This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-126021, filed Jul. 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.
In an image forming apparatus, the risk of information leakage of printed confidential documents is a problem. As a countermeasure to information leakage, a method in which a user pays attention to storage of confidential documents, a method of printing with an image forming apparatus provided with a paper discharge destination that can be locked, and the like are used.
However, it is necessary to prepare an image forming apparatus provided with a paper discharge unit with a key. Further, there are problems in that the apparatus cannot be used when there is no available space in the paper discharge unit with a key, and it takes time and effort to take out confidential documents printed from the paper discharge unit with a key.
Exemplary embodiments provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of reducing the risk of information leakage of printed documents.
In general, according to at least one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a control unit (controller) and an image forming unit. The control unit is configured to generate image data of a first image based on a designated image or a designated character string designated by a user. The image forming unit is configured to form the first image in a predetermined area based on the image data using a decolorizing recording agent. The image forming unit is configured to form the first image on at least one of a front surface, on which a second image is formed, of a medium with the second image formed thereon using a non-decolorizing recording agent or a surface opposite to the front surface.
An image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to at least one embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet using a developer such as a toner. The sheet is, for example, paper or label paper. The sheet may be any material as long as the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image on a front surface of the sheet.
The display 110 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro luminescence (EL) display. The display 110 displays various pieces of information about the image forming apparatus 100.
The control panel 120 includes a plurality of buttons. The control panel 120 receives an operation of a user. The control panel 120 outputs a signal according to an operation performed by the user to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The display 110 and the control panel 120 may be configured as an integral touch panel.
The printer 130 forms an image on a sheet based on image information generated by the image reading unit 200 or image information received via a communication path. For example, the printer 130 forms an image by the following processing. Details of a configuration of the printer 130 will be described later according to
The sheet accommodation unit 140 accommodates sheets to be used for image formation in the printer 130. The sheet on which an image is to be formed may be a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit 140 or may be a sheet which is manually fed.
The image reading unit 200 reads an image to be read as a brightness and darkness of light and converts the read image into image information such as RGB values. The image reading unit 200 includes, for example, a scanner lamp, a scanning optical system, a condenser lens, a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, and the like. The scanner lamp illuminates the image to be read. In the scanning optical system, a mirror that changes the optical path of the light reflected from the image to be read is mounted. The condenser lens converges the light reflected from the image to be read and forms an image. The CCD sensor converts the formed image light into an electric signal.
The image reading unit 200 records the image information of the read image. The recorded image information may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus via a network. The recorded image information may be used in the image forming on the sheet by the printer 130.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a carrying unit 150 configured to carry the sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit 140 to the transfer position of the printer 130. The sheet carried by the carrying unit 150 is carried to the transfer position of the printer 130 by a pair of register rollers 151 at predetermined timing.
The printer 130 includes a first developer 132, a second developer 133, a laser exposure unit 134, a cleaning device 135, and the like around a photoconductive drum 131. The photoconductive drum 131 is an electrostatic latent image carrier. The laser exposure unit 134 emits image exposure light to a surface of the photoconductive drum 131 based on the image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductive drum 131. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner of the first developer 132 or the second developer 133.
The toner image developed by the toner is transferred to the sheet by a transfer roller 136 at the transfer position. The sheet passed through the transfer position is heated and pressurized by a fixer 137. The sheet passed through the fixer 137 is discharged to a paper discharge unit 153 by a pair of paper discharge rollers 152. Alternatively, the sheet passed through the fixer is carried again to the transfer position via a double-side carrying unit and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 153 after completion of double-side printing.
The fixer 137 includes, for example, a heating roller 138, a pressure roller 139, a heating source, a temperature sensor (not illustrated), and the like. The pressure roller 139 comes into pressure contact with the heating roller 138. The heating source includes, for example, a halogen lamp (not illustrated) or the like for heating the heating roller 138. The temperature sensor detects the surface temperature of the heating roller 138. The fixer 137 controls the heating temperature by controlling the energization of the halogen lamp.
A non-decolorizing toner is accommodated in the first developer 132. A decolorizing toner is accommodated in the second developer 133. The decolorizing toner is a recording agent containing a decolorable coloring agent. For example, by heating the sheet on which the image is formed using the decolorizing toner at a predetermined temperature or higher, the recording agent on the sheet is decolored. The non-decolorizing toner is a coloring agent which is not easy to decolorize.
The first developer 132 and the second developer 133 provide a predetermined potential difference between the developing roller and the photoconductive drum 131. Thus, the first developer 132 and the second developer 133 electrostatically hold the accommodated toner on the photoconductive drum 131.
The CPU 301 operates as a control unit and controls the operation of each of the components 301 to 311 of the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 301 controls each of the components 301 to 311 by executing the program stored in the storage device 303.
The memory 302 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The memory 302 temporarily stores the data used by each of the components 301 to 311 of the image forming apparatus 100. The storage device 303 uses, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like. The storage device 303 stores the image data acquired or generated by each component.
The operation panel and display unit 304 corresponds to the display 110 and the control panel 120 illustrated in
The scanner unit 306 corresponds to the image reading unit 200 illustrated in
The image processing unit 307 performs image processing on the image data of an image to be printed (hereinafter, referred to as an original document image) and generates print data. The image processing unit 307 performs image processing on the image data using the image data output from the scanner unit 306 as input. The image processing unit 307 performs image processing by inputting image data received from an external terminal device via a network and image data input from a recording medium as input. The image processing includes filtering and gradation of image data, and the like. The image processing unit 307 outputs the generated print data to the print unit 305.
The print unit 305 and the print control unit 311 correspond to the printer 130 illustrated in
The preview image generation unit 308 generates preview image data of the original document image in response to the preview instruction. When there is an instruction to form a secure overlay, the preview image generation unit 308 generates preview image data in which an overlay image is combined with the original document image. The secure overlay will be described later. The preview image generation unit 308 displays the generated preview image data on the operation panel and display unit 304.
The overlaying unit 309 generates overlay image data based on designation information. The designation information is inputted via the operation panel and display unit 304. The overlaying unit 309 gives an instruction to the image repeating unit 310 and forms overlay image data.
The image repeating unit 310 generates designated image data satisfying a predetermined image density based on the designation information. The image repeating unit 310 generates overlay image data in which the designated image data is repeated in a main scanning direction or a sub scanning direction.
The image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job (ACT 11). The CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job in response to the operation of the user on the operation panel and display unit 304. The CPU 301 receives the print job from a terminal device connected via a network via a printer driver operated by the terminal device.
The print job includes image data of the original document image to be printed. The print job may further include designation of a printing surface (one surface, both surfaces) of a sheet forming the original document image, designation of a sheet size, and the like.
Upon receiving the print job, the CPU 301 causes the operation panel and display unit 304 to display a preview image of the image data included in the print job (ACT 12).
Specifically, the CPU 301 outputs the image data to the preview image generation unit 308 to cause generation of a preview image data. The preview image generation unit 308 processes the image data based on a layout of the operation panel and display unit 304 and generates the preview image data. The CPU 301 causes the operation panel and display unit 304 to display the preview image.
As illustrated in
For example, “Product X”, “YYYY/MM/DD”, “XYZ Corporation”, and the graph illustrating the trend of product X in the original document image is information on a confidential content. When a third party can easily browse the information, it is possible to easily grasp the confidential content included in “Report on product X of ABC”. In other words, when these pieces of information are not easily browsed by a third party, the confidentiality of the “Report on product X of ABC” is kept.
The check box 401 accepts designation about whether or not to form a secure overlay during the printing of the original document image. The secure overlay is an image (hereinafter, referred to as an overlay image) to be formed for a part or all of the area of the original document image. In other words, the overlay image is an image that masks part or all of the area of the original document image. According to the example of the display screen SC1 illustrated in
Returning to the flowchart of
On the other hand, when it is designated not to form a secure overlay (NO in ACT 13), the CPU 301 gives an instruction to print the original document image. The printing will be described later in ACT 24.
The check box 402 receives the designation of a type of the area forming the overlay image. Specifically, the check box 402 includes buttons for selecting “Whole area” or “Partial area”. “Whole area” indicates that an overlay image is formed on a whole area of the original document image. “Partial area” indicates that an overlay image is formed in a part of the area of the original document image.
The check box 402 further receives the designation of the printing surface of the sheet forming the overlay image. Specifically, the check box 402 includes buttons for selecting “Front surface only”, “Rear surface only”, and “Both surfaces” “Front surface only” indicates that an overlay image is formed only on the front surface of the sheet on which the original document image is formed. “Rear surface only” indicates that an overlay image is formed only on the opposite surface of the front surface of the sheet. In other words, “Rear surface only” indicates that an overlay image is formed only on the surface of the sheet where the original document image is not formed. “Both surfaces” indicates that an overlay image is formed on both the front and rear surfaces.
According to the example of the setting screen SC2 illustrated in
When “Partial area” is selected in the check box 402, the area designation menu 403 receives the designation of coordinates defining each area of “Partial area”. The user designates a predetermined area on the preview image M1 displayed on the operation panel and display unit 304 by an operation such as touching or the like. Thus, coordinate information that defines the “Partial area” in the original document image is acquired.
The setting screen SC2 illustrated in
In the example of the setting screen SC2, “Area 1” indicates the overlay area er1 on the upper left side of the preview image M1. The overlay area er1 is an area where “Product X of ABC, vol. 1” is displayed. As described above, “Product X” corresponds to information on confidential content.
“Area 2” indicates the overlay area er2 on the upper right side of the preview image M1. The overlay area er2 is an area where the character strings “XYZ Corporation, YYYY/MM/DD” are displayed. As described above, “XYZ Corporation” and “YYYY/MM/DD” correspond to information on confidential content. “Area 3” indicates the overlay area er3 on the lower right side of the preview image M1. The overlay area er3 is an area where a graph illustrating the trend of the product X is posted. As described above, the graph illustrating the trend of the product X corresponds to the information on the confidential content.
Returning to the flowchart of
The check box 404 receives the designation of the type of information which is the source of the overlay image. Hereinafter, the information which is the source of the overlay image is referred to as designation information. The check box 404 includes buttons for selecting “Image designation” or “Character string designation”. “Image designation” indicates that an overlay image is generated based on a part of the image of the original document image. “Character string designation” indicates that an overlay image is generated based on an arbitrary character string designated by the user.
According to the setting screen SC3 illustrated in
The character string is designated by the user who recognizes the contents of the original document image. Therefore, for example, the recognizable character string that makes it possible for the user who recognizes the contents of the original document image to determine the contents of the original document image is designated. According to the setting screen SC4 illustrated in
Returning to the flowchart of
The image repeating unit 310 reduces the generated designated image data (ACT 17). The image repeating unit 310 reduces the designated image data according to a predetermined reduction rate at which the image density of the designated image data becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined image density. The image density is, for example, the coverage of toner per unit area or the image concentration. The predetermined image density indicates a value capable of appropriately masking the information of the original document image. The predetermined reduction ratio is set according to, for example, verification and the like. The image repeating unit 310 stores the designated image data in the memory 302 after the reducing (ACT 18).
On the other hand, when “Character string designation” is selected as the designation information (NO in ACT 15), the image repeating unit 310 generates designated image data based on the input character string. The image repeating unit 310 generates designated image data representing the character string “ABC2018vol1” input from the setting screen SC4.
The image repeating unit 310 generates designated image data representing a character string of a predetermined font size at which the image density of the designated image data is equal to or lower than the predetermined image density. The image density is as described above. For example, the predetermined font size is set according to verification and the like based on the predetermined image density. The image repeating unit 310 stores the generated designated image data in the memory 302 (ACT 18).
The image repeating unit 310 repeats image of the designated image data to generate overlay image data (ACT 19). Specifically, the image repeating unit 310 generates overlay image data in which the designated image data is repeated in either or both of the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. The image repeating unit 310 stores the generated overlay image data in the memory 302 (ACT 20).
The image repeating unit 310 reduces the image data of the partial image M2 according to the predetermined reduction ratio to generate designated image data M21 illustrated in
The image repeating unit 310 may generate overlay image data M23 that is tilted. In this case, the image repeating unit 310 tilts the image of the designated image data M21 according to a predetermined angle. The image repeating unit 310 generates overlay image data M23 in which the tilted designated image data M21 is repeated in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. The same applies to the case where “Character string designation” is selected as designation information.
The direction of rows and columns in the overlay image data M23 that is tilted is different from the direction of rows and columns in the original document image. Therefore, by using the overlay image data M23, the information of the original document image can be more appropriately masked.
Returning to the flowchart of
The overlaying unit 309 overlays image (ACT 22). The overlaying unit 309 combines the overlay image data with the image data of the original document image. Specifically, the overlaying unit 309 combines the overlay image data with the overlay area er of the image data of the original document image.
The overlaying unit 309 generates image data for overlay in which the overlay image is arranged in the overlay area er. The image processing unit 307 performs image processing of the image data for overlay and generates print data for overlay.
The preview image generation unit 308 generates preview image data in which the overlay image is combined based on the result of the image overlaying (ACT 23). The CPU 301 causes the operation panel and display unit 304 to display the generated preview image.
Although not illustrated, the operation panel and display unit 304 may further display a button that makes regeneration of the overlay image selectable. Thus, for example, when the image density of the overlay image is not sufficient, it is possible to regenerate the overlay image by changing the reduction ratio or the font size. When it is desired to change the overlay area er or designation information, the overlay image can be regenerated. When regeneration is selected, the processes of ACT 13 to ACT 23 are executed again.
Based on the generated print data, the print unit 305 forms an image on the printing surface designated by the print job (ACT 24). The print unit 305 controls the non-decolorizing toner print control unit 311 and forms an image using non-decolorizing toner based on the print data of the original document image generated by ACT 21.
The print unit 305 forms an image of the overlay image on the sheet, on which the image of the original document image is formed using the non-decolorizing toner, using the decolorizing toner. The print unit 305 forms an image of the overlay image on the printing surface designated on the setting screen SC2 (
According to the front surface ST11, an overlay image based on the partial image M2 is formed on the overlay areas er1 to er3 while overlapping with the original document image. That is, the information of the overlay areas er1 to er3 in the original document image is masked by the overlay image. The user who recognizes the contents of the original document image can determine the kind of original document image based on the logo “ABC” and the character string “vol. 1” included in the overlay image.
On the rear surface ST12, only the overlay image is formed. Specifically, in the rear surface ST12, the overlay image is formed in the areas on the rear side of the overlay areas er1 to er3 in the front surface ST11. In other words, on the rear surface ST12, the overlay image is formed in the linearly symmetric areas of the overlay areas er1 to er3 of the front surface ST11. Thus, the information of the overlay areas er1 to er3 of the original document image is also masked from the rear surface ST12.
In this manner, the overlay image based on the information designated by the user is formed so as to overlap with the original document image. In the example of
On the other hand, the third party does not recognize the contents of the original document image. Therefore, the third party cannot determine the kind of original document image when image is not decolorized due to the overlay image being formed. In this manner, even when the discharged printed image is seen by a third party, the confidentiality of the original document image can be kept.
Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the risk of leakage of the contents of the original document without providing a discharge destination that can be locked in the image forming apparatus 100. When not decolorized, it is not necessary to cut or paint the printed image when discarding the printed image. Since the overlay image is formed as an image with the decolorizing toner, by decolorizing, the user can browse the contents of the original document image.
The image forming apparatus 100 discharges, for example, the printed image with the front surface on which the original document image is formed directed downward. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 discharges the printed image with the rear surface on which the original document image is not formed directed upward. At this time, the original document image formed on the front surface may be transparent from the rear surface and the third party may recognize the contents of the original document image.
On the other hand, in the embodiment, the confidential information of the original document image on the front surface is masked by the overlay image from the rear surface. Thus, it is possible to reduce the risk that the third party can easily recognize the contents of the original document image from the rear surface. When the overlay image is formed on both surfaces, even when the third party picks up and looks through the printed image, the third party cannot easily recognize the contents of the original document image.
According to the front surface ST21, the overlay image based on the character string “ABC2018vol1” is formed in the overlay areas er1 to er3 while overlapping with the original document image. The information on the overlay areas er1 to er3 of the original document image is masked by the overlay image. The user who recognizes the contents of the original document image can determine the kind of original document image based on the character string “ABC2018vol1” included in the overlay image.
On the rear surface ST22, only the overlay image based on the character string “ABC2018vol1” is formed. Specifically, on the rear surface ST22, the overlay image is formed in an area on the rear side of the overlay areas er1 to er3 on the front surface ST21. In other words, in the rear surface ST22, the overlay image is formed in linearly symmetric areas of the overlay areas er1 to er3 of the front surface ST21. Thus, the information on the overlay areas er1 to er3 of the original document image is also masked from the rear surface ST22.
Even in the example of
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In the examples of
As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment includes the control unit (overlaying unit 309) and the image forming unit (print unit 305). The control unit generates the image data of the overlay image (first image) based on the designated image or the designated character string designated by the user. The image forming unit forms the overlay image in a predetermined area with the decolorizing toner based on the image data. The image forming unit forms the first image on at least one of the front surface and the surface opposite to the front surface. The front surface is the surface, on which the original document image is formed, of the sheet with the original document image (second image) formed using the non-decolorizing toner.
The image forming apparatus 100 in the embodiment forms the overlay image based on arbitrary information designated by the user. Thus, the user who recognizes the contents of the original document image can determine the kind of original document image based on the overlay image even when not decolorizing. On the other hand, the third party who does not recognize the contents of the original document image cannot determine the kind of original document image due to the overlay image being formed.
Thus, in the image forming apparatus 100, the third party cannot easily recognize the contents of the printed image. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the risk of leakage of the contents of the original document image without providing a discharge destination that can be locked in the image forming apparatus 100. When not decolorizing, it is unnecessary to cut or paint the printed image when discarding the printed image.
In the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment, the designated image is a partial image of the second image (original document image). Since the overlay image is based on the partial image of the original document image, the user can more easily determine the kind of the original document image. By using the partial image of the original document image, there is no need to newly prepare an overlay image. Thus, the overlay image can be easily generated.
The predetermined area in the embodiment is one or more partial areas designated by the user in the area where the second image (original document image) is formed. The user can form an overlay image in an arbitrary area according to the arrangement and amount of confidential contents included in the original document image. The user can form an overlay image only in an area where information is desired to be masked.
The control unit of the embodiment generates the image data of the first image (overlay image) having a predetermined image density based on the designated image or the designated character string. Thus, the image forming apparatus 100 can form an overlay image that appropriately masks the original document image regardless of the kind of the designation information.
In the above embodiment, the image formation of the original document image and the overlay image is image formed as a series of processes. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The image forming apparatus 100 may form only an overlay image on the sheet on which the original document image is already formed.
In this case, the scanner unit 306 of the image forming apparatus 100 reads the original document image and generates image data. The overlaying unit 309 receives the designation of an overlay area and designation of a partial image based on the generated image data of the original document image. The print unit 305 forms only an overlay image on the sheet, on which an original document image is already formed, by a decolorizing toner.
In the embodiment described above, a case where the user inputs the designation information via the operation panel and display unit 304 is exemplified. However, the designation information may be designated on a terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network. For example, the printer driver which operates by the terminal device receives input of the designation information during transmission of the print job. The printer driver transmits the print job including the designation information to the image forming apparatus 100. Thus, the user can save the effort of inputting the information via the operation panel and display unit 304.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-126021 | Jul 2018 | JP | national |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16205833 | Nov 2018 | US |
Child | 16877229 | US |