Decolorable Toner RFID Card for Selective Information Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies do not efficiently allow for the updating of personal information on employee identification cards without replacing the card, as they lack the capability to decolor and re-write information on the same medium.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that uses a combination of decolorable and non-decolorable toners, along with an RFID tag, to selectively form and update images on an employee identification card, allowing for the decoloration of information that needs to be changed, enabling the card to be reused without replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If personal information is printed on an employee identification card using conventional image forming technology, then the card can be issued for identification, but the card cannot be updated without replacement when information changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs decolorable toner that can be selectively faded or removed from specific regions of the card using light exposure or chemical treatment. This allows personal information to be updated on the same card by decoloring old information and printing new information in its place, thereby enabling card reuse and reducing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The card is divided into different regions with different toner types: decolorable toner for personal information that may change (name, position, department) and non-decolorable toner for permanent information (employee ID, photograph, company logo). This segmentation allows selective updating of changeable information while preserving permanent information, enabling card adaptability without replacement
2Adaptability or versatility
If decolorable toner is used to enable information updating on the card, then card reuse becomes possible, but the ability to preserve permanent information becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the card are assigned different toner properties: decolorable toner is applied to areas containing personal information that needs to be updated (such as name, position, department), while non-decolorable toner is applied to areas containing permanent information (such as employee ID, photograph, company logo). This local differentiation allows the card to simultaneously support information updates and preserve permanent data
Solution Approach 2:
The card uses a composite approach by combining decolorable toner and non-decolorable toner on the same substrate. This composite material strategy allows the card to exhibit both decolorable properties (for updateable information) and non-decolorable properties (for permanent information) simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability
3Loss of information
If the entire card is reissued when personal information changes, then information accuracy is maintained, but resource waste and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The card is pre-configured with both decolorable and non-decolorable toner regions during initial card production. This preliminary preparation enables rapid information updates by simply exposing the decolorable regions to light or chemical treatment and printing new information, eliminating the need for time-consuming card replacement processes while maintaining information accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous use of employee identification cards by decoloring and updating personal information, reducing waste and the need for new cards, while securely storing both changeable and non-changeable information.
Implementation Method 1
a first image forming unit configured to form an image with a decolorable material
Implementation Method 2
an RFID processor configured to write data in an RFID tag
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form an image with a decolorable material, a second image forming unit configured to form an image with a non-decolorable material, an RFID processor configured to write data in an RFID tag, a memory unit for storing a table indicating one or more attributes associated with the decolorable material and one or more attributes associated with the non-decolorable material, and a controller configured to control the first image forming unit to carry out image forming on a medium including the RFID tag for information of which attribute is associated with the decolorable material in the table, and control the second image forming unit to carry out image forming on the medium for information of which attribute is associated with the non-decolorable material in the table.