JP2008307752A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which enables it to make a re-printing in the portion already printed according to the detail of information expressed in the portion concerned after detecting the failure of reading a RFID tag even in the case of not having a paper pulling-in function in an image forming device loaded with a RFID reading/writing function. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device equipped with the RFID reading/writing apparatus which applies the reading/writing to the RFID tag attached to a recording paper has a determination means for determining whether the reading can be performed by the RFID reading/writing apparatus, a conveyance means for conveying the recording paper, a printing means for scanning in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance means and printing the recording paper and a detection means for detecting the printing state of the recording paper. The printing means makes the printing of a specific pattern image in the recording paper based on the result determined by the determination means and the result detected by the detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly to a technique preferably applied to an image forming apparatus including an RFID read / write device that can read or write data without contact.

  In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has attracted attention as an authentication technique using radio waves. In this RFID, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip with an antenna processed into a tag or a label is given to an object or a person, and information stored therein is read by a reading / writing device, so that object recognition, personal authentication, etc. It can be performed.

  Using such RFID technology, an IC chip embedded in a recording paper is read or written, and an image is formed on the recording paper based on the read or written information. In order to use RFID, which is currently in the process of spreading, in parallel with the current mainstream barcode, barcode printing and RFID writing on one tag, non-standard printing paper and expiration date In order to prevent printing on printing paper that has passed, printing is performed by reading information or printing is prohibited.

  As a means for performing the former, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer with an RFID reading / writing device that incorporates an RFID reading / writing device and can detect an error in writing the RFID. The printer prints on a label based on RFID tag data read by an RFID reader / writer. Also, the same document discloses a technique for printing and discharging a specific pattern without printing print data on printing paper when RFID reading becomes impossible.

As a means for performing the latter, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a printing apparatus that prevents printing with an inappropriate printing paper and provides a new accounting method for printing. The printing apparatus reads the storage element embedded in the printing paper, executes the printing process only when the read predetermined identification information is appropriate information, and reads or reads the predetermined identification information. When the predetermined identification information is not appropriate information, the printing paper is discharged and the printing paper is not executed.
JP 2001-96814 A JP 2004-142188 A

  The printer with an RFID reading / writing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is to draw back a printing paper once to print a specific pattern, and overwrite the already printed portion with the specific pattern. For this reason, a mechanical additional mechanism such as a gear or a clutch is required as a mechanism for pulling back the paper, which increases the size and price of the printer. The printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 determines identification information of a storage element embedded in a print sheet before printing processing, and detects improper identification information or unreadable information after printing has already been performed. There is no disclosure of how to deal with this. That is, in the inventions according to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a printer that is a compact and low-priced printer and does not have a paper pull-in function can deal with a portion that has already been printed when it detects that reading is impossible. Can not. If highly confidential information is printed at the location, there is a problem in terms of security management.

  In the present invention, in view of the above-described circumstances, an image forming apparatus equipped with an RFID read / write function has already printed after detecting the inability to read an RFID tag even if it does not have a paper pull-in function. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reprinting a printed portion in accordance with the information content represented in the portion.

  In order to achieve such an object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus including an RFID reading / writing device for reading / writing to an RFID tag provided on a recording sheet, whether or not reading by the RFID reading / writing device is possible. A determination means for determining, a conveying means for conveying the recording paper, a printing means for printing the recording paper by scanning in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying means, and a detecting means for detecting the printing state of the recording paper, And the printing unit prints the specific pattern image on the recording paper based on the determination result by the determination unit and the detection result by the detection unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the printing unit prints the specific pattern image on the recording paper when the determination result is unreadable and the detection result has a print area. It may be a feature.

  According to the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the determination unit determines whether or not reading is possible before printing on the security target image area set in the print data in advance. There may be.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the determination unit may determine whether or not reading is possible after printing on the security target image area is completed for one scan.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the transport unit stops transport of the recording paper after printing for the security target image area is completed for one scan, and the print unit cannot read the determination result, and When the detection result is a print area, the specific pattern image is overwritten on the image area printed for one scan of the recording paper at the print position stopped by the transport unit. There may be.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the printing unit performs overwriting printing of the specific pattern image on the image area printed for one scan based on the security level of the security target image area. It may be.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the printing unit prints a specific pattern image on an image area after the image area printed for one scan based on a security level. It may be a thing.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the printing unit does not print the specific pattern image on the recording paper when the determination result is unreadable and the detection result is no print area. It may be characterized by.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the printing unit may perform solid printing, pattern printing, character printing, or a combination thereof as printing of the specific pattern image. It may be.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the printing unit may select and print a specific pattern image based on a security level.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the printing unit performs solid printing or pattern printing on the image area on which the characters and objects of the recording paper are printed, and on the image area on which the printing is not performed. It may be characterized by not performing solid printing or pattern printing.

  As another aspect, the present invention relates to an image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus including an RFID reading / writing device that performs reading / writing on an RFID tag provided on a recording paper. A determination step for determining admissibility; a transport step for transporting the recording paper; a printing step for printing the recording paper by scanning in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the transport step; and a detection step for detecting the printing state of the recording paper The printing step prints the specific pattern image on the recording paper based on the determination result in the determination step and the detection result in the detection step.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus equipped with an RFID read / write function, even if it does not have a paper pull-in function, after detecting that the RFID tag cannot be read, an area that has already been printed is detected. There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of reprinting in a form corresponding to the information content represented in the location.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a printer controller 101, a recognition unit 102, an RF tag reader / writer 103, a control unit 104, an operation board 105, a peripheral device connection unit 106, a memory 107, a buffer 108, a driver 109, a print head 110, a motor driver 111, The head moving motor 112 and the paper transport motor 113 are included.

  The printer controller 101 exchanges image data and control data with the control unit 104, peripheral device connection unit 106, memory 107, and buffer 108. The recognition unit 102 receives data read by the RF tag reader / writer 103 and recognizes the contents thereof, or sends data to be written to the RF tag reader / writer 103. The RF tag reader / writer reads / writes data from / to an RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as an RF tag).

  The control unit 104 exchanges data with the recognition unit 102, the operation board 105, and the printer controller 101, and controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation board 105 is an input device for a user to input operation details. The peripheral device connection unit 106 includes an interface for connecting to an external device via a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. The memory 107 stores image data received from an external device.

  The buffer 108 temporarily holds the image data to be printed received from the printer controller 101 and sends it to the driver 109. The driver 109 sends head operation control data to the print head 110 based on the image data from the buffer 108. The print head 110 discharges ink based on control data from the driver 109 and records an image on a recording sheet.

  The motor driver 111 sends motor operation control data based on the operation content data received from the control unit 104 to the head moving motor 112 and the paper transport motor 113. The head moving motor 112 and the paper transport motor 113 drive a motor for moving the head and a motor for transporting paper based on control data from the motor driver 111.

  An image recording operation and an RF tag reading / writing operation will be described. A document image input from the peripheral device connection unit 106 is stored in the memory 107 via the printer controller 101. The recorded image data read from the memory 107 is input from the printer controller 101 to the print head 110 via the buffer 108 and the head driver 109. In this way, the head is driven according to the recording image data, and the ink is ejected onto the recording paper. At the same time, the driving of the head moving motor 112 for moving the position of the print head 110 and the paper according to the command from the motor driver 111. By driving the carry motor 113, printing of an original image is realized.

  In addition, instruction information from the operator is input by a key input operation of the operation board 105 arranged on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 104 controls the display of various display boards on the operation board 105, reads key input information input from the operation board 105, acquires printing conditions and printer operating conditions, and each part of the printer controller 101. To instruct.

  The control unit 104 also receives a recognition result from the recognition unit 102 and performs print control of the image forming apparatus 100. An RF tag reader / writer 103 is connected to the recognition unit 102. The RF tag reader / writer 103 is a device capable of reading or writing information in a non-contact type storage medium provided in advance on a recording sheet for recording a document image. This storage medium is described as a non-contact type in this embodiment, but may be a contact type. The recognition unit 104 acquires these pieces of information and transmits the recognition result obtained from these pieces of information to the control unit 104.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus employs an ink jet recording method in which image recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets from an ink head and landing on a recording sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 100 holds a carriage 3 as a movable body slidably in a main scanning direction by a guide rod 1 and a guide rail 2 that are horizontally mounted on left and right side plates (not shown). 1 (corresponding to the head moving motor 112 in FIG. 1), it is moved and displaced in the main scanning direction via a timing belt 5 spanned between a driving pulley (not shown) and a driven pulley (not shown). The carriage 3 includes, for example, four recording heads 7 (printing in FIG. 1) including droplet ejection heads that eject ink droplets of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk), respectively. A plurality of ink ejection openings are arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning direction, and the ink droplet ejection direction is directed downward.

  As a droplet discharge head constituting the recording head 7, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that utilizes film boiling of a liquid using an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, or a metal phase change due to a temperature change is used. A device provided as an energy generating means for ejecting ink, such as a shape memory alloy actuator or an electrostatic actuator using an electrostatic force, can be used. Note that the recording head can also be configured by one or a plurality of liquid droplet ejection heads provided with a plurality of nozzle rows that eject different colors.

  The carriage 3 is equipped with sub-tanks 8 for each color for supplying ink of each color to the recording head 7. Ink is supplied to the sub tank 8 from a main tank (ink cartridge) (not shown) via an ink supply tube 9. In addition to the recording head 7 that discharges ink droplets, a recording head that discharges a fixing treatment liquid (fixing ink) that reacts with the recording liquid (ink) to improve the fixing property of the ink can be provided. Further, the carriage 3 is provided with an acceleration sensor (not shown) which is an acceleration detecting means for detecting the acceleration of the carriage 3.

  On the other hand, the recording paper 12 is separated and fed one by one from the recording paper stacking unit 11 as a paper feeding unit for feeding the recording paper 12 loaded on the recording paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 11 of the paper feeding cassette 10 or the like. And a separation pad 14 made of a material having a large coefficient of friction. The separation pad 14 is urged toward the sheet feeding roller 13 side. Yes.

  A transport belt 21 for electrostatically attracting and transporting the recording paper 12 as a transport section for transporting the recording paper 12 fed from the paper feed section below the recording head 7 and a paper feed The counter roller 22 for conveying the recording paper 12 fed from the section via the guide 15 with the conveyance belt 21 and the recording paper 12 fed substantially vertically upward are changed by about 90 ° to convey the conveyance belt. 21 is provided with a conveying guide 23 for following the upper surface 21 and a tip pressure roller 25 urged toward the conveying belt 21 by a pressing member 24. In addition, a charging roller 26 as a charging unit for charging the surface of the transport belt 21 is provided.

  The conveyance belt 21 is an endless belt, and is stretched between the conveyance roller 27 and the tension roller 28, and from the sub-scanning motor 31 (corresponding to the sheet conveyance motor 113 in FIG. 1) to the timing belt 32 and the timing roller 33. By rotating the conveyance roller 27 via the belt, it is configured to circulate in the belt conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). A guide member 29 is disposed on the back side of the conveying belt 21 corresponding to the image forming area by the recording head 7. The charging roller 26 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface layer of the conveyor belt 21 and rotate following the rotation of the conveyor belt 21, and applies pressure to both ends of the shaft.

  Further, a slit disk 34 is attached to the shaft of the conveying roller 27, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the slit of the slit disk 34 is provided, and an encoder is configured by the slit disk 34 and the sensor. Yes. In addition, an encoder scale 42 having slits is provided on the front side of the carriage 3, and an encoder sensor 43 including a transmission type photosensor that detects the slits of the encoder scale 42 is provided on the front side of the carriage 3. An encoder 44 is configured to detect the speed of the carriage 3 and the position in the main scanning direction.

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the recording paper 12 recorded by the recording head 7, a separation unit for separating the recording paper 12 from the conveying belt 21, a paper discharge roller 52 and a paper discharge roller 53, A paper discharge tray 54 for stocking the recording paper 12 to be discharged is provided. A double-sided paper feeding unit 61 is detachably mounted on the back. The double-sided paper feeding unit 61 takes in the recording paper 12 returned by the reverse rotation of the transport belt 21, reverses it, and feeds it again between the counter roller 22 and the transport belt 21.

  In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the recording paper 12 is separated and fed one by one from the paper feeding unit, and the recording paper 12 fed substantially vertically upward is guided by the guide 15, and includes the conveyance belt 21 and the counter. It is sandwiched between the rollers 22 and conveyed, and further, the leading end is guided by the conveying guide 23 and pressed against the conveying belt 21 by the leading end pressing roller 25, and the conveying direction is changed by approximately 90 °.

  At this time, a positive output and a negative output are alternately repeated from the high voltage power source to the charging roller 26 by a control circuit (not shown), that is, an alternating voltage is applied, and a charging voltage pattern in which the conveying belt 21 is alternating, that is, In the sub-scanning direction, which is the circumferential direction, plus and minus are alternately charged in a band shape with a predetermined width. When the recording paper 12 is fed onto the positively and negatively charged conveyance belt 21, the recording paper 12 is attracted to the conveyance belt 21 by electrostatic force, and the recording paper 12 is sub-scanned by the circular movement of the conveyance belt 21. Conveyed in the direction.

  Therefore, by driving the recording head 7 in accordance with the image signal while moving the carriage 3, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped recording paper 12 to record one line, and the recording paper 12 is conveyed by a predetermined amount. After that, the next line is recorded. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the trailing edge of the recording paper 12 has reached the recording area, the recording operation is terminated and the recording paper 12 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 54.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is a compact and inexpensive image forming apparatus and does not have a paper pull-in function. Further, the RF tag reader / writer 80 (corresponding to the RF tag reader / writer 103 in FIG. 1) is installed in the front stage of the recording head 7 in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path of the recording paper 12. The installation position of the RF tag reader / writer 80 may be in the subsequent stage of the recording head 7, but it is preferable to provide the RF tag reader / writer 80 in the preceding stage because it is better to read the RF tag before the print head. As shown in FIG.

  Depending on the orientation of the recording paper 12 installed on the recording paper stacking unit 11 by the user, the RF tags installed at the four corners of the recording paper 12 may be at the head or at the tail in the paper transport direction. . In the case of the head, since the recording paper 12 reaches the RF tag reader / writer 80 before reaching the print head, the RF tag can be read before the recording head 7 starts printing. However, when it comes to the tail, the RF tag of the recording paper 12 reaches the RF tag reader / writer 80 after the recording head 7 starts printing.

  Since the RF tag is read by radio waves, the RF tag reader / writer 80 can perform reading even if there is a slight distance from the RF tag. However, since the radio wave is weak, the distance is limited. For example, when the RF tag comes to the rear in the paper transport direction, the recording head 7 slightly increases the reading time until the RF tag is completely read. Will be printed. In this embodiment, even in such a case, as described later, the image forming apparatus 100 can flexibly cope with security problems.

  Next, the operation performed on the printed image area when the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment does not recognize the RF tag can be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the corresponding operation for the printed image area in the present embodiment.

  First, a user creates print information (original) using an application on a PC. In this embodiment, it is possible to set a security area and a security level for a desired location in a print page before issuing a print command for the print information to the image forming apparatus in a creation operation. ing. This may be at the beginning of the page, or the entire page can be collectively set as a security area.

  The print information (document) in which the security part is set by the user is requested to be printed from the application to the image forming apparatus. The print information is input to the peripheral device connection unit 106 in FIG. 1 together with the print request. This state indicates that “START” has been entered in the flowchart of FIG. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus starts to convey a blank recording sheet having an RF tag from the paper feed tray to the print head (FIG. 1) (step S1). Then, the image forming apparatus activates the RF tag reader / writer as soon as conveyance starts, and starts reading the RF tag on the recording paper (step S2). The RF tag reader / writer generates weak radio waves and realizes reading / writing of data stored in the RF tag.

  Subsequently, image recording (printing operation) on the recording paper by the print head is started (step S3). The printing operation is realized by forming print information (original image) on the recording paper by driving the print head in synchronization with the conveyance speed of the recording paper and ejecting ink droplets. . When printing for one scan of the security area in the document preset by the user is completed during the printing operation (step S4), the image forming apparatus carries the recording paper and drives the print head at that time. Stop (step S5). At the same time, the RF tag reader / writer performs an RF tag reading operation up to this point to determine whether or not reading is possible (step S6).

  If it is determined that the RF tag can be read (step S7 / YES), the image forming apparatus determines that printing is to be continued and restarts the printing operation (step S8). Then, by performing the printing operation up to the end of the page, the image recording of the printing information (original) on the recording paper is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the RF tag can be read or not (step S7 / NO), the image forming apparatus is not blank (blank) or blank (printed) with respect to the printing status of the recording paper by this time. Is determined from the history of the print information transferred to the print head (step S9). If the determination result is blank (blank) (step S9 / YES), the image forming apparatus discharges as blank paper without performing the subsequent printing operation on the recording paper (step S10), thereby performing a series of printing. The operation is completed (first pass).

  When the determination result of the printing status for the recording paper is not blank (blank) (= printed) (step S9 / NO), the printed area for one scan, which is a security part, is overwritten or not overwritten. Is determined (step S11). This determination is made based on the security level set for the print information (original) by the user in advance and the print processing setting for each security level set in the image forming apparatus. The print processing setting for each security level set in the image forming apparatus is set in advance for the image forming apparatus from an application on the PC via the operation board 105 and the peripheral device connection unit 106 in FIG. Thus, the change by the user is possible.

  On the basis of these settings, if it is determined that overwrite printing is performed (step S11 / YES), the flow is based on the second pass or the fourth pass. When it is determined that the overprinting is performed, the image forming apparatus drives only the print head in a state where the paper conveyance is stopped, thereby overwriting the specific pattern with respect to the printed area for one scan which is a security portion. Is performed (step S12).

  After overprinting is performed on the printed area for one scan of the security location (step S12), it is determined whether or not to perform further printing for the area scanned after the printed area (step S14), and printing is executed. When the determination is made (step S14 / YES), the specific pattern is printed on the area to be scanned later (step S15), and a series of printing operations is completed (second pass). On the other hand, when it is determined not to execute printing (step S14 / NO), a specific pattern is not printed on the area to be scanned thereafter (step S16), and a series of printing operations is completed (fourth). Path).

  If it is determined not to perform overprinting according to the security level setting or the print processing setting for each security level (step S11 / NO), the flow is based on the third pass or the fifth pass. If it is determined not to perform overprinting, the image forming apparatus moves the print head to the next scan position on the recording paper by operating only the paper transport while the drive of the print head is stopped (step S13). . Cases where it is determined not to perform overprinting include a case where the security level set in the security location is not the highest level, or because the area of the print head is small relative to the area of the security location, There may be cases where the contents cannot be judged. In these cases, it is determined that the user makes a setting on the application in consideration of suppressing the ink consumption, and overwriting printing is not performed based on the setting.

  After the paper conveyance is performed without overwriting the printed area for one scan of the security portion (step S13), it is determined whether to print the area scanned after the printed area (step S14). ) When printing execution is determined (step S14 / YES), a specific pattern is printed on the area to be scanned after that (step S15), and a series of printing operations is completed (third). path). Conversely, when it is determined that printing is not to be performed (step S14 / NO), a specific pattern is not printed on the area to be scanned after that (step S16), and a series of printing operations is completed (fifth). Path).

  As the printing of the specific pattern, solid printing, pattern printing, character printing, and the like can be performed. These may be used alone or in combination. It is also possible to switch according to the security level set by the user. Further, it is also possible to appropriately specify a print area so that solid printing and pattern printing are executed for characters and objects of printed image information and not for the margin of the paper.

  In this embodiment, in order to shorten a series of printing times, it is also effective for the user to use the shortest printing control as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2002-337414. Moreover, cross control is mentioned as print control which can apply the said flow in this embodiment. Cross control refers to control that cooperatively overlaps both driving in the main scanning direction of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted and driving in the sub-scanning direction when transporting the recording paper. In order to speed up the printing process, ideally, the main scan (CR) is started before the sub-scan (LF) is completed, and the LF is stopped just when the CR reaches the recording area. The timing is managed. If such time management is not performed, the CR reaches the recording area while the LF is operating, causing skew recording, and conversely, no recording is performed without overlapping with the LF driving. A CR running section will occur.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  That is, the image forming apparatus in the above-described embodiment operates by processing, means, and functions executed by a computer according to program instructions. The program sends instructions to each component of the computer, and the predetermined processing and functions as described above, for example, the control unit 104 causes the RF tag reading result from the recognition unit 102 and the printing from the printer controller 101 to be performed. Based on the history of information (the history of print information transmitted to the print head 110), the security level setting for each image, and the like, it is determined whether or not to perform overwriting printing of a specific pattern, and the driver 109 and the motor driver 111 are controlled. Data is sent to drive and control the print head 110, head moving motor 112, and paper transport motor 113. As described above, the processes and means in the above-described embodiment are realized by specific means in which the program and the computer cooperate.

  Then, for example, a computer (CPU) of the image forming apparatus stores the program code stored in the storage medium via a computer-readable recording medium that records the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, that is, the storage medium. The object of the present invention is also achieved by executing the reading. Further, the program can be loaded and executed directly on a computer through a communication line without going through a recording medium, and the object of the present invention can be achieved similarly.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment. And the storage medium which memorize | stored the program code comprises this invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and a magnetic tape. Can be used.

  When a large amount of paper is set as the actual situation of RF tag reading of paper with RF tag, RF tag reading NG occurs on a plurality of papers even though there is no functional problem with the RF tag of the paper. Yes. In this case, it is possible to read by setting only the paper that was NG again and performing reading. On the other hand, when an RF tag cannot be read in an image forming apparatus having no paper pull-in function, conventionally, a specific pattern is printed for the purpose of suppressing illegal printing. These apparatuses perform printing of a specific pattern even when the printing state of the paper at the moment when it is determined to be impossible is blank, and even those that can be reused as paper originally have been discarded. In the above embodiment, by recognizing the printing state of the printed area on the paper, the paper can be reused even in such a situation.

  The longer the reading time of the RF tag, the more times the read retry is performed and the higher the frequency of successful reading. As described above, the RF tag reading NG having no functional problem can reduce the number of sheets judged to be NG by increasing the number of reading retries. As a result, the paper cost can be reduced and the printing time can be shortened. In the above embodiment, since it can be used as the RF tag reading time until printing at a high security level, the number of sheets determined to be NG can be reduced. In addition, since a user can arbitrarily set a printing location with a high security level, it is possible to flexibly respond to requests in various office environments.

  As described above, in a compact and inexpensive image forming apparatus without a paper pull-in function, in order to increase the reading success rate of the RF tag, it is possible to extend the reading time to the last minute. In some cases, printing has begun before reading of the RF tag is completed. For example, this is the case when the user sets the paper so that the RF tag is positioned at the tail of the paper in the paper conveyance direction. In the above-described embodiment, as a countermeasure, the first step is to stop the print head and the paper conveyance when printing of the important portion (a portion with high security) is completed for one scan after focusing on the important portion in the document. It is a feature. Thereafter, when the reading result of the RF tag is NG, the second feature is that the printed area can be overwritten by driving only the print head while the paper conveyance is stopped. By having these characteristics, it is possible to increase the reading time of the RF tag and to prevent unauthorized printing when the reading is NG.

  Also, in this embodiment, two types of processing for executing a specific pattern overwrite printing and no execution of overwrite printing are prepared as processing methods for a printed area when the RF tag reading is NG. The selection can be made based on the print state of the printed area and the security level that can be arbitrarily set by the user. By providing such a mechanism, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can flexibly respond to requests of various users with different environments.

  In the present embodiment, when the RF tag reading is NG, two types of print processing for the area after the printed area, that is, execution of printing a specific pattern and non-execution of overwriting, are prepared. In the two types of selection, a processing method can be selected based on the print state of the printed area and the security level that can be arbitrarily set by the user. By providing such a mechanism, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can flexibly respond to requests of various users with different environments.

  Further, when the RF tag reading is determined to be NG, and the printed area is blank, the paper has been a target for discarding in the conventional specific pattern printing, but in the above embodiment, the paper is reused. For the purpose, it can be discharged as white paper. Paper discharged as white paper can be reused as RF-tagged paper if there is no functional problem with the RF tag. Even if the RF tag is functionally problematic, it can be reused as paper without the RF tag. Is possible.

  In the above embodiment, solid printing, pattern printing, and character printing can be used as printing of the specific pattern. When solid printing is used for specific pattern printing, print information cannot be seen from printed paper that cannot be read by the RF tag, including the printed area. In addition, when pattern printing is used for specific pattern printing, it is difficult to make print information visible from printed paper that cannot be read by the RF tag, including the printed area. If the print information is an object or character that approximates a pattern by pattern printing, it becomes more difficult to visualize the print information. In addition, it is possible to reduce ink consumption compared to solid printing. Further, as an example of the pattern, when the design of the pattern is a mark indicating that the RF tag cannot be read and the mark is arranged, it is difficult to visualize the print information, and the paper is displayed to the user. It is also possible to communicate that the RF tag was unreadable.

  When character printing is used for specific pattern printing, it is difficult to make print information visible from printed paper that cannot be read by the RF tag, including the printed area. Then, by setting the character printed character to be a word indicating that the RF tag cannot be read, it is possible to notify the user that the paper cannot be read from the RF tag. Further, depending on the wording, it is possible to reduce the ink consumption as compared with the case of pattern printing.

  In the above embodiment, there are three types of specific pattern printing: solid printing, pattern printing, and character printing, and switching can be performed according to the security level set by the user, while maintaining appropriate security. The user can control the ink consumption. Further, if necessary, it is possible to inform the user of the status of the image forming apparatus, such as transmission of an NG reason.

  In this embodiment, solid printing and pattern printing as overwriting printing of a specific pattern are performed only on characters and objects of printed print information, and margins set on paper are not performed. If the silhouette of an object is lifted and there is a possibility of information leaking from the silhouette, the shape of solid printing or pattern printing applied only to the object can be specified to prevent the silhouette from floating, which is beneficial for the user . Further, by limiting solid printing and pattern printing to only characters and objects, ink consumption can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a corresponding operation for a printed image area in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 Carriage 4 Main scanning motor 7 Recording head 8 Sub tank 9 Ink supply tube 10 Paper feed cassette 11 Recording paper stacking section (pressure plate)
12 Recording paper 13 Half-moon roller (paper feed roller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Conveying belt 27 Conveying roller 28 Tension roller 29 Guide member 31 Sub scanning motor 52 Discharging roller 53 Discharging roller 54 Discharging tray 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Printer controller 102 Recognition unit 80, 103 RF tag reader / writer 104 Control unit 105 Operation board 106 Peripheral Device Connection Unit 107 Memory 108 Buffer 109 Driver 110 Print Head 111 Motor Driver 112 Head Movement Motor 113 Paper Transport Motor

Claims (12)

In an image forming apparatus provided with an RFID reading / writing device for reading / writing to an RFID tag provided on a recording paper,
Determining means for determining whether or not reading by the RFID reader / writer is possible;
Conveying means for conveying the recording paper;
Printing means for printing the recording paper by scanning in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying means;
Detecting means for detecting the printing state of the recording paper,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the printing unit prints a specific pattern image on the recording paper based on a determination result by the determination unit and a detection result by the detection unit.   2. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the specific pattern image on the recording paper when the determination result is unreadable and the detection result has a print area. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the reading is possible before printing on a security target image area set in print data in advance.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether the reading is possible after printing for the security target image area is completed for one scan. The transport unit stops transport of the recording paper after printing of the security target image area is completed for one scan;
When the determination result is unreadable and the detection result is a print area, the printing unit prints an image area printed for one scan of the recording paper at a printing position stopped by the conveying unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the specific pattern image is overwritten and printed.   The image according to claim 5, wherein the printing unit performs overwriting printing of the specific pattern image on the image area printed for one scan based on a security level of the security target image area. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printing unit prints the specific pattern image on an image area after the image area printed for one scan based on the security level. .   The printing unit does not print the specific pattern image on the recording paper when the determination result is unreadable and the detection result is no print area. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 7 above.   9. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing of the specific pattern image by performing solid printing, pattern printing, character printing, or a combination thereof. 10. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing unit selects and prints the specific pattern image based on the security level.   The printing means performs the solid printing or the pattern printing on an image area on which characters and objects of the recording paper are printed, and performs the solid printing or the pattern printing on an unprinted image area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is not provided. In an image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus provided with an RFID reading / writing device that performs reading / writing on an RFID tag provided on a recording paper,
A determination step of determining whether or not reading by the RFID reader / writer is possible;
A transport step for transporting the recording paper;
A printing step of printing the recording paper by scanning in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by the conveying step;
Detecting the printing state of the recording paper,
In the image forming method, the printing step prints a specific pattern image on the recording paper based on a determination result in the determination step and a detection result in the detection step.

Images