Apparatus and method of detecting decoloration ink image

Abstract

According to an embodiment, a detection apparatus for detecting a decoloration ink image includes an image reading unit, a decoloration unit, and a controller. The controller acquires image data using the image reading unit before decoloration that is the image data on the sheet before decoloration processing is executed by the decoloration unit. In addition, the controller determines whether or not there is a difference between the image data to be decolored and the decolored image data, thereby determining whether or not the decoloration ink is used in the sheet.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image, comprising:
 an image reading unit that generates image data by reading a sheet;   a decoloration unit that performs a decoloration processing on the sheet so that a decolorable image formed with decolorable ink on the sheet is partially decolored forming a mixed pattern of decolored sections of the decolorable image and non-decolored sections of the decolorable image; and   a controller that
 acquires a first image data generated by the image reading unit reading the sheet before the decoloration processing is executed by the decoloration unit, 
 acquires a second image data generated by the image reading unit reading the sheet after the decoloration processing is executed by the decoloration unit, 
 determines a difference between the first image data and the second image data, and 
 determines whether or not the decolorable ink is used on the sheet based on the determined difference between the first image data and the second image data. 
   
     
     
         14 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 further comprising:
 a plurality of sheet ejection trays; and 
 a sheet ejection unit that ejects the sheet after the decoloration processing is executed to any of a plurality of the sheet ejection trays. 
   
     
     
         15 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the controller controls the sheet ejection unit such that the sheet is ejected to one of the sheet ejection trays if there is a difference between the first image data and the second image data and the sheet is ejected to a different sheet ejection tray if there is no difference between the first image data and the second image data.   
     
     
         16 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the controller controls the decoloration unit, after the first image data is acquired, to execute the decoloration processing on the sheet by the decoloration unit.   
     
     
         17 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the mixed pattern is one of a stripe pattern, a mesh pattern and a dot pattern.   
     
     
         18 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the controller controls the image reading unit to generate the first image data, and again controls the image reading unit to generate the second image data.   
     
     
         19 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 further comprising a memory device that stores the first image data.   
     
     
         20 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein the controller acquires a time stamp token of the first image data, and stores the first image data together with the time stamp token.   
     
     
         21 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 further comprising a print unit that prints a highlight image on the sheet after the decoloration processing is executed.   
     
     
         22 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 21 ,
 wherein the controller controls the print unit such that the highlight image is printed on the decolorable image after the decoloration processing is executed in the case that there is a difference determined between the first image data and the second image data.   
     
     
         23 . The detection apparatus for detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the decoloration unit includes a heat roller having heating sections and non-heating sections arranged to form the mixed pattern.   
     
     
         24 . A method of detecting a decolorable ink image printed with decolorable ink, comprising:
 transferring a sheet to an image reading unit;   generating first image data of a sheet before performing a decoloration processing;   after the first image data is generated, performing the decoloration processing on the sheet so that a decolorable image formed with decolorable ink on the sheet is partially decolored forming a mixed pattern of decolored sections of the decolorable image and non-decolored sections of the decolorable image; returning the sheet on which the image is decolored to the image reading unit;   generating second image data of the sheet after performing the decoloration processing;   determining a difference between the first image data and the second image data; and   determining whether or not the decolorable ink is used on the sheet based on the determined difference between the first image data and the second image data.   
     
     
         25 . The method of detecting a decolorable ink image according to  claim 24 ,
 wherein the decoloration processing is performed using a heat roller having heating sections and non-heating sections arranged to form the mixed pattern.