JP6016774B2 - Erasing device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an erasing apparatus and a processing 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 A decoloring apparatus that erases the color of an image by performing a decoloring process on paper by heat is known. The 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 erasing has been performed normally after image erasing. Is provided. However, if only the reading process is performed, passing the decoloring portion causes a problem that it takes a long processing time.

JP 2010-113337 A

A problem to be solved by an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a decoloring apparatus and a processing method that reduce processing time.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an erasing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a paper feed unit that supplies a recording medium, a paper discharge unit that discharges the recording medium, a reading unit that reads an image on the surface of the recording medium, A decoloring unit for decoloring an image formed on a recording medium, a first mode for reading an image by the reading unit, a second mode for decoloring an image by the decoloring unit, and the reading unit the third of the modes, a receiving unit that receives the setting of at least one mode, 1 mode accepted in the accepting unit, wherein the recording medium based on the printing ratio of the image read to determine whether reusable And a control unit that controls to perform processing according to the combination of only or a plurality of modes.

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 1st display example which shows mode selection by the setting item in 1st embodiment. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the setting item and mode in 1st embodiment. It is a 2nd example of a display which shows mode selection by the setting item 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.

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

In the first embodiment, an erasing apparatus having a reading unit reads an image by the same reading unit before and after image erasing, and has a plurality of processing modes.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment. The mode selection system includes, for example, a plurality of erasing 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 decoloring apparatus 100 includes a paper feeding unit 10, a first conveyance path 11, a second conveyance path 12, a first reading unit 13A, a second reading unit 13B, a decoloring unit 15, a conveyance roller 16, and a path change. Unit (switching 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 1st conveyance path 11 and the 2nd conveyance path 12 have a plurality of conveyance rollers 16, and conveyance roller 16 comprises a pair of a drive roller and a driven roller. The first transport path 11 has a pair of first reading unit 13A and second reading unit 13B. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B have a two-dimensional CCD scanner. The first reading unit 13A reads one side of the sheet conveyed from the paper feeding unit 10, and the second reading unit 13B reads the surface opposite to the reading surface of the first reading unit 13A. Images read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B are stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 that is a storage unit. The storage destination of the image read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B 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.

Images read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B are not limited to be 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 13A and the second reading unit 13B read the surface in order to determine whether or not the paper P is usable and whether or not the printing on the paper has been erased.

Reading by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B is performed twice. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B digitize the read image and store it in the storage unit in the first reading. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B determine whether the sheet can be reused after the decoloring process in the second reading after the decoloring.

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, folding, 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 13A and the second reading unit 13B are not limited to a pair of two-dimensional CCD scanners, and may be CMOS sensors.

In addition, it may be determined whether or not it is unusable by reading after erasing due to wrinkles, stapling, folding, memo writing that cannot be erased, or the like. The reading after erasing may be the first reading or the second reading. Reading after erasing facilitates detection of wrinkles, stapling, folding, memos that cannot be erased, and the like. The CPU 200 determines whether or not it is unusable due to wrinkles, stapling, folding, non-erasable memo writing, etc. in the reading after erasing, and according to the determination result, the first paper discharge unit 19. Alternatively, the paper is discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20. These settings can be selected and set in advance.

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 13A and the second reading unit 13B of the first transport path 11, and the first reading unit 13A of the first transport path 11 is branched. And merge at the junction point upstream of the second reading unit 13B. A 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 erasing unit 15 includes a roller pair 21 and a heater 205. 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, which is a control unit of the erasing apparatus 100, includes a CCD (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM 203, a first reading unit 13A, and a CCD sensor of the second reading unit 13B via a system bus 201. 204, a heater 205 of the decoloring unit 15, 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 also controls a path change unit drive control unit 207 that controls the path change unit 17, a paper transport motor drive control unit 208 that controls a paper transport motor 209 that drives the transport rollers, an operation unit 210, and a display unit 211. Is 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 a touch panel type display unit 211 and various keys, and is disposed, for example, on the upper portion of the erasing apparatus main body. The operation keys include, for example, a numeric keypad, a stop key, and a start key. The display unit 211 displays setting information including various processing modes of the erasing apparatus 100, operation status, log information, or a message to the user. The user can select a processing mode of the erasing apparatus 100 such as starting erasing or reading an image of the sheet P to be erased via the operation unit 210. The processing mode will be described later. Note that the operation unit 210 is not limited to that disposed on the main body of the erasing apparatus 100. For example, a configuration that can be operated from an operation unit of an external device connected to the erasing apparatus 100 via a network may be used. Alternatively, the operation unit 210 may be independent from the decoloring apparatus main body and may be configured to operate the decoloring apparatus 100 by wired or wireless communication. The operation unit of this embodiment may be any unit that can instruct the erasing apparatus 100 to perform processing, browse information, and the like. In the following description, the display unit 211 is described as a touch panel.

The CPU 200 controls the route changing unit drive control unit 207 to drive the route changing unit 17 so as to distribute the paper P from the first conveying path 11 to the second conveying path 12, or to perform the first operation. The paper P is sorted so as to be conveyed from the conveyance 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 image read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B 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 image read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B 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 13A and the second reading unit 13B. When the first reading unit 13 </ b> A or the second reading unit 13 </ b> B detects a sheet, the path changing unit 17 rotates in a 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 13A and the second reading unit 13B is distributed to the second transport 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. The sheet P from which the image has been erased is conveyed upstream of the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B 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 13A and the second reading unit 13B. When the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B read the image again, the path changing unit 17 rotates in the direction in which the paper P is transported from the first transport 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 13A and the second reading unit 13B, 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.

The erasing apparatus 100 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.

FIG. 7 is a first display example showing the mode selection by the setting item on the display unit 211 on the display unit 211. At the time of processing setting, the CPU 200 displays setting items 30, 31, 32, 33, processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, 43, an enter button 50, and a cancel 51 on the display unit 211. Further, when setting the process, the CPU 200 displays, for example, “Please turn on the process to be executed” and prompts the process to be selected. The CPU 200 displays the setting items 30, 31, and 32 in the order of processing. In FIG. 7, setting items 30, 31, and 32 are displayed side by side in order from the left. The setting item 30 is data storage, the setting item 31 is decolored, the setting item 32 is classification, and 33 is preliminary classification. The order in which the setting items 30, 31, and 32 are arranged is not limited to the left, but may be displayed in an order from the top, for example.

The CPU 200 determines a first setting for reading an image by the reading unit 13, a second setting for erasing the image by the erasing unit 15, and a third setting for determining whether the reading unit 13 can reuse the image. At least one of the settings is accepted, and the accepted setting is processed. The CPU 200 determines a processing mode based on a combination of setting item settings. For example, when the CPU 200 receives the first setting, the second setting, and the third setting, the CPU 200 performs reading, decoloring, and separation processing. The mode at this time is a mode in which reading, erasing and sorting are combined. If the size of the paper P is larger than the predetermined size, even if the CPU 200 accepts a mode in which no erasing processing is performed, the path changing unit 17 moves the paper P to the second conveyance path 12 having the erasing unit 15. Switch to transport. At this time, the CPU 200 conveys the paper P without erasing processing. The mode that does not perform the decoloring process indicates a reading mode or a sorting mode.

The pre-sorting is a process for checking the printing rate and sorting by the first reading. If the printing rate is high, the CPU 200 determines that it cannot be reused without performing the decoloring process, and discharges it to the second discharge unit 20. For example, if the printing rate in the detection range is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the printing rate is high. The threshold of the printing rate for determining whether or not paper can be reused may be changed as appropriate.

The setting items 30, 31, and 32 are displayed in a shape indicating the processing order. For example, the shapes of the setting items 30 and 31 are indicated by arrows so that the processing order can be understood. Further, the order is not limited to the display with an arrow, and the order may be described with alphanumeric characters or characters.

The CPU 200 displays a setting item 30 as a processing setting button 40, a setting item 31 as a processing setting button 41, and a setting item 32 as a processing setting button 42 in pairs. The process setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 can be selected ON or OFF. When the processing setting button 40 is selected to be ON, the first setting for reading an image by the reading unit 13 is performed. When the processing setting button 41 is selected to be ON, the color erasing unit 15 performs color erasing of the image. When the processing setting button 42 is selected to be ON, the third setting for determining whether or not the reading unit 13 can be reused is performed. When the processing setting button 43 is selected to be ON, This is the setting for performing separation processing. When the process setting button 40 is selected to be OFF, the setting is made not to perform the data saving process. When the process setting button 41 is selected to be OFF, the setting is not to perform the decoloring process, and the process setting button 42 is selected to be OFF. If the process setting button 43 is selected ON, the setting is made so that the pre-sorting process is not performed. The display unit 211 is a touch panel. For example, when the CPU 200 determines that the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 are pressed, the selection tab is displayed, and ON or OFF can be selected.

The user selects ON or OFF using the selection buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43, and presses the decision button 50 when the selection is completed. When CPU 200 determines that determination button 50 has been pressed, CPU 200 determines the mode. If the CPU 200 determines that the cancel button 51 has been pressed, the CPU 200 stops the processing setting.

FIG. 8 is a table showing the relationship between setting items and modes. The mode is selected by setting the process setting buttons 40, 41, and 42 of the setting items 30, 31, and 32. Depending on the combination of ON or OFF of the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, the erasing mode, the reading mode, the sorting mode, the mode combining reading and erasing, the mode combining erasing and sorting, the reading, erasing and sorting. Six modes are selected from the combined modes.

ON with the processing setting button 40 of the data storage setting item 30, OFF with the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33, OFF with the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31, processing setting of the setting item 32 of the sorting When OFF is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the reading mode is set. The processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30 is turned off, the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33 is turned on, the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31 is turned off, and the processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 is set. When OFF is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the pre-sorting mode is selected. The processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30 is turned off, the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33 is turned off, the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31 is turned on, and the processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 is set. When OFF is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is the color erasing mode. The processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30 is OFF, the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33 is OFF, the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31 is OFF, and the processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 is set. When ON is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the sorting mode is set.

ON with the processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30, OFF with the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33, ON with the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31, and processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 If OFF is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of reading and erasing. The processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30 is turned off, the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33 is turned off, the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31 is turned on, and the processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 is set. When ON is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of decoloring and sorting. ON with the processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30, OFF with the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33, ON with the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31, and processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 When ON is selected by the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of reading, erasing and sorting.

The processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30 is OFF, the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33 is ON, the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31 is ON, and the processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 is set. If OFF is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of pre-sorting and decoloring. ON by the processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30, ON by the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33, ON by the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31, and processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 When OFF is selected with the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of reading, pre-sorting and erasing. The processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30 is OFF, the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33 is ON, the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31 is ON, and the processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 is set. When ON is selected by the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of pre-sorting, erasing and sorting. ON by the processing setting button 40 of the data saving setting item 30, ON by the processing setting button 43 of the pre-sorting setting item 33, ON by the processing setting button 41 of the decoloring setting item 31, and processing setting of the sorting setting item 32 When ON is selected by the button 42, the CPU 200 determines that the mode is a combination of reading, pre-classification, erasing, and classification.

In the above description, the processing setting buttons 40, 41, and 42 are set by selecting ON or OFF. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and ON and OFF are displayed as “process” or “not process”. Anyway.

In FIG. 7, the setting items 30 (data storage), 31 (decoloring), and 32 (sorting) are arranged in order of processing from the left, and the setting item 33 (preliminary sorting) is displayed separately. As shown, the four setting items including the pre-sorting setting item 33 may be displayed in the order of processing. Since data storage and pre-sorting are processed at the time of the first reading, in FIG. 9, setting items 30 and 33 for data storage and pre-sorting are displayed side by side as items to be processed in parallel. By displaying the setting items side by side in the order of processing in this way, the display becomes easy for the user to understand.

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

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the erasing mode. When the erasing mode is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. 7, in 500, the pickup roller 18 feeds the paper P from the paper feed tray 22. The paper P is transported to the first transport path 11 at 501. In 502, the path changing unit drive control unit 207 drives the path changing unit 17 to transport the paper P from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12. In 503, the erasing unit 15 performs a color erasing process on the image of the paper P. Thereafter, in 504, the paper P is transported from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11 by the transport roller 16. In 505, the paper P is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20 by the transport roller 16, and the operation ends.

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

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the reading mode. Setting items 30, 31, 32, 3 in FIG.
3, when the reading mode is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, 43, the pickup roller 18 feeds the paper P from the paper feed tray 22 in 600, and goes to the first transport path 11 in 601. A conveyance roller 16 conveys the paper P. In 602, the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B read the image on the paper P, and store the read image in the storage unit. In 603, the transport roller 16 discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20, and the CPU 200 ends the operation.

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. 12 is a flowchart of the sorting mode. When the sorting mode is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. 7, the pickup roller 18 feeds the paper P from the paper feeding tray 22 in 700. , 701, the transport roller 16 transports the paper P to the first transport path 11. In 702, the image on the sheet P is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, and in 703, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the sheet P can be reused. If reusable (Yes in 703), in 704, the transport roller 16 discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19, and the operation ends. If it cannot be reused (No in 703), in 705, the conveyance roller 16 discharges the paper P to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation 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. 13 is a flowchart of a mode in which reading and erasing are combined. When a mode combining reading and erasing is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. 7, the pickup roller 18 feeds the paper P at 800. Paper is fed from the tray 22, and the conveyance roller 16 conveys the paper P to the first conveyance path 11 in 801. In 802, the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B read the image on the paper P, and store the read image in the storage unit. In 803, the path change drive control unit 207 drives the path change unit 17, and the transport roller 16 transports the paper P from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12. In 804, the erasing unit 15 performs erasing processing of the image on the paper P. Thereafter, in 805, the transport roller 16 transports the paper P from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11. In 806, the conveyance roller 16 discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation ends.

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. 14 is a flowchart of a mode in which erasing and separation are combined. When a mode in which erasing and sorting are combined is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. 7, the pickup roller 18 feeds the paper P in 900. Paper is fed from the paper tray 22, and in 901, the transport roller 16 transports the paper P to the first transport path 11. In 902, the path changing unit drive control unit 207 drives the path changing unit 17, and the transport roller 16 transports the paper P from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12. In 903, the erasing unit 15 performs erasing processing of the image on the paper P. Thereafter, at 904, the transport roller 16 transports the paper P from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11. In 905, the image on the paper P is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B. In 906, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the paper P can be reused. If reusable (Yes in 906), in 907, the transport roller 16 discharges paper to the first paper discharge unit 19, and the operation ends. If the sheet cannot be reused (No in 906), the conveyance roller 16 discharges the sheet P to the second sheet discharge unit 20 in 908, and the operation 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. 15 is a flowchart of a mode in which reading, erasing, and sorting are combined. When a mode that combines reading, decoloring, and separation is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. In step 1001, the conveyance roller 16 conveys the sheet P to the first conveyance path 11. In 1002, the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B read the image on the paper P, and store the read image in the storage unit. In 1003, the path changing unit drive control unit 207 drives the path changing unit 17 so that the transport roller 16 transports the paper P from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12. In 1004, the erasing unit 15 performs erasing processing of the image on the paper P.

Thereafter, at 1005, the transport roller 16 transports the paper P from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11. In 1006, the image on the paper P is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B. In 1007, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the paper P can be reused. If reusable (Yes in 1007), in 1008, the transport roller 16 discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19, and the operation ends. If the sheet cannot be reused (No in 1007), in 1009, the transport roller 16 discharges the paper P to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation ends.

The pre-sorting mode will be described. In the pre-sorting mode, image erasing is not performed, and whether or not the paper P can be reused is determined according to the printing rate.

If the CPU 200 determines that the pre-sorting mode has been selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. And the conveyance roller 16 is controlled to convey the paper P to the first conveyance path 11. The CPU 200 controls the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B to read the image on the paper P and determine the printing rate. Thereafter, when the CPU 200 determines that the printing rate is smaller than the threshold value, the conveyance roller 16 discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19, and when the CPU 200 determines that the printing rate is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the conveyance roller 16 Control is performed so that P is discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation ends.

In the mode combining reading and pre-sorting, image erasing is not performed, the read image is stored in the storage unit, and whether or not the paper P can be reused is determined according to the printing rate. If the CPU 200 determines that a mode combining reading and pre-sorting is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. When the image is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, the image is stored in the storage unit, and the printing rate is determined. Other operations are the same as in the pre-sorting mode.

A mode that combines pre-sorting and erasing will be described. In a mode that combines pre-sorting and erasing, whether or not the paper P can be reused is determined according to the printing rate, and erasing is performed when the printing rate is determined to be equal to or less than a threshold value.

When the CPU 200 determines that a mode combining pre-sorting and decoloring is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. P is controlled to be fed from the paper feed tray 22, and the transport roller 16 is controlled to transport the paper P to the first transport path 11. The CPU 200 controls the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B to read the image on the paper P and determine the printing rate. If the CPU 200 determines that the printing rate is equal to or greater than the threshold, the conveying roller 16 controls the paper P to be discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation ends.

If the CPU 200 determines that the printing rate is smaller than the threshold value, the path change drive control unit 207 drives the path change unit 17, and the paper P is fed from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12 by the transport roller 16. Transport. The CPU 200 performs an image erasing process on the paper P conveyed to the second conveyance path 12 by the erasing unit 15. The CPU 200 conveys the paper P from the second conveyance path 12 to the first conveyance path 11 by the conveyance roller 16 and discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. End the operation.

In the mode combining reading, pre-sorting and erasing, the scanned image is stored in the storage unit, and it is determined whether or not the paper P can be reused according to the printing ratio. carry out. When the CPU 200 determines that the mode combining reading, pre-sorting, and decoloring is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. When the image is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B described in the mode combining the color erasing and the color erasing, the image is stored in the storage unit, and the printing rate is determined. Other operations are the same as those in a mode in which pre-sorting and erasing are combined.

A mode in which pre-classification, erasing, and classification are combined will be described. In the mode that combines pre-sorting, erasing, and sorting, the reusability determination of the paper P is performed according to the printing rate. When the printing rate is determined to be equal to or less than the threshold value, the erasing is performed. Implement reusability sorting.

When the CPU 200 determines that a mode in which pre-sorting, decoloring, and sorting is combined is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. The paper P is controlled to be fed from the paper feed tray 22, and the transport roller 16 is controlled to transport the paper P to the first transport path 11. The CPU 200 controls the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B to read the image on the paper P and determine the printing rate. If the CPU 200 determines that the printing rate is equal to or greater than the threshold, the conveying roller 16 controls the paper P to be discharged to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation ends.

If the CPU 200 determines that the printing rate is smaller than the threshold value, the path change drive control unit 207 drives the path change unit 17, and the paper P is fed from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12 by the transport roller 16. Transport. The CPU 200 performs an image erasing process on the paper P conveyed to the second conveyance path 12 by the erasing unit 15. The CPU 200 transports the paper P from the second transport path 12 to the first transport path 11 by the transport roller 16, and again images the image of the paper P by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B. read. The CPU 200 determines whether or not the paper P can be reused. If the paper can be reused, the transport roller 16 discharges the paper P to the first paper discharge unit 19, and the operation ends. If the sheet cannot be reused, the transport roller 16 discharges the paper P to the second paper discharge unit 20, and the operation ends.

In the mode combining reading, pre-classification, erasing, and classification, the scanned image is stored in the storage unit, and it is determined whether the paper P can be reused according to the printing rate. Processing is performed, and whether or not reuse is possible after erasing is performed. When the CPU 200 determines that a mode combining reading, pre-sorting, decoloring, and sorting is selected by the processing setting buttons 40, 41, 42, and 43 of the setting items 30, 31, 32, and 33 in FIG. When reading the image by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B described in the mode in which the pre-sorting, the erasing and the sorting are combined, the image is stored in the storage unit, and the printing rate is determined. Other operations are the same as those in the combination of pre-classification, decolorization, and classification.

When a mode that combines reading, decoloring, and separation is selected and the paper P is processed one by one, the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B are images for leaving 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 controls the first reading unit 13A, the second reading unit 13B, the decoloring unit 15, and the path changing unit 17 according to the processing mode. In addition, when a processing mode that does not require the erasing unit 15 is selected, the CPU 200 controls to discharge the paper P without conveying the erasing unit 15. That is, in the reading mode and the sorting mode, control is performed so that the paper P is discharged without being transported through the second transport path 12.

The CPU 200 changes the transport speed of the paper P depending on the mode when reading an image with the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B and when erasing the image with the erasing unit 15. 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. Therefore, the relationship between the conveyance speed V1 in the decoloring unit 15 and the conveyance speed V2 in the reading unit during the decoloring process is V1 <V2.

Therefore, in the case of the erasing mode, in the mode in which reading and erasing are combined, in the mode in which erasing and classification are combined, or in the mode in which reading, erasing and classification are combined, the erasing unit 15 The relationship between the conveyance speed V1 and the conveyance speed V2 at the reading unit is V1 <V2.

In the reading mode and the sorting mode, the sheet P is conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed at which the reading unit can sufficiently read an image because the conveyance to the erasing unit 15 is not performed.

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, the processing time can be reduced by selecting the mode, and the processing time can be further reduced by changing the transport speed of the paper P depending on the mode.
(Second embodiment)

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, a plurality of sheets are continuously read, erased, and sorted, and parallel processing is performed by shifting the processing for each sheet. 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 transport direction of the paper P.

In the erasing process of the first sheet P, the reading process is performed by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, which are reading units, the erasing process is then performed by the erasing unit 15, and the first reading is performed again. The reading process is performed by the unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, 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. 15 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 13AA and the second reading unit 13B (FIG. 4).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 16, the first paper P1 is transported through the second transport path 12, and the second paper P2 is fed while the decoloring unit 15 performs the decoloring process. The first conveyance path 11 is conveyed, and the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B perform reading processing.

After that, as shown in FIG. 17, the first sheet P1 is conveyed on the first conveyance path 11, the image is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, 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. 18, 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 by the erasing unit 15. The first conveyance path 11 is conveyed, and reading processing is performed by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B.

Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the second sheet P2 is conveyed on the first conveyance path 11, the image is read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, 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. 20 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 erasing apparatus 100 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 user can select a desired mode, and each mode performs the same processing as in the first embodiment.

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 controls the first reading unit 13A, the second reading unit 13B, the decoloring unit 15, and the path changing unit 17 according to the processing mode. In addition, when a processing mode that does not require the erasing unit 15 is selected, the CPU 200 controls to discharge the paper P without conveying the erasing unit 15. That is, in the reading mode and the sorting mode, control is performed so that the paper P is discharged without being transported through the second transport path 12.

Depending on the mode, the conveyance speed of the paper P may be changed at the time of image reading by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B and at the time of image erasing by the erasing unit 15. If the color erasing unit 15 transports faster than a predetermined transport 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. Therefore, the relationship between the conveyance speed V1 at the decoloring unit 15 and the conveyance speed V2 at the reading unit is V1 <V2.

Therefore, in the case of the erasing mode, in the mode in which reading and erasing are combined, in the mode in which erasing and classification are combined, or in the mode in which reading, erasing and classification are combined, the erasing unit 15 The relationship between the conveyance speed V1 and the conveyance speed V2 at the reading unit is V1 <V2.

In the reading mode and the sorting mode, the sheet P is conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed at which the reading unit can sufficiently read an image because the conveyance to the erasing unit 15 is not performed.

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, the processing time can be reduced by selecting the mode.

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 doing so, the processing time can be further reduced.

In the description of the above embodiment, the image erasing apparatus is described as “erasing processing” for erasing the color of the image, but it also means that the image is erased. The decoloring apparatus described in the present embodiment is not limited to an apparatus that erases the color of an image by heat. For example, a device that erases the color of an image on a sheet by light irradiation or a device that erases an image formed on a special sheet may be used. Alternatively, it may be an apparatus that removes (erases) an image on a sheet, and may be any configuration as long as the image is not visible so that the sheet can be reused.

According to the decoloring apparatus and processing method of at least one embodiment described above, the processing time can be reduced by selecting a mode.

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 | route change part 19 1st paper discharge part 20 2nd Paper discharge unit 21 Roller pair 30, 31, 32, 33 Setting items 40, 41, 42, 43 Processing setting button 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

Claims (5)

A paper feed unit for supplying a recording medium;
A paper discharge unit for discharging the recording medium;
A reading unit for reading an image on the surface of the recording medium;
A color erasing unit for erasing the image formed on the recording medium;
The recording medium can be reused based on the first mode for reading an image by the reading unit, the second mode for erasing the image by the erasing unit, and the printing rate of the image read by the reading unit. A receiving unit that accepts the setting of at least one mode among the third modes for determining whether or not;
A control unit that controls to perform processing according to only one mode received by the receiving unit or a combination of a plurality of modes;
An erasing apparatus comprising: The reception unit is a display unit that displays predetermined information,
The erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the buttons for receiving the mode setting on the display unit in an order of processing. Wherein, the first mode setting button and the third mode erasing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the button to accept setting side by side vertically and displaying on the display unit of accepting a. The reception unit is a display unit that displays predetermined information,
The decoloring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a button for accepting the setting of the mode on the display unit, and displays the processing order in alphanumeric characters or characters. The button for accepting the setting of the mode further includes a process setting button for setting whether to execute the process of the mode,
The erasing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit displays the processing setting button on the display unit .

Images