JP5760209B2 - Erasing device and image erasing method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an erasing apparatus and an image erasing method for erasing an image on a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a decoloring apparatus that performs a decoloring process on paper by heat to erase the color of an image. This erasing apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image to leave an image before erasing, and a reading unit that reads an image to determine whether or not erasing has been normally performed after image erasing. It is done. Since the conveyance speed for performing the decoloring process needs to transmit heat for decoloring, the conveyance speed for performing the decoloring process is slower than the conveyance speed for performing the reading process. Therefore, when the decoloring process is not performed, when the decoloring part is conveyed, if the conveyance speed for performing the decoloring process is conveyed, there arises a problem that the processing time increases.

JP 2010-113337 A

  The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to reduce the processing time.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an erasing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a paper feeding unit that feeds a recording medium, a paper discharging unit that discharges a recording medium, and the paper discharging unit to the paper discharging unit. A first conveyance path that forms a conveyance path toward the first, a reading unit that is arranged in the first conveyance path and reads an image on the recording medium, and branches from the downstream of the reading unit of the first conveyance path. A second conveyance path that merges upstream of the reading unit of the first conveyance path; a decoloring unit that is disposed in the second conveyance path and decolorizes the color of the image on the recording medium; The recording medium is controlled to be transported at the first transport speed in the decoloring section and transported at the second transport speed in the reading section, and the first transport speed and the second transport speed are controlled according to the processing mode. A control unit that controls to change at least one of the conveyance speeds. .

It is a system configuration figure in a first embodiment. It is a block diagram of the decoloring apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of a decoloring apparatus, a client PC, and a server in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows conveyance of the paper in the 1st conveyance path of the decoloring apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows conveyance of the paper in the 2nd conveyance path of the erasing apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows conveyance of the paper in the 1st conveyance path after the decoloring process of the decoloring apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the decoloring process in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reading process in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the classification process in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of reading and erasing in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of decoloring and classification in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of reading, decoloring, and classification in 1st embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating conveyance of a first sheet on a second conveyance path and conveyance of a second sheet on a first conveyance path in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating conveyance of a first sheet from a second conveyance path to a first conveyance path and conveyance of a second sheet on a second conveyance path in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating conveyance of a second sheet on a second conveyance path and conveyance of a third sheet on a first conveyance path in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating conveyance of a second sheet from a second conveyance path to a first conveyance path and conveyance of a third sheet in the second conveyance path in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process order at the time of the 4-sheet process in 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram of the decoloring apparatus in 3rd embodiment. It is a block diagram of the decoloring apparatus in 4th embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a decoloring apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
The decoloring apparatus according to the first embodiment has a plurality of processing modes, and changes the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the decolored portion and the speed V2 for conveying the reading portion depending on the mode.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment. The image storage system includes, for example, a plurality of decoloring apparatuses 100, a plurality of client PCs (Personal Computers) 101, and a server 102 as a system configuration. Each component of the system is connected via a network 103.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the erasing apparatus. The erasing apparatus 100 erases the image of the paper (recording medium) on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and enables the paper to be reused. The erasing apparatus 100 includes a paper feeding unit 10, a first conveyance path 11, a second conveyance path 12, a first reading unit 13, a second reading unit 14, a decoloring unit 15, a conveyance roller 16, and a path change. Unit 17, first paper discharge unit 19, and second paper discharge unit 20.

  The paper feeding unit 10 feeds the image on the paper P to be reused into the erasing apparatus 100 in order to erase the image. The paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray 22 and a pickup roller 18. The paper feed tray 10 is loaded with paper P for reuse. The pickup roller 18 takes out the paper P one by one from the paper feed tray 10 and sends it out to the first transport path 11.

  The first transport path 11 and the second transport path 12 have a plurality of transport rollers 16. The conveying roller 16 is composed of a pair of a driving roller and a driven roller. The first transport path 11 includes a first reading unit 13 and a second reading unit 14. The first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 have a two-dimensional CCD scanner. The first reading unit 13 reads one side of the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 10. The second reading unit 14 reads the surface on the opposite side of the reading surface of the first reading unit 13. Images read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 are stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 that is a storage unit. The storage destination of the images read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 is not limited to the RAM 203, but may be a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a memory, or the like.

  The images read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 are not limited to being stored in the RAM 203 of the erasing apparatus 100 but may be stored in the RAM 302 of the client PC 101 or the RAM 402 of the server 102. In addition, when the erasing apparatus 100 has a login / logout function for personal authentication of the user, when the erasing apparatus 100 logs out, the image data stored in the RAM 203 of the erasing apparatus 100 is stored in the RAM 302 of the client PC 101. Alternatively, it may be transmitted to the RAM 402 of the server 102 and stored.

  Further, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the surface in order to determine whether or not the paper P is usable and whether or not the printing of the paper has been erased.

  Reading by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 is performed twice. The first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 digitize the read image in the first reading and store it in the storage unit. The first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 determine whether or not the paper P can be reused in the second reading after the color erasing.

  The image may be stored in the first reading, and it may be determined whether or not the image is unusable due to wrinkles, stapling, memo writing that cannot be erased, or the like. In this case, if it is determined that the reusable state is obtained by the first reading, a decoloring process is performed, and it is determined whether the image of the paper P is decolored by the second reading, Paper is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. If it is determined that the state cannot be reused by the first reading, the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20 is performed without performing the second time reading. Paper is discharged. Further, if it is determined in the first reading that the state cannot be reused, the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit is performed without performing the decoloring process and the second reading. The paper may be discharged to 20. These settings can be selected and set in advance. The first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 are not limited to a pair of two-dimensional CCD scanners, and may be CMOS sensors.

  The first transport path 11 is connected from the paper supply unit 10 to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. The second transport path 12 branches from a branch point downstream of the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 of the first transport path 11, and the first reading unit 13 of the first transport path 11. And merge at the merging point upstream of the second reading unit 14. A first route changing unit 17 is arranged at the branch point.

  The second transport path 12 has a decoloring unit 15 in the transport path. The decoloring unit 15 includes a roller pair 21, a heater 205, and a temperature detection unit 212. The temperature detection unit 212 detects the temperature of the decoloring unit 15. The roller pair 21 is heated by the heater 205. By applying a certain temperature or heat to the sheet P through the roller pair 21 heated by the heater 205, the image of the sheet P formed using the erasable image forming material is heated, and the coloring material Is colorless. The erasing unit 15 can erase the image on both sides of the paper P by erasing the image with the roller pair 21.

  The paper discharge unit 23 includes a first paper discharge unit 19 and a second paper discharge unit 20. The paper P subjected to various processes is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. The user may be selectable so that the paper P can be discharged to either the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the erasing apparatus 100, the client PC 101, and the server 102. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200 that is a control unit of the decoloring apparatus 100 includes a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a first reading unit 13, a CCD sensor 204 of the second reading unit 14, and a decoloring unit 15 via a system bus 201. The heater 205, the temperature detection unit 212, and an interface (I / F) 206 for inputting data from the outside and outputting data to the outside are connected. The CPU 200 communicates with the client PC 101 and the server 102 via the I / F 206 connected via the system bus 201.

  The CPU 200 includes a path change control driving unit 207 that controls the path changing unit 17, a paper transport motor control drive unit 208 that controls a paper transport motor 209 that drives the transport roller, an operation unit 210, and a display unit 211. Connected.

  The ROM 202 stores a program for operating the CPU 200, a sheet printing rate as a guideline for reusability, and a density threshold for determining whether or not an image has been erased. Further, when determining the wrinkle depth and the like in the first image reading, a density threshold value used for determining the wrinkle depth and the like is stored. The RAM 203 stores an image obtained when the image of the paper P is read. The CCD sensor 204 is arranged as a single line sensor and detects the density of the paper P. The heater 205 uses an IH heater or the like, and applies heat to the paper P through the roller pair 21 while the paper P passes through the erasing unit 15 to make the color material colorless.

  The operation unit 210 has various keys, and the display unit 211 displays various processing modes of the erasing apparatus 100. The operation unit 210 can select a processing mode. The processing mode will be described later. The display unit 211 may be a touch panel type or may serve as an operation unit.

  The CPU 200 controls the route change control drive unit 207 to drive the route change unit 17 to sort the paper P to be transported from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12, Sorting is performed so that the paper P is transported from the transport path 11 to the first paper discharge unit 19 and the second paper discharge unit 20. Further, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the color erasing is normally performed after the image erasing, that is, whether or not the paper P is reusable.

  The client PC 101 includes a CPU 300, a ROM 301, a RAM 302, an operation unit 303, a display unit 304, and an I / F 305. A CPU 300 that is a control unit of the client PC 101 is connected to a ROM 301, a RAM 302, an operation unit 303, a display unit 304, and an I / F 305 via a system bus 306. Further, the images read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 of the erasing apparatus 100 may be stored in the RAM 302 of the client PC 101.

  The server 102 includes a CPU 400, a ROM 401, a RAM 402, and an I / F 403. A CPU 400 that is a control unit of the server 102 is connected to a ROM 401, a RAM 402, and an I / F 403 via a system bus 4040. Further, the images read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 of the erasing apparatus 100 may be stored in the RAM 402 of the server 102.

  4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating conveyance of the paper P in the first conveyance path 11 and the second conveyance path 12 of the erasing apparatus 100. FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the paper P fed from the paper feeding unit 10 is transported through the first transport path 11. The arrows in the figure indicate the traveling direction of the paper P. The paper P is transported to the first transport path 11 and an image is read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14. When the first reading unit 13 or the second reading unit 14 detects a sheet, the path changing unit 17 rotates in the direction in which the sheet P is conveyed from the first conveyance path 11 to the second conveyance path 12. The paper P whose image has been read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 is distributed to the second conveyance path 12.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the paper P is transported through the second transport path 12. The image of the paper P transported from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12 is erased by the decoloring unit 15. When the image on the paper P is erased by the erasing unit 15, the paper P on which the image has been erased is conveyed upstream of the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 in the first conveyance path 11.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the conveyance of the paper P in the first conveyance path 11 after the image erasing process. The image of the sheet P conveyed from the second conveyance path 12 to the first conveyance path 11 is read again by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14. When the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the image again, the path changing unit 17 rotates in the direction in which the paper P is conveyed from the first conveyance path 11 to the paper discharge unit 23. . The paper P from which the image has been read again is distributed to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20.

  The first paper discharge unit 19 is a paper discharge destination for reusable paper P, and the second paper discharge unit 20 is a paper discharge destination for non-reusable paper P. From the images read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the paper P can be reused. If the paper P is transported to the unit 19 and cannot be reused, the paper P is transported to the second paper discharge unit 20. Not limited to this, the paper P is transported to the second paper discharge unit 20 if reusable, and the paper P is transported to the first paper discharge unit 19 if reusable. Also good.

  When performing image reading and separation of reusable paper and non-reusable paper P after image erasing, the paper P is loaded twice in the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14. Transport. When processing the paper P one by one, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 normally perform image reading for leaving an image before erasing and erasing after image erasing. The image reading for determining whether or not has been performed is performed alternately.

  The erasing apparatus has a plurality of processing modes. The first is the erasing mode, the second is the reading mode, and the third is the sorting mode. The fourth is a mode that combines reading and erasing, the fifth is a mode that combines erasing and sorting, and the sixth is a mode that combines reading, erasing and sorting.

  The erasing mode will be described. In the erasing mode, the erasing process is performed without performing image reading.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the erasing mode. In 500, the paper P is fed, and in 501, the paper P is transported to the first transport path 11. In 502, the path changing unit 17 is driven to transport the paper P from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12, and in 503, the image on the paper P is decolored. Thereafter, in 504, the paper P is transported from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11, and in 505, the paper P is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. ,finish.

  The reading mode will be described. In the reading mode, image reading processing is performed without performing image erasing.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the reading mode. In 600, the paper P is fed, and in 601, the paper P is transported to the first transport path 11. In 602, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the image of the paper P. In 603, the paper P is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. And exit.

  The classification mode will be described. In the sorting mode, image erasing is not performed, and whether or not the paper P can be reused is sorted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the sorting mode. In 700, the paper P is fed, and in 701, the paper P is transported to the first transport path 11. In 702, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the image of the paper P, and in 703, it is determined whether or not the paper P can be reused. If reusable (Yes in 703), the paper is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 in 704, and the process ends. If reusability is not possible (No in 703), the paper is discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20 in 705, and the process ends.

  A mode combining reading and erasing will be described. In the mode combining reading and erasing, the separation process is not performed, and the erasing process is performed after the image is read.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a mode in which reading and erasing are combined. In 800, the paper P is fed, and in 801, the paper P is transported to the first transport path 11. In 802, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read an image on the paper P, and in 803, the path changing unit 17 is driven, and the first transport path 11 to the second transport path. The paper P is transported to 12, and in 804, the image on the paper P is erased. Thereafter, in 805, the paper P is transported from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11, and in 806, the paper P is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. ,finish.

  A mode combining erasing and sorting will be described. In a mode in which erasing and sorting are combined, the reading process before erasing is not performed, and after the erasing process, whether or not the paper P can be reused is sorted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a mode in which erasing and sorting are combined. In 900, the paper P is fed, and in 901, the paper P is transported to the first transport path 11. In 902, the path changing unit 17 is driven to transport the paper P from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12. In 903, the image of the paper P is decolored. Thereafter, in 904, the paper P is transported from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11, and in 905, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the image of the paper P. . In 906, it is determined whether or not the paper P can be reused. If reusable (Yes in 906), the paper is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 in 907, and the process ends. If it cannot be reused (No in 906), the paper is discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20 in 908, and the process ends.

  A mode in which reading, erasing and sorting are combined will be described. In a mode in which reading, erasing, and classification are combined, the erasing process is performed after the image is read, and the classification process is performed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a mode in which reading, erasing and sorting are combined. In 1000, the paper P is fed, and in 1001, the paper P is transported to the first transport path 11. In 1002, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the image of the paper P, and in 1003, the path changing unit 17 is driven to move from the first conveyance path 11 to the second conveyance path. The paper P is conveyed to 12, and in 1004, the image on the paper P is erased.

  Thereafter, in 1005, the paper P is transported from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11, and in 1006, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 read the image of the paper P. . In 1007, it is determined whether or not the paper P can be reused. If reusable (Yes in 1007), in 1008, the paper is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19, and the process ends. If it cannot be reused (No in 1007), in 1009, the paper is discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the process ends.

  When a mode that combines reading, decoloring, and separation is selected and the paper P is processed one by one, the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 leave an image before decoloring. The reading and the image reading for determining whether or not the color erasing is normally performed after the image erasing are alternately performed.

  Each mode described above can be selected by the operation unit 210 of the erasing apparatus 100, and a mode desired by the user can be selected. Selection of each mode may be performed not only by the operation unit 210 of the erasing apparatus 100 but also by the operation unit 303 of the client PC 101.

  The CPU 200 changes the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring section 15 of the paper P and the speed V2 for transporting the first reading section 13 and the second reading section 14 depending on the mode. If the color erasing unit 15 transports at a speed faster than a predetermined speed when performing the color erasing process, a sufficient amount of heat cannot be applied to the color material, and the color erasing process may not be performed normally. . On the other hand, although the maximum speed of the reading unit varies depending on the member, the maximum conveyance speed at the time of image reading is faster than the maximum conveyance speed for the erasing process. For this reason, the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring unit 15 and the speed V2 for transporting the reading units 13 and 14 during the decoloring process is V1 <V2.

  Accordingly, in the case of the erasing mode, in the case of a mode in which reading and erasing are combined, in the mode in which erasing and separation are combined, or in the mode in which reading, erasing and separation are combined, the erasing unit 15 is conveyed. The relationship between the speed V1 to be conveyed and the speed V2 to convey the reading units 13 and 14 is V1 <V2.

  Further, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading units 13 and 14 may be changed according to the temperature of the erasing unit.

  The decoloring apparatus 100 as described above includes a reading unit that reads an image for leaving an image and a reading unit that reads an image for determining whether or not the image has been normally erased as the same reading unit. By doing so, the cost can be reduced.

  Also, the processing time can be reduced by selecting the mode and changing the transport speed of the paper P depending on the mode.

(Second embodiment)
The erasing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 performs a reading process, a erasing process, and a sorting process continuously for a plurality of sheets, and performs parallel processing by shifting the process for each sheet. The erasing apparatus 100 has a plurality of processing modes. The relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring part and the speed V2 for transporting the reading part is changed depending on the mode. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The arrows in the figure indicate the traveling direction of the paper P.

  For the decoloring process of the first sheet P, the reading process is performed by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 which are reading units, the decoloring process is performed by the decoloring unit 15, and the first reading is performed again. The reading process is performed by the unit 13 and the second reading unit 14, and the process is performed in the order of the sorting process for determining whether or not it can be reused. When attention is paid to one sheet of paper P, processing similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is performed.

  In the following, processing for three consecutive sheets of reading processing, erasing processing, and sorting processing will be described. The preceding paper P is designated as the first paper P1, and the paper conveyed next to the first paper P1 is designated as the second paper P2 and the third paper P3 in order. The first sheet P1 is fed and conveyed through the first conveyance path 11, and reading processing is performed by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 (FIG. 4).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, the first sheet P <b> 1 is transported through the second transport path 12, and the second sheet P <b> 2 is fed while the decoloring unit 15 performs the decoloring process. The first conveyance path 11 is conveyed, and the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 perform reading processing.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 14, the first sheet P1 is conveyed on the first conveyance path 11, the image is read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14, and the separation process is performed. While paper is discharged to one paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20, the second paper P <b> 2 is transported through the second transport path 12, and the color erasing unit 15 performs a color erasing process.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the second paper P2 is transported through the second transport path 12, and the third paper P3 is fed while the erasing process is performed in the erasing unit 15. The first conveyance path 11 is conveyed, and the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14 perform reading processing.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the second paper P2 is transported through the first transport path 11, the image is read by the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14, and the separation process is performed. While the paper is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20, the third paper P <b> 3 is transported through the second transport path 12, and the color erasing unit 15 performs a color erasing process. Thereafter, the processing is repeated as described above.

  When the above processing is repeated, reading processing is performed in the following order. First reading process, second reading process, first sheet sorting process, third sheet reading process, second sheet sorting process, and finally (N-2) th sheet sorting process , N-th reading process, (N-1) -th sorting process, and N-th sorting process. N is an integer.

  FIG. 17 shows the processing order when processing four sheets. In 1100, the first sheet P1 is fed, and in 1101, the reading process is performed. In 1102, the first sheet P1 is transported to the second transport path 12. Thereafter, the erasing process in 1103, the sorting process in 1104, and the paper are discharged in 1105.

  While the first sheet P1 is transported to the second transport path 12 at 1102, the second sheet P2 is fed at 1106, and when the first sheet P1 is decolored at 1103, the first sheet P1 is transported at 1107. The second sheet P2 is read. While the first paper P1 is being sorted in 1104, the second paper P2 is transported to the second transport path 12 in 1108, while the first paper P1 is discharged in 1105, the second in 1109. The paper P2 is erased. After that, the second paper P2 is discharged at 1110, and is discharged at 1111.

  The third sheet P3 is fed at 1112 while the first sheet P1 is sorted in 1104 and the second sheet P2 is transported to the second transport path 12 in 1106. While the first sheet P1 is discharged in 1105 and the second sheet P2 is decolored in 1109, the reading process of the third sheet P3 is performed in 1113. While the second paper P2 is being sorted in 1110, the third paper P3 is transported to the second transport path 12 in 1114. While the second paper P2 is discharged in 1111, the third paper P3 is decolored in 1115. Thereafter, the third paper P3 is sorted in 1116 and discharged in 1117.

  In 1110, the fourth sheet P 4 is fed in 1118 while the second sheet P 2 is sorted in 1110 and the third sheet P 3 is transported to the second transport path 12 in 1114. While the second paper P2 is discharged at 1111 and the third paper P3 is erased at 1115, the fourth paper P4 is read at 1119. While the first paper P3 is being sorted in 1116, the fourth paper P4 is transported to the second transport path 12 in 1120. While the third sheet P3 is discharged in 1117, the fourth sheet P4 is decolored in 1121. Thereafter, the fourth paper P4 is sorted in 1122 and discharged in 1123.

  When the four sheets are repeated, the reading process is performed in the following order. First sheet reading process, second sheet reading process, first sheet sorting process, third sheet reading process, second sheet sorting process, fourth sheet reading process, third sheet sorting process, 4 The process is performed in the order of the sorting process for the first sheet.

  The decoloring apparatus 100 as described above includes a reading unit that reads an image for leaving an image and a reading unit that reads an image for determining whether or not the image has been normally erased as the same reading unit. By doing so, the cost can be reduced.

  Further, if the reading unit processes the second sheet P2 after processing the first sheet P1, it takes a long time, but the erasing apparatus 100 as described above shifts the process for each sheet and performs parallel processing. By performing the processing, the processing time can be reduced.

  The CPU 200 changes the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring section 15 of the paper P and the speed V2 for transporting the first reading section 13 and the second reading section 14 depending on the mode. In the case of the erasing mode, in the mode in which reading and erasing are combined, in the mode in which erasing and separation are combined, or in the mode in which reading, erasing and separation are combined, the speed at which the erasing unit 15 is conveyed The relationship between V1 and the speed V2 at which the reading units 13 and 14 are conveyed is V1 <V2.

  Further, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading units 13 and 14 may be changed according to the temperature of the erasing unit.

  The processing time can be reduced by changing the conveyance speed of the paper P depending on the mode.

(Third embodiment)
The erasing apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment reads an image with the same reading unit before and after the image erasing. The first conveyance path 11 of the erasing apparatus 100 includes a first reading unit 13, a second reading unit 14, an erasing unit 15, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 16. The erasing apparatus 100 changes the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the erasing portion and the speed V2 for transporting the reading portion depending on the mode. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of the erasing apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. The decoloring unit 15 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment is located in the second conveyance path 12, but the third embodiment is the first reading unit 13 in the first conveyance path 11. And located downstream of the second reading unit 14.

  The CPU 200 changes the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring section 15 of the paper P and the speed V2 for transporting the first reading section 13 and the second reading section 14 depending on the mode. In the case of the erasing mode, in the mode in which reading and erasing are combined, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading units 13 and 14 is V1 <V2.

  Further, in the reading mode in which no erasing processing is performed, and in the separation mode, it is not necessary to make the erasing unit 15 equal to the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15, so the erasing unit 15 is conveyed at a speed of V1 = V2. By doing so, it becomes possible to speed up the processing. Furthermore, if it is possible to make the speed V1 conveyed by the erasing unit 15 faster than the reading units 13 and 14, V1> V2.

  Therefore, in the reading mode and the sorting mode, the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring unit 15 and the speed V2 for transporting the reading units 13 and 14 is V1 ≧ V2. Further, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading units 13 and 14 may be changed according to the temperature of the erasing unit.

  In the case of a mode in which erasing and sorting are combined, and in a mode in which reading, erasing and sorting are combined, the paper P is transported from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12, and the second transport is performed. From 12 to the first transport path 11 again. Therefore, at the first conveyance of the paper P in the first conveyance path 11, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading units 13 and 14 is V1 <V2. When the paper P is transported again through the first transport path 11 via the second transport path 12, the relationship between the speed V3 for transporting the decoloring section 15 and the speed V4 for transporting the reading sections 13 and 14 is V3. ≧ V4.

  The decoloring apparatus 100 as described above includes a reading unit that reads an image for leaving an image and a reading unit that reads an image for determining whether or not the image has been normally erased as the same reading unit. By doing so, the cost can be reduced.

  Also, the processing time can be reduced by selecting the mode and changing the transport speed of the paper P depending on the mode. Further, since the first transport path 11 includes the erasing unit 15, the sheet P is not transported through the second transport path 12 in the erasing mode and in the mode in which reading and erasing are combined. Since it can process, processing time can be reduced.

(Fourth embodiment)
The first conveyance path 11 of the decoloring apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment includes a decoloring unit 15 upstream of the first reading unit 13 and the second reading unit 14. The decoloring apparatus 100 has a plurality of processing modes, and changes the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the decolored portion and the speed V2 for conveying the reading portion depending on the mode. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of the erasing apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment. The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment have a loop structure having the second transport path 12, whereas the fourth embodiment starts from the first transport path. It is not a loop structure that branches and joins the first transport path again.

  The CPU 200 changes the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring section 15 of the paper P and the speed V2 for transporting the first reading section 13 and the second reading section 14 depending on the mode. In the case of the erasing mode, in the mode in which reading and erasing are combined, in the mode in which erasing and separation are combined, or in the mode in which reading, erasing and separation are combined, the speed at which the erasing unit 15 is conveyed The relationship between V1 and the speed V2 at which the reading units 13 and 14 are conveyed is V1 <V2.

  Further, in the reading mode in which no erasing processing is performed, and in the separation mode, it is not necessary to make the erasing unit 15 equal to the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15, so the erasing unit 15 is conveyed at a speed of V1 = V2. By doing so, it becomes possible to speed up the processing. Furthermore, if it is possible to make the speed V1 conveyed by the erasing unit 15 faster than the reading units 13 and 14, V1> V2. Therefore, in the reading mode and the sorting mode, the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the decoloring unit 15 and the speed V2 for transporting the reading units 13 and 14 is V1 ≧ V2.

  Further, the relationship between the speed V1 for transporting the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for transporting the reading units 13 and 14 may be changed according to the temperature of the erasing unit 15. Even if the heat source is turned off, the temperature of the decoloring unit 15 that applies heat during the decoloring process does not immediately decrease. For example, when the paper P is processed in the reading mode without taking time after the paper P is erased in the color erasing mode, the temperature of the color erasing unit 15 may not be lowered. If the paper P is transported in this state and heat is applied to the color material, printing may be erased.

  Therefore, when processing is performed in the reading mode, the temperature of the heater 205 of the decoloring unit 15 is detected by the temperature detection unit 212, and the speed at which the decoloring unit 15 is conveyed if the temperature of the decoloring unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. The relationship between V1 and the speed V2 at which the reading units 13 and 14 are conveyed is V1 = V2. On the other hand, if the temperature of the decoloring part is larger than a predetermined value, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the decoloring part 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading parts 13 and 14 is V1> V2.

  The decoloring apparatus 100 as described above includes a reading unit that reads an image for leaving an image and a reading unit that reads an image for determining whether or not the image has been normally erased as the same reading unit. By doing so, the cost can be reduced.

  Also, the processing time can be reduced by selecting the mode and changing the transport speed of the paper P depending on the mode. Furthermore, when the temperature of the erasing unit 15 is not lowered, the relationship between the speed V1 for conveying the erasing unit 15 and the speed V2 for conveying the reading units 13 and 14 is V1> V2, and the erasing unit 15 By increasing the conveyance speed, it is possible to prevent printing from being erased.

  Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the gist of the invention, and in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Paper feed part 11 1st conveyance path 12 2nd conveyance path 13 1st reading part 14 2nd reading part 15 Decoloring part 16 Conveyance roller 17 Path change part 18 Pickup roller 19 1st paper discharge part 20 Second paper discharge unit 21 Roller pair 22 Paper feed tray 23 Paper discharge unit 100 Erasing device 101 Client PC
102 server 200 CPU
202, 301, 401 ROM
203, 302, 402 RAM
205 Heater 210, 303 Operation unit 211, 304 Display unit 212 Temperature detection unit

Claims (18)

A paper feed unit for feeding a recording medium;
A paper discharge unit for discharging the recording medium;
A first transport path that forms a transport path from the paper feed unit to the paper discharge unit;
A reading unit arranged in the first conveyance path and reading an image of the recording medium;
A second conveyance path that branches from the downstream of the reading unit of the first conveyance path and merges upstream of the reading unit of the first conveyance path;
An erasing unit disposed in the second conveyance path and erasing the color of the image of the recording medium;
The recording medium is controlled to be transported at the first transport speed in the decoloring section and transported at the second transport speed in the reading section, and the first transport speed and the second transport speed are controlled according to the processing mode. A control unit that controls to change at least one of the transport speeds of
A decoloring device comprising:   The processing mode includes an erasing mode for erasing in the erasing unit, a reading mode for reading an image in the reading unit, and a erasing and reading mode for processing both the erasing process and the reading process. The erasing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least two modes.   3. The erasing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the erasing mode, the control unit controls the second transport speed to be equal to or higher than the first transport speed.   3. The decoloring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the reading mode, the control unit controls the first transport speed to be equal to or higher than the second transport speed.   3. The erasing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the erasing and reading mode, the control unit controls the second conveyance speed to be equal to or higher than the first conveyance speed. The processing mode further includes a sorting mode for reading an image by the reading unit, determining whether the recording medium can be reused, and sorting.
3. The decoloring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in the sorting mode, the control unit controls the first transport speed to be equal to or higher than the second transport speed. The processing mode further includes a color erasing process and a color erasing and classification mode for processing both a color erasing process and a classification process for reading the image by the reading unit and determining whether or not the recording medium can be reused.
3. The decoloring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in the decoloring and separation mode, the control unit controls the second transport speed to be equal to or higher than the first transport speed. The processing mode includes a decoloring process, a reading process, and a decoloring and reading and sorting mode for reading both images by the reading unit, determining whether or not the recording medium can be reused, and sorting and sorting. In addition,
3. The erasing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the erasing / reading / sorting mode, the control unit controls the second transport speed to be equal to or higher than the first transport speed.   The erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasing unit includes a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the erasing unit. Feed the recording medium from the paper feeder,
A reading unit arranged in a first conveyance path that forms a conveyance path from the paper feeding unit to the paper discharge unit reads an image of the recording medium, and the reading unit arranged in the first conveyance path The image of the recording medium is erased by a color erasing unit arranged in a second conveyance path that branches from the downstream and merges upstream of the reading unit in the first conveyance path,
Transporting the recording medium at the first transport speed in the reading unit;
Transporting the recording medium at a second transport speed in the decoloring section;
An image erasing method that changes at least one of the first transport speed and the second transport speed in accordance with a processing mode. The processing mode includes an erasing mode for erasing in the erasing unit, a reading mode for reading an image in the reading unit, and a erasing and reading mode for processing both the erasing process and the reading process. The image erasing method according to claim 10, comprising at least two modes. The image erasing method according to claim 11, wherein in the erasing mode, the second conveyance speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the first conveyance speed. The image erasing method according to claim 11, wherein in the reading mode, the first conveyance speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the second conveyance speed. 12. The image erasing method according to claim 11, wherein in the erasing and reading mode, the second conveyance speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the first conveyance speed. The processing mode further includes a sorting mode for reading an image by the reading unit, determining whether the recording medium can be reused, and sorting.
The image erasing method according to claim 11, wherein in the classification mode, the first conveyance speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the second conveyance speed. The processing mode further includes a color erasing process and a color erasing and classification mode for processing both a color erasing process and a classification process for reading the image by the reading unit and determining whether or not the recording medium can be reused.
The image erasing method according to claim 11, wherein in the erasing and separation mode, the second conveyance speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the first conveyance speed. The processing mode includes a decoloring process, a reading process, and a decoloring and reading and sorting mode for reading both images by the reading unit, determining whether or not the recording medium can be reused, and sorting and sorting. In addition,
The image erasing method according to claim 11, wherein in the erasing / reading / sorting mode, the second conveying speed is controlled to be equal to or higher than the first conveying speed. The image erasing method according to claim 10, wherein the erasing unit includes a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature of the erasing unit.

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