JP2020192734A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a user to directly print a two-dimensional code on a desired position, onto a paper such as a poster, by simple work by the user.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: an image forming part 12 that forms on a paper being conveyed on a conveyance path an image shown by image data, on the basis of the image data to be used for image formation; an ultrasonic sensor 18, provided closer to an upstream in a paper conveyance direction than a position at which an image is formed on the paper by the image forming part 12, which detects a thickness of the paper being conveyed on the conveyance path; a specifying part 103 that specifies a region (a region with a sheet attached to a rear surface) in a paper which is thicker in thickness than the circumference thereof, on the basis of a detected result by the ultrasonic sensor 18; and a control part 100 that controls the image forming part 12 so that a two-dimensional code is printed on the region in the paper specified by the specifying part 103.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to printing a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark).

In recent years, the demand for two-dimensional codes such as QR codes and barcodes has been increasing, and there are many printed matter such as posters with stickers printed with the two-dimensional codes. Then, Patent Document 1 below proposes a pasting machine and a method for accurately sticking a bar code sticker on which a bar code is printed to a work which is a bar code sticking object.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-212224

However, as described in Patent Document 1 above, in the method of attaching a sticker on which a two-dimensional code is printed to a poster, the sticker may be peeled off from the poster and the two-dimensional code may disappear from the poster. In addition, since the surface of the poster is uneven, the design of the poster may be impaired.

As a method for solving such a problem, a method of directly printing the two-dimensional code on paper such as a poster can be considered. If the two-dimensional code is printed directly on the paper, the two-dimensional code does not disappear due to the peeling of the sticker as in the conventional case. Further, unless the sticker is attached to the surface of the paper, the surface of the paper cannot be uneven.

However, it is not easy to print the two-dimensional code directly on the paper position desired by the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a two-dimensional code to be directly printed on a paper such as a poster at a position desired by the user by a simple user operation.

The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an image indicated by the image data based on the image data to be image-formed on the transport path for transporting the paper and the paper transported on the transport path. An image forming unit that forms the image, and a thickness detecting unit that is provided on the upstream side of the image forming position on the paper by the image forming unit in the paper conveying direction and detects the thickness of the paper conveyed along the conveying path. Based on the detection result by the thickness detection unit, the specific unit that identifies the area of the paper that is thicker than the surroundings, the two-dimensional code storage unit that stores the image data of the two-dimensional code, and the image forming unit are controlled. A control unit for printing the two-dimensional code indicated by the image data stored in the two-dimensional code storage unit on the paper area specified by the specific unit is provided.

According to the present invention, the two-dimensional code is printed in the area of the paper thicker than the surroundings (for example, the area where the sheet is attached), so that the user can attach the sheet to the paper in advance. , The two-dimensional code can be printed at the sheet pasting position. For example, the user can specify the printing position of the two-dimensional code by simply attaching the sheet to the paper from the back side of the image forming surface.

Therefore, it is possible to print the two-dimensional code directly on the paper such as a poster at a position desired by the user with a simple user operation. Further, since the print position can be intuitively specified by the user by actually visually observing it, it is unlikely that the design will be impaired. Further, if the sheet is attached to the back surface of the paper, the front surface of the paper cannot be uneven.

It is a typical partial cross-sectional front view which showed the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sensor schematically. It is a functional block diagram which roughly showed the main internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which showed an example of the paper which the sheet was attached to the back surface, (A) is a plan view, (B) is a side view. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the processing operation performed by the control unit in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which showed an example of the paper on which the QR code was printed. It is a figure which showed an example of the data structure of the QR code storage part. (A) is a plan view showing an example of the paper before the QR code is printed, and (B) is a plan view showing an example of the paper on which the QR code is printed.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional front view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The apparatus main body 11 includes an operation unit 47, a document feeding unit 6, and a document. It includes a reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, and an ultrasonic sensor 18.

The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image formation operation execution instruction from the operator for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching the buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

A case where the document reading operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads the image of the document fed by the document feeding unit 6 or the document placed on the platen glass 161 and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like (not shown).

The document reading unit 5 includes a reading mechanism 163 having a light source emitting unit, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like, and the document reading unit 5 irradiates a document using a light irradiation unit having a light source and reflects the document. An image is read from a document by receiving light with a CCD sensor.

A case where the image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 feeds paper from the paper feeding unit 14 based on the image data generated by the document reading operation, the image data stored in the image memory, the image data received from the computer connected to the network, and the like. The image shown by the image data is formed as a toner image on the paper P transported by the transport path 190.

The paper feed unit 14 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 141. A paper feed roller 145 is provided above each paper feed cassette 141, and the paper P housed in the paper feed cassette 141 is fed out toward the transport path 190 by the paper feed roller 145.

Further, the paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray 142 and a paper feed roller 146 that are openably and closably provided on the wall surface of the apparatus main body 11. The paper P set in the bypass tray 142 is fed out toward the transport path 190 by the paper feed roller 146. The paper P fed from the paper feed unit 14 is conveyed in the transfer path 190 by the transfer roller pair 191 provided at an appropriate position in the transfer path 190.

The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the paper P which is fed from the paper feeding unit 14 and conveyed through the conveying path 190, and is a photoconductor drum 121 for black, yellow, cyan, and magenta, and a transfer unit. The photoconductor drum 121 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing.

The transfer unit 120 includes an intermediate transfer belt 125, a driving roller 125A, a driven roller 125B, and a primary transfer roller 126 on which a toner image is transferred on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

The intermediate transfer belt 125 is stretched between the drive roller 125A and the driven roller 125B, and is driven by the drive roller 125A in a state of being in contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 121, while synchronizing with the photoconductor drum 121. Run endlessly.

When performing color printing, the image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the photoconductor drum 121 by the steps of charging, exposure, and developing based on the image data to be image-formed, and transfers the toner image to the primary transfer roller. It is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 125 by 126.

The toner images of each color (black, yellow, cyan, magenta) transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 125 are superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 125 to form a color toner image.

The secondary transfer roller 210 transfers a color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 from the paper feed unit 14 to the transfer path 190 at the nip portion N with the drive roller 125A sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 125. It is transferred to the conveyed paper P.

After that, the fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the paper P to the paper P by heat fixing. The image-formed paper P for which the fixing process has been completed is discharged to the discharge tray 151 by the discharge roller pair 159 through the transport path 190 extending above the fixing portion 13.

The ultrasonic sensor 18 is provided on the upstream side in the paper transport direction with respect to the image forming position (nip portion N) on the paper P by the image forming unit 12. For example, the ultrasonic sensor 18 is arranged between the manual feed tray 142 and the nip portion N, and has a transmitting unit 18A that transmits ultrasonic waves, a receiving unit 18B that receives ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitting unit 18A, and a receiving unit 18B. To be equipped. The arrangement position of the ultrasonic sensor 18 may be on the upstream side in the paper transport direction with respect to the image forming position. For example, the ultrasonic sensor 18 may be arranged in the transport path portion 1910 through which both the manual feed tray 142 and the paper P transported from each paper feed cassette 141 pass.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting unit 18A and the receiving unit 18B are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the paper P transported on the transport path 190, and a plurality of the transmitting unit 18A and the receiving unit 18B are arranged at regular intervals in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. Will be done. The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmitting unit 18A to the surface of the paper P pass through the paper P and are received by the receiving unit 18B. If there is an inclusion between the transmitting unit 18A and the receiving unit 18B, the ultrasonic wave is attenuated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the amount of ultrasonic wave attenuation in the portion where the sheet SH is attached to the paper P is larger than that in the portion where the sheet SH is not attached. That is, as the thickness of the paper P increases, the amount of ultrasonic wave attenuation increases, and the amplitude value (magnitude) of the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving unit 18B decreases. Therefore, the thickness of the paper P can be detected from the amplitude value of the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving unit 18B.

The ultrasonic sensor 18 is an example of a thickness detection unit within the scope of claims. In addition, since a multifunction device or the like is generally provided with a double feed detection unit including an ultrasonic sensor that detects double feed of paper, the ultrasonic sensor 18 that serves as a thickness detection unit is subjected to the double feed. It may also be used as a detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 111, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, and an ultrasonic wave. The sensor 18 is provided. The same components as those of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The HDD 111 is a large-capacity storage device and includes a QR code storage unit 112. The QR code storage unit 112 includes, for example, a part of the HDD 111. The QR code storage unit 112 is created in the HDD 111 by installing a control program described later. The QR code storage unit 112 is an example of a two-dimensional code storage unit within the scope of claims.

The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, an operation reception unit 101, a registration unit 102, and a specific unit 103.

The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100, an operation reception unit 101, a registration unit 102, and a specific unit 103 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD 111 or the like. However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by hardware circuits, regardless of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, HDD 111, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, and an ultrasonic sensor 18, and drives and controls each of these units. And so on. For example, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 12 to print the image indicated by the image data on the paper P based on the image data to be image-formed.

The operation reception unit 101 receives an instruction input from the user via the operation unit 47. The operation reception unit 101 receives an instruction from the user for the hard key included in the operation unit 47, and further, the display unit 473 has an instruction based on an operation (touch operation) for the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473. Accept via touch panel function.

The registration unit 102 stores and registers the image data of the QR code obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5 in the QR code storage unit 112. For example, when the operation reception unit 101 receives the QR code registration request from the user and the operation reception unit 101 further receives the user instruction for reading the document, the control unit 100 controls the document reading unit 5. Then, the document reading unit 5 is made to read the document placed on the platen glass 161.

After that, the registration unit 102 detects the QR code from the original image obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5, and registers the detected image data of the QR code in the QR code storage unit 112. In addition. A known technique is used for the process of detecting the QR code from the image.

The identification unit 103 identifies a region of the paper P that is thicker than the periphery based on the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 18. For example, a case where the thickness of the paper P1 on which the sheet SH1 is attached to the lower right of the back surface (the back surface of the image forming surface) as shown in FIG. 4 is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 18 will be described. FIG. 4A shows a plan view of the paper P1, and FIG. 4B shows a side view of the paper P1.

Since the amplitude value of the ultrasonic wave received by the receiving unit 18B is smaller in the portion where the sheet SH1 is attached to the paper P1 than in the portion where the sheet SH1 is not attached, the specific portion 103 is an ultrasonic sensor. Based on the detection result by 18, the area to which the sheet SH1 is attached is specified. That is, the identification unit 103 specifies the area to which the sheet SH1 is attached, which is surrounded by the broken line shown in FIG. 4 (A).

The control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 12, and based on the image data stored in the QR code storage unit 112, obtains the QR code indicated by the image data in the area of the paper P specified by the specific unit 103. To print.

Next, an example of the processing performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is performed when the operation reception unit 101 receives a QR code printing request from the user on the paper P, and when the operation reception unit 101 further receives a user instruction to start printing. It is a process.

First, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the roller drive unit (not shown) to rotate the paper feed roller 146 and the transfer roller pair 191 to feed the paper P set in the manual feed tray 142 to the transfer path 190. At the same time, the paper is transported in the transport path 190 (S1). The roller drive unit is composed of a motor, gears, drivers and the like.

The control unit 100 controls the ultrasonic sensor 18 to detect the thickness of the paper P conveyed in the transport path 190 (S2), and the specific unit 103 from the surroundings based on the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor 18. The area of the thick paper P (the area where the sheet is attached) is specified (S3).

Subsequently, the control unit 100 reads the image data of the QR code from the QR code storage unit 112 (S4), and performs image processing to enlarge or reduce the QR code according to the size of the area specified by the specific unit 103. (S5), and calculate the center position of the region specified by the enlarged or reduced QR code and the specific unit 103 (S6, S7). The QR code and the center position of the rectangle in the above area are calculated from the straight lines on the four sides by using a known method.

After that, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 12 to match the center position of the enlarged or reduced QR code with the center position of the above area and print the QR code on the paper P (S8). By controlling the operation of the substantially roller driving unit, the transport roller pair 191 is rotated, and the paper P subjected to the fixing process by the fixing unit 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 151 (S9). After this, this process ends.

For example, when the paper P1 as shown in FIG. 4 is set in the bypass tray 142 and the above processing is executed, the lower right position (that is, the position where the sheet SH1 is attached) as shown in FIG. ), The paper P1 on which the QR code C1 is printed is created.

According to the first embodiment, since the QR code is printed in the area of the paper P thicker than the periphery (for example, the area where the sheet SH is attached), the user can use the back surface of the image forming surface on the paper P. By pasting the sheet SH in advance, the QR code can be printed at a position corresponding to the sheet pasting position on the image forming surface. That is, the user can specify the printing position of the QR code only by performing a simple operation of pasting the sheet SH on the paper P. Further, the size of the QR code can also be adjusted by the size of the sheet SH to be attached to the paper P.

Therefore, it is possible to directly print the QR code on the paper P such as a poster at a position desired by the user and in a size desired by the user with a simple user operation. Further, since the print position can be intuitively specified by the user by actually visually observing it, the design is unlikely to be impaired. Further, if the sheet SH is attached to the back surface of the paper P, the front surface of the paper P cannot be uneven.

In the first embodiment, the case where only the image data of one QR code is stored in the QR code storage unit 112 is described, but as the second embodiment, a plurality of QR code storage units 112 have a plurality of image data. The image data of the QR code may be stored in association with the printing conditions.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the QR code storage unit 112 in the second embodiment. The QR code storage unit 112 stores "area thickness of 0.15 mm or more and less than 0.20 mm" as a print condition in association with the QR code C1, and associates it with the QR code C2 as a print condition of "area". The thickness of is 0.20 mm or more ”is stored. Regarding the printing conditions, when the QR code is read by the document reading unit 5, the operation receiving unit 101 receives an instruction from the user to specify the printing conditions via the operation unit 47.

The specific unit 103 measures the thickness T of the area A of the paper P thicker than the surroundings based on the detection result by the ultrasonic sensor 18, and the control unit 100 measures the area A based on the printing conditions. Determine the QR code to print. For example, when the thickness T of the paper P in the area A to which the sheet SH is attached (to be exact, the thickness of the sheet SH overlaid on the paper P) is 0.25 mm, the control unit 100 determines. The QR code to be printed in the area A is determined to be the QR code C2. Further, when the sheet SH is attached to a plurality of places on the paper P, the control unit 100 determines the QR code to be printed based on the thickness of each area.

In addition, as the printing conditions, as shown in FIGS. 7B or 7C, there is a ratio or inclination of the vertical side and the horizontal side of the region A which is thicker than the periphery. For example, in the control unit 100, the area A specified by the specific unit 103 is either a square (the lengths of the vertical side and the horizontal side are the same) or a rectangle excluding the square (the lengths of the vertical side and the horizontal side are different). If it is determined that the area A is a square, the print target is determined to be QR code C1, and if it is determined that the area A is a rectangle other than a square, the print target is QR. Determined to be code C2.

When the control unit 100 determines that the four sides of the area A are parallel to the sides of the paper P, the control unit 100 determines the print target to be QR code C1, and the four sides of the area A are parallel to the sides of the paper P. If it is determined that the print target is not tilted, the print target is determined to be QR code C2. However, even if the area A is tilted, when printing the QR code on the paper P, it is preferable that the four sides of the QR code are parallel to the sides of the paper P, respectively. For example, even if the sheet SH2 is tilted and attached to the back surface of the paper P1 as shown in FIG. 8 (A), as shown in FIG. 8 (B), each of the four sides of the QR code C2 is attached to the paper P. Print parallel to the sides.

Although the case of printing the QR code on the paper P has been described so far, what is printed on the paper P is not limited to the QR code, and other two-dimensional codes such as barcodes may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and processing shown by the above-described embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

1 Image forming device 5 Original reading unit 12 Image forming unit 100 Control unit 102 Registration unit 103 Specific unit 112 QR code storage unit 190 Transport path

Claims (5)

A transport path for transporting paper and
An image forming unit that forms an image shown by the image data on the paper conveyed through the transport path based on the image data to be image-formed.
A thickness detecting unit provided on the upstream side of the image forming position on the paper by the image forming unit in the paper transport direction and detecting the thickness of the paper transported along the transport path.
Based on the detection result by the thickness detection unit, a specific unit that specifies a region of the paper that is thicker than the surroundings and a specific unit.
A two-dimensional code storage unit that stores two-dimensional code image data,
A control unit that controls the image forming unit to print the two-dimensional code indicated by the image data stored in the two-dimensional code storage unit on the area of the paper specified by the specific unit. An image forming apparatus provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit enlarges or reduces the two-dimensional code according to the size of the area specified by the specific unit and prints the two-dimensional code on the area of the paper. .. A document reader that reads the image of the document and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a registration unit for registering the image data of the two-dimensional code obtained by reading by the document reading unit in the two-dimensional code storage unit. The two-dimensional code storage unit can store a plurality of image data of the two-dimensional code in association with printing conditions.
The control unit selects the two-dimensional code to be printed in the area based on the printing conditions.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the printing conditions include at least one of the thickness of the area, the ratio of the vertical side to the horizontal side of the area, and the inclination of the area. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness detecting unit is also used as a double feeding detecting unit for detecting double feeding of the paper.