JP2011095790A - Deterioration detection device for information recording medium, washing device and printer including deterioration detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deterioration detection device for accurately detecting an information recording medium having deteriorated reversible recording layer, and also to provide a washing device and a printer each including the deterioration detection device. <P>SOLUTION: A deterioration detection device 8 for an information recording medium comprises: a scanner 9 which scans a measurement region comprising a print part printed in a reversible recording layer provided on one face of an information recording medium and a non-print part, and which transmits an output signal corresponding to a light reflectivity; and a detection control means 12 which generates the reflectivity value of the print part and/or non-print part from the output signal, and which verifies the deteriorating state of the reversible recording layer based on the reflectivity value of the print part and/or non-print part, and which, when it is determined that the reversible recording layer deteriorates, transmits a deterioration detection signal. The deterioration detection device 8 is also incorporated in the washing device or the printer, and before or after washing by the washing device, or after printing by the printer, the deteriorating state of the reversible recording layer 7 is verified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a deterioration detection device for detecting deterioration of a reversible recording layer provided on one surface of a base material of an information recording medium, and a cleaning device and printer provided with the deterioration detection device.

  An RFID type information recording medium consisting of a non-contact type IC card or RFID tag used in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system has an IC chip and an antenna disposed in a substrate, and an input / output device (reader / writer) It is equipped with a function that can send and receive signals such as commands and data in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic waves, and generate an induced electromotive force in the effective electromagnetic wave zone radiated by the antenna on the input / output device side. Therefore, it is convenient to use without batteries, has a large data storage capacity, and is excellent in security. In recent years, it has become a transportation / leisure field, logistics field, security field, factory production field, environmental field, etc. Has been introduced in a wide range of fields.

  In such an RFID type information recording medium, in order to know the information stored in the memory provided in the IC chip, it is necessary to perform a reading process by the input / output device, and it cannot be directly visually observed. Accordingly, various proposals have been made in which a reversible recording layer is provided on one surface of a substrate so that information relating to data stored in a memory can be reversibly rewritten and displayed as visible information (for example, patents) References 1 and 2).

JP 2006-244013 A JP 2004-265247 A

  By the way, the reversible recording layer provided on one surface of the base material deteriorates more or less under the influence of the use environment, and there is a problem that printing becomes thin or unerased. In order to cope with this problem, conventionally, the number of times of use is managed based on the rewrite history stored in the memory of the IC chip to determine the disposal time. In this case, the deterioration of the reversible recording layer is not uniform among the information recording media, and the degree of deterioration varies depending on the use environment. However, it has been a problem of being discarded, or conversely, it has not been disposed of even though it is severely degraded.

  On the other hand, in production management mainly in factories, in addition to the above-described RFID type information recording medium, only a reversible recording layer is provided on one side of a substrate, and visible information is reversibly rewritten on the reversible recording layer. A non-RFID type information recording medium for display is also used. In such an information recording medium, deterioration management based on the above-described RFID type rewrite history cannot be performed, and the user has no choice but to judge the deterioration state by visual observation. It was something that forced us.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and is a deterioration detection device capable of accurately detecting an information recording medium having a deteriorated reversible recording layer, and a cleaning device and a printer including the deterioration detection device. Is intended to provide.

  The present invention relates to an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate, and a measurement region comprising a printing portion and a non-printing portion printed on the reversible recording layer. A scanner that outputs an output signal corresponding to the light reflectance, and generates a reflectance value of the printing unit and / or non-printing unit from the output signal, and the reflectance of the printing unit and / or non-printing unit An information recording medium comprising: a detection control unit that verifies the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer based on the value and that sends a deterioration detection signal when it is determined that the deterioration has occurred. It is a deterioration detection device.

  Here, as the information recording medium, an RFID type information recording medium comprising an IC chip and an antenna in a base material and a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of the base material, Any non-RFID type information recording medium provided with only a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of the substrate may be used. In addition, the reversible recording layer may be suitably used so that the non-printing portion exhibits white and the printing portion exhibits black.

  In the information recording medium deterioration detection device, the control content of the detection control means determining that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. Proposed configurations are proposed.

  In addition, a configuration is proposed in which the detection control means includes a control content that determines that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the maximum reflectance value of the measurement region is equal to or less than a preset threshold value.

  Further, the detection control unit divides the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region by the maximum reflectance value, and determines that the reversible recording layer has deteriorated when the obtained value is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. A configuration with control content is proposed.

  Further, the detection control means subtracts the minimum reflectance value from the maximum reflectance value of the measurement region, and determines that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the obtained value is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. A configuration with content is proposed.

  The present invention also provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate before reuse. The measurement area is scanned by the scanner of the deterioration detection device before or after cleaning of the information recording medium on which the reversible recording layer is printed, and the reversibility is detected by the detection control means. A cleaning device that detects deterioration of a recording layer.

  The present invention also relates to a printer for printing on a reversible recording layer of an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate, the information recording described above A printer comprising a medium deterioration detection device, wherein after the printing, a measurement region is scanned by a scanner of the deterioration detection device, and the deterioration of the reversible recording layer is detected by a detection control means.

  As described above, the present invention relates to an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate, and a printing portion and a non-printing portion printed on the reversible recording layer. A scanner that scans the measurement area and outputs an output signal corresponding to the light reflectance, and generates a reflectance value of the printing unit and / or non-printing unit from the output signal, and the printing unit and / or non-printing unit Deterioration of an information recording medium provided with a detection control unit that verifies the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer based on the reflectance value of the printing unit and sends a deterioration detection signal when it is determined to be deteriorated Since it is a detection device, the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer is determined for each information recording medium, and the information recording medium in which the reversible recording layer has deteriorated can be accurately detected. Then, by operating the notification means that emits light or sound based on the deterioration detection signal sent from the detection control means, it is possible to notify that the information recording medium in which the reversible recording layer has deteriorated has been detected. . Further, when the information recording medium is transported by the transport path having the sorting means, the sorting means is operated based on the deterioration detection signal sent from the detection control means so that the transport path is switched to the removal path side. Then, the information recording medium having a deteriorated reversible recording layer can be removed.

  In the information recording medium deterioration detection device, the control content of the detection control means determining that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. In the provided configuration, the deterioration of the reversible recording layer can be detected based on the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region.

  Further, if the detection control means has a control content that determines that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the maximum reflectance value of the measurement region is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, Degradation of the reversible recording layer can be detected based on the maximum reflectance value of the area.

  Further, the detection control unit divides the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region by the maximum reflectance value, and determines that the reversible recording layer has deteriorated when the obtained value is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. In the configuration having the control content, the deterioration of the reversible recording layer can be detected based on the ratio of the minimum reflectance value to the maximum reflectance value of the measurement region.

  Further, the detection control means subtracts the minimum reflectance value from the maximum reflectance value of the measurement region, and determines that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the obtained value is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. In the configuration having the contents, the deterioration of the reversible recording layer can be detected based on the difference between the maximum reflectance value and the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region.

  The present invention also provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate before reuse. The measurement area is scanned by the scanner of the deterioration detection device before or after cleaning of the information recording medium on which the reversible recording layer is printed, and the reversibility is detected by the detection control means. Since it is a cleaning device that detects the deterioration of the recording layer, it is not necessary to secure another installation place as compared with the case where the deterioration detection device is used alone, and the information recording medium in which the reversible recording layer is deteriorated is stored in the cleaning device. Can be detected. In addition, since the deterioration of the reversible recording layer can be detected before the subsequent supply to the printer, the supply of the information recording medium having the deteriorated reversible recording layer to the printer can be prevented. .

  The present invention also relates to a printer for printing on a reversible recording layer of an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate, the information recording described above Since the printer comprises a medium deterioration detection device, scans a measurement region with a scanner of the deterioration detection device after printing, and detects deterioration of the reversible recording layer by a detection control means, the deterioration detection device is used alone. It is not necessary to secure another installation place as compared with the case of using, and an information recording medium having a deteriorated reversible recording layer can be detected in the printer. In addition, since the deterioration of the reversible recording layer included in the information recording medium can be detected before actually using the information recording medium printed on the reversible recording layer, the reversible recording layer is deteriorated. The use of the recorded information recording medium can be prevented beforehand.

(A) is a partially cutaway plan view of the RFID type information recording medium 1a, (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the information recording medium 1a, and (C) is a longitudinal sectional view of the non-RFID type information recording medium 1a. . 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a deterioration detection device 8. FIG. It is a flowchart of a degradation verification process. It is the scan profile which showed the change of each reflectance value for every predetermined time as a graph. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a cleaning device 17. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer 29. FIG.

Below, the 1st Example of this invention is described based on FIGS. 1-4.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the information recording medium 1a includes an IC chip 3 and a loop antenna 4 electrically connected to the IC chip 3 in a flat plate-like base material 2. The reversible recording layer 7 is provided on one surface of the substrate 2. Here, the base material 2 is composed of a pair of upper and lower synthetic resin sheet materials 2a and 2b, which are laminated with an insulating substrate 5 carrying an IC chip 3 and a loop antenna 4 interposed therebetween, and an adhesive layer 6 is formed. It is integrated through. The reversible recording layer 7 is composed of various rewritable layers capable of repeatedly printing visible information by heat, magnetism, or electric charge, and a non-printing portion that exhibits white and a printing portion that exhibits black can be suitably used. . A transparent overcoat layer (not shown) for protecting the reversible recording layer 7 is provided on the reversible recording layer 7 as necessary.

  The information recording medium 1a is a non-contact type batteryless type capable of transmitting and receiving signals such as commands and data in a non-contact manner using an electromagnetic wave with an input / output device (reader / writer) (not shown). In the memory (not shown) provided in the IC chip 3, required data is stored in a rewritable manner through communication with the input / output device. Further, on the reversible recording layer 7 provided on one surface of the substrate 2, visible information regarding the required data is displayed by letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, etc. by printing with a predetermined printing device. As an information recording medium applicable in the present invention, only the reversible recording layer 7 is provided on one surface of the substrate 2 as shown in FIG. 1C, in addition to the above-described RFID type information recording medium 1a. And a non-RFID type information recording medium 1b that reversibly rewrites and displays visible information made up of characters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, and the like on the reversible recording layer 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the deterioration detection device 8 for detecting the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer 7 included in the information recording media 1a and 1b includes a scanner 9, an amplifier circuit 10, an analog / digital conversion circuit 11, and a detection control means 12. , Notification means 13 is provided. Moreover, it is good also as what has the drive means 14, such as a solenoid and a motor, as needed.

  The scanner 9 scans a measurement area composed of a printing portion and a non-printing portion printed on the reversible recording layer 7 and sends an output signal corresponding to the light reflectance. The output signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 10, converted to a digital signal by the analog / digital conversion circuit 11, and input to the main control board 15 constituting the detection control means 12.

  The detection control means 12 includes a main control board 15 composed of a microcomputer, and a central control unit CPU for executing overall control relating to deterioration detection is disposed on the board circuit of the main control board 15. ing. A storage device RAM that can read and write necessary data as needed is connected to the central control unit CPU via a data bus (not shown) that exchanges data. Further, the storage device ROM is connected to the central control unit CPU via an address bus (not shown) that unilaterally transmits information for designating an address. Here, the storage device ROM stores operation data used for arithmetic processing and fixed data such as various threshold values. On the other hand, the storage device RAM is provided with a storage area, a register area constituting a soft timer, a work area, and the like.

  Further, the board circuit of the main control board 15 is provided with a clock device (not shown) that outputs a predetermined clock pulse, and is connected to the central control unit CPU. The central control unit CPU performs arithmetic processing in time series by using clock pulses at regular intervals, and sequentially executes a series of processing operations.

  Also, the board circuit of the main control board 15 is provided with an input port (not shown) and an output port (not shown) through which the central control unit CPU performs data communication with peripheral devices, via the output port. A control command signal as a deterioration detection signal is transmitted from the main control board 15 to the operation control board 16, and the operation control board 16 operates the notification means 13 including a buzzer, a lamp and the like. In the case where the drive means 14 is provided, the drive means 14 such as a solenoid and a motor is operated by the operation control board 16 that receives the control command signal from the main control board 15. A scanner 9 is connected to an input port of the main control board 15 via an analog-digital conversion circuit 11 and an amplifier circuit 10. Further, an operation panel for operating the deterioration detection device 8 is also connected.

Next, deterioration verification processing of the reversible recording layer 7 by the detection control means 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When scanning of the measurement area of the reversible recording layer 7 is started by the scanner 9 (S001), the output signal is input to the main control board 15 via the amplifier circuit 10 and the analog-digital conversion circuit 11. Here, when the printed portion printed on the reversible recording layer 7 is black and the non-printed portion is white, the white non-printed portion has a higher light reflectance than the black printed portion. The output voltage of the scanner 9 increases, and conversely, the black printed portion has a low light reflectivity and the output voltage of the scanner 9 is lower than that of the white non-printed portion. Using the change in the output signal due to the voltage difference, the main control board 15 calculates a reflectance value for every predetermined time (for example, every 2 msec) by a predetermined calculation process and sequentially stores it in the storage device RAM (S002). Next, the minimum reflectance value Rmin and the maximum reflectance value Rmax are selected from the reflectance values stored in the storage device RAM (S003). Incidentally, FIG. 4 is a scan profile in which the change of each reflectance value for each predetermined time is shown as a graph. The portion having the smallest reflectance value on this scan profile is the minimum reflectance value Rmin. The place with the largest value is the maximum reflectance value Rmax. Next, it is determined whether or not the minimum reflectance value Rmin is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value A (S004). This is to determine whether or not the black color of the print portion is thin. Generally, if the minimum reflectance value Rmin is 20% or more, the reversible recording layer 7 is suspected of being deteriorated. Therefore, in step (S004), the threshold A is set to 20%, and if the minimum reflectance value Rmin is 20% or more, it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated, and the main control board 15 determines the deterioration detection signal. Is sent to the operation control board 16 (S005). Then, after the notification means 13 is operated by the operation control board 16 that has received the control command signal (S006), the process is terminated.

  If the minimum reflectance value Rmin is not greater than or equal to the threshold value A in step (S004), it is determined whether or not the maximum reflectance value Rmax is less than or equal to a preset threshold value B (S007). This is to determine whether or not the white color of the non-printing portion is darkened due to the disappearance or deterioration of the previous printing. Generally, if the maximum reflectance value Rmax is 70% or less, the reversible recording layer 7 is deteriorated. Suspected. Therefore, in step (S007), the threshold value B is set to 70%, and if the maximum reflectance value Rmax is 70% or less, it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated, and the main control board 15 determines the deterioration detection signal. Is sent to the operation control board 16 (S005). Then, after the notification means 13 is operated by the operation control board 16 that has received the control command signal (S006), the process is terminated.

  If the maximum reflectance value Rmax is not less than or equal to the threshold value B in step (S007), the minimum reflectance value Rmin is divided by the maximum reflectance value Rmax, and the obtained value is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value C. It is determined whether or not (S008). This is determined by the ratio of the minimum reflectance value Rmin to the maximum reflectance value Rmax. Generally, when the minimum reflectance value Rmin is 50% or more of the maximum reflectance value Rmax, the reversible recording layer 7 is deteriorated. Is suspected. Therefore, in step (S008), the threshold C is set to 50%, and if the value obtained by dividing the minimum reflectance value Rmin by the maximum reflectance value Rmax is 50% or more, it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated. The main control board 15 sends a control command signal as a deterioration detection signal to the operation control board 16 (S005). Then, after the notification means 13 is operated by the operation control board 16 that has received the control command signal (S006), the process is terminated.

  If the value obtained by dividing the minimum reflectance value Rmin by the maximum reflectance value Rmax in step (S008) is not equal to or greater than the threshold value C, the minimum reflectance value Rmin is subtracted from the maximum reflectance value Rmax, and the obtained value is It is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than a preset threshold value D (S009). This is based on the difference between the maximum reflectance value Rmax and the minimum reflectance value Rmin, and generally the deterioration of the reversible recording layer 7 is suspected if the difference is 20% or less. Therefore, in step (S009), the threshold D is set to 20%, and if the value obtained by subtracting the minimum reflectance value Rmin from the maximum reflectance value Rmax is 20% or less, it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated. The main control board 15 sends a control command signal as a deterioration detection signal to the operation control board 16 (S005). Then, after the notification means 13 is operated by the operation control board 16 that has received the control command signal (S006), the process is terminated.

  If the value obtained by subtracting the minimum reflectance value Rmin from the maximum reflectance value Rmax in step (S009) is not less than or equal to the threshold value D, it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 is not deteriorated, and the process is terminated.

  Note that the thresholds A, B, C, and D as determination criteria used for determining the deterioration of the reversible recording layer 7 described above can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the deterioration verification of the reversible recording layer 7 in which the printing portion exhibits black and the non-printing portion exhibits white has been described. ) Or a reversible recording layer in which the printed portion exhibits white and the non-printed portion exhibits blue, the deterioration can be verified by appropriately setting the thresholds A, B, C, and D. Is possible.

  As described above, according to the deterioration detection device 8 according to the present invention, the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer 7 is automatically determined for each information recording medium 1a or information recording medium 1b, and the reversible recording layer 7 is deteriorated. The detected information recording medium 1a or information recording medium 1b can be accurately detected. As a result, when the deterioration of the reversible recording layer 7 is centrally managed based on the rewriting history stored in the memory of the IC chip as in the prior art, it is discarded even though it has not deteriorated. It is possible to solve the problem of not being discarded even though the deterioration is severe. In addition, the burden on the user when the deterioration is visually determined is eliminated.

  Further, if the notification means 13 that emits light or sound is activated based on the deterioration detection signal sent from the detection control means 12, the information recording medium 1a or the information recording medium 1b in which the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated can be obtained. Detection can be reported. Further, as will be described later, when the information recording medium 1a or the information recording medium 1b is transported by a transport path provided with a sorting means, the sorting means is operated based on a deterioration detection signal sent from the detection control means 12. If the conveyance path is switched to the removal path side, the information recording medium 1a or the information recording medium 1b having the deteriorated reversible recording layer 7 can be automatically removed from the conveyance path.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the information recording medium 1a or the information recording medium 1b (see FIG. 1) in which the reversible recording layer 7 capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of the substrate 2 is washed before reuse. The above-described deterioration detection device 8 is incorporated into a cleaning device for this purpose.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning device 17 includes a cradle 18, a cleaning roll brush 19, a water absorption roller 20, a drying fan 21, a scanner 9, a movable guide plate 22, an erasing head, which are arranged in order from the front along the conveyance path. 23, an input / output device (reader / writer) 24, and a non-defective product collecting tray 25. A defective product collection tray 27 is disposed on the removal guide 26 side of the movable guide plate 22, and the detection control means 12 is connected to the scanner 9. A plurality of feed rollers 28 for moving the information recording medium 1a or the information recording medium 1b toward the rear of the transport path are disposed at a required position on the transport path. The feed roller 28 and the cleaning roll brush 19 are arranged. The water absorption roller 20 and the drying fan 21 are rotationally driven by a plurality of motors (not shown). Further, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning roll brush 19 by supply means (not shown). The movable guide plate 22 is provided with a drive means 14 composed of a solenoid. When a deterioration detection signal is sent from the detection control means 12, the drive means 14 is actuated so that the movable guide plate 22 is moved to the information recording medium 1a or information. The recording medium 1b is switched to be sent to the removal path 26 side. The movable guide plate 22 and the drive means 14 constitute a sorting means. The scanner 9 and the detection control means 12 constitute an information recording medium deterioration detection device 8.

  In such a configuration, the used information recording medium 1a or information recording medium 1b (hereinafter collectively referred to as the information recording medium 1a and the like) supplied onto the cradle 18 with the reversible recording layer 7 facing upward. Are sequentially conveyed from the front to the rear through the feeding action of each feeding roller 28. Along with this conveyance, the information recording medium 1 a and the like are cleaned by the cleaning roll brush 19, and then the cleaning liquid is wiped off by the water absorption roller 20 and dried by the drying fan 21. Next, when the measurement region of the reversible recording layer 7 is scanned by the scanner 9 and the output signal is input to the detection control unit 12, the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer 7 is verified by the detection control unit 12. Here, if it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 is deteriorated, the driving means 14 is operated by the deterioration detection signal sent from the detection control means 12 and the movable guide plate 22 is switched to the removal path 26 side. . Thereby, the information recording medium 1 a and the like whose reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated is sent to the defective product collection tray 27 through the removal path 26. A passage sensor (not shown) is provided in the removal path 26, and when the passage of the information recording medium 1a or the like is detected by the passage sensor, the movable guide plate 22 returns to the original position. On the other hand, if it is determined by the detection control means 12 that the reversible recording layer 7 is not deteriorated, the information recording medium 1a and the like are sent to the erasing head 23, and the printing portion printed on the reversible recording layer 7 is erased. The Further, in the RFID type information recording medium 1a, the information stored in the memory is erased by the input / output device 24 and then sent to the non-defective product collecting tray 25.

  Thus, in the cleaning device 17 provided with the information recording medium deterioration detection device 8, it is not necessary to secure another installation place as compared with the case where the deterioration detection device 8 is used alone, and reversible recording is performed. The information recording medium 1a and the like in which the layer 7 has deteriorated can be detected in the cleaning device 17. Further, since the deterioration of the reversible recording layer 7 can be detected before the subsequent supply to the printer, the supply to the printer of the information recording medium 1a or the like in which the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated can be prevented. can do.

  In this second embodiment, the measurement area of the reversible recording layer 7 is scanned after the information recording medium 1a and the like are cleaned. Instead, the scanner 9 and the movable roller 9 are moved in front of the cleaning roll brush 19. A guide plate 22 may be provided to detect deterioration before cleaning with the cleaning roll brush 19. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the waste of cleaning the information recording medium 1a and the like in which the reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the reversible recording of an information recording medium 1a or information recording medium 1b (see FIG. 1) in which a reversible recording layer 7 capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate 2 is provided. The above-described deterioration detection device 8 is incorporated in a printer that prints on the layer 7.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 29 includes a supply tray 30, a supply roller 31, an erasing head 23, an input / output device (reader / writer) 24 a, a print head 32, an input / output arranged in order from the front along the conveyance path. An apparatus (reader / writer) 24b, a scanner 9, a movable guide plate 22, and a discharge tray 33 are provided. A defective product collection tray 27 is disposed on the removal guide 26 side of the movable guide plate 22, and the detection control means 12 is connected to the scanner 9. A plurality of feed rollers 28 for moving the information recording medium 1a and the like toward the rear of the transport path are disposed at required positions on the transport path, and the feed roller 28 and the supply roller 31 are not illustrated. Each is driven to rotate by a motor. Further, the movable guide plate 22 is provided with a drive means 14 composed of a solenoid, and when a deterioration detection signal is sent from the detection control means 12, the drive means 14 is operated and the movable guide plate 22 is moved to the information recording medium 1a. Are sent to the removal path 26 side. The movable guide plate 22 and the drive means 14 constitute a sorting means. The scanner 9 and the detection control means 12 constitute an information recording medium deterioration detection device 8.

  In such a configuration, the information recording media 1a and the like stacked in the supply tray 30 with the reversible recording layer 7 facing upward are moved one by one from the bottom to the transport path by the rotation of the supply roller 31. Supplied and sequentially conveyed from the front to the rear through the feeding action of each feeding roller 28. Along with this conveyance, the information recording medium 1 a and the like are erased by the erasing head 23 at the previous printing portion printed on the reversible recording layer 7. Further, in the RFID type information recording medium 1a, the information stored in the memory is erased by the input / output device 24a. Next, visible information is printed on the reversible recording layer 7 by the print head 32. In the RFID type information recording medium 1a, necessary information is stored in the memory by the input / output device 24b. Next, when the measurement region of the reversible recording layer 7 is scanned by the scanner 9 and the output signal is input to the detection control unit 12, the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer 7 is verified by the detection control unit 12. Here, if it is determined that the reversible recording layer 7 is deteriorated, the driving means 14 is operated by the deterioration detection signal sent from the detection control means 12 and the movable guide plate 22 is switched to the removal path 26 side. . Thereby, the information recording medium 1 a and the like whose reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated is sent to the defective product collection tray 27 through the removal path 26. A passage sensor (not shown) is provided in the removal path 26, and when the passage of the information recording medium 1a or the like is detected by the passage sensor, the movable guide plate 22 returns to the original position. On the other hand, when it is determined by the detection control means 12 that the reversible recording layer 7 is not deteriorated, the information recording medium 1a and the like are sent to the discharge tray 33, and then used.

  Thus, in the printer 29 provided with the deterioration detection device 8 for the information recording medium, it is not necessary to secure another installation place as compared with the case where the deterioration detection device 8 is used alone, and the reversible recording layer. 7 can be detected in the printer 29. In addition, before actually using the information recording medium 1a or the like on which the reversible recording layer 7 is printed, it is possible to detect deterioration of the reversible recording layer 7 included in the information recording medium 1a or the like. It is possible to prevent the use of the information recording medium 1a or the like whose reversible recording layer 7 has deteriorated.

  In this third embodiment, the printer 29 includes the erasing head 23 and the input / output device 24a. However, when used with the cleaning device 17 of the second embodiment, the erasing head 23 provided in the cleaning device 17 is used. In addition, since the information stored in the printing unit and the memory at the previous use is erased by the input / output device 24, the erasing head 23 and the input / output device 24a of the printer 29 can be removed.

1a, 1b Information recording medium 2 Base material 7 Reversible recording layer 8 Deterioration detection device 9 Scanner 12 Detection control means 17 Cleaning device 29 Printer Rmin Minimum reflectance value Rmax Maximum reflectance value

Claims (7)

By scanning a measurement area consisting of a printed part and a non-printed part printed on the reversible recording layer of an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of the substrate. A scanner that sends out an output signal according to the light reflectance;
A reflectance value of the printing unit and / or non-printing part is generated from the output signal, and the deterioration state of the reversible recording layer is verified based on the reflectance value of the printing unit and / or non-printing part. An information recording medium deterioration detection apparatus, comprising: a detection control means for transmitting a deterioration detection signal when it is determined that the information recording medium is detected.   The detection control means comprises control details for determining that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. Deterioration detection device for the described information recording medium.   The detection control means comprises control details for determining that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the maximum reflectance value of the measurement region is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. The information recording medium deterioration detection apparatus according to claim 2.   Content of control for detecting that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the detection control means divides the minimum reflectance value of the measurement region by the maximum reflectance value and the obtained value is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value The apparatus for detecting deterioration of an information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The detection control means subtracts the minimum reflectance value from the maximum reflectance value of the measurement area, and determines the control content to determine that the reversible recording layer is deteriorated when the obtained value is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. 5. The information recording medium deterioration detecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an information recording medium deterioration detecting apparatus according to claim 1. A cleaning device for cleaning an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate before reuse,
6. The information recording medium deterioration detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is printed on the reversible recording layer before or after the information recording medium is cleaned. A cleaning device, wherein a measurement region is scanned by a scanner of a detection device, and deterioration of the reversible recording layer is detected by a detection control means. A printer that prints on a reversible recording layer of an information recording medium provided with a reversible recording layer capable of repeatedly printing visible information on one surface of a substrate,
6. The information recording medium deterioration detecting device according to claim 1, comprising the information recording medium deterioration detecting device, wherein a measurement area is scanned by a scanner of the deterioration detecting device after printing, and reversible recording is performed by a detection control means. A printer characterized by detecting deterioration of a layer.

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