MEMORY TAG POSITION ADJUSTMENT METHOD AND CONSUMABLES

Abstract

To provide a storage tag position adjustment method which performs position adjustment of a storage tag with a simple configuration when supplying a new consumable material to a consumable supply body after a consumable material is consumed and changing a storage tag and an attachment method of the storage tag and provide a consumable supply.SOLUTION: A storage tag position adjustment method for adjusting a position of an IC tag 120 (an example of a storage tag) in a consumable supply 100 having a master M (an example of a consumable material) and a master roll tube 110 (an example of a consumable supply body) and attached to an image formation apparatus 1, when supplying a new master M to the master roll tube 110 after the master M is consumed and changing the IC tag 120 and the attachment method of the IC tag 120, adjusts the position of the IC tag 120 in the consumable supply 100 such that communication with a communication unit 11a of the image formation apparatus 1 becomes possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a memory tag position adjustment method for adjusting the position of a memory tag in a consumable item that is attached to an image forming apparatus, and the consumable item. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices such as inkjet recording devices and stencil printing devices, the characteristics of consumable materials such as ink and masters (stencil paper) to be used are predicted in advance, and the operation of the device is optimized according to the predicted characteristics. A consumable information communication system has been proposed that, when a consumable such as an ink container is replaced, reads information from an IC tag attached to the container of the consumable, and checks from the read information whether the consumable is suitable for use in the device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-190403 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, in order to meet the demands of environmental conservation, ink containers are consumables, and once the ink in the ink container has been used up, the ink container is refilled with ink and used again to operate the image forming device. This is not limited to ink containers, but also applies to other consumables such as master rolls used in stencil printing. After the master runs out, a new master may be wound around the same master roll tube and used to operate the image forming device.

[0005] In this way, when new consumables such as ink and master are replenished after the consumables have been consumed, if the IC tag used initially cannot be used (for example, if the IC tag is damaged or the remaining amount data in the IC tag cannot be rewritten), a different IC tag may be attached to the ink container and used again. This may result in communication not being possible within the initially set distance between the IC tag and the reader / writer module (hereinafter referred to as R / W).

[0006] Furthermore, if the method of attaching a different IC tag to a consumable is changed due to reasons such as the material of the IC tag making it difficult to attach it to the consumable, the position of the IC tag on the consumable may change, and communication may no longer be possible at the distance between the IC tag and the reader / writer module that was initially set.

[0007] In the above-mentioned consumable information communication system, an actuator is provided to move the R / W, but if a dedicated position adjustment mechanism such as an actuator that maintains the communication distance appropriately when the IC tag or the IC tag attachment method is changed is provided, it will be costly. Also, depending on the IC tag or the attachment method that is changed, even if a dedicated position adjustment mechanism is provided, it may not be possible to adjust it sufficiently, and it may be necessary to change the IC tag or the attachment method to make it possible to adjust it again.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a memory tag position adjustment method and a consumable that can adjust the position of a memory tag with a simple configuration when refilling the consumable body with new consumables after the consumables have been consumed and changing the memory tag and the attachment method of the memory tag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one aspect, the memory tag position adjustment method is a method for adjusting the position of a memory tag on a consumable which has a consumable material and a consumable body and is attached to an image forming device, and when the consumable body is replenished with new consumable material after the consumable material is consumed and the memory tag and the attachment method of the memory tag are changed, the position of the memory tag on the consumable is adjusted so that communication with a communication unit of the image forming device is possible. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the above aspect, when refilling the consumable body with new consumables after the consumables have been consumed and changing the memory tag and the attachment method of the memory tag, the position of the memory tag can be adjusted with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus and consumables in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a plate making unit and consumables in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cap and an IC tag of the consumable item in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication area between a R / W unit and an IC tag; [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the communicable area between the R / W unit and the IC tag. FIG. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the internal structure of a consumable for explaining the position adjustment of an IC tag in the first embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the attached state of the memory tag before modification in the first embodiment. [Figure 7B] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the attached state of the memory tag after modification in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a consumable item in a second embodiment. [Figure 10A] 10 is a diagram showing the attachment state of the memory tag before change inside part B in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 10B] FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) showing the attached state of the memory tag after modification inside part B in FIG. 9. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) showing the attached state of the memory tag after the change inside part B in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a memory tag position adjustment method and a consumable item according to a first and second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 and a consumable item 100 in the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the plate making section 31 and the consumables 100. As shown in FIG.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a holder unit 10, a control unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a drive unit 40, and an operation panel unit 50.

[0016] 2, the consumable item 100 to be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a master roll having a master (stencil paper) M for stencil printing and a master roll tube 110. An IC tag 120, which is an example of a memory tag, is attached to the consumable item 100.

[0017] The image forming device 1 and the consumable 100 can be regarded as a consumable communication system.

[0018] A holder unit 10 of an image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a R / W unit 11, a detection sensor 12, and a storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] 1, the R / W unit 11 includes a communication unit 11a having a built-in antenna for communicating with the IC tag 120, and an R / W control unit 11b which is a processor such as an IC chip that controls the communication unit 11a. The R / W unit 11 establishes wireless communication with the IC tag 120, reads and writes information in a memory 123 of the IC tag 120, and supplies the read information to the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 1. The R / W unit 11 is an example of a communication unit that communicates with the IC tag 120 (memory tag).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the R / W unit 11 is disposed in a storage unit 13 that stores the consumable item 100.

[0021] The detection sensor 12 shown in FIG. 1 detects that the consumable item 100 is stored in the storage unit 13 .

[0022] 2, storage unit 13 is provided in plate making unit 31, which will be described later, and stores consumables 100. As an example, since consumables 100 have a cylindrical shape, storage unit 13 has a cylindrical space.

[0023] The control unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 has, for example, a processor (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) that functions as an arithmetic processing device that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1, and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is pre-recorded, and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that can be written to and read at any time and is used as a working memory area as necessary when the processor executes various control programs.

[0024] The control unit 20 functions as an example of a determination unit that determines whether communication is possible between the IC tag 120 and the R / W unit 11. This determination unit may have another configuration such as the above-mentioned R / W control unit 11b.

[0025] In the first embodiment, a stencil printing method is adopted as the printing method of the image forming section 30. Therefore, the image forming section 30 has a stencil making section 31 shown in FIG.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the plate making section 31 has a housing 31a, a thermal head 31b, a platen roller 31c, and two pairs of transport rollers 31d, 31d.

[0027] The housing 31a forms a part of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The housing 31a is provided with the storage section 13 in which the consumable item 100 is stored, as described above.

[0028] The thermal head 31b performs thermal perforation on the master M of the consumable 100 based on image data.

[0029] The platen roller 31c is disposed opposite the thermal head 31b, and conveys the master M in the conveying direction A, the master M being sandwiched between the platen roller 31c and the thermal head 31b.

[0030] Two pairs of transport rollers 31d, 31d transport the master M, which has been thermally perforated by the thermal head 31b, in the transport direction A toward a drum (not shown). The master M transported toward the drum in this manner is wound around the drum. Ink supplied from inside the drum passes through the perforations in the master and is transferred to the paper.

[0031] 1 is an actuator such as a motor for adjusting the position of the R / W unit 11. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described later, the position of the IC tag 120 in the consumable 100 is adjusted, so the drive unit 40 can be omitted from the viewpoint of adjusting the relative positions of the R / W unit 11 (communication unit 11a) and the IC tag 120.

[0032] The operation panel unit 50 may have a display, which is an example of a display unit that displays various information, and operation keys, which are an example of an input unit that accepts various operations by the user. The operation panel unit 50 functions as an example of a notification unit that notifies the user by displaying information on the display.

[0033] 2, the master roll tube 110 of the consumables 100 is formed of a roll of master M, which is an example of a consumable material, and has a cylindrical shape (an example of a tubular shape). The master roll tube 110 is an example of a consumables body.

[0034] The master roll tube 110 has a cap 111 shown in Fig. 3, which is disposed near the R / W unit 11. As shown in Fig. 3, the cap 111 has a peripheral wall 111a, a bottom wall 111b, an attachment hole 111c, a flange 111d, and a recess 111e (see Fig. 6), and is fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion of the master roll tube 110. The cap 111 is made of cardboard, for example, to reduce costs. The cap 111 is an example of a mounting member to which an IC tag 120 (memory tag) is attached.

[0035] The peripheral wall 111a is provided so that the diameter gradually increases from the bottom wall 111b to the flange 111d.

[0036] An attachment hole 111c is recessed in the outer surface of the bottom wall 111b for attaching the IC tag 120. The IC tag 120 is attached in the attachment hole 111c by, for example, attaching it using an attachment sticker 131.

[0037] The flange 111d is provided at the end of the peripheral wall 111a opposite to the bottom wall 111b. For example, the peripheral wall 111a and the bottom wall 111b are inserted into the cylindrical hollow portion of the master roll tube 110, but the flange 111d is located outside the hollow portion.

[0038] 6, which will be described later, the recess 111e is an internal space in the peripheral wall 111a, into which the R / W part 11 is inserted. Note that Fig. 6 shows the cap 111 with the flange 111d cut away.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the IC tag 120 includes a communication unit 121, an IC tag control unit 122, and a memory 123.

[0040] The communication unit 121 includes an antenna for communication with the R / W unit 11. The IC tag 120 does not have its own power source, and the communication unit 11a of the R / W unit 11 and the communication unit 121 of the IC tag 120 each have a built-in antenna with the same resonance frequency. Therefore, for example, when an AC current with a resonance frequency is applied to the built-in antenna of the communication unit 11a of the R / W unit 11, an AC current with a resonance frequency is generated in the built-in antenna of the communication unit 121 of the IC tag 120 due to a resonance phenomenon based on electromagnetic coupling, and sufficient power for communication with the R / W unit 11 is supplied to the IC tag 120. Using this power, the IC tag 120 reads and writes ink information from and to the memory 123, and transmits and receives data to and from the R / W unit 11 by a known method known as a passive method.

[0041] The IC tag control unit 122 is a processor such as an IC chip that controls the communication unit 121 .

[0042] The memory 123 may store an ID that uniquely identifies the consumable item 100, attribute data of the master M, a password for authentication, and the like.

[0043] Here, when new master M is replenished in the master roll tube 110 after the master M has been consumed, if the IC tag 120 is damaged or the remaining amount data in the IC tag 120 cannot be rewritten, the IC tag 120 will be replaced with another IC tag 120.

[0044] Furthermore, depending on the difference in the material of the IC tag 120 before and after replacement, and the condition of the attachment position after removing the previous IC tag 120 (such as residual adhesive), the new IC tag 120 may not be attached using the same attachment method (e.g., the same amount of adhesive) as the previous IC tag 120.

[0045] Therefore, for example, as shown in Fig. 7A, when replacing the IC tag 120 attached to the consumable 100 by adhering the IC tag 120 in the attachment hole 111c of the cap 111 and attaching the IC tag 120 from above using the attachment sticker 131 (one example of a first attachment method), the IC tag 120 cannot be fixed only by the attachment sticker 131 depending on the material of the IC tag 120, and if a strong adhesive is used, the IC tag 120 may be damaged when removing the IC tag 120. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7B, the attachment method may be changed by interposing a sheet material 132 between the IC tag 120 and the cap 111 (attachment hole 111c), adhering the IC tag 120 in the attachment hole 111c of the cap 111 using adhesives on both sides of the sheet material 132 (or the adhesiveness of the sheet material 132 itself), and attaching the IC tag 120 from above using the attachment sticker 131 (one example of a second attachment method). When the sheet material 132 is interposed, damage to the IC tag 120 can be prevented by removing the IC tag 120 together with the sheet material 132 when removing the IC tag 120.

[0046] As described above, if the IC tag 120 and the method of attaching the IC tag 120 are changed, communication between the IC tag 120 and the R / W unit 11 may not be performed normally.

[0047] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the position where the IC tag 120 can communicate (positions shaded in black with the front as the X-axis direction and the left and right as the Y-axis direction) is within a range of approximately just over 10 mm, based on the center of the R / W unit 11 on the IC tag 120 side, but when the IC tag 120 is replaced, a null point where communication is not possible may occur near the R / W unit 11, as shown in Fig. 5. This null point occurs depending on the capacitance of the IC chip and the inductance of the antenna pattern, and often occurs near the R / W unit 11 (near-point null). In addition, the communication range may differ between the IC tag 120 before and after replacement.

[0048] Therefore, if the IC tag 120 is changed, the communication range will change, and if the attachment method of the IC tag 120 is changed, for example, the position of the IC tag 120 will change by the amount of the sheet material 132 interposed, which may cause the IC tag 120 to fall outside the communication range.

[0049] An example of adjusting the position of the IC tag 120 after replacement in the consumable item 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] 6, the flange 111d of the cap 111 (see FIG. 3) is cut off, for example, with scissors, and the entire cap 111 is inserted into the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110. In this case, the distance of the IC tag 120 from the R / W unit 11 can be changed by changing the fixing position of the cap 111 in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110 (for example, by adhesive). Therefore, the position of the IC tag 120 on the consumable 100 can be adjusted.

[0051] Since the distance of the IC tag 120 from the R / W unit 11 needs to be changed so that communication with the R / W unit 11 is possible, it is desirable for the control unit 20 to carry out the process shown in FIG.

[0052] The control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 1 starts the process shown in FIG. 8, for example, when the used consumable 100 with no master M remaining is removed from the storage unit 13.

[0053] First, the control unit 20 instructs (notifies) the user to load the consumable 100 (the consumable 100 in which new master M has been replenished in the master roll tube 110) into the storage unit 13 (step S1). The user may be notified by a display on the operation panel unit 50, a voice output from a voice output unit (not shown), or the like.

[0054] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the consumable item 100 is attached to the storage unit 13 based on the detection result of the detection sensor 12 (step S2).

[0055] If the consumable item 100 is not attached to the storage unit 13 even after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S2: NO), the control unit 20 instructs (notifies) the user to try again (step S3), and returns to the process of step S1.

[0056] When the consumable 100 is attached to the storage unit 13 (step S2: YES), the control unit 20 determines whether communication (communication) between the R / W unit 11 and the IC tag 120 is possible (step S4). The control unit 20 may obtain the result of the determination of whether communication is possible, made by the R / W control unit 11b.

[0057] If communication between the R / W unit 11 and the IC tag 120 is possible (step S4: YES), the process of the control unit 20 ends. After that, the R / W unit 11 reads and acquires various information from the IC tag 120, and may authenticate the IC tag 120 (consumable 100) and change the settings of the image forming unit 30 based on the acquired information.

[0058] If communication between the R / W unit 11 and the IC tag 120 is not possible (step S4: NO), the control unit 20 instructs (notifies) the user to change the fixing position of the cap 111 in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110 (step S5), and returns to the process of step S1. In step S5, the control unit 20 may notify the user only that communication is not possible.

[0059] Here, when changing the fixed position of the cap 111 in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110, i.e., when adjusting the position of the IC tag 120, if the communication distance between the communication unit 11a of the IC tag 120 before and after the change is known, the position of the IC tag 120 can be adjusted based on this communication distance. For example, if the communication distance of the IC tag 120 before the change (first IC tag 120) is within a first range and the communication-unavailable distance of the IC tag 120 after the change (second IC tag 120) is within a second range and the communication distance is within a third range that is longer than the second range, the position can be adjusted by changing the distance between the communication unit 11a of the IC tag 120 after the change so that it is outside the first range, preferably within the third range. This allows the position adjustment to be performed efficiently.

[0060] In the above description, the position of the IC tag 120 is adjusted by changing the fixed position of the cap 111 to which the IC tag 120 is attached in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110. However, the position change of the cap 111 (attached member) to which the IC tag 120 is attached is not limited to changing the fixed position in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110 (consumable body). For example, if an attached member other than the cap 111 is used, a method for changing the fixed position may be appropriately set depending on the attached member. Furthermore, the position adjustment of the attached member (IC tag 120) in the consumable 100 may be performed by repeatedly changing the position of the attached member and checking the communication result to determine the communication possible position, without being limited to the flow chart of FIG. 8.

[0061] As will be described later in the second embodiment, the position of the IC tag 120 may be adjusted by changing the thickness of the sheet material 132 (the number of sheets constituting the sheet material 132). The consumable item 100 is not limited to a master roll, and may be an ink container, a toner container, a photoconductor unit, or the like.

[0062] In the first embodiment described above, the memory tag position adjustment method is a memory tag position adjustment method that adjusts the position of an IC tag 120 (an example of a memory tag) in a consumable 100 which has a master M (an example of a consumable material) and a master roll tube 110 (an example of a consumable body) and is attached to an image forming device 1, and when a new master M is replenished in the master roll tube 110 after the master M is consumed and the IC tag 120 and the attachment method of the IC tag 120 are changed, the distance of the IC tag 120 from the communication unit 11a is changed so that communication with the communication unit 11a of the image forming device 1 is possible, and the position of the IC tag 120 in the consumable 100 is adjusted.

[0063] This allows the position of the IC tag 120 to be adjusted so that communication with the communication unit 11a is possible, without the need for a dedicated position adjustment mechanism for moving the communication unit 11a (R / W unit 11) or the IC tag 120. Furthermore, since the position of the IC tag 120 is adjusted within the consumable 100, it is easy to adjust the position depending on the changed IC tag 120 and the attachment method of the IC tag 120. Thus, according to the first embodiment, when a new master M is replenished in the master roll tube 110 (consumable body) after the master M (consumable material) is consumed, and the IC tag 120 (storage tag) and the attachment method of the IC tag 120 are changed, the position of the IC tag 120 can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the master roll tube 110 has a cap 111 (an example of a mounting member) to which an IC tag 120 is attached. By changing the fixing position of the cap 111 on the master roll tube 110, the distance of the IC tag 120 from the communication unit 11a is changed, and the position of the IC tag 120 on the consumable 100 is adjusted so that communication with the communication unit 11a of the image forming apparatus 1 is possible.

[0065] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the consumable 100 has a master M (an example of a consumable material), a master roll tube 110 (an example of a consumable body), and an IC tag 120 (an example of a memory tag), and is attached to the image forming device 1, and the master roll tube 110 has a cap 111 (an example of an attachment member) to which the IC tag 120 is attached, and this cap 111 is arranged so that its fixed position on the master roll tube 110 can be changed.

[0066] This allows the position of the IC tag 120 to be adjusted by the simple task of adjusting the fixing position of the cap 111 to which the IC tag 120 is attached.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the consumable is a master M for stencil printing, the consumable body is a cylindrical master roll tube 110 around which the master M is wound in a roll, and a cap 111 (an example of a mounting member) to which an IC tag 120 is attached is fixed to a hollow portion of the cylindrical master roll tube 110. Changing the mounting method of the IC tag 120 means changing from a first mounting method in which the IC tag 120 is mounted to the cap 111 to a second mounting method in which a sheet material 132 is interposed between the IC tag 120 and the cap 111 and the IC tag 120 is attached. Then, the mounting position of the cap 111 in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110 is changed to change the distance of the IC tag 120 from the communication unit 11a, thereby adjusting the position of the IC tag 120 in the consumable 100 so that communication with the communication unit 11a of the image forming apparatus 1 is possible.

[0068] As a result, even if the position of the cap 111 in the consumable 100 changes due to the sheet material 132 being interposed between the cap 111 and the post-change IC tag 120 compared to the pre-change IC tag 120, the fixed position of the cap 111 in the hollow portion of the master roll tube 110 can be easily changed. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the IC tag 120 with an even simpler procedure.

[0069] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above mainly in that the consumable 200 is an ink container rather than a master roll, and in that the position of the IC tag 220 is adjusted by changing the thickness of the sheet material 232. Other matters can be similar to those of the first embodiment described above, so the following description will focus on matters that differ from the first embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a consumable item 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the attached state of the memory tag 220 before modification in part B of FIG.

[0072] 10B and 10C are diagrams showing the attached state of the memory tag 220 after modification in part B of FIG.

[0073] 9 is an ink container (ink cartridge) used in an image forming apparatus using an inkjet printing method, for example. Although an ink container for an inkjet printing method will be described here, this embodiment can also be applied to an ink container with an IC tag for a stencil printing method.

[0074] The consumable 200 has a container body 210 that stores ink, which is an example of a consumable material, in an internal tank. The container body 210 is an example of a consumable body that stores ink. The consumable 200 is inserted into a storage unit (not shown) of the image forming device 1 in an insertion direction IN.

[0075] The container body 210 is provided with an ink outlet 211 for supplying ink to the image forming apparatus 1 at the center of the leading end side in the insertion direction IN.

[0076] Moreover, an IC tag 220 is attached inside the container body 210 at the tip side of the consumable item 200 in the insertion direction IN, as shown in FIG. 10A.

[0077] The IC tag 220 shown in FIG. 10A is adhered to an attachment hole 212 in the container body 210 with an adhesive (not shown), and is attached to the container body 210 by attaching the IC tag 220 from above using an attachment sticker 231 (an example of a first attachment method).

[0078] Here, when new ink is refilled into the container body 210 (internal tank not shown) after the ink has been consumed, the IC tag 220 and the method of attaching this IC tag 220 may be changed, as described in the first embodiment above.

[0079] For example, when changing the IC tag 220 shown in FIG. 10A to the IC tag 220 shown in FIG. 10B, a sheet material 232 is interposed between the IC tag 220 and the container body 210 (mounting hole 212), the IC tag 220 is adhered to the mounting hole 212 using adhesive on both sides of the sheet material 232, and the IC tag 220 is attached to the container body 210 by attaching it from above using an attachment sticker 231 (an example of a second attachment method).

[0080] When the IC tag 220 and the method of attaching the IC tag 220 are changed in this way, as described above, communication between the IC tag 220 and the R / W unit 11 may not be performed normally.

[0081] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the thickness of the sheet materials 232, 233 is changed, for example, by changing the sheet material 232 (thickness t1) shown in Fig. 10B to a sheet material 233 (thickness t2) shown in Fig. 10C which is thicker than the sheet material 232, thereby changing the distance of the IC tag 220 from the communication unit 11a of the image forming apparatus 1 and adjusting the position of the IC tag 220 on the consumable item 200. Note that changing the thickness of the sheet materials 232, 233 includes changing the number of sheets constituting the sheet materials 232, 233.

[0082] Here, since the thickness of the sheet materials 232, 233 needs to be changed so as to enable communication between the IC tag 220 and the R / W unit 11, it is desirable to carry out, for example, the processing of the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 8 described in the first embodiment.

[0083] In the above description, the IC tag 220 is attached inside the container body 210, but the IC tag 220 may be attached in an exposed state to the outside of the container body 210 (the outside of the consumable 200). In this case, the position adjustment of the IC tag 220 can be performed even more easily.

[0084] In the second embodiment described above, the memory tag position adjustment method is a method for adjusting the position of an IC tag 220 (an example of a memory tag) in a consumable 200 which has ink (an example of a consumable material) and a container body 210 (an example of a consumable body) and which is attached to an image forming device 1, and when the container body 210 is refilled with new ink after the ink is consumed and the IC tag 220 and the attachment method of the IC tag 220 are changed, the distance of the IC tag 220 from the communication unit 11a is changed so that communication with the communication unit 11a of the image forming device 1 is possible, and the position of the IC tag 220 in the consumable 200 is adjusted.

[0085] As a result, as described in the first embodiment, the position of the IC tag 220 can be adjusted so that communication with the communication unit 11a (R / W unit 11) becomes possible without arranging a dedicated position adjustment mechanism for moving the communication unit 11a (R / W unit 11) or the IC tag 220. Further, since the position of the IC tag 220 is adjusted within the consumable 200, it is easy to perform the position adjustment according to the changed IC tag 220 or the attachment method of the IC tag 220. Therefore, also according to the second embodiment, when a new ink is replenished into the container main body 210 (consumable main body) after the ink (consumable material) is consumed and the IC tag 220 (memory tag) and the attachment method of this IC tag 220 are changed, the position of the IC tag 220 can be adjusted with a simple configuration.

[0086] Further, in the second embodiment, changing the attachment method of the IC tag 220 means changing from the first attachment method of attaching the IC tag 220 to the container main body 210 to the second attachment method of interposing sheet materials 232 and 233 between the IC tag 220 and the container main body 210 and attaching the IC tag 220 to the container main body 210. Then, the distance of the IC tag 220 with respect to the communication unit 11a is changed by changing the thicknesses (t1 < t2) of the sheet materials 232 and 233 so that communication with the communication unit 11a of the image forming apparatus 1 becomes possible, and the position of the IC tag 220 in the consumable 200 is adjusted.

[0087] As a result, the position of the IC tag 220 can be adjusted by a simple operation using the sheet materials 232 and 233 used for changing the attachment method of the IC tag 220.

[0088] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the consumable is ink, the consumable body is container body 210 that stores ink, and IC tag 220 is attached to the tip side of container body 210 in the insertion direction IN of consumable 200 into the storage section of image forming device 1. A first attachment method is an attachment method in which IC tag 220 is attached to the tip side of container body 210 by sticking, and a second attachment method is an attachment method in which sheet materials 232, 233 are interposed between consumable 200 and container body 210, and IC tag 220 is attached to the tip side of container body 210 by sticking.

[0089] This allows the thickness of the sheet materials 232, 233 to be changed at the tip side of the container body 210 in the insertion direction IN by utilizing the internal space of the container body 210 (when the IC tag 220 is attached inside the container body 210) or the space between the consumable 200 and the communication unit 11a (when the IC tag 220 is attached outside the container body 210).

[0090] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the case where the distance of the IC tag 120, 220 relative to the communication unit 11a is changed is described, but the position of the IC tag 120 on the consumable 100 may be adjusted by changing the orientation of the IC tag 120, 220 relative to the communication unit 11a using a predetermined position as a rotation axis.

[0091] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and the components can be modified and embodied in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, all the components shown in the embodiment may be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention described in the claims at the time of filing of this application is appended below.

[0092] [Appendix 1] A method for adjusting a position of a memory tag in a consumable product that has a consumable material and a consumable product body and is to be attached to an image forming device, comprising the steps of: When the consumable product is consumed and the consumable product body is replenished with new consumable products and the memory tag and the attachment method of the memory tag are changed, Adjusting the position of the memory tag on the consumable so as to enable communication with a communication unit of the image forming apparatus 23. A method for adjusting a memory tag position, comprising: [Appendix 2] the consumable body has a mounting member to which the memory tag is attached, The position of the memory tag on the consumable is adjusted by changing the fixed position of the attachment member on the consumable body so as to enable communication with the communication unit of the image forming apparatus. 2. The memory tag position adjustment method according to claim 1. [Appendix 3] the consumable material is a master for stencil printing, the consumable body is a cylindrical stencil roll tube around which the stencil is wound in a roll shape; the workpiece is fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion of the master roll tube; Changing the attachment method of the memory tag means changing from a first attachment method in which the memory tag is attached to the attachment member to a second attachment method in which a sheet material is interposed between the memory tag and the attachment member and the memory tag is attached to the attachment member; The position of the memory tag on the consumable is adjusted by changing the fixing position of the attachment member in the hollow portion of the master roll tube so as to enable communication with the communication unit of the image forming apparatus. 3. The memory tag position adjustment method according to claim 2. [Appendix 4] changing the attachment method of the memory tag means changing from a first attachment method in which the memory tag is attached to the consumable body to a second attachment method in which a sheet material is interposed between the memory tag and the consumable body and the memory tag is attached to the consumable body; The position of the memory tag on the consumable is adjusted by changing the thickness of the sheet material so as to enable communication with the communication unit of the image forming apparatus. 2. The memory tag position adjustment method according to claim 1. [Appendix 5] the consumable material is ink, the consumable body is a container body that stores the ink, the memory tag is attached to a tip end side of the container body in a direction in which the consumable is inserted into a storage unit of the image forming apparatus, The first attachment method is an attachment method in which the memory tag is attached to the tip side of the container body by pasting, The second attachment method is an attachment method in which the sheet material is interposed between the memory tag and the container body, and the memory tag is attached by being attached to the tip side of the container body. 5. The memory tag position adjustment method according to claim 4. [Appendix 6] A consumable that has a consumable material, a consumable body, and a memory tag, and is to be attached to an image forming device, the consumable body has a mounting member to which the memory tag is attached, The attachment member is arranged so that a fixed position on the consumable body can be changed. A consumable item characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Image forming device 10 Holder part 11 R / W section 11a Communications Department 11b R / W control section 12 Detection sensor 13 Storage unit 20 Control section 30 Image forming section 31 Plate making department 31a Case 31b Thermal head 31c Platen roller 31d Transport roller pair 40 Drive unit 50 Operation panel section 100 consumables 110 Master roll tube (consumable body) 111 Cap (attached part) 111a Peripheral wall 111b Bottom wall 111c Mounting holes 111d flange 111e Recess 120 IC tag (memory tag) 121 Communications Department 122 IC tag control unit 123 Memory 131 Stickers 132 Sheet material 200 Consumables 210 Container body (consumable body) 211 Ink outlet 212 Mounting holes 220 IC tag (memory tag) 231 Stick-on stickers 232,233 Sheet material IN Insertion direction M Master

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a position of a memory tag in a consumable product that has a consumable material and a consumable product body and is to be attached to an image forming device, comprising the steps of: the consumable body has a mounting member to which the memory tag is attached, When the consumable product is consumed and the consumable product body is replenished with new consumable products and the memory tag and the attachment method of the memory tag are changed, The distance between the communication unit of the image forming apparatus and the memory tag is changed so as to avoid a distance where communication is not possible, and the position of the memory tag on the consumable is adjusted by changing the fixed position of the attachment member on the consumable body so as to enable communication with the communication unit.

23. A method for adjusting a memory tag position, comprising:

2. the consumable material is a master for stencil printing, the consumable body is a cylindrical stencil roll tube around which the stencil is wound in a roll shape; the workpiece is fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion of the master roll tube; Changing the attachment method of the memory tag means changing from a first attachment method in which the memory tag is attached to the attachment member to a second attachment method in which a sheet material is interposed between the memory tag and the attachment member and the memory tag is attached to the attachment member; The position of the memory tag on the consumable is adjusted by changing the fixing position of the attachment member in the hollow portion of the master roll tube so as to enable communication with the communication unit of the image forming apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory tag position is adjusted.

3. A method for adjusting a position of a memory tag in a consumable having a consumable material and a consumable body and being attached to an image forming device, comprising: When the consumable product is consumed and the consumable product body is replenished with new consumable products and the memory tag and the attachment method of the memory tag are changed, adjusting a position of the memory tag on the consumable item so as to enable communication with a communication unit of the image forming apparatus; changing the attachment method of the memory tag means changing from a first attachment method in which the memory tag is attached to the consumable body to a second attachment method in which a sheet material is interposed between the memory tag and the consumable body and the memory tag is attached to the consumable body; adjusting a position of the memory tag on the consumable by changing a thickness of the sheet material so as to enable communication with the communication unit of the image forming apparatus; the consumable material is ink, the consumable body is a container body that stores the ink, the memory tag is attached to a tip end side of the container body in a direction in which the consumable is inserted into a storage unit of the image forming apparatus, The first attachment method is an attachment method in which the memory tag is attached to the tip side of the container body by pasting, The second attachment method is an attachment method in which the sheet material is interposed between the memory tag and the container body, and the memory tag is attached by being attached to the tip side of the container body.

23. A method for adjusting a memory tag position, comprising:

4. A consumable that has a consumable material, a consumable body, and a memory tag, and is to be attached to an image forming device, the consumable body has a mounting member to which the memory tag is attached, The attachment member is arranged at a changeable fixed position on the consumable body so that the distance between the communication unit of the image forming apparatus and the memory tag can be changed to avoid a distance that does not allow communication, thereby enabling communication between the communication unit and the memory tag. A consumable item characterized by:

Images