JP5810787B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of image forming apparatuses.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, identification information for determining an image forming operation such as an ID code, a barcode, or a QR code (registered trademark) is printed in advance on a recording medium (for example, printing paper). A technique for reading the identification information on the forming apparatus side and controlling an image forming operation on the recording medium according to the reading result is known.

  As a specific example of printing operation control, for example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of discriminating the paper type, information indicating the paper type is printed in advance on the non-printing surface of the paper, and the information is read by the printing device. A configuration is disclosed in which printing is stopped when the printing conditions are not suitable for the paper.

  Further, for example, the ID information is printed on a sheet in advance, the ID information is read on the image forming apparatus side, and the printing condition is controlled so that printing is performed under the optimum printing condition for the sheet based on the reading result.

  However, in the above-described technique, since identification information such as an ID code, a barcode, and a QR code is provided on a recording medium such as printing paper, the identification information remains on the printed paper as it is. was there. The identification information is no longer necessary after printing, and the user is bothered because unnecessary information is printed on the printed paper.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that erases identification information on a paper surface that becomes unnecessary after printing in an image forming process.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a thermal fixing unit that fixes an unfixed image transferred onto a recording medium by heating at a predetermined fixing temperature. Storage means for storing identification information relating to the type of paper and image forming conditions in association with each other, and reading identification information printed from the recording medium with at least the ink that disappears at the predetermined fixing temperature. A reading unit that acquires the corresponding image forming condition; an image processing unit that generates image data according to the acquired image forming condition; a transfer unit that transfers an image of the generated image data onto a recording medium; And the thermal fixing unit fixes the unfixed image transferred onto the recording medium by the image transfer unit by heating at a predetermined fixing temperature, Wherein the erasing printed on a recording medium identification information.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that erases identification information on a paper surface that becomes unnecessary after printing in an image forming process.

1 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating main functions of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. An example of an image forming condition table in which ID information and image forming conditions according to the present embodiment are associated with each other is shown. The example of the paper on which ID information concerning this embodiment was printed is shown. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in each embodiment.

[Overview]
For printing the identification information on the printing paper according to the present embodiment, ink that disappears by heating is used. In an image forming apparatus, as a method of fixing an unfixed image formed on a sheet, a heating type heat fixing apparatus is widely used. The one having a temperature characteristic that does not disappear in a normal use environment (for example, normal temperature) is used. For example, when the fixing temperature of the image forming apparatus is 150 degrees, the identification information on the paper is printed using ink that disappears at 150 degrees (or a range of temperatures from 150 degrees to a temperature other than room temperature), for example. At the time of printing, the identification information on the paper is first read in the image forming apparatus as described above. The image forming apparatus performs a printing operation on the paper according to the reading result, while heat (image fixing temperature) is applied to the paper when the paper passes through the heat fixing portion in the heat fixing process of toner or the like. The identification information on the result sheet is erased. This will be described in detail below.

[apparatus]
(hardware)
FIG. 1 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. Here, numbered in the drawing are a sheet feeding unit 1, an ID reading unit 2, a registration roller 3, an image forming (image forming) unit 4, and a fixing unit 5.

  The paper feed unit 1 is a paper storage unit for setting paper to be fed. In the figure, four paper feeding units are shown, and the user sets paper according to the type and size of the paper. At the time of printing, the paper advances along the conveyance path, and ID information printed (printed) on the paper is first read by the ID reading unit 2.

  The ID reading unit 2 is a device that reads ID information (for example, ID code, bar code, QR code, etc.) printed on paper. It is arranged in front of the registration roller 3 on the sheet conveyance path. The registration roller 3 is one of the rollers for transporting the paper, and is disposed behind the ID reading unit 2 on the paper transport path. Since all the sheets fed and conveyed from the plurality of sheet feeding units 1 pass through the registration roller 3, the ID reading can be performed on all the sheets by one ID reading unit 2 arranged immediately before the sheet. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide ID reading units 2 for the number of paper feeding units.

  The image forming unit 4 performs exposure, latent image, development, and the like, and transfers an image of image data (for example, a bitmap image) onto a recording medium with toner. The fixing unit 5 is a thermal fixing device that passes a sheet through a fixing roller having a heat heater and fixes an unfixed toner image on the sheet.

  At the time of printing, first, a sheet is fed from the designated sheet feeding unit 1, and the sheet passes through the ID reading unit 2 through the sheet feeding conveyance path. At this time, the ID reading unit 2 reads the ID information on the paper. The ID information is transmitted to an image processing unit (for example, a controller) responsible for information processing, and here, an image forming condition (printing condition) is specified based on the ID information. When the image processing unit generates image data to be printed in accordance with the image forming conditions, the image forming unit 4 transfers the image of the generated image data onto a recording medium with toner. Thereafter, the fixing unit 5 passes the sheet through the fixing roller and fixes the unfixed image on the sheet. At this time, the ID information printed on the paper is also heated, and the ID information on the paper is erased by this heat. This is because the ID information on the paper is printed with ink that does not disappear at room temperature but disappears due to heat below the image fixing temperature as described above.

  Since the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a digital multifunction peripheral (Multifunction Peripheral), needless to say, a scanner device, a facsimile device, a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device (ROM, RAM, HDD, etc.), communication, and the like. Other devices such as a device, an operation device, and a display device (such as an operation panel) may be provided.

(Function block)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing main functions of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a storage unit 101, a reading unit 102, an image processing unit 103, a transfer unit 104, a thermal fixing unit 105, and a conveyance control unit 106 as main functions.

  The storage unit 101 stores ID information (identification information) related to the paper type and image forming conditions in association with each other. Specific examples of the ID information and image forming conditions will be described later. The storage unit 101 is realized by, for example, a nonvolatile storage device.

  The reading unit 102 reads ID information printed by ink that disappears at least at a predetermined fixing temperature from a sheet (recording medium), and acquires image forming conditions from the ID information. Specifically, ID information itself, or a bar code, a QR code, or the like is printed on the paper, and the reading unit 102 reads one ID information specified from the information and the code. Further, referring to the storage unit 101, the image forming condition is acquired (specified) from one ID information. This image forming condition is, for example, a printing condition, and is a setting parameter for designating a font size and a printing color. The acquired image forming conditions are transferred to the image processing unit 103. The reading unit 102 is realized by the ID reading unit 2 described above.

  The image processing unit 103 generates image data in accordance with the image forming conditions acquired by the reading unit 102. The image data is, for example, a bitmap image generated based on image data input via a scanner device or a communication device or image data stored in a storage device. The image processing unit 103 can be realized by a computer (for example, a controller) by an image processing program executed by the CPU.

  The transfer unit 104 acquires the image data (for example, a bitmap image) generated by the image processing unit 103 and transfers the image onto a sheet with toner. The transfer unit 104 is realized by the image forming unit 4 described above.

  The thermal fixing unit 105 fixes an unfixed image transferred onto a sheet by heating at a predetermined fixing temperature. At this time, the ID information printed on the paper is deleted. This is because the ID information is printed with ink having a temperature characteristic that the printing disappears at the image fixing temperature as described above. Specifically, the heat fixing unit 105 is realized by the fixing unit 5 described above.

  The transport control unit 106 controls a motor and a mechanism for transporting the paper, and transports the paper along a paper transport path in the order of the paper feeding unit 1, the ID reading unit 2, the image forming unit 4, and the fixing unit 5. . In the present embodiment, when the image forming condition cannot be acquired from the identification information read from the sheet by the reading unit 102, control is performed to stop the conveyance of the sheet to the image forming unit 4 and thereafter (for example, the image forming unit 4). The paper is discharged out of the device without passing through). The conveyance control unit 106 can be realized by a computer by a conveyance control program executed by the CPU.

(ID information and image forming condition example)
FIG. 3 shows an example of an image forming condition table in which ID information and image forming conditions according to the present embodiment are associated with each other. The image forming condition table includes information items such as “ID information” and one or more “image forming conditions” (printing conditions). There may be a plurality of items of “image forming conditions” corresponding to “ID information”.

  The reading unit 102 reads ID information (identification information) printed by ink that disappears from the paper at the fixing temperature. If the ID information is a bar code or QR code, the reading unit 102 decodes the ID information and finally specifies the ID information. 1 ID information is read. Then, the reading unit 102 refers to the image forming condition table, and acquires the image forming condition corresponding to the specified ID information.

  For example, when a barcode is printed on the paper, the reading unit 102 reads the barcode, decodes the barcode, and reads one ID information derived from the barcode, for example, ID100. The reading unit 102 refers to the image forming condition table, and acquires “font size 15”, “monochrome”, and the like as the image forming conditions corresponding to the ID 100.

  On the other hand, when ID information such as a barcode is not printed on the paper, the reading unit 102 cannot read the ID information of one. In this case, the reading unit 102 refers to the image forming condition table, but cannot read ID information, and thus acquires “font size 11”, “monochrome”, etc. corresponding to “no ID information”. This is because a large number of sheets on which no ID information is printed can exist, so that a standard (default) image forming condition can be given to such a sheet so that printing can be performed.

  In the image forming condition table, “ID information” and “image forming conditions” corresponding to the ID information are registered in advance by an administrator or the like. Since the “image forming conditions” corresponding to the ID information printed on the paper is applied to the image printed on the paper, the paper type group classified by use, paper quality, size, etc. Each “ID information” is registered for each, and an image forming condition suitable for the sheet is registered as an “image forming condition” corresponding to the ID information. For example, when the paper type is classified by use such as invoice, purchase order, delivery note, etc., an image forming condition suitable for each document is registered as an “image forming condition” corresponding to each ID information. For example, when classifying by paper quality such as plain paper, high-quality paper, and coated paper, image forming conditions suitable for each paper quality are registered as “image forming conditions” corresponding to the respective ID information. The same applies to classification by size.

[Paper]
FIG. 4 shows an example of paper on which ID information according to the present embodiment is printed. In preparation for printing, the user sets a sheet in the sheet feeding unit 1. At this time, the sheet is set in the sheet feeding unit 1 so that ID information (for example, a barcode) is at the top position in the transport direction. For example, as shown in (a), a barcode a1 is printed at one central position on one short side of the paper, and the paper is placed vertically in the paper feeding unit 1 so that the barcode a1 is at the leading position in the transport direction. Set in place. Also, as shown in (b), the barcode b2 is printed at one central portion of one long side of the paper, and the paper is placed in the paper feeding unit 1 so that the barcode b2 is at the leading position in the transport direction. Set in place.

  On the other hand, in (c), the same barcodes c1 to c4 are printed at all four locations in the center of the two short sides and two long sides of the paper. Therefore, unlike the cases (a) and (b), the user need not be aware of whether or not the barcode is at the leading position in the transport direction when setting the paper in the paper feeding unit 1. That is, no restriction on the set direction is required. In particular, beginners often do not know which is the transport direction. In (c), the ID information can be read from any one of the barcodes c1 to c4 as long as the paper is simply set in the paper feed unit 1. is there. In (c), the same barcodes c1 to c4 are printed on all four locations on the paper, so it feels more annoying on the paper than in (a) and (b). Since the codes c1 to c4 are erased, this troublesomeness is also eliminated.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As a premise, a sheet (FIG. 4) on which ID information is printed in advance using ink that disappears by heating is set in the sheet feeding unit 1. The ink has a temperature characteristic in which printing disappears at an image fixing temperature and does not disappear in a normal use environment (for example, so-called normal temperature). However, even if it is normal temperature, the temperature and the like vary depending on the region, etc., and it is desirable that the temperature does not disappear until a high temperature (for example, 100 degrees C.) having a margin to some extent than normal temperature. In the present embodiment, the ink is erased at least at the image fixing temperature because the print is erased using the heat at the image fixing temperature of the fixing unit 5.

  S1: When printing is started, the transport control unit 106 controls a motor and a mechanism for transporting the paper, feeds the paper from the paper feed unit 1, and transports the paper. After feeding, the paper is transported along a paper transport path in the order of the ID reading unit 2, the image forming unit 4, and the fixing unit 5, in principle. Note that the print start timing is the timing when a print instruction is received from the user via the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100 or the network.

  S2: The reading unit 102 reads ID information from the conveyed paper. For example, when a barcode is printed on the paper, the reading unit 102 reads the barcode, decodes the barcode, and reads 1 ID information derived from the barcode. As a result of the reading, if the ID information can be read (if recognized), the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the ID information cannot be read (if it cannot be recognized), the process proceeds to S9.

  S3: The reading unit 102 refers to the image forming condition table (FIG. 3) and determines whether or not the read ID information exists on the image forming condition table. That is, it is determined whether or not the read ID information is registered on the image forming condition table. If the read ID information exists on the image forming condition table, the process proceeds to S4. On the other hand, if the read ID information does not exist on the image forming condition table, the process proceeds to S10.

  S4: When the ID information read on the image forming condition table exists, the reading unit 102 acquires the image forming condition corresponding to the ID information read from the image forming condition table. For example, when ID100 is read from the paper, the image forming condition table is referred to, and “font size 15”, “monochrome”, etc. are acquired as the image forming conditions corresponding to ID100.

  S5: The image processing unit 103 generates image data under the image forming conditions acquired by the reading unit 102. The image data is, for example, a bitmap image generated based on image data separately input via a scanner device or a network, or image data stored in a storage device. Here, since the image forming conditions corresponding to ID100 are “font size 15” and “monochrome”, the image data is generated under the conditions of font size “15” and print color “monochrome”.

  S6: The transfer unit 104 acquires the image data (for example, a bitmap image) generated by the image processing unit 103, and transfers the image onto the conveyed paper.

  S7: The thermal fixing unit 105 thermally fixes the unfixed image transferred on the conveyed paper. At this time, since the heat of the image fixing temperature is also applied to the ID information (for example, barcode) printed on the paper, the printing of the ID information on the paper is erased at the same time.

  S8: The transport control unit 106 transports the paper along the transport path, and finally discharges the paper from the discharge port. This completes printing. The finished printed material is printed with an image of the font size “15” and the printing color “black and white”, for example, and the ID information (for example, barcode) existing on the paper before printing disappears. It has become missing. That is, ID information that is no longer necessary after printing is erased from the paper.

  S9: On the other hand, when the ID information cannot be read (when it cannot be recognized), the reading unit 102 acquires a corresponding image forming condition corresponding to “no ID information” from the image forming condition table. Specifically, “font size 11”, “black and white”, and the like are acquired as image forming conditions corresponding to no ID information (FIG. 3). This is because a number of sheets on which no ID information is printed may exist on the sheet, so that a standard (default) image forming condition is applied to such a sheet so that printing can be performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5, and the image processing unit 103 generates image data under the standard (default) image forming conditions acquired by the reading unit 102, and then proceeds to S6 to 8 similarly.

  S10: On the other hand, if the ID information can be read but the read ID information does not exist on the image forming condition table, the conveyance control unit 106 receives a notification from the reading unit 102 and informs the conveyance control unit 106 of the sheet. Is controlled to switch the paper transport path so as not to pass through the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 5 (the process proceeds to S8). That is, when the read ID information is not registered in the image forming condition table of the image forming apparatus 100, it is determined that the sheet cannot be printed by the apparatus (non-applicable sheet), and the sheet is discharged without going through the drawing process. Make paper. Thus, by avoiding image transfer by the transfer unit 104, toner adhesion to the paper can be prevented, and the paper can be reused in other devices that should originally be used. Also, when the ID information on the paper is printed with ink that disappears due to heat, by avoiding thermal fixing by the thermal fixing unit 105, the disappearance of printing of the ID information on the paper is prevented, and the paper should be used originally It can be reused in other devices.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus or the like that erases identification information on a paper surface that is unnecessary after printing in an image forming process. Note that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed unit 2 ID reading unit 3 Registration roller 4 Image forming unit 5 Fixing unit 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Storage part 102 Reading part 103 Image processing part 104 Transfer part 105 Thermal fixing part 106 Conveyance control part

JP-A-11-000990

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus comprising a heat fixing means for fixing an unfixed image transferred onto a recording medium by heating at a predetermined fixing temperature,
Storage means for storing identification information relating to the type of paper and image forming conditions in association with each other;
Reading means for reading identification information printed with ink disappearing at least at the predetermined fixing temperature from the recording medium, and acquiring the image forming conditions corresponding to the identification information;
Image processing means for generating image data according to the acquired image forming conditions;
Transfer means for transferring an image of the generated image data onto a recording medium;
Have
It said heat fixing means, by heating the predetermined fixing temperature, together with fixing the image of unfixed transferred onto the recording medium by the pre Kiten shooting means, erases the identification information printed on the recording medium about,
An image forming apparatus. The storage means stores a standard image forming condition corresponding to a case where the identification information cannot be read,
The reading unit obtains the standard image forming condition when the identification information cannot be read from the recording medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A conveyance control means for stopping conveyance of the recording medium to the transfer means and the heat fixing means when the identification information read from the recording medium by the reading means is not stored in the storage means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The recording medium is a rectangular sheet, and the same identification information is printed for each side,
The image forming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the. Having a plurality of storage units for storing recording media;
The reading means is disposed immediately before a registration roller on which all the recording media fed from the plurality of storage units are transported and passed on the paper transport path;
The image forming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the.

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