Patent Publication Number: US-8967783-B2

Title: System and method for printing a cancellation mark on a ticket

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
     This case is related to concurrently filed and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/716,815, entitled: “A Multi-Function Inkjet Device For Printing With Thermo-Reactive Ink”, by Wilsher et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/716,863, entitled: “A Multi-Function System For Erasing Media Printed With Thermo-Reactive Ink”, by Wilsher et al. and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/716,937, entitled: “A Multi-Function System For Recovering Media Printed With Thermo-Reactive Ink”, by Wilsher et al. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is directed to systems and methods for printing a cancellation mark onto a ticket using thermo-reactive inks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of document security and anti-counterfeiting, it is desirable to have a system which can print a cancellation mark onto a ticket using ink having thermo-reactive properties. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     What is disclosed is a system and method for printing a cancellation mark on a ticket using inks having thermo-reactive properties. The thermo-reactive properties of the ink are such that the ink is visible on the media when the media is at a temperature T in a range of T L &lt;T&lt;T H . The ink becomes visually transparent on the media when the media is heated to a temperature of T≧T H . The ink thereafter remains visually transparent after the media&#39;s temperature T returns back to within that temperature range. The ink becomes visually perceptible again on the media when the media is cooled to a temperature of T≦T L , with the ink remaining visible on the media after the media&#39;s temperature T returns back to within that temperature range. 
     One embodiment of the present method for printing a cancellation mark onto a ticket involves the following. A ticket, which has a security mark printed thereon, is received into a slot of a housing of a device which contains therein an inkjet printhead. The received ticket portion comes into proximity with an inkjet printhead configured to print a cancellation mark on the ticket using the thermo-reactive ink. In one embodiment, a detector is used for detecting a presence of the ticket portion having been inserted in the slot. The detector signals the inkjet printhead to print the cancellation mark on the ticket. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a user-activated switch which, when activated, causes the inkjet printhead to print the cancellation mark on the ticket. The user inserts the ticket into the slot and a cancellation mark is printed in a same secure area as where the security mark is printed. The cancellation mark can be printed so as to partially overlap the security mark. In other embodiments hereof, the security mark has been printed on the ticket with thermo-reactive ink with the ticket having been previously processed by the security mark being brought into proximity with a heating element which raised a temperature T of the ticket to at least T≧T H , such that the security mark had been rendered visually transparent. In advance of printing the cancellation mark on the ticket, the portion of the ticket containing the visually transparent security mark is brought into proximity with a cooling element which lowers a temperature T of at least the secure area of the ticket to at least T≦T L , such that the visually transparent security mark becomes visually perceptible again so that the ticket can be visually validated in advance of being printed with the cancellation mark. The printed cancellation mark may further be brought into proximity with a heating element for raising a temperature T of the ticket to at least T≧T H , such that the cancellation mark becomes visually transparent as well. Various embodiments are disclosed. 
     Many features and advantages of the above-described method will become readily apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a networked multi-function system in accordance with one embodiment of the present system; 
         FIG. 2A  shows one embodiment of a standalone system which houses some or all of the various components of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  shows another embodiment of a multi-function system intended to be physically joined with a print system such that the printed media is fed directly into this system for processing in accordance with the teachings hereof; 
         FIG. 3A  shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2A  having displayed thereon selectable operational menu options to perform an erase function or a recover function; 
         FIG. 3B  shows the user making a selection from the menus of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2A  having displayed thereon various menu options which are displayed as a result of a user having selected the ERASE function of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4B  shows the user making a selection from the menus of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2A  having displayed thereon various menu options which are displayed as a result of a user having selected the RECOVER function of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 5B  shows the user making a selection from the menus of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2A  having displayed thereon various information for a user to view; 
         FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of a multi-function document reproduction system wherein various aspects of the system of  FIG. 1  have been incorporated; 
         FIG. 8  shows the media input module and the document printing module of  FIG. 7  having been physically joined with various aspects of the multi-function system of  FIG. 2B  to form a composite multi-function system; 
         FIG. 9  shows an example handheld device which receives the ticket of  FIG. 10  and performs an erase or a recover function on the ticket as shown by way of example in  FIG. 10 , and may be further configured to print a cancellation mark on the ticket as shown by way of example in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a ticket which has a validation mark that has been printed with thermo-reactive inks ( 10 A) and the same ticket with the validation mark having been erased ( 10 B); 
         FIG. 11  shows the ticket of  FIG. 10A  with the validation mark having been over-printed with a cancellation stamp; 
         FIG. 12  shows a plurality of documents processed by the systems of FIGS.  1  and  7 - 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for printing thermo-reactive ink onto a media using various embodiment of the print system of  FIGS. 7-9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 13  with flow processing continuing with respect to node A; 
         FIG. 15  is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 14  with flow processing continuing with respect to node B; and 
         FIG. 16  is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 15  with flow processing continuing with respect to node C. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     What is disclosed is a system and method for printing a cancellation mark on a ticket using inks having thermo-reactive properties. 
     Non-Limiting Definitions 
     “Inkjet printing” employs a specially configured printhead to propel droplets of ink onto a print media. Inkjet technology was developed in the 1950s and is commonly used. There are three main types of technologies in use in contemporary inkjet devices: Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) and two forms of Drop-on-demand (DOD). In CIJ technology, a high-pressure pump directs liquid ink from a reservoir through a microscopic nozzle creating a continuous stream of ink droplets. A piezoelectric crystal creates an acoustic wave as it vibrates and causes the stream of liquid to break into droplets at regular intervals upwards of 165,000 droplets per second. The ink droplets are subjected to an electrostatic field created by a charging electrode as they form with the field varying according to the degree of drop deflection desired. This results in a controlled, variable electrostatic charge on each droplet. Drop-on-demand (DOD) technology can be divided into thermal DOD and piezoelectric DOD. Of interest here are the piezoelectric technologies, a peizo actuator is used to eject ink droplets onto the media without heating the ink. Peizo dots are printed at ambient temperature and any ink printed with such printheads will be in the stable state condition. Any of the technologies can be utilized in the embodiment dependent on the ink deposition required. 
     A “print media” or simply “media” refers to a substrate such as paper, on which ink is deposited by a device&#39;s printhead. Print devices generally have one or more paper trays for retaining different types of print media which include: paper, tickets, index cards, forms, and the like. A given print media has an associated set of attributes which encompass various characteristics by which media can be differentiated. A set of attributes are typically given in: type, size, color, and weight. A print media “type” attribute includes: plain, lightweight, recycled, Mylar, etc. A print media “size” attribute includes: letter, legal, A4, A5, A6, etc. A print media “color” attribute refers to the color of the media. A print media “weight” attribute has a value given in: Ib, gsm, etc. For example, a given paper media may have the following attributes: type=plain, size=21.0×29.7, color=white, weight=90 lb. The print media is retrieved from a storage tray or is otherwise provided to the system by a user. The print media travels along a transport path through the print device where various system components reside such that the media can be printed or otherwise manipulated as desired. In accordance herewith, system components reside along the media&#39;s transport path to take advantage of the thermo-reactive properties of the ink printed on the media. 
     “Printed media” refers to a print media that has been printed with ink which has thermo-reactive properties. The printed media may also have been printed with inks which are not thermo-reactive. Various embodiments hereof receive printed media such that the ink&#39;s thermo-reactive properties can be utilized. The printed media may have already been erased, i.e., the media has been processed using, for example, the system of  FIG. 1 , such that the inks printed thereon have been rendered visually transparent. 
     A “security mark” or “validation mark” is a mark which is printed onto a media such as, for example, a ticket, at a specific location on the ticket for anti-counterfeiting purposes. An example security mark that comprises validation numbers “992935” is shown printed on secure area  1003  of the ticket of  FIG. 10A . The security or validation mark may or may not be printed using ink with thermo-reactive properties. Other areas of the ticket may or may not be printed with normal permanent printing methods or thermo-reactive printing methods. 
     A “cancellation mark” is a mark which provides an indication that a security mark has been cancelled, i.e., indicate that the ticket has been used. The cancellation mark is typically printed on top of the security or validation mark but may be printed at a separate location on the media. The cancellation mark is preferably printed using ink with thermo-reactive properties. 
     “Thermo-reactive properties” refers one or more properties of an ink that change as a function of temperature such that the ink is visible on the media when a temperature T of the media is in a temperature range of: T L &lt;T&lt;T H . The ink becomes visually transparent on the print media when the media is heated to a temperature of at least: T≧T H . The ink thereafter remains visually transparent after the temperature T of the media is returned back to within the temperature range of: T L &lt;T&lt;T H . The ink becomes visually perceptible again on the media when the media is cooled to a temperature of at least: T≦T L . The ink remains visible on the media after the temperature T of the media has returned back to the range of: T L &lt;T&lt;T H . Various inks with thermo-reactive properties are available from different venders in commerce. In one embodiment, thermo-reactive inks comprises metamocolor Frixion® inks by Pilot® where T L =−20° C. and T H =65° C. Different embodiments of the systems disclosed herein utilize thermo-changing elements to effectuate a change in the transparency of the thermo-reactive ink(s) printed on the media. 
     A “thermo-changing element” refers to one or more elements which reside in proximity to a transport path along which the media travels for changing a temperature T of the ink/media to one or both of: T≦T L  and T≧T H . In one embodiment, the thermo-changing element comprises one or more cooling elements for lowering a temperature of the media on which the ink is printed to at least: T≦T L . In another embodiment, the thermo-changing element comprises one or more heating elements for raising a temperature of the media on which the ink is printed to at least: T≧T H . In yet another embodiment, the present system has both a heating and a cooling element residing along a same or different transport paths. Any of the thermo-changing elements may reside along a transport path at a location which is ahead (i.e., upstream) of the inkjet printhead(s) such that the thermo-reactive properties of the inks can be activated or otherwise taken advantage of, as discussed herein in detail, in advance of the media being transported to the print engine or on the output of such a print engine. A thermo-changing element may further include additional functionality such as pre-heaters or pre-coolers which help facilitate a change in the media&#39;s temperature. Pre-heating or cooling elements are not always required depending on the ink and media properties. It should be appreciated that raising/lowering the temperature of the media upon which a thermo-reactive ink has been printed effectively raises/lowers the temperature of that ink as well. Therefore, the use herein of changing the “media&#39;s temperature” means coincidentally changing the ink&#39;s temperature as well. In various embodiments hereof, the thermo-changing element comprises a drum, a roller, a coil, or a fuser in a xerographic engine. 
     A “temp-normalizing element” is a heating or cooling element which resides along a transport path along which the media travels, and downstream of the thermo-changing element(s) for raising/lowering a temperature of the heated/cooled media such that the temperature T of the media is normalized to a range of T L &lt;T&lt;T H  prior to the media being received by an output tray. In one embodiment, the temperature of the media is normalized to T L &lt;&lt;T&lt;&lt;T H , i.e., T approximates room temperature or is otherwise no longer very hot or very cold to the touch when retrieved by a user. The temp-normalizing element may comprise a heating element positioned along a transport path of the media and downstream of the thermo-changing “cooling” element such that the cooled media&#39;s temperature T can be raised to: T&gt;&gt;T L . The temp-normalizing “heating” element may or may not be the same thermo-changing “heating” element used by the device. Likewise, a cooling element may be positioned along a transport path of the media and downstream of the thermo-changing “heating” element such that the heated media&#39;s temperature T can be lowered to: T&lt;&lt;T H . The temp-normalizing “cooling” element may or may not be the same thermo-changing “cooling” element used by the device. An output tray of the device which receives the processed media may be specifically configured with heating and/or cooling elements to perform a temperature “normalization” function such that the media is not hot or cold to the touch when retrieved by the user. The temperature normalizing element is not always required depending on the media and ink properties. 
     A “multi-function system” refers to a standalone system with one or more thermo-changing elements residing along a transport path traveled by the print media. Such a multi-function system may be configured to perform one or both of: erasing media printed with thermo-reactive inks such that the ink becomes visually transparent, and recovering ink that has been erased on a printed media such that the ink become visually perceptible. One example multi-function system is shown and discussed with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     A “multi-function document reproduction system” refers to a printer which has an inkjet printhead for depositing thermo-reactive inks onto a media and which incorporates some or all of the functionality of the multi-function system disclosed herein. One such print system is shown and discussed with respect to  FIG. 7 . In a different embodiment, the system of  FIG. 7  comprises a xerographic system with a xerographic engine containing a fuser, as is well understood in the document reproduction arts. 
     Example Multi-Function System 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 1  which illustrates one embodiment of a networked multi-function system in accordance with one embodiment of the present system. 
     The example multi-function system  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown generally comprising first and second thermo-changing elements  102  and  103 , respectively, connected to a network  104  via a communications pathway  105  which may be wired or wireless. System  100  has two transport paths  106  and  107  along which the media printed with thermo-reactive ink travels. When the printed media is retrieved from tray  108 , it moves along first transport path  106  and passes through or comes in proximity to a first thermo-changing element  102 . In a similar manner, when the printed media is retrieved from tray  109 , it which moves along transport path  107  and passes through or comes in proximity to second thermo-changing element  103 . Transport paths  106  and  107  may be the same with one thermo-changing element being positioned downstream from the other thermo-changing element. The retrieved print media may alternatively be provided to the system of  FIG. 1  by a user having placed the printed media into one of trays  108  and  109  or by sliding the media into a slot (not shown) which effectively places the printed media on a desired transport path. Trays  108  and  109  may be the same input tray (at  202  of  FIG. 2A ) for receiving a user-provided printed media. Alternatively, the user provides the media to the system and uses a user interface to signal one or more device controllers to direct or re-direct the media to a desired transport path for processing. Thermo-changing elements  102  and  103  are shown being operatively controlled by a control system  110  shown generally comprising a processor  111  and a memory  112 . Memory  112  is intended to represent any type of machine readable medium such as RAM, ROM, magnetic disk or tape, optical disk, flash, holographic, USB drive, and the like. The processor retrieves machine readable program instructions from memory  112  and executes those program instructions to control various aspects of the thermo-changing elements  102  and  103 , and various aspects of temp-normalizing element  113 . System  100  is shown further comprising an output tray  114  for receiving the processed media. 
     Thermo-changing element  102  provides a means for heating the printed media such that the thermo-reactive ink on that media becomes visually transparent. Thermo-changing element  102  incorporates a drum  115  with an electro-resistive filament to pre-heat the printed media. The pre-heating drum  115  may physically contact the media or may be positioned along the transport path such that the printed media comes in close proximity thereto. Temperature sensor  116  senses a temperature of the pre-heating drum  115  and communicates that temperature reading back to control system  110 . Control system  110  controls a movement of the printed media as it travels along transport path  106  such that the printed media can be kept in contact with or in proximity to pre-heating drum  115  until a temperature of the media has reached a pre-determined threshold. Thereafter, control system  110  signals one or more device controllers (not shown) to propel or otherwise move the pre-heated printed media along transport path  106  so the printed media enters or comes in close proximity to a set of heated rollers  117 . As the printed media passes between the heated rollers  117 , a temperature T of the media is raised. In this embodiment, temperature sensors  118  repeatedly sense a temperature of the media and communicate those readings back to control system  110 . Control system  110 , in response to a temperature of the media, signals device controllers (not shown) to adjust the speed of the travel of the media to regulate an exposure of the printed media to the heat from rollers  117 . The media is propelled away from the thermo-changing element  102  when the ink/media have reached a desired temperature of at least: T≧T H , such that the ink on the media becomes visually transparent. In other embodiments, the control system  110  regulates the temperature of the pre-heating drum  115  and the heated rollers  117 . The control system  110  may signal one or more controllers along transport path  106  to change the distance between the printed media and the pre-heating drum and/or the heated rollers such that an amount of an exposure of the media to heat from one or both of these heating elements can be changed. Upon the media exiting thermo-changing element  102 , the heated media is transported along path  106  to a position  122  such that the heated media is brought into contact with or in proximity to temp-normalization element  113 . In this embodiment, control system  110  communicates a signal to temp-normalization element  113  to activate cooling element  123  which cools the heated media such that a temperature T of the media is normalized to a range of T&lt;&lt;T H , prior to the media being deposited into output tray  114 . Device controllers (not shown) may be utilized to control a speed of travel of the printed media or a proximity of the printed media to cooling element  123  such that an exposure of the media thereto can be regulated as desired. 
     Thermo-changing element  103  provides a means for cooling the printed media such that the ink becomes visually perceptible on the media. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , thermo-changing element  103  incorporates a pre-cooling drum  118  comprising a coil of refrigerant, to pre-cool the printed media. The pre-cooling drum  118  may physically contact the media or may be positioned along the transport path such that the printed media comes in close proximity thereto. Temperature sensor  119  senses a temperature of the pre-cooling drum  118  and communicates that temperature reading back to control system  110 . Control system  110  controls a movement of the printed media as it travels along transport path  107  such that the printed media can be kept in contact with or in proximity to pre-cooling drum  118  until a temperature of the printed media has reached a pre-determined threshold. Thereafter, control system  110  signals one or more device controllers (not shown) to propel or otherwise move the pre-cooled printed media along transport path  107  so the printed media enters or comes in close proximity to a set of cooled rollers  120 . As the printed media passes between the rollers  120 , a temperature T of the media is lowered. In this embodiment, temperature sensors  121  repeatedly sense a temperature of the media and communicate those readings back to control system  110 . Control system  110 , in response to a temperature of the printed media, signals device controllers (not shown) to adjust the speed of the travel of the media to regulate an exposure of the media to the cooling elements of rollers  120 . The media is propelled away from the thermo-changing element  103  when the ink/media have reached a desired temperature of at least: T≦T L , such that the ink on the media becomes visually perceptible. In other embodiments, the control system  110  regulates the temperature of the pre-cooling drum  118  and the cooled rollers  120 . The control system  110  may signal one or more controllers along transport path  107  to change a distance between the media and the pre-cooling drum  118  and/or the cooling rollers  120  such that an amount of an exposure of the media to cold from one or both of these cooling elements can be changed. In a manner as similarly described with respect to the thermo-changing element  102 , upon the media exiting thermo-changing element  103 , the heated media is transported along path  107  to a position  122  such that the cooled media is brought into contact with or in proximity to temp-normalization element  113 . Control system  110  communicates a signal to temp-normalization element  113  to activate heating element  124  which heats the cooled media such that a temperature T of the media is normalized to a range of T&gt;&gt;T L , prior to the media being deposited into output tray  114 . Device controllers (not shown) may be utilized to control a speed of travel of the printed media or a proximity of the printed media to heating element  124  such that an exposure of the media thereto can be regulated as desired. Temperature sensor  125  provides temperature readings of the media (at  122 ) back to control system  110 . Temperature sensor  131  provides temperature readings back to the user interface of the media as it resides in output tray  114 . 
     The multi-function system of  FIG. 1  is shown further comprising a computer workstation  126  which includes a hard drive (internal to computer housing  127 ) which reads/writes to a media such as computer readable media  128  which may comprise a floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic tape, etc. Computer case  127  houses a motherboard with a processor (CPU) and memory, a communications link such as a network card, graphics card, and the like, and other software and hardware to perform the functionality of a computer system as is generally known. Workstation  126  is shown further including a user interface which, in various embodiments, comprises a display  129  such as a CRT, LCD, touch screen, etc., a keyboard  130 , and a mouse (not shown). It should be appreciated that workstation  126  has an operating system and other specialized software configured to display a wide variety of data, images, numeric values, text, scroll bars, pull-down menus with user selectable options for entering, selecting, or modifying information as desired. The embodiment shown is illustrative and should not be viewed as being limited. Although shown as a desktop computer, it should be appreciated that workstation  126  can be a laptop, tablet, mainframe, client/server, or a special purpose computer such as an ASIC, circuit board, dedicated processor, or the like. 
     Any of the Information obtained from any of the operative modules of system  100  including various characteristics of any of the sensors thereof can be communicated to workstation  126  and displayed for a user to view. Such information may include, for instance, an amount of time the media is exposed to any of the heating and cooling elements of thermo-changing elements  102  and  103 ; an operating temperature of any the various heating and cooling elements of the thermo-changing elements; a temperature of the media during exposure to any of the various heating and cooling elements; and a temperature of the media as it travels along any of the transport paths  106  and  107 . A user may use the keyboard of the user interface of workstation  126  to turn any of the thermo-changing elements ON/OFF; select or adjust temperatures to be applied to the media; set or adjust a temperature of any components of the thermo-changing element(s) or any of the components of the temp-normalization element(s); change a transport path along which the media travels; and change a proximity the media is to any components of the thermo-changing element(s). The user may further set an amount of time the media is in proximity to any of the thermo-changing element(s) or the temp-normalization element(s). Alternatively the described system can be reduced to a preset configuration with set modes and temperatures, which may not require all the described elements. 
     Any information detected or sensed by any of the controllers or temperature sensors may be communicated to a remote device over network  104  for storage, viewing, analysis, or processing. Network  104  is shown as an amorphous cloud. A detailed discussion as to the operation of any specific network or network configuration has been omitted. Suffice it to say, packets of data are transmitted over the network via special purpose devices in communication with each other via a plurality of communication links. Data is transferred between devices in the network in the form of signals. Such signals may be in any combination of electrical, electro-magnetic, optical, or other forms, and are transmitted by wire, cable, fiber optic, phone line, cellular link, RF, satellite, or any other medium or communications link known in the arts. 
     Any of the modules of the system of  FIG. 1  are in communication with the control system  110  via communication pathways shown and not shown. 
     Example Standalone System 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 2A  which illustrates one example embodiment of a standalone system which houses some or all of the various components shown and discussed with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
     The system  200  of  FIG. 2A  is a standalone system incorporates much or all of the functionality performed by the system of  FIG. 1  but does not perform a print function, i.e., has no printhead. The system of  FIG. 2A  is shown comprising an input area  202  to receive printed media  203  that has been printed with thermo-reactive ink. Printed media  203  may or may not have been erased, i.e., the media processed such that the inks thereon have been rendered visually transparent. If the media has already been erased by having raised the temperature of the media to at least: T≧T H , such that the ink on the media is visually transparent then the system of  FIG. 2A  would contain various aspects of the thermo-changing element  102  in order to lower the temperature of the media such that the ink on the media becomes visually perceptible again, i.e., make the ink re-appear. If the media has not been erased and the ink is visually perceptible on the printed media  203  then the system of  FIG. 2A  would contain various aspects of thermo-changing element  103  in order to raise the temperature of the media such that the ink becomes visually transparent. Various system components of  FIG. 1  are housed in access-cabinets  204  which enable a technician to open the system and service the components housed therein. In operation, a user places printed media  203  into receiving tray  202  and proceeds to make a selection from a plurality of selectable menu options displayed on user interface  205  shown comprising a LCD display  201  and a keyboard/keypad  207 . As discussed with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the user interface enables the user to view various operational features of the system as it performs the intended functions and to set or otherwise adjust various features and functionality of the device. Embodiments of various selectable menu options and displayed information that may be displayed on the display screen  205  of the system of  FIG. 2A  are discussed with respect to  FIGS. 3-6 . Upon completion of having heated/cooled the printed media as desired, the processed media is received by output tray  206 . 
     Reference is now being briefly made to  FIG. 2B  which shows yet another embodiment of a multi-function system  210  having a keypad  211  for enabling a user selection of the desired operations to be performed. The system of  FIG. 2B  is intended to be physically joined with a multi-function document reproduction device (such as media processing module  708  of  FIG. 7 ) such that the printed media output by that document printing module  706  can be fed directly into device  210  via input area  212  wherein the printed media is received for further processing. In another embodiment, the processed media (“erased” or “recovered”) is provided from device  210  to the document printing module  706  via internal transport paths (not shown) such that the processed media is moved into proximity of the device&#39;s inkjet printhead or xerographic engine. One such composite multi-function (printer or xerographic) document reproduction system is shown and discussed herein further with respect to  FIG. 8 . Features and functionality to “erase” and/or “recover” printed media, as discussed with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , are housed in cabinets  213  which enable servicing of these components by an operator or technician. The processed media is provided to output tray behind accessible doors  214 . 
     Example User Interfaces 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 3A  which illustrates one example embodiment of the user interface (UI) of the system of  FIG. 2  having displayed thereon a plurality of selectable menu options displayed on screen  201 .  FIG. 3B  shows the user making a selection from the menu screen of  FIG. 3A . 
     Shown on screen  201  is a first menu  301  providing selectable options wherein the user is prompted to select the operation to be performed by the system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Shown are iconic buttons  302 ,  304  and  305 , to enable the user to have the device perform an ERASE, RECOVER or PRINT function, respectively. If the user desires, for instance, to have printed media erased then the user selects the “ERASE” function  302 . If the user desires to have erased ink made visually perceptible again such that the ink re-appears on the media then the user selects the “RECOVER” button  303 . A PRINT button  305  is shown for those embodiments where the multi-function device is also configured to perform a print function with or without thermo-reactive inks, depending on the implementation. These user-selectable buttons signal the control system  110  of  FIG. 1  to configure the appropriate transport path and set or pre-set the corresponding thermo-changing element(s) or components thereof in anticipation of the system receiving printed media  203  for processing. Also shown is a QUIT button  303  to enable the user to exit the operation or return back to a previous screen. 
     If the user selected, for instance, the “ERASE” button  302  then the user interface signals control system  110  to configure transport path  106  to receive the printed media  203  from the user or retrieve the printed media from input tray  108  and activate pre-heater drum  115  in anticipation of the media being received from the user. Temperature sensors  116  and  118  and other sensors along the transport path would be re-set, calibrated, or otherwise initialized in preparation of taking various respective temperature readings. The cooling element  123  of the temp-normalization element  113  would be configured to receive heated media from thermo-changing element  102  for cooling such that temperature of the media can be normalized. If, on the other hand, the user selects the “RECOVER” button  303  then, in a similar manner, control system  110  is signaled to configure transport path  107  to receive the printed media  203  from the user or retrieve the printed media from input tray  109  and activate pre-cooler  118  in anticipation of the media being received from the user. Temperature sensors  119  and  121  and other sensors along the transport path would be re-set, calibrated, or otherwise initialized in preparation of taking various respective temperature readings. Heating element  124  of temp-normalization element  113  would be configured to receive cooled media from thermo-changing element  103  for heating such that a temperature of the media can be normalized as desired. 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 4A  which shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2  having displayed thereon various menu options  310  displayed as a result of a user having selected the ERASE function of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 4B  shows the user making a selection from the menus of  FIG. 4A . 
     Shown on menu  310  are a plurality of user-selectable menu sub-sections  311 ,  312 ,  313 ,  314 . Menu sub-section  311  provides a plurality of selectable options for enabling a user to set or adjust, in real-time, the operating temperature of the pre-heating drum  115  of the thermo-changing element  102  of  FIG. 1 . Buttons  311 A and  311 B allow the user to increase or decrease the temperature of pre-heating drum  115 . A digital value of the user&#39;s desired temperature for pre-heating drum  115  is shown in display box  311 C, shown displaying an example temperature of 40° C. Alternatively, display box  311 C shows the current temperature of pre-heating drum  115  which the user can raise or lower using icon buttons  311 A-B. As a result of the user selections of sub-section  311 , a signal is communicated to control system  110  to configure the transport path  106  for an “erase” function and to set the temperature of the pre-heating drum  115  to the temperature displayed at  311 C. In a similar manner, buttons  312 A-B allow the user to increase or decrease an operating temperature of heating rollers  117 . A digital value of the user&#39;s selected temperature is shown in digital display  312 C which displays an example temperature value for T H =66° C. Alternatively, display box  312 C shows the current operating temperature of heating rollers  117  which the user can raise or lower. As a result of the user selections of sub-section  312 , a signal is communicated to control system  110  to set the temperature of the heating rollers  117  to the temperature displayed at  312 C. The menu sub-section  313  displays a similar set of iconic widgets shown as buttons  313 A-B to raise and lower a desired temperature for the cooling element  123  of temp-normalization element  113 . The displayed temperature is shown at  313 C. Alternatively, display box  313 C shows the current operating temperature of cooling element  123  which the user can raise or lower. As a result of the user making a selection in sub-section  313 , a corresponding signal is sent to the control system  110  to configure the temp-normalization element  113  according to the user-provided settings. Menu sub-section  314  enables the user to set a Minimum  314 A and Maximum  314 B amount of exposure time that the printed media  203  is in contact with or in proximity to any of the components of thermo-changing element  102 . Example values are displayed in digital display box  314 C-D, respectively. Menu  310  further provides a BACK button  315  to enable the user to return to a previous menu screen. It should be appreciated that, in the absence of a user-provided value, default values are retrieved from a memory or storage device and provided to control system  110  such that a default configuration can be set or pre-set for the system sufficient to enable a “erase” function to be performed. Values and settings provided by the user may be stored in a memory or storage device for subsequent retrieval. 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 5A  which shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2  having displayed thereon various menu options  310  displayed as a result of a user having selected the RECOVER function of  FIG. 3A . As stated earlier, using defined media and ink these settings are likely to be pre-set and no further user interaction would be required.  FIG. 5B  shows the user making a selection from the menus of  FIG. 5A . 
     Shown on menu  320  are a plurality of user-selectable menu sub-sections  311 ,  322 ,  323 ,  324 . Menu sub-section  321  provides a plurality of selectable options for enabling a user to set or adjust, in real-time, the operating temperature of the pre-cooling drum  118  of the thermo-changing element  103  of  FIG. 1 . Buttons  321 A and  321 B allow the user to increase or decrease the temperature of pre-cooling drum  118 . A digital value of the user&#39;s desired temperature for pre-cooling drum  118  is shown in display box  321 C, shown displaying an example temperature of 0° C. Alternatively, display box  321 C shows the current temperature of pre-cooling drum  118  which the user can raise or lower using icon buttons  321 A-B. As a result of the user selections of sub-section  321 , a signal is communicated to control system  110  to configure the transport path  107  for a “recover” function and to set the temperature of the pre-cooling drum  118  to the temperature displayed at  321 C. In a similar manner, buttons  322 A-B allow the user to increase or decrease an operating temperature of cooling rollers  120 . A digital value of the user&#39;s selected temperature is shown in digital display  322 C which displays an example temperature value for T H =−20° C. Alternatively, display box  322 C shows the current operating temperature of cooling rollers  120  which the user can raise or lower. As a result of a user selection of sub-section  322 , a signal is communicated to control system  110  to set the temperature of the cooling rollers  120  to the temperature displayed at  322 C. The menu sub-section  323  displays a similar set of iconic widgets shown as buttons  323 A-B to raise and lower a desired temperature for the heating element  124  of temp-normalization element  113 . The displayed temperature is shown at  323 C. Alternatively, display box  323 C shows the current operating temperature of heating element  124  which the user can raise or lower. As a result of the user making a selection in sub-section  323 , a corresponding signal is sent to the control system  110  to configure the temp-normalization element  113  according to the user-provided settings. Menu sub-section  324  enables the user to set a Minimum  324 A and Maximum  324 B amount of exposure time that the printed media  203  is in contact with or in proximity to any of the components of thermo-changing element  103 . Example values are displayed in digital display box  324 C-D, respectively. Menu  320  further provides a BACK button  325  to enable the user to return to a previous menu screen. It should be appreciated that, in the absence of a user-provided value, default values are retrieved from a memory or storage device and provided to control system  110  such that a default configuration can be set or pre-set for the system sufficient to enable a “recover” function to be performed. Values and settings provided by the user may be stored in a memory or storage device for subsequent retrieval. As stated, these settings are likely to be pre-set and no further user interaction would be required. 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 6  which shows one embodiment of the user interface of the system of  FIG. 2  having displayed thereon various information for a user to view. 
     Shown on the screen  330  are various sub-windows which display for the user the amount of time to completion (at  331 ) which shows, in one embodiment, an amount of time estimated to be remaining for the selected ERASE or RECOVER function. Such a time estimate would be based, at least in part, by one or more of the user selections of the associated menus when the user was configuring the job to their desired settings. 
     In response to the user having selected the ERASE button  302  displayed on screen  301 , sub-windows  332 A-D would display various operating temperatures of the pre-heating element  115  (at  332 A) as sensed by temperature sensor  116 , heating rollers  117  (at  332 B) as sensed by temperature sensors  118 , the operating temperature of the cooling element  123  of temp-normalization element  113  (at  331 C) as sensed by temperature sensor  125 , and a temperature of the processed media (at  332 D) in output tray  114  as sensed by temperature sensor  131 . Also displayed on screen  330  of  FIG. 6  are four temperature readings (shown at  333 A-D) of the media at different points along transport path  106 . Such temperature reading are provided to the display by each of the above-described temperature sensors which are configured to also communicate temperature readings of the media along with temperature readings of each of the above described elements. 
     Likewise, in response to the user having selected the RECOVER button  303  displayed on screen  301 , sub-windows  332 A-D would display various operating temperatures of the pre-cooling element  118  (at  332 A) as sensed by temperature sensor  119 , cooling rollers  120  (at  332 B) as sensed by temperature sensors  120 , the operating temperature of the heating element  124  of temp-normalization element  113  (at  331 C) as sensed by temperature sensor  125 , and a temperature of the processed media (at  332 D) in output tray  114  as sensed by temperature sensor  131 . Also displayed on screen  330  of  FIG. 6  are four temperature readings (shown at  333 A-D) of the media at different points along transport path  107 . Such temperature reading are provided to the display by each of the above-described temperature sensors which also communicate temperature readings of the media along with the various temperature readings of each of the above described temp-changing elements. 
     Shown on the screen  330  are various sub-windows which display for the user the amount of time to completion (at  331 ) which shows, in one embodiment, an amount of time estimated to be remaining for the selected ERASE function. Such a time estimate would be based, at least in part, by one or more of the user selections of the associated menus when the user was configuring the job to their desired settings. Sub-windows  332 A-D display various operating temperatures of the pre-heating element  115  (at  332 A) as sensed by temperature sensor  116 , heating rollers  117  (at  332 B) as sensed by temperature sensors  118 , the operating temperature of the temp-normalization element  113  (at  331 C) as sensed by temperature sensor  125 , a temperature of the processed media (at  332 D) in output tray  114  as sensed by temperature sensor  131 . Also displayed on screen  330  of  FIG. 6  are four temperature readings (shown at  333 A-D) of the media as it travels along the desired transport path. Such temperature reading are provided to the display by each of the above-described temperature sensors which are configured to also communicate temperature readings of the media along with temperature readings of each of the above described elements. 
     Screen  330  further provides a selectable EXIT button  334  to enable the user to exit to a main menu. The EXIT button can be configured in software to perform any number of desired options such as, for example, shutting the system down, returning to a previous menu screen, and the like. Additional features and functionality can be added to any of the illustrated menu screens. Further, additional menu screens with other displayed information by a user and other selectable obtains may be added to provide the user with additional capabilities beyond those discussed herein depending on the nature and configuration of a multi-function system wherein these teachings find their intended uses. Such features and functionality are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     Multi-Function Print Device 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 7  which illustrates one multi-function document reproduction device  700  wherein various aspects of the system of  FIG. 1  have been incorporated. 
     The multi-function document reproduction system of  FIG. 7  includes the functionality of the multi-function system  100  of  FIG. 1  and further provides a printhead which deposits ink with thermo-reactive properties onto a media. The embodiment of the multi-function document reproduction system  700  is shown generally comprising a media input module  702  where blank media to be printed are retained in a plurality of media trays accessible to the user via cabinet doors  703 . The user can provide one or more printed media (intended to be “erased” or “recovered”) such as printed media  203  of  FIG. 2A , as input to the multi-function document reproduction system of  FIG. 7  via input tray  704 . Document printing module  706  of the system of  FIG. 7  houses various print engines which have printheads for depositing ink with thermo-reactive properties on media retrieved from any of the media trays or provided by a user via tray  704 . In the embodiment wherein the multi-function document reproduction system  700  is a xerographic device, document printing module  706  houses a xerographic engine with a fuser. In either embodiments, the printed media is deposited in output bins  707  where the document(s) can be subsequently retrieved. The document reproduction system of  FIG. 7  may be configured to print in non-thermo-reactive inks as well as thermo-reactive inks. In the embodiment wherein the multi-function document reproduction system  700  is a xerographic device, document printing module  706  renders printed media using toner. A selection as to which inks/toner are to be printed on the media is made selectable by a user using computer  710  which, in this embodiment, is integral to the document printing module  706 . Computer  710  includes a display device  711 , a keyboard  711 , and a mouse  713 . 
     The system  700  further generally comprises a media processing module  708  wherein various features and functionality of the system of  FIG. 1  which are made accessible by a user or service technician via cabinet doors  709  which, in this embodiment, are slideably retractable such that each of the thermo-changing elements  102  and  103 , respectively, can be accessed or otherwise serviced. Various menus, such as those discussed with respect to  FIGS. 3-6  can be displayed on display device  711  and values can be entered by a user using the keyboard  712  and mouse  713 . An operator can further use the computer workstation  710  to set various device parameters and configure various aspects of the thermo-changing and/or temp-normalization elements, temperature sensors, change transport paths, set operational parameters, and enable other document printing operations to be performed by the multi-function print device. It should be appreciated that media processing module  708  can comprise, for example, the joinable system of  FIG. 2B . One such physically joined “composite” multi-function system  800  is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Various modules of the multi-function document reproduction systems of  FIGS. 7 and 8  also include processors having memory and storage devices such as a disk drive for storage of programs and data required for processing documents through the system in a manner as disclosed herein. Document printing module  706  and media processing module  708  include device controllers integral to these systems for regulating the application of inks onto paper as well controlling the media moving through these various modules. These controllers may also be placed in digital communication with one or more storage devices such as a CD-ROM or magnetic disk. Device controllers and the control system  110  of  FIG. 1  are designed and programmed to cause the multi-function document reproduction systems  700  and  800  to carry out various features and enhancements to any of their intended functionality and as further described with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 . A network connection (not shown) may also be provided for communicating or receiving various information and other data over a network such as an intranet or internet or for receiving device settings and configuration parameters over that network such that the document reproduction system can be configured remotely to perform any of its functions. One or more aspects of the system of  FIGS. 7 and 8  may be carried out by a special purpose computer. 
     Example Handheld Device 
     It should be appreciated that some or all of the features and functionality of the system of  FIG. 1  can be made into a portable or handheld device as shown in  FIG. 9 . Such a handheld device  900  encompasses various aspects of the system of  FIG. 1  to perform an “erase” function when button  902  is pressed. Button  902  may comprise any kind of user-activated switch. Alternatively, the erase function is performed automatically in response to the ticket having been inserted into the device. In this embodiment, a detector is used to sense the presence of the ticket as it is inserted into the device and activating the intended function. The erase function has been described with respect to thermo-changing element  102 . Power to the device is provided by power cord  903  which is connected to an electrical outlet (not shown). LED light  904  lights up to provide a visual indication to the user that the erase function performed by the device has completed. In this “erase” example, ticket shown in  FIG. 10A  area  1000  has information (collectively at  1002 ) printed thereon by a printer using regular ink, i.e., ink with no thermo-reactive properties. On a secure area  1003  of the ticket of  FIG. 10A  is printed a validation mark shown by way of example as a number “992935”. The validation mark has been printed onto secure area  1003  with thermo-reactive ink by, for example, the multi-function document reproduction system of  FIG. 7 . The ticket comprises printed media. The validation mark is visibly perceptible at the time the ticket was purchased and is still visible when presented at the entrance gate or door of the event. The ticket enables the ticket holder to attend the event. Operationally, at the gate or door of the event, a security agent receives the ticket presented by the ticket holder and proceeds to slide validation area of the ticket into a slot  905  of device  900  and presses button  902  such that an “erase” function can be performed on the thermo-changing ink of the validation mark. It should be appreciated that slot  905  is a transport path along which the printed media travels such that the printed media can be brought into proximity of the thermo-changing element. When the ticket has been erased, LED  904  lights up to provide a visual indication that this ticket has been effectively processed. The validation mark is no longer visibly perceptible on the ticket so that the ticket cannot be used again. Thereafter, the ticket can be retracted from the device and provided back to the user or retained. 
     In another embodiment, the handheld device of  FIG. 9  encompasses sufficient aspects of the system of  FIG. 1  to perform a “recover” function as described with respect to thermo-changing element  103 . Power to the device is provided by power cord  903  which is connected to an electrical outlet (not shown). LED light  904  lights up to provide a visual indication to the user that the recover function performed by the device has completed. In this “recover” example, the validation mark “992935” printed on secure area  1003  of the ticket of  FIG. 10B  has been erased, i.e., made visually transparent, prior to the ticket having been sold. As such, the validation area  1003  of the ticket appears empty. The validation mark is not visually perceptible when presented by the ticket holder at the entrance gate or door of the event. At the gate or door of the event, a security agent receives the ticket presented by the ticket holder and proceeds to slide the portion of the secure area of the ticket containing the validation mark into device  900  and presses button  902  such that a “recover” function can be performed of the validation mark. Alternatively, the recover function is performed automatically in response to the ticket having been inserted into the device. In this embodiment, a detector is used to sense the presence of the ticket as it is inserted into the device and activating the intended function. When the validation mark has been recovered, i.e., made visually perceptible, LED  904  lights up to provide a visual indication that this ticket has been effectively processed. Thereafter, the ticket can be retracted from the device and provide back to the user or retained. The visibly perceptible validation number can then be viewed by the security agent again and, if desired, cross-checked against a list of valid ticket validation numbers. Thereafter, the ticket is retracted from the device and provided back to the user or is retained. 
     It should be appreciated that the validation mark may be cancelled by printing a cancellation mark over the security mark. For example,  FIG. 11  shows the ticket  1000  of  FIG. 10A  with the security mark printed in secure area  1003  having a cancellation mark  1100  printed over it. In this example, the device  900  of  FIG. 9  contains an inkjet printhead which is specifically configured to print a cancellation mark  1100  upon a user pressing button or switch  902 . Alternatively, the cancellation mark is automatically printed by the device in response to the ticket having been inserted into the device. In this embodiment, a detector is used to sense the presence of the ticket as it is inserted into the device and activating the intended function. Light  904  blinks when the cancellation mark has been printed. The cancellation may be printed in such a manner as to overlap the validation mark (as shown) or the cancellation mark is printed in another area of the ticket. Device  900  may print the cancellation mark using regular inks or thermo-reactive inks, depending on the implementation. Upon presentation of the ticket by the ticket holder, the security agent checks the validation number and then inserts the ticket into mark cancellation device  900  and presses the button. When the light  904  blinks, the cancelled ticket can be retracted from the device and provide back to the user or retained. The “cancellation” device  900  may be configured to perform one or both of the “erase” and “recover” functions, including over-printing the validation mark. 
     The simple process of erasing a validation number is not totally secure as one skilled in the technology could recover the number by cooling the media. So in an additional embodiment, the ticket is printed with the fixed information (at  1002 ) in addition it is printed with a cancellation stamp  1100 , which is then erased. Subsequently the ticket is printed with the validation code, resulting in the output shown in  FIG. 10A . If the ticket is presented for entry it is erased and a blank area results as in  FIG. 10B . Now if a fraudulent attempt to recover the ticket is made by cooling, not only does the validation code re-appear but so does the cancelation mark. It is not possible to recover one without the other so it is clear that the ticket has been tampered with. It should be clear to one skilled in the art that this tamper proof method using two thermo-reactive inks can be used in other applications where validation and tamper proofing is required. 
     Additional Features and Functionality 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 12  which shows a plurality of documents processed by the systems of FIGS.  1  and  7 - 8  wherein various content has been printed. The plurality of documents  1200  are intended to represent example pages of an original multi-page document that contains confidential content. The dashed lines surrounding certain content displayed on the first page shows the content that has been erased using the teachings hereof. The erased content are: a title  1202 , a first section of text  1204 , a second section of text  1206 , and a page number  1208  of the report. All this content was printed using, for example, the multi-function document reproduction system of  FIG. 7  with thermo-reactive inks and further processed by the thermo-changing element  102  which performed an erase function on the document pages. Other non-confidential content namely, the first graphic  1209  and second graphic  1210  were printed with regular inks. Each of the remaining pages of the example plurality of document pages  1200  have their own respective variously printed confidential and non-confidential content. The multi-page document is made “secure” by performing an “erase” function on the document pages such that all content printed with the thermo-reactive inks is thereafter made visually transparent, as illustrated by way of example on the first page of multi-page document  1200 . The processed document with the visually transparent content thereon can then be physically transported to another location. Upon receipt of the secure document by another user, the document is provided to the system of  FIG. 1  which performs a “recover” function on the transparent text such that the erased content becomes visibly perceptible once again. In a further embodiment an erased item, for example  1202 , could be a security mark like a watermark, but invisible. If it is desired to determine if the document is for example genuine (in this example would have an invisible mark) then the document could be subject to a recover cycle and the genuine document would show the previously invisible watermark or security feature. 
     It should also be appreciated that various modules of any of the systems described herein may designate one or more components which may, in turn, comprise software and/or hardware designed to perform an intended function. A plurality of modules may collectively perform a single function. Each module may have a specialized processor capable of executing machine readable program instructions. A module may comprise a single piece of hardware such as an ASIC, electronic circuit, or special purpose processor. A plurality of modules may be executed by either a single special purpose computer system or a plurality of special purpose computer systems operating in parallel. Connections between modules include both physical and logical connections. Modules may further include one or more software/hardware modules which may further comprise an operating system, drivers, device controllers, and other apparatuses some or all of which may be connected via a network. The teachings hereof can be implemented using known or later developed systems, structures, devices, and/or software by those skilled in the applicable art without undue experimentation from the functional description provided herein with a general knowledge of the relevant arts. Moreover, various aspects of the above-described systems may be partially or fully implemented in software using object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer, workstation, server, network, or other hardware platforms. 
     Example Flow Diagram 
     Reference is now being made to the flow diagram of  FIG. 13  which illustrates one embodiment of a method for printing thermo-reactive ink onto a media using any of the multi-function inkjet print systems described with respect to  FIGS. 7-8 . Flow processing begins at step  1300  and immediately proceeds to step  1302 . 
     At step  1302 , receive media into a transport path of a multi-function inkjet print system capable of printing media with ink having thermo-reactive properties, as describe here in detail. Example transport paths are shown and described with respect to the block diagram of  FIG. 1 . 
     At step  1304 , a decision is made whether the media is to be erased. In this example, the media has been printed with ink having thermo-reactive properties and the user desires to have the ink printed on that media made visually transparent. Such a user-selection can be made using a user interface. Embodiments of various user interfaces are shown and discussed with respect to  FIGS. 3A-B . 
     If, at step  1304 , a user has selected to erase media then processing continues with respect to step  1306  wherein the printed media is moved along the transport path such that the media comes in proximity to a heating element capable of raising the temperature of the printed media to at least T≧T H . At step  1308 , raise the temperature of the media, using the heating element, to T≧T H  such that the ink printed on the media becomes visually transparent. Once the ink printed on the media has been made visually transparent, i.e., the printed media has been “erased”, processing continues with respect to step  1310  wherein the temperature of the heated media is normalized to a temperature range of T&lt;&lt;T H  such that the media is no longer hot to the touch. Embodiments of a temp-normalization element for lowering the temperature of heated media are shown and discussed with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 14  which is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 13  with flow processing continuing with respect to node A. 
     At step  1312 , provide the processed or “treated” media to an output tray for retrieval by a user hereof. 
     At step  1314 , a decision is made whether any more media remains to be processed. If so then flow processing continues with respect to node D where, at step  1302 , another media is provided to the transport path of the multi-function print device. If not then further processing stops. 
     Assume, for the discussion of this embodiment, that the user has selected, at step  1314 , to process another media. The media desired to be processed has been previously printed with thermo-reactive ink which have been made visually transparent on that media using the teachings hereof. Assume further that the user desires to make the transparent ink visually perceptible again on that printed media. In this embodiment, processing continues at step  1314  with respect to node D wherein, at step  1302 , the user provides the erased media to a transport path of the multi-function print system. At step  1304 , the user selects that they do not wish to “erase” the media so processing continues with respect to node B of  FIG. 15 . 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 15  which is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 14  with flow processing continuing with respect to node B. 
     At step  1316 , a decision is made as to whether the user wishes to recover the received media. In this example, the user intends to recover the erased media so processing continues with respect to step  1318 . 
     At step  1318 , the erased media is moved along the transport path such that the media comes into proximity of a cooling element capable of lowering the media&#39;s temperature to T≦T L . 
     At step  1320 , the temperature of the media is lowered to T≦T L  such that the visually transparent ink printed on the “erased” media becomes visually transparent again. 
     At step  1322 , the temperature of the cooled media is normalized to a temperature of T&gt;&gt;T L  such that the cooled media is no longer cold to the touch. Embodiments of a temp-normalization element for raising the temperature of cooled media are shown and discussed with respect to  FIG. 1 . Thereafter, processing continues with respect to node A of  FIG. 14  wherein, at step  1312 , the processed or “treated” media is provided to an output tray for subsequent retrieval. Thereafter, a decision is made, at step  1314 , whether the user desires to process more media. 
     Assume, for the discussion of this next embodiment, that the user now wishes to use the printhead of the multi-function print system hereof to deposit thermo-reactive inks onto, for example, a secure area of a concert ticket. In this instance, the user desires to print a validation mark  1003  of  FIG. 10A  onto ticket  1000  using thermo-reactive ink. At step  1312 , the user selects that they intend to process another media so processing continues with respect to node D wherein, at step  1302 , the user provides the ticket to be printed to a transport path of the multi-function print system. At step  1304 , the user selects that they do not wish to have the system perform an “erase” function so processing continues with respect to node B wherein, at step  1316 , the user selects that they do not wish to have the system perform a “recover” function so processing continues with respect to node C of  FIG. 16 . 
     Reference is now being made to  FIG. 16  which is a continuation of the flow diagram of  FIG. 15  with flow processing continuing with respect to node C. 
     At step  1324 , a decision is made whether the user desires to have the multi-function print system device perform a print function using thermo-reactive inks. In this example, the user selects to perform a print function so processing continues with respect to step  1328 . If, on the other hand, the user decided that they did not wish to have the multi-function print system perform a “print” function, then processing would continue with respect to node E wherein, at step  1326 , the user would retrieve the media provided to the device&#39;s transport path. Processing would then continue with respect to node F wherein, at step  1314 , the user would make a decision whether any more media was intended to be processed. If the user is done then further processing stops. If the user is not done then processing would continue with respect to node D wherein, at step  1302 , the user would provide the next media to the transport path and processing would continue accordingly. 
     In this example embodiment, at step  1328 , the ticket is moved along the transport path such that the ticket comes into proximity of the inkjet printheads of the multi-function print system device. 
     At step  1330 , the printhead of the print system device deposits thermo-reactive ink onto the media. 
     At step  1332 , the printed media is transported along the transport path to an output tray where the media awaits retrieval by the user. Processing thereafter continues with respect to node F wherein, at step  1314 , the user would make a decision whether any more media was intended to be processed. If the user is done then further processing stops. If the user is not done then processing would continue with respect to node D wherein, at step  1302 , the user would provide the next media to the transport path and processing would continue accordingly. 
     It should be appreciated that the flow diagrams herein are illustrative and are intended to explain various embodiments of the present method. One or more of the operations illustrated in the flow diagrams may be performed in a differing order. Other steps may be added such as, for instance, the step of selecting a transport path for the media to travel along, depending on the configuration of the device wherein the teachings hereof find their intended implementation. Other operations may be added or modified. Steps of the flow diagrams may be enhanced or consolidated. Such variations thereof are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     Any of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives hereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may become apparent and/or subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. Accordingly, the embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The teachings of any printed publications including patents and patent applications, are each separately hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.