An image forming apparatus that utilizes a communication device is disclosed. A communication unit of a housing which corresponds to an antenna portion is provided at a position at which the communication unit can be seen without obstruction from the upper side. A communication device such as a smartphone can be brought close to or into contact with the communication unit readily. Accordingly, wireless communication between the antenna portion and the communication device can be established.

A fixing device for fixing a toner image to a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper, includes a fixing element, a press roller to press against the fixing element and form a nip through which the sheet passes, and a pressure control mechanism configured to control a pressing of the press roller against the fixing element according to a position of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag embedded in the sheet such that a pressure of the press roller against the fixing element is at a first pressure when a RFID region of the sheet passes through the nip and at a second pressure otherwise, the first pressure being less than the second pressure.

A fixing device for fixing a toner image to a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper, includes a fixing element, a press roller to press against the fixing element and form a nip through which the sheet passes, and a pressure control mechanism configured to control a pressing of the press roller against the fixing element according to a position of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag embedded in the sheet such that a pressure of the press roller against the fixing element is at a first pressure when a RFID region of the sheet passes through the nip and at a second pressure otherwise, the first pressure being less than the second pressure.

An antenna substrate includes a substrate, a modulating/demodulating circuit and a switch circuit each mounted on the substrate, and a printed antenna printed on the substrate. The printed antenna includes a plurality of unit coils. An end of one of the plurality of unit coils is electrically connected to the modulating/demodulating circuit. The switch circuit, according to a received control signal, selectively switches between an electrically interrupted state and a state in which a portion or all of the plurality of unit coils is electrically connected in series.

An image forming device includes a casing, an image forming unit, a first board, and an operational button. The image forming unit and the first board are disposed in the casing. The first board has a first opening extending through the first board, and a loop antenna disposed around the first opening. The operational button is located in the casing through the first opening. The operational button has a top surface exposed to an exterior of the casing.

Provided is an image forming apparatus that when a mobile terminal and image forming apparatus are used in combination, causes an operation to be performed by operating only one side. The image forming apparatus is used by being connected to a mobile terminal provided with a terminal side touch panel display. The communicating unit communicates with the mobile terminal and exchanges data. The apparatus side touch panel display is used for self operation of the image forming apparatus. The control unit, via the communicating unit, receives terminal side image data as content that is displayed on the terminal side touch panel display of the mobile terminal from the mobile terminal side, transmits apparatus side operation data corresponding to the content operated by a user on the apparatus side touch panel display to the mobile terminal side, and causes an application in the mobile terminal to be executed using the apparatus side operation data.

An image forming apparatus includes a communication portion arranged inside a cover covering an image forming portion in the main body of the apparatus and including an antenna surface for use in establishing near field communication. The cover includes a stacking portion in its upper section. The stacking portion is configured to receive a recording medium with an image thereon, the recording medium being discharged outside the main body of the apparatus. The antenna surface faces a region of the upper section of the cover downstream in a direction of discharging the recording medium. The antenna surface at least partially faces a region of the upper section of the cover outside the stacking portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of discharging the recording medium. The communication portion is capable of communicating with another communication portion using near field communication.

An authentication operation of a communication device is facilitated without making an outer appearance of an image forming apparatus complicated. An image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading portion 41 for reading an original image, an image forming portion 44 for forming the image on a recording material, communication devices 32 and 33 capable of communication with a storing device 52 for storing information through rear-range wireless communication, and a mounting portion 23 to which the communication devices are mounted, and the mounting portion is provided between the image reading portion and the image forming portion.

An image forming apparatus includes a communication portion arranged inside a cover covering an image forming portion in the main body of the apparatus and including an antenna surface for use in establishing near field communication. The cover includes a stacking portion in its upper section. The stacking portion is configured to receive a recording medium with an image thereon, the recording medium being discharged outside the main body of the apparatus. The antenna surface faces a region of the upper section of the cover downstream in a direction of discharging the recording medium. The antenna surface at least partially faces a region of the upper section of the cover outside the stacking portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of discharging the recording medium. The communication portion is capable of communicating with another communication portion using near field communication.

A method of authenticating a consumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer comprising: the controller of the printer generating a 1.sup.st item of random information that is dispatched to an authentication circuit of the element; encrypting the 1.sup.st item of information by the authentication circuit using a 1.sup.st encryption algorithm and a 1.sup.st secret key to form a 1.sup.st item of encrypted random information; dispatching the 1.sup.st item of information to the controller; encrypting the 1.sup.st item of information by the controller using a 2.sup.nd encryption algorithm and a 2.sup.nd secret key to form a 2.sup.nd item of encrypted random information; comparing the 1.sup.st item of encrypted random information with the 2.sup.nd encrypted item of random information to authenticate the consumable element; and if the consumable element is authenticated, dispatching at least one part of a 3.sup.rd key, termed the shared key, by the element to the printer.