Image forming apparatus and wireless tag communication device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a wireless tag communication device that can perform wireless communication with an external wireless tag.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus of an aspect 1 of an embodiment has a conveyance path, an antenna, and a shield member. A sheet is conveyed through the conveyance path. The antenna can perform wireless communication with a first wireless tag on the sheet located on the conveyance path. The shield member blocks, at a shield position, wireless communication between the antenna and a second wireless tag located on the opposite side of the conveyance path across the antenna. The shield member moves from the shield position to allow the wireless communication between the second wireless tag and the antenna.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet and a conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed. The image forming apparatus may have a radio-frequency tag communication device that can communicate wirelessly with a first radio frequency tag of a sheet on the conveying path. There is a demand for an image forming apparatus and a radio-frequency tag communication device that can communicate wirelessly with a second radio frequency tag outside the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-190879 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a radio tag communication device that can communicate wirelessly with an external radio tag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect of the embodiment, an image forming apparatus has a conveying path, an antenna, and a shielding member. Sheets are conveyed along the conveying path. The antenna is capable of wireless communication with a first wireless tag of a sheet on the conveying path. The shielding member, at a shielding position, blocks wireless communication between the antenna and a second wireless tag located on the opposite side of the antenna from the conveying path. The shielding member can move from the shielding position to enable wireless communication between the second wireless tag and the antenna.

[0006] In a second aspect of the embodiment, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a cover that covers the antenna. The cover has a window. The window is closed by a shielding member in a shielding position and is released when the shielding member moves from the shielding position.

[0007] In a third aspect of the embodiment, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, the sheet is conveyed from below to above in the conveying path.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the embodiment is the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an image forming unit and a registration roller. The image forming unit is located on the conveying path and forms an image on a sheet. The registration roller is located upstream of the image forming unit in the conveying direction of the sheet on the conveying path. The registration roller conveys the sheet. The antenna is capable of wireless communication with a first wireless tag of the sheet conveyed to the registration roller.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the embodiment is the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus has a display panel that displays information wirelessly communicated with the second wireless tag.

[0010] In a sixth aspect of the embodiment, the radio tag communication device has an antenna and a shielding member. The antenna is capable of wireless communication with a first radio tag of a sheet located on a conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed. The shielding member, at a shielding position, blocks wireless communication between the antenna and a second radio tag located on the opposite side of the antenna from the conveying path. The shielding member can move from the shielding position to enable wireless communication between the second radio tag and the antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wireless tag communication device with the shielding plate closed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wireless tag communication device with the shielding plate open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An image forming apparatus and a radio tag communication device according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 is placed in a workplace.

[0013] In this application, the Z direction, X direction, and Y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system are defined as follows: The Z direction is the up-down direction of the image forming apparatus 10, and the +Z direction is the upward direction. The X direction is the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 10. The +X direction is the right direction as one faces the image forming apparatus 10, and is the direction in which the manual feed tray 16c is installed. The Y direction is the front-to-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the Z direction is the vertical direction, and the X and Y directions are horizontal directions.

[0014] 1, the image forming apparatus 10 has a control panel 13, a wireless tag communication device 50, and a printer unit 18. The printer unit 18 includes a control unit 100, paper feed cassettes 16a and 16b, etc. The control unit 100 controls the control panel 13, the wireless tag communication device 50, and the printer unit 18. The control unit 100 controls the conveyance of sheets in the printer unit 18. Controlling the conveyance of sheets means controlling the timing of conveying the sheets, the stopping position of the sheets, the conveyance speed of the sheets, etc.

[0015] The control panel 13 includes input keys and a display unit. For example, the input keys accept input from the user. For example, the display unit is a touch panel type. The display unit accepts input from the user and displays it to the user. For example, the control panel 13 displays configurable items related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 on the display unit. The control panel 13 notifies the control unit 100 of the items set by the user.

[0016] The paper feed cassettes 16a and 16b store sheets S each having a wireless tag T. Of course, the paper feed cassettes 16a and 16b can also store sheets S each having no wireless tag T. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the sheets S are sheets S each having a wireless tag T. The sheets S are made of a material such as paper or plastic film.

[0017] Printer unit 18 performs an operation of forming an image. For example, printer unit 18 forms an image indicated by image data on a sheet. In the following description, forming an image on a sheet is also referred to as "printing." Note that, in this embodiment, printer unit 18 is a device that fixes a toner image, but is not limited to this and may be an inkjet device.

[0018] The printer unit 18 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21. The printer unit 18 supports the intermediate transfer belt 21 with a driven roller 41, a backup roller 40, and the like. The printer unit 18 rotates the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the direction of arrow m. The printer unit 18 includes four sets of image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K. The image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K correspond to Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively. The image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K are arranged below the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0019] The following description will be given taking the Y (yellow) image forming station 22Y as an example among the image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K. Note that the image forming stations 22M, 22C, and 22K have the same configuration as the image forming station 22Y, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0020] The image forming station 22Y includes a charger 26, an exposure scanning head 27, a developing device 28, and a photosensitive drum cleaner 29. The charger 26, the exposure scanning head 27, the developing device 28, and the photosensitive drum cleaner 29 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 24 that rotates in the direction of arrow n.

[0021] The image forming station 22Y includes a primary transfer roller 30. The primary transfer roller 30 is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 24 with the intermediate transfer belt 21 interposed therebetween.

[0022] The charging charger 26 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 24. The exposure scanning head 27 exposes the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 24 to light, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 24. The developing device 28 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 24 using a two-component developer made of toner and carrier.

[0023] The primary transfer rollers 30 primarily transfer the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 24 onto the intermediate transfer belt 21. The primary transfer rollers 30 of the image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K primarily transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 21, thereby forming a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21. The color toner image is a toner image formed by sequentially superimposing toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The photosensitive cleaner 29 removes any toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 24 after the primary transfer.

[0024] The printer unit 18 includes a secondary transfer roller 32. The secondary transfer roller 32 is disposed opposite the backup roller 40 across the intermediate transfer belt 21. The secondary transfer roller 32 performs secondary transfer of the color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the sheet all at once. The secondary transfer roller 32 functions as an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. 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.

[0025] The conveying path 33 is a path along which a sheet is conveyed by a plurality of conveying rollers (for example, conveying roller 330, etc.). The conveying path 33 includes a first conveying path 33a, a second conveying path 33b, and a third conveying path 33c. The first conveying path 33a is a conveying path from the junction 44a to the branching portion 44b. The second conveying path 33b is a conveying path that passes through the inside of the double-sided printing device 38, and is a conveying path that is different from the first conveying path 33a, from the branching portion 44b to the junction 44a. The third conveying path 33c is a conveying path from the branching portion 44b to the paper output tray 20.

[0026] A sheet is taken out from the sheet loading unit 16, which is one of the paper feed cassettes 16a, 16b, and manual feed tray 16c. The registration rollers 31 are located upstream of the secondary transfer rollers 32 in the sheet transport direction in the first transport path 33a. The sheet taken out from the sheet loading unit 16 is transported to the area where the two stopped registration rollers 31 are in contact. The sheet is temporarily stopped at the area where the two stopped registration rollers 31 are in contact. At this time, the leading edge of the sheet abuts against the registration rollers 31, and the skew of the sheet is corrected. The control unit 100 starts rotation of the registration rollers 31 in accordance with the position of the toner image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 21, and moves the sheet to the position of the secondary transfer rollers 32.

[0027] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred onto a sheet by a secondary transfer roller 32. Furthermore, the secondarily transferred toner image is fixed onto the sheet by a fixing device 34. In this way, an image is formed on the sheet under the control of the control unit 100. The control unit 100 conveys the sheet on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 34 to the third conveying path 33c, and discharges the sheet.

[0028] The RFID tag communication device 50 includes a processing unit, a storage device, and an antenna 51. The RFID tag in this embodiment is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag. The RFID tag communication device 50 transmits radio waves, for example, in the direction of arrow k. The RFID tag communication device 50 communicates with the RFID tag T attached to the sheet S via the antenna 51. For example, the RFID tag communication device 50 is capable of wireless communication with the RFID tag T of the sheet S paused by the registration rollers 31 on the first conveying path 33a. Specifically, the RFID tag communication device 50 reads information from the RFID tag T and writes information to the RFID tag T.

[0029] For example, when the sheet is used for logistics or the like, the information to be written on the wireless tag includes information indicating the contents, information indicating the destination, and information to be printed on the sheet. In this embodiment, the wireless tag communication device 50 uses, for example, a radio wave method (UHF) in the 900 MHz band. However, the RFID method and frequency band are not limited to this, and other methods and frequency bands can also be adopted.

[0030] The control unit 100 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 . 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image processing device. Image forming device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, memory 92, auxiliary storage device 93, etc., all connected via a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, image forming device 10 functions as a device including printer unit 18, control panel 13, and wireless tag communication device 50.

[0031] The CPU 91 functions as a control unit 100 by executing programs stored in the memory 92 and the auxiliary storage device 93. The control unit 100 controls the operation of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus . The auxiliary storage device 93 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The auxiliary storage device 93 stores information. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a data management server 60, which is a host system. The data management server 60 stores information about wireless tags.

[0032] The RFID tag communication device 50 will now be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the radio tag communication device, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the radio tag communication device with the shielding plate closed, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the radio tag communication device with the shielding plate open.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless tag communication device 50 has a substantially rectangular, flat plate shape. For example, the wireless tag communication device 50 is disposed along the +X-direction end face of the housing of the image forming apparatus 10, with its thickness direction aligned with the X-direction. The image forming apparatus 10 has a manual feed tray 16c at its +X-direction end face. The manual feed tray 16c is openable and closable relative to the housing of the image forming apparatus 10. When the manual feed tray 16c is closed, the wireless tag communication device 50 is disposed in the -X direction of the manual feed tray 16c (inside the image forming apparatus 10). When the manual feed tray 16c is open, the wireless tag communication device 50 is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10. The wireless tag communication device 50 may be disposed in a location different from the above.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the RFID tag communication device 50 includes an antenna 51, a cover 52, and a shielding plate (shielding member) 55. The antenna 51 is flat. The antenna 51 is disposed in the center of the RFID tag communication device 50 in the X direction, with its thickness direction aligned with the X direction. The antenna 51 transmits and receives radio waves in the ±X directions. The antenna 51 may be a combination of a unidirectional antenna that transmits and receives radio waves in the +X direction and a unidirectional antenna that transmits and receives radio waves in the −X direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, in the -X direction of the antenna 51 is a first transport path 33a along which a sheet is transported. The first transport path 33a is a vertical transport path along which a sheet is transported from below to above. The antenna 51 is capable of wireless communication with a first RFID tag T1 of a sheet S that has been temporarily stopped by registration rollers 31 in the first transport path 33a. The antenna 51 transmits and receives radio waves in the -X direction and wirelessly communicates with the first RFID tag T1. The antenna 51 reads information from the first RFID tag T1 and writes information to the first RFID tag T1. There is no member that blocks radio waves between the antenna 51 and the vicinity of the registration rollers 31 on the first transport path 33a.

[0036] 3, the antenna 51 is capable of wireless communication with the second RFID tag T2 of the sheet S located in the +X direction. The second RFID tag T2 is located on the opposite side of the antenna 51 from the first transport path 33a. The antenna 51 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the +X direction, and wirelessly communicates with the second RFID tag T2. The antenna 51 reads information from the second RFID tag T2 and writes information to the second RFID tag T2.

[0037] The cover 52 is made of a resin material, a metal material, or the like. The cover 52 covers the antenna 51. The cover 52 has a window 53. The window (opening) 53 is located near the center in the Y and Z directions of the end plate of the cover 52 in the +X direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the window 53 is rectangular with the Y direction as the longitudinal direction and the Z direction as the lateral direction. The window 53 penetrates the +X direction end plate of the cover 52 in the X direction. The window 53 exposes the +X direction surface of the antenna 51 to the outside of the wireless tag communication device 50.

[0038] The shielding plate 55 is made of a metal material that is conductive and blocks radio waves. The shielding plate 55 is flat, with its thickness direction aligned with the X direction. The shielding plate 55 is rectangular, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the Y direction and its lateral direction aligned with the Z direction. The length of the shielding plate 55 in the Y direction is longer than the length of the window 53 in the Y direction. The length of the shielding plate 55 in the Z direction is longer than the length of the window 53 in the Z direction. The shielding plate 55 is arranged parallel to the end plate of the cover 52 in the +X direction, in the +X direction of the end plate.

[0039] The RFID tag communication device 50 has a shielding plate driving mechanism 56 that moves the shielding plate 55 in the Z direction. For example, the shielding plate driving mechanism 56 has a motor 57 and a rack-and-pinion mechanism 58. The rack-and-pinion mechanism 58 has a pinion gear that is rotationally driven by the motor 57, and a rack gear that is attached to the shielding plate 55. When the motor 57 rotates the pinion gear, the rack gear that meshes with the pinion gear moves in the Z direction, and the shielding plate 55 moves in the Z direction. The shielding plate driving mechanism 56 may be a solenoid. The RFID tag communication device 50 may not have the shielding plate driving mechanism 56, and the shielding plate 55 may be manually movable in the Z direction.

[0040] The shielding plate 55 is movable in the Z direction between a shielding position SP (see FIG. 4) where it closes the window 53 and an opening position OP (see FIG. 5) where it opens the window 53. For example, the opening position OP is in the +Z direction of the shielding position SP.

[0041] 4, the shielding plate 55 is arranged over the entire window 53 and in the +X direction around the window 53. The shielding plate 55 at the shielding position SP blocks wireless communication between the antenna 51 and the second RF tag T2 (see FIG. 3) located in the +X direction of the antenna 51. 5, the entire window 53 and the periphery thereof are exposed in the +X direction. The shielding plate 55 moves from the shielding position SP to the open position OP to enable wireless communication between the second RFID tag T2 (see FIG. 3) and the antenna 51.

[0042] The method of using the image forming apparatus 10 will now be described. A method (first reading mode) for reading the first data from the first RFID tag T1 of the sheet S on the first transport path 33a will be described. A user of the image forming apparatus 10 places multiple sheets S on the sheet loading section 16 shown in FIG. 1. The user selects a first read mode on the control panel 13. The multiple sheets S are supplied one by one from the sheet loading section 16 to the first conveying path 33a. The registration rollers 31 on the first conveying path 33a temporarily stop the sheets S and adjust the orientation of the sheets S. The antenna 51 of the RFID tag communication device 50 wirelessly communicates with the first RFID tag T1 of the sheets S conveyed to the registration rollers 31. The control unit 100 reads first data from the first RFID tag T1 via the antenna 51. The control unit 100 displays the read first data on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 may record the first data in the data management server 60 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 100 forms a predetermined image on the sheets S from which the first data has been read.

[0043] The control unit 100 may compare the read first data with second data acquired in advance. The second data is recorded in advance in the data management server 60. The control unit 100 displays the comparison result between the first data and the second data on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 may record the comparison result in the data management server 60.

[0044] A method (first write mode) for writing second data to the first RFID tag T1 of the sheet S on the first transport path 33a will be described. The second data is recorded in advance in the data management server 60. The user selects the first write mode on the control panel 13. The user selects the second data on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 reads the second data from the data management server 60. The antenna 51 of the RFID tag communication device 50 wirelessly communicates with the first RFID tag T1 of the sheet S transported to the registration rollers 31. The control unit 100 writes the second data to the first RFID tag T1 via the antenna 51. The control unit 100 forms a predetermined image on the sheet S on which the second data has been written.

[0045] In the first read mode and the first write mode, the antenna 51 wirelessly communicates with the first wireless tag T1 of the sheet S on the first conveying path 33a. At this time, it is necessary to prevent the antenna 51 from wirelessly communicating with other wireless tags. As shown in FIG. 5, when the shielding plate 55 is in the open position OP, the antenna 51 may wirelessly communicate with other wireless tags. When the user selects the first read mode or the first write mode on the control panel 13, the control unit 100 moves the shielding plate 55 from the open position OP to the shielding position SP shown in FIG. 4. This prevents wireless communication between the antenna 51 and other wireless tags.

[0046] A method (second read mode) for reading the first data from the second RFID tag T2 of the sheet S located in the +X direction of the RFID tag communication device 50 will be described. When the manual feed tray 16c of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is closed, the user opens the manual feed tray 16c to expose the RFID tag communication device 50. The user selects the second reading mode on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 moves the shielding plate 55 from the shielding position SP shown in FIG. 4 to the open position OP shown in FIG. 5. The window 53 of the RFID tag communication device 50 is opened, and the surface of the antenna 51 in the +X direction is exposed to the outside. The user holds the sheet S shown in FIG. 3 and places it in the +X direction of the RFID tag communication device 50. The user brings the second RFID tag T2 of the sheet S close to the window 53 of the RFID tag communication device 50. The antenna 51 wirelessly communicates with the second RFID tag T2 of the sheet S located in the +X direction of the RFID tag communication device 50. The control unit 100 reads the first data from the second RFID tag T2 via the antenna 51. The control unit 100 displays the read first data on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 may record the first data in the data management server 60.

[0047] The control unit 100 may compare the read first data with second data acquired in advance. The second data is recorded in advance in the data management server 60. The control unit 100 displays the comparison result between the first data and the second data on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 may record the comparison result in the data management server 60.

[0048] A method (second write mode) for writing second data to the second RFID tag T2 of the sheet S located in the +X direction of the RFID tag communication device 50 will be described. The user selects the second write mode on the control panel 13. The user inputs second data into the control panel 13. The control unit 100 moves the shielding plate 55 from the shielding position SP to the open position OP. The window 53 of the RFID tag communication device 50 is opened, and the surface of the antenna 51 in the +X direction is exposed to the outside. The user brings the second RFID tag T2 on the sheet S close to the window 53 of the RFID tag communication device 50. The antenna 51 communicates wirelessly with the second RFID tag T2 on the sheet S located in the +X direction of the RFID tag communication device 50. The control unit 100 writes the second data to the second RFID tag T2 via the antenna 51. The control unit 100 may record the second data in the data management server 60.

[0049] As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment has the first transport path 33a, the antenna 51, and the shielding plate 55. The sheet S is transported along the first transport path 33a. The antenna 51 is capable of wireless communication with the first RFID tag T1 of the sheet S on the first transport path 33a. The shielding plate 55 blocks wireless communication between the antenna 51 and the second RFID tag T2 located on the opposite side of the antenna 51 from the first transport path 33a at the shielding position SP. The shielding plate 55 moves from the shielding position SP to enable wireless communication between the second RFID tag T2 and the antenna 51.

[0050] The second RF tag T2 is located on the opposite side of the antenna 51 from the first conveying path 33a. The shielding plate 55 moves from the shielding position SP to enable wireless communication between the second RF tag T2 and the antenna 51. The image forming apparatus 10 can wirelessly communicate with the external second RF tag T2. To wirelessly communicate with the external second RF tag T2, it is not necessary to provide a RF tag communication device including an antenna separate from the antenna 51 of the image forming apparatus 10. The shielding plate 55 shields the wireless communication between the second RF tag T2 and the antenna 51 at the shielding position SP. When the antenna 51 wirelessly communicates with the first RF tag T1 of the sheet S on the first conveying path 33a, wireless communication with the external second RF tag T2 is suppressed.

[0051] The image forming apparatus 10 further has a cover 52 that covers the antenna 51. The cover 52 has a window 53. The window 53 is closed by a shielding plate 55 that is in the shielding position SP, and is released when the shielding plate 55 moves from the shielding position SP. The window 53 is closed by the shielding plate 55 at the shielding position SP, blocking wireless communication between the second RF tag T2 and the antenna 51. When the shielding plate 55 moves from the shielding position SP and the window 53 is opened, wireless communication between the second RF tag T2 and the antenna 51 becomes possible. Whether wireless communication between the second RF tag T2 and the antenna 51 is possible or not can be determined with high accuracy.

[0052] In the first conveying path 33a, the sheet S is conveyed from below to above. The antenna 51 is capable of wireless communication with the first wireless tag T1 of the sheet S on the first transport path 33a, which is a vertical transport path.

[0053] The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a secondary transfer roller 32 and a registration roller 31. The secondary transfer roller 32 is located on a first conveying path 33a and forms an image on a sheet S. The registration roller 31 is located upstream of the secondary transfer roller 32 in the conveying direction of the sheet S on the first conveying path 33a. The registration roller 31 temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet S. The antenna 51 is capable of wireless communication with a first RFID tag T1 of the sheet S temporarily stopped by the registration roller 31. Since wireless communication is easily successful because wireless communication is performed with the first wireless tag T1 of the paused sheet S. Since the sheet S is paused at the registration rollers 31 and the sheet S is not paused at another location, a decrease in printing productivity is suppressed.

[0054] The image forming apparatus 10 has a control panel 13 that displays information wirelessly communicated with the second RFID tag T2. The control panel 13 displays the first data read from the second RFID tag T2 and the second data to be written to the second RFID tag T2, thereby improving the convenience of the image forming apparatus 10 for the user.

[0055] The RFID tag communication device 50 has an antenna 51 and a shielding plate 55. The antenna 51 is capable of wireless communication with a first RFID tag T1 of a sheet S on a first transport path 33a along which the sheet S is transported. The shielding plate 55 blocks wireless communication between the antenna 51 and a second RFID tag T2 located on the opposite side of the antenna 51 from the first transport path 33a at a shielding position SP. The shielding plate 55 moves from the shielding position SP to enable wireless communication between the second RFID tag T2 and the antenna 51.

[0056] The RFID tag communication device 50 can wirelessly communicate with a second RFID tag T2 located outside the image forming apparatus 10. To wirelessly communicate with the second RFID tag T2 located outside the image forming apparatus 10, there is no need to prepare a RFID tag communication device including an antenna separate from the antenna 51. When the antenna 51 wirelessly communicates with the first RFID tag T1 of the sheet S located on the first conveying path 33a, wireless communication with the external second RFID tag T2 is suppressed.

[0057] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the shielding plate 55 is provided which moves from the shielding position SP to enable wireless communication between the second RFID tag T2 and the antenna 51. This allows wireless communication with the second RFID tag T2 located outside.

[0058] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] S...sheet, SP...shielding position, T1...first wireless tag, T2...second wireless tag, 10...image forming device, 13...control panel (display panel), 31...registration roller, 32...secondary transfer roller (image forming unit), 33a...first conveying path (conveying path), 50...wireless tag communication device, 51...antenna, 52...cover, 53...window, 55...shielding plate (shielding member).

Claims

1. a conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed; an antenna capable of wirelessly communicating with a first wireless tag of the sheet on the conveying path; a shielding member that, at a shielding position, blocks wireless communication between the antenna and a second wireless tag located on the opposite side of the transport path with the antenna in between, and moves from the shielding position to enable wireless communication between the second wireless tag and the antenna; Image forming device.

2. Further, a cover for covering the antenna is provided. the cover has a window that is closed by the shielding member when the shielding member is in the shielding position and that is opened when the shielding member moves from the shielding position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The sheet is transported from below to above in the transport path.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. an image forming unit located in the conveying path and forming an image on the sheet; a registration roller that is located upstream of the image forming unit in the sheet conveying direction in the conveying path and conveys the sheet; the antenna is capable of wireless communication with a first wireless tag of the sheet conveyed to the registration rollers; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. a display panel for displaying information wirelessly communicated with the second wireless tag; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. an antenna capable of wirelessly communicating with a first wireless tag of a sheet located on a conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed; a shielding member that, at a shielding position, blocks wireless communication between the antenna and a second wireless tag located on the opposite side of the transport path with the antenna in between, and moves from the shielding position to enable wireless communication between the second wireless tag and the antenna; Radio tag communication device.

Images