Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that can improve utilization efficiency of one media to which a plurality of wireless tags are imparted.SOLUTION: An image forming device according to an embodiment comprises a supply part, a wireless communication part, a processor and an image forming part. The supply part supplies media to which a plurality of wireless tags are imparted. The wireless communication part makes wireless communication with the plurality of wireless tags corresponding to a plurality of divided regions of the media. The processor outputs signals corresponding to results of the communication with the plurality of wireless tags. The image forming part forms or does not form images on each of the divided regions, on the basis of the signals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, wireless tags using RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) technology have become widespread, and various proposals have been made for wireless tag-compatible image forming apparatuses that process media with wireless tags. The image forming apparatus is equipped with a reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with the wireless tags of the media. The image forming apparatus also stores media with wireless tags in a cassette, and the reader / writer reads and writes information from and to the wireless tags of the media as it is transported through the apparatus. The image forming apparatus also forms images on the media with wireless tags and ejects the media with the images onto an ejection tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-86934 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Image forming devices not only form one image on a medium with one wireless tag attached, but also form multiple images on a medium with multiple wireless tags attached. In the latter case, if information cannot be written to one of the multiple wireless tags, one medium may be wasted, and technical improvements are needed.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that improves the utilization efficiency of one medium to which a plurality of wireless tags are attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a supply unit, a wireless communication unit, a processor, and an image forming unit. The supply unit supplies media having multiple wireless tags attached thereto. The wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates with the multiple wireless tags corresponding to multiple divided areas of the media. The processor outputs a signal corresponding to the results of communication with the multiple wireless tags. The image forming unit forms or does not form an image for each divided area based on the signal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of a processor of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of media processed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of communication processing and image forming processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output for forming an image corresponding to each divided area on one medium in the image forming process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output that prevents an image from being formed in a part of divided areas on one medium in the image forming process according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output for forming an image corresponding to one wireless tag on one medium in the image forming process according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. [composition] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral, and includes an image reading unit 110, a control panel 120, a display 121, an image forming unit 130, a media storage unit 140, an RFID processing unit 150, and a media receiving unit 200.

[0009] For example, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet-like medium M using a developer such as toner. The medium M is paper or label paper. The medium M may be in any form as long as an image can be formed on its surface.

[0010] For example, one or more wireless tags T are attached to one side of the medium M. The wireless tags T are tags that use RFID technology and are also called RFID tags. For example, the medium M1 is a medium to which multiple wireless tags T are attached. The medium M2 is a medium to which a single wireless tag T is attached. The media M1 and M2 are collectively referred to as the media M.

[0011] The wireless tag T stores tag identification information (e.g., UID: Unique Identifier) that uniquely identifies the wireless tag T, and optionally stores tag management information. The tag management information includes a media type code, tag position information, and the total number of tags. The tag position information indicates the position of a tag on one medium M. The total number of tags indicates the total number of tags attached to one medium M. The tag management information may be stored by at least one of the wireless tag T and the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 stores the tag management information, it manages the tag management information using the tag type code included in the tag identification information, and associates the tag management information stored by the image forming apparatus 100 with the tag identification information stored by the wireless tag T.

[0012] The display 121 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display 121 displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0013] Control panel 120 has a plurality of buttons. Control panel 120 accepts operations from a user. Control panel 120 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation performed by the user to a processor of image forming apparatus 100. Note that control panel 120 and display 121 may be configured as an integrated touch panel.

[0014] Image reading unit 110 includes an optical line sensor that faces the document placed on a document table. The image reading unit 110 scans the optical line sensor along the document, reading an image from the document with the direction in which the optical elements of the optical line sensor are aligned as the main scanning direction and the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction as the sub-scanning direction, and generates and outputs image information based on the reading results.

[0015] The image forming unit 130 is an image forming unit that forms an image on the supplied medium M based on image information generated by the image reading unit 110 or image information received via the external interface 164. That is, the image forming unit 130 forms an image in sequence for each divided area E, with the main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction in which the medium M is transported being one line. The image forming unit 130 forms an image, for example, by the following process. The image forming unit 130 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum based on image information. The image forming unit 130 forms a visible image by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image. A specific example of the developer is toner. The image forming unit 130 transfers the visible image onto the medium M. The image forming unit 130 fixes the visible image onto the medium M by applying heat and pressure to the medium M.

[0016] The medium M on which the image is formed may be a medium M stored in the medium storage unit 140, or may be a manually inserted medium M. The medium M on which the image is formed is discharged to the medium receiving unit 200.

[0017] The media storage section 140 stores media M used for image formation in the image forming section 130. The media storage section 140 includes one or more cassettes. In this embodiment, the media storage section 140 includes cassettes C1, C2, and C3. For example, cassette C1 stores multiple pieces of media M1, each with multiple RFID tags T attached. Cassettes C2 and C3 store multiple pieces of media M2, each with a single RFID tag T attached.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 100 may store cassette management information that associates cassette identification information assigned to each cassette with information about the type of media stored in each cassette. The media type information includes a media type code. The tag management information described above includes the media type code, so the cassette management information and tag management information are associated by the media type code. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to detect the tag positions and total number of tags for media M stored in a specific cassette.

[0019] The image reading unit 110 is an image acquisition unit that acquires an image. The image reading unit 110 reads the image information of the object to be read as brightness of light. The image reading unit 110 records the read image information. The recorded image information may be transmitted to another information processing device via a network. The recorded image information may also be formed as an image on a medium M by the image forming unit 130.

[0020] Next, the interior of image forming apparatus 100 will be described in detail. 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.

[0021] The image forming unit 130 includes an image transfer unit 131 and a fixing unit 132. The image transfer unit 131 has one or more types of toner. For example, the image transfer unit 131 has yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner from the upstream side (left side of the figure). The predetermined toner may also be a special toner such as a decolorizing toner. The image transfer unit 131 has a developing unit, a photosensitive drum, and a charging unit for each toner.

[0022] The charging unit uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum (photosensitive layer). The photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light and carries an electrostatic latent image on its surface. The developing unit adds toner to the electrostatic latent image, developing it into a visible image.

[0023] The image transfer unit 131 also has a transfer belt. Images developed with each toner are transferred onto the transfer belt in order, one on top of the other. The transferred images are then transferred onto the medium M by a transfer roller.

[0024] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 130 has been described as forming an image by the intermediate transfer method as described above, but it may also be possible to use, for example, a direct transfer method or other transfer methods.

[0025] The fixing unit 132 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller applies heat to the medium M from one side of the medium M. The pressure roller applies pressure to the medium M from the other side 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.

[0026] The supply unit 141 supplies media M from a cassette in the media storage unit 140. The supply unit 141 has multiple supply rollers that transport media M in the sub-scanning direction. The media M supplied by the supply unit 141 also passes through a communication area. For example, the supply unit 141 temporarily stops or slows down a specific supply roller, thereby temporarily stopping or slowing down the media M as it passes through the communication area. For example, the specific supply roller is a registration roller.

[0027] Discharge section 156 discharges media M that has been conveyed inside image forming apparatus 100. Discharge section 156 is configured with discharge rollers.

[0028] The reversing path 157 is a path that reverses the front and back of the medium M, and is used when forming images on both sides of the medium M. The reversing path 157 is a path that reverses the medium M that has been transported to the discharge section 156 by switchback and then transports it.

[0029] The registration unit 158 is provided on the reversing path 157. In the embodiment, the registration unit 158 is described as a registration roller provided at the most downstream position of the reversing path 157. The registration unit 158 temporarily stops the transport of the media M. By stopping the transport of the media M, the registration unit 158 corrects the inclination of the media M so that it is perpendicular to the transport direction. Note that the location of the registration unit 158 is not limited to the most downstream position of the reversing path 157. The registration unit 158 may be located anywhere as long as it is a registration roller provided on the path between the discharge unit 156 and the reversing path 157.

[0030] The RFID processing unit 150 is a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag T of a medium M that passes through a communication area located between the supply unit 141 and the media receiving unit 200. For example, the RFID processing unit 150 is provided outside the reverse path 157. The RFID processing unit 150 includes a controller called an RFID module 153, an antenna board 154, and an interface unit. For example, an antenna formed on the antenna board 154 wirelessly receives information from the wireless tag T of a medium M1 that is sent out from the media storage unit 140 or the manual feed tray and passes through the communication area, and also transmits information to be written to the wireless tag T. For example, the antenna wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag T of a medium M1 that passes through the supply roller of the supply unit 141.

[0031] The media receiving section 200 receives the media M discharged from the discharge section 156. The media receiving section 200 includes a tray 210.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 110, a control panel 120, a display 121, an image forming unit 130, a media storage unit 140, a supply unit 141, an ejection unit 156, an RFID module 153, a storage device 161, a memory 162, a processor 163, and an external interface 164.

[0033] The media storage unit 140 stores media M with RFID tags T. The media storage unit 140 includes cassettes C1, C2, and C3.

[0034] The supply unit 141 is a mechanism that supplies the media M stored in the media storage unit 140 to the image forming unit 130. The RFID module 153, storage device 161, memory 162, processor 163, and external interface 164 will be described below. Note that each functional unit is connected via a system bus 170 so that data communication is possible.

[0035] 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 include print jobs received from an external communication device and software programs for controlling the operation of each functional unit of the image forming device 100. The print jobs include image information to be printed on the medium M. The storage device 161 also stores various types of management information.

[0036] The memory 162 temporarily stores data used by each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The memory 162 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 162 stores digital data generated by the image reading unit 110. The memory 162 may also temporarily store a print job being printed by the image forming unit 130 and write information to be written to a wireless tag. The memory 162 also stores various types of management information.

[0037] Processor 163 is a control unit that controls the operation of each functional unit of image forming apparatus 100. Processor 163 loads a software program stored in storage device 161 onto memory 162 and executes the software program to perform processing. Here, an example of processing executed by processor 163 will be described.

[0038] The processor 163 controls printing on a medium M with a wireless tag attached, based on a print job received via an external communication device or the control panel 120. When the processor 163 receives a print job for a medium M with a wireless tag attached, it acquires the writing information specified in the print job and the image information associated with the writing information from a writing information server or the like. The image information associated with the writing information is information about an image to be formed on the medium M1. Note that the image information does not necessarily have to be associated with the writing information. In this case, it is sufficient that the image information is included in the print job.

[0039] The processor 163 controls the supply unit 141 to supply media M. The supply unit 141 supplies media M to each unit under the control of the processor 163. The processor 163 also controls the discharge unit 156 to discharge media M. Under the control of the processor 163, the discharge unit 156 discharges media M to the media receiving unit 200.

[0040] The processor 163 controls the image forming unit 130. The image forming unit 130 forms an image indicated by the image information on the medium M. The medium M on which the image has been formed is discharged to the medium receiving unit 200.

[0041] The processor 163 controls the RFID module 153. The RFID module 153 includes an arithmetic unit and a storage unit. The RFID module 153 writes information to a wireless tag attached to the medium M1. The RFID module 153 also reads information from the wireless tag attached to the medium M1. The information that the RFID module 153 reads from the wireless tag includes, for example, tag identification information (e.g., UID: Unique Identifier) that uniquely identifies the wireless tag.

[0042] The external interface 164 is an image acquisition unit that acquires image information and transmits and receives data to and from an external device. The external device is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smart device. The external interface 164 receives data or instructions transmitted from the external device. The instructions transmitted from the external device are, for example, a print job. The data transmitted from the external device are, for example, writing information and image information associated with the writing information. The external interface 164 also operates as an output interface and transmits data to the external device.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of a processor of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 3, the processor 163 includes a control unit 1631, a communication result determination unit 1632, a divided area specification unit 1633, an image formation determination unit 1634, and an output unit 1635. The processor 163 executes a program stored in the storage device 161 to realize the functions of each unit.

[0044] The control unit 1631 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 1631 determines whether or not there is an image forming job, and when it receives an image forming job, it controls the execution of the received image forming job.

[0045] The communication result determination unit 1632 determines the communication result between the RFID module 153 and one or more wireless tags T attached to the supplied medium M. The communication result determination unit 1632 determines whether or not information was able to be read from the wireless tag T, and whether or not information was able to be written to the wireless tag T.

[0046] The divided area identification unit 1633 identifies a plurality of divided areas of the supplied medium M based on information obtained from a plurality of RFID tags T attached to the supplied medium M. The divided area identification unit 1633 identifies a predetermined divided area corresponding to a predetermined RFID tag T based on tag management information read from the predetermined RFID tag T.

[0047] The image formation determination unit 1634 determines whether or not to form an image in each divided area based on the communication result. For example, when the image formation determination unit 1634 is able to read information from a predetermined RFID tag T and write information to the predetermined RFID tag T, it determines to form an image in a predetermined divided area corresponding to the predetermined RFID tag T. Furthermore, when the image formation determination unit 1634 is able to read information from the predetermined RFID tag T but is unable to write information to the predetermined RFID tag T, it determines not to form an image in a predetermined divided area corresponding to the predetermined RFID tag T.

[0048] Based on the determination result, the output unit 1635 outputs a first signal that causes an image to be formed or a second signal that does not cause an image to be formed.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of media processed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The medium M1 has RFID tags T1, T2, and T3. The RFID tags T1, T2, and T3 are arranged along the sub-scanning direction, which is the direction in which the medium M1 is transported. The medium M1 also has divided areas E1, E2, and E3 corresponding to the RFID tags T1, T2, and T3. The divided areas E1, E2, and E3 are collectively referred to as divided area E.

[0050] In this embodiment, a medium M1 having three RFID tags and three divided areas will be described, but it is sufficient if there are multiple RFID tags T, and the number of divided areas E is sufficient as long as it corresponds to the number of RFID tags. Note that although the supplied medium M1 does not have boundaries or the like between the divided areas E, they may be provided.

[0051] The supply unit 141 transports the media M1 and M2 in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction as the media transport direction.

[0052] For example, the RFID processing unit 150 limits the communication range and communicates with each RFID tag T of the transported medium M1 in sequence. The RFID processing unit 150 limits the communication range by narrowing the output of the radio waves transmitted from the antenna to a predetermined range or narrowing the directivity of the radio waves to a predetermined range. The communication range may also be limited by a slit disposed between the antenna and the RFID tag. The processor 163 can use the communication results with the RFID tags T obtained in sequence to sequentially form images or not form images in multiple divided areas E corresponding to multiple RFID tags T.

[0053] Alternatively, the RFID processing unit 150 may collectively communicate with multiple RFID tags T of the transported medium M1. The processor 163 recognizes the positional relationship between the multiple RFID tags T arranged on the medium M1 and the multiple divided areas E corresponding to the multiple RFID tags T, based on tag management information read from the RFID tags T or tag management information stored in the storage device 161 or the like. The processor 163 can use the recognized positional relationship and the results of communication with the multiple RFID tags T to sequentially form images or not form images on the multiple divided areas E corresponding to the multiple RFID tags T.

[0054] [Operation] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of communication processing and image forming processing according to the embodiment. The control unit 1631 determines whether or not there is an image formation job (ACT1). When the control unit 1631 receives an image formation job based on image information generated by the image reading unit 110 or image information received via the external interface 164, it starts the received image formation job (ACT1, YES).

[0055] The control unit 1631 detects the operation timing for forming an image on a medium M based on the received image formation job, and controls the operation of each unit. The image formation job may be a job indicating image formation on one medium M1 or M2, or may be a job indicating a series of image formation on multiple media M1 or M2. The processing of a job indicating a series of image formation on multiple media M1 will be described below.

[0056] The supply unit 141 supplies the medium M1 based on the operation timing for forming an image of the received image forming job (ACT2).

[0057] The RFID processing unit 150 sequentially communicates wirelessly with a plurality of wireless tags T1-T3 corresponding to a plurality of divided areas E1-E3 of the medium M1 according to the timing when the medium M1 passes through the communication area. First, the RFID processing unit 150 communicates with the wireless tag T1 and reads information from the wireless tag T1 (ACT3). The communication result determination unit 1632 determines whether or not the information has been successfully read based on the communication result between the RFID processing unit 150 and the wireless tag T1 (ACT4).

[0058] If the information reading fails (ACT4, NO), the control unit 1631 executes error processing (ACT6). For example, the error processing causes the ejection unit 156 to eject the medium M1 being fed, the control unit 1631 to temporarily suspend the image forming job, and the display 121 to output information related to the communication error.

[0059] If the information is successfully read (ACT4, YES), the divided area specifying unit 1633 specifies the divided area E1 on the medium M1 based on the tag identification information etc. included in the read information (ACT5). For example, the divided area specifying unit 1633 specifies the divided area E1 based on the tag management information included in the read information or the tag management information stored in the storage device 161 in addition to the tag identification information (ACT5). The tag management information includes tag position information and the total number of tags.

[0060] When the divided area E1 is identified, the RFID processing unit 150 writes information to the wireless tag T1 (ACT 7). The communication result determination unit 1632 determines whether or not the information has been successfully written based on the communication result from the RFID processing unit 150 (ACT 8).

[0061] If the information writing is successful (ACT8, YES), the image formation determination unit 1634 determines to form an image in the divided area E1 (ACT9). If the information writing is unsuccessful (ACT8, NO), the image formation determination unit 1634 determines not to form an image in the divided area E1 (ACT10).

[0062] The output unit 1635 outputs a signal according to the communication result. That is, if it is determined that an image is to be formed in the divided area E1, the output unit 1635 outputs a signal for forming an image in the divided area E1 (ACT11). The image forming unit 130 forms the specified image in the divided area E1 based on the output signal (ACT13).

[0063] Furthermore, if it is determined that an image is not to be formed in the divided region E1, the output unit 1635 outputs a signal for not forming an image in the divided region E1 (ACT12). Based on the output signal, the image forming unit 130 does not form an image in the divided region E1.

[0064] When the control unit 1631 has finished processing based on communication with the RFID tag T1 and has detected based on the tag management information that there is a next RFID tag T2 in the medium M1 (ACT14, YES), it continues processing from ACT3 onwards for the next RFID tag T2. Furthermore, when the control unit 1631 has finished processing based on communication with the RFID tag T2 and has detected based on the tag management information that there is a next RFID tag T3 in the medium M1 (ACT14, YES), it continues processing from ACT3 onwards for the next RFID tag T3.

[0065] If the control unit 1631 detects that there is no next wireless tag TX in the media M1 (ST14, NO), after completing processing based on communication with the wireless tags T1, T2, and T3 of the media M1, the ejection unit 156 ejects the media M1.

[0066] If image formation based on the currently executed image formation job remains, the control unit 1631 continues the image formation job (ACT15, NO).The supply unit 141 supplies the medium M again (ACT2).

[0067] When all processing based on the job being executed is completed, the control unit 1631 ends the job (ACT15, YES), transitions to standby mode, and waits for an image formation job again. When the standby mode is ended, all operations are ended.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output for forming an image corresponding to each divided area on one medium in the image forming process according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output for not forming an image corresponding to some divided areas on one medium in the image forming process according to the embodiment.

[0069] The media supply unit 141 transports the media M1 and detects the media M1 transported through the communication area of the RFID processing unit 150. For example, the media supply unit 141 has a sensor that outputs a media transport sensor signal S1 whose level changes depending on the detection period and non-detection period of the media M1 transported through the communication area.

[0070] The output unit 1635 outputs a media transport sensor signal S1, a sub-scanning print permission signal S2 synchronized with each divided area E, and print data D based on tag management information including the communication results between the RFID processing unit 150 and the wireless tag T and tag position information, etc.

[0071] 6, the output unit 1635 outputs a first level sub-scanning print enable signal S2 and print data D to form a predetermined image during the image formation period for the divided area E1 corresponding to the RFID tag T1 based on the success of writing information to the RFID tag T1. Furthermore, the output unit 1635 outputs a first level sub-scanning print enable signal S2 and print data D to form a predetermined image during the image formation period for the divided area E2 corresponding to the RFID tag T2 based on the success of writing information to the RFID tag T2. Furthermore, the output unit 1635 outputs a first level sub-scanning print enable signal S2 and print data D to form a predetermined image during the image formation period for the divided area E3 corresponding to the RFID tag T3 based on the success of writing information to the RFID tag T3.

[0072] The image forming unit 130 enables exposure operation based on the print data D during the output period of the first level sub-scanning print enable signal S2, and forms a predetermined image based on the print data D. This causes the predetermined image to be formed in the divided areas E1, E2, and E3. Note that the same image or different images may be formed in the divided areas E1, E2, and E3.

[0073] If writing of information to RFID tags T1 and T3 is successful but writing of information to RFID tag T2 fails, the output unit 1635 outputs each signal as shown in Figure 7. That is, based on the failure to write information to RFID tag T2, the output unit 1635 outputs a first-level sub-scanning print enable signal S2 during the image formation period for the divided area E2 corresponding to RFID tag T2, but outputs print data that does not form a predetermined image during this image formation period. For example, print data that does not form a predetermined image is print data that forms a white image. As a result, the predetermined image is not formed in divided area E2.

[0074] Alternatively, if writing of information to RFID tags T1 and T3 is successful but writing of information to RFID tag T2 fails, output unit 1635 may output a second-level sub-scanning print enable signal S2 during the image formation period for divided area E2 corresponding to RFID tag T2. Image forming unit 130 disables the exposure operation based on print data D during the output period of the second-level sub-scanning print enable signal S2, and therefore does not form an image during this period. In other words, even if print data D is output during this period, no image is formed in divided area E2.

[0075] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 forms or does not form an image in each divided area E based on a signal according to the results of communication with a plurality of RFID tags T corresponding to the plurality of divided areas E of one medium.

[0076] For example, the processor 163 reads first read information from a first RFID tag T corresponding to a first divided area E of one medium, and writes first write information to the first RFID tag T. If the reading and writing are successful, the processor 163 identifies the first divided area E based on tag management information related to the first RFID tag T included in the first read information, and outputs a signal to form an image in the first divided area E. As a result, the image forming unit 130 forms an image in the first divided area E based on this signal.

[0077] Furthermore, the processor 163 reads second read information from the second RFID tag T corresponding to the second divided area E of one medium, and writes second write information to the second RFID tag T. If the read is successful but the write is unsuccessful, the processor 163 identifies the second divided area E based on the tag management information for the second RFID tag T included in the second read information, and outputs a signal to prevent an image from being formed in the second divided area E. As a result, the image forming unit 130 does not form an image in the second divided area E based on this signal.

[0078] The image forming apparatus 100 can improve the utilization efficiency of a single medium to which multiple RFID tags T are attached. If multiple RFID tags T are attached to a single medium and an error occurs in some of the RFID tags T, the single medium will not be wasted. Also, by cutting the medium to fit multiple divided areas E, it is possible to create small-sized product tags. Even if an attempt is made to create small-sized product tags by attaching one RFID tag to a single small-sized medium, it is difficult to process small-sized media if the image forming apparatus 100 does not support such small sizes.

[0079] In the above description, the image formation determination unit 1634 determines whether or not to form an image for each divided area E on one medium M, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. If the image formation determination unit 1634 fails to write information to at least one RFID tag T on one medium M, it may determine not to form images on all divided areas E on this medium M. As a result, the image forming unit 130 does not form images on any divided areas on this medium M.

[0080] Alternatively, when information writing to the RFID tag T1 is successful, the image formation determination unit 1634 may determine to form a first image in the divided area E1 corresponding to the RFID tag T1 where writing was successful. Furthermore, when information writing to the RFID tag T2 is unsuccessful, the image formation determination unit 1634 may determine to form a second image in the divided area E2 corresponding to the RFID tag T2 where writing was unsuccessful. This allows the image forming unit 130 to form a first image in the divided area E1 corresponding to the RFID tag T1 where writing was successful, and a second image in the divided area E2 corresponding to the RFID tag T2 where writing was unsuccessful. By using the first image as management information for the product to which the RFID tag T2 is affixed and the second image as error information, it is possible to visually distinguish between the product tag in the divided area E1 and the product tag in the divided area E2.

[0081] Furthermore, when writing information to a RFID tag T has failed, the control unit 1631 may register the tag identification information of the RFID tag T for which writing has failed in an error list in the memory 162, regardless of whether an image is formed in the divided area E corresponding to the RFID tag T for which writing has failed. For example, a product tag used in units of divided area E is attached to a product or the like. A RFID tag reader reads the tag identification information from the RFID tag attached to the product tag, and an information management device such as a PC determines whether the read tag identification information is included in the error list. If the read tag identification information is included in the error list, the information management device outputs a product tag error. In this way, RFID tags T for which writing has failed can be managed.

[0082] Alternatively, the media receiving unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 may include multiple trays, and the image forming apparatus 100 may switch the destination of the media M depending on the communication result. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the ejection unit 156 ejects media M1 on which writing to all RFID tags T has been successful and images have been formed in all divided areas to a first tray. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the ejection unit 156 ejects media M1 on which writing to at least one RFID tag T has failed and images have not been formed in at least one divided area to a second tray. The user can distinguish between media M1 on which images have been formed in all divided areas and media M1 on which images have not been formed in at least one divided area. This can improve work efficiency.

[0083] The image forming apparatus 100 can also process a medium M2 that has one RFID tag T. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 can execute processing according to the medium M1 or M2 that is supplied.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output for forming an image corresponding to one wireless tag on one medium in the image forming process according to the embodiment. The media supply unit 141 transports the media M2 and detects the media M2 transported through the communication area of the RFID processing unit 150. For example, a sensor of the media supply unit 141 outputs a media transport sensor signal S1 whose level changes depending on the detection period and non-detection period of the media M2 transported through the communication area.

[0085] The output unit 1635 outputs a sub-scanning print enable signal S2 synchronized with the media transport sensor signal S1 and print data D based on the communication result between the RFID processing unit 150 and the wireless tag T. As shown in FIG. 8, the output unit 1635 outputs a first-level sub-scanning print enable signal S2 and print data D for forming a predetermined image during the image formation period for the area corresponding to the wireless tag T0 (the entire medium M2) based on the successful writing of information to the wireless tag T0. The image forming unit 130 enables an exposure operation based on the print data D during the output period of the first-level sub-scanning print enable signal S2, and forms a predetermined image based on the print data D. As a result, the predetermined image is formed on the area of the medium M2.

[0086] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100...Image forming apparatus 110...Image reading unit 120…Control Panel 121...Display 130...Image forming unit 131...Image transfer unit 132...Fixing part 140...Media storage section 141...Supply section 150...RFID processing unit 153...RFID module 154...Antenna board 156…Discharge section 157...Reverse route 158...Resist section 161...Storage device 162...Memory 163...Processor 164...External interface 170...System bus 200...Media Receiving Section 210…Tray 1631...Control unit 1632…Communication result determination unit 1633...Divided area identification part 1634...Image formation determination section 1635...Output section

Claims

1. a supply unit that supplies media with a plurality of wireless tags attached thereto; a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the plurality of wireless tags corresponding to the plurality of divided areas of the medium; a processor that outputs a signal according to the results of communication with the plurality of wireless tags; an image forming unit that forms or does not form an image in each divided area based on the signal; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor outputs a first signal to form an image on a first divided area of the media based on successful communication with a first wireless tag corresponding to the first divided area of the media.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor outputs a second signal that prevents an image from being formed in the second divided area of the media based on a failure in communication with a second wireless tag corresponding to the second divided area of the media.

4. The processor: reading first read information from the first wireless tag and writing first write information to the first wireless tag, identifying the first divided area based on information about the first wireless tag included in the first read information; 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second read information is read from the second wireless tag, and if the second write information cannot be written to the second wireless tag, the second divided area is identified based on information about the second wireless tag contained in the second read information.

5. the supply unit transports the medium along a sub-scanning direction; the wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates with the plurality of wireless tags arranged along the sub-scanning direction, 3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the image forming section forms images in the first divided area in sequence, with a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction being one line.

Images