Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an image forming apparatus, which reports a user of a paper sheet having a data writing error to an RFID tag and can reuse the paper sheet. According to one embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes: a paper loading portion capable of loading one or more pieces of paper having an RFID tag and being cut to an arbitrary size; a conveyance unit that conveys the sheets one by one; a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet; and a read / write unit that writes and reads out data with respect to the RFID tag at a position between the sheet placement unit and the printing unit. A control unit of the image forming apparatus determines, based on data read by a read / write unit, whether or not writing data to an RFID tag succeeds, causes a printing unit to print on a sheet if the data succeeds, and causes a conveyance unit to convey another sheet from a sheet placement unit without causing the printing unit to print if the data fails, and performs printing on the other sheet from the sheet placement unit. And the read-write unit writes the data that has failed writing into the RFID tag of the other sheet of paper.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus having an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​reader / writer function, which can not only form an image on paper with an RFID tag embedded therein, that is, paper with an RFID tag, but also write data to the RFID tag.

[0003] Conventionally, when a data writing error occurs toward an RFID tag of a paper with an RFID tag, ink saving is achieved by not forming an image on the paper. However, the paper on which the data writing error occurs cannot be reused. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that notifies a user of a paper having an error in writing data to an RFID tag and enables the paper to be reused.

[0006] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0007] In one embodiment, an image forming device includes a paper loading unit, a conveying unit, a printing unit, a reading / writing unit, and a control unit. The paper loading unit can load one or more sheets of paper having an RFID tag and cut into any size. The conveying unit conveys the paper one by one from the paper loading unit. The printing unit prints an image on the paper conveyed by the conveying unit. The reading / writing unit communicates with the RFID tag of the paper at a position between the paper loading unit and the printing unit, writes data to the RFID tag, and reads the data written to the RFID tag. The control unit controls the conveying unit, the printing unit, and the reading / writing unit. The control unit determines whether the writing of data to the RFID tag is successful or not based on the data read by the reading / writing unit, and controls the printing unit in a manner of printing on the paper if it is determined that the writing of data is successful. If it is determined that the writing of data fails, the control unit controls the printing unit in a manner of not printing on the paper. Furthermore, if it is determined that the writing of data fails, the control unit controls the conveying unit and the reading / writing unit to convey another paper from the paper loading unit and perform a retry process of writing the failed data to the RFID tag of the other paper. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing an example of a paper discharge section of the image forming apparatus.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus.

[0011] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A block diagram of an example of the structure of a processor in FIG.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of RFID processing of the image forming apparatus.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of RFID writing processing among RFID processing of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of a conveyance control process in the RFID process of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0015] Description of Reference Numerals

[0016] 100: image forming device; 1: scanner; 2: printer; 20A, 20B, 20C: paper feed box; 20D: manual tray; 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D: pickup roller; 22: conveying unit; 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D: conveying roller; 22E: baffle; 23: registration roller; 24Y, 24M, 24C, 24K: image forming unit; 25: exposure unit; 26: transfer belt; 27: transfer unit; 28: fuser; 29: paper discharge unit; 29A: lower paper discharge tray; 29B: upper paper discharge tray; 4: operation panel; 4a: display unit; 4b: touch panel; 5: RFID reader / writer; 51: RFID module; 52: antenna; 6: control unit; 61: processor; 611: RFID paper conveying control unit; 612: RFID writing control unit; 613: writing success or failure judgment unit; 614: RFID paper printing control unit; 62: ROM; 63: RAM; 64: auxiliary storage device; 65: scanner interface; 66: printer interface; 67: input / output interface; 68: RFID reader / writer interface; 69: communication interface; P rf : RFID paper; P st : Plain paper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described using the drawings. In addition, the proportions of the components are appropriately changed in each of the drawings used in the following description of the embodiment. In addition, the structures are appropriately omitted in each of the drawings used in the following description of the embodiment for the convenience of description.

[0018] [First embodiment]

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) and includes a scanner 1 , a printer 2 , an operation panel 4 , an RFID reader / writer 5 , and a control unit 6 .

[0020] The scanner 1 is a device that reads the image of a document and converts it into image data. The scanner 1 is composed of, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor that converts the image of the reading surface of the document into image data. The scanner 1 may also have a function of scanning a document placed on a document table glass. In addition, the scanner 1 may also have a function of reading the image of a document fed by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The scanner 1 is, for example, disposed on the upper part of the main body of the MFP. The scanner 1 is controlled by the control unit 6. The scanner 1 outputs the image data of the document to the control unit 6.

[0021] The printer 2 is an electrophotographic printer. The printer 2 forms an image on a paper as a recording medium. The printer 2 has a color printing function for printing a color image on a paper and a monochrome printing function for printing a monochrome (e.g., black) image on a paper. The printer 2 forms a color image using a plurality of color toners (e.g., three colors of yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M)). In addition, the printer 2 forms a monochrome image using a monochrome (e.g., black (K)) toner.

[0022] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated configuration example, the printer 2 includes paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C. The paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C are paper feed sections that supply paper for printing images. These paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C store paper of a set type (e.g., size, paper quality). Furthermore, the printer 2 includes a manual tray 20D as a paper feed section. The manual tray 20D carries paper of any type (e.g., size, paper quality). The paper placed in these paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C and the manual tray 20D may be ordinary paper P cut into any size. stOr paper with an RFID tag embedded in it, i.e., paper with an RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as RFID paper) rf .exist Figure 1 In the example shown, RFID paper P is placed in the paper feed cassette 20A. rf .

[0023] Each of the paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C has a pickup roller 21A, 21B, and 21C. The pickup rollers 21A, 21B, and 21C take out paper sheets one by one from each of the paper feed cassettes 20A, 20B, and 20C. In addition, the manual feed tray 20D is also provided with a pickup roller 21D that takes out paper sheets one by one from the manual feed tray 20D. These pickup rollers 21A, 21B, and 21C supply the taken-out paper sheets to a conveying path (conveyance unit 22) composed of a plurality of conveying rollers 22A, 22B, and 22C.

[0024] The conveying unit 22 conveys paper in the printer 2. For example, the conveying unit 22 conveys the paper taken out by the pickup rollers 21A, 21B, and 21C to the registration roller 23. The registration roller 23 corrects the inclination of the paper to be perpendicular to the conveying direction by stopping the conveying of the paper. The registration roller 23 conveys the paper to the transfer position at the timing of transferring the image from the transfer belt 26 to the paper. The conveying unit 22 conveys the paper that has passed through the registration roller 23 to the transfer position. The conveying unit 22 conveys the paper that has passed through the transfer position from the transfer position to the fuser 28. The conveying unit 22 conveys the paper that has passed through the fuser 28 to either the paper discharge unit 29 or the automatic double-sided unit (ADU). In addition, the conveying unit 22 includes a baffle 22E near the paper discharge unit 29. The baffle 22E switches the paper discharge destination of the paper to the first paper discharge unit and the second paper discharge unit of the paper discharge unit 29.

[0025] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a paper discharge unit 29 of the image forming apparatus. Figure 2 As shown, the paper discharge section 29 is provided with a lower paper discharge tray 29A functioning as a first paper discharge section and an upper paper discharge tray 29B functioning as a second paper discharge section.

[0026] The printer 2 includes a plurality of image forming units 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K. The plurality of image forming units 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K form images to be transferred to paper. Figure 1 In the illustrated configuration example, the image forming unit 24Y forms an image using yellow toner. The image forming unit 24M forms an image using magenta toner. The image forming unit 24C forms an image using cyan toner. The image forming unit 24K forms an image using black toner.

[0027] The image forming units 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K include photosensitive drums 30y, 30m, 30c, and 30k, chargers 31y, 31m, 31c, and 31k, developers 32y, 32m, 32c, and 32k, transfer rollers 33y, 33m, 33c, and 33k, and cleaners 34y, 34m, 34c, and 34k. Since the difference in configuration is only the color, the image forming unit 24 is hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 30, the charger 31, the developer 32, the transfer roller 33, and the cleaner 34, except for the case where special distinction is required.

[0028] The photosensitive drum 30 is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The photosensitive drum 30 rotates via a rotating shaft. The charger 31 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 with a predetermined potential. The charger 31 has a grid (not shown) for adjusting the charging output relative to the photosensitive drum 30. The developer 32 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 with a toner. The transfer roller 33 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 30 to the transfer belt 26. The cleaner 34 cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 after the transfer.

[0029] The exposure unit 25 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 30 of each image forming unit 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K by laser. The exposure unit 25 irradiates the photosensitive drum 30 with laser light controlled according to image data via an optical system such as a polygon mirror. The laser light from the exposure unit 25 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 30. The exposure unit 25 controls the laser light according to a control signal from the control unit 6.

[0030] The image forming unit 24 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 by the developing device 32. The developing device 32 includes a developing container, and the developing container includes a developing roller. The developing container stores a toner as a developer of the color of the image forming unit 24. The toner is charged by being stirred in the developing container together with a carrier. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller. The developing roller to which the developing bias is applied supplies the toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 30. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 30 is developed into a toner image by the supplied toner.

[0031] The transfer belt 26 is an intermediate transfer body. The image forming unit 24 transfers (primary transfers) the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 onto the transfer belt 26 by applying a primary transfer voltage to the transfer belt 26 using the transfer roller 33. For example, the transfer roller 33k of the image forming unit 24K transfers the toner image developed by the developer 32k using black toner onto the transfer belt 26. In addition, when forming a color image, each of the image forming units 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K transfers the toner images developed using the toners of each color onto the transfer belt 26 in an overlapping manner.

[0032] The transfer unit 27 transfers the toner image on the transfer belt 26 to the paper at the secondary transfer position. In other words, the transfer unit 27 prints the image on the paper. The transfer unit 27 can be called a printing unit. The secondary transfer position as a printing position is a position where the toner image on the transfer belt 26 is transferred to the paper. The secondary transfer position is a position where the support roller 27a and the secondary transfer roller 27b face each other.

[0033] The fuser 28 fixes the toner to the paper. The fuser 28 provides heat for fixing the paper. Figure 2 In the example shown, the fuser 28 is composed of a heating roller 28b and a pressure roller 28c, the heating roller 28b has a built-in heating section 28a, and the pressure roller 28c contacts the fixing belt heated by the heating roller 28b in a pressurized state. The heating section 28a can be a heater capable of controlling temperature. For example, the heating section 28a can be composed of a heating lamp such as a halogen lamp, or a heater of an induction heating (IH) method. In addition, the heating section 28a can also be composed of multiple heaters. The fuser 28 transports the paper after the fixing process to either the paper discharge section 29 or the ADU.

[0034] The operation panel 4 is a user interface. The operation panel 4 has various buttons and a display unit 4a having a touch panel 4b. The control unit 6 controls the content displayed on the display unit 4a of the operation panel 4. The display unit 4a functions as a notification unit. In addition, the operation panel 4 outputs information input to the touch panel 4b or buttons of the operation panel 4 to the control unit 6. The user specifies an operation mode in the operation panel 4, or inputs information such as setting information.

[0035] The RFID reader / writer 5 includes a controller called an RFID module 51 and an antenna 52. The RFID module 51 writes data input from the control unit 6 via the antenna 52 to the RFID paper P stopped by the registration roller 23. rf The RFID module 51 reads the data written in the RFID tag via the antenna 52 and outputs the read data to the control unit 6. The positioning and transmission and reception power of the RFID reader / writer 5 are set so that the transmission and reception range of the antenna 52 covers the RFID paper P stopped by the registration roller 23. rf RFID tags.

[0036] use Figure 3 An example of the circuit configuration of the control unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Figure 31 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the control unit 6. As an example, the control unit 6 includes a processor 61, a ROM (read-only memory) 62, a RAM (random-access memory) 63, an auxiliary storage device 64, a scanner interface 65, a printer interface 66, an input / output interface 67, an RFID reader / writer interface 68, a communication interface 69, and an RTC (real-time clock) 70.

[0037] The processor 61 is equivalent to the central part of the computer that performs the calculations and controls required for the operation of the image forming device 100. The processor 61 controls each part according to the system software, application software or firmware programs stored in the ROM 62 or the auxiliary storage device 64, so as to realize various functions of the image forming device 100. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), an MPU (micro processing unit), a SoC (system on a chip), a DSP (digital signal processor), a GPU (graphics processing unit), an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), a PLD (programmable logic device) or an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). Alternatively, the processor 61 is a combination of multiple of these.

[0038] ROM 62 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and corresponds to a main storage device of a computer centered on processor 61. ROM 62 is a non-volatile memory used exclusively for reading data. ROM 62 stores data and various setting values ​​used by processor 61 when performing various processes.

[0039] The RAM 63 corresponds to the main storage device of the computer with the processor 61 as the core. The RAM 63 is a memory used for reading and writing data. The RAM 63 is used as a so-called work area for temporarily storing data when the processor 61 performs various processes.

[0040] The auxiliary storage device 64 is a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium, and is equivalent to an auxiliary storage device of a computer with the processor 61 as the core. The auxiliary storage device 64 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory) (registered trademark), an HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage device 64 stores data used when the processor 61 performs various processes, data generated by the processes in the processor 61, or various setting values.

[0041] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may include an interface for inserting a storage medium such as a removable optical disk, a memory card, or a USB (universal serial bus) memory, instead of the auxiliary storage device 64 or in addition to the auxiliary storage device 64 .

[0042] The program stored in ROM62 or the auxiliary storage device 64 includes a program for executing the processing described later. As an example, the image forming apparatus 100 is transferred to the administrator of the image forming apparatus 100, etc., in a state where the program is stored in ROM62 or the auxiliary storage device 64. However, the image forming apparatus 100 may be transferred to the administrator, etc., in a state where the program is not stored in ROM62 or the auxiliary storage device 64. Furthermore, the program for executing the processing described later may be transferred to the administrator, etc. separately, and written to ROM62 or the auxiliary storage device 64 under the operation of the administrator or service personnel. The transfer of the program at this time can be achieved, for example, by recording it on a removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by downloading it via a network, etc.

[0043] The scanner interface 65 is an interface with the scanner 1. The scanner interface 65 transmits a control signal output from the processor 61 to the scanner 1 for controlling the operation of each unit in the scanner 1. In addition, the scanner interface 65 receives image data of the original document and an operation status signal indicating the operation status of each unit in the scanner 1 from the scanner 1, and inputs the signals to the processor 61.

[0044] The printer interface 66 is an interface with the printer 2. The printer interface 66 sends control signals output from the processor 61 to the printer 2 for controlling the operation of each unit in the printer 2. In addition, the printer interface 66 receives an operation status signal indicating the operation status of each unit in the printer 2 from the printer 2 and inputs the signal to the processor 61.

[0045] The input / output interface 67 is an interface with the operation panel 4. The input / output interface 67 transmits the content displayed on the display unit 4a output from the processor 61 to the operation panel 4. The input / output interface 67 receives information input to the touch panel 4b or buttons from the operation panel 4 and inputs it to the processor 61.

[0046] The RFID reader / writer interface 68 is an interface with the RFID reader / writer 5. The RFID reader / writer interface 68 sends the data to be written into the RFID paper P to the RFID reader / writer 5. rf In addition, the RFID reader / writer interface 68 receives the data read from the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer 5 and inputs it into the processor 61.

[0047] The communication interface 69 is a wired or wireless interface for communicating with a server device or a user terminal via a network, etc., and receiving from them image data showing an image to be printed on paper, data written to an RFID tag, and control information such as the selection of printing paper and the number of prints.

[0048] RTC70 is a clock or a circuit having a built-in clock function, etc.

[0049] use Figure 4 An example of the configuration of the processor 61 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Figure 4 61 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the processor 61. The processor 61 includes an RFID paper conveying control unit 611, an RFID writing control unit 612, a writing success / failure determination unit 613, and an RFID paper printing control unit 614. The processor 61 implements the functions of the RFID paper conveying control unit 611, the RFID writing control unit 612, the writing success / failure determination unit 613, and the RFID paper printing control unit 614 by executing a program stored in the ROM 62 or the auxiliary storage device 64. In addition, the RFID paper conveying control unit 611, the RFID writing control unit 612, the writing success / failure determination unit 613, and the RFID paper printing control unit 614 may also be implemented by hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) having the same functions as the program executed by the processor 61.

[0050] The RFID paper transport control unit 611 controls the driving of each roller of the transport unit 22 of the printer 2 through the printer interface 66, thereby controlling the RFID paper P.rf of transportation.

[0051] The RFID writing control unit 612 controls the RFID reader / writer 5 via the RFID reader / writer interface 68, thereby controlling the writing of the RFID paper P to the RFID paper P. rf The data of the RFID tag is written.

[0052] The writing success / failure determination unit 613 determines whether the writing is successful or failed by comparing the read data input from the RFID reader / writer 5 via the RFID reader / writer interface 68 with the data indicating the writing. In addition, if the RFID reader / writer 5 itself has a verification function for writing data, the writing success / failure determination unit 613 may also determine whether the writing is successful or failed based on the verification result input from the RFID reader / writer 5 via the RFID reader / writer interface 68 without comparing the data.

[0053] The RFID paper printing control unit 614 controls the printing of the RFID paper P according to whether the data is written to the RFID tag successfully or not. rf Specifically, the RFID paper printing control unit 614 writes to the RFID paper P if the writing is successful. rf Printing is performed, and printing is not performed if writing fails.

[0054] In addition, the RFID paper feeding control unit 611 controls the printing control in the RFID paper printing control unit 614 to switch the RFID paper P between the lower paper discharge tray 29A as the first paper discharge unit and the upper paper discharge tray 29B as the second paper discharge unit of the paper discharge unit 29. rf paper delivery destination.

[0055] Below, use Figure 5 The operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. Note that the contents of the processing in the following operation description are just examples, and various processing that can achieve the same effect can be used as appropriate.

[0056] Figure 5 The figure shows the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. rf Flowchart of an example of RFID processing involving writing data and printing. The processor 61 executes this processing according to the program stored in the ROM 62 or the auxiliary storage device 64. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing of the processor 61 is transferred to ACT (x+1) after ACTx (x is a natural number).

[0057] If a message indicating that the RFID paper P is to be sent is received from the server device or the user terminal through the communication interface 69 rfThe image forming apparatus 100 starts to process the image data and the writing data of the image to be printed. Figure 5 In addition, the received image data and write data can be stored in the RAM 63 or the auxiliary storage device 64.

[0058] In ACT 11, the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper transport control unit 611, and controls the printer 2 via the printer interface 66 to transport the RFID paper P. rf For example, in Figure 1 In the example shown, the processor 61 causes the pickup roller 21A to take out a sheet of RFID paper P placed in the paper feed cassette 20A. rf and transported to the registration roller 23.

[0059] In ACT 12, the processor 61 determines whether the RFID paper P rf In this embodiment, the writing position corresponds to the position of the registration roller 23. Therefore, it is determined here whether the RFID paper P conveyed by the conveying unit 22 has reached the writing position. rf Whether the paper has reached the registration roller 23. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may have a detector such as a mechanical switch or an optical sensor for detecting that the paper has reached the registration roller 23. The processor 61 may perform the determination of ACT 12 by acquiring the output of the detector via the printer interface 66. rf The processor 61 determines that the RFID paper P has not reached the writing position (ACT 12: No), and repeats the processing of ACT 12. rf The roller reaches the registration roller 23 .

[0060] RFID-based paper rf The processor 61 determines that the RFID paper P has reached the writing position (ACT 12: YES), and in ACT 13, the processor 61 controls the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 via the printer interface 66, so that the RFID paper P rf The delivery is temporarily stopped.

[0061] In ACT 14, the processor 61 operates as the RFID write control unit 612 to write the RFID data. Specifically, the processor 61 sends the RFID paper P to be written stored in the RAM 63 or the auxiliary storage device 64 to the RFID module 51 of the RFID reader / writer 5 via the RFID reader / writer interface 68. rf The RFID module 51 of the RFID reader / writer 5 that receives the data executes the operation of writing to the RFID paper P that stops at the writing position. rfSpecifically, the RFID module 51 transmits electromagnetic waves for writing data as write information through the antenna 52. By receiving the electromagnetic waves, the RFID paper P rf The RFID tag writes data to the storage area it has.

[0062] In ACT 15, the processor 61 operates as the writing success / failure determination unit 613 and obtains the data of the RFID paper P to be written. rf Specifically, the processor 61 instructs the RFID reader / writer 5 to read the data of the RFID tag from the RFID paper P via the RFID reader / writer interface 68. rf The RFID module 51 of the RFID reader / writer 5 receives the instruction and transmits electromagnetic waves from the antenna 52 for reading the data written in the RFID tag. The RFID tag transmits the data recorded in its storage area by receiving the electromagnetic waves. The RFID module 51 outputs the data received from the RFID tag via the antenna 52 as read data. The processor 61 obtains the read data output from the RFID module 51 of the RFID reader / writer 5 via the RFID reader / writer interface 68.

[0063] In ACT 16, the processor 61 determines whether to send the RFID paper P rf Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether the writing is successful or failed by comparing the read data input from the RFID reader / writer 5 via the RFID reader / writer interface 68 with the data indicating the writing stored in the RAM 63 or the auxiliary storage device 64. Based on the determination that the writing is not successful, that is, the writing fails (ACT 16: No), the processor 61 transfers to the processing action of ACT 22 described later.

[0064] Based on the determination that writing is successful (ACT 16: YES), the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper conveyance control unit 611 in ACT 17 to set the first conveyance path as the RFID paper P having data written in the RFID tag. rf Specifically, the processor 61 switches the flapper 22E in the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 to the lower paper discharge tray 29A side of the paper discharge unit 29 as the first paper discharge unit through the printer interface 66 .

[0065] In ACT 18 , the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper print control unit 614 to form an image. Specifically, the processor 61 causes the image forming unit 24 of the printer 2 to transfer (primary transfer) a toner image corresponding to the image data onto the transfer belt 26 via the printer interface 66 .

[0066] In ACT 19, the processor 61 temporarily stops the RFID paper P at the position of the registration roller 23 as the writing position. rf Specifically, the processor 61 restarts the driving of each roller of the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 via the printer interface 66. As a result, the temporarily stopped RFID paper P rf When the transfer belt 26 is transferred to the RFID paper P rf The timing of transferring the image is to transfer the RFID paper P rf The toner image transferred to the transfer belt 26 is transported to the transfer position and then transferred to the RFID paper P for secondary transfer. rf In this way, the RFID paper P with data written to the RFID tag rf Print the image.

[0067] In ACT 20, the processor 61 determines whether the RFID paper P has data written to the RFID tag and an image printed thereon. rf Whether the paper is transported in the first transport path and discharged to the lower paper discharge tray 29A of the paper discharge unit 29 as the first paper discharge unit. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 can have a detector such as a mechanical switch or an optical sensor for detecting that the paper is discharged. The processor 61 can perform the determination of ACT 20 by acquiring the output of the detector via the printer interface 66. rf The processor 61 determines that the RFID paper P is not discharged to the lower paper discharge tray 29A (ACT 20: No), and repeats the processing operation of ACT 20. rf The paper is discharged to the lower paper discharge tray 29A.

[0068] RFID-based paper rf The processor 61 determines whether the RFID paper P to be written is completed in ACT 21. Specifically, the processor 61 can confirm whether the RAM 63 or the auxiliary storage device 64 stores the RFID paper P to be written. rf Alternatively, when the control information indicating the number of sheets of the same data written is stored in the RAM 63 or the auxiliary storage device 64, the processor 61 can make the end determination by confirming whether the writing of the number of sheets has been completed. Based on the determination that it has not been completed (ACT 21: No), the processor 61 transfers to the processing action of the above-mentioned ACT 11. As a result, the next RFID paper P is processed. rf Repeat the above processing actions. In this way, the RFID paper P with data written to the RFID tag and an image printed thereon is rf The paper discharge tray 29A is placed on the lower paper discharge tray 29A as the first paper discharge section of the paper discharge section 29 .

[0069] Based on the determination of termination in ACT 21 ( ACT 21 : YES), the processor 61 terminates the processing shown in the flowchart.

[0070] Based on the determination that writing has failed in ACT 16 (ACT 16: No), the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper conveyance control unit 611 in ACT 22 to set the second conveyance path as the RFID paper P to which data has not been written. rf Specifically, the processor 61 switches the flapper 22E in the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 to the upper paper discharge tray 29B side of the paper discharge unit 29 as the second paper discharge unit through the printer interface 66 .

[0071] In ACT 23, the processor 61 temporarily stops the RFID paper P at the position of the registration roller 23 as the writing position. rf Specifically, the processor 61 restarts the driving of each roller of the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 via the printer interface 66. As a result, the temporarily stopped RFID paper P rf The RFID paper P is transported to the upper paper tray 29B as the second paper discharge section of the paper discharge section 29. At this time, the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper printing control section 614 and does not cause the image forming section 24 to perform the image forming operation. rf Passing through the secondary transfer position, the RFID paper P rf Print and keep the paper blank.

[0072] In ACT 24, the processor 61 determines whether the RFID paper P is a blank paper on which no data is written to the RFID tag and no image is printed. rf Whether it is conveyed in the second conveying path and discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B of the paper discharge unit 29 as the second paper discharge unit. rf The processor 61 determines that the blank paper P is not discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B (ACT 24: No), and repeats the processing of ACT 24. rf The paper is discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B.

[0073] RFID Paper P based on white paper rf The processor 61 determines that the paper has been discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B (ACT 24: YES), and in ACT 25, the processor 61 operates as the writing success / failure determination unit 613 to notify a writing error. Specifically, the processor 61 displays the RFID paper P showing a blank paper without data written to the RFID tag on the display unit 4a of the operation panel 4 via the input / output interface 67. rfThe error display of the contents discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B is displayed. If the image forming apparatus 100 has a speaker as an output device, an error sound may be output together with the error display. Furthermore, the processor 61 may send an error notification to a server device or a user terminal as a source of data to be written via the communication interface 69, and the error notification indicates that data is not written to the RFID tag and that the RFID paper P is blank. rf The paper is discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B.

[0074] Then, the processor 61 transfers to the processing action of ACT 11. rf Repeat the above processing actions, so that the unwritten data can be tried to be transferred to the next RFID paper P rf Thus, the RFID paper P which is a blank paper without writing data to the RFID tag rf The data not yet written is loaded on the upper paper discharge tray 29B as the second paper discharge section of the paper discharge section 29, and the data not yet written is written to another RFID paper P rf Retry handling for writes.

[0075] As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes: a conveying unit 22 for conveying RFID paper P having an RFID tag and cut into any size and capable of carrying one or more sheets; rf The RFID paper P is fed one by one through a paper feed box (eg, paper feed box 20A) or a manual tray 20D. rf The transfer unit 27, the image formed by the image forming unit 24 on the transfer belt 26 of the toner image is transferred to the RFID paper P transported by the transport unit; rf RFID reader / writer 5, between the paper feed box or manual tray 20D and the transfer unit 27 and the RFID paper P rf The processor 61 of the control unit 6 controls the conveying unit 22, the image forming unit 24, the transfer belt 26, the transfer unit 27, and the RFID reader / writer 5. In this way, the paper feed box (for example, the paper feed box 20A) and the manual tray 20D are the paper loading units, the image forming unit 24, the transfer belt 26, and the transfer unit 27 are the printing units, and the RFID reader / writer 5 is the reading / writing unit. Moreover, according to the image forming device 100 involved in the first embodiment, the processor 61 determines whether the writing of data to the RFID tag is successful based on the data read by the RFID reader / writer 5, and when it is determined that the writing of data is successful, the RFID paper P is read. rfIn addition, if it is determined that the writing of data has failed, the processor 61 controls the printing unit so as not to write the data to the RFID paper P. rf The printing unit is controlled in such a manner that printing is performed, and the conveying unit 22 and the RFID reader / writer 5 are controlled to convey another RFID paper P from the paper loading unit. rf , and execute the writing of the failed data to the other RFID paper P rf The retry process of writing to the RFID tag has been performed.

[0076] RFID tags may be damaged due to impact and become unusable. rf When printing and writing data to an RFID tag, data writing errors may occur. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus 100 capable of continuously printing cut sheets, when using RFID paper P rf (Cut paper) If a data writing error occurs during the simultaneous operation of writing data and printing to an RFID tag, the RFID paper P is not printed. rf In this way, by not printing, that is, not performing useless printing, toner can be saved.

[0077] In addition, the RFID paper P that has caused the error of writing data to the RFID tag rf Compared with the RFID paper P that has data written normally rf The difference can be distinguished by whether it is white paper. The user of the image forming apparatus 100 can identify whether there is a data writing error to the RFID tag based on whether it is white paper. In addition, since it is white paper, the RFID paper P that has a writing error can be removed. rf It can be reused as ordinary paper (paper without RFID). In this way, it is possible to provide an RFID paper P that notifies the user that an error has occurred in writing data to the RFID tag. rf And can reuse the RFID paper P rf An image forming device.

[0078] In addition, there are many reasons for causing data writing errors, including errors caused by external radio waves, failure of the RFID reader / writer 5 on the image forming apparatus 100 side, and misuse of ordinary paper (paper without RFID tags). rf In this case, the RFID paper P becomes a blank paper. rf Therefore, it is not necessary to discharge the RFID paper P as a blank paper. rf As ordinary paper (paper without RFID), but again as RFID paper Prf Try to reuse. rf If a RFID tag fails, it is simply ejected as a blank sheet again.

[0079] In addition, when a data writing error occurs, the processor 61 writes data to another RFID paper P. rf By retrying the writing of data and the printing of images that failed in data writing, it is possible to reliably obtain the RFID paper P on which the data and images required to be written and printed are recorded. rf .

[0080] In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a RFID sheet P for placing the ejected sheet P. rf The conveying unit 22 includes a lower paper discharge tray 29A and an upper paper discharge tray 29B. In addition, the conveying unit 22 includes a baffle 22E, which switches the position of the RFID paper P between the transfer unit 27 of the printing unit and the lower paper discharge tray 29A and the upper paper discharge tray 29B. rf Thus, the lower paper discharge tray 29A is the first paper discharge unit. The upper paper discharge tray 29B is the second paper discharge unit, and the baffle 22E is the switching unit. Furthermore, the processor 61 of the control unit 6 is used to transfer the RFID paper P printed with an image by the printing unit. rf The RFID paper P that has not been printed with an image by the printing unit is discharged to the lower paper discharge tray 29A. rf The flapper 22E controls the paper to be discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B.

[0081] In this way, the RFID paper P in which the data writing error to the RFID tag has occurred can also be identified by branching the paper discharge tray. rf and the RFID paper P to which data is normally written rf The difference.

[0082] In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment further includes a display unit 4a of the operation panel 4 or a communication interface 69, which, when writing data to the RFID tag fails, notifies the user that the RFID paper P cannot be written to the RFID tag. rf The paper is discharged toward the upper paper discharge tray 29B. In this way, the display unit 4a or the communication interface 69 is a notification unit.

[0083] In this way, it is also possible to determine the RFID paper P in which the data writing error to the RFID tag has occurred by displaying it on the display unit 4a or receiving a notification through communication. rf and the RFID paper P to which data is normally written rf The difference.

[0084] In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment further includes a registration roller 23, which is arranged before the transfer unit 27 of the printing unit and is used to place the RFID paper P conveyed from the paper loading unit on the printing unit. rf The RFID paper P is temporarily stopped and the registration roller 23 is used to make the RFID paper P rf The RFID reader / writer 5 is configured to be able to communicate with the temporarily stopped RFID paper P rf Furthermore, when the RFID paper P is made to communicate by the registration roller 23, rf During the temporary stop, the processor 61 of the control unit 6 controls the RFID reader / writer 5 so as to write data to the RFID tag and read data from the RFID tag.

[0085] In this way, it is possible to use the RFID paper P rf Since data is written to and read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader / writer 5 in the stopped state, reliable data writing and reading can be achieved.

[0086] In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the processor 61 of the control unit 6 restarts the conveyance of the RFID paper P temporarily stopped by the registration roller 23 after waiting for the determination of whether the writing of data to the RFID tag is successful or not. rf The conveying unit 22 is controlled in this manner.

[0087] In this way, by rf The paper P is retained at the position of the registration roller 23 until the determination result of whether the writing of data to the RFID tag is successful or not is obtained, so that there is no RFID paper P to which the writing of data is not completed. rf Concerns about printing images.

[0088] [Second embodiment]

[0089] In the first embodiment, it is assumed that a piece of RFID paper P is waiting. rf After being ejected, the next RFID paper P is started rf This embodiment is an example in which the waiting time is omitted.

[0090] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an RFID writing process in the RFID process of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 72 is a flowchart showing an example of the conveyance control process in the RFID process. The processor 61 executes these two processes simultaneously and in parallel.

[0092] exist Figure 6 In the RFID writing processing operation shown, the processing of ACT 11 to ACT 16 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0093] Based on the determination that the writing is successful in ACT 16 (ACT 16: YES), the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper printing control unit 614 in ACT 18 to form an image, and in ACT 19, the RFID paper P temporarily stopped at the position of the registration roller 23 as the writing position is started again. rf Thus, in the RFID paper P with data written to the RFID tag, rf Print the image.

[0094] In ACT 21 , the processor 61 determines whether to end.

[0095] Based on the determination that the process is not completed (ACT 21: No), the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper conveyance control unit 611 in ACT 31, and starts conveying the next RFID paper P by controlling the printer 2 via the printer interface 66. rf For example, in Figure 1 In the example shown, the processor 61 causes the pickup roller 21A to pick up the RFID paper P placed in the paper feed cassette 20A. rf The next sheet is taken out and conveyed to the registration roller 23. Then, the processor 61 transfers to the processing action of ACT12. Thus, the RFID paper P which successfully writes data to the RFID tag can be rf The next RFID paper P is printed and conveyed to the lower paper discharge tray 29A of the paper discharge unit 29 as the first paper discharge unit. rf processing action.

[0096] Based on the determination that the writing in ACT 16 has failed (ACT 16: No), the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper conveying control unit 611 in ACT 23 to resume conveying the RFID paper P temporarily stopped at the position of the registration roller 23 as the writing position. rf .

[0097] In ACT 25 , the processor 61 operates as the write success / failure determination unit 613 to notify a write error. Then, the processor 61 proceeds to the processing operation of ACT 31 described above.

[0098] Processor 61 responds to the error notification and begins to Figure 7The conveying control process shown in the figure. First, the processor 61 operates as the RFID paper conveying control unit 611 in ACT 41 to determine whether the paper with a writing error has reached a predetermined position. The predetermined position can be set to, for example, the position near the baffle 22E or the position of the fixing device 28. The elapsed time from the time when the conveying is restarted in ACT 23 is measured by using a detector such as a mechanical switch, an optical sensor, or the RTC 70, and the RFID paper P of the blank paper is calculated based on the elapsed time and the conveying speed. rf The position of the paper P can be determined by the RFID of the white paper as the error paper. rf The processor 61 determines that the blank paper has not reached the specified position (ACT 41: No), and repeats the processing of ACT 41. rf Arrive at the specified location.

[0099] RFID Paper P based on white paper rf The processor 61 determines that the RFID paper P has reached the predetermined position (ACT 41: YES), and sets the second conveyance path as the RFID paper P in ACT 42. rf Specifically, the processor 61 switches the flapper 22E in the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 to the upper paper discharge tray 29B side of the paper discharge unit 29 as the second paper discharge unit through the printer interface 66 .

[0100] In ACT 43, the processor 61 determines whether the RFID paper P is a white paper. rf Whether it is conveyed in the second conveying path and discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B as the second paper discharge unit of the paper discharge unit 29. rf The processor 61 determines that the blank paper P is not discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B (ACT 43: No), and repeats the processing operation of ACT 43. rf The paper is discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B.

[0101] RFID Paper P based on white paper rf The processor 61 determines that the RFID paper P has been discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 29B (ACT 43: YES), and sets the first conveying path as the RFID paper P in ACT 44. rf Specifically, the processor 61 switches the flapper 22E in the conveying unit 22 of the printer 2 to the lower paper discharge tray 29A side of the paper discharge unit 29 as the first paper discharge unit through the printer interface 66. Then, the processor 61 ends the processing operation shown in the flowchart.

[0102] In this way, the RFID paper P which is a blank paper on which data writing to the RFID tag fails can be conveyed to the upper paper discharge tray 29B which is the second paper discharge section of the paper discharge section 29. rf At the same time, the next RFID paper P is executed rf processing action.

[0103] As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, since there is no need to wait for the RFID paper P to be received, rf Once ejected, the next RFID paper P will be checked. rf processing actions, so continuous data writing and printing can be performed at high speed.

[0104] As mentioned above, although the 1st and 2nd embodiments were demonstrated, the embodiment is not limited to these.

[0105] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the RFID paper P on which data is written and image is printed is discharged. rf The first paper discharge section is set as the lower paper discharge tray 29A, and the RFID paper P of the blank paper on which the data writing fails is discharged. rf The second paper discharge section is set as the upper paper discharge tray 29B, but it can also be reversed. In addition, when the RFID paper P is specified by the user rf In the case of a paper discharge destination, the second paper discharge unit can be set as one of the unspecified paper discharge trays. In the case of three or more paper discharge trays, any paper discharge tray other than the paper discharge tray set as the first paper discharge unit can be set as the second paper discharge unit.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the RFID paper P temporarily stopped by the registration roller 23 is transported again after waiting for the determination of whether the data is written to the RFID tag successfully. rf However, in the case of a malfunction of the RFID reader / writer 5, the RFID paper P rf Therefore, in the RFID paper P rf When the position of the registration roller 23 stops for a predetermined time or longer, the user may be informed of the failure of the RFID reader / writer 5 by displaying or communicating on the display unit 4 a.

[0107] In addition, the flow of each process described with reference to the flowchart is not limited to the order of description. Figure 5In the RFID processing shown in FIG. 1 , the processing action of writing data in ACT 14 and the processing action of obtaining read data in ACT 15 can also be performed in parallel with the processing actions of ACT 12 and ACT 13. In this case, the processing action of ACT 12 becomes a processing action for determining that the writing completion standby position has been reached, rather than a processing action for determining that the writing position has been reached. The writing completion standby position can be the position of the registration roller 23. In this way, the RFID paper P can be processed simultaneously. rf In addition, the image forming process of ACT18 or the restart of conveying the RFID paper P of ACT19 can also be performed. rf After the processing action of ACT 17, the processing action of setting the first conveying path is performed. In this way, a plurality of processing actions can be performed simultaneously in parallel, or the order of a plurality of processing actions can be changed, and the processing contents of a plurality of processing actions can also be modified.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, an MFP is described as an example of the image forming apparatus 100 , but it is apparent that a printer without a scanner may be used.

[0109] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the program is stored in advance in the ROM 62 or the auxiliary storage device 64 of the control unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 100. In this regard, the program that is transferred separately from the image forming apparatus may be written to a writable storage device provided in the image forming apparatus 100 according to an operation by an administrator or the like. The transfer of the program or the like can be performed by storing it in a removable computer-readable storage medium or by communicating via a network. The computer-readable storage medium is not limited in form as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card.

[0110] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention are described, but these embodiments are only presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming device, characterized in that: have: A paper loading unit capable of loading one or more papers having RFID tags and cut into any size; A conveying unit, conveying the paper sheets one by one from the paper loading unit; A printing unit, printing an image on the paper conveyed by the conveying unit; a reader / writer that communicates with the RFID tag on the paper at a position between the paper loading section and the printing section, writes data to the RFID tag, and reads the data written to the RFID tag; and a control unit, controlling the conveying unit, the printing unit and the reading and writing unit, The control unit determines whether the writing of data to the RFID tag is successful or not based on the data read by the read / write unit. When the control unit determines that the writing of the data is successful, the control unit controls the printing unit so as to perform the printing on the paper. When it is determined that the writing of the data has failed, the control unit controls the printing unit in a manner not to print on the paper, and controls the conveying unit and the reading / writing unit to convey another paper from the paper loading unit, and performs a retry process to write the data that has failed to be written to the RFID tag possessed by the other paper.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The image forming device further includes a first paper discharge unit and a second paper discharge unit for placing the paper discharged from the image forming device, the conveying unit includes a switching unit for switching the paper discharge destination of the paper at a position between the printing unit and the first paper discharge unit and the second paper discharge unit, The control unit controls the switching unit of the conveying unit so that the paper on which an image is printed by the printing unit is discharged to the first paper discharge unit and the paper on which an image is not printed by the printing unit is discharged to the second paper discharge unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The image forming apparatus further includes a notification unit configured to notify a user that the paper, to which data has not been written, is ejected toward the second paper ejection unit when writing of data to the RFID tag of the paper fails.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The image forming device further includes a registration roller, which is arranged in front of the printing unit and is used to temporarily stop the paper conveyed from the paper loading unit. At a position where the paper is temporarily stopped by the registration roller, the reading / writing unit is arranged at a position where communication with the RFID tag of the temporarily stopped paper is possible. When the paper is temporarily stopped by the registration roller, the control unit controls the reader / writer so as to write data to the RFID tag and read data from the RFID tag.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The control unit controls the conveying unit so as to resume conveying the paper that has been temporarily stopped by the registration roller after waiting for the determination of whether data writing to the RFID tag is successful.

Images