Image forming system

An image forming system which realizes reliable output of an original of a finished book, while maintaining security. A sheet-unique information-reading unit reads sheet-unique information unique to a sheet used for making a finished book based on image data. A memory section stores the sheet-unique information read by the sheet-unique information-reading unit in association with the image data based on which a finished book is made. In outputting an original of the finished book, a CPU causes an image forming device to perform image output based on the information stored in the memory section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming system to which a bookbinding apparatus can be connected.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to the increased functionality of recent digital image processing apparatuses and the like, in order to prevent an unauthorized operation such as unauthorized access via the network to output a classified document or the like, it becomes necessary to manage users who operate an image processing apparatus or the like. To this end, personal authentication is performed to thereby identify a user and improve security.

Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-22239 discloses an image processing apparatus which performs personal authentication (fingerprint authentication). According to the publication, it is determined whether or not image data has digital watermark information, and it is determined from the information whether or not the document to be copied is classified. If it is a classified document, personal authentication is performed on a person who attempts to copy the document and printing is permitted only when the person is authenticated.

However, the conventional configuration has the following problems:

(1) In copying a finished book made by bookbinding, it is required to unbind the finished book into separate sheets again.

(2) In the case of (1), if the finished book suffers from miss gathering, it is copied with the defect of miss gathering.

(3) Even if an original image used for making a finished book has been changed, a change in the original image is not reflected on the copy which is output.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an image forming system which realizes reliable output of an original of a finished hook, while maintaining security.

The present invention provides an image forming system in which an image reading device, an image forming device, and a bookbinding apparatus are connected, comprising a sheet-unique information-reading unit configured to read sheet-unique information unique to a sheet used for making a finished book based on image data, a storage unit configured to store the sheet-unique information read by the sheet-unique information-reading unit in association with the image data, and a control unit configured to cause the image data stored in association with the sheet-unique information in the storage unit to be output to the image forming device, based on the sheet-unique information of the sheet used for the finished book, when outputting the image data based on which the finished book is made.

The image forming system according to the present invention includes a sheet-unique information-reading unit configured to read sheet-unique information unique to a sheet used for making a finished book based on image data. Further, the image forming system includes a storage unit configured to store the sheet-unique information read by the sheet-unique information-reading unit in association with the image data. Furthermore, the image forming system includes a control unit configured to cause the image data stored in association with the sheet-unique information in the storage unit to be output to the image forming device, based on the sheet-unique information of the sheets used for the finished book, when outputting the image data based on which the finished book is made.

Thus, original images of a finished book are output based on the image data linked to the sheet-unique information, it is possible to realize reliable output of an original of a finished book while maintaining security.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system100inFIG. 1includes an image reading device (scanner device)101that reads images on respective sheets of originals, and a sheet feeder102that feeds sheets S on which the images are to be formed. The image forming system100also includes an image forming device103that forms the images on the sheets S based on image information read by the image reading device101, a bookbinding apparatus104that binds the sheets S having the images formed thereon, and an assorting and storing device105that assorts products made by bookbinding.

The image forming system100also includes a first paper pattern-detecting unit106(a sheet-unique information-reading unit) as a means for reading sheet-unique information from a sheet S set on the image reading device101, and a second paper pattern-detecting unit107(a sheet-unique information-reading unit) that is disposed within the bookbinding apparatus104. The image forming system100also includes an inserting device108that feeds interleaved sheets into the bookbinding apparatus104, and an operating display section109. The bookbinding apparatus104also includes a sheet aligning section116.

Data of images read by the image reading device101is transmitted to the image forming device103and the image forming device103can form images on the sheets S fed by the sheet feeder102. The sheets S on which the images are formed are conveyed into the bookbinding apparatus104where they are bound into a book. After bookbinding, the finished book is conveyed to the assorting and storing device105where it is subjected to assorting. It should be noted that as described hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a detailed description is given of a case where book-making data prepared by a client PC200is stored in a memory section303of a host server300, and the image forming device103reads the book-making data from the memory section303to form images on sheets S.

The second paper pattern-detecting unit107is disposed in the sheet aligning section116of the bookbinding apparatus104, and is configured such that even when a sheet having no image formed by the image forming device103forms a front cover or a back cover of a finished book, it is capable of reliably detecting a patter pattern on the sheet forming the front cover or the back cover. Now, the case where a sheet having no image formed by the image forming device103forms the front cover of a finished book is a case where a sheet fed from the inserting device108forms the front cover of the finished book. In other words, the sheet forming the front cover is not passed through the image forming device103.

Now, the “paper pattern” is intended to mean an asperity pattern of natural fiber on a surface of a sheet made from wood pulp as a raw material, and the present invention pays attention to the fact the paper pattern is different from paper to paper just as a human fingerprint is unique to an individual person. In the present embodiment, a 1 or 2 mm-square portion of a sheet desired to be identified is scanned to form an image of the asperity pattern of the natural fiber, and a pattern of light and dark of the asperity pattern image is converted into a digital signal, for storage as data. When a sheet is fed, a paper pattern thereof detected by the first or second paper pattern-detecting unit is checked using analysis software to see if the sheet is of the same paper.

FIG. 2is a diagram showing the arrangement of the operating display section109appearing inFIG. 1.

The operating display section109includes an LCD display section110for indicating information on settings of printing (copying magnification, color designation, the number of sheets, a document mode, and so on). The operating display section109also includes a start key111that serves both as a copy button for instructing the start of a copying operation and a reading button for reading personal identification information (information on veins in a finger or a surface shape of the same).

Next, a description will be given of the processing operation of the image forming system100according to the present invention with reference toFIGS. 3 to 6.

FIG. 3is a control block diagram of the image forming system shown inFIG. 1, including devices connected to each other online.

A system controller400includes a communication section401that communicates over the network, a CPU402(a control unit) that controls the entire image forming system, a memory section403, and an image processing section404.

The system controller400is connected to the image reading device101incorporating the first paper pattern-detecting unit106, the sheet feeder102, the image forming device103, and the bookbinding apparatus104incorporating the second paper pattern-detecting unit107.

Furthermore, the system controller400is connected to the assorting and storing device105, the inserting device108, and the operating display section109, and at the same time it is connected to the host server300via the network.

The host server300incorporates a communication section301that communicates over the network, an ID collating section302, and the memory section303that stores image data, and is connected to the client PC200via the network.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a first book-making process including a first paper pattern authentication process performed by the image forming system shown inFIG. 3.

This process is performed by the system controller400appearing inFIG. 3.

Specifically, in the first book-making process inFIG. 4, an operator uses the client PC200connected to the network so as to make a book based on data of an original.

First, the operator sends a book-making command to the system controller400from the client PC200via the network and the host server300. At this time, the client PC200transmits book-making data prepared thereby and personal authentication data (personal authentication information) or output authority associated with the book-making data over the network to the host server300for storage in the memory section303thereof.

The system controller400having received the book-making command sends a print start signal to the sheet feeder102, the image forming device103, and the bookbinding apparatus104(step S100). Next, a paper pattern (sheet-unique information; ID) of a front cover (the uppermost sheet of a finished book) conveyed to the sheet aligning section116of the bookbinding apparatus104is read by the second paper pattern-detecting unit107(step S101). Details of the paper pattern-detecting units will be described hereinafter.

After reading the paper pattern of the front cover, data of the paper pattern is stored in the memory section403, and then is stored in association with the book-making data in the memory section303of the host server300via the network (step S102). After storing the data of the paper pattern, a book-making process is performed (step S103), followed by terminating the present process.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a second book-making process including a second paper pattern authentication process performed by the image forming system shown inFIG. 3.

This process is performed by the system controller400appearing inFIG. 3.

Specifically,FIG. 5shows a flow of making and delivering an original of the finished book based on the existing original of the finished book again.

First, the operator performs personal identification via the operating display section109(step S200). Here, simultaneously when the operator depresses the start key111to start printing, personal identification information (information on veins in a finger or a surface shape of the same) is read using the reading button as a personal identification means.

Next, the paper pattern (sheet-unique information) of the finished book placed on the original platen glass is ready by the first paper pattern-detecting unit106(step S201).

Next, personal authentication and ID collation are performed (step S202). Here, the ID collating section302determines whether or not the personal authentication data (personal authentication information) and the paper pattern of the sheet read as describe above are already registered in the memory section303of the host server300as the database.

If the personal authentication data matches the output authority of the book-making data stored in the memory section303of the host server300, and the data of the paper pattern of the sheet matches that of the paper pattern stored in the same in association with the book-making data (YES to the step S202), the process proceeds to a step S203, wherein the printing of the book-making data stored in the memory section303of the host server300is started.

Next, the paper pattern of a printed front cover (the uppermost sheet of a finished book) which is conveyed to the sheet aligning section116of the bookbinding apparatus104is read by the second paper pattern-detecting unit107(step S204).

After reading the paper pattern of the front cover by the second paper pattern-detecting unit107, the data of the paper pattern is stored in the memory section403, and at the same time, it is stored in the memory section303of the host server300via the network in association with the book-making data and the result of the personal identification (step S205). After storing the data of the paper pattern of the sheet and data of the personal identification, the book-making process is performed (step S206), followed by terminating the present process.

If it is not confirmed from the personal authentication data that the operator has output authority, or the paper pattern data of the sheet does not match the paper pattern data stored in association with the book-making data (NO to the step S202), the present process is immediately terminated.

Next, a detailed description will be given of the first paper pattern-detecting unit106and the second paper pattern-detecting unit107.

FIG. 6is a diagram showing the arrangement of the first paper pattern-detecting unit106which is mounted on the image reading device appearing inFIG. 1.

The first paper pattern-detecting unit106having the present arrangement is a reading means which makes use of laser speckles. The laser speckles are an interference pattern observed when interference patterns are mutually intensified or weakened due to scattering of laser light. When a laser beam having a uniform wavelength and phase is reflected from a surface of an object which has microscopic asperities, interference of light occurs due to the microscopic asperities, and hence random small spots are observed to be formed.

Referring toFIG. 6, a laser beam603is generated using a laser light source601and a collimator lens602for collimating laser light emitted from the laser light source601. The laser beam603passing through the platen glass G to be irradiated onto the front cover S1of the finished book B is reflected as coherent light formed by interference of light due to the microscopic asperities on the surface of the cover S1, to thereby generate interference pattern-indicating reflected light607.

The generated interference pattern-indicating reflected light607enters an image sensor609(is received thereby) through the imaging lens608. The image sensor609is implemented by a two-dimensional image area sensor such as a CCD or CMOS area sensor that has a wavelength sensitivity capable of sensing the wavelength of the laser beam603.

The laser light source601, the collimator lens602, the imaging lens608, and the image sensor609inFIG. 6are combined to form a unit for observing laser speckle.

FIG. 7is a control block diagram of the first paper pattern-detecting unit106shown inFIG. 6.

As shown inFIG. 7, the laser light source601as a laser emitting means is controlled by the CPU402, and the image processing section404binarizes the interference pattern-indicating reflected light607read by the imaging sensor609.

The interference pattern obtained by the coherent light of the laser is observed or detected as a light and dark pattern of micro dots called “speckles”. The size of each individual dot is typically represented by a function of a number of device parameters, such as the wavelength of laser light incident on a reflecting surface, the diameter of the laser beam, and the distance from the reflecting surface to an observer or a photo sensor.

If these device parameters such as the wavelength, the diameter of the laser beam, and the distance from the reflecting surface to the sensor are held constant, it can be assumed that statistical average of respective widths of speckles is a function of a value practically determined by the arrangement of the system, and is dependent on the paper pattern (asperity pattern of a paper surface). Instead of the width of speckles, another appropriate pattern-related size, such as the length of a speckle, the distance between speckles, the distance between the front edges of two adjacent speckles, or the distance between the back edges of two adjacent speckles may be used. It is known that the average speckle size can be determined from the following equation (1):
average speckle size=λ·R/d(1)

wherein, λ represents the wavelength, R the distance from the reflecting point, and d the diameter of the laser beam.

As represented by the equation (1), a speckle having a Gaussian average of 5 to 10 micrometers can be produced by strictly limiting the laser beam for use. That is, the distribution of speckles on the surface of the sheet having microscopic asperities can be clearly observed.

The image sensor609requires a sufficient number of scan pixels for observing the distribution of speckles. If the size of a speckle read by the image sensor609cannot be made small, lenses are additionally disposed before and after the imaging lens608, for enlarging the reflected light, such that the enlarged reflected light having a resolution required for determining an interference pattern caused by asperities on the surface of the sheet can be read from below.

FIG. 8is a diagram showing the arrangement of the second paper pattern-detecting unit107which is mounted on the bookbinding apparatus appearing inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 8, the second paper pattern-detecting unit107is disposed under the sheet aligning section116of the bookbinding apparatus104.

The second paper pattern-detecting unit107is also a reading means which makes use of laser speckles. The laser beam703is produced by a laser light source701, and a collimator lens702for collimating the laser light emitted from the laser light source701.

The laser beam703irradiated onto a cover S2of a sheet for bookbinding through a laser beam-passing opening formed at the bottom of an aligning tray section117of the sheet aligning section116is reflected as coherent light formed by interference of light due to microscopic asperities on the surface of the front cover S2, to thereby generate interference pattern-indicating reflected light707.

The generated interference pattern-indicating reflected light707enters an image sensor709through the imaging lens708. The image sensor709is implemented by a two-dimensional image area sensor such as a CCD or CMOS area sensor that has a wavelength sensitivity capable of sensing the wavelength of the laser beam703.

The laser light source701, the collimator lens702, the imaging lens708, and the image sensor709are combined to form a unit for observing laser speckle.

As shown inFIG. 7, the laser light source701as a laser emitting means is controlled by the CPU402, and the image processing section404binarizes the interference pattern-indicating reflected light707read by the imaging sensor709. Further, the second paper pattern-detecting unit107operates similarly to the first paper pattern-detecting unit106shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 9is a diagram showing an example of an image of a interference pattern read by the first or second sheet-unique information-reading unit shown inFIG. 6or8.

Hatched areas inFIG. 9represent an interference pattern of coherent light produced by causing the laser beam to be irradiated onto the surface of a sheet and reflected therefrom. The image ofFIG. 9is obtained by binarizing data indicative of the interference pattern obtained by the image sensor609or709.

Further, inFIG. 9, the interference pattern is observed using a 14×14-pixel area, this is an example simplified for the explanation. It is obvious that the interference pattern can be observed using an area of a larger number of pixels, i.e. by reading the larger number of pixels.

FIG. 10is a diagram useful in explaining an example of a dispersing process required to add an image of the interference pattern read by the sheet-unique information-reading unit shown inFIG. 6or8to the image data.

In adding the image of the interference pattern to the image data, yellow is used because yellow is less perceptible to the human eye so that the visual quality of an output image is prevented from significantly degraded. However, although yellow dots are less perceptible to the human eye, areas where yellow dots are densely arranged are visible to the human eye.

Therefore, in adding the interference pattern in the form of yellow image data, sparse yellow dots formed by dispersing the interference pattern are used instead of using yellow dots directly formed from the interference pattern itself. As a result, the interference pattern added to the image data becomes imperceptible to the human eye, which makes it possible to prevent degradation of visual quality of the output image.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bare examples illustrating an example of the dispersing process, and a basic principle of the dispersing process will be described with reference toFIGS. 10A and 10B. It is assumed that the read image of an interference pattern is formed by 3×3 pixels. As shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, addresses1,2,3, . . . ,9are assigned to the respective pixels.

Then the image is enlarged to an image consisting of 9×9 pixels for dispersion of the interference pattern such that the pixels of the 3×3-pixel image correspond to pixels of the 9×9-pixel image shown inFIGS. 10A and 10Bto which addresses1,2,3, . . .9are assigned in beforehand. The addresses shown inFIGS. 10A and 10Band assigned to the dispersed image are shown only by way of example, and there is no problem of setting the respective positions of the assigned pixels as desired.

FIG. 11is a diagram showing an example of dispersion of the interference pattern shown inFIG. 9using the dispersing process described with reference toFIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 11shows an example of dispersion of the interference pattern in which each image area of 3×3 pixels in the 14×14-pixel image shown inFIG. 9is dispersed in a 48×48-pixel image shown inFIG. 11. The image of the interference pattern shown inFIG. 9is divided into images of 3×3 pixels, and addresses a0-i0, a1-i1, a2-i2, a3-i3, and so on are assigned to the pixels of the images.

Addresses assigned as shown inFIG. 9are input to address values which are assigned beforehand to the 48×48-pixel image for dispersion. Here, address assignment to the image generated by the dispersing process inFIG. 11will be further detailed below, according to the example of dispersing the image area of a0to i0inFIG. 9.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, an example of a method of indicating the addresses will be described.

As shown inFIGS. 12A to 12C, first, the 48×48-pixel image is divided into 16×16-pixel image areas. A pixel area corresponding to pixel numbers1and2along the vertical axis at the upper end of each 16×16-pixel image area and a pixel area corresponding to pixel numbers1and2along the horizontal axis at the left end of the same are address-indicating areas used for indicating which of the nine areas of the 48×48-pixel image the 16×16-pixel image area corresponds to.

First, input to a 16×16-pixel image area at the top left corner are pixels indicated with “a” in the 14×14-pixel-image. Input to a 16×16-pixel image area at the top middle are pixels indicated with “b” in the 14×14-pixel-image, input to a 16×16-pixel image area at the top right corner are pixels indicated with “c” in the 14×14-pixel-image, and so on.

Referring toFIGS. 13A to 13I, a description will be given of how the address of an image area is indicated using the two leftmost pixel columns and the two uppermost pixel rows in the 16×16-pixel image.

FIG. 13Ashows the 16×16-pixel image at the top left corner of the 48×48-pixel image. A pattern of 2×2 pixels at the top left corner ofFIG. 13Arepresents the orientation of the 16×16-pixel image. Next, the presence of a 2-pixel image formed by the 6-th row of respective two pixels of the two leftmost pixel columns indicates that this image area belongs to the leftmost row of the nine image areas of the 48×48-pixel image each formed of 16×16 pixels.

The absence of an image (dots) formed by the 3rd or subsequent column of respective two pixels of the two uppermost pixel rows indicates that this 16×16-pixel image area belongs to the uppermost row of the nine image areas of the 48×48-pixel image.

Thus, it is indicated that the 16×16-pixel image inFIG. 13Abelongs to an area corresponding to the first column from the left and at the same time to the first row from the top of the nine areas of the 48×48-pixel image. The image data is formed such that the addresses of the other image areas are also indicated in the same manner as described above.

Referring again toFIG. 11, the 14×14 pixels of the 16×16-pixel image at the top left corner, excluding the two leftmost pixel columns and the two uppermost pixel rows used for address indication are allocated to the areas for dispersing the pixels indicated with “a” (a0, a1, a2, a3, . . . ) inFIG. 11.

As shown inFIG. 11, the pixels a0, a1, a2, and a3inFIG. 9, for example, are allocated to pixels a0, a1, a2, and a3inFIG. 11, respectively, whereby the pixels inFIG. 9are dispersed. By similarly dispersing the other pixels inFIG. 9, the image in which dots are dispersed as shown inFIG. 11is created.

If the rule of the dispersion described above is known, it is possible to accurately reproduce the interference pattern read from the sheet when an output image in which this image representative of the interference pattern is embedded is read. Therefore, by reading the pattern, it is possible to determine whether or not the finished book has the image information on an original thereof.

According to the present embodiment, even when the file name of image data of the original of the finished book or the storage folder of the image data is unknown or difficult to confirm, it is possible to positively output an original of the finished book only if there is the front cover of the finished book and the operator has authority to output an original of the finished book. Further, even when the original data is modified, if only the operator has output authority, it is possible to make a book by causing the latest version of data to be output even if the finished book itself is of the older version. This also applies to the cases where part of the book is missing, or an interleaved sheet, such as an inserter, is used for the front cover.

Although in the present embodiment, the paper pattern is used as sheet-unique information (information unique to the sheet), it is also possible to have the same effects by adding a mark, such as a barcode or a QR code to a sheet used for the front cover of the finished book.

When using the mark as the sheet-unique information, the sheet unique information-reading unit reads the mark information added by a marking means to thereby identify the mark information. The mark can be printed by a printing device, such as a BJ (Bubble Jet) printer or a marking press, or by the image forming device103of the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

Further, although in the present embodiment, the processing operations include a flow of personal authentication, the flow can be omitted when the personal authentication is unnecessary.

In the present embodiment, the storage and collation of data for making a book and personal authentication data are executed by the memory section303and the ID collating section302of the host sever300, respectively. However, in the case where communication with the host server300is not performed, the CPU402may perform the collation of the data for making a book and the personal authentication data stored in the memory section403of the system controller400.

Further, the present invention is applied to a casing-in bookbinding apparatus, a glue bookbinding apparatus, a staple bookbinding apparatus, a ring bookbinding apparatus, and like bookbinding apparatuses.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-129404, filed May 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.