Image forming apparatus having a tag reader with reading range changed by a cover position

摘要

A system and method for tracking consumables associated with an image forming device is described. An RFID reader is positioned to read RFID tags associated with the consumables when the consumables are inserted into, stationary in, or removed from the image forming device.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording sheet, comprising:
a main body having an opening; a cover configured to move between an open position where the opening of the main body is open and a closed position where the opening of the main body is closed; a consumable unit accommodating a consumable used for image formation, the consumable unit including a first wireless tag that stores information; an accommodating unit configured to detachably accommodate the consumable unit including the first wireless tag, the accommodating unit being configured to move through the opening of the main body between a first position where the accommodating unit is in the main body and a second position where the accommodating unit is outside the main body; and a wireless tag reader disposed in the main body and configured to read the information of the first wireless tag located in a reading range, wherein the accommodating unit is configured to move such that the first wireless tag of the consumable unit accommodated in the accommodating unit passes through the reading range when the accommodating unit moves through the opening of the main body between the first position and the second position, wherein the wireless tag reader is configured to read the information of the first wireless tag passing through a specified position in the reading range and away from the wireless tag reader when the accommodating unit accommodating the consumable unit moves through the opening of the main body between the first position and the second position, wherein the accommodating unit includes a second wireless tag that stores information to be read by the wireless tag reader, wherein the wireless tag reader is configured to, when the cover moves from the open position to the closed position, set the reading range to a first reading range which includes a position of the second wireless tag, wherein the wireless tag reader is configured to, when the cover moves from the closed position to the open position, set the reading range to a second reading range which includes a position of the first wireless tag moving along with the accommodating unit, and wherein the first reading range is smaller than the second reading range.