Control device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of shortening the time required to write tag information into wireless tags.SOLUTION: A control device controls an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a print medium to which a plurality of wireless tags are attached. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, an interface unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores, for each of the plurality of wireless tags, a mask pattern and tag information associated with the mask pattern. The interface unit is connected to a wireless tag communication device that writes tag information to the wireless tags. The control unit repeatedly transmits, via the interface unit, for each mask pattern stored in the storage unit, the tag information associated with the mask pattern, a selection command for selecting the wireless tag associated with the mask pattern from among the plurality of wireless tags, and a write command for causing the wireless tag communication device to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a control device and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a print medium to which a plurality of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are attached. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-118471 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus such as that described in Patent Document 1, after conveying a print medium to a position where tag information is written to multiple RFID tags, the image forming apparatus detects each RFID tag. The image forming apparatus then writes tag information to each detected RFID tag. However, the time required to detect multiple RFID tags increases as the number of RFID tags attached to the print medium increases. This reduces user convenience and is undesirable.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control device and an image forming apparatus that can reduce the time required to write tag information to a wireless tag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device of the embodiment is a control device that controls an image forming device that forms an image on a print medium to which multiple wireless tags are attached. The image forming device has a memory unit, an interface unit, and a control unit. The memory unit stores a mask pattern and tag information associated with the mask pattern for each of multiple wireless tags. The interface unit is connected to a wireless tag communication device that writes tag information to the multiple wireless tags. For each mask pattern stored in the memory unit, the control unit repeatedly transmits to the wireless tag communication device via the interface unit the tag information associated with the mask pattern, a selection command for selecting a wireless tag associated with the mask pattern from among the multiple wireless tags, and a write command for causing the wireless tag communication device to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a tagged print medium. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control device 110. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in which the image forming apparatus 1 performs writing and printing processing. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in which the RFID tag communication device 13 writes tag information to the RFID tag. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. As an example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, an image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0009] (Configuration of image forming device) The configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that forms an image on a print medium. For convenience of explanation, forming an image on a print medium will be referred to as printing an image on the print medium. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral, a copier, a printer, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 is placed, for example, in a workplace. The print medium is a medium on which the image forming apparatus 1 performs processing such as printing an image. The print medium may be any sheet-like medium on which an image can be printed on at least one of both sides. For example, the print medium may be a sticker mount, printing paper, plastic film, etc.

[0011] In response to an operation received from a user, the image forming apparatus 1 identifies the type of print medium to be processed as desired by the user. Print media are classified by size, thickness, material, and whether or not a wireless tag is included. A print medium with a wireless tag is a print medium to which multiple wireless tags are attached. A print medium without a wireless tag is a print medium without a wireless tag attached. For ease of explanation, a print medium with a wireless tag will be referred to as a tagged print medium, and a print medium without a wireless tag will be referred to as a tagless print medium.

[0012] The wireless tag is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, but is not limited to this. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tag-bearing print medium. Print medium PPA shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a tag-bearing print medium. Print medium PPA is a sticker mount having four stickers. Each of wireless tags TGA to TGD shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a wireless tag attached to each of the four stickers on print medium PPA, which is a sticker mount. Each of wireless tags TGA to TGD has an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip and an antenna. The IC chip is an IC chip that writes / reads tag information. The antenna is connected to the IC chip and receives tag information written to the IC chip and transmits tag information read from the IC chip. In FIG. 2, for simplicity, each of wireless tags TGA to TGD is drawn as a rectangular object with rounded corners.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 prints an image on a pre-specified type of print medium in response to an operation received from a user. For example, if the type of print medium pre-specified in response to the operation received from the user is a tagged print medium, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a writing and printing process on the tagged print medium. The writing and printing process includes a writing process that writes tag information to each of the tagged print medium's multiple wireless tags and a printing process that prints an image on the tagged print medium. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 starts transporting the tagged print medium. After starting transport of the tagged print medium, the image forming apparatus 1 waits until the tagged print medium reaches a predetermined writing position RA on the transport path through which the tagged print medium passes. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the writing position RA is a position located before two registration rollers 24, among the positions at which the tagged print medium can be positioned as it is transported by the image forming apparatus 1. After the tagged print medium reaches the write position RA, the image forming apparatus 1 temporarily stops transporting the tagged print medium and writes tag information to each of the multiple wireless tags. After writing tag information to each of the multiple wireless tags is complete, the image forming apparatus 1 resumes transporting the tagged print medium to which the multiple wireless tags are attached and prints an image on the tagged print medium. After printing the image on the tagged print medium, the image forming apparatus 1 heats the tagged print medium on which the image has been printed to fix the image to the tagged print medium. After fixing the image to the tagged print medium, the image forming apparatus 1 ejects the tagged print medium with the fixed image. The image forming apparatus 1 performs the above-described processing as a writing and printing process for the tagged print medium. The aforementioned forming process is the processing related to printing an image on the tagged print medium, which is included in the writing and printing process. The above-mentioned writing process is a process included in the writing and printing process, and is a process related to writing tag information to each of the multiple wireless tags of the tag-bearing print medium.

[0014] Unlike conventional image forming apparatuses, image forming apparatuses differ from image forming apparatus 1 in that, for example, after conveying tag-bearing print media to a position where tag information is written to each of a plurality of wireless tags, the image forming apparatus detects each individual wireless tag. The image forming apparatus then writes tag information to each detected wireless tag. However, the time required to detect multiple wireless tags increases as the number of wireless tags attached to the print media increases. This reduces user convenience and is undesirable.

[0015] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 selects each of the multiple wireless tags included in the tag-bearing print medium one by one, and writes tag information to each selected wireless tag. This eliminates the need for the image forming apparatus 1 to detect each individual wireless tag, eliminating the time required to detect a wireless tag and, as a result, shortening the time required to write tag information to a wireless tag. The method by which the image forming apparatus 1 selects each of the multiple wireless tags one by one will be described later.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, a printer unit 11, a control panel 12, a wireless tag communication device 13, a manual feed tray TA, and a paper discharge tray TB. The image forming apparatus 1 may include other members, other devices, etc. in addition to the printer unit 11, the control panel 12, the wireless tag communication device 13, the manual feed tray TA, and the paper discharge tray TB. The image forming apparatus 1 may not include the wireless tag communication device 13. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the wireless tag communication device 13 from outside so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0017] The printer unit 11 carries out operations such as conveying a print medium and printing an image on the print medium.

[0018] The control panel 12 includes an operation reception section and a display section.

[0019] The operation reception unit receives operations from a user. The operation reception unit is an input device, such as a touchpad, input keys, etc. The operation reception unit outputs information indicating the operations received from the user to the control device 110, which will be described later.

[0020] The display unit displays an image according to the operation received via the operation receiving unit. The display unit is an image display device, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display unit may be integrated with the operation receiving unit as a touch panel.

[0021] The RFID tag communication device 13 emits radio waves to the tagged print medium located at the aforementioned writing position RA. The RFID tag communication device 13 has a generally flat housing, and an antenna 131 is provided inside the housing to emit radio waves to the writing position RA. The RFID tag communication device 13 emits radio waves in a direction perpendicular to the two faces of the housing, from one of the two faces to the other. The direction indicated by arrow k in FIG. 1 is an example of the radiation direction. In FIG. 1, the writing position RA is shown as an area surrounded by a dotted line. In other words, the tagged print medium located at the writing position RA is located within the dotted line area shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] The antenna 131 is, for example, a single antenna that emits radio waves to the tagged print medium located at the write position RA. The antenna 131 may be configured with multiple antennas instead of a single antenna.

[0023] The RFID tag communication device 13 causes the antenna 131 to emit radio waves toward the tagged print medium located at the write position RA in accordance with control from the control device 110 that controls the image forming apparatus 1. This allows the RFID tag communication device 13 to write tag information to each of the multiple RFID tags held by the tagged print medium.

[0024] (Printer section configuration) The configuration of the printer unit 11 will be described below.

[0025] The printer unit 11 includes a control device 110 , a paper feed cassette 111 , a paper feed cassette 112 , and an image forming unit 113 .

[0026] The control device 110 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. In other words, the control device 110 controls the printer unit 11, the control panel 12, the RFID tag communication device 13, and the image forming unit 113.

[0027] The paper feed cassette 111 stores the type of print media desired by the user. As an example, a case will be described in which the paper feed cassette 111 stores tagged print media.

[0028] The paper feed cassette 112 stores the type of print media desired by the user. As an example, a case will be described in which the paper feed cassette 112 stores tagless print media.

[0029] The image forming unit 113, under the control of the control device 110, transports a print medium and prints on the print medium an image indicated by image data acquired from the control device 110. The image forming unit 113 is an example of a printing section. The image data is, for example, image data acquired from an information processing device or the like that is communicably connected to the image forming device 1.

[0030] Image forming unit 113 includes an intermediate transfer belt 20. Image forming unit 113 includes a driven roller 21, a backup roller 22, a secondary transfer roller 23, two registration rollers 24, and a manual paper feed roller 25. Image forming unit 113 includes four sets of image forming stations: image forming station 31, image forming station 32, image forming station 33, and image forming station 34. Image forming unit 113 includes a fixing device AD ​​and a duplex printing device DF.

[0031] The intermediate transfer belt 20 is a belt onto which a toner image is primarily transferred by four sets of image forming stations. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is supported by a driven roller 21, a backup roller 22, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 20 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow m in FIG. 1. More specifically, the image forming unit 113 rotates the intermediate transfer belt 20 in that direction using a motor (not shown) under the control of the control device 110.

[0032] Image forming station 31 is an image forming station for forming a Y (yellow) image. Image forming station 32 is an image forming station for forming an M (magenta) image. Image forming station 33 is an image forming station for forming a C (cyan) image. Image forming station 34 is an image forming station for forming a K (black) image. In image forming unit 113, these four sets of image forming stations are arranged below intermediate transfer belt 20 in the rotation direction of intermediate transfer belt 20.

[0033] Image forming station 31 includes photosensitive drum 311, electrostatic charger 312, exposure scanning head 313, developing device 314, photosensitive cleaner 315, and primary transfer roller 316. In image forming station 31, electrostatic charger 312, exposure scanning head 313, developing device 314, photosensitive cleaner 315, and primary transfer roller 316 are arranged around photosensitive drum 311, which rotates in the direction indicated by arrow n in FIG. 1. Primary transfer roller 316 faces photosensitive drum 311 with intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween.

[0034] The configurations of the image forming stations 32, 33, and 34 are similar to that of the image forming station 31. Therefore, in the following, explanations of the configurations of the image forming stations 32, 33, and 34 will be omitted.

[0035] The secondary transfer roller 23 faces the backup roller 22 across the intermediate transfer belt 20. The secondary transfer roller 23 performs secondary transfer of the toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto a print medium that passes between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20.

[0036] The two registration rollers 24 transport the print media taken out by a transport mechanism (not shown) from the paper feed cassette 111, the paper feed cassette 112, and the manual feed tray TA between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20.

[0037] The manual paper feed roller 25 takes the print medium from the manual tray TA and conveys it to the two registration rollers 24.

[0038] The fixing device AD ​​is a device that fixes the toner image onto the print medium after the toner image has been secondarily transferred onto the print medium by the secondary transfer roller 23. More specifically, the fixing device AD ​​heats the print medium while transporting the print medium with a roller, and fixes the toner image that has been secondarily transferred onto the print medium onto the print medium.

[0039] The double-sided printing device DF is a device that transports the print medium, after a toner image has been fixed on its front side by the fixing device AD, to two registration rollers 24. The print medium is transported to the double-sided printing device DF after the front and back sides have been turned over. Therefore, the print medium transported between the two registration rollers 24 via the double-sided printing device DF has an image printed on the back side via the secondary transfer roller 23 and the fixing device AD.

[0040] (Image forming unit operation) The operation of the image forming unit 113 will now be described.

[0041] First, the operation of the four image forming stations will be described, taking the operation of the image forming station 31 as an example.

[0042] In the image forming station 31, the photosensitive drum 311 is charged by the electrostatic charger 312 and then exposed by the exposure scanning head 313. In this way, the image forming station 31 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311. Then, the image forming station 31 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311 with the developing device 314. The developing device 314 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311 into a toner image using a two-component developer formed from toner and carrier. A primary transfer roller 316 primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 311 to the intermediate transfer belt 20. After this primary transfer, a photosensitive cleaner 315 removes any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 311.

[0043] Each of image forming stations 31, 32, 33, and 34 forms a color toner image on intermediate transfer belt 20 by primary transfer roller 316. The color toner image is formed by sequentially overlapping toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black).

[0044] Next, the operation of the secondary transfer roller 23 will be described. The secondary transfer roller 23 performs secondary transfer of the color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 20 all at once onto the print medium passing between the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 20. In the following description, the term "toner image" may refer to either a color toner image or a toner image of only one color. The toner image may also be a toner image using a decolorizable toner.

[0045] Next, the operation of conveying the print medium among the operations of the image forming unit 113 will be described.

[0046] A conveying mechanism (not shown) bends the print medium removed from paper feed cassette 111, paper feed cassette 112, and manual feed tray TA at the nip between the two registration rollers 24. This aligns the leading edge of the print medium. The two registration rollers 24 then convey the print medium between secondary transfer roller 23 and intermediate transfer belt 20 in accordance with the timing of writing tag information to the wireless tag at write position RA, the timing of image forming unit 113 transferring a toner image to the print medium, and other factors. The conveying paths along which the print media removed from paper feed cassette 111, paper feed cassette 112, and manual feed tray TA are conveyed to the two registration rollers 24 merge at junction PA shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] Within the image forming unit 113, three transport paths are formed by two registration rollers 24, the fixing device AD, and multiple rollers within the double-sided printing device DF: transport path LA, transport path LB, and transport path LC. Transport path LA is the transport path from the junction PA to the branching point PB shown in FIG. 1. Transport path LB is the transport path that passes through the double-sided printing device DF, and is the transport path from the branching point PB to the junction PA. Transport path LC is the transport path from the branching point PB to the paper discharge tray TB.

[0048] The two registration rollers 24 begin to rotate in alignment with the position of the toner image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 20, and move the print medium to the position of the secondary transfer roller 23. As a result, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is secondarily transferred onto the print medium by the secondary transfer roller 23. After the toner image has been secondarily transferred onto the print medium, the secondary transfer roller 23 transports the print medium along the transport path LA to the fixing device AD.

[0049] The fixing device AD ​​is an example of a fixing device included in the image forming apparatus 1. The fixing device AD ​​fixes the toner image, which has been secondarily transferred onto the print medium conveyed from the secondary transfer roller 23, onto the print medium while conveying the print medium. The fixing device AD ​​has, for example, a fixing member ADA, a pressure member ADB that faces the fixing member ADA, and a heating unit. In FIG. 1, the heating unit is omitted to avoid cluttering the illustration.

[0050] The fixing member ADA is a member having an endless peripheral surface. For example, the fixing member ADA is a belt-shaped member. The fixing member ADA abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the pressure member ADB. The fixing member ADA rotates together with the pressure member ADB with which it abuts. A support member is provided inside the fixing member ADA to rotatably support the fixing member ADA. In FIG. 1, the support member is omitted for simplicity.

[0051] The pressure member ADB is a roller that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member ADA. The driving force of a motor is transmitted to the pressure member ADB via gears or the like. In other words, the pressure member ADB is rotated by the driving of the motor. The driving force of the motor may be transmitted to the fixing member ADA instead of to the pressure member ADB.

[0052] The pressure member ADB is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member ADA. The pressure member ADB forms a nip with the fixing member ADA by being pressed against the fixing member ADA. In other words, the pressure member ADB forms a nip with the fixing member ADA by coming into contact with the fixing member ADA.

[0053] The heating section is a heating device that heats the fixing member ADA.

[0054] With the above configuration, the fixing device AD ​​has a heating section that heats the print medium, and heats the print medium passing between the fixing member ADA and the pressure member ADB, fixing the toner image to the print medium. As a result, the toner image that was secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roller 23 is printed as an image on the print medium. After the image is printed on the print medium, the fixing device AD ​​transports the print medium to the transport path LC. The print medium transported to the transport path LC is then ejected by rollers (not shown).

[0055] In the case of double-sided printing, after an image is printed on the front side and the entire print medium passes through branching section PB, rollers (not shown) switch back to transport the print medium to transport path LB. This flips the front and back sides of the print medium over. Then, multiple rollers in double-sided printing device DF transport the print medium along transport path LB to the nip between two registration rollers 24. The print medium, now upside down, is then transported along transport path LA via the two registration rollers 24, where the toner image is fixed by fixing device AD. This prints an image on the back side of the print medium. Fixing device AD ​​transports the print medium, with the image printed on the back side, to transport path LC and ejects it.

[0056] In this way, the secondary transfer roller 23, the two registration rollers 24, the fixing device AD, and various rollers in the double-sided printing device DF constitute a conveying section H that conveys the print medium in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0057] (Functional configuration of the control device) Next, the functional configuration of the control device 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 110.

[0058] 3, the control device 110 is communicably connected via a bus to each of the image forming unit 113 of the printer section 11, the conveying section H, the control panel 12, and the RFID tag communication device 13. The control device 110 includes, for example, a control section 1101, a main memory device 1102, an auxiliary memory device 1103, and an interface section 1104.

[0059] The control unit 1101 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 1101 controls the image forming unit 113, the conveying unit H, the control panel 12, and the RFID tag communication device 13 of the printer unit 11 in accordance with an image processing program stored in the auxiliary storage device 1103. The control unit 1101 receives image data (e.g., data written in a page description language) indicating an image to be printed from a host such as a PC (Personal Computer), and stores the received image data in the auxiliary storage device 1103. The control unit 1101 also determines printing conditions from the image data stored in the auxiliary storage device 1103, thereby expanding the data into data (e.g., raster data) that can be printed by the printer unit 11 and storing the data in the main storage device 1102.

[0060] The main memory device 1102 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like.

[0061] The auxiliary storage device 1103 is a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. The auxiliary storage device 1103 may be separate from the control device 110. The auxiliary storage device 1103 is an example of a storage unit.

[0062] The interface unit 1104 includes a connector and the like to which a device such as the wireless tag communication device 13 and the like that is connected to the control device 110 is connected.

[0063] The control device 110 configured as above may be integrated with the RFID tag communication device 13 .

[0064] (Processing in which the image forming device performs writing and printing processes) Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a process in which the image forming apparatus 1 performs writing and printing processes will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a process in which the image forming apparatus 1 performs writing and printing processes. As an example, a case will be described in which the image forming apparatus 1 receives a request to have the image forming apparatus 1 perform writing and printing processes as a print job at a timing before the processing of ACT 110 shown in FIG. 4 is performed, and the image forming apparatus 1 stores the received print job in the auxiliary storage device 1103. As an example, a case will be described in which the image forming apparatus 1 receives information indicating the type of print medium desired by the user at that timing. As an example, a case will be described in which the type of print medium desired by the user is a tagged print medium stored in the paper feed cassette 111. As an example, a case will be described in which the print job includes image-related information associated with the positions of each of multiple wireless tags possessed by the print medium desired by the user. As an example, a case will be described in which the image-related information associated with the position of a certain wireless tag includes a combination of image data associated with the position of the wireless tag and tag information to be written to the wireless tag. As an example, the auxiliary storage device 1103 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the position of each of the wireless tags and the mask pattern associated with the wireless tag for each of the multiple wireless tags held by the print medium desired by the user. A mask pattern includes wireless tag identification information that identifies the wireless tag associated with the mask pattern among the multiple wireless tags held by the print medium desired by the user. The wireless tag identification information may be, for example, but is not limited to, information indicating the position on the print medium. The information indicating the position on the print medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an integer indicating the order of each of the multiple wireless tags held by the print medium. Note that the print job may include tag information that the user writes to each of the multiple wireless tags held by the print medium, along with a single piece of image data that is unrelated to the positions of each of the multiple wireless tags held by the print medium desired by the user.

[0065] After accepting a print job, the control unit 1101 reads out various pieces of information (ACT110). Specifically, the control unit 1101 performs the following processing in ACT110. The control unit 1101 reads out all image-related information included in the accepted print job from the print job. The control unit 1101 reads out correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the positions of each of the multiple wireless tags carried by the print medium desired by the user and the mask pattern from the auxiliary storage device 1103. The control unit 1101 performs the above processing in ACT110. In FIG. 4, the processing in ACT110 is indicated by "information reading."

[0066] Next, the control unit 1101 controls the transport unit H to transport the tagged print medium placed in the paper feed cassette 111 to the writing position RA (ACT120). In FIG. 4, the processing of ACT120 is indicated by "Transport to writing position." The control unit 1101 continues transporting the tagged print medium until the tagged print medium reaches the writing position RA in ACT120. When the tagged print medium reaches the writing position RA in ACT120, the control unit 1101 temporarily stops transporting the tagged print medium. This allows the control unit 1101 to position the tagged print medium at the writing position RA through the processing of ACT120. The control unit 1101 may be configured not to temporarily stop transporting the tagged print medium. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 writes tag information to each of the multiple wireless tags carried by the tagged print medium while transporting the tagged print medium.

[0067] Next, the control unit 1101 generates a variable N for counting the number of iterations in the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 1103, and initializes the value of the generated variable N to 0 (ACT130). N is a variable that stores an integer. In FIG. 4, the processing of ACT130 is indicated by "initialize N."

[0068] Next, the control unit 1101 transmits various commands to the RFID tag communication device 13 (ACT140). Specifically, the control unit 1101 performs the following process in ACT140. The control unit 1101 selects one of the unselected pieces of correspondence information read from the auxiliary storage device 1103 in ACT110 as target correspondence information, and identifies a mask pattern in the correspondence relationship indicated by the selected target correspondence information. The control unit 1101 extracts image-related information associated with the identified mask pattern from all of the image-related information read from the print job in ACT110. The control unit 1101 identifies tag information to be written to a RFID tag located at a position associated with the identified mask pattern based on the extracted image-related information. The control unit 1101 transmits the identified mask pattern, the identified tag information, a selection command to select the RFID tag, and a write command to cause the RFID tag communication device 13 to write the tag information to the RFID tag via the interface unit 1104. For ease of explanation, the combination of the mask pattern, the tag information, the selection command, and the write command will be referred to as transmission information. The control unit 1101 performs the above-described processing in ACT 140. In FIG. 4, the processing in ACT 140 is indicated by "command transmission." When the information indicating the position of a wireless tag is an integer from 1 to N, the control unit 1101 may be configured to select, as target correspondence information, correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the position indicated by the value of N and the mask pattern associated with the position in ACT 140. When transmitting transmission information to the wireless tag communication device 13, the control unit 1101 may be configured to transmit some or all of the mask pattern, tag information, selection command, and write command to the wireless tag communication device 13 in a predetermined order, or may be configured to transmit all of the mask pattern, tag information, selection command, and write command to the wireless tag communication device 13 collectively. In the transmission information, some or all of the mask pattern, tag information, selection command, and write command may be combined into a single command. The method of combining some or all of the mask pattern, tag information, selection command, and write command into one command may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.The transmission information may be configured not to include a mask pattern, in which case the control unit 1101 transmits the transmission information and the mask pattern separately.

[0069] Next, the control unit 1101 increments the value of the variable N stored in the auxiliary storage device 1103 by 1 (ACT 150). In Fig. 4, the processing of ACT 150 is indicated by "N←N+1".

[0070] Next, the control unit 1101 determines whether to end writing of tag information to the multiple wireless tags carried by the print medium positioned at the write position RA (ACT160). For example, the control unit 1101 determines to end the writing if the value of the variable N stored in the auxiliary storage device 1103 exceeds the number of pieces of image-related information included in the accepted print job. On the other hand, for example, the control unit 1101 determines not to end the writing if the value of the variable N stored in the auxiliary storage device 1103 is equal to or less than the number of pieces of image-related information included in the accepted print job. In FIG. 4, the processing of ACT160 is indicated by "End of writing?" The control unit 1101 may be configured to determine whether to end the writing by another method in ACT160.

[0071] When the control unit 1101 determines not to finish writing tag information to the multiple wireless tags of the print medium located at the writing position RA (ACT160-NO), it transitions to ACT140 and selects unselected corresponding information to again transmit various commands to the wireless tag communication device 13. When there is no unselected corresponding information in ACT140, the control unit 1101 transitions to ACT170.

[0072] On the other hand, when the control unit 1101 determines that writing of tag information to the plurality of wireless tags carried by the print medium positioned at the writing position RA is to be completed (ACT160-YES), the control unit 1101 proceeds to ACT170.

[0073] Based on all the image-related information and correspondence information read in ACT110, the control unit 1101 controls the transport unit H and the image forming unit 113 to start transporting the print medium and printing an image on the print medium (ACT170). This allows the control unit 1101 to print images indicated by the image data associated with the positions at the positions of the multiple wireless tags carried by the print medium located at the write position RA. In Figure 4, the processing of ACT170 is indicated by "start transport and printing."

[0074] Next, the control unit 1101 waits until the transport of the print medium and the printing of the image on the print medium, which started in ACT 170, are completed (ACT 180). The control unit 1101 may determine in any manner whether the transport of the print medium and the printing of the image on the print medium, which started in ACT 170, are completed. In Figure 4, the processing of ACT 180 is indicated by "Printing and transport completed?"

[0075] When the control unit 1101 determines that the conveyance of the printing medium and the printing of the image on the printing medium, which started in ACT170, have been completed (ACT180-YES), the control unit 1101 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0076] As described above, the control unit 1101 repeatedly transmits, for each mask pattern stored in the auxiliary storage device 1103, tag information associated with the mask pattern, a selection command for selecting a wireless tag associated with the mask pattern from among multiple wireless tags, and a write command for causing the wireless tag communication device 13 to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern to the wireless tag communication device 13 via the interface unit 1104. This eliminates the need for the control unit 1101 to perform processing to detect a wireless tag, and as a result, the time required to write tag information to a wireless tag can be reduced.

[0077] (Processing in which the RFID tag communication device writes tag information to the RFID tag) Hereinafter, a process in which the RFID tag communication device 13 writes tag information to a RFID tag will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a process in which the RFID tag communication device 13 writes tag information to a RFID tag. As an example, a case will be described in which transmission information is acquired from the control device 110 at a timing before the process of ACT210 shown in Fig. 5 is performed.

[0078] After acquiring the transmission information, the RFID tag communication device 13 identifies the tag information included in the acquired transmission information (ACT 210).

[0079] Next, the RFID tag communication device 13 transmits to the writing position RA a selection command for selecting the RFID tag associated with the mask pattern included in the acquired transmission information (ACT220).

[0080] Next, the RFID tag communication device 13 transmits an inquiry command to the writing position RA (ACT230), thereby allowing the RFID tag communication device 13 to make a response from the RFID tag selected by the selection command transmitted in ACT230, among the multiple RFID tags held by the print medium located at the writing position RA.

[0081] Next, the wireless tag communication device 13 determines whether or not a response to the inquiry command transmitted in ACT 230 has been received (ACT 240). Note that the wireless tag communication device 13 may use any method to determine whether or not the response has been received.

[0082] When it is determined that a response to the inquiry command sent in ACT230 has not been received (ACT240-NO), the wireless tag communication device 13 sends, for example, information indicating that writing of tag information has failed to the control device 110. Then, the wireless tag communication device 13 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0083] On the other hand, if it is determined that a response to the inquiry command transmitted in ACT230 has been received (ACT240-YES), the wireless tag communication device 13 writes the tag information included in the acquired transmission information to the wireless tag (ACT250). Then, the wireless tag communication device 13 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0084] As described above, the RFID tag communication device 13 can write tag information to the RFID tag selected by the selection command based on the acquired transmission information. This eliminates the need for the control device 110 to perform processing to detect the RFID tag, thereby reducing the time required to write tag information to the RFID tag.

[0085] The items described above may be combined in any manner.

[0086] (Addendum) [1] A control device that controls an image forming device that forms an image on a printing medium to which multiple radio tags are attached, comprising: a memory unit that stores a mask pattern and tag information associated with the mask pattern for each of the multiple radio tags; an interface unit to which a radio tag communication device that writes the tag information to the multiple radio tags is connected; and a control unit that repeatedly transmits to the radio tag communication device via the interface unit, for each mask pattern stored in the memory unit, the tag information associated with the mask pattern, a selection command that selects a radio tag associated with the mask pattern from among the multiple radio tags, and a write command that causes the radio tag communication device to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern. [2] The control device according to [1], wherein the mask pattern includes RFID tag identification information for identifying a RFID tag associated with the mask pattern among the plurality of RFID tags. [3] The control device according to [2], wherein the wireless tag identification information indicates a position on the printing medium. [4] A control device described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein after the printing medium is transported by the image forming device to a writing position where the tag information is written to the multiple wireless tags, the control unit causes the image forming device to stop transporting the printing medium, and repeatedly transmits to the wireless tag communication device via the interface unit, for each mask pattern stored in the memory unit, the tag information associated with the mask pattern, the selection command for selecting the wireless tag associated with the mask pattern from the multiple wireless tags, and the write command for causing the wireless tag communication device to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern to the printing medium located at the writing position. [5] A control device described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein when the control unit sends a combination of the tag information, the selection command, and the write command to the radio tag communication device, the control unit sends the tag information, the selection command, and the write command to the radio tag communication device in a predetermined order. [6] A control device described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein when the control unit sends a combination of the tag information, the selection command, and the write command to the radio tag communication device, it sends all of the tag information, the selection command, and the write command together to the radio tag communication device. [7] An image forming apparatus comprising: a control device according to any one of [1] to [6]; and a printing unit that forms an image on a printing medium. [8] The memory unit stores correspondence information for each of the multiple wireless tags, indicating the correspondence between the position of the wireless tag and the mask pattern associated with the wireless tag, and when the control unit receives a print job including image data associated with the position of each of the multiple wireless tags, the control unit causes the printing unit to print an image indicated by the image data associated with the position at each of the multiple wireless tags based on the correspondence information stored in the memory unit and the print job. [7] An image forming apparatus as described in the above.

[0087] 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 embodiments can be implemented 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, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0088] A program for implementing the functions of any of the components of the above-described devices (e.g., image forming device 1, control device 110, RFID tag communication device 13) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and then loaded into a computer system for execution. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and compact disks (CDs)-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. "Computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0089] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. A "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The above program may be for realizing some of the above functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1...image forming apparatus, 11...printer section, 12...control panel, 13...wireless tag communication device, 20...intermediate transfer belt, 21...driven roller, 22...backup roller, 23...secondary transfer roller, 24...registration roller, 25...paper feed roller, 31...image forming station, 32...image forming station, 33...image forming station, 34...image forming station, 110...control device, 111...paper feed cassette, 112...paper feed cassette, 113...image forming unit, 131... Antenna, 311...photosensitive drum, 312...electric charger, 313...exposure scanning head, 314...developing device, 315...photosensitive cleaner, 316...primary transfer roller, 1101...control unit, 1102...main memory device, 1103...auxiliary memory device, 1104...interface unit, AD...fixing device, ADA...fixing member, ADB...pressure member, DF...duplex printing device, H...conveyor unit, RA...write position, TA...manual feed tray, TB...paper output tray, TC...three-dimensional coordinate system, TGA~TGD...wireless tag

Claims

1. A control device for controlling an image forming device that forms an image on a print medium to which a plurality of wireless tags are attached, a storage unit in which a mask pattern and tag information associated with the mask pattern are stored for each of the plurality of wireless tags; an interface unit to which a radio-frequency tag communication device that writes the tag information to the plurality of radio-frequency tags is connected; a control unit that repeatedly transmits, for each of the mask patterns stored in the storage unit, to the radio-frequency tag communication device via the interface unit, the tag information associated with the mask pattern, a selection command for selecting a radio-frequency tag associated with the mask pattern from among the plurality of radio-frequency tags, and a write command for causing the radio-frequency tag communication device to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern; A control device comprising:

2. the mask pattern includes RFID tag identification information for identifying a RFID tag associated with the mask pattern among the plurality of RFID tags; The control device according to claim 1 .

3. The wireless tag identification information indicates a location on the print medium. The control device according to claim 2 .

4. After the printing medium is transported by the image forming device to a writing position where the tag information is written to the multiple wireless tags, the control unit repeatedly transmits, to the printing medium located at the writing position, the tag information associated with the mask pattern, the selection command for selecting the wireless tag associated with the mask pattern from the multiple wireless tags, and the write command for causing the wireless tag communication device to write the tag information associated with the mask pattern, for each mask pattern stored in the storage unit, to the wireless tag communication device via the interface unit. The control device according to claim 1 .

5. The control device according to claim 1 ; a printing unit that forms an image on a print medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

6. the storage unit stores, for each of the plurality of wireless tags, correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the position of the wireless tag and the mask pattern associated with the wireless tag; when the control unit receives a print job including image data associated with the positions of the plurality of wireless tags, the control unit causes the printing unit to print, at the positions of the plurality of wireless tags, an image indicated by the image data associated with the positions, based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the print job; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 .

Images