Image forming apparatus with an unapproved copy preventing means

An image forming apparatus with an unapproved copy preventing means, comprising:

• document supporting means for supporting an original document;
• an irradiating means for irradiating said original document with a light beam;
• detecting means for detecting a reflection light from said original document which is irradiated with said light beam, and for generating detection signals according to the detection of said reflection light;
• converting means for converting said detection signals to digital image signals;
• memory means for storing a dot image data of a specific mark, which specific mark indicates that said document prohibits an unapproved copy, according to said digital image signals;
• determining means for determining whether said original document is one of a first generation document and a second generation copy of said first generation document, according to said dot image data stored in said memory means;
• control means for preventing a copying operation of said image forming apparatus when said determining means determines that said document is one of the first generation document and a second generation copy of said first generation document;
• an image forming means for forming an image of said document on a recording sheet with a plurality of color developers;
• and
• wherein said control means includes means for controlling said image forming means so that said image forming means forms said specific mark with a color developer which is different from an original color of said specific mark, marked on said first generation document, when said determining means determines that said document is said first generation document.

An image forming apparatus with an unapproved copy preventing means, comprising:

• document supporting means for supporting an original document;
• irradiating means for irradiating said original document with a light beam;
• detecting means for detecting a reflection light from said original document which is irradiated with said light beam, and for generating detection signals according to the detection of said reflection light;
• converting means for converting said detection signals to digital image signals;
• image forming means for forming an image of said document on a recording sheet with a plurality of color developers;
• first judging means for determining whether said original document is a first generation document according to said digital image signals;
• control means for forming a predetermined indication on the recording sheet by said image forming means when said first judging means determines that the original document supported by said document supporting means is the first generation document;
• second judging means for determining whether said original document is a second generation copy of said first generation document according to said predetermined indication;
• and
• wherein said control means includes means for preventing a copying operation of said image forming means when said second judging means determines that said original document supported by said document supporting means is the second generation copy.