JP2005255358A - Paper sorting device and image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device capable of sorting paper sheets based on the presence or absence of an IC tag and information read from the IC tag. <P>SOLUTION: Antennas 29, 63 for detecting an IC tag are provided on the halfway of a conveyance part 70 of an automatic document feeding device 20 or a printer part 40 to read information of the IC tag attached to a paper sheet passing in front of them. Whether paper sheet is provided with the IC tag or not is determined depending on whether reading is possible or impossible. Paper sheets are sorted and delivered based on the information read from the IC tag or the presence or absence of the IC tag. When utilizing a conveyance path of an image forming system, paper sheets are sorted and delivered into a first discharge tray 81 and a second discharge tray 82. When utilizing a conveyance system of the automatic document feeding device 20, paper sheets are sorted and delivered into a delivery tray 27 and a second delivery tray 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper sorting apparatus that sorts recording paper and originals used in a printer or a copying machine for reuse as a raw material for recycled paper, and an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine having the function.

  In recent years, various proposals have been made for the purpose of recycling paper resources in offices. For example, a technology that sorts out paper that can be reused on the back of printers and copiers, and a copier's original reading unit reads waste paper images and prints the quality of recycled paper as a raw material. There is a technique for discriminating based on the ratio of the area and sorting the used paper into a plurality of ranks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Incidentally, an IC tag (wireless IC tag) that can exchange data wirelessly has been used as an electronic tag. The IC tag is an IC chip in which a memory, a reader / writer, a transceiver, and an antenna are integrated. When the IC tag is brought close to the reading device, an electromotive force is generated inside the IC tag due to radio waves (electromagnetic waves) from the reading device, the circuit operates, and data in the memory is transmitted to the reading device.

  IC tags are becoming smaller and less expensive, and their applications are rapidly expanding. IC tags are incorporated into each sheet of recording paper or each document used in copiers and printers. There are movements. For example, an IC tag embedded in each recording sheet is used for falsification of print contents, prevention of forgery, restriction of a print mode, and the like.

JP-A-11-240226

  If the paper in which the IC tag is embedded is recycled as a recycled paper resource without removing the IC tag, the IC tag and its fragments attached to the original paper are mixed into the recycled paper, which is not preferable. For example, if the IC tag attached to the original paper is mixed in the recycled paper in a state in which it normally operates, the recycled paper having incorrect information is produced.

  In order to avoid such a problem, it is necessary to collect and collect paper with an IC tag and paper without an IC tag. However, the IC tag has evolved to an extremely fine size, and it is not uniformly determined in which position of the paper it is incorporated. For this reason, it is impossible to sort the paper by visually confirming the presence or absence of the IC tag.

  On the other hand, if a dedicated sorting device that automatically detects the presence or absence of an IC tag is provided, the installation cost increases and a new installation space must be secured.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a paper sorting device capable of sorting paper based on the presence / absence of an IC tag and information read from the IC tag and an image processing apparatus having the function are provided. It is intended to provide.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a paper feed unit (21, 22, 60),
A paper discharge unit (25, 27, 28, 80) capable of separating and discharging paper into a plurality of paper discharge locations;
A transport unit (23, 70) for sequentially transporting paper from the paper feed unit (21, 22, 60) to the paper discharge unit (25, 27, 28, 80);
An antenna (29, 63) disposed in a transport path of the transport unit (23, 70);
Tag reading means (107, 112) for reading information on IC tags attached to paper by transmitting and receiving radio waves through the antennas (29, 63);
A separation control unit (113) for switching a paper discharge destination in the paper discharge unit (25, 27, 28, 80) based on the information acquired by the tag reading unit (107, 112). This is a featured paper sorting device.

  According to the above invention, the information on the IC tag is read while the paper is being conveyed, and the paper is separately discharged based on the read information. For example, the paper discharge destination is sorted according to whether the paper has an IC tag. Further, the paper with the IC tag may be configured to sort the paper discharge destination in more detail based on the information read from the IC tag. For example, the paper discharge destination is switched based on the color information, paper quality information, raw material information, and the like of the paper read from the IC tag.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a transport unit (23, 70) for sequentially transporting paper from the paper feed unit (21, 22, 60),
An antenna (29, 63) disposed in a transport path of the transport unit (23, 70);
Tag reading means (107, 112) for reading information on IC tags attached to paper by transmitting and receiving radio waves through the antennas (29, 63);
A sheet sorting apparatus comprising: a sorting information generating unit (114) that generates sorting information for sorting and collecting sheets based on information acquired by the tag reading unit (107, 112).

  According to the above invention, the information on the IC tag is read while the paper is transported along the transport path, and the sorting information for sorting and collecting the paper is generated from the read information. For example, classification information indicating whether the sheet has an IC tag is generated, or classification information indicating the paper quality or raw material of the sheet is generated based on information read from the IC tag.

  Based on the generated information, the paper discharge destination may be actually switched and the paper may be immediately sorted, or the sorting information may only be displayed as reference information for the user to sort later. For example, there is a method of displaying as classification information whether or not a sheet with an IC tag exists in the sheet set this time, and what number of sheets has an IC tag. This display may be performed in parallel with the conveyance of the sheet, or may be performed after the conveyance of all the sheets is completed.

  Further, when a sheet with an IC tag is detected, it is preferable to temporarily stop the conveyance of the next sheet. Further, a guidance display may be made to indicate that the cause of the temporary stop is detection of a sheet with an IC tag. On the other hand, when the ratio of the paper with the IC tag is larger than that of the paper without the IC tag, when the paper without the IC tag is detected, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, or the sorting information is guided and displayed. You may comprise. Further, it may be configured to be able to switch which is temporarily stopped.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the path length from the antenna (29, 63) to the branch point of the paper discharge destination is longer than the maximum length in the paper transport direction. It is a sorting device.

  According to the above invention, even when an IC tag is attached to the rear end of the paper conveyance direction, the leading edge of the paper does not reach the branch point of the paper discharge destination when the IC tag is detected. That is, information for sorting is acquired before the leading edge of the paper reaches the branching point.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the sheet feed section (21, 22, 60) and the sheet discharge section (25, 27, 28, 80) are not included in the detectable region of the IC tag. A sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3.

  According to the above invention, the IC tag attached to the paper placed on the paper feed unit (21, 22, 60) or the paper discharge unit (25, 27, 28, 80) is not detected. The IC tag of the paper placed on the paper feed unit (21, 22, 60) or paper discharge unit (25, 27, 28, 80) may be erroneously detected as an IC tag attached to the paper being conveyed. Is prevented. The detectable region may be set by adjusting the directivity and sensitivity of the antennas (29, 63), or may be set by using a shielding plate or the like.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that two or more sheets do not exist in the detectable region of the IC tag at the same time. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.

  According to the above invention, even when two or more sheets are simultaneously present in the transport path by continuous feeding, two or more sheets do not enter the detectable area at the same time. Detection is avoided. In order to prevent two or more sheets from entering at the same time, the feeding interval may be adjusted, the position of the antennas (29, 63) and the detectable area may be adjusted. If the detection period is limited to a period that can be detected from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the paper, and other periods are not detected, two or more documents are present in the detectable area during the non-detection period. It doesn't matter.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the detectable region of the IC tag is set so as to cover the entire width direction of the conveyed paper. This is a paper sorting device.

  According to the above invention, the IC tag can be detected regardless of the position in the width direction of the paper where the IC tag is attached. A plurality of antennas (91) having a small detectable area may be arranged behind the width of the sheet. A long and thin antenna (96) may be installed in the width direction of the paper.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus including a document reading unit and an automatic document feeder for feeding a document to the document reading unit.
An image according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is provided so as to function as both the paper feed unit and the transport unit. It is a processing device.

  According to the above invention, the paper to be sorted is fed and conveyed using the automatic document feeder provided in the image processing apparatus. The number of paper discharge locations may be increased for separation. For example, a location where a double-sided document is turned upside down may be used as another paper discharge location.

The invention according to claim 8 is an image processing apparatus for forming and outputting an image according to image data on a recording sheet.
7. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion for feeding, transporting, and discharging recording paper at the time of image formation is the paper feeding unit, the transporting unit, and the paper discharging unit. The image processing apparatus is provided so as to also serve as the above function.

  According to the above-described invention, the portion for feeding, transporting, and ejecting the recording paper at the time of image formation is used during the paper separation process. Since medium-sized and large-sized copying machines generally have a plurality of paper discharge trays, they can be used for separate paper discharge. Further, since the conveyance path is several times the length of the sheet, the degree of freedom in setting the installation position of the antenna (63) and the detectable area is wide.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an operation mode for paper separation is provided.

  According to the above invention, when the operation mode for paper sorting is selected, the paper sorting operation is performed. Since the original image is not read and the image is not formed, deterioration of the photoconductor and the like is prevented.

  According to the sheet sorting apparatus and the image processing apparatus having the function according to the present invention, the information on the IC tag is read during the conveyance of the sheet, and the information for sorting and discharging the sheet is generated. Sorted collection of paper with an IC tag and paper without an IC tag is supported. Further, based on the information acquired from the IC tag, the paper with the IC tag can be further finely sorted, and various reuses are possible.

  When the path length from the antenna to the branch point of the paper discharge destination is longer than the maximum length in the paper transport direction, even if an IC tag is attached to the rear edge of the paper transport direction, the leading edge of the paper The presence / absence of the IC tag can be determined before the arrival, and there is no extra conveyance such as conveyance of the paper in the reverse direction, and the paper can be smoothly separated and discharged.

  In consideration of the position and size of the detectable area, the positional relationship with the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit, etc., ICs for paper loaded on the paper feed unit and paper discharge unit and other papers being transported Misdetection of tags is prevented, and accurate separation becomes possible.

  In the case where the detectable region of the IC tag is set so as to cover the entire width direction of the conveyed paper, the IC tag can be detected regardless of the position of the IC tag attached in the width direction of the paper. .

  Compared to the case of configuring as a dedicated paper separation device, the automatic document feeder included in the image processing apparatus and the paper feeding, conveyance, and paper discharge mechanism for image formation are used for conveying the paper to be sorted. There are advantages that the overall cost is reduced and that no additional installation space is required.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a multifunction machine 10 as an image processing apparatus including a paper sorting apparatus according to the present invention. The multifunction machine 10 has a copy function for reading a document and forming a duplicate image on paper, a printer function for receiving print data from an external device such as a personal computer, and forming and outputting a corresponding image on paper. This is a device called a so-called digital multifunction device.

  Further, the multifunction machine 10 has a function as a paper sorting device for sorting paper with an IC tag and paper without an IC tag. As a separation method, a first separation mode performed using the conveyance path of the document reading system and a second separation mode performed using the conveyance path of the image forming system are provided.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes an automatic document feeder 20, a reading unit 30, a printer unit 40, and a stacking unit 80. The automatic document feeder 20 has a function of feeding the documents 2 stacked on the document placing tray 21 one by one to the reading portion of the reading unit 30. A double-sided document has a function of reversing the front and back and sending it again to the reading unit 30 after single-sided scanning. In addition, for operation in the first sorting mode, a function is provided for sorting and discharging documents according to whether or not an IC tag is attached.

  The automatic document feeder 20 includes a paper feed roller 22 that sequentially feeds the documents 2 stacked on the document placement tray 21 from the top, and a close contact for allowing the document to pass through a contact glass 31 that is a reading position of the document. A roller 23 and a guide roller 24 for guiding the document fed by the paper feed roller 22 along the contact roller 23 are provided. Further, a switching claw 25 for switching the advancing direction of the document that has passed through the contact glass 31, a reversing roller 26 for reversing the front and back of the double-sided document, a paper discharge tray 27 for discharging the document that has been read, and for separation The second paper discharge tray 28 is provided.

  The back surface of the second paper discharge tray 28 functions as a platen cover that covers the platen glass 31. An IC tag detection antenna 29 is attached in the vicinity of the contact glass 31.

  In the case of a double-sided document, it is fed by the switching claw 25 so as to pass between the pair of reverse rollers 26 after being sent to the contact roller 23 and passing over the contact glass 31. Immediately before the end portion of the document reaches the reversing roller 26, the rotation direction of the reversing roller 26 is reversed, and the switching claw 25 is displaced, so that the document is sent out toward the upper side of the contact roller 23. As a result, the front and back of the document are reversed. The document that has been sent to the contact roller 23 and has again passed through the contact glass 31 is reversed again, and then guided to the sheet discharge tray 27 by the switching claw 25 and discharged. In the case of a single-sided original, the original sent out from the original placement tray 21 passes through the contact glass 31 along the contact roller 23 and is then guided to the discharge tray 27 and discharged as it is.

  When the document is discharged to the second discharge tray 28 at the time of sorting, the document that has passed between the pair of reverse rollers 26 after passing over the contact glass 31 is directly put on the second discharge tray 28. The paper is discharged.

  The reading unit 30 functions to read a document sent by the automatic document feeder 20 and output corresponding image data. The reading unit 30 includes an exposure scanning unit 35 including a light source 33 and a mirror 34, a line image sensor 36 that receives reflected light from the document and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity, and reflects reflected light from the document. A condensing lens 37 that condenses light on the line image sensor 36 and various mirrors 38 that form an optical path for guiding reflected light from the mirror 34 of the exposure scanning unit 35 to the line image sensor 36 are provided.

  When reading the document fed by the automatic document feeder 20, the exposure scanning unit 35 moves to a reading position below the contact glass 31 and stops, and reads the document conveyed by the contact roller 23 thereon. It has become. When reading a document placed on the platen glass 32, the exposure scanning unit 35 moves from left to right along the lower surface of the platen glass 32 to read a stationary document.

  The printer unit 40 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image data on a sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 40 includes a laser unit 42 that outputs laser light that is turned ON / OFF according to image data, a photoconductor 43 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging device 44 that is disposed around the photoconductor 43, The apparatus is configured as a so-called laser printer including a developing device 45, a transfer device 46, a separation device 47, and a cleaning device 48.

  The lower part of the image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feed cassette 61 that stores paper, and a paper feed roller 62 that feeds the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 61 one by one from the top toward the transport unit 70. A paper portion 60 is disposed. A second antenna 63 for detecting an IC tag is installed in the conveyance path in the vicinity of the lowermost sheet feed cassette 61.

  The conveyance unit 70 includes a normal path 70a and a reverse path 70b. The normal path 70 a is a conveyance path through which the sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 61 passes through a transfer portion between the photoconductor 43 and the transfer device 46 and is further sent to the subsequent stacking unit 80 via the fixing device 49 downstream thereof. It is. The reverse path 70b is a transport path that reverses the front and back sides of the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 49 and then joins the normal path 70a again upstream of the transfer location. First, an image is formed on the front surface of the sheet when passing through the normal path 70a, and after passing through the reverse path 70b, an image is formed on the back surface of the sheet when passing the normal path 70a for the second time. Yes.

  The stacking unit 80 includes a first discharge tray 81 and a second discharge tray 82, and fulfills a function of sorting and discharging sheets coming from the printer unit 40. On one side of the stacking unit 80, a paper inlet 83 for paper fed out from the printer unit 40 is provided. Inside the stacking unit 80, a main path 84 for transporting paper from the carry-in port 83 to the first discharge tray 81 and a branch in the middle of the main path 84 to transport the paper to the second discharge tray 82. The sub-path 85 is provided. A switching piece 86 for switching whether or not to guide the paper from the main path 84 to the sub path 85 is provided at a location where the main path 84 branches to the sub path 85. The stacking unit 80 is used when sorting sheets in the second sorting mode.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the antenna 29 and the second antenna 63 and their detectable areas. The antenna 29 and the second antenna 63 have a configuration in which a plurality of small antennas 91a to 91g are arranged so as to be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction indicated by arrow B in the drawing (the width direction of the sheet). Yes. A detectable area 94 that covers the entire width direction of the sheet 93 is configured as a set of individual detectable areas 92a to 92g of the small antennas 91a to 91g. Here, the distance between the small antennas is set to 5 cm. This interval may be set so that the detectable regions of some adjacent small antennas overlap to some extent.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of the antenna and the detectable region. The antenna for detecting the IC tag is a loop antenna 96 extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction indicated by arrow B (paper width direction). The loop antenna 96 forms a detectable region 97 that covers the entire width direction of the sheet 93. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by setting the detectable areas 94 and 97 so as to cover the entire width direction of the paper, the information can be read regardless of the position of the IC tag in the paper. Is possible.

  FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of the multifunction machine 10. The multifunction machine 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 as a main part as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation. It consists of a circuit. The ROM 102 stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and various fixed data. The RAM 103 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 101 executes a program, and a page memory that stores at least one page of image data for performing a rotation process or the like.

  In addition to the automatic document feeder 20, the reading unit 30, the printer unit 40, and the stacking unit 80, the CPU 101 includes a display operation unit 104, a communication control unit 105, an image processing unit 106, an IC tag transmission / reception circuit 107, and an image storage unit. 108 is connected.

  The display operation unit 104 includes a liquid crystal display having a touch panel on the surface and various operation switches, and has a function of performing various guidance displays and status displays to the user and receiving various operations from the user. The communication control unit 105 has a function of communicating with a telephone line or various networks.

  The image processing unit 106 performs a function of compressing / decompressing image data, a function of enlarging / reducing an image, a function of rotating an image, and the like. The image storage unit 108 is a large-capacity storage device for storing compressed image data, print data, and the like. Here, a hard disk device (HDD) is used.

  The IC tag transmission / reception circuit 107 has a function of transmitting an electromagnetic wave for giving an electromotive force to the IC tag from the antenna 29 or the second antenna 63, and a function of receiving a radio wave transmitted by the IC tag by the antenna 29 or the second antenna 63. Fulfill.

  The CPU 101 includes an operation mode management unit 111, a tag information analysis unit 112, a sorting control unit 113, and a sorting information generation unit 114 as functional units for performing sheet sorting. The operation mode management unit 111 functions to accept an operation for switching the operation mode between the separation mode for separating sheets and the normal mode, and to control the flow of a series of separation operations in the separation mode. For example, paper conveyance control, drive control of the IC tag transmission / reception circuit 107, and the like are performed.

  The tag information analysis unit 112 performs a function of analyzing information read from the IC tag incorporated in the paper by the IC tag transmission / reception circuit 107. The separation control unit 113 performs control to switch the paper discharge destination based on the presence / absence of the IC tag and information read from the IC tag. The separation information generation unit 114 has a function of generating or displaying separation information that is useful when the user separates paper sheets from the information read from the IC tag.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an operation mode selection screen 200 for switching the operation mode. An operation mode selection screen 200 is displayed on the display unit of the display operation unit 104 by performing a predetermined operation. When the “ON” button 201 is operated, the sorting mode is selected, and when the “OFF” button 202 is operated, the normal mode is selected. When the “OK” button 203 is operated, the current selection state is confirmed. It should be noted that the button corresponding to the current setting state is displayed in a special manner (for example, dark background color, hatched in the figure).

  After setting the sorting mode, when a document is set on the document placing tray 21 and a start button (not shown) is operated, a sorting operation in the first sorting mode using the transport path of the document reading system is executed. On the other hand, if the start button is operated without setting the document on the document placing tray 21 after the classification mode is set, the classification operation in the second classification mode using the conveyance path of the image forming system is executed. In addition, you may comprise so that it can be set from an operation screen which of 1st classification mode and 2nd classification mode is used.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a paper discharge tray selection screen 220 for designating a paper discharge tray for separate paper discharge. It is possible to individually select a paper discharge destination tray for paper with an IC tag and a paper discharge destination tray for paper without an IC tag.

  FIG. 7 shows the detectable area 94 of the antenna 29 provided in the automatic document feeder 20 and the sheet flow in the first separation mode. As indicated by broken lines in the figure, the detectable region 94 is set to a depth that substantially covers the contact roller 23. As a result, the paper placed on the document placement tray 21, the paper discharge tray 27, and the second paper discharge tray 28 does not enter the detectable region 94. Further, even when continuously fed, two or more sheets are prevented from entering the detectable area 94 at the same time.

  When the separation mode is set, a document (paper) 2 is set on the document placing tray 21 and a start button (not shown) is operated, the sheets placed on the document placing tray 21 are sequentially placed on the automatic document feeder 20. Captured inside. At this time, the IC tag transmission / reception circuit 107 is driven to supply power to the IC tag and receive radio waves from the IC tag. When the document 2 passes in the vicinity of the antenna 29, information on the IC tag is read if it is a sheet with an IC tag. Further, it is determined whether or not the sheet has an IC tag depending on whether or not information can be read from the IC tag. The document (paper) 2 is sorted and discharged to the discharge tray 27 or the second discharge tray 28 according to the determination result.

  The conveyance of the paper at the time of sorting is performed as follows, for example. When the information on the IC tag is read before the leading edge of the paper passing in front of the antenna 29 reaches the switching claw 25, the switching claw 25 is set so that the paper advances to the paper discharge tray 27. The paper is discharged (FIG. 7, pass 101). The above operation is performed when the position where the IC tag is attached is from the leading edge of the paper.

  On the other hand, when the IC tag information cannot be acquired before the leading edge of the paper reaches the switching claw 25, the switching claw 25 is set so that the paper passes between the reversing rollers 26. Before the trailing edge of the paper reaches the reversing roller 26, the presence / absence of the IC tag is known. Therefore, when information cannot be acquired from the IC tag, the sheet is discharged to the second discharge tray 28 as it is (pass 102). When the information of the IC tag can be acquired, the rotation direction of the reversing roller 26 is reversed when the trailing edge of the paper reaches the reversing roller 26 (pass 103), as in the case of reading a double-sided original, and the contact roller 23 , And the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 27 (pass 101).

  The paper is first transported so as to pass between the reversing rollers 26, and when the trailing edge of the paper reaches the reversing roller 26, the paper is left as it is depending on whether or not the paper is a paper with an IC tag. It may be configured to determine whether to discharge to the second discharge tray 28 (pass 102) or to discharge the sheet to the discharge tray 27 (pass 103 and pass 101).

  Next, the operation in the second sorting mode will be described. When sorting paper in the second sorting mode, the paper to be sorted is set in the lowermost paper feed cassette 61. After that, when the start button is operated, the information of the IC tag incorporated in the paper passing in front of the antenna 63 is read by the second antenna 63 installed in the middle of the conveyance unit 70, and whether or not the paper has the IC tag. Is determined. When operating in the second separation mode, only sheet conveyance is performed without image formation or fixing processing.

  The stacking unit 80 switches the paper discharge destination to either the first discharge tray 81 or the second discharge tray 82 depending on whether or not the IC tag is attached. Whether the paper with the IC tag is discharged depends on the setting made on the discharge tray selection screen 220. When the printer unit 40 and the stacking unit 80 are used, the path length from the second antenna 63 to the branch point of the paper discharge destination can be longer than the maximum length in the paper transport direction, and before the paper discharge destination sorting operation. It becomes clear whether or not an IC tag is attached. This eliminates the need for extra conveyance such as reversing the paper or making the reversing path once, and enables the paper to be sorted at high speed.

  Next, a classification information display mode in which classification information useful for classification is generated from information read from the IC tag and displayed to the user will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows an operation flow in the classification information display mode. The conveyance of the sheet in the sorting information display mode may use an original reading system or an image forming system. In the sorting information display mode, the number of sheets fed from the start of operation is counted. When the IC tag is detected from the sheet (step S301; Y), the page number indicating the number of the sheet from the start of operation and the information read from the IC tag of the sheet are associated with each other in the memory. Register (step S302). If no IC tag is attached (step S301; N), nothing is registered.

  This operation is repeated until the final sheet (step S303; N). When the conveyance of the final sheet is completed (step S303; Y), the information registered during the operation is organized and displayed as separation information to the user (step S304). ).

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the classification information display screen 320. In this classification information display screen 320, information related to classification is displayed in association with the page number of the page determined to be the paper with the IC tag and the information read from the IC tag attached to the paper. Yes.

  In the sorting information display mode, sorting information is displayed instead of actually sorting paper discharge destinations. Note that it may be configured to perform both the operation of sorting the paper discharge destination and the display of the sorting information. Further, during the normal copying operation, the separation information display mode operation may be performed on the document, and the resulting separation information may be displayed after the document is read or after the copying operation is completed. The classification information can be acquired while performing the normal operation.

  Next, a sorting operation when there is only one paper discharge destination will be described. Here, when a sheet with an IC tag is detected, conveyance of the next page is temporarily stopped.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of operations in the temporary suspension classification mode. The conveyance of the paper in this mode may use an original reading system or an image forming system. In the temporary stop sorting mode, when an IC tag is detected from the transported paper (step S401; Y), transport of the next paper is temporarily stopped (step S402). Further, the information indicating that the sheet has an IC tag and the information read from the IC tag are displayed on the display unit (step S403). Based on the displayed information, the user sorts the paper with the IC tag by taking out the paper discharged this time from the paper discharge tray or the like. Thereafter, when the user operates a continuation button (or start button) (not shown) (step S404; Y), the conveyance of the next sheet is resumed. Such an operation is continued until the final sheet (step S406; N), and when the conveyance of the final sheet is completed (step S406; Y), the process is ended (end).

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, a function as a paper sorting device is incorporated in the multifunction machine 10, but the paper sorting device may be configured as a single unit. Further, a shredder may be provided on the paper discharge tray. In this case, a shredder may be provided in the paper discharge system on the paper side without the IC tag.

  In addition, the apparatus may be configured to have one or more appropriate operation modes among the first classification mode, the second classification mode, the classification information display mode, and the temporary stop classification mode.

  In the embodiment, the second antenna 63 is installed in the vicinity of the outlet of the lowermost sheet cassette 61, but may be arranged at another position in the transport path. For example, it may be provided at a position that can also correspond to the manual feed tray 66 (a position downstream from the joining point of the transport path from the manual feed tray 66 and the transport path from the paper feed cassette 61 side). Further, if the second antenna 63 is installed at a position sufficiently away from both the paper feed unit 60 and the stacking unit 80, the paper feed unit 60 can store the sheets stacked on the stacking unit 80 even if the detectable area is increased to some extent. Does not enter the detectable area. As a result, the detectable area per small antenna as shown in FIG. 2 can be increased to reduce the number of small antennas.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation condition and detection range of an antenna in case an antenna is comprised with a some small antenna. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the installation condition of an antenna in the case of using the loop antenna extended in the paper width direction, and a detectable range. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation mode selection screen displayed on the display part of the multifunctional device concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a discharge tray selection screen displayed on a display unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detectable area of an antenna provided in the automatic document feeder and a flow of paper in a first sorting mode. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of classification information display mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the classification information display screen 320 displayed on the display part of the multifunctional device concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of temporary stop mode.

Explanation of symbols

B ... Arrow 2 ... Document 10 ... Multi-function machine 20 ... Automatic document feeder 21 ... Document loading tray 22 ... Paper feed roller 23 ... Contact roller 24 ... Guide roller 25 ... Switching claw 26 ... Reverse roller 27 ... Paper discharge tray 28 ... Second discharge tray 29 ... Antenna 30 ... Reading unit 31 ... Contact glass 33 ... Light source 34 ... Mirror 35 ... Exposure scanning unit 36 ... Line image sensor 37 ... Condensing lens 38 ... Various mirrors 40 ... Printer unit 42 ... Laser unit 43 ... Photosensitive member 44 ... Charging device 45 ... Developing device 46 ... Transfer device 47 ... Separating device 48 ... Cleaning device 60 ... Feeding unit 61 ... Feed cassette 62 ... Feeding roller 63 ... Second antenna 66 ... Bypass tray 70 ... Conveying Portion 80 ... Stacking unit 81 ... First discharge tray 82 ... Second discharge tray 83 ... Carry-in port 84 ... Main path 85 ... Sub-passage Path 86 ... Switching piece 91a to 91g ... Small antenna 92a to 92g ... Individual detectable area 93 ... Paper 94 ... Detectable area 96 ... Loop antenna 97 ... Detectable area 101 ... CPU
102 ... ROM
103 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 ... Display operation part 105 ... Communication control part 106 ... Image processing part 107 ... IC tag transmission / reception circuit 108 ... Image preservation | save part 111 ... Operation mode management part 112 ... Tag information analysis part 113 ... Classification control part 114 ... Classification information generation part 200 ... Operation mode selection screen 201 ... "ON" button 202 ... "OFF" button 203 ... "OK" button 220 ... Discharge tray selection screen 320 ... Sorting information display screen

Claims (9)

A paper feed unit;
A paper discharge unit capable of separating the paper into a plurality of paper discharge locations and discharging it;
A transport unit that sequentially transports paper from the paper feed unit to the paper discharge unit;
An antenna disposed in a transport path of the transport unit;
Tag reading means for reading information of the IC tag attached to the paper by transmitting and receiving radio waves through the antenna;
A paper sorting device, comprising: a sorting control unit that switches a paper discharge destination of the paper discharge unit based on information acquired by the tag reading unit. A transport unit that sequentially transports paper from the paper feed unit;
An antenna disposed in a transport path of the transport unit;
Tag reading means for reading information of the IC tag attached to the paper by transmitting and receiving radio waves through the antenna;
A paper sorting apparatus, comprising: sorting information generating means for generating sorting information for sorting and collecting sheets based on information acquired by the tag reading means. 3. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a path length from the antenna to a branch point of the sheet discharge destination is longer than a maximum length in a sheet conveyance direction. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the sheet detection unit and the paper discharge unit are not included in the detectable region of the IC tag. 5. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two or more sheets are not present in the detectable region of the IC tag at the same time. 6. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detectable area of the IC tag is set so as to cover the entire width direction of the conveyed sheet. In an image processing apparatus including a document reading unit and an automatic document feeder for feeding a document to the document reading unit,
An image according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is provided so as to function as both the paper feed unit and the transport unit. Processing equipment. In an image processing apparatus for forming and outputting an image according to image data on a recording paper,
7. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion for feeding, transporting, and discharging recording paper at the time of image formation is the paper feeding unit, the transporting unit, and the paper discharging unit. An image processing apparatus characterized in that it is provided so as to also function as described above. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an operation mode for paper separation is provided.

Images