Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image forming unit, a wireless communication unit, a receiving unit, and a shielding member. The processor controls the supply and discharge of the medium having the wireless tag accommodated in the housing unit. The image forming unit forms an image on the supplied medium. The wireless communication unit transmits a radio wave for writing information to a wireless tag of a supplied medium. The receiving unit receives the discharged medium. The shielding member is formed in a portion of the receiving unit and shields radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments described herein generally relate to an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a medium to which a wireless tag using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is attached is used. An image forming device compatible with this medium is configured to form an image on the medium transferred to the inside of the device body and write information to the wireless tag of the medium at a predetermined time by sending radio waves from an antenna.

[0003] An image forming device includes a tray configured to receive a medium discharged from the inside of the device body, and the tray receives a medium with a wireless tag having information written thereon. It is required to prevent erroneous information from being written to the wireless tag of the medium received by the tray. For example, a technique for shielding radio waves sent from an antenna with a conductor is known. However, pasting too much conductor in order to shield radio waves not only increases costs, but also leads to the risk of reduced heat radiation performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The overall architecture that implements the various features of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the related descriptions are provided to illustrate the embodiments of the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention.

[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0006] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0007] Figure 3A 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a stacked structure of a shield member according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3B is a diagram showing a second example of the stacking structure of the shield member according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3C 2 is a diagram showing a third example of the stacking structure of the shield member according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of the surface resistance of the conductive layer of the shield member and the erroneous writing prevention effect according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5A 1 is a diagram showing a first example of media handled by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5B 1 is a diagram showing a second example of the medium handled by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing a medium by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medium receiving unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 8A 1 is a diagram showing an example of a shielding member provided in a first tray located in a lower layer of a medium receiving unit according to the second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8B 1 is a diagram showing an example of a shielding member provided in a second tray located in an upper layer of a medium receiving unit according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 9 It is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the shielding member of the tray and the wireless tag of the medium on the tray according to the second embodiment.

[0018] Fig.10 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medium receiving unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[0019] Fig.11 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing a medium by the image forming apparatus according to the second and third embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment includes a processor, an image forming unit, a wireless communication unit, a receiving unit, and a shielding member. The processor controls the supply and discharge of a medium contained in a housing unit, to which a wireless tag is attached. The image forming unit forms an image on the supplied medium. The wireless communication unit transmits a radio wave for writing information to the wireless tag of the supplied medium. The receiving unit receives the discharged medium. The shielding member is formed in a portion of the receiving unit and shields the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication unit.

[0021] An image forming apparatus installed in a workplace or the like will be described below.

[0022] [First embodiment]

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunctional machine and includes an image reading unit 110 , a control panel 120 , a display 121 , a printer unit 130 , a medium housing unit 140 , an RFID processing unit 150 , and a medium receiving unit 200 .

[0025] For example, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet of medium M using a developer (e.g., toner). The medium M is paper or label paper. In addition, the medium M is equivalent to paper or label paper with a wireless tag T attached. The medium M can have any form on which an image can be formed. The medium M with a wireless tag T attached can mean that the wireless tag T is attached to the surface of the medium M, or it can mean that the wireless tag T is embedded in the inside of the medium M. The wireless tag T involved in each embodiment is a tag using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, also known as an "RFID tag".

[0026] The display 121 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. Various types of information related to the image forming apparatus 100 are displayed on the display 121.

[0027] The control panel 120 has a plurality of buttons. The control panel 120 accepts an operation by a user. The control panel 120 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation performed by the user to a processor of the image forming apparatus 100. The control panel 120 and the display 121 may be integrally configured as an integral touch panel.

[0028] The printer unit 130 forms an image on the provided medium M according to the image information generated by the image reading unit 110 or the image information received through the communication path. For example, the printer unit 130 forms the image by the following process. The printer unit 130 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum according to the image information. The printer unit 130 forms a visible image by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image. A specific example of the developer is toner. The printer unit 130 transfers the visible image to the medium M. The printer unit 130 fixes the visible image on the medium M by heating and pressurizing the medium M.

[0029] The medium M on which an image is formed may be the medium M accommodated in the medium housing unit 140 or may be the medium M manually inserted. The medium M on which an image is formed is discharged to the medium receiving unit 200 .

[0030] The medium M used to form an image in the printer unit 130 is housed in the medium housing unit 140. For example, the medium housing unit 140 includes a cassette C1, a cassette C2, a cassette C3, and a cassette C4. For example, the medium M to which the wireless tag T is attached is housed in the cassette C1.

[0031] The image reading unit 110 reads image information related to the read object as light tone. The image reading unit 110 records the read image information. The recorded image information can be sent to another image processing device through a network. The recorded image information is imaged on the medium M through the printer unit 130.

[0032] Next, the interior of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a supply unit 141 , a discharge unit 156 , and a reversing path 157 . The reversing path 157 includes a registration unit 158 ​​.

[0034] The printer unit 130 includes an image forming unit 131 and a fixing unit 132. The image forming unit 131 has one or more toners. For example, the image forming unit 131 has yellow toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and black toner on the upstream side (left side in the figure). In addition, the predetermined toner may be a special toner such as a decolorizing toner. The image forming unit 131 includes a developer, a photosensitive drum, and a charging unit for each toner.

[0035] The charging unit charges the surface (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum uniformly. The photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light, thereby carrying an electrostatic latent image on its surface. The developer adds toner to the electrostatic latent image, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a visible image.

[0036] In addition, the image forming unit 131 also has a transfer belt. The images developed by the corresponding toners are sequentially overlapped on the transfer belt. The images transmitted in an overlapping manner are then transferred to the medium M by a transfer roller.

[0037] As described above, the printer unit 130 described in this embodiment adopts the image forming method using the intermediate transfer system. However, for example, a direct transfer system or other transfer systems may also be used.

[0038] The fixing unit 132 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller heats the medium M from one side surface of the medium M, and the pressure roller presses the medium M from the other side surface of the medium M. The fixing unit 132 fixes the toner transferred to the medium M by applying heat and pressure to the medium M.

[0039] The supply unit 141 supplies the medium M accommodated in the medium housing unit 140. The supply unit 141 is composed of, for example, a supply roller or the like.

[0040] The discharge unit 156 discharges the medium M conveyed through the inside of the image forming apparatus 100. The discharge unit 156 is composed of a discharge roller.

[0041] The reversing path 157 is a path for reversing the front and back sides of the medium M, and is used when forming images on both sides of the medium M. The reversing path 157 is a path for reversing the medium M conveyed to the discharge unit 156 by a reverser and then conveying it.

[0042] The alignment unit 158 ​​is provided in the reversing path 157. The first embodiment assumes that the alignment unit 158 ​​is an alignment roller provided at the most downstream of the reversing path 157. The alignment unit 158 ​​pauses the conveyance of the medium M. By pausing the conveyance of the medium M, the alignment unit 158 ​​can change the inclination of the medium M so that the medium M is perpendicular to the conveying direction. Note that the position of the alignment unit 158 ​​is not limited to the most downstream portion of the reversing path 157. The alignment unit 158 ​​can be located at any position as long as it is an alignment roller provided on the path between the discharge unit 156 and the reversing path 157.

[0043] The RFID processing unit 150 is a wireless communication unit, and is provided outside the reversing path 157. The RFID processing unit 150 includes a controller called an RFID module 153, an antenna substrate 154, and an interface unit. The antenna formed on the antenna substrate 154 is configured to write information to the wireless tag T attached to the medium M using radio waves transmitted from the antenna when the medium M loaded on the medium housing unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 100 is transferred to the alignment unit 158 ​​and paused.

[0044] The medium receiving unit 200 receives the medium M discharged from the discharge unit 156. The medium receiving unit 200 includes a first tray 210, and the first tray 210 includes a shielding member 211. The shielding member 211 is a member provided in a portion of the medium receiving unit 200, and has conductivity that can shield radio waves transmitted from an antenna formed on the antenna substrate 154. The shielding member 211 can prevent erroneous writing of the wireless tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the medium receiving unit 200.

[0045] For example, the shielding member 211 is formed into a sheet shape and is provided in a portion of the first tray 210 as the bottom surface of the medium receiving unit 200. The shielding member 211 is adhered along, for example, a rib of the first tray 210. In addition, the antenna substrate 154 is located below the plane P including the shielding member 211. That is, the shortest distance L1 from the plane P to the upper end ED of the antenna provided on the antenna substrate 154 has a predetermined length (>0).

[0046] A partial area of ​​the medium receiving unit 200 is included in the writable area ER, which is determined according to the intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the antenna provided on the antenna substrate 154. That is, a partial area of ​​the shielding member 211 close to the discharge unit 156 is included in the writable area ER. The shielding member 211 shields the radio waves that reach part of the medium receiving unit 200. On the other hand, the area of ​​the wireless tag T of the medium M accommodated in the box C1 of the medium housing unit 140 is also included in the writable area ER.

[0047] The distance L2 from the antenna provided on the antenna substrate 154 to the partial area of ​​the shielding member 211 away from the discharge unit 156 is longer than the distance L3 from the antenna provided on the antenna substrate 154 to the wireless tag T of the medium M accommodated in the box C1. As described above, by the shielding member 211 extending from the inside to the outside of the writable area ER and continuously covering the writable area ER from the inside to the outside, erroneous writing to the wireless tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the medium receiving unit can be surely prevented.

[0048] Furthermore, by having the shielding member 211 cover not all but part of the medium receiving unit 200 , the cost can also be reduced without affecting the heat radiation performance.

[0049] The medium receiving unit 200 includes a receiving surface on which the medium M falls. The receiving surface includes an overlapping area overlapping with the shielding member 211 in the vertical direction and a non-overlapping area not overlapping with the shielding member 211 in the vertical direction.

[0050] The overlapping area overlaps the wireless tag T attached to the medium M discharged onto the receiving surface in the vertical direction. The non-overlapping area overlaps the area of ​​the medium M except the area to which the wireless tag T is attached in the vertical direction.

[0051] The wireless tag T includes an integrated circuit chip. The overlapping area vertically overlaps with the integrated circuit chip in the wireless tag T attached to the medium M discharged to the receiving surface. The non-overlapping area vertically overlaps with the area of ​​the medium M except the area where the integrated circuit chip is located.

[0052] The shielding member 211 is attached on the receiving surface of the medium receiving unit 200 .

[0053] The shielding member 211 is close to one side of the medium receiving unit 200 from which the medium M is discharged, rather than being discharged from the other side of the medium receiving unit 200 which is opposite to the direction in which the medium M is discharged.

[0054] The shielding member 211 has a length formed in a direction in which the medium M is discharged greater than a length formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the medium M is discharged.

[0055] The medium receiving unit 200 includes a rib, and the shielding member 211 is formed along a length that is long.

[0056] The radio waves transmitted by the RFID processing unit 150 reach the shielding member 211 .

[0057] If the medium receiving unit 200 does not have the shielding member 211 , the distance between the RFID processing unit 150 and the shielding member 211 may allow the RFID processing unit 150 to write information to the wireless tag T of the discharged medium M on the medium receiving unit 200 .

[0058] The medium receiving unit 200 includes a rib, and the shielding member 211 is attached to the receiving unit 200 along the rib.

[0059] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0060] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 110 , a control panel 120 , a display 121 , a printer unit 130 , a supply unit 141 , a discharge unit 156 , an RFID module 153 , a storage device 161 , a memory 162 , a processor 163 , and an external interface 164 .

[0061] The feeding unit 141 is a mechanism for feeding the medium M loaded on the medium housing unit 140 and the manual feed tray into the printer unit 130. The RFID module 153, the storage device 161, the memory 162, the processor 163, and the external interface 164 will be described below. These functional units are connected to each other in a communicable manner through the system bus 170.

[0062] The storage device 161 is, for example, a hard disk or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various types of data. The various types of data correspond to a print job received from an external communication device and a software program for controlling the operation of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The print job may be a job related to double-sided printing or a job related to multi-page printing. The print job may include image information related to an image printed on the medium M.

[0063] The memory 162 temporarily stores data used by each functional unit included in the image forming apparatus 100. The memory 162 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The memory 162 can store digital data generated by the image reading unit 110. The memory 162 can temporarily store a print job corresponding to printing being performed by the printer unit 130 or write information to be written to a wireless tag.

[0064] The processor 163 controls the operation of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The processor 163 loads a software program stored in the storage device 161 onto the memory 162 and executes the software program, thereby performing processing. Here, an example of specific processing of the processor 163 will be described.

[0065] With a print job received through the external communication device or the control panel 120, the processor 163 controls printing on the medium M to which the wireless tag is attached. After receiving the print job related to the medium M to which the wireless tag is attached, the processor 163 acquires the writing information specified by the print job and the image information related to the writing information from the writing information server. The image information related to the writing information is information related to the image formed on the medium M. The image information is not necessarily related to the writing information. In this case, the image information may be included in the print job.

[0066] The processor 163 controls the supply unit 141 to supply the medium M. The supply unit 141 supplies the medium M to each unit under the control of the processor 163 . In addition, the processor 163 controls the discharge unit 156 to discharge the medium M. The discharge unit 156 discharges the medium M to the medium receiving unit 200 under the control of the processor 163 .

[0067] The processor 163 controls the printer unit 130 . The printer unit 130 forms an image indicated by the image information on the medium M. The medium M on which the image is formed is discharged to the medium receiving unit 200 .

[0068] The processor 163 controls the RFID module 153. The RFID module 153 includes a computing device and a storage device. The RFID module 153 writes information to a wireless tag attached to the medium M. In addition, the RFID module 153 reads information from the wireless tag attached to the medium M. The information read by the RFID module 153 from the wireless tag is, for example, identification information (e.g., a unique identifier (UID)) for uniquely identifying the wireless tag.

[0069] The external interface 164 sends data to another device and receives data from another device. Here, another device refers to an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smart device. The external interface 164 operates as an input interface and receives data or commands sent from another device. The command sent from another device is a print job, etc. The data sent from other devices is written information, image information related to the written information, etc. The external interface 164 operates as an output interface and sends data to another device.

[0070] Figure 3A 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a stacked structure of a shield member according to the first embodiment.

[0071] like Figure 3A As shown, the shielding member 211 includes a conductive layer 211 a , a base layer 211 b , and an adhesive layer 211 c in order from the surface in contact with the medium M to be discharged.

[0072] Figure 3B is a diagram showing a second example of the stacking structure of the shield member according to the first embodiment.

[0073] like Figure 3B As shown, the shielding member 211 includes a base layer 211 b , a conductive layer 211 a , and an adhesive layer 211 c in order from the surface in contact with the medium M to be discharged.

[0074] Figure 3C 2 is a diagram showing a third example of the stacking structure of the shield member according to the first embodiment.

[0075] like Figure 3C As shown, the shielding member 211 includes, in order from the surface in contact with the medium M to be discharged, a base layer 211 b , a conductive layer 211 a , a base layer 211 b , and an adhesive layer 211 c .

[0076] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing the surface resistance of the conductive layer of the shield member and the erroneous writing prevention effect according to the first embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B The surface resistance of the conductive layer 211a of the shield member 211 shown in FIG is within a predetermined range. When the surface resistance [Ω / □] (ohm / square) of the conductive layer 211a is equal to or less than 1000, erroneous writing can be prevented. For example, the surface resistance [Ω / □] of the conductive layer 211a can be set to be equal to or less than 500.

[0078] Erroneous writing can be surely prevented due to the surface resistance and the pasting position of the shield member 211. The relationship between the resistance value and the transmission output shows that even if the transmission output is low, the probability of erroneous writing increases as the resistance value becomes larger.

[0079] Figure 5A 1 is a diagram showing a first example of media handled by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Figure 5B 1 is a diagram showing a second example of the medium handled by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0080] like Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, the wireless tag attached to the medium M is an integrated circuit (IC) chip CP and an antenna AT. Tag information is written into or read from the IC chip CP. The antenna AT is connected to the IC chip CP, receives tag information written into the IC chip CP, and transmits tag information read from the IC chip CP.

[0081] like Figure 5A As shown, the conveying direction of the medium M corresponds to the length direction of the wireless tag T. In the image forming apparatus 100 configured to process the above-mentioned medium M, the discharge direction (conveying direction) of the medium M corresponds to the length direction of the shielding member 211 of the first tray 210. That is, the length direction of the wireless tag T of the medium M loaded on the first tray 210 corresponds to the length direction of the shielding member 211 of the first tray 210. In this way, the shielding member 211 attached to a part of the first tray 210 can achieve an effective shielding effect.

[0082] In addition, if Figure 5B As shown, the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the medium M corresponds to the length direction of the wireless tag T. In the image forming apparatus 100 configured to process the above-mentioned medium M, the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction (conveying direction) of the medium M corresponds to the length direction of the shielding member 211 of the first tray 210. That is, the length direction of the wireless tag T of the medium M loaded on the first tray 210 corresponds to the length direction of the shielding member 211 of the first tray 210. In this way, the shielding member 211 attached to a part of the first tray 210 can achieve an effective shielding effect.

[0083] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing a medium by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0084] The processor 163 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job (ACT 101 ).

[0085] For example, an external information processing device (eg, a personal computer) transmits a print job related to double-sided printing to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network. The external interface 164 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives the print job, and the processor 163 accepts the received print job.

[0086] The processor 163 acquires the written information and the image information related to the written information (ACT 102).

[0087] For example, after receiving a print job, the processor 163 sends a request for writing information and image information related to the writing information to the writing information server through the external interface 164. The writing information server transmits the requested writing information and image information related to the writing information. The external interface 164 receives the writing information and image information related to the writing information, and the processor 163 obtains the writing information and image information related to the writing information.

[0088] The printer unit 130 forms an image based on the image information on one surface (front surface) of the transported medium M (ACT 103 ).

[0089] For example, in response to receiving a print job, the processor 163 requests the supply unit 141 to supply a medium. According to the medium supply request of the processor 163, the supply unit 141 supplies the medium M accommodated in the medium housing unit 140. The printer unit 130 develops an image according to the acquired image information and fixes the developed image on the supplied medium M.

[0090] The antenna substrate 154 writes the write information into the wireless tag T (ACT 104 ).

[0091] For example, when the medium M having an image formed thereon is conveyed, the antenna substrate 154 transmits electromagnetic waves for writing information. In response to the wireless tag T attached to the medium M receiving the electromagnetic waves, the write information is written to the storage area of ​​the wireless tag T.

[0092] The antenna substrate 154 reads the information written in the wireless tag T (ACT 105 ).

[0093] For example, the antenna substrate 154 transmits electromagnetic waves to read information written to the wireless tag T. In response to the wireless tag T attached to the medium M receiving the electromagnetic waves, the information written to the storage area of ​​the wireless tag T is transmitted to the antenna substrate 154. The antenna substrate 154 outputs the information received from the wireless tag T to the processor 163 as read-out information.

[0094] The processor 163 determines whether the information written to the wireless tag T is normal information (ACT 106).

[0095] For example, the processor 163 determines whether the read information satisfies a predetermined condition (write condition) related to the correctness of the information. For example, in the case where the write information obtained from the write information server matches the read information read from the wireless tag T, the processor 163 determines that the information written to the wireless tag T is normal information and satisfies the predetermined condition. In the case where the write information obtained from the write information server does not match the read information read from the wireless tag T, the processor 163 determines that the information written to the wireless tag T is not normal information and does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

[0096] In a case where the information written to the wireless tag T is normal information (ACT 106 , Yes), the printer unit 130 forms an image on the rear surface of the medium M based on the image information acquired from the writing information server (ACT 107 ).

[0097] For example, the processor 163 controls in such a manner that an image is formed on a surface of the medium M other than the surface on which the image is formed in ACT 103 based on image information acquired from a print job received by the image forming apparatus 100. The printer unit 130 forms an image on the rear surface of the medium M.

[0098] In a case where the information written to the wireless tag T is not normal information (ACT 106 , No), the printer unit 130 forms a blank image on the rear surface of the medium M (ACT 108 ).

[0099] For example, the processor 163 controls the printer unit 130 in such a manner that the developer to be formed on the rear surface of the medium M is taken out from the developer carrier. The processor 163 controls the printer unit 130 in such a manner that a blank image or a blank page is formed. The printer unit 130 forms a blank image on the rear surface of the medium M.

[0100] The discharge unit 156 discharges the medium M to the first tray 210 of the medium receiving unit (ACT 109). The wireless tag T of the discharged medium M is loaded facing the shielding member 211 provided in the first tray 210. The loaded wireless tag T of the medium M is surrounded by an area vertically above the shielding member 211.

[0101] Next, a supplementary description will be given of the process when the information written to the wireless tag T is abnormal.

[0102] The antenna substrate 154 reads information written to the wireless tag T attached to the transported medium M. The reading may be performed immediately after the medium M is paused at the alignment unit 158 ​​and the information is written to the wireless tag, or after the information is written to the wireless tag T and the transport of the medium M is resumed.

[0103] The printer unit 130 forms at least one image designated by the received print job on the medium M, the image indicating that the information written to the wireless tag T is abnormal.

[0104] In a case where the information read from the wireless tag T satisfies a predetermined condition regarding correctness of the information, the processor 163 controls the printer unit 130 in such a manner that an image designated by the print job is formed on the medium M or a subsequent medium M transported after the medium M.

[0105] In the case where the information read from the wireless tag T does not satisfy the predetermined condition related to the correctness of the information, the processor 163 controls the printer unit 130 in a manner of removing the developer carried on the photosensitive drum according to the print job. Then, the processor 163 controls the printer unit in a manner of forming an image on the medium M, indicating that the information written to the wireless tag T is abnormal. As described above, in the case where the writing of information to the wireless tag T fails, the image forming apparatus 100 prints a blank image or a white image on the medium M. In this way, the image forming device 100 can process a plurality of media M continuously.

[0106] According to the first embodiment, the shielding member 211 is provided in a portion of the first tray 210 as the bottom surface of the medium receiving unit 200. This can provide an image forming apparatus which can suppress the disadvantage of degradation of heat radiation performance and has an advantage in preventing erroneous writing.

[0107] [Second embodiment]

[0108] Figure 7 200 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medium receiving unit of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0109] The medium receiving unit 200 includes a plurality of trays. For example, the medium receiving unit 200 includes a first tray 210 located at a lower layer and a second tray located at an upper layer. The first tray 210 includes a shielding member 211 . The second tray 220 includes a shielding member 221 .

[0110] In addition, the distance from the antenna substrate 154 of the RFID processing unit 150 to the first tray 210 is shorter than the distance from the antenna substrate 154 of the RFID processing unit to the second tray 220. The configuration of the shielding members 211 and 221 is as follows: FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and Figure 4 In addition, the configuration of the medium M processed by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is as shown in FIG. Figure 5A or Figure 5B shown.

[0111] The shielding member 211 is a member provided in a portion of the first tray 210 and has conductivity that can shield radio waves transmitted from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate 154. The shielding member 211 can prevent erroneous writing to the wireless tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the first tray 210.

[0112] The shielding member 221 is a member provided in a portion of the second tray 220 and has conductivity that can shield radio waves transmitted from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate 154. The shielding member 221 can prevent erroneous writing to the wireless tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the second tray 220.

[0113] The first embodiment describes the relationship between the shield member 211 and the writable area ER and the relationship between the distance from the antenna to the shield member 211 and the distance from the antenna to the wireless tag T of the medium M accommodated in the cartridge C1. In the second embodiment, both the shield member 211 and the shield member 221 satisfy these relationships.

[0114] In the second embodiment, Figure 1 The illustrated discharge unit 156 includes a shutter. The shutter switches the discharge destination of the medium M according to a signal from the processor 163. That is, the shutter switches the discharge destination of the medium M to the first tray 210 or the second tray 220, and discharges the medium M to the first tray 210 or the second tray 220. For example, the processor 163 discharges the medium M that satisfies the condition for writing information to the wireless tag T to the first tray 210, and discharges the medium M that does not satisfy the writing condition to the second tray 220.

[0115] When the write information acquired from the write information server matches the read information read from the wireless tag T, the processor 163 detects that the information has been correctly written to the wireless tag T. Thus, when detecting that the writing of information to the wireless tag T has been successful, the processor 163 determines that the writing condition has been satisfied.

[0116] In contrast, if the write information acquired from the write information server does not match the read information read from the wireless tag T, the processor 163 detects that the information is not correctly written to the wireless tag T. Thus, upon detecting that writing information to the wireless tag T has failed, the processor 163 determines that the write condition is not satisfied.

[0117] Meanwhile, the processor 163 may discharge the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing information to the wireless tag T to the first tray 210 , and discharge the medium M that satisfies the writing condition to the second tray 220 .

[0118] Fig. 8A 1 is a diagram showing an example of a shielding member provided in a first tray located in a lower layer of a medium receiving unit according to the second embodiment. Figure 8B 2 is a diagram showing an example of a shielding member provided in a second tray located in an upper layer of a medium receiving unit according to the second embodiment. Fig. 8A As shown, the shielding member 211 is close to the discharge unit 156 on the first tray 210. Figure 8BAs shown, the shielding member 221 is close to the discharge unit 156 on the second tray 220 .

[0119] Fig. 9 1 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the shielding member of the tray and the wireless tag T of the medium M on the tray according to the second embodiment.

[0120] like Fig. 9 As shown, the medium M discharged to the medium receiving unit 200 is loaded on the first tray 210, and the wireless tag T of the loaded medium M faces the shielding member 211 of the first tray 210. In the wireless tag T of the loaded medium M, at least the part including the IC chip CP (see Figure 5A ) is surrounded by an area vertically above the shielding member 211.

[0121] Likewise, the medium M discharged to the medium receiving unit 200 is loaded onto the second tray 220, and the wireless tag T of the loaded medium M faces the shielding member 221 of the second tray 220. In the wireless tag T of the loaded medium M, at least the portion including the IC chip CP (see Figure 5A ) is surrounded by an area vertically above the shielding member 221.

[0122] According to the second embodiment, the shielding member 211 is provided in a portion of the first tray 210, and the shielding member 22 is provided in a portion of the second tray 220. The shielding member 211 is adhered, for example, along a rib of the first tray 210. In addition, the shielding member 221 is adhered, for example, along a rib of the second tray 220. The medium M that satisfies the condition for writing information to the wireless tag T is loaded on the first tray 210, and the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing information to the wireless tag T is loaded on the second tray 220. This can provide an image forming apparatus that correctly uses a tray loaded with the medium M, can suppress the disadvantage of a decrease in heat radiation performance, and has an advantage in preventing erroneous writing.

[0123] [Third embodiment]

[0124] Fig.10 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medium receiving unit of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition, the configuration of the shielding member 211 provided in the medium receiving unit 200 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and Figure 4 In addition, the configuration of the medium M processed by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is as shown in FIG. Figure 5A or Figure 5B shown.

[0125] The medium receiving unit 200 includes a plurality of trays. For example, the medium receiving unit 200 includes a first tray 210 located at a lower layer and a second tray 230 located at an upper layer. The first tray 210 includes a shielding member 211. The second tray 230 does not have a shielding member. The positional relationship between the shielding member 211 of the first tray 210 and the wireless tag T of the medium M on the first tray 210 is as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 shown.

[0126] In the third embodiment, Figure 1 The illustrated discharge unit 156 includes a shutter. The shutter switches the discharge destination of the medium M according to a signal from the processor 163. That is, the shutter switches the discharge destination of the medium M to the first tray 210 or the second tray 220, and discharges the medium M to the first tray 210 or the second tray 220. For example, the processor 163 discharges the medium M that satisfies the condition for writing information to the wireless tag T to the first tray 210, and discharges the medium M that does not satisfy the writing condition to the second tray 220.

[0127] Meanwhile, the first tray 210 may not have a shielding member, and the second tray 230 may be provided with a shielding member. In this case, the processor 163 will discharge the medium M that meets the condition of writing information to the wireless tag T to the second tray 230, and discharge the medium M that does not meet the writing condition to the first tray 210. The positional relationship between the shielding member 221 of the second tray 220 and the wireless tag T of the medium M on the second tray 220 is as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 shown.

[0128] Fig.11 1 and 2 are flowcharts showing examples of how the image forming apparatuses according to the second and third embodiments process media.

[0129] ACT101 to ACT108 are similar to the medium processing described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0130] According to the second and third embodiments, the discharge unit 156 includes a shutter, and discharges the medium M to the first tray 210 or the second tray 220 by switching the discharge destination according to a signal from the processor 163. For example, the processor 163 discharges the medium M that satisfies the condition for writing information to the wireless tag T to the first tray 210, and discharges the medium M that does not satisfy the writing condition to the second tray 220.

[0131] That is, when the information written to the wireless tag T is normal information (ACT 106, Yes), the printer unit 130 forms an image on the rear surface of the medium M based on the image information acquired from the writing information server (ACT 107). In addition, the discharge unit 156 discharges the medium M to the first tray 210 of the medium receiving unit (ACT 109).

[0132] If the information written to the wireless tag T is not normal information (ACT 106, No), the printer unit 130 forms a blank image on the rear surface of the medium M (ACT 108). In addition, the discharge unit 156 discharges the medium M to the second tray 220 of the medium receiving unit 200 (ACT 110).

[0133] According to the third embodiment, by providing a shielding member 211 in a portion of the first tray 210 where the radio waves released from the antenna substrate 154 may cause information rewriting, and not providing a shielding member in the second tray 220 away from the antenna substrate 154, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce costs and effectively prevent erroneous writing. In addition, by loading the medium M of the wireless tag T to which writing failed on the second tray 220 without the shielding member, the problem caused by erroneous writing can be eliminated.

[0134] The program according to the present embodiment can be transmitted in a state of being stored in an electronic device such as the image forming device 100, or can be transmitted in a state of not being stored in the electronic device. In the latter case, the program can be transmitted via a network, or can be transmitted in a state of being stored in a storage medium. A storage medium is a non-temporary tangible medium. A storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium can be any form of medium that can store a program and can be read by a computer, such as a CD-ROM and a memory card. The electronic device downloads the program transmitted (provided) via the network, thereby installing it in the memory, or reads the program from the storage medium, thereby installing it in the memory.

[0135] Although certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In fact, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made to the forms of the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An image forming device, comprising: a processor configured to control supply and discharge of a medium accommodated in the housing unit and to which a wireless tag is attached; An image forming unit configured to form an image on a supplied medium; a wireless communication unit configured to transmit a radio wave for writing information to the wireless tag of the supplied medium; a receiving unit configured to receive the discharged medium; as well as A shield member is formed in a portion of the receiving unit and is configured to shield a radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving unit includes a first tray and a second tray, and The first tray includes the shielding member.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: A distance from the wireless communication unit to the first tray is shorter than a distance from the wireless communication unit to the second tray.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: When the medium satisfies a condition for writing information to the wireless tag, the processor discharges the medium to the first tray provided with the shielding member, and when the medium does not satisfy the condition for writing, the processor discharges the medium to the second tray not provided with the shielding member.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a writing area determined according to the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication unit including the wireless tag of the medium accommodated in the housing unit and the portion of the receiving unit, and The shield member shields radio waves reaching the portion of the receiving unit.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The shielding member is a member that covers the portion of the receiving unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The shield member is a member that continuously covers the writing area from the inside to the outside.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The wireless communication unit includes an antenna substrate, and The antenna substrate is disposed below a plane including the shielding member.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving unit includes a receiving surface on which the medium falls, and the receiving surface includes an overlapping area overlapping with the shielding member in the vertical direction and a non-overlapping area not overlapping with the shielding member in the vertical direction.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: The overlapping area overlaps the wireless tag attached to the medium discharged onto the receiving surface in the vertical direction, and The non-overlapping area overlaps an area of ​​the medium other than an area to which the wireless tag is attached in a vertical direction.

Images