JP6088077B2 - Erase device and erase method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relates to erasing device, and erase how.

  In order to save resources and reduce costs, an erasing apparatus that erases an image on a recording medium formed with an erasable colorant has been put into practical use.

  The erasable colorant disappears when heated, for example. Accordingly, the erasing device includes an erasing unit that heats the recording medium, and the erasing unit heats the recording medium to erase the image on the recording medium. The heated recording medium passes through a conveyance path and is conveyed to an accumulation unit that accumulates the recording medium.

  This erasing device is often used by a plurality of people. Therefore, when other person's sheet is mixed in addition to the sheet that the user wants to erase, the other person's sheet may be mistakenly erased.

  In addition, there is a case where it is not desired to use an erasing device other than a specific one.

JP 2011-186472 A

Accordingly, and being erased by mistake the image formed on the sheet of others, the image formed on the sheet is erased apparatus can be prevented from being erased by others, and erase how is required.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides an acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying a user, a reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet, and an image formed on the sheet. It is determined whether or not the identification information included in the image read by the reading unit and the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit match, and if it is determined that they match, the erase unit is formed on the sheet An erasing apparatus is provided that includes a control unit that causes an erasing unit to erase an image formed on a sheet when it is determined that the images do not coincide with each other.

It is the schematic explaining the structure of an erasing device. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of an erasing device. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an authentication table. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an erasing apparatus. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus incorporating an erasing device. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an erasing apparatus, an erasing method of the erasing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The erasing apparatus of the present embodiment includes a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet, a reading unit that reads an image on the sheet, an erasing unit that is provided downstream of the reading unit in the sheet conveying direction, and erases an image on the sheet, and an input If the authentication information that is read by searching the authentication table that stores the authentication information for each ID that is uniquely assigned to the user based on the assigned ID matches the input authentication information, the erasure unit displays on the sheet A control unit for erasing the image.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the erasing apparatus 100. The erasing apparatus 100 uses an erasable color material (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording material) for a sheet on which an image is formed with an erasable color material such as an erasable toner or an erasable ink. Apply a decoloring process to erase the color.

  The erasing apparatus 100 includes a paper feed cassette 102, a paper feed member 104, a reading unit 106, an erasing unit 108, a reuse box 110, a reject box 112, discharge members 114 and 116, a first transport path 118, a second transport path 120, a first transport path. 3 conveyance path 122, the 1st branch member 124, the 2nd branch member 126, and the operation part 128 are provided.

  The sheet feeding cassette 102 stacks sheets for reuse. The paper feed cassette 102 stacks sheets of various sizes such as A4, A3, and B5. The sheets stacked on the sheet cassette 102 are, for example, sheets formed with an image of a recording material that is erased by heating to a predetermined temperature or higher.

  The sheet feeding member 104 includes a pick-up roller, a sheet supply roller, a separation roller arranged to face the sheet supply roller, and the like, and a first conveyance path 118 inside the erasing apparatus 100 for sheets on the sheet feeding cassette 102 one by one. To supply.

  Further, the paper feed cassette 102 includes a detection sensor 103 that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the paper feed cassette 102. The detection sensor 103 may be, for example, a microsensor or a microactuator.

  The first transport path 118 forms a transport path from the paper feed cassette 102 toward the reuse box 110. The first conveyance path 118 conveys the fed sheet to the reuse box 110 via the reading unit 106.

  The reading unit 106 is disposed along the first conveyance path 118 downstream of the sheet feeding cassette 102 in the sheet conveyance direction. The reading unit 106 includes, for example, a reading unit such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) scanner or a CMOS sensor.

  In the present embodiment, the reading unit 106 reads images on the first surface and the second surface of the conveyed sheet. That is, the reading unit 106 includes a first reading unit 106A and a second reading unit 106B arranged along the first conveying path 118 and sandwiching the conveying path, and reads both sides of the image of the conveyed sheet. . A position where the reading unit of the reading unit 106 reads the image on the sheet is referred to as a reading position. The image read by the reading unit 106 is stored in the storage unit 210 shown in FIG.

  For example, when the image on the sheet read by the reading unit 106 before the color erasing process is digitized and stored in the storage unit, the image data that has been erased later is needed. Can be acquired. Further, the control unit 200 described later determines whether the sheet is erasable or reusable based on the image read by the reading unit 106.

  The erasing apparatus 100 includes a first branch member 124 as a switching unit downstream of the reading unit 106.

  The first branch member 124 switches the conveyance direction of the conveyed sheet. The first branch member 124 conveys the sheet conveyed through the first conveyance path 118 to the second conveyance path 120 or the reuse box 110.

  The second transport path 120 branches from the first transport path 118 at a branch point where the first branch member 124 is disposed. The second conveyance path 120 branched from the branch point conveys the sheet to the erasing unit 108. Further, the second conveyance path 120 merges with the first conveyance path 118 at a merge point 121 upstream of the reading unit 106 in the sheet conveyance direction. That is, the second transport path 120 joins the first transport path 118 at a joining point 121 between the paper feed cassette 102 and the reading unit 106.

  Therefore, the second conveyance path 120 can convey the sheet conveyed from the reading unit 106 to the reading unit 106 again via the erasing unit 108.

  That is, the erasing apparatus 100 can transport the sheet supplied from the paper feeding member 104 in the order of the reading unit 106, the erasing unit 108, and the reading unit 106 by controlling the first branching member 124.

  The first transport path 118 has a second branch member 126 downstream of the first branch member 124. The second branch member 126 guides the sheet conveyed from the first branch member 124 to the reuse box 110 or the third conveyance path 122. The third conveyance path 122 conveys the sheet to the reject box 112.

  The erasing unit 108 erases the color of the image on the conveyed sheet. For example, the erasing unit 108 erases the color of the image formed on the sheet by the recording material by heating the sheet to a predetermined decoloring temperature while being in contact with the conveyed sheet.

  For example, the erasing unit 108 of the erasing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a first erasing unit 108A for erasing the first side of the sheet, a second erasing unit 108B for erasing the second side, Have

  The first decoloring unit 108A includes a first heating roller 108H having a heater, a first heating roller temperature sensor 109A that detects the temperature of the first heating roller 108H, and a first driven roller. The first heating roller 108H and the first driven roller are disposed to face each other across the second conveyance path.

  The second decoloring unit 108B includes a second heating roller 108I having a heater, a second heating roller temperature sensor 109B that detects the temperature of the second heating roller 108I, and a second driven roller.

  Hereinafter, the first heating roller temperature sensor 109A and the second heating roller temperature sensor 109B are referred to as a heating roller temperature sensor.

  The second heating roller 108I and the second driven roller are disposed to face each other across the second conveyance path.

  The first heating roller 108H and the second heating roller 108I are disposed on opposite sides of the second conveyance path.

  The first heating roller 108H contacts and heats the sheet from one surface side of the sheet. The second heating roller 108I contacts and heats the sheet from the other surface side of the sheet. That is, the erasing unit 108 erases the images on both sides of the conveyed sheet with a single conveyance.

  The operation unit 128 arranged at the upper part of the main body of the erasing apparatus 100 has a touch panel type display unit and various operation keys.

  The operation keys include, for example, a numeric keypad, a stop key, and a start key. The user instructs a functional operation of the erasing apparatus 100 such as start of erasing or reading of an image of a sheet to be erased via the operation unit.

  The operation unit 128 displays setting information, operation status, log information, or a message to the user of the erasing device 100. Note that the operation unit 128 is not limited to that disposed in 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 device 100 via a network may be used. Alternatively, the operation unit may be independent from the erasing device main body and may be configured to operate the erasing device 100 by wired or wireless communication. The operation unit of the present embodiment may be any unit that can instruct processing to the erasing apparatus 100 and browse information.

  The discharge members 114 and 116 discharge the sheet to a reuse box 110 and a reject box 112 that are arranged above and below the main body. For example, the reuse box 110 stacks sheets that have been erased and can be reused. The reject box 112 stacks sheets that are determined not to be reused.

  The sheet conveyance path is appropriately changed based on the processing mode executed by the erasing apparatus 100. The erasing apparatus 100 has a plurality of processing modes. For example, the erasing apparatus 100 includes (1) a first erasing mode in which only image erasing processing is performed without performing image reading, (2) a second erasing mode in which erasing processing is performed after image reading, (3) A third erasing mode in which separation (separation processing) of whether or not the sheet P can be reused is performed after the erasing processing without performing the reading processing before erasing. (4) The erasing processing is performed after the image is read. Further, there is a fourth erasing mode in which the separation process is performed, and (5) a reading mode in which the image reading process is performed without performing the image erasing.

  Each mode described above can be selected by the operation unit 128 of the erasing apparatus 100. The selection of each processing mode is not limited to the operation unit 128 of the erasing apparatus 100 but may be set from an external terminal. In the first to fourth erasing modes, the sheet is always conveyed to the erasing unit 108.

  On the other hand, in the reading mode, the erasing apparatus 100 controls the first branch member 124 to discharge the sheet via the reading unit 106 without conveying the sheet to the erasing unit 108.

  The erasing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of sheet detection sensors 131 and 132 that detect sheets conveyed through the first to third conveyance paths 118, 120, and 122.

  The paper feed cassette 102 may include an identification unit 222 that identifies the paper feed cassette 102. The identification unit 222 may be a protrusion or a wireless tag.

  The erasing apparatus 100 includes a detection unit 221 that reads the identification unit 222 at the mounting position of the paper feed cassette 102 when the paper feed cassette 102 includes the identification unit 222. The detection unit 221 includes an actuator when the identification unit 222 is a protrusion, and includes a wireless tag reader / writer when the identification unit 222 is a wireless tag. The detection unit 221 is connected to the control unit 200.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the erasing apparatus 100. The erasing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 200, a storage unit 212, a detection unit 221, a communication interface (communication I / F) 214, a transport unit 216, a reading unit 106, an erasing unit 108, and an operation unit 128. Have.

  The control unit 200 includes a processor 202 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 204 that is a storage device.

  The control unit 200 controls the reading unit 106, the erasing unit 108, and the operation unit 128. The memory 204 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 206 that stores various control programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 208 that provides a temporary work area for the processor 202.

  For example, the ROM 206 stores a sheet printing rate as a threshold value for whether or not reuse is possible, a density threshold value for determining whether or not an image has been erased, and the like. The RAM 208 may temporarily store the image read by the reading unit 106. Each component of the erasing apparatus 100 is connected via a bus 218.

  For example, the control unit 200 controls the reading unit 106, the erasing unit 108, and other configurations according to the processing modes (1) to (5) set by the operation unit 128.

  For example, when the first to fourth erasing modes are selected, the control unit 200 causes the erasing unit 108 to erase the sheet image. When the reading unit 106 reads the sheet before the sheet is conveyed to the erasing unit 108 (second erasing mode, fourth erasing mode), the control unit 200 stores the image read by the reading unit 106. The data is stored in the unit 210.

  Here, the control unit 200 may determine whether the sheet image data read by the reading unit 106 includes prohibited data that should be prohibited from being decolored, such as confidential data.

  Or you may judge whether the printing rate of the image on the read sheet | seat exceeds a threshold value. When data that should be prohibited from erasing is included, or when the printing rate exceeds a threshold value, the control unit 200 conveys the sheet to the reject box 112.

  On the other hand, if the data that should not be erased is not included, or if the printing rate does not exceed the threshold, the control unit 200 conveys the sheet to the erasing unit 108 after reading the image on the sheet.

  Further, when the reading unit 106 reads the erased sheet image after the erasing unit 108 erases the sheet image, the control unit 200 (third erasing mode, fourth erasing mode). Based on the image data read by the reading unit 106, it is determined whether or not the sheet can be reused.

  The control unit 200 determines a sheet conveyance destination based on the determination result. The separation process for determining whether or not the sheet can be reused includes a process for determining whether or not there is an image on the sheet. For example, when a sheet that has been erased by the erasure unit 108 is read and there is an image that remains without being erased, it is determined that there is an unerased residue and it is determined that the sheet cannot be reused. Alternatively, the sorting process includes a process of determining whether or not the sheet can be reused based on the read image, based on the presence or absence of sheet folding, the wrinkle depth, or a state where a hole is opened.

  The control unit 200 determines the presence / absence of a sheet on the paper feed cassette 102 based on a signal from the detection sensor 103. The control unit 200 detects the temperatures of the first heating roller 108H and the second heating roller 108I using the heating roller temperature sensors 109A and 109B, and also uses the first heating roller 108H and the second heating roller 108I. To control the temperature.

  In addition, the control unit 200 uses the sheet detection sensors 131, 132, 133, and the front sensor 130 to grasp the position of the sheet in the first to third conveyance paths 118, 120, 122.

  The storage unit 210 stores the image read by the reading unit 106. Further, the storage unit 210 stores the number of sheets processed by the erasing apparatus 100. The storage unit 210 may be, for example, a hard disk drive or other magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, or any combination thereof.

  The storage unit 210 stores an erasability table 210 </ b> A that stores an image forming apparatus that has formed an image of a sheet, an identifier indicating whether erasability is possible, erasability, and an erasing temperature.

  The erasing apparatus 100 includes a communication I / F 214 that is an interface for connecting to an external device.

  The transport unit 216 includes a plurality of transport rollers disposed in the first transport path 118, the second transport path 120, and the third transport path 122, and a transport motor that drives the transport rollers. The control unit 200 controls the conveyance speed of the sheet by controlling the driving of the conveyance motor of the conveyance unit 216. Here, the speed of the sheet conveyed through the reading unit 106 for reading the sheet image is defined as a reading speed, and the speed of the sheet conveyed through the erasing unit 108 for erasing the color of the sheet image is defined as a decoloring speed.

  The erasing apparatus 100 is connected to the printer server 400 via the communication I / F 214. The printer server 400 includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a storage unit 403, and a communication I / F 404.

  The storage unit 403 includes an authentication table 403A that stores authentication information such as a password for each ID uniquely assigned to a user.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the authentication table 403A. As shown in FIG. 3, the authentication table 403A includes an “ID” uniquely assigned to a user, a “password” used for authentication, a “mail address” of the user, and a “department code” indicating the department to which the user belongs. And “erased number” indicating the number of sheets erased by the user is stored.

  As an example of each data, the ID is “1000123”, the password is “123456”, the mail address is “abc@cdf.com”, the department code is “001”, and the number of deleted sheets is “102”.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the erasing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 4, in step 501, the erasing apparatus 100 inputs a login request from the user from the operation unit 128. When receiving the user ID, the erasing apparatus 100 displays a password input request on the operation unit. When the user inputs a password from the operation unit 128, the erasing apparatus 100 transmits an ID and password transmission request to the printer server 400.

  The printer server 400 searches the authentication table 403A based on the received ID, reads the password, and transmits the ID and password to the erasing device.

  If the erasing apparatus 100 determines that the password entered by the user is the same as the password received from the printer server, the erasing apparatus 100 permits login, and if not, requests the user to re-enter the password.

  When the paper cassette 102 has the identification unit 222 and the erasing apparatus 100 has the detection unit 221, the erasing apparatus 100 transmits the cassette ID indicated by the identification unit 222 read by the detection unit to the printer server instead of the ID. To do.

  In this case, the printer server 400 stores the cassette ID instead of the ID in the authentication table 403A.

  The printer server 400 searches the authentication table 403A based on the received cassette ID, reads the password, and transmits it to the erasing device 100.

  If the erasing apparatus 100 determines that the password entered by the user is the same as the password received from the printer server, the erasing apparatus 100 permits login, and if not, requests the user to re-enter the password.

  In step 501, the erasing apparatus 100 takes out a sheet from the paper feed cassette 102, scans it with the reading unit 106, and reads a print ID that has been previously formed on the sheet.

  Here, the print ID on the sheet is an ID formed on the sheet to be erased. This print ID may be a barcode or a character. The print ID is formed by an erasable developer.

  In step 503, the erasing apparatus 100 determines whether the print ID and the login ID, that is, the user ID or the cassette ID are the same. If the erasing apparatus 100 determines that the print ID and the login ID are the same, the process proceeds to step 504. If not, or if the print ID cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step 506.

  In step 504, the erasing apparatus 100 erases the image on the sheet by the erasing unit 108. Then, the login ID and a signal indicating deletion are transmitted to the printer server 400.

  The printer server 400 adds 1 to the number of deleted login IDs received and stores it in the authentication table 403A.

  In step 505, the erasing apparatus 100 conveys the erased sheet to the reuse box 110.

  In step 506, the erasing apparatus 100 conveys the sheet to the reject box 112.

  In step 507, the erasing apparatus 100 transmits a print ID and a mail address transmission request to the printer server 400.

  The printer server 400 searches the authentication table 403A based on the received print ID, reads the mail address, and transmits it to the erasing apparatus 100.

  The erasing apparatus 100 transmits a mail with a message indicating that the sheet is stored in the reject box 112 without being erased to the received mail address.

  As described above, the erasing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is provided in the sheet conveyance path 118 for conveying a sheet, the reading unit 106 for reading an image on the sheet, and downstream of the reading unit 106 in the sheet conveyance direction. An erasing unit 108 that erases an image on a sheet by heating, and authentication information that is retrieved by searching an authentication table 403A that stores authentication information for each ID that is uniquely assigned to a user based on the input ID A control unit 200 that causes the erasure unit 108 to erase the image on the sheet when the input authentication information matches.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to limit the use of the erasing apparatus 100 for each user.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 incorporating the erasing device. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 300, a control panel 303, a start button 303 </ b> A, an automatic document feeder 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, and a transfer unit 14. A paper transport mechanism 18 and a paper feed unit 15.

  The control panel 303 includes, for example, a touch panel that is an input / output unit that displays a graphical user interface.

  When the start button 303A is pressed, a signal to start image formation is transmitted to the control unit 300.

  The automatic document feeder 11 is installed at the top of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be openable and closable. The automatic document feeder 11 includes a document conveyance mechanism that takes out documents one by one from a paper feed cassette and conveys them to a paper discharge tray.

  The automatic document feeder 11 conveys documents one by one to the document reading unit of the image reading unit 12 by the document conveying function. It is also possible to open the automatic document feeder 11 and place the document on the document table of the image reading unit 12.

  The image reading unit 12 includes an exposure lamp that exposes a document and a carriage including a first reflection mirror, a plurality of second reflection mirrors that move in accordance with the movement of the carriage, a lens block, and a CCD ( Charge Coupled Device).

  The carriage rests on the document reading unit or reciprocates under the document table to reflect the light of the exposure lamp reflected by the document to the first reflecting mirror. The plurality of second reflection mirrors reflects the reflected light of the first reflection mirror to the lens block. The lens block changes the magnification of the reflected light and outputs it to the CCD. The CCD converts incident light into an electrical signal and outputs it as an image signal to the image forming unit 13.

  For each of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, black K, and erasable developer E, the image forming unit 13 includes a laser irradiation unit 20A, a photosensitive drum 20B that is an electrostatic latent image carrier, and a developer. A supply unit 20C.

  The erasable developer includes a color developing compound, a color developer, and a color erasing agent. Examples of the color developing compound include leuco dyes. Examples of the developer include phenols. The decolorizer includes a substance that is compatible with the color developing compound when heated and does not have an affinity for the developer.

  The color erasable developer develops color due to the interaction between the color developing compound and the developer, and is erased because the interaction between the color developing compound and the color developer is cut off by heating above the color erasing temperature. .

  The laser irradiation unit 20A irradiates the photosensitive drum 20B with laser light based on the image signal, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20B. The developer supply unit 20C supplies the developer to the photosensitive drum 20B and forms a developer image from the electrostatic latent image.

  The paper feed unit 15 takes out the sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette and delivers them to the paper transport mechanism. The paper transport mechanism transports the sheet to the transfer unit 14.

  The transfer unit 14 includes a transfer belt 14B and a transfer roller 14A. The transfer belt 14B as an image carrier transfers and carries the developer image on the photosensitive drum 20B. The transfer roller applies a voltage to transfer the developer image on the transfer belt to the conveyed sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a fixing device 14 </ b> C downstream of the transfer unit 14 in the sheet conveyance direction. The fixing device 14C heats and pressurizes the developer image to fix it on the sheet.

  The sheet P discharged from the sheet discharge port is stacked on a sheet discharge tray 16 which is a carrying unit that holds the sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a reading unit 106 and an erasing unit 108 in this order, upstream of the transfer roller 14A in the sheet conveyance direction and downstream of the paper feeding unit 15.

  The paper feed cassette attached to the paper feed unit 15 may include an identification unit 222 that identifies the paper feed cassette. The identification unit 222 may be a protrusion or a wireless tag.

  When the paper feed cassette includes the identification unit 222, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a detection unit 221 that reads the identification unit 222 at the mounting position of the paper feed cassette. The detection unit 221 includes an actuator when the identification unit 222 is a protrusion, and includes a wireless tag reader / writer when the identification unit 222 is a wireless tag. The detection unit 221 is connected to the control unit 300.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main CPU 301 that is an arithmetic unit of a control unit 300 that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1, a control panel 303 that is connected to the main CPU 301, and a ROM that is a storage device. RAM 302A, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 302B, a start button 303A, and an image processing unit 304 that performs image processing.

  The main CPU 301 is connected to a computer 320, which is an external device, via an interface 313. The main CPU 301 is connected to a print CPU 305 that controls each part of the image forming system, a scan CPU 309 that controls each part of the image reading system, and a drive controller 312 that controls the drive unit.

  The print CPU 305 controls a print engine 306 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20B and a process unit 307 that forms a developer image.

  The scan CPU 309 controls the CCD drive circuit 310 that drives the CCD 211. A signal from the CCD 311 is output to the image forming unit 13.

  The main CPU 301 is further connected to the reading unit 106, the erasing unit 108, the transport unit 216, the detection unit 221, and the communication I / F 314.

  The controller 300 detects the temperature of the first heating roller 108H and the second heating roller 108I using the heating roller temperature sensors 109A and 109B, and the temperature of the first heating roller 108H and the second heating roller 108I. To control.

  The storage unit 302 stores the image read by the reading unit 106. The storage unit 302 also stores the number of processed sheets that have been erased.

  The HDD 302B stores an authentication table 403A that stores authentication information such as a password for each ID uniquely assigned to a user.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 except for transmission / reception with the printer server 400. Therefore, it demonstrates using FIG.

  In step 501, the image forming apparatus 1 inputs a login request from the user from the control panel 303. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the input of the user ID, the image forming apparatus 1 displays a password input request on the control panel 303. The user inputs a password from the control panel 303.

  The image forming apparatus 1 searches the authentication table 403A based on the ID and reads the password.

  If the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the password entered by the user is the same as the read password, the image forming apparatus 1 permits login, and if not, requests the user to re-enter the password.

  When the paper feeding cassette has the identification unit 222 and the image forming apparatus 1 has the detection unit 221, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the cassette ID in the authentication table 403A instead of the ID.

  The image forming apparatus 1 searches the authentication table 403A based on the received cassette ID and reads the password.

  If the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the password entered by the user is the same as the read password, the image forming apparatus 1 permits login, and if not, requests the user to re-enter the password.

  In step 501, the image forming apparatus 1 takes out a sheet from the paper feed cassette 102, scans it with the reading unit 106, and reads a print ID on which an image is formed in advance on the sheet.

  Here, the print ID on the sheet is an ID formed on the sheet to be erased. This print ID may be a barcode or a character. The print ID is formed by an erasable developer.

  In step 503, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the print ID and the login ID, that is, the user ID or the cassette ID are the same. If the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the print ID and the login ID are the same, the process proceeds to step 504. If the print ID is not the same, or the print ID cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step 506.

  In step 504, the image forming apparatus 1 erases the image on the sheet by the erasing unit 108.

  The image forming apparatus 1 adds 1 to the number of deleted login IDs and stores it in the authentication table 403A.

  In step 505, the image forming apparatus 1 conveys the erased sheet to the reuse box.

  In step 506, the image forming apparatus 1 conveys the sheet to the reject box.

  In step 507, the image forming apparatus 1 searches the authentication table 403A based on the print ID and reads the mail address.

  The image forming apparatus 1 transmits a mail with a message indicating that the sheet is stored in the reject box without being deleted to the received mail address.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided upstream of the sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet, the image forming unit 13 for forming an image on the sheet, and the image forming unit 13 in the sheet conveying direction. A reading unit 106 to be read, an erasing unit 108 provided upstream of the image forming unit 13 in the sheet conveyance direction and downstream of the reading unit 106 in the sheet conveyance direction, and erasing an image on the sheet by heating the sheet; An authentication table 403A that stores authentication information such as a password for each uniquely assigned ID, and a control unit that deletes an image on a sheet when the input ID and the print ID on the sheet are the same.

  Therefore, there is an effect that the other person's sheet is not accidentally 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 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 their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

106: Reading unit 108: Erasing unit 403A: Authentication table

Claims (2)

An acquisition unit for acquiring identification information for identifying a user;
A reading unit for reading an image formed on the sheet;
An erasing unit for erasing an image formed on the sheet;
It is determined whether or not the identification information included in the image read by the reading unit matches the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit . If it is determined that they match, the image formed on the sheet in the erasing unit If it is determined that they do not match, a control unit that does not erase the image formed on the sheet in the erasing unit,
An erasing device comprising: The acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying the user,
The reading unit reads the image formed on the sheet,
The control unit determines whether or not the identification information included in the image read by the reading unit matches the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit . If it is determined that they match, the control unit forms the erase unit on the sheet. If the erased image is erased and determined not to match , the eraser does not erase the image formed on the sheet .
Erasing method.

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