Device 16 Paper (Image Forming Medium)
18 Printer (information recording device, visible image forming means, invisible image forming means)
20 Print server (information recording device, image formation control means)
22 Information processing terminal 24 Document 30 Print engine (visible image forming means, invisible image forming means)
34Y, 34M, 34C Development unit (visible image forming means)
34I Development unit (invisible image forming means)
60 Information image forming unit (document identification code and coordinate position setting means)
64 identifier (information image, invisible image)
70 Information recording unit (storage means)
72 Management control unit (information processing means)
74 Form terminal (reading means)
76 Image reading unit (reading means)
78 Light source 80 Imaging unit

Claims (7)

A visible image forming means for forming a visible image on an image forming medium using an image material having a light reflectance of less than a predetermined value in a visible light region and a light reflectance of a predetermined value or more in a non-visible light region;
An invisible image forming means for forming an invisible image on the image forming medium using an image material having a light reflectance in a visible light region of a predetermined value or more and a region having a light reflectance of less than a predetermined value in a non-visible light region; ,
Coordinate position setting means for setting a coordinate position when a predetermined information image is formed on the image forming medium as the invisible image;
An image formation control means for forming a visible image on the image forming medium based on image data, and forming the information image as an invisible image based on the coordinate position set by the coordinate position setting means;
Information output means for outputting information related to the information image together with the information image and the coordinate position of the information image;
An information recording apparatus comprising:   The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate position setting unit sets position coordinates including information that makes it possible to specify the image form medium that forms an image.   The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image material forming the invisible image includes any of OP frit, ytterbium oxide, naphthalocyanine, or croconium.   The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the visible image forming unit and the invisible image forming unit performs image formation by an electrophotographic process.   The information image is formed as a lowermost layer when the visible image forming unit and the invisible image forming unit form an image by superimposing an image of each color on the image forming medium by an electrophotographic process. Item 5. The information recording apparatus according to Item 4.   6. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of a dot of the information image recorded on the image forming medium is 74 μm or more. Coordinate position setting means for setting a coordinate position when a predetermined information image is formed on the image forming medium as the invisible image;
A visible image forming means for forming a visible image on the image forming medium using an image material having a light reflectance of less than a predetermined value in a visible light region and having a light reflectance of a predetermined value or more in a non-visible light region; Coordinates set by the coordinate position setting means of the image forming medium using an image material in which a light reflectance in the visible light amount region is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and an area in which the light reflectance is less than a predetermined value is present in the non-visible region An image forming apparatus including invisible image forming means for forming the information image as an invisible image at a position;
Storage means for storing information related to the information image together with the information image and the coordinate position of the information image;
Reading means for reading the information image recorded on the image forming medium as the invisible image;
Information processing means for performing processing based on information read from the storage means based on the information image read by the reading means;
An information processing system comprising:

Images