JP5067348B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of accessing a storage medium such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of invalidating data stored in a storage medium (hereinafter referred to as “RFID tag” for convenience) attached to a sheet.

Conventionally, a sheet with an RFID tag attached has been provided. As an image forming apparatus, an apparatus that incorporates a device that reads additional information stored in an RFID tag and forms an image based on the read additional information has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, if IC chip data is read and the data is additional information that can be printed as an image, the user is notified that there is additional information, and the additional information is received in response to an instruction from the user. A copying apparatus that prints an image with a mark is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-88584

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus described above has the following problems. That is, it is desirable to invalidate the data stored in the RFID tag when the paper with the RFID tag attached is discarded or used. In this regard, it is conceivable to provide a function of erasing the RFID tag data in accordance with a user instruction. However, regarding the paper from which the RFID tag data has been erased, it cannot be distinguished whether the RFID tag data has been erased or not. Therefore, it is possible to forget to delete the data and discard it.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that outputs a sheet with an RFID tag that can easily grasp the invalidation.

  In order to solve this problem, an image forming apparatus has an invalidation unit for invalidating data stored in a storage medium attached to a sheet, and an image indicating that invalidation processing has been performed by the invalidation unit. And an image forming means for forming the invalidated storage medium on the attached paper.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention invalidates data stored in a storage medium (for example, an RFID tag) attached to a sheet as invalidation processing. As means for invalidation, it is possible to apply data erasing, writing information indicating that the data has been invalidated, or the like to a storage medium. Then, an image indicating invalidity is formed on the sheet attached with the invalidated storage medium. Examples of the image indicating that the invalidation processing has been performed include, for example, characters such as “invalidated”, a mark indicating that, and if the image is stored in the storage medium, the image itself, the storage medium If character data is stored in this field, the character data itself corresponds.

  That is, when invalidating data stored in a storage medium, the image forming apparatus of the present invention prints an image indicating that the storage medium has been invalidated on a sheet to which the storage medium is attached. . From this, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not the storage medium is invalidated simply by looking at the paper.

  Further, the invalidation means of the image forming apparatus of the present invention acquires data stored in a storage medium, stores the acquired data in a predetermined storage unit, and deletes the data from the storage medium. Better to do. That is, the data stored in the storage medium is moved to another storage unit (the device's own hard disk or server computer). As a result, the data in the storage medium is invalidated and invalidated. On the other hand, the data stored in the storage medium is left in a predetermined storage unit. Therefore, by referring to the storage unit, the data can be used even after the storage medium is invalidated. The storage unit may be designated in advance by the user, or may be a place automatically assigned by the image forming apparatus.

  Further, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus preferably forms an image including data in the storage unit stored by the invalidating unit. By printing the data in the storage unit on paper, it is possible to easily grasp where the data stored in the storage medium is stored, and it is easy to view later.

  Further, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is better to start the image forming process after the invalidation process by the invalidating unit is completed. In other words, even if invalidation processing is performed after image formation, a certain effect can be expected, but by forming an image indicating that after the invalidation processing is completed, the storage medium of the image-formed paper is invalidated. It is certain that As a result, it is possible to avoid an inappropriate situation in which only the image is formed and taken out without being invalidated.

  Further, the invalidating means of the image forming apparatus of the present invention can implement a plurality of processing modes including at least data erasing processing and data moving processing as processing modes for invalidating data. It is better to select one processing form from among them. The convenience of the user is improved because the invalidation mode can be selected.

  Further, it is better that the invalidating means of the image forming apparatus selects the processing mode based on the attribute of the data stored in the storage medium. By automatically selecting the data processing mode, it is possible to perform appropriate processing without user effort.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention does not perform invalidation processing by the invalidating unit and image forming processing by the image forming unit when a sheet without a storage medium is carried in. Then better. Thereby, useless processing can be avoided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus that outputs a sheet with an RFID tag that can easily grasp invalidation.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a FAX function.

[MFP configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 10 (an example of an image forming unit) that prints an image on a sheet, and an image reading unit 20 that reads an image of a document. The image forming unit 10 is provided with a manual feed port 93 for a manual feed tray on the front side. When printing, by specifying a manual feed tray and inserting sheets one by one from the manual feed port 93, the sheets can be manually carried into the apparatus. The image forming method of the image forming unit 10 may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method. Further, even if a color image can be formed, it may be dedicated to a monochrome image.

  The image reading unit 20 includes an operation panel 40 provided with a display unit 41 including a liquid crystal display, a button group 42 including various buttons (for example, buttons of a start key, a stop key, and a numeric keypad) on the front side. Is provided. The display unit 41 and the button group 42 enable operation status display and user operation input.

  Further, the MFP 100 has an invalidation function for erasing data stored in the RFID tag with respect to a sheet attached with the RFID tag. The invalidation function operates when the user operates the operation panel 40 to instruct invalidation of the RFID tag. Details of the invalidation processing will be described later.

[Configuration of image forming unit]
The image forming unit 10 according to the present embodiment forms an image by a known electrophotographic system. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 10 and a fixing unit 8 for fixing an unfixed toner image are formed. A paper feed cassette 91 for placing paper before image formation, and a paper discharge tray 92 for placing paper after image formation.

  In the image forming unit 10, the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 91 located at the bottom passes through the paper feed roller 72, the registration roller 73, the process unit 50, and the fixing device 8, and passes through the paper discharge roller 74. A substantially S-shaped conveyance path is provided so as to be guided to the paper discharge tray 92. That is, the image forming unit 10 takes out the sheets placed in the sheet feeding cassette 91 one by one, conveys the sheets to the process unit 50, and transfers the toner image formed by the process unit 50 to the sheets. To do. Further, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 8 and the toner image is thermally fixed on the sheet. Then, the sheet after fixing is discharged to a paper discharge tray 92.

  The process unit 50 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and an exposure device 3 that irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with light to form an electrostatic latent image. A developing device 4 for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner, a transfer device 5 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to a sheet, and a cleaning blade for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 6. The photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning blade 6 are configured as a process cartridge and are detachable from the apparatus main body.

  In the process unit 50, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging device 2. Thereafter, exposure is performed with light from the exposure device 3, and an electrostatic latent image of an image to be formed on the paper is formed. Next, toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 1 via the developing device 4. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized as a toner image.

  In the image forming unit 10, the sheet inserted from the manual feed port 93 passes through the carry-in roller 75, the registration roller 73, the process unit 50, and the fixing device 8, and passes through the sheet discharge roller 74 to the upper sheet discharge tray. A conveyance path for manual sheet feeding to 92 is provided. That is, in the printer 100 of the present embodiment, there are two options for the paper feed tray: the paper feed cassette 91 and the manual feed port 93.

  In addition, the image forming unit 10 detects an RFID tag that exists within a predetermined range, and an R / W device 81 (an example of an invalidating unit) that can read and write data to the RFID tag. I have. The R / W device 81 is disposed between the carry-in roller 75 and the registration roller 73 on the manual feed path.

[Electric configuration of MFP]
Next, the electrical configuration of the MFP 100 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the MFP 100 includes a control unit 30 including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an NVRAM 34, an ASIC 35, a network interface 36, and a FAX interface 37.

  The CPU 31 executes arithmetic operations for realizing various functions such as an image reading function and an image forming function in the MFP 100, and is the center of control. The ROM 32 stores various control programs for controlling the MFP 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. An NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 34 is a non-volatile storage means and is used as a storage area for storing various settings or image data.

  The CPU 31 stores each processing result in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34 in accordance with a control program read from the ROM 32 and signals sent from various sensors, and turns on each component of the MFP 100 (for example, lighting timing of the exposure apparatus constituting the image forming unit 10). A drive motor (not shown) for various rollers constituting the paper conveyance path and a moving motor (not shown) for the image sensor unit constituting the image reading unit 20 are controlled via the ASIC 35.

  The network interface 36 is connected to a network such as the Internet, and enables connection with an information processing apparatus such as a PC. The FAX interface 37 is connected to a telephone line and enables connection with a destination FAX apparatus. Jobs can be exchanged via the network interface 36 or the FAX interface 37.

[MFP invalidation process]
[First embodiment]
Subsequently, invalidation when the MFP 100 invalidates data stored in the RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as “tag information”) on a sheet to which an RFID tag (an example of a storage medium) is attached. The procedure of processing (an example of invalidation means and image forming means) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is executed when the invalidation of the RFID tag is instructed on the operation panel 40.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, a message notifying that the invalidation process has started is displayed on the display unit 41 (S101). The message includes designation of a paper feed tray, paper layout, and the like. Note that the notification method is not limited to a message, and may be a voice, for example.

  Next, the paper inserted into the manual feed port 93 is detected by the carry-in roller 75 (S102). Then, when the sheet is inserted, the R / W device 81 searches for the RFID tag by trying to communicate with the RFID tag (S103).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the RFID tag is detected, that is, whether or not the RFID tag is attached to the paper (S104). If the RFID tag is not detected (S104: NO), the data erasing process of S105 and the tag information printing process 1 of S106 are bypassed, the paper is discharged (S107), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when an RFID tag is detected (S104: YES), a data erasure process for erasing the tag information of the RFID tag is performed (S105). FIG. 6 shows the procedure of the data erasure process in S105.

  First, the conveyance of the paper is stopped by stopping the carry-in roller 75 and the registration roller 73 (S201). Next, the RFID tag is accessed and the tag information is read (S202). The read tag information is temporarily stored in the RAM 33 or NVRAM 34.

  Thereafter, the tag information stored in the RFID tag is deleted from the RFID tag (S203). As a result, the RFID tag becomes invalid. Next, it is confirmed by communicating with the RFID tag whether or not the tag information has been successfully erased (S204). If the data erasure has not succeeded (S204: NO), the process returns to the process of S203 to re-execute the data erasure. On the other hand, when the data is successfully erased (S204: YES), the conveyance of the paper is resumed (S205).

  Returning to the description of the invalidation process in FIG. 4, after the tag information is erased in S105, tag information printing process 1 for printing the contents of the tag information stored in the data erasure process in S105 is performed (S106). FIG. 7 shows the procedure of the tag information printing process 1 in S106.

  First, an image for tag information disclosure is created based on the tag information stored in the data erasing process in S105 (S301). For example, when an image is stored in the RFID tag, the image is directly used as an information disclosure image. In addition to the image, when attributes such as the image creator and the creation date are stored, an image is created by combining the attributes and the image. In addition, when images for a plurality of pages are stored in the RFID tag, an image in which a plurality of images are arranged side by side or an image in which an image of the first page and a memo indicating that there are remaining pages is created. The created image may be any image as long as it can recognize the contents of the tag information, and is appropriately edited according to the tag information.

  After that, the created image is printed on the paper to which the RFID tag is attached (S302). After printing, the tag information stored in the RAM 33 or NVRAM 34 is deleted (S303). Returning to the description of the invalidation processing in FIG. 4, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 92 (S107), and this processing is terminated.

  That is, in the invalidation processing of the first form, when invalidating the paper with the RFID tag attached thereto, the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is printed on the paper 60 as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to easily visually recognize whether or not the RFID tag 61 has been invalidated for the paper 60 to which the RFID tag 61 is attached. Further, since an image capable of recognizing the contents of the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is printed, the contents can be grasped even after the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is deleted.

[Second form]
Subsequently, a second form of the tag information printing process will be described. In the tag information printing process 2 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is not printed on the paper 60, and the tag information is connected to the MFP 100 via the network (server 200). In the example). Then, the pass of the server 200 is printed on the paper 60. This is different from the first mode in which the content of the tag information is printed on the paper 60.

  Hereinafter, the tag information printing process 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, this embodiment is a process after the data erasing process in S105, and the same reference numerals are given to the same processes as in the first embodiment.

  First, the tag information stored in the data erasure process in S105 is transmitted to the server 200 (S311). Server 200 that is the transmission destination of tag information is set in MFP 100 in advance. Next, it is confirmed by accessing the server 200 whether or not the transmission of the tag information is successful (S312). If the transmission of the tag information is not successful (S312: NO), the process returns to the process of S311 and the transmission of the tag information is re-executed.

  On the other hand, when the transmission of the tag information is successful (S312: YES), an image describing the information of the server 200 that is the transmission destination of the tag information (hereinafter referred to as “server information”) is created (S313). The server information may be any information that can recognize the server. For example, a server name, a storage destination directory, a URL, and an IP address are applicable. Then, a character string image including the server information or a special image such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) is created. Thereafter, the created image is printed on a sheet with the RFID tag attached (S302). After printing, the tag information stored in the RAM 33 or NVRAM 34 is deleted (S303).

  That is, in the invalidation processing of the second form, when the MFP 100 invalidates the paper 60 attached with the RFID tag 61, the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is recorded in the server 200, and the server information is stored in the paper 60. Print on. Thereby, it is possible to easily visually recognize whether or not the RFID tag 61 has been invalidated for the paper 60 to which the RFID tag 61 is attached. Furthermore, by accessing the server 200 in which the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is stored, the tag information can be reused as electronic data.

[Third embodiment]
Subsequently, a third form of the tag information printing process will be described. In the tag information printing process 3 of the third form, the tag information processing form is printing on the paper 60 (first form), saving to the server 200 (second form), or recording tag information. Ask the user to choose not to.

  Hereinafter, the tag information printing process 3 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, similarly to the first and second embodiments, this embodiment is a process after the data erasing process of S105, and the same reference numerals are given to the same processes as the first and second embodiments.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12, a screen asking for selection of a processing mode is displayed on the display unit 41, and the processing mode is inquired to the user (S321). If printing on the paper 60 is selected (S322: YES), the tag information printing process 1 is executed as in the first embodiment (S106). If transfer to the server 200 is selected (S324: YES), the tag information printing process 2 is executed as in the second embodiment (S325). On the other hand, if no selection is made (S324: NO), tag information is not recorded, that is, it is selected to be deleted, and the tag information stored in the RAM 33 or NVRAM 34 is deleted (S303). ), This processing is terminated.

  That is, in the invalidation processing of the third form, the processing form of the tag information acquired from the RFID tag 61 can be selected. Therefore, operation suitable for the contents of the tag information and the usage status of the user can be achieved, and the convenience is high.

[Fourth form]
Subsequently, a fourth form of the tag information printing process will be described. In the tag information printing process 4 of the fourth form, the tag information processing form is automatically selected according to the attribute data stored in the tag information. This is different from the third mode in which the user is inquired.

  In MFP 100, at least one of the attributes of the tag information is registered in advance. In this embodiment, it is assumed that importance is stored as an attribute of the RFID tag 61. The importance level is registered as an attribute in the MFP 100, and the processing mode is automatically assigned according to the importance level (large, medium, small, etc.).

  Hereinafter, the tag information printing process 4 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, similarly to the first, second, and third embodiments, this embodiment is a process after the data erasing process in S105, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same processes as those in the first, second, and third embodiments. is doing.

  First, tag information is analyzed, and attribute data registered in the MFP 100 is extracted (S331). If the attribute value is X (S332: YES), the tag information printing process 1 is executed as in the first embodiment (S106). If the attribute value is Y (S334: YES), tag information printing process 2 is executed as in the second embodiment (S325). On the other hand, if none of the values correspond (S334: NO), the tag information printing process 3 is executed as in the third embodiment (S336).

  That is, in the invalidation processing of the fourth form, data of a specific attribute is extracted from the tag information, and the processing form of the tag information is automatically selected based on the attribute value. For this reason, there is no effort for the user to select and it is easy to use.

  As described above in detail, the MFP 100 according to the embodiment invalidates the RFID tag 61 and, after invalidating the RFID tag 61, attaches the RFID tag 61 to the paper to which the invalidated RFID tag 61 is attached. An image indicating the invalidation, for example, an image indicating the contents of the tag information and an image indicating the position of the server 200 storing the tag information are printed. As a result, the user can easily grasp whether or not the RFID tag 61 has been invalidated simply by looking at the paper 60.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the present invention is applicable not only to MFPs but also to printers, copiers, fax machines, and the like having an image forming function.

  In the embodiment, the R / W device 81 is arranged on the manual feed conveyance path, and the invalidation process is executed by the paper feed from the manual feed port 93. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the R / W device 81 may be arranged on the transport path from the paper feed cassette 91 and the invalidation process may be executed by paper feed from the paper feed cassette 91.

  In the embodiment, the tag information stored in the RFID tag 61 is recorded on a sheet or server and is not completely erased. However, this is not preferable from the viewpoint of confidentiality of information. Therefore, the tag information stored in the RFID tag 61 may not be recorded, and only a mark or character string indicating invalidation may be printed as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to visually check whether or not at least the attached RFID tag 61 has been invalidated and to prevent the tag information from leaking.

  In the embodiment, the tag information is deleted from the RFID tag as a means for invalidating the tag information. However, the invalidation means is not limited to this. For example, a flag indicating whether or not the RFID tag is invalid may be stored as RFID tag data, and the flag may be rewritten during the invalidation process. And when the flag is in a state meaning invalid, the use of data can be restricted by configuring to restrict reading / writing of data other than the flag.

  In the embodiment, the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is printed on the paper 60 or stored in the server 200. However, even if both processes are performed, the tag information of the RFID tag 61 is printed on the paper 60 or stored in the server 200. Good. That is, the tag information may be stored in the server 200 and the contents of the tag information may be printed on the paper 60.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an MFP according to an embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit of the MFP. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the invalidation process in a 1st form. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part at the time of the invalidation process start. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data deletion process in a 1st form. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the tag information printing process 1 in a 1st form. It is a figure which shows the concept of the invalidation process in a 1st form. It is a figure which shows the concept of the invalidation process in a 2nd form. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the tag information printing process 2 in a 2nd form. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the tag information printing process 3 in a 3rd form. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part at the time of invalidation form selection. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the tag information printing process 4 in a 4th form. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper of the state which printed only the mark which shows having been invalidated.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming part 20 Image reading part 30 Control part 41 Display part 50 Process part 60 Paper 61 RFID tag 81 R / W apparatus 93 Manual feed tray port 100 MFP

Claims (5)

Invalidation means for obtaining data stored in the storage medium attached to the paper and performing invalidation processing that is processing for deleting the data from the storage medium;
Image forming means for performing image forming processing, which is processing for forming an image for disclosure that discloses the contents of the data, on a sheet attached with a storage medium from which data has been erased by the invalidating means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: First processing for invalidating data stored in the storage medium attached to the paper, data stored in the storage medium attached to the paper is acquired, the acquired data is stored in a predetermined storage unit, and the data A plurality of processing forms including a second process for erasing data from the storage medium, and an invalidating means for selecting one processing form as the invalidating process from among the processing forms;
When the first process is selected as the invalidation process, a predetermined image indicating that the data has been invalidated or a disclosure image that discloses the contents of the invalidated data is invalidated. If the second processing is selected as the invalidation processing, the processing for forming the storage medium on which the data is invalidated by the means on the attached paper is performed as the image forming processing. Image forming means for performing, as an image forming process, an image forming process for forming an image for recording information in the storage unit for storing the data on a sheet attached with an erased storage medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the invalidating unit selects a processing mode based on an attribute of data stored in a storage medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit starts an image forming process after the invalidation process by the invalidating unit is completed. In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein when a sheet to which a storage medium is not attached is carried in, invalidation processing by the invalidation unit and image formation processing by the image forming unit are not performed on the sheet.

Images