Sheet RFID Communication Setup for Image Forming Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require complex operations to set parameters for wireless communication with radio tags, such as RFID, necessitating repeated attempts to convey sheets and adjust transmission output and polarized-wave direction to avoid erroneous data reading or writing.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that acquires setting information for radio tag communication from an external device via a network, associates this information with sheet feeding units, and performs communications based on this information to simplify parameter setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration with repeated attempts is performed to set communication parameters, then communication accuracy with radio tags is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calibrating communication parameters (transmission output, polarized-wave direction, RSSI threshold) for different radio tag types before actual use. The system stores these pre-determined parameters in a storage unit, associated with corresponding radio tag types, so that during operation, the appropriate parameters are automatically retrieved and applied without requiring manual calibration attempts.
2Reliability
If multiple parameters are manually adjusted for optimal communication, then communication reliability is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs parameter optimization in advance by determining the optimal transmission output, polarized-wave direction, and RSSI threshold for each radio tag type through preliminary calibration. These optimized parameters are stored and automatically selected during communication operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments while maintaining high communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a parameter template or profile for each radio tag type based on preliminary calibration results. These parameter profiles are copied and applied when communicating with tags of the same type, avoiding repeated manual optimization processes and reducing time consumption while ensuring consistent communication reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If repeated calibration attempts are performed to avoid erroneous data reading, then data accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs data accuracy calibration in advance by determining the correct reading positions and parameter settings for different radio tag types before production operations. The calibrated parameters including transmission output, polarized-wave direction, and RSSI thresholds are stored and automatically applied, ensuring accurate data reading without requiring repeated calibration attempts during production, thus maintaining high data accuracy while preserving productivity.
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
Facilitates easier and more accurate setting of parameters for wireless communication with radio tags, reducing the need for manual calibration and improving communication efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission output and a polarized-wave direction of an antenna that the tag communication unit uses to communicate with the radio tag
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit, a tag communication unit, and a control unit. The conveying unit conveys the sheet. The tag communication unit performs a first communication with a radio tag brought close to a reading position different from the conveying unit and a second communication with the radio tag provided on the sheet being conveyed by the conveying unit. The control unit acquires setting information used in the second communication pre-associated with information that is read in the first communication and causes the tag communication unit to perform the second communication in accordance with the acquired setting information.