JP2007022003A - Printing device and printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure good handling characteristics both for service providers and users when various services are provided using code images equipped with specified information. <P>SOLUTION: A code image comprising a synchronous code, a position code and an identification code is printed on one surface of a printed matter 500. On a memo part, the synchronous code and the position code are printed, while one a service part, the synchronous code, the position code and the identification code are printed. The memo part is printed in K (black) toner, while the service part is printed in an infrared absorption toner. Then, when a usual copying machine having no infrared absorption toner is used to copy the printed matter 500, the code image in the service part is not reproduced while the code image in the memo part is reproduced. A coppied matter is allowed to use service in the memo part but is not allowed to use service in the service part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and a printed matter.

  In recent years, characters and pictures are drawn on special paper on which fine dots are printed, and the data written on the paper by the user is transferred to a personal computer or mobile phone. The technology that makes it possible is drawing attention. In this technique, small dots are printed on this special paper at intervals of, for example, about 0.3 mm, and this is configured to draw all different patterns for each grid of a predetermined size, for example. By reading this using a dedicated pen with a built-in digital camera, for example, the position of a character or the like written on this special paper can be specified, and such a character or the like is used as electronic information. It becomes possible.

  Here, as a conventional technique described in the publication, there is also a technique for forming an encoded pattern having a plurality of marks on a sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, each of the plurality of marks provided with the coding pattern represents one of at least two different values. The coding pattern has a plurality of reference positions. Each of the plurality of marks is associated with one reference position, and the value of each mark is determined by the position with respect to the reference position. With such a configuration, all the marks may have the same outer shape, the encoding pattern can be simplified as compared with the prior art, and the recognition of the encoded pattern is easier than before.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-511761 (pages 11 to 12, FIG. 1)

Such an encoding pattern (hereinafter also referred to as a code image) is printed on a sheet with, for example, K (black) toner or invisible ink (invisible toner). The code image of the printed material is read by, for example, a pen type scanner.
The printed code image can have position information in the paper. However, as another application, it is conceivable to provide a user with a special service through a printed matter on which a dot-like code image is printed. When providing such a service, it is conceivable to set a charging system for the user for the code image of the printed matter.
However, a printed matter in which a dot-like code image is printed with K toner can be reused by copying it with a general copying machine. Therefore, even if the billing system is set for the printed matter, the billing system cannot be operated smoothly, and commercialization of service provision becomes difficult.
In addition, a printed matter in which a dot-like code image is printed with invisible ink cannot be copied by a general copying machine, which is preferable in terms of operation of a charging system. However, even when the billing system is not set to print, it is impossible to copy uniformly. It is inconvenient for the user that it cannot be reused by copying, which could be done freely in the past.
As described above, in the related art, when various services are performed using a code image having predetermined information, it is not convenient for both the service provider and the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and the object of the present invention is to perform various services using code images having predetermined information. It is to ensure ease of use for both the service provider and the user.

For this purpose, a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a code image generation unit that converts the acquired code information for printing and generates a code image, and a code image generated by the code image generation unit. Printing means for printing one area with a first color material and printing a second area of a code image with a second color material having a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material. .
The first color material is a toner having a wavelength absorption band in the visible region and the invisible region, and the second color material is a toner having a wavelength absorption band in the invisible region while having no wavelength absorption band in the visible region. It can be characterized by being. For example, the first color material is K (black) toner, and the second color material is transparent toner. Preferably, the first color material and the second color material have a wavelength absorption band in the infrared region.
A color for obtaining color material information that the first color material is used for the first region of the code image generated by the code image generation means and the second color material is used for the second region of the code image. It further includes a material information acquisition unit, and the printing unit performs printing based on the color material information acquired by the color material information acquisition unit. Further, the code image generated by the code image generation means further includes section information acquisition means for acquiring section information for partitioning a plurality of areas in which color materials having different light absorption wavelengths are used, and the printing section includes: Printing can be performed based on the section information acquired by the section information acquisition unit.

From another point of view, the printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a code information acquisition unit that acquires code information having position information indicating each position on the medium and information other than the position information, and a code information acquisition unit. A code image generating unit that converts the code information obtained by the above-described method for printing to generate a code image, and a portion corresponding to the position information in the code image generated by the code image generating unit using the first color material Printing means for printing on the surface of the medium and printing a portion corresponding to information other than position information in the code image on the surface of the medium with a second color material having a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material And.
The first color material is K (black) toner, and the second color material is infrared absorption toner other than Y (yellow) toner, M (magenta) toner, C (cyan) toner, and K (black) toner. It can be characterized by being.
In addition, the information other than the position information included in the code information acquisition unit may be identification information for identifying an electronic document or medium that is a source of a document image formed on the medium. Further, the information other than the position information included in the code information acquisition unit may be additional information used in the user application program.

Further, from another viewpoint, the printed matter to which the present invention is applied constitutes a part of the code image, the first part printed using the first color material, and the other part of the code image. A second portion printed using a second coloring material that constitutes all or part of the portion and has a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first coloring material used in the first portion. It is a waste.
The first color material may be a toner mainly having a wavelength absorption band in the visible region, and the second color material may be a toner mainly having a wavelength absorption band in the invisible region.

Further, from another point of view of the present invention, the printed matter to which the present invention is applied is obtained by converting code information having position information indicating each position on the medium and information other than the position information for printing. A printed matter on which a code image is printed, which forms a portion corresponding to position information in the code image, is printed using the first color material, and position information in the code image A second portion printed using a second color material having a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material used in the first portion. Is included.
The first color material may be K (black) toner, and the second color material may be infrared absorption toner other than K (black) toner.

  According to the present invention, even when various services are performed using a code image having predetermined information, it is possible to ensure usability for both the service provider and the user.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system to which the present embodiment is applied. This system manages at least a terminal device 100 that instructs to print an electronic document, and identification information that is given to a medium when the electronic document is printed, and a code image that includes the identification information and the like is superimposed on the image of the electronic document An identification information management server 200 that generates an image, a document management server 300 that manages an electronic document, and an image forming apparatus 400 that prints an image in which a code image is superimposed on the image of the electronic document are connected to a network 900. It is configured.

The identification information management server 200 is connected with an identification information repository (repository) 250 as a storage device for storing identification information, and the document management server 300 has a document repository 350 as a storage device for storing electronic documents. It is connected.
Further, this system includes a printed material 500 output from the image forming apparatus 400 according to an instruction from the terminal device 100, and a pen device 600 that records characters or figures on the printed material 500 and reads the recorded information of the characters or figures. Including. Also connected to the network 900 is a terminal device 700 that displays the electronic document managed by the document management server 300 and the recording information read by the pen device 600 in an overlapping manner.
In this specification, the term “electronic document” is used, but this does not mean only data obtained by digitizing a “document” including text. For example, “electronic document” includes image data such as pictures, photographs, figures, etc. (regardless of raster data or vector data) and other printable electronic data.

The outline of the operation of this system will be described below.
First, the terminal device 100 instructs the identification information management server 200 to superimpose and print a code image on a specific electronic document image managed in the document repository 350 (A). At this time, printing attributes such as paper size, orientation, reduction / enlargement, N-up (printing that allocates N pages of an electronic document within one page of paper), and duplex printing are also input from the terminal device 100. The terminal device 100 can also be configured to receive additional information used when a user application program (hereinafter referred to as “user AP”) performs processing based on printed matter. As the additional information here, for example, information used for processing on a medium can be assumed, and specifically, for example, copying prohibition, number of times that copying is possible, and the like can be given.
Thereby, the identification information management server 200 acquires the electronic document instructed to be printed from the document management server 300 (B). Then, a code image including the identification information managed in the identification information repository 250 and the position information determined in accordance with the print attribute is assigned to the acquired image of the electronic document, and the image forming apparatus 400 receives the code image. Printing is instructed (C). The identification information here refers to information that uniquely identifies each medium (paper) on which an image of the electronic document is printed. The position information refers to the coordinate position (X coordinate, Y on each medium). This is information for specifying (coordinates).
Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 400 outputs a printed material 500 in accordance with an instruction from the identification information management server 200 (D).

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the user records (writes) characters or figures on the printed material 500 using the pen device 600 (E). As a result, the image sensor of the pen device 600 captures a certain area on the printed material 500 and obtains position information and identification information. Then, the trajectory information of the character or figure obtained based on the position information and the identification information are transferred to the terminal device 700 by wireless or wired (F). In this system, an invisible image is formed using an invisible toner whose infrared light absorption rate is higher than a predetermined reference, and the invisible image is read by the pen device 600 that can irradiate and detect infrared light. It is possible.

Thereafter, the terminal device 700 requests the transmission of an electronic document corresponding to the identification information by transmitting the identification information to the identification information management server 200. Upon receiving this request, the identification information management server 200 acquires an electronic document corresponding to the identification information from the document management server 300 and transmits it to the terminal device 700 (G). As a result, on the terminal device 700, the electronic document sent from the identification information management server 200 and the trajectory information sent from the pen device 600 are combined and displayed.
However, such a configuration is merely an example, and the function of the identification information management server 200 and the function of the document management server 300 may be provided in one server, or the function of the identification information management server 200 may be formed as an image. You may implement | achieve in the image process part of the apparatus 400. FIG.

Next, the configuration and operation of this system will be described in more detail.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the identification information management server 200.
The identification information management server 200 includes a reception unit 20a, a correspondence information management unit 21, a correspondence information DB (database) 22, an information separation unit 23, a document image generation unit 24, a document image buffer 25, and a code image generation. A unit 26, a code image buffer 27, an image composition unit 29, and a transmission unit 20b.
The code image generation unit 26 includes a position information encoding unit 26a, a position code generation unit 26b, an identification information encoding unit 26c, an identification code generation unit 26d, a code arrangement unit 26g, and a pattern storage unit 26h. And a pattern image generation unit 26i.

The receiving unit 20a receives various information such as a print instruction and an electronic document to be printed from the network 900.
The correspondence information management unit 21 registers information in the correspondence information DB 22 and reads information from the correspondence information DB 22. The correspondence information DB 22 is a database that stores identification information for identifying a medium and correspondence such as a storage location of an electronic document that is a source of an image printed on the medium.
The information separation unit 23 separates the information passed from the correspondence information management unit 21 into information necessary for generating a document image and information necessary for generating a code image. The document image generation unit 24 converts the electronic document into an image based on information necessary for generating the document image separated by the information separation unit 23 and stores the image in the document image buffer 25.
The code image generation unit 26 generates a code image based on information necessary for generating the code image separated by the information separation unit 23 and stores the code image in the code image buffer 27. The image composition unit 29 synthesizes the document image stored in the document image buffer 25 and the code image stored in the code image buffer 27. The transmission unit 20b transmits an instruction to output the image after the composition by the image composition unit 29 to the image forming apparatus 400 as PDL (Page Description Language) represented by PostScript or the like.

  The position information encoding unit 26a encodes the position information by a predetermined encoding method. For this encoding, for example, an RS (Reed Solomon) code or a BCH code which is a known error correction code can be used. Also, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or checksum value of position information can be calculated as an error detection code and added to the position information as redundant bits. Also, an M-sequence code that is a kind of pseudo-noise sequence can be used as position information. When the M-sequence code is a P-order M-sequence (sequence length 2P-1), when a partial sequence having a length P is extracted from the M-sequence, a bit pattern appearing in the partial sequence appears only once in the M-sequence. The encoding is performed by utilizing the characteristic that is not present.

  The position code generation unit 26b converts the encoded position information into a format embedded as code information. For example, the arrangement of each bit in the encoded position information can be replaced or encrypted with a pseudo-random number or the like so that it is difficult for a third party to decipher. When the position code is two-dimensionally arranged, the bit value is two-dimensionally arranged in the same manner as the code arrangement.

In the present embodiment, the position information encoding unit 26a encodes the encoded position corresponding to the print attribute passed from the information separating unit 23 from the encoded position information generated and stored in advance for each print attribute. Information shall be selected. This is because if printing such as the paper size, orientation, reduction / enlargement, and N-up is determined, the position code to be printed on the paper can be specified as one.
On the other hand, when the print attributes are always the same, the position code printed on the paper is always the same. Therefore, when only printing with the same print attribute is performed, the position information encoding unit 26a and the position code generating unit 26b are combined into a position code storage unit for storing one set of position codes, and the position code is always set. You may make it use.

When the identification information is input, the identification information encoding unit 26c encodes the identification information by a predetermined encoding method. For this encoding, a method similar to that used for encoding the position information can be used.
The identification code generation unit 26d converts the encoded identification information into a format embedded as code information. For example, the arrangement of each bit in the encoded identification information can be replaced or encrypted with a pseudo-random number so that it is difficult for a third party to decipher. When the identification code is two-dimensionally arranged, the bit value is two-dimensionally arranged in the same manner as the code arrangement.

The code arrangement unit 26g combines the encoded position information and the encoded identification information arranged in the same format as the code, and generates a two-dimensional code array corresponding to the output image size. At this time, as the encoded position information, a code obtained by encoding position information that differs depending on the arrangement position is used, and as the encoded identification information, a code obtained by encoding the same information regardless of the position is used.
The pattern image generation unit 26i confirms the bit values of the array elements in the two-dimensional code array, acquires a bit pattern image corresponding to each bit value from the pattern storage unit 26h, and codes the image of the two-dimensional code array Output as.

  These functional parts are realized by cooperation of software and hardware resources. Specifically, a CPU (not shown) of the identification information management server 200 includes a reception unit 20a, a correspondence information management unit 21, an information separation unit 23, a document image generation unit 24, a code image generation unit 26, an image composition unit 29, and a transmission unit. A program for realizing each function 20b is read from the external storage device into the main storage device and processed.

Next, an operation when the identification information management server 200 transmits an image output instruction to the image forming apparatus 400 in response to an instruction from the terminal apparatus 100 will be described.
In the identification information management server 200, first, the receiving unit 20a receives from the terminal device 100 a print instruction including designation of the storage location of the electronic document to be printed and print attributes. Of the received information, the print attribute is transferred to the correspondence information management unit 21, and the correspondence information management unit 21 holds the print attribute. The storage location of the electronic document is transferred to the transmission unit 20b, and the transmission unit 20b sends a request for acquiring the electronic document to be printed from the storage location to the document management server 300.
As a result, the document management server 300 transmits the electronic document to be printed to the identification information management server 200, and in the identification information management server 200, the receiving unit 20 a receives this electronic document and transfers it to the correspondence information management unit 21. Then, the correspondence information management unit 21 extracts the identification information from the identification information repository 250 and registers the correspondence between the identification information and the storage location of the electronic document in the correspondence information DB 22. In addition, when a specific location of the electronic document to be printed is specified to link to the electronic document to be referenced, the correspondence between the location information and the storage location of the electronic document to be referenced is also correspondence information. Register in DB22.

When the information is registered in the correspondence information DB 22 in this way, the correspondence information management unit 21 passes the electronic document, the identification information, and the print attribute previously held to the information separation unit 23.
The information separating unit 23 separates the received information into information necessary for code generation (identification information and printing attributes) and information necessary for generating a document image (electronic document), and the former is generated as a code image. The latter is output to the document image generation unit 24 in the unit 26.
Thereby, the position information corresponding to the print attribute is encoded by the position information encoding unit 26a, and the position code indicating the encoded position information is generated by the position code generating unit 26b. Also, the identification information encoding unit 26c encodes the identification information, and the identification code generation unit 26d generates an identification code indicating the encoded identification information.
The code placement unit 26g generates a two-dimensional code array corresponding to the output image size, and the pattern image generation unit 26i generates a pattern image corresponding to the two-dimensional code array.

On the other hand, the document image generation unit 24 generates a document image of an electronic document.
Finally, the document image generated by the document image generation unit 24 and the code image previously generated by the code image generation unit 26 are combined by the image combining unit 29 and delivered to the transmission unit 20b.
Here, the correspondence information management unit 21 delivers the corresponding color material information of the electronic document for which a print instruction is given from the terminal device 100 to the transmission unit 20b. This color material information is information stored in the document repository 350 in advance. The color material information is transmitted by the terminal device 100. That is, when a user creates a document image of an electronic document on a terminal device, the user instructs which region in which color material is used, and the content of the instruction is used as color material information from the terminal device 100 to the document management server. It is sent to the document repository 350 via 300 and stored.

Then, the transmission unit 20b transmits the color material information delivered from the correspondence information management unit 21 to the image forming apparatus 400 together with the synthesized image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 29 and delivered to the transmission unit 20b. Accordingly, an output instruction for the combined image is transmitted from the transmission unit 20b to the image forming apparatus 400.
In response to the image output instruction, the image forming apparatus 400 prints a composite image of the document image of the electronic document to be printed and the code image on the surface of the medium based on the color material information, and the user obtains a printed matter 500. become.

Next, the image forming apparatus 400 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 400. An image forming apparatus 400 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a so-called tandem apparatus, and includes, for example, a plurality of image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, and 41I (on which electrophotographic toner images are formed). 41) and an intermediate transfer belt 46 for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) and holding each color component toner image formed by each of the image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, and 41I. In addition, the image forming apparatus 400 includes a secondary transfer device 410 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 46 onto a sheet (medium) P, and the second-transferred image onto the sheet P. And a fixing device 440 for fixing on the top.

  In this image forming apparatus 400, in addition to image forming units 41Y, 41M, and 41C that form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), which are normal colors (normal colors), infrared rays are used. An image forming unit 41K that forms a black (K) toner image having absorption and an image forming unit 41I that forms an invisible toner image are provided as one of the image forming units constituting the tandem. The toner composition will be described in detail later.

In the present embodiment, each image forming unit 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, 41I) has a charger 43 that charges the photosensitive drum 42 around the photosensitive drum 42 rotating in the direction of arrow A. And a laser exposure device 44 for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 42 (the exposure beam is indicated by Bm in the figure). Further, around the photosensitive drum 42, each color component toner is accommodated, and a developing unit 45 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 42 with the toner, and each color formed on the photosensitive drum 42. An electrophotographic device such as a primary transfer roll 47 that transfers the component toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 46 and a drum cleaner 48 that removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 42 are sequentially arranged.
These image forming units 41 are arranged in the order of yellow (Y color), magenta (M color), cyan (C color), black (K color), and invisible (I color) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 46. ing.
The intermediate transfer belt 46 is configured to be rotatable in the B direction shown in the drawing by various rolls.
The secondary transfer device 410 is disposed in pressure contact with the toner image carrying surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 46, and is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 to form a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 411. A backup roll 412.
A belt cleaner 421 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 after the secondary transfer is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 411. An image density sensor 422 for adjusting image quality is disposed on the upstream side of the secondary transfer roll 411.

  Next, an image forming process of the image forming apparatus 400 will be described. When a user turns on a start switch (not shown), a predetermined image forming process is executed. Specifically, for example, when the image forming apparatus 400 is configured as a color printer, digital image signals transmitted from the network 900 are temporarily stored in a memory, and the stored five colors (Y, Y, A toner image of each color is formed based on the digital image signals of M, C, K, and I).

  That is, the image forming units 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, 41I) are driven based on the image recording signals of the respective colors obtained by the image processing. In each of the image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K, and 41I, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image recording signal is applied to the photosensitive drum 42 that is uniformly charged by the charger 43. Respectively. Further, each written electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 45 that contains toner of each color to form a toner image of each color.

  The toner image formed on each photoconductive drum 42 is transferred from the photoconductive drum 42 by the primary transfer bias applied by the primary transfer roll 47 at the primary transfer position where each photoconductive drum 42 and the intermediate transfer belt 46 are in contact with each other. Primary transfer is performed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46. The toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46 in this manner is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 46 and conveyed to the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer belt 46 rotates.

On the other hand, the paper P is conveyed to the secondary transfer position of the secondary transfer device 410 at a predetermined timing, and the secondary transfer roll 411 nips the paper P against the intermediate transfer belt 46 (backup roll 412). The superimposed toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 46 is secondarily transferred to the paper P by the action of a secondary transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll 411 and the backup roll 412.
Thereafter, the paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 440, where the toner image is fixed. On the other hand, residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 46 after the secondary transfer by the belt cleaner 421.

Here, the toner used in the image forming apparatus 400 will be described in detail.
First, as the Y toner used in the image forming unit 41Y, the M toner used in the image forming unit 41M, the C toner used in the image forming unit 41C, and the K toner used in the image forming unit 41K, The toner used from the above is used. That is, the K toner uses carbon black that absorbs infrared light as a black colorant.

Further, as the invisible toner used in the image forming unit 41I, for example, a material described in JP-A-2003-186238 can be used. That is, it is conceivable to use a material containing a binder resin and a near-infrared light absorbing material made of inorganic material particles.
Here, as the binder resin, specifically, polystyrene, styrene-alkyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene- Examples thereof include maleic anhydride copolymer, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
In addition, as the near infrared light absorbing material, inorganic material particles containing at least CuO and P ₂ O ₅ can be used. The content concentration of CuO in the invisible toner particles is preferably in the range of 6% by mass to 35% by mass, and more preferably in the range of 10% by mass to 30% by mass. Furthermore, the inorganic material particles are CuO, Al ₂ O ₃ , P _{2 in} order to obtain uniform dispersibility of the inorganic material particles in the invisible toner and appropriate negative frictional chargeability required as a recording material for electrophotography. It is preferably made of a copper phosphate crystallized glass containing O ₅ and K ₂ O as essential constituent components. The composition of the copper phosphate crystallized glass is such that CuO is in the range of 20% by mass to 60% by mass, Al ₂ O ₃ is in the range of 1% by mass to 10% by mass, and P ₂ O ₅ is in the range of 30% by mass. The range is 70% by mass, and K ₂ O is preferably in the range of 1% by mass to 10% by mass.

That is, the image forming apparatus 400 forms a code image using a color material that cannot be easily identified by the human eye (substantially invisible), and generates a document material that can be identified by the human eye (visible). Use to form. Further, as the invisible color material, a material having a characteristic that the wavelength of a specific infrared region is absorbed more than the wavelength of the visible light amount region is used, and the visible color material absorbs a lot of wavelengths in the visible light region. Use those with characteristics.
In this embodiment, an example in which an invisible color material is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a code image is formed using carbon black that absorbs infrared wavelengths, and a document image is formed of yellow, magenta, and cyan color materials (usually these color materials have an absorption wavelength of infrared wavelengths). May be used.

  4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining a two-dimensional code image generated by the code image generation unit 26 of the identification information management server 200 and printed on the printed material 500 by the image forming apparatus 400. FIG. is there. FIG. 4A is a diagram of a printed matter 500 that is formed by an invisible image and is expressed in a lattice shape in order to schematically show units of a two-dimensional code image to be arranged. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing one unit of a two-dimensional code image in which an invisible image is recognized by infrared light irradiation. Further, FIG. 4C is a diagram for explaining a diagonal line pattern of backslash “\” and slash “/”.

  The two-dimensional code pattern shown in FIG. 4B includes an area in which a position code indicating a coordinate position on a medium is stored, and an area in which an identification code for uniquely specifying an electronic document or a print medium is stored. Is included. It also includes an area for storing the synchronization code. Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of two-dimensional code patterns are arranged, and different position information is stored on the entire surface of the medium (paper surface) according to the size of the medium to be printed. Dimensional codes are arranged in a grid pattern. That is, a plurality of two-dimensional code patterns as shown in FIG. 4B are arranged on one surface of the medium, each of which includes a position code 500b, an identification code 500c, and a synchronization code 500a. In the plurality of position code areas, different position information is stored depending on the place where each area is arranged. On the other hand, the same identification information is stored in the areas of the plurality of identification codes regardless of the place where they are arranged.

  In FIG. 4B, the position code is arranged in a rectangular area of 6 bits × 6 bits. Each bit value is formed by a plurality of minute line bitmaps having different rotation angles, and the bit value 0 and the bit value 1 are expressed by the oblique line pattern (pattern 0 and pattern 1) shown in FIG. Yes. More specifically, bit 0 and bit 1 are expressed using backslash “\” and slash “/” having different inclinations. The oblique line pattern is 600 dpi and has a size of 8 × 8 pixels. The oblique line pattern (pattern 0) that rises to the left expresses a bit value 0, and the oblique line pattern (pattern 1) that rises to the right expresses a bit value 1. Therefore, 1-bit information (0 or 1) can be expressed by one oblique line pattern. By using such a minute line bitmap having two kinds of inclinations, there is provided a two-dimensional code pattern in which noise given to a visible image is extremely small and a large amount of information can be digitized and embedded with high density. It becomes possible.

That is, a total of 36-bit position information is stored in the position code area shown in FIG. Of these 36 bits, 18 bits can be used for encoding the X coordinate, and 18 bits can be used for encoding the Y coordinate. If all 18 bits are used for position encoding, 2 ¹⁸ (about 260,000) positions can be encoded. When each hatched pattern is composed of 8 pixels × 8 pixels (600 dpi) as shown in FIG. 4C, one dot of 600 dpi is 0.0423 mm. The size of the two-dimensional code (including the synchronization code) is about 3 mm (8 pixels × 9 bits × 0.0423 mm) both vertically and horizontally. When 260,000 positions are encoded at intervals of 3 mm, a length of about 786 m can be encoded. In this way, all 18 bits may be used for position coding, or in the case where a detection error of a hatched pattern occurs, redundant bits for error detection and error correction may be included. .

The identification code is arranged in a rectangular area of 2 bits × 8 bits and 6 bits × 2 bits, and can store a total of 28 bits of identification information. When using the 28-bit as the identification information can be represented the identity of two ways ²⁸ (about 270 million). Similarly to the position code, the identification code can include redundant bits for error detection and error correction in 28 bits.

In the example shown in FIG. 4C, the two hatched patterns have an angle of 90 degrees different from each other, but if the angle difference is 45 degrees, four types of hatched patterns can be configured. When configured in this way, 2-bit information (0 to 3) can be expressed by one oblique line pattern. That is, the number of bits that can be expressed can be increased by increasing the angle types of the oblique line pattern.
In the example shown in FIG. 4C, encoding of bit values is described using a hatched pattern, but a selectable pattern is not limited to the hatched pattern. It is also possible to employ a method of encoding according to the ON / OFF of the dot or the direction in which the dot position is shifted from the reference position.

Here, a mechanism for acquiring handwriting information of the pen device 600 and an operation of acquiring handwriting information will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the pen device 600.
The pen device 600 includes a writing unit 61 that records characters and figures on a printed matter 500 (paper, medium) printed by combining a code image and a document image by the same operation as a normal pen, A writing pressure detection unit 62 that monitors movement and detects that the pen device 600 is pressed against the paper. In addition, the control unit 63 that controls the entire electronic operation of the pen device 600, the infrared irradiation unit 64 that irradiates infrared light to read the code image on the paper, and the reflected infrared light are received. Thus, an image input unit 65 for recognizing and inputting a code image is provided.

Here, the control unit 63 will be described in more detail.
The control unit 63 includes a code acquisition unit 631, a locus calculation unit 632, and an information storage unit 633. The code acquisition unit 631 is a part that analyzes the image input from the image input unit 65 and acquires a code. The trajectory calculation unit 632 calculates a pen tip trajectory by correcting the deviation between the pen tip coordinates of the writing unit 61 and the image coordinates captured by the image input unit 65 for the code acquired by the code acquisition unit 631. Part. The information storage unit 633 is a part that stores the code acquired by the code acquisition unit 631 and the trajectory information calculated by the trajectory calculation unit 632.
In this embodiment, although not shown, a mechanism for analyzing the trajectory information stored in the information storage unit 633 and acquiring handwriting information is also provided.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed mainly by the control unit 63 of the pen device 600. For example, when characters or figures are recorded on a sheet using the pen device 600, the control unit 63 acquires a detection signal from the writing pressure detection unit 62 that the pen is recorded on the sheet. (Step 601). When this detection signal is detected, the control unit 63 instructs the infrared irradiation unit 64 to irradiate the paper with infrared light (step 602). Infrared light applied to the paper by the infrared irradiation unit 64 is absorbed by the invisible image, and is reflected at other portions. The image input unit 65 receives the reflected infrared light and recognizes a portion where the infrared light is not reflected as a code image. The control unit 63 inputs (scans) the code image from the image input unit 65 (step 603).

  Thereafter, the code acquisition unit 631 of the control unit 63 executes the code image detection process shown in Steps 604 to 610. First, the code acquisition unit 631 shapes the input scan image (step 604). The shaping of the scanned image includes tilt correction and noise removal. Then, a bit pattern (shaded pattern) such as a slash “/” or a backslash “\” is detected from the shaped scan image (step 605). On the other hand, a synchronization code, which is a two-dimensional code positioning code, is detected from the shaped scan image (step 606). The code acquisition unit 631 detects a two-dimensional code with reference to this synchronization code position (step 607). Also, information such as ECC (Error Correcting Code) is extracted from the two-dimensional code and decoded (step 608). Then, the decrypted information is restored to the original information (step 609).

The code acquisition unit 631 of the control unit 63 extracts the position information and the identification information from the code information restored as described above, and stores the extracted information in the information storage unit 633 (step 610). On the other hand, the trajectory calculation unit 632 calculates the pen tip trajectory from the trajectory information stored in the information storage unit 633, and stores it in the information storage unit 633 (step 611).
Thereafter, handwriting information is acquired from the trajectory information stored in the information storage unit 633 and transmitted to the terminal device 700.

Next, the printed material 500 on which the code image is printed on the entire surface by the image forming apparatus 400 will be described.
(First embodiment)
The color material information (see FIG. 2) delivered from the correspondence information management unit 21 to the transmission unit 20b is used when the synchronization code 500a, the position code 500b, and the identification code 500c shown in FIG. 4B are printed. Color material (toner) to be used is included.
Specifically, the synchronization code 500a and the position code 500b are printed with toner that absorbs in the visible region, for example, K (black) toner. In addition, Y (yellow) toner, M (magenta) toner, and C (cyan) toner can be used. On the other hand, the identification code 500c is printed with toner that absorbs only in the invisible region, for example, infrared absorbing toner or transparent toner.

Some of these infrared absorbing toners are also called invisible toners. This invisible toner has a maximum absorption rate in the visible light region (400 nm to 700 nm) of, for example, 7% or less, and an absorption rate in the near infrared region (800 nm to 1000 nm) of, for example, 30% or more. The invisible toner has an average dispersion diameter in the range of 100 nm to 600 nm in order to enhance the near-infrared light absorption capability necessary for machine reading of an image.
Note that “visible” and “invisible” used in this specification are not related to whether or not they can be recognized visually. “Visible” and “invisible” are distinguished depending on whether or not an image formed on a printed medium can be recognized by the presence or absence of color development due to absorption of a specific wavelength in the visible light region.

  As described above, the synchronization code 500a, the position code 500b, and the identification code 500c shown in FIG. 4B are printed on the printed material 500 using two types of color materials having different absorption areas such as a visible area and an invisible area. The That is, by using these two kinds of color materials, the code image is divided into a function consisting of the synchronization code 500a and the position code 500b and a function consisting of the synchronization code 500a, the position code 500b and the identification code 500c. (Function division type two-dimensional code system).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a printed material 500 in which the function division type two-dimensional code method is adopted, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a copied material 500 ′ obtained by copying such a printed material 500.
As shown in FIG. 7, the light absorption area of the printing ink of the code information is changed depending on the place on the paper surface of the printed matter 500. That is, the synchronization code 500a and the position code 500b shown in FIG. 4B are printed on the memo part, and the service part by the link at the bottom of the paper is the synchronization code 500a, the position code 500b shown in FIG. An identification code 500c is printed. In other words, the identification code 500 c is not printed on the memo portion of the printed material 500.
The memo portion is printed with K (black) toner, and the service portion is printed with infrared absorbing toner. That is, in the code image, two types of color materials having different absorption areas are used and printed for portions having different information quality.

For this reason, when the printed material 500 shown in FIG. 7 is copied by a normal copying machine that does not include infrared absorbing toner, a copied material 500 ′ shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In the copy 500 ′, the synchronization code 500a (see FIG. 4B) and the position code 500b (see FIG. 4B) in the memo portion are reproduced. However, the identification code 500c (see FIG. 4B) is not reproduced in the service section of the copy 500 ′.
Therefore, the user can use the memo portion of the copy 500 ′ in the same manner as the print 500, but cannot use the service portion of the copy 500 ′ in the same manner as the print 500. In other words, the copy 500 ′ can be reused as much as a memo, but cannot receive any of various services in the service section.
In the case of the function division type two-dimensional code method described above, the position code 500b is copied, but the identification code 500c is not copied. For this reason, since the identification code 500c is lost, even different printed materials are recognized as the same printed material. That is, no special service fee is incurred for copying and using, but no service for recognizing different printed materials can be received. When the printed material 500 is output, the user can be charged for using the page on the image forming apparatus 400 (see FIG. 1) side.

As described above, in this embodiment, although there is no charge for the use of the memo about the copy 500 ′ of the print 500, the use of the page is charged when the original print 500 is output in the system shown in FIG. Can be established. Therefore, the user can freely select whether to receive the service even if paying the fee, or to use only about the memo without paying the fee.
In the present embodiment, a code image is formed on the entire surface of the medium (paper surface) in accordance with the size of the medium to be printed. However, “entire surface” does not mean to include all four corners of the sheet. In an apparatus such as an electrophotographic system, usually, there are many cases where the periphery of the paper is a non-printable range, and therefore it is not necessary to print a code image in this range.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, what is transferred from the correspondence information management unit 21 (see FIG. 2) to the transmission unit 20b (see FIG. 2) is not color material information (see FIG. 2) but partition information. This section information is information for partitioning a range in which color materials having different light absorption wavelengths are used in the medium, and can be set for each medium identified by the identification information. By using this section information, for example, a predetermined range in one sheet of paper is printed with toner that absorbs in the visible region, for example, K (black) toner, and the remaining range is absorbed only in the invisible region. Printing with a certain toner, for example, an infrared absorbing toner.
In this way, in the medium uniquely specified by the identification code, it is possible to print on the printed matter 550 using two types of color materials having different absorption areas such as a visible area and an invisible area (range-division type two-dimensional). Code system).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a printed material 550 in which the range-division type two-dimensional code method is adopted, and FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a copied material 550 ′ obtained by copying such a printed material 550.
As shown in FIG. 9, areas 551 and 552 of the printed material 550 are printed with K (black) toner. Further, the areas 553 and 554 of the printed material 550 are printed with infrared absorbing toner. As described above, two types of color materials having different absorption areas are used for a plurality of print areas on the paper surface of the code image.
For this reason, when the printed material 550 shown in FIG. 9 is copied by a normal copying machine not equipped with infrared absorbing toner, a copied material 550 ′ shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. In this copy 550 ′, the code images in the areas 551 and 552 are reproduced, but the code images in the areas 553 and 554 are not reproduced and are lost.
Therefore, the user can use the code images in the areas 551 and 552 of the copy 550 ′, but cannot use the code images in the areas 553 and 554 in the same manner as the printed material 550.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the code image is divided into a plurality of areas, and different meanings can be given by changing the toner used in each of the areas. For example, an image corresponding to position information is printed with K (black) toner in areas 551 and 552, and an image corresponding to detailed information on the link destination is printed with infrared absorbing toner in areas 553 and 554. In some cases, the area printed with K (black) toner is a part that provides a normal service, and the area printed with an infrared absorbing toner is a part that provides an advanced or secure service. it can. In the copy 550 ′ of the printed material 550, a normal service can be left, but an advanced service cannot be used. Therefore, there is no wasteful cost for the user, and on the other hand, the service provider can provide the service only to the legitimate service user.

  As described above, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, it is possible to place different services at the same time in the same printed image on a single printed matter. Therefore, a new service that uses printed paper with the code image printed on the entire surface, reads the printed document on the paper and handwritten information with a pen-type scanner or flatbed scanner, and links the visual information with the electronic information. Can be provided.

It is the figure which showed the whole structure of the system with which this Embodiment is applied. It is the block diagram which showed the function structure of the identification information management server in this Embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the two-dimensional code image printed on a medium in this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structural example of the pen device. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the pen device. It is a figure which shows the printed matter by which the function division type two-dimensional code system was employ | adopted. It is a figure which shows the copy which copied the printed matter of FIG. It is a figure which shows the printed matter by which the range division type two-dimensional code system was employ | adopted. It is a figure which shows the copy which copied the printed matter of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

500, 550 ... printed matter, 500 ', 550' ... copy, 500a ... synchronization code, 500b ... position code, 500c ... identification code, 551, 552, 553, 554 ... area

Claims (16)

Code image generation means for converting the acquired code information for printing and generating a code image;
The first area of the code image generated by the code image generation means is printed with the first color material, and the second area of the code image has a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material. Printing means for printing with a second color material;
Including printing device.   The first color material is a toner having a wavelength absorption band in a visible region and an invisible region, and the second color material has a wavelength absorption band in an invisible region, but does not have a wavelength absorption band in a visible region. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is toner.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first color material is K (black) toner, and the second color material is transparent toner.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first color material and the second color material have a wavelength absorption band in an infrared region. Acquires color material information indicating that the first color material is used in the first area of the code image generated by the code image generation means and the second color material is used in the second area of the code image. Further includes color material information acquisition means,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing based on the color material information acquired by the color material information acquisition unit. In the code image generated by the code image generation means, further includes section information acquisition means for acquiring section information for partitioning a plurality of areas in which color materials having different light absorption wavelengths are used,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing based on the section information acquired by the section information acquisition unit. Code information acquisition means for acquiring code information having position information indicating each position on the medium and information other than the position information;
Code image generation means for converting the code information acquired by the code information acquisition means for printing and generating a code image;
The portion corresponding to the position information in the code image generated by the code image generating means is printed on the surface of the medium with the first color material, and the portion corresponding to the information other than the position information in the code image Printing means for printing on the surface of the medium with a second color material having a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material,
Including printing device.   The first color material is K (black) toner, and the second color material is infrared other than Y (yellow) toner, M (magenta) toner, C (cyan) toner, and K (black) toner. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the printing apparatus is an absorbing toner.   The information other than the position information included in the code information acquisition unit is an electronic document that is a source of a document image formed on a medium or identification information for identifying the medium. Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information other than the position information included in the code information acquisition unit is additional information used in a user application program. A printed matter on which a code image obtained by converting code information for printing is printed,
Forming a portion of the code image and printing a first portion using a first colorant;
A second color material printed using a second color material that constitutes all or part of the other part of the code image and has a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material used in the first part. 2 part,
Including printed matter.   12. The first color material is toner having a wavelength absorption band mainly in a visible region, and the second color material is toner having a wavelength absorption band mainly in an invisible region. The printed matter described.   The first color material is K (black) toner, and the second color material is infrared other than Y (yellow) toner, M (magenta) toner, C (cyan) toner, and K (black) toner. The printed matter according to claim 11, wherein the printed matter is an absorbing toner.   The printed matter according to claim 11, wherein each of the first color material and the second color material has a wavelength absorbed in an infrared region. A printed matter on which a code image obtained by converting code information having position information indicating each position on the medium and information other than the position information for printing is printed,
Constituting a portion corresponding to position information in the code image, a first portion printed using a first color material;
Using a second color material that constitutes a portion corresponding to information other than the position information in the code image and has a light absorption wavelength different from that of the first color material used in the first portion A printed second part;
Including printed matter.   The printed matter according to claim 15, wherein the first color material is K (black) toner, and the second color material is infrared absorbing toner other than K (black) toner.

Images