Patent Description:
An image forming apparatus of one type includes a wireless tag communication device capable of writing data to a wireless tag. The image forming apparatus can also form an image on a sheet including a wireless tag therein.

A wireless tag communication device may fail to write data to the wireless tag as intended. A person investigating the cause of such a tag writing failure such as a serviceman may acquire the wireless tag provided on the sheet for which the writing has failed along with an operation log of the image forming apparatus. The investigator generally investigates the cause of the tag writing failure by searching for the job information corresponding to the failed writing from the operation log. Such a process of investigating the cause of the failure can be time consuming.

<CIT> relates to a method for identifying and marking malfunctioning RFID tags on a RFID media sheet using an imaging device having a printer system and a RFID reader programmer. The method detects an unprogrammed RFID tag on the RFID media sheet, performs a write test on the detected RFID tag; determines whether the write test is successful; when the write test is unsuccessful, sends the RFID media sheet to the print engine and prints a bad tag identifier on one of the RFID media sheet and the detected RFID tag; when the write test has been successful, performs a read test on the detected RFID tag and determines whether the read test is successful, when the read test is unsuccessful, sends the RFID media sheet to the print engine and prints the bad tag identifier on one of the RFID media sheet and the detected RFID tag.

<CIT> relates to an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes, a transport unit configured to transport a sheet, an access unit configured to access a storage medium attached to the sheet transported by the transport unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether access by the access unit is normally completed, and a change unit configured to, when the determination unit determines that access is not normally completed, change control to the transport unit such that a passing time during which a sheet transported by the transport unit passes an access range of the access unit increases.

<CIT> relates to an image forming device, comprising: a print unit configured to form an image on a recording medium in which a memory device is embedded; a detection unit configured to detect a condition of the memory device embedded in the recording medium, the detection unit being positioned on a downstream side in a feeding direction with respect to the print unit; and a notification control unit con-figured to provide notification concerning the condition of the memory device, in response to a fact that the detection unit detects that the memory device embedded in the recording medium is defective.

<CIT> relates to a printing device includes a reader/writer for writing information into an RFID tag and detecting errors at a plurality of steps in a procedure for writing the information into the RFID tag and a ROM for storing each of error patterns at respective steps at which errors have been detected by the reader/writer. When an error is detected by the reader/writer, a control unit reads, from the ROM, one of the error patterns corresponding to a step at which the error has been detected and prints the one on an RFID label.

One of the aspect of the present invention is to improve prior art techniques and overcome at least some of the prior art problems as for instance above illustrated.

According to a first aspect, it is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising a wireless tag communication device configured to write data to, and read data from, a wireless tag attached to a sheet; an image forming device configured to form an image on the sheet; and a controller configured to determine whether a writing of data to a wireless tag was successful based on a notification from the wireless tag communication device; generate investigation support information when the writing was not successful; and control the image forming device to form an investigation support image corresponding to the investigation support information when the data writing is not successful.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the investigation support image is formed on the sheet to which the wireless tag is attached if the writing of data to the wireless tag was not successful.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the investigation support image includes a two-dimensional code encoding at least a part of the investigation support information.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the investigation support information includes error summary information and error detail information containing information not in the error summary information.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the investigation support image includes text of the error summary information and text of the error detail information.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the investigation support image includes text of the error summary information and a two-dimensional code encoding at least a part of the error detail information.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the error summary information includes an error code identifying a specific error event, and the error detail information includes a storage location at which an error occurred during the writing of data, the storage location being associated with the error code, the write data, and the read data.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the controller is further configured to obscure confidential information included in the write data or the read data, and the error detail information includes the write data with the obscured confidential information, the read data, and information indicating whether the write data and the read data match.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, confidential information included in the write data is a password for locking the wireless tag.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, controller is configured to receive image data associated with the data written to the wireless tag, and control the image forming device to form an image based on the image data when the data writing is successful.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming device does not form the investigation support image when the data writing is successful.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wireless tag communication device includes an antenna positioned to transmit and receive signals for data writing and reading to the sheet before the sheet is conveyed for forming the image on the sheet.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, image forming device uses toner for forming images on the sheet.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, image forming device uses an ink ribbon for forming images on the sheet.

According to a second aspect, it is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising an image forming device configured to form an image on a sheet; and a controller configured to receive, from a wireless tag communication device, read data from a wireless tag attached to the sheet; determine whether a writing of data to the wireless tag was successful based on a notification from the wireless tag communication device; generate investigation support information if the data writing is determined to be not successful; and control the image forming device to form an investigation support image on a sheet, the investigation support image corresponding to the investigation support information if the data writing is determined to be not successful.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the investigation support image is formed on the sheet with the wireless tag attached thereto when the writing of data was not successful.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the investigation support image includes a two-dimensional code encoding at least a part of the investigation support information.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the investigation support information includes error summary information and error detail information containing information not in the error summary information.

Optionally, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the investigation support image includes text of the error summary information and a two-dimensional code encoding at least a part of the error detail information.

According to a third aspect, it is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising receiving, from a wireless tag communication device, data that has been read from a wireless tag attached to a sheet; determining whether a writing of data to the wireless tag was successful based on a notification from the wireless tag communication device; generating investigation support information when the data writing was not successful; and controlling an image forming device to form an investigation support image on a sheet when the data writing was not successful, the investigation support image corresponding to the investigation support information.

An object is to provide a method and apparatus permitting a cause of apparatus failure in an image forming apparatus or the like to be more easily investigated.

An image forming apparatus includes a wireless tag communication device, an image forming device, and a controller. The wireless tag communication device is configured to write data to, and read data from, a wireless tag attached to a sheet. The image forming device is configured to form an image on the sheet. The controller is configured to determine whether data writing was successful based on a notification form the wireless tag communication device, generate investigation support information when the data writing is not successful, and then control the image forming device to form an investigation support image corresponding the investigation support information.

In an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment, if writing to a wireless tag fails, the cause of the failure can be investigated more easily than in a conventional image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to one or more example embodiment will be described.

First, a side view of the image forming apparatus of an embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, an image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a control panel <NUM>, a wireless tag communication device <NUM>, and a printer unit <NUM>. The printer unit <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM>, paper feeding cassettes <NUM> and <NUM>, and the like. The control unit <NUM> controls the control panel <NUM>, the wireless tag communication device <NUM>, and the printer unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> controls the conveyance of sheets in the printer unit <NUM>. The control of sheet conveyance includes control of the sheet conveyance timing, the sheet stopping position (s), the sheet conveyance speed (s), and the like.

The control panel <NUM> includes input keys and a display unit. For example, the input key receives an input by a user. For example, the display unit is a touch panel type. The display unit accepts an input by a user and displays the input to the user. For example, the control panel <NUM> displays operable display items related to the operations of the image forming apparatus <NUM> on the display unit. The control panel <NUM> notifies the control unit <NUM> of the items selected by a user.

The paper feeding cassettes <NUM> and <NUM> store sheets provided with a wireless tag. The paper feeding cassettes <NUM> and <NUM> can also store sheets without a wireless tag (e.g., standard sheets). However, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the sheets are assumed to include a wireless tag. For such sheets, a material such as paper or a plastic film can be used. The sheets may be printable labels in some instances.

The printer unit <NUM> is an example of an image forming unit, which may also be referred to as an image forming device. The printer unit <NUM> performs an image forming operation. For example, the printer unit <NUM> forms an image indicated by image data on a sheet. In the following description, forming an image on a sheet is also referred to as printing. The printer unit <NUM> includes an intermediate transfer belt <NUM>. The printer unit <NUM> supports the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> with a driven roller <NUM>, a backup roller <NUM>, and the like. The printer unit <NUM> rotates the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> in the direction of the arrow m.

The printer unit <NUM> includes four image forming stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The image forming stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are used for image forming of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively. The image forming stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are disposed below the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> in order along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>.

From among the image forming stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the Y (yellow) image forming station <NUM> will be described as a representative example. Since the image forming stations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have the same configuration as the image forming station <NUM>, description thereof will be omitted.

The image forming station <NUM> includes an electrostatic charger <NUM>, an exposure scanning head <NUM>, a developing device <NUM>, and a photoconductive cleaner <NUM>. The electrostatic charger <NUM>, the exposure scanning head <NUM>, the developing device <NUM>, and the photoconductive cleaner <NUM> are disposed around a photoconductive drum <NUM> that rotates in the direction of the n arrow.

The image forming station <NUM> includes a primary transfer roller <NUM>. The primary transfer roller <NUM> faces the photoconductive drum <NUM> via the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>.

The image forming station <NUM> charges the photoconductive drum <NUM> with the electrostatic charger <NUM> and then selectively exposes the photoconductive drum <NUM> with light from the exposure scanning head <NUM>. The image forming station <NUM> thus forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum <NUM> corresponding to image data or the like. The developing device <NUM> develops an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum <NUM> using a two-component developer including toner and carriers.

The primary transfer roller <NUM> transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductive drum <NUM> to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> (referred to as a primary transfer). The image forming stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> each form a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> with a primary transfer roller <NUM>. A full-color toner image is formed by sequentially superimposing the Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) toner images one upon the other. The photoconductive cleaner <NUM> removes toner still remaining on the photoconductive drum <NUM> after the primary transfer.

The printer unit <NUM> includes a secondary transfer roller <NUM>. The secondary transfer roller <NUM> faces the backup roller <NUM> via the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>. The secondary transfer roller <NUM> transfers the color toner image from the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> to the sheet at the second transfer roller <NUM> (referred to as a secondary transfer). In the following description, the term "toner image" may refer to either a color toner image or a toner image of only one color (monochrome). In some examples, the toner image may be a toner image formed using a decolorizing (decolorizable) toner.

A conveyance path <NUM> is a conveyance path from a confluence portion <NUM> to a branch portion <NUM>. The conveyance path <NUM> is a portion of a conveyance unit. The conveyance path <NUM> is a conveyance path that passes through a double-sided printing device <NUM>, and is a conveyance path from the branch portion <NUM> to the confluence portion <NUM>. A conveyance path <NUM> is a conveyance path from the branch portion <NUM> to a paper discharging tray <NUM>.

The tip of the sheet taken out from the paper feeding cassette <NUM>, the paper feeding cassette <NUM>, or a manual feeding tray <NUM> is abutted against the contact portion of two stopped registration rollers <NUM>. The inclination of the sheet abutted against the registration roller <NUM> is corrected. The control unit <NUM> starts the rotation of the registration roller <NUM> according to the position of the toner image formed on the rotating intermediate transfer belt <NUM> to move the sheet to the position of the secondary transfer roller <NUM> at an appropriate timing. The control unit <NUM> transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> to the sheet at the secondary transfer roller <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> conveys the sheet to the conveyance path <NUM>, and a fixing device <NUM> fixes the toner image to form a printed image on the sheet. The control unit <NUM> discharges the sheet by conveying the sheet to the conveyance path <NUM>.

In the case of double-sided printing, the control unit <NUM> conveys the sheet (with one side already printed) to the conveyance path <NUM>. After the sheet has fully passed through the branch portion <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> switches back and conveys the sheet to the conveyance path <NUM>. Thereafter, the control unit <NUM> conveys the sheet to the confluence portion <NUM> via the transfer path in the double-sided printing device <NUM>, and then conveys the sheet to the conveyance path <NUM> again via the registration roller <NUM>. Then, the control unit <NUM> forms an image on the back surface (second side) of the sheet by fixing a toner image with the fixing device <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> discharges the sheet (now double-side printed) by conveying the sheet to the conveyance path <NUM>.

The wireless tag communication device <NUM> can communicate with the control unit <NUM>. The wireless tag communication device <NUM> reads data (information) from the wireless tag and/or writes data (information) to the wireless tag by communicating with the wireless tag on/in the sheet.

The wireless tag in the present embodiment is, for example, a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag. The wireless tag communication device <NUM> transmits radio waves in the direction of the arrow k. If the writing of data to the wireless tag fails, the wireless tag communication device <NUM> can transmit cause investigation support information for supporting an investigation of the failure to the control unit <NUM>. Additional aspects of the wireless tag communication device <NUM> and the cause investigation support information will be described below.

In general, an electrostatic latent image must be formed on the photoconductive drum <NUM> by the exposure scanning head <NUM> before the toner image can be secondarily transferred to the sheet at the secondary transfer roller <NUM>. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum <NUM> is first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> as a toner image. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> is then transferred to a wireless tag sheet that was conveyed to the position of the registration roller <NUM>.

Next, a block diagram of the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM>, a control panel <NUM>, a printer unit <NUM>, and a wireless tag communication device <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> includes an arithmetic unit <NUM> and a storage device <NUM>. The arithmetic unit <NUM> operates to control the control panel <NUM>, the printer unit <NUM>, and the wireless tag communication device <NUM> according to an image processing program stored in the storage device <NUM>.

The arithmetic unit <NUM> is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. The storage device <NUM> is a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), or the like. A data receiving unit <NUM> receives print data corresponding to an image to be printed (for example, data described in a page description language (PDL)) from a host, such as a personal computer (PC), and stores the received print data in the storage device <NUM>. The image data development unit <NUM> generates data (for example, raster data) that is printable by the printer unit <NUM> by determining printing conditions from the print data stored in the storage device <NUM> and stores the generated data in the storage device <NUM>. Further, the data receiving unit <NUM> receives data from the wireless tag communication device <NUM>, the print data, and the like.

The printer unit <NUM> includes the fixing device <NUM>, the secondary transfer roller <NUM>, and the developing device <NUM>. The printer unit <NUM> forms an image on a sheet based on the data stored in the storage device <NUM> by the image data developing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the wireless tag communication device <NUM>. The wireless tag communication device <NUM> includes an antenna <NUM>, a circulator <NUM>, a transmission amplifier <NUM>, a modulation unit <NUM>, a reception amplifier <NUM>, a demodulation unit <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a storage device <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> is for wireless tag communication. The circulator <NUM> outputs the signal received by the antenna <NUM> to the reception amplifier <NUM>. The circulator <NUM> outputs the signal output from transmission amplifier <NUM> to the antenna <NUM>. The reception amplifier <NUM> amplifies the signal received from the circulator <NUM> and outputs the amplified signal to the demodulation unit <NUM>. The demodulation unit <NUM> demodulates the signal from the reception amplifier <NUM> and outputs the demodulated signal to the control unit <NUM>. The modulation unit <NUM> modulates the signal from the control unit <NUM> and outputs the modulated signal to the transmission amplifier <NUM>. The transmission amplifier <NUM> amplifies the signal received from the modulation unit <NUM> and outputs the amplified signal to the circulator <NUM>. The interface <NUM> is an interface to the control unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The storage device <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> stores the information to be written in the wireless tag and the information read from the wireless tag. Furthermore, if a writing of information fails, the storage device <NUM> stores an error code or the like for identifying the cause of the writing failure.

The control unit <NUM> uses this error code information or the like to transmit the cause investigation support information to the control unit <NUM>. The cause investigation support information is information for supporting the investigation of the cause of failure. Then, the cause investigation support information in the present embodiment includes simple information (simplified information) and detailed information including additional information not presented in the simple information.

The detailed information can be used by a service person, maintenance technician, advanced user or the like. The detailed information may be referred to as detailed error information or error detail information. The simple information is information that a person using the image forming apparatus such as an ordinary user of the image forming apparatus can convey to a person investigating the cause such as the service person. The simple information may be referred to as error summary information.

The detailed information includes information indicating the processing content when writing fails (referred to as "processing information"), write information that was to be written to the wireless tag (referred to as "information to be written at the time of failure"), and read information (referred to as "information read at the time of failure") that was read from the wireless tag for which writing has failed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of processing information. The depicted processing information includes columns for "No.", "processing content", "result", "error code", "error details", and "tag RSSI". In this context, "No." is a number for distinguishing the different entries of processing contents. The "processing content" indicates the type of processing being performed on the wireless tag. In the present embodiment, the "processing content" is an entry of "write" or "lock". The wireless tag in the present embodiment is provided with memory banks <NUM> to <NUM>, and also indicates the memory bank on which "write" has been performed in the case of "write".

The "result" indicates the processing result of the processing illustrated in the "processing content". The "result" includes an entry of "success" indicating that the processing has succeeded, "failure" indicating that the processing has failed, and "not executed" indicating that the processing has not been executed. The "error code" is an error code for identifying the cause of failure. In this embodiment, the error codes are a hexadecimal numerical value. The "error code" is uniquely defined for each error. If the "result" is "success", the error code is listed as "0x00", and if the "result" is "not executed", the error code is listed as "none" in this example.

The "error details" is the content of the error as indicated by the "error code". For example, 0x31 in the "error code" indicates a "tag response timeout". The "tag response timeout" indicates that the response from the wireless tag could not be received within a predetermined time. Moreover, since "0x00" in the "error code" indicates success, not an error, the "error details" is entered as "success". If the "error code" is "none", "error details" is entered as "No data" indicating that there is no "error details".

"Tag RSSI" indicates a signal strength (Received Signal Strength Indicator: unit is dBm) of a radio wave received from the wireless tag while executing "processing content". For example, for No. <NUM>, a "tag response timeout," the "Tag RSSI" entry is entered as "none" because the signal was not detected during the related processing.

The "processing content", "result", "error code", "error details", and "tag RSSI" included in the processing information described above are all useful information for investigating the cause of a failure. Therefore, the cause of failure can be investigated more easily by receipt of the processing information.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of information to be written at the time of failure. The information to be written at the time of failure consists of columns "memory bank", "offset", "size", and "data".

The "memory bank" columns indicates a memory bank to be written. Since there are memory banks <NUM> to <NUM> in the present example, the "memory bank" is indicated by a numerical value of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The "offset" entry is a value indicating how much the address at which information writing is to be started is shifted from the start address of the memory bank. The offset is indicated by the number of words. In this context, a word is a unit for writing tag information, and one word is <NUM> bytes. Therefore, one word can be represented by a <NUM>-digit hexadecimal number. If no writing is performed, the "offset" is listed as "No data".

The "size" entry indicates the data size of the information to be written. The "size" is also indicated by the number of words in the manner mentioned above. Therefore, if the "size" is <NUM>, for example, the data size of the information to be written is <NUM> words. If no writing is performed, the "size" is entered as "No data".

The "data" entry is the write information to be written to the wireless tag at the start of the writing processing. The "data" is written in hexadecimal. Therefore, data value of <NUM> word is <NUM> digits. If no writing is performed, the "data" entry is listed as "No data".

In <FIG>, for example, writing to the memory bank <NUM> is started from a position shifted by <NUM> words from the start address of the memory bank <NUM> (the position where the start address of the memory bank <NUM> + <NUM> bytes). "AA55AA55" is written from this position.

The "memory bank", "offset", "size", and "data" included in the information to be written at the time of failure described above are all useful information for investigating the cause of a failure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of information read at the time of failure. The information read at the time of failure includes columns for "memory bank" and "data". The "memory bank" column indicates a memory bank from which data was read. Since there are memory banks <NUM> to <NUM> in the present example, the memory bank entry is indicated by numerical values of <NUM> to <NUM>. The "data" entry is the read data read from the wireless tag for which writing has failed.

In the memory bank <NUM>, it is assumed in this example that NULL was set before any data was written. In <FIG>, it is thus illustrated that "00000000AA550000" was read from the start address of the memory bank <NUM>. Therefore, it can be seen that the latter one word "AA55" of "AA55AA55" (see <FIG>) was not written.

The "memory bank" and "data" entries included in the information read at the time of failure as described above are useful information for investigating the cause of failures.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of simple information. The simple information consists of a "date" row/entry, "error code" entry, "error details" entry, and "F/W version" entry. In this context, "Date" indicates the date and time when the writing failed. The "error code" and "error details" are as described in <FIG>. The "F/W version" indicates the firmware version of the wireless tag communication device <NUM>. Thus, the simple information includes an error code. The error code can be easily transmitted to a service person or the like by the user of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the cause of failure can be investigated even with just simple information.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which an image illustrating cause investigation support information (also referred to as a "support image") is formed.

In <FIG>, a sheet <NUM> is a sheet for which data writing has failed with the wireless tag communication device <NUM>. The sheet <NUM> is provided with a simple information column <NUM> and a detailed information column <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the simple information column <NUM>, an image illustrating the simple information as described in <FIG> (hereinafter, also referred to as "simple support image") is formed. In the detailed information column <NUM>, an image illustrating the detailed information as described in <FIG> (also referred to as "detailed support image") is formed. As described above, since the detailed information and the simple information can support the investigation of the cause of the failure, the cause of the failure can be investigated more easily using a sheet on which the image illustrating the detailed and/or simple information is formed.

In the sheet example illustrated in <FIG>, both simple information and detailed information are formed, but either one may be formed in other examples. Further, as for the detailed information, an image illustrating any one of the processing information, the information to be written at the time of failure, and the information read at the time of failure may be formed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet using a two-dimensional code as a support image. In <FIG>, a sheet <NUM> is a sheet in which the writing of data has failed by the wireless tag communication device <NUM>. The sheet <NUM> is provided with a simple information column <NUM> and a detailed information column <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the simple support image as described in <FIG> is formed in the simple information column <NUM>.

However, in the detailed information column <NUM>, a two-dimensional code is formed in which the detailed information described in <FIG> is encoded. Further, in <FIG>, as additional detailed information, a two-dimensional code in which setting information and job information are encoded is illustrated. The setting information is information set in the wireless tag communication device <NUM>, for example, a frequency setting and a transmission power setting. The job information is information that identifies a job during which writing has failed, or information about the job for which writing has failed. The information that identifies a job is, for example, a job ID that uniquely identifies the job. The information about a job is, for example, color printing or monochrome printing mode, and general information about a job such as the number of pages.

Since there is generally more room for space when using a two-dimensional code for the support image, as compared with the sheet example illustrated in <FIG>, more types of support images such as setting information and job information can be formed. If a two-dimensional code is used, instead of encoding the detailed information itself, two-dimensional information obtained by encoding information from which detailed information can be obtained may be used. Examples of the information from which detailed information can be obtained include information for accessing an image forming apparatus <NUM> or a server capable of providing detailed information. In this way, the size of the two-dimensional code can be reduced by using the two-dimensional information obtained by encoding information from which detailed information can be obtained, and a support image can be formed even with a small sheet that does not have enough space.

It is also possible not to disclose some of the above-mentioned information in clear writing at the time of failure and information read at the time of failure. For example, in the present embodiment, the memory bank <NUM> is an area in which a password for locking the wireless tag is stored. Since disclosure of the password poses a security problem, an image in which the password is hidden, masked, or obscured may be formed on the sheet.

<FIG> illustrates an example of information to be written at the time of failure when the password is indicated by hidden characters, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of information read at the time of failure when the password is indicated by hidden characters. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the data in the memory bank <NUM>, which is the area for storing the password, is displayed as asterisks. In the example of information read at the time of failure in <FIG>, "verify" is provided. The "verify" indicates whether or not the read data matches the written data. If the read data and the written data match, it is "OK", and if not, it is "NG" (no good). In this way, even if the password is in hidden characters, the cause investigation support information includes offset, size, number of bytes of data, and verification, and therefore the cause of failure can be investigated more easily using the sheet on which an image illustrating the information is formed.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating processing of forming a support image on the sheet. The flowchart illustrated in <FIG> is performed by the control unit <NUM>. The flowchart illustrated in <FIG> illustrates the processing when it is possible to set whether or not to form only a simple support image on the sheet. The setting as to whether or not to form only the simple support image on the sheet is stored in the storage device <NUM>. Further, the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> illustrates the processing when it is possible to set whether or not to use display password in hidden characters. The setting as to whether or not to use hidden characters for the password is stored in the storage device <NUM>. Further, the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> illustrates the processing when it is possible to set whether or not a detailed support image is provided as a two-dimensional code. The setting indicating whether or not to use a two-dimensional code for the detailed support image is stored in the storage device <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> writes data to the wireless tag by the wireless tag communication device <NUM> (ACT <NUM>). The control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the writing has failed (ACT <NUM>). The wireless tag communication device <NUM> notifies the control unit <NUM> whether or not the writing has failed. As a result, the control unit <NUM> can determine whether or not the writing has failed.

If the writing does not fail (ACT <NUM>: NO), the control unit <NUM> performs normal printing by the printer unit <NUM> (ACT <NUM>) and ends the processing. The normal printing is to print the image to be formed on the sheet in association with the written data.

If the writing fails (ACT <NUM>: YES), the control unit <NUM> acquires simple information from the wireless tag communication device <NUM> (ACT <NUM>). The control unit <NUM> determines whether or not to acquire detailed information (ACT <NUM>). The determination is made here by referring to the setting contents stored in the storage device <NUM> indicating whether to form only the simple support image on the sheet. If the control unit does not need to acquire detailed information (ACT <NUM>: NO), the control unit <NUM> forms a support image with only the simple support image on the sheet (ACT <NUM>) and ends the processing.

If the control unit <NUM> is to acquire detailed information (ACT <NUM>: YES), the control unit <NUM> acquires the detailed information from the wireless tag communication device <NUM> (ACT <NUM>). The control unit <NUM> then determines whether or not to use hidden characters for the password (ACT <NUM>). If not using hidden characters (ACT <NUM>: NO), the process proceeds to ACT <NUM>. If the control unit <NUM> is to use hidden characters for the password (ACT <NUM>: YES), the control unit <NUM> generates detailed information in which the password is in hidden characters (ACT <NUM>).

The control unit <NUM> then determines whether or not to use a two-dimensional code for the detailed support image (ACT <NUM>). The determination here is made by referring to the setting contents stored in the storage device <NUM> indicating whether or not to use a two-dimensional code for the detailed support image. If the control unit <NUM> is not to use a two-dimensional code for the detailed support image (ACT <NUM>: NO), the control unit <NUM> forms a support image including the simple support image and the detailed support image (w/o a two-dimensional code) on the sheet (ACT <NUM>) and ends the processing.

If the control unit <NUM> is to use a two-dimensional code for the detailed support image (ACT <NUM>: YES), the control unit <NUM> encodes the detailed information to generate a two-dimensional code (ACT <NUM>). The control unit <NUM> forms a support image including a simple support image and the two-dimensional code on the sheet (ACT <NUM>) and ends the processing.

In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus <NUM> has been described as a relatively large apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral (MFP), but the present disclosure can also be applied to a relatively small apparatus such as a label printer.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the label printer <NUM>. The label printer <NUM> is provided with a paper supply unit <NUM> (see <FIG>). The label printer <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, an outlet <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, an LED <NUM>, a platen roller <NUM>, an RFID antenna <NUM> and an RFID module <NUM>.

A printed label is discharged from the outlet <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> accepts various operations from a user (e.g., a print start operation, and the like). A plurality of LEDs <NUM> can be provided to indicate various device states (power on/off, error, and the like) of the label printer <NUM>. The platen roller <NUM> ejects the label. The RFID antenna <NUM> transmits a signal from the RFID module <NUM> and receives a signal from the wireless tag. The RFID module <NUM> writes data to the wireless tag and reads data from the wireless tag. In an embodiment, the RFID module <NUM> has the same configuration as the wireless tag communication device <NUM> in the first embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of the label printer <NUM>. In <FIG>, a paper conveying path <NUM> is from the paper supply unit <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>. A thermal head <NUM> is provided at a position facing the platen roller <NUM> provided near the outlet <NUM>. An ink ribbon is supplied from a roller <NUM>, passes between the thermal head <NUM> and the platen roller <NUM>, and is wound around a roller <NUM>.

A label is conveyed from the paper supply unit <NUM> through the paper conveying path <NUM> in the X arrow direction, printed at the position where the platen roller <NUM> and the thermal head <NUM> are provided, and then discharged to the outlet <NUM>. Since the RFID antenna <NUM> is provided in before the printing position, whether or not tag writing has failed can be determined in the label printer <NUM> before the relevant label is printed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the label printer <NUM>. The label printer <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM>, the operation unit <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, the thermal head <NUM>, a wireless tag communication device <NUM>, and a conveyance motor <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, and a RAM <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> controls the overall functions of the label printer <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores programs for controlling the label printer <NUM> and various kinds of data. The RAM <NUM> temporarily stores data required for executing the programs.

The communication interface <NUM> is an interface for communicating with a host such as a PC. The conveyance motor <NUM> drives components for conveying a label. The wireless tag communication device <NUM> includes the RFID module <NUM> and the RFID antenna <NUM>. The RFID module <NUM>, the RFID antenna <NUM>, the operating unit <NUM>, and the thermal head <NUM> are as described above. The thermal head <NUM> is an example of an image forming unit.

Also in the label printer <NUM> described above, the processing illustrated in the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> can be executed. Specifically, in the description of <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> can be read as the control unit <NUM>, the printer unit <NUM> can be read as the thermal head <NUM>, the storage device <NUM> can be read as the ROM <NUM>, the wireless tag communication device <NUM> can be read as the wireless tag communication device <NUM>, and the sheet can be read as a label.

In the case of the label printer <NUM>, since an image is formed on a small label as compared with the sheet on which the image forming apparatus <NUM> forms an image, it is typically more effective to use a two-dimensional code as the support image. It may also be effective to form only a simple support image.

As described above, according to the present embodiments, the cause of tag writing failures can be investigated more easily by forming an image providing cause investigation support information on the sheet upon which tag writing has failed.

In the present examples, a support image is formed on the very same sheet for which tag writing has failed, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a support image may be formed on another sheet that is not provided with a wireless tag. In such a case, the specific sheet for which tag writing has failed and the separate sheet on which a support image is formed may be bound together with staples or the like. As a result, it is possible to easily identify the particular sheet for which tag writing has failed. In this way, even if the support image is formed on a different sheet from that on which the tag writing has failed, the cause of the failure can be investigated.

In the example embodiments, the image forming apparatus <NUM> also includes the wireless tag communication device <NUM> therein, but in other examples there may be a different configuration in which the wireless tag communication device <NUM> is not included within the image forming apparatus <NUM> itself. Even in the case of such another configuration, if writing of tag information fails in a wireless tag communication device <NUM>, investigation support information for supporting the investigation of the cause of the failure can be acquired by the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

In the above examples, the detailed information is information that includes more detailed information as compared with the simple information. Further, the detailed information is the information for an investigator, and the simple information is the information that a person using the image forming apparatus sends to the investigator such as a serviceman. Specific examples of detailed information in that case are illustrated in <FIG>, and specific examples of simple information are illustrated in <FIG>, but is not limited thereto. For example, the simple information may be information including at least an error code. Further, the detailed information may be information including at least one of the write information to be written to the wireless tag at the start of the writing processing and the read information read from the wireless tag for which writing has failed. With any information, the cause of failure can be investigated more easily.

Claim 1:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a wireless tag communication device (<NUM>) configured to write data to, and read data from, a wireless tag attached to a sheet;
an image forming device (<NUM>) configured to form an image on the sheet; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to:
determine whether a writing of data to a wireless tag was successful based on a notification from the wireless tag communication device;
generate investigation support information when the writing was not successful, characterized in that the controller is further configured to
control the image forming device (<NUM>) to form, on the sheet to which the wireless tag is attached, an investigation support image corresponding to the investigation support information and including a hexadecimal error code identifying a specific error event based on which the writing was determined to be not successful.