JP2005323209A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device for preventing unauthorized copying of confidential documents. <P>SOLUTION: An RFID tag is attached to a manuscript and a manuscript RFID tag sensor 80 for communicating with the RFID tag attached to the manuscript is provided to an image forming device, and the operations of image formations are controlled according to the detected result of the RFID tag by the RFID tag sensor 80, and thereby illegal copy of the confidential documents can be prevented. In this case, RFID information stored in the RFID tag is read out by using the manuscript RFID tag sensor 80, and the operation of the image formation is controlled, according to the read out RFID information. The item of control and the number or the position of the RFID tag on the manuscript is freely settable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that detects the presence or absence of an RFID tag in a document when reading the document and controls an image forming operation according to the presence or absence of the RFID tag.

  In recent years, there is an increasing expectation for a technology that uses digital information and information that can be visually recognized by humans. For example, an ID chip is added to printing paper, and in addition to normal copying, digital data such as printing contents is written in the ID chip.

Recently, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag technology has attracted attention as the ID chip technology. The RFID tag is capable of reading and writing data and transmitting / receiving the data by radio waves. For example, paper with an RFID tag embedded is used as recording paper, and the original image data is output and printed on the recording paper. At the same time, data relating to the original image, information on the user who has instructed copying, etc. are recorded on the RFID tag of the recording paper. Some are also configured to write.
JP 2002-337426 A

  However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 only refers to recording image data and accompanying data on a recording sheet on an RFID tag, and image data recorded on the recording sheet and associated data There is no mention of how to use. Therefore, for example, no countermeasure is taken into consideration in the following cases.

  In one case, the image forming apparatus is placed in an office or public place used by an unspecified number of people. In many cases, such an image forming apparatus can be freely used by anyone, and depending on the device, there is a possibility that an image is formed on a manuscript on which free image formation such as banknotes is not desirable.

  An object of the present invention is to control image formation for image data of a document to which an RFID has been added in the above case, for example, to prevent an operator from forming an image illegally.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is assumed to use a document with an RFID tag, and the apparatus includes an RFID tag reading unit or an interface to which a reading unit of another unit can be connected. It assumes a configuration that can be installed in the device or installed externally.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation unit serving as a user interface, and includes an input function such as a button and a touch panel, and a display function such as an LED, LCD, and CRT, and can be installed internally or externally. Assume a configuration. The operation means is an operation provided in another device such as a PDA, a mobile phone, a portable computer, a remote controller, and a network home appliance using wireless communication such as a wireless LAN, a wireless public line, optical communication, and sound communication. It is also assumed that control is performed using means. It is also assumed that control is performed using an input / output function of a host computer connected to the apparatus via a wired / wireless network. In addition, when the RFID tag information is acquired in the apparatus while being conveyed, it is easy to read the RFID tag information on the sheet one by one with a single RFID reader. It is characterized by possible points. Further, it is assumed that the present invention is applied to an apparatus provided with an original reading means such as a copying machine / scanner or a complex system.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 includes a reading unit for reading a document image, a storage unit for holding the read image data, an image forming unit for forming an image based on the held image data, and a user An operation means serving as an interface for performing an operation, an RFID detection means for detecting an RFID tag from a document with an RFID tag added after an image forming operation is started, and an RFID tag is detected by the RFID detection means And a control means for controlling the image forming operation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the RFID detection means for detecting the RFID tag from the document to which the RFID tag is added is detachable.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transport unit for transporting the document, while reading the document with the reading unit while transporting the document with the transport unit, The RFID tag attached to the document tag is read by the RFID detection means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the operation unit can select at least one of the position and the number of the RFID tags that the detection unit effectively detects. To do.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is stored in the detected RFID tag in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when the RFID tag is further detected by the RFID detection means. RFID reading means for reading the RFID information, a control table for storing the RFID information and control information corresponding to the RFID information, and a specifying means for specifying the control information corresponding to the read RFID information, The control means executes the control specified by the specifying means.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the RFID information stored in the control table includes at least one of document information and user information.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the specifying unit refers to the control table and searches for the same RFID information as the RFID information read by the RFID reading unit. The control information corresponding to the RFID information is specified.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation unit sets the control information stored in the control table for each corresponding RFID information. It is configured so that it can be used.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the control means controls to stop or interrupt the image formation. The term “stop” refers to canceling image formation, and the term “interruption” refers to temporarily stopping image formation in a state where image formation can be resumed.

  An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the control unit accesses the document image data held in the storage unit after the image formation is completed. , And control to delete this.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the control unit stores the document image data read by the reading unit and the storage unit in advance. Control is performed to form an image by superimposing predetermined image data on the image data.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the operation unit can be set to use desired image data for superposition from among the image data stored in the storage unit. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the RFID detection means for detecting the RFID tag from the document and the control means for controlling the image forming operation when the RFID tag is detected by the means, the RFID tag is provided. Since it is possible to restrict free image formation when attempting to form an image of a document with a tag, it is possible to restrict image formation such as normal copying for a document with an RFID tag. Can do.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the RFID detection means for detecting the RFID tag from the document can be detached from the image forming apparatus, even if the RFID detection means is not fixed to the image forming apparatus, It is possible to restrict image formation such as normal copying for a document with an RFID tag added.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the conveyance means for conveying the document is provided and the RFID detection means detects the RFID tag while conveying the document, the RFID tag can be used even if a plurality of documents are conveyed by the conveyance means. It is possible to limit image formation such as normal copying only for a document to which is added. In addition, since the RFID tag is detected while the document is being conveyed by the conveying means, it is possible to detect without limitation on the position and number of the RFID tag.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, when the user performs a predetermined operation from the operation means, it is possible to set at least one of the number and position of the RFID tags detected by the RFID detection means, so that a plurality of RFID tags are added. The same effect as that of the third aspect can be obtained even when handling a plurality of types of originals with different positions where the RFID tag is added or an original.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the reading means for reading the RFID information stored in the RFID tag, the control table including the RFID information and the control information, and the control contents from the read RFID information and the control table. When specifying an image for a document with an RFID tag that stores RFID information, select and specify the type of document and the content of image forming operation control for each user. The image formation can be restricted according to the user's usage environment.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since at least one of the document information and the user information is included in the control table, if the RFID information stored in the RFID tag includes the document type or the user information, Image formation such as normal copying can be restricted.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the specifying means refers to the control table and searches for the same RFID information as the RFID information read by the RFID reading means. By setting to, desired control for image formation can be performed for each RFID.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the control information stored in the control table can be freely set for each corresponding RFID information, the image formation according to the user's usage environment is provided. You can control.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the control means stops or interrupts the image formation. Therefore, when the document bundled with the RFID tag is mixed in the document bundle, the document with the RFID tag is added. It can be found and can limit image formation such as normal copying.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, the control means deletes the image data stored in the storage unit after the image formation is completed after reading the document image. It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the document image data in the storage unit.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the control means superimposes the specific image data stored in the storage unit on the original image data to form new image data before forming an image on the read original image. Since the image is formed with respect to the new image data, it is possible to prevent the original image from being copied as it is, or to synthesize another image with the original image and print it.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select image data to be used for superposition from among image data stored in the storage unit when the user performs a predetermined operation from the operation means. Data can be copied on the original image.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a composite digital image forming apparatus and an image forming method applicable to the image forming apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus is supplied from an external device via, for example, a copying function for copying a document image, a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving image data via a communication line, and an external I / F. An image forming apparatus having a printer function for printing based on image data, that is, a composite digital image forming apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as an image forming apparatus) is configured. In this discussion, an example in the case of recording paper and a document is described as an example of RFID detection. However, the recording paper may not be detected in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus of the present invention, for example, an electrophotographic digital image forming apparatus 50, reads an original image and functions as a reading unit that generates image data, that is, a scanner unit 50a. And an image forming unit that functions as an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data, that is, a printer unit 50b. Further, the image forming apparatus 50 includes an automatic document feeder 51 as a conveying unit above the scanner unit 50a. The image forming apparatus 50 is formed to be openable and closable with respect to a later-described document table or document table of the scanner unit 50a. A document D as an object is fed one by one toward the document table, and functions as a document pressing unit that closely contacts the document D placed on the document table.

  The scanner unit 50 a is disposed at the top of the document table 52 made of transparent glass, facing the automatic document feeder 51 in a closed state and on which the document D is set, and one end of the document table 52. A document scale 53 indicating the position where the document D should be set on the document table 52 is also provided.

  Below the document table 52, an exposure lamp 54 that illuminates the document D placed on the document table 52, an auxiliary reflector 58 for condensing the light beam from the exposure lamp 54 on the document D, and the document D A first mirror 56 that bends the reflected beam from the left side in the figure is arranged. The exposure lamp 54, the auxiliary reflector 58, and the first mirror 56 are fixed to the first carriage 57, and are arranged to be movable in parallel with the document table 52 as the first carriage 57 moves. The first carriage 57 is moved in parallel along the document table 52 by receiving the driving force of a pulse motor (not shown) via a toothed belt (not shown).

  A second carriage 59 is disposed on the left side of the document table 52 in the drawing, that is, in the direction in which the reflected beam reflected by the first mirror 56 is guided. In the second carriage 59, a second mirror 60 for bending the reflected beam from the document D guided by the first mirror 56 downward and a third mirror 61 for bending rightward in the drawing are arranged at right angles to each other. . The second carriage 59 is driven by the first carriage 57 by a toothed belt (not shown) that drives the first carriage 57 and parallel to the first carriage 57 along the document table 52 at a speed of 1/2. Moved to.

  An imaging lens that forms an image of the reflected beam from the second carriage 59 at a predetermined magnification in a plane below the first carriage 57 and including the optical axis of the beam folded back through the second carriage 59. 62, and a line sensor 63 including a plurality of CCD image sensors for converting the reflected beam, which is focused by the imaging lens 62, into an electrical signal, that is, image data.

  Here, the direction in which the plurality of CCD image sensors in the line sensor 63 are arranged is the main scanning direction, and the direction in which the first carriage 57 and the second carriage 59 move is the sub-scanning direction. In the present embodiment, this reading device portion is a sheet-through type image reading system in which the scanner unit 50a is fixed and the automatic document feeder 51 reads an image while conveying the document.

  Next, the printer unit 50b will be described. The printer unit 50 b includes a photosensitive drum 12, a charging charger 13, developing units 14 and 15, a static elimination lamp (PTL) 17, a transfer charger 18, a separation charger 19, an eraser 20, a cleaning unit 21, It has a polygon mirror (laser light generator) 22 and an optical system (lens) 23, and performs image formation and output of image data stored in the image memory 108 shown in FIG.

  That is, at the same time that the photosensitive drum 12 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, a charge-removing lamp (in order to prevent residual toner and non-uniform potential adhering to the photosensitive drum 12 from reaching the charging charger 13 and the developing units 14, 15). QL) 16, a pre-transfer static elimination lamp (PTL) 17, a transfer charger 18, a separation charger 19, an eraser 20, and a cleaning unit 21, and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 12 after passing through the static elimination lamp 16 is substantially equal. Try to be zero.

  Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 13, and the image data stored in the image memory 108 shown in FIG. 2 is read, and a laser beam is emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) accordingly. . Laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser is incident on a polygon mirror (laser light generator) 22 that is condensed and rotated by a cylinder lens (not shown), and reflected light passes through an optical system (lens) 23 and a mirror 24. The surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image.

  Next, the latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 12 is subjected to black developing unit 14 or a color developing unit that develops with black toner after removing charges of the non-image part (unnecessary part protruding from the image forming area) by the eraser 20. A toner is attached from the color developing unit 15 which performs development with toner, and a visible image is formed. At this time, the density of the image can be adjusted by changing the developing bias potential.

  On the other hand, one of the calling roller 25 and the three paper supply rollers 26 is driven by turning on a paper supply clutch that can selectively take out the drive of a main motor (not shown) to a preselected paper supply stage (described later). The set recording paper is fed toward the stopped registration roller pair 27. A registration sensor 28 is disposed in front of the registration roller pair 27. The registration sensor 28 is, for example, a reflection type photosensor, and is turned on when the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the opposite position. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the paper feeding clutch is returned to the OFF state, and the recording paper being conveyed is stopped.

  Note that the paper feed clutch is turned off longer than the time during which the recording paper is conveyed between the registration sensor 28 and the registration roller pair 27. Therefore, the leading edge of the recording paper is brought into contact with the registration roller pair 27, and the recording paper stands by in a state where the leading edge is bent and skew is prevented. Thereafter, the registration clutch is turned on at a timing in accordance with the leading edge of the image on the photosensitive drum 12, and the registration roller pair 27 is driven to rotate, whereby the standby recording paper is conveyed again toward the transfer unit. .

  When the recording paper reaches the transfer portion, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred onto the paper surface by the action of the transfer charger 18, and then on the paper surface by the action of the separation charger 19 held integrally with the transfer charger 18. Then, the recording paper is separated from the surface of the photosensitive member by the separation claw 29.

  Next, the recording paper is fed to the fixing unit by the conveying belt 30 stretched by two rollers, and the toner image is thermally fixed by the fixing roller 31. After that, if the single-side mode is selected as the copy mode, the switching claw 32 The paper is discharged from the upper side to an external paper discharge tray (not shown), and if the duplex mode is selected, the switching claw 32 is switched to send it to the lower refeeding conveyance path 33.

  The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 12 after the image transfer is removed by the cleaning brush 21a and the cleaning blade 21b constituting the cleaning unit 21 and recovered in the toner recovery tank 21c, and further the photosensitive surface for erasing the residual charge. The whole surface is exposed by the charge eliminating lamp 16.

  By the way, this copying machine is equipped with three paper feed cassettes 34 to 36, each of which has a different size of recording paper, detachably attached as a normal paper feed cassette that can store only recording papers of a specific size. Also provided is a manual feed table (manual feed tray) 37 on which recording paper that is not stored in any paper feed cassette, that is, recording paper of an unspecified size can be set.

  When copying using recording paper stored in any of the paper cassettes 34 to 36, the cassette size is selected by a size selection key on an operation panel (not shown), and then the copy start key is pressed. Thus, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed cassette.

  Reference numerals 38a to 38c denote size detection sensors for detecting the size of each storage sheet of each of the paper feed cassettes 34 to 36. For example, five photo interrupters are used. In addition, a light-shielding plate for size identification (not shown) is attached to the front end of each of the paper feed cassettes 34 to 36. The light shielding plate has a notch that varies depending on the size of the recording paper to be stored in the cassette.

  When the paper feed cassettes 34 to 36 are mounted, the size detection sensors 38a to 38c are such that only the photo interrupter sandwiching the light shielding portion of the light shielding plate blocks the optical path. Can be output to the control unit 105 shown in FIG. The control unit 105 is a CPU or the like. On the other hand, when copying using recording paper of an unspecified size, the manual feed table 37 is opened from the closed state indicated by the phantom line in the direction indicated by arrow A to the use state indicated by the solid line, and then the desired surface is displayed on the upper surface. By setting the recording paper and pressing the copy start key, the recording paper is fed from the manual feed table 37.

  When the manual feed table 37 is rotated in the opening direction, the bottom plate raising arm 39 that has lifted the recording paper placement bottom plate provided in the first paper feed cassette 34 is lowered in conjunction therewith. An open / close detection sensor (not shown) for detecting opening / closing of the manual feed table 37 is installed at a position facing the manual feed table 37 of the copying machine.

  Note that a paper feed RFID tag detection sensor 40 is arranged at a position before any of the paper feed cassettes 34 to 36 or the paper fed from the manual feed table 37 reaches the registration position, and the paper in the paper feed tray. It fulfills the function of communicating with the RFID tag attached to.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a part mainly related to image processing of the control unit of the digital copying machine. The video processing circuit 101, the image processing circuit 102, the video writing processing circuit 103, the LD control unit 104, the control Unit 105, storage unit 106, table memory 107, image memory 108, interface (I / F) unit 109, system bus 110, and specifying unit 113.

  The video processing circuit 101 performs A / D conversion on image data (signal output from the CCD color image sensor 100) read by the scanner unit 50a, and performs black offset correction, shading correction, and pixel position correction. As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing circuit 102 includes a color separation circuit 120, an MTF correction circuit 121, a scaling circuit 122, a γ correction circuit 123, and an image quality processing circuit 124, which are input from the video processing circuit 101. Image processing is performed on the image data. This process will be described in detail later.

  The video writing processing circuit 103 controls the printer unit 50 b according to the image data input from the image processing circuit 102. The LD control unit 104 controls light emission of a laser diode (LD) 112 that is a semiconductor laser in accordance with a video signal from the video writing processing circuit 103.

  The control unit 105 comprehensively controls the entire digital copying machine according to the control program in the storage unit 106. The storage unit 106 is a read-only memory (so-called ROM) that stores fixed data including a control program for operating the control unit 105, and is readable and writable primarily used by the control unit 105 during data processing. It is composed of a memory (so-called RAM).

  In the table memory 107, control information which is a condition for operating the control unit 105 and RFID information described later are stored in association with each other.

  The image memory 108 is a readable / writable memory that stores image data sent from the image processing circuit 102, control information related to control of an image forming operation, and setting information. An interface unit 109 manages an interface between the image processing circuit 102 and the system bus 110, and the system bus 110 manages data exchange between the circuits. The table memory 107 and the image memory 108 may be provided with dedicated memories, respectively, or may be provided with dedicated areas in a storage device such as an HDD.

  The operation panel 111 includes an input unit for inputting various types of information including editing content instructions, which is a feature of the present invention, and a display unit for displaying various types of information.

  Next, image processing by the control unit shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. R, G, and B image signals read by the CCD color image sensor 100 are A / D converted by an appropriate gain given by the video processing circuit 101, and are subjected to black offset correction, shading correction, and pixel position correction. Are output as red image data RDT0-7, green image data GDT0-7, and blue image data BDT0-7, which are 8-bit digital data synchronized with a predetermined clock.

  Here, the black offset correction is correction for subtracting the black level of the dark current of the CCD 100 from the image data. In the shading correction, in order to remove unevenness in the amount of light from the exposure lamp 54 in the main scanning direction and unevenness in sensitivity between the CCD pixels for each color of the CCD color image sensor 100, a white plate having a uniform density is read before the start of document scanning. Data is stored for each pixel, and correction is performed by dividing by the white plate data for each pixel storing the image data being read. The pixel position correction is to correct a pixel position deviation in the sub-scanning direction when a CCD color image sensor 100 having three lines is used. In the image processing circuit 102, RGB image data RDT0 to 7, GDT0 to 7, and BDT0 to 7) output from the video processing circuit 101 are input to the color separation circuit 120 shown in FIG. 3 and black image data BLKDT0 to 7 Are separated.

  Further, the image data BLKDT0 to 7 are subjected to MTF correction by the MTF correction circuit 121, then subjected to electrical scaling in the main scanning direction by the scaling circuit 122, and further subjected to γ correction by the γ correction circuit 123, followed by image quality processing. The circuit 124 performs image quality processing such as dithering and error diffusion.

  Here, the MTF correction is to correct deterioration of optical frequency characteristics and the like with a two-dimensional spatial filter. The black image data BLKDT0 to 7 subjected to various corrections are sent to the interface unit 109 in FIG. 2, and the black image data BLKDT0 to 7 are stored in the image memory 108.

  The image data BLKDT0 to 7 are also sent to the video writing processing circuit 103, where they are converted into video signals that can correspond to the writing speed of the printer unit 50b, input to the LD control unit 104, and to the laser diode 112 in accordance with the image signals. The pulse width of the current to be applied and the amount of current are controlled, and optical writing is performed on the photosensitive drum 12 shown in FIG. 1 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  Note that the image processing circuit 102 shares an address bus and a data bus with the control unit 105 of the main control unit, and performs communication via these. The control unit 105 also performs motor control of the scanner unit 50a and the printer unit 50b. In addition, various clutches and solenoids are also controlled.

  Next, a control operation according to RFID information stored in an RFID tag described later will be briefly described. When the RFID tag is attached to the document, the document RFID tag sensor 80 detects the RFID tag and reads the RFID information stored in the RFID tag. The control unit 105 reads the control program in the storage unit 106, searches the corresponding control information in the table memory 107 using the read RFID information as a key, searches the corresponding control information, and responds to the search result according to the control program. The image forming operation is controlled.

  The automatic document feeder 51 includes a cover 64 whose rear edge is attached to the upper rear edge of the image forming apparatus 50 via a hinge device (not shown), and automatically feeds the document as necessary. By rotating and displacing the entire apparatus 51, the document table 52 of the scanner unit 50a can be opened and closed as described above.

  A document feed stand 65 capable of holding a predetermined number of, for example, 50 documents D, is provided on the upper left portion of the cover 64 slightly. The documents D set on the document feeding table 65 are sequentially taken out one by one on the left side of the document feeding table 65, that is, on one end side of the automatic document feeder 51, and from the left end side in the drawing, the scanner unit 50a. A pick-up roller 67 for supplying to one end of the original table 52 is disposed.

  An empty sensor 66 serving as a document detection sensor that functions as a detection unit that detects whether or not the document D is set on the document feed table 65 is disposed at a predetermined position on the document feed table 65. . Note that a document width detection sensor (not shown) that functions in the same manner as the document position detection sensor 55 that detects the position where the document D is set on the document table 52 may be disposed on the document feed table 65.

  In the document take-out direction of the pickup roller 67, the document D picked up by the pickup roller 67 is fed toward the document table 52, and the leading edge of the document D fed by the paper feed roller 68 is aligned. An aligning roller 69 is disposed.

  An aligning sensor 70 that detects the arrival of the document D at the aligning roller 69 is disposed between the aligning roller 69 and the paper feed roller 68. A conveyor belt 71 is disposed inside the cover 64 at a position facing the document table 52 of the scanner unit 50 a with the automatic document feeder 51 closed, and the conveyor belt 71 is located on the document table 52. A size covering almost the whole is given, and the document D conveyed from the document feeding table 65 via the pickup roller 67, the sheet feeding roller 68 and the aligning roller 69 is conveyed to a predetermined position of the document table 52. The conveyor belt 71 is stretched around a pair of belt rollers 72 arranged on the left and right sides in the drawing, and is rotated in both directions on the right side in the drawing and the left side in the drawing by a belt driving mechanism (not shown).

  On the right side portion of the automatic document feeder 51, the document D is fed to the reversing roller 73 and the reversing roller 73 that feeds the document D moved from the left side to the right side in the drawing by the conveying belt 71 toward the outside of the cover 64. A flapper 75 and a flapper 75 for switching whether the document D conveyed by the pressing pinch roller 74, the reverse roller 73 and the pinch roller 74 is returned to the conveying belt 71 or discharged onto a predetermined discharge position, that is, the cover 64, are disposed on the discharge side. A paper discharge roller 76 that discharges the document D conveyed by the reversing roller 73 and a jam sensor 77 that detects a jam of the document in the vicinity of the reversing roller 73 are arranged.

  An RFID tag reading means 80 is disposed on the document conveyance path in the automatic document feeder 51, and functions to communicate with the RFID tag attached to the document sheet during document conveyance. A plurality of RFID reading means can be arranged, and a plurality of RFIDs can be detected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, an operation panel 200 that functions as an operation unit 111 for inputting various copy conditions and an image formation start signal for starting an image formation operation is provided at the upper front portion of the apparatus main body 50. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the operation panel 200 includes a copy button 202 for setting a copy mode for executing a copy function, a FAX button 204 for setting a FAX mode for executing a facsimile function, and a printer. A printer button 206 for setting a printer mode for executing the function is provided.

  The operation panel 200 also includes a numeric keypad 208 for inputting a numerical value such as the number of copies in the copy mode, a start button 210 for instructing the start of image formation, when correcting the number of copies, or when stopping the image forming operation. A clear / stop button 212 used for the above, an all clear button 214 for clearing all selected modes and various set conditions, and a magnification setting button 216 for setting a copying magnification are provided.

  The start button 210 functions as input means for instructing the start of reading of a document set on the document feed tray 65 and for instructing the formation of an image based on the image data.

  Further, the operation panel 200 includes a paper size button 218 for selecting and setting the size of the paper on which an image is to be formed, and automatic paper for detecting the size of the document placed on the platen and automatically setting the paper size. A selection button 220, a document size button 222 for setting a document size, and an automatic magnification selection button 224 for automatically setting a copy magnification based on the paper size set by the paper size button 218 and the detected document size. Is provided.

  In addition to these various setting buttons, the operation guide button 226 for displaying guidance information such as the contents of the set mode and the operation procedure, the preheat button 228 for setting the preheat state, and instructing interruption during the operation of the printer unit An interrupt button 230 is provided.

  At the approximate center of the operation panel 200 is a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) that functions as a notification means for displaying various messages to the operator in terms of the state of the apparatus, the operation procedure, and the operator. A display panel 240 is provided. The display panel 240 displays operations on the screen for each function.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the display panel 240 is a message area composed of three areas of an upper stage 242a (broken line), a middle stage 242b (broken line), and a lower stage 242c (broken line) for providing information to the operator. 242, a “basic” button for designating a basic operation, an “edit” button for designating an editing operation, an “extended” button for designating an extended operation, and a “designate” button for designating a setting operation And a field area 246 (broken line) for displaying the number of originals, the number of copies, and the like.

  In the basic operation, a normal image forming operation, that is, a first image forming mode for reading an original image and forming an image corresponding to the original image, that is, a normal image on a sheet, is executed. In the editing operation, a special image forming operation, that is, a second image forming mode in which an original image is read and an image obtained by inverting the original image in the sub-scanning direction, that is, a mirror image is formed on a sheet can be set.

  FIG. 5 is a processing diagram from the generation of an image formation request until the reading of the original is completed. The document D is set on the document table 65, and the operator determines whether an image formation request is made by pressing a button from the operation panel 200 (S501). If there is a request (S501 / Y), the first sheet The leading edge of the original is fed by the pickup roller 67 and the paper feed roller 68 (S502) and passes through the original RFID tag detection sensor 80. Here, when the RFID tag is attached to the document sheet, data is exchanged with the document RFID tag detection sensor 80 by a prescribed communication protocol. At the same time, the read document image data is stored in the image memory 108 (S503). At this time, the document RFID tag detection sensor 80 polls the RFID communication and monitors the communication state (S504).

(First embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a post-process of FIG. 5 and a process diagram for the first embodiment of the present invention. When the reading is completed, whether or not communication with the RFID tag is possible is determined based on whether or not data exchange according to a prescribed communication protocol is performed between the document RFID tag detection sensor 80 and the document (S601). If the communication is successful, it is determined that the RFID tag is added to the document (S601 / Y). If the image formation has already started (S602 / Y), the control unit 105 determines whether the setting is to stop or stop image formation (S604). If the setting is to stop image formation, the image formation is stopped (S605). If the setting is to stop image formation, the image formation is interrupted (S606), and the interruption is continued until a restart instruction is issued. If it is maintained (S607) and a restart instruction is issued (S608 / resume), the processing flow is exited after image formation is completed (S609 / Y), as in normal image formation. The resumption instruction is given by the user operating the operation unit panel 200.

  If it is before the start of image formation (S602 / N), image formation is prohibited (S603). At this time, the user may be notified that the document is a document whose image formation is prohibited. The notification means to the user is performed by voice notification or display on the message area 242 or the like. In that case, when the stop or prohibition process ends, the process flow is exited.

  On the other hand, if communication fails (S601 / N), it is determined that no RFID tag is added (S601 / N). In this case, a normal image forming operation is performed (S610), and when the image formation is completed, the processing flow is exited (S611 / Y).

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the embodiment that performs the control according to the presence or absence of the RFID tag has been described. In the second embodiment, when the RFID tag is detected, the RFID information stored in the RFID tag is detected. A description will be given of an embodiment that performs control according to the above. FIG. 7A is a processing flow from reading RFID information stored in the RFID tag to when the control unit 105 issues a control instruction. First, the RFID information stored in the RFID tag is read by the document RFID tag sensor 80 (S701). Next, the control unit 105 refers to the control table in the table memory 107 (S702) and searches for the same RFID information as the read RFID information (S703). The control table will be described later. Next, the specifying unit 113 specifies control information according to the search result (S704). The control unit 105 controls the image forming operation according to the specified control information (S705).

  FIG. 7B is an overall processing flow after exiting the processing flow of FIG. If the communication with the RFID tag is successful (S701 / Y), the processing described in FIG. 7A is performed before the start of image formation. When communication with the RFID tag fails (S701 / N), the process is the same as in the first embodiment (S706 to S708).

  Next, the control table shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C will be described. FIG. 8A is an example of a control table stored in the table memory 107 shown in FIG. RFID information and a control menu are stored in the control table. The RFID information is information stored in an RFID tag of a document, and is document identification information indicating the type and content of the document, and user identification information such as a user ID. In the control menu, control information about the control contents such as what kind of control is performed is stored. For example, the edit contents such as the number of printed sheets, the print magnification, the paper size, the double-sided printing, the aggregate printing, and the specific image are stored. Controls such as superposition for superimposing data to form an image and deleting the original such as deleting original image data from the image memory 108 after completion of image formation are also included. Also, by storing a control menu when the corresponding RFID information is not found as RFID information, it is possible to control even when the same RFID information as the RFID information stored in the RFID tag cannot be searched. Become.

  FIG. 8B is an example of an RFID table stored in the table memory 107 shown in FIG. In the second embodiment of FIG. 8A, when RFID information is stored in the RFID tag, the control information is specified directly from the RFID information. However, as shown in FIG. When a plurality of tags are added, the RFID information can be specified by a combination of the number and position of the RFID tags.

  FIG. 8C is an example of a correspondence diagram of a plurality of RFID information and control menus stored in the table memory 107 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8C, finer control can be performed by performing control setting according to the combination of RFID information stored in each RFID tag.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the embodiment in which the control is performed according to the presence / absence of the RFID tag and the RFID information stored in the RFID tag has been described. In the third and fourth embodiments, a specific example is given. The contents of the control will be described. FIG. 9 is a processing diagram for the third embodiment. When communication with the RFID tag fails (S901 / N), the process is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 (S907 to S908). When the communication with the RFID tag is successful (S901 / Y), the control unit 105 performs the process of FIG. 7A and specifies the control information. Here, it is assumed that the control information is specified as “document deletion” (S902 / Y). Then, the control unit 105 starts image formation (S903). When the image formation is completed (S904 / Y), the control unit 105 accesses the image memory 108 and deletes document image data in the image memory 108 (S905). When the deletion is completed, the processing flow is exited (S906 / Y). In the present embodiment, the process of referring to the control table is performed after successful communication with the RFID tag. However, the process of FIG. 7A is not performed, and the image memory 108 is simply subject to successful communication with the RFID tag. It may be configured to execute control for deleting the original document data.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a processing diagram for the fourth embodiment. When communication with the RFID tag fails (S1001 / N), the process is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. When the communication with the RFID tag is successful, the control unit 105 specifies the control information by performing the process shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the control information is specified as “superposition” (S1002 / Y). Next, the image data for superimposition stored in advance in the image memory 108 is read (S1003). The image data for superimposition is image data stored in advance in the image memory 108. After the original image data is read and stored in the image memory 108, the read image data can be used for superposition. . Subsequently, the original image data stored in the image memory 108 is overlapped with the image data for superimposition to obtain new original image data (S1004). Then, image formation is started for the new document image data (S1004), and when the image formation is completed, the processing flow is exited (S1005 / Y). In this embodiment, the process of referring to the control table is performed after the communication with the RFID tag is successful, but the process of B is not performed, and the overlay process (S1003 to S1004) is simply performed on the condition that the communication with the RFID tag is successful. ) May be performed.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the third and fourth embodiments, specific control details have been described. In the fifth embodiment, an embodiment for setting control details will be described. FIG. 11 is a processing diagram for the fifth embodiment. A user performs a predetermined operation from the operation panel 200 to execute a mode for setting the RFID control function (S1101 / Y). Next, ON / OFF of RFID detection is selected (S1102). If OFF is selected here, the process proceeds to selection of whether or not the setting is completed (S1112). On the other hand, when ON is selected, the process moves to a setting for specific control contents. First, in detecting an RFID tag, the number and position of valid tags are set (S1103). Next, a setting is made as to whether or not to delete the document image data stored in the image memory 108 when an RFID tag is detected (S1104).

  Next, whether or not to stop the image forming operation when an RFID tag is detected is set (S1105). Here, when ON is selected, the setting mode is exited. On the other hand, when OFF is selected, ON / OFF of image formation control is set (S1106). The image formation control in this embodiment is the control shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 and 10. If OFF is selected here, the setting mode is exited. On the other hand, when ON is selected, a specific control menu is set (S1107).

  Next, ON / OFF of specific image overlay is selected (S1108). Here, when OFF is selected, the setting mode is exited. On the other hand, if ON is selected, whether to select a superimposed image is set (S1109). If no superimposed image is selected (S1109 / No), a default image is automatically set (S1111). On the other hand, if “Yes” is selected in S1109, a superimposed image is selected (S1110), and it is asked whether or not the setting is completed (S1112). Subsequently, if YES is selected, the RFID control setting mode is terminated and the image memory 108 is terminated. The internal control table (FIGS. 8A to 8C) is updated and the processing flow is exited (S1113).

  In the present embodiment, specific control has been described when an RFID tag is detected from a document. However, when an RFID tag cannot be detected from a document, similar control may be performed. good.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that performs print control in accordance with the type of document when forming an image.

1 is a configuration diagram of an entire image forming apparatus in the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing circuit 102 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel and a display unit that configure an operation unit 111 provided in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart from generation of an image formation request to completion of document reading in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing flow figure of the 1st example of the present invention. It is a processing flow figure of the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a control table. It is a processing flow figure of the 3rd example of the present invention. It is a processing flow figure of the 4th example of the present invention. It is a processing flow figure of the 5th example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

12 Photosensitive drum 13 Charging charger 14, 15 Development unit 16 Static elimination lamp (QL)
17 Pre-transfer static elimination lamp (PTL)
18 Transfer Charger 19 Separation Charger 20 Eraser 21 Cleaning Unit 22 Polygon Mirror 23 Optical System (Lens)
24 Mirror 25 Calling roller 26 Paper feeding roller 27 Registration roller pair 28 Registration sensor 29 Separation claw 30 Conveying belt 31 Fixing roller 32 Switching claw 33 Refeeding conveyance path 34 to 36 Paper feeding cassette 37 Manual feed table (manual feed tray)
38a, 38b, 28c Size detection sensor 39 Bottom plate raising arm 40 Feeding RFID tag sensor 50 Electrophotographic digital copier 50a Scanner unit 50b Printer unit 51 Automatic document feeder 52 Original table 53 Original scale 54 Exposure lamp 56 First mirror 57 First Carriage 58 Auxiliary Reflector 59 Second Carriage 60 Second Mirror 61 Third Mirror 62 Imaging Lens 63 Line Sensor 64 Cover 65 Document Feeding Stand 66 Empty Sensor 67 Pickup Roller 68 Feeding Roller 69 Aligning Roller 70 Alignment sensor 71 Conveying belt 72 Belt roller 73 Reverse roller 74 Pinch roller 75 Flapper 76 Paper discharge roller 77 Jam sensor 80 Document RFID tag sensor

Claims (12)

Reading means for reading a document;
Storage means for storing image data read by the reading means;
Image forming means for forming an image based on the image data stored in the storage means;
An operation means for an operator to input an instruction;
RFID detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an RFID tag from a document during image reading by the reading means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an image forming operation based on a detection result of the RFID tag by the RFID detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the RFID detection means is detachable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes:
A transport means for transporting the document;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the RFID detection unit detects an RFID tag attached to a document while the document is being conveyed by the conveyance unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the operation unit can select at least one of the position and the number of RFID tags that the detection unit effectively detects. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
RFID reading means for reading RFID information stored in the detected RFID tag when the RFID detection means detects that there is an RFID tag;
A control table for storing RFID information and control information about the contents of control by the control means associated with the RFID information;
A specifying means for specifying control information corresponding to the RFID information with reference to the control table;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit performs the control specified by the specifying unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
The RFID information stored in the control table includes at least one of document information and user information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The image forming unit characterized in that the specifying unit refers to the control table, searches for the same RFID information as the RFID information read by the RFID reading unit, and specifies control information corresponding to the searched RFID information. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the operation unit inputs an instruction to set control information stored in the control table for each corresponding RFID information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit stops or interrupts image formation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes the image data stored in the storage unit after completion of the image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit forms an image by superimposing image data stored in the storage unit in advance on an image read by the reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the operation unit can selectively set a superimposed image to be superimposed on an image read by the reading unit from among image data stored in advance in the storage unit.

Images