JP2012114638A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing data of a manuscript by deterioration when information for releasing the restriction of printing of the manuscript is not inputted.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes: a manuscript reading part 123 capable of reading a manuscript and printing restriction information embedded in the manuscript in order to restrict the printing of a prescribed portion of the manuscript; an HDD 240 for storing data of the manuscript and the printing restriction information which are read by the manuscript reading part 123; a keyboard 250 for receiving the input of printing restriction release information for releasing the printing restriction of the prescribed part of the manuscript by the printing restriction information; an image formation part 110 for printing the data of the manuscript stored in the HDD 240 on a sheet; and a CPU 210 for comparing the printing restriction information with the printing restriction release information to thereby control the printing of the data of the manuscript by the image formation part 110.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes printing while protecting data of an original in which information for restricting printing is embedded.

  In recent years, it has become possible to obtain high-quality printed matter from original documents by improving scanning technology and printing technology. On the other hand, regarding a manuscript including a face photograph, there are problems of portrait rights and personal information protection. However, the above scanning technique and printing technique can easily print a manuscript including a face photograph etc. with high image quality. It is possible.

  Therefore, it is possible to print without maintaining the image quality that is almost the same as the original without permission from the right holder of the portrait right, and to use it elsewhere. Has occurred.

  Therefore, a technique is disclosed in which printing restriction information such as a digital watermark is embedded in a document to restrict printing when the document is printed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-241938 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a document in which printing restriction information such as digital watermark is embedded cannot be printed unless information for canceling the printing restriction is input. Therefore, there is a problem that printing cannot be uniformly performed even when the photograph of the face in the document is not the purpose, or when it is desired to print the document even if the resolution of the face photograph is lowered.

  Accordingly, in view of the above-described problems, the object of the present invention is that when information for restricting printing of an original is embedded in the original and information for canceling the print restriction is not input, the data of the original is stored. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing with deterioration.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a document reading unit, a storage unit, an input unit, an image forming unit, and a control unit.

  The document reading unit can read the document and print restriction information embedded in the document to restrict printing of a predetermined portion of the document. The storage unit stores document data read by the document reading unit and printing restriction information. The input unit accepts input of print restriction release information for releasing the print restriction of a predetermined portion of the document by the print restriction information. The image forming unit prints the document data stored in the storage unit on a sheet. The control unit compares the print restriction information with the print restriction release information, and controls printing of document data by the image forming unit based on the comparison result.

  The control unit performs the first control, the second control, or the third control. The first control is a control for printing the document data stored in the storage unit by the image forming unit when it is determined that the print restriction information is not embedded in the document read by the document reading unit. When the second control determines that the print restriction information is embedded in the document read by the document reading unit, the second control waits until the predetermined information is input to the input unit, and the predetermined information is the print restriction release information. When the determination is made, the document data stored in the storage unit is printed by the image forming unit. When the third control determines that the print restriction information is embedded in the document read by the document reading unit, the third control waits until the predetermined information is input to the input unit, and the predetermined information is not the print restriction release information. When the determination is made, the control is such that at least a predetermined portion of the image whose printing is restricted by the printing restriction information is deteriorated and can be printed.

  In this configuration, when printing a document in which print restriction information is embedded, if the predetermined information input to the input unit is not the print restriction release information, the predetermined print whose print restriction is restricted by the print restriction information. The image of the part can be deteriorated and printed.

  Therefore, when the user who wants to print the document in which the print restriction information is embedded does not acquire the print restriction release information, the printing of the predetermined part is not intended or the image of the predetermined part is deteriorated. If so, the user can acquire a printed matter in which the image of the predetermined portion has deteriorated.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when information for restricting printing of an original is embedded in the original and information for canceling the print restriction is not input, the data of the original is degraded and printed. be able to.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents during document printing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating warning contents when printing an original in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printing mode selection screen when printing an original in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter printed in an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter printed in an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter printed in an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter printed in an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter printed in an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 forms a multi-color or single-color image on a predetermined sheet (recording paper) in accordance with image data transmitted from the outside. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document processing device 120, a paper feeding unit 80, an image forming unit 110, and a paper discharge unit 90.

  The document processing device 120 includes a document placement table 121, a document transport device 122, and a document reading unit 123. The document placing table 121 is made of transparent glass and is configured to be able to place a document. The document transport device 122 transports the documents stacked on the document tray one by one. Further, the document conveying device 122 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow 124, and the document can be placed on the document placing table 121 by opening the document placing table 121. The document reading unit 123 reads a document being transported by the document transport device 122 or a document placed on the document placing table 122.

  The paper feed unit 80 is provided with a paper feed cassette 81, a manual paper feed cassette 82, a pickup roller 83, and a pickup roller 84. The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing regular sheets. The manual paper feed cassette 82 is a tray on which an irregular sheet can be placed. The pickup roller 83 is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 81, picks up sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette 81, and supplies them to the paper transport path 101. Similarly, the pickup roller 84 is provided in the vicinity of the end of the manual paper feed cassette 82, picks up sheets one by one from the manual paper feed cassette 82, and supplies them to the paper transport path 101.

  The image forming unit 110 includes image forming stations 31, 32, 33, 34, an exposure unit 30, an intermediate transfer belt unit 50, and a fixing unit 70. Each of the image forming stations 31, 32, 33, and 34 is provided with a photosensitive drum 10, a charger 20, a developing device 40, and a cleaner unit 60. Black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and magenta (M) are provided. This corresponds to a color image using each color of yellow (Y). In the present embodiment, the image forming station 31 will be described.

  The photoconductor drum 10 is rotated when an image is formed and carries a developer image. Around the photosensitive drum 10, the charger 20, the exposure unit 30, the developing device 40, the intermediate transfer belt unit 50, and the cleaner unit 60 are arranged in this order from the upstream in the rotation direction. The fixing unit 70 is positioned on the most downstream side of the image forming unit 110 on the conveyance path 101.

  The charger 20 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to a predetermined potential. In addition to the charger type as shown in FIG. 1, a contact type roller type or brush type charger is used. Sometimes used.

  The exposure unit 30 has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface thereof by exposing the charged photosensitive drum 10 according to the input image data. The exposure unit 30 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser emitting portion, a reflection mirror, and the like. The exposure unit 30 includes a polygon mirror that scans the laser beam and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror that guide the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 10. As the exposure unit 30, for example, a method using an EL or LED writing head in which other light emitting elements are arranged in an array can also be adopted.

  The developing device 40 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 with toner.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 52, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 53, an intermediate transfer roller 54, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 55.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 52, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 53, and the intermediate transfer roller 54 are driven to rotate while the intermediate transfer belt 51 is stretched. Further, the intermediate transfer roller 54 gives a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 onto the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  The intermediate transfer belt 51 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51, thereby forming a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51. The intermediate transfer belt 51 is formed in an endless shape using, for example, a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 10 to the intermediate transfer belt 51 is performed by an intermediate transfer roller 54 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 51. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 54 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 54 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm, and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 51. In this embodiment, a roller shape is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can also be used.

  The electrostatic latent images visualized on the photosensitive drum 10 as described above are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 51. The image information stacked in this way is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 56 disposed at the contact position between the sheet and the intermediate transfer belt 51 as the intermediate transfer belt 51 rotates.

  At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the transfer roller 56 are pressed against each other at a predetermined nip, and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the paper is applied to the transfer roller 56 (the polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)). (+) High voltage). Further, in order to obtain the nip constantly, the transfer roller 56 uses either the transfer roller 56 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 52 as a hard material (metal or the like) and the other as a soft material such as an elastic roller (elastic rubber roller). Or a foaming resin roller or the like.

  Further, as described above, the toner adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 51 by contacting the photosensitive drum 10 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 51 without being transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 56 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51. It is set to be removed and collected by the cleaning unit 55. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 55 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 51 as a cleaning member. The intermediate transfer belt 51 that contacts the cleaning blade is supported by an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 53 from the back side. ing.

  The cleaner unit 60 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after development and image transfer.

  The fixing unit 70 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, and the heating roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 rotate with the sheet interposed therebetween. The heating roller 71 is set so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature by a control unit based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner is thermocompression bonded to the sheet together with the pressure roller 72. It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the transferred toner image and thermally fixing the sheet. An external heating belt 73 for heating the heating roller 71 from the outside is provided.

  The paper discharge unit 90 includes a paper discharge tray 91 and a paper discharge roller 92. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged to a discharge tray 91 via a discharge roller 92. The paper discharge tray 91 is a tray for collecting printed sheets.

  When a double-sided printing request is made, when the single-sided printing is completed and the trailing edge of the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is gripped by the paper discharging roller 92 as described above, the paper discharging roller 92 rotates in the reverse direction. The sheet is guided to the conveyance rollers 102 and 103. Then, after printing is performed on the back side of the sheet through the registration roller 104, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 91.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a RAM 230, a document reading unit 123, an HDD 240, a keyboard 250, the image forming unit 110, and a display unit 260. The CPU 210 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention. The HDD 240 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention. The keyboard 250 corresponds to the input unit of the present invention.

  The CPU 210 reads out and executes a program recorded in the ROM 220, and controls each unit comprehensively. The RAM 230 is used as a working area for the CPU 210.

  The document reading unit 123 can read the document and print restriction information embedded in the document in order to restrict printing of a predetermined portion of the document. For example, the print restriction information is embedded in the original data of the original as watermark information by wavelet transforming the original data (digital image data) of the original and using redundancy in the frequency space. Further, since the print restriction information includes coordinate information of a predetermined portion of the original, printing of the predetermined portion can be restricted when the original is printed. If the print restriction information does not include coordinate information of a predetermined portion of the document, the predetermined portion can be specified by surrounding the predetermined portion with special ink or the like.

  The HDD 240 stores document data read by the document reading unit 123 and print restriction information. The keyboard 250 accepts input of print restriction release information for releasing the print restriction of a predetermined part of the document based on the print restriction information. In addition to the keyboard 250, the document reading unit 123 may accept input of print restriction release information. That is, the document reading unit 123 can correspond to the input unit of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a keyboard 250 will be described as an example of the input unit of the present invention.

  The image forming unit 110 prints document data stored in the HDD 240 on a sheet. Further, the CPU 210 compares the print restriction information with the print restriction release information, and controls printing of document data by the image forming unit 110 based on the comparison result. The display unit 260 displays status information of the image forming apparatus 100 and the like.

  Further, the CPU 210 performs the first control, the second control, or the third control. The first control is a control for printing the document data stored in the HDD 240 by the image forming unit 110 when it is determined that the print restriction information is not embedded in the document read by the document reading unit 123. When the second control determines that the print restriction information is embedded in the document read by the document reading unit 123, the second control waits until the predetermined information is input to the keyboard 250, and the predetermined information is the print restriction release information. If it is determined, the image forming unit 110 prints the document data stored in the HDD 240. If the third control determines that the print restriction information is embedded in the document read by the document reading unit 123, the third control waits until the predetermined information is input to the keyboard 250, and the predetermined information is not the print restriction release information. If it is determined, the image forming unit 110 can perform printing by degrading at least a predetermined portion of the image whose printing is restricted by the printing restriction information.

  In this configuration, when printing a document in which the print restriction information is embedded, if the predetermined information input to the keyboard 250 is not the print restriction release information, the predetermined print whose printing is restricted by the print restriction information. The image of the part can be deteriorated and printed.

  Therefore, when the user who wants to print the document in which the print restriction information is embedded does not acquire the print restriction release information, the printing of the predetermined part is not intended or the image of the predetermined part is deteriorated. If so, the user can acquire a printed matter in which the image of the predetermined portion has deteriorated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of control during document printing in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 210 waits until a document is set on the document tray or the document placement table 121 (N in S10). When CPU 210 determines that a document has been set on document tray or document table 121 (Y in S10), CPU 210 waits for a document reading instruction from the user (N in S20). When the CPU 210 determines that an instruction for reading a document has been issued from the user (Y in S20), the CPU 210 starts reading the document (S30). When the CPU 210 finishes reading the original (S30), it stores the data of the read original (S40), and also stores the print restriction information if the print restriction information is embedded in the original (S40). .

  The CPU 210 determines whether print restriction information is embedded in the document (S50). If the CPU 210 determines that the print restriction information is not embedded in the document (N in S50), the CPU 210 prints the document data by the image forming unit 110 (S60), and ends the control of the present embodiment. If the CPU 210 determines that the print restriction information is embedded in the document (Y in S50), as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 210 displays a warning screen on the display unit 260 and waits until predetermined information is input ( N of S70). The predetermined information is input by either a key input using the keyboard 250 or a document reading form using the document reading unit 123.

  When CPU 210 determines that the predetermined information has been input (Y in S70), CPU 210 determines whether or not the predetermined information matches the print restriction release information (S80). If the CPU 210 determines that the input predetermined information matches the print restriction release information (Y in S80), the image data is printed by the image forming unit 110 (S60), and the control of this embodiment is terminated.

  If the CPU 210 determines that the input predetermined information does not match the print restriction release information (N in S80), the CPU 210 displays a screen for selecting the print mode on the display unit 260 as shown in FIG. Is selected until N is selected (N in S90). The print mode is determined by checking any check box corresponding to the print mode and selecting an OK button on the selection screen of FIG.

  When the CPU 210 determines that the printing mode is selected (Y in S90), the CPU 210 determines whether the selected printing mode is “printing” or “not printing” (S100). When the CPU 210 determines that the selected printing mode is “not printing” (N in S100), the CPU 210 ends the control of the present embodiment without printing the read document data. When the CPU 210 determines that the selected printing mode is “printing” (Y in S100), the CPU 210 performs printing by degrading an image of a predetermined portion whose printing is restricted by the printing restriction information (S110). End the control.

  6 to 10 are diagrams illustrating examples of printed materials printed by the image forming unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 6 shows a printed matter in which the image of the predetermined portion 320 whose printing is restricted by the printing restriction information is not deteriorated, that is, the printed matter printed in S60. FIG. 7 shows a printed matter that has been printed with the resolution of the predetermined portion 320 reduced as a result of selecting “print with a reduced resolution of the predetermined portion” on the selection screen of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows a printed matter obtained by erasing and printing the predetermined portion 320 as a result of selecting “print with erasing the predetermined portion” on the selection screen of FIG. 5.

  FIG. 9 shows a printed matter that is printed with an arbitrary image added to the predetermined portion 320 as a result of selecting “print with an arbitrary image added to the predetermined portion” on the selection screen of FIG. 5. FIG. 10 shows that the portion 310 other than the predetermined portion 320 is covered so as to cover the portion where the predetermined portion 320 exists as a result of selecting “enlarge and print a portion other than the predetermined portion” on the selection screen of FIG. The printed matter is enlarged and printed.

  In this control, when printing a document in which the print restriction information is embedded, if the predetermined information input to the keyboard 250 is not the print restriction release information, the predetermined print whose printing is restricted by the print restriction information. The image of the part can be deteriorated and printed.

  Therefore, when the user who wants to print the document in which the print restriction information is embedded does not acquire the print restriction release information, the printing of the predetermined part is not intended or the image of the predetermined part is deteriorated. If so, the user can acquire a printed matter in which the image of the predetermined portion has deteriorated.

  In this embodiment, the image of the predetermined portion 320 is deteriorated and printed in S110. However, the entire document data may be deteriorated and printed.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100- Image forming apparatus 110- Image forming part 123- Document reading part 210-CPU
240-HDD
250-keyboard

Claims (5)

An original reading unit capable of reading an original and print restriction information embedded in the original in order to restrict printing of a predetermined portion of the original;
A storage unit for storing data of the original read by the original reading unit and the print restriction information;
An input unit for receiving input of print restriction release information for releasing the print restriction of a predetermined part of the document by the print restriction information;
An image forming unit for printing on the sheet the document data stored in the storage unit;
A controller that compares the print restriction information with the print restriction release information, and controls printing of document data by the image forming unit based on the comparison result;
With
When the control unit determines that the print restriction information is not embedded in the document read by the document reading unit, the control unit performs first control to print the document data stored in the storage unit by the image forming unit. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print restriction information is embedded in the document read by the document reading unit, the process waits until the predetermined information is input to the input unit, and the predetermined information is If it is determined that the information is restriction release information, a second control for printing the document data stored in the storage unit by the image forming unit is performed, and if it is determined that the predetermined information is not the print restriction release information, An image forming apparatus that performs a third control for enabling the image forming unit to print an image of the predetermined portion that is restricted by printing restriction information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a third control that enables printing at a reduced resolution of the predetermined portion where printing is restricted by at least the printing restriction information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs third control that enables printing by erasing the predetermined portion that is restricted from printing by the print restriction information. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit performs a third control that enables printing by adding an arbitrary image to the predetermined portion where printing is restricted by at least the printing restriction information. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit performs a third control that enables printing by enlarging a portion other than the predetermined portion that is restricted by the printing restriction information.

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