Image output apparatus using close range radio contact wherein radio contact element is attached to document on which an image is recorded

• US 7,962,658 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2008
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Shiraishi, Naoto, Kanoshima, Yuichiro, Iwai, Sadayuki, Tonami, Kazunari, Miyatake, Naoki, Hayashi, Yoshinori, Shirasawa, Hisao
• Primary Examiner(s): Peyton; Tammara
• Application Number:
  US12/285,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20090051942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 710/2, 710/5, 710/33, 400/76, 400/88, 358/1, 358/6, 358/448
• US Class Current: 710/2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00342 with a radio frequency tag transmitter or receiver storage of additional information in an RFID tag attached to an image bearing paper sheet H04N1/32138
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0084 Determining the necessity for prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00864 Modifying the reproduction, e.g. outputting a modified copy of a scanned original details of composing or otherwise geometrically modifying originals H04N1/387
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32138 in an electronic device attached to the sheet, e.g. in an RFID tag
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping

Abstract

An image output apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives first information from a first radio contact element that performs a close-range radio contact; an image processing unit that forms image data of an image to be output from the first information; and an image output unit that outputs the image to an output medium from the image data.

Claims

1. An image output apparatus that receives information from a radio contact element that performs a close-range radio contact and is attached to a document, and outputs an image using the information, the image output apparatus comprising:

a receiving unit that receives the information from the radio contact element;

an image processing unit that forms image data of an image to be output based on the information;

an image output unit that outputs the image to an output medium based on the image data;

a limiting unit that limits a transmission of the information from the radio contact element; and

an image reading unit that reads image information from a document on which the image is recorded, the image reading unit comprising a conveying unit, which conveys a document to a predetermined reading position, and a sensor provided on a conveying path along which the document is conveyed,

wherein the limiting unit limits the transmission of the information from the radio contact element by determining a communication time between the radio contact element and the receiving unit based on the image information, controlling the communication time between the radio contact element and the receiving unit, and causing the radio contact element and the receiving unit to communicate with each other for only a predetermined time after the sensor detects the document.

2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limiting unit limits the transmission of the information from the radio contact element to outside of the image output apparatus by shielding a radio wave transmitted from the radio contact element.

3. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limiting unit prevents the occurrence of crosstalk inside the image output apparatus by shielding a radio wave transmitted from the radio contact element.