JP4671901B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having a function of communicating with a record carrier for recording an image.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an apparatus in which an IC tag is provided on a recording sheet, information communication is performed between the apparatus main body and the IC tag using wireless communication, and management control regarding an image on the recording sheet is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

In the system proposed in Patent Document 1, before the recording paper is fed and the image is recorded, the apparatus main body and the IC tag on the recording paper communicate with each other, and information on image data transmitted from the apparatus main body. Is written in the memory in the IC tag.
JP 2004-82348 A

  However, in such a configuration, when a jam occurs during image recording, the information stored in the IC tag is handled as jammed paper without erasing the information, and thus the information written in the IC tag leaks. There was a problem of fear.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and includes means for transporting a record carrier including a communication element along a predetermined transport path, and communication means for communicating with the communication element is provided at a plurality of locations on the transport path. The image recording apparatus can invalidate information stored in the communication element and prevent information leakage even when the record carrier is clogged in the middle of the conveyance path. The purpose is to provide.

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention incorporates a record carrier including a communication element for transmitting and receiving information and a memory for writing received information and reading information to be transmitted, and converts the received data into image data received from the outside. In an image recording apparatus for recording an image based on a captured record carrier, the image recording apparatus comprises means for conveying the record carrier along a predetermined conveyance path, and communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from a communication element provided in the record carrier Are provided at a plurality of locations on the transport path, and detecting means for detecting clogging of the record carrier based on a communication state between the communication means and the communication element, and the detection means detects clogging of the record carrier. In this case, means for authenticating the user, means for requesting transmission of information written in a memory included in the record carrier when the user is authenticated by the means, It said comprising means for receiving the information transmitted from the record carrier, and means for notifying the received information, when the detecting means detects clogging of the record carrier, written in the memory of the record carrier is provided in accordance with the further comprising wherein the Rukoto means for disabling the information that.

In the present invention, the recording medium including the communication element and the memory is provided with means for transferring along a predetermined transfer path, and the communication means for communicating with the communication element is provided at a plurality of locations on the transfer path. Even when the record carrier is jammed in the middle of the transport path, the location of the jammed record carrier is specified by examining the communication state with the communication element on the record carrier by the communication means.
Further, in the present invention, when the jam of the record carrier is detected, the information written in the memory is notified after performing user authentication, so that information leakage is prevented.

  In the present invention, when the jam of the record carrier is detected, the information written in the memory is invalidated, so that information leakage is prevented.

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an openable and closable opening / closing unit that covers the conveyance path, a unit that authenticates a user when the detection unit detects clogging of the recording medium, and a user that uses the unit And a means for permitting opening and closing of the opening and closing part when authenticated.

  In the present invention, when the clogging of the record carrier is detected, the opening / closing of the opening / closing unit that has performed the user authentication is permitted, so that a third party can be prevented from accessing the inside of the apparatus. Leakage is prevented.

  The image recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises means for detecting a transport position of the record carrier in the transport path based on a communication state between the communication means and the communication element.

  In the present invention, since the transport position of the record carrier is detected based on the communication state between the communication means and the communication element on the record carrier, the location is specified when the record carrier is clogged. .

  The image recording apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising means for notifying the detected transport position.

  In the present invention, since the transport position of the record carrier is detected based on the communication state between the communication means and the communication element on the record carrier, and the detected transport position is notified, the record carrier is clogged. If so, you can identify the location and let the user know.

  According to the present invention, there is provided means for conveying a record carrier provided with a communication element along a predetermined conveyance path, and communication means for communicating with the communication element is provided at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path. Therefore, even when the record carrier is jammed in the middle of the conveyance path, the location of the jammed record carrier can be specified by examining the communication state with the communication element on the record carrier by the communication means.

  According to the present invention, there is provided means for transporting a record carrier including a communication element and a memory along a predetermined transport path, and communication means for communicating with the communication element is provided at a plurality of locations on the transport path. Therefore, even when the record carrier is jammed in the middle of the conveyance path, the location of the jammed record carrier can be specified by examining the communication state with the communication element on the record carrier by the communication means.

  In the case of the present invention, it is possible to detect clogging of the record carrier from the communication state between the communication means and the communication element on the record carrier. In particular, it is possible to determine the location of the jammed record carrier by checking whether or not the communication means provided at a plurality of places on the conveyance path can communicate with the communication element on the record carrier stagnating in the middle of the conveyance path. Can be identified.

  In the case of the present invention, when the record carrier is detected to be jammed, the information written in the memory is invalidated, so that even if the record carrier is taken out by a third party, the extraction of the information is performed. Security can be improved.

  According to the present invention, when the jam of the record carrier is detected, the information written in the memory is notified after performing user authentication. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a third party from browsing the information written in the memory and improve security.

  According to the present invention, when the clogging of the record carrier is detected, it is possible to prevent a third party from accessing the inside of the apparatus because it permits the opening / closing of the opening / closing unit that has performed the user authentication, and information leakage Can be prevented.

  In the case of the present invention, since the transport position of the record carrier is detected based on the communication state between the communication means and the communication element on the record carrier, the location can be specified when the record carrier is jammed. it can.

  In the case of the present invention, since the transport position of the record carrier is detected based on the communication state between the communication means and the communication element on the record carrier, and the detected transport position is notified, the record carrier is clogged. , You can identify the location and let the user know.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is a digital multifunction machine having a monochrome copy function, a color copy function, a monochrome print function, a color printer function, a facsimile function, and the like, and includes a scanner unit 1, a monochrome printer unit 3, and a color printer unit. 5. A post-processing unit 7 is provided.

  In addition, the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment records an image on a sheet provided with an IC tag (communication element). In addition, the image recording apparatus has RF-ID reader / writers RW that communicate with the IC tag at a plurality of locations in the paper conveyance path so that appropriate information can be written to the IC tag. The information written in the IC tag can be read out. These RW-ID readers / writers RW,..., RW are installed in the vicinity of a conveyance roller where jamming is likely to occur. When a jam occurs during the conveyance of a sheet, the RF-ID reader / writer RW and the IC tag The position where the jam has occurred can be specified based on the communication status.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the scanner unit 1 and the monochrome printer unit 3. The scanner unit 1 includes a light source unit 11, a mirror unit 12, and a CCD reading unit 13, and has a function of optically reading an image from a document placed on a glass platen. The light source unit 11 includes a light source, a concave reflector that condenses the reading irradiation light emitted from the light source at a predetermined reading position of the document table 14, a slit that allows only reflected light from the document to pass, and a slit. In order to convert the optical path of the light passing through 90 degrees, it is constituted by a mirror or the like arranged with a reflection surface of 45 degrees with respect to the surface of the document table 14. In addition, a stepping motor (not shown) for moving the light source unit 11 along the lower surface of the document table 14 is provided, and the document placed on the document table 14 is moved while the light source unit 11 is moved by the stepping motor. It is configured to read an image.

  The mirror unit 12 includes a pair of mirrors arranged so that the reflection surfaces are orthogonal to each other in order to return the reflected light that has passed through the light source unit 11 to the CCD reading unit 13. The CCD reading unit 13 is fixed at a predetermined position of the scanner unit 1 and forms an image of reflected light that has passed through the mirror unit 12 on a photoelectric conversion element by an imaging lens to convert an optical signal into an electrical signal. Here, the analog image signal converted into the electric signal is digitally converted by the AD converter. Image data obtained by digital conversion is transferred to the monochrome printer unit 3 or the color printer unit 5.

  The monochrome printer unit 3 includes a process unit 30 that records a monochrome (black) image on a sheet (record carrier), and a sheet supply unit 40 that supplies the process unit 30 with a sheet. The process unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 on which an image is formed, a charger 32 that charges the photosensitive drum 31, an exposure device 33 that writes a latent image on the charged photosensitive drum 31, and a photosensitive drum. A developing device 34 for developing the latent image on the image 31; a transfer device 35 for transferring the developed toner image onto the paper; and applying the heat and pressure to the paper on which the toner image has been transferred, A fixing device 36 for fixing the image on the top is provided, and an image is recorded on the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 40.

  Below the monochrome printer unit 3, a paper supply unit 40 for supplying paper to the process unit 30 is installed, and a plurality of paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 are provided to accommodate a plurality of types of paper. , 44. The paper feed cassettes 41 and 42 are, for example, large-capacity paper feed cassettes that can accommodate a large amount of A4 size paper, and the paper feed cassettes 43 and 44 are multipurpose paper feed cassettes that can accommodate paper of various sizes. It is. The sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassettes 41 to 44 are separated and fed one by one by a pickup roller provided near the sheet conveyance path. Further, a manual paper feed cassette 45 is installed on the side surface of the printer unit 3 so that paper of a type not stored in the paper feed cassettes 41 to 44 can be taken in.

  The sheets supplied from the sheet cassettes 41, 43, and 44 are conveyed to the process unit 30 above (downstream) the sheet supply unit 40 by a plurality of conveyance rollers provided along the sheet conveyance paths S1 and S3. The paper supplied from the paper supply unit 40 is temporarily held by a registration roller 37 provided immediately upstream of the process unit 30. The process unit 30 adjusts the timing for resuming the conveyance of the sheet in order to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 to an appropriate position on the sheet. When passing through the transfer nip formed by the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer device 35, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to the paper conveyed through the process unit 30 and passes through the fixing device 36. The toner image transferred to the toner image is fixed, and image recording is completed.

  When images are not recorded on both sides of the paper, the paper on which the image is recorded by the process unit 30 is conveyed along the paper conveyance path S4 above (downstream) the process unit 30 and is discharged through the paper discharge roller 38. It is discharged to the paper tray 39. When images are recorded on both sides of the paper, the paper on which the image is recorded by the process unit 30 is temporarily held by the paper discharge roller 38, and the paper held by rotating the paper discharge roller 38 in the reverse direction is used as the paper. Guided to the transport paths S5 and S6, the image is recorded on the back side of the paper by passing through the process unit 30 again. The paper on which images are recorded on both sides of the paper is transported along the paper transport path S4 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 39 through the paper discharge roller 38. When it is necessary to perform post-processing on a sheet on which an image is recorded on one side or both sides, the sheet is guided to the color printer unit 5 through the sheet conveyance path S5, and the sheet is fed to the post-processing unit 7 via the color printer unit 5. To transport.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the color printer unit 5. The color printer unit 5 includes a process unit 50 that records a color image on a sheet (record carrier), and a sheet supply unit 60 that supplies the process unit 50 with a sheet. The process unit 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51 and photosensitive drums 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K that generate toner images corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors. Around the photosensitive drums 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K corresponding to the respective colors, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like (not shown) are arranged, and the photosensitive drum 52C charged by the charger is provided. , 52M, 52Y, and 52K, the exposure device writes an electrostatic latent image, and the developing device develops the electrostatic latent image to generate toner images of respective colors.

  The intermediate transfer belt 51 is formed endlessly using a film having a thickness of about 75 μm to 120 μm, and is stretched by a driving roller 51a and a driven roller 51b on the inner side thereof. The drive roller 51a is configured to be rotated by a driving force of a motor (not shown) to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 51. Intermediate transfer rollers 53C, 53M, 53Y, and 53K are provided at opposing positions of the photosensitive drums 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K with the intermediate transfer belt 51 interposed therebetween. The intermediate transfer rollers 53C, 53M, 53Y, and 53K are applied with a high voltage transfer bias for transferring the toner image, that is, a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the charging polarity (−) of the toner. The toner images generated on the photosensitive drums 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 so as to overlap each other by the action of the intermediate transfer rollers 53C, 53M, 53Y, and 53K. A multicolor toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  A transfer device 54 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt 51. The transfer device 54 is installed at a position opposed to the first transfer roller 54a and the second transfer roller 54b, and the second transfer roller 54b, which are installed with the intermediate transfer belt 51 interposed therebetween, and with the sheet conveyance path S13 interposed therebetween. The third transfer roller 54c is provided. The multicolor toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is transferred to the second transfer roller 54b by the action of the first transfer roller 54a. Further, the multicolor toner image transferred to the second transfer roller 54b is transferred onto the paper transported along the paper transport path S13 by the action of the third transfer roller 54c.

  The paper supply unit 60 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 61, 62, 63, and 64 for storing a plurality of types of paper. The paper feed cassettes 61 and 62 are, for example, large-capacity paper feed cassettes that can accommodate a large amount of A4 size paper. The paper feed cassettes 63 and 64 are multipurpose paper feed cassettes that can accommodate various sizes of paper. It is. The sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassettes 61 to 64 are separated and fed one by one by a pickup roller provided near the sheet conveyance path.

  The paper supplied from the paper cassette 61 is transported to the process unit 50 above the paper supply unit 60 by a plurality of transport rollers provided along the paper transport paths S11 and S13. Further, the sheets supplied from the sheet cassettes 62, 63, 64 are conveyed to the process unit 50 above the sheet supply unit 60 by a plurality of conveying rollers provided along the sheet conveying paths S12, S13. The paper supplied from the paper supply unit 60 is temporarily held by a registration roller 55 provided on the upstream side of the transfer rollers 54b and 54c. The process unit 50 adjusts the timing at which the conveyance of the sheet is resumed in order to record the multicolor toner image transferred onto the surface of the transfer roller 54b at an appropriate position on the sheet. The multi-color toner image on the transfer roller 54b is transferred to the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveyance path S13 when passing through the transfer nip formed by the two transfer rollers 54b and 54c. The multicolor toner image transferred when passing through the image is fixed on the paper, and the recording of the color image is completed.

  When color images are not recorded on both sides of the paper, the paper on which the color image is recorded by the process unit 50 is transported along the paper transport path S14, and the paper discharge tray 74 of the post-processing unit 7 (see FIG. 4). Discharged to the top. When recording color images on both sides of the paper, the paper on which the color image has been recorded by the process unit 50 is guided to the paper transport path S15, switched back and guided to the paper transport path S16. Pass the image again and record the image on the back side of the paper. The paper on which the color images are recorded on both sides of the paper is transported along the paper transport path S14 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 74 of the post-processing unit 7. Even when post-processing is performed on a sheet on which an image is recorded on one side or both sides, the sheet is guided to the post-processing unit 7 through the sheet conveyance path S14.

  Further, the color printer unit 5 includes a sheet conveyance path S17 provided above the process unit 50 in order to convey the sheet guided from the monochrome printer unit 3 to the post-processing unit 7. A plurality of conveying rollers are provided along the sheet conveying path S17, and the sheet is conveyed at an appropriate speed by rotationally driving these conveying rollers. The paper transport roller S17 joins the paper transport path S14 described above on the downstream side.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the post-processing unit 7. The post-processing unit 7 includes a punching device 71 and a stapling device 72. The punching device 71 includes a punching unit 710 disposed on the upper side of the sheet conveyance path S21 and a pedestal unit 712 disposed on the lower side. A perforation blade 711 for perforating the paper is provided inside the perforation unit 710, and the perforation blade 711 is reciprocated in the vertical direction by a driving source such as a motor to perforate an appropriate place on the paper. It is configured to apply. The pedestal unit 712 is provided with a punch hole 713 that is inserted when the drilling blade 711 is lowered. A plurality of perforation blades 711 and punch holes 713 are provided at an appropriate interval in a direction crossing the paper conveyance direction. Further, the drive source for reciprocating the perforating blade 711 in the vertical direction is configured to operate only when the perforating process is set.

  The stapling device 72 includes a stacker 721 that stacks a plurality of sheets conveyed through the sheet conveyance path S22, and a binding processing unit 722 that performs a binding process on the plurality of sheets stacked on the stacker 721. The stapling device 72 operates the binding processing unit 722 to perform binding processing on the sheets stacked on the stacker 721, and discharges a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are bound onto the discharge tray 73. When the stapling device 72 does not perform the binding process, the paper guided to the post-processing unit 7 is transported along the paper transport path S23 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 74.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the paper used in the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a front view, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view. A sheet 200 used in the image recording apparatus includes a mount 201 and a label sheet 202 attached on the mount 201, and an IC tag 210 functioning as a communication element is interposed between the mount 201 and the label sheet 202. It is inserted.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the IC tag 210. The IC tag 210 includes an insulating substrate 211, an antenna circuit 213 formed on the insulating substrate 211 by conductor pattern printing, and an IC chip 212 connected to the antenna circuit 213. The IC tag 210 is supplied with power to the antenna circuit 213 by a signal transmitted from the RF-ID reader / writer RW described above. The IC chip 212 supplied with power through the antenna circuit 213 generates a response signal based on the identification number data stored in advance in the built-in memory 212a, and transmits the generated response signal to the outside through the antenna circuit 213. Let Further, when receiving a data write request transmitted from the RF-ID reader / writer RW, the IC chip 212 writes the received data into the built-in memory 212a, and data transmitted from the RF-ID reader / writer RW. The IC chip 212 reads desired data from the built-in memory 212a, generates a transmission signal based on the data, and transmits the transmission signal generated from the antenna circuit 213.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a jam detection state by the RF-ID reader / writer RW. As described above, the RF-ID reader / writer RW is installed in the vicinity of the conveyance roller where jamming is likely to occur. As shown in FIG. 7, in the situation where two RF-ID reader / writers RW and RW are installed on the downstream side and the upstream side in the paper transport direction, the upstream RF is detected when a jam occurs on the upstream side. When communication with the ID reader / writer RW is possible but communication with the downstream RF-ID reader / writer RW is not possible, a jam occurs near the upstream RF-ID reader / writer RW. Can be specified.

  When the location of the jam is identified in this way, the location of the jam is notified to the user, the user authentication is performed, the apparatus is allowed to open, and the paper 200 that caused the jam is removed. I can do it. When the user is authenticated, the data stored in the IC tag 210 can be read by the upstream RF-ID reader / writer RW and displayed on the operation panel 105 (see FIG. 8) of the image recording apparatus. I can do it. On the other hand, when the user is not authenticated, the data stored in the IC tag 210 is invalidated by writing zero or a random value in the memory 212 a built in the IC tag 210.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus includes a CPU 101, and the CPU 101 loads and executes a control program stored in advance in the ROM 103 on the RAM 104, thereby controlling the hardware connected to the bus 102, and the present invention as a whole. The image recording apparatus is operated.

Hereinafter, the configuration of various hardware connected to the bus 102 will be described.
The operation panel 105 includes an operation unit 105a that accepts an operation by a user, and a display unit 105b that notifies information to be notified to the user. The operation unit 105a includes various operation keys, numerical keys, and the like for accepting settings such as function switching operation, number of output sheets in print processing, scaling in copy processing, and transmission destination in facsimile transmission processing. The display unit 105b includes a liquid crystal display device, and displays the operation status of the entire device, setting values input from the operation unit 105a, and the like. In addition, a part of the display unit 105b includes a touch panel type software key that accepts selection of a setting by a user's pressing operation.

  As described above, the scanner unit 1 includes the light source unit 11, the mirror unit 12, and the CCD reading unit 13. An image signal in an analog format is acquired by forming an image of the document set on the document table 14 on the photoelectric conversion element of the CCD reading unit 13, and the light distribution of the light source at the time of document reading is obtained with respect to the signal after digital conversion Image data in digital format is generated by correcting characteristics, sensitivity variations of photoelectric conversion elements, and the like.

  The communication IF 106 includes an interface conforming to a predetermined communication standard such as a local area network so that an external computer can be connected. The communication IF 106 receives a print job from a connected external computer, and conversely transmits information to be notified. The communication IF 106 controls transmission / reception of such various data.

  The facsimile modem 107 is provided with a line termination circuit for connecting an external facsimile apparatus so that facsimile data can be transmitted and received via a public telephone line network. Therefore, the facsimile modem 107 includes a decoding circuit for decoding received facsimile data and an encoding circuit for encoding facsimile data to be transmitted. The facsimile modem 107 performs such facsimile data transmission / reception, encoding processing and decoding processing.

  The image memory 108 is constituted by a semiconductor memory. The image memory 108 generates image data generated by the scanner unit 1 by reading a document image, image data obtained by developing a print job received by the communication IF 106, and a facsimile modem 107. The image data developed from the facsimile data received at is temporarily stored. The image data temporarily stored in the image memory 108 is transferred to a transfer destination corresponding to the purpose of use according to an instruction from the CPU 101.

  As described above, the process unit 30 for recording a monochrome image includes the photosensitive drum 31, the charger 32, the exposure device 33, the developing device 34, the transfer device 35, and the fixing device 36, and is transferred from the image memory 108. An image based on the image data is recorded on the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 40. The process unit 50 for recording color images includes photosensitive drums 52C, 52M, 52Y, and 52K that generate toner images corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors. An image based on the transferred image data is recorded on the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 60. The scanner unit 1 determines whether image data temporarily stored in the image memory 108 is transferred to the process unit 30 that records monochrome images or to the process unit 50 that records color images. This is determined based on the type of image data to be acquired, items specified by the received print job, and the like.

  A paper feed motor 111 and a transport motor 112 are connected to the drive control unit 110. The paper feed motor 111 is a drive source of a pickup roller that separates and feeds the paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 41 to 44 and 61 to 64 one by one, and the transport motor 112 is a paper transport path S1 to S6. , S11 to S17, and S21 to S23. The drive control unit 110 is configured to generate a drive control signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 101 and to output the generated drive control signal to the paper feed motor 111 or the transport motor 112 to rotate the pickup roller or the transport roller. ing.

  The RF-ID reader / writer RW,..., RW is an interface for communicating with the IC tag 210, generates a transmission signal in response to an instruction from the CPU 101, and transmits the generated signal through the antenna ANT to the IC tag 210. Send to.

  In addition, the image recording apparatus includes opening / closing doors 121 and 123 with locking devices 122 and 124 in order to restrict access to the inside of the apparatus. When the image recording apparatus is powered on, the locking devices 122 and 124 are configured to electronically lock the doors 121 and 123, respectively, and to unlock when the CPU 101 permits the device to be opened. . The CPU 101 performs user authentication when a jam occurs during the conveyance of a sheet, and permits the opening of the apparatus when the user is authenticated.

  Hereinafter, an operation during image recording will be described. 9 and 10 are flowcharts for explaining the procedure of processing executed by the image recording apparatus during image recording. The CPU 101 of the image recording apparatus determines whether the image of the document to be copied has been read by the scanner unit 1, the print job has been received by the communication IF 106, or the facsimile data has been received by the facsimile modem 107. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an output instruction (step S11). When there is no output instruction (S11: NO), it waits until there is an output instruction.

  When it is determined that there is an output instruction (S11: YES), the CPU 101 controls the drive control unit 110 to rotate the paper feed motor 111, and is designated by a preset paper feed cassette or user. The paper 200 starts to be fed from the fed paper cassette (for example, the paper feed cassette 41) (step S12). Then, information is written to the IC tag 210 provided in the conveyed paper 200 by the RF-ID reader / writer RW installed in the vicinity of the paper feed cassette (step S13). Here, the information written on the IC tag 210 is information about an image recorded on the paper 200, information about a user, and the like.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a jam has occurred when the sheet 200 is conveyed to the process unit 30 that records a monochrome image or the process unit 50 that records a color image (step S14). If it is determined that a jam has not occurred (S14: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not image recording has been completed (step S15). If the image recording has not been completed (S15: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S14.

  If it is determined that the image recording has been completed (S15: YES), it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred before the paper 200 on which the image is recorded is discharged (step S16). When the jam does not occur (S16: NO), the paper 200 on which the image is recorded is discharged to a discharge destination set in advance or a discharge destination designated by the user (for example, the discharge tray 39) (step S17).

  If it is determined in step S14 or step S16 that a jam has occurred (S14, S16: YES), information is read from the IC tag 210 provided in the jammed paper 200 (step S18). Here, the CPU 101 controls the RF-ID reader / writer RW to transmit an information transmission request from the antenna ANT. Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a response from the IC tag 210 to the information transmission request (step S19). When determining that there is no response (S19: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S18.

  If it is determined that there is a response (S19: YES), the CPU 101 identifies the location where the jam has occurred by identifying the installation location of the RF-ID reader / writer RW that has received the response (step S20). Then, the CPU 101 displays information on the position where the jam has occurred on the display unit 105b of the operation panel 105 (step S21). FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when notifying the occurrence position of a jam. In this screen, the occurrence position of the jam is schematically shown by an inverted triangular figure, and the displayed figure is displayed in a blinking manner so that the user can be informed.

  Next, the CPU 101 executes user authentication (step S22) and determines whether the user can be authenticated (step S23). When determining that the user cannot be authenticated (S23: NO), the CPU 101 invalidates the contents of the IC tag 210 (step S24). Specifically, specific data or random data is written to the IC tag 210 through the RF-ID reader / writer RW. Then, the CPU 101 prohibits opening of the device (step S25).

  If it is determined in step S23 that the user can be authenticated (S23: YES), it is determined whether confirmation of the contents of the IC tag 210 is required (step S26). When it is requested to confirm the contents of the IC tag 210 (S26: YES), the contents of the IC tag 210 are displayed on the display unit 105b of the operation panel 105 (step S27). When the contents of the IC tag 210 are displayed in step S27, or when it is determined in step S26 that the contents of the IC tag 210 need not be confirmed (S26: NO), the CPU 101 invalidates the contents of the IC tag 210. (Step S28).

  Thereafter, the CPU 101 permits opening of the device (step S29). The authenticated user can access the inside of the apparatus by opening the doors 121 and 123, and can remove the paper 200 that has caused the jam. The CPU 101 determines whether the jammed paper 200 has been removed by communicating with the IC tag 210 via the RF-ID reader / writer RW (step S30), and the paper 200 is not removed. (S30: NO), it waits until it is removed. If the paper 200 that caused the jam is removed (S30: YES) and the doors 121 and 123 are closed, the CPU 101 returns the process to step S12, resumes the supply of the paper 200, and records an image. Run again.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a scanner unit and a monochrome printer unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a color printer unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a post-processing unit. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the paper used with the image recording apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a typical block diagram of an IC tag. It is explanatory drawing explaining the detection condition of jam by RF-ID reader / writer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of an image recording device. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process which an image recording device performs at the time of image recording. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process which an image recording device performs at the time of image recording. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen displayed when alerting | reporting the generation | occurrence | production position of jam.

Explanation of symbols

30 process part 50 process part 101 CPU
102 bus 103 ROM
104 RAM
105 Operation panel 106 Communication IF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 107 Facsimile modem 108 Image memory 110 Drive control part 111 Paper feed motor 112 Conveyance motor 200 Paper 210 IC tag RW RF-ID reader / writer ANT Antenna

Claims (4)

A record carrier including a communication element for transmitting / receiving information and a memory having a memory for writing received information and reading information to be transmitted, and capturing an image based on image data received from the outside In the image recording apparatus for recording on
Comprising means for transporting the record carrier along a predetermined transport path, and communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from a communication element provided in the record carrier are provided at a plurality of locations on the transport path;
Detecting means for detecting clogging of the record carrier based on a communication state between the communication means and the communication element; means for authenticating a user when the detecting means detects clogging of the record carrier; and Means for requesting transmission of information written in a memory of the record carrier when the user is authenticated by the means, and means for receiving information transmitted from the record carrier in response to a request by the means And means for informing the received information ,
If the detection means detects clogging of the record carrier, the image recording apparatus further comprises wherein Rukoto means for disabling the information written in the memory in which the record carrier is provided.   An openable / closable opening / closing section that covers the transport path, a means for authenticating a user when the detection means detects clogging of the recording medium, and a user of the opening / closing section when the means is authenticated by the means 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for permitting opening and closing. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting a conveying position in the conveying path of the record carrier on the basis of the communication state between the communication means and the communication device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising means for notifying the detected transport position.

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