JP2006145925A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the efficiency of image formation processing of an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 110 is equipped with a recording paper storage section 500 which stores recording paper 501. The image forming apparatus 110 is equipped with a wireless tag readout section 110 which reads out ID data of an RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 through wireless communication. The image forming apparatus 110 is equipped with a recording paper quantity judgment section 207 which judges the number of sheets of the recording paper 501 stored in the recording paper storage section 500 according to the ID data that the wireless tag readout section 116 reads out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  IC tag is a digital media that communicates in a non-contact manner using RFID (= automatic authentication using radio) technology, and performs article management and automatic identification through exchange of digital information in an IC memory mounted inside. It is. Compared to barcodes, etc., it has excellent features that have never been seen, such as the ability to freely add and rewrite information. In a recycling-oriented society, widespread use is expected in the future as a tool for effectively reusing limited resources, as an article management system suitable for information networks, and as a medium for communication support. Recently, it has been considered to be embedded in a ticket or the like and used for a bill. In addition, it is thought that it will be used by being embedded in recording paper and manuscripts as it becomes cheaper.

  An example of a conventional copying machine is described in Patent Document 1. A copying machine described in the document is shown in FIG. The copying machine 1 includes a transmission unit 201 that generates a specific frequency and a transmission antenna 202 that transmits radio waves to a document placement location. Furthermore, when transmitting a radio wave, it has a receiving antenna 203 that receives the radio wave at the document placement position, and a receiving unit 204 and a calculation unit 205 that analyze the received radio wave. The resonance tag 10 includes a resonance circuit, and is attached to a document at a document placement location. The copying machine 1 identifies the type of the resonance tag 10 at the document placement location based on the received radio wave. Based on the identification result, an operation such as copy permission is determined.

  According to Patent Document 1, for this reason, an image copying apparatus and an image copying system capable of identifying a document without being easily noticed by an operator and managing copy permission according to the type of the document are provided.

JP 2003-37694 A

  However, Patent Document 1 does not describe that a wireless tag (IC tag) is attached to a recording sheet and the tag information is read to detect the number of recording sheets (remaining amount). Therefore, it is difficult for the user of the image copying apparatus of Patent Document 1 to accurately grasp the number of recording sheets in the recording sheet cassette. For this reason, after pressing the print start button, such as when trying to print a slightly larger number of documents while the remaining amount of recording paper is low, the user leaves the image copying apparatus and passes through an appropriate time. In some cases, the print processing of the image copying apparatus is stopped due to a paper shortage when returning to take out the printed matter. As a result, the user may take time to redo the printing again.

According to the present invention,
Recording paper storage means for storing recording paper;
RFID reading means for reading out ID data of the RFID tag in the recording paper by wireless communication;
Recording sheet number determining means for determining the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to this configuration, the efficiency of the image forming process can be improved. That is, since the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storage unit can be determined based on the ID data read by the RFID reading unit, the recording sheet storage unit stores the image before the image forming process. It is possible to know the remaining amount of recording paper in advance. For this reason, the efficiency of the image forming process can be improved.

Moreover, according to the present invention,
A document placing means for placing a document;
RFID reading means for reading out ID data of the RFID tag in the document by wireless communication;
A document number determination means for determining the number of documents placed in the document placement means based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to this configuration, the efficiency of the image forming process can be improved. In other words, since the number of documents placed in the document placing means can be determined based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means, the document placing means is in the stage before performing the image forming process. It is possible to know the remaining amount of originals in advance. For this reason, the efficiency of the image forming process can be improved.

  In the present invention, the document data includes document image data and all attached data (including data related to the number of copies) received together with the document image data.

  According to the present invention, since the number of recording sheets or documents is determined based on the ID data read by the RFID reading unit, the efficiency of the image forming process can be improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include a main power switch that controls power supply from the main power source. In this case, the RFID reading means can be configured to operate in accordance with the switching of the main power switch to the power supply state.

  According to this configuration, since the RFID reading unit operates in accordance with the switching of the main power switch to the power supply state, the recording paper in the recording paper storage unit is turned on every time the main power switch is turned on (power supply state). Can be calculated efficiently.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet. In this case, the RFID reading unit can be configured to operate as the image forming process by the image forming unit ends.

  According to this configuration, since the RFID reading unit operates as the image forming process ends, the number of recording sheets in the recording sheet storing unit can be efficiently calculated every time the image forming process ends.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include an opening / closing detection unit that detects opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit. In this case, the RFID reading means can be configured to operate in accordance with the detection of opening / closing of the recording paper storage means by the opening / closing detection means.

  According to this configuration, since the RFID reading unit operates in response to detection of opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit, the number of recording papers in the recording paper storage unit can be efficiently calculated each time the recording paper storage unit is opened / closed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include a recording paper transport unit that transports the recording paper from the recording paper storage unit. In this case, the recording sheet number determining means determines the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means and the number of recording sheets carried out by the recording sheet conveying means. Can be configured to.

  According to this configuration, by subtracting the number of recording sheets carried out by the recording sheet conveying means from the initial number of recording sheets calculated based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means, the recording sheets in the recording sheet storing means are recorded. The number of sheets can be calculated efficiently.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include a sensor that detects an approximate number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storage unit. In this case, the RFID reading means can be configured to operate when the approximate number of recording sheets detected by the sensor is below a predetermined value.

  According to this configuration, the approximate number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means can be detected by the sensor, and the RFID reading means is activated when the approximate number of recording sheets detected is below a predetermined value. The number of recording sheets is accurately detected. For this reason, the number of recording sheets in the recording sheet storing means can be calculated efficiently.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the sensor may be a photoelectric sensor or a mechanical sensor.

  By combining with a photoelectric sensor or a mechanical sensor (mechanical sensor) in this way, the approximate number of recording papers in the recording paper storage means can be easily detected, so the RFID tag reading means must accurately grasp the number of sheets. Can only be activated if For this reason, the number of operations of the RFID tag reading unit can be reduced, and the number of recording sheets in the recording sheet storing unit can be calculated efficiently.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a document placing unit for placing a document, a second RFID reading unit for reading second ID data of a second RFID tag in the document by wireless communication, and a copy of the document. Recording necessary for copying the number of copies based on the number of copies received by the number of copies received by the second RFID reading means and the number of copies received by the number of copies receiving means. Necessary sheet number judging means for judging the number of sheets, necessary number of recording sheets obtained from the necessary number judgment means, and number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means obtained from the recording sheet number judging means And a warning output unit configured to be able to output a warning that the recording paper is insufficient when the recording paper is insufficient.

  According to this configuration, the required number of sheets judging means copies the document by the number of copies based on the second ID data read by the second RFID reading means and the number of copies received by the copy number accepting means. The necessary number of recording sheets can be determined. For this reason, by comparing this required number of recording sheets with the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means obtained from the recording sheet number determining means, before the start of copying (before the start of reading). Whether there is a shortage of recording paper can be determined. If the recording paper is insufficient, a warning that the recording paper is insufficient can be output to prompt the user to replenish the recording paper. For this reason, the working efficiency of the user of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is connected to an external network, acquires a data from the external network, and determines the number of recording sheets necessary to output the data based on the data acquired by the communication unit Comparing the required number of recording sheets to be acquired, the required number of recording sheets obtained from the required number determining section, and the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storage means acquired from the recording sheet number determining section, A warning output unit configured to be able to output a warning that the recording paper is insufficient when the recording paper is insufficient may be further provided.

  According to this configuration, the necessary number of sheets is determined based on the number of pages and the number of copies when the original data acquired by the communication unit is output to the recording paper by the required number determining means. The number of sheets can be determined. For this reason, by comparing this required number of recording sheets with the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means obtained from the recording sheet number determining means, the shortage of recording sheets can be confirmed before the output is started. Presence / absence can be determined. If the recording paper is insufficient, a warning that the recording paper is insufficient can be output to prompt the user to replenish the recording paper. For this reason, the working efficiency of the user of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment includes a recording paper storage unit 500 (recording paper cassette or recording paper storage unit) that stores the recording paper 501. The image forming apparatus 110 includes a wireless tag reading unit 116 (RFID reading unit or RFID reader) that reads ID data of an RFID tag 400 (RFID tag or IC tag) in the recording paper 501 by wireless communication. The image forming apparatus 110 includes a recording sheet number determination unit 207 that determines the number of recording sheets 501 stored in the recording sheet storage unit 500 based on ID data read by the wireless tag reading unit 116.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a document placement unit 123 (a document placement unit or a document set tray) that stores a document 301. The image forming apparatus 110 includes a wireless tag reading unit 116 that reads ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 by wireless communication. The image forming apparatus 110 includes a document number determination unit 509 that determines the number of documents 301 stored in the document placement unit 123 based on the ID data read by the wireless tag reading unit 116.

Each component of the image forming apparatus 110 is centered on an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program that realizes the components shown in FIG. It is realized by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. That is, each drawing described in the present specification shows a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration.
The image forming apparatus 110 is, for example, a network facsimile apparatus or an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral). The image forming apparatus 110 is connected to the server 143 via the network 141. The network is a concept including all of LAN, Internet, public line (PSTN) and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 110 can communicate with other communication terminal apparatuses using a plurality of communication methods. The image forming apparatus 110 can communicate with, for example, a FAX (fax or facsimile) terminal 131, an E-mail (Email or electronic mail) terminal 133, an I-FAX (Internet fax) terminal 135, and a PC (personal computer) terminal 137. Is possible. The FAX terminal 131 is another G3 fax terminal that communicates through a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The E-mail terminal 133 and the I-FAX terminal 135 are other computers and other Internet fax terminals that communicate via a network such as the Internet. Further, the image forming apparatus 110 and the PC terminal 137 can be connected via an interface such as a USB. The PC terminal 137 is a terminal that transmits image data and attached information to the image forming apparatus 110 via the network 141 and performs PC printing. The image forming apparatus 110 constructs the image forming system 100 together with a server 143 (file server), a network 141, a FAX terminal 131, an E-mail terminal 133, an I-FAX terminal 135, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a main power switch 161 that controls power supply from the main power supply 163 to the image forming apparatus 110. The wireless tag reading unit 116 is configured to operate when the main power switch 161 is switched to the power supply state.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a printer 114 (image forming unit) that forms an image on the recording paper 501. The wireless tag reading unit 116 is configured to operate as the image forming process by the printer 114 ends.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a cassette open / close detection unit 125 (open / close detection unit) that detects opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit 500. The wireless tag reading unit 116 is configured to operate in accordance with detection of opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit 500 by the cassette open / close detection unit 125.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a recording paper transport unit 124 that transports the recording paper 501 from the recording paper storage unit 500. A recording paper number determination unit 207, which will be described later, is based on the ID data read by the wireless tag reading unit 116 and the number of recording papers 501 carried out by the recording paper transport unit 124, and the recording paper stored in the recording paper storage unit 500. The number of sheets 501 is determined.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a photoelectric sensor 165 (may be a mechanical sensor) that detects an approximate number of recording sheets 501 stored in the recording sheet storage unit 500. The wireless tag reading unit 116 is configured to operate when the approximate number of recording sheets 501 detected by the photoelectric sensor 165 is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  The image forming apparatus 110 includes a document placement unit 123 that stores a document 301. The image forming apparatus 110 includes a wireless tag reading unit 116 (second RFID reading unit) that reads ID data (second ID data) of the RFID tag 400 (second RFID tag) in the document 301 by wireless communication. . The image forming apparatus 110 includes an operation unit 113 (an operation panel for setting a copy number reception unit or a copy number) that receives an input of the number of copies of the original 301.

  More specifically, the image forming apparatus 110 includes a communication unit 111, a display unit 115, a control unit 117, a storage device 119, an operation unit 113, a document placement unit 123, a document transport unit 127, Document reading unit 112, recording paper storage unit 500, recording paper transport unit 124, printer 114, cassette open / close detection unit 125, main power switch 161, wireless tag detection unit 118, photoelectric sensor 165, wireless A tag reading unit 116. The main power switch 161 is connected to the main power source 163. In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted.

  The communication unit 111 is connected to an external network including the FAX terminal 131, the E-mail terminal 133, the I-FAX terminal 135, the PC terminal 137, and the like, and the number of copies when outputting document image data and document image data from the external network. Acquire attached data. The operation unit 113 is, for example, an operation button, a switch, a lever, a keyboard, or a touch panel. The display unit 115 displays various information and operation screens, and performs operations and status display of the image forming apparatus 110. The display unit 115 is, for example, a lamp, LED, CRT monitor, liquid crystal display, or the like.

  The control unit 117 controls the entire apparatus together with various elements of the image forming apparatus 110. The storage device 119 may include a storage area for storing information such as a telephone directory.

  The network 141 may be a network that performs data communication by any of a facsimile method, an e-mail method, and other methods. That is, the network 141 may be any of PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), LAN, WAN, or another communication network.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing in detail the control unit 117 of the image forming apparatus 110 of FIG.
The control unit 117 is stored in the recording paper storage unit 500 based on the ID data read from the RFID tag 400 of the recording paper 501 by the wireless tag reading unit 116 and the number of recording papers 501 carried out by the recording paper transport unit 124. A recording sheet number determination unit 207 is provided for determining the number of recording sheets 501 that are present.

  Based on the ID data read from the RFID tag 400 of the document 301 by the wireless tag reading unit 116 and the number of copies received by the operation unit 113, the control unit 117 records the recording paper necessary to copy the document 301 by the number of copies. A necessary number determination unit 502 for determining the number 501 is provided. That is, the required number determination unit 502 calculates the number of copies (recorded number) based on the number of document pages and the number of copies.

  The necessary number determination unit 502 records document data 501 based on document data that the communication unit 111 acquires from an external network including the FAX terminal 131, the E-mail terminal 133, the I-FAX terminal 135, the PC terminal 137, and the like. So that the number of recording sheets 501 required to output the number of copies of the document data can be determined based on the number of pages and the number of copies acquired by the communication unit 111. It is configured. That is, the necessary number determination unit 502 calculates the number of output sheets (recorded number) based on the number of document pages and the number of output copies. Specifically, the necessary number determination unit 502 has a function (PC for receiving print data from an external device (such as the FAX terminal 131, the E-mail terminal 133, the I-FAX terminal 135, and the PC terminal 137) and executing printing. For the print function, the number of prints (number of pages × number of copies) is calculated based on (analyzed) the received print data.

  When the required number of recording sheets 501 acquired from the required number determination section 502 exceeds the number of recording sheets 501 stored in the recording sheet storage section 500 acquired from the recording sheet number determination section 207, the control section 117 In addition, a message output unit 222 (warning output unit) that outputs a warning that the recording paper 501 is insufficient is provided. That is, the message output unit 222 determines whether there is a shortage of the number of recording sheets 501 based on (compare) the calculated number of recording sheets 501 and the calculated number of copies or output sheets. Specifically, the message output unit 222 determines whether or not the number of recording sheets 501 is insufficient based on (compare) the calculated number of prints and the calculated number of recording sheets 501.

  More specifically, the control unit 117 includes an ID inquiry unit 201 that makes an inquiry about the presence or absence of an RFID tag to the wireless tag detection unit 118 using electromagnetic waves of about 2.45 GHz. The control unit 117 includes an ID acquisition unit 203 that acquires ID data from the wireless tag reading unit 116 using electromagnetic waves of about 2.45 GHz.

  The control unit 117 includes an ID acquisition unit 203 and an ID table acquisition unit 205. The control unit 117 refers to the ID data acquired by the ID acquisition unit 203 and the ID table acquired by the ID table acquisition unit 205, and determines the type, size, number of sheets, etc. of the recording paper 501 or the original 301 corresponding to the ID data. An ID determination unit 506 is provided. That is, the ID determination unit 506 includes a recording sheet number determination unit 207 and a document number determination unit 509.

  The control unit 117 includes a document data acquisition unit 507. The control unit 117 includes an image processing unit 508 that processes document data acquired from the document data acquisition unit 507 and creates output data. The control unit 117 includes a necessary number determination unit 502 and a message output unit 222. In FIG. 2, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of the document placement portion of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The image processing apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment includes a document placement unit 123 (document tray) configured to be capable of storing a plurality of documents 301 (only one is shown in the drawing in FIG. 3). The wireless tag detection unit 118 detects the presence or absence of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 in the document placement unit 123 by using an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz. The wireless tag reading unit 116 reads the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 in the document placing unit 123 with an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz.

  The document conveyance unit 127 carries the document 301 out of the document placement unit 123. The document reading unit 112 scans the surface of the unloaded document 301 and acquires document data including characters, symbols, images, and the like. The RFID tag 400 is provided inside a document 301 made of a paper medium, and characters and figures can be freely printed on the surface of the document 301 where the RFID tag 400 is provided.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the RFID tag used in the embodiment.
The RFID tag 400 used in this embodiment is packed with an analog circuit and a digital circuit in a compact manner, and can read and transmit a radio signal without a battery. The RFID tag 400 has a planar size of about 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm, and the circuit configuration is very simple.

  The RFID tag 400 includes an antenna 401. The RFID tag 400 includes a rectifier circuit 403 that converts electromagnetic wave (microwave) energy of about 2.45 GHz received by the antenna 401 into a DC power supply voltage. The rectifier circuit 403 can also function as an RF circuit to convert a voltage waveform into an electromagnetic wave and transmit it from the antenna 401.

  The RFID tag 400 includes a control unit 407 that operates with a DC power supply voltage obtained by converting electromagnetic waves received by an antenna. The control unit 407 includes a 128-bit ROM 417 (memory) that stores a 128-bit identification number (ID data). This 128-bit ROM ID data uses a 10-bit control register 413 and a clock circuit 411, and via a rectifier circuit 403 and an antenna 401, the RFID tag detection unit 118 and the RFID tag reading unit which are reading devices (readers) bit by bit 116.

  In addition, the RFID tag 400 includes a voltage limiter 405 that suppresses an excessive increase in the DC power supply voltage obtained by converting the electromagnetic wave received by the antenna and prevents the destruction of the CMOS transistor. The RFID tag 400 includes a clock circuit 411 for demodulating a clock waveform. The RFID tag 400 includes a power-on reset circuit 409 that controls the start and end of circuit operation.

  The RFID tag 400 controls a decoder 415 that performs decompression of compressed data, decryption of encryption, and the like in order to cope with wireless communication in an encoded (encrypted) state in consideration of security. It is provided in the part 407. The decoder 415 also functions as an encoder that encodes data based on a certain rule.

  Further, the RFID tag 400 that operates using electromagnetic energy includes a power supply capacitor 419 (smoothing capacitor) that stores a DC power supply voltage obtained by converting the electromagnetic wave received by the antenna 401 as a charge. Since the RFID tag 400 has a simple circuit configuration, the capacity of the power supply capacitor 419 is approximately 100 pF.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of the recording paper storage unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The image processing apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment includes a recording sheet storage unit 500 (recording sheet cassette) configured to be capable of storing a plurality of recording sheets 501 (only one sheet is shown in the drawing in FIG. 5). The wireless tag detection unit 118 detects the presence or absence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500 by an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz. The wireless tag reading unit 116 reads the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500 with an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz.

  The recording paper transport unit 124 carries out the recording paper 501 from the recording paper storage unit 500. The printer 114 prints document data including characters, symbols, images, and the like on the surface of the unloaded recording paper 501 by an inkjet method or a laser jet method. The RFID tag 400 is provided inside a recording paper 501 made of a paper medium, and characters and figures can be freely printed on the surface of the recording paper 501 where the RFID tag 400 is provided. Note that a certain amount of recording paper 501 is stored in the recording paper storage unit 500. At this time, these recording sheets 501 include RFIDs 400 having different IDs (for example, serial numbers) in advance.

The operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  An RFID 400 having different IDs (for example, serial IDs and IDs of the RFID 400 of the recording paper 501 are different IDs) is placed in the document placement unit 123 of the image forming apparatus 110 by an operator. When a document 301 including the original is set and the main power switch 161 is pressed to turn it on, a series of flows starts. First, the control unit 117 confirms whether the main power switch 161 is ON (S101). If the main power switch 161 is ON, the process proceeds to the next step (S103). If the main power switch 161 is OFF, a series of flows is terminated.

  When the control unit 117 confirms that the main power switch is ON, the control unit 117 detects the number C and types of the recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 (S103). Specifically, the control unit 117 transmits a signal from the ID inquiry unit 201 to the wireless tag detection unit 118. The wireless tag detection unit 118 that has received the signal encodes a signal for detecting the RFID tag 400 and emits an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz to the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500. The radio tag detection unit 118 that has emitted the electromagnetic wave receives a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 from the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 in order to determine the presence or absence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501. Wait for it to be sent.

  When the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 receives an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the antenna 401, the electromagnetic wave is converted into a direct current voltage by the rectifier circuit 403 and electric charge is accumulated in the power supply capacitor 419. The control unit 407 activated by the current supplied from the power supply capacitor 419 decodes the sign of the electric signal converted from the received electromagnetic wave by the decoder 415, and inquires about the presence or absence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501. When the determination is made, a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 is generated using the 10-bit control register 413 and the clock circuit 411, and is encoded by the decoder 415 (encoder). The control unit 407 converts this signal into an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the rectifier circuit 403 and transmits it to the wireless tag detection unit 118 via the antenna 401.

  The wireless tag detection unit 118 that has received a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 from the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 decodes the signal and sends the signal to the ID inquiry unit 201 in the recording paper 501. A signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 is transmitted. The wireless tag detection unit 118 that has not received a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 even after a predetermined time has passed indicates that the RFID tag 400 is not present in the recording paper 501 in the ID inquiry unit 201. Send the signal.

  When the RFID tag 400 is not detected in the recording paper 501, the control unit 117 detects the approximate number of the recording paper 501 by the photoelectric sensor 165 provided in the recording paper storage unit 500. When the RFID tag 400 is detected in the recording paper 501, the control unit 117 transmits a signal from the ID inquiry unit 201 to the wireless tag reading unit 116. The wireless tag reading unit 116 that has received the signal encodes a signal for reading the ID data of the RFID tag 400 and emits an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz to the recording paper 501. The wireless tag reading unit 116 that has emitted the electromagnetic wave waits for a signal including ID data to be transmitted from the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 in order to acquire the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501.

  When the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 receives an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the antenna 401, the electromagnetic wave is converted into a direct current voltage by the rectifier circuit 403 and electric charge is accumulated in the power supply capacitor 419. The control unit 407 activated by the current supplied from the power supply capacitor 419 is a signal that inquires the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 by decoding the code of the received electric signal by the decoder 415. If it is determined, the ID data of the 128-bit ROM 417 is encoded by the decoder 415 (encoder), and converted into an electrical signal using the 10-bit control register 413 and the clock circuit 411. The control unit 407 converts this signal into an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the rectifier circuit 403 and transmits it to the wireless tag detection unit 118 via the antenna 401.

  The wireless tag detection unit 118 that has received the signal including the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 from the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 decodes the signal including the ID data, and sends the ID data to the ID acquisition unit 203. Send. The ID acquisition unit 203 that has acquired the ID data transmits the ID data to the ID determination unit 506 and transmits a signal indicating that the ID data has been acquired to the ID table acquisition unit 205.

  The ID table acquisition unit 205 that has received the signal searches the storage device 119 and, when the ID table is found in the storage device 119, acquires the ID table from the storage device 119. When the ID table is not found in the storage device 119, the ID table acquisition unit 205 searches the server 143 via the communication unit 111 and the network 141 and finds the ID table in the server 143. The ID table is acquired from the server 143. The ID table acquisition unit 205 that has acquired the ID table transmits the ID table to the ID determination unit 506.

  The ID determination unit 506 that has acquired the ID data and the ID table refers to the ID data and the ID table, searches the ID table for a record including the corresponding ID data, and records the recording paper size column and the recording paper in the record. With reference to the type column, it is determined whether the recording paper 501 is the size or type (for example, A4 size, plain paper, etc.). Since these recording sheets 501 include RFIDs 400 having different IDs (for example, serial numbers) in advance, the recording sheet number determination unit 207 of the ID determination unit 506 calculates the number of different IDs. Thus, the number of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 is detected. The obtained determination result is transmitted from the ID determination unit 207 to the message output unit 222.

  Next, the control unit 117 checks whether the document 301 is set in the document placing unit 123 via a sensor or the like (S105). When the document 301 is not set in the document tray 300, the series of flow is finished. At this time, a display that prompts the user to set the document 301 in the document tray 300 may be displayed on the display unit 115. If the document 301 is set in the document tray 300, the process proceeds to the next step (S107).

  Subsequently, the control unit 117 detects the number of documents A and the document type in the document placing unit 123 (S107). Specifically, the control unit 117 transmits a signal from the ID inquiry unit 201 to the wireless tag detection unit 118. Upon receiving the signal, the wireless tag detection unit 118 encodes a signal for detecting the RFID tag 400 and emits an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz to the document 301 in the document placement unit 123. The wireless tag detection unit 118 that has emitted the electromagnetic wave transmits a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the recording paper 501 from the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 in order to determine the presence or absence of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301. I wait for you.

  When the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 receives an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the antenna 401, the electromagnetic wave is converted into a direct current voltage by the rectifier circuit 403 and charges are accumulated in the power supply capacitor 419. The control unit 407 activated by the current supplied from the power supply capacitor 419 determines that the signal is an inquiry about the presence or absence of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 by decoding the sign of the electric signal converted from the received electromagnetic wave by the decoder 415. Then, using the 10-bit control register 413 and the clock circuit 411, a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 is generated and encoded by the decoder 415 (encoder). The control unit 407 converts this signal into an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the rectifier circuit 403 and transmits it to the wireless tag detection unit 118 via the antenna 401.

  Upon receiving a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 from the RFID tag 400 in the document 301, the wireless tag detection unit 118 decodes the signal and causes the ID inquiry unit 201 to send the RFID tag 400 in the document 301. Send a signal indicating the presence of. The wireless tag detection unit 118 that has not received a signal indicating the presence of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 even after a certain period of time has passed, a signal indicating that the RFID tag 400 is not present in the document 301 in the ID inquiry unit 201. Send.

  When the RFID tag 400 is not detected in the document 301, the control unit 117 detects the approximate number of documents 301 by a mechanical sensor (not shown) provided in the document placement unit 123. When the RFID tag 400 is detected in the document 301, the control unit 117 transmits a signal from the ID inquiry unit 201 to the wireless tag reading unit 116. Upon receiving the signal, the wireless tag reading unit 116 encodes a signal for reading the ID data of the RFID tag 400 and emits an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz to the document 301. The wireless tag reading unit 116 that has released the electromagnetic wave waits for a signal including ID data to be transmitted from the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 in order to acquire the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301.

  When the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 receives an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the antenna 401, the electromagnetic wave is converted into a direct current voltage by the rectifier circuit 403 and charges are accumulated in the power supply capacitor 419. The control unit 407 activated by the current supplied from the power supply capacitor 419 is a signal that inquires the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 by decoding the sign of the electric signal converted from the received electromagnetic wave by the decoder 415. When the determination is made, the 128-bit ROM ID data is encoded by the decoder 415 (encoder) and converted into an electrical signal using the 10-bit control register 413 and the clock circuit 411. The control unit 407 converts this signal into an electromagnetic wave of about 2.45 GHz by the rectifier circuit 403 and transmits it to the wireless tag detection unit 118 via the antenna 401.

  Receiving the signal including the ID data of the RFID tag 400 in the document 301 from the RFID tag 400 in the document 301, the wireless tag detection unit 118 decodes the signal including the ID data and transmits the ID data to the ID acquisition unit 203. To do. The ID acquisition unit 203 that has acquired the ID data transmits the ID data to the ID determination unit 506 and transmits a signal indicating that the ID data has been acquired to the ID table acquisition unit 205.

  The ID table acquisition unit 205 that has received the signal searches the storage device 119 and, when the ID table is found in the storage device 119, acquires the ID table from the storage device 119. When the ID table is not found in the storage device 119, the ID table acquisition unit 205 searches the plurality of servers 143 via the interface unit 121 and the network 141, and stores the ID table in any of the servers 143. If found, the ID table is acquired from the server 143. The ID table acquisition unit 205 that has acquired the ID table transmits the ID table to the ID determination unit 506.

  The ID determination unit 506 that has acquired the ID data and the ID table refers to the ID data and the ID table, searches the ID table for a record including the corresponding ID data, and records the recording paper size column and the recording paper in the record. With reference to the type column, the size and type of the original 301 (for example, A4 size, plain paper, etc.) are determined. Further, since these documents 301 include RFID 400 having different IDs (for example, serial numbers) in advance, the document number determination unit 509 of the ID determination unit 506 calculates the number of different IDs. Thus, the number of documents 301 in the document placing unit 123 is detected. The obtained determination result is transmitted from the ID determination unit 207 to the necessary number determination unit 502.

  Next, the control unit 117 extracts the copy number B (S109). Specifically, the required number determination unit 502 of the control unit 117 acquires the number of copies received by the operation unit 113.

  Next, the required number determination unit 502 transmits information on the required number of recording sheets 501 obtained from the equation (number of original sheets A × copy number B = required number) to the message output unit 222 via the ID determination unit 506. .

  Based on the information on the required number of recording sheets 501 acquired from the required number determination section 502 via the ID determination section 506 and the information on the number of recording sheets acquired from the ID determination section 506, the message output section 222 ( It is determined whether or not an equation of the number of originals A × the number of copies B> the number of recording sheets C) is satisfied (S111).

  If the formula (number of original sheets A × number of copies B> number of recording sheets C) is satisfied, the message output unit 222 outputs a message indicating that the recording sheet 501 is insufficient to the display unit 115 ( S113). For example, when the formula of the number of documents A × the number of copies B−the number of recording papers C = 10 is satisfied, a message “There are not enough recording papers. Please replenish the recording papers” is displayed. Then, after displaying the message, the control unit 117 proceeds to the next step (S114). On the other hand, if the equation (number of originals A × number of copies B> number C of recording sheets) is not satisfied, the message output unit 222 does not output a message. Then, the control unit 117 proceeds to the next step (S114).

  Next, the control unit 117 acquires information about whether or not a copy start instruction has been received from the operation unit 113 (S114). If a copy start instruction has been received, the control unit 117 proceeds to the next step (S119) for executing copying. If the copy start instruction has not been received, the control unit 117 determines whether or not the recording paper 501 has been replenished (S115).

  At this time, the control unit 117 acquires information as to whether or not the recording paper storage unit 500 has been opened / closed within a predetermined period of time from the cassette opening / closing detection unit 125, and the opening / closing of the recording sheet storage unit 500 is performed within the latest predetermined period of time. If so, it is determined that the recording paper 501 has been replenished. on the other hand. The control unit 117 determines that the replenishment of the recording paper 501 has not been performed if the opening / closing has not been performed within the latest predetermined time.

  If the replenishment of the recording paper 501 is performed, the control unit 117 detects and updates the number of recording papers C (S117). Specifically, as already described above, the number of recording sheets 501 is detected by detecting the ID of the RFID tag 400 included in the recording sheet 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500. Since it is already described in detail, it will not be repeated. Then, the message output unit 222 again determines whether or not the equation (number of original sheets A × number of copy copies B> number of recording sheets C) is satisfied (S111). Since this step is already described in detail, it will not be repeated.

  On the other hand, if the recording paper 501 is not replenished, the control unit 117 outputs a message to the effect that the recording paper 501 is replenished to the display unit 115 via the message output unit 222 (S113). Since this step is already described in detail, it will not be repeated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.
If a copy start instruction has been received in step S114, the control unit 117 performs copying (S121). Specifically, a signal is transmitted to the document conveyance unit 127, the recording paper conveyance unit 124, and the document reading unit 112. Receiving the signal, the document conveying section 127 carries out the documents 301 one by one from the document placing section 123 and sends them to the document reading section 112. The document reading unit 112 that has received the signal scans the surface of the sent document 301 to acquire document data.

  The document reading unit 112 transmits the acquired document data to the document data acquisition unit 507. The document data acquisition unit 507 transmits the acquired document data to the image processing unit 508. An image processing unit 508 processes document data to create output data and outputs the output data to the printer 114. On the other hand, the recording paper transport unit 124 that has received the signal transports the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500 to the printer 114 one by one. The printer 114 prints the output data on the conveyed recording paper 501.

  While performing the copy, the control unit 117 constantly detects and updates the number of recording sheets C in the recording sheet storage unit 500 (S123). Specifically, the recording paper carried out by the recording paper transport unit 124 from the initial number of recording papers 501 detected by detecting the ID of the RFID tag 400 included in the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500. By decrementing (subtracting) the number of sheets 501, the number of recording sheets C at that time is calculated, and the number of recording sheets C is detected and updated as needed.

  Then, the message output unit 222 again determines whether or not the equation (the number of documents A × the number of copies B> the number C of remaining recording sheets) is satisfied. At this time, it is determined whether or not the expression (number of remaining recording sheets C ≦ predetermined number of warnings M) is satisfied (S125). The number of warnings M is, for example, 50. If both of these expressions hold, the message output unit 222 outputs a message to the display unit 115 that the recording sheet needs to be replenished because the number of remaining recording sheets 501 is insufficient (S127). ). For example, the message “There are not enough 10 sheets of paper to complete all print jobs. There are only 50 sheets of paper remaining. Please replenish the paper.” Is displayed. At this time, the copy process is temporarily stopped. On the other hand, if neither of these expressions holds, copying continues as it is (S133).

  After displaying the message, the control unit 117 acquires information about whether or not a copy start instruction is accepted from the operation unit 113 (S129). If a copy start instruction has been received, the control unit 117 resumes copying and proceeds to the next step (S133) in which copying is continued from the point at which it was temporarily stopped. If the copy start instruction has not been received, the control unit 117 determines whether or not the recording paper 501 has been replenished (S131).

  At this time, the control unit 117 acquires information as to whether or not the recording paper storage unit 500 has been opened / closed from the cassette opening / closing detection unit 125 within the most recent predetermined time, and the opening / closing is performed within the most recent predetermined time. If so, it is determined that the recording paper 501 has been replenished. on the other hand. The control unit 117 determines that the replenishment of the recording paper 501 has not been performed if the opening / closing has not been performed within the latest predetermined time.

  If the replenishment of the recording paper 501 has been performed, the control unit 117 detects and updates the number of recording papers C (S123). Specifically, as already described above, the number of recording sheets 501 is detected by detecting the ID of the RFID tag 400 included in the recording sheet 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500. Since it is already described in detail, it will not be repeated. Then, the message output unit 222 again determines whether or not the equation (the number of documents A × the number of copies B> the number C of remaining recording sheets) is satisfied. At this time, it is determined whether or not the expression (number of remaining recording sheets C ≦ predetermined number of warnings M) is satisfied (S125). Since this step is already described in detail, it will not be repeated.

  On the other hand, if the recording paper 501 has not been replenished, the control unit 117 resumes copying, and proceeds to the next step (S133) in which copying is continued from the point at which it was temporarily stopped.

  When copying continues, when all the originals 301 that need to be copied have been copied or all the recording paper 501 has been used up, the control unit 117 ends copying (S135). When the copying is completed, the control unit 117 determines whether or not there is a remaining required number of copies (S137). Specifically, the message output unit 222 calculates the remaining necessary number of sheets, assuming that (the number of originals A × the number of copies B) − (the number of copied recording sheets 501) = required remaining number of copies. As a result, when there is a remaining required number of copies, the message output unit 222 outputs a message to that effect to the display unit 115. For example, a message “Three originals have not been copied yet. Please replenish the recording paper.” Is displayed. Since the subsequent steps are already described in detail, they will not be repeated.

  On the other hand, if there is a remaining number of required copies, the message output unit 222 further determines whether or not the expression (number of remaining recording sheets C ≦ predetermined number of warnings M) is satisfied (S139). If this equation is satisfied, the message output unit 222 has a shortage of the remaining recording sheets 501, so there is a possibility that the recording sheets will be insufficient when the next copy is performed, and it is necessary to replenish the recording sheets. Is output to the display unit 115 (S141). For example, the message “There is only 8 sheets of recording paper remaining. There is a possibility that the recording paper will be insufficient when performing the next copy. Please replenish the recording paper.” Is displayed. Then, in preparation for the next copy, the control unit 117 detects whether or not the document 301 is set on the document placing unit 123 by a mechanical sensor (not shown) at a predetermined time interval (S103). Since the subsequent steps are already described in detail, they will not be repeated.

Hereinafter, functions and effects of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
According to the image processing apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the efficiency of the image forming process can be improved. That is, since the number of recording sheets 501 stored in the recording sheet storage unit 500 can be determined based on the ID data read by the wireless tag reading unit 116, the recording sheet can be recorded at a stage before the image forming process is performed. The remaining amount of the recording paper 501 in the storage unit 500 can be known in advance. Further, since the number of documents 301 stored in the document placing unit 123 can be determined based on the ID data read by the wireless tag reading unit 116, the document placement is performed before the image forming process is performed. The remaining amount of recording paper of the original 301 in the placement unit 123 can be accurately known in advance. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of the recording paper 501 is insufficient before starting copying (before starting reading). Therefore, a warning or the like can be appropriately displayed to the user as necessary. As a result, the work efficiency of the user's image forming process can be improved.

  Further, according to the image processing apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, the remaining number of recording sheets 501 can be calculated efficiently each time the main power switch 161 is turned on. Since the RFID tag reading unit 116 is activated when the main power switch 161 is switched to the ON state, the number of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 can be calculated each time the main power switch 161 is turned on. Here, in the OFF state of the main power switch 161, it is difficult to detect the opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit 500 described later. However, even if the recording paper 501 is replenished to the recording paper storage unit 500 when the main power switch 161 is turned off by the operation of the wireless tag reading unit 116 when the main power is turned on, the number of the recording papers 501 is detected before copying. Can be updated. Therefore, the remaining number of recording sheets 501 can be calculated efficiently each time the main power switch 161 is turned on.

  Further, according to the image processing apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, the number of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 can be efficiently calculated every time the recording sheet storage unit 500 is opened and closed. In other words, the cassette opening / closing detection unit 125 that detects opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit 500 is provided, and the wireless tag reading unit 116 operates in accordance with the opening / closing detection by the cassette opening / closing detection unit 125. That is, as long as the main power supply is ON, the opening / closing of the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500 can be detected. Further, the replenishment operation of the recording paper 501 can be performed only by opening and closing the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500. Therefore, when the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500 is opened / closed, there is a possibility that the recording paper 501 has been replenished (in some cases, it has been opened / closed but not replenished). Therefore, according to this configuration, the number of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 can be calculated efficiently each time the recording sheet storage unit 500 is opened and closed.

  Further, according to the image processing apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, the number of ID inquiries can be reduced, and the remaining number of recording sheets 501 can be calculated efficiently. That is, the RFID tag 400 is attached to the recording paper 501, and the RFID tag reading unit 116 reads tag information and calculates the number of sheets when the main power is turned on. As described above, when the cassette opening / closing is detected, the RFID tag reading unit 116 operates to update the remaining number of recording sheets 501. Further, the remaining number of recording sheets 501 is decremented every time printing is performed on the recording sheet 501. According to this configuration, when the main power switch 161 is turned on, as the initial operation, the number of sheets is detected by reading tag information (ID inquiry), and thereafter (unless the power is turned off), the number of used sheets of recording paper 501 is used. By decrementing the value of the remaining number of recording sheets 501 (the number of times printing is actually performed by feeding the recording sheet 501), the accurate recording sheet 501 is detected without frequently detecting the number of sheets by reading tag information. Can manage the remaining number of cards. For this reason, the number of ID inquiries can be reduced and the remaining number can be calculated efficiently.

  Further, according to the image processing apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, the operation of the image processing apparatus 110 can be highly controlled. That is, since the image processing apparatus 110 uses the document 301 with the RFID tag 400 attached, the number of copies can be calculated from the number of copies and the number of documents 301. Further, the number of copies and the number of recording sheets 501 are compared, and a warning message can be output when the recording sheets 501 are insufficient. That is, the RFID tag 400 is also attached to the document 301. When the document 301 is set, the number of documents 301 is accurately detected, and whether or not the recording paper 501 is sufficient based on the number of documents 301 and the number of copies. Can be determined. Therefore, the number of both the original 301 and the recording paper 501 can be accurately grasped, and the operation of the image processing apparatus 110 can be highly controlled.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the first embodiment, but the RFID of the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500 by the wireless tag reading unit 116 is used. Before the ID of the tag 400 is read, the photoelectric sensor 165 is configured to detect the approximate number of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is difficult to accurately know the sheets of the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500 unless the wireless tag reading unit 116 is used. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is difficult to know an accurate value of the remaining number of sheets, but an approximate number of remaining sheets is detected by a mechanical sensor or the like, and a warning message is issued when the remaining number of sheets decreases. It is configured to prompt the user to fill the recording paper.

The operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the first embodiment, but the RFID of the recording paper 501 in the recording paper storage unit 500 by the wireless tag reading unit 116 is used. The difference is that the photoelectric sensor 165 detects the approximate number of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 before reading the ID of the tag 400.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the photoelectric sensor 165 can detect that the approximate remaining amount of the recording paper 501 is equal to or less than the predetermined value M. For this reason, the image forming apparatus 110 detects (confirms) that there is little remaining at a predetermined timing (when the power is turned on, when the cassette is opened or closed, or when a print job is completed), and detects that the remaining is small (below the predetermined value M). In this case, the RFID tag reading unit 116 reads tag information and accurately calculates the number of recording sheets 501.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment functions as a printing apparatus connected to a PC. In other words, the image forming apparatus 110 includes a communication unit 111 that is connected to an external network such as a PC and acquires document data and the number of copies when outputting the document data from the external network. The image forming apparatus 110 determines the number of pages when outputting the document data to the recording paper 501 based on the document data acquired by the communication unit 111, and based on the number of pages and the number of copies acquired by the communication unit 111. A necessary number determination unit 502 is provided for determining the number of recording sheets 501 required to output the number of copies of document data.

  In the image forming apparatus 110, the required number of recording sheets 501 acquired from the required number determination unit 502 exceeds the number of recording sheets 501 stored in the recording sheet storage unit 500 acquired from the recording sheet number determination unit 509. A message output unit 222 that outputs a warning that the recording paper 501 is insufficient. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 outputs (displays, etc.) a message on the display unit 115 when the recording paper 501 runs short during PC printing, or sends shortage information (for a print command) to the PC via the communication unit 111. Information indicating that there is a shortage of recording paper).

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is no tag information on the document 301 side (the RFID tag 400 is not embedded). Therefore, when determining whether or not the recording paper 501 is insufficient at the time of output, the number of original pages, the number of output copies, and the number of recording papers 501 are compared, and a warning message is output when the recording paper 501 is insufficient.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the approximate number of recording sheets 501 is detected by the photoelectric sensor 165 (detection of being roughly smaller than a certain number), and the number of recording sheets 501 is accurately detected by the wireless tag reading unit 116. And combine. When the remaining number of recording sheets 501 decreases, the remaining number is always output (displayed) on the display unit 115. For example, a message “There are about 10 to 20 remaining recording sheets” is displayed on the display unit 115.

  At this time, the ID of the RFID tag 400 attached to the recording paper 501 can take a wide range of values (if the number of digits of the ID is large, the value of the ID that can be taken is also larger than the number of digits). ID inquiry takes time. In particular, when the number of sheets is large, it takes time to detect the number of sheets (ID inquiry) by reading the tag information (ID) of the RFID tag 400 attached to the recording paper 501. Therefore, if the number of sheets is detected unnecessarily, the efficiency is lowered. For this reason, when the approximate number of remaining sheets of recording paper 501 becomes 50 or less, for example, the remaining number of sheets is notified for each sheet.

  The timing at which the process of detecting the approximate number is performed is performed as an initialization process immediately after the main power switch 161 is turned on. Other than that, it is executed immediately after the completion of the print job or immediately after opening / closing the cassette (only). For this reason, compared with the case where the process which detects an approximate number frequently is performed, it is efficient with less system load. That is, instead of decrementing the number of recording sheets 501 printed from the initial number of recording sheets 501, the number of recording sheets 501 may be updated by operating the photoelectric sensor 165 each time a print job is completed. In this way, the photoelectric sensor 165 operates with the execution of the print job (completion of the print job), so that the remaining number of recording sheets 501 can be calculated effectively.

  For example, the photoelectric sensor 165 detects whether the recording paper 501 is present at a predetermined height position in the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500 (whether the recording paper 501 is filled more than a predetermined height). Further, the weight of the recording paper 501 in the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500 may be measured directly or indirectly by a mechanical sensor or the like.

  When the accurate detection of the number of recording sheets 501 by the RFID tag reading unit 116 is combined with a mechanical sensor or photoelectric sensor 165, recording is performed by the mechanical sensor or photoelectric sensor 165 after the main power switch 161 is turned on. The wireless tag reading unit 116 is operated only when the approximate number of sheets of the paper 501 is detected and the remaining number is small.

  More specifically, the image forming apparatus 110 basically performs the same operation as the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 described in the first embodiment, but the recording stored in the recording paper storage unit 500 is performed. A difference is that a series of steps (S801, S803, S805) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed instead of the steps (S103, S117, S123) for detecting the number C of sheets.

  First, when it is necessary to detect the remaining number of recording sheets 501 stored in the recording sheet storage unit 500, the control unit 117 of the image forming apparatus 110 uses the photoelectric sensor 165 to detect the remaining number of recording sheets 501. The approximate number is detected (S801). Then, the control unit 117 determines whether or not the approximate number of remaining sheets of the recording paper 501 is equal to or less than a predetermined warning value M (for example, 50 sheets) (S803).

  When the approximate number of remaining sheets of recording paper 501 is equal to or less than the predetermined warning value M (Yes in S803), the control unit 117 reads the tag information by the wireless tag reading unit 116 and accurately determines the number of recording sheets 501. Calculation is executed (S805). On the other hand, when the approximate number of remaining sheets of the recording paper 501 is larger than the predetermined warning value M (No in S803), the control unit 117 does not perform detection by the wireless tag reading unit 116.

Hereinafter, functions and effects of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
The operational effects of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment include the following operational effects in addition to the operational effects similar to those of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the first embodiment.

  According to the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the recording paper 501 can be detected more efficiently. That is, the image forming apparatus 110 detects the approximate number of the recording sheets 501 by directly or indirectly detecting the position (height position) or thickness of the bundle of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500. Detection means (a commonly used sensor that can roughly grasp that the recording paper has been reduced by, for example, a mechanical sensor or a photoelectric sensor 165, and does not need to be able to detect an accurate number of sheets). Prepare. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily detect the approximate remaining amount of the recording paper 501 stored in the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500.

  When the detection unit detects that the remaining number of recording sheets 501 has decreased, the wireless tag reading unit 116 operates. As a result, the unique ID can be received from the recording paper 501 with the RFID tag 400 and the remaining number of recording paper 501 can be accurately counted. That is, the approximate number of remaining sheets of recording paper 501 is counted up to a predetermined value, and when the number decreases, the RFID tag reading unit 116 notifies the accurate remaining number of sheets. That is, when the approximate number of remaining recording paper 501 decreases, the RFID tag reading unit 116 accurately counts the remaining recording paper 501 and notifies the remaining number. As a result, the remaining amount of the recording paper 501 in the cassette of the recording paper storage unit 500 can be known in advance before outputting the original data.

  In this way, by combining with a mechanical sensor or a photoelectric sensor 165, the RFID tag reading unit 116 can be operated only when it is necessary to accurately grasp the number of sheets. Therefore, the number of times of reading and calculating the RFID tag 400 by the wireless tag reading unit 116 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the recording paper 501 is sufficient or not at the same time when a print command is received when printing or copying a plurality of pages, and the work efficiency of the user can be increased.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, these are the illustrations of this invention, Various structures other than the above are also employable.
For example, in the above embodiment, the number C of the recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 is detected in advance when the main power source 501 is turned on, and the cassette opening / closing of the recording sheet storage unit 500 is detected. Although detection and updating are performed by the wireless tag reading unit 116, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be detected and updated by the RFID tag reading unit 116 after completion of a job that uses the recording paper 501 each time.

  Further, the usage (utilization method) of the calculated number of recording sheets 501 is a method of executing the deficiency determination as compared with the number of copies and the number of prints as described above, and informing (displaying etc.) for the user to recognize. There is a method. That is, regarding the latter notification, when the number C of recording sheets 501 in the recording sheet storage unit 500 is insufficient, for example, a message indicating that there is not enough before the start of copying (when the original is set or when the number of copies is changed). Can be considered.

Alternatively, a message can be output at the following timing. A combination of these timings is also possible.
Always displays when the LCD is on (except when the LCD is off in the power saving mode).
If the remaining number of recording sheets 501 is less than the predetermined number, it is displayed.
Displayed when there is a user near the MFP.
Displayed when any action (key operation or cassette open / close) occurs.
Displayed when the presence of a user is detected by a human sensor.

1 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating in detail a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a configuration of a document placement portion of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. It is the functional block diagram which showed typically the structure of the RFID tag used for embodiment. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a configuration of a recording paper storage unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventionally known copying machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming system 110 Image forming apparatus 111 Communication part 112 Original reading part 113 Operation part 114 Printer 115 Display part 116 Wireless tag reading part 117 Control part 118 Wireless tag detection part 119 Storage device 123 Original mounting part 124 Recording paper conveyance part 125 Cassette open / close detection unit 127 Document conveyance unit 131 FAX terminal 133 E-mail terminal 135 I-FAX terminal 137 PC terminal 141 network 143 server 161 main power switch 163 main power source 165 photoelectric sensor 201 ID inquiry unit 203 ID acquisition unit 205 ID table Acquiring unit 207 Number of recording paper judgment unit 222 Message output unit 301 Document 400 RFID tag 401 Antenna 403 Rectifier circuit 405 Voltage limiter 407 Control unit 409 Power ON reset circuit 411 Clock circuit 413 Control level Star 415 decoder 417 ROM
419 Power supply capacitor 500 Recording paper storage unit 501 Recording paper 502 Required number determination unit 506 ID determination unit 507 Document data acquisition unit 508 Image processing unit 509 Document number determination unit 1001 Copier 1010 Resonance tag 1201 Transmission unit 1202 Transmission antenna 1203 Reception antenna 1204 Receiving unit 1205 arithmetic unit

Claims (10)

Recording paper storage means for storing recording paper;
RFID reading means for reading out ID data of the RFID tag in the recording paper by wireless communication;
Recording sheet number determining means for determining the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
A main power switch for controlling power supply from the main power supply;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the RFID reading unit is configured to operate when the main power switch is switched to a power supply state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Further comprising image forming means for forming an image on the recording paper,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the RFID reading unit is configured to operate upon completion of an image forming process by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the recording paper storage means;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the RFID reading unit is configured to operate when the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening / closing of the recording paper storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A recording paper conveying means for carrying out the recording paper from the recording paper storage means;
The recording sheet number judging unit is configured to store the recording sheet stored in the recording sheet storing unit based on the ID data read by the RFID reading unit and the number of recording sheets carried out by the recording sheet conveying unit. An image forming apparatus configured to determine the number of sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A sensor for detecting an approximate number of the recording paper stored in the recording paper storage means;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the RFID reading unit is configured to operate when an approximate number of the recording sheets detected by the sensor becomes a predetermined value or less. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the sensor is a photoelectric sensor or a mechanical sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A document placing means for placing a document;
Second RFID reading means for reading out second ID data of the second RFID tag in the document by wireless communication;
Copy number accepting means for accepting input of the number of copies of the original;
Based on the second ID data read by the second RFID reading means and the number of copies received by the number of copies receiving means, the number of recording sheets required to copy the number of copies of the original is determined. A necessary number judging means for judging,
The required number of recording sheets acquired from the required number determining means is compared with the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means acquired from the recording sheet number determining means, and the recording A warning output unit configured to be able to output a warning that the recording paper is insufficient when paper is insufficient;
An image forming apparatus further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A communication unit that connects to an external terminal and acquires data from the external terminal;
Based on the data acquired by the communication unit, necessary number determining means for determining the number of recording sheets necessary to output the data;
The required number of recording sheets acquired from the required number determining means is compared with the number of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet storing means acquired from the recording sheet number determining means, and the recording A warning output unit configured to be able to output a warning that the recording paper is insufficient when paper is insufficient;
An image forming apparatus further comprising: A document placing means for placing a document;
RFID reading means for reading out ID data of the RFID tag in the document by wireless communication;
A document number determination means for determining the number of documents placed in the document placement means based on the ID data read by the RFID reading means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images