Patent Application
20110199625
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-033233 filed with Japanese Patent Office on Feb. 18, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a print data generation apparatus for forming a print material provided with a duplication restraining function, printing apparatus and a program.
2. Background Technology
As a technology for restraining an illegal copying regarding original documents and confidential documents, a grand pattern technology has been known, where characters such as “Copy” indicating a trace of copying are embedded in the ground pattern constituting a background of the document as hidden characters (latent image), and in cases where this document is copied the characters indicating the trace of copying appear to exert the duplication restraining effect (please refer to Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-121518).
On the other hand, in the field of printing toner, a color erasable toner has been known whose color disappears (becomes colorless) when being exposed with near-infrared light. A copying machine which executes copying of an original document using the color erasable toner has been proposed (refer to Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication H05-69675).
Although the common conventional ground pattern printing technology intends to exert a psychological restraining effect, by making the hidden characters on the original document appear on the printed material as a trace (or evidence), it cannot be determined whether copying is executed or not from the original document itself since the trace of copying does not remain on the original document. For example, in cases of circulating a confidential document strictly prohibited from duplication in an office, it is impossible to determine from the document itself that the document has not been copied. Therefore, this technology has a room to be improved as the duplication restraining technology.
The copying machine utilizing the color erasable toner, for example, may be applied to the copy of confidential document to make contents of the printed document erasable in order to prevent leaking of confidential information. However, even in cases when the document is copied by using this copying machine, it is impossible to find out the trace of copying from the document itself.
The present invention intends to solve the above-described problems, and objective of the present invention is to provide a print data generation apparatus, for forming a print material provided with a duplication restraining function, printing apparatus and a program, in which the fact that reading is executed by an image reading apparatus irradiating specific wavelength light on the original document at the time of reading the original document image is distinguished by the printed material of the original document itself, and duplication of the original document can be restrained.
In order to achieve the above described object, embodiments reflecting at least one aspect of the present invention are as follows.
(1) A print data generation apparatus characterized in that the apparatus generates print data which causes an image indicated to be printed and a first mark to be printed on a same recording sheet, wherein the first mark is printed by using a color erasable print material whose color is erasable by exposing to specific wavelength light.
According to the above embodiment, based on the print data generated by the print data generation apparatus, a printing apparatus prints and outputs the image indicated to be printed and the first mark on the same recording sheet. In this printing, the first mark is printed on the recording sheet by use of the color erasable print material whose color is erasable by exposing to a specific wavelength light. The first mark may be configured with various marks including, for example, a character, a sign or a graphic (geometric pattern) and the like.
(2) The print data generation apparatus according to (1) characterized in that the apparatus generates the print data further causes a second mark, being printed by using a color un-erasable print material whose color is not erasable by exposing to the specific wavelength light, to be printed on the same recording sheet.
According to the above embodiment, the printing apparatus outputs the recording sheet by printing the image indicated to be printed, the first mark and the second mark on the same recording sheet. In this printing, the second mark is printed by using a color un-erasable print material whose color is not erasable by exposing to said specific wavelength light. In cases where the specific wavelength light is irradiated at the time of image reading of this printed material (recording sheet), the first mark is erased and the second mark remains without being erased from the printed material.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
Terminal apparatus 10 is an information processing apparatus that accesses to MFP 20 through network 2 and executes instructions of various works and requests of operations such as a document printing. For example, terminal apparatus 10 is configured with a personal computer (PC) installed with a printer driver program.
This terminal apparatus 10 is provided with functions of print data generation apparatus to generate print data which causes an image indicated to be printed and an erasable mark (a first mark) printed by using a color erasable toner whose color is erasable by irradiation of a specific wavelength light to be printed on a same recording sheet, and further causes to print on the recording sheet an un-erasable mark (a second mark) printed by using a normal toner (color un-erasable toner) whose color is not erasable by irradiation of said specific wavelength light.
The print data generated by terminal apparatus 10 include data formed with PDL (Page description Language) and data of raster image. In cases where MFP 20 is compliant with the PDL, terminal apparatus 10 generates data (print data) formed by the PDL by use of the printer driver of MFP 20. While, in cases where MFP 20 is not compliant with the PDL, terminal apparatus 10 generates data (print data) formed with the raster image data by use of the printer driver of MFP 20. The PDL data include data composed of a vector image and control command, or data composed of a vector image, raster image and control command.
An area to be printed with the normal toner and an area to be printed with color erasable toner are, for example, described in the print data as information (toner specifying information) specifying types of toners to be used for each of areas. In the case of data being formed with the PDL, the area is described on the vector image, and in the case of image data, described on the pixel. Description on a pixel is conducted by including the information indicating which of the normal toner or the color erasable toner is used for the printing.
In the present embodiment, the case is exemplified where MFP 20 is compliant with the PDL and terminal apparatus 10 generates the data formed with the PDL.
MFP 20 is a multifunctional image processing apparatus (Multi Function Peripheral or Multi Function Printer; MFP) which is provided with a copying function to readout an image of an original document and output a recording sheet by printing a duplicate image of the original document image, a scanning function to readout the image data (raster image data) of the original document, and store the image data in a file and transmits to terminal apparatus 10 or a server; a printer function to print an image relating to the received image data from the terminal apparatus 10 or an image relating to the image data stored in said MFP 20, on the recording sheet and output; and a facsimile function to transmit and receive the image data.
Further, MFP 20 is provided with a function as an image data generation function to generate image data when an image of readout original document and an erasable mark (a first mark) being printed by use of the color erasable toner are printed on a same recording sheet, or to generate image data where an un-erasable mark (a second mark) being printed by use of the normal color is further printed on the same recording sheet; and a function as a printing apparatus to print on the same recording sheet an image (image of the original document or an image indicated to print) and an erasable mark using the color erasable toner, and further to print on the same recording sheet a un-erasable mark being printed by use of the normal color, based on the image data generated by the data generating function or received from terminal apparatus 10. The image data generation function of MFP 20 is substantially the same as the print data generation function of terminal apparatus 10. The above describe image data generated by said generation function of MFP 20 is substantially the same as the above described print data generated by the function of terminal apparatus 10. Meanwhile, the un-erasable mark will be described in and after the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of MFP 20 (MFP1-MFP 5, in the illustrated example) is connected to network 2. A network identifier (host name) of each MFP 20 is configured with a first attribute indicating a company code, a second attribute indicating a model code and a third attribute indicating production number code.
CPU 11 controls the activities of terminal apparatus 10 based on program stored in ROM 13. Ram 14 is utilized as a work memory to temporarily store various data while CPU 11 executes a program. Nonvolatile memory 15, which being a memory to keep memories even while a power source is turned off, memorizes information inherent to the apparatus and various setting information. Hard disk 16 stores various storage data, electronic data of document, printer driver 50 of MFP 20, a history control table 51 for memory controlling the information relating to a print history of document. Printer driver 50 contains electronic data of an erasable mark and an un-erasable mark to be added on the image of document.
Display section 17 is configured of a display unit such as a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various images and images of documents, and the like. Operation section 18 is configured of a key board, a mouse and the like, and receives operations and inputs executed to terminal apparatus 10 by a user. Network communication section 19 communicates with MFP 20 via network 2.
CPU 21 controls the activities of MFP 20 based on the program stored in ROM 23. RAM 24 is utilized as a work memory to temporarily store various data in cases when CPU 21 executes the program, and is utilized as an image memory to temporarily store the image data, as well.
Nonvolatile memory 25, which being a memory to keep memories even while a power source is turned off, memorizes information inherent to the apparatus and various setting information. Hard disk device 26 stores various storage data and stores the inputted image data as well. In nonvolatile memory 25 or hard disk device 26, electronic data of an erasable mark and a un-erasable mark to be added on the readout image of document are stored.
Display section 27 is configured of a liquid crystal display and the like, and displays various screens such as an operation screen, a setting screen, a confirmation screen, a notification screen. Operation section 28 is configured of various buttons such as a start button, a stop button, a numeral key pad and the like, and a touch panel provided on the surface of a liquid crystal display to detect the position of pushed coordinates, and receives various operations executed by a user to MFP 20.
Facsimile communication section 29 transmits and receives image data with an external apparatus equipped with a facsimile function via a public line. Network communication section 30 communicates with terminal apparatus 10, a server and the like via network 2.
Image processing section 31 executes a rasterizing processing on print data received from terminal apparatus 10 (data formed with a page description language), and executes various image processing such as image correction, rotation, enlargement/reduction, compression/extension on the image data.
Scanner section 32 acquires image data by optically reading an original document. Configuration of scanner section 32 will be described below.
Printer section 33 forms and outputs an image on a recording sheet based on image data with an electrophotographic process. Printer section 33 is, for example, configured of a laser printer provided with a conveying device of the recording sheet, a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, a LD (Laser Diode) being controlled lighting based on the inputted image data, a scanning unit to scan the emitted laser beam from the LD on the photosensitive drum, a developing unit, a transfer and separation unit, a cleaning unit and a fixing unit. An LED printer which irradiates with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) instead of laser beam and other type of printer may be also utilized.
Further, printer section 33 has a function of forming color images on the recording sheet by selectively using color erasable toners (C: cyan, M: magenta, y: yellow, and K: black) whose color is erasable (become colorless) by exposing to a specific wavelength light and normal toners (C, M, Y, K). Printer section 33 is separately provide with the above described units of a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an LD (or LED), a scanning unit, a developing unit, a transfer and separation unit, a cleaning unit and the like for the normal toners and for the color erasable toners, and is capable of forming images with selectively using both type of toners by unit of a recording sheet (unit of a print surface), or with using both type of toners in a single recording sheet (in a single print surface).
Color erasable toner is for example a toner which becomes colorless by irradiation of near infrared light. For example the color erasable toner includes cyanine series dye as a coloring agent and organic ammonium borate as a decolorizing aid and by the irradiation of near infrared light the dye becomes a colorless leuco compound.
Remaining toner amount detector 34 separately detects the remaining toner amount of normal toner and the remaining toner amount of color erasable toner.
Scanner section 32 of MFP 20 is configured of a reading light source to irradiate the exposure light onto an original document for reading-out the original document, an erasing light source to irradiate the specific wavelength light (near infrared light) onto the original document for decolorizing the color erasable toner, a reading section to read out the original document by receiving reflection light from the original document irradiated with the exposure light of the reading light source, and the like. Scanner section 32 is provided with a function to erase the image (color erasable image) in the original document printed with the color erasable toner by the irradiation of specific wavelength light onto the original document, in addition to the function to read out the original document.
Reading unit 42 is configured of reading light source 44 to irradiate exposure light La onto original document on platen glass 41, line image sensor (photoelectric conversion element) 45 as the reading section for reading out a single line part of original document M in width direction by receiving reflection light Lb from original document M, erasing light source 46 for irradiating specific wavelength light IR onto original document M, a reflection plate 47 to condense specific wavelength light IR from erasing light source 46 and irradiate onto reading out area (reading position) S of original document M by line image sensor 45, to moving mechanism 43.
A prescribed size of reading out area S by line image sensor 45 is line-shaped (single dimension) area. Exposure light La from reading light source 44 and specific wavelength light IR from erasing light source 46 are irradiated toward reading out area S of original document M by line image sensor 45. Line image sensor 45 sequentially moves in the longitudinal direction of original document M by moving mechanism 43, and reads out original document M at line shaped reading out area S by each line (scan reading). Further, scanner section 32 is provided with a conversion section to convert the analogue image signals outputted from line image sensor 45 to digital image data.
Scanner section 32 relating to the present embodiment is configured to be capable of irradiating exposure light La and specific wavelength light IR onto reading out area S of line image sensor 45 even without moving reading unit 42, namely capable of irradiating both light on a same line (same scanning line of original document on platen glass 41. In cases where specific wavelength light IR is irradiated to original document M on platen glass 41, if the image of original document M is printed with the color erasable toner the irradiation area of specific wavelength light is made colorless, and if the image of original document M is printed with the normal toner the area is not made colorless. In cases when images with both toners are mixed, only the image area printed with the color erasable toner become colorless.
Generally, the color erasable toner varies in color erasing time (color erasing rate) according to irradiation intensity (light amount) of the specific wavelength light. In the present embodiment, in order to condense specific wavelength light 1R diffused from erasing light source 46 onto reading out area S of line image sensor 45, and to increase the amount of light to shorten the erasing time, reflection plate 47 having the condenser function is provided.
Next, activities of terminal apparatus 10 and MFP 20 will be explained.
As shown in
The erasable mark is background characters configured with characters such as “HAVE NOT BEEN COPIED” to be added on the background of the document. The configuration may be that a type of mark to be added is selectable, for example, among “HAVE NOT BEEN COPIED”, “NOT COPIED” and the like.
Further in the setting regarding the erasable mark, color, font (character style), size, and angle (arranging angle) of the characters can be set. Regarding the color, the configuration may be that the color is selectable among plural types of previously prepared low density colors such as gray and water color. In the example in
When receiving a print instruction from the user (step 103), in a case where the erasable mark is not added (step S104: No), terminal apparatus 10 generates print data including electronic data of the document (document data) and print setting information (step S105), and sends to MEP 20 (step S106/End). In a case where the erasable mark is added (step S104: Yes), terminal apparatus 10 generates print data (D3 in
As shown in
In a case when the erasable mark is added (step S203; Yes), according to the print setting information included in the print data, printer section 33 prints the image based on the document data on a recording sheet by using the normal toner, and printer section 33 prints the erasable mark superimposing on the recording sheet by using the color erasable toner (step S205: print process/End). In this printing process, the order of printing with the normal toner and with the color erasable toner needs not be restricted.
As illustrated by an example in
As shown in
Similarly to the case of terminal apparatus 10, the erasable mark is back ground characters to be added on the background of copied image of original document which being configured of characters such as “HAVE NOT BEEN COPIED”. The configuration may be that a type of mark to be added is selectable, for example, among “HAVE NOT BEEN COPIED”, “NOT COPIED” and the like. Further in the setting regarding the erasable mark, color, font (character style), size, and angle (arranging angle) of the characters can be set. Regarding the color, the configuration may be that the color is selectable among plural types of previously prepared low density colors such as gray and water color. In the example in
When receiving a print instruction from the user (step 303), MFP 20 reads out the image or original document with scanner section 32 to obtain the image data (step S304). In a case where the erasable mark is not added (step S305: No), CPU 21 generates image data for printing including the obtained image data and print setting information and sends to printer section 33 (step S306). Printer section 33 prints on the recording sheets and outputs the image based on the image data according to the print setting information by using the normal toner (step S307: print process/End).
In a case when adding of erasable mark is set (step S305: Yes), CPU 21 generates the image data for printing (D13 in
As illustrated by an example in
The above function of adding an erasable mark on a printed material in the copying of original document by MFP 20 is preferably set to be usable only by users having high level of authority.
Regarding the generation of print data (image data for printing) described at step 107 of
1. A case when an image to be printed and an erasable mark are simply superimposed:
In the present case, it is preferable to print the image by normal toner upon printing the erasable mark by color erasable toner.
2. A case when an image to be printed is made a front image and an erasable mark is made a background image:
In this case, the order of printing with the normal toner and with the color erasable toner needs not be restricted.
The print data (electronic data) of erasable mark are previously memorized. In cases when color, font, size and the like of the erasable mark are changed by a print setting, the corresponding attribute values of the print data are changed. Further, a program to create print data of the erasable mark according to the specified type erasable mark and the attribute values may be provided, and the print data of erasable mark may be created by the program.
As shown in
When the original reading by scanner section 32 is started, CPU 21 of MFP 20 turns on only a light source for erasing 46 out of light source for reading 44 and light source for erasing both having been turned off before the start of reading (step 405-step 406; No). After lightening the light source for erasing during a required period for making the color erasable toner colorless (step S406; Yes/prescribed erasing time in
CPU 21 turns on light source for reading 44 during the required period for line image sensor 45 to read out the image by light accumulation (step S408; Yes/reading timing in
As shown in
In this way, when receiving the setting for adding an erasable mark on a printed material of the document which is required of printing by MFP 20, terminal apparatus 10 relating to the present embodiment adds the erasable mark on an image of the document, generates a print data in which use of color erasable toner is specified for the printing of erasable mark, and sends the print data to MFP 20. Based on the print data, MFP 20 prints the erasable mark by using the color erasable toner on the printed material.
Further, when receiving the setting for adding an erasable mark on a printed material of the document in a process of copying an original document, MFP 20 relating to the present embodiment adds the erasable mark on a readout image of the document, generates a print data (image data for printing) in which use of color erasable toner is specified for the printing of erasable mark, and prints the erasable mark by using the color erasable toner on the printed material (copied material of the original document).
In cases where the above described printed material added with the erasable mark is used as an original document and a specific wavelength light is irradiated at the time of reading the original document by scanner section 32 of MFP 20, the erasable mark is erased from the original document. Accordingly, the fact that image reading has been executed is distinguished by the printed material of the original document itself, thus, duplication operation can be restrained in the case when duplication through image reading of a printed material is prohibited. For example, in cases of circulating confidential document strictly prohibited from duplication in an office, it is possible to distinguish from the document itself by existence or nonexistence of the erasable mark that the document has not been copied, or the document has been illegally copied.
Further, in cases where there are erased area and remaining area of the erasable mark, it can be determined that the erased area of the original document has been copied. In this way even in the case when a partial area has been copied, the copied part can be distinguished from the document itself.
Further, in cases where by explicitly showing the state of not-having-been-copied by characters such as “HAVE NOT BEEN COPIED”, and erasable marks that may cause presage (cautionary sense) of something happening in case of executing a copy are arranged in multiple numbers on all area of a sheet of printed material to be extinguishable by viewing, a sense of caution can be caused against copying or scanning of the printed material, and the restraining effect to these activities can be heightened.
In order to reduce toner consumption, the erasable mark to be printed by use of the color erasable toner may be added in smaller area or in small number on the printed material other than adding in multiple numbers on all area of a sheet of printed material. For example, in an arbitrary position (specified position) or in marginal part (upper marginal part, bottom marginal part, or side marginal part), one or plurality of marks may be added. Further, the erasable mark may be added by superimposing on the image of the printed material, or may be added without superimposing at an empty area of the image or marginal area of the sheet.
As described in the first embodiment, in the printed material printed with the erasable mark by use of the color erasable toner, only the erasable mark is erased in the case when the specific wavelength light is irradiated at the time of image reading by MFP 20. In this case, a person other than the person who executed the image reading of the printed material, for example a third person who views the printed material after having been erased of the erasable mark and the like is difficult to determine whether the erasable mark has been previously printed or not from the printed material itself. As an example to make this determination easy, in the second embodiment, the case will be described when information indicating the fact that an erasable mark is added (display information) is printed by using the normal toner as an un-erasable mark at the time of printing the erasable mark.
The un-erasable mark having these two functions is configured of, for example, characters (character information) such as “This Paper is Security Check Paper”. Regarding adding of the un-erasable mark, either of the configuration where the setting of un-erasable mark being automatically added is conducted when adding of the erasable mark is set in the print setting, or the configuration when a user can manually set whether to add or not to add the un-erasable mark may be possible. Regarding the type of un-erasable mark, the configuration of selecting from previously prepared plural types is possible. Further in the setting regarding the un-erasable mark, color, font (character style), size, adding position, print surface (front/back) of the characters can be configured to be set.
In
Although illustration is omitted, similarly in the copying of original document by MFP 20, in print setting at MFP 20 the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark can be added on the copied material (printed material).
Similarly to the generation of print data explained in the first embodiment, generation of print data relating to the present embodiment may be for example separately generated between the area to be printed by use of the normal toner and the area to be printed by use of the color erasable toner. Details of two examples will be described below.
1. A case when an image to be printed and an erasable/un-erasable marks are simply superimposed:
In the present case, it is preferable to print the image and un-erasable mark by normal toner, after printing the erasable mark by color erasable toner.
2. A case when an image to be printed is made a front image and an erasable/un-erasable mark is made a background image:
In this case, the order of printing of the un-erasable mark and the image (first composite image) with the normal toner and printing of the erasable mark (cutout part) with the color erasable toner needs not be restricted.
The print data (electronic data) of erasable mark and un-erasable mark are previously memorized. In cases when color, font, size and the like of the erasable/un-erasable marks are changed by a print setting, the corresponding attribute values of the print data are changed. Further, a program to create print data of the erasable/un-erasable marks according to the specified type and attribute values of the marks may be provided, and the print data of the marks may be created by the program.
After terminal apparatus 10 generates and sends this print data (D33) to MFP 20, MFP 20 prints the image (document image and un-erasable mark arranged at the lower left of the document image) based the document data included in the print data in which the un-erasable mark is added at the lower left position by using the normal toner on the recording sheet, prints and outputs by superimposing the erasable mark by using the color erasable toner on said recording sheet (P31). In this printing process, order of printing by the normal toner or by the color erasable toner needs not be specified.
After terminal apparatus 10 generates and sends this print data (D43a and D43b) to MFP 20, although the illustration is omitted, MFP 20 prints the image based on the document data on the front side of recording sheet by use of the normal toner and print by superimposing the erasable mark on said front surface by use of the color erasable toner, and further prints and outputs the un-erasable mark at the central position on the back side of the recording sheet by use of the normal toner. In this printing process, order of printing by the normal toner or by the color erasable toner on the front side needs not be specified.
In cases where the above described printed material is used as an original document, MFP 20 reads out the original document erased of the erasable mark from the front surface with scanner section 32 by irradiating the specific wavelength light in the reading operations shown in
After terminal apparatus 10 generates and sends this print data (D53) to MFP 20, although the illustration is omitted, MFP 20 prints the image (document image and un-erasable image arranged at the lower end position of space area) based on the document data included in the print data added with the un-erasable mark at the lower end position on the recording sheet by use of the normal toner, and prints and outputs by superimposing the erasable mark on said recording sheet by use of the color erasable toner. In this printing process, order of printing by the normal toner or by the color erasable toner needs not be specified.
In cases where MFP 20 reads out the front surface of the above described printed material as an original document, MFP 20 reads out the original document erased of the erasable mark with scanner section 32 by irradiating the specific wavelength light in the reading operations shown in
In this way, in the present embodiment, in case of printing (adding) the erasable mark on the printed material of the document required of printing from terminal apparatus 10 to MFP 20, or on the copied material (printed material) of the original document by MFP 20, the un-erasable mark, which has a function of display information indicating that said printed material be printed with the erasable mark, is printed by using the normal toner. On this printed material, the un-erasable mark remains without being erased, even when the erasable mark is erased in the case of being readout by MFP 20 irradiating specific wavelength light.
Accordingly, after the printed material has been readout, the fact that the erasable mark was printed on this printed material is easily determined by the printed material itself. For example, in cases where duplication is conducted while circulating a document strictly prohibited from duplication, a successive reader and the like can easily determine the fact of being illegally (improperly) duplicated during circulation from a state that the erasable mark does not exist and the un-erasable mark having a function of display information indicating that said printed material was printed with the erasable mark exists.
In the second embodiment, the erasable mark to be printed by using the color erasable toner and the un-erasable mark to be printed by using the normal toner are respectively added on the printed material as separate marks, however in the third embodiment the case is described when both marks are combined to form a composite mark, and the composite mark is added on the printed material.
In the present embodiment, as an example of the composite mark configured with the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark, (1) ground pattern mark, (2) assimilated mark, and (3) non-assimilated mark will be explained in order, and finally (4) an example of a case where the assimilated mark and the non-assimilated mark is combined will be explained.
The ground pattern mark is a composite mark formed by combining such that one of the erasable mark or the un-erasable mark is formed to be a background (ground pattern), and the other is hidden by the background. The assimilated mark is a composite mark combined with assimilating the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark such that the boundary of the two marks is made to be inconspicuous. The ground pattern mark is included in this assimilated mark. Non-assimilated mark is a composite mark combined with the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark such that the boundary of the two marks is conspicuous and not assimilated.
Also in cases of adding these composite marks on the printed material, the addition is similarly executed as the print setting explained in the second embodiment. More specifically, in cases when a setting of adding the composite mark is executed through the print setting of the document by terminal apparatus 10, MFP 20 outputs a printed material of document image added with the composite mark based on the print data received from external apparatus. In cases where a setting of adding the composite mark is executed through the print setting of copying by MFP 20, terminal apparatus 10, MFP 20 outputs a duplicated material (printed material) of document image added with the composite mark.
(1) Ground Pattern Mark
A principle of hidden character appearing by duplication is that by configuring one of the background pattern or the hidden characters in the ground pattern image with readable dots by a scanner and configuring the other with un-readable dots, the un-readable dots are made white-out, and the readable dots are made standing out in the image having been read (readout image). In the dot reading out process of scanner, dots having larger size than reading resolution of the scanner are readable (dots having size and density capable of being read by the scanner), and dots having a size smaller than the reading resolution of the scanner and less density (coarse pattern) than a prescribed density (a density that cannot be read by the reading resolution of the scanner) are un-readable. In order to inconspicuously embed the hidden character on the background pattern, these are preferably made with the same color.
As shown in
The present diagram characteristically shows each type of dots for comparing each size of 400 dpi dots and 3600 dpi dots. For example, in the case where the original document shown in this diagram is printed by a MFP or a printer having print resolution of 3600 dpi, a single 400 dpi dot (dot corresponding to 400 dpi) is reproduced by congested plural 3600 dots. Here, in order to make the description easy to understand, the dot corresponding to 400 dpi formed with the congested plural 3600 dots is assumed to be a single 400 dpi dot, for explanation.
As shown in
In cases where reading-out threshold level of the reading sensor is set at a medium level, the 400 dpi dot is readout and reproduced in the readout image. The 3600 dpi dot is not readout and not reproduced in the readout image. More specifically, for a pixel, where less than 4.5 pieces of 3600 dpi dot exist in the single pixel, these 3600 dpi dots are not readout and not reproduced in the readout image. For a pixel, where 4.5 or more pieces of 3600 dpi dot exist in the single pixel, these 3600 dpi dots are readout and reproduced in the readout image. Further, in the original document after having been read, the state of ground pattern is not changed from that in the original document before reading.
The above-described dots, having a smaller size than the reading resolution of the scanner and less density than a prescribed density, is referred as dots for example having the density of less than 4.5 pieces of dots in a single pixel of the reading sensor, in cases where the reading resolution of the scanner is 1200 dpi and the reading threshold level by the reading sensor is set at the medium level as described above. Namely, the prescribed density in the condition exemplified in
For example, when the original document, where the hidden characters of “This is illegal copy” are embedded in the background pattern of the ground pattern, is readout by MFP 20, the hidden characters appear on the readout image. As explained in
As described above, the ground pattern mark to be printed on the original document is a composite mark formed by combining such that one of the erasable mark to be printed by using the color erasable toner or the un-erasable mark to be printed by using the normal toner is formed to be a background (ground pattern) and the other is hidden by the background. Further the ground pattern mark is included in the assimilated mark when the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark are combined by assimilating such that the boundary of the two marks is made to be inconspicuous. Here, the case will be explained when the ground pattern mark is configured with hidden characters embedded in the background pattern similarly to the conventional ground pattern image.
For example, in cases where the reading resolution of scanner section 32 in MFP 20 is 1200 dpi, in the ground pattern mark, the background pattern is configured of an erasable mark constituted of unreadable 3600 dpi dots to be printed by using the color erasable toner, and the hidden characters are configured of an un-erasable mark constituted of readable 400 dpi dots to be printed by using the normal toner. Contents of the hidden characters are “HAVE BEEN COPIED”, “HAVE BEEN SCANNED”, and the like.
When MFP 20 reads out the original document printed with the above ground pattern mark by irradiating the specific wavelength light with scanner section 32 by the reading operation shown in
Further, it is possible to configure the background patter in the ground pattern with the un-erasable mark (400 dpi dots with the normal toner) and the hidden characters with the erasable mark (3600 dpi dots with the color erasable toner). When the original document printed with this ground pattern mark is read by MFP 20, the original document image erased of the hidden characters made of the erasable mark is readout. Accordingly, MFP 20 obtains the readout image where the hidden characters being whiteout and the background pattern configured of the un-erasable mark being standout. In the original document after having been readout, only the hidden characters are erased to be whiteout, and the background pattern becomes the state of standout.
In (a), as explained in the first embodiment, the characters to be printed on the printed material becomes the erasable mark. Among the ground pattern mark in (b)-(g), in (b), (d), and (f) the hidden characters to be printed on the printed mark by using the normal toner become the un-erasable mark, and the background pattern to be printed by the color erasable toner becomes the erasable mark In (c), (e), and (g), the hidden characters to be printed on the printed material by using the color erasable toner become the erasable mark, and the background characters to be printed by using the normal toner become the un-erasable mark.
Regarding the ground pattern mark in (b)-(g), in order to inconspicuously embed the hidden characters in the background pattern, it is preferable to make both characters with the same color. In particular, in order to embed the hidden characters completely inconspicuous, these are preferable configured with dots of continuous pattern. In (d) and (e), even when the order of erasing and reading out is reversed in the reading operation, the original after having been read and the readout image become same.
The ground pattern mark shown in
In the adding patterns (f) and (g), in cases where the density of the un-erasable mark configured of 3600 dpi dots printed by the normal toner is made to be such the density (for example, less than 4.5 pieces per one pixel) that cannot be readout by MFP 20 whose reading resolution being 1200 dpi, and further by reversing the order of erasing and image reading from that in the reading operation explained with
The size of dots configuring the un-erasable mark (character) in (a) is not limited to 400 dpi but may be the other sizes. Each size of dots configuring the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark in adding patterns (b) and (c) is not limited to 400 dpi but may be the other sizes if readable by the reading resolution of MFP 20 and each dot size is same with each other. Each size of dots configuring the erasable mark in adding patterns (d) and (e) is not limited to 3600 dpi but may be the other sizes if un-readable by the reading resolution of MFP 20. Each size of dots configuring the un-erasable mark in adding patterns (d) and (e) is not limited to 400 dpi but may be the other sizes if readable by the reading resolution of MFP 20. Each size of dots configuring the erasable mark in adding patterns (f) and (g) is not limited to 400 dpi but may be the other sizes if readable by the reading resolution of MFP 20. Each size of dots configuring the un-erasable mark in adding patterns (f) and (g) is not limited to 3600 dpi but may be the other sizes if un-readable by the reading resolution of MFP 20.
Pieces of information shown by (A)-(D) in the present drawing are only examples, and the other pieces of information as word, sign, mark (abnormal mark), and geographic pattern may be applicable. In cases of using these pieces of information, it is preferable to use the information with which when a third person having not executed the reading out of original document views the original document (after having been readout), the person can easily recognizes something having been occurred on the original document. With respect to the adding patterns, not limiting to (c) or (d) in
(2) Assimilated Mark
The erasable mark and the un-erasable mark in the assimilated mark are, similarly to the ground pattern mark, added (printed) on the printed material by combining with assimilating such that the boundary of the two marks is made to be inconspicuous by utilizing the ground pattern printing technology (refer to (b)-(g) in
Explained here will be the latter mark of the ground pattern mark and the mark other than the ground pattern mark included in the assimilated mark, and specifically will be the non-ground pattern mark (mark other than the ground pattern mark) included in the assimilated mark.
In
In the case of (A), the assimilated marks are added at the upper marginal part, the bottom marginal part and the central part. The assimilated marks at the upper and lower marginal parts are belt-like patterns where patterns configured of the erasable mark extend along the all region in width direction. At the diagonal positions in the upper and lower belt-like patterns, hidden characters of “VIOLATION IS COMMITTED” configured of the un-erasable mark are embedded. Specifically, at the upper right part of the original document, characters of “CIRCULAR (COPYING STRICTLY PROHIBITED)” are printed, and as the assimilated mark of upper marginal part the hidden characters are embedded at the upper side of the characters in the belt-like pattern. As the assimilated mark of lower marginal part, the hidden characters are embedded in the belt-like pattern. The total assimilated mark in the central part is configure of confidential mark, the pattern made of erasable mark being a rectangular belt pattern, and four sets of hidden characters made of the un-erasable mark (“VIOLATION”) are embedded at upper/lower/right/left positions in the rectangular belt pattern.
When MFP 20 reads the original document added with the assimilated mark of (A), as shown in the drawing in the original document after having been read, belt-like patterns in upper/lower marginal parts are erased and the hidden characters of “VIOLATION IS COMMITTED” appear with standout, and confidential mark in the central part is erased and the hidden characters of “VIOLATION” appear with standout. Especially, in the present example, in cases when the characters of “COPYING STRICTLY PROHIBITED” are printed at the upper marginal part of the original document, by making the characters such as “VIOLATION IS COMMITTED” appear in the vicinity of the characters of “COPYING STRICTLY PROHIBITED”, the third person can easily recognize that prohibited copy has been executed, when viewing the original document.
In the case of (B), the assimilated mark is a composite pattern configured with the erasable mark combined with a frame shaped pattern encircling the peripheral marginal part of the original document and cross-shaped pattern, and the un-erasable marks of hidden characters are embedded in six belts constituting the composite pattern. Specifically, in four belts constituting the frame pattern, the hidden characters of “SECURITY VIOLATION” are respectively embedded, and in two belts constituting the cross-shape, plural sets of characters of “VIOLATION” are respectively embedded.
When MFP 20 reads the original document added with the assimilated mark of (B), as shown in the drawing in the original document after having been read, the frame shaped pattern encircling the peripheral marginal part of the original document is erased and the hidden characters of “SECURITY VIOLATION” appear with standing out, and the cross-shaped pattern in the frame shaped pattern is erased and hidden characters of “VIOLATION” appear with standing out.
Further, in cases where the original document has been read halfway from any of upper/lower/right/left directions, either one of assimilated marks (A) and (B), erased portions are surely generated in the pattern configured with the erasable mark. Accordingly the fact of being scanned halfway is also distinguished. Further, even incases where only the central area of the original document is scanned by covering the peripheral parts of the original document or by shifting the set position of original document on platen glass 41, similarly to the above, erased portions are surely generated in the pattern of central area configured with the erasable mark. Thus the scanning of only the central area can be also distinguished.
The assimilated marks (not ground pattern mark) shown in (A) and (B) of
(3) Non-Assimilated Mark
In the non-assimilated mark of (A), a pattern made of the erasable mark is configured with a frame shaped pattern encircling the peripheral parts of the original document, a pattern made of the un-erasable mark is configured with a rectangular pattern inscribed in the frame pattern, and both marks are combined without being assimilated such that the boundary is distinguishable in view.
When MFP 20 reads the original document added with the non-assimilated mark of (A), as shown in the drawing in the original document after having been read, the erasable mark of the frame shaped pattern encircling the peripheral marginal part of the original document is erased to be whiteout, and the un-erasable mark of the rectangular pattern remains, thus a change is caused against the state before having been read.
In the non-assimilated mark of (B), a pattern made of the erasable mark is configured with a pair of isosceles triangles residing in upper/lower regions among four isosceles triangles segmenting four regions in the original document, the un-erasable mark is configured with another pair of isosceles triangles residing in right/left regions, and both marks is combined without being assimilated such that the boundary is distinguishable in view.
When MFP 20 reads the original document added with the non-assimilated mark of (B), as shown in the drawing in the original document after having been read, the erasable mark of the pair of isosceles triangles residing in upper/lower regions is erased to be whiteout, and the un-erasable mark of the pair of isosceles triangles residing in right/left regions remains, thus a change is caused against the state before having been read.
Further, in cases where the original document has been read halfway from any of upper/lower/right/left directions, either one of the non-assimilated marks (A) and (B), erased portions are surely generated in the pattern configured with the erasable mark. Accordingly the fact of being scanned halfway is also distinguished.
The non-assimilated marks) shown in (A) and (B) of
(4) Combination of Assimilated Mark and Non-Assimilated Mark
Both in the assimilated mark exemplified in
As shown in the original document before reading, the common erasable mark is configured with a frame shaped pattern using a light color. On the upper/lower/right/left bands of the frame shaped pattern, the un-erasable marks configured of characters “SECURITY PROTECTION” using a deep color are arranged with keeping a prescribed interval between each character, to configure the non-assimilated mark where these characters are combined without assimilating to the frame shaped pattern. Next to “SECURITY PROTECTION”, the UN-erasable mark configured of characters “VIOLATION” using a deep color are arranged with keeping a prescribed interval between each character, to configure the assimilated mark where these characters are embedded with assimilating to the frame shaped pattern. Further, between each character of “VIOLATION!”, the erasable mark configured of characters “SUBJECT” using a deep color are arranged character by character to configure a composite mark. In the frame shaped pattern, portions corresponding to each of the above-described characters are made whiteout, and the above-described characters are arranged at this whiteout portions.
In the original document added with the above-described composite marks (original document before reading), deep colored characters “SECURITY PROTECTION SUBJECT” being standout and conspicuous in view, in light colored frame-shaped pattern (belt pattern in upper/lower/right/left side). When MFP 20 reads this original document, in the original document after having been read, the frame-shaped pattern encircling the peripheral area (common erasable mark) and the characters “SUBJECT” are erased to be whiteout, and the characters “SECURITY PROTECTION” (un-erasable mark) remain, and further, the characters “VIOLATION!” having been hidden in the frame-shaped pattern appear, thus, characters of “SECURITY PROTECTION VIOLATION!” are formed. Namely, the characters “SECURITY PROTECTION SUBJECT” in the original document before reading are changed to “SECURITY PROTECTION VIOLATION!” in the original document after having been read.
In the present case, in cases where the original document has been read halfway from any of upper/lower/right/left directions, erased portions are surely generated in the frame-shaped pattern of erasable mark. Accordingly the fact of being scanned halfway is also distinguished.
In this way, according to the present embodiment, by printing the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark as one composite mark (unified mark), both marks can be added in the printed material as an image having few sense of strangeness.
Especially, the assimilated mark can be added on the printed material as a single mark hardly distinguishable in view of the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark. In image reading of this printed material, the erasable mark is erased by irradiation of specific wavelength light, and an unexpected un-erasable mark appears to cause a surprising change. For example, by generating the surprising change in the printed material having been read, a strong psychological effect may be given to admonish the injustice against an illegal image reading-out. Accordingly, recurrence inhibiting effect can be heightened against improper copying by reading the printed material. Further, by using the assimilated mark (not ground pattern mark) for printing at only a part of the sheet surface as exemplified in
Especially, according to the composite mark exemplified in
Regarding the ground pattern mark, by combining the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark as one composite mark indistinguishable of both marks, the adding image (background image) having few sense of strangeness can be added on the printed material.
Regarding the assimilated mark including the ground pattern mark, in cases when the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark are configured with dots of same and continuous pattern, both marks can be added on the printed material as a visually indistinguishable single mark (such as a background pattern).
In the fourth embodiment, specific operations to be executed in cases where the print setting of the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark explained in first and third embodiments is performed by terminal apparatus 10 will be described. Here, examples of print setting (security output setting) will be described in cases where printed materials explained in
As shown in
In the print setting, CPU 11 receives designation of MFP 20 for outputting (requested of printing) (refer to
In cases where there is no security output designation (step S505; No), a normal output setting process relating to the received print setting is executed (step S506), and registers the print setting information by correlating to the selected document into a history management table 51 (step S507). For example, registers in the history management table 51 by correlating the document specifying information such as ID (identification information) and document name (file name) with the print setting information. The registration into history management table 51 may be done by correlating the document specifying information and updated time and date with the print setting information. And, by generating the print data that including the electronic data of the selected document and the print setting information (step S508), transmits to the specified MFP 20 (step S509/End).
In cases where there is a security output specification (step S505; Yes), CPU 11 executes a security output setting process (step S510). In cases where setting of the security output process is finished (step S511; Yes), proceeds to step S507. In cases when setting of the security output process is not finished (step S511; No), print instruction of the document is cancelled (End).
In cases where there is a security output designation (step S505; Yes), CPU 11 displays display section 27 the print setting information registered by correlating with the selected document in history management table 51 (step S512). In cases of receiving an instruction of using the print setting information from the user (step S513; Yes), by generating the print data including the electronic data of the selected document and the corresponding print setting information registered in history management table 51 (step S514), and transmits to MFP 20 indicated by the print setting information for outputting (step S509/End).
In the security output setting process shown in
In cases where a type of security output is the background character (step S602; background character), if the remaining color erasable toner amount is more than the prescribed amount (step S603; No), CPU 11 executes the print setting received via print setting screen 60 (refer to
In cases where a type of security output is the ground pattern (step S602; ground pattern), if the ground pattern is the conventional ground pattern image that does not require the color erasable toner (step S606; No: refer to
In cases of the ground pattern mark using the color erasable toner (step S606; Yes: refer to
If the remaining color erasable toner amount is more than the prescribed amount (step S609; No), CPU 11 determines the toner to be used for the hidden characters in the ground pattern mark as the normal toner, and the toner to be used for the background pattern as the color erasable toner (step S610). And, CPU 11 executes the print setting received via print setting screen 60 (refer to
According to the present embodiment, the setting of adding the erasable mark and the un-erasable mark on the image of document indicated in terminal apparatus 10, may be easily performed by using the print setting information previously set and stored.
In the above description, the embodiments of the present invention are explained by use of the drawings, however the specific configuration is not restricted to the embodiments. Changes and additions without departing from the scope of the concept of the present invention are included in the present invention.
The erasable mark (first mark) and the un-erasable mark (second mark) are switched between adding or not adding at the print setting for each printing or copying of original document, however not by switching for each printing or copying, automatic adding may be configured. For example, by providing a security mode that can be set in initial setting (administrator setting) or user setting at terminal apparatus 10 or MFP 20, the mark may be automatically set at printing or copying in the setting condition of the security mode.
According to this type of security mode, in cases for example, of continuously printing a plurality of documents as prohibited copying confidential documents at terminal apparatus 10, or in cases of continuously copying a plurality of original documents as a prohibited copying confidential document at MFP 20, the setting of the mark addition need not be conducted for each print or copy, which being convenient. Further it is useful in cases of utilizing terminal apparatus 10 exclusively for security printing, or in cases of utilizing MFP 20 exclusively for security copying.
Further, the image indicated to be printed is not restricted to be printed by using only the normal toner. For example a configuration may be possible where by specifying a part of the image at print setting, and the specified part is printed by using the erasable toner. According to this configuration, by setting the area when particularly high confidential information is described in the image for printing to be the area of being printed by using the erasable toner, even in cases where this image is improperly copied, the highly confidential information printed with the erasable toner is erased at the time of coping without being copied, thus information leak can be prevented.
As for the printing material whose color is erasable, the color erasable toner in an electrophotographic printing apparatus is exemplified, however, an erasable ink, whose color is erasable by irradiation of specific wavelength light, for inkjet system can be also utilized.
According to the print data generation apparatus, the printing apparatus and the program of the present invention, a printed material can be formed when the fact that reading is executed by an image reading apparatus to irradiate specific wavelength light on the original document at the time of reading the original document image is distinguished by the printed material of the original document itself. Thus, duplication by image reading of the original document can be restrained.
Further, as the printing apparatus relating to the present invention, not limiting to the multi functional peripheral, a copying machine or a scanner machine may be applicable.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2010-033233 | Feb 2010 | JP | national |
