JP3224491B2 - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and method for performing image recording by an ink jet recording method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for image processing apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers, many image processing apparatuses for forming images by an ink jet system have been proposed and commercialized.

Here, the ink jet system is one of the low noise non-impact image forming methods in which ink is ejected and directly attached to a recording medium (paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric, OHP paper, etc.). Therefore, in an image processing apparatus for forming an image using this ink jet recording head, a high-density and high-speed recording operation is possible.

However, the composition of the ink used in the conventional ink-jet system generally comprises water as a main component and a water-soluble high-boiling solvent such as glycol, which has an effect of preventing drying and clogging. Therefore, when recording on plain paper using the ink of such a composition,
In some cases, sufficient fixability could not be obtained, or a non-uniform image was generated, which was presumed to be due to the non-uniform distribution of the size material and the amount of packing on the plain paper surface. In particular, when a color image is to be obtained, a plurality of color inks are successively superimposed on each other before being fixed on a recording medium. In some cases, satisfactory images were not obtained due to mixing. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a method of applying a liquid for improving an image on a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid prior to the ejection of the recording ink is disclosed.

For example, JP-A-5-202328 discloses that
At least one having at least one carboxyl group
Disclosed is a method of obtaining an excellent image by using an ink composition containing two chemical dyes and a polyvalent metal salt solution, applying the polyvalent metal salt solution to a recording medium, and then applying the ink composition. Have been.

In the conventional image processing apparatus, a technique for recording communication information or the like in the first line of a recording medium has been widely used, for example, as used in a facsimile apparatus or the like.

[0007]

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, for example, due to the colorization and high definition of the formed image, forgery or illegal infringement of banknotes, securities, etc. due to illegal copying, copyright infringement, and the like have occurred. It has been suggested that image processing devices could be used for crime. Therefore, it is necessary to secure means for quickly specifying the image processing apparatus that has performed the output based on the output recording medium.

This is not an exception in the case of an image processing apparatus of the ink jet system, and the above-mentioned specifying means of the image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost and without disturbing the recorded image on the recording medium, that is, such as a facsimile machine. It had to be realized by a method of invisible recording, not visible recording.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an image processing apparatus and method for adding information on the image processing apparatus main body to a recording medium as invisible information and visualizing the information as necessary. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

As one means for achieving the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, image recording means for discharging a recording material onto a recording medium to record an image, and preprocessing means for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the recording material as a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium. Wherein the pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant, and the pretreatment means records information about the image processing apparatus on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid.

Image recording means for discharging a recording material onto a recording medium to record an image; and preprocessing means for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the recording material as a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium. Wherein the pretreatment liquid contains an acidic substance, and the pretreatment means records information on the image processing apparatus on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid.

Image recording means for discharging a recording material onto a recording medium to record an image; and preprocessing means for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the recording material as a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium. Wherein the pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant and an acidic substance, and the pretreatment means records information on the image processing apparatus on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid. I do.

[0014] For example, the preprocessing means records information on the image processing apparatus in a blank portion of the recording medium where image formation by the image forming means is not performed.

For example, the pre-processing means discharges the pre-treatment liquid onto the recording medium prior to image recording by the image recording means.

For example, the preprocessing means scans on a recording medium integrally with the image recording means.

For example, the preprocessing means scans on a recording medium independently of the image recording means.

Further, there is provided a conveyance amount management means for managing the conveyance amount of the recording medium, and the pre-processing means is present between the image recording means and the conveyance amount management means.

For example, the conveyance amount management means is a sensor for detecting a front end and a rear end of the recording medium.

[0020] For example, the image recording means records an image by discharging recording materials of different colors onto the recording medium.

For example, the image recording means is yellow,
It is characterized by having print heads corresponding to magenta, cyan and black.

For example, the recording head is an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink.

For example, the recording head is a recording head that discharges ink by using thermal energy, and is characterized in that it has a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink.

For example, the information relating to the image processing apparatus is an identification code unique to the image processing apparatus.

As one means for achieving the above object, the image processing method of the present invention comprises the following steps.

That is, an image processing method in an image processing apparatus for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in a recording agent onto a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid and then discharging the recording agent to record an image. The pretreatment liquid includes a surfactant, and information about an image processing apparatus is recorded on the recording medium by the pretreatment liquid.

An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in a recording agent to a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid, and then discharging the recording agent to record an image, The pretreatment liquid contains an acidic substance, and information about an image processing apparatus is recorded on the recording medium by the pretreatment liquid.

An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in a recording agent to a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid, and then discharging the recording agent to record an image, The pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant and an acidic substance, and information about an image processing apparatus is recorded on the recording medium by the pretreatment liquid.

[0029]

According to the above arrangement, information on the image processing apparatus can be recorded as invisible information on a recording medium, and the invisible information can be visualized by performing a predetermined operation on the recording medium. Therefore, a specific operation and effect is obtained in that the image processing apparatus that has performed the output can be easily specified based on the output recording medium.

[0030]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 19 denotes a recording sheet;
The uppermost sheet is loaded and stored on a paper feed tray 17 in a paper feed cassette 16 that is detachable from the image processing apparatus main body, and is pressed against the paper feed roller 10 by a spring 18 at the time of paper feeding. The paper feed roller 10 is a half-moon roller, is driven and rotated by a paper feed motor 124 described later, and feeds only the uppermost sheet of the recording sheet 19 by a separation claw (not shown).

The recording sheet 19 that has been separated and fed is made to make a U-turn in the transport direction along the transport surface of the paper feed cassette 16 and the paper guide 22 by the intermediate roller 12 and the intermediate roller 6 pressed against it. Thereafter, the recording sheet 19 is fed by a predetermined amount by the main conveyance roller 7 and the pinch roller 8 which is in pressure contact with the main conveyance roller 7, and is conveyed to an ink recording unit constituted by the carriage 2 and the like. Here, the paper sensor 14 is a reflection-type photo sensor, and manages the position of the recording sheet 19 by detecting the front end position and the rear end position of the recording sheet 19.

As the ink recording unit in the image processing apparatus of this embodiment, a serial type ink jet recording system is used. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink recording unit.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head for performing recording by an ink jet method, and reference numerals 5a to 5d denote ink cartridges for supplying ink to the recording head 1. Also,
Reference numeral 5e denotes a pretreatment liquid cartridge for supplying a pretreatment liquid, which is a transparent liquid for insolubilizing the dye in the ink, to the recording head 1.

Each of these cartridges 5 a to 5 e is mounted on the carriage 2 and is long in the width direction of the recording sheet 19.
The carriage reciprocates along a carriage guide shaft 9 by a carriage belt 13 interlocked with a carriage motor described later. Then, the recording head 1 is driven so as to synchronize with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 2, and the pretreatment liquid is applied to the recording sheet 19 by the pretreatment liquid cartridge 5 e, and then the ink droplets are discharged from the ink cartridges 5 a to 5 d of each color. By discharging, it is possible to form a good ink image with no bleeding and fixability.

Here, the recording head 1 includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and yellow ink supplied from the yellow ink cartridge 5a, the magenta ink cartridge 5b, the cyan ink cartridge 5c, and the black ink cartridge 5d.
It has a nozzle port for discharging each black ink and a nozzle port for discharging the pretreatment liquid supplied from the pretreatment liquid cartridge 5e.

Next, a control system for driving each member in the image processing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control system in this embodiment includes a CPU 120a such as a microprocessor,
ROM 120b storing a control program and various data of the CPU 120a, RAM 120c used as a work area of the CPU 120a and temporarily storing various data, and an image processing unit 120 for performing various image processing, an interface 121, an operation panel 12
2. Each motor (carriage drive motor 123, paper feed roller drive motor 124, first transport roller pair drive motor 125, and second transport roller pair drive motor 1
26), and a driver 128 for driving the ink recording head 1.

In the above configuration, the control unit 120 inputs various information (for example, character pitch, character type, etc.) from the operation panel 122 via the interface 121, and inputs an image signal from the external device 129. Control unit 1
Reference numeral 20 denotes each motor 23 through an interface 121.
An ON / OFF signal and an image signal for driving the motor 26 are output, and each member is driven by the image signal.

FIG. 4 shows a recording sheet 19 on which an image is formed and output in this embodiment. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 19a denotes an image forming area where an image is formed, 19b denotes a print margin where no image is formed, and 19c denotes a main body identification code added in this embodiment. The identification code will be described later.

In FIG. 1, when the recording sheet 19 arrives at the ink recording section, first, the pre-treatment liquid is used by the pre-treatment liquid cartridge 5e to put the main body identification code in the print margin 19b where the image of the recording sheet 19 is not printed. Print.
This body identification code is unique to each image processing apparatus, and is already recorded in the ROM 120b in the control unit 120 in the manufacturing process. In addition, since the main body identification code is managed in the manufacturing and sales processes of the image processing apparatus, if the main body identification code is detected on the recording sheet 19, the image processing apparatus that immediately outputs the recording sheet 19 is used. It can be specified. The pretreatment liquid for printing the main body identification code is a transparent liquid as described later, and cannot be recognized by the operator using the pretreatment liquid alone.

When the main body identification code is printed on the print margin 19b of the recording sheet 19, the image forming area 19
An image intended by the operator is formed on the area a by ejecting ink to the vicinity of the pretreatment liquid application section as described above.

In the recording sheet 19, the printing position of the main body identification code 19c by the pretreatment liquid is determined by the printing margin 1
9b is not particularly limited to the leading edge of the sheet. For example, the left and right printing margins 19b or the image forming area 19a may be any area where no image is formed.

The recording sheet 19 fed and printed in the above-described configuration is discharged and conveyed by the discharge roller 3 and the spur 4 pressed against the recording sheet 19, and is stacked on the discharge tray 21.

Hereinafter, the composition of the pretreatment liquid used in the present embodiment will be described. The pretreatment liquid for insolubilizing the ink dye is a colorless liquid stored in the pretreatment liquid cartridge 5e and adjusted according to the following prescription. That is, after the following components are mixed and dissolved, the mixture is subjected to pressure filtration with a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm (for example, “Fluoropore Filter” manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) to obtain a colorless liquid A1. This colorless liquid A1 becomes the pretreatment liquid. Hereinafter, the pretreatment liquid A1 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[Components of Pretreatment Solution AI] Surfactant (low molecular weight component of cationic compound) Stearyl trimethylammonium chloride 2.0 parts (for example, Kao's “Electrostopper QE”) Acidic substance (of cationic compound) (Polymer component) 3.0 parts of polyamine sulfone (average molecular weight: 5000, ph: 2 to 3) (for example, “PAS-92” manufactured by Nitto Boseki) 10 parts of thiodylglycol water remaining part The body identification code 19c of the embodiment is printed on the recording sheet 19. Here, the surfactant, which is a part of the composition of the pretreatment liquid, is used as the recording sheet 19
When applied to and permeated, it has the property of facilitating the penetration of water into that area. Therefore, if necessary, the recording sheet 19 after the image formation is immersed in water, so that the recording sheet 19 is formed.
In, only the portion where the transparent liquid A1 (pre-treatment liquid) for insolubilizing the dye in each color ink is recorded, rises like a watermark. Therefore, the operator can visualize the main body identification code.

Further, by including an acidic substance in the transparent liquid A1 (pre-treatment liquid) for insolubilizing the dye in the ink, the ph indicator can be applied as necessary to visualize the main body identification code. it can.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the transparent liquid (pretreatment liquid) for insolubilizing the dye in the ink for image recording contains one or both of a surfactant and an acidic substance, By recording the identification code of the image processing apparatus main body on the recording medium with the pretreatment liquid, the main body identification code can be recorded on the recording medium without disturbing the actually recorded image.

Further, since the pretreatment liquid is used for normal image formation, it is not necessary to provide a new means for recording the identification code as invisible information, and the cost is not increased.

Since the pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant, when the recording medium is immersed in water, only the portion of the recording medium to which the pretreatment liquid is applied rises like a watermark. The identification code of the device main body can be visualized.

Since the pretreatment liquid contains an acidic substance, the identification code of the image processing apparatus can be visualized by applying a ph indicator to the recording medium.

Therefore, based on the output recording medium,
It is possible to easily specify the image processing apparatus main body that has performed the output.

The recording of the identification code with the pretreatment liquid is performed on the print margin of the recording medium, so that the recording of the identification code is mixed with the pretreatment liquid applied to the image forming portion of the recording medium. Since it is possible to prevent such a situation, information recognition at the time of visualization can be clarified.

<Second Embodiment> Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 15 denotes a pretreatment liquid head, 2
Reference numeral 0 denotes a pretreatment liquid cartridge, which constitutes a pretreatment liquid recording unit. The pretreatment liquid recording unit is located between the paper sensor 14 and an ink recording unit including the carriage 2, the ink recording head 1, and the ink cartridge 5 for each color material. Note that the pretreatment liquid head 15 uses a so-called line head that is disposed at a right angle to the transport direction of the recording sheet 19 in a range larger than the recording sheet width. The detailed configuration of the ink recording unit shown in FIG.
The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above except that the pretreatment liquid cartridge 5e is omitted from FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG.
After passing through the paper sensor 14, is transported to the pretreatment liquid recording unit. Here, the pretreatment liquid head 15 prints the main body identification marking on, for example, a print margin 19b shown in FIG. 4 on the recording sheet 19, and prints the pretreatment liquid on the image forming area 19a. Subsequently, the recording sheet 19 is conveyed to an ink recording unit, and an ink containing each color material is ejected from the ink storage head 1 to form an image intended by the operator.

As described above, according to the configuration of the second embodiment,
By disposing the pretreatment liquid head 15 in the preceding stage of the ink recording unit, it is not necessary to mount the pretreatment liquid head and the cartridge on the carriage 2 in the ink recording unit.
The width of the carriage 2 can be small. Therefore, the movable width of the carriage 2 (the length of the carriage guide shaft 9 and the carriage belt 13 and the like) can be reduced, so that an image processing apparatus having a smaller width and a smaller installation area can be provided.

The present invention is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection even in an ink jet recording system. Although the printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of the ink (film boiling) has been described, according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is exchangeable with a print head of a chip type which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus and can supply ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and recording Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be an integral recording head or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower, or which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, in the ink jet system, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. It is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, the temperature is positively prevented.
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or by the time the ink reaches the recording medium, the solidification of the ink already begun. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. For example, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to those provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function May take the form of

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, the transparent liquid (pretreatment liquid) for insolubilizing the dye in the ink for image recording contains one or both of a surfactant and an acidic substance. By recording information on the image processing apparatus main body on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid, information on the image processing apparatus can be recorded on the recording medium without disturbing an actually recorded image.

Further, since the pretreatment liquid is used for normal image formation, there is no need to provide a new means for recording information on the image processing apparatus as invisible information, and the cost is not increased.

Also, since the pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant, by dipping the recording medium in water, only the portion of the recording medium to which the pretreatment liquid has been applied rises like a watermark. Information about the device main body can be visualized.

Further, since the pretreatment liquid contains an acidic substance, information on the image processing apparatus can be visualized by applying a ph indicator to the recording medium.

Therefore, based on the output recording medium,
It is possible to easily specify the image processing apparatus main body that has performed the output.

Further, by recording information on the image processing apparatus using the pretreatment liquid in a print margin of the recording medium, the recording of the information is performed with the pretreatment liquid applied to the image forming portion of the recording medium. Since it is possible to prevent mixing, information recognition at the time of visualization can be clarified.

Further, the recording means for discharging the pretreatment liquid onto the recording medium is provided before the ink recording means for discharging the ink onto the recording medium to form an image, so that the pretreatment liquid in the ink recording section is provided. It is not necessary to mount a member for the carriage, so that the width of the carriage can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus having a smaller width and a smaller installation area.

[0078]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an ink recording unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control system for driving each member in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a recording sheet output in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink recording head 2 Carriage 3 Discharge roller 4 Spur 5a Yellow ink cartridge 5b Magenta ink cartridge 5c Cyan ink cartridge 5d Black ink cartridge 5e Pretreatment liquid cartridge 6 Intermediate roller 7 Main transport roller 8 Pinch roller 9 Carriage guide shaft 10 Feeding Roller 11 Platen 12 Intermediate roller 13 Carriage belt 14 Photosensor 15 Pretreatment liquid head 16 Paper supply cassette 17 Paper supply tray 18 Spring 19 Recording sheet 20 Pretreatment liquid tank 21 Paper discharge tray 22 Paper guide

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-299970 (JP, A) JP-A-64-9279 (JP, A) JP-A-6-270397 (JP, A) JP-A-2- 95880 (JP, A) JP-A-8-85218 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/01

Claims (17)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image recording means for discharging a recording agent onto a recording medium to record an image, and a preprocessing means for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the recording agent onto the recording medium as a pretreatment liquid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preprocessing liquid includes a surfactant, and the preprocessing unit records information on the image processing apparatus on the recording medium using the preprocessing liquid. . 2. An image recording means for ejecting a recording agent onto a recording medium to record an image, and a preprocessing means for ejecting a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the recording agent onto the recording medium as a pretreatment liquid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment liquid contains an acidic substance, and the pretreatment unit records information on the image processing apparatus on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid. 3. An image recording means for discharging a recording material onto a recording medium to record an image, and a preprocessing means for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in the recording material as a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium. Wherein the pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant and an acidic substance, and the pretreatment means records information on the image processing apparatus on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid. Image processing device. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-processing unit records information on the image processing apparatus in a blank portion of the recording medium where image formation by the image forming unit is not performed. The image processing device according to any one of the above. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-processing unit discharges the pre-processing liquid onto the recording medium prior to image recording by the image recording unit. . 6. An image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said preprocessing means scans on a recording medium integrally with said image recording means. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the preprocessing unit scans on a recording medium independently of the image recording unit. 8. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyance amount management unit for managing a conveyance amount of the recording medium, wherein the preprocessing unit exists between the image recording unit and the conveyance amount management unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the conveyance amount management unit is a sensor that detects a leading end and a trailing end of the recording medium. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording unit records an image by ejecting recording materials of different colors onto the recording medium. 11. An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said image recording means includes recording heads corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 13. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 13. The image processing device according to Item 12. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information on the image processing apparatus is an identification code unique to the image processing apparatus. 15. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus which discharges a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in a recording agent to a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid, and then discharges the recording agent to record an image. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment liquid includes a surfactant, and information about an image processing apparatus is recorded on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid. 16. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in a recording agent to a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid, and then discharging the recording agent to record an image. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment liquid contains an acidic substance, and information about an image processing apparatus is recorded on the recording medium using the pretreatment liquid. 17. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for discharging a transparent liquid for insolubilizing a dye in a recording agent to a recording medium as a pretreatment liquid, and then discharging the recording agent to record an image, The image processing method, wherein the pretreatment liquid contains a surfactant and an acidic substance, and information about an image processing device is recorded on the recording medium by the pretreatment liquid.