Data handling and archiving system

• US 4,728,984 A
• Filed: 11/17/1986
• Issued: 03/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Daniele, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Application Number:
  US06/931,485
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 355/6, 355/7, 355/8, 355/14 R, 355/14 C, 355/133
• US Class Current: 358/300
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/221 Machines other than electrographic copiers, e.g. electrophotographic cameras, electrostatic typewriters
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/507 being interleaved with the original or directly written on he original, e.g. using a control sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00846 based on detection of a dedicated indication, e.g. marks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00875 Inhibiting reproduction, e.g. by disabling reading or reproduction apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/444 to a particular document or image or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/448 Rendering the image unintelligible, e.g. scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4493 Subsequently rendering the image intelligible using a co-operating image, mask or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A system for enhancing the use of digitized documents as information transmitting and storage objects in connection with an electronic printer having an image input scanner for scanning documents and converting the image content to image signals. In one embodiment, a bar-coded document has an encoded image representing a secret message, and the printer is equipped with a recognition circuit that uses the bar code to distinguish the encoded document from other non-coded documents to be printed and readies a decoder which upon proper authentication, automatically decodes the encoded image signals output by the array so that the printer provides a print with the decoded message.

In a second embodiment, the digitized image comprises an auxiliary software program to be loaded into the printer memory, with a selector circuit for loading the software signals output by the array into the printer memory, with a selector circuit for loading the software signals output by the array into the printer memory.

Claims

1. In a printing machine for processing documents bearing an encoded image to provide either coded or decoded print copies, comprising:

(a) at least one scanning array for scanning said documents and converting the document image to image signals;

(b) a decoder effective when actuated to decode the image signals output by said array whereby said machine produces decoded prints of said documents; and

(c) operator identifying means for actuating said decoder on input of a preset operator identification code to provide said decoded prints.

2. The machine according to claim 1 including coded indicia on said document for distinguishing documents bearing said encoded image from documents having non-encoded images.

3. The machine according to claim 2 including code recognition means for reading said image signals to identify documents having an encoded image from said coded indicia, said recognition means enabling actuation of said decoder by said operator identifying means.

4. The machine according to claim 3 in which said coded indicia is in the form of a bar code.

5. In a printing machine having a plurality of discrete operating components cooperable with one another to process both digitized and un-digitized images on documents, comprising in combination:

(a) at least one scanning array for scanning documents and converting the image on said documents to image signals;

(b) tray means for holding said documents for scanning;

(c) document transport means for bringing said documents in succession from said tray means into scanning relation with said array;

(d) control means for operating said machine, said control means including a decoder for decoding image signals representing said digitized images whereby to provide image signals representing the corresponding decoded image for printing by said machine; and

(e) operator proofing means responsive to input of a prearranged code to activate said decoder and decode the image signal output of say array whereby to provide a decoded image for printing.

6. In a printing machine having a plurality of discrete operating components cooperable with one another to process image bearing documents and make prints, including in combination:

(a) at least one scanning array for scanning said documents into said machine to process and make prints, said array converting said document images to first electrical signals representative of said images;

(b) tray means for holding said documents for scanning;

(c) document transport means for bringing said document originals in succession from said tray means into scanning relation with said array;

(d) a controller for controlling said machine;

(e) memory means for storing standard software for operating said machine components in an integrated manner to process images; and

(f) supplemental memory means for providing additional software for said machine, said supplemental memory means being in the form of an auxiliary document adapted for placement in said tray means so that said document transport means brings said auxiliary document into scanning relationship with said array, said additional software being in the form of coded images on said auxiliary document for scanning by said array,

said array scanning said auxiliary document to input said additional software to said machine, said array converting said auxiliary document coded images to second electrical signals representative of said additional software.

7. The machine according to claim 6 in which said memory means includes a memory section for temporarily storing said additional software following scanning of said auxiliary document by said scanning array.

8. The machine according to claim 7 including decoding means for separating said second electrical signals from scanning said auxiliary document coded images from said first electrical signals from scanning said document images for input of said second electrical signals to said memory section.

9. The machine according to claim 6 in which said additional software comprises instructions for diagnosing faults in said machine.

10. The machine according to claim 6 in which said additional software comprises instructions for processing images in a new manner.

11. The machine according to claim 6 in which said additional software provides special image processing algorithms not included in said standard software.

12. The machine according to claim 6 in which said additional software provides special communication protocols not provided by said standard software.

13. In a printing machine having a plurality of discrete operating components cooperable with one another to process images, including in combination:

(a) an array for scanning documents to provide first image signals representative of the document image scanned;

(b) a controller for controlling said machine to process said first image signals and make prints of said documents;

(c) memory means for storing operating software for said machine;

(d) supplemental memory means for providing additional operating software to said machine, said supplemental memory means being in the form of an auxiliary document bearing said additional software in the form of a visible image,

said array on input of said auxiliary document scanning said auxiliary document and said visible image to provide second image signals representative of said additional software for operating said machine; and

(e) means for selecting either said first image image signals to process and make prints, or for selecting said second image signals to provide said additional software for operating said machine.