JP2007312009A - Image processor and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take in an obtained image with simple processing by reading an arbitrary size of original which is larger than a size for reading at a time, by division in a plurality of times. <P>SOLUTION: Position data expressing a position on a recording surface are embedded in a recording medium 100. An image forming apparatus reads the recording surface by prescribed size and obtains the position data embedded in the recording surface. An area occupied with the image in the recording surface is specified based on the position data. Then, the plurality of read images are arranged based on the specified area so as to generate and output intake image data which express an intake image where the plurality of images are merged with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

The size of an image that can be read at one time by a reading device provided in a copying machine or the like is finite, and in many cases, the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) A3 size is the largest. Therefore, when reading a document of a size larger than this, it is necessary to perform reading in a plurality of times while moving the area to be read.
There has been proposed a technique for joining images read in a plurality of times into one image. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the density distribution of each read image is obtained, and the margin position of each image is specified. For example, when the original is divided into four parts in both the vertical and horizontal directions and read four times, the upper left image has margins on the upper side and the left side, and the positions are different from the other three images. It can be seen that this image is an image located at the upper left of the original image. In this way, it is determined which area of the original image each image corresponds to based on the margin position, and the images are arranged and joined.
JP-A-9-121277

  However, when the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, the following problem occurs. For example, when an image is divided into four parts in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction and read in a total of 16 times, an image with a margin on the upper side is obtained. Two are read. It is clear that these are located along the upper side of the original image, but the left-right positional relationship between the two images cannot be determined. The same applies to the right side, left side, and bottom side. In addition, since the four central images have no margin, the area cannot be specified. In this technique, an overlapping area between adjacent images is extracted by known pattern matching, and one of the overlapping areas is removed to join two images. However, pattern matching requires a long time for processing. There is a problem that requires.

  The present invention has been made under the above-described background, and reads a document of an arbitrary size larger than the size that can be read at once in a plurality of times and merges the obtained images by a simple process. The purpose is to provide technology that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention reads the recording surface of a recording medium in which position data representing a position on the recording surface is embedded at a predetermined size, and generates image data representing an image of the recording surface. Based on the position data acquired by the reading means, the position data acquisition means for acquiring the position data embedded in the recording surface, and the position data acquired by the position data acquisition means. An area specifying unit that specifies an area occupied by the image to be recorded on the recording surface, and a plurality of images read by the reading unit are arranged based on the area specified by the area specifying unit. There is provided an image processing apparatus characterized by comprising merged image output means for generating and outputting merged image data representing merged merged images (first invention).

  In the first invention, size data acquisition means for acquiring size data representing the size of the recording surface embedded in the recording surface, position data acquired by the position data acquisition means, and acquisition by the size data acquisition means An area display means for displaying an image in which an area read by the reading means is distinguished from an area not read based on the size data that has been read (second invention).

  In the second invention, the amount of movement of the recording medium with respect to the reading unit required to read a portion adjacent to the region last read by the reading unit out of the region not read by the reading unit is obtained; A movement amount display means for displaying the movement amount may be provided (third invention).

  In the first invention, based on the size input means for inputting the size of the recording surface, the size input by the size input means, and the predetermined size when the recording surface is read by the reading means. You may make it have a division | segmentation image display means to display the image which divided | segmented the surface according to the predetermined rule (4th invention).

  In the fourth invention, the number of readings required to read the entire recording surface is calculated based on the size input by the size input unit and the predetermined size when the recording surface is read by the reading unit. Further, a reading number output means for outputting data representing the number of readings may be provided (fifth invention).

  In the first invention, based on the position data obtained by the position data obtaining means, a skew calculating means for obtaining a skew of an image represented by the image data generated by the reading means, and obtained by the skew calculating means. A skew correction means for correcting the image data so as to eliminate the skew may be provided (sixth invention).

  In the first or second invention, the position data and the size data may be formed on the recording surface as a visible or invisible image represented by any one of a figure, a character string, and a symbol string (seventh) Invention).

  In the first or second aspect of the invention, the position data is displayed on the recording surface as a visible or invisible image representing a plurality of lines having different intervals, types, or widths depending on the position on the recording surface. It may be formed (eighth invention).

  In the first invention, the density of the image data generated by the reading means is measured, a portion where the density exceeds a threshold value is extracted at the edge of the image represented by the image data, and an image of the extracted portion is obtained. You may make it have a deletion means which produces | generates the deleted image data (9th invention).

  The present invention also includes the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and an image output unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the merged image data output from the merged image output unit. There is provided an image forming apparatus characterized in that (tenth invention).

  In a tenth aspect of the invention, there may be provided invisible image output means for forming position data representing the position on the recording surface as an invisible image on the recording surface (eleventh aspect).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to read an original having an arbitrary size larger than the size that can be read at a time, and to combine the obtained images by a simple process.

<Embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an example of an image forming apparatus including the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 has a function of a copying machine.
The control unit (controller) 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 44, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 45, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 46. The storage unit 5 is a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk device. The storage unit 5 stores programs such as an OS (Operating System) and also stores data input from the outside. The CPU 44 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 5. The ROM 45 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 46 is used as a work area when the CPU 44 executes a program.

The instruction input unit 41 includes a display panel 39 and a key input unit 40. By using these, the user can input an instruction to the image forming apparatus 1. The display panel 39 is a liquid crystal panel, for example, and displays an image representing a menu. Further, the display panel 39 includes a sensor for specifying an area touched by the user on the display panel 39, and functions as a touch panel. The key input unit 40 includes start, stop, and reset keys and a numeric keypad. The instruction input by the instruction input unit 41 is sent to the CPU 44, and the CPU 44 controls the image forming apparatus 1 according to the sent instruction.
A communication interface (hereinafter referred to as communication I / F) 48 is connected to a communication line (not shown), and mediates exchange of data between the image forming apparatus 1 and an external computer apparatus.

The image input unit 12 is a scanner device that optically reads a document and outputs an electrical signal. The original placed on the platen glass 2 is irradiated with light from the light source 13, and the reflected light is collected by the lens 17 through the mirrors 14, 15, 16, and is a light receiving unit composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like. 18 is received. The light receiving unit 18 converts the reflected light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the control unit 4. Based on the electrical signal, the control unit 4 generates raster image data representing each color image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.
The light source 13 has a function of irradiating light having a wavelength invisible to humans, such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays, together with visible light. In addition, the light receiving unit 18 separates visible light and invisible light according to the wavelength of light taken, and converts them into electrical signals. The control unit 4 generates raster image data representing a visible image and raster image data representing an invisible image based on the electrical signal.
In this embodiment, the size that can be read at once by the image input unit 12 is the maximum A4 size, and the user can specify a desired reading size by the instruction input unit 41.

  The image output unit 6 includes image forming engines 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, a transfer belt 8, and the like. The image forming engines 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K respectively form yellow (Y color), magenta (M color), cyan (C color), and black (K color) toner images. Since the configuration of each image forming engine is common, only the image forming engine 7Y will be described here.

  The photoconductor drum 20Y is a cylindrical photoconductor, and its peripheral surface has photoconductivity. The charging device 21Y charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 20Y that is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A to a predetermined potential. The exposure device 19Y has a scanning optical system that irradiates the photosensitive drum 20Y with an exposure beam LB. The exposure device 19Y receives the raster image data generated by the control unit 4, generates an exposure beam LB by a semiconductor laser based on the raster image data, and deflects and scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 20Y at a predetermined speed. . In this way, an electrostatic latent image based on the raster image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20Y.

The developing device 22Y visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 20Y with toner. The toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 20Y is transferred to the surface of the transfer belt 8 (primary transfer) by the action of an electric field generated by a voltage applied to the transfer device 25Y. The cleaner 24Y removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 20Y.
The above is the configuration of the image forming engine 7Y. In the image forming engines 7M, 7C, and 7K, toner images corresponding to the respective colors are formed and transferred onto the transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner.

  A sheet-like recording medium 110 is accommodated in the paper feed tray 9. When a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 8, the recording medium 110 is sent out one by one, and the toner image is transferred to the surface of the recording medium 110 (secondary transfer). In the fixing device 11, the recording medium 110 is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the surface of the recording medium 110. The recording medium 110 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 32.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the recording medium 100. The recording medium 100 is a sheet-like medium such as paper or plastic film. In the present embodiment, the size of the recording surface of the recording medium 100 is A1, and the maximum size that can be read at once by the image input unit 12 is A4.
On the recording surface of the recording medium 100, an image representing a QR code (Quick Response code) 101 is formed at a predetermined interval using invisible toner. The QR code 101 is a two-dimensional pattern figure generated by converting position data representing a position on the recording surface and size data representing the size of the recording surface by a predetermined method. The position data is composed of, for example, a two-dimensional coordinate value representing the position of the QR code 101 on the recording surface, for example, with the upper left vertex of the recording surface as the origin.
The QR code 101 is formed on the recording surface with invisible toner. Invisible toner refers to toner that is invisible to humans but optically readable. For example, the toner reflects only light having a specific wavelength that is invisible to humans, such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays.

  On the recording surface, the QR codes 101 are arranged in a grid pattern at predetermined intervals, for example, 5 cm intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions. Here, the “predetermined interval” is determined as follows. The image input unit 12 reads a document at a predetermined size with A4 as the maximum size. The QR code 101 is arranged so that at least one QR code 101 can be read by the image input unit 12 no matter what part of the recording surface is placed on the platen glass 2 at any angle. In addition, when a toner image made of normal toner is formed on the QR code 101, the QR code 101 cannot be read. Therefore, it is desirable that the toner images are arranged as close as possible. However, the data of the QR code 101 has redundancy, and the data can be restored even if a part of the data is damaged. Accordingly, the interval between the QR codes 101 is appropriately determined by experiments so that reading is not hindered in practice. In this embodiment, as an example, the interval between the QR codes 101 is 5 cm in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  Since the QR code 101 is a matrix figure, the inclination of the QR code 101 itself can be obtained by analyzing the image. In the present embodiment, the inclination of the QR code 101 with respect to the reference direction is obtained with the arrangement direction of the pixels of the generated raster image data as the reference direction. For example, if the QR code 101 is inclined 5 ° counterclockwise with respect to the reference direction, the read image has an inclination (skew) of 5 ° counterclockwise. Therefore, an image in which the skew is eliminated can be obtained by rotating the image clockwise by 5 °.

  By using the position data, the size data, and the inclination described above, it is possible to specify the area occupied by the read image on the recording surface. For this purpose, the control unit 4 analyzes the read image of the QR code 101, acquires position data and size data represented by the QR code 101, and obtains the inclination of the QR code 101. And based on these data, the area | region which the read image occupies on the recording surface is specified.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of the image forming apparatus 1. It should be noted that since each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by the CPU 44 executing the program, the main body of the operation is the CPU 44.
First, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on and the CPU 44 is executing a program. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the display panel 39 of the instruction input unit 41. This image is an image displayed in an initial state in which no instruction is input to the instruction input unit 41 after the power is turned on. As shown in the drawing, the display panel 39 displays an item “divided reading” in addition to a menu item for designating the paper size and the copying magnification. When the user designates “divided reading”, a document having a size larger than the maximum size (A4 in this case) that can be read at once by the image input unit 12 is read in a plurality of times, and the obtained plurality of images are merged. Be able to. In the following description, a case where a document on which a visible image is formed on an A1 size recording medium 100 is read will be described.

In FIG. 3, in step A <b> 01, the CPU 44 determines whether or not the instruction to the instruction input unit 41 is “divided reading”. If “divided reading” is designated, the process proceeds to step A02. If it is an instruction other than “divided reading”, the process proceeds to step A09 to perform processing according to the input instruction.
In step A02, the CPU 44 determines whether or not a start key provided in the key input unit 40 has been pressed at regular time intervals. If the start key is pressed, the process proceeds to step A03.

In step A03, the CPU 44 reads a document placed on the platen glass 2. Specifically, the document is read by the image input unit 12, and raster image data representing a visible image and raster image data representing an invisible image are generated. The invisible image data represents the image of the above-described QR code 101, and at least one QR code 101 is read as described above.
In step A04, the CPU 44 analyzes an invisible image, that is, image data representing the QR code 101, acquires position data and size data represented by the QR code 101, and obtains the inclination of the QR code 101. Then, based on the position data, size data, and inclination, the area occupied by the read image on the recording surface is specified.

In step A05, the CPU 44 displays on the display panel 39 an image in which the read area and the unread area are distinguished. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed image. In this example, the upper left corner area of the recording surface is read. A rectangle representing the outline of the recording surface is displayed on the display panel 39, and the read area and the non-read area are displayed in different colors or with a diagonal line or the like.
In step A06, the CPU 44 determines whether or not all areas of the recording surface have been read. If all the areas have been read, the process proceeds to step A07. If there is any area that has not been read, the process returns to step A02, and the processes up to step A06 are repeated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed when there is an unread region. In this example, the shaded area has not been read yet after five readings, and the numbers (circled numbers) indicating the reading order of each area correspond to the respective areas. Is displayed. FIG. 7 is a diagram when there is an unread region near the center of the recording surface. Thus, an image representing the area read in an arbitrary order is displayed on the display panel 39.

In step A07, the CPU 44 merges the plurality of images read so far. Specifically, each image is arranged in an area representing the entire recording surface based on the area specified in step A04. At this time, an overlapping area may occur between the two images, but the overlapping area is only overwritten with the same data. Then, merged image data representing the merged image is stored in the storage unit 5.
In step A08, the CPU 44 forms an image based on the merged image data. Specifically, first, the user is prompted to input an instruction regarding image formation. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display panel 39. The message “Print the scanned image. Please specify the paper size, number of copies, and magnification.” Is displayed, and the user who sees this display inputs the paper size, number of copies, and magnification. When the user presses the start key, the recording medium 110 is supplied from the paper feed tray 9 to the image output unit 6, and an image is formed on the recording medium 10 based on the merged image data according to the designated contents.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a document of an arbitrary size larger than the size that can be read at once can be read in a plurality of times, and the obtained images can be merged by a simple process. Since the position data is embedded in the recording medium, the position of the read image on the recording surface can be easily specified. Further, since the image skew is obtained by obtaining the inclination of the QR code 101, the image skew can be corrected. Further, based on the position of the image on the recording surface, the size of the recording surface, and the inclination of the QR code 101, the area occupied by the image on the recording surface can be specified, and a plurality of images can be easily created based on this area. Can be merged into

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the embodiment described above can be modified as follows.
<Modification 1>
If there is an unread area, the user may be notified of the amount of movement to the adjacent area. For example, an amount of movement of the document with respect to the platen glass 2 required to read a portion adjacent to the last read area among the unread areas is obtained. In the example of FIG. 9, the amount of movement required to read the region 6 adjacent to the right of the region 5 read fifth is obtained, and this amount of movement is displayed on the display panel 39. In this example, the amount of movement in the horizontal direction is the length of the short side of size A4 that the image input unit 12 can read at once, and the amount of movement in the vertical direction is zero. However, in order to prevent a gap between the areas due to an error when moving the document, it is preferable that some overlapping areas are generated.

<Modification 2>
The user may be notified of how to divide the document before reading the document. For example, the user inputs the size of the document using the instruction input unit 41. The CPU 44 divides the entire area of the document according to a size that can be read at once by the image input unit 12. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of area division. In this example, the document is divided into readable sizes in order from the upper left to the right. If the last area is smaller than the readable size, an overlap with the left adjacent area is generated. Similarly, the lower area is divided. An image representing the division direction thus obtained is displayed on the display panel 39.
Further, the number of divisions obtained in this way may be displayed or notified by voice.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment, an example using a QR code is shown. However, position data and size data may be converted into a bar code, a character string, a symbol string, and the like and formed on the recording surface with invisible toner. However, unlike QR codes, it is generally difficult to determine the inclination from these images. Therefore, when it is difficult to obtain the inclination, it may be arranged so that at least two barcodes, character strings, symbol strings and the like can be read by one reading. This is because if two pieces of position data are acquired, the slope of the line segment connecting the two points can be obtained, and the skew of the image can be obtained from this slope.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which position data is represented using lines. As shown in the figure, a thick broken line is formed on the inner side by a certain distance from the edge of the recording surface, and this line serves as a reference line for indicating the position. In the region surrounded by the reference line, as shown in a circle in the drawing, a thin broken line is formed in which the distance between the lines varies according to the distance from the reference line. In this example, thin broken lines are provided at intervals of 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm from the top, and groups of a total of 10 cm are periodically arranged starting from the left-pointing arrow in the figure. The broken line at the position of the arrow can be distinguished from the broken line at the other starting point by changing the type of the line. A broken line is also provided in the horizontal direction by the same method. With this configuration, the position on the recording surface can be specified by the line spacing, line type, line width, and the like.

<Modification 5>
When an image is formed on the recording medium 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 described above, an image representing position data (and size data) may be formed using invisible toner.

<Modification 6>
The present invention can be implemented even when only position data is embedded in the recording surface. For example, the size of the recording surface can be recognized by the image processing apparatus by inputting the size of the recording surface with the instruction input unit 41.
Further, the present invention can be implemented without causing the image processing apparatus to recognize the size of the recording surface. This is the case when an image of only a part of the document is acquired. For example, when the size of the document is A1 and it is desired to take out an image of an area corresponding to two A4 sizes adjacent to each other, the area is read twice and the two images are merged. This process is possible without causing the image processing apparatus to recognize the size of the document.

<Modification 7>
In the above embodiment, an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image by outputting merged image data to the image output unit 6 has been described. For example, an image processing apparatus that accumulates merged image data in the storage unit 5, and merged image data The present invention can also be applied to an image processing apparatus that transmits an image to an external apparatus via a communication line.

<Modification 8>
Like the recording medium 100, the position data is embedded in a transparent cover having a size that covers the entire recording medium 100, and the cover is put on the recording medium in which the position data is not embedded. Also good. In this case, the cover is preferably made of vinyl or the like and can be bent freely. Further, it is desirable that a member for sandwiching the recording medium is provided inside the cover so that the position of the recording medium does not change with respect to the cover, thereby fixing the recording medium.

<Modification 9>
When a large document is placed on the platen glass 2, the end of the read area may be lifted from the platen glass 2. For example, when a frame having a thickness is provided at the edge of the platen glass 2, if the document has a normal size, there is an advantage that positioning is prepared by abutting the end of the document against the frame. However, in the case of a large-sized document, it is conceivable that the portion protruding from the frame is lifted by this frame, and as a result, the end of the area to be read rises from the platen glass 2. In this case, the floating portion becomes a dark image due to the incidence of external light.
In order to avoid such a situation, for example, the density of the read image may be measured, a part where the density exceeds a threshold value at the end of the image may be extracted, and the image of this part may be deleted.

<Modification 10>
The position data and the size data may be formed on the recording surface as a visible image.

2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a recording medium 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of operation of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image displayed on the display panel 39. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed. It is a figure when there exists an unread area | region. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the movement amount. It is a figure which shows the example of a division | segmentation of an area | region. It is a figure which shows the example which represented the position data using the line.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 4 ... Control part, 5 ... Memory | storage part, 41 ... Instruction input part, 39 ... Display panel, 40 ... Key input part, 48 ... Communication interface, 12 ... Image input part, 6 ... Image output part, 100, 110 ... recording medium, 101 ... QR code.

Claims (11)

Reading means for reading the recording surface of the recording medium in which position data representing a position on the recording surface is embedded at a predetermined size, and generating image data representing an image of the recording surface;
Position data acquisition means for acquiring position data embedded in the recording surface;
Area specifying means for specifying an area occupied on the recording surface by the image represented by the image data generated by the reading means based on the position data acquired by the position data acquiring means;
A merged image that generates and outputs merged image data representing a merged image in which the plurality of images are merged by arranging a plurality of images read by the reading unit based on the region identified by the region identifying unit. And an output means. Size data acquisition means for acquiring size data representing the size of the recording surface embedded in the recording surface;
Based on the position data acquired by the position data acquisition unit and the size data acquired by the size data acquisition unit, an image in which an area read by the reading unit is distinguished from an unread area is displayed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an area display unit that performs the display.   Movement for obtaining the amount of movement of the recording medium relative to the reading means required for reading a portion adjacent to the area read last by the reading means among the areas not read by the reading means, and displaying the movement amount The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a quantity display unit. Size input means for inputting the size of the recording surface;
A divided image display unit configured to display an image obtained by dividing the recording surface according to a predetermined rule based on the size input by the size input unit and the predetermined size when the recording surface is read by the reading unit; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   Based on the size input by the size input unit and the predetermined size when the recording surface is read by the reading unit, the number of readings required to read the entire recording surface is calculated and represents the number of readings The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a reading frequency output unit that outputs data. Based on the position data acquired by the position data acquisition means, a skew calculation means for obtaining the skew of the image represented by the image data generated by the reading means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a skew correction unit that corrects the image data so as to eliminate the skew obtained by the skew calculation unit.   3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the position data and the size data are formed on the recording surface as a visible or invisible image represented by any one of a figure, a character string, and a symbol string. Processing equipment.   The position data is formed on the recording surface as a visible or invisible image representing a plurality of lines with different intervals, types, or widths depending on the position on the recording surface. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   Measures the density of the image data generated by the reading means, extracts a portion where the density exceeds the threshold value at the edge of the image represented by the image data, and generates image data by deleting the image of the extracted portion The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the image. An image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image output unit configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the merged image data output from the merged image output unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: an invisible image output unit configured to form position data representing a position on the recording surface as an invisible image on the recording surface.

Images