Wireless Tag Destruction in Image Formers via Fixing Unit Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming devices inadequately destroy wireless tags, potentially leading to data leakage and inefficient processing when determining a tag as defective, as methods like stapling or shredding may not completely erase the tag and can be time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device equipped with a reader, writer, determination unit, and a fixing unit that applies increased heat to the wireless tag when deemed defective, ensuring data cannot be read from it, using a configuration with a heat roller and a second press roller to efficiently apply heat and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a stapler is used to destroy the wireless tag, then the processing time is reduced, but the destruction may be insufficient and information in the wireless tag may leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical destruction method (stapler) with a thermal processing method using the fixing unit's heater. This substitution enables complete destruction of the wireless tag through heat treatment, eliminating data leakage risks while maintaining efficient processing within the image forming device workflow.
2Reliability
If a shredder is used to destroy the wireless tag, then complete destruction is achieved, but the sheet cannot be reused as a normal sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat treatment locally to the wireless tag area using the fixing unit, rather than destroying the entire sheet. This localized processing destroys only the wireless tag while preserving the rest of the sheet, enabling continued reuse of the sheet for normal printing purposes.
3Productivity
If the fixing unit uses normal heat treatment, then the sheet is processed efficiently, but the wireless tag is not destroyed and data may leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the heat treatment parameters of the fixing unit based on detection results. When a wireless tag is detected and determined to be defective, the fixing unit applies increased heat treatment intensity specifically to that area, transforming the static heat treatment process into a dynamic, condition-responsive process that ensures data security while maintaining efficiency.
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
Effectively destroys the wireless tag while preventing data leakage, allowing for accurate defect marking and efficient reuse of sheets without the need for physical destruction, thus reducing resource waste.
Implementation Method 1
The fixing unit heats and conveys a sheet having the wireless tag
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device capable of reducing resources related to destruction of a wireless tag is provided. The image forming device according to the present embodiment includes a reader and writer, a fixing unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The reader and writer reads information from the wireless tag. The fixing unit heats and conveys a sheet having the wireless tag. The determination unit determines a defect of the wireless tag based on a reading result of the reader and writer. If the determination unit determines that the wireless tag is defective, the control unit controls the fixing unit to increase an amount of heat applied to the wireless tag such that information cannot be read from the wireless tag.