Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that is configured so that radio communication with a radio tag attached to media is utilized to improve efficiency or convenience.SOLUTION: An image forming device according to an embodiment comprises a supply part, a communication part, an image forming part, an ejecting part and a processor. The supply part supplies media to which a radio tag is attached. The communication part transmits radio waves with first output for communicating with the radio tag on the basis of settings of a first communication mode, and transmits radio waves with second output which is higher than the first output for communicating with the radio tag on the basis of settings of a second communication mode. The image forming part forms images on the media. The ejecting part ejects the media having the images formed thereon to a receiving part. The processor sets the first communication mode in accordance with a timing of operating an image formation job, sets the second communication mode in accordance with a first timing of detecting the media except for the timing of operating the job, and outputs a signal in accordance with a communicated result by the first or the second communication mode.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.

[0003] For example, the image forming device may connect to an optional tray and detect the accumulation status of media ejected to the optional tray based on a signal from an optical sensor in the optional tray, or may count the number of ejected media to detect the accumulation status of media ejected to the ejection tray, or may communicate with the wireless tags of the ejected media to detect the accumulation status of media ejected to the ejection tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-193484 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-201968 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If an optional tray is not connected to an image forming device, it is not possible to detect the media accumulation status using the optional tray. Even if an optional tray is not used, an optical sensor is required to detect media on the image forming device's output tray. In order to accurately detect the media loading status using the count value of the media being ejected, it is necessary to use an optical sensor or other device to detect the removal of media ejected to the output tray. Furthermore, the radio wave output of a reader / writer that communicates with the wireless tags on media transported inside the device may be insufficient, making it unable to communicate with the wireless tags on media ejected to the output tray and therefore unable to accurately detect the loading status.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can improve efficiency and convenience by utilizing wireless communication with a wireless tag attached to a medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a supply unit, a communication unit, an image forming unit, a discharge unit, and a processor. The supply unit supplies media with a wireless tag attached. The communication unit transmits radio waves with a first output power for communicating with the wireless tag based on a first communication mode setting, and transmits radio waves with a second output power higher than the first output power for communicating with the wireless tag based on a second communication mode setting. The image forming unit forms an image on the media. The discharge unit discharges the media with the image formed thereon to a receiving unit. The processor sets the first communication mode in accordance with the operation timing of an image forming job, sets the second communication mode in accordance with a first media detection timing excluding the operation timing, and outputs a signal in accordance with the communication result in the first or second communication mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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 diagram illustrating communication between the RFID processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the wireless tag of the medium. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating communication between the RFID processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the wireless tag of the medium. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating communication between the RFID processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the wireless tag of the medium. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing an example of the overall process in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of the first half of the image forming job processing in the overall processing. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of the latter half of the image forming job processing in the overall processing. [Figure 8D] FIG. 8D is a diagram showing an example of the media detection process in the overall process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] For example, a wireless tag T is attached to one side of the medium M. The wireless tag T is a tag that uses RFID technology and is also called an RFID tag. The wireless tag T includes identification information and the like.

[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] The image forming unit 130 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. 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 the 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The media storage unit 140 stores media M used for image formation in the image forming unit 130. The media storage unit 140 includes one or more cassettes. In this embodiment, the media storage unit 140 includes cassettes C1, C2, and C3. For example, cassettes C1, C2, and C3 store media M with a wireless tag T attached thereto.

[0017] 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.

[0018] Next, the interior of image forming apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 the media M. The media M supplied by the supply unit 141 also passes through a first 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 first communication area. For example, the specific supply roller is a registration roller.

[0026] Discharge section 156 discharges media M that has been conveyed inside image forming apparatus 100. Discharge section 156 is configured with discharge rollers.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The RFID processing unit 150 is a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag T of a medium M that passes through a first 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 RFID tag T of a medium M that is fed from the media storage unit 140 or the manual feed tray and passes through the first communication area, and transmits information to be written to the RFID tag T. For example, the antenna wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag T of a medium M that passes through the supply roller of the supply unit 141. The center of the first communication area is located a first distance from the center of the antenna formed on the antenna board 154, and the antenna transmits radio waves with a first output to communicate with the RFID tag T in the first communication area.

[0030] The media receiving unit 200 receives media M discharged from the discharge unit 156. The media receiving unit 200 includes a tray 210. The media receiving unit 200 also includes a second communication area located a second distance from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate 154, and a third communication area located a third distance from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate 154. For example, the distance from the center of the second communication area to the center of the antenna is defined as the second distance, and the distance from the center of the third communication area to the center of the antenna is defined as the third distance. The second distance is farther than the first distance, and the third distance is farther than the second distance. The antenna transmits radio waves with a second output power higher than the first output power to communicate with the RFID tag T in the second communication area, and transmits radio waves with a third output power higher than the second output power to communicate with the RFID tag T in the third communication area.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The media storage unit 140 stores media M with RFID tags T attached thereto.

[0033] 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.

[0034] The storage device 161 is, for example, a hard disk or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various data. The various data are print jobs received from an external communication device and software programs for controlling the operation of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The print jobs include image information to be printed on the medium M.

[0035] 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 may store 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 M. 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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 M. The RFID module 153 also reads information from the wireless tag attached to the medium M. The information that the RFID module 153 reads from the wireless tag includes, for example, identification information (e.g., UID: Unique Identifier) that uniquely identifies the wireless tag.

[0041] 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 operates as an input interface and receives data or instructions transmitted from the external device. The instructions transmitted from the external device are, for example, print jobs. 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.

[0042] 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 setting unit 1632, and an output unit 1633. The processor 163 executes a program stored in the storage device 161 to realize the functions of each unit.

[0043] The control unit 1631 detects the operation timing for forming an image on the medium M based on the received image forming job and controls the operation of each unit. Furthermore, the control unit 1631 determines, based on the setting information stored in the memory 162, whether or not it is the first or second media detection timing for detecting the presence or absence of media on the tray 210 of the media receiving unit 200.

[0044] The setting unit 1632 sets a first communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 in accordance with the operation timing for forming an image on the medium M. The setting unit 1632 sets a second or third communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 in accordance with the first or second media detection timing and the size of the media M.

[0045] The output unit 1633 outputs a signal according to the result of communication in the first, second, or third communication mode.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of media processed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the medium M has a wireless tag T on one side. For example, the image forming unit 130 forms an image on the other side of the medium M. For example, the wireless tag T is located near the leading edge of the medium M. The medium M is transported with the wireless tag T located at the leading edge at the front. For example, the discharge unit 156 discharges the medium M to the tray 210 with the wireless tag T at the front. Therefore, as the size of the medium M increases, the distance between the antenna board 154 of the RFID processing unit 150 and the wireless tag T of the medium M discharged to the tray 210 increases.

[0047] 5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating communication between the RFID processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment and the wireless tag of the medium. As shown in Figure 5, the RFID processing unit 150 transmits radio waves of a first output based on the setting of the first communication mode, and communicates wirelessly with the radio tag T of the media M passing through the first communication area located between the supply unit 141 and the media receiving unit 200.

[0048] The media receiving unit 200 loads the media M to be ejected. As shown in Figure 6, the RFID processing unit 150, based on the setting of the second communication mode, transmits radio waves with a second output power greater than the first output power, and wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag T of the loaded media M of the first size.

[0049] The media receiving section 200 receives the media M to be ejected. As shown in FIG. 7, the RFID processing section 150 transmits radio waves with a third output power greater than the second output power based on the setting of the third communication mode, and wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag T of the loaded media M of a second size. The second size is greater than the first size. Therefore, the distance from the antenna board 154 of the RFID processing section 150 shown in FIG. 6 to the wireless tag T of the media M ejected to the media receiving section 200 is longer than the distance from the antenna board 154 of the RFID processing section 150 shown in FIG. 5 to the wireless tag T of the media M ejected to the media receiving section 200. [Operation] Fig. 8A is a flowchart showing an example of overall processing in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Fig. 8B is a diagram showing an example of first half processing of an image formation job in overall processing. Fig. 8C is a diagram showing an example of second half processing of an image formation job in overall processing. Fig. 8D is a diagram showing an example of media detection processing in overall processing.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 1631 of the processor 163 determines whether the current timing corresponds to the first media detection timing for detecting the presence or absence of media M on the tray 210 of the media receiving unit 200, based on the setting information stored in the memory 162 (ACT1). Here, it is assumed that the setting information includes information specifying the execution of media detection at a fixed cycle, excluding the operation timing for forming an image on the media M based on an image formation job. In this case, the control unit 1631 determines that the current timing corresponds to the first media detection timing at a fixed cycle, excluding the operation timing for forming an image on the media M (ACT1, YES), and executes media detection processing (ACT8) to detect the presence or absence of media on the tray 210 of the media receiving unit 200. The media detection processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 8D.

[0051] When the control unit 1631 determines based on the setting information that it does not correspond to the first media detection timing (ACT1, NO), it determines whether or not an image formation job exists. 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 determines that an image formation job exists and starts the received image formation job (ACT2, YES). The image formation job will be explained by dividing it into a job first half process (ACT3) and a job exchange process (ACT5).

[0052] The control unit 1631 detects the operation timing for forming an image on the 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 sheet of medium M, or may be a job indicating a series of image formation on multiple sheets of media M.

[0053] Next, the first half of the job (ACT3) will be described with reference to Figure 8B. The supply unit 141 supplies the medium M in accordance with the operation timing of forming an image on the medium M (ACT31). The setting unit 1632 sets the first communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 in accordance with the operation timing of forming an image on the medium M (ACT32). For example, the setting unit 1632 sets the first communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 in accordance with the operation timing of supplying the medium M.

[0054] Based on the setting of the first communication mode, the antenna of the antenna board 154 transmits radio waves of a first output for communicating with the RFID tag T of the medium M. When the medium M supplied by the supply unit 141 passes through the first communication area, the RFID processing unit 150 communicates with the RFID tag T of the passing medium M, reads information from the RFID tag T, and transmits information to be written to the RFID tag T (ACT33).

[0055] If the communication fails (ACT34, NO), the control unit 1631 executes error processing (ACT35). For example, the error processing causes the ejection unit 156 to eject the medium M being fed, the control unit 1631 to temporarily suspend the image formation job, and the display 121 to output information related to the communication error. As shown in FIG. 8B, once the error processing (ACT35) is completed, the processing transitions to ACT6. Note that this transition is not shown in FIG. 8A.

[0056] If the communication is successful (ACT34, YES), as shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 1631 determines whether it is the second media detection timing based on the setting information stored in the memory 162 (ACT4). Here, it is assumed that the setting information includes information specifying the execution of media detection after communication in the first communication mode during execution of an image formation job. "After communication" refers to after communication in the first communication mode is successful. In other words, in an image formation job, the RFID processing unit 150 communicates with the wireless tag T of the supplied media M, and after the communication is successful, the control unit 1631 executes media detection processing (ACT8). If the image formation job includes image formation on multiple media M, the control unit 1631 executes media detection processing (ACT8) at the timing between forming images on each media M.

[0057] Next, the media detection process (ACT8) will be described with reference to FIG. 8D. As shown in Fig. 8A, when the control unit 1631 determines that it is the second media detection timing (ACT4, YES), media detection processing (ACT8) is executed. As shown in Fig. 8D, when the setting unit 1632 detects that the size of the media M is the first size (ACT81, YES), the setting unit 1632 sets the second communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 based on the detection of the first size (ACT82). The size of the media M is detected by the supply unit 141 or the like.

[0058] Based on the setting of the second communication mode, the antenna of the antenna board 154 transmits radio waves with a second output power higher than the first output power for communicating with the RFID tag T of the media M. When the media M supplied by the supply unit 141 is loaded onto the tray 210 of the media receiving unit 200, which includes the second communication area, the RFID processing unit 150 communicates with the RFID tag T of the loaded media M and reads information from the RFID tag T (ACT83).

[0059] Furthermore, when the setting unit 1632 detects that the size of the media M is a second size larger than the first size (ACT81, NO), it sets the third communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 based on the detection of the second size (ACT85).

[0060] Based on the setting of the third communication mode, the antenna of the antenna board 154 transmits radio waves with a third output power higher than the second output power for communicating with the RF tag T of the media M. When the media M supplied by the supply unit 141 is loaded onto the tray 210 of the media receiving unit 200, which includes the third communication area, the RFID processing unit 150 communicates with the RF tag T of the loaded media M and reads information from the RF tag T (ACT83).

[0061] If the control unit 1631 is successful in reading from the wireless tag T (ACT84, YES), it determines that there is media M loaded on the tray 210. If the image formation job started in ACT2 is currently being executed (ACT9, YES), the process transitions to the latter half of the job (ACT5) shown in FIG. 8C, and the output unit 1633 outputs a signal permitting image formation (ACT51). If the media M loaded on the tray 210 is removed, the RFID processing unit 150 cannot communicate with the wireless tag T and fails to read the information from the wireless tag T. If the control unit 1631 fails to read from the wireless tag T (ACT84, NO), it determines that there are no media M loaded on the tray 210. The output unit 1633 outputs a signal to clear the count value stored in the memory 162 (ACT86). The count value is the count value of the media M ejected by the ejection unit 156. This causes the control unit 1631 to clear the count value stored in the memory 162 (ACT87). For example, clearing the count value returns the count value to its initial value.

[0062] In addition, if the setting unit 1632 sets the second communication mode (ACT82) and fails to read from the wireless tag T (ACT84, NO), it may set the third communication mode for the RFID processing unit 150 and retry reading from the wireless tag T.

[0063] If the image formation job started in ACT2 is currently being executed (ACT9, YES), the process transitions to the latter half of the job process shown in FIG. 8C, and the output unit 1633 outputs a signal permitting image formation (ACT51).

[0064] 8C, the image forming unit 130 forms an image on the medium M based on the image formation permission signal (ACT 52). The ejection unit 156 ejects the medium M on which the image has been formed (ACT 53).

[0065] The control unit 1631 counts the media M ejected by the ejection unit 156 (ACT 54) and stores the count value in the memory 162. The control unit 1631 determines whether the count value exceeds a threshold value (ACT 55).

[0066] If the count value exceeds the threshold value (ACT55, YES), the control unit 1631 executes error processing (ACT56). For example, the error processing causes the discharge unit 156 to discharge the medium M on which the image has been formed, and the control unit 1631 suspends the image formation job. Furthermore, the control unit 1631 instructs the output of information indicating that the tray 210 is full, and the display 121 outputs information indicating that the tray 210 is full.

[0067] If the count value does not exceed the threshold value (ACT55, NO) and image formation based on the currently executed image formation job remains, the control unit 1631 continues the image formation job (ACT6, NO). The supply unit 141 again supplies the medium M (ACT31).

[0068] When all image formation based on the job being executed is completed, the control unit 1631 ends the job (ACT6, YES), transitions to standby mode (ACT7, YES), and again determines whether it is the first media detection timing (ACT1). If the standby mode is to be ended (ACT7, NO), all operations are completed.

[0069] Note that if the first media detection timing occurs (ACT1, YES) and the media detection process (ACT8) is executed, a notification that media M has been left behind may be sent. For example, if the control unit 1631 is successful in reading from the RFID tag T (ACT84, YES), it determines that media M has been loaded on the tray 210. Because an image formation job is not currently being executed, the control unit 1631 determines that media M has been left behind. The control unit 1631 instructs the output of information indicating that media M has been left behind, and the display 121 outputs the information indicating that media M has been left behind.

[0070] Furthermore, when the second media detection timing is met (ACT4, YES) and the media detection process (ACT8) is executed, the receiving status of the media M may be managed and notified. The control unit 1631 stores the identification information read from the RFID tag T as ejected media information in the memory 162 through communication with the RFID tag T in the image formation job (ACT32 to ACT34). The control unit 1631 also stores the identification information read from the RFID tag T as waiting-to-receive media information in the memory 162 through communication with the RFID tag T in the media detection process (ACT82 to ACT85). The identification information that is the difference between the identification information in the ejected media information and the identification information in the waiting-to-receive media information becomes the received media information.

[0071] The control unit 1631 instructs the output of ejected media information, waiting media information, and received media information, and the display 121 outputs this information. For example, the control unit 1631 may instruct the output of information indicating that 100 media M have been ejected, 40 media M are waiting to be received, and 60 (100 - 40) media M have been received, based on the ejected media information, waiting media information, and received media information.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above explanation, the process of switching the communication mode depending on the size of the media M (ACT81, ACT82, and ACT85) has been described, but it is also possible to use the position information of the RFID tag T in the media M. For example, the setting information stored in the memory 162 includes the position information of the RFID tag T. The setting unit 1632 estimates the communication distance based on the size of the detected media M and the position information of the RFID tag T stored in the memory 162, and selects the second or third communication mode depending on the communication distance.

[0073] For example, consider a case where the RFID tag T of a media M to be processed is located toward the rear end of the media M, and the media M to be processed is transported with the RFID tag T located at the rear end at the end. In other words, the discharge unit 156 discharges the media M to be processed to the tray 210 with the RFID tag T at the end. Therefore, regardless of the size of the media M to be processed, the distance between the antenna board 154 of the RFID processor 150 and the RFID tag T of the media M to be processed discharged to the tray 210 will be constant. In this case, the setting unit 1632 selects the second communication mode based on the size information of the media M and the position information of the RFID tag T.

[0074] Furthermore, although the above description does not refer to whether a finisher is connected to image forming apparatus 100, the communication mode may be switched based on whether a finisher is connected. For example, when a finisher having a full detection center is connected to image forming apparatus 100, the setting information stored in memory 162 stores option information indicating that a finisher having a full detection center is connected. Based on the option information, the communication mode is not switched, and the first communication mode is set at a predetermined timing (ACT32).

[0075] It is not necessary to set the second or third communication mode every time the second media detection occurs. In other words, it is not necessary to set the second or third communication mode every time a medium M is fed. For example, the threshold value that determines whether the tray is full can be adjusted, and the second or third communication mode can be set and full detection can be performed every time five sheets of media M are fed.

[0076] According to the image forming apparatus described above, it is possible to improve efficiency and convenience by utilizing wireless communication with the wireless tag attached to the medium.

[0077] The image forming apparatus 100 sets a first communication mode in which radio waves of a first output are transmitted in accordance with the operation timing of the image forming job, and sets a second communication mode in which radio waves of a second output higher than the first output are transmitted in accordance with the first media detection timing excluding the operation timing. The image forming apparatus 100 also sets the second communication mode in accordance with the second media detection timing after communication in the first communication mode.

[0078] At the operation timing of an image formation job, the RFID processing unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the RFID tag T using radio waves of a first output, as the RFID tag T of the communication partner passes within a short distance, and transmits and receives the necessary data. At the first or second media detection timing, the RFID processing unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the RFID tag T using radio waves of a second output, as the distance to the RFID tag T of the communication partner becomes longer. A single RFID processing unit 150 can communicate with RF tags T with different communication distances.

[0079] Image forming device 100 sets the second communication mode at the first or second media detection timing and detects whether media M are present on tray 210 of media receiving unit 200. Image forming device 100 counts the ejection of media M, stores the count value, and determines that tray 210 is full of media M when the count value exceeds a threshold value.

[0080] When image forming apparatus 100 detects, based on the results of communication in the second communication mode, that media M have been removed from tray 210, it resets the count value. In this way, image forming apparatus 100 can accurately detect the stacking status of media M on tray 210 based on the count value that is reset when media M are removed from tray 210. There is no need to provide an optical sensor to detect media M on tray 210, which reduces the cost of image forming apparatus 100.

[0081] Furthermore, image forming device 100 sets either a second communication mode in which radio waves with a second output power are transmitted, or a third communication mode in which radio waves with a third output power higher than the second output power are transmitted, depending on the size of media M. This allows image forming device 100 to communicate with large-sized media M on tray 210, even when the size of media M is large and the communication distance is long, and allows image forming device 100 to accurately detect the stacking status of media M on tray 210.

[0082] 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]

[0083] 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...Settings section 1633...Output section

Claims

1. a supply unit that supplies media with a wireless tag attached; a communication unit that transmits radio waves of a first output power for communicating with the wireless tag based on a first communication mode setting, and transmits radio waves of a second output power higher than the first output power for communicating with the wireless tag based on a second communication mode setting; an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium; a discharge section that discharges the medium on which the image is formed to a receiving section; a processor that sets the first communication mode in accordance with an operation timing of an image forming job, sets the second communication mode in accordance with a first media detection timing other than the operation timing, and outputs a signal in accordance with a communication result in the first or second communication mode; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor sets the second communication mode in response to a second media detection timing after communication in the first communication mode.

3. the communication unit includes an antenna for transmitting the radio waves, the first output is a radio wave output for communicating with the wireless tag of the medium that is located between the supply unit and the receiving unit and that passes through or pauses in a first communication area that is located a first distance from the antenna; 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second output is a radio wave output for communicating with the wireless tag of the media in a second communication area located in the receiving section and at a second distance from the antenna that is farther than the first distance.

4. The processor: a count value obtained by counting the number of media discharged by the discharge unit and storing the count value in a memory, and outputting a signal indicating an excess when the count value exceeds a threshold value; 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a signal outputting a signal to clear the count value when it is detected based on the communication result in the second communication mode that no media is present in the receiving section.

5. The processor: based on detection of a media of a first size, setting the second communication mode in accordance with the media detection timing; based on detection of a media of a second size larger than the first size, setting a third communication mode in accordance with the media detection timing; The communication unit 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus transmits radio waves at a third output power higher than the second output power for communicating with the wireless tag based on the setting of the third communication mode.

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