IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, MEDIUM EJECTION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image forming unit, a radio communication unit, a receiving unit, and a shielding member. The processor controls supply and ejection of a medium with a radio tag, which is to be housed in a housing unit. The image forming unit forms an image in the supplied medium. The radio communication unit transmits a radio wave for writing information to the radio tag of the supplied medium. The receiving unit receives the ejected medium. The shielding member is formed in a part of the receiving unit and shields radio waves transmitted from the radio communication unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-105082, filed Jun. 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus, a medium ejection method, and a computer-readable storage medium.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, a medium to which a radio tag using a radio frequency identifier (RFID) technique is attached has been used. An image forming apparatus compatible with such a medium is configured to form an image on a medium that is conveyed to the inside of the apparatus body and to write information to a radio tag of the medium at a predetermined timing by emitting radio waves from an antenna.

The image forming apparatus includes a tray configured to receive the medium ejected from the inside of the apparatus body, and the tray receives the medium with the radio tag to which information has been written. For the radio tag of the medium received by the tray, prevention of erroneous writing of information thereto is demanded. For example, a technique of shielding radio waves emitted from an antenna with a conductor has been known. However, adhering of excessive conductor for shielding radio waves not only increases costs but also leads to a risk of deteriorating heat radiation performance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image forming unit, a radio communication unit, a receiving unit, and a shielding member. The processor controls supply and ejection of a medium which is housed in a housing unit and to which a radio tag is attached. The image forming unit forms an image on the supplied medium. The radio communication unit transmits a radio wave for writing information to the radio tag of the supplied medium. The receiving unit receives the ejected medium. The shielding member is formed in a part of the receiving unit and shields radio waves transmitted from the radio communication unit.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus installed in a workplace, etc., will be described.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

An image forming apparatus100is, for example, a multifunction machine. The image forming apparatus100includes an image reading unit110, a control panel120, a display20, a printer unit130, a medium housing unit140, an RFID processing unit150, and a medium receiving unit200.

For example, the image forming apparatus100forms an image using a developer such as toner on a sheet-shaped medium M. The medium M is paper or a label sheet. Furthermore, the medium M corresponds to paper or a label sheet with a radio tag T attached thereto. The medium M may be in any form that allows an image to be formed on its surface. The medium M with the radio tag T attached thereto may indicate that the radio tag T is affixed to the surface of the medium M or that the radio tag T is embedded in the inside of the medium M. The radio tag T according to each embodiment is a tag using a radio frequency identifier (RFID) technique and is also called an “RFID tag”.

The display121is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro luminescence (EL) display. The display121displays thereon various types of information relating to the image forming apparatus100.

The control panel120has a plurality of buttons. The control panel120accepts a user's operations. The control panel120outputs a signal corresponding to the operation performed by the user to the processor of the image forming apparatus100. The control panel120and the display121may be integrally configured as an integral touch panel.

The printer unit130forms an image on the supplied medium M based on image information generated by the image reading unit110or image information received via a communication path. For example, the printer unit130forms an image through processing described below. The printer unit130forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum based on image information. The printer unit130forms a visible image by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image. A specific example of the developer is toner. The printer unit130transfers the visible image onto the medium M. The printer unit130fixes the visible image on the medium M by heating and pressurizing the medium M.

The medium M on which an image is formed may be a medium M housed in the medium housing unit140or a medium M manually inserted. The medium M having an image formed thereon is ejected to the medium receiving unit200.

The medium housing unit140houses therein the media M to be used for image formation in the printer unit130. For example, the medium housing unit140is provided with cassettes C1, C2, C3, and C4. For example, the medium M with the radio tag T attached thereto is housed in the cassette C1.

The image reading unit110reads image information relating to a reading object as a light tone. The image reading unit110records the read image information. The recorded image information may be transmitted to another image processing device via a network. The recorded image information may be image-formed on the medium M by the printer unit130.

Next, the inside of the image forming apparatus100will be described in detail.

The image forming apparatus100includes the supply unit141, an ejection unit156, and an inversion path157. The inversion path157includes a resist unit158.

The printer unit130includes an image forming unit131and a fixing unit132. The image forming unit131has one or more types of toner. For example, the image forming unit131has a yellow toner, a cyan toner, a magenta toner, and a black toner from the upstream side (left side of the drawing). Furthermore, a predetermined toner may be a special toner such as a decolorizing toner. The image forming unit131includes a developer, a photosensitive drum, and a charging unit for each toner.

The charging unit uniformly charges the surface (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light, thereby carrying an electrostatic latent image on its surface. The developer adds toner to the electrostatic latent image, thereby developing a visible image from the electrostatic latent image.

Furthermore, the image forming unit131has a transfer belt. The images developed by the respective toners are sequentially overlapped on the transfer belt. The images transferred in an overlapped manner are subsequently transferred to the medium M by a transfer roller.

The present embodiment described the printer unit130adopting an image formation method using an intermediate transfer system, as described above. However, a direct transfer system, for example, or another transfer system may be used.

The fixing unit132includes a heating roller and a pressurizing roller. The heating roller applies heat to the medium M from one surface side of the medium M. The pressurizing roller applies pressure to the medium M from the other surface side of the medium M. The fixing unit132fixes toner transferred to the medium M, by applying heat and pressure to the medium M.

The supply unit141supplies the medium M housed in the medium housing unit140. The supply unit141is composed of, for example, the supply roller.

The ejection unit156ejects the medium M conveyed through the inside of the image forming apparatus100. The ejection unit156is composed of an ejection roller.

The inversion path157is a path for inverting the front and back of the medium M, and is utilized in a case in which images are formed on both sides of the medium M. The inversion path157is a path in which the medium M conveyed to the ejection unit156is inverted by a switchback and is then conveyed.

The resist unit158is provided in the inversion path157. The first embodiment assumes that the resist unit158is a resist roller provided at the most downstream part of the inversion path157. The resist unit158temporarily suspends the conveyance of the medium M. By suspending the conveyance of the medium M, the resist unit158modifies the inclination of the medium M in a such a manner that the medium M becomes perpendicular to the conveyance direction. Note that the location of the resist unit158is not limited to the most downstream part of the inversion path157. The resist unit158may be in any location as long as it is a resist roller provided in a path between the ejection unit156and the inversion path157.

The RFID processing unit150is a radio communication unit and is provided outside the inversion path157. The RFID processing unit150includes a controller called a RFID module153, an antenna substrate154, and an interface unit. An antenna formed on the antenna substrate154is configured to write information to the radio tag T attached to the medium M using radio waves transmitted from the antenna in a condition in which the medium M loaded on the medium housing unit140of the image forming apparatus100is conveyed to the resist unit158and is temporarily suspended.

The medium receiving unit200receives the medium M ejected from the ejection unit156. The medium receiving unit200includes a first tray210, and the first tray210includes a shielding member211. The shielding member211is a member provided in a part of the medium receiving unit200and having conductivity that shields radio waves transmitted from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate154. The shielding member211prevents erroneous writing to the radio tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the medium receiving unit200.

For example, the shielding member211is formed into a sheet shape and is provided in a part of the first tray210serving as the bottom surface of the medium receiving unit200. The shielding member211is adhered along, e.g., ribs of the first tray210. Furthermore, the antenna substrate154is provided below a plane P including the shielding member211. That is, the shortest distance L1from the plane P to an upper end ED of the antenna provided on the antenna substrate154has a predetermined length (>0).

A partial region of the medium receiving unit200is included in a writable region ER that is determined according to the intensity of the radio waves transmitted from the antenna provided on the antenna substrate154. That is, a partial region of the shielding member211, which is close to the ejection unit156, is included in the writable region ER. The shielding member211shields radio waves that reach a part of the medium receiving unit200. On the other hand, the region of the radio tag T of the medium M that is housed in the cassette C1of the medium housing unit140is also included in the writable area ER.

A distance L2from the antenna provided on the antenna substrate154to a partial region far from the ejection unit156of the shielding member211is longer than a distance L3from the antenna provided on the antenna substrate154to the radio tag T of the medium M that is housed in the cassette C1. As described above, by the shielding member211extending from the inside to the outside of the writable region ER and continuously covering the writable region ER from its inside to its outside, erroneous writing to the radio tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the medium receiving unit is certainly prevented.

Furthermore, by the shielding member211covering not entirely but partially the medium receiving unit200, cost reduction can also be achieved without hindering heat radiation performance.

The medium receiving unit200includes a receiving surface on which the medium M falls onto. The receiving surface includes an overlapping region which is overlapping with the shielding member211in a vertical direction and a non-overlapping region which is not overlapping with the shielding member211in a vertical direction.

The overlapping region overlaps in the vertical direction with the radio tag T attached on the medium M ejected onto the receiving surface. The non-overlapping region overlaps in the vertical direction with a region of the medium M other than a region where the radio tag T is attached.

The radio tag T includes an integrated circuit chip. The overlapping region overlaps in the vertical direction with the integrated circuit chip in the radio tag T attached on the medium M ejected onto the receiving surface. The non-overlapping region overlaps in the vertical direction with a region of the medium M other than a region where the integrated circuit chip.

The shielding member211is attached onto the receiving surface of the medium receiving unit200.

The shielding member211is closer to one side of the medium receiving unit200where the ejected medium M comes from than another side of the medium receiving unit200which is an opposite side of the one side in a direction where the ejected medium M proceeds.

The shielding member211is formed longer in a direction where the ejected medium M proceeds than in a direction perpendicular to the direction where the ejected medium M proceeds.

The medium receiving unit200includes a rib. The shielding member211is formed longer along the rib.

Radio wave transmitted from The RFID processing unit150reaches the shielding member211.

The RFID processing unit150and the shielding member211are in a distance where The RFID processing unit150can write information to the radio tag T of the ejected medium M on the medium receiving unit200if the medium receiving unit200does not have the shielding member211.

The medium receiving unit200includes a rib, and the shielding member211is attached to the receiving unit200along the rib.

FIG.2is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The image forming apparatus100includes the image reading unit110, the control panel120, the display121, the printer unit130, the supply unit141, the ejection unit156, the RFID module153, a storage device161, a memory162, a processor163, and an external interface164.

The supply unit141is a mechanism for feeding the media M loaded on the medium housing unit140and a manual feed tray to the printer unit130. Hereinafter, the RFID module153, the storage device161, the memory162, the processor163, and the external interface164will be described. The functional units are connected to each other via a system bus170in a communicable manner.

The storage device161is, for example, a hard disk or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various types of data. The various types of data correspond to a printing job accepted from an external communication device and a software program for controlling operations of respective functional units of the image forming apparatus100. The printing job may be a job relating to double-sided printing, or a job relating to printing of multiple sheets. The printing job may include image information relating to an image printed on the medium M.

The memory162temporarily stores data for use by each of the functional units included in the image forming apparatus100. The memory162is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The memory162may store digital data generated by the image reading unit110. The memory162may temporarily store a printing job corresponding to printing being performed by the printer unit130or writing information to be written to the radio tag.

The processor163controls operations of respective functional units of the image forming apparatus100. The processor163loads a software program stored in the storage device161on the memory162and executes the software program, thereby executing processing. Herein, an example of specific processing of the processor163will be described.

Based on a printing job accepted via an external communication device or the control panel120, the processor163controls printing on the medium M to which the radio tag is attached. Upon the acceptance of the printing job relating to the medium M with the radio tag attached thereto, the processor163acquires writing information designated by the printing job and image information correlated with the writing information from a writing information server. The image information correlated with the writing information is information relating to an image formed on the medium M. The image information is not necessarily correlated with the writing information. In such a case, the image information may be included in the printing job.

The processor163controls the supply unit141to supply the medium M. The supply unit141supplies the medium M to each unit under the control of the processor163. Furthermore, the processor163controls the ejection unit156to eject the medium M. The ejection unit156ejects the medium M to the medium receiving unit200under the control of the processor163.

The processor163controls the printer unit130. The printer unit130forms an image indicated by the image information on the medium M. The medium M having an image formed thereon is ejected to the medium receiving unit200.

The processor163controls the RFID module153. The RFID module153includes an arithmetic device and a storage device. The RFID module153writes information to the radio tag attached to the medium M. Furthermore, the RFID module153reads information from the radio tag attached to the medium M. Information that the RFID module153reads from a radio tag is, for example, identification information (such as a unique identifier (UID)) for uniquely identifying the radio tag.

The external interface164transmits and receives data to and from another device. Herein, another device indicates an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smart device. The external interface164operates as an input interface and receives data or a command transmitted from another device. The command transmitted from another device is a printing job, etc. The data transmitted from another device is writing information, image information correlated with the writing information, etc. The external interface164operates as an output interface and transmits data to another device.

FIG.3Ais a diagram showing the first example of a laminated structure of the shielding member according to the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG.3A, the shielding member211includes a conductive layer211a,a base layer211b,and an adhesive layer211cin this order from the surface that comes into contact with the medium M to be ejected.

FIG.3Bis a diagram showing the second example of the laminated structure of the shielding member according to the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG.3A, the shielding member211includes the base layer211b,the conductive layer211a,and the adhesive layer211cin this order from the surface that comes into contact with the medium M to be ejected.

FIG.3Bis a diagram showing the third example of the laminated structure of the shielding member according to the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG.3A, the shielding member211includes the base layer211b,the conductive layer211a,the base layer211b,and the adhesive layer21cin this order from the surface that comes into contact with the medium M to be ejected.

FIG.4is a diagram showing an example of a surface resistance of the conductive layer of the shielding member according to the first embodiment and an erroneous writing preventing effect.

The surface resistance of the conductive layer211aof the shielding member211shown inFIG.3AtoFIG.3Bfalls within a predetermined range. With the surface resistance [Ω/□] (ohms per square) of the conductive layer211abeing equal to or smaller than1000, erroneous writing can be prevented. For example, the surface resistance [Ω/□] of the conductive layer211amay be set to equal to or smaller than 500.

Because of the surface resistance and the affixing location of the shielding member211, erroneous writing can be certainly prevented. A relationship between a resistance value and a transmission output shows that, even with a low transmission output, a probability that erroneous writing will occur increases as a resistance value becomes larger.

FIG.5Ais a diagram showing the first example of the medium to be processed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.FIG.5Bis a diagram showing the second example of the medium to be processed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, the radio tag attached to the medium M is an integrated circuit (IC) chip CP and an antenna AT. Tag information is written to or read from the IC chip CP. The antenna AT is connected to the IC chip CP, receives tag information written to the IC chip CP, and transmits tag information read from the IC chip CP.

As shown inFIG.5A, the conveyance direction of the medium M corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the radio tag T. In the image forming apparatus100configured to process such a medium M described above, the ejection direction (conveyance direction) of the medium M corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the shielding member211of the first tray210. That is, the longitudinal direction of the radio tags T of the media M loaded on the first tray210corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the shielding member211of the first tray210. By this, the effective shielding effects by the shielding member211attached to a part of the first tray210can be attained.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG.5B, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the medium M corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the radio tag T. In the image forming apparatus100configured to process such a medium M described above, the direction orthogonal to the ejection direction (conveyance direction) of the medium M corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the shielding member211of the first tray210. That is, the longitudinal direction of the wireless tags T of the media M loaded on the first tray210corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the shielding member211of the first tray210. By this, the effective shielding effects by the shielding member211attached to a part of the first tray210can be attained.

FIG.6is a flowchart showing an example of processing a medium by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The processor163of the image forming apparatus100accepts the printing job (ACT101).

For example, an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer transmits a printing job relating to double-sided printing to the image forming apparatus100via a network. The external interface164of the image forming apparatus100receives the printing job, and the processor163accepts the received printing job.

The processor163acquires writing information and image information correlated with the writing information (ACT102).

For example, upon the acceptance of the printing job, the processor163makes a request to a writing information server for writing information and image information correlated with the writing information via the external interface164for. The writing information server transmits the requested writing information and image information correlated with the writing information. The external interface164receives writing information and image information correlated with the writing information, and the processor163acquires writing information and image information correlated with the writing information.

The printer unit130forms an image based on image information on one of the surfaces (front surface) of the conveyed medium M (ACT103).

For example, in response to acceptance of a printing job, the processor163requests the supply unit141to supply a medium. Based on the request for supply of a medium from the processor163, the supply unit141supplies the medium M housed in the medium housing unit140. The printer unit130develops an image based on the acquired image information and fixes the developed image on the supplied medium M.

The antenna substrate154writes writing information to the radio tag T (ACT104).

For example, upon the conveyance of the medium M having an image formed thereon, the antenna substrate154transmits electromagnetic waves for writing of writing information. In response to electromagnetic waves being received by the radio tag T attached to the medium M, writing information is written to a storage region of the radio tag T.

The antenna substrate154reads out information written to the radio tag T (ACT105).

For example, the antenna substrate154transmits electromagnetic waves for reading of the information written to the radio tag T. In response to electromagnetic waves being received by the radio tag T attached to the medium M, the information written to the storage region of the radio tag T is transmitted to the antenna substrate154. The antenna substrate154outputs, as readout information, information received from the radio tag T to the processor163.

The processor163determines whether or not information written to the radio tag T is normal information (ACT106).

For example, the processor163determines whether or not readout information satisfies a predetermined condition (condition for writing) relating to the correctness of information. For example, in a case where writing information acquired from the writing information server matches readout information read out from the radio tag T, the processor163makes a determination that the information written to the radio tag T is normal information and satisfies the predetermined condition. In a case where writing information acquired from the writing information server does not match readout information read out from the radio tag T, the processor163makes a determination that the information written to the radio tag T is not normal information, and does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

In a case where information written to the radio tag T is normal information (ACT106, YES), the printer unit130forms an image on the rear surface of the medium M based on image information acquired from the writing information server (ACT107).

For example, the processor163exerts control in such a manner that an image based on image information acquired depending on the printing job received by the image forming apparatus100is formed on one of the surfaces of the medium M, which is not the surface on which the image was formed in ACT103. The printer unit130forms an image on the rear surface of the medium M.

In a case where information written to the radio tag T is not normal information (ACT106, NO), the printer unit130forms a void image on the rear surface of the medium M (ACT108).

For example, the processor163controls the printer unit130in such a manner as to remove a developer to be image-formed on the rear surface of the medium M from a developer carrier. The processor163controls the printer unit130in such a manner that a void image or blank page is formed. The printer unit130forms a void image on the rear surface of the medium M.

The ejection unit156ejects the medium M to the first tray210of the medium receiving unit (ACT109). The radio tag T of the ejected medium M is loaded in such a manner as to face the shielding member211provided in the first tray210. The radio tag T of the loaded medium M is encompassed by a region perpendicularly above the shielding member211.

Processing in a case in which information written to the radio tag T is not normal will be additionally described.

The antenna substrate154reads out information written to the radio tag T attached to the conveyed medium M. Reading may be performed at a timing immediately after the medium M is temporarily suspended at the resist unit158and information is written to the radio tag or at a timing after information is written to the radio tag T and conveyance of the medium M is restarted.

The printer unit130forms on the medium M at least one of the image designated by the received printing job and the image indicating that information written to the radio tag T is not normal.

In a case where information read out from the radio tag T satisfies a predetermined condition relating to the correctness of information, the processor163controls the printer unit130in such a manner that an image designated by the printing job is formed on the medium M or a subsequent medium M that is conveyed subsequent to the medium M.

In a case where information read out from the radio tag T does not satisfy a predetermined condition relating to the correctness of information, the processor163controls, according to the printing job, the printer unit130in such a manner that a developer carried on a photosensitive drum is removed therefrom. Next, the processor163controls the printer unit in such a manner as to form on the medium M an image indicating that information written to the radio tag T is not normal. As described above, in a case where writing to the radio tag T fails, the image forming apparatus100prints a void image or a white image on the medium M. This enables the image forming apparatus100to continuously process the plurality of media M.

According to the first embodiment, the shielding member211is provided in a part of the first tray210serving as the bottom surface of the medium receiving unit200. This can provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses disadvantages of deterioration in heat radiation performance while being superior in preventing erroneous writing.

Second Embodiment

FIG.7is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medium receiving unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. The configuration other than the medium receiving unit200is as presented inFIG.1andFIG.2.

The medium receiving unit200includes a plurality of trays. For example, the medium receiving unit200includes the first tray210located in a lower stage and the second tray located in an upper stage. The first tray210includes the shielding member211. The second tray220includes the shielding member221.

Furthermore, a distance from the antenna substrate154of the RFID processing unit150to the first tray210is shorter than a distance from the antenna substrate154of the RFID processing unit to the second tray220. The configuration of the shielding members211and221is as presented inFIG.3AtoFIG.3CandFIG.4. Furthermore, the configuration of the medium M processed by the image forming apparatus100according to the second embodiment is as presented inFIG.5AorFIG.5B.

The shielding member211is a member provided in a part of the first tray210and having conductivity that shields radio waves transmitted from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate154. The shielding member211prevents erroneous writing to the radio tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the first tray210.

The shielding member221is a member provided in a part of the second tray220and having conductivity that shields radio waves transmitted from the antenna formed on the antenna substrate154. The shielding member221prevents erroneous writing to the radio tag T attached to the medium M loaded on the second tray220.

The first embodiment described the relationship between the shielding member211and the writable area ER, and the relationship between the distance from the antenna to the shielding member211and the distance from the antenna to the radio tag T of the medium M housed in the cassette C1. In the second embodiment, both the shielding member211and the shielding member221satisfy those relationships.

In the second embodiment, the ejection unit156shown inFIG.1includes a flap. The flap switches an ejection destination of the medium M based on a signal from the processor163. That is, the flap switches the ejection destination of the medium M to the first tray210or the second tray220, and ejects the medium M to the first tray210or the second tray220. For example, the processor163ejects the medium M that satisfies a condition for writing of information to the radio tag T to the first tray210, and ejects the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing to the second tray220.

In a case where writing information acquired from the writing information server matches with readout information read out from the radio tag T, the processor163detects that the information has been correctly written to the radio tag T. In this manner, in a case of detecting that writing of information to the radio tag T has succeeded, the processor163determines that the condition for writing is satisfied.

In contrast, in a case where writing information acquired from the writing information server does not match with readout information read out from the radio tag T, the processor163detects that the information has not been correctly written to the radio tag T. In this manner, in a case of detecting that writing of information to the radio tag T has failed, the processor163determines that the condition for writing is not satisfied.

Meanwhile, the processor163may eject the medium M that does not satisfy a condition for writing of information to the radio tag T to the first tray210, and may eject the medium M that satisfies the condition for writing to the second tray220.

FIG.8Ais a diagram showing an example of the shielding member provided in the first tray located in the lower stage of the medium receiving unit according to the second embodiment.FIG.8Bis a diagram showing an example of the shielding member provided in the second tray located in the upper stage of the medium receiving unit according to the second embodiment. As shown inFIG.8A, the shielding member211is provided closer to the ejection unit156on the first tray210. As shown inFIG.8B, the shielding member221is provided closer to the ejection unit156on the second tray220.

FIG.9is a diagram for illustrating a positional relationship between the shielding member according to the second embodiment and the radio tag T of the medium M on the tray.

As shown inFIG.9, the medium M ejected to the medium receiving unit200is loaded on the first tray210, whereas the radio tag T of the loaded medium M faces the shielding member211of the first tray210. In the radio tag T of the loaded medium M, a part including at least the IC chip CP (seeFIG.5A) is encompassed by the region perpendicularly above the shielding member211.

Similarly, the medium M ejected to the medium receiving unit200is loaded on the second tray220, whereas the radio tag T of the loaded medium M faces the shielding member221of the second tray220. In the radio tag T of the loaded medium M, a part including at least the IC chip CP (seeFIG.5A) is encompassed by the region perpendicularly above the shielding member221.

According to the second embodiment, the shielding member211is provided in a part of the first tray210, and the shielding member22is provided in a part of the second tray220. The shielding member211is adhered along, e.g., ribs of the first tray210. Furthermore, the shielding member221is adhered along, e.g., ribs of the second tray220. The medium M that satisfies a condition for writing of information to the radio tag T is loaded on the first tray210, and the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing of information to the radio tag T is loaded on the second tray220. This can provide an image forming apparatus that properly uses trays on which the media M are loaded and suppresses disadvantages of deterioration in heat radiation performance, while being superior in preventing erroneous writing.

Third Embodiment

FIG.10is a schematic diagram showing an example of a medium receiving unit of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. The configuration other than the medium receiving unit200is as presented inFIG.1andFIG.2. Furthermore, the configuration of the shielding member211provided in the medium receiving unit200is as presented inFIG.3AtoFIG.3CandFIG.4. Furthermore, the configuration of the medium M processed by the image forming apparatus100according to the third embodiment is as presented inFIG.5AorFIG.5B.

The medium receiving unit200includes a plurality of trays. For example, the medium receiving unit200includes the first tray210located in a lower stage and a second tray230located in an upper stage. The first tray210includes the shielding member211. The second tray230is provided with no shielding member. The positional relationship between the shielding member211of the first tray210and the radio tag T of the medium M on the first tray210is as presented inFIG.9.

In the third embodiment, the ejection unit156shown inFIG.1includes a flap. The flap switches an ejection destination of the medium M based on a signal from the processor163. That is, the flap switches the ejection destination of the medium M to the first tray210or the second tray220, and ejects the medium M to the first tray210or the second tray220. For example, the processor163ejects the medium M that satisfies a condition for writing of information to the radio tag T to the first tray210, and ejects the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing to the second tray220.

Meanwhile, the first tray210may be provided with no shielding member and the second tray230may be provided with the shielding member. In such a case, the processor163ejects the medium M that satisfies a condition for writing of information to the radio tag T to the second tray230, and ejects the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing to the first tray210. The positional relationship between the shielding member221of the second tray220and the radio tag T of the medium M on the second tray220is as presented inFIG.9.

FIG.11is a flowchart showing an example of processing a medium by the image forming apparatus according to each of the second and third embodiments.

ACT101to ACT108are similar to those in the medium processing described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

According to the second and third embodiments, the ejection unit156includes a flap, and ejects the medium M to the first tray210or the second tray220by switching the ejection destination with the flap based on a signal from the processor163. For example, the processor163ejects the medium M that satisfies a condition for writing of information to the radio tag T to the first tray210, and ejects the medium M that does not satisfy the condition for writing to the second tray220.

That is, in a case where information written to the radio tag T is normal information (ACT106, YES), the printer unit130forms an image on the rear surface of the medium M based on image information acquired from the writing information server (ACT107). Furthermore, the ejection unit156ejects the medium M to the first tray210of the medium receiving unit (ACT109).

In a case where information written to the radio tag T is not normal information (ACT106, NO), the printer unit130forms a void image on the rear surface of the medium M (ACT108). Furthermore, the ejection unit156ejects the medium M to the second tray220of the medium receiving unit200(ACT110).

According to the third embodiment, by providing the shielding member211in a part of the first tray210in which rewriting of information may be caused by radio waves discharged from the antenna substrate154, and providing no shielding member in the second tray220far away from the antenna substrate154, the image forming apparatus that achieves cost reduction while being superior in preventing erroneous writing can be provided. Furthermore, by loading the medium M with the radio tag T writing to which has failed on the second tray220provided with no shielding member, a problem caused in the event of erroneous writing can be eliminated.

The program according to the present embodiment may be transferred in a state of being stored in an electronic device such as the image forming apparatus100, etc., or may be transferred in a state of not being stored in an electronic device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or may be transferred in a state of being stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-temporary tangible medium. The storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium may be any form of a medium that can store a program and that can be read by a computer, such as a CD-ROM and a memory card. The electronic device downloads a program transferred (provided) via a network to thereby install it in a memory, or reads a program out of a storage medium to thereby install it in a memory.