RFID Media Tray Shielding in Image Forming Equipment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing erroneous writing to radio frequency identifier (RFID) tags on media without increasing costs or deteriorating heat radiation performance by excessive conductor shielding.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a shielding member in the medium receiving unit that partially shields radio waves, preventing erroneous writing to RFID tags while maintaining cost-effectiveness and heat radiation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If excessive conductor is used for shielding radio waves, then erroneous writing prevention is improved, but costs increase and heat radiation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerroneous writing preventionVSAvoidcosts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing conductor materials only in specific locations where radio wave shielding is necessary, rather than using excessive conductor throughout. The conductor is strategically positioned to shield the radio tag area while leaving other areas open for heat radiation, thus preventing erroneous writing without compromising heat dissipation or increasing costs unnecessarily.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by using a controlled amount of conductor material just sufficient for shielding purposes. Instead of applying excessive conductor coverage, the solution uses the minimum necessary conductor amount to achieve effective radio wave shielding, thereby avoiding increased costs and heat radiation deterioration while still preventing erroneous writing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If excessive conductor is used for shielding radio waves, then erroneous writing prevention is improved, but heat radiation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerroneous writing preventionVSAvoidheat radiation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing conductor materials only in specific locations where radio wave shielding is necessary, rather than using excessive conductor throughout. The conductor is strategically positioned to shield the radio tag area while leaving other areas open for heat radiation, thus preventing erroneous writing without compromising heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conductor is used for shielding radio waves, then erroneous writing prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerroneous writing preventionVSAvoidshielding structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the shielding function from the overall tray structure. The conductor is extracted as a distinct, simple component that can be independently positioned and adjusted, reducing the complexity of the overall device while maintaining effective shielding functionality for erroneous writing prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution effectively prevents erroneous writing to RFID tags on media, reduces costs, and maintains heat radiation performance by using a partially shielding member in the medium receiving unit.

Implementation Method 1

a shielding member configured to shield radio waves transmitted from the antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave shielding: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4485272B1Image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4485272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4485272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4485272B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image forming unit, a radio communication unit, a receiving unit, and a shielding member. The processor controls supply and ejection of a medium with a radio tag, which is to be housed in a housing unit. The image forming unit forms an image in the supplied medium. The radio communication unit transmits a radio wave for writing information to the radio tag of the supplied medium. The receiving unit receives the ejected medium. The shielding member is formed in a part of the receiving unit and shields radio waves transmitted from the radio communication unit.