JPH06113097A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely read information by piercing a recording material supplied before recording and stabilizing the transfer state of toners. CONSTITUTION:An image scanner part reads an original with a prescribed resolution and performs a digital signal processing. Also, a printer part prints and outputs original images read by an image scanner in full colors on the sheet of paper 2006 with the same resolution. Then, when the recording material 2006 is pierced in an intrinsic pattern by an image forming device before recording on the sheet of the paper, the transfer state of the toner is stabilized and the intrinsic information of the image forming device can be surely read. In this case, plural needles for piercing are arranged on a straight line for a piercing device 2008 and machine numbers corresponding to numerals are given. Also, when the piercing device 2008 the same as the piercing device 2008 is provided at the rear part of a roller 2007, the blotting of the toner is eliminated and the information can be surely read further more.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of adding a predetermined pattern to a color image, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various measures have been incorporated into color image forming apparatuses in order to prevent counterfeiting of securities and the like. As one of the methods, there is a method of superimposing a symbol unique to the image forming apparatus, which is difficult to visually recognize on the image, on the image information with a constant modulation amount in order to identify the image forming apparatus used.

If securities are counterfeited using the image forming apparatus, a signal unique to the image forming apparatus can be read by using a reading apparatus capable of extracting the counterfeited article only in a specific wavelength range. The image forming device used can be identified, which is an effective clue for tracking the counterfeiter.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, depending on the gradation characteristics of the image forming apparatus, even if a symbol peculiar to the image forming apparatus is superimposed in the low density region, it is not reflected in the image density. In the density range where the image is unreadable or the gradation is hard, there is a drawback that the superimposed symbols peculiar to the image forming apparatus may be visually noticeable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of adding a symbol peculiar to the image forming apparatus to a recording material in a state where it is difficult to visually recognize it. Is in the point of providing.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus having a recording unit for recording a color image on a recording material, the supplying unit supplying the recording material for recording the color image, and the recording unit. Before performing, the recording material supplied by the supply means has a perforation means for perforating a predetermined pattern.

[0007]

According to this structure, the supplying means supplies the recording material for recording the color image, and the perforating means perforates a predetermined pattern on the recording material supplied by the supplying means before carrying out the recording means.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking an electrophotographic full-color image forming apparatus as an example. However, the present invention is also effective for image forming methods such as a silver salt photographic method, a thermal transfer method, and a sublimation method. Needless to say. <General Example> [Overview of Apparatus] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a copying machine of a general example. In FIG. 2, an image scanner unit 201 is a unit that reads a document at a resolution of 400 dpi (dots / inch) and performs digital signal processing. A printer unit 202 is a unit that prints out an image corresponding to the original image read by the image scanner 201 in full color on paper at a resolution of 400 dpi.

In the image scanner unit 201, 20
Reference numeral 0 is a mirror surface pressure plate, which is a platen glass 203.
The upper original 204 is illuminated by the lamp 205, and the mirror 2
06, 207, 208, a lens 209 forms an image on a 3-line sensor (CCD) 210, and sends it to the signal processing unit 211 as full color information red (R), green (G), and blue (B) components. To be In addition,
The carriage 227 fixing the 205 and 206 is at a speed v, and the carriages 207 and 208 are at a speed of 1/2 v, and mechanically moves in a direction perpendicular to the electric scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor, thereby causing the entire surface of the original document to move. Is scanned (sub-scanning).

In the signal processing unit 211, the read image signal is electrically processed and decomposed into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) components, and the printer unit. Send to 202. In addition, M, C, and
One component of Y and Bk is sent to the printer unit 202, and a total of four document scans completes one printout.

The M, C, Y and Bk image signals sent from the image scanner unit 201 are supplied to the laser driver 2.
Sent to 12. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 according to the sent image signal. The laser light scans the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215, and the mirror 216. Reference numeral 218 denotes a rotary developing device, which is a magenta developing unit 2
19, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221, and a black developing unit 222, and four developing units alternately contact the photosensitive drum 217 to develop the electrostatic development formed on the photosensitive drum with toner. Reference numeral 223 denotes a transfer drum, which winds the paper supplied from the paper cassette 224 or 225 around the transfer drum 223, and transfers the image developed on the photosensitive drum to the paper.

In this way, after the four colors M, C, Y and Bk are sequentially transferred, the paper passes through the fixing unit 226, the toner is fixed on the paper, and then the paper is ejected. [Image Scanner Unit] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image scanner unit 201 according to a general example. In the figure, 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 are CCD (solid-state image sensor) line sensors having spectral sensitivity characteristics of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), respectively. 8-bit output 0 after each / D conversion
The signals of ~ 255 are output.

Since the CCD line sensors 210-1, 210-2, 210-3 used in this embodiment are arranged at a fixed distance, the spatial shifts of the delay elements 401 and 402 are corrected. It 40
Reference numerals 3, 404 and 405 are log converters, which are constituted by a look-up table ROM or RAM and convert a luminance signal into a density signal. Reference numeral 406 is a known masking and UCR (under color removal) circuit, and although detailed description thereof is omitted, magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black for output by three input signals. Each signal of (Bk) is output in a frame-sequential manner with a predetermined bit length, for example, 8 bits for each reading operation.

Reference numeral 407 is a known spatial filter circuit,
The spatial frequency characteristic (MTF) of the output signal is corrected. Four
Reference numeral 08 denotes a density conversion circuit, which corrects the density characteristic of the printer unit 202, and is a log of 403 to 405.
It is composed of the same ROM or RAM as the converter. On the other hand, 414 is a microcomputer (hereinafter, CPU) that controls the present apparatus, 415 is a ROM that stores programs for operating the CPU 414, and 416 is RAM that is used as a work area for executing various programs. Reference numeral 413 is an input / output port (hereinafter, I / O port) connected to the CPU 414, and reference numeral 409 is a specific manuscript judgment circuit.

Here, the specific manuscript judgment circuit 409 judges whether the manuscript placed on the manuscript table is at least one of a plurality of specific manuscripts, and the judgment signal H is output in multi-valued 2 bits. To be done. That is, H = “3” is output when the possibility that at least one of the plurality of specific documents is being read is the highest, and H = “0” is output when the possibility is the least. To do. The determination circuit 40
9 includes a thinning circuit 301 and a frequency dividing circuit 310, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, and also performs thinning processing of the input R, G, B signals.

The CNO signal is a 2-bit frame sequential signal, and is a control signal indicating the sequence of four reading operations (scanning operations) for printing Y, M, C, and K color images. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a relationship between a CNO signal and a print output according to a general example. The CNO signal is the CPU
It is generated from 414 via the I / O port 413 and switches the operating condition of the masking / UCR circuit 406. Further, the above-described frame sequential signal CNO is also input to the determination circuit 409, and the determination reference can be switched for each of the four reading operations to determine different specific originals.

Reference numeral 410 is a pattern addition circuit, which is a CPU
2-bit pattern level selection signal P designated by 414
It is a portion for adding a pattern, which is difficult for human eyes to identify, to the copy image according to S. The pattern to be added is created from the image signal P read by the reader. [Timing Chart] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a thinning circuit according to a general example, and FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a frequency dividing circuit according to a general example. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of signals in the main scanning direction in a general example.

The VSYNC signal is a sub-scanning section signal,
It is a signal indicating the image output section of the sub-scan. HSYNC
Is a main scanning synchronization signal, which is a signal for synchronizing the start of main scanning. CLK is a transfer clock of an image and is a basic clock for various image processes in this embodiment. On the other hand, CLK 'is a signal obtained by dividing CLK by 1/4,
It becomes the basic clock in the determination circuit 409. The SEL signal is a timing signal used in the thinning circuit 301 described above. Each of the CLK 'and SEL signals is shown in FIG.
It is generated by the frequency dividing circuit 310 shown in FIG.

Here, the thinning circuit 301 and the frequency dividing circuit 3
10 will be described. In FIG. 4, 455-45
7, 461 to 466 are flip-flops, 458 to 46
0 indicates selectors respectively, and in FIG.
453 is an inverter, 452 is a 2-bit counter, 45
Reference numerals 4 denote AND gates, respectively. Here, flip-flops 455, 456, 457 and 461, 462
463, selectors 458, 459 and 460 hold data at the timing of CLK and flip-flop 46
Data is held by the 4,465,466 CLK 'signals.

In the frequency dividing circuit 310, the 2-bit counter 452 counts the CLK signal after being cleared (initialized) by the HSYNC signal which is the main scanning synchronization signal, and outputs the count value with 2 bits ( D0, D
1). The upper bit D1 is output as the CLK 'signal, and the logical product of the inverted signal of the lower bit D0 and the upper bit D1 is output as the SEL signal.

As a result, the thinning-out circuit 301, as shown in FIG. 7, transfers the R (or G,
B) The signal is thinned out at a rate of 1/4 from the signal, and C
An R '(or G', B ') signal synchronized with LK' can be obtained. [Determination Circuit] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the determination circuit 409 according to a general example. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a thinning circuit as shown in FIG. 4 described above, which thins data in order to reduce the addition of the processing circuit of the judging circuit 409 itself.
Reference numeral 302 denotes a color matching / lookup table RO.
M (hereinafter, referred to as “color matching LUT”), and performs color matching between a plurality of types of specific originals (securities, banknotes, etc.) and input data. Color matching LUT
Reference numeral 302 denotes a tint distribution of 32 types of specific originals in advance, and determines bit information when the tint of the pixel matches the tint of the specific originals and bit information when the tint does not match as a determination result. keeping. Here, the 32 types of specific originals are the total when the determinations of 8 types of specific originals are assigned to each of a total of four scanning operations for forming M, C, Y, and Bk color images.

That is, to the LUT 302, the CNO signal, which is a frame sequential signal, is input to the upper 2 bits of the address, and the upper 5 bits of the image signal of each color of RGB, which are thinned out to the lower 15 bits, are input. For each of the values 0 to 3 of each CNO signal, whether or not the tint of the pixel matches the tint of the eight types of specific originals is simultaneously output corresponding to 8-bit data. Therefore, a total of 32 types of specific originals are determined in the four scanning operations.

Then, 303-1, 303-2, ..., 3
Reference numeral 03-8 is a tint determination circuit configured by similar hardware, which includes an integrator 306 and a register 307-.
1, 307-2, 307-3, comparator module 308
It is configured to judge the possibility that each specific manuscript exists in the manuscript, and output the judgment result in 2 bits. Three
Reference numeral 09 denotes a maximum value circuit, which is the tint determination circuits 303-1 to 303-3.
The maximum value of the judgment result outputs of 03-8 is output. That is, the determination result corresponding to the specific original that is most likely to exist among the eight types of specific originals is output.

[Integrator] FIG. 6 shows an integrator 30 according to a general example.
6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of No. 6, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing inputs and outputs of an integrator 306 according to a general example. In FIG. 6, 501 and 505 are flip-flops that hold data at the rising timing of CLK ′.
502 is a multiplier, which is an 8-bit 2-input signal (A,
B) as an input and an 8-bit signal (A × B) as a multiplication result.
/ 255) is output. 503 is also a multiplier, which inputs a 1-bit input signal (A) and an 8-bit input signal (B), multiplies them, and outputs an 8-bit output signal (A × B). An adder 504 inputs an 8-bit 2-input signal (A, B) and outputs an 8-bit signal (A + B) as an addition result.

As a result, in the integrator 306,
For a binary input signal x _i , an 8-bit output signal y _i is
It is expressed by the following equation (1). That is, y _i = (α / 255) y _i-1 + β · x _i-1 (1) Here, α and β are preset constants, and various characteristics of the integrator are determined by the magnitude of these values.

For example, in the case of α = 247 and β = 8, the output y _i as shown in FIG. 9 is output for the input x _{i- 1} as shown in FIG. Here, 701
Input such as 702, which is "1" even though the periphery is almost "0", or "0", even though the periphery is almost "1", such as the point 703. Some inputs are considered to be noise. This is processed by the integrator 306, and the registers 307-1 to 307- of FIG.
3 to 704-1 (R1), 704-2 (R2 value), 70
Noise can be removed by setting an appropriate threshold value such as 4-3 (R3 value) and binarizing the output y _i of the integrator with this.

[Comparison Module] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a comparator module 310 according to a general example. In the figure, 801, 802 and 803 are comparators,
804 is an inverter, 805 is an AND gate, 806,
Reference numerals 807 denote OR gates, respectively. As described in the description of FIG. 3, R1 is stored in the register 307-1, R2 is stored in the register 307-2, and R is stored in the register 307-3 in advance.
A value of 3 is set, and there is a relationship of R1>R2> R3. With this configuration, as a result, the determination result is quantized into 2 bits and output. That is, when R1 <(input), 11 (binary number) is output, when R2 <(input) ≦ R1, 10 (binary number) is output, and when R3 <(input) ≦ R2, 01 (binary number) is output. Binary number) is output, and if (input) ≦ R3, 00 (binary number) is output.

[Pattern Adding Circuit] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pattern adding circuit 410 according to a general example, and FIG. 14 is a top view of a document table according to the general example. Figure 1
1, 901 is a sub-scanning counter, 902 is a main scanning counter, 903 is a look-up table RAM (hereinafter referred to as “LUT”), 905 is a flip-flop, and 91.
3 is an AND gate, 906, 907, 908, 909 are registers, 910 is a 4to1 selector, 911, 913
Is an AND gate, and 912 is an adder. Reference numeral 914 denotes the image signal P after passing through the spatial filter.
This is a binarization circuit for binarizing, and it is 1 when the value of the image signal is larger than a predetermined threshold value, and 0 when it is small.
Is output. The binarized data output from the binarization circuit 914 is written in the dual port RAM 915. The image to be written in the dual port RAM 915 is an image written in a specific place of the image scanner unit 201 as indicated by 1201 in FIG. Moreover, the image is a component that cannot be easily exchanged among the components of the reader, that is, for example, the original platen glass (platen glass) 20.
Outside of 3 (frame part that supports glass) and Carriage 22
6 is attached to the lower surface of the upper plate within the reading range of the image sensor.

When writing an image in the dual port RAM 915, the CNO signal is set to "0" (magenta recording scan). That is, the image signal P is controlled so as to be a signal generated most depending on the green (G) signal of the CCD 210. This is because the green signal is the closest to the luminance signal of the image among the signals that can be easily created.

The dual port RAM 915 is the CPU 4
The stored contents are read by 14 via the data bus Data and the address bus Adr. Also RA
Since the M903 is also a dual port RAM (hereinafter referred to as "RAM"), the CPU 414 uses the data bus Data.
And the address bus Adr are used to write the same data as the data read from the RAM 915 to the RAM 903. Therefore, the above operation will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the service mode according to the general example. In the service mode, the CPU 414 sets the CNO signal to 0 (step S1501) and starts the pattern reading operation (step S1502). The CPU 414 sets the CPU address to the address of the dual port RAM 915 (step S1503), and the dual port RAM 91
The data of No. 5 is read (step S1504).

The CPU 414 stores the CPU address in the RAM.
Set to the address of 903 (step S1505),
The data read from the dual port RAM 915 is written into the RAM 903 (step S1506).
As an example, the pattern to be added to the specific original is read once when the main body is installed in a mode in which the service person can use only the service person.

Here, the sub-scanning counter 901 repeatedly counts the main scanning synchronizing signal HSYNC and the main scanning counter 902 repeatedly counts the pixel synchronizing signal CLK with a 9-bit width, that is, 512 cycles. As described above, the RAM 903 holds the pattern to be added, and the lower 6 bits of each of the count values of the sub-scanning counter 901 and the main scanning counter 902 are input.

Only one bit of the output of the RAM 903 is referred to, and the main scanning counter 90 is operated by the AND gate 904.
1 and the upper 3 bits of the sub-scanning counter 902 are logically ANDed, and the flip-flop 905 outputs the CLK signal.
The AND gate 913 is synchronized with the signal 2
After being ANDed with both the CN0 signal “0” and the CN0 signal “1” of the bit, it is sent to the AND gate 911. This is a valid signal only when CNO = 3, that is, currently being printed in yellow.

On the other hand, the registers 906, 907, 908,
The values P1, P2, P3, and P4 are held in advance in 909, and any one of P1 to P4 is selected according to the pattern level selection signal PS designated by the CPU 414, and the AND gate 911 is selected. After that, the adder 91
The pattern is added to the input signal V by 2 and V'is output. Therefore, when CN0 = 2, that is, when printing is currently performed in yellow, the pattern held in the RAM 903 is repeatedly read and added to the signal to be output.

Here, a relationship of P1 <P2 <P3 <P4 is set among P1, P2, P3 and P4. When s = 00 (binary number), the selector 910
When Y = A and s = 01 (binary number), Y = B and s = 10
The relation is set such that Y = C when (binary) and Y = D when s = 11 (binary). Therefore, when PS = 00 (binary number), V ′ = V + P1,
When PS = 01 (binary number), V '= V + P2, PS =
When 10 (binary number), V '= V + P3 and PS
= 11 (binary number), the pattern is added so that V '= V + P4.

Here, the pattern to be added is added only by the yellow toner so that it is difficult for the human eye to identify it. This is because the human eye distinguishes it from the pattern drawn by the yellow toner. It takes advantage of the weak ability. Further, by varying the level of the pattern to be added according to the possibility that a specific document exists in the input image, it is possible to make the pattern almost unrecognizable to human eyes in a normal copy. The more likely that is, the more clearly the pattern is added.

[Copy Result] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the copy result according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 10
Reference numeral 01 indicates the added pattern, and the RAM
The contents held in 903 are added. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the two-stage pattern of “ABCD” and “1234” is added in a pattern of 64 pixels × 64 pixels so that it is difficult for human eyes to identify, and 512 pixels for main scanning
This is repeated every 512 lines of sub-scanning. Therefore, by setting this as a machine-specific serial number or by encoding a serial number, it is possible to limit the copying apparatus by validating the copy.

Further, when there is a high possibility that a specific original document that should not be copied is present in the read image,
For example, a clear pattern can be added with black toner. Further, in the present embodiment, the pitch for adding the pattern is set to every 512 pixels (or lines) in the main scanning, but in the present embodiment, it is 400 dpi (dots / inc).
Since the resolution is h), a pattern will be added about every 32.5 mm. On the other hand, the width of banknotes (Bank of Japan notes) in the lateral direction is about 76 mm, and the width in the lateral direction of banknotes of major countries is also between about 60 mm and 120 mm, so the banknotes are copied. If this happens, this pattern will always be added to the inside of the copied bill. Therefore, even if only the banknotes are cut and misused, it is necessary to identify the copy and identify the information such as the machine number of the copying machine used for copying by reading the added pattern. You can

[Flowchart] FIG. 13 shows a CP of a general example.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a setting procedure of a pattern level selection signal PS by U414. First, immediately after the start of copying, in step S1102,
The pattern level selection signal PS is set to "0". Next, in step S1103, the current decision level H
And the value of PS are compared, and if H is larger, the value of H is set in PS in step S1104. If not, the process returns to step S1103. That is, depending on the history of the judgment signal H, the maximum value from the start of copying to the present is P
Set to S.

As described above, according to the general example, as a method for identifying the device, a specific pattern which is difficult for human eyes to identify should be added to the copy to be originally copied. When a non-specific original (for example, a banknote) is copied, it can be used as a clue to specify the copied device. Furthermore, by repeatedly adding a specific pattern at a pitch shorter than the length of the banknote in the short-side direction, a specific pattern is always added to the copy even if it is misused by cutting off a part of the copy. It is possible to identify or narrow down the copied device or the copied person by appraising this. <First Embodiment> Here, the structure of a color copying machine, which is the basis of the present embodiment, will be described.

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the main part of a color copying machine which is the basis of the first embodiment, FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of pattern superposition by the copying machine of FIG. 18, and FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a machine number pattern obtained according to the pattern superposition example of FIG. 19. First, the image forming method will be described.

In FIG. 18, the original 2101 placed on the original table glass 2102 is a light source 2103 and an optical lens 2.
An image is formed on the CCD 2105 by 104 and converted into an image signal according to the amount of received light. The image signal is A / D converted 210
After being converted into a digital value by 6, and image processing by the CPU 2107, the laser light source 2108 is driven.

The emitted laser light is a polygon mirror 20.
01 and the mirror 2002, the light is irradiated onto the photosensitive table drum 2004. The photosensitive drum 2004 is cleaned by a cleaning blade 2110 so that toner is not left on it beforehand, and then the charger 2
At 109, the photoconductor is uniformly charged.

First, the photosensitive drum 2004 on which a latent image is formed by scanning the laser beam with the Y (yellow) image signal rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. Then, development is performed by the developing device 2003Y. Further, the photoconductor drum 2004 is rotated so that the recording material 2006 is attracted to the transfer drum 2111, and the transfer charger 211 is attached.
2 transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 2004 onto the recording material 2006.

Next, after forming and developing a latent image with an M (magenta) image signal, multiple transfer is carried out onto the Y image on the recording material under the positional condition where the registration of the image is adjusted. Similarly, both C and Bk are subjected to image formation and multiple transfer, separated from the transfer drum 2111, and fixed to the fixing roller pair 2.
The image is fixed at 007, and the color image print is completed.

On the other hand, a machine number pattern generating circuit (not shown)
To generate a machine-specific pattern. Here, visually, the image signal of only Y (yellow), which has the lowest resolution, is superimposed on the density signal as shown in FIG. As for the machine number pattern, here, as shown in FIG. 20, the machine number is associated with a numerical pattern. The machine number pattern can be read by separating only the yellow signal by observing it through a 350 nm sharp band filter after a full-color image is formed, and even if it is forged, it is performed by any machine. It becomes possible to specify whether or not.

Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the color copying machine according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 17, the same components as those in FIG. 18 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, an example of a color copying machine in which a punching device 2008 is arranged at a portion for feeding a recording material such as paper will be given.

FIG. 21 shows a punch 200 according to the first embodiment.
8 is a diagram showing the arrangement of needles, FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of perforation according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of pattern imprinting on a recording material in the first embodiment. In this perforator 2008, a plurality of needles for making holes having a diameter of 0.1 mm are arranged on a straight line. As for the arrangement of the needles, as shown in FIG. 5, the machine number of the image forming apparatus was set according to the rule corresponding to the numbers.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the machine number is "362.
If it is 1 ", first, the * mark representing the start point is struck and the needles are arranged on the basis of the equally spaced reference lines. Further, as shown in FIG. Further, by arranging needle groups having the same pattern in the thrust direction and making a plurality of perforations where the recording material passes, the machine number can be deciphered later no matter which area is forged.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a full color image is formed by superimposing images formed of color materials of a plurality of colors, and information unique to the image forming apparatus is recorded on the recording material. In the image forming apparatus to be placed, by punching the recording material in the image forming apparatus with the information pattern unique to the image forming apparatus, the information unique to the image forming apparatus can be surely read. Second Embodiment Now, in the above-described first embodiment, the punching device 2008 is arranged in the sheet feeding portion. However, by punching before the image formation, the holes of the recording material are burred during the image formation. In the area of, the toner transfer state may differ during image formation, or in areas where a lot of high density toner is
The holes may be blocked, or the toner may squeeze from the holes to the back side, causing the back side to bleed, which may cause image defects and hinder the identification of the machine number.

Therefore, a second embodiment which is an improvement of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 24 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the color copying machine according to the second embodiment. 24, the same components as those in FIG. 17 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, a perforator 200 similar to the perforator 2008 is provided to cover the drawbacks of the first embodiment.
An example of a color copying machine in which 8 ′ is arranged at the rear of the fixing roller 2007 is given.

In this way, the punching pattern can be surely recognized, and the reading level can be improved by several steps. Third Embodiment Now, as a third embodiment, although not shown, a detector for needle breakage is installed in the perforator, and an operation confirmation circuit for the perforator is provided to detect these detectors.
If an error is found in the operation check, a warning message of a serviceman call will be displayed on the operation unit and
An example of a color copying machine in which the image forming apparatus is stopped so that image formation cannot be performed and protection is applied to prevent forgery can be given.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the laser beam printer has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to an ink jet printer and a thermal transfer printer. In particular, a so-called bubble jet type printer that uses a head that ejects droplets by utilizing film boiling due to thermal energy may be used. Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the color to be added is yellow, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, an inconspicuous color such as yellow green or gray, or lightness such as light purple or light green. May be a higher color.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the document image is input by the reader, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is input by a still video camera, a video camera, or created by computer graphics. It may have been done. The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image by superimposing images formed of color materials of a plurality of colors, and in which information unique to the image forming apparatus is placed on the recording material, the recording material is unique to the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus. By making a hole with the information pattern, the information peculiar to the image forming apparatus can be surely read.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image scanner unit 201 according to a general example.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a copying machine as a general example.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a determination circuit 409 according to a general example.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a thinning circuit according to a general example.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a frequency dividing circuit according to a general example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an integrator 306 according to a general example.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of signals in the main scanning direction in a general example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing inputs and outputs of an integrator 306 according to a general example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing inputs and outputs of an integrator 306 according to a general example.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a comparator module 310 according to a general example.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pattern adding circuit 410 according to a general example.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a copy result according to a general example.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a setting procedure of a pattern level selection signal PS by a CPU 414 in a general example.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a document table according to a general example.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a service mode according to a general example.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a relationship between a CNO signal and a print output according to a general example.

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the color copying machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a color copying machine which is the basis of the first embodiment.

19 is a diagram illustrating an example of pattern superposition by the copying machine in FIG.

20 is a diagram showing an example of a machine number pattern obtained according to the pattern superposition example of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a view showing the arrangement of needles of the perforator 2008 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of punching according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of pattern imprinting on a recording material in the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a color copying machine according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 Image Scanner Section 202 Printer Section 203 Original Plate Glass 204 Original 205 Lamp 206, 207, 208 Mirror 209 Lens 210 3 Line Sensor 211 Signal Processing Section 226 Carriage 212 Laser Driver 213 Semiconductor Laser 214 Polygon Mirror 215 f-θ Lens 216 Mirror 217 Photosensitive drum 2001 Polygon mirror 2002 Mirror 2003 Developing device 2004 Photosensitive drum 2006 Recording material 2007 Fixing roller 2008, 2008 'Punch 2101 Original 2102 Original plate glass 2103 Light source 2104 Optical lens 2105 CCD 2106 Laser 2111 Transfer drum

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a recording means for recording a color image on a recording material, a supplying means for supplying a recording material for recording a color image, and a supplying means for supplying the recording material before carrying out the recording means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a punching unit that punches a predetermined pattern on the recording material. 2. An image forming apparatus having a recording means for recording a color image on a recording material, the supplying means for supplying the recording material, and the recording material supplied by the supplying means after carrying out the recording means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a punching unit that punches a pattern. 3. The size of the hole formed by the boring means is 0.5.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image forming apparatus has a size of not more than mm. 4. A detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the perforating means, a display means for displaying a warning when the detecting means detects an abnormality, and an operation for detecting an abnormality by the detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stopping unit that stops the image forming apparatus.