JP2007090551A - Reversible recording medium processing device, reversible recording medium processing system and reversible recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To build a reversible recording medium processing device and system which permit the understanding of the frequency of rewriting of a reversible recording medium, the accurate counting of the accumulated frequency of printing and the appropriate management of the timing of replacement of the reversible recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The reversible recording medium processing device 30 has an erasure means and a printing means to reversibly rewrite information by heating to a prescribed temperature, and a code recognition sensor 11 which recognizes a proper identification code 2 arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium 1, the code recognition sensor 11 arranged in a part of the transport route of the reversible recording medium 1 during printing, a storage section 12 which detects the passage of the proper identification code 2 during printing, and stores the counting of the frequency of passage as the frequency of printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reversible recording medium processing apparatus, a reversible recording medium processing system, and a reversible recording medium.

In a conventionally known printing apparatus using a reversible recording medium, even if a document printed in the previous work is supplied to the paper feeding unit while remaining on the recording medium, a predetermined number of The entire surface is once erased by an erasing unit such as a heating roller that is heated to an erasing temperature, and printing is performed by heating only the print dots to a predetermined coloring temperature by a heating unit such as a thermal head.
Also, in a printing apparatus that uses a supply of toner or the like for printing, such as a general laser printer, the remaining amount of toner is detected to prevent printing defects.

However, in a printing apparatus using a reversible recording medium, since the erasing means and the printing means rewrite a document only by a heating operation, there is only a recording medium as a supply.
Therefore, replacement with a new recording medium is required due to deterioration of the recording medium.
As a guideline for the replacement timing of the new recording medium, it is effective to perform the replacement based on the number of times of rewriting the recording medium as a criterion.
For example, by grasping the number of times of rewriting of the recording medium, it becomes possible to assume deterioration due to the sliding of the surface layer of the recording medium from the number of times of rewriting, and to prevent printing defects caused by the deterioration of the recording medium. Can do.
In addition, the user can determine the amortization of the running cost when compared with plain paper printing, and by grasping the number of rewrites more than the specified number of times, the user can replace the recording medium with a new one with confidence. .

As described above, it can be said that it is practically important to grasp the number of rewrites. However, in order to grasp the number of rewrites on a reversible recording medium, conventionally, a print history is partially recorded on the reversible recording medium by magnetic recording. There has been proposed a method of adding a storage unit that records and stores the above information (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).
However, holding the history information storage unit in a reversible recording medium that is a consumable item has a problem that the cost of the consumable item is increased.
In addition, in order to record the print history information on the reversible recording medium, it is necessary to consider the control of the information recording with respect to the transport of the reversible recording medium.

JP-A-5-301418

  Therefore, in the present invention, a reversible recording medium processing apparatus capable of grasping the number of times of rewriting of a recording medium by a method that does not require a special recording unit that leads to an increase in the cost of a reversible recording medium that is a consumable, reversible A reversible recording medium processing system and a reversible recording medium applied to these systems are provided.

  In the invention according to claim 1, a function of recording and erasing a visible image by changing a state of the reversible recording layer with respect to a reversible recording layer having a reversible recording layer whose state reversibly changes. A reversible recording medium processing apparatus having an erasing unit and a printing unit for rewriting information by heating to a specific temperature, and recognizing a unique identification code arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium A memory that includes a code recognition sensor, arranges the code recognition sensor in a part of the transport path of the reversible recording medium at the time of printing, detects passage of the unique identification code at the time of printing, and stores the count of the number of times of passage as the number of times of printing A reversible recording medium processing apparatus including a unit is provided.

  In the invention according to claim 2, as the unique identification code, a unique identification code having no identical identification information is arranged in a part of a specific reversible recording medium.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the count storage is performed by a combination of the identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium passing through the inside of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus and the number of times the unique identification code has passed. And

  In the invention according to claim 4, it is recommended that the unique identification code of the same identification information of the reversible recording medium is passed through the inside of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus, and that the reversible recording medium is exchanged. A predetermined number of passes is compared, it is determined that the cumulative count has reached a predetermined number of passes recommended for replacement, and the replacement time of the reversible recording medium is determined.

  The invention according to claim 5 includes a display means for displaying a determination result of the reversible recording medium replacement time, and has a function of displaying a recommended replacement time of the reversible recording medium. A reversible recording medium processing apparatus is provided.

  The invention according to claim 6 further includes an image processing circuit that superimposes the determination result of the replacement timing of the reversible recording medium on the document to be printed as a comment recommending replacement on the reversible recording medium. Provided is a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of superimposing a comment for displaying a recommended replacement time of a medium for printing.

  The invention according to claim 7 includes a communication function for sending back a comment recommending replacement of the reversible recording medium to the terminal that has performed the printing operation on the determination result of the replacement timing of the reversible recording medium, Provided is a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of displaying a comment recommending replacement of a reversible recording medium.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the storage unit inside the reversible recording medium processing apparatus can be operated by operating an operation button arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or a terminal for executing a printing operation. Or the cumulative count information for each identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium, which is stored and managed by the management DB connected via the communication function of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus, Provided is a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of displaying on a display means arranged in a part of the processing apparatus.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage unit inside the reversible recording medium processing apparatus can be operated by operating an operation button arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or a terminal for executing a printing operation. Or the cumulative count information for each identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium, which is stored and managed by the management DB connected via the communication function of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus, A reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of printing on a part of the recording medium is provided.

  In the invention according to claim 10, the storage unit inside the reversible recording medium processing apparatus can be operated by operating an operation button arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or a terminal for executing a printing operation. Alternatively, the print operation is performed on the accumulated count information for each identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium, which is stored and managed in the management DB connected via the communication function of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus. And a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of displaying the accumulated count information on a terminal display device.

  In the invention according to claim 11, the presence or absence of the unique identification code is detected by a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code arranged at a predetermined position of the reversible recording medium, and the unique recognition at the predetermined position is performed. A determination circuit configured to determine compatibility of the reversible recording medium suitable for the reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to the presence or absence of code detection, and determining whether the determination circuit is incompatible is disposed in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus There is provided a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of displaying on a displayed display means.

  In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of the unique identification code is detected by a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code disposed at a predetermined position of the reversible recording medium, and the unique identification at the predetermined position is performed. A judgment circuit for judging the suitability of the reversible recording medium suitable for the reversible recording medium processing device according to the presence or absence of code detection is provided, and the judgment of non-compliance of the judgment circuit is returned as a warning comment to the terminal executing the printing operation. And a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of displaying a warning comment on a display device of a terminal.

  In the invention according to claim 13, the presence or absence of the unique identification code is detected by a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code arranged at a predetermined position of the reversible recording medium, and the unique identification at the predetermined position is performed. A judgment circuit for judging the suitability of the reversible recording medium suitable for the reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to the presence / absence of the code detection is provided. Provided is a reversible recording medium processing apparatus in which a recording medium is forcibly discharged and conveyed.

  In the invention according to claim 14, the function of recording and erasing a visible image by changing the state of the reversible recording layer with respect to the reversible recording medium having the reversible recording layer whose state reversibly changes. Including a erasing unit and a printing unit that rewrites information by heating to a specific temperature, and a code recognition sensor that recognizes a unique identification code arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium. The reversible recording medium includes a storage unit that arranges the code recognition sensor in a part of the transport path of the reversible recording medium, detects the passage of the unique identification code during printing, and stores the count of the number of passes as the number of times of printing A reversible recording medium processing system having a plurality of processing devices, the identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium passing through the inside of the reversible recording medium processing device, and the unique identification code The count storage is performed in combination with the number of passes, and the count storage information is transmitted to the management DB via the communication function of the reversible recording medium processing device, and the plurality of reversible recording medium processing devices in the management DB. Provided is a reversible recording medium processing system that centrally manages transmitted count recording information.

The invention according to claim 15 has a function of recording and erasing a visible image by changing a state of the reversible recording layer with respect to a reversible recording layer having a reversible recording layer whose state changes reversibly. A reversible recording medium applied to a reversible recording medium processing apparatus having
The reversible recording medium processing apparatus includes a erasing unit and a printing unit that rewrites information by heating to a specific temperature, and a code recognition sensor that recognizes a unique identification code arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium A storage unit that arranges the code recognition sensor in a part of the transport path of the reversible recording medium at the time of printing, detects the passage of the unique identification code at the time of printing, and stores the count of the number of times of passage as the number of times of printing. The unique identification code provides a reversible recording medium that is specific and has no other identical identification information.

  The invention according to claim 16 provides the reversible recording medium in which the identification unique identification code provides identification information by a code symbol printed with ink whose visible image does not change by heating.

  The invention according to claim 17 provides the reversible recording medium in which the unique identification code provides identification information by an IC tag attached to a part of the reversible recording medium.

  In the invention according to claim 18, the unique identification code on the reversible recording medium is arranged on the back surface of the printing surface rewritable by heating, and provides identification information of the reversible recording medium. The reversible recording medium is provided.

According to the present invention, it has become possible to easily count the cumulative number of times of printing on a reversible recording medium in a conventional printing operation that has been performed conventionally.
According to the present invention, it is possible to relate the counted number of times of printing as the number of times of printing of a specific reversible recording medium (claim 1).
In addition, it is possible to store and hold the cumulative number of printing times for each reversible recording medium.
Further, according to the reversible recording medium processing system of the present invention, even when there are a plurality of reversible recording medium processing apparatuses and the reversible recording medium is printed by an unspecified reversible recording medium processing apparatus, The number of times of printing can be managed (claim 14).
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine the recommended replacement time of the reversible recording medium.
In addition, by displaying on the part of the reversible recording medium processing device that the recommended replacement time for the reversible recording medium has been reached, it is easy for the user to stop when the printed material is taken from the processing device. (Claim 5).
In addition, the fact that the recommended replacement time for the reversible recording medium has been reached is superimposed on each reversible recording medium so that the printed matter can be noticed when the user sees it. ).
In addition, the fact that the recommended replacement time for the reversible recording medium has been reached is displayed on the display of the operated terminal, so that even when a printing operation is performed from a location away from the reversible recording medium processing apparatus, It is now possible to warn the user that the recommended replacement time has been reached (claims 8 and 9).
Further, the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention is particularly effective when inquiring the current cumulative number of times of printing, and the replacement time for a new reversible recording medium can be determined by the numerical value of the cumulative number of times of printing. Furthermore, it has become possible to determine the amortization of the running cost when the current cumulative number of times of printing is compared with that of plain paper printing (claim 8).
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the respective cumulative print counts of a plurality of sheets by printing the current cumulative print counts on the respective reversible recording media. After the inquiry printing of the cumulative number of times of printing, the user can determine whether to replace the recording medium with a new recording medium by looking at the number of times of cumulative printing that has been printed (claims 8 and 9).
Further, in the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the warning comment that the incompatible recording medium is set in the processing apparatus is displayed on the display of the operated terminal. Even when a printing operation is performed from a place away from the processing apparatus, the user can be warned immediately (claims 11 to 13).
In addition, the reversible recording medium rewrite printing operation becomes insignificant for an incompatible recording medium, and it is not assumed when the reversible recording medium is rewritten to a nonconforming recording medium. Since a problem may occur, the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention can effectively avoid the above disadvantages by providing forcible ejection means, and furthermore, energy by meaningless heating. Consumption could also be prevented (claim 13).

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a reversible recording medium of the present invention. In the reversible recording medium 1, a reversible recording layer 1b and a protective layer 1a are laminated on a support 1c.
The reversible recording layer changes its state reversibly by thermal control and has a function of recording and erasing a visible image.
An identification code 2 having unique identification information is arranged at a predetermined location on the reversible recording medium 1.
As an example of the unique identification code 2, a barcode can be applied.

2A and 2B show specific examples in the case where the unique identification code 2 is arranged on a part of the reversible recording medium 1. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this example, the unique identification code 2 is arranged on the back surface side (main surface opposite to the print surface) of the reversible recording medium 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an example of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention.
The reversible recording medium processing apparatus 30 includes an erasing unit 3 and a printing unit 7 for rewriting information by heating to a specific temperature, which are respectively connected via an erasing drive circuit 5 and a print drive circuit 8. It is controlled by the control circuit 9.
A code recognition sensor 11 for recognizing the unique identification code 2 arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium 1 is provided, and the code recognition sensor 11 is arranged in a part of the transport path of the reversible recording medium at the time of printing. A storage unit 12 that sometimes detects passage of the unique identification code 2 and stores the number of passes as the number of times of printing is provided.

  The reversible recording medium 1 set in the paper feeding unit of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus 30 is fed and conveyed by a printing operation, and the unique identification code 2 arranged on the reversible recording medium is conveyed to the recording medium. When passing through the path, the code recognition sensor 11 that recognizes the unique identification code 2 arranged in a part of the transport path detects the passage of the unique identification code 2. The count of the number of passes of the unique identification code 2 is stored in the storage unit 12 as the number of times of printing.

  Subsequently, the entire reversible recording medium 1 is entirely erased once by the erasing means 3 that is heated to a predetermined erasing temperature, such as the heating roller 4, and the printing dots are printed by the thermal head 7 that is the next printing means 6. Printing is performed by heating to a predetermined color development temperature.

  When the unique identification code 2 is a barcode, an optical barcode reader is applied as the code recognition sensor 11, and this is arranged in a part of the conveyance path to recognize the unique identification information of the barcode.

The unique identification code 2 is different for each reversible recording medium, such as a serial number, and information that does not have the same identification information is coded.
Accordingly, since the information of the unique identification code 2 corresponds only to a specific reversible recording medium 1, the specific reversible recording medium 1 is stored and managed for each piece of information of the unique identification code 2. It is possible to store and manage the number of times of printing for each.

In practice, in offices or the like, a plurality of reversible recording medium processing apparatuses 30 are installed, and a user performs a printing operation via a network or the like.
In this case, since the reversible recording medium 1 is not necessarily applied only to a specific reversible recording medium processing apparatus, the reversibility detected by each reversible recording medium processing apparatus of a plurality of processing apparatuses. The passing information of the unique identification code 2 on the recording medium, that is, the information on the number of printings of the reversible recording medium 1 is transmitted to the management DB 13 connected via the network, and centrally managed by the management DB 13.

  The unique identification code 2 arranged in a predetermined portion of the reversible recording medium 1 is heated when the reversible recording medium is rewritten. It is assumed that it is printed as a code symbol such as a code.

As the unique identification code 2, in addition to recognizing a specific reversible recording medium 1, a lot of information can be added, for example, an IC tag can be applied.
When the IC tag is applied as the unique identification code 2, as the code recognition sensor 11, a corresponding IC tag reader is disposed inside the reversible recording medium processing apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, the unique identification code 2 is arranged on the back surface of the reversible recording medium 1 so as not to interfere with recording on the printing surface that is irradiated with or contacted with a heat source during rewriting. it can.

  As described above, the passage of the unique identification code 2 is detected by the code recognition sensor 11 that recognizes the unique identification code 2 arranged in a predetermined portion of the reversible recording medium 1, and the count of the number of passes is calculated as the number of times of printing. By storing in the storage unit 12, the cumulative number of printing times can be grasped for each reversible recording medium 1.

  In addition, since a deterioration state due to sliding or the like of the surface layer of the reversible recording medium 1 can be assumed from the number of rewrites, the predetermined number of rewrites is defined as the number of rewrites recommended for replacement with a new recording medium. In addition, the prescribed number of rewrites is compared with the cumulative number of printings grasped by the reversible recording medium 1 and the reversible recording medium processing device 30 of the present invention, and the replacement time for the new reversible recording medium 1 is determined. Judgment criteria.

When the replacement time determination circuit 14 of the reversible recording medium processing device 30 determines that the cumulative number of times of printing has exceeded the specified number of rewrites, an LED or LCD disposed in a part of the processing device 30 via the control circuit 9 The display means 15 or the like displays a message prompting the user to replace the reversible recording medium 1.
In addition to the display for prompting replacement, a method of notifying a warning for prompting replacement by sound information such as a buzzer 16 arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing device 30 is also effective.

In addition, when it is determined that the cumulative number of prints of the reversible recording medium 1 has exceeded the specified number of rewrites, the image processing circuit 17 superimposes a comment urging the replacement of the reversible recording medium 1 on the print target document during printing. The comment may be superimposed and printed on a part of the document to be printed.
When it is determined that the cumulative number of times of printing has exceeded the specified number of rewrites, the communication function is used to return a comment prompting replacement of the reversible recording medium 1 to the terminal that has performed the printing operation. The warning comment can be displayed on a display device such as a display.

  As described above, the reversible recording medium processing apparatus 30 has a function of displaying a warning that the cumulative number of times of printing has exceeded the specified number of rewrites, confirming the current cumulative number of times of printing, When it is desired to grasp the replacement time for the recording medium 1, a new reversible recording set in the sheet feeding unit is performed by operating the operation button 18 arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention. The medium 1 is conveyed. The unique identification code 2 on the reversible recording medium is recognized by the code recognition sensor 11 and recognized by the storage unit 12 storing the cumulative number of times of printing or the management DB 13 connected via a network. The cumulative number of prints corresponding to the unique identification information can be inquired, and the cumulative number of prints is displayed as a numerical value on the display means 15 such as an LCD arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing device 30. .

Further, in addition to a method of inquiring the current cumulative number of times of printing from the operation buttons 18 arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing device 30, operations such as command input from a terminal that executes the printing operation are performed. By doing so, the cumulative number of times of printing may be inquired.
Further, the result of the inquiry about the cumulative number of times of printing may be printed as a numerical value on a part of each reversible recording medium 1.
Also, the result of the inquiry about the cumulative number of times of printing is returned from the reversible recording medium processing device 30 to the terminal 40 that executes the printing operation via the predetermined communication circuit 10, and the cumulative number of times of printing is displayed on a display device such as a display of the terminal. May be displayed numerically.

  Since the reversible recording medium 1 is a dedicated recording medium for the reversible recording medium processing device 30, the unique identification code 2 disposed at a predetermined position of a part of the reversible recording medium 1 by the recording medium compatibility determination circuit 20. The presence or absence of the recording medium is detected, and recording media other than the dedicated recording media can be excluded.

Next, a specific example in which the unique identification code 2 is detected will be described with reference to FIG.
4A shows a state diagram of the reversible recording medium 1 of the present invention as viewed from the front surface (printing surface) side, and FIG. 4B shows a state diagram as viewed from the back surface side.
As shown in the figure, a unique identification code 2 is arranged at a distance L1 from the end of the reversible recording medium 1, and a similar unique identification code 2 is located at a point symmetrical position with respect to the entire reversible recording medium 1. Have been placed.

The speed at which the reversible recording medium 1 is conveyed is V, and the traveling direction is indicated by arrows in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).
The end of the reversible recording medium 1 is detected by a sheet sensor 19 disposed at a predetermined position, and a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code 2 at a distance L0 from the sheet sensor 19. 11 is arranged.
In the positional relationship as described above, when the end of the reversible recording medium 1 is detected by the sheet sensor 19 and then the unique identification code 2 is detected by the code recognition sensor 11 at the timing of (L0 + L1) / V. The recording medium suitability determination circuit 20 shown in FIG. 3 determines that the recording medium is suitable as a dedicated recording medium.
When the recording medium application determination circuit 20 determines that the recording medium is other than a dedicated recording medium, an LED, LCD, or the like disposed in the reversible recording medium processing device 30 is used to notify the user of an error warning. The display means 15 displays that the recording medium is a nonconforming recording medium.
In addition to the display unit 15, a warning sound such as a buzzer 16 may be used for notification.

If a nonconforming recording medium is detected, the nonconforming recording medium is set in the paper feeding unit in the terminal 30 that has executed a printing operation using the communication function controlled via the communication circuit 10 in FIG. The warning comment may be sent and the warning comment may be displayed on a display device such as a display of the terminal 40.
If it is determined as a nonconforming recording medium, the printing operation for rewriting the recording medium becomes meaningless, so that the recording medium is forcibly ejected from the processing apparatus without a printing operation by the nonconformity determination in the determination circuit 20. It is made so that.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily count the cumulative number of prints of the reversible recording medium, and relate the counted cumulative print number as the cumulative number of prints of a specific reversible recording medium. I was able to do it.
In addition, by storing and holding the cumulative number of printing times for each reversible recording medium and setting an appropriate replacement time for the reversible recording medium, it is possible to effectively use the reversible recording medium.
Further, according to the reversible recording medium processing system of the present invention, even when a plurality of reversible recording medium processing apparatuses are arranged and the reversible recording medium is printed by an unspecified reversible recording medium processing apparatus, accumulation is also possible. The number of printings was managed reliably.
Further, the fact that the recommended replacement time for the reversible recording medium has been reached is displayed on a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or displayed on the reversible recording medium, so that it is easily noticed by the user. I was able to.
In addition, the fact that the recommended replacement time for the reversible recording medium has been reached is displayed on the display of the operated terminal, so that even when a printing operation is performed from a location away from the reversible recording medium processing apparatus, The user can now be warned that the recommended replacement time has been reached.
Further, in the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the warning comment that the incompatible recording medium is set in the processing apparatus is displayed on the display of the operated terminal. Even when printing is performed from a location away from the processing device, the user can be warned immediately.
In addition, the reversible recording medium rewrite printing operation becomes insignificant for an incompatible recording medium, and it is not assumed when the reversible recording medium is rewritten to a nonconforming recording medium. Since a problem may occur, the reversible recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention can effectively avoid the above disadvantages by providing forcible ejection means, and furthermore, energy by meaningless heating. Consumption was also prevented.

1 is a schematic sectional view of a reversible recording medium of the present invention. (a) shows the state figure which looked at the reversible recording medium from the printing surface side. (B) shows the state figure which looked at the reversible recording medium from the back surface. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a reversible recording medium processing apparatus. FIG. (A) (b) shows the Example of a recording medium conformity determination by the detection of the unique identification code on a reversible recording medium.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reversible recording medium 1a ... Protective layer 1b ... Reversible recording layer 1c ... Support body 2 ... Unique identification code 3 ... Erase means 4 ... Heating roller 5 ... Erase drive circuit 6 ... Print means 7 ... Thermal head 8 ... Print drive Circuit 9 ... Control circuit 10 ... Communication circuit 11 ... Code recognition sensor 12 ... Cumulative printing number storage unit 13 ... Management DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Replacement time determination circuit 15 ... Display means 16 ... Buzzer 17 ... Image processing circuit 18 ... Operation button 19 ... Sheet sensor 20 ... Recording medium suitability determination circuit 30 ... Reversible recording medium processing device 40 ... Terminal

Claims (18)

A reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of recording and erasing a visible image by changing a state of the reversible recording layer with respect to a reversible recording medium having a reversible recording layer whose state reversibly changes. There,
Equipped with erasing means and printing means for rewriting information by heating to a specific temperature,
A code recognition sensor for recognizing a unique identification code arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium;
The code recognition sensor is arranged in a part of the transport path of the reversible recording medium at the time of printing, and a storage unit is provided that detects the passage of the unique identification code at the time of printing and stores the count of the number of passes as the number of times of printing. A reversible recording medium processing apparatus.   The unique identification code is unique and does not have the same identification information, and is disposed in a part of a specific reversible recording medium.   3. The count storage is performed by combining the identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium that passes through the inside of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus and the number of times the unique identification code has passed. 2. A reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to 1.   Comparing the cumulative count of the number of times the unique identification code of the same identification information of the reversible recording medium passes through the inside of the reversible recording medium processing device with a predetermined number of times recommended for replacement of the reversible recording medium, 4. The reversibility according to claim 1, wherein it is detected that the cumulative count has reached a predetermined number of passages for which replacement is recommended, and the replacement timing of the reversible recording medium is determined. 5. Recording medium processing apparatus.   5. The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reversible recording medium processing apparatus has a function of displaying a recommended replacement time of the reversible recording medium and a determination result of the replacement time of the reversible recording medium. An image processing circuit that superimposes the determination result of the reversible recording medium on the document to be printed as a comment recommending replacement on the reversible recording medium;
5. The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a comment for displaying a recommended replacement time of the reversible recording medium is printed while being superimposed. Provided with a communication function that returns a comment recommending replacement of the reversible recording medium to the terminal that has performed the printing operation of the judgment result of the reversible recording medium replacement time,
The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the terminal has a function of displaying a comment that recommends replacement of the reversible recording medium.   The storage unit constituting the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or the reversible recording medium processing apparatus by operation of an operation button arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or operation of a terminal that executes a printing operation The accumulated count information for each identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium, which is stored and managed by the management DB connected via the communication function of the above, is arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus. The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversible recording medium processing apparatus has a function of displaying on a display unit.   The storage unit constituting the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or the reversible recording medium processing apparatus by operation of an operation button arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or operation of a terminal that executes a printing operation A function of printing the accumulated count information for each identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium, which is stored and managed in the management DB connected via the communication function, on a part of the reversible recording medium. The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversible recording medium processing apparatus is provided.   The storage unit constituting the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or the reversible recording medium processing apparatus by operation of an operation button arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus or operation of a terminal that executes a printing operation The accumulated count information for each identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium, which is stored and managed in the management DB connected through the communication function of the communication function, is returned to the terminal that executes the printing operation, The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of displaying the accumulated count information on a display device.   The presence or absence of the unique identification code is detected by a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code arranged at a predetermined position of the reversible recording medium, and the reversibility is determined by the presence or absence of the detection of the unique recognition code at a predetermined position. A judgment circuit for judging the suitability of the reversible recording medium suitable for the recording medium processing apparatus, and a function for displaying the judgment of non-compliance of the judgment circuit on a display means arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus. The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversible recording medium processing apparatus is provided.   The presence or absence of the unique identification code is detected by a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code disposed at a predetermined position of the reversible recording medium, and the reversibility is determined by the presence or absence of detection of the unique identification code at a predetermined position. A judgment circuit for judging suitability of a reversible recording medium suitable for the recording medium processing device, and sending a judgment as non-compliance of the judgment circuit as a warning comment to a terminal executing a printing operation, and warning comment to a display device of the terminal The reversible recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversible recording medium processing apparatus has a function of displaying the image.   The presence or absence of the unique identification code is detected by a code recognition sensor that recognizes the unique identification code arranged at a predetermined position of the reversible recording medium, and the suitability of the reversible recording medium suitable for the reversible recording medium processing apparatus is determined. A determination circuit, having a function of canceling the printing operation by the determination of nonconformity of the determination circuit and forcibly discharging and conveying the reversible recording medium for which the nonconformity is determined from the reversible recording medium processing apparatus. The reversible recording medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the reversible recording medium processing device is a recording medium processing device. A reversible recording medium having a reversible recording layer that reversibly changes its state, has a function of recording and erasing a visible image by changing the state of the reversible recording layer, and is heated to a specific temperature. And a erasing unit for rewriting information and a printing unit, a code recognition sensor for recognizing a unique identification code arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium, and a transport path of the reversible recording medium during printing. A reversible recording medium having a plurality of reversible recording medium processing devices provided with a storage unit that partially arranges the code recognition sensor, detects passage of the unique identification code during printing, and stores the number of passes as the number of times of printing A processing system,
By storing the identification information of the unique identification code of the reversible recording medium that passes through the inside of the reversible recording medium processing device and the number of passes of the unique identification code, count storage is performed,
The count storage information is transmitted to the management DB via the communication function of the reversible recording medium processing apparatus, and the count recording information transmitted from a plurality of reversible recording medium processing apparatuses is centrally managed in the management DB. A reversible recording medium processing system. A reversible recording medium processing apparatus having a function of recording and erasing a visible image by changing a state of the reversible recording layer with respect to a reversible recording medium having a reversible recording layer whose state reversibly changes. A reversible recording medium to be applied,
The reversible recording medium processing apparatus includes a erasing unit and a printing unit that rewrites information by heating to a specific temperature, and a code recognition sensor that recognizes a unique identification code arranged in a part of the reversible recording medium A storage unit that arranges the code recognition sensor in a part of the transport path of the reversible recording medium at the time of printing, detects the passage of the unique identification code at the time of printing, and stores the count of the number of times of passage as the number of times of printing. And
2. The reversible recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the unique identification code is a specific one having no other identical identification information.   The reversible recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the identification unique identification code provides identification information by a code symbol printed with ink whose visible image does not change by heating.   The reversible recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the unique identification code provides identification information by an IC tag attached to a part of the reversible recording medium. The unique identification code on the reversible recording medium is disposed on the back side of the printing surface rewritable by heating, and provides identification information of the reversible recording medium. 15. A reversible recording medium according to 15.

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