U.S. patent application number 15/247427 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-15 for image erasing apparatus and image forming apparatus having image erasing function.
The applicant listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yasuharu ARIMA.
Application Number | 20160361941 15/247427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51060652 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160361941 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARIMA; Yasuharu |
December 15, 2016 |
IMAGE ERASING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING IMAGE
ERASING FUNCTION
Abstract
An image erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a
sheet feeding cassette that accommodates a sheet on which an image
is formed. A detector acquires cassette identification information
which identifies the sheet feeding cassette, from the sheet feeding
cassette. A scanner reads the image formed on the sheet and
acquires print identification information based on the read image.
An erasing device erases the image formed on the sheet. A
controller determines whether the print identification information
matches the cassette identification information. The controller
controls the erasing device to erase the image if the print
identification information matches the cassette identification
information, and controls the erasing device to not erase the image
if the print identification information does not match the cassette
identification information.
Inventors: |
ARIMA; Yasuharu; (Mishima
Shizuoka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo
Tokyo |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
51060652 |
Appl. No.: |
15/247427 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14090925 |
Nov 26, 2013 |
9452615 |
|
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15247427 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 2/32 20130101; B41M
7/0009 20130101; B41J 2202/37 20130101; B41J 29/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41M 7/00 20060101
B41M007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2013 |
JP |
2013-001283 |
Claims
1. An image erasing apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding cassette
configured to accommodate a sheet on which an image is formed; a
detector configured to acquire a cassette identification
information which identifies the sheet feeding cassette, from the
sheet feeding cassette; a scanner configured to read the image
formed on the sheet and acquire a print identification information
based on the read image; an erasing device configured to erase the
image formed on the sheet; and a controller configured to:
determine whether the print identification information matches the
cassette identification information, control the erasing device to
erase the image if the print identification information matches the
cassette identification information, and control the erasing device
to not erase the image if the print identification information does
not match the cassette identification information.
2. The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the
sheet feeding cassette includes an identification unit indicating
the cassette identification information, and the detector detects
the identification unit and acquire the cassette identification
information based on the detected identification unit.
3. The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a storage device configured to store an authentication
table which includes an user identification information and an
email address corresponding to the user identification information,
wherein the controller reads the email address corresponding to the
print identification information from the authentication table and
sends a mail to the read email address if the print identification
information does not match the cassette identification
information.
4. An image erasing method of an image erasing apparatus having a
sheet feeding cassette which accommodates a sheet on which an image
is formed and an erasing device which erases the image formed on
the sheet, comprising: acquiring a cassette identification
information which identifies the sheet feeding cassette from the
sheet feeding cassette; reading the image formed on the sheet and
acquiring a print identification information based on the read
image; determining whether the print identification information
matches the cassette identification information; controlling the
erasing device to erase the image if the print identification
information matches the cassette identification information; and
controlling the erasing device to not erase the image if the print
identification information does not match the cassette
identification information.
5. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding cassette
configured to accommodate a sheet on which an image is formed; a
detector configured to acquire a cassette identification
information which identifies the sheet feeding cassette, from the
sheet feeding cassette; an image forming device configured to form
an image on the sheet; a scanner disposed upstream from the image
forming device in a sheet conveyance direction, the scanner being
configured to read the image on the sheet and acquire a print
identification information based on the read image; an image
erasing device disposed upstream from the image forming device and
downstream from the scanner in the sheet conveyance direction, the
image erasing device being configured to erase the image formed on
the sheet; and a controller configured to: determine whether the
print identification information matches the cassette
identification information, control the erasing device to erase the
image if the print identification information matches the cassette
identification information, and control the erasing device to not
erase the image if the print identification information does not
match the cassette identification information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/090,925, filed on Nov. 26, 2013, which is
based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior
Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-001283, filed on Jan. 8, 2013,
the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image
erasing apparatus which erases an image and an image forming
apparatus having an image erasing function.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In order to save the resource or reduce the cost, an image
erasing apparatus has been put to practical use to erase an image
printed on a recording medium, for example, a sheet by an erasable
color agent.
[0004] The erasable color agent is decolored by, for example,
heating. Accordingly, the image erasing apparatus includes an
erasing unit which heats the image on the sheet. The erasing unit
heats the image on the sheet to erase the image. The image erasing
apparatus includes a sheet discharging unit which accommodates the
heated sheet and a conveyance path which conveys the sheet to the
sheet discharging unit.
[0005] The image erasing apparatus is often shared by many users.
Accordingly, sheets of other users may be mixed with a sheet of any
user who wants to erase an image and then set in the image erasing
apparatus. When the sheets of many users are mixed, there is a
possibility that the images on the sheets of other users as well as
the image on the sheet of any user may be erased by mistake.
[0006] Moreover, there is a case where only specific user wants to
be allowed to use the image erasing apparatus. Moreover, the image
erasing apparatus of the related art could not perceive a use
situation of each user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image
erasing apparatus according to a first embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control
configuration of the image erasing apparatus according to the first
embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an
authentication table used in the image erasing apparatus according
to the first embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of
the image erasing apparatus according to the first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image
forming apparatus according to a second embodiment; and
[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control
configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the
second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] According to embodiments, an image erasing apparatus which
erases an image printed on a sheet and an image forming apparatus
having an image erasing function are provided. The image erasing
apparatus and the image forming apparatus includes a readout unit,
an erasing unit, and a control unit. The readout unit reads out
authentication information of a user who prints an image, the
authentication information of the user being contained in the image
printed on the sheet. The erasing unit erases the image printed on
the sheet. The control unit acquires authentication information of
a user who uses the apparatuses, determines whether the acquired
authentication information coincides with the read out
authentication information, and allows the erasing unit to erase
the image when determining that the acquired authentication
information coincides with the read out authentication
information.
[0014] The embodiments of the image erasing apparatus and the image
forming apparatus will be described below in detail with reference
to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numeral
indicates the same or similar component.
[0015] An image erasing apparatus 100 executes an erasing
processing to decolor erasable color materials from a recording
medium such as a sheet on which an image is printed with the
erasable color materials and to erase the image on the sheet. For
example, erasable toners or erasable inks and the like are used as
the erasable color materials.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image
erasing apparatus according to a first embodiment. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, the image erasing apparatus 100 includes a sheet feeding
cassette 102, a sheet feeding member 104, a readout unit 106, an
erasing unit 108, a reuse box 110, a reject box 112, discharge
members 114 and 116, a first conveyance path 118, a second
conveyance path 120, a third conveyance path 122, a first branch
member 124, a second branch member 126, and an operation unit
128.
[0017] The sheet feeding cassette 102 accommodates a sheet for
erasing the printed image, that is, a sheet for reusing in a
stacked state. The sheet feeding cassette 102 accommodates various
sizes of sheets, such as A4, A3, and B5. The image erasing
apparatus 100 body includes a mounting portion which detachably
supports the sheet feeding cassette 102. Accordingly, each user can
mount the sheet feeding cassette 102 onto the image erasing
apparatus 100. The sheet feeding cassette 102 accommodates a sheet
on which an image is printed with, for example, an erasable color
material which is decolored by being heated to a predetermined
temperature or more.
[0018] The sheet feeding member 104 includes a pickup roller, a
sheet feeding roller, and a separation roller disposed opposite to
the sheet feeding roller or the like. The sheet feeding member 104
takes out a sheet one by one from the sheet feeding cassette 102
and then feeds the sheet to the first conveyance path 118.
[0019] Moreover, the sheet feeding cassette 102 includes a
detection sensor 103 which detects the presence or absence of the
sheet in the sheet feeding cassette 102. The detection sensor 103
is configured with, for example, a microsensor or a micro
actuator.
[0020] The first conveyance path 118 forms a conveyance path
extending from the sheet feeding cassette 102 to the reuse box 110.
The first conveyance path 118 conveys the fed sheet to the reuse
box 110 through the readout unit 106.
[0021] The readout unit 106 is disposed along the first conveyance
path 118 at a downstream position in a sheet conveyance direction
from the sheet feeding cassette 102. The readout unit 106 includes
a readout unit such as a charge coupled device (CCD) scanner or a
CMOS sensor.
[0022] The readout unit 106 according to the first embodiment reads
out each of images on a first surface and a second surface of the
sheet to be conveyed. Specifically, the readout unit 106 includes a
first readout unit 106A and a second readout unit 106B, which are
disposed along the first conveyance path 118 with the conveyance
path therebetween, so as to read out the images on both surfaces of
the sheet to be conveyed. A readout position indicates that a
position where the image on the sheet is read out by the readout
units 106A and 106B. The image read out by the readout unit 106 is
stored in a storage unit 210 illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0023] For example, before the erasing processing, the image
erasing apparatus 100 digitizes the image read out by the readout
unit 106 and then stores the digitized image in the storage unit
210. Therefore, for example, when the user requires the erased
image after the erasing processing, the user can acquire data of
the image. A control unit 200 to be described below determines
whether the conveyed sheet is a sheet on which the erasable image
is printed, based on the image read out by the readout unit 106.
Furthermore, the control unit 200 determines whether the conveyed
sheet is a reusable sheet based on the image read out by the
readout unit 106.
[0024] The first conveyance path 118 of the image erasing apparatus
100 includes the first branch member 124 as a switching member for
switching a conveyance direction of the sheet. The first branch
member 124 is provided at a downstream position in the sheet
conveyance direction from readout unit 106.
[0025] The first branch member 124 switches the conveyance
direction of the sheet to be conveyed. The first branch member 124
conveys the sheet to be conveyed through the first conveyance path
118 to the second conveyance path 120 or the reuse box 110.
[0026] The second conveyance path 120 is branched from the first
conveyance path 118 in a branch point at which the first branch
member 124 is disposed. The second conveyance path 120 branched
from the branch point conveys the sheet to the erasing unit 108.
Moreover, the second conveyance path 120 joins the first conveyance
path 118 at an upstream joining point 121 in the sheet conveyance
direction from the readout unit 106. In other words, the second
conveyance path 120 joins the first conveyance path 118 at the
joining point 121 between the sheet feeding cassette 102 and the
readout unit 106.
[0027] Accordingly, the second conveyance path 120 conveys the
sheet, which is conveyed from the readout unit 106, to the readout
unit 106 again through the erasing unit 108.
[0028] The image erasing apparatus 100 controls the first branch
member 124 to convey the sheet, which is fed from the sheet feeding
member 104, to the readout unit 106, the erasing unit 108, and the
readout unit 106, in this order.
[0029] The first conveyance path 118 includes the second branch
member 126 as a switching member for switching the conveyance
direction of the sheet. The second branch member 126 is provided at
a downstream position in the sheet conveyance direction from the
first branch member 124. The second branch member 126 guides the
sheet, which is conveyed from the first branch member 124, to the
reuse box 110 or the third conveyance path 122. The third
conveyance path 122 conveys the sheet to the reject box 112.
[0030] The erasing unit 108 erases the image on the sheet to be
conveyed. For example, the erasing unit 108 heats the image on the
sheet to a predetermined temperature or more in a state of coming
in contact with the sheet to be conveyed. The erasing unit 108
erases the image by heating the image on the sheet and decoloring
the erasable color material which forms the image. Hereinafter, the
predetermined temperature is referred to as an erasing
temperature.
[0031] For example, the erasing unit 108 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a first
erasing unit 108A which erases the image on the first surface of
the sheet and a second erasing unit 108B which erases the image on
the second surface of the sheet.
[0032] A first erasing unit 108A includes a first heating roller
108H having a heater, a first heating roller temperature sensor
109A which detects a temperature of the first heating roller 108H,
and a first driven roller. The first heating roller 108H and the
first driven roller are disposed so as to face each other with the
second conveyance path therebetween.
[0033] The second erasing unit 108B includes a second heating
roller 108I having a heater, a second heating roller temperature
sensor 109B which detects a temperature of the second heating
roller 108I, and a second driven roller.
[0034] Hereinafter, the first heating roller temperature sensor
109A and the second heating roller temperature sensor 109B are
referred to as a heating roller temperature sensor.
[0035] The second heating roller 108I and the second driven roller
are disposed so as to face each other with the second conveyance
path therebetween.
[0036] The first heating roller 108H and the second heating roller
108I are disposed at sides opposite to each other with the second
conveyance path therebetween.
[0037] The first heating roller 108H abuts on one surface of the
sheet to heat the image on the sheet. The second heating roller
108I abuts on the other surface of the sheet to heat the image on
the sheet. Accordingly, the erasing unit 108 erases the images on
both surfaces of the sheet to be conveyed, in a single
conveyance.
[0038] The operation unit 128 is disposed at a top of the image
erasing apparatus 100 body. The operation unit 128 includes a touch
panel display unit and various operation keys.
[0039] The operation keys include, for example, a ten key, a stop
key, and a start key or the like. The user operates the operation
unit 128 to command a function operation of the erasing apparatus
100 such as erasing start or readout of the image on the sheet. In
other words, the operation unit 128 receives the command such as
the erasing start or the readout of the image on the sheet by the
user.
[0040] The operation unit 128 displays setting information or
operation status of the image erasing apparatus 100, log
information, or a message to the user on a display unit. The
operation unit 128 is disposed in the image erasing apparatus 100
body, but is not limited thereto. For example, the operation unit
128 may be an operation unit of an external device connected to the
image erasing apparatus 100 through a network and may be configured
to operate the image erasing apparatus 100 from the external
device. Moreover, the operation unit 128 is an independent form
from the image erasing apparatus 100 body and may be configured to
operate the image erasing apparatus 100 by wire or wireless
communication. The operation unit 128 according to the first
embodiment may command the processing or browse information and the
like with respect to the image erasing apparatus 100.
[0041] The discharge members 114 and 116 discharge the sheet to the
reuse box 110 or the reject box 112. The reuse box 110 and the
reject box 112 are vertically juxtaposed at a bottom of the image
erasing apparatus 100 body. For example, the reuse box 110
accommodates the sheets, which are reusable by the erasing of the
image, in a stacked state. The reject box 112 accommodates the
sheets, which are determined as non-reusable, in a stacked
state.
[0042] The sheet conveying path is appropriately changed based on
processing modes to be executed by the image erasing apparatus 100.
The image erasing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of processing
modes. For example, the image erasing apparatus 100 includes (1) a
first erasing mode which executes only an erasing processing
without performing an image readout processing before and after the
erasing processing, (2) a second erasing mode which executes the
erasing processing after the image is read out, (3) a third erasing
mode which executes the image readout processing after erasing
processing without performing the image readout processing before
the erasing processing to determine whether the sheet is reusable
and then perform a separation processing between the reusable sheet
and the non-reusable sheet, (4) a fourth erasing mode which
executes the erasing processing after the image readout processing
and further executes the separation processing, and (5) a readout
mode which executes the image readout processing without performing
the erasing processing.
[0043] The user can operate the operation unit 128 of the image
erasing apparatus 100 to select each of the processing modes
described above. Moreover, each of the processing modes may be
selected from an external terminal without being limited to the
operation unit 128 of the image erasing apparatus 100. In the first
to fourth erasing modes, the sheet is necessarily conveyed to the
erasing unit 108.
[0044] On the other hand, in the readout mode, the image erasing
apparatus 100 controls the first branch member 124 to discharge the
sheet to the reuse box 110 or the reject box 112 through the
readout unit 106 without conveying to the erasing unit 108.
[0045] The image erasing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of
sheet detection sensors 130 to 133 which detect the sheet to be
conveyed through the first to third conveyance paths 118, 120, and
122.
[0046] The sheet feeding cassette 102 may include an identification
unit 222 including sheet feeding cassette identification
information ID to identify the sheet feeding cassette 102. For
example, the identification unit 222 may be a protrusion portion
for indicating the sheet feeding cassette identification
information ID or may be a radio tag. The sheet feeding cassette
identification information ID is used as a first authentication
information ID, which will be described below, to authenticate the
user who uses the image erasing apparatus 100.
[0047] When the sheet feeding cassette 102 includes the
identification unit 222, the image erasing apparatus 100 includes a
detection unit 221 in the mounting portion of the sheet feeding
cassette 102 to read out the identification unit 222. The detection
unit 221 includes an actuator when the identification unit 222 is
the protrusion portion. The detection unit 221 includes a radio tag
reader/writer when the identification unit 222 is the radio tag.
The detection unit 221 is connected to the control unit 200.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control
configuration of the image erasing apparatus 100. The image erasing
apparatus 100 includes the control unit 200, the storage unit 210,
the detection unit 221, a communication interface (communication
I/F) 214, a conveyance unit 216, the readout unit 106, the erasing
unit 108, and the operation unit 128.
[0049] The control unit 200 includes a processor 202 such as a
central processing unit (CPU) and a memory 204 as a storage
device.
[0050] The control unit 200 controls the readout unit 106, the
erasing unit 108, and the operation unit 128. The memory 204 is,
for example, a semiconductor memory and includes a read only memory
(ROM) 206 which stores various control programs and a random access
memory (RAM) 208 which provides a transient operation region to the
processor 202.
[0051] For example, the ROM 206 stores an image printing rate used
as a threshold value for determining whether the sheet is reusable
and a density threshold value for determining whether the image on
the sheet is erased. The RAM 208 may temporarily store the image
read out by the readout unit 106. Each configuration of the image
erasing apparatus 100 is connected to each other through a bus
218.
[0052] For example, the control unit 200 controls the readout unit
106, the erasing unit 108, and other configurations according to
the processing modes (1) to (5) selected through the operation unit
128 by the user.
[0053] For example, when the first to fourth erasing modes are
selected by the user, the control unit 200 allows the erasing unit
108 to erase the image on the sheet. In the second erasing mode and
the fourth erasing mode, the readout unit 106 reads out the image
on the sheet before the sheet is conveyed to the erasing unit 108.
The control unit 200 stores data of the image, which is read out by
the readout unit 106, in the storage unit 210.
[0054] The control unit 200 may determine whether prohibition data
to be prohibited from the erasing of confidential data and the like
is contained in the data of the image read out by the readout unit
106.
[0055] Moreover, the control unit 200 may determine whether the
printing rate of the image, which is read out by the readout unit
106, exceeds the threshold value. When the prohibition data is
contained in the data of the image, or when the printing rate of
the image exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 200
controls the conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet to the reject
box 112.
[0056] When the prohibition data is not contained in the data of
the image, or when the printing rate of the image does not exceed
the threshold value, after the image on the sheet is read out by
the readout unit 106, the control unit 200 controls the conveyance
unit 216 to convey the sheet to the erasing unit 108.
[0057] Moreover, in the third erasing mode and the fourth erasing
mode, after the erasing unit 108 erases the image on the sheet, the
readout unit 106 reads out the image on the sheet after the erasing
processing. The control unit 200 determines whether the sheet is
reusable based on the data of the image, which is read out by the
readout unit 106.
[0058] The control unit 200 determines a sheet conveying
destination after the erasing processing based on a result from
determining whether the sheet is reusable. The separation
processing for determining whether the sheet is reusable after the
erasing processing includes a processing for determining whether
the image is present on the sheet after the erasing processing. For
example, when the image, which remains without being erased, is
present on the sheet after the erasing processing, the control unit
200 determines that the sheet after the erasing processing is
non-reusable for the reason that the remaining image is present
after the erasing, based on the readout result of the readout unit
106. The separation processing includes a processing in which the
control unit 200 determines the presence or absence of sheet
folding, a wrinkle depth, or the presence or absence of hole based
on the image read out by the readout unit 106 and determines
whether the sheet is reusable.
[0059] The control unit 200 determines the present or absence of
the sheet in the sheet feeding cassette 102 based on a signal from
the detection sensor 103. Moreover, the control unit 200 perceives
the temperature of the first heating roller 108H and the second
heating roller 108I based on temperature detection result of the
heating roller temperature sensors 109A and 109B and controls the
temperature of the first heating roller 108H and the second heating
roller 108I.
[0060] Moreover, the control unit 200 perceives the position of the
sheet in the first to third conveyance paths 118, 120, and 122
using the sheet detection sensors 130 to 133.
[0061] The storage unit 210 stores the data of the image read out
by the readout unit 106. Moreover, the storage unit 210 stores the
number of sheets which are processed by the image erasing apparatus
100. The storage unit 210 may be, for example, a hard disk drive or
other magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, a
semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, or any
combination of these storage devices.
[0062] For example, the storage unit 210 may include an erasing
availability table 210A which stores information on erasing
availability of the image to be printed by the image forming
apparatus and information on erasing temperature, for each
identification information indicating the image forming apparatus
which prints the image on the sheet. The control unit 200 acquires
the identification information of the image forming apparatus,
which prints the image on the sheet, from the input through the
operation unit 128 by the user or the readout result by the readout
unit 106. The control unit 200 searches the erasing availability
table 210A based on the acquired identification information and
acquires the erasing availability information of the image printed
on the sheet. Furthermore, the control unit 200 acquires the
information on the erasing temperature from the erasing
availability table 210A and controls the erasing unit 108 when the
image printed on the sheet is erasable.
[0063] The image erasing apparatus 100 includes a communication I/F
214 which is an interface connecting to the external device.
[0064] The conveyance unit 216 includes a plurality of conveyance
rollers and conveyance motors for driving the conveyance rollers
which are disposed on the first conveyance path 118, the second
conveyance path 120, and the third conveyance path 122. The control
unit 200 controls the driving of the conveyance motors of the
conveyance unit 216 to control a conveyance speed of the sheet. A
readout speed indicates a conveyance speed of the sheet to be
conveyed to the readout unit 106 for reading out the image on the
sheet. An erasing speed indicates a conveyance speed of the sheet
to be conveyed to the erasing unit 108 for erasing the image on the
sheet.
[0065] The image erasing apparatus 100 is connected to a printer
server 400 through, for example, the communication I/F 214. The
printer server 400 includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a storage
device 403, and a communication I/F 404.
[0066] The storage device 403 includes an authentication table 403A
which stores the authentication information for authenticating the
user of the image erasing apparatus 100. The authentication
information includes a first authentication information ID which is
uniquely allocated to the user in advance and a second
authentication information PA which is determined corresponding to
the first authentication information ID. The authentication table
403A stores the second authentication information PA and other
types of user information for each the first authentication
information ID. The first authentication information ID is, for
example, a character string indicating a user name. The second
authentication information PA is, for example, a character string
indicating a password.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the
authentication table 403A. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the
authentication table 403A stores the first authentication
information "ID" and the second authentication information "PA".
Moreover, the authentication table 403A stores a "e-mail address"
of the user as other types of user information, a "department code"
indicating a department to which the user belongs, and "the number
of erased sheets" indicating the number of sheets which are erased
by the user.
[0068] As an example of each data, the first authentication
information ID is "1000123" in user name, the second authentication
information PA is "123456" in password, the e-mail address is
"abc@cdf.com", the department code is "001", and the number of
erased sheets is "102".
[0069] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of
the image erasing apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in Act
501, the image erasing apparatus 100 inputs the login request of
the user from the operation unit 128. In other words, the operation
unit 128 receives the login request from the user. Specifically,
when receiving the input of the first authentication information ID
from the user, the operation unit 128 displays an input request of
the password of the second authentication information PA on the
display unit. When the operation unit 128 receives the input of the
password from the user, the control unit 200 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 transmits the first authentication information ID,
which is input by the user, to the printer server 400 through the
communication I/F 214 and also transmits a transmission request of
the password of the second authentication information PA stored in
the authentication table 403A.
[0070] The printer server 400 searches the authentication table
403A based on the first authentication information ID received from
the image erasing apparatus 100 and reads out the password of the
second authentication information PA. The printer server 400
transmits the first authentication information ID and the password
to the image erasing apparatus 100 through the communication I/F
214.
[0071] The control unit 200 of the image erasing apparatus 100
determines whether the password of the second authentication
information PA input by the user coincides with the password of the
second authentication information PA received from the printer
server. When the control unit 200 determines that the password
input by the user coincides with the password received from the
printer server 400, the login of the user is accepted. As will be
described in detail, the control unit 200 allows the readout unit
106 to perform the readout processing of the image printed on the
sheet. When the control unit 200 determines that the password input
by the user does not coincide with the password received from the
printer server 400, the control unit 200 allows the display unit of
the operation unit 128 to display a re-input request of the
password of the second authentication information PA.
[0072] Moreover, in a case where the sheet feeding cassette 102
includes the identification unit 222 and the image erasing
apparatus 100 includes the detection unit 221, when the sheet
feeding cassette 102 is mounted in the image erasing apparatus 100
by the user, the detection unit 221 detects the identification unit
222 of the sheet feeding cassette 102. The detection unit 221
detects the identification unit 222 of the sheet feeding cassette
102 to read out the sheet feeding cassette identification
information ID indicated by the identification unit 222. When the
detection unit 221 reads out the sheet feeding cassette
identification information ID, the operation unit 128 displays the
input request of the password of the second authentication
information PA on the display unit. When the operation unit 128
receives the input of the password from the user, the control unit
200 of the image erasing apparatus 100 transmits the sheet feeding
cassette identification information ID to the printer server 400,
instead of the first authentication information ID input by the
user. Moreover, the control unit 200 transmits the transmission
request of the password of the second authentication information PA
which is stored in the authentication table 403A. That is, the
control unit 200 acquires the sheet feeding cassette identification
information ID as the first authentication information ID input by
the user, based on the detection result of the detection unit
221.
[0073] When the sheet feeding cassette 102 includes the
identification unit 222, the printer server 400 stores in advance
the sheet feeding cassette identification information ID in the
authentication table 403A, instead of the first authentication
information ID input by the user.
[0074] The printer server 400 searches the authentication table
403A based on the sheet feeding cassette identification information
ID as the first authentication information ID received from the
image erasing apparatus 100 and reads out the password of the
second authentication information PA. The printer server 400
transmits the readout password to the image erasing apparatus
100.
[0075] The control unit 200 of the image erasing apparatus 100
determines whether the password of the second authentication
information PA input by the user coincides with the password of the
second authentication information PA received from the printer
server 400. When the control unit 200 determines that the password
input by the user coincides with the password received from the
printer server 400, the login of the user is accepted. As will be
described in detail, the control unit 200 allows the readout unit
106 to perform the readout processing of the image printed on the
sheet. When the control unit 200 determines that the password input
by the user does not coincide with the password received from the
printer server 400, it allows the display unit of the operation
unit 128 to display a re-input request of the password of the
second authentication information PA.
[0076] In Act 502, the control unit 200 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 allows the readout unit 106 to readout the image
printed on the sheet. Specifically, the control unit 200 controls
the conveyance unit 216 to takeout the sheet from the sheet feeding
cassette 102 and convey the sheet to the readout unit 106. The
readout unit 106 scans the sheet to readout print authentication
information ID which is contained in the image printed on the
sheet.
[0077] The print authentication information ID is authentication
information ID of the user who prints the image on the sheet. The
print authentication information ID is printed as apart of image
when the image is printed on the sheet. The print authentication
information ID may be a bar-code or a character string. Moreover,
the print authentication information ID is printed by the erasable
color material.
[0078] In Act 503, the control unit 200 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 determines whether the print authentication
information ID coincides with the first authentication information
ID or the sheet feeding cassette identification information ID
which is input by the user. Hereinafter, the first authentication
information ID and the cassette ID, which are input by the user,
are called login information ID. When the control unit 200
determines that the print authentication information ID coincides
with the login information ID, the operation of the image erasing
apparatus 100 proceeds to Act 504. When the control unit 200
determines that the print authentication information ID does not
coincide with the login information ID, the operation of the image
erasing apparatus 100 proceeds to Act 506.
[0079] In Act 504, the control unit 200 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 allows the erasing unit 108 to erase the image
printed on the sheet. Specifically, the control unit 200 controls
the conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet to the erasing unit
108. The erasing unit 108 erases the image on the sheet. Moreover,
the control unit 200 transmits the first authentication information
ID of the login information ID and a signal indicating an erasing
completion to the printer server 400.
[0080] The printer server 400 reads out the number of erased sheets
of the first authentication information ID, which is the login
information ID received from the image erasing apparatus 100, from
the authentication table 403A. The server 400 stores the number of
erased sheets, which is newly obtained by adding one to the read
number of erased sheets, in the authentication table 403A.
[0081] In Act 505, the control unit of the image erasing apparatus
100 controls the conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet after the
erasing processing to the reuse box 110.
[0082] In Act 506, the control unit 200 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 controls the conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet
to the reject box 112.
[0083] In Act 507, the control unit 200 of the image erasing
apparatus 100 notifies the user, who is specified by the print
authentication information ID, that the sheet is accommodated in
the reject box 112. Specifically, the control unit 200 transmits
the print authentication information ID to the printer server 400
and also transmits the transmission request of the e-mail address
to the printer server 400.
[0084] The printer server 400 searches the authentication table
403A based on the print information ID received from the image
erasing apparatus 100 and reads out the e-mail address. The printer
server 400 transmits the readout e-mail address to the image
erasing apparatus 100.
[0085] The control unit 200 of the image erasing apparatus 100
transmits an e-mail attached with a message of intent to the effect
that the image on the sheet is accommodated in the reject box 112
without being erased, to the e-mail address received from the
printer server 400.
[0086] In the first embodiment, the storage device 403 of the
printer server 400 is configured to have the authentication table
403A, but, for example, the storage unit 210 may be configured to
include the authentication table 403A. When the storage unit 210
includes the authentication table 403A, the control unit 200 is not
required to transmit and receive the authentication information to
and from the printer server 400. Specifically, in Act 501, the
control unit 200 is not required to transmit the transmission
request of the password, which is the second authentication
information PA, to the printer server 400 through the communication
I/F 214.
[0087] The control unit 200 searches the authentication table 403A
of the storage unit 210 based on the first authentication
information ID input by the user and reads out the password of the
second authentication information PA. The control unit 200
determines whether the password of the second authentication
information PA input by the user coincides with the password of the
second authentication information PA read out by the authentication
table 403A of the storage unit 210. When the control unit 200
determines that the password input by the user coincides with the
password read out by the authentication table 403A of the storage
unit 210, it allows the readout unit 106 to perform the readout
processing of the image printed on the sheet. Furthermore, when the
control unit 200 determines that the password input by the user
does not coincide with the password read out by the authentication
table 403A of the storage unit 210, it allows the display unit of
the operation unit 128 to display the re-input request of the
password of the second authentication information PA.
[0088] Furthermore, even in using the sheet feeding cassette
identification information ID as the first authentication
information ID input by the user, the control unit 200 is not
required to transmit the transmission request of the password,
which is the second authentication information PA, to the printer
server 400 through the communication I/F 214 in a manner similar to
the above. The authentication table 403A of the storage unit 210
stores the sheet feeding cassette identification information ID
instead of the first authentication information ID. The control
unit 200 searches the authentication table 403A of the storage unit
210 based on the sheet feeding cassette identification information
ID as the first authentication information ID to read out the
password of the second authentication information PA.
[0089] As described above, the image erasing apparatus 100
according to the first embodiment includes the readout unit 106
which reads out the authentication information of the user who
prints the image being contained in the image printed on the sheet,
the erasing unit 108 which erases the image printed on the sheet,
and the control unit 200 which acquires the authentication
information of the user who uses the apparatus and determines
whether the acquired authentication information coincides with the
readout authentication information to allow the erasing unit to
erase the image in determining to coincide with each other.
[0090] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible
to restrict the use of the image erasing apparatus 100 for each
user.
[0091] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image
forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. An image
forming apparatus 1 incorporates the image erasing apparatus. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a
control unit 300, an operation unit 303, a start button 303A, an
automatic document feeder 11, a scanner 12, an image forming unit
13, a transfer unit 14, a sheet conveyance mechanism 18, and a
sheet feeding unit 15.
[0092] The operation unit 303 includes a touch panel as an
input/output portion receiving a user's operation by, for example,
a Graphical User Interface (GUI) system.
[0093] The start button 303A receives a pressing operation by the
user to output a signal of intent to start the image formation to
the control unit 300.
[0094] The automatic document feeder 11 is installed openably and
closably at a top of the image forming apparatus 1 body. The
automatic document feeder 11 includes a document conveying
mechanism which takes out documents one by one from a sheet feed
tray and conveys the taken document to a sheet discharging
tray.
[0095] The automatic document feeder 11 conveys the documents one
by one to the document readout portion of the scanner 12 by the
document conveying mechanism. The automatic document feeder 11 is
openably and closably supported on a document platen of the scanner
12. Accordingly, the user opens the automatic document feeder 11
and can place the document on the document platen of the scanner
12.
[0096] The scanner 12 includes a carriage provided with an exposure
lamp which exposes the document and a first reflective mirror, a
plurality of second reflective mirrors which moves according to the
movement of the carriage, a lens block, a Charge Coupled Device
(CCD) as an image readout sensor.
[0097] The carriage stops at the document readout portion or moves
along the document platen to reflect light reflected from the
document to the first reflective mirror. The plurality of second
reflective mirrors reflects light reflected from the first
reflective mirror to the lens block. The lens block changes
magnification of the reflected light to project the reflected light
onto the CCD. The CCD converts incident light into an electrical
signal and then outputs the converted light to the image forming
unit 13, as an image signal.
[0098] The image forming unit 13 forms the image using an
inerasable toner (general toner) and an erasable toner as a color
material. The inerasable toner includes, for example, a yellow
toner Y, a magenta toner M, a cyan toner C, or a black toner K. The
erasable toner includes, for example, a black toner E. The image
forming unit 13 includes a laser irradiation unit 20A which
irradiates a photosensitive drum 20B as an electrostatic latent
image carrier with laser light with respect to each the inerasable
toners of four colors Y, M, C, and K and the erasable toner E.
Furthermore, the image forming unit 13 includes five process units
307 including the photosensitive drum 20B and the developing unit
20 or the like with respect to each the inerasable toners of four
colors Y, M, C, and K and the erasable toner E.
[0099] The erasable toner E includes a coloring compound, a color
developing agent, and a decolorizing agent. An example of the
coloring compound may be a leuco dye. An example of the color
developing agent may be phenols. The decolorizing agent may include
a substance which is compatible with the coloring compound when
being heated and has no affinity with the color developing
agent.
[0100] The erasable toner E produces a color by an interaction
between the coloring compound and the color developing agent and is
decolored by the heating to an erasing temperature or more such
that the interaction between the coloring compound and the color
developing agent is finished.
[0101] The laser irradiation unit 20A irradiates the photosensitive
drum 20B with the laser light based on the image signal to form an
electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20B. The
image signal includes a signal of the image indicating the print
authentication information ID. As in the first embodiment, the
print authentication information ID is authentication information
for authenticating the user who prints the image. The developing
unit 20C supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 20B and
forms the toner image from the electrostatic latent image.
[0102] The sheet feeding unit 15 includes an upper-stage sheet
feeding cassette and a lower-stage sheet feeding cassette. The
sheet feeding unit 15 takes out the sheets one by one from the
upper-stage sheet feeding cassette or the lower-stage sheet feeding
cassette to guide the taken sheet to the sheet conveyance mechanism
18. The sheet conveyance mechanism 18 conveys the sheet to the
transfer unit 14. For example, the upper-stage sheet feeding
cassette accommodates the sheet on which the image is formed, and
the lower-stage sheet feeding cassette accommodates the sheet on
which the image is not formed or the image is erased.
[0103] The transfer unit 14 includes a transfer roller 14A and a
transfer belt 14B. The transfer belt 14B as an image carrier
transfers a toner image onto the surface of the belt from the
photosensitive drum 20B. The transfer belt 14B carries the
transferred toner image and conveys the toner image up to the
position of the transfer roller 14A. As a voltage is applied, the
transfer roller 14A transfers the toner image onto the sheet being
conveyed from the transfer belt 14B.
[0104] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a fixing unit 14C at
a downstream position in the sheet conveyance direction from the
transfer roller 14A. The fixing unit 14C heats and pressurizes the
toner image to fix it on the sheet. As the toner image is fixed on
the sheet, the image is printed on the sheet. The printed image
contains the print authentication information ID.
[0105] A fixed sheet P is discharged to a sheet discharging tray 16
from a sheet discharging port of the image forming apparatus 1. The
sheet discharging tray 16 accommodates the sheets in a stacked
state.
[0106] Furthermore, the sheet discharging tray 16 includes the
reuse box which accommodates the sheet on which the erasing
processing is performed and the reject box which accommodates the
sheet on which the erasing processing is not performed.
[0107] The image forming apparatus 1 includes the image erasing
apparatus at an upper position in the sheet conveyance direction
from the transfer roller 14A or at a lower position in the sheet
conveyance direction from the sheet feeding unit 15. As in the
first embodiment, the image erasing apparatus includes the readout
unit 106 and the erasing unit 108. The readout unit 106 and the
erasing unit 108 are disposed along the sheet conveyance direction
in this order.
[0108] As in the first embodiment, the sheet feeding cassette 102
mounted in the sheet feeding unit 15 may include the identification
unit 222 including the sheet feeding cassette identification
information ID to identify the sheet feeding cassette 102. For
example, the identification unit 222 may be the protrusion portion
for indicating the sheet feeding cassette identification
information ID or may be a radio tag. As in the first embodiment,
the cassette identification information ID is used as the first
authentication information ID of the user who uses the image
forming apparatus 1.
[0109] When the sheet feeding cassette 102 includes the
identification unit 222, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the
detection unit 221 at the mounting position of the sheet feeding
cassette 102 to read out the identification unit 222. The detection
unit 221 includes the actuator when the identification unit 222 is
the protrusion portion. The detection unit 221 includes the radio
tag reader/writer when the identification unit 222 is the radio
tag. The detection unit 221 is connected to the control unit
200.
[0110] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control
configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As illustrated in
FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main CPU 301.
Moreover, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit
303 connected to the main CPU 301, a storage unit 302, a start
button 303A, and an image processing unit 304 which performs the
image processing. The main CPU 301 is a computing device of the
control unit 300 which collectively controls the entire image
forming apparatus 1. The storage unit 302 includes a ROM, a RAM
302A, and a hard disk drive 302B (hereinafter, the hard disk drive
is referred to as an HDD) which are a storage device.
[0111] The main CPU 301 is connected to a computer 320 as an
external device through the interface 313. Furthermore, the main
CPU 301 is connected to a printer CPU 305, a scanner CPU 309, and a
driving controller 312. The printer CPU 305 controls each
configuration related to the image formation based on the command
of the main CPU 301. The scanner CPU 309 controls each
configuration related to the image readout based on the command by
the main CPU 301. The driving controller 312 controls a driving
portion of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the command of
the main CPU 301.
[0112] Specifically, the printer CPU 305 controls a print engine
306 forming the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive
drum 20B and a process unit 307 forming the toner image.
[0113] Specifically, the scanner CPU 309 controls a CCD driving
circuit 310 which drives the CCD 211. The CCD 311 outputs the image
signal to the image forming unit 13.
[0114] Moreover, the main CPU 301 is connected to the readout unit
106, the erasing unit 108, the conveyance unit 216, the detection
unit 221, and a communication I/F 314. Hereinafter, the main CPU
301 is simply referred to as the control unit 300.
[0115] The control unit 300 perceives the temperature of the first
heating roller 108H and the second heating roller 108I based on the
temperature detection result of the heating roller temperature
sensors 109A and 109B. The control unit 300 perceives the
temperature of the first heating roller 108H and the second heating
roller 108I to control the temperature of the first heating roller
108H and the second heating roller 108I.
[0116] The storage unit 302 stores the data of the image which is
read out by the readout unit 106. Moreover, the storage unit 302
stores the number of sheets on which the erasing processing is
performed.
[0117] As in the first embodiment, the HDD 302B includes the
authentication table 403A which stores the authentication
information for authenticating the user of the image forming
apparatus 1. As in the first embodiment, the authentication
information includes the first authentication information ID which
is uniquely allocated to the user in advance and the second
authentication information PA which is determined corresponding to
the first authentication information ID. The authentication table
403A stores the second authentication information PA and other
types of user information for each the first authentication
information ID. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first authentication
information ID is, for example, the character string indicating the
user name. The second authentication information PA is, for
example, the character string indicating the password.
[0118] The control operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is
the similar to the operation of the image erasing apparatus 100
except for the transmission and reception to/from the printer
server 400. Accordingly, the control operation of the image forming
apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0119] In Act 501, the image forming apparatus 1 inputs the login
request of the user from the operation unit 303. In other words,
the operation unit 303 receives the login request from the user.
Specifically, when receiving the first authentication information
ID input from the user, the operation unit 303 displays the input
request of the password of the second authentication information PA
on the display unit. The operation unit 303 receives the input of
the password from the user.
[0120] The control unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1
searches the authentication table 403A based on the first
authentication information ID input by the user and reads out the
password of the second authentication information PA which is
stored in advance in the authentication table 403A.
[0121] The control unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1
determines whether the password of the second authentication
information PA input by the user coincides with the password of the
read second authentication information PA. When the control unit
300 determines that the password input by the user coincides with
the read password, the login of the user is accepted. As will be
described in detail, the control unit 300 allows the readout unit
106 to perform the readout processing of the image printed on the
sheet. When the control unit 300 determines that the password input
by the user does not coincide with the read password, it allows the
display unit of the operation unit 303 to display the re-input
request of the password of the second authentication information
PA.
[0122] Moreover, when the sheet feeding cassette includes the
identification unit 222 and when the image forming apparatus 1 has
the detection unit 221, the image forming apparatus 1 stores in
advance the sheet feeding cassette identification information ID in
the authentication table 403A, instead of the first authentication
information ID input by the user.
[0123] When the sheet feeding cassette is mounted in the sheet
feeding unit 15 by the user, the detection unit 221 detects the
identification unit 222 of the sheet feeding cassette. The
detection unit 221 detects the identification unit 222 of the sheet
feeding cassette to read out the sheet feeding cassette
identification information ID indicated by the identification unit
222. The detection unit 221 reads out the sheet feeding cassette
identification information ID and the operation unit 303 displays
the input request of the password of the second authentication
information PA on the display unit. The operation unit 303 receives
the input of the password from the user. Furthermore, the control
unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 searches the
authentication table 403A based on the read out sheet feeding
cassette identification information ID as the first authentication
information ID to read out the password of the second
authentication information PA stored in the authentication table
403A.
[0124] The control unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1
determines whether the password of the second authentication
information PA input by the user coincides with the password of the
read second authentication information PA. When the control unit
300 determines that the password input by the user coincides with
the read password, the login of the user is accepted. When the
control unit 300 determines that the password input by the user
does not coincide with the read password, it allows the display
unit of the operation unit 303 to display the re-input request of
the password of the second authentication information PA.
[0125] In Act 502, the control unit 300 of the image forming
apparatus 1 allows the readout unit 106 to read out the image
printed on the sheet. Specifically, the control unit 300 controls
the conveyance unit 216 to take out the sheet from the sheet
feeding cassette of the sheet feeding unit 15 and convey the sheet
to the readout unit 106. The readout unit 106 scans the sheet to
read out the print authentication information ID which is contained
in advance in the image formed on the sheet.
[0126] As in the first embodiment, the print authentication
information ID is the authentication information for authenticating
the user who prints the image on the sheet. The print
authentication information ID is printed on the sheet as a part of
image when the image is printed on the sheet. The print
authentication information ID may be a bar-code or a character
string. Moreover, the print authentication information ID is
printed by the erasable color material.
[0127] In Act 503, the control unit 300 of the image forming
apparatus 1 determines whether the print authentication information
ID coincides with the first authentication information ID or the
sheet feeding cassette identification information ID which is input
by the user. Hereinafter, the first authentication information ID
and the sheet feeding cassette identification information ID, which
are input by the user, are called login information ID. When the
control unit 300 determines that the print authentication
information ID coincides with the login information ID, the
operation of the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to Act 504.
When the control unit 300 determines that the print authentication
information ID does not coincide with the login information ID, the
operation of the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to Act 506.
[0128] In Act 504, the control unit 300 of the image forming
apparatus 1 allows the erasing unit 108 to erase the image printed
on the sheet. Specifically, the control unit 300 controls the
conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet to the erasing unit 108.
The erasing unit 108 erases the image on the sheet.
[0129] The control unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads
out the number of erased sheets of the first authentication
information ID, which is the login information ID from the
authentication table 403A. The control unit 300 stores the number
of erased sheets, which is newly obtained by adding one to the read
number of erased sheets, in the authentication table 403A.
[0130] In Act 505, the control unit 300 of the image forming
apparatus 1 controls the conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet
after the erasing processing to the reuse box of the sheet
discharging tray 16.
[0131] In Act 506, the control unit 300 of the image forming
apparatus 1 controls the conveyance unit 216 to convey the sheet to
the reject box of the sheet discharging tray 16.
[0132] In Act 507, the control unit 300 of the image forming
apparatus 1 searches the authentication table 403A based on the
print authentication information ID which is the first
authentication information ID and reads out the e-mail address.
[0133] The control unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1
transmits an e-mail attached with a message of intent to the effect
that the image on the sheet is accommodated in the reject box
without being erased, to the read e-mail address.
[0134] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according
to the second embodiment includes the image forming unit which
prints the image containing the authentication information of the
user, who prints the image, on the sheet, the readout unit which
reads out the authentication information of the user who prints the
image, the authentication information of the user being contained
in the image printed on the sheet, the erasing unit which erases
the image printed on the sheet, and the control unit which acquires
the authentication information of the user who uses the apparatus
and determines whether the acquired authentication information
coincides with the read out authentication information to allow the
erasing unit to erase the image when determining that the acquired
authentication information coincides with the read out
authentication information.
[0135] Accordingly, according to the second embodiment, it is
possible to restrict the use of the image forming apparatus 1 for
each user. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, it is
possible to prevent the image on the sheet of other users from
being erased by mistake.
[0136] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *