Abstract: An image inspector includes a recording device and circuitry. The reading device is configured to read an image on a recording medium. The circuitry is configured to determine whether the recording medium has a wrinkle and an edge folding based on a plurality of positions on the image on the recording medium read by the reading device satisfying a predetermined relation. The circuitry is configured to determine whether the recording medium has the wrinkle based on the predetermined relation, and then determine whether the recording medium has the edge folding based on the predetermined relation.

Abstract: A system and method for toner classification from device printouts includes applying machine learning to electronic documents formed from scanned printout images. A training set is formed by scanning documents known to be printed with OEM toner, supplemented by scanning documents known to be printed with non-OEM toner. When new printouts are made, they are scanned and analyzed by an AI/ML server and classified as printed by OEM toner or by non-OEM toner.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet and outputs image information corresponding to the read image. A control unit is configured to recognize the image information output by the reading unit and determine whether decoloring using the decoloring unit is performed on the sheet based on the recognized image information.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image erasing apparatus includes a reading unit, an erasing unit, an image forming unit, and a controller. The reading unit reads identification information formed on a sheet conveyed. The erasing unit erases a part or all of a first image formed on the sheet after the identification information is read. The controller obtains image data corresponding to the identification information that is read by the reading unit. The controller controls the image forming unit so as to form a second image, which is indicated by the obtained image data, onto the sheet from which the first image has been erased.

Abstract: An image decoloring apparatus includes a reader configured to read an image on a sheet to acquire image data, a storage section configured to store the image data acquired by the reader, and a first heater configured to heat the sheet. The apparatus further includes a difference extractor configured to extract difference image data based on first image data read from the sheet before it is heated by the first heater and second image data read from the sheet after it is heated by the first heater. The apparatus additionally includes a setting section configured to set a password required to access the difference image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second sheet storages, a sheet conveyer, an image reading unit configured to read a surface of a sheet conveyed from the first sheet storage by the sheet conveyer, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet conveyed from the image reading unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an amount of a color material appearing on the surface of the sheet based on image data generated by the image reading unit, determine one of the image forming unit and the second sheet storage as a sheet feeding destination, based on the determined amount of the color material and a threshold value that is associated with at least one of a type and content of an image to be formed on the sheet, and control the sheet conveyer to convey the sheet to the sheet feeding destination.

Abstract: A method of reusing a notebook provides a notebook having a synthetic-paper page. The method also provides a thermochromic ink pen which, when used to write on the synthetic paper page, leaves thermochromic ink markings. The method further provides a moisture carrier configured to have a liquid diffused therein. The moisture carrier is configured to erase the thermochromic ink markings from the synthetic-paper page by contacting the thermochromic ink markings when the moisture carrier is moist. The method then writes with thermochromic ink on at least a portion of the synthetic-paper page. Liquid is diffused in the moisture carrier, and the portion of the synthetic-paper page having the thermochromic ink is wiped with the moist moisture carrier, such that the thermochromic ink is erased from the synthetic-paper page.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a main body; a cassette including a cassette case and a printing medium accommodated in the cassette case; an installing portion provided on the main body for installing the cassette detachably; a thermal head arranged on a substrate provided in the installing portion and having heating elements arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction; a conveyor which conveys the printing medium of the cassette installed in the installing portion along a conveyance path orthogonal to the arrangement direction; a first temperature sensor provided, in the installing portion, on a side of the thermal head with respect to the conveyance path; a second temperature sensor provided in the interior of the cassette case or the installing portion; and a processor which corrects an amount of applying energy to be applied to the heating elements, based on first and second temperatures detected by the first and second temperature sensors.

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

Abstract: A printer includes a controller configured to, while conveying a print medium, apply a fourth quantity of thermal energy per unit area to a first area of the print medium and apply a fifth quantity of thermal energy per unit area to a second area that at least partially overlaps the first area in a conveyance direction, the print medium developing a color when supplied with a quantity of thermal energy per unit area equal to or more than a first quantity and equal to or less than a second quantity and developing another color when supplied with a quantity of thermal energy per unit area equal to or more than a third quantity more than the second quantity, the fourth and fifth quantities being more than the first quantity and less than the second quantity, a sum of the fourth and fifth quantities being less than the third quantity.

Abstract: A conveyor line system including an image processing device configured to irradiate a recording part with laser light to perform at least one of image recording and image erasing, the conveyor line system being configured to manage at least one conveying container each including: the recording part in which the image recording is performed by irradiation with the laser light; and an image part in which a displayed image has been drawn, wherein a formula below is satisfied at a wavelength of the laser light with which the recording part is irradiated during the image recording: A+30>B where A denotes an absorbance of the recording part and B denotes an absorbance of the image part of the conveying container.

Abstract: An image erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a sheet supply portion that supplies a sheet and an ejector. A first conveying path conveys the sheet from the sheet supply portion toward the ejector. A reader arranged on the first conveying path reads an image on the sheet. A second conveying path branches from the first conveying path at a downstream of the reader on the first conveying path and merges with the first conveying path at an upstream of the reader on the first conveying path. An erasing unit is arranged on the second conveying path. A conveying path changing portion is arranged at a branching portion. An operating portion receives a setup of the processing to the sheet. A controller changes a conveying path of the sheet in accordance with the setup received by the operating portion before the sheet is supplied from the sheet supply portion.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a laser irradiation device including a plurality of laser output sections arranged side by side in a certain direction and configured to irradiate positions different from one another in the certain direction with laser light output from the plurality of laser output sections, the image recording apparatus being configured to irradiate a recording target moving relatively to the laser irradiation device in a relative movement direction different from the certain direction, with laser light to heat the recording target, and record a visible image on the recording target; and an image correction unit configured to adjust an irradiation condition of the laser light output from the plurality of laser output sections and correct distortion of an image recorded on a recording surface of the recording target based on a shape of the recording surface.

Abstract: A printer includes: a head; a platen roller; a support member supporting the head; a moving mechanism configured to move the support member between a nipping position and a separated position; a positioning member; and a displaceable member. The positioning member has a prescribed portion that contacts a printing medium nipped between the head and the platen roller. The positioning member positions the printing medium in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the printing medium. The prescribed portion and the head provide an imaginary straight line extending therebetween when the head is at a position that nips the printing medium in cooperation with the platen roller. The displaceable member supported by the support member moves along a prescribed path in conjunction with a movement of the support member between the nipping position and the separated position. The prescribed path intersects the imaginary straight line.

Abstract: A printer driver that is executable in a computer causes the computer to carry out a process including the steps of reading a first number of copies of a document to be printed with a decolorable material and a second number of copies of the document to be printed with a non-decolorable material, and generating a print command for a printer that causes the printer to print the first number of copies with the decolorable material and the second number of copies with the non-decolorable material.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus performs an image forming process to form an image on a sheet, and performs an image erasing process to erase an image formed on a sheet. A conveying device conveys the sheet. A heater heats the sheet conveyed by the conveying device. A cooling device cools the heater. A processor controls the cooling device so that the cooling device cools the heater between an interval of heating the sheet by the heater.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form a first image to be transferred to a sheet with a non-decolorizable material, and a second image forming unit configured to form a second image to be transferred to the sheet with a decolorizable material. At least a part of the second image transferred to the sheet is formed on the first image transferred to the sheet.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image decoloring apparatus comprises a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet on which an image is formed with a coloring agent that is decolored by heat; a first heat roller configured to be arranged at the upstream side of the conveyance path; and a second heat roller configured to be arranged at the downstream side of the conveyance path. Each of the first heat roller and the second heat roller includes a cylindrical portion and a heat source. The thickness of the cylindrical portion constituting the first heat roller is larger than the thickness of the cylindrical portion constituting the second heat roller. In this way, the heat capacity of the first heat roller is also larger than the heat capacity of the second heat roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section which forms an image on an image receiving medium with a color material; a heating member which heats the image receiving medium; a heater which heats the heating member; a sensor which detects a temperature of the heating member; and a controller which executes a print job for forming an image on the image receiving medium with the image forming section and fixing the image on the image receiving medium with the heating member and a decoloring job for decoloring the image on the image receiving medium with the heating member and interruptedly executes an executable job in a state of stopping output of the heater if the temperature of the heating member is higher than a temperature control range of a job of which priority is highest and there is the executable job at the temperature of the heating member.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming system includes at least one image processing device in communication with a server. The server stores an awards account for each of a plurality of users. The server receives, from the at least one image processing device, a reused sheet count of a number of sheets provided by a user and subject to image formation by the image processing device. The server also receives, from the at least one image processing device, a user identification corresponding to the user. The server updates the awards account corresponding to the user based on the received reused sheet count and user identification.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus comprises a decoloring unit configured to carry out a decoloring processing which decolors the color of an image formed on a paper with a decolorable color material; a scanner configured to scan the papers to which the decoloring processing is carried out; a memory configured to store data of a predetermined image indicating a predetermined form formed on the paper; a conveyance section configured to convey the paper scanned by the scanner to a plurality of paper discharging positions; and a control section configured to determine whether or not the scan image generated by the scanner is consistent with the predetermined image, and to drive the conveyance section to respectively convey the papers on each of which the scan image is consistent with the predetermined image and the papers on each of which the scan image is not consistent with the predetermined image to different positions.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet and outputs image information corresponding to the read image. A control unit is configured to recognize the image information output by the reading unit and determine whether decoloring using the decoloring unit is performed on the sheet based on the recognized image information.

Abstract: A printer driver that is executable in a computer causes the computer to carry out a process including the steps of reading a first number of copies of a document to be printed with a decolorable material and a second number of copies of the document to be printed with a non-decolorable material, and generating a print command for a printer that causes the printer to print the first number of copies with the decolorable material and the second number of copies with the non-decolorable material.

Abstract: The present invention is and includes a conversion circuit for allowing a printer controller to send a different set of control signals for dot history control to an integrated circuit driver other than those which the integrated circuit driver is designed to receive. The conversion circuit includes a plurality of driver circuits coupled to a plurality of strobe signals from at least one strobe signal generator, wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits comprises a plurality of gating groups respectively coupled to the plurality of strobe signals, wherein each of the plurality of gating groups includes a plurality of gate units respectively coupled to a plurality of heating elements wherein at least one gate unit controls at least one coupled heating element according to a corresponding strobe signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first conveying path to form a conveying path from the sheet supply portion toward the ejector, a reader arranged on the first conveying path to read an image on a surface of the sheet, an erasure to erase the image on the sheet formed with image erasable material, a switching portion arranged on the first conveying path at a downstream side of the reader in a sheet conveying direction to switch the sheet conveying direction to a direction of the ejector or a direction of the erasure, and a second conveying path having the erasure which, at a position where the switching portion is arranged, branches from the first conveying path at the downstream side of the reader and merges with the first conveying path at a meeting point between the sheet supply portion and the reader.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device configured to include a pressure section and a heating section for heating an image receiving medium and to execute a fixing processing for fixing an image formed on the image receiving medium with a decolorable color material at a fixing temperature or an erasure processing for erasing an image at a decoloring temperature, a reading section configured to be arranged at the upstream side of the fixing device in the conveyance direction of the image receiving medium to read an identifier indicating whether or not the color material of the image formed on the image receiving medium can be decolorized, and a control section configured to control the execution of the erasure processing of the image on the image receiving medium with the fixing device according to a result of reading of the identifier with the reading section.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image decoloring apparatus comprises a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet on which an image is formed with a coloring agent that is decolored by heat; a first heat roller configured to be arranged at the upstream side of the conveyance path; and a second heat roller configured to be arranged at the downstream side of the conveyance path. Each of the first heat roller and the second heat roller includes a cylindrical portion and a heat source. The thickness of the cylindrical portion constituting the first heat roller is larger than the thickness of the cylindrical portion constituting the second heat roller. In this way, the heat capacity of the first heat roller is also larger than the heat capacity of the second heat roller.

Abstract: A color erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a color erasing unit that heats a paper to erase an image formed on the paper by a heat-erasable coloring material. A sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a thickness of the paper. A paper thickness detector determines the thickness of the paper based on the sensor signal. A conveying unit conveys the paper through the color erasing unit. A conveying unit controller controls a conveyance speed of the paper conveyed through the color erasing unit based on the thickness of the paper determined by the paper thickness detector.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit positioned downstream of the scanner, a user interface, and a controller. The user interface includes a resolution setting section configured to receive input for setting the resolution of the image to be scanned by the scanner, and a processing mode setting section configured to receive input for setting whether to execute scanning processing by the scanner and for setting whether to execute decoloring processing by the decoloring unit. The controller is configured to control contents of the user interface and to perform a mode limiting processing so that when one of the scanning processing and decoloring processing is set to be executed, the other of the scanning processing and decoloring processing cannot be set to be executed.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes receiving, by an image forming device, authentication data corresponding to an external device; transmitting, by the image forming device, authentication approval data; after transmitting the authentication approval data, the image forming device receiving a first document list from the external device, wherein the first document list includes first document data; responsive to receiving the first document list, the image forming device retrieving second document data corresponding to documents stored by the image forming device, wherein the stored documents correspond to the external device; identifying a document using the first and second document data, wherein data corresponding to the identified document is included in either the first document data or the second document data; and responsive to the identification, transferring the data corresponding to the identified document between the external device and the image forming device.

Abstract: A stamp face forming apparatus includes a stamp face forming part including a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction along a surface holding a porous stamp face material that can be made non-porous by heating, and a drive circuit for controlling heat generating states of the plurality of heating elements to form a stamp face on the stamp face material; and a controller for controlling the drive circuit of the stamp face forming part by adjusting a signal to be applied to the drive circuit such that an amount of heat per dot for a dot to be heated directly adjacent to a dot to be non-heated is less than an amount of heat per dot for a dot to be heated not directly adjacent to the dot to be non-heated in image data for forming the stamp face.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a recording medium to generate a read result, a decoloring unit that decolors an image formed on the recording medium, and a control unit that determines a printable area of the recording medium based on the read result of the reading unit, and whether or not the image formed on the recording medium has been decolored.

Abstract: An image erasing apparatus includes an erasing unit, a reading unit, and a control unit. The erasing unit erases an image formed in a recording medium. The reading unit reads control information included in the image. The control unit determines whether or not to erase the image using the erasing unit on the basis of date information included in the control information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first conveying path to form a conveying path from the sheet supply portion toward the ejector, a reader arranged on the first conveying path to read an image on a surface of the sheet, an erasure to erase the image on the sheet formed with image erasable material, a switching portion arranged on the first conveying path at a downstream side of the reader in a sheet conveying direction to switch the sheet conveying direction to a direction of the ejector or a direction of the erasure, and a second conveying path having the erasure which, at a position where the switching portion is arranged, branches from the first conveying path at the downstream side of the reader and merges with the first conveying path at a meeting point between the sheet supply portion and the reader.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first conveying path to form a conveying path from the sheet supply portion toward the ejector, a reader arranged on the first conveying path to read an image on a surface of the sheet, an erasure to erase the image on the sheet formed with image erasable material, a switching portion arranged on the first conveying path at a downstream side of the reader in a sheet conveying direction to switch the sheet conveying direction to a direction of the ejector or a direction of the erasure, and a second conveying path having the erasure which, at a position where the switching portion is arranged, branches from the first conveying path at the downstream side of the reader and merges with the first conveying path at a meeting point between the sheet supply portion and the reader.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit configured to convey sheets, a first scanning unit configured to scan a surface of each of the sheets conveyed by the sheet conveying unit, and generate a first image data for each of the sheets, an erasing unit configured to carry out an erasing process on the surface of each of the sheets conveyed from the first scanning unit, a second scanning unit configured to scan the surface of each of the sheets conveyed from the erasing unit, and generate a second image data for each of the sheets, and a control unit configured to cause the sheets to be sorted based on a difference between the first image data and the second image data thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a color erasing apparatus capable of erasing the color of an image formed with a color erasable material on a sheet comprises a color erasing section configured to erase the color of an image formed on the sheet; a control panel configured to set a reading area of the sheet; and a reading section configured to read the image of the area set on the sheet and determine the state of the image erased by the color erasing section.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus includes a reading section that reads the image formed on a sheet and generates image data corresponding to the read image. A decoloring section decolors the image formed on the sheet by heating. If the reading section reads only a portion of the image formed on the sheet due to an error, the image data corresponding to the read portion of the image is stored. After the error is resolved, the sheet is conveyed to the reading section again to read a remainder portion of the image that was not initially read in the reading section and to generate image data corresponding to the remainder portion of the image. The image data corresponding to the read portion of the image is combined with the image data corresponding to the remainder portion of the image.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image erasing apparatus includes an erasing unit, an input unit, and a control unit. The erasing unit erases an image formed on a recording medium. The input unit inputs identification data which identifies an apparatus which forms the image on the recording medium. The control unit controls an operation of the erasing unit based on the identification data input by the input unit. According to another embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording medium, the erasing unit, the input unit, and the control unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a mark formed on a sheet an erasing unit configured to erase an image formed on the sheet, and a control unit configured to determine the number of times an image on the sheet have been erased based on the mark, and cause a first sheet to be separated from a second sheet if an image on the first sheet has been erased a predetermined number of times and an image on the second sheet has been erased less than the predetermined number of times.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a decoloring unit for performing decoloring processing on a sheet. An image forming unit forms an image on a sheet using decolorable material. A reuse tray receives a sheet provided by a user. A processor determines whether a sheet is provided on the reuse tray. When it is determined that a sheet is provided on the reuse tray, the decoloring unit performs the decoloring processing on the sheet. The processor determines whether the sheet meets a predetermined usability condition. When it is determined that the sheet meets the predetermined condition, the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet. When the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet that is determined to meet the predetermined condition, the processor updates a rewards account of the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to scan a surface of a sheet, a controller configured to determine a number of times the surface of the sheet has been subject to an image erasing process based on the scanned surface, and calculate a fee to be charged for forming a new image on the surface based on the determined number, and an image forming unit configured to form the new image on the surface of the sheet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a decoloring apparatus has a heating member for image decoloring, and a shutter to prevent heat transmission from the heating member. The decoloring apparatus further has a contact/separation mechanism for the heating member, a driving mechanism for the shutter, and a controller. The controller controls the contact/separation mechanism, to make the heating member to be moved to the non-decoloring position, and then controls the driving mechanism, to make the shutter to be moved to the shielding position.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a decoloring device includes a heat source unit which decolors images printed on sheets. The heat source unit includes a first heat roller and a first press roller which decolor an image on a first surface of a sheet. The heat source unit further includes a second heat roller and a second press roller which decolor an image on a second surface of the sheet. When the sheet is a non-decolor processing target sheet, the first heat roller and the first press roller, and the second heat roller and the second press roller move away from each other.

Abstract: A method for uniformly erasing an image recorded on a thermo-reversible recording medium. The image erasing apparatus includes an LD array, which emits a laser light whose cross section has a line shape; optics which include at least one cylindrical lens which converts, into a converging light which converges in a width direction, a line-shaped laser light which is emitted from the LD array and emits the converging light; and a mono-axial galvano mirror which deflects the laser light emitted from the optics in the width direction to scan the deflected laser light onto the thermo-reversible recording medium.

Abstract: A heating device includes first and second heating rollers and first and second pressing rollers. The first pressing roller and the second heating roller forms a first unit, and the second pressing roller and the first heating roller forms a second unit that is rotatable about a rotational axis relative to the first unit. The heating device also includes an eccentric shaft unit disposed on one of the first unit and the second unit and extending in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rotational position of an eccentric portion of the eccentric shaft unit being changeable, and an engaging unit disposed on the other one of the first unit and the second unit, and configured to engage with the eccentric shaft, a position of the second unit relative to the first unit being adjusted when the rotational position of the eccentric portion of the eccentric shaft unit is changed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first illumination section configured to obliquely illuminate a surface of a sheet in an image reading area, a second illumination section arranged upstream of the first image reading area and configured to obliquely illuminate the surface of the sheet in the image reading area, and a reading section configured to read the surface of the sheet illuminated in the image reading area. The apparatus can switch between a two-side illumination mode in which the image reading area is illuminated by both illumination sections, and a single-side illumination mode in which the image reading area is illuminated by only one illumination section. The apparatus further includes a determination section configured to determine the state of the surface of the sheet (e.g., rip or creases) based on image data corresponding to the surface read in the single-side illumination mode.

Abstract: The present invention is and includes a conversion circuit for allowing a printer controller to send a different set of control signals for dot history control to an integrated circuit driver other than those which the integrated circuit driver is designed to receive. The conversion circuit includes a plurality of driver circuits coupled to a plurality of strobe signals from at least one strobe signal generator, wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits comprises a plurality of gating groups respectively coupled to the plurality of strobe signals, wherein each of the plurality of gating groups includes a plurality of gate units respectively coupled to a plurality of heating elements wherein at least one gate unit controls at least one coupled heating element according to a corresponding strobe signal.

Abstract: An erasing apparatus includes a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet on which an image is formed with a coloring agent which is erased by heating. A first erasing unit is disposed on the conveyance path and is configured to heat the sheet when the sheet is conveyed between a first heating component and a first press component. A second erasing unit is disposed on the conveyance path downstream from the first erasing unit and is configured to heat the sheet when the sheet is conveyed between a second heating component and a second press component. A control section is configured to control a temperature of the first heating component at a first temperature at which the image on the sheet can be erased and to control a temperature of the second heating component at a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: An erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an erasing section configured to erase an image formed on a sheet by heating the sheet that is transported through the erasing section, the erasing section including a heating roller, a press roller in contact with the heating roller. A motor rotates the heating and press rollers. A transportation section transports the sheet. The erasing apparatus further includes a controller that controls the erasing section and the transportation section so that a transportation speed of the sheet transported through the erasing section is a first transportation speed lower than a normal speed if a predetermined period of time from a start of a job has not elapsed.