Wireless Tag Reader Positioning in Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses are limited in reading information from wireless tags attached to consumable units, as the reader can only access tags within the apparatus and not those located outside.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus is designed with a wireless tag reader that can move between two positions, allowing it to read tags both inside and outside the device, enabling secure printing and efficient toner management by detecting tags on consumable cartridges and other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the reader is fixed inside the image forming apparatus, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the reader cannot read wireless tags located outside the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading capabilityVSAvoidreader structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reader is made movable between a first position inside the apparatus and a second position outside the apparatus. The reader can be moved to the second position through the opening when the front cover is opened, enabling it to read wireless tags located outside the apparatus. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing external reading capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the reader can read tags outside the apparatus, then the reading range is expanded, but the risk of unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading rangeVSAvoidunauthorized access risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system prevents unauthorized access by controlling when the reader is in the second position. The reader can only be moved to the second position (outside the apparatus) when the front cover is opened, which is a controlled state. This preliminary condition ensures that the reader is externally accessible only when the apparatus is already in an open state, preventing secret external access while maintaining expanded reading range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors the state of the front cover and uses this feedback to control the reader's position. When the front cover is opened, the controller moves the reader to the second position to enable external tag reading. This feedback mechanism ensures that the reader's external accessibility is synchronized with the apparatus state, balancing reading capability with security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the reader moves outside the apparatus, then external tag reading is enabled, but the reliability of information reading may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal access capabilityVSAvoidinformation reading reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reader uses the opening itself as a pathway for both entering and exiting. The reader exits through the opening when the front cover is opened and returns through the same opening when the cover is closed. This self-service approach through a single controlled pathway maintains reading reliability by ensuring the reader is positioned correctly based on the apparatus state, while enabling external access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8582157B2Image forming apparatus with a tag reader changing reading position by movement of front cover

Publication Date: 2013.11.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus including a wireless tag reader is described. The wireless tag reader is configured to be located in a first position to read wireless tags associated with consumables when the consumables are inserted into, stationary in, or removed from the image forming apparatus, and in a second position to read wireless tags outside of the image forming apparatus.