JP2009066951A - Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of information reading means, and costs by obtaining information about components in an apparatus and paper characteristic information by the use of an existing RFID information reading means for identifying users. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus uses an existing non-contact information reading section 101 for identifying users and a scanner 550. Further, the apparatus obtains desired information while switching a user authentication mode for obtaining user identification information from a user identification RFID, thereby authenticating it, a component information reading mode for reading information about a toner bottle 101 from the first RFID 200a, a supply characteristic information reading mode for obtaining information about the characteristic of paper 420 from a second RFID 200b, and a two-dimensional code reading mode for obtaining information about the characteristic of the paper 420 from a bar code 200d, by the use of a mode switching means, and performs setting of an image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, apparatus component information stored in an RFID non-volatile memory and article characteristic information used by a target apparatus using information reading means of an RFID for user identification. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus to be acquired.

  In recent years, in order to simplify logistics and inventory management, non-contact non-volatile storage means is increasingly attached to products. For example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) that incorporates a non-volatile memory and can transmit information in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic induction is attached to a product or the like. In addition, there has been an information processing apparatus that performs user authentication by reading RFID identification information stored with identification information using RFID information reading means.

  Further, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, a cartridge system is widely used so that a user or a service person can easily replace consumables and life parts. In recent years, in order to manage the cartridge information, recycling, and remaining amount of consumables, those equipped with RFID have been used. This RFID is used to sequentially store cartridge usage time, remaining amount data of consumables such as toner, and the like, and read these data to determine the replacement timing of the cartridge.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose that processing such as optimizing printing conditions is performed by incorporating an RFID chip into printing paper and acquiring paper characteristic information from the RFID chip. In Patent Document 3, the characteristics and printing conditions of the paper used in the RFID memory are written, the RFID memory is set in the paper feed tray, and the characteristic information of the paper is acquired from the RFID memory to optimize the printing conditions. It has been proposed to perform processing such as conversion. Further, in Patent Document 4, it is proposed that an image forming job output by a user and an individual authentication number of each individual user are managed in series by an RFID tag, and only the person who requested the job can output the transfer paper by identifying the user. Has been.

JP 2006-258947 A JP 2005-035144 A JP 2004-325770 A JP 2006-031485 A

  However, in such an image forming apparatus using RFID, mounting the RFID chip on the paper significantly increases the cost of the paper, and a protrusion is formed on the portion where the RFID chip is mounted, so that the rollers and belts in the transport path are damaged. As a result, there is a problem in that the service life of these parts is greatly reduced.

  In addition, even if paper information is acquired from the RFID chip, it is necessary for the user to perform rewriting work. Therefore, when changing the paper type, there is a problem that the operation is complicated, and work mistakes are likely to occur. .

  Therefore, in order to improve these problems, a configuration in which an RFID storing paper information is mounted in a paper package and an RFID information reading unit for acquiring paper information is provided in the paper supply unit is also conceivable. However, when the RFID information reading means for acquiring information such as the remaining amount data of the consumables and the usage time of the cartridge and the RFID information reading means for acquiring the paper information are respectively mounted on the image forming apparatus, the information acquisition location is As the number of RFID information reading means increases, the number of RFID information reading means increases, resulting in a problem of increased costs. In addition, in the case of an apparatus having a user identification function for reading the identification information of the RFID for user identification by the RFID information reading means, the RFID information reading means is further increased by one.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and uses information for components inside a target device to perform information processing and information about product characteristics such as paper and recording media used for the target device for existing user identification. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the number of information reading means and reducing the cost by obtaining using an RFID information reading means.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an information processing system including RFID information reading means for reading information of a user identification RFID having a nonvolatile memory storing user identification information. A first antenna provided in the vicinity of a first RFID having a non-volatile memory storing information related to components inside the target device that is a target of information processing, and a target device that is a target of information processing A second antenna provided in the vicinity of a second RFID having a non-volatile memory that stores information relating to characteristics of the product to be used, and the first antenna and the second antenna are respectively provided to the RFID information reading means. The target device is set based on the information stored in each nonvolatile memory connected and read by the RFID information reading means. It is characterized in.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a two-dimensional code reading means for reading a two-dimensional code, wherein the information regarding the characteristics of the article used by the target device is a two-dimensional code. If the information cannot be read from the non-volatile memory of the second RFID, the information read by the two-dimensional code reading means is used.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, a user authentication mode for performing user authentication by reading user identification information from the RFID for user identification by the RFID information reading unit, A component information reading mode in which information about the component is read from the first RFID by the RFID information reading means via one antenna, and information on the characteristics of the article from the second RFID by the RFID information reading means via the second antenna And a two-dimensional code reading mode for reading information related to the characteristics of the article two-dimensionally encoded by the two-dimensional code reading means, and selectively executing each mode by switching between the modes. Further, it is characterized by further comprising mode switching means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus further includes characteristic information storage means for storing information on characteristics for each product number of the article, and the RFID information reading means is When the product number information of the product is acquired from the non-volatile memory of the second RFID, the product setting is changed in comparison with the characteristic information storage means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the product number information of the product read by the RFID information reading unit from the non-volatile memory of the second RFID and the product number of the characteristic information storage unit If the information does not match, the product number information read from the second RFID and the information on the product characteristic are newly added to the characteristic information storage means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the product characteristics once set is a product from at least one of the new second RFID and the two-dimensional code. As long as the information on the characteristic is not read, the article is processed using the information on the article characteristic set immediately before.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, in the case of reading information on product characteristics from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code, the set position of the product is set. After the designation, information on product characteristics is read from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second RFID is read only when the user information is successfully read from the user identification RFID by the RFID information reading means. And information on product characteristics is read from at least one of the two-dimensional codes.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the product type information is acquired from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code, the product type information is changed. It is characterized by that.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the dimension information of the article is acquired from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code, the dimension information of the article is changed. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising display means for displaying operation information, obtained from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code. When the type or size of the product does not correspond to the target device, an error display or a guidance display is performed on the display means.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the second RFID having a nonvolatile memory in which information related to the characteristics of the product is stored is an ID tag for distribution / inventory management of the product. It is characterized by being shared with.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the first RFID is data indicating the remaining amount of consumables. .

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the first RFID is a usage time of a component on which a life component is mounted. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an invention according to claim 15 is an image forming apparatus comprising RFID information reading means for reading information of a user identification RFID having a nonvolatile memory storing user identification information. A first antenna provided in the vicinity of a first RFID having a nonvolatile memory storing information related to components inside the image forming apparatus, and a nonvolatile storing information related to characteristics of paper used by the image forming apparatus A second antenna provided in the vicinity of the second RFID having a volatile memory, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are respectively connected to the RFID information reading means and read by the RFID information reading means. Further, the setting is performed based on information stored in each nonvolatile memory.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes RFID information reading means that reads information of the RFID for user identification, and is provided in the vicinity of the first RFID that stores information related to components inside the target apparatus that is an object of information processing. The first antenna and the second antenna provided in the vicinity of the second RFID that stores information on the characteristics of the product used by the target device are connected to the RFID information reading means and stored in the first and second RFIDs. Since the read information can be read by the common RFID information reading means, the number of RFID information reading means can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the RFID information reading unit that reads the information of the RFID for user identification is provided, and the first RFID provided in the vicinity of the first RFID that stores information about the components inside the image forming apparatus is provided. The first antenna and a second antenna provided in the vicinity of the second RFID that stores information on the characteristics of the paper used by the image forming apparatus are connected to the RFID information reading unit and stored in the first and second RFIDs. Since the information can be read by the common RFID information reading means, the number of RFID information reading means in the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an RFID information reading unit that reads information stored in an RFID and RFID non-volatile memory. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the full-color digital copying machine. Here, a full-color digital copying machine 410 is used as the image forming apparatus.

  The full-color digital copying machine used in the present embodiment has a user authentication function, and when a user identification RFID (not shown) having a built-in nonvolatile memory in which user identification information is stored is brought close to the full color digital copying machine, Information can be read to check whether the user is appropriate. A non-contact information reading unit 101 as an RFID information reading unit that reads information held by the user identification RFID is mounted on the operation panel 100 shown in FIG. In addition, the operation panel 100 includes an operation display unit 102 for displaying information such as an operation state and a processing state, an input numeric keypad 103, a start key 104 for starting a copy operation, and a clear for canceling copy processing and canceling the setting. / Stop key 105 and the like are provided.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of an RFID in which information is stored in a nonvolatile memory and an RFID information reading unit that reads the information in a non-contact manner. As shown in FIG. 2, the RFID 200 includes a nonvolatile memory 201, an RFID-side non-contact communication circuit 202, a transmission antenna 203, a reception antenna 204, and the like. The RFID-side non-contact communication circuit 202 further includes a reception circuit 300, a demodulation circuit 301, a control circuit 302, a modulation circuit 303, a transmission driver 304, a power supply circuit 305, and the like. The non-contact information reading unit 101 on the main body side includes a main body-side non-contact communication circuit 400, a main body-side CPU 403, and the like. The main body-side non-contact communication circuit 400 is provided with a transmitting antenna 401 and a receiving antenna 402. It has been. Although only one set of the transmitting antenna 401 and the receiving antenna 402 is shown in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 to be described later, in the vicinity where an RFID storing necessary information is arranged. It is characterized in that a reading antenna is installed and one non-contact information reading unit 101 can be used in common by connecting each antenna to a non-contact information reading unit (RFID information reading means) 101. During communication, it is possible to use a plurality of antennas while switching using a mode switching means described later. Note that the power supply circuit 305 supplies power by rectifying electromagnetic waves of the receiving antenna 204.

  The RFID side non-contact communication circuit 202 and the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 of FIG. 2 have the same circuit configuration. The signal output from the CPU 403 on the main body side is modulated into a predetermined signal for transmission by the non-contact communication circuit 400 on the main body side and sent to the transmitting antenna 401. In this embodiment, the RFID 200 is attached to a process cartridge or a paper package of a full-color digital copying machine, and a reception signal received by the reception antenna 204 of the RFID 200 is amplified by the reception circuit 300 and sent to the demodulation circuit 301. The demodulating circuit 301 demodulates the signal into a predetermined signal for transmission and then sends it to the control circuit 302. If the control circuit 302 is a signal stored in the nonvolatile memory 201, the control circuit 302 transmits the signal to the nonvolatile memory 201. If the signal received from the main body side is a command for transmitting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 201, the control circuit 302 transmits the information in the nonvolatile memory 201 to the modulation circuit 303. The modulation circuit 303 modulates the signal into a predetermined signal for transmission and sends it to the transmitting antenna 203.

  In the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400, the reception signal received by the reception antenna 402 is amplified by the reception circuit (corresponding to 300) and sent to the demodulation circuit (corresponding to 301). The demodulator circuit demodulates the signal into a predetermined signal for transmission, then sends it to a control circuit (corresponding to 302) and sends it to the CPU 403 on the main body side.

  As described above, an example in which the non-contact information reading unit (the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 and the CPU 403) 101 as the RFID information reading means and the RFID holding the information are arranged in the full-color digital copying machine 410. This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a toner bottle 411 is shown as an example of the components inside the full-color digital copying machine 410 shown in FIG. The first RFID 200b includes a nonvolatile memory that stores information regarding the toner bottle 411. An antenna (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the first RFID 200b, and the antenna (first antenna) and the non-contact information reading unit 101 are connected. The information acquisition from the first RFID 200b is performed by the non-contact information reading unit 101 via the first antenna, and can be performed regularly or whenever necessary. The information to be acquired here is data indicating the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 411, and the latest toner remaining amount data is always overwritten in the nonvolatile memory of the first RFID 200b from a toner remaining amount detection sensor (not shown). Yes.

  Note that the toner bottle 411 is given as an example of the internal parts of the apparatus described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the process cartridge or the like on which a life part that can be used for a certain period of time, such as a photosensitive drum, is mounted. Information can be acquired. In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the life of the parts has been reached by using various methods. For example, when the number of sheet counters is counted and reaches a certain number, the photosensitive drum replacement period is reached. It can be judged. When the photosensitive drum is replaced, the paper counter is reset and the life of a new photosensitive drum is counted.

  In addition, as an example of a product used in the full-color digital copying machine 410 in FIG. 3, the paper 420 is shown here, but the present invention is not limited to this. -There are computer-readable recording media such as ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc., and characteristic information (medium product number, date of manufacture, media type, etc.) Recording capacity, corresponding reader / writer, number of rewrites, storage period, remaining capacity, data content, etc.) can be stored in the RFID non-volatile memory. In the case of the second RFID 200b, a non-volatile memory that stores information regarding the characteristics of the paper 420 is provided, and is attached to a package 421 that wraps the paper 420. The second RFID 200b stores information necessary for control for automatically setting paper. For example, information such as paper product number, date of manufacture, paper type, paper thickness, paper color information, number of sheets, number of times of recycling of the second RFID 200b, upper limit of the number of times of recycling, storage period, number of times of access to the second RFID 200b, and the like are stored. Can do. In addition, when various types of paper information are registered in the memory on the main body side in correspondence with the paper product number, it is possible to obtain the characteristic information of the paper only by obtaining only the paper product number information.

  On the other hand, antennas 413a and 413b (second antennas) that perform non-contact communication with the second RFID 200b are disposed on the paper feed trays 412a and 412b on which the paper 420 is set, respectively. By being connected to the terminal 101, it is possible to acquire information without contact. Further, if the information acquisition from the second RFID 200b by the non-contact information reading unit 101 is limited only when the paper 420 is set to the paper feed tray 412a or 412b, a plurality of antennas 413a and 413b can be combined. . Note that the second RFID 200b after reading the information on the paper characteristics from the second RFID 200b on the package 421 feeds a waste space (not shown) to be removed from the package 421 and stocked after the paper is set in order to reuse the second RFID 200b. You may provide in tray 412a, 412b.

  Further, in the full-color digital copying machine 410 according to the present embodiment, when the information regarding the characteristics of the paper is written in the package 421 of the paper (transfer paper) 420 in the two-dimensional code (for example, barcode) 200d, the full-color The barcode information can also be read using the CCD 551 of the scanner 550 of the digital copying machine 410. The scanner 550 as the two-dimensional code reading unit can acquire characteristic information of the paper to be set by scanning the barcode 200d portion and analyzing the read data. Thus, the characteristic information of the paper 420 can be acquired from either the second RFID 200b or the two-dimensional code (bar code) 200d. When information about paper characteristics is acquired, the paper characteristics are set based on this information. However, once information about paper characteristics is set, the paper characteristics that have been set up until the next time are acquired unless new information is acquired. Process based on This is because, when the same paper is used repeatedly, the paper characteristics do not change, so the reading operation of the paper characteristics information can be omitted, and the user's trouble can be saved.

  Next, the configuration of the full-color digital copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. A full-color digital copying machine shown in FIG. 4 includes a system controller board 500 that controls the entire apparatus, an operation unit control board 510 that controls an operation panel, an HHD 520 that stores various program data and image data, and an original image. Each unit includes a scanner 550 that reads image data and a printer 590 that prints image data on paper.

  A scanner 550, a printer 590, and an operation unit control board 510 are connected to the system controller board 500, and an in-house LAN (Local Area Network) to which a PC (personal computer) or the like is connected and a LAN interface board 530 are connected. It is connected. Further, the system controller board 500 is connected to the printer 590 via a PCI bus, and is connected to an FCU (facsimile control unit) 540 connected to a telephone line (facsimile communication line) via the PCI bus. .

  The printer 590 includes an engine control board 560, an LDB (laser diode board) 570 for performing optical writing by projecting image light represented by image data onto a photosensitive drum, and the like. A PSU (power supply unit) 580 is a unit that supplies power for controlling the full-color digital copying machine. When the main SW 582 is turned on (closed), commercial power is supplied, and the commercial power supply supplies the AC control circuit 581. Is supplied with commercial AC.

  The system controller board 500 includes a CPU 501, an SRAM 503 that is a working memory used by the CPU 501, a lithium battery, and the like, and stores a backup of the SRAM 503, an NV-RAM 502 with a built-in clock, and a program for controlling the system controller board 500. The ROM 504, system bus control of the system controller board 500, frame memory control, ASIC 505 for controlling the CPU periphery such as FIFO, work memory 506, frame memory 507, and the like.

  The system controller board 500 has a plurality of application functions such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application, and controls the entire system. Further, the system controller board 500 decodes the input from the operation unit control board 510 and displays the setting of this system and the contents of the state on the display unit of the operation unit control board 510.

  The operation unit control board 510 includes an ASIC (LCDC) 511 for controlling the LCD and key input, a CPU 512 for controlling the operation unit control board 510, a RAM 513 as a working memory used by the CPU 512, and inputs of the operation unit control board 510. A ROM 514 in which a control program for the operation unit control board 510 for controlling reading and display output is written. Although not shown, the operation unit control board 510 has an input unit that allows the user to input system settings by operating the panel through communication with the system controller board 500, and the system setting contents and status to the user. And a display unit for displaying the input, and controls input.

  The HDD 520 is used as an application database for storing system application programs and device activation information of printers and image forming process devices, or as an image database for storing image data as image data of read images and write images, and document data. It is done. Along with the physical interface and the electrical interface, the system controller board 500 is connected by an interface conforming to ATA / ATAPI-4.

  The scanner 550 includes a color CCD 551 and an SBU (Sensor Board Unit) 552. The color CCD 551 is a three-line color CCD, and generates R, G, and B image signals of EVENch (even pixel channel) / ODDch (odd pixel channel) and inputs them to analog ASICs (Application Specific ICs) 553 to 555 of the SBU 552. Is done. The SBU 401 includes analog ASICs 553 to 555, a timing generation circuit / control circuit 556 that generates driving timing of the analog ASIC, and an output I / F 557. The output of the color CCD 551 is sampled and held by a sample hold circuit inside the analog ASICs 553 to 555, A / D converted to R, G, B image data, shading corrected, and output I / F (interface) ) 557 through an image data bus to an image data processor (IPP: Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) 561 of an engine control board 560 described later.

  The engine control board 560 mainly performs image formation control of image formation. The CPU 403, the IPP 561 that performs image processing, the NV-RAM 562, the ROM 566 that incorporates a program necessary for controlling copying and printout, and the SRAM 563 necessary for the control. , I / O ASICs 564, 565 and an interface circuit 567.

  The NV-RAM 562 includes an SRAM and a memory that detects the power-off and stores the contents of the SRAM in the EEPROM. In addition, I / OASICs 564 and 565 having a serial interface that transmits and receives signals to and from the CPU 403 that performs other control are connected to an I / O (solenoid, clutch, motor, etc.) in the vicinity where the engine control board 560 is mounted. ASIC to be controlled.

  The IPP 561 is a programmable arithmetic processing unit that performs image processing, and performs gradation processing and the like. The image data transferred from the SBU 552 to the IPP 561 is corrected by the IPP 561 for signal deterioration due to quantization of the optical system and the digital signal (signal deterioration of the scanner system), and is written in the frame memory 507.

  The interface circuit 567 is an interface circuit for accessing a non-contact type RFID mounted on a process cartridge, a toner bottle, a paper feed tray, or the like. When a contact type memory tag is used, the memory tag such as a process cartridge is accessed via the interface circuit 567.

  The main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 is an interface when a non-contact type RFID is used. As shown in FIG. 3, transmission / reception antennas are installed at predetermined positions in the full-color digital copier 410 (the antenna near the toner bottle is not shown, and the article relations such as paper are provided in the paper feed trays 412a and 412b. Antennas 413a and 413b) and these antennas are connected to the non-contact information reading unit 101 of the operation panel 100. Communication between the CPU 403 of the main body side control unit and the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 is performed by an asynchronous serial interface. The CPU 403 and the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 perform non-contact information reading as RFID information reading means. The unit 101 is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of transmission / reception antennas (not shown) are connected to the main body-side non-contact communication circuit 400, or in the vicinity of the first RFID 200a for storing information on components in the full-color digital copying machine, or full-color. An antenna is disposed in the vicinity of the second RFID 200b that stores information on characteristics of paper used by the digital copying machine.

  The full-color digital copying machine according to the present embodiment uses the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 to read user identification information from the user identification RFID and perform user authentication, and the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400. A component information reading mode for reading information about the component from the first RFID 200b via the first antenna connected to the printer, and a characteristic of the paper from the second RFID 200b via the second antenna connected to the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400. There is a product characteristic information reading mode for reading information, and a two-dimensional code reading mode for reading information about the characteristics of the paper from the two-dimensional code (bar code) 200d attached to the paper (transfer paper) package by the scanner 550. Mode switching means for switching modes is provided.

  In this mode switching means, the user performs user authentication by the non-contact information reading unit 101 using the operation panel 100 (user authentication mode), or switches the transmission / reception antenna connected to the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400. By selecting a processing operation to acquire component information or paper information (component information reading mode, product characteristic information reading mode) or to switch to the scanner 550 to acquire barcode information (two-dimensional code reading mode), Mode switching can be performed. In the component information reading mode and the product property information reading mode, the antenna is directly specified using the user operation panel, and the antenna closest to the specified position can be determined only by the user specifying the use position of the full-color digital copying machine. It is also possible to control the switching. For example, when a new sheet is to be set in the sheet feeding tray of the full-color digital copying machine, the user can switch to an antenna installed near the sheet feeding tray by selecting the sheet feeding tray position on the operation panel. it can. In particular, in the two-dimensional code reading mode, it is unclear which paper tray should be loaded by simply reading the barcode information using the scanner 550. The paper tray position must be specified.

  Further, as the characteristic information storage means for storing the information on the characteristics for each product number, the information on the characteristics for each product number is stored in advance using the HDD 520 shown in FIG. The information read from the second RFID 200b attached to 421 is only the product number and model number information of the paper, and the characteristic value of the paper uses the HDD 520 in the apparatus, thereby judging the compatibility of the paper and automatically changing the paper settings. can do. Thus, since the amount of information read from the RFID is small, there is an advantage that the capacity of the built-in nonvolatile memory can be reduced.

  Furthermore, if the product number and model number information of the paper read from the second RFID 200b does not match the information stored in the characteristic information storage unit in the HDD 520, there is a possibility that the product number and model number information has not yet been registered. For this reason, it is possible to cope with a new paper by associating the product number and model number information of the paper read from the second RFID 200b with the information on the paper characteristics and newly adding them to the characteristic information storage means.

  If the information read from the second RFID 200b is information related to the paper type, the paper setting can be automatically changed based on the paper type information. Further, when the information read from the second RFID 200b is dimension information related to the thickness and size of the sheet, the sheet setting can be automatically changed based on the dimension information of the sheet.

  As described above, when the paper setting is automatically changed based on the information read from the second RFID 200b, the paper type and paper size that can be set by the full-color digital copying machine are limited. If the size and size do not correspond, it is necessary to display an error display or a guidance display indicating that the paper standard is not compatible using the operation display unit of the operation panel. In addition, because the types of paper that can be set and the dimensions of the paper may differ depending on the paper feed tray, even if the specified paper feed tray is out of the standard, the paper can be set using another paper feed tray. In such a case, the position information of the paper feed tray that can be set is displayed using the display unit of the operation panel.

  The second FRID 200b according to this embodiment uses a tag attached to the package 421 of the paper 420 as a dedicated tag for paper setting. However, as an example of an RFID in which information relating to paper characteristics is stored, an ID tag for distribution or inventory management may be attached to the package. Therefore, by sharing an existing distribution / inventory management ID tag without attaching a new second FRID 200b, information on the characteristics of the paper is acquired and the paper is set in the same manner as when the second FRID 200b is used. It is also possible. Thereby, the cost concerning FRID can be reduced.

  In addition, since the full-color digital copying machine according to the present embodiment has a user authentication function, only when the user authentication is successful, the information about the paper characteristics is read from the second RFID 200b or the two-dimensional code (bar code) 200d. You may be able to. This is because it is necessary to make it impossible to easily change the paper settings when the paper is determined in advance (for example, paper whose format is determined by the printer output), and the user authentication has succeeded. The setting can be changed only by those who have the authority.

  The full-color digital copying machine according to this embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for performing automatic setting based on reading information from RFID or a two-dimensional code in the full-color digital copying machine according to the present embodiment.

  First, when the user operates the operation panel 100 of the full-color digital copying machine 410 and selects the user authentication mode at the time of user identification, the process proceeds from step S100 to step S101, and a user authentication operation is performed.

  If the user does not select the user authentication mode in step S100, the process proceeds to step S102, and it is determined whether or not to change the paper characteristic setting. Here, when the component information reading mode for acquiring the component information in the apparatus is selected, the process proceeds to step S103 to switch to the first antenna connected to the non-contact information reading unit 101, The component information in the apparatus stored in the nonvolatile memory of the first RFID 200a installed in a toner bottle or the like is read.

  In step S102, when the paper characteristic setting is changed, the product characteristic information reading mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S104 to determine whether the user is limited in changing the setting. Here, when only a specific user can change the setting (there is a user limitation), user identification information is acquired from the RFID 200c for user identification using the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 in step S105, and this is compared with the authentication information. Then, it is determined whether the user authentication is successful. If the user authentication is not successful, the process proceeds to step S106, and the change of the paper characteristic setting is prohibited. A message to that effect is displayed on the operation display unit 102 of the operation panel 100. Note that the user identification function in step S104 can be set to OFF in advance.

  In step S104, if there is no user limitation, the process proceeds to step S107 to select a paper tray on which paper is set. The antenna connected to the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 is switched to the antenna installed in the selected paper tray, and information on the paper characteristics is read from the second RFID 200b attached to the package 421 of the paper 420 (step S108). Here, when the information can be read from the second RFID 200b, the process proceeds to step S109, and information on the sheet characteristics stored in the nonvolatile memory is acquired. If the information cannot be read from the second RFID 200b in step S108, the two-dimensional code reading mode is selected and the process proceeds to step S110, and the scanner 550 is used to read information relating to the paper characteristics from the barcode 200d of the transfer paper package. In addition, if the main body side is equipped with a characteristic information storage means that stores information relating to the characteristics corresponding to the product characteristics and model number of the paper characteristics, it is only necessary to acquire only the product number and model number as information regarding the acquired paper characteristics, The characteristic value of the paper is acquired from the characteristic information storage means. At this time, if the product number or model number is not in the characteristic information storage means, the acquired product number or model number and characteristic information are newly added to the characteristic information storage means.

  In step S111, it is determined whether or not the sheet can be used by the full-color digital copying machine 410 according to the present embodiment based on the information regarding the sheet characteristics read from the second RFID 200b or the barcode 200d. In such a case, a message indicating that it is incompatible is displayed on the operation display unit 102 of the operation panel 100 (step S112). If all the paper feeding units are incompatible, an error display or a guidance display is displayed on the operation display unit 102 of the operation panel 100 to prohibit use.

  In step S111, if the paper characteristic of the paper to be set is a paper that can be used by the full-color digital copying machine 410, a paper setting changing process is performed. If the paper characteristics can be used with the full-color digital copying machine 410 but are not suitable for the paper feed tray to be set (special paper such as inkjet paper or paper with a thickness that is not applicable), the process proceeds to step S112. And display nonconformity. However, the display in that case should be a guidance display that guides other paper trays that can be set (for example, "This paper cannot be used in this paper tray. Use it in the manual feed section") ). As a result, workability for the user can be improved, and paper jams and damage to the apparatus can be prevented.

  In FIG. 5, it is a heavy work burden for the user to read out information on the paper characteristics every time the paper is set. For this reason, once the paper setting has been set, paper output processing or the like may be performed using the immediately preceding setting data unless new paper characteristic information is acquired next time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a mode in which the antenna in the vicinity of the second RFID 200a that stores information related to the components in the image forming apparatus and the second RFID 200b that stores information related to the characteristics of the paper to be used is switched. By selecting the mode in which the code is read by the scanner and acquiring the information by sharing the body-side non-contact communication circuit 400 for user identification, it is not necessary to add an information reading means, and the apparatus cost can be reduced. it can. Moreover, the information acquired by the main body side non-contact communication circuit 400 can be easily switched by this mode switching means.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically perform settings relating to paper or parts based on the acquired information. For example, by changing the paper settings and printing conditions from the paper type information and thickness information, the paper conveyance speed, the temperature of the fixing unit, the output value of the high voltage power supply, etc. can be automatically set to the optimum values, The user's work can be greatly reduced.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are effective for an apparatus that needs to be set in real time on the basis of information about articles such as parts, paper, or a recording medium. It is suitable for devices that can acquire information on parts and paper characteristics, such as a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunction machine that has these functions, and that can automatically make settings based on such information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the RFID information reading part which reads the information memorize | stored in RFID and the non-volatile memory of RFID. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a full-color digital copying machine. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for performing automatic setting based on reading information from an RFID or a two-dimensional code in the full-color digital copying machine according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Operation panel 101 Non-contact information reading part 102 Operation display part 103 Numeric keypad 104 Start key 105 Clear / stop key 200 RFID
200a 1st RFID
200b 2nd RFID
200c RFID for user identification
200d Barcode 201 Non-volatile memory 202 RFID-side non-contact communication circuit 203 Transmitting antenna 204 Receiving antenna 300 Reception circuit 301 Demodulation circuit 302 Control circuit 303 Modulation circuit 304 Transmission driver 305 Power supply circuit 400 Main body-side non-contact communication circuit 401 Transmission Antenna 402 Reception antenna 403 CPU
410 Full-color digital copier 411 Toner bottle 412a, 412b Paper feed tray 413a, 413b Antenna 420 Paper 421 Package 500 System controller board 510 Operation unit control board 520 HDD
550 Scanner 560 Engine control board 590 Printer

Claims (15)

An information processing apparatus comprising RFID information reading means for reading information of a user identification RFID having a nonvolatile memory storing user identification information,
A first antenna provided in the vicinity of the first RFID having a non-volatile memory that stores information related to components inside the target device that is the target of information processing;
A second antenna provided in the vicinity of the second RFID having a non-volatile memory storing information on the characteristics of the product used by the target device to be processed;
And the first antenna and the second antenna are respectively connected to the RFID information reading means, and based on information stored in each nonvolatile memory read by the RFID information reading means, An information processing apparatus that performs setting. A two-dimensional code reading means for reading the two-dimensional code;
The information read by the two-dimensional code reading means is used when the information on the characteristics of the product used by the target device is two-dimensionally encoded and cannot be read from the non-volatile memory of the second RFID. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A user authentication mode for performing user authentication by reading user identification information from the user identification RFID by the RFID information reading means;
A component information reading mode for reading information about the component from the first RFID by the RFID information reading means via the first antenna;
An article characteristic information reading mode for reading information on the characteristics of the article from the second RFID by the RFID information reading means via the second antenna;
A two-dimensional code reading mode for reading information relating to the characteristics of the article two-dimensionally encoded by the two-dimensional code reading means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising mode switching means that switches and selectively executes the modes. Characteristic information storage means for storing information relating to the characteristics of each product number;
3. The information according to claim 1, wherein when the RFID information reading unit acquires the product number information of the product from the non-volatile memory of the second RFID, the product setting is changed in comparison with the characteristic information storage unit. Processing equipment.   If the product number information of the product read by the RFID information reading unit from the non-volatile memory of the second RFID and the product number information of the characteristic information storage unit do not match, the product number information read from the second RFID and information on product characteristics The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information is newly added to the characteristic information storage unit.   The information on the product characteristics once set is the product information using the information on the product characteristics set immediately before unless the information on the product characteristics is read from at least one of the new second RFID and the two-dimensional code. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing is performed.   When reading information on product characteristics from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code, after specifying a set position of the product, the information on the product characteristics from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein information is read.   Only when the user identification information is read from the RFID for reading user identification by the RFID information reading means and the user authentication is successful, the information on the product characteristic is read from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the product type information is changed when product type information is acquired from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dimensional information of the product is changed when the dimensional information of the product is acquired from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code. It further comprises display means for displaying operation information,
An error display or a guidance display is performed on the display means when the type or size of the product acquired from at least one of the second RFID and the two-dimensional code does not correspond to the target device. Item 11. The information processing apparatus according to Item 9 or 10.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second RFID having a nonvolatile memory in which information related to the characteristics of the product is stored is shared with an ID tag for distribution and inventory management of the product.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the first RFID is data indicating a remaining amount of consumables.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the first RFID is a usage time of a component on which a life component is mounted. An image forming apparatus provided with RFID information reading means for reading information of an RFID for user identification having a nonvolatile memory storing user identification information,
A first antenna provided in the vicinity of the first RFID having a non-volatile memory storing information relating to components inside the image forming apparatus;
A second antenna provided in the vicinity of the second RFID having a non-volatile memory storing information relating to characteristics of the paper used by the image forming apparatus;
The first antenna and the second antenna are connected to the RFID information reading means, respectively, and setting is performed based on information stored in each nonvolatile memory read by the RFID information reading means. An image forming apparatus.

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