1. A method of tracking an identification device, the method comprising
storing data about the identification device in a register, the data to be stored including data relating to a forwarding location to which requests for information about the identification device should be forwarded;
storing an address of the register on the identification device so that the address can be obtained when the identification device is read;
attaching the identification device to an item to be monitored;
accessing the register when the identification device has been read and a request for information has been received;
obtaining details of the forwarding location from the register;
forwarding the request to the forwarding location; and
sending the requested information about the identification device from the forwarding location to a requester of the information.
2. The method of claim 1 which includes associating the identification device with an originating location.
3. The method of claim 1 which includes associating the register containing data about the identification device with the originating location.
4. The method of claim 1 which includes, when the identification device has been read and the address of the register has been determined, sending the request for information to the register.
5. The method of claim 2 which includes, when the request has been received by the register, comparing data received about the identification device with data recorded in the register and updating the data about the identification device recorded at the originating location.
6. The method of claim 4 which includes, when the request for information has been received, checking the entitlement of the requester to receive the requested information.
7. The method of claim 6 which includes sending information about the identification device to the requester in accordance with the entitlement of the requester to receive the information.
8. The method of claim 6 which includes providing each potential requester with a key to obtain access to facets of information depending on the rights of the potential requester.
9. The method of claim 1 which includes adding content about the item to be monitored to the identification device.
10. The method of claim 1 which includes storing data relating to a plurality of forwarding locations and selecting one of the forwarding locations based on the information requested by the requester of the information.
11. The method of claim 1 which includes, once the information has been provided to the requester of the information enabling communication between the requester and the forwarding location without further recourse to the register.
12. The method of claim 1 which includes encoding data relating to the register to be decoded only by a party authorised to do so.
13. A system for tracking an identification device, the system comprising
an identification device to be attached to an item, the identification device containing an identification code of the identification device;
a register that contains data about the identification device and a forwarding location, data regarding the register also being carried by the identification device;
a reader for reading the identification device; and
a receiving computer for enabling the reader to access the register to obtain information about the identification device from the forwarding location.
14. The system of claim 13 which includes a computer in communication with the register for recording the identification code of the identification device in the register.
15. The system of claim 13 in which the receiving computer communicates with the register over a communications network.
16. The system of claim 13 which includes an access control arrangement stored in the register for controlling access to information about the identification device.
17. The system of claim 16 in which the access control arrangement is a split capabilities arrangement using keys to control access to facets of information about the identification device.
18. The system of claim 13 in which the identification device contains data about an item to which the identification device is to be attached.
19. A system for tracking an identification means, the system comprising
an identification means for attachment to an item, the identification means containing an identification code of the identification means;
a register means for storing data about the identification means and a forwarding location, data regarding the register means also being carried by the identification means;
a reading means for reading the identification means; and
a receiving computer means for enabling the reading means to access the register means to obtain information about the identification means from the forwarding location.
20. The system of claim 19 which includes a computer means for communicating with the register means to record the identification code of the identification means in the register means.
21. The system of claim 19 in which the receiving computer means communicates with the register means over a communications network.
22. The system of claim 19 which includes an access control means stored in the register means for controlling access to information about the identification means.
23. The system of claim 22 in which the access control means is a split capabilities arrangement using keys to control access to facets of information about the identification means.
24. The system of claim 19 in which the identification means contains data about an item to which the identification means is to be attached.
25. An identification device which comprises
an identification code; and
an address of a register in which the identification device is stored, the address of the register providing access to a forwarding location.
26. The identification device of claim 25 which is a passive unit able to be interrogated by a reader.
27. A home location for a system for tracking an identification device, the home location comprising
a home computer for generating an identification device; and
a home register in communication with the home computer for storing data relating to an identification device generated by the home computer, the home register containing data relating to a forwarding location having information about the identification device.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a supporter that is movable between a state where the supporter is inside the housing and a state where the supporter is outside the housing;
a plurality of developing apparatuses, each of which being supported by the supporter, and each of which being removably mounted to the supporter; and
a guide rail that is coupled to the housing, the guide rail being configured to guide movement of the supporter in a direction between the state where the supporter is inside the housing and the state where the supporter is outside the housing, wherein the guide rail includes a stopper that is configured to stop movement of the supporter in the direction guided by the guide rail while at least one developing apparatus is inside the housing and while at least one other developing apparatus is outside of the housing,
wherein the plurality of developing apparatuses is arranged in a moving direction of the supporter.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the supporter comprises a plurality of photosensitive units,
wherein the housing comprises:
a belt supporting member that supports a belt; and
a door that covers an opening of the housing,
wherein the supporter is movable between the state where the supporter is inside the housing and the state where the supporter is outside of the housing through the opening when the door is opened,
wherein the belt supporting member is movable between a position where the belt contacts the plurality of photosensitive units and a position where the belt is separated from the plurality of photosensitive units while the supporter is inside the housing.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
a connection mechanism that connects the door and the belt supporting member,
wherein the connection mechanism is configured to move the belt supporting member to the position where the belt is separated from the plurality of photosensitive units.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the supporter is slidable in the guide rail relative to the housing.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the plurality of developing apparatuses is removably mounted to the supporter in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the supporter.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:
a front face which comprises a first opening;
an upper face, which is continuous to the front face, and which comprises a second opening; and
a door,
wherein the first opening and the second opening together form one opening,
wherein the door covers the first opening and the second opening, and
wherein, in a state where the door is opened and the supporter is inside the housing, one of the plurality of developing apparatuses closest to the door is removably mounted to the supporter through the one opening.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail includes a first guide rail configured to make contact with a first side of the supporter and a second guide rail configured to make contact with a second side of the supporter opposite the first side.