JP2024064262A - IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] It is possible to prevent identification information from being printed on a printed matter on which print data has been printed. [Solution] The present invention is characterized by having an identification information generating means for receiving print data from an external source and generating identification information, and an identification information adding means for referencing a print instruction and adding the identification information so that the position of the identification information is at the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction. (Selected Figure)

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device, a document management system, and a method.

Conventionally, there are document management systems that manage printed documents using identification information printed on the documents. The document management system can consistently manage documents right up to their disposal by reading the identification information printed at the time of printing with a reading means provided in the disposal means when the document is disposed of.

There is a disclosure of a technology in which a disposal means reads the total number of pages and page identification information for each page from a document consisting of multiple pages, and performs disposal processing on the condition that all pages are present (Patent Document 1).

However, with conventional technology, if printing is interrupted during printing due to, for example, a jam, the print data is printed, but the printed matter is output without completing printing of the identification information. In such cases, there is a problem in that the printed matter cannot be managed consistently until disposal using the identification information.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an image processing device, document management system, and method that can prevent identification information from being printed on a printed matter on which print data has been printed.

To solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention is characterized by having an identification information generating means for receiving print data from an external source and generating identification information, and an identification information adding means for adding the identification information by referring to a print instruction so that the position of the identification information is the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction.

The present invention has the effect of preventing identification information from being printed on a printed matter on which print data has been printed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the arrangement of identification information for print data and a printed matter output from an image printing unit when the print orientation is landscape. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the print orientation is portrait. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the arrangement of identification information and a printed matter output from an image printing means when the object size of the identification information has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing device according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing device according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of processing by the image processing means. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of one mode in which the identification information adding unit adds identification information to print data. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the identification information adding means adds the identification information as invisible information. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image printing unit. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a configuration of a document management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of the document management database provided in the management unit.

Embodiments of the image processing device, document management system, and method are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

(First embodiment)
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment, in which each arrow indicates a relationship between input and output.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 1 has an image processing means 10. The image processing means 10 inputs print data D1 and a print instruction D11 corresponding to the print data D1, and performs additional processing on the print data D1 based on the print instruction D11. The image processing means 10 then outputs the processed print data D2 to the image printing means 15.

Note that while FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the image processing device 1 has an image printing means 15, the image printing means 15 may be a separate printing device that is communicatively connected to the image processing device 1.

In this way, the image processing means 10 functions as a means for preprocessing the print data to be printed by the image printing means 15, and outputs the preprocessed print data D2 to the image printing means 15.

Specifically, the image processing means 10 performs a process of adding identification information d1 to the print data D1 using the identification information generating means 11 and the identification information adding means 12.

The identification information generating means 11 receives the print data D1, generates identification information d1 that identifies the document, and outputs the generated identification information d1 to the identification information adding means 12 and the document management database. The document management database is provided, for example, in an external server device.

The identification information adding means 12 performs a process of adding the identification information d1 generated by the identification information generating means 11 to the print data D1 by referring to the print instruction D11 corresponding to the print data D1. The image processing means 10 then outputs the print data D2 with the identification information d1 added by the identification information adding means 12 to the image printing means 15. The print instruction D11 has print setting information for the print data D1, such as print orientation, enlargement or reduction, or aggregation. The image processing means 10 performs an addition process of adding the identification information d1 that identifies the document to the print data D1 based on this print setting information.

The identification information d1 is an ID composed of character information such as numbers or letters, which is generated for each sheet of recording paper M1 or for each page in the recording paper M1. The identification information d1 may be information that can be used for identification, such as the date and time when the image processing means 10 received the print data D1, or the title and number of pages of the print data D1.

Here, recording paper M1 is an example of a recording medium. The recording medium may be a material other than paper as long as it is printable.

The image printing means 15 inputs, as printing information, a print instruction D11 for the original print data D1 and print data D2 with identification information d1. The image printing means 15 then executes printing of the print data D2 with identification information d1 based on the print instruction D11, and outputs a printout on recording paper M1 on which the document and identification information d1 are printed.

In the first embodiment, the identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 to the position where printing is performed earlier. The position where printing is performed earlier corresponds to the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction where image formation such as printing or transfer starts in the sub-scanning direction on the recording paper M1. The position where image formation in the sub-scanning direction ends relative to the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction is the trailing edge of the sub-scanning direction. The identification information adding means 12 determines the position so that the identification information d1 is added to the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction, and performs an adding process to add the identification information d1 to the position corresponding to the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction.

In this way, the identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 to the print data D1 by referring to the print instruction D11, making it possible to prevent the identification information from being printed on the printed matter on which the print data is printed.

Here, we will explain how, when printing is interrupted, no printed matter will be generated in which the printing of the identification information d1 is incomplete. As an example, we will explain the case where the print orientation is landscape and portrait.

Figure 2 shows an example of the relationship between the arrangement of identification information d1 for print data D1 and the printed matter output from image printing means 15 when the print orientation is landscape. For comparison with this embodiment, Figure 2(a) shows an example of a case where identification information is arranged by a conventional method regardless of print orientation. Figure 2(b) shows an example in an image processing device 1 according to this embodiment.

In this example, the left edge of the document is printed on the x1 side of the recording paper M1. Since the print direction of the print instruction D11 is landscape, the image processing means 10 determines that the left edge of the document is on the sub-scanning leading edge h1 side, and outputs print data D2 to the image printing means 15, to which the identification information d1 is added on the left edge side of the document, as shown in FIG. 2B. In the image printing means 15, as shown in FIG. 2B, printing is started from the left edge of the document on the recording paper M1, so even if printing is interrupted at the interruption position h2, printing of the identification information d1 is completed first at the sub-scanning leading edge h1. In this way, even if printing is interrupted, the identification information d1 is printed at the position of the sub-scanning leading edge h1, so when the print data is printed, printing of the identification information is also completed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a printed matter on which a document is printed and on which the identification information d1 is not printed.

In contrast, in the past, the position where the identification information d1 is added is not determined by referring to the print instruction D11, so the identification information d1 is added to a specific position regardless of the print orientation. The position where the identification information d1 is added is a position where there are no objects such as images, lines, figures, and characters in the print data D1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2(a), there is a possibility that the identification information d1 will be added to a position other than the leading edge h1 of the sub-scanning. In the example shown in FIG. 2(a), if printing is interrupted at the interruption position h2, the document will be printed completely, but the printing of the identification information d1 will be missing and incomplete, which may result in a printed product in which the document is printed but the identification information d1 is not printed.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the print direction is portrait. In this example, the bottom edge of the document is printed on the paper feed direction x1 side of the recording paper M1. Since the print direction of the print instruction D11 is portrait, the image processing means 10 determines that the bottom edge of the document corresponds to the sub-scanning leading edge h1, and outputs print data D2 to the image printing means 15, to which the identification information d1 is added at the bottom edge of the document as shown in FIG. 3(b). In the image printing means 15, as shown in FIG. 3(b), printing starts from the bottom edge of the document on the recording paper M1, so even if printing is interrupted at the interruption position h2, printing of the identification information d1 is completed first at the sub-scanning leading edge h1. In this case, the identification information d1 is printed at the position of the sub-scanning leading edge h1, so if printing is interrupted and the print data is printed, printing of the identification information is also completed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a printed matter on which a document is printed and the identification information d1 is not printed.

On the other hand, conventionally, as described above, identification information is added to a specific position regardless of the print orientation. For this reason, there is a possibility that identification information d1 may be added as shown in FIG. 3(a). In this case, if printing is interrupted at interruption position h2 shown in FIG. 3(a), identification information d1 will not be printed, and a printed product may be generated in which the document is printed but the identification information d1 is not printed.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the identification information adding means 12 adds identification information to a position corresponding to the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction according to the print orientation of the print instruction. In this way, by changing the position of the identification information d1 according to the print orientation, it is possible to print the identification information d1 at an earlier stage. Therefore, even if the print orientation changes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a printed matter on which a document is printed that does not have the identification information d1 printed.

(First modification of the first embodiment)
When character information such as numbers or alphabets is used in the identification information d1, the object size of the identification information d1 usually has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. In such a case, if the identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 to a position corresponding to the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction without considering the longitudinal direction and lateral direction of the object of the identification information d1, the following situation may occur. In other words, when the identification information d1 is added with the longitudinal direction of the object of the identification information d1 aligned with the sub-scanning direction, there is a high possibility that a portion of the identification information d1 will be located on the trailing edge side of the document of the print data D1 in the sub-scanning direction. If printing is interrupted in such a case, the document will be printed completely, but the printing of the identification information d1 will be missing, resulting in an incomplete printed matter.

Therefore, as a first modification, when the object size of the identification information d1 has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the identification information adding means 12 aligns the longitudinal direction of the object with a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction, i.e., the main scanning direction, and adds the identification information d1 to a position corresponding to the tip of the sub-scanning direction. This places the identification information on the sub-scanning tip side of the document. A specific method will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Figure 4 shows an example of the relationship between the arrangement of identification information d1 and the printed matter output from the image printing means 15 when the object size of identification information d1 has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction.

Here, for comparison with Modification 1, FIG. 4(a) shows an example in which identification information is placed regardless of the object size of the identification information d1. FIG. 4(b) shows the image processing device 1 according to Modification 1.

In this example, the bottom edge of the document is printed so that it is positioned on the x1 side of the recording paper M1 in the paper feed direction. Because the print direction of the print instruction D11 is portrait, the image processing means 10 determines that the bottom edge of the document is on the sub-scanning leading edge h1 side, and outputs print data D2 with identification information d1 added to it to the image printing means 15, as shown in FIG. 4(b). The image processing means 10 adds identification information d1 by aligning the longitudinal direction of the identification information d1 with the bottom edge of the document.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the image printing means 15 starts printing on the recording paper M1 from the bottom edge of the document, so even if printing is interrupted at interruption position h2, printing of the identification information d1 is completed first at the sub-scanning leading edge h1. In this way, even if printing is interrupted, the identification information d1 is printed at the position of the sub-scanning leading edge h1, so when the print data is printed, printing of the identification information is also completed.

On the other hand, when identification information d1 is added regardless of the object size of the identification information d1, it may be added as shown in FIG. 4(a) even when it is added to the leading edge h1 of the sub-scanning direction. In the example shown in FIG. 4(a), if printing is interrupted at interruption position h2, the document will be printed completely but the printing of identification information d1 will be missing and incomplete, which may result in a printed product in which the document is printed but the identification information d1 is not printed.

Therefore, if there is a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction for the object of the identification information d1, the identification information adding means 12 takes this into consideration and adds the identification information d1 to a position corresponding to the tip of the sub-scanning.

This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of printed matter on which a document is printed but on which identification information d1 is not printed.

(Modification 2 of the First Embodiment)
5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing device according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment. Note that components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail to avoid duplication.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing means 10 has an image processing means 13 upstream in the print data flow from the identification information adding means 12. Image processing refers to image processing in accordance with print instructions such as rotation, enlargement or reduction, or aggregation. With this configuration, the image processing means 10 processes the print data D1 so as to add identification information after performing image processing.

Specifically, the image processing means 13 performs image processing on the print data D1 in response to the print instruction D11, and the identification information adding means 12 performs processing to add identification information to the print data D1 after image processing.

Figure 5 shows an example of processing when print instruction D11 specifies portrait print orientation and 90° rotation. Since print instruction D11 specifies 90° rotation, image processing means 13 outputs post-rotation print data D1-1, which is print data D1 rotated 90° as shown in Figure 5.

The identification information adding means 12 inputs the print data D1-1 after rotation processing, and performs processing to add identification information d1 to the print data D1-1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the right edge of the document before rotation corresponds to the leading edge h1 in the sub-scanning direction, since the data has been rotated by 90 degrees.

Note that while FIG. 5 shows an example in which the print instruction D11 instructs to rotate, if the print instruction D11 instructs in other ways, such as enlargement, reduction, or consolidation, the image processing means 13 also processes the image in accordance with the instruction, such as enlargement, reduction, or consolidation. The identification information adding means 12 adds identification information d1 to the print data D1-1 after each image processing.

In this way, the image processing device according to the second modification of the first embodiment processes the image before adding the identification information d1, so that even if the print instruction D11 has settings for image processing, it is possible to add the identification information d1 to the leading edge h1 of the sub-scanning. Therefore, when printing is interrupted, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a printed matter on which a document is printed but on which the identification information d1 is not printed.

(Third Modification of the First Embodiment)
6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing device according to Modification 3 of the first embodiment. Note that components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail again.

The image processing means 10 according to the third modification has an image processing means 13 located upstream in the print data flow from the identification information adding means 12, similar to the second modification (see FIG. 5). However, the image processing means 13 in the third modification is provided so as to be able to refer to the identification information d1 generated by the identification information generating means 11.

The image processing means 13 refers to the identification information d1 generated by the identification information generating means 11 and processes the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) of the print data D1 based on the identification information d1. As an example, the image processing means 13 processes the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) so that the position of the sub-scanning leading edge h21 of the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) is located closer to the sub-scanning trailing edge h3 than the position of the sub-scanning trailing edge h13 of the identification information d1. For example, the image processing means 13 moves the position of the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) in the print data D1. The image processing means 13 may also process the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) by reducing or rotating them.

When image processing based on the print instruction d11 is involved, the image processing means 13 performs processing such as moving the position after reflecting the image processing based on the print instruction d11. Then, the image processing means 13 outputs the processed print data D1-2 to the identification information adding means 12.

The identification information adding means 12 inputs the processed print data D1-2 and performs a process to add the identification information d1 to the print data D1-2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of processing by the image processing means 13. As shown in Figure 7 (a), when identification information d1 is added to the arrangement of objects (objects d1, d2, ...) in print data D1, in the image printing means 15, printing of the identification information d1 is completed after printing of the trailing sub-scanning end h23 of the entire object (objects d1, d2, ...) is completed. With such an arrangement of objects (objects d1, d2, ...), if printing is interrupted, there is a possibility that the printing of the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) will be completed but the identification information d1 will be missing from the printed matter.

The image processing means 13 of the third modified example therefore processes the print data D1 to move the position of the entire object (objects d1, d2, ...) towards the trailing end h3 of the sub-scanning direction, as shown in FIG. 7(b). This processing enables the image printing means 15 to complete printing of the identification information d1 on the leading end h1 side of the object (objects d1, d2, ...).

As an example, the image processing means 13 obtains information on the position of the trailing end h13 in the sub-scanning direction in the identification information d1, and compares the position in the sub-scanning direction of the object (objects d1, d2, ...) in the print data D1 with the position of the trailing end h13 in the sub-scanning direction of the identification information d1. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the image processing means 13 moves the object (objects d1, d2, ...) in the print data D1 toward the trailing end h3 of the sub-scanning direction. In this example, the image processing means 13 moves the entire object (objects d1, d2, ...) toward the trailing end h3 of the sub-scanning direction so that the position of the leading edge h21 of the object (objects d1, d2, ...) in the sub-scanning direction is positioned closer to the trailing end h3 of the sub-scanning direction than the position of the trailing end h13 of the identification information d1.

Then, the identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 to the position corresponding to the sub-scanning leading edge h1, so that the identification information d1 is printed before the objects (objects d1, d2, ...) in the image printing means 15.

In this way, the image processing device according to the third modification of the first embodiment performs processing such as moving the object toward the trailing end h3 of the sub-scanning direction before adding the identification information d1 to the print data. This allows the identification information to be positioned closer to the leading end h1 of the sub-scanning direction than the object, thereby preventing the image printing means 15 from producing a printed product in which the document is printed but the identification information d1 is not printed.

(Modification of Identification Information)
The identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 to the print data, but the added identification information d1 is not limited to character information. The identification information adding means 12 may add the identification information d1 as other information, for example, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. In addition, the identification information adding means 12 may add the identification information d1 to the print data as visible information or as invisible information.

Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of one form in which the identification information adding means 12 adds identification information d1 to print data. Note that in Figure 8, as an example, the arrangement of identification information d1 is shown for portrait printing with the top edge being the leading edge in the sub-scanning direction.

In a first form, the identification information adding means 12 adds character information identification information d1 to the print data. In this case, as shown in the image diagram of FIG. 8(a), print data D2 to which visible character information, for example "ID: ***", is added as identification information d1 is output from the image processing means 10. Here, "***" is any character information.

In a second form, the identification information adding means 12 adds identification information d1, which is a one-dimensional code, to the print data. In this case, as shown in the image diagram of FIG. 8(b), the identification information adding means 12 outputs print data D2 to which a barcode, which is a one-dimensional code, has been added from the image processing means 10. In the case of a one-dimensional code, any disposal device equipped with a one-dimensional code reading means can read the identification information d1, so the disposal device can be configured simply.

As a third form, the identification information adding means 12 adds two-dimensional code identification information d1 to the print data. In this case, as shown in the image diagram of FIG. 8(c), the print data D2 to which the two-dimensional code has been added is output from the image processing means 10. In the case of a two-dimensional code, it is possible to increase the amount of information per unit area compared to a one-dimensional code.

The identification information adding means 12 may add the identification information d1 as latent image information. For example, the identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 by embedding a two-dimensional code as latent image information in the print data.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the identification information adding means 12 adds the identification information d1 as invisible information. For example, when the image printing means 15 is an electrophotographic system, the identification information adding means 12 outputs print data D2 in which a monochrome black (K) two-dimensional code is arranged as a latent image in a 3C black area made by mixing magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y).

In printed matter, 3C black exhibits spectral characteristics that transmit infrared light and reflect visible light, while K contains carbon black and exhibits spectral characteristics that absorb both infrared and visible light. For this reason, in a scanned image obtained by irradiating a printed matter with visible light using the reading means of the disposal device, the area containing the identification information d1 is blacked out d100, and the identification information d1 is invisible (see FIG. 9(a)). On the other hand, in a scanned image obtained by irradiating a printed matter with infrared light using the reading means, only the two-dimensional code d101 can be read in the area of the identification information d1 (see FIG. 9(b)).

Thus, even if the identification information d1 is latent image information, it can be printed using a general electrophotographic image printing device. On the other hand, since latent image information is invisible to visible light, it cannot be copied using a general copying machine, which prevents copying.

The identification information adding means 12 can also add the two-dimensional code as latent image information without providing a 3C black area. As an example, the identification information adding means 12 adds a two-dimensional code printed with IR (infrared) toner, which is a recording material that has infrared absorption and visible transmission properties. In this case, the identification information adding means 12 outputs print data D2 in which the two-dimensional code is printed with IR toner to an image printing means 15 equipped with IR toner. As a result, in the read image scanned by the reading means of the disposal device by irradiating the printed matter with visible light, the area to which the identification information d1 is added becomes the background color (see FIG. 9(c)). On the other hand, in the read image scanned by the reading means by irradiating the printed matter with infrared light, the two-dimensional code d101 becomes readable in the area to which the identification information d1 is added (see FIG. 9(d)).

Note that while there are invisible recording materials that have the properties of absorbing ultraviolet light and transmitting visible light, recording materials that have the properties of absorbing infrared light and transmitting visible light have the advantage of being highly weather resistant.

Next, an example of the configuration of the image printing means 15 will be described.
Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of the configuration of the image printing unit 15. The image printing unit 15 in Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an electrophotographic type. Note that the image printing unit 15 is not limited to an electrophotographic type. The image printing unit 15 may be of another configuration, such as an inkjet type.

As shown in FIG. 10, an example of the image printing means 15 has an image printing unit 32 and a paper feed unit 37. As an example, the image printing unit 32 has imaging units 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K for the four colors CMYK, primary transfer units 34C, 34M, 34Y, and 34K for each color, a secondary transfer unit 35, a fixing unit 36, and an output tray 38. In this example, the image printing unit 32 has the four colors CMYK, but is not limited to this. For example, the image printing unit 32 may also have IR toner of a special color in addition to these.

The image printing unit 32 further has a transport means 31 that feeds and transports the recording medium M1 from the paper feed unit 37. The transport means 31 has a paper feed roller 31-1 that feeds the recording medium M1 from the paper feed unit 37, a transport path 31-2 that transports the recording medium M1, and a discharge roller 31-3 that discharges the recording medium M1. Note that the positions and number of the various rollers and the path of the transport path 31-2 are shown diagrammatically and are not limited to these.

The paper feed unit 37 has multiple paper feed trays for the recording medium M1. For example, the paper feed unit 37 has a paper feed tray that holds the recording medium M1 in a vertical orientation and a paper feed tray that holds the recording medium M1 in a horizontal orientation. The transport means 31 feeds and transports the recording medium M1 from the corresponding paper feed tray in response to the print instruction D11.

Images for each of the CMYK plates are generated based on the print data D2, and an optical writing device optically writes the image of the corresponding plate onto the drum of the imaging unit corresponding to each plate. Each imaging unit 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K performs an imaging process on the image written onto its respective drum to form a toner image of each of the CMYK colors. Each toner image formed by each imaging unit 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K is transferred to the endless intermediate transfer belt 39 by the primary transfer units 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34K, respectively.

Each toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 39 moves to the secondary transfer unit 35 by the drive of the intermediate transfer belt 39, and is transferred in the secondary transfer unit 35 to the recording medium M1 fed from the paper feed unit 37. In the secondary transfer unit 35, the recording medium M1 is transported in the paper feed direction x1, and transfer is performed in sequence from the leading edge of the recording medium M1 in the sub-scanning direction, thereby printing the document and identification information d1 on the recording medium M1. The recording medium M1 is then transported to the fixing unit 36, and the recording medium M1 after fixing is discharged from the discharge tray 38.

If the recording medium M1 cannot be ejected after feeding due to a paper jam or other reason, the operator opens the door to the transport section and retrieves the recording medium M1 from inside the main body.

When the image printing means 15 is of the ink-jet type, printing is performed on the recording medium M1 by ejecting ink of four colors, CMYK, from the ink head. The recording medium M1 is fed from a paper feed unit, and printing is performed while the recording medium M1 is fed sequentially in the paper feed direction. In this case, the ink head may of course be configured to scan the recording medium M1 in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction.

Here, color materials such as toner and ink include all materials that adhere to and stick to the recording medium M1, and all materials that adhere to and penetrate the recording medium M1.

The recording medium M1 may be, for example, paper, recording paper, film, cloth, etc., and unless otherwise specified, includes anything to which coloring material can be attached. The material of the recording medium M1 may be any material to which coloring material can be attached, even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc.

Second Embodiment
As the second embodiment, an example of application of the image processing device 1 to a document management system will be described. Note that since the image processing unit 10 and the image printing unit 15 have already been described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here to avoid duplication.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document management system according to the second embodiment. The document management system 100 of the example shown in Figure 11 has an image processing device 1, a disposal device 2, and a server device 4. The image processing device 1 and the disposal device 2 are provided with a means for passing information to the management means 40 of the server device 4. For example, the image processing device 1, the disposal device 2, and the server device 4 each have a communication interface and are connected to a communication network. In such a configuration, the image processing device 1 and the disposal device 2 transmit information to the management means 40 of the server device 4 via the communication network. Note that the image printing means 15 may be a printing device external to the image processing device 1. In addition, the printing device may be accessible via the communication network from devices on the communication network such as the image processing device 1. In addition, the printing device may be accessible via a print server from devices on the communication network such as the image processing device 1.

The disposal device 2 includes a reading means 20 and a disposal means 25. When disposing of a printed matter, the disposal device 2 reads the identification information d1 of the printed matter printed by the image printing means 15 with the reading means 20 and outputs a disposal log d100.

The reading means 20 reads the identification information d1 from the printed matter. For example, if the identification information d1 is a barcode, a barcode reading device is used for the reading means 20. If the identification information d1 is character information or a two-dimensional code, a scanner having an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is used for the reading means 20. The two-dimensional code may be decoded from a scanned image by the disposal device 2, or may be decoded by the management means 40 or the like. If the identification information d1 is latent image information, an invisible reading device is used for the reading means 20. The invisible reading device irradiates the identification information d1, which cannot be read under visible light, with light corresponding to the invisible material from which the identification information d1 is formed, for example, infrared light in the case of IR toner, and reads the identification information d1 with an image sensor.

The disposal log d100 is log information recorded when the disposal device 2 performs disposal processing of a printed matter, and includes at least the identification information d1 read by the disposal device 2 from the printed matter during disposal processing. In addition to the identification information d1, the disposal log d100 may include other information related to disposal, such as the identification information of the disposal device 2, the disposal time, and the disposal method.

The disposal means 25 is a means for disposing of printed matter, for example, by a shredder.

The server device 4 has a management means 40. The server device 4 is an information processing device configured as a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the CPU executes a program stored in memory to realize the functions of the management means 40.

The management means 40 receives the print log d101 output by the image processing device 1, the identification information d1 and document linking information d102 of the print data D2 output by the image processing means 10, and the disposal log d100 output by the disposal device 2, and manages the generation and disposal of the printed matter in a document management database.

The print log d101 is the print log of the image printing means 15. The print log d101 includes information indicating that printing of a document has been completed by the image printing means 15.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of a document management database provided in the management means 40. Table T shown in Figure 12 corresponds to identification information t1, print log t2, and discard log t3.

The identification information t1 is set to the identification information d1 included in the linking information d102 output by the image processing means 10. The print log t2 corresponds to the print log d101 output by the image processing device 1, and flag information indicating the completion of printing of the document of the print data D2 linked to the identification information d1 is set. The discard log t3 corresponds to the discard log d100 output by the discard device 2, and the identification information d1 included in the discard log d100 is set.

With this configuration, the image processing device 1 adds identification information d1 to the print data D1 by referring to the print instruction D11, and prevents the occurrence of a printed matter on which a document is printed but on which the identification information d1 is not printed, even if printing is interrupted. The disposal device 2 also includes a reading means 20 that reads the identification information d1 from the printed matter output from the image printing means 15, making it possible to read the identification information d1. The management means 40 also receives the print log d101 from the image processing device 1, the identification information d1 from the image processing means 10, and the identification information d1 contained in the disposal log d100 from the disposal device 2. Therefore, the management means 40 can consistently manage the process from generation to disposal as long as a printed matter on which a document is printed is output, even if printing is interrupted.

The management means 40 may be provided in the image processing device 1. In this case, the image processing device 1 may include the image processing means 10, the image printing means 15, and the management means 40. The image processing device 1 may also include the functionality of the disposal device 2.

The functions of the image processing means 10 and management means 40 in each embodiment may be partially or entirely implemented by a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

In addition, some or all of the above functions may be realized by having the CPU execute a program stored in memory in a computer-configured information processing device.

The program may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM. It may also be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may also be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.

The image processing device according to each embodiment may also be applied to a multifunction device having at least two of the following functions: copy function, printer function, scanner function, and facsimile function.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Image processing device 2 Disposal device 4 Server device 10 Image processing means 11 Identification information generating means 12 Identification information adding means 15 Image printing means 20 Reading means 25 Disposal means 40 Management means 100 Document management system D1 Print data D11 Print instruction D2 Print data with identification information d1 Identification information d100 Disposal log d101 Print log d102 ID and document linking information h1 Sub-scanning leading edge h2 Print interruption position h3 Sub-scanning trailing edge M1 Recording medium (printed matter, document)
T Document Management Database Table

JP 2009-081820 A

Claims (10)

an identification information generating means for receiving print data from an external source and generating identification information;
an identification information adding means for adding the identification information by referring to a print instruction so that the position of the identification information is the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction;
An image processing device comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information adding means determines a position at which to add the identification information depending on a print orientation of the print instruction. The identification information adding means
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information is added so that a longitudinal direction of an object in the identification information is perpendicular to a sub-scanning direction. an image processing means disposed upstream of the identification information adding means in a print data flow;
The image processing means processes the image of the print data in response to the print instruction,
3 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information adding means determines a position at which the identification information is to be added to the print data after the image processing by the image processing means. The image processing means includes:
acquiring information indicating a trailing end of the object in the sub-scanning direction based on the identification information generated by the identification information generating means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the image is processed so that a trailing edge of the object in the identification information in the sub-scanning direction is positioned on the leading edge side in the sub-scanning direction relative to a leading edge of the object in the input print data in the sub-scanning direction. The identification information adding means
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification information is added as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. The identification information adding means
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information is added as invisible information. The identification information adding means
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the identification information is embedded in 3C black of a CMY mixture as latent image information with K, or the identification information is added with IR toner. an identification information generating means for receiving print data from an external source and generating identification information;
an identification information adding means for adding the identification information by referring to a print instruction so that the position of the identification information is the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction;
an image printing means for printing the print data to which the identification information has been added;
a discarding means for reading identification information from the printed matter printed by the image printing means;
a management means for performing document management of printed matter based on the identification information generated by the identification information generation means, a print log of the image printing means, and the identification information read by the disposal means. 1. A method implemented in a document management system, comprising:
an identification information generating means receiving print data from an external source and generating identification information;
a step of adding the identification information by an identification information adding means, with reference to a print instruction, so that the position of the identification information is at the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction;
a step of printing the print data to which the identification information is added by an image printing means;
A step in which a disposal means reads the identification information from the printed matter;
and performing document management of the printed matter by receiving the identification information generated by the identification information generating means, a print log of the image printing means, and the identification information read by the discarding means.

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