JP2859828B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having an image forming means for forming a color image on a medium based on given color image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying apparatus as an example of an apparatus using a recording apparatus of this kind, an image on a document placed on a document table or the like is read in accordance with an instruction of an operator, and a copying operation is faithfully performed. I was going.

On the other hand, recent advances in copying technology, combined with the technology for colorizing image recording, have made it possible to output a copied image that is very close to a document image.

[0004]

Therefore, in a conventional copying apparatus, an object which is to be prohibited from being copied, such as money or securities, is placed on a document table due to misuse or "mischief". Even if copying is performed by the operator, since copying is performed as instructed by the operator, counterfeiting can be easily induced and a large social problem may be caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to inhibit image formation from a recorded image without changing image data for recording by changing image data for recording of a specific image for which image formation is inhibited. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of recognizing that a specific image is a specified image.

[0006]

For this purpose, the present invention provides:
Image forming means for forming a color image on a medium based on given color image data, and a specific image for which image formation is prohibited based on the color image data. Determining means for determining whether or not, based on the determination result by the determining means, to change the given color image data,
Control means for controlling image formation by the image forming means so as to form an image based on the changed image data.

[0007]

According to the above arrangement, when it is determined that the color image data is of a specific image for which image formation is prohibited, the color image data itself used for image formation is changed. Is controlled so that an image is formed based on the image data of (1). When an image is formed, an image after a change different from a desired image is always formed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a copying apparatus to which the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied.

Here, 1 is a central processing unit (CPU) in the form of a microcomputer, and 2 is a CPU described later with reference to FIG.
The ROM 3 stores the operation program and the like, and the RAM 3 is used for working registers and the like in the control process by the CPU 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a keyboard, which has a well-known input key group such as a copy start command key and a copy number setting key. Reference numeral 5 denotes a keyboard interface circuit for connecting the keyboard 4 and the system bus 10.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an image reading means for reading an image on the set document, 7 an image memory for storing the read image data, and 8 an image output means for outputting the stored image data.

Reference numeral 9 denotes currency detecting means for detecting whether image data of an object whose duplication such as money or securities is prohibited exists in the image memory, and reference numeral 11 denotes an image for transferring image data between the units 6 to 9 at high speed. Data bus.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the image reading means.

Here, 61 is a document illumination lamp for illuminating the document surface, 62 is a zoom lens for forming a document image on a CCD as a reading element, 63 is a CCD for converting the image into an electric signal,
Numeral 64 is a document table made of a transparent plate, and numerals 65, 66 and 67 are mirrors.

In FIG. 2, a document illumination lamp 61 and a mirror 65 scan a document 69 placed on a document table 64 with a surface to be read facing downward, and light reflected from the document surface passes through a group of mirrors. The light is guided to the zoom lens 62 via the zoom lens 62, is focused on the CCD 63, and is converted into an electric signal.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the image output means 8.

Here, 81Y, 81M, 81C and 81K are a primary charger for yellow, a primary charger for magenta, respectively.
A primary charger for cyan and a primary charger for black. In the following, similarly, the subscripts Y, M, C and K in the figures are members having the reference numerals attached thereto, respectively.
It indicates yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

Reference numeral 82 denotes an LED array that blinks in accordance with image data, 83 denotes a developing device for attaching a developer (toner or the like) of a corresponding color, 84 denotes a transfer charger, 85 denotes a cleaner, and 86 denotes a photosensitive drum. is there.

Reference numeral 87 denotes a pickup roller for separating and taking out recording media (hereinafter referred to as copy paper) 811 stored in a paper feed cassette 811 one by one, and reference numerals 812 to 815 denote a pair of transport rollers provided on a transport path of the copy paper. Reference numeral 816 denotes a transport belt for discharging the recorded copy paper, reference numeral 88 denotes a fixing roller provided near the discharge port, and reference numeral 89 denotes a discharge tray for stacking the discharged copy paper.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a control procedure according to the present embodiment, and the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the CPU 1 executes a predetermined initialization routine (step S1).
Is executed, and after the fixing roller 88 reaches a predetermined temperature, the apparatus enters a state of waiting for a command input from the keyboard 4 (step S3).

When the operator instructs a copying operation using the keyboard 1, the CPU 1 drives the image reading means 6 to read an original image (step S5). This image reading is performed four times by switching the color filters, and each color (yellow, magenta,
(Cyan, Black) for each image.

Next, the money detecting means 9 is operated to check whether the image data in the image memory 7 is not money or securities (step S7). In the present embodiment, for example, if the address correspondence between the readable area on the document table 64 and the storage area on the image memory 7 is established, the document is based on the size of the data development area on the image memory 7. Inspection can be performed by recognizing the size of the money and comparing the result with the size of money or the like stored in advance in the ROM 2 or the like. Further, it can be performed by comparing the color spectrum distribution of the document with data registered in advance.

Then, when the size of money or the like is satisfied,
The money detecting means outputs "1", and if not applicable, outputs "0". When the output is "0", the CPU 1 outputs the image on the image memory 7 as a color image by the image output means 8 (step S11). On the other hand, if it is "1", image output is prohibited (step S13).

In the image output process (step S11), an image is formed based on a known electrostatic process. That is, after the photosensitive drum 86 is charged by the primary charger 81, the photosensitive drum 86 is charged.
The LED array 82 blinks in synchronization with the rotation of the LED array 82 in correspondence with the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed
In 83, the toner is developed by a developer (toner or the like), and the transfer charger 84
Is transferred to the copy sheet 87 fed by the pickup roller 87. Output of a color image is realized by performing the above-described process for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Then, after the development of the predetermined color is completed, the copy paper 810 is conveyed to the fixing roller by the conveyance belt 816, is thermally fixed, and is output to the paper discharge tray 89.

Conversely, in the process of step S13, the CPU 1 does not activate the image output means 8, so that copying is prohibited and no output is made. That is, if the document is money or the like, image output is prohibited. In connection with this processing, a predetermined error message may be displayed or an audio warning may be issued.

In order to finally prohibit the output of images of money and the like as described above, in addition to prohibiting the operation of the image output means 8 as described above, it can be performed before that. For example, the scanning of the document surface is performed four times for each color. If the document size becomes clear in the process, image reading may be prohibited by prohibiting subsequent reading at that time. .

Further, the output may be inhibited after the copying operation by the image output means 8.

FIG. 5 shows such an embodiment. In this embodiment, a copy sheet on which an image has been formed is not output to the outside of the apparatus but is discarded internally by cutting or the like. It was made.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the process proceeds to the image transfer to the copy sheet in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 regardless of the type of the original. When the output of the image detecting means 9 is "0", the conveying belt 816 is set at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
After being conveyed to the fixing unit 88 and thermally fixed, the sheet is output to a sheet discharge tray 89. On the other hand, when the output of the image detecting means is "1", that is, when the document is money or the like, the transport belt 816 is set at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. Then, the sent copy sheet 810 is sent to the cutter 101 through the guide 100, where it is cut into small pieces and discarded, so that a copy output cannot be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, as means for controlling the copy output, the operation of the image output means 8 is inhibited or the discharge is inhibited. However, the operation of the image output means 8 itself is controlled. Thus, a copy such as money may not be usable.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a control procedure according to such an embodiment.

In this embodiment, steps S23 and S25 are provided instead of step S13 in FIG.

That is, when the money detecting means 9 detects money or securities and outputs "1", the CPU 1 outputs "1" and outputs a yellow, magenta, cyan image and a black image on the image memory 7. The logical OR of each of the images is calculated, and the result is set as a black image (step S2
3). Next, the image is output as a monochrome (single color) image by the image output means 8 (step S25).

By outputting a monochrome image in this way, an operator who intends to perform a forgery operation cannot perform the operation simply by using the copying apparatus.

In this embodiment, black color copying is performed as the output of a monochrome image. However, monochrome copying of yellow, magenta, and cyan may be performed.
Alternatively, in view of the difficulty of counterfeiting, it is possible to control the image output means 8 in any mode as long as at least full-color faithful copying is not performed. In addition, when money or the like is detected before the above-described reading scan is completed, even if control is performed so that copying is performed using the contents stored in the memory 7, the full-color copying is not performed. It is.

In each of the embodiments described above, the detection of currency or the like is performed based on the size of the document. However, such detection may be performed using any form of means. Of course it is good.

For example, means for reading a magnetic pattern of a part or the whole of money used in a vending machine or the like may be provided, and the pattern may be compared with a previously stored pattern. In this case, in a configuration in which a magnetic head is provided on a document cover provided on the document table 64 and covering the document 69, or in a copying apparatus having an automatic document feeder (ADF) or the like, a magnetic field is provided on the transfer path. A configuration including a head may be employed.

It is also possible to read a part or the whole image pattern of money or the like and compare it with a previously stored pattern. For this reading, the reading operation by the image reading means 6 may be used as it is in a digital copier type apparatus as described above, and in other cases, a reading head is provided on a transport path such as a document cover or an ADF. It should be left. Alternatively, an illuminating means may be provided on the document cover, and a comparison may be made by reading a watermark pattern.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied irrespective of the form of the image output means 8. For example, in the above example, an LED array was used to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, but a laser beam or the like may be used. The invention is not limited to this, and various systems may be used.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Based on color image data used to form a color image on a medium, it is determined whether or not the image is a specific image for which duplication is prohibited, and when it is determined that the image is a specific image, the image is used for image formation. By changing the image data, it is possible to reliably prevent the copying of a specific image,
It is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of recognizing, from a formed image, that the image is a specific image for which image formation is prohibited, without prohibiting image formation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a configuration example of an image reading unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing one configuration example of an image output unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a second embodiment of a means for inhibiting copy output.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 Keyboard 5 Keyboard interface 6 Image reading means 7 Image memory 8 Image output means 9 Money detecting means 10,11 Bus 61 Document illumination lamp 63 CCD 64 Document table 69 Document 81 Primary charger 82 LED array 83 Developing unit 86 Photosensitive drum 88 Fixing roller 101 Cutting machine 810 Copy paper 816 Conveyor belt

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 21/04 H04N 1/40

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. Based on given color image data,
Image forming means for forming a color image on a medium , based on the color image data , whether a color image represented by the color image data is a specific image for which image formation is prohibited A determination unit configured to determine whether or not the image forming unit controls the image forming by the image forming unit to change the given color image data and form an image based on the changed image data based on a result of the determination by the determining unit. A recording device comprising: