JP7416644B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image processing device.

2. Description of the Related Art There is a printer (image processing device) that erases color from ink fixed on paper (medium) on which an image is printed using ink, and reuses the paper for printing. These printers apply heat to the entire paper to erase the color of the ink on the paper. Ink whose color disappears when heat is applied in this manner is called erasable ink, and erasing the color by applying heat to erasable ink is called erasing.

However, conventional printers have a problem in that they cannot erase part of the image printed on paper.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-233944

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing device is provided that can erase a partial area of an image printed on a medium using color-erasing ink.

According to the embodiment, the image processing device includes an image data acquisition unit, a thermal head, and a processor. The image data acquisition unit acquires data related to an image printed on a medium using colorless ink. A thermal head selectively applies heat to the medium. The processor causes the thermal head to selectively apply heat to the color erasing ink on the medium based on data regarding the image acquired by the data acquisition unit.

FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement around the carriage according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer according to the embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The printer (image processing device) according to the embodiment erases the color of paper (medium) on which an image is printed with color-erasing ink by heating it. A printer uses an inkjet head to print an image on paper that has been colored with erasable ink.

FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, an external interface 13 which is a communication unit, a scanner driver 14, a thermal head driver 15, an inkjet head driver 16, a conveyor driver 17, a carriage driver 18, and a sensor driver 19. , a scanner 24, a thermal head 25, an inkjet head 26, a conveyor motor 27, a carriage motor 28, a sensor 29, and the like.

The processor 11 is electrically connected to a memory 12 , an external interface 13 , a scanner driver 14 , a thermal head driver 15 , an inkjet head driver 16 , a conveyor driver 17 , a carriage driver 18 , and a sensor driver 19 .

Scanner driver 14 is electrically connected to scanner 24 . Thermal head driver 15 is electrically connected to thermal head 25 . The inkjet head driver 16 is electrically connected to the inkjet head 26. Conveyor driver 17 is electrically connected to conveyor motor 27 . Carriage driver 18 is electrically connected to carriage motor 28 . Sensor driver 19 is electrically connected to sensor 29 .

Processor 11 controls the overall operation of printer 1 . For example, the processor 11 controls the thermal head 25 and the like to erase the colorless ink forming the image on the paper. The processor 11 also controls the inkjet head 26 and the like to print an image on paper.

For example, the processor 11 is composed of a CPU or the like. Further, the processor 11 may be configured from an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like. Further, the processor 11 may be configured from an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like.

Memory 12 stores various data. For example, memory 12 functions as ROM, RAM, and NVM.
For example, the memory 12 stores control programs, control data, and the like. The control program and control data are installed in advance according to the specifications of the printer 1. For example, the control program is a program that supports functions realized by the printer 1.

The memory 12 also temporarily stores data being processed by the processor 11. The memory 12 may also store data necessary for executing the application program, results of executing the application program, and the like.

The external interface 13 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as a PC. For example, the external interface 13 communicates with an external device by wire or wirelessly. For example, the external interface 13 supports a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection. Furthermore, the external interface 13 may be an interface that supports a USB (universal serial bus) connection.

The scanner driver 14 is a driver for operating the scanner 24 under the control of the processor 11. For example, the scanner driver 14 transmits data obtained by scanning with the scanner 24 to the processor 11.

The thermal head driver 15 is a driver for operating the thermal head 25 under the control of the processor 11. For example, the thermal head driver 15 selectively causes a plurality of heating elements included in the thermal head 25 to generate heat. Note that the selective heating of the heating elements includes not only the case where some of the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head 25 are made to generate heat, but also the case where all of them are made to generate heat. Thermal head driver 15 controls power supplied to thermal head 25 .

The inkjet head driver 16 is a driver for operating the inkjet head 26 under the control of the processor 11. For example, the inkjet head driver 16 supplies drive pulses and the like for causing the inkjet head 26 to eject ink. The inkjet head driver 16 may send signals for making various settings to the inkjet head 26.

The conveyor driver 17 is a driver for driving the conveyor motor 27 under the control of the processor 11. For example, conveyor driver 17 controls power supplied to conveyor motor 27.

The carriage driver 18 is a driver for driving the carriage motor 28 under the control of the processor 11. For example, the carriage driver 18 supplies pulses to the carriage motor 28 to rotate the motor.

The sensor driver 19 is a driver for operating the sensor 29 under the control of the processor 11. For example, sensor driver 19 sends a sensor signal from sensor 29 to processor 11 . The sensor driver 19 may supply power to the sensor 29.

The scanner 24 reads the image on the paper as image data. The scanner 24 includes, for example, a sensor array in which a plurality of image sensors are formed along a predetermined direction (main scanning direction). The scanner 24 scans the entire surface of the paper by transporting the paper in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction, and reads image data from the entire surface of the paper. The scanner 24 transmits the read image data to the processor 11 through the scanner driver 14. The scanner 24 constitutes an image data acquisition unit that acquires data regarding an image printed on a medium using colorless ink.

Thermal head 25 faces the printing surface of the paper being conveyed. The thermal head 25 is a serial head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged along the direction in which paper is conveyed (conveyance direction). The thermal head 25 moves along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The thermal head 25 heats the paper to erase the erasable ink applied to the paper. The thermal head 25 heats the erasable ink applied to the paper to a temperature at which the erasable ink disappears.

The inkjet head 26 ejects ink onto paper based on drive pulses from the inkjet head driver 16 and the like. The inkjet head 26 forms a desired image on the paper by ejecting ink onto the paper. For example, the inkjet head 26 includes a plurality of nozzle rows formed from a plurality of nozzles. The inkjet head 26 may have a single color or multiple colors.

Each nozzle communicates with a pressure chamber formed by an actuator. The actuator is driven by a drive pulse to change the volume of the pressure chamber. When a drive pulse is applied to the actuator, the volume of the pressure chamber changes and pressure vibrations occur within the pressure chamber. The pressure vibration causes the ink filled in the pressure chamber to be ejected from the nozzle.

Here, the inkjet head 26 discharges colorless ink, which disappears when heated to a predetermined temperature, onto the paper. Note that the inkjet head 26 may be one that ejects non-erasable ink onto the paper.

Furthermore, the inkjet head 26 may be one that ejects cyan-based monochromatic ink. Further, the inkjet head 26 may eject ink of a plurality of colors.

Conveyor motor 27 drives conveyor 37 shown in FIG. That is, the conveyor motor 27 causes the conveyor 37 to convey the paper.
The carriage motor 28 moves a carriage 38 (common carriage) shown in FIG. For example, carriage motor 28 is a stepping motor.

The sensor 29 is a sensor that detects paper. When the sensor 29 detects paper, it transmits a sensor signal to the processor 11 through the sensor driver 19 indicating that the paper has been detected.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the arrangement around the carriage 38.
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 37 is an endless belt provided around the thermal head 25 and the inkjet head 26. The roller 41 is a roller provided inside the endless belt conveyor 37 and connected to the conveyor motor 27. The roller 42 is provided inside the conveyor 37. It is supported under tension by rollers 41 and 42 with a predetermined tension. The roller 41 is rotated by the conveyor motor 27. The conveyor 37 rotates when the roller 41 is driven, and conveys the paper P. In FIG. 2, the conveyor 37 conveys the paper P in the direction of the arrow.

A sensor 29 is provided at a predetermined position upstream in the conveyance direction of the paper on the conveyor 37 . When the paper P passes a predetermined position on the conveyor 37, the sensor 29 sends a sensor signal to the processor 11 indicating that the paper has been detected. The conveyor 37 (conveyance mechanism) supplies paper on which an image is printed with color erasing ink. The conveyor 37 may supply paper picked up from a cassette formed inside the printer 1 or the like. Furthermore, the conveyor 37 may be one that supplies paper picked up from a manual feeder formed in the printer 1 or the like.

The conveyor 37 is a belt formed in an annular shape. Conveyor 37 is driven by conveyor motor 27. The conveyor 37 is driven by the conveyor motor 27 to convey the paper.

A carriage 38 is provided downstream of the sensor 29. The carriage 38 is moved by the carriage motor 28 in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction (in FIG. 2, a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper). A thermal head 25 and an inkjet head 26 are provided on the conveyor 37 side of the carriage 38. The thermal head 25 and the inkjet head 26 are fixed to a common single carriage 38. Further, the width of the carriage 38 is smaller than the width of the paper P to be transported (the dimension along the direction perpendicular to the transport direction).

The carriage 38 is a member that supports the thermal head 25 and the inkjet head 26. The carriage 38 is moved by being driven by the carriage motor 28.

The thermal head 25 is provided with a heating element at a location facing the conveyor 37. Further, the thermal head 25 is installed such that the heating element is along the paper conveyance direction. The width of the thermal head 25 is smaller than the width of the paper P. The thermal head 25 partially heats the paper P by controlling the heat generation of each of the plurality of heating elements. The thermal head 25 is formed at a position where the paper P can be heated when the paper P is conveyed to the thermal head 25 . For example, the thermal head 25 is formed at a position where the leading end contacts the paper P passing through the thermal head 25.

The inkjet head 26 is provided downstream from the thermal head 25 by a predetermined distance (offset distance). The inkjet head 26 is provided with a nozzle row at a location facing the conveyor 37. Further, the inkjet head 26 is installed such that the nozzle row is along the paper conveyance direction. The inkjet head 26 is formed to have a width smaller than the width of the paper P.

The inkjet head 26 is formed at a position where it can eject ink onto the paper P. For example, the inkjet head 26 is formed at a position where the paper P passing through the inkjet head 26 and the nozzle array of the inkjet head 26 are at a predetermined distance. The distance from the nozzle array at the tip of the inkjet head 26 to the conveyor 37 is longer than the distance from the heating element array at the tip of the thermal head 25 to the conveyor 37.

Next, the functions realized by the printer 1 will be explained. The functions realized by the printer 1 are realized by the processor 11 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 12, or the like.

First, the processor 11 has a function of acquiring image data printed on paper with decolorizing ink (image data of the supplied paper).

For example, the processor 11 receives an input of an operation to erase the color of paper or an operation to erase the color of the paper and print an image. The processor 11 may receive input for the operation through an operation unit or the like, or may receive input for the operation from an external device through the external interface 13 or the like.

Upon receiving the input of the operation, the processor 11 acquires image data printed on paper with colorless ink. For example, the processor 11 uses the scanner 24 to obtain paper image data. That is, the processor 11 conveys the paper to the scanner 24 and acquires the image data of the paper from the scanner 24 . The scanner 24 is provided upstream of the sensor 29 in the transport direction.

Further, the processor 11 may acquire paper image data from an external device. For example, the external device identifies image data printed on paper and sends the identified image data to the printer 1. The printer 1 obtains paper image data from an external device via the external interface 13 . In this case, the external interface 13 constitutes an image data acquisition unit that acquires data regarding an image printed on a medium with colorless ink.
Note that the method by which the processor 11 acquires the image data of the paper is not limited to a specific method.

The processor 11 also has a function of partially heating the paper based on image data.

Upon acquiring the image data of the paper, the processor 11 causes the conveyor 37 to start transporting the paper. Processor 11 waits until it receives a sensor signal from sensor 29 indicating that paper has been detected.

Upon receiving the sensor signal from the sensor 29, the processor 11 waits for the time until the paper reaches the thermal head 25 (the time based on the distance between the sensor 29 and the thermal head 25). After waiting for this time, the processor 11 heats the thermal head 25 based on the image data while conveying the paper using the conveyor 37.

Based on the image data, the processor 11 identifies an ink area on which decoloring ink is applied to the paper (that is, an area where an image is printed). The processor 11 causes the thermal head 25 to heat the ink area. That is, the processor 11 causes the thermal head 25 to heat the erasable ink in the ink area to a temperature at which the color can be erased at the timing when the ink area reaches the heating element of the thermal head 25.

The processor 11 causes the thermal head 25 to heat the ink area, thereby erasing the erasable ink applied to the paper.

Furthermore, the processor 11 has a function of printing an image on paper that has been colored with erasable ink.

When the processor 11 receives an input of an operation for erasing paper and printing an image, the processor 11 uses the inkjet head 26 to print the image on the paper on which the erasable ink has been erased.

Processor 11 obtains print data through external interface 13 . Further, the processor 11 may use the scanner 24 to obtain print data from the document. The method by which the processor 11 obtains print data is not limited to a specific method.

The processor 11 prints the image indicated by the print data on the paper using the inkjet head 26 while conveying the paper using the conveyor 37. For example, the processor 11 controls the timing at which the inkjet head 26 is caused to eject ink according to the offset distance between the thermal head 25 and the inkjet head 26. That is, the processor 11 waits from the timing when the paper reaches the thermal head 25 until the offset time during which the paper is conveyed an offset distance (the time obtained by dividing the offset distance by the conveyance speed), and then injects ink into the inkjet head 26. Start dispensing. At this time, the processor 11 may transport the carriage 38 in the main scanning direction.
After printing the image on the paper, the processor 11 discharges the paper to the outside.

Note that when the processor 11 receives an input of an operation to erase the color of the paper, the processor 11 does not need to print the image on the paper.

Next, an example of the operation of the printer 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the printer 1. Here, it is assumed that a sheet of paper on which an image has been printed with colorless ink is set in a cassette, manual feed, or the like. Further, it is assumed that the image to be decolorized is input from the outside via the external interface 13.

The processor 11 of the printer 1 determines whether an input of an operation to erase the color of the paper or an operation to erase the color of the paper and print an image is received (ACT11). If it is determined that the input of the operation to erase the color of the paper or the operation to erase the color of the paper and print an image has not been accepted (ACT11, NO), the processor 11 returns to ACT11.

When determining that an input for an operation to erase the color of the paper or an operation to erase the color of the paper and print an image has been received (ACT11, YES), the processor 11 acquires the image data printed on the paper with color erasing ink and prints a new image. If there is print data to be formed by the inkjet head 26, image data is also acquired (ACT12).

After acquiring the image data, the processor 11 causes the conveyor 37 to start conveying the paper (ACT13). When the conveyor 37 starts transporting the paper, the processor 11 determines whether a sensor signal indicating that the paper has been detected is received from the sensor 29 (ACT14).

If it is determined that a sensor signal indicating that paper has been detected has not been received (ACT14, NO), the processor 11 returns to ACT14.

When determining that a sensor signal indicating that paper has been detected is received (ACT14, YES), the processor 11 determines whether to print an image on the paper (ACT15). That is, the processor 11 determines whether an input for decoloring the paper and printing an image has been received.

When determining that a new image is to be printed on the paper (ACT15, YES), the processor 11 heats the thermal head 25 based on the decolored image data, and causes the inkjet head 26 to eject ink based on the print data (ACT16). ). The print data that causes the inkjet head 26 to eject ink is data that differs from the decolorized image data that is heated by the thermal head 25 by a distance corresponding to the offset distance.

After causing the inkjet head 26 to eject ink, the processor 11 determines whether erasing and printing have been completed (ACT17). If it is determined that erasing and printing are not completed (ACT17, NO), the processor 11 returns to ACT16. When the processor 11 determines that decoloring and printing have been completed (ACT17, YES), the processor 11 discharges the paper to the outside of the printer 1 (ACT20) and ends the flowchart.

If it is determined that the image is not to be printed on the paper (ACT15, NO), the processor 11 heats the thermal head 25 based on the image data (ACT18). After heating the thermal head 25, the processor 11 determines whether decoloring is completed (ACT19). If it is determined that the erasing is not completed (ACT19, NO), the processor 11 returns to ACT18.

When determining that the erasing is completed (ACT19, YES), the processor 11 discharges the paper to the outside (ACT20). After ejecting the paper to the outside, the processor 11 ends its operation.

Note that the processor 11 may perform an operation of printing an image on a blank sheet of paper according to an input operation.

Further, the thermal head 25 may be formed to have a width greater than the width of the paper. That is, the thermal head 25 is not limited to a serial head, and even a line head is effective. In the line head, a plurality of heating elements are installed along a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction. Further, in the line head as well, each heating element is composed of a heating section whose heat generation can be individually controlled (for example, a heating section whose heating can be controlled on a dot-by-dot basis). The processor 11 causes the thermal head 25 to heat the ink area of the paper to a temperature that can erase the color.

Further, the inkjet head 26 may be formed to have a width greater than the width of the paper. That is, the printer 1 may be a line printer using the inkjet head 26.

Further, the processor 11 may erase a portion of the ink area. Furthermore, the processor 11 may print an image on the erased portion using eraser ink. In this way, it is possible to rewrite a portion of the printed document using erasable ink, and it is possible to promote the reuse of documents, etc., in which the rest of the document is of a standard format. In this case, data specifying a portion of the image ink area to be decolored and image data to be printed on the decolorized portion with decolorable ink are obtained from an external device via the external interface 13, for example.

The printer configured as described above acquires image data of a sheet of paper on which an image is printed with decolorizing ink. The printer causes a thermal head to heat an ink area coated with decolorizing ink based on image data. As a result, the printer can heat the area where the erasable ink is applied.

Additionally, since the printer heats only the area formed with the erasable ink, it can erase the erasable ink using less heat than when heating the entire paper to heat the erasable ink. .

The printer also includes an inkjet head downstream of the thermal head. As a result, the printer can erase the erasable ink and print an image while conveying the paper in a fixed direction.

Next, a modification example in which image data is acquired using the scanner 24 inside the printer 1 will be explained. The order of ACT12 and ACT13 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is switched. After the sheet conveyance is started, the sheet reaches the scanner 24, and then the image on the surface of the sheet is read to obtain image data. The acquired image data is stored at a predetermined location in the memory 12. The other processes are the same as those for acquiring image data from the outside, so the explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, since an inkjet head and a thermal head using decolorable ink are used, they can be mounted on a common carriage, and the entire apparatus can be made smaller than an electrophotographic method using decolorable toner.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are 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, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Printer, 11... Processor, 12... Memory, 13... External interface, 14... Scanner driver, 15... Thermal head driver, 16... Inkjet head driver, 17... Conveyor driver, 18... Carriage driver, 19... Sensor driver, 24 ...Scanner, 25...Thermal head, 26...Inkjet head, 27...Conveyor motor, 28...Carriage motor, 29...Sensor, 37...Conveyor, 38...Carriage, 41...Roller, 42...Roller.

Claims (3)

a data acquisition unit that acquires data specifying a portion to be decolored among the ink areas where an image is printed on the medium with decolorable ink;
a thermal head that selectively applies heat to the medium;
a processor that causes the thermal head to selectively apply heat to the color erasing ink on the medium to erase a portion of the ink area based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit;
An image processing device comprising: an inkjet head disposed downstream of the thermal head in the medium conveyance direction and configured to eject ink;
The processor uses the inkjet head to print an image on the medium on which the color erasing ink has been erased.
The image processing device according to claim 1. comprising a common carriage that supports the thermal head and the inkjet head;
The image processing device according to claim 2.