Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The image forming apparatus provided by the invention can reduce the time required by a user to confirm the writing of the tag information of the wireless tag. The image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding section, a conveying section, an image forming section, and a control section. The paper feeding unit carries a print medium to which a wireless tag is attached. The transport unit transports the printing medium placed on the paper feed unit. The image forming section forms an image on a printing medium. The control unit controls the antenna, the conveyance unit, and the image forming unit, the antenna radiating radio waves to a first region and a second region, the first region being a region on a conveyance path through which the printing medium is conveyed by the conveyance unit and passes, the first region being a region located downstream of the paper feeding unit, and the second region being a region on the conveyance path through which the printing medium passes. The second region is a region in a region where the printing medium is placed in the paper feeding section. The control unit controls the antenna according to an operation accepted when the printing medium is placed on the paper feeding unit and is not conveyed by the conveying unit, and reads the tag information written to the wireless tag from the wireless tag located in the second region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a printing medium to which an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is attached. Summary of the invention

[0003] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0004] Here, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 writes tag information to the RFID tag after conveying the printing medium toward the position where the tag information is to be written to the RFID tag. Then, after performing a verification process to detect whether the tag information to the RFID tag has been properly completed, the image forming apparatus forms an image on the printing medium after the tag information has been written. However, in order for the user to confirm whether the desired tag information has been written to the RFID tag after the tag information has been written, a reading device that reads the tag information written to the RFID tag is used. The introduction of such a reading device means that in addition to the operation of the image forming apparatus, the reading device must also be operated, which sometimes requires the user to have new work such as familiarity with the operation method of the reading device and preparation of the reading device.

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the time required for a user to confirm tag information written into a wireless tag.

[0006] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0007] The image forming device of the embodiment includes a paper feed unit, a conveying unit, an image forming unit, and a control unit. The paper feed unit carries a printing medium with a wireless tag attached. The conveying unit conveys the printing medium carried on the paper feed unit. The image forming unit forms an image on the printing medium. The control unit controls the antenna, the conveying unit, and the image forming unit, and the antenna radiates radio waves to a first area and a second area, the first area being an area on a conveying path through which the printing medium passes by the conveying unit and is located downstream of the paper feed unit, and the second area being an area in the paper feed unit where the printing medium is carried. The control unit controls the antenna based on an operation received when the printing medium is carried on the paper feed unit and is not carried by the conveying unit, and reads tag information written on the wireless tag from the wireless tag located in the second area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a print medium with a wireless tag.

[0010] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the wireless tag communication device 13 .

[0011] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of a radiation surface of radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 .

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram simply showing an example of the configuration of the printing unit 11 .

[0013] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a specific example of the positional relationship between the first region RA and the second region RB.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 110 .

[0015] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a process for writing tag information to wireless tags in the first area RA.

[0016] Fig. 9 1 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a process of reading tag information from wireless tags in the second region RB.

[0017] Fig.10 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display image including tag information read in ACT 220 .

[0018] Fig.11 1 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a process for writing tag information to a wireless tag in the second region RB.

[0019] Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining the cooperation between the image forming apparatus 1 and other information processing apparatuses.

[0020] Description of Reference Numerals

[0021] 1: Image forming device, 2: Information processing device, 3: Server, 11: Printing unit, 12: Control panel, 13: Wireless tag communication device, 14: Image reading device, 20: Intermediate transfer belt, 21: Driven roller, 22: Support roller, 23: Secondary transfer roller, 24: Registration roller, 25: Paper feed roller, 31: Image forming station, 32: Image forming station, 33: Image forming station, 34: Image forming station, 110: Control unit, 111: Paper feed cassette, 112: Paper feed cassette, 113: Image forming unit, 131: Antenna, 311: Photosensitive drum, 312: Charger, 313: exposure scanning head, 314: developing device, 315: photosensitive body cleaner, 316: primary transfer roller, 1101: computing device, 1102: storage device, 1103: data receiving unit, 1104: image data loading unit, AD: fixing device, ADA: fixing component, ADB: pressing component, DF: double-sided printing device, H: conveying unit, RA: first area, RB: second area, RM: radiation surface, TA: manual tray, TB: paper discharge tray, TG: wireless tag, TGA: wireless tag, TGB: wireless tag. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same components. As an example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, an image forming apparatus 1 will be described as an example.

[0023] (Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0024] Reference Figure 1 The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0025] The image forming device 1 is a device for forming an image on a printing medium, such as a multifunction machine, a copier, a printer, etc. The image forming device 1 is, for example, arranged in a workplace. The printing medium is a medium that is subjected to processing such as image formation by the image forming device 1. The printing medium may be any medium as long as it is a sheet medium on which an image can be formed on at least one of its two sides. For example, the printing medium is printing paper, a plastic film, etc.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1 determines the type of print medium to be processed by the user based on the operation received from the user. The print medium is classified according to the size of the print medium, the thickness of the print medium, the material of the print medium, the presence or absence of a wireless tag, etc. The print medium with a wireless tag is a print medium with a wireless tag attached. The print medium without a wireless tag is a print medium without a wireless tag attached.

[0027] The wireless tag is, for example, a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, but is not limited thereto. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a print medium with a wireless tag. Figure 2 The arrows shown indicate the conveying direction in which the printing medium is conveyed in the image forming apparatus 1 . Figure 2 The printed medium PPA shown is an example of a printed medium to which a wireless tag is attached. Figure 2 The wireless tag TG shown is an example of a wireless tag attached to a printed medium PPA. The wireless tag TG has an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip CP and an antenna AT. The IC chip CP is an IC chip for writing / reading tag information. The antenna AT is an antenna connected to the IC chip CP to receive tag information written to the IC chip CP and to transmit tag information read from the IC chip CP.

[0028] The image forming device 1 forms an image on a printing medium of a type predetermined according to an operation received from a user. For example, when the printing medium of a type predetermined according to an operation received from a user is a printing medium having a wireless tag, the image forming device 1 writes tag information to the wireless tag attached to the printing medium. After writing the tag information to the wireless tag, the image forming device 1 performs a verification process to detect whether the writing of the tag information to the wireless tag is completed normally. The verification process is performed by the image forming device 1 reading the tag information written to the wireless tag and determining whether the read tag information is consistent with the written tag information. When it is determined that the read tag information is consistent with the written tag information, the image forming device 1 detects that the writing is completed normally. On the other hand, when it is determined that the read tag information is inconsistent with the written tag information, the image forming device 1 detects that the writing is not completed normally. When it is detected in the verification process that the writing is not completed normally, the image forming device 1 displays information indicating that the writing failed. On the other hand, when it is detected in the verification process that the writing is completed normally, the image forming device 1 forms an image on the printing medium attached with the wireless tag having the tag information written. After forming an image on the print medium, the image forming apparatus 1 heats the print medium with the image formed thereon to fix the image on the print medium. After fixing the image on the print medium, the image forming apparatus 1 discharges the print medium with the image fixed thereon.

[0029] After the image forming device 1 discharges the printed medium having the wireless tag with the tag information written therein, the image forming device 1 reads the tag information written in the wireless tag of the discharged printed medium according to the accepted operation. After reading the tag information, the image forming device 1 displays the read tag information. Thus, the user can use the image forming device 1 to confirm whether the tag information of the wireless tag written in the printed medium is the expected tag information, separately from the verification process. Therefore, the image forming device 1 does not need to require the user to prepare other devices such as a reading device that reads the tag information from the wireless tag in order to confirm such tag information. That is, the image forming device 1 can reduce the time required for the user to confirm the tag information written in the wireless tag. In other words, the image forming device 1 can allow the user to easily confirm such tag information. The image forming device 1 also does not need to require the user to prepare such other devices, so it is also possible to suppress the increase in the introduction cost of the system including the image forming device 1.

[0030] The image forming device 1, for example, includes a printing unit 11, a control panel 12, a wireless tag communication device 13, an image reading device 14, a manual tray TA, and a paper discharge tray TB. The image forming device 1 may also include other components, other devices, etc. in addition to the printing unit 11, the control panel 12, the wireless tag communication device 13, the image reading device 14, the manual tray TA, and the paper discharge tray TB. The image forming device 1 may also be a structure not including the wireless tag communication device 13. In this case, the image forming device 1 is connected to the wireless tag communication device 13 from the outside so as to be communicable. The image forming device 1 may also be a structure not including the image reading device 14. In this case, the image forming device 1 may be connected to the image reading device 14 from the outside so as to be communicable, or may not be connected to the image reading device 14.

[0031] The printing unit 11 performs the transport of the printing medium, the formation of an image on the printing medium, etc. The details of the structure of the printing unit 11 will be described later. Figure 1 In order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated, the printing unit 11 provided inside the image forming apparatus 1 is shown as a rectangular parallelepiped object.

[0032] The control panel 12 includes an operation receiving unit and a display unit.

[0033] The operation accepting unit accepts an operation from a user. The operation accepting unit is an input device, such as a touch panel, input keys, etc. The operation accepting unit outputs information indicating the operation accepted from the user to a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0034] The display unit displays an image corresponding to the operation received by the operation receiving unit. The display unit is an image display device, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. In addition, the display unit can also be configured as a touch panel integrated with the operation receiving unit.

[0035] The wireless tag communication device 13 radiates radio waves to a predetermined first area RA on a conveyance path for conveying a print medium in the image forming apparatus 1 and a second area RB located upstream of the first area RA on the conveyance path. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the wireless tag communication device 13. Figure 3 As shown, the wireless tag communication device 13 has a flat plate-shaped frame as a whole, and an antenna 131 for radiating radio waves to the first area RA and the second area RB is provided inside the frame. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the antenna 131 is hidden behind the frame and cannot be seen. The wireless tag communication device 13 radiates radio waves in a radiation direction from one of the two faces toward the other of the two faces in a direction orthogonal to the two faces of the frame. For the sake of convenience, the face in the radiation direction of the two faces is referred to as the front face of the wireless tag communication device 13. For the sake of convenience, the face in the opposite direction to the radiation direction of the two faces is referred to as the back face of the wireless tag communication device 13.

[0036] The wireless tag communication device 13 is installed on the image forming device 1 by a predetermined method, and is supplied with power from the image forming device 1. Therefore, the wireless tag communication device 13 operates by control from the image forming device 1. The predetermined method is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, etc., but is not limited thereto. The wireless tag communication device 13 can also be installed on the image forming device 1 via a spacer. In this case, the relative position of the wireless tag communication device 13 relative to each of the first area RA and the second area RB of the image forming device 1 is adjusted by the spacer. This means that the reception sensitivity of the radio waves from the RFID tag communication device 13 in each of the first area RA and the second area RB can be adjusted by the spacer.

[0037] The antenna 131 is, for example, a single antenna that radiates radio waves to the first area RA and the second area RB. The antenna 131 may also be composed of a plurality of antennas instead of a single antenna. The antenna 131 may be an antenna that can electromagnetically change the radiation direction of radio waves, or an antenna that cannot electromagnetically change the radiation direction of radio waves.

[0038] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of a radiation surface of radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 . Figure 4 The direction indicated by the arrow represents the radiation direction of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131. Figure 4 The origin of the coordinate axis shown indicates the position of the antenna 131. Figure 4 As shown, the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 are also radiated in a direction orthogonal to the radiation direction, a direction opposite to the radiation direction, etc. Therefore, the wireless tag communication device 13 can radiate radio waves to a plurality of predetermined areas in the image forming device 1 according to the installation position. That is, the wireless tag communication device 13 can radiate radio waves to the first area RA and the second area RB.

[0039] The polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 is switched by the control unit that controls the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit may switch the polarization direction automatically or according to an operation received from the user. In this embodiment, detailed description of the polarization direction used for writing tag information to the wireless tag and reading tag information from the wireless tag is omitted.

[0040] The wireless tag communication device 13 causes the antenna 131 to radiate radio waves toward the first area RA and the second area RB according to the control from the control unit that controls the image forming device 1. As a result, the wireless tag communication device 13 can write tag information to a wireless tag attached to a printing medium having a wireless tag and read tag information from the wireless tag. The method of writing tag information to a wireless tag may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. Therefore, the description of the method of writing tag information to a wireless tag is omitted. The method of reading tag information from a wireless tag may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. Therefore, the description of the method of reading tag information from a wireless tag is omitted.

[0041] The image reading device 14 is a device that reads image data representing an image formed on a sheet medium such as a print medium from the medium, and is, for example, a scanner included in the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, detailed description of the configuration of the image reading device 14 is omitted.

[0042] (Printing Unit Configuration)

[0043] Below, refer to Figure 5 The configuration of the printing unit 11 will be described. Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the printing unit 11. Figure 5 In the figure, the position of the control panel 12 is depicted with Figure 1 The position of the control panel 12 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown is different.

[0044] The printing section 11 includes a control section 110 , a paper feed cassette 111 , a paper feed cassette 112 , and an image forming unit 113 .

[0045] The control unit 110 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. In other words, the control unit 110 controls each of the printing unit 11, the control panel 12, the wireless tag communication device 13, and the image forming unit 113. The control unit 110 is an example of a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus 1.

[0046] The paper feeding cassette 111 stores print media of a type desired by the user. As an example, a case where the paper feeding cassette 111 stores print media having wireless tags will be described.

[0047] The paper feed cassette 112 stores print media of a type desired by the user. As an example, a case where print media having no wireless tag is stored in the paper feed cassette 112 will be described.

[0048] The image forming unit 113 conveys the printing medium and forms an image represented by the image data acquired from the control unit 110 on the printing medium according to the control from the control unit 110. The image forming unit 113 is an example of an image forming unit. The image data is, for example, image data acquired from an information processing device or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1 in a communicable manner, image data read by the image reading device 14, or the like.

[0049] The image forming unit 113 includes an intermediate transfer belt 20. The image forming unit 113 includes a driven roller 21, a support roller 22, a secondary transfer roller 23, two registration rollers 24, and a manual paper feed roller 25. The image forming unit 113 includes four sets of image forming stations, namely, an image forming station 31, an image forming station 32, an image forming station 33, and an image forming station 34. The image forming unit 113 includes a fixing device AD ​​and a duplex printing device DF.

[0050] The intermediate transfer belt 20 is a belt for transferring the toner image once through the four image forming stations. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is supported by a driven roller 21 and a support roller 22. Figure 5 More specifically, the image forming unit 113 rotates the intermediate transfer belt 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow m according to the control from the control unit 110 by means of a motor (not shown).

[0051] The image forming station 31 is an image forming station for forming an image of Y (yellow). The image forming station 32 is an image forming station for forming an image of M (magenta). The image forming station 33 is an image forming station for forming an image of C (cyan). The image forming station 34 is an image forming station for forming an image of K (black). In the image forming unit 113, these four sets of image forming stations are arranged on the lower side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20.

[0052] The image forming station 31 includes a photosensitive drum 311, a charger 312, an exposure scanning head 313, a developing device 314, a photosensitive body cleaner 315, and a primary transfer roller 316. In the image forming station 31, the charger 312, the exposure scanning head 313, the developing device 314, the photosensitive body cleaner 315, and the primary transfer roller 316 are arranged toward the image forming station 31. Figure 5 The primary transfer roller 316 is disposed around the photosensitive drum 311 and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow n. The primary transfer roller 316 faces the photosensitive drum 311 with the intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween.

[0053] The configurations of the image forming stations 32, 33, and 34 are the same as that of the image forming station 31. Therefore, the description of the configurations of the image forming stations 32, 33, and 34 will be omitted below.

[0054] The secondary transfer roller 23 faces the backup roller 22 across the intermediate transfer belt 20. The secondary transfer roller 23 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 to a printing medium passing between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20.

[0055] The two registration rollers 24 transport the print medium taken out from the paper feed cassette 111 , the paper feed cassette 112 , and the manual feed tray TA by a transport mechanism (not shown) to between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 .

[0056] The manual paper feed roller 25 takes out the print medium from the manual feed tray TA and feeds the print medium to the two registration rollers 24 .

[0057] The fixing device AD ​​is a device that fixes the toner image to the print medium after the toner image is secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roller 23. More specifically, the fixing device AD ​​heats the print medium while conveying the print medium by rollers, thereby fixing the toner image secondarily transferred to the print medium to the print medium.

[0058] The double-sided printing device DF is a device that conveys the printing medium after the toner image is fixed on the front surface by the fixing device AD ​​to the two registration rollers 24. In the double-sided printing device DF, the printing medium is conveyed after the front and back surfaces are reversed. Therefore, the printing medium conveyed between the two registration rollers 24 by the double-sided printing device DF forms an image on the back surface by the secondary transfer roller 23 and the fixing device AD.

[0059] (Operation of Image Forming Unit)

[0060] Next, the operation of the image forming unit 113 will be described.

[0061] First, the operations of the four groups of image forming stations will be described by taking the operation of the image forming station 31 as an example.

[0062] The image forming station 31 charges the photosensitive drum 311 by the charging charger 312, and then exposes the photosensitive drum 311 by the exposure scanner 313. Thus, the image forming station 31 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311. Then, the image forming station 31 causes the developing device 314 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311. The developing device 314 uses a two-component developer formed of a toner and a carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311 into a toner image. The primary transfer roller 316 primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 311 to the intermediate transfer belt 20. After the primary transfer, the photosensitive body cleaner 315 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 311.

[0063] The image forming stations 31, 32, 33 and 34 form color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 20 through the primary transfer rollers 316. The color toner images are formed by sequentially overlapping toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black).

[0064] Next, the operation of the secondary transfer roller 23 will be described. The secondary transfer roller 23 transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the printing medium passing between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20. In the following description, when referred to as a "toner image", it may be either a color toner image or a toner image of only one color. The toner image may also be a toner image using a decolorizing toner.

[0065] Next, the operation of conveying the printing medium in the operation of the image forming unit 113 is described. For the sake of convenience, the end of the end of a printing medium in the conveying direction is referred to as the leading end of the printing medium. For the sake of convenience, the end of the end of a printing medium in the opposite direction to the conveying direction is referred to as the trailing end of the printing medium.

[0066] In the clamping portion of the two registration rollers 24, the printing medium taken out from the paper supply box 111, the paper supply box 112, and the manual tray TA is bent by a conveying mechanism (not shown). As a result, the position of the front end of the printing medium becomes aligned. Then, the two registration rollers 24 convey the printing medium between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 according to the timing of the image forming unit 113 transferring the colorant image to the printing medium. The printing medium taken out from the paper supply box 111, the paper supply box 112, and the manual tray TA is conveyed to the conveying path of the two registration rollers 24. Figure 5 The confluence portion PA shown is confluence.

[0067] In the image forming unit 113, three conveying paths are formed by two registration rollers 24, the fixing device AD, and a plurality of rollers in the double-sided printing device DF: the conveying path LA, the conveying path LB, and the conveying path LC. The conveying path LA is from the confluence portion PA to the Figure 5 The transport path LB is a transport path passing through the double-sided printing device DF and is a transport path from the branch part PB to the merging part PA. The transport path LC is a transport path from the branch part PB to the paper discharge tray TB.

[0068] The two registration rollers 24 start to rotate according to the position of the toner image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 20, and move the printing medium to the position of the secondary transfer roller 23. Thus, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is secondarily transferred to the printing medium by the secondary transfer roller 23. After the toner image is secondarily transferred to the printing medium, the secondary transfer roller 23 conveys the printing medium to the fixing device AD ​​along the conveying path LA.

[0069] The fixing device AD ​​heats and pressurizes the toner image secondarily transferred to the printing medium while conveying the printing medium conveyed from the secondary transfer roller 23. Thus, the fixing device AD ​​fixes the toner image to the printing medium. The fixing device AD ​​performs such heating and pressurization by means of a fixing member ADA and a pressurizing member ADB.

[0070] The fixing member ADA is a member having an annular peripheral surface. For example, the fixing member ADA is a belt-shaped member. The fixing member ADA abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the pressure member ADB. The fixing member ADA rotates together with the abutting pressure member ADB. A heating unit is provided inside the fixing member ADA. A supporting member that rotatably supports the fixing member ADA is provided inside the fixing member ADA. Figure 5 In the figure, the heating portion and the supporting member are omitted to simplify the drawing.

[0071] The pressure member ADB is a roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member ADA. The driving force of the motor is transmitted to the pressure member ADB via gears, etc. In other words, the pressure member ADB is rotated by the drive of the motor. Thus, the pressure member ADB rotates the fixing member ADA that contacts the pressure member ADB.

[0072] The pressure member ADB is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member ADA by a force member such as a spring. The pressure member ADB forms a clamping portion with the fixing member ADA by being pressed against the fixing member ADA. In other words, the pressure member ADB forms a clamping portion with the fixing member ADA by contacting with the fixing member ADA. In the fixing device AD, instead of the configuration in which the pressure member ADB is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member ADA by a force member, the fixing member ADA may be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the pressure member ADB by a force member.

[0073] With the above configuration, the fixing device AD ​​heats and pressurizes the print medium to fix the toner image on the print medium. As a result, the toner image secondary transferred by the secondary transfer roller 23 is formed as an image on the print medium. After the fixing device AD ​​forms the image on the print medium, it conveys the print medium to the conveying path LC. The print medium conveyed to the conveying path LC is discharged by a roller not shown.

[0074] In the case of double-sided printing, after the image is formed on the surface and the printing medium passes through the branch portion PB as a whole, the rollers not shown rotate to transport the printing medium to the conveying path LB. As a result, the front and back sides of the printing medium are reversed. Then, multiple rollers in the double-sided printing device DF transport the printing medium to the clamping portion of the two registration rollers 24 along the conveying path LB. Moreover, the printing medium with the front and back sides reversed is transported along the conveying path LA via the two registration rollers 24, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device AD. As a result, an image is formed on the back side of the printing medium. The fixing device AD ​​transports the printing medium with the image formed on the back side to the conveying path LC and discharges it.

[0075] In this way, the secondary transfer roller 23 , the two registration rollers 24 , the fixing device AD, and various rollers in the double-sided printing device DF constitute a conveying section H for conveying a printing medium in the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0076] (Difference between the first area and the second area)

[0077] The difference between the first area RA and the second area RB is described below. For the sake of convenience, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the paper feed cassette 111, the paper feed cassette 112, and the manual tray TA, they are collectively referred to as the paper feed unit for description. This is because the paper feed cassette 111, the paper feed cassette 112, and the manual tray TA all feed the print medium to the print unit 11, that is, supply the print medium to the print unit 11.

[0078] The first area RA is an area on the conveying path through which the print medium passes by the conveying unit H, and is located downstream of the paper supply unit. More specifically, the first area RA is an area where the print medium contacts the two registration rollers 24. For example, the control unit 110 controls the conveying unit H to convey the print medium taken out from the paper supply unit by a predetermined distance in the conveying direction through the two registration rollers 24 after the print medium is bent in the clamping portion of the two registration rollers 24. The predetermined distance is, for example, a distance of about half the length of the print medium bent in the clamping portion in the conveying direction. After the print medium is conveyed by the two registration rollers 24 by a predetermined distance, the control unit 110 temporarily stops conveying the print medium. Thus, the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 to write the tag information to the wireless tag attached to the print medium in the state where the conveying unit H temporarily stops conveying, and to perform verification processing on the writing. In this case, the first area RA is an area containing the print medium in this state. That is, the first area RA is an area where the print medium contacts the two registration rollers 24. In Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the first area RA is shown as an area surrounded by a dotted line. The predetermined distance may be any distance instead of a distance of about half of the length, as long as it is less than the length of the printing medium bent in the clamping portion in the conveying direction. The predetermined distance may also be 0 mm. When the predetermined distance is 0 mm, the first area RA is an area included in the printing medium bent in the clamping portion. In this case, the first area RA is also an area where the printing medium contacts the two registration rollers 24.

[0079] On the other hand, the second area RB is a predetermined area in the area where the print medium is placed in the paper feed section. Therefore, the second area RB is an area where the print medium does not contact the two registration rollers 24. The second area RB may also be predetermined in part or all of the paper feed cassette 111, the paper feed cassette 112, and the manual tray TA. As an example, a case where the second area RB is predetermined as an area on the manual tray TA is described. In this case, the second area RB is an area on the manual tray TA that intersects with the radiation surface of the radio wave from the antenna 131 and overlaps with the antenna 131 when viewed in the direction of gravity. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the second region RB is shown as a region located above the manual tray TA and surrounded by a dotted line.

[0080] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a specific example of the positional relationship between the first region RA and the second region RB. Figure 6 The arrows shown indicate Figure 6 For convenience of description, among the ends of the manual tray TA, the end in the direction in which the print medium is inserted into the manual tray TA is referred to as the front end of the manual tray TA. Figure 6The print medium PPB and the print medium PPC shown are examples of print media placed on the manual feed tray TA, respectively, and are examples of print media having wireless tags. Figure 6 The wireless tag TGA shown is an example of a wireless tag attached to the print medium PPB. Figure 6 The wireless tag TGB shown is an example of a wireless tag attached to the print medium PPC. Figure 6 The radiation surface RM shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a portion of the radiation surface of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 that intersects with the print medium placed on the manual tray TA. Figure 6 As shown, the second region RB intersects with the radiation surface RM of the radio waves from the antenna 131 on the manual tray TA and overlaps with the antenna 131 when viewed in the gravity direction. Figure 6 In the example shown, when viewed in the gravity direction, the second region RB intersects the radiation surface RM at a position closer to the front end side of the manual tray TA than the antenna 131. In this case, the second region RB may be configured to intersect the radiation surface RM below the antenna 131, or may be configured to intersect the radiation surface RM at a position closer to the side opposite to the front end of the manual tray TA than the antenna 131.

[0081] In such a second area RB, the wireless tag of the printed medium placed on the manual tray TA is located closer to the front end of the manual tray TA than the radiation surface RM of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131. Therefore, the control unit 110 can control the antenna 131 and read the tag information written in the wireless tag of the printed medium placed on the manual tray TA from the wireless tag. Figure 6 In the example shown, the wireless tag TGA of the print medium PPB placed on the manual tray TA is located closer to the front end of the manual tray TA than the radiation surface RM in the second area RB. In this example, the wireless tag TGB of the print medium PPC placed on the manual tray TA is located closer to the front end of the manual tray TA than the radiation surface RM in the second area RB.

[0082] (Functional structure of control unit)

[0083] Next, refer to Figure 7 The functional configuration of the control unit 110 will be described. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 110 .

[0084] like Figure 7 As shown, the control unit 110 is communicatively connected to the printing unit 11, the control panel 12, and the wireless tag communication device 13. The control unit 110 includes a computing device 1101, a storage device 1102, a data receiving unit 1103, and an image data loading unit 1104.

[0085] The computing device 1101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The computing device 1101 controls the printing unit 11 , the control panel 12 , and the wireless tag communication device 13 according to an image processing program stored in the storage device 1102 .

[0086] The storage device 1102 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage device 1102 may be a separate body from the control unit 110 .

[0087] The data receiving unit 1103 receives print data representing an image to be printed (for example, data described in a page description language) from a host computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), and stores the received print data in the storage device 1102 .

[0088] The image data loading unit 1104 determines printing conditions based on the printing data stored in the storage device 1102 by the data receiving unit 1103 , thereby loading data (such as raster data) printable by the printing unit 11 and storing it in the storage device 1102 .

[0089] (Processing of Writing Tag Information to Wireless Tags in the First Area)

[0090] Reference Figure 8 A description will be given of a process of writing tag information to wireless tags in the first area RA. Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow for writing tag information to wireless tags in the first area RA. Figure 8 In the flowchart shown, as an example, a case where the process of writing tag information to wireless tags in the first area RA is performed together with the process of forming an image on a printing medium is described. For example, the image forming device 1 performs the process of writing tag information to wireless tags while forming an image on a printing medium in response to a request from another information processing device that is communicably connected to the image forming device 1. As an example, when performing Figure 8The following describes a case where the image forming apparatus 1 accepts the request at a timing before the processing of ACT 110 shown. As an example, the following describes a case where the request is a request for the image forming apparatus 1 to perform the processing on a certain print medium. For the sake of convenience, the request is referred to as a print job. For the sake of convenience, the print medium is referred to as a target print medium. The target print medium is an example of a print medium having a wireless tag. As an example, the following describes a case where the target print medium is placed on the paper feed cassette 111 at the timing.

[0091] After receiving the print job, the control unit 110 controls the transport unit H to start transporting the target print medium placed on the paper feed cassette 111 (ACT 110 ).

[0092] Next, the control unit 110 waits until the target print medium conveyed by the conveying unit H is bent at the nip portion between the two registration rollers 24 (ACT 120). Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the process of ACT 120 is shown as “Register roller?” In ACT 120 , the method by which the control unit 110 detects the deflection of the target print medium at the nip portion may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0093] When it is determined that the target print medium transported by the transport unit H is bent at the nip portion between the two registration rollers 24 (ACT 120 —Yes), the control unit 110 controls the two registration rollers 24 of the transport unit H to transport the target print medium by a predetermined distance (ACT 130 ).

[0094] Next, the control unit 110 controls the transport unit H to temporarily stop transporting the target print medium (ACT 140 ). Thus, the control unit 110 can position the target print medium within the first area RA.

[0095] Next, the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 to write the tag information specified by the accepted printing job to the wireless tag of the target printing medium whose conveyance is temporarily stopped in ACT140 (ACT150). The tag information is, for example, an EPC (Electronic Product Code) represented by a combination of hexadecimal numbers, but is not limited to this. In ACT150, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to a polarization direction suitable for writing tag information to the wireless tag in the first area RA, or may be configured not to switch from a predetermined polarization direction. In ACT150, the control unit 110 may also be configured to switch the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to each of a plurality of predetermined polarization directions in sequence. The control unit 110 may change these polarization directions according to the accepted operation, may change according to the information contained in the printing job, or may automatically perform the change as a predetermined process. In ACT 150, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 to an intensity suitable for writing tag information to the wireless tags in the first area RA, or may be configured not to switch from a predetermined intensity. The control unit 110 may change the intensity in accordance with the received operation, may change the intensity in accordance with the information included in the print job, or may automatically perform the change as a predetermined process.

[0096] Next, the control unit 110 performs a verification process for detecting whether the writing of the tag information specified by the received print job in ACT 150 to the wireless tag is completed normally (ACT 160). The verification process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 is a well-known process, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0097] Next, the control unit 110 controls the transport unit H to resume the transport of the target print medium that was temporarily stopped in ACT 140 ( ACT 170 ).

[0098] Next, the control unit 110 controls the image forming unit 113 to form an image on the target printing medium transported by the transport unit H (ACT 180 ).

[0099] Next, the control unit 110 controls the transport unit H to discharge the target print medium on which the image is formed in ACT 180 to the paper discharge tray TB (ACT 190), and the process ends. Figure 8 Processing of the flowchart shown.

[0100] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 can write tag information to the wireless tag of the target print medium in the first area RA.

[0101] (Processing of Reading Tag Information from Wireless Tags in Second Area)

[0102] Reference Fig. 9 The process of reading tag information from wireless tags in the second region RB will be described. Fig. 9 1 is a diagram showing an example of a process of reading tag information from a wireless tag in the second area RB. The image forming apparatus 1 performs a process of reading tag information from a printing medium having a wireless tag with certain tag information written thereon in the second area RB, for example, according to an accepted operation. The printing medium having the wireless tag with the tag information written thereon is, for example, Figure 8 The object printed medium on which the tag information is written is processed according to the flowchart shown in the figure. The printed medium whose tag information is read in the second area RB is a printed medium that is discharged to the paper discharge tray TB after the image is formed by the image forming unit 113, and is an example of a printed medium on which the tag information is written to the wireless tag in the first area RA. By reading the tag information from the wireless tag of the printed medium having the wireless tag on which the tag information is written in this way, the image forming device 1 can assist the user in confirming the tag information written to the wireless tag. In other words, the user can use the image forming device 1 to confirm whether the tag information written to the wireless tag of the printed medium is the expected tag information separately from the verification process. As a result, the image forming device 1 can reduce the effort required for the user to confirm the tag information written to the wireless tag. The image forming device 1 can also suppress the increase in the introduction cost of the system including the image forming device 1.

[0103] As an example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The following describes a case where the second area RB is predetermined as an area on the manual tray TA. Fig. 9 The following describes a case where the image forming apparatus 1 receives a read start operation for starting the process of reading tag information from a wireless tag of a print medium placed in the second area RB at a timing before the process of ACT 210 shown. As an example, the following describes a case where a plurality of print media having wireless tags with tag information written thereon are placed in a stacked manner in the second area RB on the manual tray TA.

[0104] After receiving the read start operation, the control unit 110 determines whether a predetermined read condition is satisfied (ACT 210). Fig. 9In the figure, the processing of ACT210 is shown as "Reading condition?". The reading condition is a condition that, when satisfied, can suppress the reading of tag information from the wireless tag of the printing medium in the area other than the second area RB in the area on the conveying path. Specifically, the reading condition is, for example, the following condition: the accepted reading start operation is an operation accepted when the printing medium is placed on the manual tray TA and is not conveyed through the conveying unit H. In the present embodiment, not conveying through the conveying unit H does not mean temporarily stopping the conveyance of the printing medium through the conveying unit H. Therefore, not conveying through the conveying unit H also means that the printing medium is not located in the first area RA. More specifically, not conveying through the conveying unit H means that the printing medium is not located in all areas on the conveying path except the area on the paper feed unit. The reading condition may also be replaced by other conditions that, when satisfied, can suppress the reading of tag information from the wireless tag of the printing medium in the area other than the second area RB in the area on the conveying path.

[0105] When it is determined that the reading condition is not satisfied (ACT 210-No), the control unit 110 causes the display unit of the control panel 12 to display information indicating that the reading condition is not satisfied, and then ends. Fig. 9 Thus, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can perform the reading start operation again after the reading condition is satisfied.

[0106] On the other hand, when it is determined that the reading condition is satisfied (ACT210-Yes), the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 to read the tag information from each of the wireless tags of the plurality of printed media placed in the second region RB (ACT220). In ACT220, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to a polarization direction suitable for reading the tag information from the wireless tags in the second region RB, or may be configured not to switch from a predetermined polarization direction. In ACT220, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to each of a plurality of predetermined polarization directions in sequence. The control unit 110 may change these polarization directions according to the accepted operation, or may automatically perform the change as a predetermined process. As an example, the case where the control unit 110 switches the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to each of a plurality of predetermined polarization directions in sequence in ACT220 is described. In ACT 220, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 to an intensity suitable for reading tag information from the wireless tags in the second region RB, or may be configured not to switch from a predetermined intensity. The control unit 110 may change these intensities according to the accepted operation, or may automatically perform the change as a predetermined process. As an example, the case where the control unit 110 switches the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 to an intensity corresponding to the pre-accepted operation is described. The intensity corresponding to the operation is, for example, higher than that in Figure 8 In the process of the flowchart shown, the control unit 110 increases the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131. In this case, the control unit 110 can suppress failure in reading tag information from wireless tags in the second region RB.

[0107] Next, the control unit 110 causes the display unit of the control panel 12 to display each tag information read in ACT 220 (ACT 230 ). Fig.10 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display image including tag information read in ACT 220 . Fig.10 The image G shown is an example of a display image. Fig.10 In the example shown, the image G includes the area RRA, the button BA, the button BB, the button BC, and the button BD.

[0108] The area RRA is an area for displaying tag information and radio wave strength information corresponding to each tag information read by the control unit 110 in ACT 220. The radio wave strength information indicates the strength of radio waves reflected by the wireless tags in which the tag information is written, among the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131. Fig.10 The "EPC" shown is an example of tag information. Fig.10The "radio strength" shown is an example of radio strength information. The tag information and radio strength information are not displayed in the area RRA at a timing before the processing of ACT 220 is performed. That is, the tag information and radio strength information are displayed in the area RRA after the processing of ACT 220 is performed.

[0109] The button BA is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for accepting a reading start operation. When a selection operation such as tapping or clicking the button BA is performed, the control unit 110 starts Fig. 9 That is, the image G is one of the images for which the image forming apparatus 1 receives an operation from the user on the control panel 12 .

[0110] The button BB is a GUI for accepting an operation of deleting the label information and the radio frequency strength information displayed in the area RRA from the area RRA. When a selection operation such as tapping or clicking is performed on the button BB, the control unit 110 deletes the label information and the radio frequency strength information in the area RRA.

[0111] The button BC is a GUI for accepting an operation to store the tag information and radio frequency strength information displayed in the area RRA in the storage device 1102. When the button BC is tapped or clicked, the control unit 110 stores the tag information and radio frequency strength information displayed in the area RRA in the storage device 1102.

[0112] The button BD is a GUI that accepts an operation to end the display of the image G on the display unit of the control panel 12. When a selection operation such as tapping or clicking is performed on the button BC, the control unit 110 ends the display of the image G on the display unit.

[0113] Alternatively, the image G may not include a part or all of the buttons BA to BD. Alternatively, the area RRA may not display the radio wave strength information. By displaying the tag information read in ACT 220 on the display unit of the control panel 12 in ACT 230, the user can easily confirm whether the tag information written in the wireless tags of each of the plurality of printing media is the desired tag information. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 allows the user to confirm the tag information written in the wireless tags of each of the plurality of printing media at the same time, and as a result, the time required for the user to confirm the tag information written in the wireless tags can be more reliably reduced.

[0114] In ACT230, the control unit 110 may be a display unit that replaces the control panel 12, or a display unit of another information processing device that displays the individual tag information read in ACT220 in addition to the display unit of the control panel 12. The other information processing device is an information processing device that is communicably connected to the image forming device 1. The other information processing device is, for example, a multi-function portable telephone terminal (smartphone), a portable telephone terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a desktop PC, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., but is not limited thereto. The other information processing device may be an information processing device owned by a user of the image forming device 1, or may be an information processing device owned by another person, another company, etc. In ACT230, the control unit 110 may be a display unit that replaces the control panel 12, or a display unit that is external to the image forming device 1 displays the individual tag information read in ACT220 in addition to the display unit of the control panel 12.

[0115] The image G may also include a GUI for accepting an operation to rewrite the tag information. However, the rewriting of the tag information by the image forming device 1 according to the operation is performed when the number of print media placed in the second area RB is one, when the same tag information is written to each of the plurality of print media placed in the second area RB, etc. This is because, when a plurality of print media are placed in the second area RB, it is not possible to radiate radio waves only to the desired print medium among the plurality of print media. When the operation is accepted, the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 and writes the tag information specified by the operation to the wireless tag of the print medium placed in the second area RB. At this time, the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 and also performs verification processing. Thus, even when the tag information written to the wireless tag is not the desired tag information, the user of the image forming device 1 can easily rewrite the desired tag information to the wireless tag by operating the image forming device 1. That is, the user can easily rewrite the tag information of the wireless tag. The tag information may be specified by this operation, for example, using a software key displayed on the display unit of the control panel 12 or a hardware key included in the control panel 12 .

[0116] After performing the process of ACT 230 , the control unit 110 waits until an operation is accepted via the display image displayed by the process ( ACT 240 ).

[0117] When it is determined that an operation via the display image has been accepted (ACT 240-Yes), the control unit 110 determines whether the operation accepted via the display image is an operation to end the display of the display image (ACT 250). Fig. 9 In ACT 250, the processing is shown as "Display end?". For example, when a selection operation is performed on button BD in image G, the control unit 110 determines in ACT 250 that the operation accepted via the display image is an operation to end the display of the display image. On the other hand, for example, when a selection operation is performed on a GUI other than button BD in image G, the control unit 110 determines in ACT 250 that the operation accepted via the display image is not an operation to end the display of the display image.

[0118] When it is determined that the operation received via the display image is an operation to end the display of the display image (ACT 250-Yes), the control unit 110 ends the display of the display image on the display unit of the control panel 12 and ends the operation. Fig. 9 Processing of the flowchart shown.

[0119] On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation accepted via the display image is not an operation to end the display of the display image (ACT 250-No), the control unit 110 performs processing corresponding to the operation accepted via the display image (ACT 260). For example, when the operation accepted via the display image is an operation to rewrite the tag information, the control unit 110 rewrites the tag information written in the wireless tag of the print medium placed in the second region RB according to the operation accepted via the display image.

[0120] After performing the process of ACT 260 , the control unit 110 proceeds to ACT 240 and waits again until an operation via the display image is accepted.

[0121] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 controls the antenna 131 to read the tag information written in the wireless tag from the wireless tag of the printing medium located in the second area RB in response to the read start operation received when the printing medium is placed on the manual tray TA and is not being transported by the transport unit H. Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 can reduce the time required for the user to confirm the tag information written in the wireless tag.

[0122] (Processing of Writing Tag Information to Wireless Tags in Second Area)

[0123] Below, refer to Fig.11 The process of writing tag information to the wireless tag in the second region RB will be described. Fig.111 is a diagram showing an example of a process of writing tag information to a wireless tag in the second area RB. For example, when an operation of rewriting tag information is performed via a display image displayed on the display unit of the control panel 12, or when an operation of rewriting tag information of a wireless tag placed on a print medium in the second area RB is received by other methods, the control unit 110 performs Fig.11 For the sake of convenience, these operations are referred to as write start operations. Fig.11 The case where the image forming device 1 receives a write start operation at a timing before the processing of ACT 310 shown in the figure is described. As an example, the case where a print medium is placed in the second area RB is described. The print medium is a print medium with a wireless tag. The tag information may be written into the wireless tag or may not be written into the wireless tag. As an example, the case where the tag information to be written into the wireless tag is specified by the write start operation at this timing is described.

[0124] After accepting the write start operation, the control unit 110 determines whether a predetermined write condition is satisfied (ACT 310). The write condition is a condition that, when satisfied, can suppress the writing of tag information to the wireless tag of the printing medium in the area other than the second area RB in the area on the conveying path. Specifically, the write condition is, for example, the following condition: the accepted write start operation is an operation accepted when the printing medium is placed on the manual tray TA and is not conveyed by the conveying unit H. The write condition may be replaced by another condition that, when satisfied, can suppress the writing of tag information to the wireless tag of the printing medium in the area other than the second area RB in the area on the conveying path.

[0125] When it is determined that the writing condition is not satisfied (ACT 310-No), the control unit 110 causes the display unit of the control panel 12 to display information indicating that the writing condition is not satisfied, and then ends. Fig.11 Thus, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can perform the read start operation again after the write condition is satisfied.

[0126] On the other hand, when it is determined that the write condition is satisfied (ACT310-Yes), the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 to write the tag information specified by the accepted write start operation to the wireless tag of the printed medium placed in the second region RB (ACT320). In ACT320, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to a polarization direction suitable for writing the tag information to the wireless tag in the second region RB, or may be configured not to switch from a predetermined polarization direction. In ACT320, the control unit 110 may also be configured to switch the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to each of a plurality of predetermined polarization directions in sequence. The control unit 110 may change these polarization directions according to the accepted operation, or may automatically perform the change as a predetermined process. As an example, the case where the control unit 110 switches the polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131 to each of a plurality of predetermined polarization directions in sequence in ACT320 is described. In ACT 320, the control unit 110 may be configured to switch the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 to an intensity suitable for writing tag information to the wireless tags in the second region RB, or may be configured not to switch from a predetermined intensity. The control unit 110 may change these intensities according to the accepted operation, or may automatically perform the change as a predetermined process. As an example, the case where the control unit 110 switches the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131 to an intensity corresponding to the pre-accepted operation is described. The intensity corresponding to the operation is, for example, higher than that in Figure 8 In the process of the flowchart shown, the control unit 110 increases the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 131. In this case, the control unit 110 can suppress failure in writing tag information to wireless tags in the second region RB.

[0127] Next, the control unit 110 performs a verification process for detecting whether the writing of the tag information to the wireless tag in ACT 320 has been completed normally (ACT 330 ).

[0128] After performing the process of ACT 330, the control unit 110 ends Fig.11 Processing of the flowchart shown.

[0129] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 controls the antenna 131 to write tag information to the wireless tag located in the second area RB in accordance with the write start operation received when the manual tray TA is loaded with the print medium and is not transported by the transport unit H. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can write or rewrite tag information to the wireless tag of the print medium without transporting the print medium to the first area RA by the transport unit H. As a result, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can, for example, write tag information to the wireless tag without forming an image on the print medium, and can rewrite tag information written to the wireless tag. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 can reduce the user's effort when rewriting tag information after confirming the tag information written to the wireless tag.

[0130] (Cooperation between Image Forming Apparatus and Other Information Processing Apparatuses)

[0131] Below, refer to Fig.12 The cooperation between the image forming apparatus 1 and other information processing apparatuses will be described. Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining the cooperation between the image forming apparatus 1 and other information processing apparatuses.

[0132] The image forming apparatus 1 may also be a Fig. 9 The tag information read in ACT 220 is output to other information processing devices, and the other information processing devices are caused to perform processing according to the output tag information. Fig.12 In the illustrated example, the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 are connected to each other so as to be communicable.

[0133] The information processing device 2 is, for example, a notebook PC or a desktop PC that outputs a print job to the image forming device 1 according to an operation received from a user, but is not limited thereto. The information processing device 2 causes the display unit of the information processing device 2 to display the label information output from the image forming device 1. For example, the information processing device 2 causes the display unit to display the label information corresponding to the label information output from the image forming device 1. Fig.10 For example, when a certain tag information among the tag information displayed on the display unit indicates the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a certain website, the information processing device 2 causes the display unit to display the website according to the accepted operation. For example, when a certain tag information among the tag information displayed on the display unit indicates the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a certain image data, the information processing device 2 causes the display unit to display the image data according to the accepted operation. These displays are Fig.12An example of "display of information corresponding to tag information" shown in FIG. For example, when a tag information in the tag information displayed on the display unit indicates a code that causes the information processing device 2 to perform a certain process, the information processing device 2 performs the process corresponding to the code according to the received operation. The process may be, for example, sounding a predetermined sound from a speaker, downloading predetermined information, etc., but is not limited to this. These processes are Fig.12 An example of "processing according to tag information" shown.

[0134] like Fig.12 As shown, the information processing device 2 can also be connected to the server 3 in a communicable manner.

[0135] The server 3 is a server that provides various services on the Internet, and when, for example, tag information is acquired from the information processing device 2 , the server 3 performs processing corresponding to the acquired tag information.

[0136] For example, the server 3 may also store corresponding information corresponding to a plurality of tag information. In this case, when the tag information is obtained from the information processing device 2, the server 3 determines the corresponding information corresponding to the obtained tag information, and outputs the determined corresponding information to the information processing device 2. Thus, the user of the image forming device 1 can confirm the corresponding information corresponding to the tag information using the information processing device 2 by outputting the tag information to the information processing device 2. The corresponding information is, for example, information about the product, an image of the product, introduction information of the store, promotional information, etc., but is not limited thereto. For example, the server 3 may also store corresponding processing corresponding to a plurality of tag information. In this case, when the tag information is obtained from the information processing device 2, the server 3 determines the corresponding processing corresponding to the obtained tag information, and performs the determined corresponding processing. The corresponding processing is, for example, ordering of the product, application planning, etc., but is not limited thereto. Thus, the user of the image forming device 1 can cause the server 3 to perform the corresponding processing corresponding to the tag information by outputting the tag information to the information processing device 2.

[0137] As described above, the image forming device 1 may be configured to cooperate with other information processing devices. The image forming device 1 may also be configured to be communicably connected to the server 3. In this case, the image forming device 1 can display the corresponding information corresponding to the tag information and execute the corresponding processing corresponding to the tag information without going through the information processing device 2.

[0138] (Setting of Setting Values ​​of Wireless Tag Communication Device by Image Forming Device)

[0139] The image forming apparatus 1 described above may also be a device that performs Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.11The timing before the processing of each flowchart shown is a configuration in which various setting values ​​can be set for the wireless tag communication device 13 according to the operation via the control panel 12. The various setting values ​​are the radiation direction, intensity, polarization direction of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 131, the Q value of the resonance circuit connected to the antenna 131, etc., but are not limited to these. When the image forming device 1 can set these various setting values ​​for the wireless tag communication device 13 according to the accepted operation, it can make the antenna 131 radiate radio waves suitable for writing tag information to the wireless tag in the first area RA, reading tag information from the wireless tag in the second area RB, and writing tag information to the wireless tag in the second area RB. As a result, the image forming device 1 can suppress each failure of writing tag information to the wireless tag and reading tag information from the wireless tag.

[0140] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a manual tray TA, a conveying unit H, an image forming unit 113, and a control unit 110. The manual tray TA carries a printing medium with a wireless tag. The conveying unit H carries the printing medium carried on the manual tray TA. The image forming unit 113 forms an image on the printing medium. The control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 that radiates radio waves to the first area RA, which is an area located downstream of the manual tray TA on the conveying path through which the printing medium passes by the conveying unit H, and the image forming unit 113, wherein the first area RA is an area located downstream of the manual tray TA on the conveying path through which the printing medium passes by the conveying unit H, and the second area RB is an area in the area of ​​the manual tray TA where the printing medium is carried. Furthermore, the control unit 110 controls the antenna 131 according to an operation received when the manual tray TA carries the printing medium and is not carried by the conveying unit H, and reads the tag information written in the wireless tag from the wireless tag located in the second area RB. Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 can reduce the time required for the user to confirm the tag information written in the wireless tag.

[0141] The matters described above may be combined arbitrarily.

[0142] (appendix)

[0143] [1] An image forming device comprising: a paper feed section for carrying a print medium with a wireless tag attached; a conveying section for conveying the print medium carried on the paper feed section; an image forming section for forming an image on the print medium; and a control section for controlling an antenna, the conveying section, and the image forming section, wherein the antenna radiates radio waves to a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is an area on a conveying path through which the print medium passes by the conveying section and is located downstream of the paper feed section, and the second area is an area in the paper feed section where the print medium is carried, wherein the control section controls the antenna based on an operation received when the print medium is carried on the paper feed section and is not being conveyed by the conveying section, and reads tag information written on the wireless tag from the wireless tag located in the second area.

[0144] [2] An image forming device according to [1], wherein the paper feeding unit is a manual tray, the antenna sets the direction of gravity downward and is located above the manual tray, and the second area intersects with the radiation surface of the radio waves from the antenna on the manual tray and overlaps with the antenna when viewed in the direction of gravity.

[0145] [3] An image forming device according to [2], wherein the front end of the printing medium is an end of the printing medium in a conveying direction in which the printing medium is conveyed by the conveying unit, the rear end of the printing medium is an end of the printing medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction, the front end of the manual tray is an end of the manual tray in a direction in which the printing medium is inserted into the manual tray, the wireless tag is located on the printing medium at a position closer to the front end of the printing medium than to the rear end of the printing medium, the second area intersects the radiation surface at a position closer to the front end of the manual tray than to the antenna when viewed in the direction of gravity, and the wireless tag of the printing medium placed on the manual tray is located in the second area closer to the front end of the manual tray than to the radiation surface.

[0146] [4]. An image forming device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna when reading tag information from the wireless tag in the second area is stronger than the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna when writing tag information to the wireless tag in the first area.

[0147] [5] An image forming device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the conveying unit has a registration roller, the first area is an area where the printing medium is in contact with the registration roller, and the second area is an area where the printing medium is not in contact with the registration roller.

[0148] [6]. The image forming device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the image forming device includes a display unit, and the control unit causes the display unit to display the tag information read from the wireless tag in the second area.

[0149] [7]. An image forming device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the control unit causes a display unit of an information processing device to display the tag information read from the wireless tag in the second area, and the information processing device is communicatively connected to the image forming device.

[0150] [8]. An image forming device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the image forming device has a paper discharge tray, the printed medium after the image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged to the paper discharge tray, and the printed medium whose tag information is read in the second area is the printed medium that is discharged to the paper discharge tray after the image is formed by the image forming unit, and is the printed medium on which the tag information is written to the wireless tag in the first area.

[0151] [9]. An image forming device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the control unit outputs the tag information read from the wireless tag in the second area to an information processing device, and the information processing device is communicatively connected to the image forming device.

[0152]

[10] . An image forming device as described in any one of [1] to [9], wherein the control unit controls the antenna based on an operation received when the print medium is loaded on the paper feed unit and is not being transported by the transport unit, and writes tag information to the wireless tag located in the second area.

[0153]

[11] . An image forming device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the control unit performs a write process to write the tag information to the wireless tag in the first area, and the write process includes a verification process, which is a process for detecting whether the writing of the tag information to the wireless tag is completed normally.

[0154] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0155] A program for realizing the functions of any component in the above-described device (e.g., image forming device 1) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read and executed by a computer system. The "computer system" referred to herein includes hardware such as an OS (Operating System) or peripheral devices. A "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a storage device such as a removable medium such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD (Compact Disk)-ROM, or a hard disk built into the computer system. A "computer-readable recording medium" includes a medium that retains a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system of a server or client when a program is sent via a network such as Ethernet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0156] The above-mentioned program may also be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as Ethernet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0157] In addition, the program may be a program for realizing a part of the aforementioned functions. The program may be a program capable of realizing the aforementioned functions by combining with a program already recorded in a computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising: A paper feeding unit for carrying a printing medium with a wireless tag attached thereto; a conveying unit for conveying the printing medium placed on the paper feeding unit; an image forming unit that forms an image on the printing medium; and a control unit that controls an antenna, the conveying unit, and the image forming unit, wherein the antenna radiates radio waves to a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is an area on a conveying path through which the print medium passes by the conveying unit and is located downstream of the paper feed unit, and the second area is an area in the paper feed unit where the print medium is placed. The control unit controls the antenna based on an operation received when the print medium is placed on the paper feed unit and is not being transported by the transport unit, and reads tag information written in the wireless tag from the wireless tag located in the second area.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The paper feeding unit is a manual tray. The antenna sets the gravity direction downward and is located above the manual tray. The second area intersects a radiation plane of radio waves from the antenna on the manual tray and overlaps the antenna when viewed in the gravity direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The front end of the printing medium is an end of the end of the printing medium in the conveying direction in which the printing medium is conveyed by the conveying unit. The rear end of the printing medium is an end of the printing medium that is in the opposite direction to the conveying direction. The front end of the manual tray is an end of the end of the manual tray in a direction in which the print medium is inserted into the manual tray. The wireless tag is located on the printing medium at a position closer to the front end of the printing medium than to the rear end of the printing medium. The second area intersects the radiation surface at a position closer to the front end of the manual tray than the antenna when viewed in the gravity direction. The wireless tag of the print medium placed on the manual feed tray is located closer to the front end of the manual feed tray than the radiation surface in the second region.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna when reading tag information from the wireless tag in the second area is stronger than the intensity of the radio waves radiated from the antenna when writing tag information to the wireless tag in the first area.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The conveying unit includes a registration roller, The first area is an area where the printing medium contacts the registration roller. The second area is an area where the printing medium does not contact the registration roller.

Images