JP3792957B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is, for example, an image processing apparatus that is used in a mail sorting apparatus and erases an address code recorded with fluorescent ink that emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. And image processing method About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, the mail sorting device optically reads the address written on the mail, recognizes the address by performing character recognition on the read image, and based on the recognized address, the delivery destination of the mail Are to be classified.
[0003]
In addition, it is possible to classify these read addresses and assign address codes, convert the address codes into machine codes, and print them on mail.
[0004]
When the mail is classified a plurality of times, if the address code is printed on the mail in the first classification stage, the classification process can be performed by reading only the address code in the subsequent classification stage.
[0005]
Therefore, according to the method using the address code, it is not necessary to read the address using an optical character recognition device having a high processing cost except in the first division stage, and the processing is simplified.
[0006]
By the way, it is difficult for the existing character recognition technology to correctly recognize the address written on the mail piece 100%. For this reason, an incorrect recognition result may be obtained for the address described in the mail, and as a result, an incorrect address code that does not correspond to the address described may be printed.
[0007]
Such character recognition errors cannot be avoided at the current technical level, and mail with the wrong address code printed is sent to the wrong delivery office, and the address code is incorrect at the delivery stage. Becomes clear. In this case, it is necessary to resend the mail to the correct delivery office.
[0008]
In addition, when a mail addressed to an old address whose address has been changed is addressed, it is necessary to transfer the mail address to the address after the change when the address change of the address of the mail address is found. If you do not know where to change your address, you must return it to the sender of the mail.
[0009]
When mail is transferred due to such an address recognition error or address change, it is necessary to erase the address code that was previously printed and give a new address code.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the past, when the address code was erased, it was erased by the hand of the worker, and there was a problem that it took a lot of trouble if the number of postal items whose address code was to be erased increased.
[0011]
In addition, when a new address code is printed on a mail piece from which the address code has been deleted, it has to be put into the code printing device again by the operator's hand, which is troublesome.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of automatically and reliably deleting an address code to be erased and automatically recording a new address code. And
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the claims 1 What is described is a supply means for supplying a recording medium on which a luminescent image emitted by excitation light irradiation is formed, a first transport means for transporting the recording medium supplied by the supply means, and the first transport means. A coating unit that coats the recording medium transported by the transport unit with a coating agent that reduces the luminescence intensity of the luminescent image, and a luminescence intensity of the image on the recording medium coated with the coating agent by the coating unit. Measurement means for measuring, and second application means for repeatedly conveying the recording medium to the application means and the measurement means until the emission intensity of the image measured by the measurement means is less than or equal to a desired intensity. To do.
[0015]
Claim 2 The description includes a supply means for supplying a recording medium on which a luminescent image emitted by irradiation of character information and excitation light is formed, a first transport means for transporting the recording medium supplied by the supply means, Application means for applying a coating agent for reducing the emission intensity of the emission image to the recording medium conveyed by the first conveyance means, and emission of the emission image on the recording medium coated with the application agent by the application means Measuring means for measuring the intensity, and second conveying means for repeatedly conveying the recording medium to the coating means and the measuring means until the emission intensity of the image measured by the measuring means is equal to or lower than a desired intensity, A reading unit that is provided downstream of the measuring unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and reads character information formed on the recording medium, and is generated by irradiation of excitation light based on the reading information of the reading unit. The luminescent images and a recording means for recording the.
[0016]
Claim 3 What is described is a supply unit that supplies a recording medium on which character information is recorded, a first conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium supplied by the supply unit, and a recording that is conveyed by the first conveyance unit. First reading means for reading character information recorded on the medium, recording means for recording a luminescent image emitted by irradiation of excitation light based on information read by the first reading means, and the recording means A second reading unit that reads information of the recorded light emission image, and a determination unit that compares the information read by the first and second reading units and determines whether the read information matches. When the determination means determines that the read information matches, the recording medium is transported in the first direction. When the read information does not match, the recording medium is switched to the second direction. Means, first discharge means for discharging the recording medium switched in the first direction by the switching means, and second transport means for transporting the recording medium switched in the second direction by the switching means. A coating unit that applies a coating agent that reduces the emission intensity of the luminescent image to the recording medium conveyed by the second conveyance unit, and measures the luminescence intensity of the luminescent image coated with the coating agent by the coating unit. Measuring means, and third conveying means for repeatedly conveying the recording medium to the coating means and the measuring means until the emission intensity of the luminescent image measured by the measuring means is equal to or lower than the desired intensity, and the third conveying means. And a second discharge unit that discharges the recording medium when the emission intensity of the emission image of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit becomes equal to or lower than a desired intensity.
[0017]
Claim 4 What is described is a supply unit that supplies a recording medium on which character information is recorded, a first conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium supplied by the supply unit, and a recording that is conveyed by the first conveyance unit. First reading means for reading character information recorded on the medium, recording means for recording a luminescent image emitted by excitation light irradiation based on information read by the reading means, and recording by the recording means A second reading unit that reads information of the luminescent image, a determination unit that compares the information read by the first and second reading units, and determines whether or not the read information matches; Switching means for switching the transport direction of the recording medium to the first direction when the means determines that the read information matches, and to switch to the second direction when the read information is determined not to match. A discharge means for discharging the recording medium switched in the first direction by the switching means; a second transport means for transporting the recording medium switched in the second direction by the switching means; and A coating unit that applies a coating agent that reduces the emission intensity of the luminescent image to the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit; a measurement unit that measures the luminescence intensity of the luminescent image coated with the coating agent by the coating unit; A third conveying unit that repeatedly conveys the recording medium to the coating unit and the measuring unit and the third conveying unit until the emission intensity of the luminescent image measured by the measuring unit becomes a desired intensity or less. And a fourth conveying means for conveying the recording medium to the first reading means when the emission intensity of the luminescent image of the recording medium becomes equal to or less than a desired intensity.
Claim 6 What is described is a supply process for supplying a recording medium on which a luminescent image emitted by excitation light irradiation is formed, a first transport process for transporting the recording medium supplied by the supply process, and the first transport process. A coating step of applying a coating agent that reduces the emission intensity of the luminescent image to the recording medium conveyed in the conveyance step, and the emission intensity of the image on the recording medium coated with the coating agent by the coating step; A measuring step for measuring, and a second conveying step for repeatedly conveying the recording medium to the coating step and the measuring step until the light emission intensity of the image measured by the measuring step is equal to or lower than a desired intensity. To do.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a paper feed tray 1 for storing a recording medium 2, and a barcode as a light emitting image that emits visible light by ultraviolet irradiation is printed on the recording medium 2. The paper feed tray 1 is provided with a paper feed roller 3 as a supply means for taking out the recording medium 2, and the taken-out recording medium 2 is moved along the transport path H by the rotation of the transport rollers 21 constituting the first transport means. Are transported.
[0021]
In the conveyance path H, there are an application unit 4 as an erasing unit, a measurement sensor 5 as a measurement unit, a coating gate 6, a discharge gate 7, a discharge roller 9, and a discharge tray 10 along the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2. It is arranged. Further, a conveying loop 8 as a second conveying means is provided so as to face the coating means 4 and the measurement sensor 5.
[0022]
The applying means 4 applies erasing ink as a coating agent to the recording medium 2, and the erasing ink may be applied to the entire image recording image of the recording medium 2, or only the portion where the barcode is recorded. . However, in consideration of the amount of erasing ink used, it is desirable to apply only to the recorded part. Here, the erasing ink is a dispersion of an ultraviolet absorber, a resin agent, a brightening agent and the like in a solvent such as ethanol. The erasing ink is preferably colorless and transparent under visible light so that visible information recorded on the recording medium 2 does not disappear.
[0023]
The measurement sensor 5 measures the light emission luminance L of the fluorescent barcode on the recording medium 2. A comparison circuit 22 is connected to the measurement sensor 5, and the light emission luminance L measured by the measurement sensor 5 is transferred to the comparison circuit 22 and compared with the luminance threshold ε. Here, although the luminance threshold ε differs depending on the processing method of the reader for reading the barcode, in this embodiment, when the emission luminance level is divided into 256 levels, 128 is set as the value of the luminance threshold ε.
[0024]
The coating gate 6 and the paper discharge gate 7 are opened and closed according to the light emission luminance L to change the feeding direction of the recording medium 2. That is, when the light emission luminance L is larger than the luminance threshold ε, the coating gate 6 is closed and the paper discharge gate 7 is opened. As a result, the recording medium 2 is fed again to the coating means 4 via the transport loop 8. This operation is repeatedly executed until the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε. When the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε, the coating gate 6 is opened and the paper discharge gate 7 is closed. Thereby, the recording medium 2 is sent out in the discharge direction.
[0025]
The paper discharge roller 9 conveys the recording medium 2 toward the paper discharge tray 10, and the paper discharge tray 10 receives and accumulates the recording medium 2 carried out from the paper discharge roller 9.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows the erasing ink application means 4.
[0027]
As the coating means 4, an ink jet type or atomizing type jet head 4 a is used. The ejection head 4a can apply the erasing ink 11 on demand, and does not require a complicated erasing ink supply mechanism. Further, since there are few portions where the erasing ink comes into contact with air, the consumption of the erasing ink 11 due to evaporation is small, and it is sufficient to supply the erasing ink to the ejection head 4a as much as necessary for application. Therefore, there is an advantage that waste of the erasing ink 11 can be minimized.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows a first modification of the coating means.
[0029]
An erasing roller 4b is used as the applying means.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows a second modification of the coating means.
[0031]
As this coating means, a brush body 4c is used.
[0032]
The erasing roller 4b in FIG. 3 and the brush body 4c in FIG. 4 require a slightly more complicated erasing ink supply mechanism for preventing the erasing ink 11 from being supplied excessively as compared with the structure of the ejection head 4a in FIG. Further, since there are many portions where the erasing ink comes into contact with the air, there is a disadvantage that the consumption of the erasing ink is increased and the consumption of the consumable ink is somewhat increased. However, compared with the structure of the ejection head 4a of FIG. 2, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to attach a drive IC or the like, and the apparatus can be made inexpensive. Furthermore, since structural damage is very rare and the lifetime is long, there is an advantage that maintenance-free operation can be realized if only the coating means is viewed.
[0033]
The application unit 4 is not limited to the one shown here, and any structure may be used as long as the erasing ink 11 can be applied to the recording medium 2.
[0034]
Next, the erasing operation of the fluorescent barcode recorded on the recording medium 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0035]
The recording medium 2 stored in the paper feed tray 1 is fed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 3 (step 1) and conveyed toward the coating means 4. The transported recording medium 2 passes under the coating means 4 so that the erasing ink 11 is applied (step 2). The recording medium 2 to which the erasing ink is applied is conveyed toward the measurement sensor 5, and the emission luminance L of the fluorescent barcode is measured by the measurement sensor 5 when the recording medium 2 passes under the measurement sensor 5 (step S1). 3). The light emission luminance L measured by the measurement sensor 5 is transferred to the comparison circuit 22, and it is compared and determined whether or not it is larger than the luminance threshold ε (step 4). When the light emission luminance L is larger than the luminance threshold ε, the coating gate 6 is closed (step 5), and the paper discharge gate 7 is opened (step 6). As a result, the recording medium 2 is fed again to the coating unit 4 via the conveyance loop 8 and the above operation is repeatedly performed until the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the light emission luminance L is smaller than the threshold ε, the coating gate 6 is opened (step 7), and the paper discharge gate 7 is closed (step 8). As a result, the recording medium 2 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 10 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 10 via the paper discharge roller 9 (step 9).
[0037]
Thereafter, the same operation is continued successively, and the recording medium 2 in the paper feed tray 1 is fed one after another and the erasing ink 11 is applied.
[0038]
As described above, according to this embodiment, by simply inserting the recording medium 2 into the paper feed tray 1, erroneously recorded fluorescent barcodes can be automatically and efficiently erased.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation.
[0040]
In FIG. 6, the recording medium 2 placed in the paper feed tray 1 has a barcode that emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, character information using visible ink, a ballpoint pen, and the like, specifically the postal code and address of the postal matter. Is printed. The fluorescent barcode is a code obtained by converting character information (postal code or address) into a machine language.
[0041]
In the second embodiment, according to the OCR 12 as the reading means for converting the visible character information such as the zip code and address of the recording medium into the reading code information in the transport path H and the code information converted by the OCR 12. A bar code printing unit 13 as a recording means for printing a fluorescent bar code on the recording medium 2 is added, which is different from the first embodiment described above.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the barcode printing unit 13 is an ink jet recording method, specifically, a continuous jet ink jet recording method. The barcode printing unit 13 is not limited to inkjet recording, and any means capable of recording a fluorescent barcode, such as a thermal transfer recording method or a dot impact printing method, may be used.
[0043]
Next, the image processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
The recording medium 2 is fed by the feed roller 3 (step 1) and conveyed toward the coating unit 4. The transported recording medium 2 passes under the coating means 4 to apply erasing ink (step 2). The recording medium 2 to which the erasing ink is applied is conveyed toward the measurement sensor 5, and the emission luminance L of the fluorescent barcode is measured by the measurement sensor 5 while passing under the measurement sensor 5 (step 3). The light emission luminance L measured by the measurement sensor 5 is transferred to the comparison circuit 22 and compared with the luminance threshold ε (step 4). When the light emission luminance L is larger than the luminance threshold ε, the coating gate 6 is closed (step 5), and the paper discharge gate 7 is opened (step 6). As a result, the recording medium 2 is fed again to the coating unit 4 via the conveyance loop 8 and the above operation is repeatedly performed until the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε.
[0045]
When the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε, the coating gate 6 is opened (step 7), and the paper discharge gate 7 is closed (step 8). Thereby, the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the OCR 12. In the OCR 12, visible character information such as a postal code and an address of a mail is read (step 9), the postal code is converted into code information as it is, and the address is converted into machine information after being converted into machine language. This code information is sent to the bar code printing unit 13, and when the recording medium 2 passes below the bar code printing means 13, a fluorescent bar code is printed on the recording medium according to the code information (step 10). . The recording medium 2 on which the fluorescent barcode is printed is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 10 and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 10 via the paper discharge roller 9 (step 11). When one recording medium 2 is discharged in this way, the recording media 2 in the paper feed tray 1 are fed one after another, and the erasing ink 11 is applied and the barcode is printed as described above. .
[0046]
According to this embodiment, by simply placing the recording medium 2 in the paper feed tray 1, the erroneously recorded fluorescent barcode can be erased efficiently and reliably, and the visible character information can be newly coded. It can be computerized and recorded on the recording medium 2 as a fluorescent barcode.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the image processing operation.
[0048]
In FIG. 8, on the recording medium 2 placed in the paper feed tray 1, character information such as visible ink or a ballpoint pen, specifically, a postal code or an address of a postal matter is printed.
[0049]
In this embodiment, the recording medium 2 taken out from the paper feed tray 1 is transported along a transport path H, and in the transport path H, an OCR 12 serving as a reading unit extends in the transport direction of the recording medium 2. A barcode printing section 13 as a recording means, a measurement sensor 14 for measuring the amount of light emitted from the barcode, a coating gate 15 as a switching means for selectively switching the transport direction of the recording medium 2 between the first and second directions, and A discharge roller 9 for discharging the recording medium 2 to a discharge tray 10 as a first discharge unit is provided.
[0050]
The OCR 12 is connected to a barcode printing unit 13 and a code information correctness / incorrectness determination circuit 25 via a transmission circuit. A code information conversion circuit 26 is connected to the measurement sensor 14 via a transmission circuit.
[0051]
The code information conversion circuit 26 analyzes the measurement information of the measurement sensor 14, converts it into code information, and transmits the code information to the correctness determination circuit 25. The correctness determination circuit 25 compares the code information transmitted from the OCR 12 with the code information transmitted from the code information conversion circuit 26, and determines whether or not these code information matches.
[0052]
The coating gate 15 switches the conveyance direction of the recording medium 2 between the first and second directions when the code information matches or does not match. The recording medium 2 switched in the first direction by the coating gate 15 is transported in the discharge direction, and the recording medium 2 switched in the second direction is transported by the second transport means including transport rollers 21b.
[0053]
The recording medium 2 conveyed by the second conveying means is used as the third conveying means.
It is conveyed toward the coating means 4 via the conveyance loop 8. Since the application means 4 is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, its description is omitted. The recording medium 2 from which the fluorescent bar code has been erased by the coating means 4 is discharged onto a discharge tray 17 as a second discharge means by closing the discharge gate 16.
[0054]
Next, the image processing operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0055]
The recording medium 2 is fed and conveyed by the rotation of the feed roller 3 (step 1), and the visible character information such as the zip code and address is read by the OCR 12, and the zip code is converted into code information as it is. Is converted into machine information and then converted into code information (step 2). The converted code information is sent to the bar code printing unit 13 and the code information correctness / error determination circuit 25. When the recording medium 2 passes under the barcode printing unit 13, the barcode printing unit 13 prints a fluorescent barcode according to the code information (step 3). Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is sent to the measurement sensor 14, and the light emission amount of the fluorescent barcode is measured by the measurement sensor 14 (step 4). The measurement information is transmitted to the code information conversion circuit 26, analyzed, and converted into code information. The code information data analyzed by the code information conversion circuit 26 is sent to the code information correct / incorrect determination circuit 25. The code information correct / incorrect determination circuit 25 compares the previously sent code information by the OCR 12 with the code information analyzed from the fluorescent barcode printed on the recording medium 2 (step 5).
[0056]
If the two pieces of code information do not match by this comparison, the coating gate 15 is opened (step 6), and then the paper discharge gate 16 is closed (step 7). As a result, the recording medium 2 is transported toward the coating means 4 via the transport loop 8, and the erasing ink 11 is applied by the coating means 4 (step 8), and then the light emission amount is measured by the measurement sensor 5 ( Step 9), it is determined whether or not the light emission luminance L is smaller than the threshold ε (Step 10). If the emission luminance L is smaller than the threshold ε, the paper discharge gate 16 is closed (step 11), and the recording medium 2 from which the fluorescent barcode has been erased is discharged to the paper discharge tray 17 (step 12).
[0057]
On the other hand, if the two pieces of code information match in step 5 shown in FIG. 5 described above, the coating gate 15 is closed (step 13), and the recording medium 2 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 10, and then The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10 via the paper discharge roller 9 (step 14).
[0058]
Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is sequentially fed in the same manner, and the printing of the fluorescent barcode and the erasure are repeated when the code information is incorrect.
[0059]
According to this embodiment, the code information corresponding to the character information recorded on the recording medium 2 can be printed as a fluorescent barcode, and the code information of the printed fluorescent barcode is determined to be correct and erroneously printed. The fluorescent barcode can be erased efficiently, automatically and reliably.
[0060]
Further, two discharge trays 10 and 17 are provided, the recording medium 2 on which the code information is correctly printed is discharged to the discharge tray 10, and the recording medium 2 from which the fluorescent barcode is erased is discharged to the discharge tray 17. Therefore, the recording medium 2 on which the code information is correctly printed and the recording medium 2 on which the fluorescent barcode is erased can be automatically distinguished, and the post-processing is simplified.
[0061]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the image processing operation.
[0062]
Since this embodiment operates substantially the same as the above-described third embodiment, a detailed description of common parts is omitted, and only different parts are described.
[0063]
The recording medium 2 on which the character information is recorded is fed and conveyed by the paper feed roller 3 (step 1), the character information is read by the OCR 12 (step 2), and then the bar code printing unit 13 generates a light emission barcode. After printing, the bar code information is read by the measurement sensor 14 (step 4). Thereafter, the code information correct / error discriminating circuit 25 compares the code information obtained by the OCR 12 with the code information analyzed from the fluorescent barcode printed on the recording medium 2 (step 5).
[0064]
If the two pieces of code information do not match, the coating gate 15 is opened (step 6), and then the paper feed gate 18 is opened (step 7 shown in FIG. 13). The recording medium 2 is conveyed toward the coating unit 4 via the conveyance loop 8 and applied with the erasing ink 11 (step 8). Next, the light emission intensity of the code is measured by the measuring sensor 5 (step 9), it is determined whether or not the light emission luminance L is smaller than the threshold ε (step 10), and the code is erased until the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε. Ink is applied to the recording medium 2. When the light emission luminance L becomes smaller than the threshold ε, the paper feed gate 18 is closed (step 11) and conveyed again to the barcode printing means 13 (step 12). The recording medium 2 conveyed to the barcode printing means 13 is printed with a fluorescent barcode corresponding to the code information stored in a memory (not shown) (step 3 shown in FIG. 12), and again conveyed to the measurement sensor 14. Then, the emission intensity of the bar code is measured (step 4), and the code information is compared by the code information correct / incorrect determination circuit 25 (step 5).
[0065]
If the code information matches, the coating gate 15 is closed (step 13), and the recording medium 2 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 10 and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 10 via the paper discharge roller 9. Paper.
[0066]
Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is sequentially fed in the same manner, a fluorescent barcode corresponding to the OCR information is printed, the correctness of the code information is determined, and if the code information is incorrect, the fluorescent barcode is deleted. It erases with ink and repeats printing the fluorescent barcode according to the OCR information again.
[0067]
According to this embodiment, code information corresponding to the character information recorded on the recording medium 2 can be printed as a fluorescent barcode, and the printed fluorescent barcode is determined by checking the correctness of the printed fluorescent barcode. When recorded, it can be erased efficiently, automatically and reliably, and a new fluorescent barcode can be printed again, so that the image processing efficiency of the recording medium 2 can be greatly improved.
[0068]
In the embodiment described above, an image that emits visible light when excited by ultraviolet irradiation has been described as an example. However, the excitation light may not be ultraviolet light, and infrared light is emitted when excited by ultraviolet irradiation. It can also be used for images to be performed.
[0069]
Of course, the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the gist thereof.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a supply unit that supplies a recording medium on which a luminescent image emitted by excitation light irradiation is formed, a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium supplied by the supply unit, and the conveyance unit. And an erasing unit for erasing the luminescent image of the recording medium conveyed by the apparatus, so that a mistakenly recorded luminescent image can be automatically and efficiently performed simply by setting the recording medium in the supply unit without manual operation as in the past. Can be erased well.
[0071]
In addition, since the recording medium is repeatedly conveyed to the coating unit and the measurement unit until the emission intensity of the image measured by the measurement unit is equal to or lower than the desired intensity, the erroneously recorded emission image can be erased more reliably.
[0072]
In addition, since the measuring unit includes a reading unit that reads character information recorded on the recording medium and a recording unit that records a luminescent image based on the read information, after erasing the luminescent image, A new emission image can be automatically recorded on the recording medium, and the image processing efficiency can be improved.
[0073]
Further, reading means for reading character information recorded on the recording medium, recording means for recording a luminescent image based on the read information read by the reading means, luminescent image data recorded by the recording means, and the reading means A discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the read image data matches, and if the image data does not match, it is conveyed to the coating unit and the coating agent is applied to the luminescent image. The flash image can be erased immediately. Therefore, the post-processing efficiency can be improved without sorting the recording medium based on the erroneously recorded luminescent image.
[0074]
In addition, the recording medium with the matching image data is ejected to the first ejection unit, and the recording medium from which the emission image has been erased without matching the image data is ejected to the second ejection unit, so that the emission image is correctly recorded. The recording medium and the recording medium in which the luminescent image is erroneously recorded and erased can be automatically distinguished, and post-processing is simplified.
[0075]
Further, a reading means for reading the character information recorded on the recording medium, a recording means for recording the luminescent image based on the read information read by the reading means, the luminescent image data recorded by the recording means and the reading means A discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the read image data matches, and if the image data does not match, the image data is conveyed to the coating unit and coated with a coating agent on the light-emitting image and erroneously recorded by the recording unit. Since the luminescent image is erased, the recording medium from which the luminescent image has been erased is conveyed again to the reading means to read the character image, and a new luminescent image is recorded again by the recording means based on the read information. Therefore, it is possible to automatically record a new luminescent image more reliably without increasing the processing efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an application portion of erasing ink.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first modification of an erasing ink application portion.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second modification of the application portion of erasing ink.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image processing operation.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an image processing operation.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an image processing operation.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an image processing operation.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an image processing operation.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an image processing operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... feed tray
2. Recording medium
3 ... paper feed roller (supply means)
4. Application means (erasing means)
5. Measurement sensor (measuring means)
6 ... Application gate
7 ... Discharge gate
8 ... Conveying loop (conveying means)
9: Paper discharge roller
10: Paper discharge tray (first discharge means)
11. Erasing ink (coating agent)
12 ... OCR (reading means)
13. Bar code printing means (recording means)
14: Sensor (reading means)
15 ... Application gate
16 ... discharge gate
17: Paper discharge tray (second discharge means)
18 ... Paper feed gate
21 ... Conveying roller (conveying means)

Claims (6)

Supply means for supplying a recording medium on which a light-emitting image emitted by irradiation of excitation light is formed;
First conveying means for conveying the recording medium supplied by the supplying means;
A coating unit that coats the recording medium transported by the first transport unit with a coating agent that reduces the emission intensity of the luminescent image;
A measuring means for measuring the light emission intensity of the image on the recording medium coated with the coating agent by the coating means;
Second conveying means for repeatedly conveying the recording medium to the coating means and the measuring means until the light emission intensity of the image measured by the measuring means is equal to or lower than a desired intensity;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Supply means for supplying a recording medium on which a luminescent image emitted by irradiation of character information and excitation light is formed;
First conveying means for conveying the recording medium supplied by the supplying means;
A coating unit that coats the recording medium transported by the first transport unit with a coating agent that reduces the emission intensity of the luminescent image;
Measuring means for measuring the emission intensity of the luminescent image on the recording medium coated with the coating agent by the coating means;
A second conveying unit that repeatedly conveys the recording medium to the coating unit and the measuring unit until the emission intensity of the image measured by the measuring unit is equal to or lower than a desired intensity;
A reading unit that is provided downstream of the measuring unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and reads character information formed on the recording medium;
A recording means for recording a luminescent image emitted by irradiation of excitation light based on the reading information of the reading means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Supply means for supplying a recording medium on which character information is recorded;
First conveying means for conveying the recording medium supplied by the supplying means;
First reading means for reading character information recorded on a recording medium conveyed by the first conveying means;
Recording means for recording a luminescent image emitted by irradiation of excitation light based on information read by the first reading means;
Second reading means for reading information of the luminescent image recorded by the recording means;
A determination unit that compares information read by the first and second reading units and determines whether or not the read information matches;
Switching means for switching the recording medium conveyance direction to the first direction when the determination means determines that the read information matches, and to switch to the second direction when the read information is determined not to match. ,
First discharge means for discharging the recording medium switched in the first direction by the switching means;
Second conveying means for conveying the recording medium switched in the second direction by the switching means;
Coating means for applying a coating agent for reducing the emission intensity of the luminescent image on the recording medium conveyed by the second conveying means;
Measuring means for measuring the luminescence intensity of the luminescent image coated with the coating agent by the coating means;
A third conveying unit that repeatedly conveys the recording medium to the coating unit and the measuring unit until the emission intensity of the luminescent image measured by the measuring unit is equal to or lower than a desired intensity;
A second discharge means for discharging the recording medium when the emission intensity of the emission image of the recording medium conveyed by the third conveyance means is less than or equal to a desired intensity;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Supply means for supplying a recording medium on which character information is recorded;
First conveying means for conveying the recording medium supplied by the supplying means;
First reading means for reading character information recorded on a recording medium conveyed by the first conveying means;
A recording means for recording a luminescent image emitted by irradiation of excitation light based on information read by the reading means;
Second reading means for reading information of the luminescent image recorded by the recording means;
A determination unit that compares information read by the first and second reading units and determines whether or not the read information matches;
Switching means for switching the recording medium conveyance direction to the first direction when the determination means determines that the read information matches, and to switch to the second direction when the read information is determined not to match. ,
Discharging means for discharging the recording medium switched in the first direction by the switching means;
Second conveying means for conveying the recording medium switched in the second direction by the switching means;
Coating means for applying a coating agent for reducing the emission intensity of the luminescent image on the recording medium conveyed by the second conveying means;
Measuring means for measuring the luminescence intensity of the luminescent image coated with the coating agent by the coating means;
A third conveying unit that repeatedly conveys the recording medium to the coating unit and the measuring unit until the emission intensity of the luminescent image measured by the measuring unit is equal to or lower than a desired intensity;
A fourth conveying means for conveying the recording medium to the first reading means when the emission intensity of the luminescent image of the recording medium conveyed by the third conveying means is less than or equal to a desired intensity;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coating unit is an ink jet recording head. A supply step of supplying a recording medium on which a luminescent image emitted by excitation light irradiation is formed;
A first transport step for transporting the recording medium supplied by this supply step;
An application step of applying a coating agent that reduces the emission intensity of the emission image to the recording medium conveyed by the first conveyance step;
A measuring step for measuring the emission intensity of the image on the recording medium coated with the coating agent by this coating step;
A second conveying step of repeatedly conveying the recording medium to the coating step and the measuring step until the light emission intensity of the image measured by the measuring step is equal to or lower than a desired intensity;
An image processing method comprising:

Images