Image forming device

Abstract

To read stereoscopic image information on a document with high accuracy.SOLUTION: An image reading device 7 comprises: a visible light image reading unit 51 that reads a visible light image on a document G as plane image information; and an invisible light image reading unit 52 that reads an invisible light image on the document G as stereoscopic image information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides Image forming device Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is equipped with an image reading device that reads an image on a document using an optical sensor or the like.

[0003] While this type of image reading device is primarily designed to read two-dimensional images, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 11-41394A) proposes an image reading device that reads three-dimensional images such as Braille. The image reading device described in Patent Document 1 reads uneven information on a document using a roller with multiple conductors on its surface. Specifically, a sheet with many linear conductors is placed on top of the document on which a three-dimensional image is formed, and the roller is moved while rotating along the sheet. At this time, the roller comes into contact with the conductors in the convex portions of the sheet, which deforms to follow the uneven shape of the document, and the terminals connected to the conductors become conductive, thereby detecting the position coordinates of the convex portions and reading the three-dimensional image on the document. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The image reading device proposed in the above Patent Document 1 can read unevenness information (position coordinates of convex portions) of a document. However, in this case, the unevenness information is read by a rotating roller that indirectly contacts the convex portions on the document via a sheet, which can lead to errors in reading the unevenness information, making it difficult to read three-dimensional image information with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the image formationThe device includes a visible light image reading unit that reads a visible light image on a document as two-dimensional image information, and an invisible light image reading unit that reads an invisible light image on the document as three-dimensional image information. a two-dimensional image forming unit that forms a two-dimensional image on a recording medium based on two-dimensional image information obtained from the visible light image reading unit, and a three-dimensional image forming unit that forms a three-dimensional image on the recording medium based on three-dimensional image information obtained from the invisible light image reading unit. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to read stereoscopic image information on a document with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional image forming agent. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a three-dimensional image forming operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control flow of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the image reading device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another control flow of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an original on which marks are attached to designate the colors of the portions to be formed as a three-dimensional image. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a document with marks attached to read all images as stereoscopic image information. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another control flow of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a solid image made up of multiple solid image-forming agents. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing three-dimensional image-forming agents with different particle sizes. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of three-dimensional images with different thicknesses. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another control flow of the image reading apparatus. [Figure 15]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional image forming agent in which the wavelength range of the ultraviolet reflective component is changed for each particle size. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image reading device that reads an image formed using special toner. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow when special toner is used. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus. [Figure 19] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a three-dimensional image forming unit is disposed upstream of a two-dimensional image forming unit in a paper transport direction. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a flat image forming unit is disposed upstream of a three-dimensional image forming unit in a paper transport direction. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of a three-dimensional image-forming agent. [Figure 22] 22 is an enlarged view of a stereoscopic image formed using the stereoscopic image-forming agent shown in FIG. 21. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing for explaining the present invention, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are designated by the same reference numerals as far as they can be distinguished, and descriptions thereof will be omitted once they have been described.

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described as a copier, but the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function or the like in addition to a copier. First, the overall configuration and basic operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an image reading unit 100 that reads an image of a document, a flat image forming unit 200 that forms a flat image on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper, a three-dimensional image forming unit 300 that forms a three-dimensional image on the recording medium, a fixing unit 400 that fixes the image on the recording medium, a recording medium supply unit 500 that supplies the recording medium to the flat image forming unit 200, and a recording medium discharge unit 600 that discharges the recording medium outside the apparatus.

[0011] The image reading unit 100 is provided with an image reading device 7 that can distinguish between two-dimensional image information and three-dimensional image information on a document. The image reading device 7 includes a contact glass 25 on which the document G is placed, a pressure plate 26 as a pressing member that presses down on the document G placed on the contact glass 25, and a carriage 27 as a moving reading unit that reads the image on the document G while moving horizontally along the contact glass 25. The carriage 27 is equipped with a light source (light-emitting element) that irradiates light onto the document G on the contact glass 25, a reflecting mirror that directs the light reflected from the document G in a predetermined direction, and the like. The image reading device 7 also includes a condenser lens that converges the light reflected from the document G, and a CCD sensor that converts the converged reflected light into an electrical signal and outputs it as image information.

[0012] The planar image forming section 200 is provided with four process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10Bk as imaging units, an exposure device 6 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 2 provided in each of the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10Bk, and a transfer device 8 that transfers the image onto a recording medium.

[0013] Each of the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10Bk has basically the same configuration, except that it contains toner (developer) of a different color: yellow, magenta, cyan, or black, which corresponds to the color separation components of a color image. Specifically, each of the process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10Bk includes a photoconductor 2 as an image carrier that carries an image on its surface, a charging member 3 that charges the surface of the photoconductor 2, a developing device 4 that supplies toner as developer to the surface of the photoconductor 2 to form a toner image, and a cleaning member 5 that cleans the surface of the photoconductor 2.

[0014] The transfer device 8 includes an intermediate transfer belt 11, a primary transfer roller 12, and a secondary transfer roller 13. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is an endless belt member that is stretched by a plurality of support rollers. Four primary transfer rollers 12 are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 11. Each primary transfer roller 12 contacts each photoconductor 2 via the intermediate transfer belt 11, thereby forming a primary transfer nip between the intermediate transfer belt 11 and each photoconductor 2. The secondary transfer roller 13 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip.

[0015] The three-dimensional image forming section 300 is provided with an adhesive supplying device 30 that supplies an adhesive to the recording medium, and a three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 31 that supplies a three-dimensional image forming agent. The three-dimensional image forming agent is made up of particles with a larger diameter than the toner that forms the two-dimensional image, and is adhered to the recording medium via the adhesive supplied from the adhesive supplying device 30.

[0016] The fixing section 400 is provided with a fixing device 20 for heating the recording medium to fix the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image on the recording medium to the recording medium. The fixing device 20 includes a pair of rotating bodies 21 and 22 that come into contact with each other to form a fixing nip. Of the pair of rotating bodies 21 and 22, the rotating body 21, which is disposed on the image bearing surface side of the recording medium, has a heat source 23 such as a heater inside.

[0017] The recording medium supply unit 500 is provided with a paper feed cassette 14 that stores paper P as a recording medium, and a paper feed roller 15 that feeds paper P from the paper feed cassette 14. Hereinafter, the "recording medium" will be described as "paper," but the "recording medium" is not limited to paper (paper). The "recording medium" includes not only paper (paper), but also transparencies or fabrics, metal sheets, plastic films, or prepreg sheets made of carbon fiber pre-impregnated with resin. In addition to plain paper, "paper" also includes cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and the like.

[0018] The recording medium discharge section 600 is provided with a pair of discharge rollers 17 that discharge the paper P outside the image forming apparatus, and a paper discharge tray 18 on which the paper P discharged by the discharge rollers 17 is placed.

[0019] Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] First, with the document G placed on the contact glass 25 of the image reading device 7, the carriage 27 moves horizontally while irradiating light from the light source onto the document G. As a result, the light reflected from the document G is received by the CCD sensor, and the image information of the document G is read.

[0021] Next, each photoconductor 2 begins to rotate, and each charging member 3 charges the surface of each photoconductor 2 to a uniform high potential. Then, based on the planar image information among the image information of the document G read by the image reading device 7, the exposure device 6 exposes the surface (charged surface) of each photoconductor 2. As a result, the potential of the exposed portion decreases, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photoconductor 2. Then, each developing device 4 supplies toner to this electrostatic latent image, and a toner image (planar image) of each color is formed on each photoconductor 2.

[0022] Thereafter, as the toner images on each photoconductor 2 reach the primary transfer nip (the position of the primary transfer roller 12) as the photoconductor 2 rotates, they are transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 11 in a sequentially overlapping manner. In this way, a full-color toner image (flat image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Note that it is also possible to form a monochromatic image using any one of the four color process units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10Bk, or to form a two- or three-color image using any two or three of them. After the toner images are transferred from each photoconductor 2 to the intermediate transfer belt 11, residual toner and the like are removed from each photoconductor 2 by a cleaning member 5.

[0023] The toner image (flat image) transferred onto intermediate transfer belt 11 is transported to the secondary transfer nip (position of secondary transfer roller 13) as intermediate transfer belt 11 rotates, and is transferred onto paper P at the secondary transfer nip. This paper P is paper supplied from paper feed cassette 14, and paper P is sent out from paper feed cassette 14 as paper feed roller 15 rotates. The sent-out paper P is stopped temporarily by a pair of timing rollers 16, and then transported by timing roller 16 in time with the toner image on intermediate transfer belt 11 reaching the secondary transfer nip.

[0024] The paper P onto which the toner image (flat image) has been transferred is then transported to the three-dimensional image forming section 300. In the three-dimensional image forming section 300, an adhesive supplying device 30 ejects adhesive onto the paper P based on three-dimensional image information from among the image information read by the image reading device 7. Next, a three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 31 supplies three-dimensional image forming agent to the adhesive-adhered portion on the paper P, thereby forming a three-dimensional image.

[0025] The paper P is then transported to the fixing device 20 and passes between a pair of rotating bodies 21, 22 (fixing nip). At this time, the paper P is heated and pressurized, so that the toner image (2D image) and 3D image on the paper P are fixed to the paper P. The paper P is then transported to the recording medium discharge section 600 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 18 by the paper discharge rollers 17. This completes the series of image forming operations. Note that "image formation" includes not only the formation of meaningful images such as characters, figures, and symbols, but also the formation of meaningless images such as patterns.

[0026] As described above, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment can form a two-dimensional image based on the two-dimensional image information and a three-dimensional image based on the three-dimensional image information among the image information read by the image reading device 7. That is, the image reading device 7 according to this embodiment can read the image information on the document while distinguishing between two-dimensional image information and three-dimensional image information.

[0027] Hereinafter, a mechanism by which the image reading device 7 according to this embodiment can read two-dimensional image information and three-dimensional image information separately will be described.

[0028] 2, the image reading device 7 according to this embodiment includes a visible light emitting unit 41 that emits visible light and an invisible light emitting unit 42 that emits invisible light as light sources that irradiate light onto the document G. The image reading device 7 also includes a visible light receiving unit 51 that receives visible light and an invisible light receiving unit 52 that receives invisible light as light receiving units that receive light reflected from the document G.

[0029] 2, a two-dimensional image A that reflects visible light and a three-dimensional image B that reflects invisible light may be formed on the document G used in this embodiment. This two-dimensional image A is an image formed in the two-dimensional image forming unit 200, and is formed using toner containing visible light-reflecting components such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. On the other hand, the three-dimensional image B is an image formed in the three-dimensional image forming unit 300. The three-dimensional image forming agent used to form the three-dimensional image B contains an invisible light-reflecting component that reflects invisible light such as ultraviolet light or infrared light.

[0030] 2, when light is irradiated onto the original G from the light source (visible light emitter 41 and invisible light emitter 42) of the image reading device 7, mainly visible light is reflected in the area of ​​the 2D image A, and mainly invisible light is reflected in the area of ​​the 3D image B. The visible light reflected in the area of ​​the 2D image A is received by the visible light receiving unit 51 of the image reading device 7 and read as 2D image information. The invisible light reflected in the area of ​​the 3D image B is received by the invisible light receiving unit 52 of the image reading device 7 and read as 3D image information. As described above, the image reading device 7 according to this embodiment includes the visible light receiving unit 51 as a visible light image reading unit that reads the visible light image (2D image A that reflects visible light) on the original G as 2D image information, and the invisible light receiving unit 52 as an invisible light image reading unit that reads the invisible light image (3D image B that reflects invisible light) on the original G as 3D image information.

[0031] 2, the image reading device 7 according to this embodiment includes an image information discrimination unit 60 that distinguishes between two-dimensional image information and three-dimensional image information from the light reception signals of the visible light receiving unit 51 and the invisible light receiving unit 52. The image information discrimination unit 60 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer having a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The image information discrimination unit 60 may be provided in the image reading device 7, or may be provided in an image forming apparatus main body separate from the image reading device 7.

[0032] When the image information discrimination unit 60 distinguishes between two-dimensional image information and three-dimensional image information, the image information discrimination unit 60 instructs the two-dimensional image forming unit 200 to form a two-dimensional image based on the two-dimensional image information. The image information discrimination unit 60 also instructs the three-dimensional image forming unit 300 to form a three-dimensional image based on the three-dimensional image information. Upon receiving the image formation instruction, the two-dimensional image forming unit 200 forms a toner image on the photoreceptor 2 based on the two-dimensional image information, as described above, and transfers the toner image to the paper P via the intermediate transfer belt 11. Upon receiving the image formation instruction, the three-dimensional image forming unit 300 ejects adhesive onto the paper P based on the three-dimensional image information using the adhesive supplying device 30, and then supplies the three-dimensional image forming agent to the adhesive-adhered portions of the paper P using the three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 31, thereby forming a three-dimensional image.

[0033] In this embodiment, solid particles as shown in FIG. 3 are used as the three-dimensional image forming agent. The three-dimensional image forming agent is not limited to solid particles, but may also be liquid or semi-liquid. Specifically, the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of a core material 33 containing an invisible light reflective component 40 and a coating material 34 covering the surface of the core material 33. The core material 33 is composed of a material with a melting temperature higher than the temperature to which it is heated by the fixing device. Therefore, even when paper coated with the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 passes through the fixing device, the core material 33 does not melt and its shape is largely maintained. On the other hand, the coating material 34 is composed of a material with a melting temperature lower than the temperature to which it is heated by the fixing device, and therefore melts when heated by the fixing device.

[0034] 4, when forming a three-dimensional image on paper P, first, adhesive 50 is discharged onto paper P from adhesive supply device 30. Adhesive supply device 30 has adhesive container 55 that stores adhesive 50 and discharge outlet 56 that discharges adhesive 50 from adhesive container 55, and adhesive is discharged from discharge outlet 56 onto the portion of paper P where the three-dimensional image is to be formed. Note that the "portion where the three-dimensional image is to be formed" here means the portion on paper P where the three-dimensional image is to be formed that is determined based on the three-dimensional image information on document G read by image reading device 7.

[0035] Next, the paper P is transported to the three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 31, which supplies the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 to the adhesive-adhered portions of the paper P. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 31 includes a three-dimensional image forming agent container 45 that stores the three-dimensional image forming agent 32, a carrier 46 that can support the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 on its surface, and a regulating member 47 that regulates the amount of the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 on the carrier 46. When the carrier 46 rotates, the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 supported on the carrier 46 passes through the regulating member 47, thereby regulating the amount of the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 to a predetermined amount, and the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 is supplied to the adhesive-adhered portions of the paper P.

[0036] Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed to the fixing device, where it is heated and pressurized. At this time, the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 on the paper P is heated, causing the covering material 34 to melt. After the paper P passes through the fixing device, the covering material 34 solidifies, thereby fixing the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 (core material 33) to the paper P. In addition, to further improve the fixability of the three-dimensional image forming agent 32, a device for supplying a coating agent such as a protective agent or a binder may be disposed between the three-dimensional image forming agent supply device 31 and the fixing device 20.

[0037] In this way, the three-dimensional image on paper output by the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is formed by the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 containing invisible light reflective components, so if the document is used as a document to be read, the three-dimensional image on the document can be read by the image reading device 7. Then, it is possible to copy the three-dimensional image on paper based on the read three-dimensional image information.

[0038] 5, in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, when an image on a document is read by the image reading device 7 and an invisible light image is found on the document (when reflection of invisible light having the same wavelength as the invisible light reflection component contained in the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 is detected), a three-dimensional image is formed on paper based on the invisible light image information. Also, when a visible light image is found on the document in addition to an invisible light image (when reflection of visible light having the same wavelength as the visible light reflection component of the toner is detected), a two-dimensional image based on the visible light image information is formed on paper in addition to a three-dimensional image based on the invisible light image information. On the other hand, when there is no invisible light image on the document, only a two-dimensional image is formed on paper based on the information of the read visible light image.

[0039] As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, the image reading device 7 includes a visible light image reading unit that reads a visible light image on a document as two-dimensional image information and an invisible light image reading unit that reads an invisible light image on the document as three-dimensional image information, thereby enabling the two-dimensional image information on the document and the three-dimensional image information to be reliably distinguished and recognized. Furthermore, because the three-dimensional image information on the document is optically read by the image reading device 7, the three-dimensional image information can be read with higher accuracy than in a configuration that uses rollers to read three-dimensional image information, as described in Patent Document 1. This improves the reproducibility of the three-dimensional image reproduced based on the read image information.

[0040] In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reproduce a three-dimensional image on paper by reading the invisible light image on the original document, as long as the original document is produced using a three-dimensional image forming agent containing an invisible light reflecting component. Note that the original document must be produced by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment based on print image information sent from a computer or terminal device.

[0041] However, in commonly produced three-dimensional image manuscripts such as Braille, the three-dimensional image portion does not contain invisible light reflection components, and therefore the three-dimensional image information cannot be read as is by the reading device 7 according to this embodiment. Therefore, in order to improve convenience, it is preferable to be able to copy the three-dimensional image information on such manuscripts.

[0042] The following example will be described as an example in which a three-dimensional image can be formed even when a general document that does not contain invisible light reflection components is used.

[0043] 6, the image forming apparatus in this example is equipped with the image information discrimination unit 60 that distinguishes image information into two-dimensional image information and three-dimensional image information, as well as a color designation unit 61 that designates the color of the portion of the visible light image on the document that is to be formed as a three-dimensional image. The color designation unit 61 is an input unit provided on, for example, the control panel of the image forming apparatus, and is operated when the user designates the color of the portion of the visible light image on the document that the user wants to form as a three-dimensional image.

[0044] 7, in this example, when an image on a document is read, it is determined whether or not a 3D image formation mode is selected in the image forming apparatus. The 3D image formation mode can be selected by the user, for example, via a control panel provided on the image forming apparatus.

[0045] If the three-dimensional image formation mode is selected, the image information determination unit 60 then determines whether or not an invisible light image is present on the document. If an invisible light image is present on the document, a three-dimensional image is formed on the paper based on the invisible light image information. If a visible light image is present on the document in addition to the invisible light image, a two-dimensional image is formed on the paper based on the visible light image information in addition to the three-dimensional image based on the invisible light image information.

[0046] On the other hand, if there is no invisible light image on the document, it is further determined whether or not a color has been specified in the color specification unit 61. If there is a color specification, only the portion of the visible light image on the document that has the specified color is formed on the paper as a three-dimensional image. Note that portions of colors other than the specified color are formed on the paper as a two-dimensional image. Furthermore, if there is no invisible light image on the document and no color specification as a result of reading the image on the document, all of the read visible light image is formed on the paper as a two-dimensional image.

[0047] 7, by specifying the color of the portion to be formed as a 3D image, it is possible to form a 3D image from a general document that does not contain an invisible light reflection component. For example, if the document contains Braille that does not contain an invisible light reflection component, by coloring the Braille portion black and selecting black in the color specification, the black Braille portion can be formed as a 3D image (Braille) on the paper. Similarly, even if the document contains only a 2D image, by selecting the 3D image formation mode and specifying the color, the portion of the specified color can be formed as a 3D image.

[0048] Furthermore, if it is not necessary to form a three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image forming mode should not be selected, and the normal two-dimensional image forming mode should be selected. In this case, all of the scanned images are formed on paper as two-dimensional images, regardless of whether the scanned images are only visible light images, only invisible light images, or both visible and invisible light images.

[0049] 7, the presence or absence of an invisible light image on the document is determined with priority over the presence or absence of a color specification, but conversely, the presence or absence of a color specification may be determined with priority over the presence or absence of an invisible light image on the document. Also, the presence or absence of an invisible light image on the document and the presence or absence of a color specification may be determined in parallel, and control may be performed to form both the invisible light image portion and the color-specified portion as a three-dimensional image.

[0050] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user specifies a color using a color specification unit 61 such as a control panel. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, a mark 70 indicating the color specification may be attached to the document G in advance. That is, a mark 70 consisting of a symbol or letter is attached to a part (such as a corner) of the document G on which a visible light image is formed. When the image on the document G is read by the image reading device 7, the mark 70 is also read, thereby enabling automatic determination of the color of the part to be formed as a three-dimensional image. The mark 70 may be formed using a visible light image or an invisible light image. Furthermore, if a plurality of different marks 70 are prepared for each specified color, the range of color specification is expanded, thereby improving convenience.

[0051] Next, the example shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which a mark 71 is attached on the document G to read all images as stereoscopic image information.

[0052] In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, when an image on a document is read by an image reading device and the mark 71 shown in Fig. 9 is found on the document, all of the images on the document G except for the mark 71 are formed on the paper as a three-dimensional image, regardless of whether they are visible light images or invisible light images. Note that the mark 71 may be a visible light image or an invisible light image.

[0053] This example can be used, for example, when you want to overlay a three-dimensional image such as Braille on paper such as a poster that has already been printed. A pre-printed poster is placed in the paper feed cassette of an image forming device, and when an original G (see FIG. 9) bearing black dots indicating the Braille portions and the above-mentioned mark 71 is read by an image reading device, the read black dot portions are recognized as a three-dimensional image, and Braille corresponding to the black dot portions is formed on the fed poster. In this way, if there is a mark 71 that reads the entire image on the original G as three-dimensional image information, there is no need to specify the color of the portions you want to make into a three-dimensional image, making it easier to form a three-dimensional image.

[0054] In Figure 10, the control when there is no mark 71 to be read as a three-dimensional image is basically the same as the control of whether or not there is an invisible light image on the document and the control of whether or not there is a color specification shown in Figure 7, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0055] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be used not only for forming Braille but also for forming three-dimensional images other than Braille, such as oil paintings with uneven surfaces. When using the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for Braille, the thickness t of the three-dimensional image B (Braille) composed of multiple three-dimensional image-forming agents 32 must be 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, as shown in FIG. 11(a). Therefore, the particle diameter d (see FIG. 3) of the core material 33 of the three-dimensional image-forming agent 32 is preferably 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. Furthermore, when three-dimensional image-forming agents 32 are stacked to form a three-dimensional image with a more complex uneven surface, such as an oil painting, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the particle diameter d of the core material 33 of the three-dimensional image-forming agent 32 is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The "thickness" of the three-dimensional image here and in the following description refers to the height of the three-dimensional image B protruding from the image-forming surface of the document G or paper P.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a case where a three-dimensional image is formed using one type of three-dimensional image forming agent 32 (see FIG. 3) has been described, but the three-dimensional image forming agent may contain two or more types of particles with different particle sizes.

[0057] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 may contain two types of particles: small diameter particles 32a and large diameter particles 32b that are larger than the small diameter particles 32a.

[0058] In this way, by using three-dimensional image-forming agents with different particle sizes, it is possible to form three-dimensional images of different thicknesses. For example, it is possible to form a three-dimensional image consisting only of small-diameter particles 32a as shown in Figure 13(a), a three-dimensional image consisting only of large-diameter particles 32b as shown in Figure 13(b), and a three-dimensional image consisting of both small-diameter particles 32a and large-diameter particles 32b as shown in Figure 13(c). Therefore, by using three-dimensional image-forming agents with different particle sizes, it is possible to form three-dimensional images with complex textures, such as oil paintings.

[0059] The particle size ratio of the small-diameter particles 32a to the large-diameter particles 32b is preferably about 2. In particular, when forming a three-dimensional image by stacking particles in three or more layers, the particle size ratio may be 3 or 4. Furthermore, by using three or more types of particles with different particle sizes, it is possible to form an image with a more complex texture.

[0060] Here, the small-diameter particles 32a and the large-diameter particles 32b contain invisible light reflective components in different wavelength ranges. Specifically, the small-diameter particles 32a contain ultraviolet reflective components in the wavelength range of 380 nm or less, while the large-diameter particles 32b contain infrared reflective components in the wavelength range of 780 nm or more.

[0061] Therefore, if an image reading device can distinguish and read invisible light reflection components in different wavelength ranges, it can identify the three-dimensional image formed using these particles 32 a, 32 b. That is, the image reading device only needs to have an ultraviolet light receiving unit (first invisible light receiving unit) that receives reflected light in the ultraviolet wavelength range (380 [nm] or less) and an infrared light receiving unit (second invisible light receiving unit) that receives reflected light in the infrared wavelength range (780 [nm] or more).

[0062] This allows the image reading device to distinguish and read three-dimensional images of different thicknesses, such as those shown in (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 13. In this case, as shown in Figure 14, when the image reading device reads a document, the portion where both ultraviolet and infrared light are received is identified as a three-dimensional image consisting of both small-diameter particles 32a and large-diameter particles 32b, the portion where only ultraviolet light is received is identified as a three-dimensional image consisting only of small-diameter particles 32a, and the portion where only infrared light is received is identified as a three-dimensional image consisting only of large-diameter particles 32b. Note that if neither ultraviolet nor infrared light is received, it is determined that there is no three-dimensional image.

[0063] In this way, since the image reading device is configured to be able to read invisible light reflection components in different wavelength ranges, it becomes possible to distinguish between three-dimensional images of different thicknesses, thereby enabling the reproduction of three-dimensional images with complex textures.

[0064] In the above example, particles containing an ultraviolet ray reflective component are designated as small diameter particles 32a, and particles containing an infrared ray reflective component are designated as large diameter particles 32b, but particles containing an ultraviolet ray reflective component may be divided into two wavelength ranges with different particle sizes, as in the example shown in Fig. 15. For example, particles containing an ultraviolet ray reflective component in the wavelength range of 360 [nm] to 400 [nm] are designated as small diameter particles 32c, and particles containing an ultraviolet ray reflective component in the wavelength range of 280 [nm] to 320 [nm] are designated as large diameter particles 32d.

[0065] In addition, by making it possible for the image reading device to distinguish and read the ultraviolet reflection components in the wavelength range of 360 [nm] to 400 [nm] and the ultraviolet reflection components in the wavelength range of 280 [nm] to 320 [nm], it becomes possible to identify a three-dimensional image consisting of either or both of the particles 32c and 32d.

[0066] The wavelength ranges of the ultraviolet reflective component divided by particle size may be three or more. Furthermore, particles containing an infrared reflective component may also be divided into two or more wavelength ranges with different particle sizes. By dividing the wavelength ranges of the ultraviolet reflective component and the infrared reflective component by particle size, the thickness of the three-dimensional image depending on the combination of particle sizes becomes more diverse, allowing the texture of the three-dimensional image to be reproduced in greater detail.

[0067] Furthermore, the 3D image forming agent used in the present invention is not limited to particles composed of a core material 33 and a coating material 34 as described above, but may also be particles containing a foaming agent, as described in Japanese Patent No. 4356714. The foaming agent may be, for example, a foaming agent whose main ingredient is a substance that generates gas upon thermal decomposition. When an image is formed on paper using particles containing a foaming agent, and the paper is transported to a fixing device and heated, the foaming agent foams, forming a 3D image on the paper. If such particles containing a foaming agent also contain an invisible light reflecting component, the 3D image can be optically read by an image reading device, just like the 3D image forming agent described in the above embodiment. This improves reading accuracy and the reproducibility of the 3D image based on the read image information.

[0068] In the above embodiment, a two-dimensional image is formed using a toner containing a visible light reflecting component, and a three-dimensional image is formed using a three-dimensional image forming agent containing an invisible light reflecting component, but some types of black toner contain an invisible light reflecting component in addition to a visible light reflecting component. When such special toner is used, an image that would normally be judged as a two-dimensional image is judged as a three-dimensional image.

[0069] Therefore, it is preferable to select whether a two-dimensional image formed with a special toner that also contains an invisible light reflection component is to be recognized as a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when a two-dimensional image C formed with a special toner that also contains an invisible light reflection component in addition to a visible light reflection component is read by the image reading device 7, i.e., when the visible light receiving unit 51 receives visible light corresponding to the color of the special toner and the invisible light receiving unit 52 receives invisible light, the image information determining unit 60 determines that the two-dimensional image C was formed with the special toner. In this case, based on information from the image information determining unit 60, an operator such as a user selects whether to form the image as a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image using a selecting unit 62 provided in the image forming device. As a result, if a three-dimensional image is selected, the image is formed as a three-dimensional image, and if a two-dimensional image is selected, the image is formed as a two-dimensional image. When only visible light of a toner other than the special toner is received, the image is formed as a two-dimensional image because it is a two-dimensional image formed with a normal toner, and when only invisible light is received, the image is formed as a three-dimensional image because it is a three-dimensional image formed using a three-dimensional image forming agent. This series of steps is shown in Figure 17.

[0070] In this way, if the scanned image contains a two-dimensional image formed with a special toner that also contains invisible light reflecting components, the user can select whether to form the scanned image as a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image, thereby expanding the range of usable toners and improving convenience. Note that, in image scanning devices that do not have such a function, it is preferable to use a toner that does not contain invisible light reflecting components.

[0071] Furthermore, the image forming device in which the image reading device of the present invention is installed is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming device that forms a flat image using toner as described above, but may also be an inkjet image forming device that forms a flat image using ink.

[0072] FIG. 18 shows an example in which an image reading device according to the present invention is mounted on an inkjet image forming apparatus.

[0073] 18 includes an image reading device 81 that reads an image of an original G, an ink ejection head 82 that forms a two-dimensional image on paper using liquid ink, an adhesive supplying device 83 that supplies adhesive to paper, a three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 84 that supplies a three-dimensional image forming agent, a paper feed roller 86 that supplies paper P stored in a paper feed cassette 85, and a paper ejection roller 87 that ejects paper outside the device. The ink ejection head 82 may be a so-called serial type that ejects ink while moving in the main scanning direction (paper width direction), or a so-called line type that ejects ink from multiple ink ejection heads lined up in the main scanning direction without moving. The image reading device 81, adhesive supply device 83, three-dimensional image forming agent supply device 84, paper feed cassette 85, paper feed roller 86, and paper discharge roller 87 provided in the inkjet type image forming device 80 are basically the same in configuration and function as the image reading device 7, adhesive supply device 30, three-dimensional image forming agent supply device 31, paper feed cassette 14, paper feed roller 15, and paper discharge roller 17 provided in the image forming device 1 shown in Figure 1, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0074] 18, when image information of an original G is read by an image reading device 81, an adhesive supplying device 83 ejects adhesive onto a sheet of paper P fed from a paper feed cassette 85 based on three-dimensional image information from the read image information. Next, a three-dimensional image forming agent supplying device 84 supplies a three-dimensional image forming agent to the adhesive-adhered portion of the sheet of paper P, thereby forming a three-dimensional image.

[0075] The paper P is then transported below the ink ejection head 82, and the ink ejection head 82 ejects ink onto the paper P to form a two-dimensional image based on the two-dimensional image information among the image information read by the image reading device 81. The paper P is then ejected outside the device by the paper ejection rollers 87.

[0076] In this way, by applying the present invention to an inkjet image forming device 80 that forms two-dimensional images using ink, it is possible to expect improved reading accuracy for reading three-dimensional images and improved reproducibility of three-dimensional images based on the read image information.

[0077] 19, in the case of an inkjet image forming apparatus, ink can be ejected onto a three-dimensional image B formed on a sheet of paper P to form a two-dimensional image A, so that the three-dimensional image forming agent supply device 84 (three-dimensional image forming unit) can be disposed upstream of the ink ejection head 82 (two-dimensional image forming unit) in the paper transport direction. In this case, the ink adheres onto the three-dimensional image B, ensuring good visibility of the ink.

[0078] On the other hand, in the case of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is difficult to transfer a toner image (flat image) onto a three-dimensional image, so it is preferable to first transfer the toner image onto paper P to form a flat image A, and then form a three-dimensional image B, as shown in Figure 20. In this case, it is also preferable that the three-dimensional image forming agent be made of a transparent material to ensure visibility of the toner present under the three-dimensional image B.

[0079] The three-dimensional image forming agent used in the present invention may also be composed of a core material 33 containing an invisible light reflecting component 40 and a color component (visible light reflecting component) 39, as shown in FIG. 21, and a coating material 35 having adhesive affinity that covers the surface of the core material 33. In this case, when the three-dimensional image forming agent is supplied to the adhesive application location on the paper, the coating material 35 of the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 bonds with the adhesive due to its adhesive affinity, and as shown in FIG. 22, the core material 33 is adhered so as to be embedded in the adhesive 50 on the paper P. Thereafter, the adhesive 50 solidifies, thereby adhering the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 (core material 33) to the paper P. In this case, because the core material 33 contains the color component 39, a visible three-dimensional image can be formed without the need for a separate application of ink or the like. The adhesive 50 may be one that solidifies naturally upon contact with air, or one that contains a component that solidifies in response to ultraviolet light. If the adhesive 50 contains an ultraviolet-hardening component, the adhesive 50 can be hardened by supplying the three-dimensional image forming agent 32 to the adhesive attachment location and then irradiating the adhesive 50 with ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet irradiation device.

[0080] Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Image forming device 7 Image reader 32 Three-dimensional image forming agents 51 Visible light receiving unit (visible light image reading unit) 52 invisible light receiving unit (invisible light image reading unit) 100 Image reading unit 200 Planar image forming section 300 3D image forming unit G Manuscript P Paper (recording medium) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0082] [License 1] Special Announcement No. 11-41394

Claims

1. a visible light image reading unit that reads a visible light image on a document as planar image information; an invisible light image reading unit that reads the invisible light image on the document as three-dimensional image information; a flat image forming unit that forms a flat image on a recording medium based on flat image information obtained from the visible light image reading unit; an image forming apparatus comprising: a stereoscopic image forming unit that forms a stereoscopic image on the recording medium based on stereoscopic image information obtained from the invisible light image reading unit;

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the invisible light image reading unit reads the invisible light image on the document as Braille image information.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the invisible light image reading unit reads invisible light images in different wavelength regions as three-dimensional image information having different thicknesses.

4. A visible light image reading unit that reads a visible light image on a document as planar image information; an invisible light image reading unit that reads the invisible light image on the document as three-dimensional image information; a flat image forming unit that forms a flat image on a recording medium based on flat image information obtained from the visible light image reading unit; a stereoscopic image forming unit that forms a stereoscopic image on the recording medium based on the stereoscopic image information obtained from the invisible light image reading unit; The image forming device is characterized in that the three-dimensional image forming unit includes a plurality of particles of different particle sizes, and forms three-dimensional images of different thicknesses using a three-dimensional image forming agent containing invisible light reflecting components in different wavelength ranges for each of the particles of different particle sizes.

5. An image forming apparatus as described in Claim 4, wherein the invisible light reflection components having different wavelength ranges for each particle with a different particle size are an ultraviolet reflection component and an infrared reflection component.

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