JP4413032B2 - Image forming apparatus and data providing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that acquires data to which additional information is added and forms an image based on the data and a sub-image based on the additional information, and a data providing system using the image forming apparatus.

For example, a pay information distribution device is connected to a copy machine installed in a convenience store, and the pay information distributed by the pay information distribution device is output as an image content (content print) by outputting an image on a predetermined recording sheet. A system has been put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, when the user selects desired pay information from pay information distributed by the pay information distribution device, such as bromide, map data, and newspaper data, the consideration of the selected pay information and the print fee The fee information is transferred from the fee information distribution device to the copy machine, and an image is output to a predetermined recording sheet in the copy device.
JP 2004-5559 A

  In recent years, colorization and high image quality have progressed in image forming apparatuses that employ an electrophotographic process, and even if a content print obtained using a system as described above is directly copied by a copier, paid information is available. It can be copied with an image quality comparable to the original content print provided by the distribution apparatus. Such copying of content prints can be easily performed with a copy machine installed at a convenience store. For this reason, when a content print is copied by a copying machine, there is a problem that the charge information provider cannot collect the charge as pay information of the content print. At the same time, there is a problem that copyrights, portrait rights, etc. of paid information cannot be protected.

  Some content prints that are provided vary in value (charge) as time passes. For example, catalogs relating to unpublished products may decrease in value as data as products are announced, and digital data obtained by reading a book may increase in value as data after the book is out of print. However, the system as described above does not handle data whose value fluctuates in this way, and there is a problem that an appropriate fee is not collected according to the provision date and time provided as a content print. These problems are not limited to the case where pay information is formed on a recording sheet, but similarly occurs when pay information is formed on a handkerchief, clothes (particularly, a T-shirt) or the like.

  On the other hand, there are systems in which a predetermined pattern is formed on a recording sheet on which an image is formed, thereby taking measures such as protecting copyrights and preventing counterfeiting of banknotes. In this system, a predetermined pattern is detected from image data obtained by reading a recording sheet on which an image is formed, and based on the detected pattern, it is determined whether the recording sheet is an original or a copy. Yes. However, the predetermined pattern added for forgery determination needs to be added to all pay information updated and added daily. In addition, due to a predetermined pattern added to the original image, it is difficult to faithfully reproduce the image quality of the original image, and it is difficult to prevent deterioration of the image quality of the provided content print. There is. Further, in order to detect a pattern for forgery determination, there is a problem that a detection system is required separately from a system for distributing paid information.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, anti abolish Rukoto is an image forming apparatus copying without permission of the content printed to be provided for a fee, with the image forming apparatus data An object is to provide a providing system.

  Another object of the present invention is, for example, an image forming apparatus capable of collecting data charges at the time of execution of copying processing when copying content prints whose charges vary with time. It is to provide a data providing system including a forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires data to which additional information is added, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit and a sub-image based on the additional information on a record carrier. The additional information includes fee information of the data, and a reading unit that reads an image from a record carrier on which the sub-image is formed, and an image read by the reading unit Detection means for detecting the additional information, update means for updating the charge information included in the additional information detected by the detection means to charge information according to the passage of time, and charge information updated by the update means Determining means for determining whether or not the fee shown is received, and when the image forming means determines that the fee is received by the determining means, the reading means reads the fee. Characterized in that the images are configured to form on the record carrier.

In the case of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus that acquires data to which additional information is added and forms an image based on the acquired data and a sub-image based on the additional information on a record carrier, the record carrier on which the sub-image is formed The reading means reads the image, the detection means detects the additional information from the read image, and the update means updates the fee information included in the detected additional information to the fee information according to the passage of time . In addition, the determination unit determines whether or not the fee indicated by the updated fee information has been received, and the image forming unit forms the image read by the reading unit on the record carrier only when it is determined that the fee has been received. . This makes it possible to prohibit unauthorized copying of images formed on the record carrier.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving fee before Symbol judging means configured charges shown fee information updated by said updating means to determine whether or not received by the receiving means It is characterized by being.

In the case of the present invention, when the fee indicated by the fee information included in the additional information detected from the image read from the record carrier is received by the accepting means, the image read from the record carrier is processed to form a fee. It is possible to collect the compensation for each piece of data even when copying the data distributed in (1). For data whose charge fluctuates with time, appropriate compensation for each data at the time of execution of the copy process is collected based on the charge information indicated by the additional information already updated at the time of execution of the copy process. It becomes possible.

A data providing system according to the present invention includes a providing device that provides data to which additional information is added, and an image formation that forms an image based on the data provided from the providing device and a sub-image based on the additional information on a record carrier. A data providing system connected to a device, wherein the additional information includes fee information of the data, and the image forming device reads an image from a record carrier on which the sub-image is formed. And detecting means for detecting the additional information from the image read by the reading means, and update additional information in which the charge information included in the additional information detected by the detecting means is updated to the charge information as time passes Information requesting means for requesting the providing apparatus, the providing apparatus comprising information providing means for providing the requested update additional information to the image forming apparatus, The apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the fee indicated by the fee information included in the update additional information acquired from the providing device is received, and when the determination unit determines that the fee is received, the reading unit Is configured to form an image read on the record carrier.

According to the present invention, a providing apparatus that provides data with additional information added thereto, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on the data provided from the providing apparatus and a sub-image based on the additional information on a record carrier. In the connected data providing system, the image forming apparatus reads the image from the record carrier on which the sub-image is formed, detects the additional information from the read image, and the charge information included in the detected additional information indicates the time information It requests the providing apparatus for updated additional information updated to fee information corresponding to the progress . The providing apparatus provides the requested update additional information to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus that has acquired the update additional information determines whether or not the fee indicated by the fee information included in the acquired update additional information has been received, When it is determined that the fee has been accepted, an image read from the record carrier is formed on the record carrier.

Thus, even when the image forming apparatus performs a copy process of a record carrier in which execution of the copy process is restricted by forming a sub-image, fee information included in the additional information detected from the record carrier the Rukoto acceptance rates indicated, it is possible to execute the copy process of the record carrier. In addition, for data whose charge fluctuates with the passage of time, update additional information including charge information already updated at the time of execution of the copying process is acquired from the providing device, and the charge information included in the acquired update additional information Based on this, it is possible to determine whether the record carrier can be copied.

Data providing system according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving fee determination means before Symbol image forming apparatus, determines whether or not accepted by the accepting means the price indicated by the charge information included in the update additional information It is comprised so that it may do.

In the case of the present invention, when the fee indicated by the fee information included in the updated additional information is received by the receiving means, the fee information included in the additional information detected from the image read from the record carrier is received from the record carrier. By making it possible to form a read image, it is possible to collect a fee for each data even when copying data distributed for a fee. In addition, for data whose fees vary with the passage of time, it is possible to collect appropriate compensation for each data at the time of copying processing based on the updated fee information already updated at the time of copying processing It becomes.

According to the present invention, the charge included in the additional information detected from the image obtained by the image forming apparatus reading the record carrier on which the sub-image based on the additional information added to the data provided by the providing apparatus is formed. If the information is accepted rates shown, by performing the formation process of the read image, can restrict data copyright and portrait rights and the like occur, the copying process, such as data provided for a fee, Data copyright, portrait rights, etc. can be protected.

  If the additional information added to the data fluctuates, the additional information detected from the read image is updated by a predetermined process, and the copy processing of the record carrier is performed based on the updated additional information. By determining whether it is possible or not, the copying process of the record carrier can be restricted according to the execution date and time of the copying process. For example, for data that requires execution of authentication processing to determine whether or not the person has permission to copy processing, the authentication processing is performed for data that no longer needs to be executed after a predetermined date and time. The copy processing after the date and time when it is no longer necessary can be executed without performing the authentication processing.

  As additional information added to each data, information related to each data acquisition process, for example, each data acquisition time, device information indicating a source device, information for identifying each data, formation time on a record carrier When the device information indicating the device itself is formed on the record carrier together with the image based on the acquired data, the recording sheet provided as the content print can be specified, for the prevention of forgery and the subsequent tracking Can be used as proof of. In addition, when fee information necessary for receiving the provision of data is formed on a recording sheet together with the data, the price of the provided content print can be shown.

According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus inquires of the providing apparatus whether the additional information detected from the image read from the record carrier has been updated, and requests the providing apparatus for updated additional information in which the detected additional information has been updated. . In addition, the image forming apparatus executes the copying process of the record carrier when receiving the fee indicated by the fee information included in the update additional information acquired from the providing device. As a result, the image forming apparatus only needs to update the additional information detected from the record carrier to the updated additional information acquired from the providing apparatus, and it is not necessary to manage the update state of the additional information. Can be reduced.

According to the present invention, it is distributed for a fee by performing the process of forming the image read from the record carrier only when the fee indicated by the fee information included in the additional information detected from the image read from the record carrier is received. Even if data is copied, the value of each data can be collected smoothly and copy processing by a person who does not pay a predetermined fee can be prohibited. In addition, for data whose charge fluctuates with the passage of time, appropriate compensation for each data at the time of execution of the copying process can be collected based on the update additional information already updated at the time of execution of the copying process. .

  Hereinafter, a data providing system according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a data providing system according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a data providing system. The data processing system 100 transmits, for example, a copying machine 80 as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a pay information providing apparatus 90 as a providing apparatus according to the present invention. It is configured by connecting via a line 101. The copy machine 80 and the pay information providing apparatus 90 can be connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and the plurality of copy machines 80 and the plurality of pay information providing apparatuses 90 are connected to each other via a network. It can also be set as the structure connected via.

  In the data providing system 100 according to the present embodiment, the pay information providing apparatus 90 provides image data (data) such as map information and photo information for a fee, and charges a fee according to the image data desired by the user. When the information is supplied from a charge input port 98 provided at a predetermined position of the information providing apparatus 90, the pay information providing apparatus 90 transfers the image data desired by the user to the copying machine 80, and the copying machine 80 uses the predetermined recording paper (recording). The image is output to a carrier and provided as a content print (image content). The pay information providing apparatus 90 also transfers additional information added to the image data when transferring the image data to the copy machine 80. In the present embodiment, the additional information added to the image data is information including specifying information for specifying each image data and fee information in each image data.

  Here, the charge information is information that varies with the passage of time. Examples of data whose value (charge) as data decreases with the passage of time include catalogs concerning unpublished products, calendar images, and discount coupons for a limited time. For example, the product catalog may decrease in value as data with the announcement of the product, the calendar image may decrease in data value as the New Year, for example. As the end approaches, the value as data may decrease.

  Further, examples of data whose value as data increases with the passage of time include digital data obtained by reading a book, lyrics card, and bromide. For example, digital data obtained by reading a book may increase in value as data after the book is out of print, and a lyric card increases in value as data when, for example, the song is placed at the top of the hit chart. In some cases, bromide has an increased value as data depending on the degree of popularity of the person who is the subject.

  Therefore, the pay information providing apparatus 90 collects the fee indicated by the fee information included in each additional information when the user instructs the provision of the image data, and when the predetermined fee can be collected, the image specified by the user is collected. The data is transferred to the copier 80, and the copier 80 outputs an image on a predetermined recording sheet and provides it as a content print.

  On the other hand, when the copy machine 80 forms an image (hereinafter referred to as an original image) based on the image data transferred from the pay information providing apparatus 90 on the recording paper as described above, the additional information (transferred together with the image data) ( An image based on the specific information and fee information (hereinafter referred to as a sub-image) is formed with copy forgery prevention ink. The sub-image is formed on a predetermined portion other than the original image formation region of the recording paper provided as the content print, for example, a blank portion outside the original image formation region, or the back surface of the original image formation surface. . The sub-image may be formed in the form of, for example, a two-dimensional barcode by coding additional information.

  As the additional information added to the image data, in addition to the above-described fee information, for example, provision time of the image data from the pay information providing device 90, device information for specifying the pay information providing device 90 that is the provision destination, It may be information related to the acquisition processing of each image data such as the recording time of the image data on the recording paper, device information for specifying the copier 80, and the like. By forming such information in the content print, the image data provided as the content print can be used as evidence for forgery prevention and tracking when the image data is forged.

  The copier 80 not only outputs the image content provided from the pay information providing apparatus 90 but also is used as a copying apparatus. A fee box 103 is connected to the copy machine 80 via a transmission line 102. A user inputs a printing fee according to various setting conditions such as the number of copies, the type of recording paper, black-and-white printing or color printing from a charging slot (accepting means) 103a provided at a predetermined position of the charging box 103 By doing so, the copying machine 80 can start the copying process of the document placed on the document placement table (not shown).

  Below, the structural example of the copy machine 80 and the pay information provision apparatus 90 in the data provision system 100 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated concretely. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the pay information providing apparatus 90 and the copy machine 80. As shown in FIG. 2, the copier 80 includes a control unit 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, a reading unit 84, an image memory 85, an image forming unit 86, an operation panel 87, an interface 88 for connecting the transmission line 101, and the like. These are connected to each other via a bus 89.

  The control unit 81 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or the like, and controls the above-described hardware units connected via the bus 89 and is stored in the ROM 82 in advance. Various control programs necessary for operating the copier 80 as the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are appropriately read into the RAM 83 and executed. The RAM 83 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 81 executes the control program.

  The reading unit (reading unit) 84 is a scanner device using, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), scans an image recorded on a document (record carrier), reads it as image data of digital data, and reads the read image. Data is temporarily stored in the image memory 85. The image memory 85 is constituted by, for example, a DRAM, and temporarily stores image data read by the reading unit 84, image data acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 via the interface 88, and the like.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the reading unit 84 receives, for example, the reflected light from the original of the light emitted from the light source using a halogen lamp by the CCD and acquires the image data, as well as the ultraviolet light source, A scanner unit is provided that includes a detection device that detects a reflected wavelength of an ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet light source. In other words, when the reading unit 84 reads a document on which the copy forgery prevention ink is applied by the image forming unit 86 as will be described later, in addition to the normal reading process, the reading unit 84 performs the sub-image for the copy forgery prevention ink reflecting the ultraviolet rays. Reading processing can also be performed. When magnetic ink is used for forming a sub-image, a similar reading process can be performed by providing a magnetic detection device in the reading unit 84.

  An image forming unit (image forming means) 86 is an electrophotographic printer device, and an image based on image data stored in the image memory 85 is used as a hard copy for A3 portrait, B4 portrait, A4 portrait, B5 landscape and A5 landscape. For example, recording paper of an optimal size is selected from recording paper of each size or OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet. The operation panel 87 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for operating the copier 80, and an input unit such as a touch panel through which information such as a control command is input by a user operation. Yes. The interface 88 performs data transmission processing with the pay information providing apparatus 90 via the transmission line 101, and operates as an acquisition unit that acquires image data transferred from the pay information providing apparatus 90, for example.

  Although omitted in FIG. 2, the copy machine 80 further includes an interface for connecting to the charge box 103 and is connected to the bus 89, and the control unit 81 is input from the charge input port 103a. By acquiring a control signal indicating a charge to be received from the charge box 103 via the transmission line 102, the charge input by the user can be detected.

  On the other hand, the pay information providing apparatus 90 is constituted by a personal computer or the like, and includes an interface 96 for connecting the control unit 91, ROM 92, RAM 93, operation panel 94, hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD) 95, transmission line 101, and the like. Are connected to each other via a bus 97.

  The control unit 91 is configured by a CPU, an MPU, or the like, and controls each of the above-described hardware units connected via the bus 97 and operates the pay information providing apparatus 90 stored in the ROM 92 in advance. Various necessary control programs are appropriately read into the RAM 93 and executed. The RAM 93 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 91 executes the control program.

  The operation panel 94 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for operating the pay information providing apparatus 90, and an input unit such as a touch panel through which information such as a control command is input by a user operation. Has been. The HD 95 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data to be provided to the outside as a content print. In the HD 95, for example, photo data such as map data, calendar data, and bromide are recorded as image data, and are stored in a map database (hereinafter referred to as DB), calendar DB, and photo DB, respectively. The interface 96 performs data transmission processing with the copy machine 80 via the transmission line 101, and for example, sends image data stored in the HD 95 to the copy machine 80.

  The pay information providing apparatus 90 stores each image data in the HD 95 for each map DB, calendar DB, and photo DB as described above. In the data providing system 100, the pay information providing apparatus 90 provides a selection screen on the operation panel 94 for selecting image data based on each item of map, calendar, and bromide so that the user can easily select desired image data. Display. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen in the pay information providing apparatus 90. FIG. 3A shows an example of the initial screen, and FIG. 3B shows an example of the selection screen when a calendar image is selected.

  In the present embodiment, bromide, calendar, and map are prepared as image data provided by the pay information providing apparatus 90, and the operation panel 94 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 has an operation panel 94 as shown in FIG. A bromide button, a calendar button, a map button for selecting an item desired by the user, an OK button for confirming the selected button, and a cancel button for ending the process are displayed.

  The user selects a desired item according to the selection screen as shown in FIG. 3A and turns on the OK button. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the calendar button is turned on. When the OK button is turned on by the user, the pay information providing apparatus 90 is displayed on the operation panel 94 as shown in FIG. A selection screen like this is displayed. When the user selects desired image data according to the selection screen shown in FIG. 3B and turns on the OK button, the pay information providing apparatus 90 reads the corresponding image data from the HD 95 and copies it via the interface 96. Send to 80. As a result, the copying machine 80 can acquire the image data sent from the pay information providing apparatus 90, so that the acquired image data is output as an image on a predetermined recording sheet by the image forming unit 86 and provided as a content print.

  Further, the pay information providing apparatus 90 stores additional information (specific information and fee information) added to each image data together with each image data in the HD 95, and when the image data is selected by the user as described above. In order to collect a fee corresponding to the selected image data, a message such as “Please insert 100 yen” is displayed on the operation panel based on the fee information of the additional information added to the selected image data. 94. When such a charge collection instruction is displayed, the control unit 91 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 operates as a determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined charge is received from the charge input port 98, and the predetermined charge Can be transferred to the copier 80 via the transmission line 101 and the copier 80 can output an image.

  In the data providing system 100 according to the present embodiment, the pay information providing apparatus 90 sends the additional information added to the image data together with the image data selected by the user to the copy machine 80. The copier 80 acquires additional information together with the image data via the interface 88, and forms a sub-image based on the additional information together with the original image based on the acquired image data on the same recording sheet by the image forming unit 86. The image based on the additional information is formed with copy forgery prevention ink as will be described later.

  Hereinafter, a configuration example of the image forming unit 86 in the copier 80 according to the present invention will be specifically described. FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a copying machine 80 as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit 86 that forms an image based on image data acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 on a predetermined recording sheet, and a transfer conveyance. Belt unit 8.

  The image forming unit 86 of the copier 80 forms four colors corresponding to each color in order to form a multicolor image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Exposure units 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d for forming electrostatic latent images, developing devices 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d for developing electrostatic latent images of respective colors, photosensitive drums 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, and a cleaner unit 4a , 4b, 4c, 4d and chargers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. The symbols a, b, c, and d attached to the respective symbols are described so as to correspond to the respective colors of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). In the following, except for the case where a member corresponding to a specific color is specified and described, the members provided for each color are collected together, and the exposure unit 1, the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, and the cleaner unit 4. Will be referred to as charger 5.

  The exposure unit 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser irradiation unit and a reflection mirror. A writing head in which light emitting elements such as EL (Electro Luminescence) and LED (Light Emitting Diode) are arranged in an array can also be used. The exposure unit 1 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive drum 3 by performing exposure according to the input image data.

  The developing device 2 visualizes, that is, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with each color toner. The photosensitive drum 3 is disposed at the center of the copier 80, and forms an electrostatic latent image or a toner image corresponding to input image data on the surface thereof. The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects the toner on the photosensitive drum 3 remaining after the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is developed and transferred. The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. The charger 5 may be a charger type that does not contact the photosensitive drum 3 or the like, in addition to a roller type or a brush type that contacts the photosensitive drum 3. The copier 80 shown in FIG. 4 uses a charger type charger.

  A transfer conveyance belt unit 8 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 3. The transfer conveyance belt unit 8 includes a transfer belt 7, a transfer belt drive roller 71, a transfer belt tension roller 73, transfer belt driven rollers 72 and 74, transfer rollers 6 a, 6 b, 6 c and 6 d, and a transfer belt cleaning unit 9. Hereinafter, the four transfer rollers 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d corresponding to the respective colors are collectively referred to as a transfer roller 6.

  The transfer belt driving roller 71, the transfer belt tension roller 73, the transfer roller 6, the transfer belt driven rollers 72 and 74, etc. stretch the transfer belt 7 and rotate it in the direction of the white arrow shown in FIG. It is. The transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported on the housing of the transfer / conveying belt unit 8 and is based on a metal shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm. The surface of the transfer roller 6 is EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), urethane foam, or the like. It is covered with a conductive elastic material. The transfer roller 6 can uniformly apply a high voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity to the recording paper by the conductive elastic material, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 can be transferred. The image is transferred onto the transfer belt 7 or a recording sheet conveyed by being attracted onto the transfer belt 7.

  The transfer belt 7 has a thickness of about 100 μm and is formed endlessly using a film. Specifically, the transfer belt 7 is formed of polycarbonate, polyimide, polyamide, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene polymer, ethylenetetrafluoroethylene polymer or the like having a thickness of about 100 μm, and the photosensitive drum 3 It is provided so that it may contact. A multicolor toner image is formed by sequentially transferring the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the transfer belt 7 or a recording sheet conveyed by being attracted to the transfer belt 7. The

  The transfer belt cleaning unit 9 removes and collects the toner for color matching adjustment, the toner for process control, and the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 3 directly transferred to the transfer belt 7.

  The copier 80 includes a paper feed tray 10, paper discharge trays 15 and 33, and a fixing unit 12. The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for accumulating recording paper for recording images. The paper discharge trays 15 and 33 are trays on which recording sheets on which images are recorded are placed. The paper discharge tray 15 is provided in the upper part of the copier 80 and places printed recording paper face down. The paper discharge tray 33 is provided at the side of the copier 80, and places printed recording paper face up.

  The fixing unit 12 includes a heat roller 31 and a pressure roller 32. The heat roller 31 is controlled to have a predetermined temperature by turning on / off a heating means such as a heater lamp. The heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 are rotated while sandwiching the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred, and the toner image is thermocompression bonded to the recording paper by the heat of the heat roller 31.

  The copier 80 includes a pickup roller 16 and a registration roller 14 on a paper transport path 11 that transports recording paper accumulated in the paper feed tray 10 to the transfer transport belt unit 8. The pickup roller 16 is a roller for supplying recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path 11 one by one. The registration roller 14 temporarily holds the recording sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path 11, and based on a detection signal of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown), the tip of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 forms an image of the recording sheet. The recording paper is conveyed to the transfer belt 7 in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 while controlling the timing so as to coincide with the leading edge of the area.

  Here, the image forming unit 86 according to the present embodiment places the copy forgery prevention ink coating device 21 between the paper transport path 11 through which the recording paper accumulated in the paper feed tray 10 is transported and the transfer transport belt unit 8. I have. When the copy forgery prevention ink application apparatus 21 provides additional information along with the chargeable image data from the chargeable information providing apparatus 90, the image forming unit 86 uses the image data provided from the chargeable information providing apparatus 90 on the recording paper. A sub-image based on the additional information is formed on the recording paper with copy forgery prevention ink before it is formed and discharged to the paper discharge trays 15 and 33. In this embodiment, the copy forgery prevention ink forms only a sub-image based on the additional information in each image data. Further, the copy forgery prevention ink application device 21 may change the arrangement position based on the characteristics of the copy forgery prevention ink. For example, the copy forgery prevention ink application device 21 is on the sheet conveyance path 35 on which the recording sheet is conveyed after passing through the fixing unit 12. It can also be arranged at an appropriate place.

  As the ink used in the copy forgery prevention ink coating apparatus 21, magnetic ink, DNA ink, or the like can be used. In addition, the formation position of the sub-image formed by the copy forgery prevention ink may be formed by overlapping the original image based on the image data acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 when using colorless ink. When colored ink is used, it is preferable to prevent deterioration of the image quality of the content print by forming it in a portion other than the original image formation region.

  On the other hand, the copying machine 80 includes a conveyance switching guide 34, conveyance rollers 36 and 38, and a discharge roller 39 on the subsequent sheet conveyance paths 35 and 37 of the recording sheet conveyed to the fixing unit 12. The conveyance switching guide 34 conveys the recording paper on which the toner image is fixed to either the paper discharge tray 33 or the paper conveyance path 35 by switching the conveyance path. The recording paper transported to the paper transport path 35 is transported along the paper transport path 37 by the transport rollers 36 and 38, and transported to the paper discharge tray 15 by the paper discharge rollers 39.

  In the copying machine 80 configured as described above, when image data is acquired, the exposure unit 1 is exposed based on the acquired image data, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3. This electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing device 2. On the other hand, the recording paper accumulated in the paper feed tray 10 is conveyed to the transfer belt 7 through the paper conveyance path 11. The recording paper is sucked onto the transfer belt 7 and conveyed.

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the recording sheet is performed by a transfer roller 6 provided to face the photosensitive drum 3 via the transfer belt 7. A high voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 6, whereby a toner image is applied to the recording paper. Four types of toner images corresponding to the respective colors are sequentially superimposed on the recording paper conveyed by the transfer belt 7.

  Thereafter, the recording sheet is conveyed to the fixing unit 12, and the toner image is fixed on the recording sheet by thermocompression bonding, and is conveyed to either the discharge tray 33 or 15 by the conveyance switching guide 34. When the transfer to the recording paper is completed, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3 is removed and collected by the cleaner unit 4. Further, the transfer belt cleaning unit 9 removes and collects the toner adhering to the transfer belt 7 and ends a series of image forming operations.

  In this embodiment, a direct transfer method is employed in which a recording sheet is carried on the transfer belt 7 and the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are superimposed on the recording sheet. 7 can also be applied to an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus in which toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are transferred onto each other and transferred onto a recording sheet again to form a multicolor image. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when the copying machine 80 configured as described above acquires image data and additional information (specific information and fee information) in the image data from the pay information providing apparatus 90, the series of images described above based on the acquired image data. By performing the forming process, an original image is formed, and a sub-image based on the additional information is formed by the copy forgery prevention ink application device 21 using copy forgery prevention ink.

  In the data providing system 100 configured as described above, when the copier 80 copies a content print provided from the pay information providing apparatus 90 and outputting an image by the image forming unit 86, the content print is read by the reading unit 84, and the content print is printed. As image data and additional information corresponding to the image data. The control unit 81 operates as a detection unit that detects additional information included in the image read by the reading unit 84. When the additional information can be detected, whether or not the detected additional information is updated as time elapses. In response to the specific information included in the detected additional information, the information processing device operates as an information requesting unit that requests the updated additional information obtained by updating the additional information to the pay information providing apparatus 90.

  The control unit 91 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 operates as an information providing unit that reads the corresponding update additional information from the HD 95 based on the specific information and provides it to the copy machine 80 when update additional information is requested from the copy machine 80. To do. The control unit 81 of the copier 80 operates as an update unit that updates the additional information detected from the content print to the update additional information provided from the pay information providing apparatus 90. For example, the update additional information is stored in the RAM 83.

  Further, the control unit 81 is configured to execute the copying process of the read content print only when the charge obtained by adding the charge according to the updated update additional information and the print charge is collected from the charge input port 103a. Yes. Specifically, the control unit 81 operates as a determination unit that determines whether or not the fee to be collected has been received from the fee input port 103a. When it is determined that the predetermined fee has been received, the content print copy is performed. Processing can be executed. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying of content prints provided for a fee from the pay information providing apparatus 90, and to smoothly collect the consideration as a data fee for the copied image data.

  Furthermore, in the data providing system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the content print copying process is permitted as described above, the user executes the process of forming an image read from the content print that is the reading target, or Alternatively, it is possible to select whether the original data provided by the pay information providing apparatus 90 as the content print is acquired again and the image forming process is executed. Specifically, the control unit 81, when the re-acquisition of the original data is selected by the user, request means for requesting the pay information providing apparatus 90 for the desired image data based on the specific information included in the update additional information. To obtain desired image data from the pay information providing apparatus 90 again.

  As described above, when the original data is acquired again and formed on the recording paper, it is possible to provide a content print in which deterioration of image quality is prevented. In the present embodiment, the content print based on the image read from the content print is provided at a lower cost than the content print based on the original data.

  Hereinafter, image forming processing by the copying machine 80 for image data provided by the pay information providing apparatus 90 in the data providing system 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image forming process procedure in the data providing system 100 according to the present embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control units 91 and 81 according to the control programs stored in the ROMs 92 and 82 in the pay information providing apparatus 90 and the copy machine 80, respectively.

  In the pay information providing apparatus 90 of the data providing system 100, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the user has received selection of image data according to the selection screen shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B displayed on the operation panel 94. If it is determined (S1) and it is determined that the selection of image data is not accepted (S1: NO), it waits until the selection of image data is accepted. When it is determined that the selection of image data has been accepted (S1: YES), the control unit 91 instructs to input a predetermined fee according to the fee information included in the additional information added to the selected image data. The screen is displayed on the operation panel 94 (S2).

  The control unit 91 determines whether or not a predetermined charge has been input from the charge input port 98 by the user according to the instruction on the charge input request screen (S3), and until the predetermined charge is input (S3: NO). Returning to the process of step S2, a charge input request screen is displayed. When the control unit 91 determines that a predetermined fee has been charged (S3: YES), the selected image data and additional information added to the image data are read from the HD 95, and are copied via the transmission line 101. (S4).

  When image data and additional information are acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 (S5), the control unit 81 of the copier 80 determines whether additional information is included in the acquired data (S6). The pay information providing apparatus 90 normally provides image data for a fee, but it can also provide image data for free, and additional information must be added to the image data provided for free. There is no. Therefore, when the control unit 81 determines that the additional information is not included in the data acquired from the pay information providing device 90 (S6: NO), the image forming unit 86 uses the copy forgery prevention ink application device 21. Only the original image based on the image data acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 without applying the copy forgery prevention ink application process is formed on a predetermined recording sheet (S7).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 81 determines that there is additional information in the data acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 (S6: YES), the image forming unit 86 uses the sub information based on the additional information acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90. An image is formed by using the copy forgery prevention ink by the copy forgery prevention ink coating device 21 and an original image based on the acquired image data is formed on a predetermined recording sheet (S8).

  As described above, the pay information providing device 90 provides the additional information together with the image data to the copying machine 80, and based on this, the copying machine 80 uses the original image based on the image data and the sub image based on the additional information on the same recording sheet. Thus, information indicating that the image formed on the recording sheet is a content print provided for a fee can be added. Note that the fee for receiving the provision of image data from the pay information providing apparatus 90 may be configured so that the charge information providing apparatus 90 transfers the image data to the copy machine 80 as described above. After the apparatus 90 transfers the image data to the copy machine 80, a charge may be collected from the charge input port 103a of the charge box 103 connected to the copy machine 80.

  Hereinafter, in the data providing system 100 having the above-described configuration, a process when the content print provided by the pay information providing apparatus 90 and image-formed by the copy machine 80 is copied by the copy machine 80 will be described. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an image copy processing procedure in the data providing system 100 according to the present embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 81 in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 82 of the copier 80, respectively. When a user copies a content print previously provided from the pay information providing device 90 and output as an image by the copy machine 80, the user places the content print on a predetermined document placement table (not shown) of the copy machine 80. Then, the operation panel 87 is operated to instruct the execution of the copying process.

  In the copying machine 80 of the data providing system 100, the control unit 81 reads the recording paper on which the content print placed on the document placing table is formed by the reading unit 84 (S 11), and temporarily stores it in the image memory 85. Here, the image read by the reading unit 84 is an original image formed with normal ink and a sub-image formed with copy forgery prevention ink. The control unit 81 determines whether or not additional information indicated by the sub-image formed using the copy forgery prevention ink is detected from the read image (S12). Here, when the control unit 81 determines that the additional information has not been detected (S12: NO), that is, for an image in which a sub-image is not formed with copy forgery prevention ink, only the print fee is collected. A charge input request screen is displayed on the operation panel 87 (S16).

  The control unit 81 determines whether or not a predetermined fee has been input from the fee input port 103a by the user according to the instruction on the fee input request screen (S17), and determines that a predetermined fee has been input (S17: (YES), the image forming process is executed by the image forming unit 86 (S18). If the control unit 81 determines that the predetermined fee has not been charged (S17: NO), the control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has instructed to cancel the copy processing of the content print by turning on the cancel button or the like. (S19), until it is instructed to stop the process (S19: NO), it returns to the process of step S16 and the display of the charge request screen is continued, and it is determined that the instruction to stop the copying process of the content print is instructed. If so (S19: YES), the content print copy process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when determining that the additional information is detected from the image read from the recording sheet (S12: YES), the control unit 81 makes an inquiry to the pay information providing apparatus 90 as to whether or not the detected additional information has been updated. The updated additional information is requested from the pay information providing apparatus 90 (S13). When the update additional information is requested, the control unit 91 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 reads the corresponding update additional information from the HD 95 and provides it to the copy machine 80 (S14). Note that the update fee information does not necessarily have to be updated.

  When copying the content print, the user executes the formation process based on the image read in step S11, or re-acquires the original data of the content print formed on the recording sheet from the pay information providing apparatus 90. Whether to execute the image forming process based on the acquired data. The control unit 81 of the copying machine 80 determines whether or not the execution of the recording paper copying process is instructed by the selection from the user (S15), and determines that the execution of the recording paper copying process is instructed. In this case (S15: YES), a charge input request screen for collecting a fee required for the copying process is displayed on the operation panel 87 based on the update fee information acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 (S16).

  The control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has input a predetermined fee from the fee input port according to the instruction on the fee input request screen (S17), and determines that the predetermined fee has been input (S17: YES) ), The image forming unit 86 executes the image forming process read in step S11 (S18). Here, the sub-image in the read image is formed with copy forgery prevention ink by the copy forgery prevention ink coating device 21.

  If the control unit 81 determines that the predetermined fee has not been charged (S17: NO), the control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has instructed to cancel the copy processing of the content print by turning on the cancel button or the like. (S19), until it is instructed to stop the process (S19: NO), it returns to the process of step S16 and the display of the charge request screen is continued, and it is determined that the instruction to stop the copying process of the content print is instructed. If so (S19: YES), the content print copy process is terminated.

  In step S15, the control unit 81 determines that the execution of the recording paper copying process is not instructed (S15: NO), that is, if the provision of the content print based on the original data is instructed. A charge input request screen for collecting a charge obtained by adding the charge indicated by the update additional information acquired from the information providing apparatus 90 and the print charge is displayed on the operation panel 87 (S20).

  The control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has input a predetermined fee from the fee input port 103a according to the instruction on the fee input request screen (S21), and determines that the predetermined fee has been input (S21: YES), the original information data corresponding to the update additional information acquired from the pay information providing apparatus 90 is requested to the pay information providing apparatus 90 (S22). The control unit 91 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 reads the requested original data from the HD 95 and provides it to the copying machine 80 (S23). The copying machine 80 performs image forming processing based on the acquired data by the image forming unit 86. Execute (S24). The sub-image based on the fee information provided from the pay information providing device 90 is formed by the copy forgery prevention ink applying device 21 with the copy forgery prevention ink.

  If the control unit 81 determines that the predetermined fee has not been charged (S21: NO), the control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has instructed to cancel the content print copy process by turning on a cancel button or the like. Until it is instructed to stop the process (S25: NO), it returns to the process of step S20 and the display of the charge request screen is continued, and it is determined that the instruction to stop the copying process of the content print is instructed. If so (S25: YES), the content print copy process is terminated.

  As described above, when a content print on which a sub-image is formed with copy forgery prevention ink is copied, the charge information providing apparatus 90 collects the fee corresponding to the content print by adding it to the print fee. Unauthorized copying of data provided for a fee is prohibited, and the value of each data can be collected reliably and smoothly. Further, not only copying the content print as it is, but also obtaining the original data of the content print to be copied from the pay information providing apparatus 90 and outputting the image again, thereby providing the content print in which the deterioration of the image quality is prevented. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the copy machine 80 acquires the update additional information in which the additional information (charge information) read and detected by the reading unit 84 is updated from the pay information providing apparatus 90, so that the content to be read is acquired. The additional information in the print is updated, and a fee corresponding to the updated additional information is collected from the user. However, the additional information indicated by the sub-image formed on the recording sheet includes the change tendency information of the fee information. The control unit 81 of the copier 80 that has detected the additional information may update the fee information based on the fluctuation tendency information included in the additional information. In this case, the copy machine 80 does not need to sequentially inquire the pay information providing apparatus 90 as to whether or not the additional information in each data has been updated, and can reduce the load required for the transmission process.

  Further, the charge information (additional information) for each data stored in the HD 95 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 may be sequentially updated by the data provider, and a plurality of pay information providing apparatuses 90 are connected to a network (not shown). And a management server that manages each pay information providing apparatus 90 via the network, and the management server updates the data of the HD 95 of each pay information providing apparatus 90 via the network. You can also. Furthermore, when the charge information is changed according to a predetermined standard as time passes, the control unit 91 of the pay information providing apparatus 90 can be updated according to the predetermined standard as necessary.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the pay information providing apparatus 90 sends the additional information together with the image data to the copy machine 80, and the copy machine 80 acquires the additional information from the pay information providing apparatus 90, the copy forgery prevention ink application apparatus. 21 is configured to form a sub-image based on the additional information acquired by 21. By configuring so as to control the sub-image forming process by the copy forgery prevention ink coating apparatus 21 according to the selection from the user, Paid data and normal image data can be distinguished and output as images.

  Further, when the light emission by the ultraviolet light source of the reading unit 84 of the copier 80 is controlled according to the selection from the user, the reading unit 84 reads the original image with high accuracy by not emitting the ultraviolet light source. It becomes possible. Further, for example, when the reflected light from the copy forgery prevention ink of the light source using a halogen lamp is detected by the optical sensor and the reflected light from the copy forgery prevention ink is detected, the user is prohibited from copying the content print. It is also possible to notify the user or collect a predetermined data fee.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the data provision system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of a pay information provision apparatus and a copier. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a selection screen in a pay information provision apparatus. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image formation processing procedure in the data provision system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the copy processing procedure of the image in the data provision system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the copy processing procedure of the image in the data provision system which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Data providing system 80 Copier (image forming apparatus)
81 Control unit (detection means, determination means, information request means, update means, request means)
84 Reading section (reading means)
86 Image forming section (image forming means)
21 Copy Forgery Prevention Ink Application Device 88 Interface (Acquisition means)
90 Paid information providing device (providing device)
91 Control unit (information providing means)
98 Charge input port 103 Charge box 103a Charge input port (reception means)

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires data to which additional information is added; and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit and a sub-image based on the additional information on a record carrier. ,
The additional information includes fee information of the data,
Reading means for reading an image from a record carrier on which the sub-image is formed;
Detecting means for detecting the additional information from an image read by the reading means;
Update means for updating charge information included in the additional information detected by the detection means to charge information according to the passage of time ;
Determining means for determining whether or not the fee indicated by the fee information updated by the updating means has been received,
The image forming apparatus is configured to form an image read by the reading unit on a record carrier when the image forming unit determines that the fee is received by the determining unit. It has a means to accept charges,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine whether the fee indicated by the fee information updated by the update unit is received by the reception unit. Providing data by connecting a providing device that provides data with additional information and an image forming device that forms an image based on the data provided from the providing device and a sub-image based on the additional information on a record carrier A system,
The additional information includes fee information of the data,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Reading means for reading an image from a record carrier on which the sub-image is formed;
Detecting means for detecting the additional information from an image read by the reading means;
Information requesting means for requesting the providing device for updated additional information in which the charge information included in the additional information detected by the detecting means is updated to charge information according to the passage of time ;
The providing apparatus includes information providing means for providing the requested update additional information to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Determining means for determining whether or not a fee indicated by fee information included in the update additional information acquired from the providing device has been received;
A data providing system configured to form an image read by the reading unit on a record carrier when the determining unit determines that the fee has been received. It has a means to accept charges,
The determination unit of the image forming apparatus is configured to determine whether or not a fee indicated by fee information included in the update additional information is received by the receiving unit. Data provision system.

Images