Image forming system and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that, when an image difficult to be visually recognized as intended cannot be formed on a recording medium, can create the image difficult to be visually recognized as intended again on the recording medium.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises an image forming unit 100 that forms an image difficult to be visually recognized on a recording medium based on information on an image difficult to be visually recognized, and the image forming system has: an image reading unit 200 that reads the image difficult to be visually recognized; a comparison unit 300 that compares read image information obtained by the image reading unit reading the image difficult to be visually recognized with the information on an image difficult to be visually recognized corresponding to the image difficult to be visually recognized; and a correction unit 100 that corrects an image forming condition for the image forming unit by using correction information generated from a result of comparison performed by the comparison unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming system including an image forming unit that forms a difficult-to-view image on a recording medium based on difficult-to-view image information is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a normal image (visible image) and an invisible image (difficult-to-view image) formed on an ID card (recording medium) by a printing device (image forming system) are read by a reading device of a forgery determination system. In this configuration, in order to manage the entry and exit of users to facilities that require certain qualifications, the image of the ID card held by the user is read by the reading device of the forgery determination system installed in the facility, and the authenticity of the ID card is determined. In the determination of authenticity, an OR image in which both the normal image and the invisible image read by the reading device are overlapped, or an AND image consisting only of the overlapping portion of the normal image and the invisible image read by each image reading unit is generated. Then, the generated image is used as forgery determination information to determine the authenticity of the ID card.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the color development of the difficult-to-view image formed on the recording medium is suppressed under visible light, it is difficult for a human to confirm whether the intended difficult-to-view image has been formed on the recording medium when the intended difficult-to-view image cannot be formed. In addition, the conventional image forming system does not have a means for confirming whether the intended difficult-to-view image has been formed on the recording medium. Therefore, when the intended difficult-to-view image cannot be formed on the recording medium, there is a problem that there is no opportunity to remake the intended difficult-to-view image, and a recording medium on which the intended difficult-to-view image is formed cannot be obtained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, the system comprising: an image reading unit that reads a hard-to-see image; a comparison unit that compares the read image information obtained by the image reading unit after reading the hard-to-see image with the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image; and a correction unit that corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using correction information generated from the comparison result of the comparison unit. The image forming unit forms an identification image on the recording medium together with the hard-to-see image for identifying hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, and the comparison unit performs the comparison using the hard-to-see image information identified from the read identification information obtained by the image reading unit reading the identification image. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, even if the intended hard-to-see image cannot be formed on the recording medium, it becomes possible to recreate the intended hard-to-see image on the recording medium again, thereby obtaining a recording medium on which the intended hard-to-see image has been formed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus related to the image forming system. [Figure 3] A sequence diagram showing the process of print determination of IR images in the image forming system. [Figure 4] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a sheet of paper on which the IR image to be judged and the identification image are printed. (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an IR image of the corresponding IR image information. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of the judgment process performed by the judgment device in the image forming system. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating an example of the image quality adjustment process performed by the image forming apparatus in the same image forming system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention applied to an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit and an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming unit in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it forms an image that is difficult to see on the recording medium. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the image forming method, and it may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or any other image forming method.

[0009] In this embodiment, an example of using an electrophotographic color printer as the image forming apparatus is described, but other than a printer, a copier, a standalone facsimile, or a multifunction device equipped with at least two of the functions of a printer, copier, facsimile, and scanner may also be used.

[0010] The hard-to-see image toner used in the printer of this embodiment is mainly used when embedding additional information in a visible image. For example, it is used to form a hard-to-see image (such as a text image like "COPY" that is not visible to the human eye) on a recording medium, along with a visible image formed with a visible image toner, for purposes such as preventing illegal copying. It is also used to form a code image on a recording medium by overlaying a visible image code image with a hard-to-see image code image, for example, to increase the amount of information in a code image such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). The hard-to-see image toner may also be used when forming only a hard-to-see image on a recording medium without forming a visible image.

[0011] As will be described later, a hard-to-see image is an image formed using a toner that is more transparent than a normal visible image toner under visible light. In this embodiment, further processing such as irradiation with infrared light is performed to cause light emission, color development, etc., making the image easier to see.

[0012] Examples of toners for images that are difficult to see include transparent infrared light absorbing toners and transparent fluorescent toners that fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light, which either absorb light outside the visible light range or emit light in the visible light range when exposed to light outside the visible light range. This embodiment will be described using an example in which an infrared light absorbing toner is used as the toner for images that are difficult to see.

[0013] In the following explanation, the toner codes for each component will be as follows: yellow toner (Y toner) for visible images will be "Y", magenta toner (M toner) for visible images will be "M", cyan toner (C toner) for visible images will be "C", and infrared light absorbing toner (IR toner) for hard-to-see images will be "IR". For hard-to-see images, a transparent toner (transparent toner) that suppresses color development under visible light is desirable. Also, it should have a lower dye content than a normal visible image toner.

[0014] First, the overall configuration of the image forming system according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system of this embodiment. The image forming system of this embodiment mainly consists of an image forming apparatus 100, an image reading device 200, a determination device 300, a server 400, and a user PC (personal computer) 500. The image forming apparatus 100, the image reading device 200, the determination device 300, and the server 400 are connected to each other via a communication network 600 that constitutes a communication unit. The user PC 500 is also connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and the image reading device 200 in a communication manner.

[0015] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment mainly consists of an image forming unit 1, a transfer unit 2, a recording medium supply unit 3, a fixing unit 4, a recording medium ejection unit 5, a control unit 30, and an image forming control unit 40.

[0016] The image forming unit 1 is provided with four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6IR as image forming units. Each of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6IR has the same configuration except for the type of toner used. In this embodiment, since a process unit using black (K) toner is not provided, color images and monochrome images are formed using only Y, M, and C color toners. Although a K process unit may be added, in that case, there is a drawback that the apparatus becomes larger.

[0017] Further, the IR process unit 6IR may be configured to be detachable, and a K process unit may be configured to be attachable in place of the IR process unit. In this case, when forming an image without using IR toner, by attaching the K process unit, color images and monochrome images can be formed using Y, M, C color toners and K toner.

[0018] Also, all the process units may be configured to be detachable, and the positions where the process units are attached may be interchangeable with each other. In this case, by interchanging the positions of the IR process unit, it becomes possible to appropriately interchange the positional relationship between the IR toner image and each color toner image on the recording medium (positional relationship in the toner image stacking direction).

[0019] In this embodiment, each of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6IR includes a photoreceptor 7 as a latent image carrier that carries a latent image, a charging device 8 as charging means for charging the surface of the photoreceptor 7, a developing device 9 as developing means for developing the latent image on the photoreceptor 7, a photoreceptor cleaning device 10 as latent image carrier cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the photoreceptor 7, and the like. At positions facing each photoreceptor 7, exposure devices 11 as latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 7 are provided respectively. In this embodiment, an LED unit is used as the exposure device 11, but a laser beam scanning type using a laser diode may also be used.

[0020] In the transfer unit 2, there are arranged an endless intermediate transfer belt 12 as an image carrier onto which the toner image on the photoreceptor 7 is transferred, a plurality of primary transfer devices 13 as primary transfer means for primarily transferring the image on the photoreceptor 7 to the intermediate transfer belt 12, a secondary transfer roller 14 as secondary transfer means for secondarily transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12 onto a recording medium, and a belt cleaning device 17 as intermediate transfer body cleaning means for cleaning the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0021] The intermediate transfer belt 12 is stretched between a driving roller 15 and a driven roller 16, and it travels (rotates) in a circular motion by the rotation of the driving roller 15. The primary transfer roller of each primary transfer device 13 is arranged so as to press the intermediate transfer belt 12 against each photoreceptor 7. Thereby, a primary transfer nip where the image on each photoreceptor 7 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12 is formed at the contact location between the intermediate transfer belt 12 and each photoreceptor 7. On the other hand, the secondary transfer roller 14 is arranged so as to contact a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 12 wound around the driving roller 15. A secondary transfer nip where the image on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred onto the recording medium is formed at the contact location between the secondary transfer roller 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0022] In the recording medium supply unit 3, there are arranged a paper feed cassette 18 as a recording medium storage unit for storing the paper P as a recording medium, a paper feed roller 19 as recording medium feeding means for feeding the paper P from the paper feed cassette 18, and a timing roller 20 as recording medium conveying means for conveying the paper P fed by the paper feed roller 19 to the secondary transfer nip at a predetermined timing. Note that as the recording medium, in addition to paper, an OHP sheet, an OHP film, cloth, etc. may be used. Also, the paper includes, in addition to plain paper, thick paper, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (such as coated paper and art paper), embossed paper such as Japanese paper, tracing paper, etc.

[0023] The fixing unit 4 is equipped with a fixing device 21, which serves as a fixing means for fixing an image to the paper P. The fixing device 21 mainly consists of a fixing roller 22, which is a fixing member heated by a heat source such as a heater, and a pressure roller 23, which is a pressure member that contacts the fixing roller 22 at a predetermined pressure to form a fixing nip.

[0024] The recording medium discharge unit 5 is equipped with a paper discharge roller 24, which serves as a recording medium discharge means for discharging the paper P sent from the fuser unit 21 to the outside of the unit, and a paper discharge tray 25, which serves as a recording medium placement unit for placing the paper P discharged by the paper discharge roller 24.

[0025] The control unit 30 performs image processing on input image information from the image reading device (scanner), user PC 500, etc., and is also responsible for controlling the entire image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the image forming control unit 40 controls the image forming operation in each part of the image forming apparatus (image forming unit 1, transfer unit 2, recording medium supply unit 3, fixing unit 4, recording medium ejection unit 5, etc.) under the control of the control unit 30.

[0026] In addition to the components described above, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of toner cartridges 26, which serve as powder containers for holding toner, a powder used in image formation. Each toner cartridge 26 contains the same type of toner as the toner in the corresponding developing unit 9, and when the amount of toner in the developing unit 9 falls below a predetermined level, toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 26. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus is equipped with a waste toner container 27, which serves as a powder container separate from the toner cartridges 26. This waste toner container 27 contains waste toner collected by the belt cleaning device 17 or the photoreceptor cleaning device 10.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes a cover member 101 for opening and closing the upper part of the apparatus body (image forming apparatus body) 100. The cover member 101 is rotatable up and down around a pivot shaft 103 provided on the apparatus body. Below the cover member 101, a container holding member 102 is positioned to detachably hold four toner cartridges 26. The container holding member 102 is rotatable up and down around another pivot shaft 104 provided on the apparatus body.

[0028] In this embodiment, the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6IR are arranged such that, on the recording medium, a color toner image consisting of Y, M, and C color toners (toners for visible images) is formed on the recording medium side, rather than an IR toner image (toner image for images that are difficult to see) consisting of IR toner. The IR process unit 6IR is positioned at the upstream end in the direction of travel of the intermediate transfer belt 12, and the color process units 6Y, 6M, and 6C are positioned downstream of it. In other words, on the intermediate transfer belt 12, the IR toner image, Y toner image, M toner image, and C toner image are stacked in that order from the belt side, but on the recording medium after secondary transfer, the order from the recording medium side is C toner image, M toner image, Y toner image, and IR toner image.

[0029] The placement of the IR process unit 6IR relative to the color process units 6Y, 6M, and 6C can be set as appropriate, but it is preferable that at least one color process unit 6Y, 6M, or 6C be placed downstream of the IR process unit 6IR, rather than at the very bottom. This is because, in the IR image confirmation mode described later, the color toner can be attached to the IR toner immediately after the IR toner is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the IR process unit 6IR (without allowing the intermediate transfer belt to spin freely). As mentioned above, if the mounting positions of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6IR are interchangeable, the positions of the IR process units can be freely rearranged.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the image forming apparatus, the image density is adjusted by adjusting the amount of each toner (toner amount per unit area) that adheres to each of the Y, M, C, and IR toners. Specifically, a toner adhesion amount detection sensor is provided to detect the amount of toner that adheres to test images (multiple toner patches imaged to achieve different target densities) of each of the Y, M, C, and IR toners formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12. Based on the results detected by this toner adhesion amount detection sensor, the image formation conditions (image formation conditions) in each of the Y, M, C, and IR process units are adjusted so that the desired toner adheres to the desired density.

[0031] The toner deposition amount detection sensor in this embodiment may be used commonly for each of the Y, M, C, and IR test images, or it may be used individually for each of the Y, M, C, and IR test images. Furthermore, the toner deposition amount detection sensor in this embodiment is an optical image density sensor that detects the amount of toner deposited in each test image (image density of the test image) by acquiring both specular and diffuse reflected light. In this embodiment, the IR toner becomes an invisible image (an image that is difficult to see with the naked eye, or an image that has substantially no absorption peaks in the visible light region) after the fixing process, but on the intermediate transfer belt 12 before the fixing process, it is an image that can be seen with the naked eye, or an image that has substantially no absorption peaks in the visible light region, so the same toner deposition amount detection sensor as for C, M, and Y can be used. Note that for the IR toner test image, detecting the amount of toner deposited in the test image by acquiring both specular and diffuse reflected light is more accurate than detecting the amount of toner deposited in the test image by acquiring only specular reflected light.

[0032] Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. When the image forming operation is started, each photoreceptor 7 is driven to rotate, and a predetermined charging bias is applied to the charging roller of the charging device 8, so that the surface of each photoreceptor 7 is uniformly charged to a predetermined charge potential with a predetermined polarity (for example, negative polarity). Next, based on the input image information from the image reading device (scanner) or user PC 500, the exposure device 11 irradiates the charged surface of each photoreceptor 7 with laser light, and processes the irradiated portion of the photoreceptor surface to drop (approach zero), and a latent image (electrostatic latent image) corresponding to the input image information is formed by the pattern of the portion where the potential is dropped (image portion) and the portion where the potential is not dropped (background portion).

[0033] The latent image formed on each photoreceptor 7 is a latent image based on monochromatic image information obtained by decomposing a desired full-color image into Y, M, and C color information. Specifically, a color conversion decomposition table is used to convert and decompose the color information (RGB, YCM, etc.) of the input image information into color information (YMC) for the image forming apparatus. Monochromatic image information is generated by converting and decomposing the input image information into Y, M, and C color information, and each exposure apparatus 11 for Y, M, and C forms a latent image of each color on its respective photoreceptor 7 based on the image information of each color.

[0034] In this embodiment, IR image information is generated from additional information included in the input image information and additional information added by the image forming apparatus. The additional information included in the input image information may be information added by an application on the user PC 500, or information added by a print driver on the user PC 500. The IR exposure apparatus 11 forms an IR latent image on the photoreceptor 7 of the IR process unit 6IR based on the IR image information.

[0035] The Y, C, M, and IR latent images formed on the photoreceptor 7 are transported to the developing area facing the developing device 9 as the photoreceptor rotates. In the developing device 9, toner (developer) is carried on a developing roller, which acts as a rotating toner carrier, and a predetermined developing bias is applied to the developing roller. As the toner is supplied from the supply roller 9b onto the developing roller 9a, the toner becomes triboelectrically charged to its normal polarity (for example, negative polarity) at the point where the developing roller 9a and the supply roller 9b face each other.

[0036] When toner charged with the correct polarity is transported to the development area by the rotational drive of the development roller 9a, the development potential between the image area on the surface of the photoreceptor (the area whose potential has been reduced by the exposure device 11) and the potential of the development roller 9a (development bias potential) causes the toner with the correct polarity to move toward the image area of ​​the photoreceptor. Conversely, the background potential between the background area on the surface of the photoreceptor (the area whose potential has not been reduced by the exposure device 11) and the potential of the development roller 9a (development bias potential) acts to move the toner with the correct polarity toward the development roller 9a. In this way, in the development area of ​​each development device 9, the toner with the correct polarity of each polarity adheres to the image area on the photoreceptor, and the latent images of Y, C, M, and IR are developed into toner images.

[0037] The toner images on each photoreceptor 7 are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the circulating intermediate transfer belt 12. Specifically, when the toner image on the photoreceptor 7 reaches the position of the primary transfer nip, a predetermined voltage (primary transfer bias) is applied to the primary transfer roller of the primary transfer device 13, and the resulting transfer electric field sequentially transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor 7 onto the intermediate transfer belt 12. In this way, a full-color toner image (toner image for visible images) consisting of Y, C, and M toners and an IR toner image (toner image for hard-to-see images) consisting of IR toner are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 12. Any toner on each photoreceptor 7 that was not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12 is removed by the photoreceptor cleaning device 10.

[0038] Furthermore, when the image forming operation starts, the paper feed roller 19 rotates and paper P is fed from the paper feed cassette 18. The fed paper P is temporarily stopped by the timing roller 20. Then, at a predetermined timing, the rotation drive of the timing roller 20 is started, and the paper P is transported to the secondary transfer nip in accordance with the timing when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 12 reaches the secondary transfer nip.

[0039] When the paper P is transported to the secondary transfer nip, a predetermined voltage (secondary transfer bias) is applied to the secondary transfer roller 14, and a transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip. This transfer electric field formed in the secondary transfer nip then transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 12 to the paper P all at once. At this time, any toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is removed by the belt cleaning device 17.

[0040] Subsequently, the paper P is transported to the fuser unit 21, where the toner image is heated and pressurized by the fuser roller 22 and pressure roller 23 and fixed to the paper P. Then, the paper P is discharged from the device by the paper discharge roller 24 and placed on the paper discharge tray 25.

[0041] The above description concerns the image formation process when creating a full-color image. However, it is also possible to form an image using one of the four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, or 6IR, or using two or three of them.

[0042] In the special image forming operation for creating an IR toner image, if the color information of the input image information is RGB multi-level information and the input image information includes IR image information (additional information), an IR image is formed based on that IR image information. Note that the additional information included in the input image information does not have to be image information; if it is non-image information, for example, the control unit 30 executes a predetermined IR image generation program to generate IR image information from that additional information. Furthermore, even if the input image information does not include additional information, the control unit 30 may generate IR image information according to user specifications or the like.

[0043] In this embodiment, IR image information (additional information) as hard-to-see image information is stored and managed in the determination device 300. When the image forming apparatus 100 performs a special image forming operation to form an IR image on paper P based on the IR image information (additional information), the image forming apparatus 100 receives (acquires) the IR image information (additional information) from the determination device 300 via the communication network 600, and forms an IR image on paper P based on the received IR image information (additional information).

[0044] The image reading device 200 in this image forming system is equipped with an image reading unit that reads an IR image (difficult-to-see image) formed on a sheet of paper P. This image reading unit is equipped with an image sensor capable of detecting IR images, reads the IR image on the sheet of paper P set in the image reading device 200 by the user, and generates and outputs IR image reading information. In this embodiment, the image reading device 200 is configured separately from the image forming apparatus 100, but it may also be configured integrally with the image forming apparatus 100.

[0045] As described above, the determination device 300 in this image forming system is equipped with a storage unit that stores IR image information (additional information) and manages the IR image information (additional information). By managing the IR image information (additional information) as hard-to-see image information in the determination device 300, which has a separate configuration from the image forming device 100, a high level of confidentiality of the IR images can be ensured. The IR image information (additional information) stored in the storage unit of the determination device 300 may also be stored in a storage unit such as the server 400. The determination device 300 is equipped with a communication function that, in response to a request from the image forming device 100, transmits the requested IR image information (additional information) to the image forming device 100 via the communication network 600.

[0046] Furthermore, the determination device 300 is equipped with a communication function that receives (acquires) the read image information of the IR image output from the image reading device 200 via the communication network 600. The determination device 300 is equipped with a determination unit that acts as a comparison unit that compares the read image information of the IR image received from the image reading device 200 with the corresponding IR image information stored in the storage unit of the determination device 300. The determination unit in this embodiment determines whether or not the read image information of the IR image is appropriate based on the comparison described above.

[0047] This determination process can be any process that uses the results of the comparison described above. For example, it could involve determining whether or not correction of the IR image is necessary based on the results of the comparison described above, or determining the error (deviation) between the read image information of the IR image and the corresponding IR image information.

[0048] Furthermore, the server 400 is a cloud server equipped with communication functions that receive (acquire) comparison results and judgment results from the judgment device 300 via the communication network 600. The server 400 stores the information (comparison results and judgment results) received from the judgment device 300 in its storage unit. The information stored in the storage unit of the server 400 is used as appropriate for purposes such as maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 and management of IR image information (additional information) in the judgment device 300.

[0049] The user PC 500 is operated by the user and has a communication function that transmits requests and data corresponding to the user's operations to the image forming apparatus 100 and the image reading device 200 via the communication network 600. The user can also make requests to the image forming apparatus 100 and the image reading device 200 by performing user operations on the control units provided on the image forming apparatus 100 and the image reading device 200.

[0050] Next, we will explain the print determination of the IR image, which is a characteristic feature of this embodiment. Generally, due to image formation defects in the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible that the intended IR image may not be formed on the paper P, for example, by being formed distorted, blurry, or misaligned. Conventionally, there has been no way to determine within the image forming system whether the intended IR image has been formed on the paper P. Moreover, because the color development of the IR image formed on the paper P is suppressed under visible light, the user cannot visually determine whether the intended IR image has been formed on the paper P. As a result, if the IR image is not formed as intended for any reason (such as an image formation defect), it becomes impossible to recreate the intended IR image on the paper P.

[0051] In situations like this, for example, if an IR image is used to determine the authenticity of paper (or a visible image formed on the paper) (to determine the authenticity of printed materials), the IR image may not be formed as intended, leading to problems such as a genuine printed material being mistakenly identified as a counterfeit.

[0052] Therefore, in this embodiment, the image reading device 200 reads the IR image formed on the paper P by the image forming apparatus 100 (which may be an image before it is formed on the paper P (for example, a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 12)) to obtain read image information of the IR image on the paper P. The determination device 300 receives the read image information of the IR image output from the image reading device 200 and compares the received read image information of the IR image with the corresponding IR image information stored in the memory unit of the determination device 300. The determination device 300 then transmits the determination result generated from this comparison to the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 uses the correction information (adjustment value) based on this determination result to correct (adjust) the image forming conditions of the IR image by the process unit 6IR (target charging potential by the charging device 8, exposure start position and exposure intensity of the exposure device 11, development bias of the developing device 9, transfer bias of the primary transfer device 13, etc.).

[0053] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of print determination for IR images in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a user who forms an IR image on paper P using the image forming apparatus 100 can determine whether the formed IR image is formed as intended (whether correction (adjustment) of the image formation conditions for the IR image is necessary). "As intended" means that the error between the IR image being judged and the original IR image indicated by the IR image information used to form that IR image is within an acceptable range.

[0054] When performing a print determination, the user operates the control panel of the image forming apparatus 100 (or the user PC 500) to make a print request for the IR image when making a print request to form a desired image, including an IR image, on a sheet of paper P (S1). If multiple sheets of paper are to be used to form IR images, the user may be asked to specify which IR image (the IR image on which sheet of paper) the print determination should be made for.

[0055] When the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print determination request for an IR image, it outputs this print determination request to the determination device 300 (S2). The determination device 300, upon receiving this print determination request, generates image information of an image (IR image + identification image) by adding an identification image to the IR image related to the print determination request to identify the IR image information corresponding to the IR image, and transmits (notifies) this image information to the image forming apparatus 100 (S3). This identification image can be any image in which identification data identifying the IR image information corresponding to the IR image is embedded, and for example, code images such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks) can be suitably used.

[0056] The image forming apparatus 100, having received image information of the IR image + identification image from the determination device 300, forms (prints) the IR image (the letter "R" in Figure 4) and the identification image (the QR code (registered trademark) in Figure 4) onto the paper P based on this image information, as shown in Figure 4(b) (S4). Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 100 requests the user to scan the printed image (IR image + identification image) on the paper P using the image reading device 200, for example by displaying it on the operation panel which is the display unit (S5).

[0057] Upon receiving this scan request, the user places the paper P on which the IR image to be judged has been printed by the image forming apparatus 100 into the image reading device 200. The user then operates the control panel of the image reading device 200 (or the user's PC 500) to make a judgment request (S6). Upon receiving this judgment request, the image reading device 200 reads (scans) the image (IR image + identification image) on the placed paper P and transmits (notifies) the reading result (read image information) to the judgment device 300 (S7).

[0058] Upon receiving the reading result from the image reading device 200, the determination device 300 first extracts identification data from the identification image included in the received reading result and reads the IR image information corresponding to that identification data from the storage unit of the determination device 300. Then, the determination device 300 compares the IR image to be determined included in the received reading result (Figure 4(b)) with the IR image information read from the storage unit (Figure 4(a)) and produces a determination result (S8). After that, the determination device 300 transmits (notifies) the determination result to the image forming apparatus 100 (S9).

[0059] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100, upon receiving a determination result from the determination device 300, generates correction information (adjustment values) based on the determination result as necessary, and uses this correction information to perform image quality adjustment to correct the image forming conditions of the IR image by the process unit 6IR (S10). Here, the image forming apparatus 100 generates the correction information (adjustment values) based on the determination result, but the process of generating correction information (adjustment values) from the determination result may be carried out by devices other than the image forming apparatus 100, such as the determination device 300, the image reading device 200, the server 400, etc.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100, upon receiving the determination result from the determination device 300, notifies the user of the determination result by displaying it on the operation panel, which is a display unit (S11). The content of the determination result notified here may include, for example, whether the printed IR image was formed as intended, and whether correction (image quality adjustment) of the IR image has been performed.

[0061] Next, we will explain in detail the determination performed by the determination device 300. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the judgment process performed by the judgment device 300. In this embodiment, when the determination device 300 receives a reading result from the image reading device 200 (S21), it extracts identification data from the identification image included in the received reading result (S22). Subsequently, the determination device 300 identifies the IR image information corresponding to the extracted identification data from the IR image information stored in the memory unit of the determination device 300 (S23).

[0062] In this case, there may be cases where the IR image information cannot be identified, such as when identification data cannot be extracted from the identification image included in the received reading result, or when the IR image information corresponding to the extracted identification data is not stored in the storage unit (No. in S24). In this case, the determination device 300 issues a determination result of "no matching data" (S25) and transmits (notifies) it to the image forming apparatus 100 (S27). The determination device 300 also transmits (notifies) the determination result to the server 400 (S27), and stores the determination result in the storage unit of the server 400.

[0063] On the other hand, if the IR image information can be identified (Yes in S24), the determination device 300 reads the identified IR image information from the storage unit. The determination device 300 then extracts the IR image to be determined by removing the identification image from the received reading result image, and compares the extracted IR image with the IR image of the IR image information read from the storage unit (S26). In this comparison, the error (shift) between these images is given as the determination result. This error only needs to be information that serves as an indicator of whether or not the intended IR image has been formed, such as information that can determine image distortion, image blurring, or image positional shift.

[0064] The determination device 300 transmits (notifies) the determination result obtained from the comparison to the image forming apparatus 100 (S27). The determination device 300 also transmits (notifies) the determination result to the server 400 (S27), and stores the determination result in the storage unit of the server 400.

[0065] Next, we will explain in detail the image quality adjustments performed in the image forming apparatus 100. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the image quality adjustment process performed in the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives a determination result from the determination device 300 (S21), it determines whether the identification data included in the received determination result matches the identification data of the identification image printed when printing the IR image that was the subject of determination (S32). If there is no matching identification data (No. in S32), the image forming apparatus 100 outputs a result of "read failure" (S33) and notifies the user of the result by displaying it on the operation panel, which is the display unit (S40). Similarly, if the determination device 300 receives a determination result of "no matching data", the user is also notified of the result of "read failure". This allows the user to take action such as performing the IR image printing determination again (retry).

[0066] On the other hand, if there is matching identification data (Yes in S32), the image forming apparatus 100 then determines whether correction (image quality adjustment) is necessary based on the determination result received from the determination device 300 (S34). This determination can be made, for example, by determining whether the error (deviation) included in the determination result is greater than or equal to a predetermined error.

[0067] If this error (deviation) is greater than or equal to a predetermined error, the image forming apparatus 100 determines that correction (image quality adjustment) is necessary (No in S34), and determines whether the error is within a correctable range (S35). Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 generates correction information (adjustment value) based on the error (deviation) included in the determination result, determines that it is within a correctable range if the generated adjustment value is within the adjustable range of the image forming conditions (Yes in S35), and determines that it is outside the correctable range if it exceeds the adjustable range (No in S35).

[0068] If the error exceeds the range that can be corrected (No. in S35), even if the image formation conditions are corrected within the adjustable range, the error cannot be reduced to an acceptable range. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 outputs the result "Image quality adjustment impossible" (S36) and notifies the user of the result by displaying it on the operation panel, which is the display unit (S40). This allows the user to take action such as performing the IR image printing judgment again (retry) or requesting maintenance from a maintenance company.

[0069] If the error is within a correctable range (Yes in S35), the image forming apparatus 100 uses correction information (adjustment value) generated from the error (deviation) included in the judgment result to perform image quality adjustment to correct the image formation conditions of the IR image by the process unit 6IR (S37). The image forming apparatus 100 then outputs a result indicating that image quality adjustment has been performed (S38) and notifies the user of the result by displaying it on the operation panel, which is the display unit (S40). As a result, even if the IR image to be judged was not formed as intended, the user who receives this notification can print the IR image again with the image quality adjusted image formation conditions, and obtain a sheet of paper P with the intended IR image printed on it.

[0070] On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 100 determines that no correction (image quality adjustment) is necessary (Yes in S34), it outputs a result of "no problem" (S39) and notifies the user of the result by displaying it on the operation panel, which is the display unit (S40). As a result, the user can confirm that the IR image to be judged has been formed as intended and obtain a sheet of paper P on which it has been confirmed that the intended IR image has been printed.

[0071] The above is just one example; each of the following embodiments produces its own unique effects. [First aspect] The first embodiment is an image forming system comprising an image forming unit (e.g., process unit 6IR, image forming apparatus 100 equipped therewith) that forms a hard-to-see image (e.g., IR image) on a recording medium (e.g., paper P) based on hard-to-see image information (e.g., IR image information), characterized in that it comprises an image reading unit (e.g., image reading device 200) that reads a hard-to-see image, a comparison unit (e.g., determination device 300) that compares the read image information obtained by the image reading unit after reading the hard-to-see image with the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, and a correction unit (e.g., image forming control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100) that corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using correction information generated from the comparison results of the comparison unit. Generally, due to image formation defects by the image forming unit, it is possible that the intended hard-to-see image may not be formed on the recording medium, for example, by being distorted or misaligned. Conventional image forming systems could not determine whether the intended hard-to-see image had been formed on the recording medium. Moreover, because the hard-to-see image formed on the recording medium has suppressed color reproduction under visible light, users also cannot determine whether the intended hard-to-see image has been formed on the recording medium. As a result, if the intended hard-to-see image was not formed on the recording medium, it becomes impossible to recreate the intended hard-to-see image on the recording medium. In such a situation, for example, if the hard-to-see image is used to determine the authenticity of a recording medium (or a visible image formed on the recording medium), the fact that the hard-to-see image was not formed as intended can lead to problems such as a genuine recording medium being judged as a fake recording medium. In this embodiment, the comparison unit reads a hard-to-see image (which may be an image before it is formed on the recording medium) formed on the recording medium by the image reading unit and compares the read image information obtained with the hard-to-see image information corresponding to this hard-to-see image. Then, the image formation conditions of the image forming unit are corrected using the correction information generated from the result of this comparison. According to this embodiment, the above-described comparison makes it possible to grasp the error (deviation) between the hard-to-see image formed on the recording medium and the hard-to-see image information. If a hard-to-see image that is not as intended is formed on the recording medium due to an error exceeding the acceptable range, the image formation conditions of the image forming unit that formed the hard-to-see image are corrected using correction information generated from the results of the comparison. As a result, a hard-to-see image corrected so that the error is within the acceptable range can be formed on the recording medium. Therefore, even if a hard-to-see image that is not as intended is not formed on the recording medium, a hard-to-see image that is as intended can be recreated on the recording medium, and a recording medium with a hard-to-see image that is as intended can be obtained.

[0072] [Second aspect] The second embodiment is an image forming system comprising an image forming unit (e.g., process unit 6IR, image forming apparatus 100 equipped therewith) that forms a hard-to-see image (e.g., IR image) on a recording medium (e.g., paper P) based on hard-to-see image information (e.g., IR image information), characterized in that it comprises an image reading unit (e.g., image reading device 200) that reads a hard-to-see image, a comparison unit (e.g., determination device 300) that compares the read image information obtained by the image reading unit after reading the hard-to-see image with the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, and a notification unit (e.g., operation panel of image forming apparatus 100) that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison result of the comparison unit. In this embodiment, the above-described comparison allows for the identification of the error (deviation) between the hard-to-see image formed on the recording medium and the hard-to-see image information, and notification information based on the comparison result is provided to the user. As a result, if a hard-to-see image that does not meet the intended criteria is formed on the recording medium due to an error exceeding the acceptable range, the user can be informed of this through the notification. Therefore, if the intended hard-to-see image cannot be formed on the recording medium, the user can notice this and recreate the intended hard-to-see image on the recording medium, thereby obtaining a recording medium with the intended hard-to-see image formed on it.

[0073] [Third aspect] The third embodiment is characterized in that, in the first or second embodiment, the image forming unit forms an identification image (e.g., a code image) on the recording medium together with the hard-to-see image for identifying hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, and the comparison unit performs the comparison using hard-to-see image information identified from read identification information (e.g., identification data) obtained by the image reading unit reading the identification image. According to this, it is possible to easily identify which difficult-to-see image information corresponds to the difficult-to-see image read by the image reading unit, that is, which difficult-to-see image information the comparison unit uses for comparison with the difficult-to-see image.

[0074] [Fourth aspect] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the difficult-to-see image information is characterized in that the identification data obtained from the readable identification information is encrypted. According to this, a high level of confidentiality of IR images can be ensured.

[0075] [Fifth aspect] The fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the third or fourth aspect, the system has a user notification unit (for example, an image forming control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100) that notifies the user when the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the identified image cannot be identified from the read identification information. This would make it possible to notify users of issues such as image formation defects in identification images, or to notify users of fraudulent activities using fraudulent identification images.

[0076] [Sixth aspect] The sixth embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, it has a user notification unit that notifies the user when the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information is greater than or equal to a predetermined error. According to this, if a difficult-to-see image that does not meet the intended criteria is formed on the recording medium due to an error exceeding the acceptable range, the user can be informed of this. Therefore, if the intended difficult-to-see image is not formed on the recording medium, the user can notice this and recreate the intended difficult-to-see image on the recording medium by adjusting the image quality of the IR image, etc.

[0077] [Seventh aspect] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the comparison result includes an error between the readable image information and the difficult-to-see image information. According to this method, the error (deviation) between the hard-to-see image formed on the recording medium and the hard-to-see image information can be grasped, allowing for a quantitative understanding of the degree of difference between them. Therefore, it is possible to quantitatively understand to what extent the hard-to-see image is formed as intended, or not formed as intended.

[0078] [8th aspect] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the device has a communication unit that performs communication between the image forming unit and the image reading unit and the comparison unit, wherein the communication unit transmits the read image information from the image reading unit to the comparison unit, and transmits the comparison result or information generated from the comparison result from the comparison unit to the image forming unit. According to this, the image forming unit, image reading unit, and comparison unit can be configured as separate devices, and the image forming unit, image reading unit, and comparison unit can be placed in different locations, or they can be managed and operated by different people.

[0079] [Ninth aspect] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to eighth aspects, it has a storage unit for storing the comparison results or information generated from the comparison results. According to this, the information stored in the storage unit can be used for various processes and services, such as maintenance of the image forming unit and management of image information that is difficult to see.

[0080] [Tenth aspect] The tenth embodiment is an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with an image forming unit (e.g., process unit 6IR) that forms a hard-to-see image (e.g., IR image) on a recording medium (paper P) based on hard-to-see image information (e.g., IR image information), characterized in that it is equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires a comparison result between read image information obtained by reading a hard-to-see image with an image reading unit (e.g., image reading device 200) and hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, or correction information generated from the comparison result, and a correction unit (image forming control unit 40) that corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using the comparison result or correction information acquired by the acquisition unit. According to this method, even if the intended hard-to-see image cannot be formed on the recording medium, the intended hard-to-see image can be recreated on the recording medium, and a recording medium with the intended hard-to-see image formed can be obtained.

[0081] [Phase 11] The eleventh embodiment is an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with an image forming unit (e.g., process unit 6IR) that forms a hard-to-see image (e.g., IR image) on a recording medium (paper P) based on hard-to-see image information (e.g., IR image information), characterized in that it has an acquisition unit that acquires the result of comparing read image information obtained by reading the hard-to-see image with the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, or information generated from the comparison result, and a notification unit (e.g., operation panel) that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison result acquired by the acquisition unit or the information generated from the comparison result. According to this, if the intended hard-to-see image is not formed on the recording medium, the user can notice this and recreate the intended hard-to-see image on the recording medium, thereby obtaining a recording medium with the intended hard-to-see image formed on it. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1: Image forming unit 2: Transfer section 3: Recording medium supply unit 4: Fixing section 5: Recording medium ejection section 6: Process Unit 7: Photoreceptor 8: Charging device 9: Developing equipment 10: Photoconductor cleaning device 11: Exposure equipment 12: Intermediate transfer belt 13: Primary Transfer Device 14: Secondary transfer roller 17: Belt cleaning device 18: Paper feed cassette 21: Fixing device 25: Paper output tray 26: Toner Cartridge 27: Waste toner container 30: Control Unit 40: Image Forming Control Unit 100: Image forming apparatus 200: Image reading device 300: Judgment device 400: Server 500: User PC 600: Communication Network P:Paper [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0083] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-17144

Claims

1. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information that is difficult to see, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, The system includes a correction unit that corrects the image formation conditions of the image formation unit using correction information generated from the comparison results of the comparison unit, The image forming unit forms an identification image on the recording medium for identifying the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, along with the hard-to-see image. The image forming system is characterized in that the comparison unit performs the comparison using hard-to-see image information identified from the read identification information obtained by the image reading unit reading the identification image.

2. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information that is difficult to see, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, It has a notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results of the comparison unit, The image forming unit forms an identification image on the recording medium for identifying the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, along with the hard-to-see image. The image forming system is characterized in that the comparison unit performs the comparison using hard-to-see image information identified from the read identification information obtained by the image reading unit reading the identification image.

3. In the image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, The image forming system is characterized in that the identification data obtained from the read identification information is encrypted, which is the difficult-to-see image information.

4. In the image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, An image forming system characterized by having a user notification unit that notifies the user when hard-to-see image information corresponding to the identified image cannot be identified from the read identification information.

5. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information that is difficult to see, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, A correction unit that corrects the image formation conditions of the image formation unit using correction information generated from the comparison results of the comparison unit, An image forming system characterized by having a user notification unit that notifies the user when the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information is greater than or equal to a predetermined error.

6. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, A notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results of the comparison unit, An image forming system characterized by having a user notification unit that notifies the user when the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information is greater than or equal to a predetermined error.

7. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information that is difficult to see, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, The system includes a correction unit that corrects the image formation conditions of the image formation unit using correction information generated from the comparison results of the comparison unit, The image forming system is characterized in that the comparison result includes the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information.

8. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, It has a notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results of the comparison unit, The image forming system is characterized in that the comparison result includes the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information.

9. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, A correction unit that corrects the image formation conditions of the image formation unit using correction information generated from the comparison results of the comparison unit, It has an image forming unit and a communication unit that communicates between the image reading unit and the comparison unit, The image forming system is characterized in that the communication unit transmits the read image information from the image reading unit to the comparison unit, and transmits the comparison result or information generated from the comparison result from the comparison unit to the image forming unit.

10. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, A notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results of the comparison unit, It has an image forming unit and a communication unit that communicates between the image reading unit and the comparison unit, The image forming system is characterized in that the communication unit transmits the read image information from the image reading unit to the comparison unit, and transmits the comparison result or information generated from the comparison result from the comparison unit to the image forming unit.

11. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, A correction unit that corrects the image formation conditions of the image formation unit using correction information generated from the comparison results of the comparison unit, An image forming system characterized by having a storage unit that stores the comparison results or information generated from the comparison results.

12. An image forming system comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An image reading unit that reads images that are difficult to see, A comparison unit compares the image reading unit's read image information with the corresponding image information for the difficult-to-see image, A notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results of the comparison unit, An image forming system characterized by having a storage unit that stores the comparison results or information generated from the comparison results.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms an image that is difficult to see on a recording medium based on image information that is difficult to see, An acquisition unit acquires the result of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or correction information generated from the comparison result. The system includes a correction unit that corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using the comparison results or correction information acquired by the acquisition unit, The image forming unit forms an identification image on the recording medium for identifying the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, along with the hard-to-see image. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the comparison result is a comparison result using hard-to-see image information identified from read identification information obtained by the image reading unit reading the identification image.

14. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information that is difficult to see, An acquisition unit acquires the results of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or information generated from the comparison results. The system includes a notification unit that notifies the user of the comparison results acquired by the acquisition unit or the notification information based on the information generated from the comparison results, The image forming unit forms an identification image on the recording medium for identifying the hard-to-see image information corresponding to the hard-to-see image, along with the hard-to-see image. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the comparison result is a comparison result using hard-to-see image information identified from read identification information obtained by the image reading unit reading the identification image.

15. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An acquisition unit acquires the result of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or correction information generated from the comparison result. A correction unit corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using the comparison results or correction information acquired by the acquisition unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by having a user notification unit that notifies the user when the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information is greater than or equal to a predetermined error.

16. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An acquisition unit acquires the results of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or information generated from the comparison results. A notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results acquired by the acquisition unit or information generated from said comparison results, An image forming apparatus characterized by having a user notification unit that notifies the user when the error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information is greater than or equal to a predetermined error.

17. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An acquisition unit acquires the result of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or correction information generated from the comparison result. The system includes a correction unit that corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using the comparison results or correction information acquired by the acquisition unit, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the comparison result includes an error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information.

18. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An acquisition unit acquires the results of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or information generated from the comparison results. The system includes a notification unit that notifies the user of the comparison results acquired by the acquisition unit or the notification information based on the information generated from the comparison results, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the comparison result includes an error between the read image information and the difficult-to-see image information.

19. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An acquisition unit acquires the result of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or correction information generated from the comparison result. A correction unit corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit using the comparison results or correction information acquired by the acquisition unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by having a storage unit that stores comparison results or correction information acquired by the acquisition unit.

20. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit for forming a hard-to-see image on a recording medium based on hard-to-see image information, An acquisition unit acquires the results of comparing the read image information obtained by reading a difficult-to-see image with the difficult-to-see image information corresponding to the difficult-to-see image, or information generated from the comparison results. A notification unit that notifies the user of notification information based on the comparison results acquired by the acquisition unit or information generated from said comparison results, An image forming apparatus characterized by having a storage unit that stores comparison results acquired by the acquisition unit or information generated from said comparison results.

Images