JP2009109760A - Image-formed paper processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-formed paper processing device that efficiently improves information confidentiality without degrading the value of paper as a recycled natural resource. <P>SOLUTION: In the image-formed paper processing device 60, a reading means 31 reading the surface and back of paper at every conveyance is disposed between a manual feed tray (paper feed apparatus) 30 and the manual feed port of the main body of an image forming apparatus. The reading means 31 has a means (a) (image-formed side reading means) for reading the image-formed side of used paper, and a means (b) (non-image formed side reading means) for reading the non-image formed side of used paper. When the used paper fed from a manual feed section 30 pass through the reading means 31, information on both sides of the paper is sent to a used-paper information storage section, not shown. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaged paper processing apparatus, and more particularly, an imaged paper on which a meaningless image is superimposed and printed on the image so that the image printed on the paper is unreadable or difficult to read. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus.

Conventionally, used paper has been actively reused as raw paper raw material. As a waste paper raw material, quality and value are reduced by shredder processing, but a technique for solving the problem by melting is also known. However, although the melting process is highly confidential, since the paper is loaded in a state in which information can be read in the storage unit that stores the waste paper before melting, the paper loaded in the storage unit is extracted. In order to prevent leakage of information, it was necessary for the user to perform melting while confirming it and to ensure security during transportation.
In particular, in recent years after the enforcement of the Personal Information Protection Law, the information contained in used paper has been legally obligated to protect the information contained in the used paper, and the processing of used paper by shredder tends to increase. Recycling waste paper while saving space, easily and preventing confidential information without sacrificing value as a raw material has become an important issue.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique that makes an image unreadable or difficult to read by superimposing an image on an image as one of the post-processing steps on a sheet that has been printed by a sheet manual feed unit. According to this, the value as a raw paper raw material is not impaired, and the processed paper is made difficult to read in the confidential information even in the temporary disposal place, so that not only external but also internal users Also, confidentiality is improved.
JP 2001-228751 A

However, the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following two problems when an ordinary copying machine or FAX is actually operated as a post-processing apparatus with this configuration.
1) Since it is unclear whether it is necessary to consider the writing start position with respect to the reading position, it cannot be actually operated.
2) There is no structure for simultaneous reading of the front and back, and when post-processing is performed, processing operation for improving confidentiality can be realized only on one side.
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and makes all or part of the imaged information difficult or unreadable on so-called imaged paper after it has already been imaged. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image-formed paper processing apparatus that efficiently realizes improvement of information confidentiality without impairing the value as a paper recycling material.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides an image-formed sheet processing apparatus for concealing image information formed on a transfer paper, wherein the image carrier and an image on the image carrier are transferred to the transfer medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers to the paper; a paper feeding device that supplies the transfer paper to the image forming apparatus; an image forming surface reading unit that reads an image forming surface of the transfer paper; and the transfer Non-imaging surface reading means for reading a non-imaging surface of paper, and a concealment level selection means for selecting a concealment level for concealing image information formed on the transfer paper, the image forming surface reading means and the When the distance to the transfer means in the image forming apparatus is A and the distance from the writing position of the image carrier closest to the transfer means to the transfer means is B, the image plane reading is performed at a position where A ≧ B. Means, and the image plane reading means and / or non-image A signal generation unit that generates a write signal for image formation by the image forming apparatus based on the type of information on the transfer paper and the position of the information acquired by the surface reading unit, and the concealment selected by the concealment level selection unit Level changing means for changing the level of information interpretation incapable or difficult based on the level, and image information is present on the non-image-forming surface of the transfer paper read by the non-image-forming surface reading means In this case, a control means for controlling to issue an alarm is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image-formed paper processing apparatus that conceals the image information formed on the transfer paper, an image carrier, a transfer means for transferring an image on the image carrier to the transfer paper, and a duplex printing function are provided. An image forming apparatus, a paper feeding device that supplies the transfer paper to the image forming apparatus, an image forming surface reading unit that reads an image forming surface of the transfer paper, and a non-image forming surface that reads a non-image forming surface of the transfer paper. Image forming surface reading means, and a concealment level selecting means for selecting a concealment level for concealing the image information formed on the transfer paper, to the image forming surface reading means and the transfer means in the image forming apparatus. When the distance is A and the distance from the writing position of the image carrier closest to the transfer means to the transfer means is B, the image forming surface reading means is installed at a position where A ≧ B, and the image forming surface Acquired by reading means and / or non-imaging surface reading means Based on the type of information on the transfer paper and the position of the information, signal generation means for generating a writing signal for image formation by the image forming apparatus, and information interpretation based on the secret level selected by the secret level selection means Level changing means for changing the level of disabling or making difficult, and when image information is present on the non-image forming surface of the transfer paper read by the non-image forming surface reading means, the image forming While carrying out information concealment processing by the surface reading means, the transfer paper is introduced into the double-side reversal path, and information concealment processing is continuously performed on the non-image-forming surface side also based on information from the non-image-forming surface reading means. It is characterized by comprising control means for performing control so as to implement the above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the paper feeding device has a configuration capable of continuously feeding a plurality of transfer sheets.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image information cannot be read by the image forming surface reading unit and / or the non-image forming surface reading unit, the control unit does not execute information concealment processing.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming means constituting the image forming apparatus is constituted by a process cartridge.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control unit separates the discharge destination of the transfer paper on which the information concealment processing has been performed from the discharge destination of the transfer paper on which the information concealment processing has not been performed.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a filling area or a density of a filling pattern for concealing image information formed on the transfer paper.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image-formed paper processing apparatus that can realize the difficulty of reading according to the level of information secrecy required by the user and does not impair the value of reusing resources of paper. In addition, the non-imaging surface side is also read at the same time, and it is judged whether or not the information to be concealed is included in the information, so that the user is not supposed to conceal information. Information leakage can also be prevented when confidential information is included.
In addition, by reading the non-imaging surface side at the same time and determining whether it contains information that should be concealed, information concealment processing is possible regardless of whether the concealment information is contained on the front or back of the paper. Can be implemented.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general copying apparatus which is described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus 50, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor as the photoconductor unit 1 by the LD light emitted from the writing unit 2, and is developed as a toner image by the developing unit 3. The toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 4 by a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner applied to the primary transfer roller 5.
The image forming apparatus 50 of the present invention is a color image forming apparatus called a tandem type, and a combination of the photosensitive unit 1 and the developing unit 3 is arranged along the four sets of intermediate transfer belts 4. Toners of Y, M, C, and K are formed on the respective photoreceptors, and these toner images are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 4. The toner image created on the intermediate transfer belt 4 is transferred onto the paper transported in time by a bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 6, transported to the fixing unit 7, fixed, and fixed outside the apparatus. The paper is discharged.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image-formed sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention in which the confidential processing can be realized by using the image forming apparatus 50 as a post-processing apparatus. The same components will be described with the same reference numerals as in FIG. In this image-formed paper processing device 60, a reading means 31 capable of reading the front and back of the paper by one transport is formed between the manual feed tray (paper feeding device) 30 and the manual feed port of the image forming apparatus main body. Yes.
The reading means 31 includes means a (image forming surface reading means) for reading the image forming surface of the used paper and means b (non image forming surface reading means) for reading the non-image forming surface of the used paper. ing. When the used paper fed from the manual feed section 30 passes through the reading means 31, information on both sides is sent to a used paper information storage section (not shown). In this embodiment, the reading unit 31 is provided between the manual feed tray 30 and the manual feed port of the image forming apparatus main body, but may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 50.

  In other words, all or a part of the described information can be made difficult to read or unreadable on so-called image-formed paper after it has already been imaged. In order to provide an apparatus that efficiently realizes improvement of information confidentiality without damage, an image forming apparatus 50 that can perform image forming processing on paper, and a manual feed tray that can supply paper that has undergone image forming processing to the device 30 and an image forming apparatus 50 for forming an image on a sheet, and a reading means 31 for reading print information and image information on the sheet, at least on the image forming surface side of the sheet The sheet conveyance distance from the reading means (means a) to the secondary transfer roller 6 is A, and the layout distance B is along the image formation from the writing position of the photosensitive member closest to the secondary transfer roller 6 to the transfer. In this case, a reading means (means a) is provided at a position where A ≧ B, and a means (means b) for reading information on the non-imaging surface side of the paper is provided, and the information from the means b is processed in the same manner as the means a. By doing so, information leakage is prevented.

  In order to realize this, 1) an image forming apparatus 50 capable of performing image forming processing on paper, a manual feed tray 30 capable of supplying the image forming processed paper to the image forming apparatus 50, and the manual tray 30 and an image In an apparatus provided with a reading means 31 for reading print information and image information on paper between the forming apparatus 50 and the secondary transfer roller 6 (from the reading means (means a) facing at least the first image forming surface side. When the paper transport distance to the image forming unit on paper) is A, and the layout distance B along the image formation from the writing position of the photosensitive member closest to the secondary transfer roller 6 to the transfer (image forming unit on paper), A reading means (means a) is provided at a position where A ≧ B, and a means (means b) for reading information on the non-imaging surface side of the paper is provided. 2) It has a processing flow that allows the user to select the information concealment level in the paper. 3) It has a processing flow for generating a writing signal of the image forming means based on the information type and information position on the paper obtained by the reading means. 4) 2) The information can be fed back to 3) to change the information illegibility or difficulty level. 5) If it is determined from the information from the means b that there is information to be concealed on the non-imaging surface side of the paper, a processing flow for displaying a warning on the operation unit is provided.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image-formed paper processing apparatus that can realize the difficulty of reading in accordance with the information concealment level required by the user and that does not impair the resource recycling value of the paper. In addition, the non-imaging surface side is also read at the same time, and it is judged whether information that should be concealed is included in the warning, so that it is concealed on the surface where the user does not assume information concealment. Information leakage can be prevented even when information is included.
If the image forming apparatus 50 has a double-sided printing function, the above 5) is based on the information from the means b, and when it is determined that the information to be concealed exists on the non-image-forming side of the paper, While performing information concealment processing with information from means a on the image forming surface, paper is introduced into the double-side reversal path, and information concealment processing is continuously performed with information from means b also on the non-image forming side. To do.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image-formed paper processing apparatus that can realize the difficulty of reading in accordance with the information concealment level required by the user and that does not impair the resource recycling value of the paper. In addition, by reading the non-imaging surface side at the same time and determining whether it contains information that should be concealed, information concealment processing is possible regardless of whether the concealment information is contained on the front or back of the paper. Can be implemented.

FIG. 3 shows a distance A between the means a of the reading means 31 and a so-called secondary transfer roller 6 that forms an image on a sheet, and a distance B from the most downstream photoconductor writing position c to the secondary transfer roller 6. ing. Since the read signal is used as a reference for the most downstream photoconductor writing signal, a relationship of A ≧ B is required. This relationship does not apply to means b. Although not shown in the figure, as shown in the example of Patent Document 1, the user can select a necessary information secrecy level in advance.
That is, the image forming apparatus 50 capable of performing image forming processing on paper, the manual feed tray 30 capable of supplying the image forming processed paper to the image forming apparatus 50, and the manual feed tray 30 and a manual feed opening of the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming paper processing apparatus 60 provided with the reading means 31 for reading the printing information and image information on the paper, the paper conveyance distance from the means a to the secondary transfer roller 6 (image forming means on paper) is A, a position where A ≧ B when the layout distance B is along the image formation from the writing position c of the photoreceptor 1 closest to the secondary transfer roller 6 to the secondary transfer roller 6 (image forming means on paper). Means a.
By processing the read image information and creating a new image at a required location on the paper in accordance with the information confidentiality level required by the user, it becomes possible to make the reading difficult. In this embodiment, since the front and back sides are read at the time of paper feeding, confidential information that may exist on both sides of the paper is efficiently required by sequentially processing the first image → the second image. It becomes possible to conceal by level.

  FIG. 4 is a one-sided process flowchart for information concealment. First, paper is fed from the manual feed tray 30 in response to a request from the main body (S1). For the fed paper, image information data on the image forming surface side is acquired by means a of the reading means 31 (S2). Subsequently, image information data on the non-imaging surface side is acquired by means b of the reading means 31 (S3). The control unit first determines whether or not confidential information exists on the image forming surface side (S4). If the secret information exists (Yes in S4), it is determined whether the secret information exists on the non-imaging surface side (S5). If there is no confidential information on the non-imaging surface side (no in S5), the surface information concealment process is executed in accordance with a preset set concealment level, and the process is terminated (the surface concealment information deciphering process is performed). (S11). On the other hand, if there is confidential information on the non-imaging surface side in step S5 (yes in S5), if processing is in progress, the paper being imaged is discharged and the operation is interrupted (that is, confidential information is present). (S6) is stopped in a state before image formation) (S6). A warning message “There is information that is not concealed on the back side” is displayed on the operation unit (S7). Accordingly, the user selects to cancel or continue the process (S8). When canceling (stopped at S8), if there is a paper being fed, the paper is ejected and the image forming operation is terminated (Note that when confidential information is detected on a surface that is not assumed by the user, it is temporarily stopped. The user can select cancel) (S10).

On the other hand, in the case of continuation in step S8 (continuation in S8), surface information concealment processing is performed in accordance with the set concealment level (detected that there is concealment information on the surface that the user does not assume, and the user (S9) The processing is continued after the information is made known to the user (S9). If there is no confidential information on the image forming surface in step S4 (no in S4), it is determined whether there is confidential information on the non-imaging surface side (S13). If confidential information exists on the non-imaging surface side (yes in S13), if processing is in progress, the paper being imaged is discharged and the operation is interrupted (that is, the paper with confidential information is imaged). Stop in the previous state) (S14). A warning message “There is information not concealed on the back side” is displayed on the operation unit (S15). As a result, the user selects whether to stop or continue the process (the fact that there is confidential information on a surface that the user does not assume is detected and the processing is continued after the user is informed. Because there is no confidential information on the surface) (S16). (S16). When canceling (stopped at S16), if there is a paper being fed, the paper is discharged and the image forming operation is terminated. (If confidential information is detected on a surface that is not assumed by the user, it is temporarily stopped. The user can select cancellation (S18).
On the other hand, in the case of continuing in step S16 (continuing in S16), the information concealment processing is not performed (blank image formation) (S17). If no confidential information is present on the non-imaging surface side in step S13 (no in S13), information confidential processing is not performed (if it is determined that there is no confidential information on both the front and back sides, no image is created, or (Blank image creation) (Blank image creation) (S19).

FIG. 5 is a double-sided process flowchart for information concealment. First, paper is fed from the manual feed tray 30 in response to a request from the main body (S20). For the fed paper, the image information data on the image forming surface side is acquired by means a of the reading means 31 (S21).
Subsequently, image information data on the non-imaging surface side is acquired by means b of the reading means 31 (S22). The control unit first determines whether or not secret information exists on the image forming surface side (S23). If the secret information exists (Yes in S23), it is determined whether or not the secret information exists on the non-imaging surface side (S24). If there is no confidential information on the non-imaging surface side (no in S24), the information concealment process on the front and rear surfaces is performed in accordance with the preset concealment level and the process ends (the confidential information on the front surface is difficult to read). (S33). If it is set in advance, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge port for secret information processing (S27).
On the other hand, if confidential information exists on the non-imaging surface side in step S24 (yes in S24), the confidential processing is determined to be double-sided imaging (S25), and information confidential processing on the front and back surfaces is performed according to the set confidentiality level. (Detects that there is confidential information on the back side, and executes the double-sided image forming operation. After the front side confidential information obfuscation processing, the paper is reversely fed and the back side obfuscation processing is executed. (S26). Proceed to step S27.

  If there is no confidential information on the image forming surface in step S23 (no in S23), it is determined whether there is confidential information on the non-imaging surface side (S28). If confidential information is present on the non-imaging surface side (yes in S28), the confidential processing is determined to be double-sided imaging (S29), and no confidential processing is performed on the front surface (a process for stopping blank image formation or development is added). (S30). Then, front and back information concealment processing is performed in accordance with a preset concealment level, and the process proceeds to step S27 (reverse paper feeding is performed and back side information concealment processing is performed) (S31). On the other hand, if there is no confidential information on the non-imaging surface side in step S28 (no in S28), the process proceeds to step S27 without performing the information confidential processing (a process for stopping blank image formation or development may be included). (For paper determined to have no information to be concealed, control can be performed such that blank paper or development can be stopped) (S32).

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a general copying apparatus that is described as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image-formed sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention that can realize confidential processing using the image forming apparatus 50 as a post-processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the distance A of the means a of a reading part and a secondary transfer roller, and the distance B from the most downstream photoconductor writing position c to a secondary transfer roller. It is a single-sided process flowchart when information is concealed. It is a double-sided process flowchart when information is concealed.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive unit, 2 Writing unit, 3 Developing unit, 4 Intermediate transfer belt, 5 Primary transfer roller, 6 Secondary transfer roller, 7 Fixing unit, 8 Transfer cleaning member, 9 Toner cartridge, 11 Position mark roller, 21, 22 photosensors, 30 manual feed tray, 31 reading means, 50 image forming apparatus, 60 image-formed paper processing apparatus

Claims (7)

In an image-formed paper processing apparatus that conceals image information formed on transfer paper,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; and transfer means for transferring an image on the image carrier to the transfer paper;
A paper feeding device for supplying the transfer paper to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming surface reading means for reading the image forming surface of the transfer paper;
A non-image forming surface reading means for reading the non-image forming surface of the transfer paper;
Concealment level selection means for selecting a concealment level for concealing image information formed on the transfer paper,
Assuming that the distance from the image forming surface reading means to the transfer means in the image forming apparatus is A and the distance from the writing position of the image carrier closest to the transfer means to the transfer means is B, A ≧ B The image plane reading means is installed at the position
A signal for generating a writing signal for image formation by the image forming apparatus based on the type of information and the position of the information on the transfer paper obtained by the image forming surface reading unit and / or the non-image forming surface reading unit. And a level changing means for changing the level of disabling or difficulty of information interpretation based on the secret level selected by the secret level selecting means, and read by the non-imaging surface reading means. An image-formed sheet processing apparatus comprising control means for controlling to issue an alarm when image information is present on the non-image-forming surface of the transfer sheet. In an image-formed paper processing apparatus that conceals image information formed on transfer paper,
An image forming apparatus including an image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers an image on the image carrier to the transfer paper, and a double-sided printing function;
A paper feeding device for supplying the transfer paper to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming surface reading means for reading the image forming surface of the transfer paper;
A non-image forming surface reading means for reading the non-image forming surface of the transfer paper;
Concealment level selection means for selecting a concealment level for concealing image information formed on the transfer paper,
Assuming that the distance from the image forming surface reading means to the transfer means in the image forming apparatus is A and the distance from the writing position of the image carrier closest to the transfer means to the transfer means is B, A ≧ B The image plane reading means is installed at the position
A signal for generating a writing signal for image formation by the image forming apparatus based on the type of information and the position of the information on the transfer paper obtained by the image forming surface reading unit and / or the non-image forming surface reading unit. And a level changing means for changing the level of disabling or difficulty of information interpretation based on the secret level selected by the secret level selecting means, and read by the non-imaging surface reading means. When image information is present on the non-imaging surface of the transfer paper, the transfer paper is introduced into the double-side reversal path while performing information concealment processing by the imaging surface reading means, and continuously on the non-imaging surface side In contrast, an image-formed sheet processing apparatus comprising control means for performing control so as to perform information concealment processing based on information from the non-image-forming surface reading means.   The image-formed sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding device has a configuration capable of continuously feeding a plurality of transfer sheets.   3. The information concealment process is not executed when the image information cannot be read by the image forming surface reading unit and / or the non-image forming surface reading unit. The image-formed paper processing apparatus as described.   5. The image-formed sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming unit configuring the image forming apparatus is configured by a process cartridge.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit separates a discharge destination of the transfer paper on which the information concealment processing is performed from a discharge destination of the transfer paper on which the information concealment processing is not performed. Used paper processing device.   The image-formed sheet processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a filling area for concealing image information formed on the transfer paper or a density of a filling pattern can be selected. apparatus.

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