Image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide a technique that can appropriately form a perforated line.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of an embodiment has a line information generation unit and an image forming unit. The line information generation unit generates line information indicating a perforated line to cut off a main image formed on a recording medium. The image forming unit forms the main image on the recording medium with a non-color erasable material, and forms the perforated line indicated in the line information on the recording medium with a color erasable material. The line information generation unit changes the bent state of curved lines included in the perforated line according to the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when printing on a cuttable recording medium, there is a technique of forming a cut line on the recording medium in order to facilitate cutting of the main image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, there is a problem that if the cut line is uniformly formed according to the main image without considering the recording medium, it may be difficult to cut depending on the recording medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technique capable of preferably forming a cut line.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a line information generation unit and an image forming unit. The line information generation unit generates line information indicating a cut line for cutting the main image formed on the recording medium. The image forming unit forms the main image on the recording medium with a non-decoloring material and forms the cut line indicated by the line information on the recording medium with a decoloring material. The line information generation unit changes the degree of bending of the curve included in the cut line according to the recording medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1]A side view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the structure of the photosensitive drum and its surrounding parts. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the control circuit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the main image. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the cropping lines generated along the main image. [Figure 6] A diagram showing cut lines with gradually changing curvature. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the cutting lines created by combining perforated shapes. [Figure 8] A diagram showing the settings menu displayed on the control panel. [Figure 9] A diagram showing the settings menu displayed on the control panel. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the enlarged edge. [Figure 11] A diagram showing the cut lines obtained by pattern A. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the cut lines obtained by pattern B1. [Figure 13] A diagram showing the cut lines obtained using pattern B3. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing the processing flow of an image forming apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to suitably form cut lines. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is capable of forming an image using a first colorant and a second colorant. In this embodiment, black toner is used as an example of the first colorant. Decolorizing toner is used as an example of the second colorant. Black toner is a non-decolorizing material. Decolorizing toner is a decolorizing material. Decolorizing toner has a lower color density than black toner. Decolorizing toner becomes visible when it is below a predetermined temperature and becomes invisible when it is above the predetermined temperature. In this embodiment, the main image is formed by black toner. The cutting lines for cutting out the main image are formed by decolorizing toner. In this embodiment, the main image refers to the image on which the cutting lines are generated. The cutting lines are closed curves that surround the main image.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a copying function. The copying function can read non-decolorizing sheets on which images are formed using non-decolorizing materials such as black toner, and sheets on which images are formed using decolorizing toner, as original documents. Note that the non-decolorizing sheets are not limited to sheets on which images are formed in a single color, but also include sheets on which images are formed in color.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, a transparent document plate (glass plate) 2 for placing documents is positioned on top of the image forming apparatus 1. A cover 3 is positioned on top of the document plate 2 so as to be able to be opened and closed. A carriage 4 is positioned on the underside of the document plate 2. An exposure lamp 5 is positioned on the carriage 4.

[0012] The carriage 4 moves back and forth along the underside of the document glass 2. The exposure lamp 5 exposes the document on the document glass 2 as the carriage 4 moves forward. The reflected light image produced by this exposure is received by the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 10 via the reflective mirrors 6, 7, and 8 and the magnification lens block 9. The CCD 10 outputs image signals corresponding to the level of the reflected light image from the document for R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

[0013] Near the original document table 2, a control panel 11 for displaying information to the user and receiving operations by the user is arranged. The control panel 11 has a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 12.

[0014] The exposure unit 20 receives the image signal output by the CCD 10. The exposure unit 20 emits a laser beam B1 corresponding to the image signal of the achromatic toner toward the photosensitive drum 23 which is an image carrier for the achromatic toner. The exposure unit 20 emits a laser beam B2 corresponding to the image signal of the black toner toward the photosensitive drum 24 which is an image carrier for the black toner.

[0015] A transfer belt 30 is arranged above the photosensitive drums 23 and 24. This transfer belt 30 is stretched over a drive roller 31 and a driven roller 32. The transfer belt 30 receives power from the drive roller 31 and rotates in a counterclockwise direction.

[0016] A primary transfer roller 43 is arranged vertically movably at a position facing the photosensitive drum 23. A primary transfer roller 44 is arranged vertically movably at a position facing the photosensitive drum 24. The primary transfer roller 43 transfers the image on the photosensitive drum 23 to the transfer belt 30 by rotating while pressing the transfer belt 30 against the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 23. The primary transfer roller 44 transfers the image on the photosensitive drum 24 to the transfer belt 30 by rotating while pressing the transfer belt 30 against the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 24.

[0017] The configuration of the photosensitive drum 23 and its peripheral part is shown in FIG. 2. Around the photosensitive drum 23, a cleaner 601, a charge removal lamp 602, a charging unit 603, and a developing unit 604 are arranged. The cleaner 601 removes the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23. The charge removal lamp 602 removes the charge remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23. The charging unit 603 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 with static electricity.

[0018] The surface of the photoreceptor drum 23, which has been charged by the charging unit 603, receives laser light B1 emitted by the exposure unit 20. The laser light B1 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 23. The developing unit 604 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 23 by supplying a decolorizing developer D to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 23.

[0019] The peripheral portion of the photoconductor drum 24 has a similar configuration. Therefore, its explanation will be omitted. The photoconductor drum 24 is supplied with black developer D. The photoconductor drum 23 and its peripheral portion described above are sometimes collectively referred to as the first image forming section. This first image forming section forms a monochrome image with black toner. The photoconductor drum 24 and its peripheral portion are sometimes collectively referred to as the second image forming section. This second image forming section forms a monochrome image with decolorized toner.

[0020] Multiple paper feed cassettes 50 are arranged below the exposure unit 20. These paper feed cassettes 50 accommodate a large number of recording media P of different sizes. The recording media that can be accommodated in the paper feed cassettes 50, or the recording media that can be placed on the manual feed tray 74 (described later), can be any medium capable of forming an image. In this embodiment, paper, stickers, magnetic sheets, and plastic sheets (hereinafter referred to as "plastic sheets") are described as examples of recording media. In the following description, the recording media may be referred to as "sheets".

[0021] The pickup roller 51 and paper feed roller 52 are positioned in a location corresponding to the paper feed cassette 50. Each pickup roller 51 picks up one sheet P at a time from each paper feed cassette 50. Each paper feed roller 52 supplies the sheets P picked up by each pickup roller 51 to the transport path 53. The transport path 53 extends to the upper paper output port 56 via the registration roller 54, the driven roller 32, the fixing unit 60, and the paper output roller 55. The paper output port 56 faces the paper output tray 57.

[0022] A secondary transfer roller 33 is positioned opposite the driven roller 32, with the transfer belt 30 and transport path 53 in between. The secondary transfer roller 33 transfers the image transferred to the transfer belt 30 to the sheet P fed in from the resist roller 54.

[0023] A transport path 70 is positioned from the end of the transport path 53 to the upstream position of the registration roller 54. The transport path 70 reverses the front and back sides of the sheet P and returns it to the transport path 53. The transport path 70 has paper feed rollers 71, 72, and 73.

[0024] A manual feed tray 74 is detachably positioned on the side wall of the image forming apparatus 1. The transport path 75 is arranged from the manual feed tray 74 to the upstream position of the registration roller 54 in the transport path 53. The pickup roller 76 and the paper feed roller 77 are positioned in positions corresponding to the transport path 75. The pickup roller 76 picks up sheets one by one from the manual feed tray 74. The paper feed roller 77 supplies the sheets picked up by the pickup roller 76 to the registration roller 54.

[0025] The fixing unit 60 described above has a heat roller 61 and a pressure roller 62. The fixing unit 60 fixes the image transferred to the sheet P in a visible state by heating the conveyed sheet P with the heat roller 61 to a temperature below a predetermined value (e.g., 100°C) or below a predetermined value (e.g., 120°C). The fixing unit 60 also makes the image on the conveyed sheet P invisible by heating the heat roller 61 to a temperature above a predetermined value (e.g., 130°C).

[0026] The control circuit of the image forming apparatus 1 is shown in Figure 3. The computer's CPU 80 is connected to the control panel 11, ROM 81, RAM 82, hard disk drive (HDD) 83, scanner 84, image processing unit 85, and image forming unit 86.

[0027] The control panel 11 has a touch-panel LCD display, as well as a numeric keypad, a start key, and the like.

[0028] ROM 81 stores various control programs. RAM 82 stores various data. Hard disk drive 83 stores image data. Scanner 84 includes the carriage 4, exposure lamp 5, reflective mirrors 6, 7, 8, magnification lens block 9, and CCD 10. Scanner 84 optically scans and reads a document on the document table 2 and acquires image data representing the document. Image processing unit 85 performs various processing on the image data acquired by scanner 84. In this embodiment, image processing unit 85 also generates line information indicating cutting lines for cutting out the main image formed on the recording medium.

[0029] The image forming unit 86 includes an exposure unit 20, photoreceptor drums 23 and 24, the configuration shown in Figure 2 around each photoreceptor drum, a transfer belt 30, a drive roller 31, a driven roller 32, primary transfer rollers 43 and 44, a secondary transfer roller 33, a transport path 53, a fixing unit 60, and a transport path 70. The image forming unit 86 forms the image indicated by the image data processed by the image processing unit 85 on the sheet P. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 86 forms the main image on the recording medium using a non-decolorizing material, and forms the cut lines indicated by the line information on the sheet using a decolorizing material.

[0030] Next, we will explain the main image and the cutting line. First, in this embodiment, the curvature of the curves included in the cutting line is changed depending on the recording medium. This will be explained using a diagram. Figure 4 is a diagram of the main image 100. In this embodiment, the main image 100 is heart-shaped as an example. Here, "curvature" in this embodiment refers to the curvature of a point on the cutting line, or, in the case of a point where the curvature cannot be defined, such as a vertex, it refers to the angle made by the vertex.

[0031] For example, the main image 100 in Figure 4 has a vertex 101, and the angle it makes is θ. The smaller θ is, the greater the curvature, and the closer θ is to 180 degrees, the smaller the curvature. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a cut line simply generated along the main image. The shape of the region formed by the cut line 110 shown in Figure 5 is similar to the main image, so θ does not change, and therefore the curvature is maintained.

[0032] If the curvature is too great, thick or hard sheets become difficult to cut. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, by gradually changing the curvature (in the case of Figure 6, it is changed to a straight line), cutting becomes easier compared to when the curvature is not changed. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a technology that can suitably form a cutting line.

[0033] Figure 7 shows a cut line 130 formed by combining a perforated shape. For example, holes are sometimes made in plastic sheets to attach them to keychains or the like. The perforated shape is a shape that reserves the area for making holes. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, a triangular perforated shape 140 is combined. This perforated shape is stored in advance in the ROM 81 or HDD 83. Note that the dashed line indicating the base of the perforated shape shown in Figure 7 is for illustrative purposes only and is not formed on the actual recording medium. Thus, in this embodiment, a closed curve that surrounds the main image 100 and forms an area in which a predetermined shape (for example, the perforated shape 140) is formed is generated as a cut line.

[0034] In this embodiment, the user can set how much the curve should be loosened. Figures 8 and 9 show the setting menu displayed on the control panel 11. Figure 8 shows the screen 600 for the user to set the recording medium. In the recording medium setting section 610, the user sets the recording medium that will form the main image and the cutting line from among "paper," "sticker," "magnetic sheet," and "plastic sheet." Note that the thickness of the magnetic sheet is approximately 240 μm and the thickness of the plastic sheet is approximately 0.3 mm, so the thickness and hardness of the recording medium increase in the order of "paper," "sticker," "magnetic sheet," and "plastic sheet." Furthermore, in the hole punching shape setting section 620, the user sets whether or not to combine the hole punching shape. "Yes" indicates that the hole punching shape will be combined, and "No" indicates that the hole punching shape will not be combined. In this embodiment, the thicker the recording medium, the looser the curve of the curve included in the cutting line. Also, the harder the recording medium, the looser the curve of the curve included in the cutting line.

[0035] Figure 9 shows a screen 700 for the user to set the degree of curvature. In the curvature setting section 710, the user sets the degree of curvature of the cutting line from "Level 1", "Level 2", "Level 3", and "Level 4". The degree of curvature decreases in the order of "Level 1", "Level 2", "Level 3", and "Level 4". Furthermore, in the hole punching shape setting section 720, the user sets whether or not to combine the hole punching shapes. "Yes" indicates that the hole punching shapes will be combined, and "No" indicates that the hole punching shapes will not be combined.

[0036] The settings configured by the user on screen 600 or screen 700 are stored in RAM 82.

[0037] As described above, the degree of curvature can be changed in this embodiment, and the method for changing the degree of curvature will be explained. Figure 10 shows the main image and the edge of the main image that has been changed by a certain number of pixels (hereinafter referred to as the "enlarged edge"). This enlarged edge is the outer envelope of a circle with radius R whose center lies on the edge of the main image, when the pixel value is R. Therefore, the enlarged edge is not simply an enlarged version of the main image, but for convenience, it will be referred to as "enlarged" in the following explanation. Furthermore, the process of finding the outer envelope of the main image when the center of a circle with radius R pixels is moved on the edge of the main image will be referred to as the R enlargement process.

[0038] In Figure 10, the enlarged border 200 is an enlarged border created by enlarging the border of the main image 100 by 20 pixels (hereinafter referred to as the "20-pixel enlarged border"). The enlarged border 300 is an enlarged border created by enlarging the border of the main image 100 by 40 pixels (hereinafter referred to as the "40-pixel enlarged border"). The enlarged border 400 is an enlarged border created by enlarging the border of the main image 100 by 80 pixels (hereinafter referred to as the "80-pixel enlarged border"). As shown in Figure 10, the larger the pixels, the gentler the curvature of the vertices.

[0039] The enlarged border obtained in this way is then reduced in the opposite direction. Specifically, the envelope of a circle with radius r whose center lies on the enlarged border, specifically the envelope inside the enlarged border, is determined as the reduced border (hereinafter referred to as the "reduced border"). The reduced border is not simply a reduction of the enlarged border, but for convenience, it will be referred to as "reduced" in the following explanation. Furthermore, the process of determining the envelope inside the enlarged border when the center of a circle with radius r pixels is moved on the enlarged border is referred to as the r reduction process.

[0040] In this embodiment, there are two cases: one in which the edge obtained by performing R-enlargement processing is used as the cutting line (referred to as "Pattern A"), and another in which the edge obtained by performing R-enlargement processing followed by r-reduction processing is used as the cutting line (referred to as "Pattern B"). In this embodiment, one Pattern A is provided, and three Pattern Bs are provided, from Pattern B1 to B3.

[0041] In Pattern A, the image processing unit 85 uses the edge obtained by performing only a 20x magnification process as the cutting line. In Pattern B1, the image processing unit 85 uses the edge obtained by performing a 40x magnification process followed by a 20x reduction process as the cutting line. In Pattern B2, the image processing unit 85 uses the edge obtained by performing a 60x magnification process followed by a 40x reduction process as the cutting line. In Pattern B3, the image processing unit 85 uses the edge obtained by performing an 80x magnification process followed by a 60x reduction process as the cutting line.

[0042] In this way, all of pattern B are processed so that Rr=20. As a result, for any pattern, a crop line is obtained that is enlarged by approximately 20 pixels from the main image 100.

[0043] Figure 11 shows the cut line 210 obtained by pattern A. Figure 12 shows the cut line 310 obtained by pattern B1. Figure 13 shows the cut line 410 obtained by pattern B3. It can be seen that the curve of cut line 310 is gentler than that of cut line 210. Furthermore, it can be seen that the curve of cut line 410 is gentler than that of cut line 310. Thus, the larger the R in the R scaling process, the gentler the curve becomes. Therefore, the curve becomes gentler in the order of pattern A, pattern B1, pattern B2, and pattern B3. This is not limited to cases where the main image is heart-shaped, but can also be made gentler in main images with complex, repeating bumps and dips, for example.

[0044] Based on the above explanation, the processing flow of the image processing unit 85 will now be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1. This flowchart shows the processing when one of patterns A, B1 to B3 is performed. The data representing the main image is stored in RAM 82, and the image processing unit 85 processes using the data stored in RAM 82. Furthermore, the settings set by the user are also stored in RAM 82 as described above.

[0045] In Figure 14, the image processing unit 85 determines whether the main image is a convex image or not (ACT101). The main image 100 described above was a concave image, but in the case of a convex image, it is not usually difficult to cut even if the curvature is not reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the case of a convex image, processing is performed using only pattern A.

[0046] If the main image is a convex image (ACT101:YES), the image processing unit 85 generates line information using pattern A (ACT103) and proceeds to ACT109. If the main image is not a convex image (ACT101:YES), the image processing unit 85 determines whether the setting is "paper" or "level 1" (ACT102). If the setting is "paper" or "level 1" (ACT102:YES), the image processing unit 85 generates line information using pattern A (ACT103) and proceeds to ACT109.

[0047] If the setting is neither "paper" nor "level 1" (ACT102:NO), the image processing unit 85 determines whether the setting is "sticker" or "level 2" (ACT104). If the setting is "sticker" or "level 2" (ACT104:YES), the image processing unit 85 generates line information using pattern B1 (ACT105) and proceeds to ACT109.

[0048] If the setting is neither "sticker" nor "level 2" (ACT104:NO), the image processing unit 85 determines whether the setting is "magnetic sheet" or "level 3" (ACT106). If the setting is "magnetic sheet" or "level 3" (ACT106:YES), the image processing unit 85 generates line information using pattern B2 (ACT107) and proceeds to ACT109.

[0049] If the setting is neither "magnetic sheet" nor "level 3" (ACT104:NO), the setting is either "plastic plate" or "level 4," so the image processing unit 85 generates line information using pattern B3 (ACT108) and proceeds to ACT109.

[0050] In ACT109, the image processing unit 85 determines whether or not the perforated shape is set to exist (ACT109). If the perforated shape is not set to exist (ACT109: NO), the image processing unit 85 proceeds to ACT111. If the perforated shape is set to exist (ACT109: YES), the image processing unit 85 generates line information by combining the perforated shape with the line information (ACT110). The image forming unit 86 forms the main image on the recording medium with a non-decolorizing material and forms the cut lines indicated in the line information on the sheet with a decolorizing material (ACT111), and then terminates the process.

[0051] In the process shown in Figure 14, the convex image was processed using only pattern A, but other patterns may also be used for convex images. In this embodiment, since the cut lines are formed with a decolorizing material, when the user cuts along the cut lines, the cut lines can be erased by applying heat to any cuts that were missed. Also, even if the main image is an image without an interior, such as a donut shape, the cut lines formed inside can be erased by applying heat to them. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a process using an envelope was explained to reduce the degree of curvature, but this is not the only method. For example, as shown in Figure 6, a straight line with no curvature at all may also be used.

[0052] According to the image forming apparatus of the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a technology that can suitably form cut lines.

[0053] The functions of the image forming apparatus in the above-described embodiment may be implemented using a computer. In that case, the functions may be implemented by recording a program for implementing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that acts as a server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above-mentioned program may only implement a part of the functions described above, and may also be able to implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system.

[0054] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1…Image forming apparatus, 11…Control panel, 81…ROM, 82…RAM, 83…HDD, 84…Scanner, 85…Image processing unit, 86…Image forming unit

Claims

1. A line information generation unit generates line information indicating cutting lines for cutting out the main image formed on the recording medium, An image forming unit that forms the main image on a recording medium using a non-decolorizing material and forms the cut lines indicated in the line information on the recording medium using a decolorizing material, Equipped with, The line information generation unit is an image forming apparatus that changes the curvature of the curves included in the cutting line according to the recording medium.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line information generation unit reduces the curvature of the curves included in the cutting line as the thickness of the recording medium increases.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line information generation unit reduces the curvature of the curves included in the cutting line as the hardness of the recording medium increases.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line information generation unit generates a closed curve as a cutting line that surrounds the main image and forms a region in which a predetermined shape is formed.

5. A program that makes a computer function as an image forming apparatus, The aforementioned computer A line information generation unit generates line information indicating cutting lines for cutting out the main image formed on the recording medium, An image forming unit that forms the main image on a recording medium using a non-decolorizing material and forms the cut lines indicated in the line information on the recording medium using a decolorizing material, and make it work The line information generation unit is a program that changes the curvature of the curves included in the cutting line according to the recording medium.

Images