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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.