JP4811254B2 - Tag communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag communication device that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to a sheet to perform contactless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been known a tag communication device that adds a small device called an IC tag to paper used for printing or the like, conveys the paper, and communicates with the IC tag attached to the paper. Such a tag communication device is often mounted on various devices that handle paper, such as an image forming device (for example, Patent Document 1). A tag communication device is usually provided with a reader / writer device that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag. The reader / writer device is a device that transmits radio waves to the IC tag, receives radio waves transmitted from the IC tag, and reads / writes information from / to the IC tag.

JP 2003-140548 A

  Generally, when reading / writing information with this reader / writer device, a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time is required. In particular, in the case of information writing that requires more processing than information reading, a longer radio wave transmission / reception time is required. However, it has been difficult to secure a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time for an IC tag attached to a sheet being conveyed at high speed. Of course, it is possible to increase the radio wave transmission / reception time by reducing the sheet conveyance speed as a whole. However, in this case, there is a problem that the entire processing time increases. It is also conceivable to secure radio wave transmission / reception time by slowing the paper conveyance speed in part, not in the whole, especially only in the vicinity of the radio wave transmission / reception position. However, normally, the transport path that is the transport path of the paper is a single continuous path, and partially reducing the transport speed of the paper transported along the continuous transport path causes paper congestion. Is not desirable. In other words, with the prior art, it has been difficult to reliably read and write information on IC tags attached to all sheets.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tag communication device that can more reliably communicate with an IC tag added to all sheets.

  The tag communication device according to the present invention is a tag communication device that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to a sheet to communicate in a non-contact manner, and the sheet to which the IC tag is added along the main transport path is located upstream. First communication means for performing communication with the IC tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the IC tag attached to the sheet at the first communication position provided on the main conveyance path. And a means for judging success or failure of communication with the IC tag by the communication means, and a paper to which the IC tag determined to have failed as a result of the judgment is temporarily transferred to the sub-conveying path branched from the main conveying path. And a second transport unit that transports the sheet to the communication execution position again along the sub transport path.

  In a preferred embodiment, the sub-transport path is a transport path set with the paper inlet at the downstream position from the first communication position and the paper outlet at the first communication position. In this case, communication is performed again by the first communication means at the first communication position. Further, one or more second communication means for setting a communication position on the sub-transport path and transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from the IC tag transported along the sub-transport path when it is determined that the communication has failed is performed. It is also desirable to provide. Further, it is desirable that the determination unit also determines success or failure of communication by the second communication unit, and re-communication by the first communication unit or the second communication unit is repeatedly executed until it is determined that communication is successful. In addition, a plurality of separation conveyance paths are provided that guide the paper to the main conveyance path by separating the paper from the sub conveyance path in the middle of the sub conveyance path, and the second conveyance means passes through the separation conveyance path whenever necessary through the separation conveyance path. It is also desirable to return to the main transport path.

  Another tag communication apparatus according to the present invention is a tag communication apparatus that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to a sheet and communicates in a non-contact manner, and is a sheet having an IC tag attached along a main conveyance path. A first transport unit that transports the paper from the upstream side to the downstream side, a second transport unit that transports the paper along the sub transport path that is an annular transport path provided in the middle of the main transport path, and the sub transport path Is a communication means for performing communication with an IC tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to the paper being conveyed in the paper, the radio wave transmission / reception area moving along the sub-transport path Communication means that moves substantially in conjunction with the communication means.

  In a preferred aspect, the communication means moves the radio wave transmission / reception area in conjunction with the paper by moving the radio wave transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from the IC tag in conjunction with the movement of the paper on the sub-transport path. In another preferred aspect, the communication means includes a plurality of radio wave transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from an IC tag attached to the paper on the sub-transport path, and the radio wave transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from the IC tag is linked to paper movement. Thus, the radio wave transmission / reception area is substantially moved in conjunction with the paper by switching. Further, the second transport unit transports the paper along the sub transport path without causing the main transport path to flow until it is determined that the communication is successful.

  Another tag communication apparatus according to the present invention is a tag communication apparatus that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to a sheet and communicates in a non-contact manner, and is a sheet having an IC tag attached along a main conveyance path. First conveying means for conveying the paper from the upstream side to the downstream side, and after the sheet is temporarily retracted from the main conveying path to the sub conveying path, at least temporarily, the sheet is conveyed at a slower conveying speed than the main conveying path. A second conveying means for returning to the main conveying path after conveying, and a communication means for communicating with the IC tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the IC tag attached to the paper in the sub conveying path; Is provided.

  In a preferred aspect, after the second transport means pulls the paper into the sub-transport path that has a dead end, the second transport means transports the paper in the direction opposite to that during the pull-in and returns it to the main transport path. In another preferred aspect, a plurality of sub-transport paths are provided. At this time, the first transport unit and the second transport unit have one sub transport path from the time from when the paper is supplied to the first sub transport path until the paper is supplied to all of the plurality of sub transport paths. It is desirable to adjust the paper conveyance speed as much as possible in order to shorten the paper residence time.

  Another image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with the tag communication device described above, wherein the sub-transport path reverses the paper for back-side printing and then returns to the main transport path. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, the success or failure of communication is determined. If communication fails, the sheet is conveyed to the communication position again and communication is performed again. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, since the radio wave transmission / reception position is substantially moved in conjunction with the movement of the paper, a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time can be secured without reducing the paper conveyance speed. In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, the sheet is temporarily retracted from the main transport path to the sub transport path and the sheet is transported at a relatively slow speed. It is possible to secure a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time without causing any trouble. By these inventions, it is possible to more reliably communicate with the IC tag added to all the sheets.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 described below is assumed to be a relatively large high-speed printer. However, the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a small printer by appropriately changing a part of the configuration. In addition, the apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be another apparatus as long as the apparatus has a function of transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to a sheet to be conveyed.

  The printer 10 is controlled by an image printing control unit (not shown), and prints the same image as the original image data stored in the image printing control unit on paper. A tag communication unit 11 that performs non-contact communication with an IC tag attached to the paper is provided in the paper conveyance path process of the printer 10 for paper management. In FIG. 1, the tag communication unit 11 is provided downstream of the printing unit 17 and upstream of the paper discharge unit 21. However, the tag communication unit 11 is naturally not limited to this position, and may be in the paper transport path process. It may be provided at other positions. Hereinafter, the printer 10 will be described in detail.

  The printer 10 transports the paper stored in the storage unit 14 along the main transport path, and undergoes a printing process in the printing unit 17 provided in the transport path process, a communication process in the communication unit 11, and the like. In this configuration, it flows out to the paper discharge unit 21. Here, in the present embodiment, there are three conveyance paths that are paper conveyance paths: a main conveyance path 18, a back surface conveyance path 20 (shown by a bold line in FIG. 1), and a sub conveyance path (not shown in FIG. 1). It is divided roughly into. The main transport path 18 is a transport path that connects the storage unit 14 to the paper discharge unit 21. Normally, the paper is transported along the main transport path 18. The back surface conveyance path 20 is a conveyance path that reverses the front and back sides of the paper subjected to the printing process and the communication process and returns the sheet to the main conveyance path 18 again without flowing out to the outflow portion. Only some of the paper, such as paper that requires backside printing, is transported along the backside transport path 20. As will be described in detail later, the sub-transport path is a transport path that temporarily retracts the paper for which communication processing by the communication unit 11 has failed from the main transport path and returns the retracted paper to the main transport path 18 as necessary. It is. The specific configuration of this sub-transport path will be described in detail later.

  The accommodating portion 14 is provided with a plurality of paper trays 14a, 14b, and 14c corresponding to the size and type of paper. Then, in response to an instruction from the user, pre-printed paper is supplied to the main transport path 18 from predetermined paper trays 14a, 14b, 14c.

  The printing unit 17 prints an image on a sheet based on the document image data. The printing unit 17 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor by a charging unit and an exposure unit (not shown), and forms a toner image by attaching toner to the surface of the photoconductor by electrostatic force. The toner image formed here is an image based on the document image. The transfer roller 15 to which the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor or the photoconductor is provided on the main conveyance path 18, and the toner is transferred onto the paper by conveying the paper here. A fixing roller 16 is provided downstream of the transfer roller 15. The sheet on which the toner is attached is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 16. As a result, the toner is fixed on the paper.

  The paper on which image printing has been completed by image transfer and fixing is further conveyed downstream, guided to the paper discharge unit 21 and discharged. The paper discharge unit 21 is provided with a plurality of paper discharge trays 21a, 21b, and 21c in order to switch the paper discharge destination according to the success or failure of image printing. In addition, the paper that needs to be printed on the back side is guided not to the paper discharge unit 21 but to the back side transport path 20 and is turned upside down, and then sent to the main transport path 18 again to execute back side printing.

  In addition, the printer 10 of the present embodiment is also provided with a tag communication unit 11 that performs non-contact communication with an IC tag attached to a sheet being conveyed. The tag communication unit 11 is provided with a reader / writer device, which will be described later, and the reader / writer device reads and writes various information with respect to the IC tag. Then, the paper is managed based on the read / write result of this information. As is well known, the IC tag used for this management is a small device combining a small IC chip and an antenna for wireless communication. This IC tag is attached to the paper, and information can be read and written in a non-contact manner by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the IC tag. Here, the addition of the IC tag includes both the incorporation of the IC tag inside the paper and the attachment of the IC tag to the surface of the paper.

  Here, the reader / writer device realizes reading and writing of information by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the IC tag. And in order to implement | achieve the reading / writing of suitable information, sufficient electromagnetic wave transmission / reception time is required. In particular, in the case of information writing, the processing is increased and the required radio wave transmission / reception time is increased as compared with information reading. However, in this embodiment in which radio waves are transmitted to and received from the IC tag being conveyed, there are cases where sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time cannot be obtained. Therefore, in this embodiment, the success or failure of the information read / write is determined, and when it is determined that the information read / write has failed, the information read / write is executed again.

  2 and 3 are schematic configuration diagrams around the tag communication unit 11. The reader / writer device 22 has a built-in antenna that can transmit and receive radio waves to and from the antenna mounted on the IC tag 52. The reader / writer device 12 is disposed to face the conveyor belt 26 via a predetermined gap at a communication position set on the main conveyance path. When reading of information and writing of information are normally completed by transmission / reception of radio waves, an IC tag (not shown) attached to the paper 50 transmits a signal indicating normal termination to the reader / writer device 22. . Various signals received by the reader / writer device 22 are output to a communication control unit (not shown). The communication control unit determines whether information is read or written based on the signal input from the reader / writer device 22. When it is determined that the reading / writing of information is successful, the paper 50 with the IC tag added is conveyed downstream as it is along the main conveyance path 18.

  On the other hand, information read / write is performed again for the paper 50 that is determined to have failed to read / write information. Specifically, the sheet 50 with the IC tag to which information reading / writing has failed is guided from the main transport path 18 to the sub transport path 24. The sub-transport path 24 is a transport path in which a paper inlet is set on the downstream side of the communication position and a paper outlet is set on the upstream side. A switching member 32 that opens and closes the inflow port according to an instruction from the communication control unit is provided at the inflow port of the sub-transport path 24. If the communication control unit determines that the communication is successful, it outputs an instruction to the switching member 32 to close the inflow port. In this case, the sheet 50 is conveyed along the main conveyance path 18 as it is without entering the sub conveyance path 24 (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication has failed, the communication control unit outputs an instruction to the switching member 32 to open the inflow port, and drives the switching member 32. In this case, the paper 50 is guided to the sub transport path 24 and transported along the sub transport path 24 (see FIG. 3). The sheet transported along the sub transport path 24 is returned to the main transport path 18 from the outlet set upstream of the communication position. The sheet 50 returned to the main transport path 18 is transported again along the main transport path 18 and reaches the communication position. Then, information reading / writing is performed again at the communication position. The communication control unit also determines the success or failure of this second information reading / writing. Then, the paper 50 is repeatedly circulated through the sub-transport path 24 until information reading / writing is successful.

  Although various forms can be considered as the paper transport mechanism, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper is transported by moving the transport belt 26 while the paper 50 is sucked by the transport belt 26 using the suction fan 30. A suction conveyance type conveyance mechanism is illustrated. However, as a matter of course, as long as the paper 50 can be transported along the main transport path 18 and the sub transport path 24, a roller-type transport mechanism that sandwiches and transports the paper 50 with a pair of rollers may be used.

  As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the success or failure of communication is determined, and re-communication is repeatedly performed until it is determined that communication is successful. Therefore, finally, suitable information reading and writing can be realized for all the IC tags.

  In the present embodiment, the reader / writer device 22 is single, in other words, the communication position is single, and the paper 50 (IC tag) that has failed in communication is returned to the single communication position. Realizes information reading and writing. However, one or more reader / writer devices may be provided in the sub-transport path 24, in other words, one or more communication positions may be provided in the sub-transport path 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of reader / writer devices 22 b to 22 f that perform radio wave transmission / reception with respect to the paper 50 conveyed along the sub-transport path 24 are provided. The communication control unit determines whether information is read or written in each of the reader / writer devices 22a to 22f. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the communication is successful, the paper 50 is returned to the main transport path 18, and if the communication is unsuccessful, the paper 50 is repeatedly transported along the sub-transport path 24 until the communication is successful.

  As described above, by providing the plurality of reader / writer devices 22b to 22f in the sub-transport path 24, the sheet transport distance from the communication failure to the next communication can be shortened. Re-communication is possible. And the processing time as a whole can be shortened.

  In this case, a separation conveyance path 34 is provided for separating the paper 50 conveyed along the sub conveyance path 24 from the sub conveyance path 24 at a position midway along the sub conveyance path 24 and leading it to the main conveyance path 18. It is desirable to keep it. By providing such a separation conveyance path 34, it is possible to quickly return the paper 50 that has been normally communicated to the main conveyance path 18 and to further reduce the overall processing time. In this case, switching members 32b and 32c are provided at the branch positions of the separation conveyance paths 34 and the sub conveyance paths 24 so that the sheet traveling direction can be switched as appropriate.

  In each of the above descriptions, a dedicated transport path is provided as the sub-transport path 24 that transports a sheet of communication failure to the re-communication position. However, usually, the printer 10 is provided with a back surface conveyance path 20 that reverses the paper subjected to the printing process or the like and returns it to the main conveyance path 18 without flowing out to the outflow portion (FIG. 1). reference). You may use this back surface conveyance path 20 as the sub conveyance path 24 which conveys the paper which failed in communication to a re-communication position. That is, the reader / writer device 22 is provided on the upstream side of the back surface conveyance path 20, and the paper 50 for which communication by the reader / writer device 22 has failed is guided to the back surface conveyance path 20 regardless of the presence or absence of back surface printing. As a result, the failed paper 50 is returned to the main transport path 18 and is transported along the main transport path 18 to the communication position of the reader / writer device 22. Then, communication can be executed again. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated transport path for transporting a sheet of communication failure to the re-communication position, which can be realized more easily.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, since the configuration other than the periphery of the communication unit 11 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the periphery of the communication unit 11 in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time can be secured without reducing the transport speed. That is, as described above, sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time is required to realize suitable information reading and writing. However, it has been difficult to ensure a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time for the IC tags being sequentially conveyed. Of course, it is possible to lengthen the radio wave transmission / reception time by slowing down the paper conveyance speed in the whole or a part of the main conveyance path 18, but in this case, it takes a whole processing time or a paper jam occurs. There is a problem. Therefore, in this embodiment, the radio wave transmission / reception area is moved substantially in conjunction with the paper to increase the radio wave transmission / reception time.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, an annular sub-transport path 24 is provided in the middle of the main transport path 18, and a reader / writer device 22 having a communication position is provided in the sub-transport path 24. The sub-transport path 24 is provided with a paper inlet on the upstream side and a paper outlet on the downstream side. The sub-transport path 24 is an annular transport path whose start point and end point coincide with each other, and the transport belt 26 forming the sub-transport path is centered on a rotation axis extending in the transport belt width direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5). Rotate to. A large number of through holes are formed in the transport belt. A suction fan (not shown) provided inside the sub-conveying path 24 sucks the paper 50 to the surface of the conveying belt 26 through this through hole. The sheet 50 sucked on the surface of the conveyor belt 26 moves as the conveyor belt 26 moves.

  The reader / writer device 22 is provided in the sub-transport path 24 and moves in conjunction with the movement of the transport belt 26. In other words, the reader / writer device 22 moves together with the paper 50 sucked on the surface of the transport belt 26. As a result, while the paper 50 is in the sub-transport path, the paper 50 and the reader / writer device 22, in other words, the IC tag and the reader / writer device 22 are relatively stopped. As a result, a long radio wave transmission / reception time can be secured, and stable reading and writing of information can be performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the radio wave transmission / reception time can be increased by moving the reader / writer device 22 together with the paper 50. This makes it possible to read and write stable information.

  Note that the path of the paper 50 may be switched according to the success or failure of reading / writing information by the reader / writer device 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a switching member 32 is provided at a branch position between the paper outlet of the sub-transport path 24 and the main transport path 18. The communication control unit determines whether or not the communication by the reader / writer device 22 is successful. If the communication control unit determines that the communication is successful, the communication control unit drives the switching member 32 to connect the sub-transport path 24 and the main transport path 18 (FIG. 6 ( A)). Conversely, when it is determined that the communication has failed, the switching member 32 is driven so as to disconnect the connection between the sub-transport path 24 and the main transport path 18 (see FIG. 6B). In this case, the sheet 50 does not proceed to the main transport path 18 but moves along the sub transport path 24 together with the reader / writer device 22. As a result, a longer radio wave transmission / reception time can be ensured and information can be read and written more reliably.

  In this embodiment, the reader / writer device 22 is moved together with the paper 50. However, if the radio wave transmission / reception area moves substantially in conjunction with the paper 50, the reader / writer device 22 itself is not necessarily moved. There is no need. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of reader / writer devices 22 are fixedly arranged in the sub-transport path 24, and radio waves to the IC tag are interlocked with the movement of the paper 50 and eventually the IC tag. The reader / writer device 22 involved in transmission / reception may be switched. Also in this case, the radio wave transmission / reception time can be substantially increased, so that more reliable information reading / writing is possible.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the transported paper 50 is temporarily retracted from the main transport path 18 and information is read and written. As a result, more reliable reading and writing of information becomes possible. That is, as described above, sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time is required for reliable information reading and writing. However, when the paper 50 is transported at a high speed, it has been difficult to ensure a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time. Of course, if the sheet is temporarily stopped or the conveyance speed is reduced at the communication position, the radio wave transmission / reception time can be increased. However, the temporary lowering or stopping of the paper conveyance speed affects the conveyance of the subsequent paper 50, and the control thereof becomes extremely complicated.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sheet 50 is temporarily retracted from the main transport path 18 and radio wave transmission / reception is executed at the retracted position. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a sub transport path 24 for temporarily retracting paper from the main transport path is provided. The sub-transport path 24 is a transport path branched from the main transport path 18, and its end is a dead end. The paper 50 drawn into the sub-conveying path 24 is conveyed to its terminal position, and then conveyed in the direction opposite to the drawing-in, and returned to the main conveying path 18. Therefore, the sheet 50 performs a so-called switchback operation, and the sheet 50 returned to the main conveyance path 18 is in a state where the front and back are reversed.

  A switching member 32 is provided at the inlet of the sub-transport path 24. When the inflow port is open, the sheet 50 enters the sub-transport path 24. On the other hand, when the inflow port is closed, the sheet 50 is conveyed along the main conveyance path 18 as it is without entering the sub conveyance path 24. The communication control unit controls the opening and closing of the switching member 32 so that a plurality of sheets do not enter the single sub-transport path 24. Accordingly, when it is desired to draw the paper 50 into the sub transport path 24, the switching member 32 corresponding to the retreat path is opened. Further, when the paper 50 is completely drawn into the sub transport path 24, the corresponding switching member 32 is closed to prevent the other paper 50 from entering.

  In the vicinity of the end of the sub-transport path 24, the reader / writer device 22 is disposed so as to face the transport belt 26 of the sub-transport path 24. The reader / writer device 22 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the IC tag attached to the paper 50 drawn into the sub transport path 24, and executes reading and writing of information.

  Here, when the paper traveling direction is reversed in the sub transport path 24, the paper transport speed is temporarily stopped. The sub-transport path 24 is a transport path branched from the main transport path 18, and the transport speed of the paper 50 is temporarily reduced or the transport of the paper 50 is stopped in the sub-transport path 24. However, the influence on the conveyance of the succeeding paper 50 is small. In other words, it can be said that the sub-conveying path 24 has a relatively high degree of freedom in the sheet conveying speed. As a result, the sheet conveyance speed at the communication position set on the sub-conveyance path 24 can be controlled to a speed that can ensure a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time, and more reliable information reading / writing is possible. .

  Note that the number of sub-transport paths 24 is not limited to a single one, and may be plural. By providing a plurality of sub-transport paths 24, the number of sheets that can be communicated within a predetermined time is increased, and the overall processing time can be further shortened. Here, the number N of the sub transport paths 24 is desirably determined according to the paper transport speed in the main transport path 18, the paper staying time in one sub transport path 24, and the like. That is, as a matter of course, the time until the sheets are conveyed one by one to all the sub conveyance paths depends on the sheet conveyance speed in the main conveyance path 18. When the sheet staying time in one sub-conveying path 24 is longer than the time required for conveying the sheets one by one to all (N) sub-conveying paths 24, the sheet (sub-conveying path) When the number N is N, the (N + 1) th sheet) does not proceed to any of the sub-transport paths 24 and is congested on the main transport path 18. In order to prevent such a problem, it is desirable to determine the number N of the sub conveyance paths, the sheet conveyance speed in the main conveyance path 18, the sheet residence time in the sub conveyance path 24, and the like.

  Specifically, the flow of sheet conveyance when there are two sub-conveyance paths 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the paper does not enter any of the sub-transport paths, the paper inlet of each sub-transport path is open. Assume that the first sheet 50_1 is conveyed from the upstream side in this state. The first sheet 50_1 is drawn into the first sub-transport path 24_1 located at the most upstream of the plurality of sub-transport paths (see FIG. 8).

  When the first sheet 50_1 is completely drawn into the first sub transport path 24_1, the switching member 32 of the first sub transport path 24_1 closes the inlet (see FIG. 9). As a result, the second sheet 50_2, which is a subsequent sheet, can proceed downstream without entering the first sub-transport path 24_1. Further, the first sheet 50_1 drawn into the first sub-transport path 24_1 is transported to the vicinity of the end of the first sub-transport path 24_1, and information is read and written by the reader / writer device 22.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when the second sheet 50_2 is transported to the inlet of the second sub transport path 24_2, the second sheet 50_2 is drawn into the second sub transport path 24_2. At this time, all or a part of the paper enters all the sub transport paths 24_1 and 24_2. In this state, when the subsequent third sheet 50_3 is further conveyed, the third sheet 50_3 is congested on the main conveyance path 18 without proceeding to any of the sub conveyance paths. Therefore, it is preferable that the first sheet 50_1 flows out of the first sub-transport path 24_1 when the second sheet 50_2 starts to enter the second sub-transport path 24_2. When the third sheet 50_3 reaches the inflow port of the first sub-transport path 24_1, it is desirable that the first sheet 50_1 is completely discharged from the first sub-transport path 24_1 (see FIG. 11). ). As a result, information can be read from and written to all the sheets 50 without causing congestion on the sheets in the main transport path 18.

  Note that, like the sub-transport path 24, the transport path for switching back the paper 50 is frequently used as the back-surface transport path 20 for reversing the paper and returning it to the main transport path 18 for back-side printing (see FIG. 1). You may utilize this back surface conveyance path 20 as the sub conveyance path 24. FIG. By using the back surface transport path 20 as the sub transport path 24, a sufficient radio wave transmission / reception time can be secured without significantly changing the apparatus configuration.

  In recent years, there is a case where a front surface IC tag and a back surface IC tag are provided on one paper 50 for the purpose of separately managing information on the front surface of the paper 50 and information on the back surface of the paper 50. In the case of the paper 50 in which a dedicated IC tag is provided on each of the front and back surfaces, information is read / written only on the IC tag corresponding to the processed surface after processing such as printing on the front surface or the back surface. It is desirable to be made. For example, when the printing process on the front surface is completed, it is desirable that information read / write is performed only on the front surface IC tag, and information read / write on the back surface IC tag is not performed. On the contrary, when the printing process on the back surface is completed, it is desirable to read / write information only to the back surface IC tag and not to read / write information to the front surface IC tag.

  In view of this, the communication unit 11 of the present embodiment considers the arrangement of the reader / writer device and the like so that suitable information reading and writing can be realized even for the paper 50 in which the dedicated IC tag is added to each of the front and back surfaces. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a case is considered where the front IC tag 52a and the back IC tag 52b have different addition positions in the paper. In this case, when the reader / writer device 22 is transported with the front side facing up, a suitable radio wave transmission / reception position is possible with respect to the front surface IC tag, and when the back / up side is transported. It is arranged at a position where radio waves can be transmitted / received with respect to the back surface IC tag. That is, when the sheet is reversed, the positional relationship between the front surface IC tag 52a and the back surface IC tag 52b in the sub-transport path 24 is reversed 180 degrees. By reversing the position of the IC tag in the sub-transport path 24, the IC tag for transmitting and receiving radio waves can be switched even when the position of the reader / writer device is fixed. As a result, information on the front side and information on the back side of the paper 50 can be read and written separately, and more flexible paper management becomes possible.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic side view of a communication part periphery in 1st embodiment. It is a schematic side view of a communication part periphery in 1st embodiment. It is a schematic side view of a communication part periphery in another example. It is a schematic side view of a communication part periphery in 2nd embodiment. It is a schematic side view of a communication part periphery in 2nd embodiment. It is a schematic side view of a communication part periphery in another example. It is a schematic side view of the communication part periphery in 3rd embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the communication part periphery in 3rd embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the communication part periphery in 3rd embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the communication part periphery in 3rd embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an installation position of a reader / writer device when a dedicated IC tag is provided on each of the front and back surfaces of a sheet.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer, 11 Communication part, 12 Reader / writer apparatus, 14 Storage part, 17 Printing part, 18 Main conveyance path, 20 Back surface conveyance path, 21 Paper discharge part, 22 Reader / writer apparatus, 24 Sub conveyance path, 26 Conveyance belt , 30 Suction fan, 32 switching member, 34 separation conveyance path, 50 sheets, 52 IC tag.

Claims (14)

A tag communication device that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to paper and communicates in a non-contact manner,
First transport means for transporting the paper with the IC tag attached along the main transport path from the upstream side to the downstream side;
First communication means for performing communication with the IC tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the IC tag attached to the paper at a first communication position provided on the main conveyance path;
Determining means for determining success or failure of communication with the IC tag by the communication means;
As a result of the determination, the paper with the IC tag determined to have failed in communication is temporarily retracted to the sub-transport path branched from the main transport path, and the paper is returned to the communication execution position along the sub-transport path. Second conveying means for conveying;
A tag communication device comprising: The tag communication device according to claim 1,
The sub-transport path is a transport path set with the paper inlet at the downstream position from the first communication position and the paper outlet at the first communication position,
A tag communication device, wherein if it is determined that communication has failed, communication is performed again by the first communication means at the first communication position. The tag communication device according to claim 1, further comprising:
The communication position is set on the sub-transport path, and at least one second communication means is provided for transmitting and receiving radio waves to the IC tag transported along the sub-transport path when it is determined that the communication has failed, and executing communication again. A tag communication device characterized by the above. The tag communication device according to claim 3,
The determination means also determines success or failure of communication by the second communication means,
A tag communication device, wherein re-communication by the first communication means or the second communication means is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the communication is successful. The tag communication device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising:
Provided with a plurality of separation conveyance paths that guide the paper to the main conveyance path by separating the paper from the sub conveyance path in the middle of the sub conveyance path,
The second communication means returns the paper determined to be successful in communication to the main conveyance path through the separation conveyance path as needed. A tag communication device that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to paper and communicates in a non-contact manner,
First transport means for transporting the paper with the IC tag attached along the main transport path from the upstream side to the downstream side;
A second transport means for transporting paper along a sub transport path that is an annular transport path provided in the middle of the main transport path;
A communication means for communicating with an IC tag by transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from an IC tag attached to a sheet being conveyed on a sub-transport path, the radio transmission / reception area extending along the sub-transport path A communication means that moves substantially in conjunction with the moving paper;
A tag communication device comprising: The tag communication device according to claim 6,
The communication means moves the radio wave transmission / reception area in conjunction with the paper by moving the radio wave transmission / reception means for radio wave transmission / reception with respect to the IC tag in conjunction with the movement of the paper on the sub-transport path. apparatus. The tag communication device according to claim 6 or 7,
The communication means includes a plurality of radio wave transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from the IC tag attached to the paper on the sub-conveyance path. By switching the radio wave transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving radio waves to / from the IC tag in conjunction with paper movement, A tag communication apparatus characterized by substantially moving a transmission / reception area in conjunction with a sheet. The tag communication device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising:
A determination means for determining success or failure of communication by the communication means;
The tag communication device, wherein the second transport unit transports the paper along the sub transport path without causing the paper to flow out to the main transport path until it is determined that the communication is successful. A tag communication device that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an IC tag attached to paper and communicates in a non-contact manner,
First transport means for transporting the paper with the IC tag attached along the main transport path from the upstream side to the downstream side;
Second transport means for temporarily returning the paper from the main transport path to the sub transport path and then transporting the paper at least temporarily at a transport speed slower than that of the main transport path and then returning the paper to the main transport path again. When,
Communication means for communicating with the IC tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the IC tag attached to the paper in the sub-transport path;
A tag communication device comprising: The tag communication device according to claim 10,
The tag communication device, wherein the second transport means transports the paper in a direction opposite to that at the time of the pull-in and pulls the paper back to the main transport path after pulling the paper into the sub-transport path having a dead end. The tag communication device according to claim 10 or 11,
A tag communication device comprising a plurality of sub-transport paths. The tag communication device according to claim 12,
The first transport unit and the second transport unit store the paper in one sub transport path from the time from when the paper is supplied to the first sub transport path until the paper is supplied to all of the plurality of sub transport paths. A tag communication device, characterized in that the conveyance speed of a sheet is adjusted as much as possible. An image forming apparatus comprising the tag communication device according to claim 1.
The tag communication device, wherein the sub-transport path is a back-surface transport path that reverses the paper for back-surface printing and then returns to the main transport path.

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