Information processing device

Abstract

To obtain an information processing device capable of improving communication quality more than a configuration in which a function component having an antenna is attached to a device body.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a device body including a processing control part for processing information and an antenna, for enabling a function component including a communication control part for controlling communication to be mounted thereon, a first connection part provided in the device body for electrically connecting the processing control part and the communication control part by mounting the function component on the device body, and a second connection part provided in the device body for electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control part by mounting the function component on the device body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless communication device comprising at least one wireless communication unit including a plurality of antennas, at least one alarm unit, and at least one control unit that controls the wireless communication unit and the alarm unit, wherein each of the plurality of antennas is provided at a different position on the housing of the wireless communication device, and at least one predetermined antenna among the plurality of antennas that is to be made to perform an operation of receiving radio waves is set as a target antenna, and an area of ​​the housing in which the radio wave reception characteristics of the target antenna are least deteriorated when held by a user is set as a recommended holding area, and the control unit selects the target antenna from the plurality of antennas, identifies the recommended holding area corresponding to the target antenna, and causes the alarm unit to notify the recommended holding area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-193164 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can improve communication quality compared to a configuration in which a functional part having an antenna is attached to the device body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device of a first aspect of the present invention comprises a device main body having a processing control unit that processes information and an antenna, to which a functional component having a communication control unit that controls communication can be attached; a first connection unit provided on the device main body and electrically connecting the processing control unit and the communication control unit when the functional component is attached to the device main body; and a second connection unit provided on the device main body and electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control unit when the functional component is attached to the device main body.

[0006] An information processing device of a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the antenna is provided in a housing that houses the processing control unit.

[0007] An information processing device of a third aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of the second aspect, wherein the housing is made of metal, and the antenna is an antenna pattern formed in a part of the housing.

[0008] An information processing device of a fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of the second or third aspect, wherein the housing is disposed inside the device main body.

[0009] An information processing device of a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the device body includes a metal frame, and the antenna is an antenna pattern formed on a part of the frame.

[0010] An information processing device of a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the antenna is provided on the outer periphery of the device body.

[0011] An information processing device of a seventh aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of the sixth aspect, wherein the antenna is an antenna pattern printed on a resin cover that constitutes the outer periphery.

[0012] An information processing device of an eighth aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the device body is provided with a connector including the first connection portion and the second connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the information processing device of the first aspect, communication quality can be improved compared to a configuration in which a functional part having an antenna is attached to the device body.

[0014] In the information processing device of the second aspect, the wiring path from the first connection unit to the processing control unit and the wiring path from the second connection unit to the antenna can be easily integrated, compared to a configuration in which the antenna and the processing control unit are separated from each other.

[0015] In the information processing device of the third aspect, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration using a dedicated antenna.

[0016] In the information processing device of the fourth aspect, compared to a configuration in which the housing is disposed outside the device body, it is possible to block access to the processing control unit from outside.

[0017] In the information processing device of the fifth aspect, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration using a dedicated antenna.

[0018] In the information processing device of the sixth aspect, communication quality can be more easily ensured compared to a configuration in which the antenna is provided inside the device body.

[0019] In the information processing device of the seventh aspect, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration using a dedicated antenna.

[0020] In the information processing device of the eighth aspect, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a connector as the first connection portion and a connector as the second connection portion are separately provided on the device body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a wireless module, which is a functional component, is attached to an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an antenna formed on the housing of the processing control unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an antenna printed on a resin cover of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an antenna formed on a frame of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the periphery of a connector according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 as an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow H in Fig. 1 is the up-down direction of the apparatus (specifically, the vertical direction), and the direction indicated by arrow W is the width direction of the apparatus. Furthermore, the direction (indicated by arrow D) perpendicular to each of the up-down direction and the width direction of the apparatus (specifically, the horizontal direction) is the depth direction of the apparatus.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 100. The apparatus main body 100 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12. The image reading unit 11 is a unit that reads an image of a document and outputs it as image information. The image forming unit 12 is a unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image information. The image reading unit 11 is provided on the top of the apparatus main body 100, and the image forming unit 12 is provided on the bottom of the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, the apparatus main body 100 includes a housing 12A and a housing 11A provided on the housing 12A. The image forming unit 12 is configured to include the housing 12A. The image reading unit 11 also includes the housing 11A.

[0025] The image forming unit 12 includes a paper storage unit 13 that stores paper P as an example of a recording medium, a toner image forming unit 14, a conveying unit 16, a fixing device 18, an ejection unit 20, a supply mechanism 22, and a processing control unit 60 as an example of a processing control unit.

[0026] The toner image forming section 14 includes image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, and a transfer unit 50. Here, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are examples of toner colors.

[0027] The image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K have the same configuration except for the toner used, and therefore, the reference numerals of the components constituting the image forming units 40Y, 40M, and 40C are omitted in FIG.

[0028] Image forming unit 40K includes image carrier 42K, charging device 44K, exposure device 30K, developing device 46K, and removal device 48K. Similarly, image forming units 40Y, 40M, and 40C include image carriers 42Y, 42M, and 42C, charging devices 44Y, 44M, and 44C, exposure devices 30Y, 30M, and 30C, developing devices 46Y, 46M, and 46C, and removal devices 48Y, 48M, and 48C, respectively, corresponding to the respective colors. In the following description, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K will be omitted from image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K and their constituent members when there is no need to distinguish between toner colors (Y, M, C, and K).

[0029] In the image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the image carriers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K, respectively.

[0030] The image carrier 42 has a function of holding a toner image developed by the developing device 46. The image carrier 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is driven to rotate around its own axis (in the direction of arrow R1) by a driving means (not shown). The image carrier 42 includes, for example, an aluminum substrate and a photosensitive layer (not shown) formed on the substrate in this order: an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer.

[0031] The charging device 44 has the function of charging the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 42. The charging device 44 is arranged along the axial direction of the image carrier 42 (the depth direction of the device). The charging device 44 includes a charging roll 44A and a cleaning roll 44B. A voltage required to charge the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 42 is applied to the shaft (not shown) of the charging roll 44A. The cleaning roll 44B removes impurities such as toner, external additives, paper powder, and dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 44A.

[0032] The exposure device 30 has a function of forming a latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 42 charged by the charging device 44. The exposure device 30 emits exposure light from, for example, a light emitting diode array (not shown) in accordance with image information received from an image signal processing unit (not shown) that constitutes the processing control unit 60. This exposure light then irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 42 charged by the charging device 44, forming a latent image on the outer peripheral surface.

[0033] The developing device 46 has a function of developing the latent image formed on the image carrier 42 into a toner image. The developing device 46 is arranged along the axial direction of the image carrier 42. The developing device 46 includes a toner supplier 80 that supplies toner to the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 42, and two transport members 82 and 84 that transport a developer containing toner and a carrier to the toner supplier 80.

[0034] The removal device 48 has the function of removing toner, external additives, etc. that remain on the outer surface of the image carrier 42 without being primarily transferred after the toner image formed on the outer surface of the image carrier 42 has been primarily transferred to the transfer belt 52.

[0035] The transfer unit 50 has a function of primarily transferring the toner images of each color developed on the outer peripheral surface of each image carrier 42 by each developing device 46, and then secondarily transferring the toner images onto paper P. The transfer unit 50 includes a transfer belt 52, primary transfer rolls 54 of each color, a drive roll 56, and a secondary transfer roll 58.

[0036] The transfer belt 52 is an endless belt. The primary transfer roll 54 and the drive roll 56 are arranged so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52. The position of the transfer belt 52 is determined by the four primary transfer rolls 54, the drive roll 56, the tensioning roll 59, etc. that contact the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52, and the transfer belt 52 is inclined with respect to the width direction of the apparatus when viewed from the front side. The outer peripheral surface of the transfer unit 50 that faces downward in the height direction of the apparatus is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of each image carrier 42 that constitutes each image forming unit 40 that is arranged at an angle with respect to the width direction of the apparatus.

[0037] When the drive roll 56 is rotated around its own axis (in the direction of arrow R2) by a drive source (not shown), the drive roll 56 applies a frictional force to the portion of the transfer belt 52 that is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the drive roll 56. Then, the drive roll 56 rotates the transfer belt 52 in the direction of arrow R3.

[0038] Each primary transfer roll 54 is disposed with the transfer belt 52 sandwiched therebetween, offset downstream in the rotation direction (direction of arrow R3) of the transfer belt 52 with respect to an imaginary line extending along the device height direction and passing through the center of the axis of each image carrier 42. Therefore, the transfer belt 52 rotates while being wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier 42.

[0039] When a primary transfer voltage is applied, the primary transfer roll 54 performs primary transfer of the toner images formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the image carriers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52.

[0040] The secondary transfer roll 58 is a long roll. During an image forming operation, the secondary transfer roll 58 is pressed by a pressing means (not shown) to form a nip portion (secondary transfer position T1) with the transfer belt 52. When a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roll 58, the toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 is secondarily transferred onto the paper P that is transported along a transport path 16C (described later) and passes through the secondary transfer position T1.

[0041] The cleaning device 70 has the function of removing toner, external additives, etc. that remain on the outer surface of the transfer belt 52 without being secondarily transferred after the toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the outer surface of the transfer belt 52 has been secondarily transferred onto the paper P.

[0042] The supply mechanisms 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K have the function of supplying the developer to the developing devices 46Y, 46M, 46C, and 46K.

[0043] The conveying section 16 has a function of conveying the paper P stored in the paper storage section 13 to the discharge section 20, which will be described later. The conveying section 16 includes a feed roll 16A, a plurality of pairs of conveying rolls 16B, a reverse conveying section 16D, and a discharge roll 16E, which will be described later.

[0044] The conveying section 16 is also provided with a reversing conveying section 16D that reverses the paper P and conveys it so that images can be formed on both sides of the paper P. The reversing conveying section 16D switches back the paper P with the toner image fixed on its front side. Thereafter, the reversing conveying section 16D conveys the paper P to the secondary transfer position T1 so that the back side of the paper P faces the outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 52.

[0045] The fixing device 18 has a function of fixing the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper P onto the paper P. The fixing device 18 includes a fixing roll 18A and a pressure roll 18B.

[0046] The discharge section 20 is formed on a part of the outer upper surface of the housing 11A, downstream of the fixing device 18 in the conveyance direction of the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the discharge section 20 by the discharge rolls 16E.

[0047] Next, the image forming operation in the image forming unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] When an image signal is sent from an external device (not shown), such as a personal computer, the processing control unit 60 operates the image forming apparatus 10. The processing control unit 60 converts this image signal into image information for each of the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image information for each of these colors is then output to the exposure device 30.

[0049] Next, the exposure light emitted from the exposure device 30 in accordance with the image information of each color is incident on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 42 charged by the charging device 44. Then, a latent image corresponding to the image information of each color is formed on the outer peripheral surface of each image carrier 42.

[0050] Furthermore, the latent images formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the image carriers 42 are developed into toner images of the respective colors by the respective developing devices 46 .

[0051] The toner images of each color on the outer peripheral surface of each image carrier 42 are primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 52 by the respective primary transfer rolls 54 that the image carriers 42 face.

[0052] Meanwhile, the paper P is sent out from the paper storage unit 13 and transported to the secondary transfer position T1 in time with the rotation of the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 52 on which the toner image has been primarily transferred, causing the paper P to reach the secondary transfer position T1. Then, the toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 52 is secondarily transferred onto the paper P that is transported to and passes through the secondary transfer position T1.

[0053] Next, the paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported toward the fixing device 18. The toner image is then fixed to the paper P by being heated and pressed by a fixing roll 18A and a pressure roll 18B that constitute the fixing device 18. The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the discharge section 20, and the image forming operation is completed.

[0054] Next, the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. First, the wireless module 200 attached to the apparatus body 100 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0055] 2 and 3, the wireless module 200 is an example of a functional component having a wireless communication function. The "wireless communication" used here refers to standards such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The wireless module 200 includes a housing 202, an attachment portion 204, a first connector 206, a second connector 208, a communication control portion 210, a signal line 218, and a signal line 220.

[0056] The housing 202 is box-shaped and houses a communication control unit 210, a signal line 218, and a signal line 220 inside the housing 202.

[0057] The mounting portion 204 has the function of mounting the housing 202 to the device main body 100. The mounting portion 204 includes an elastic plate portion 204A and a claw portion 204B. The elastic plate portion 204A is provided on a wall portion 202A of the housing 202. Specifically, the elastic plate portion 204A protrudes from the wall portion 202A toward the outside of the housing 202 and is folded back midway in the plate thickness direction. In other words, the elastic plate portion 204A has a U-shape when viewed in the plate width direction. Furthermore, the claw portion 204B is provided at the tip portion of the elastic plate portion 204A. The claw portion 204B protrudes from the tip portion of the elastic plate portion 204A toward the opposite side to the base end in the plate thickness direction. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the claws 204B of the elastic plate 204A are hooked onto the edges of the through-holes 12B provided in the device body 100, thereby attaching the wireless module 200 to the device body 100.

[0058] The first connector 206 is a male connector, and is a terminal electrically connected to a first connection unit 90 provided in the device main body 100, which will be described later. The first connector 206 has the function of electrically connecting the communication control unit 210 and the processing control unit 60 by being electrically connected to the first connection unit 90. In the present embodiment, the first connector 206 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, for example.

[0059] The second connector 208 is a male connector, and is a terminal that is electrically connected to a second connection unit 92 that is provided on the device main body 100, which will be described later. By being electrically connected to the second connection unit 92, the second connector 208 has the function of electrically connecting the communication control unit 210 and the antenna 102, which will be described later. In this embodiment, as an example, the second connector 208 is a coaxial connector.

[0060] The communication control unit 210 has a function of performing processing for transmitting and receiving radio waves (wireless signals) using the antenna 102, which will be described later.

[0061] The signal line 218 is a communication wiring that connects the first connector 206 and the communication control unit 210 .

[0062] The signal line 220 is a wire for communication that connects the second connector 208 and the communication control unit 210.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes the above-described apparatus main body 100, a first connection section 90, and a second connection section 92.

[0064] (Device body) The device main body 100 includes a process control unit 60 that processes information, and an antenna 102. The process control unit 60 has a function of storing or transmitting to the outside image information read from a document by the image reading unit 11. The process control unit 60 also has a function of controlling each part of the image forming unit 12 based on the image information, and performing a process of forming an image on paper P. The antenna 102 has a function of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from the outside. This antenna 102 is formed in a housing 104 of the process control unit 60, which will be described later.

[0065] A wireless module 200 can be attached to the device main body 100. Specifically, the wireless module 200 can be attached to the lower rear surface of the device main body 100, i.e., the rear surface of the image forming unit 12. More specifically, the wireless module 200 is attached to the rear surface of the housing 11A by hooking a claw portion 204B of the wireless module 200 onto the edge of a through-hole 12B formed in the rear surface of the housing 12A that constitutes the image forming unit 12.

[0066] (First connection part) The first connection unit 90 is provided at the bottom of the rear surface of the apparatus main body 100, i.e., on the rear surface of the image forming unit 12. Specifically, it is provided on the rear surface of the housing 12A, close to the through-hole 12B. In addition, the first connection unit 90 in this embodiment is a female connector to which the first connector 206 of the wireless module 200 is electrically connected. This first connection unit 90 is connected to the processing control unit 60 via a signal line 94, which is a wiring for communication. In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the first connection unit 90 is a female USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

[0067] (Second connection part) The second connection portion 92 is provided at the bottom of the rear surface of the apparatus main body 100, i.e., on the rear surface of the image forming unit 12. Specifically, it is provided on the rear surface of the housing 12A, close to the through-hole 12B and the first connection portion 90. In addition, the second connection portion 92 in this embodiment is a female connector to which the second connector 208 of the wireless module 200 is connected. This second connection portion 92 is connected to the antenna 102 via a signal line 96, which is a wiring for communication. In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the second connection portion 92 is a female coaxial connector.

[0068] Here, when the wireless module 200 is attached to the device main body 100, the first connector 206 of the wireless module 200 is connected to the female connector that is the first connection portion 90. Also, the second connector 208 is connected to the female connector that is the second connection portion 92. By attaching the wireless module 200 to the device main body 100 in this way, the connectors are electrically connected to each other. Then, the processing control unit 60 and the communication control unit 210 are electrically connected via the connected connectors and the signal lines, enabling communication between the processing control unit 60 and the communication control unit 210. Also, the antenna 102 and the communication control unit 210 are electrically connected via the connected connectors and the signal lines, enabling transmission and reception of information with the outside via the antenna 102, i.e., wireless communication.

[0069] (antenna) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the processing control unit 60 is accommodated in a box-shaped housing 104. The housing 104 is disposed within the device main body 100. Specifically, the housing 104 is fixed to the casing 12A of the device main body 100 via a bracket (not shown). The housing 104 is formed of a metal material. Preferably, the metal material has excellent conductivity (iron, for example). The antenna 102 is an antenna pattern formed on a part of the housing 104. Specifically, the antenna 102 is a spiral portion (antenna pattern) formed by punching a metal plate that will become the housing 104. In this embodiment, as an example, the antenna pattern is formed on one surface of the housing 104. A terminal is provided on the housing 104 near the antenna 102, and the terminal is connected to the second connection portion 92 by a signal line 96.

[0070] (Processing control unit) 2, the process control unit 60 has a function of controlling the operation of each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10. The process control unit 60 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Processor) 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63, a non-volatile memory 64, and an input / output interface (I / O) 65. The CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, non-volatile memory 64, and I / O 65 are connected to each other via a bus 66.

[0071] The CPU 61 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part of the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the CPU 61 reads a program from the ROM 62 or the nonvolatile memory 64, and executes the program using the RAM 63 as a work area.

[0072] The ROM 62 stores various programs and various data.

[0073] The RAM 63 serves as a working area for temporarily storing programs or data.

[0074] The nonvolatile memory 64 is an example of a storage device that maintains stored information even if power supplied to the nonvolatile memory 64 is cut off. The nonvolatile memory 64 is configured, for example, by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). Various programs including an operating system and various data are stored in the nonvolatile memory 64.

[0075] The I / O 65 is connected to, for example, the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, and the wireless module 200. The wireless module 200 is connected to the I / O 65 in a state where the wireless module 200 is attached to the device main body 100.

[0076] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the antenna 102 is provided in the apparatus main body 100. Then, by attaching the wireless module 200 to the apparatus main body 100, the antenna 102 and the communication control unit 210 are electrically connected. By attaching the wireless module 200 to the apparatus main body 100, the communication control unit 210 and the processing control unit 60 are electrically connected. In other words, the processing control unit 60 becomes able to wirelessly communicate with the outside via the wireless module 200 and the antenna 102. Here, in the image forming device 10 of this embodiment, compared to a configuration in which a wireless module 200 having an antenna 102 is attached to the device main body 100, the antenna 102 can be placed in a position where communication is good regardless of the attachment position of the wireless module 200, thereby improving communication quality.

[0077] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the antenna 102 is provided in the housing 104 that houses the processing control unit 60. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, it is easier to consolidate the wiring path of the signal line 94 from the first connection unit 90 to the processing control unit 60 and the wiring path of the signal line 96 from the second connection unit 92 to the antenna 102, compared to a configuration in which the antenna 102 and the processing control unit 60 are separated from each other, for example.

[0078] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, an antenna pattern formed on a part of the metal housing 104 functions as the antenna 102. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 can reduce the number of parts compared to a configuration that uses a dedicated antenna, for example.

[0079] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the housing 104 is disposed inside the apparatus main body 100. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 can block access to the processing control unit 60 from outside, compared to a configuration in which the housing 104 is disposed outside the apparatus main body 100. Also, access to the antenna 102 can be blocked. This can suppress deterioration of the antenna 102, for example, compared to a configuration in which the antenna 102 is accessible from outside the apparatus main body.

[0080] (Second embodiment) 5 shows an image forming apparatus 110 of the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 110 of this embodiment differs from the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in that the antenna 112 is provided on the outer peripheral portion 100A of the apparatus main body 100. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 110 is the same as the image forming apparatus 10 except for the portion where the antenna 112 is provided. Therefore, in this embodiment, a description of the same components as the image forming apparatus 10 will be omitted. Also, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 5, the antenna 112 is provided on the outer peripheral part 100A of the device main body 100. Specifically, the antenna 112 is provided on a resin cover 114 that covers the front of the housing 12A, which is one of the housings 11A and 12A that make up the outer peripheral part 100A. More specifically, the antenna 112 is an antenna pattern printed on the resin cover 114. This antenna pattern is formed by printing the antenna pattern on the resin cover 114 with conductive ink. A terminal (not shown) is provided on the antenna 112, and this terminal is connected to the second connection part 92 by a signal line 116.

[0082] Next, a description will be given of the effects of the image forming apparatus 110 of this embodiment. Note that the description of the effects similar to those obtained in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0083] In the image forming device 110 of this embodiment, the antenna 112 is provided on the outer periphery 100A of the device body 100. Therefore, in the image forming device 110, the receiving sensitivity of the antenna 112 is good and communication quality can be easily ensured, compared to a configuration in which the antenna 112 is provided inside the device body 100, for example.

[0084] In the image forming apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the antenna pattern printed on the resin cover 114 is the antenna 112. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 110 can reduce the number of parts compared to a configuration that uses a dedicated antenna 112, for example.

[0085] (Other embodiments) In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the antenna 102 is formed by processing a portion of the housing 104, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as in the image forming apparatus 120 shown in Fig. 6, the antenna 102 may be formed by processing a portion of the metal frame 106 provided in the apparatus main body 100. In this case, similar to the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 120 can reduce the number of parts compared to a configuration using a dedicated antenna.

[0086] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the first connection portion 90 and the second connection portion 92 are disposed separately on the apparatus main body 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the apparatus main body 100 may be provided with a single female connector 130 including the first connection portion 90 and the second connection portion 92. In other words, the single connector 130 is composed of the first connection portion 90 and the second connection portion 92. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the apparatus main body 100 is provided with separate connectors as the first connection portion 90 and the second connection portion 92. Furthermore, to electrically connect to the connector 130, the wireless module 200 is provided with a single male connector 132 including a first connector 206 and a second connector 208. Note that the connector standards are not particularly limited as long as wireless communication is possible when the connectors 130 and 132 are connected. As an example, the connectors 130 and 132 may be USB connectors. Furthermore, the configuration in which the device main body 100 is provided with a single connector 130 including the first connection portion 90 and the second connection portion 92 may be applied to the second embodiment and other embodiments.

[0087] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the wireless module 200 is attached to the rear surface of the housing 12A, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a through-hole and a connector may be provided on the front surface or side surface of the housing 12A, and the wireless module 200 may be attached to the front surface or side surface of the housing 12A. The configuration in which the wireless module 200 is attached to the front surface or side surface of the housing 12A may be applied to the second embodiment and other embodiments.

[0088] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the wireless module 200 is attached to the housing 12A, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a through-hole and a connector may be provided in the housing 11A, and the wireless module 200 may be attached to the housing 11A. The configuration in which the wireless module 200 is attached to the housing 11A may be applied to the second embodiment and other embodiments.

[0089] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the wireless module 200 is configured to be attached to the outside of the apparatus main body 100, specifically the outside of the housing 12A, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the wireless module 200 may be configured to be attached to the inside of the apparatus main body 100, specifically the inside of the housing 12A. The configuration in which the wireless module 200 is attached to the inside of the apparatus main body 100 may be applied to the second embodiment and other embodiments.

[0090] In the image forming apparatus 110 of the second embodiment, the antenna 112 is provided on the resin cover 114 that covers the front surface of the housing 12A, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the antenna 112 may be provided on a resin cover that covers the back surface or side surface of the housing 12A. Furthermore, the antenna 112 may be provided on a resin cover that covers the housing 11A.

[0091] In the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming unit 12 is used as an example of the image forming unit of the present invention, but is not limited to this. As an example of the image forming unit of the present invention, for example, each of the toner image forming units 14Y to 14K may use a direct transfer method in which a toner image is formed directly on the paper P without using the transfer belt 52. Also, as an example of the image forming unit of the present invention, it may be an image forming unit that forms an image by ejecting ink onto the paper P. In other words, the image forming unit of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of forming an image on the paper P.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the image reading unit 11 is provided at the top of the device main body 100 and the image forming unit 12 is provided at the bottom, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the image forming device may be configured without the image reading unit 11. In this case, the image forming device as an example of an information processing device has only an image forming function. Also, an image reading device having an image reading function (in other words, having the image reading unit 11) may be an example of an information processing device.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the first connection portion 90 and the second connection portion 92 are female connectors, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As long as the first connection portion 90 and the first connector 206 are electrically connected to each other, the first connection portion 90 may be a male connector and the first connector 206 may be a female connector. Similarly, as long as the second connection portion 92 and the second connector 208 are electrically connected to each other, the second connection portion 92 may be a male connector and the second connector 208 may be a female connector. The same applies to connector standards.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 10 Image forming device 60 Processing control section 90 First connection part 92 Second connection part 100 Device body 100A outer periphery 102 Antenna 104 Housing (an example of the housing of the processing control unit) 106 frames 110 Image forming device 112 Antenna 114 Resin cover 120 Image forming device 130 Connector 200 Wireless module (an example of a functional component) 210 Communication control unit

Claims

1. a device main body including a processing control unit for processing information and an antenna, the device main body being capable of mounting a functional component including a communication control unit for controlling communication; a first connection section provided in the device body, the first connection section electrically connecting the processing control section and the communication control section when the functional component is attached to the device body; a second connection portion provided in the device body, the second connection portion electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control portion when the functional component is attached to the device body; Equipped with The information processing device, wherein the antenna is an antenna pattern formed on a part of a metal housing that houses the processing control unit.

2. A device body having a processing control unit for processing information and an antenna, the device body being capable of mounting a functional part having a communication control unit for controlling communication; a first connection section provided in the device body, the first connection section electrically connecting the processing control section and the communication control section when the functional component is attached to the device body; a second connection portion provided in the device body, the second connection portion electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control portion when the functional component is attached to the device body; Equipped with the antenna is provided in a housing that houses the processing control unit, The information processing device, wherein the housing is disposed within the device main body.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is disposed within the device body.

4. A device body having a processing control unit for processing information and an antenna, the device body being capable of mounting a functional part having a communication control unit for controlling communication; a first connection section provided in the device body, the first connection section electrically connecting the processing control section and the communication control section when the functional component is attached to the device body; a second connection portion provided in the device body, the second connection portion electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control portion when the functional component is attached to the device body; Equipped with The device body has a metal frame, The information processing device, wherein the antenna is an antenna pattern formed on a part of the frame.

5. A device body having a processing control unit for processing information and an antenna, the device body being capable of mounting a functional part having a communication control unit for controlling communication; a first connection section provided in the device body, the first connection section electrically connecting the processing control section and the communication control section when the functional component is attached to the device body; a second connection portion provided in the device body, the second connection portion electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control portion when the functional component is attached to the device body; Equipped with The information processing device, wherein the antenna is an antenna pattern printed on a resin cover that forms the outer periphery of the device body.

6. A device body having a processing control unit for processing information and an antenna, the device body being capable of mounting a functional part having a communication control unit for controlling communication; a first connection section provided in the device body, the first connection section electrically connecting the processing control section and the communication control section when the functional component is attached to the device body; a second connection portion provided in the device body, the second connection portion electrically connecting the antenna and the communication control portion when the functional component is attached to the device body; Equipped with The information processing apparatus, wherein the apparatus main body is provided with a connector including the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body is provided with a connector including the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

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