According to one embodiment, a decoloring device includes a reading unit, a decoloring unit, and a control unit. The reading unit is configured to read control information from a first image formed in a predetermined area of a sheet. The decoloring unit is configured to decolor a portion or entirety of a second image, different from the first image, formed on the sheet using a decolorable recording material. The control unit is configured to control erasing of the data of the second image from a storage device, based on the control information, in a case where the decoloring unit decolors the second image.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a decoloring device, an image processing system, and a decoloring method.

BACKGROUND

In order to reuse a sheet by decoloring an image formed on the sheet, a device is used which forms an image on the sheet using a decolorable coloring agent. Data of an image to be formed on the sheet may be stored in a storage device, and may remain in the storage device after the image is formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

According to one embodiment a decoloring device includes a reading unit, a decoloring unit, and a control unit. The reading unit is configured to read control information from a first image formed in a predetermined area of a sheet. The decoloring unit is configured to decolor a portion or entirety of a second image, different from the first image, formed on the sheet using a decolorable recording material. The control unit is configured to control erasing of the data of the second image from a storage device, based on the control information, in a case where the decoloring unit decolors the second image.

Hereinafter, a decoloring device, an image processing system, and a decoloring method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a configuration diagram of an image processing system1according to an embodiment.

The image processing system1includes an image forming device100, a decoloring device200, a server device300, and a terminal device400. The image forming device100, the decoloring device200, the server device300, and the terminal device400are communicably connected to each other through a network NW. The network NW is an information communication network such as the Internet or the Local Area Network (LAN). The image processing system1may include multiple image forming devices100, multiple decoloring devices200, multiple server devices300, and multiple terminal devices400.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the image forming device100according to the embodiment. The image forming device100is, for example, a multifunction peripheral. The image forming device100includes a display110, a control panel120, a printer unit130, and a sheet containing portion140. The printer unit130of the image forming device100may be an electronic photographic device which fixes a toner image, or may be an inkjet device.

The image forming device100generates image information by reading an image from a sheet, thereby generating an image file. In addition, the image forming device100generates an image file based on the image data transmitted from the terminal device400through the network NW. The sheet is, for example, manuscripts, paper on which characters, images, or the like are described, or anything having an image readable by the image forming device100.

The display110is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro luminescence (EL) display. The display110displays various types of information on the image forming device100.

The control panel120includes multiple buttons. The control panel120is a portion that a user manipulates. The control panel120transmits a signal, according to manipulation of the user, to a control unit of the image forming device100. The display110and the control panel120may be configured as a touch panel of one piece.

The printer unit130forms an image on the sheet, based on image information which is generated by an image reading unit160or image information which is received through a communication path. In addition, the printer unit130forms an image on the sheet, based on specific information which is generated by a code generation unit150.

The printer unit130forms an image using, for example, the following processing. The printer unit130forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum, based on the image information and the control information. The printer unit130forms a visible image by depositing a developer onto the electrostatic latent image. The developer is toner, ink, or the like for forming an image on paper. For example, the developer may be ink which decolors when exposed to a solvent. In addition, the developer may be heat decolorable toner. The heat decolorable toner decolors an image by applying a predetermined temperature. The solvent decolorable ink or heat decolorable toner are examples of “decolorable recording materials”. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in the context of the heat decolorable toner.

The printer unit130transfers a visible image onto the sheet. The printer unit130fixes the visible image on the sheet by heating or pressing the sheet. The sheet on which an image is formed may be contained in the sheet containing portion140or may be manually supplied.

The sheet containing portion140contains a sheet which is used for image formation of the printer unit130.

FIG. 3is a functional configuration diagram of the image forming device100. The image forming device100further includes the code generation unit150, the image reading unit160, a control unit170, a storage unit180, and a communication unit190, in addition to the display110. One or more of the code generation unit150, the image reading unit160, and the control unit170may include a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) which executes a program.

The code generation unit150generates a one-dimensional barcode in which information is encoded, or a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR Code®. For example, the code generation unit150may generates the two-dimensional code containing image identification information. The image identification information is an example of “control information” used by the image processing system1.

The image reading unit160is configured to read image information of a read target which is formed on the sheet by checking brightness and darkness of light. The image reading unit160temporarily stores the image information which is read in the storage unit180. The control unit170transmits the stored image information to the server device300or another information processing device through the network, using the communication unit190. The stored image information may be formed on the sheet by the printer unit130as an image. The control unit170may erase the image information which is stored in the storage unit180of the image forming device100, after the image is formed on the sheet by the printer unit130. The communication unit190is a communication interface for communicating with the decoloring device200or the server device300.

FIG. 4is a functional configuration diagram of the decoloring device200.

The decoloring device200includes a display210, a control panel220, a paper feeding unit230, a decoloring unit240, a discharge unit250, an image reading unit260, an image processing unit270, a control unit280, and a communication unit290. One or more of the image reading unit260, the image processing unit270, and the control unit280may include a processor such as a CPU which executes a program. In addition, one or more of the functional units may include hardware such as a large scale integration (LSI), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

The decoloring device200decolors an image which is formed using heat decolorable toner.

The image reading unit260and the image processing unit270are examples of “reading units”.

The display210has the same functional configuration as the display110. The control panel220has the same functional configuration as the control panel120.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of the decoloring device200according to an embodiment.

A transport unit (not illustrated) transports a sheet P through transport paths R1, R2, R3, and R4. The transport unit includes a transport roller and a motor. The transport roller and the motor are disposed in each position of the transport paths R1, R2, R3, and R4. The motor of the transport unit generates drive torque according to control of the control unit280. The drive torque rotates the transport roller. A sheet P is transported to each unit through the transport paths R1, R2, R3, and R4by rotation of the transport roller.

The paper feeding unit230includes a table on which the sheet P is loaded. The paper feeding unit230includes a paper feeding roller which is not illustrated. The sheet P which is loaded on the paper feeding unit230is taken in the transport path R1by the paper feeding roller. Thereby, the sheet P is transported to the image reading unit260through the transport path R1.

The image reading unit260reads an image formed on the sheet P which is transported through the transport path R1or the transport path R3. The image reading unit260may be an image sensor such as an image scanner. The image reading unit260transmits image information read from the sheet P to the image processing unit270.

The image processing unit270performs processing such as decoding with respect to the image information which is read by the image reading unit260. The image processing unit270converts the image information into a bit array or another format that can be recognized by a computer, based on the results of processing such as decoding. The image processing unit270reads the content of the information which is encoded in a two-dimensional code described on the sheet P. The image processing unit270recognizes identification information which is encoded in the two-dimensional code.

The decoloring unit240includes a heater which heats the sheet P. The heater is embedded in a heating roller. The sheet P is transported by the heating roller, and is heated by the heating roller. The heater may heat the heating roller, using an induction heating method.

The decoloring unit240heats a surface of the transported sheet P to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is a temperature which can decolor the image formed on the sheet P. Thereby, the decoloring unit240decolors the image which is formed on the sheet P.

As well, the method of decoloring the image formed on the sheet is not limited to heating a surface of the sheet P. For example, methods of erasing an image may include exposing the image on the sheet, eliminating the image on the sheet and using a fluxing material for erasing the image on the sheet.

The discharge unit250transports the sheet P from the image reading unit260through the transport path R4. The discharge unit250contains the transported sheet P in a cassette252.

The communication unit290is an interface for communicating among the image forming device100, the server device300, or the terminal device400.

FIG. 6is a functional configuration diagram illustrating of the server device300.

The server device300includes a control unit310, a storage unit320, and a communication unit330. The control unit310is an example of an “erasure control unit”. The communication unit330is an example of an “acquisition unit”.

The storage unit320includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory medium, such as, a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or an SD card, or a volatile memory medium, such as, a random access memory (RAM) or a register.

The control unit310causes the storage unit320to store information which is transmitted by the image forming device100. The control unit310controls the storage unit320, based on the information which is transmitted from the decoloring device200.

The storage unit320stores a program which is executed by a processor, and in addition, stores information which is transmitted by the image forming device100. In addition, the storage unit320stores information which is transmitted by the terminal device400that communicates with the network NW.

The communication unit330is an interface for communicating with the image forming device100, the decoloring device200, or the terminal device400.

Hereinafter, detailed processing which is performed by the image processing system1will be described.

FIG. 7is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming device100and the server device300.

First, the image forming device100acquires image information of a target whose image is formed on a sheet (ACT100). The image reading unit160may acquire the image information of the target. In addition, the image forming device100may acquire the image information of the target from the storage unit180, the server device300, or the terminal device400which is connected to the network NW.

Subsequently, the code generation unit150assigns identification information to the image information of the target, and generates a two-dimensional code that includes information which is obtained by encoding the identification information along with erasure information (ACT102).

The identification information is assigned to each target image, and is used for identifying the image information. The erasure information is used for instructing erasure of the image information from a storage device. The identification information and the erasure information is an example of “control information”.

Subsequently, the printer unit130forms an image including a two-dimensional code OB on a sheet (ACT104). The printer unit130forms the image based on the image information which is generated by the image reading unit160and the two-dimensional code which is generated by the code generation unit150. An image that is generated based on the image information which is generated by the image reading unit160is an example of a “second image”. An image which is generated based on the two-dimensional code is an example of a “first image”.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating an example of an image which is formed by the printer unit130.

The printer unit130forms the image information which is generated by the image reading unit160on the sheet P. The printer unit130forms the two-dimensional code OB (image) that includes the information which is obtained by encoding the identification information and the erasure information, in a margin (printing area different from the image information) of the sheet P.

The printer unit130may form the two-dimensional code OB (image) that includes information which is obtained by encoding the identification information and the erasure information, in the printing area in which the image information is formed, so that the two images overlap each other. For example, the printer unit130may form the image information which is generated by the image reading unit160and the two-dimensional code OB (image) in the same printing area using different colors from each other so as to overlap each other. In this case, the printer unit130forms the code OB and the image information on the sheet P such that the two-dimensional code OB and the image information can be identified, as woven pattern printing. Thereby, a user which uses the sheet P can recognize that the two-dimensional code OB is formed on the sheet P.

Subsequently, the control unit170transmits the image information and the identification information corresponding to the image information to the server device300using the communication unit190(ACT106).

Subsequently, the control unit310receives the information which is transmitted by the communication unit190, and stores the received information in the storage unit320(ACT108). The received information is, for example, the image information and the identification information corresponding to the image information. The control unit310stores the received information in an information table TB of the storage unit320.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example of the information table TB which is stored in the storage unit320. For example, the image identification information is stored in the information table TB, corresponding to the image information. In addition, address information indicating an address of the storage area in which the image information is stored corresponds to the image information, in the information table TB.

FIG. 10is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the decoloring device200and the server device300. The processing described in connection withFIG. 10is performed on the sheet P, which has a two-dimensional code OB that is obtained by encoding the identification information.

First, the image reading unit260reads the image including a two-dimensional code which is formed on the sheet P (ACT200).

Subsequently, the decoloring unit240decolors the image which is formed on the sheet P (ACT202).

The image processing unit270determines whether the identification information and the erasure information, encoded in the two-dimensional code OB based on the read image, can be acquired (ACT204).

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT204; NO), processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT204; YES), processing of ACT206proceeds. That is, the control unit280queries a user on whether or not to erase the image information (ACT206).

FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example of a query image which queries the user on whether or not to erase the image information.

The control unit280displays a query image QI on the display210.

In addition, the query image QI includes, for example, a set area A1and a set area A2. The set area A1is, for example, an area for selecting erasure of the image information which is stored in the server device300. The set area A2is an area for selecting storage of the image information which is stored in the server device300without erasing the image information.

A user selects erasure of the image information using the control panel220, for example by tapping the set area A1of the display210.

In a case where the user selects erasure of the image information (ACT206; YES), the control unit280performs processing of erasing the image information from the server device300(ACT208). The image information corresponds to the identification information which is acquired in ACT204.

In the processing of erasure, for example, the control unit280transmits an instruction signal to the server device300instructing erasure of the image information. The instruction signal includes the identification information corresponding to the image information to be erased.

In a case where the user selects no erasure of the image information (ACT208; NO) by tapping the set area A2, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

If the erasure instruction signal is transmitted from the decoloring device200to the server device300, the control unit310erases the image information which is stored in the storage unit320(ACT210).

For example, the control unit310receives the identification information and the erasure information from the decoloring device200. The control unit310erases the image information corresponding to the received identification information, from the storage unit320.

FIG. 12is a diagram schematically illustrating the information table TB in a case where the image information is erased.

For example, the control unit310erases image information “IM3” corresponding to identification information “03” which is stored in the information table TB, in a case where the control unit310receives the identification information “03” and the erasure information. The control unit310may transmit information indicating that the image information “IM3’ is erased, to the image forming device100. In this case, the decoloring device200displays the information indicating that the image information “IM3” is erased, on the display210.

In addition, the image forming device100may form image information of a target on multiple sheets P. The two-dimensional code OB which is obtained by encoding the same identification information is formed on the multiple sheets P. The decoloring device200transmits the same identification information to the server device300more than once, when processing the multiple sheets P. In a case where the identification information is received, the control unit310erases the image information corresponding to the identification information. After the image information is erased, the control unit310acquires the same identification information as the identification information corresponding to the erased image information. At this time, the control unit310may transmit the information indicating that the image information corresponding to the identification information is erased, to the decoloring device200. The decoloring device200may display the information indicating that the image information is previously erased, on the display210. It should be noted that different identification information may be assigned to each sheet.

In the present embodiment, the erasure information which is encoded to the two-dimensional barcode is described, but there are embodiments in which the erasure information is not encoded in the two-dimensional barcode. In such cases, identification information regarding image information to be erased may be received from the decoloring device, and the server device300may erase the image information corresponding to the identification information from the storage unit320, according to the identification information which is received from the decoloring device200.

A function of the image processing unit270may be included in the server device300. In this case, the decoloring device200transmits information (image information) indicating an image on the sheet P to the server device300. An image processing unit of the server device300receives the image information.

In the first embodiment described above, the decoloring device200performs the processing of erasing the image information corresponding to control information, from the server device300. Thereby, the image processing system1can erase unnecessary image information from a storage device, after an image formed on the sheet P is erased.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, identification information is encoded in the two-dimensional code OB. In a second embodiment, address information is encoded in the two-dimensional code OB. The address information indicates a position corresponding to a storage area included in the storage unit320. The address information is an example of “control information”.

FIG. 13is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of an image forming device and a server device according to the second embodiment.

First, the image forming device100acquires image information of a target (ACT300). Subsequently, the control unit170transmits the image information to the server device300(ACT302). Subsequently, the control unit310receives the image information which is transmitted by the communication unit190, and stores the acquired image information in the storage unit320(ACT304). The control unit310stores the received image information and address information of a storage area thereof in an information table TB1of the storage unit320so as to correspond to each other.

FIG. 14is a diagram illustrating an example of the information table TB1which is stored in the storage unit320. For example, the information table TB1includes a list of the image information and the address information corresponding to the image information.

Subsequently, the control unit310transmits the address information of the storage area which stores the received image information to the image forming device100(ACT306), which receives the information.

The code generation unit150generates the two-dimensional code OB which is obtained by encoding the address information and the erasure information (ACT308).

Subsequently, the printer unit130forms an image including the two-dimensional code OB on a sheet (ACT310). The image is formed based on the image information which is generated by the image reading unit160and the information which is generated by the code generation unit150. Thereby, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

Hereinafter, processing which is performed by the decoloring device200and the server device300will be described.

First, the image reading unit260reads an image formed on the sheet P. Subsequently, the decoloring unit240decolors an image formed on the sheet P. Further, the image processing unit270acquires the address information and the erasure information which is encoded in the two-dimensional code OB formed on the image. Subsequently, the control unit280queries a user on whether or not to erase the image information corresponding to the acquired address information.

In a case where the user selects erasure of the image information, the control unit280performs processing of erasing the image information from the server device300.

The processing of erasing is that the control unit280transmits an instruction signal to the server device300instructing the server device300to erase the image information. For example, the instruction signal includes the address information corresponding to the image information to be erased.

In a case where the user selects no erasure of the image information, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

Subsequently, if selected by the user, the control unit310erases the image information which is stored in the storage unit320, based on the control from the decoloring device200. For example, the control unit310receives an instruction signal including the address information and the erasure information from the decoloring device200. The control unit310erases the image information, which is stored in the storage area, corresponding to the address information which is included in the acquired instruction signal, from the storage unit320.

In the second embodiment described above, address information is used instead of identification information. The image processing system1can specify image information to be erased, base on the address information, and thus, processing is simplified.

Third Embodiment

In the first embodiment, identification information is encoded to the two-dimensional code OB. In a third embodiment, a two-dimensional code OB1which is obtained by encoding authority information is further formed on the sheet P, in addition to the two-dimensional code OB which is obtained by encoding the identification information. The authority information indicates authority of erasing the image information that is stored in the server device300. The authority information is an example of information which is included in the “control information”.

FIG. 15is a diagram illustrating examples of sheets P1to Pn which are used in the third embodiment. “n” is an arbitrary natural number. Hereinafter, in a case where the sheets P1to Pn are not intended to be distinguished from each other in the process described, the “n” sheets are referred to collectively as the sheet P.

The image forming device100forms an image on the multiple sheets P1to Pn from the image information of a target. The image forming device100forms, for example, the two-dimensional code OB1which is obtained by encoding the authority information and the two-dimensional code OB which is obtained by encoding the identification information, on the sheet P1. The image forming device100forms the two-dimensional code OB which is obtained by encoding the identification information, for example, on the sheets P2to Pn.

The image forming device100may form the two-dimensional code OB which is obtained by encoding the identification information and the authority information, on the sheet P1.

FIG. 16is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a decoloring device200according to the third embodiment.

First, the image reading unit260reads the image formed on the sheet P (ACT400). Subsequently, the decoloring unit240decolors the image formed on the sheet P (ACT402).

Subsequently, the image processing unit270determines whether or not the authority information which is encoded to the two-dimensional code OB1formed on the image can be acquired (ACT404).

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT404; NO), processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT404; YES), the control unit280performs the following processing. The control unit280determines whether or not a user has authority of being able to erase the image information, based on the acquired authority information (ACT406).

The control unit280displays an image which requires input operation of a password or identification information assigned to an operator, on the display210.

The control unit280acquires the password which is inputted to the control panel220by the operator or the identification information assigned to the operator. Hereinafter, a case where the control unit280acquires a password will be described.

The control unit280determines whether or not the password stored in a storage unit of the decoloring device200coincides with a password inputted by the operator. In a case where the passwords coincide with each other, the control unit280determines that the operator which performs the input operation is an operator having authority to erase the image information. In a case where the passwords do not coincide with each other, the control unit280determines that the operator which performs the input operation is an operator having no authority to erase the image information.

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT406; NO), processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT406; YES), the image processing unit270determines whether or not the identification information which is encoded in the two-dimensional code OB formed on the image can be acquired (ACT408).

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT408; NO), processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT408; YES), the control unit280queries the user on whether or not to erase the image information (ACT410). For example, the control unit280performs query by displaying a query image on the display210.

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT410; NO), processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated. For example, in a case where the user selects no erasure of the image information, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT410; YES), the control unit280performs processing of erasing the image information from the server device300(ACT412). The processing of erasing indicates that the control unit280transmits the identification information which is acquired in ACT408and an instruction signal which instructs erasure of the image information, to the server device300. A case where the determination result is “YES” is, for example, a case where the user selects erasure of the image information. Thereby, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

The server device300receives the identification information which is transmitted by the aforementioned processing and the instruction signal which instructs erasure of the image information. The control unit310erases the image information which is stored in the storage unit320, based on the received information (ACT414).

According to the third embodiment described above, when the decoloring device200determines that the operator has authority of erasing the image information, the decoloring device200transmits the instruction signal which instructs erasure of the image information to the server device300. Thus, the image processing system1can perform precise management of the image information which is stored in a storage device. As a result, convenience for a user is increased.

Fourth Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the decoloring device200transmits an instruction signal which instructs erasure of image information to the server device300. In an image processing system1according to a fourth embodiment, the decoloring device200transmits image information corresponding to an image which is formed on the sheet P to the server device300. The server device300stores the transmitted image information in the storage unit320.

FIG. 17is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the decoloring device200according to the fourth embodiment.

First, the image reading unit260reads an image formed on the sheet P (ACT500). Subsequently, the decoloring unit240decolors the image formed on the sheet P (ACT502).

The image processing unit270determines whether or not identification information which is encoded in the two-dimensional code OB formed on the image can be acquired (ACT504).

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT504; NO), processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT504; YES), the control unit280queries a user on whether or not to remember the image information (ACT506). For example, the control unit280performs query by displaying a query image on the display210.

In a case where the determination result is “NO” (ACT506; NO), meaning no remembrance of the image information, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

In a case where the determination result is “YES” (ACT506; YES), the control unit280performs the following processing. The control unit280transmits an instruction signal which instructs remembrance of the image information to the server device300(ACT508). In this case, the control unit280transmits the identification information which is acquired in ACT504and the image information to the server device300. Based on the identification information received from the decoloring device200, the server device300overwrites the image information which was previously stored in the storage unit (ACT510). Thereby, the processing of one routine of the present processing is terminated.

According to the fourth embodiment described above, the decoloring device200determines whether or not to store the image information in the server device300, based on the identification information. As a result, convenience of a user is increased.

The image processing system1may not include the server device300. In this case, the image forming device100stores the image information of a target in the storage unit180. In a case where control information is acquired, the decoloring device200transmits the control information to the image forming device100. In a case of receiving the control information from the decoloring device200, the image forming device100erases the image information corresponding to the control information which is stored in the storage unit180.

In addition, the decoloring device200may be included in the image forming device100and the decoloring device200and the image forming device100may be function as one device.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, a decoloring device includes a reading unit configured to read control information for controlling a storage device from a first image formed on a predetermined area of a sheet; a decoloring unit configured to decolor a portion, or the entirety, of a second image formed on the sheet using a decolorable recording material; and a control unit that erases the data of the second image from the storage unit, based on the control information, in a case where the decoloring unit decolors the second image. Accordingly, it is possible to erase unnecessary image information from the storage unit, after the image formed on the sheet is decolored.