Document administration system and document administration method

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a document administration system includes an administration unit to administer administration information of an image formed on a recording medium in connection with discrimination information of the recording medium and a decoloring device. The decoloring device includes a reading unit to read a discrimination information image based on the discrimination information, the discrimination information image being formed on the recording medium with erasable coloring agent, a decoloring unit to decolor the image formed on the recording medium with erasable coloring agent after the reading unit has read the discrimination information image, and a printer to print the discrimination information image in which at least the number of times of decoloring has been updated based on the discrimination information image read by the reading unit on the recording medium after decoloring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a first cassette to hold a reuse recording medium on which a discrimination information image is formed;   a reading device to read the discrimination information image on the reuse recording medium conveyed from the first cassette;   a decoloring device provided at the downstream from the reading device to decolor the discrimination information image if a conveyed medium is the reuse recording medium; and   an image forming device to form an image and an updated discrimination information image with erasable coloring agent on the recording medium which the discrimination information image is decolored.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second cassette to hold an unused recording medium,   wherein the image forming device forms the image and the discrimination information image with erasable coloring agent on the unused recording medium if a conveyed medium is the unused recording medium from the second cassette.   
     
     
         3 . A document administration system, comprising:
 an administration device to administer administration information of an image formed by an image forming device on a recording medium with erasable coloring agent in connection with discrimination information of the recording medium, wherein the image forming device includes:   a first cassette to hold a reuse recording medium on which a discrimination information is formed;   a reading device to read the discrimination information on the reuse recording medium conveyed from the first cassette;   a decoloring device provided at the downstream from the reading device to decolor the discrimination information if a conveyed medium is the reuse recording medium; and   an image forming device to form an image and an updated discrimination information with erasable coloring agent on the recording medium which the discrimination information is decolored.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the image forming device further includes a second cassette to hold an unused recording medium, and
 wherein the image forming device forms the image and the discrimination information with erasable coloring agent on the unused recording medium if a conveyed medium is the unused recording medium from the second cassette.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the administration information includes usage rate of the recording medium, and
 wherein the image forming device performs the print or copy limitation depending the usage rate of the recording medium.   
     
     
         6 . A document administration method, comprising:
 administering administration information of an image formed on a recording medium with erasable coloring agent in connection with discrimination information of the recording medium;   holding, in a first cassette, a reuse recording medium on which a discrimination information is formed;   reading the discrimination information on the reuse recording medium conveyed from the first cassette;   decoloring the discrimination information if a conveyed medium is the reuse recording medium; and   forming an image and an updated discrimination information with erasable coloring agent on the recording medium which the discrimination information is decolored.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 holding, in a second cassette, an unused recording medium, and   forming the image and the discrimination information with erasable coloring agent on the unused recording medium if a conveyed medium is the unused recording medium from the second cassette.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 performing a print or copy limitation depending a usage rate of the recording medium.