Card reader device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve user convenience in image forming apparatus. [Solution] In the card reader device 1, the sensor unit detects the rotation angle of the rotary knob 11 when the ID card 101 is inserted into the card slot 12. The controller 32 identifies the function among the multiple functions of the image forming apparatus main unit 2 that corresponds to the rotation angle detected by the sensor unit, and notifies the image forming apparatus main unit 2 of the user ID and the identified function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a card reader device and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus includes a card box, determines whether an ID card inserted into the card box is an ID card that permits the use of the image forming apparatus, and permits the user to use the image forming apparatus when the ID card inserted into the card box is an ID card that permits the use of the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described image forming apparatus, after the use of the image forming apparatus is permitted by the ID card, the user operates an operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body or the like to select a desired function and then uses the desired function. Therefore, it takes time and effort for the user until the use of the desired function is started.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a card reader device that improves the user convenience of an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus including such a card reader device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The card reader device according to the present invention comprises a card slot from which an ID card can be inserted and removed, a reader module that communicates with the ID card and reads a user ID from the ID card, a rotary knob to which multiple functions of the image forming apparatus body are associated with multiple rotation angles, a sensor unit that detects the rotation angle of the rotary knob when the ID card is inserted into the card slot, and a controller that identifies the function among the multiple functions that corresponds to the rotation angle detected by the sensor unit, and notifies the image forming apparatus body of the user ID and the identified function.

[0007] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the above-described card reader device and the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a card reader device that improves user convenience in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with such a card reader device can be obtained.

[0009] The above or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become even more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a card reader device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the card reader device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view showing an example of a sensor and reader module in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 3. [Figure 5]Figure 5 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (1 / 8). [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (2 / 8). [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (3 / 8). [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (4 / 8). [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (5 / 8). [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (6 / 8). [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (7 / 8). [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the correspondence between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module (8 / 8). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a card reader device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The card reader device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, a rotary knob 11 on the front, and an opening of a card slot 12 on the upper surface into which an ID card 101 storing a user ID unique to an individual user such as an employee can be inserted and removed. Further, on the front, function labels 13-1 to 13-8 corresponding to a plurality (here, eight at 45-degree intervals) of rotation angles of the rotary knob 11 are formed. Further, a label 14 such as a cautionary statement is formed on the side surface. Further, the rotary knob 11 includes an indicator 11a indicating the rotation angle of the rotary knob 11 from a reference angle (for example, the insertion and removal direction of the ID card 101 with respect to the card slot 12).

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the card reader device shown in FIG. 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of functions of an image forming apparatus main body described later are assigned to a plurality of rotation angles of the rotary knob 11, and each function label 13-i is a label (such as a character string) indicating the function corresponding to the rotation angle corresponding to the function label 13-i. When the user wants to select a desired function, the user rotates the rotary knob 11 to align the indicator 11a with the function label 13-i of the desired function.

[0014] Note that the function label 13-1 is a label for a setting function with administrator authority, the function label 13-2 is a label for a scan-to-mailbox function, the function label 13-3 is a label for a scan-to-USB function, the function label 13-4 is a label for a scan-to-print function (that is, a copy function), the function label 13-5 is a label for a setting function with general user authority, the function label 13-6 is a label for a function of printing the state of the image forming apparatus (status print function), the function label 13-7 is a label for a USB-to-print function (direct print function), and the function label 13-8 is a label for a PC-to-print function (function of normal printing from a host).

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a sensor and a reader module in the card reader device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, a card reader device 1 and an image forming apparatus main body 2 (described later) are provided in an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus main body 2 incorporates internal devices such as a printing device, a scanner, and a communication device, and provides a plurality of functions using the internal devices to the user. Further, the image forming apparatus main body 2 can specify a user ID and user authority of a registered user based on user data stored in a built-in storage device or an external server.

[0016] Furthermore, the card reader device 1 includes a reader module 21 that performs data communication with an ID card 101 (specifically, an RFID chip in the ID card 101) and reads a user ID from the ID card 101.

[0017] Furthermore, the card reader device 1 includes a sensor unit that detects the rotation angle of the rotary knob 11 when the ID card 101 is inserted into the card slot 12. In this embodiment, the sensor unit includes two optical sensors 22 and 23 that are arranged at a predetermined distance in the radial direction from the rotation center of the rotary knob 11 and rotate about the rotation center together with the rotary knob 11.

[0018] In this embodiment, the controller 32 selects and specifies the current rotation angle of the rotary knob 11 from the above-described plurality of rotation angles based on the timing T3 when data communication with the ID card 101 is started by the reader module 21, and the timings T1 and T2 when the ID card 101 is detected by the two sensors 22 and 23.

[0019] Specifically, a plurality of angular states of the rotary knob 11 are individually detected based on the presence or absence and detection order of detection of the detection start timings T1 and T2 of the ID card 101 by the sensors 22 and 23, and the data communication start timing T3 of the reader module 21 (with the RFID chip in the ID card 101).

[0020] In this embodiment, for example as shown in Figure 3, the leader module 21 is positioned at the rotation center of the rotary knob 11, the sensor 22 is positioned at an angle of -45 degrees from the indicator unit 11a (i.e., the angle pointed to by the indicator unit 11a), and the sensor 23 is positioned at an angle of +45 degrees from the indicator unit 11a.

[0021] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 4, the card reader device 1 further comprises a communication device 31 and a controller 32. The communication device 31 communicates data with the image forming apparatus main unit 2. The controller 32 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a computer that executes programs, etc., and identifies the function corresponding to the rotation angle detected by the sensor unit (sensors 22, 23) from among the multiple functions described above, and notifies the image forming apparatus main unit 2 of the read user ID and the identified function.

[0022] When the image forming apparatus main unit 2 receives notification of a user ID and function from the card reader device 1, it refers to the user data to determine whether the user with that user ID is authorized to use that function. If the user with that user ID is authorized to use that function, it immediately displays the operation screen for that function on an operation panel (not shown). If the user with that user ID is not authorized to use that function, the image forming apparatus main unit 2 displays an error message or the like on an operation panel (not shown).

[0023] Figures 5 to 12 show the correspondence between the rotation angle of the rotary knob in the card reader device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the output waveforms of the sensor and reader module.

[0024] When the rotation angle is 0 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-1), for example as shown in Figure 5, when the ID card 101 is inserted, the reader module 21 detects the ID card 101 detection timings T1 and T2 (here, the rising edge timing of the waveform) in the output waveforms of both sensors 22 and 23 earlier than the start timing T3 of data communication of the ID card 101. Therefore, if both timings T1 and T2 are detected earlier than timing T3, it is determined that the current rotation angle is 0 degrees.

[0025] When the rotation angle is 45 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-2), for example as shown in Figure 6, when the ID card 101 is inserted, timing T1 is detected earlier than timing T3 and timing T2 is not detected. Therefore, if timing T1 is detected earlier than timing T3 and timing T2 is not detected (within a predetermined period), the current rotation angle is determined to be 45 degrees.

[0026] When the rotation angle is 90 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-3), for example as shown in Figure 7, when the ID card 101 is inserted, timing T1 is detected earlier than timing T3 and timing T2 is detected later than timing T3. Therefore, if timing T1 is detected earlier than timing T3 and timing T2 is detected later than timing T3, the current rotation angle is determined to be 90 degrees.

[0027] When the rotation angle is 135 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-4), for example as shown in Figure 8, when the ID card 101 is inserted, timing T1 is not detected and timing T2 is detected later than timing T3. Therefore, if timing T1 is not detected (within a predetermined period) and timing T2 is detected later than timing T3, it is determined that the current rotation angle is 135 degrees.

[0028] When the rotation angle is 180 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-5), for example as shown in Figure 9, when the ID card 101 is inserted, timings T1 and T2 are detected later than timing T3. Therefore, if timings T1 and T2 are detected later than timing T3, it is determined that the current rotation angle is 180 degrees.

[0029] If the rotation angle is 225 degrees (i.e., the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-6), for example, as shown in Figure 10, when the ID card 101 is inserted, if timing T1 is detected later than timing T3, and timing T1 is not detected, then if timing T1 is detected later than timing T3, and timing T2 is not detected (within a predetermined period), then the current rotation angle is determined to be 225 degrees.

[0030] When the rotation angle is 270 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-7), for example as shown in Figure 11, when the ID card 101 is inserted, timing T1 is detected later than timing T3 and timing T2 is detected earlier than timing T3. Therefore, when timing T1 is detected later than timing T3 and timing T2 is detected earlier than timing T3, it is determined that the current rotation angle is 270 degrees.

[0031] When the rotation angle is 315 degrees (i.e., when the indicator unit 11a is pointing to the function label 13-8), for example as shown in Figure 12, when the ID card 101 is inserted, timing T1 is not detected and timing T2 is detected earlier than timing T3. Therefore, if timing T1 is not detected (within a predetermined period) and timing T2 is detected earlier than timing T3, it is determined that the current rotation angle is 315 degrees.

[0032] In this embodiment, eight functions are assigned to eight rotation angles: 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees, and 315 degrees. The function corresponding to the current rotation angle is identified, and data indicating that function is transmitted to the image forming apparatus main unit 2 along with the user ID.

[0033] Next, the operation of the card reader device 1 described above will be explained.

[0034] First, the user rotates the rotary knob 11 so that the indicator unit 11a points to the function knob 13-i of the desired function, and then inserts the ID card 101 assigned to the user into the card slot 12.

[0035] In the card reader device 1, the controller 32 reads the user ID from the ID card 101 using the reader module 21, and, as described above, identifies the current rotation angle of the rotary knob 11 based on the output of the sensor unit (sensors 22, 23), and identifies the function corresponding to that rotation angle. The controller 32 then notifies the image forming apparatus main unit 2 of the user ID and its function using the communication device 31.

[0036] When the image forming apparatus main unit 2 receives notification of the user ID and its function, it performs an authentication process and determines whether or not the user with that user ID is permitted to use that function.

[0037] If the user associated with that user ID is authorized to use that function, the image forming apparatus 2 immediately executes that function. At this time, if necessary, the operation screen may be displayed on the control panel.

[0038] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the sensor unit detects the rotation angle of the rotary knob 11 when the ID card 101 is inserted into the card slot 12. The controller 32 identifies the function among the multiple functions of the image forming apparatus main unit 2 that corresponds to the rotation angle detected by the sensor unit, and notifies the image forming apparatus main unit 2 of the user ID and the identified function.

[0039] This reduces the amount of user interaction required with the control panel of the image forming apparatus 2, thereby improving user convenience for the image forming apparatus. The reduced frequency of user interaction with the control panel also extends its lifespan.

[0040] Furthermore, various changes and modifications to the embodiments described above will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing the intended advantages. In other words, such changes and modifications are intended to be included in the claims.

[0041] For example, in the above embodiment, the card reader device 1 may further be equipped with a display device such as an indicator or a liquid crystal display panel, and the controller 32 may acquire the authentication result from the image forming apparatus main unit 2 based on the user ID and identified function and display it on the display device.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, eight functions are assigned to eight rotation angles as an example, but other numbers of functions may be assigned to that number of rotation angles. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] The present invention can be applied, for example, to a card reader device for an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. Card reader device 2 Image forming apparatus main unit 11 Rotary knob 11a Instruction part 12 card slots 13-1~13-8 Functional Labels 21 Leader Module 22,23 Sensor (Example of a sensor unit) 32 controllers

Claims

1. A card slot from which an ID card can be inserted and removed, A reader module that communicates data with the aforementioned ID card and reads the user ID from the ID card, The main body of the image forming apparatus has a rotary knob to which multiple functions are associated with multiple rotation angles, A sensor unit that detects the rotation angle of the rotary knob when the ID card is inserted into the card slot, A controller that identifies the function corresponding to the rotation angle detected by the sensor unit from among the multiple functions, and notifies the image forming apparatus main body of the user ID and the identified function, A card reader device characterized by having the following features.

2. The sensor unit comprises two optical sensors positioned at a predetermined radial distance from the rotation center of the rotating knob and rotating together with the rotating knob about the rotation center. The controller selects the rotation angle of the rotary knob from the plurality of rotation angles based on the timing when data communication with the ID card is initiated by the reader module and the timing when the ID card is detected by the two sensors. The card reader device according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The card reader device according to claim 2, characterized in that the reader module is positioned at the rotation center of the rotary knob.

4. Furthermore, equipped with a display device, The controller acquires the authentication result from the image forming apparatus based on the user ID and the identified function, and displays it on the display device. The card reader device according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

5. A card reader device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The image forming apparatus main body, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

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