JP2005102110A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can save trouble of an input operation for various settings by using an RFID chip and which can reduce an error in every input operation thereby. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device is provided with an ID reading means (1a) reading an ID recorded in an RFID chip from a paper with the RFID chip, a storing means (1e) storing output setting information associated with the ID, and an output means (1c) performing an image output based on the output setting information corresponding to the ID, when the ID is coincident with the ID read by the ID reading means (1a) is recorded in the storing means (1e). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a scanner apparatus, and a multifunction machine using these sheets with an RFID chip.

  For example, a facsimile machine, which is a type of image forming apparatus, needs to input a destination telephone number even in the case of simple transmission, and if an input operation is mistaken, an important document is transmitted to a different destination. There was a problem of doing. In addition, when transmitting at different resolutions and densities, it is necessary to input complicated settings in addition to the input of the destination telephone number, which takes time and increases the number of input button mistakes.

For this reason, a technique for eliminating the mistake of the transmission destination and a technique for simplifying the operation for facsimile transmission have been proposed.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a mark indicating a destination facsimile number is added to a document, a facsimile apparatus detects the mark to determine the destination facsimile number, and automatically calls using the determined facsimile number. It is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which a business card document is prepared in addition to a transmission document, destinations are extracted from the business card document, and images of the transmission document having the same contents are transmitted to a plurality of extracted destinations by facsimile. Yes.

  In the method of printing and recording information such as a transmission destination facsimile number on a manuscript sheet and extracting the information by reading information such as the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the type of information that can be recorded and the information that can be recorded Capacity is limited. Further, if a large amount of information is printed and recorded on the original paper for setting the facsimile machine, the load on the facsimile machine itself is increased due to the processing.

On the other hand, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology, which is an automatic identification technology using radio, has been developed at present. In this method, an RFID chip receives a radio wave generated by a reading device, drives a circuit using the electromagnetic wave energy, and transmits information such as an identification number. In Patent Document 3, this RFID chip is embedded in printing paper, and digital information other than visual information to be printed can be recorded on the RFID chip. However, the RFID chip for such applications is required to be ultra-compact, the amount of information that can be recorded is small and an identification number can be recorded, and it is difficult to record various setting information for facsimile transmission. It is.
JP-A-9-326910 JP-A-9-116719 JP 2002-337426 A

Because of the problems as described above, it has been desired to save time and effort for input operations for various settings and to reduce errors in each input operation. Such a demand also applies to image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and scanners.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. An image forming apparatus that uses an RFID chip to save input operations for various settings, thereby reducing errors in each input operation. The purpose is to provide.

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: an ID reading unit that reads an ID recorded on an RFID chip from a sheet with an RFID chip; a storage unit that stores output setting information associated with the ID; Output means for outputting an image based on output setting information corresponding to the ID when an ID that matches the ID read by the ID reading stage is registered in the storage means. Yes.
According to this configuration, the image output is automatically performed based on the output setting information corresponding to the ID recorded in advance in the RFID chip, so that it is possible to save the user input setting and reduce errors in each input operation. Can do.
The RFID chip-attached paper is a paper in which the RFID chip is embedded in the paper or fixed to the paper surface by sticking or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when an ID that matches the ID read by the ID reading stage is not registered in the storage unit, the ID is stored in the ID. It is characterized by comprising setting means for receiving the input of the corresponding output setting and storing the input setting information in association with the ID in the storage means.
According to this configuration, when the output setting information corresponding to the ID recorded on the RFID chip is not yet registered, the registration is possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises a communication unit for connecting to a server used as the storage unit via a network. It is said.
According to this configuration, since a server on the network is used as the storage unit, a plurality of image forming apparatuses can share the registered ID and output setting information corresponding thereto. Therefore, even if the user uses any image forming apparatus connected to the server via the network, even if an ID and corresponding output setting information are not registered in a certain image forming apparatus, the server If the information is registered, it is not necessary to register again, and it is possible to save the user input setting.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for outputting an image using the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein an ID is recorded on the RFID chip when the image is output. The RFID chip-attached paper is used and arranged so that the RFID chip-attached paper is read prior to the transmission original paper, and a set of paper including the RFID chip-attached paper and the transmission original paper is supplied to the image forming apparatus. This is an image output method characterized by the above.
In this way, the RFID chip-attached paper is arranged so as to be read prior to the transmission original paper, and a set of paper composed of the RFID chip-attached paper and the transmission original paper is supplied to the image forming apparatus. The setting based on the output setting information can be completed. Even when an ID that matches the read ID is not registered, output setting information corresponding to the ID can be registered before outputting the image.
Here, “image output” in the image forming apparatus includes printing on paper in a copying machine, facsimile transmission, and output of image data to a built-in or external data storage device in a scanner.

  According to the present invention, if the output setting is the same, it is possible to output an image with a single touch without having to input various settings each time by simply reading the corresponding RFID chip-equipped paper, and saving input effort. Errors in every input operation can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the entire system when a server is used as storage means for storing setting information and the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an RFID reading unit 1a, a scanner unit 1b, a FAX communication unit 1c, a printing unit 1d, a storage unit 1e, an operation unit 1f, a network I / F 1g, and a display unit. 1h and the control part 1i are comprised.

The RFID reading unit 1a reads an ID recorded on the chip from an RFID chip embedded in a predetermined sheet.
In this embodiment mode, an RFID chip that can be embedded in thin paper, such as Muchip (registered trademark), is used. This RFID chip has a simple chip configuration having a wireless communication function and a ROM function, and has a “function of notifying an ID number”. For example, in the case of Muchip (registered trademark), a 128-bit unique ID (38-digit number) can be recorded. A plurality of sheets (hereinafter referred to as A sheets) in which the RFID chip is embedded are prepared and used for each sheet size and ID. In addition, it is preferable that at least address information (company name, etc.) is printed on the A sheet so that the user can identify which address is used.

The scanner unit 1b takes in transmission original paper (hereinafter referred to as an original) and reads the image.
The FAX communication unit 1c transmits the document image data captured by the scanner unit 1b to the destination FAX machine based on the communication setting information (output setting information). Also, it receives image data of a document transmitted from another FAX machine.
The printing unit 1d prints an image from image data received from another FAX machine, or prints a communication report or the like.

  The storage unit 1e stores data such as communication setting information (communication type, destination telephone number, resolution, density, date and time designation) for facsimile transmission (image output), and control for controlling the facsimile apparatus 1 I remember the program. The communication setting information is stored in association with the following ID (see FIG. 2). This information may be stored in the server 2 shown in FIG. If the communication setting information is stored in the server 2 in this way, the communication setting information once set can be shared by a plurality of facsimile apparatuses 1. The storage unit 1e can be configured using a nonvolatile recording device such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a hard disk.

The operation unit 1f is provided with various input / setting keys (ID reading key, approval key,...) For a user to perform an input operation on the facsimile apparatus 1. The data input by the user is notified to the control unit 1i, and the content is displayed on the display unit 1h described below.
The network I / F 1g is an interface for connecting to the server 2 shown in FIG. 3 via a network (Internet, LAN, etc.) such as Ethernet (registered trademark).
The display unit 1h includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel and a display control circuit. Under the control of the control unit 1i, the setting contents input from the operation unit 1f and various types of information are displayed.

The control unit 1 i controls each unit of the facsimile machine 1. That is, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 is performed by the control by the control unit 1i.
The control unit 1i is composed of a memory, a CPU (central processing unit), and the like, and the function is realized by loading the control program (not shown) into the memory and executing it.

  Next, the operation at the time of facsimile transmission in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. The operations when transmitting and receiving a facsimile without using the A sheet described above are the same as those in the prior art, and a description thereof will be omitted.

First, an A sheet having the same size as the original for transmission to be used for the destination is prepared, and this A sheet is placed on top so that the A sheet is read before the original (here, the uppermost sheet). 1 is read first; see FIG. 4), and is set at a predetermined position of the facsimile apparatus 1 as in the prior art.
When the control unit 1i detects that a document is set by a sensor (not shown) (Yes in step S01), the control unit 1i prompts the user to input a destination FAX number and the like as in the case where the A sheet is not used. The message is displayed on the display unit 1h (step S02).

  Here, when the user operates a predetermined ID reading key for reading the RFID chip, the control unit 1i determines “Yes” in step S03 and performs control for taking in the uppermost A sheet. Then, the RFID reading unit 1a reads the ID from the RFID chip embedded in the A sheet (step 04). The read ID is notified to the control unit 1i. At this stage, the RFID reading unit 1a reads the ID from the RFID chip of the A sheet, but the scanner unit 1b does not read the A sheet.

Next, the control unit 1i reads communication setting information corresponding to the ID read from the RFID chip from the storage unit 1e (step S05). When the server 2 is used, a communication setting information request including an ID is sent to the server 2 and communication setting information corresponding to the ID is received as a reply.
Here, when the communication setting information is successfully read (in the case of Yes in step S06), the contents of the communication setting information are displayed on the display unit 1h (step S07).

Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined approval key has been operated by the user (step S08). Here, the user receives approval for facsimile transmission with the contents of the displayed communication setting information.
Here, when the approval key is operated by the user, the control unit 1i controls to sequentially take in the second and subsequent documents, and the scanner unit 1b reads the image (step S09).
Then, based on the setting based on the communication setting information read from the storage unit 1e in step S05, the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 1b is faxed to the destination (FAX number) specified by the communication setting information. The communication unit 1c is transmitted by facsimile (step S10).

  On the other hand, when it is determined No in step S06, that is, when the communication setting information corresponding to the ID is not registered, the control unit 1i indicates that the communication setting information is not registered and the communication setting information A message prompting the user to select registration / non-registration is displayed on the display unit 1h (step S11).

  Here, when a predetermined key operation for registering the communication setting information is performed, the input of the communication setting information is accepted, the input information is stored in the storage unit 1e in association with the ID, and the registration is performed. (Step S12). When the server 2 is used, a registration request including the ID and communication setting information is sent to the server 2 and stored in the server 2. If a predetermined key operation for designating non-registration is performed after step S11, the process proceeds to step S09 without registering the input communication setting information.

  Further, after step S07, if a predetermined key operation for designating non-approval and re-registration of communication setting information is performed, it is determined No in step S08, and re-registration of communication setting information in step S13a (registration change / It is determined Yes in the determination of necessity of deletion, additional registration, etc., and the process proceeds to Step S12. In step S12, input of communication setting information is received as described above, and the input information is stored in the association storage unit 1e in association with the ID, and the process proceeds to step S09. In this way, the communication setting information can be re-registered.

On the other hand, after step S07, if a predetermined key operation for designating non-approval (no re-registration of communication setting information) is performed, it is determined as No in step S08, further determined as No in step S13a, and then in step S13b. Transition. In step S13b, communication setting information is input as in the conventional case, and the second and subsequent originals are facsimile-transmitted based on this information (processing during normal facsimile transmission).
The operation flow described above is an example and is not limited to the above processing flow.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a configuration that does not depart from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the present invention can be applied not only to the above-described facsimile apparatus but also to other image forming apparatuses that read a document such as a scanner and a copying machine. That is, in the above embodiment, the A sheet (paper with RFID chip) is used to register the communication setting information in the facsimile apparatus 1, but the A sheet is similarly used in a copying machine or a scanner. The ID (that is, the ID recorded on the RFID chip of the sheet) can be read and various setting information (output setting information) associated with the ID can be registered. Also in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, if the same setting is used, the function can be used with a single touch without having to input various settings each time by simply reading the corresponding paper with RFID chip. Thus, it is possible to save time and trouble in inputting and to reduce errors in each input operation.

  As described above, when the present invention is applied to a copying machine, the setting information to be registered in the copying machine (or the above-described server) includes settings related to the magnification, density, cover attachment, and aggregation functions (on one sheet of printing paper). Print settings such as how many originals are to be consolidated (reduced). When the present invention is applied to a scanner, the setting information registered in the scanner (or the above-described server) includes information about the source of the scanned image, information about the destination, file format, and other document reading settings. Can be mentioned.

  When the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copier function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, etc., when the input information is registered in step S12 described above in the above embodiment, the read A sheet is read. Allows the user to select whether the ID is used for the copier function, scanner function, or facsimile function, and the output setting that is input to any of the copier function, scanner function, or facsimile function selected by the user Information should be registered. In this way, even in a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions, output setting information can be freely registered for each function. In addition, when registering output setting information for a specific function among a plurality of functions, simply when the function to be used first (copier function, scanner function, facsimile function, etc.) is selected. The input output setting information may be registered for the function. Alternatively, in response to a key operation for specifying additional registration, the A sheet is read, and one of a plurality of functions is selected for the ID of the A sheet, and output is performed for the selected function. Setting information may be registered. In the case described above, the ID of the A sheet, the function such as the copier function, the scanner function, and the facsimile function, and the input setting information are registered in association with each other.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the table which matched ID and communication setting information stored in a memory | storage part (or server). FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration including a facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment, a server connected via a network, and a FAX machine connected via a telephone network. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the A sheet | seat and original in the same embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation (when an A sheet is used) at the time of facsimile transmission by the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart (continuation) for explaining an operation (when an A sheet is used) at the time of facsimile transmission by the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... facsimile machine (image forming apparatus)
1a: RFID reader (ID reader)
1b: scanner unit 1c: FAX communication unit (output means)
1d: printing unit 1e: storage unit (storage unit)
1f. Operation unit (setting means)
1g Network I / F (communication means)
1h: Display unit 1i: Control unit (setting means)
2 ... Server

Claims (4)

ID reading means for reading the ID recorded on the RFID chip from the paper with the RFID chip;
Storage means for storing output setting information associated with the ID;
Output means for outputting an image based on output setting information corresponding to the ID when an ID that matches the ID read by the ID reading stage is registered in the storage means. Image forming apparatus. When an ID that matches the ID read by the ID reading stage is not registered in the storage means, an input of an output setting corresponding to the ID is received, and the input setting information is associated with the ID and stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that stores the setting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit configured to connect to a server used as the storage unit via a network. A method for outputting an image using the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When outputting an image, a paper with an RFID chip in which an ID is recorded on the RFID chip is used, and the paper with the RFID chip is arranged so as to be read prior to the transmission original paper. An image output method comprising: supplying a set of sheets to the image forming apparatus.

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