Shared Antenna for RFID Communication in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently performing short-range radio communication for data reading and writing operations between RFID tags on documents and printed objects, often experiencing interference and jamming due to the proximity of antenna units and the need for multiple components and shielding measures.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus integrates a single antenna unit for both data reading and writing operations, with a movable carriage and shielding case to manage radio wave communication, allowing the same RFID reader and writer to perform both functions on documents and printed objects, reducing component count and footprint while preventing erroneous data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna units are used for data reading and writing operations, then communication functionality is improved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single antenna unit to perform multiple functions - both data reading and data writing operations - thereby eliminating the need for separate antenna units for each function. This reduces component count while maintaining full communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data reading and data writing antenna units into a single shared antenna unit. By combining these previously separate components into one unified antenna system, the overall device complexity is reduced while preserving all necessary communication capabilities.
2Area of stationary object
If antenna units are positioned close to each other for compact design, then device footprint is reduced, but radio wave interference and jamming increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful radio wave interference from the system by introducing shielding structures that isolate the antenna unit from other components. This allows the antenna to be positioned in a compact configuration without suffering from interference, effectively removing the harmful factor while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shielding structures as intermediary elements between the antenna unit and other components. These shielding structures act as mediators that block radio wave interference while allowing the antenna to operate in a compact space, thus resolving the conflict between compactness and interference.
3Reliability
If shielding measures are implemented to prevent interference, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function with existing structural components rather than adding separate shielding elements. By integrating shielding into the housing or support structures that already exist in the device, communication reliability is improved without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing structural components serve dual purposes - both structural support and radio wave shielding. This multi-functionality approach provides necessary shielding for communication reliability while avoiding the need for additional dedicated shielding components.
4Device complexity
If a single antenna unit is shared for both reading and writing, then component count is reduced, but communication interference between operations may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between reading and writing operations in time-separated intervals. The single antenna unit performs reading operations at one time and writing operations at another time, preventing simultaneous interference while maintaining component simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts potential interference by using shielding structures to isolate the antenna during operations. This removes the harmful interference effect that could arise from shared antenna usage, allowing reading and writing operations to proceed without mutual interference.
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
This configuration ensures reliable and efficient short-range radio communication for both document scanning and printing operations, minimizing interference and the need for additional shielding, thereby enhancing operational stability and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna unit such as a radio frequency (RF) reader, which performs short-range radio communication with from the information storage unit such as a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag mounted on the document to read data from the information storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit configured to read an image formed on an object to be scanned, an image forming device configured to form an image on a printing object, a first processing unit configured to perform short-range radio communication to perform at least one of data reading operation from an information storage unit mounted on the object to be scanned and data writing operation to the information storage unit, and a second processing unit configured to perform short-range radio communication with the information storage unit mounted on the printing object to perform at least one of the data reading operation from the information storage unit and the data writing operation to the information storage unit. In the image forming apparatus, each one of the first processing unit and the second processing unit is configured to perform the short-range radio communication using a same antenna unit.