Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming device capable of confirming identity of a sheet.SOLUTION: The image forming device comprises: a conveyance path; a wireless tag communication device; and a control unit. A sheet is conveyed on the conveyance path. The wireless tag communication device can wirelessly communicate with a wireless tag of the sheet. The control unit reads first data from the wireless tag of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path by the wireless tag communication device. The control unit compares first data with second data which has been acquired beforehand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed. The image forming apparatus may include a wireless tag communication device capable of wireless communication with a wireless tag of a sheet on the conveyance path. There is a need for an image forming apparatus that can confirm the identity of a sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of confirming the identity of a sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In aspect 1 of the embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a conveyance path, a wireless tag communication device, and a control unit. In the conveyance path, a sheet is conveyed. The wireless tag communication device is capable of wireless communication with a wireless tag of the sheet. The control unit reads first data from the wireless tag of the sheet on the conveyance path by the wireless tag communication device. The control unit compares the first data with second data acquired in advance.

[0006] Embodiment 2 is an image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises an image forming unit. The image forming unit is located on a transport path and forms an image on a sheet. The control unit writes second data to a plurality of sheets that are continuously transported along the transport path using a wireless tag communication device, and forms an image with the image forming unit. The control unit then reads first data from a plurality of sheets that are continuously transported again along the transport path.

[0007] Embodiment 3 is an image forming apparatus of Embodiment 2 in which the control unit reads the first data from a plurality of sheets that are transported continuously along the transport path after a plurality of sheets on which the second data has been written and an image has been formed have been ejected.

[0008] Embodiment 4 is an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a second data generation unit that generates second data. The control unit writes the second data generated by the second data generation unit to a plurality of sheets.

[0009] Embodiment 5 is an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3, in which the control unit writes the second data acquired from an external source to a plurality of sheets. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] Hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Diagrams illustrating the first and second data sets. [Figure 4] A flowchart showing how to verify your ID. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The image forming apparatus and wireless tag communication apparatus of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in this embodiment will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 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.

[0012] In Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes 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, 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 transport of sheets in the printer unit 18. Controlling the transport of sheets means controlling the transport timing of the sheets, the stopping position of the sheets, the transport speed of the sheets, etc.

[0013] The control panel 13 includes input keys and a display unit. For example, the input keys accept user input. For example, the display unit is a touch panel. The display unit accepts user input and displays it to the user. For example, the control panel 13 displays items related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 on the display unit so that they can be set. The control panel 13 notifies the control unit 100 of the items set by the user.

[0014] The paper feed cassettes 16a and 16b store sheets S equipped with wireless tags T. Note that the paper feed cassettes 16a and 16b can also store sheets S without wireless tags T. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, sheet S refers to sheet S equipped with wireless tags T. For example, sheet S may be made of materials such as paper or plastic film.

[0015] The printer unit 18 performs the operation of forming an image. For example, the printer unit 18 forms the image indicated by the image data onto a sheet. In the following description, forming an image onto a sheet is also referred to as "printing". In this embodiment, the printer unit 18 is a device for fixing toner images, but it is not limited to this and may be an inkjet type device.

[0016] 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, etc. 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. Each of the image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K corresponds 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 along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0017] Hereinafter, among the image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K, the image forming station 22Y for Y (yellow) will be described as an example. Since the image forming stations 22M, 22C, and 22K have the same configuration as the image forming station 22Y, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0018] The image forming station 22Y includes a charging charger 26, an exposure scanning head 27, a developing device 28, and a photoreceptor cleaner 29. The charging charger 26, the exposure scanning head 27, the developing device 28, and the photoreceptor cleaner 29 are arranged around a photoreceptor drum 24 that rotates in the direction of arrow n.

[0019] The image forming station 22Y includes a primary transfer roller 30. The primary transfer roller 30 is arranged to face the photoreceptor drum 24 via the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0020] The charging charger 26 uniformly charges the photoreceptor drum 24. The exposure scanning head 27 exposes the uniformly charged photoreceptor drum 24 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 24. The developing device 28 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 24 using a two-component developer formed of toner and carrier.

[0021] The primary transfer roller 30 primarily transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 24 to the intermediate transfer belt 21. By the primary transfer rollers 30 of the respective image forming stations 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 21, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21. The color toner image is a toner image formed by sequentially overlapping toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The photoreceptor cleaner 29 removes the toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 24 after the primary transfer.

[0022] The printer unit 18 includes a secondary transfer roller 32. The secondary transfer roller 32 is disposed opposite to the backup roller 40 via the intermediate transfer belt 21. The secondary transfer roller 32 collectively secondarily transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the sheet. The secondary transfer roller 32 functions as an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. In the following description, when the term "toner image" is used, it may refer to either a color toner image or a toner image of only one color. Also, the toner image may be a toner image using a decolorizing toner.

[0023] The conveyance path 33 is a path along which a sheet is conveyed by a plurality of conveyance rollers (for example, conveyance roller 330, etc.). The conveyance path 33 includes a first conveyance path 33a, a second conveyance path 33b, and a third conveyance path 33c. The first conveyance path 33a is a conveyance path from the confluence portion 44a to the branch portion 44b. The second conveyance path 33b is a conveyance path that passes through the duplex printing device 38 and is a different conveyance path from the first conveyance path 33a from the branch portion 44b to the confluence portion 44a. The third conveyance path 33c is a conveyance path from the branch portion 44b to the paper discharge tray 20.

[0024] The sheet S is removed from the sheet placement section 16 of either the paper feed cassette 16a, paper feed cassette 16b, or manual feed tray 16c. A sheet set SS containing multiple sheets S is placed in the sheet placement section 16. In the transport direction of the sheet S in the first transport path 33a, there is a register roller 31 upstream of the secondary transfer roller 32. The sheet S removed from the sheet placement section 16 is temporarily stopped at the point where the two stationary register rollers 31 are in contact. At this time, the leading edge of the sheet S abuts against the register roller 31, correcting the tilt of the sheet S. The control unit 100 starts the rotation of the register roller 31 in accordance with the position of the toner image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 21, moving the sheet S to the position of the secondary transfer roller 32.

[0025] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred to the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 32. Furthermore, the secondarily transferred toner image is fixed to the sheet by the fuser 34. In this way, an image is formed on the sheet under the control of the control unit 100. The control unit 100 transports the sheet on which the toner image has been fixed by the fuser 34 to the third transport path 33c and discharges the sheet to the output tray 20.

[0026] The output tray 20 has an upper tray 20U and a lower tray 20L. A distribution mechanism 35 is located upstream of the output tray 20 in the sheet transport direction. The distribution mechanism 35 switches the destination of the sheets between the upper tray 20U and the lower tray 20L.

[0027] The wireless tag communication device 50 comprises a computing unit, a storage device, and an antenna 51. The wireless tag in this embodiment is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag. The wireless tag communication device 50 transmits radio waves in the direction of arrow k, for example. The wireless tag communication device 50 communicates with the wireless tag T provided on the sheet S via the antenna 51. For example, the wireless tag communication device 50 can wirelessly communicate with the wireless tag T on the sheet S that has been temporarily stopped by the registration roller 31 on the first transport path 33a. Specifically, the wireless tag communication device 50 reads information from the wireless tag T and writes information to the wireless tag T.

[0028] The information written on the wireless tag is the identification number of the sheet, etc. For example, if the sheet is used for logistics, information indicating the contents, information indicating the destination, and content printed on the sheet may be written on the wireless tag. In this embodiment, the wireless tag communication device 50 uses, for example, a 900MHz band radio wave system (UHF). However, the RFID system and frequency band are not limited to these, and other systems and frequency bands can also be used.

[0029] The control unit 100 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 10. Figure 2 is a hardware diagram of the image processing device. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, memory 92, auxiliary storage device 93, etc., connected by a bus, and executes programs. The image forming apparatus 10 functions as a device comprising a printer unit 18, a control panel 13, and a wireless tag communication device 50 through program execution.

[0030] The CPU 91 functions as a control unit 100 by executing programs stored in the memory 92 and auxiliary storage device 93. The control unit 100 controls the operation of each functional part of the image forming apparatus 10. The auxiliary storage device 93 is configured using storage devices such as magnetic hard disk drives and semiconductor storage devices. The auxiliary storage device 93 stores information. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a higher-level system, the data management server 60. The data management server 60 stores information about the wireless tag T.

[0031] The function of the control unit 100 for verifying the identity of sheet S (hereinafter sometimes referred to as ID verification) will be explained below. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the first and second data. The wireless tag T on sheet S has the identification number (ID number) of sheet S recorded as the first data. The data management server 60 has the identification number (ID number) of sheet S recorded as the second data.

[0032] The control unit 100 reads the first data from the wireless tag T on the sheet S located on the first transport path 33a using the wireless tag communication device 50 shown in Figure 1. The control unit 100 obtains the second data from the data management server 60. The control unit 100 compares the first data and the second data. If the first data and the second data match, the control unit 100 determines that the sheet S from which the first data was read and the sheet S recorded in the data management server 60 are the same.

[0033] A sheet set SS is filled into the sheet placement section 16 shown in Figure 1. Multiple sheets S included in the sheet set SS are transported continuously along the first transport path 33a. The control unit 100 reads first data from the wireless tags T of the multiple sheets S.

[0034] The data management server 60 stores the identification numbers of multiple sheets S included in the sheet set SS as secondary data. The control unit 100 retrieves the secondary data from the data management server 60.

[0035] The control unit 100 compares the first data and the second data. If the first data and the second data match, the control unit 100 determines that the sheet set SS from which the first data was read and the sheet set SS recorded in the data management server 60 are identical.

[0036] For example, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 provides a sheet set SS on which images have been formed to a sheet user. The sheet user returns the sheet set SS to the user. The user verifies the identity of the returned sheet set SS with the sheet set SS that was provided.

[0037] The user writes second data to the sheet set SS before providing it to the sheet user. The user fills the sheet set SS into the sheet placement unit 16 shown in Figure 1. Multiple sheets S contained in the sheet set SS are transported continuously along the first transport path 33a. The control unit 100 obtains the second data in advance from the data management server 60. The control unit 100 writes the second data to the wireless tags T of the multiple sheets S. The image forming unit forms an image on the multiple sheets S on which the second data has been written. The multiple sheets S with the formed image are discharged into the output tray 20. The user provides the sheet set SS with the formed image to the sheet user.

[0038] The second data written to the sheet set SS is recorded in the sheet set SS as the first data. The user reads the first data from the returned sheet set SS. The user loads the returned sheet set SS into the sheet placement unit 16. Multiple sheets S contained in the sheet set SS are transported continuously along the first transport path 33a. The control unit 100 reads the first data from the wireless tags T of the multiple sheets S.

[0039] The control unit 100 obtains the second data from the data management server 60. The control unit 100 compares the first data and the second data. If the first data and the second data match, the control unit 100 determines that the returned sheet set SS and the provided sheet set SS are identical.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 10 may have a second data generation unit 70 that generates second data. The second data generation unit 70 records the generated second data in a data management server 60. The control unit 100 retrieves the second data generated by the second data generation unit 70 from the data management server 60 and writes it to the wireless tags T of the multiple sheets S. The second data acquired from an external source may be recorded in the data management server 60. The control unit 100 writes the second data acquired from an external source to the wireless tags T of multiple sheets S.

[0041] The control unit 100 may form a specific image on the sheet S for which ID verification has been successful. For example, the specific image may be text indicating that the ID has been verified. The specific image may also be a completely black (filled) image. Even if the image previously formed on the sheet S contains confidential information, the leakage of confidential information can be suppressed by overwriting it with a completely black specific image.

[0042] The method for verifying the ID of the embodiment will be explained. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the ID verification method. The user of the image forming apparatus 10 fills the sheet placement section 16 shown in Figure 1 with a sheet set SS (ACT 10). The user selects the ID verification mode on the control panel 13. The control unit 100 obtains second data from the data management server 60. The data management server 60 stores second data for multiple sheet sets SS. The user may also select a sheet set SS for ID verification on the control panel 13. In this case, the control unit 100 obtains second data for the selected sheet set SS from the data management server 60.

[0043] The user enters information about a specific image in the control panel 13. The specific image is the image to be created on sheet S after successful ID verification. The information about the specific image includes information on whether the specific image needs to be created and information on the type of specific image.

[0044] The image forming apparatus 10 starts supplying sheets S (ACT 12). Multiple sheets S included in the sheet set SS are supplied one by one from the sheet placement section 16 to the first transport path 33a. The registration roller 31 on the first transport path 33a pauses the sheets S and aligns them (ACT 14). The wireless tag communication device 50 communicates wirelessly with the wireless tag T of the sheet S that has been paused by the registration roller 31. The control unit 100 reads first data from the wireless tag T via the wireless tag communication device 50.

[0045] The control unit 100 determines whether it has successfully read the first data (ACT16). If it has successfully read the first data (ACT16:YES), the control unit 100 compares the first data with the second data. The control unit 100 determines whether the first data and the second data match (ACT18). If they match (ACT18:YES), the control unit 100 determines that the ID verification has been successful. The control unit 100 determines that the sheet S from which the first data was read and the sheet S recorded in the data management server 60 are identical. The control unit 100 displays the successful ID verification on the control panel 13 and records it in the data management server 60.

[0046] If ID verification is successful (ACT18:YES), the control unit 100 determines whether or not to form a specific image (ACT20). The control unit 100 determines whether or not to form a specific image according to the information entered by the user. If the formation of a specific image is necessary (ACT20:YES), the control unit 100 forms the specific image on sheet S (ACT22). The control unit 100 selects the type of specific image according to the information entered by the user and forms the specific image. The formation of the specific image makes it possible to visually confirm that the ID verification on sheet S was successful.

[0047] The control unit 100 discharges the sheet S on which the specific image has been formed into the lower tray 20L shown in Figure 1 (ACT24). The control unit 100 selects the lower tray 20L as the discharge destination for the sheet S using the distribution mechanism 35. If the formation of a specific image is unnecessary (ACT20:NO), the control unit 100 does not form the specific image on the sheet S. Even in this case, the control unit 100 discharges the sheet S into the lower tray 20L (ACT24).

[0048] If reading the first data fails (ACT16: NO), the control unit 100 ejects the sheet S to the upper tray 20U (ACT26). The control unit 100 selects the upper tray 20U as the destination for ejecting the sheet S using the distribution mechanism 35. If reading the first data is successful (ACT16: YES), but the first data and the second data do not match (ACT18: NO), the control unit 100 determines that the ID verification failed. In this case as well, the control unit 100 ejects the sheet S to the upper tray 20U (ACT26).

[0049] The lower tray 20L dispenses sheets S for which ID verification was successful. The upper tray 20U dispenses all other sheets S. This allows for the separation of sheets S for which ID verification was successful from other sheets S.

[0050] The processes from ACT12 to ACT26 are repeated for multiple sheets S included in the sheet set SS. When the first data and second data of all sheets S match, the control unit 100 determines that the ID verification of all sheets S has been successful. The control unit 100 determines that the sheet set SS from which the first data was read is the same as the sheet set SS recorded in the data management server 60. The control unit 100 displays on the control panel 13 that the ID verification of all sheets S has been successful.

[0051] In some cases, only the first data from some sheets S matches the second data from multiple sheets S, resulting in successful ID verification. The control unit 100 displays information on the sheets S for which ID verification was successful and information on the sheets S for which ID verification failed on the control panel 13.

[0052] The control unit 100 may obtain second data for multiple sheet sets SS from the data management server 60. In this case, only the second data for a specific sheet set SS matches the first data, and the ID verification is successful. The control unit 100 displays information about the specific sheet set SS for which the ID verification was successful on the control panel 13.

[0053] As detailed above, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a first transport path 33a, a wireless tag communication device 50, and a control unit 100. Sheets S are transported along the first transport path 33a. The wireless tag communication device 50 can communicate wirelessly with the wireless tags T on the sheets S. The control unit 100 reads first data from the wireless tags T on the sheets S in the first transport path 33a using the wireless tag communication device 50. The control unit 100 compares the first data with previously acquired second data.

[0054] The ID of sheet S can be verified by comparing the first data read from sheet S with the second data acquired in advance. The control unit 100 reads the first data from the wireless tag T of sheet S on the first transport path 33a using the wireless tag communication device 50. No additional equipment other than the wireless tag communication device 50 is required to read the first data.

[0055] The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a secondary transfer roller 32. The secondary transfer roller 32 is located on the first transport path 33a and forms an image on the sheet S. The control unit 100 writes second data to a plurality of sheets S that are continuously transported on the first transport path 33a using the wireless tag communication device 50, and forms an image using the secondary transfer roller 32. The control unit 100 then reads first data from the plurality of sheets S that are continuously transported again on the first transport path 33a. After the multiple sheets S on which the second data has been written and an image has been formed have been ejected, the control unit 100 reads the first data again from the multiple sheets S that are being transported continuously along the first transport path 33a.

[0056] The control unit 100 writes second data to multiple sheets S that are continuously transported along the first transport path 33a. The second data written to the sheets S is recorded in the sheets S as first data. The control unit 100 then reads the first data again from multiple sheets S that are continuously transported along the first transport path 33a. The control unit 100 compares the read first data with the previously acquired second data. The IDs of the sheet set SS from which the first data was read and the sheet set SS on which the second data was written can be verified.

[0057] The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a second data generation unit 70 that generates second data. The control unit 100 writes the second data generated by the second data generation unit 70 to a plurality of sheets S. The control unit 100 writes the second data acquired from an external source to multiple sheets S. Various secondary data can be used to verify the ID.

[0058] According to at least one embodiment described above, first data is read from the wireless tag T of the sheet S located in the first transport path 33a and compared with second data acquired in advance. This makes it possible to verify the ID of the sheet S.

[0059] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] S...sheet, T...wireless tag, 10...image forming apparatus, 32...secondary transfer roller (image forming unit), 33a...first transport path (transport path), 50...wireless tag communication device, 70...second data generation unit, 100...control unit.

Claims

1. The transport path through which the sheets are transported, The aforementioned sheet's wireless tag and a wireless tag communication device capable of wireless communication, A control unit reads first data from the wireless tag on the sheet in the transport path using the wireless tag communication device and compares the first data with a previously acquired second data, It has an image forming unit located in the transport path that forms an image on the sheet, The control unit writes the second data to a plurality of sheets that are continuously transported along the transport path using the wireless tag communication device, forms the image using the image forming unit, and then reads the first data again from the plurality of sheets that are continuously transported along the transport path. Image forming apparatus.

2. The control unit reads the first data from the plurality of sheets that are transported again in succession along the transport path after the plurality of sheets on which the second data has been written and the image has been formed have been ejected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a second data generation unit that generates the second data, The control unit writes the second data generated by the second data generation unit to the plurality of sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit writes the second data acquired from an external source to the plurality of sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images