JP2006099502A - Tag label generation apparatus, tag tape roll, and tag tape roll cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a miniaturized, light-weight apparatus by miniaturizing a detection means for detecting information related to a wireless tag circuit element, prior to the start of communication. <P>SOLUTION: A tag label generation apparatus 2 includes an antenna 14 for transmitting and receiving to/from an antenna 152 of a wireless tag circuit element To disposed on a base tape 101; a pressing roller drive shaft 12 for feeding the base tape 101; a signal processing circuit 22 and a high frequency circuit transmitter 32 for generating access information to access the information of an IC circuit 151, transmitting to the antenna 152, and performing an access; a photo sensor 19 for detecting a barcode BC provided on the base tape 101 to identify a wireless tag circuit element To; and a control circuit 30 for controlling the above signal processing circuit 22 and a high frequency circuit 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a RFID label including a RFID circuit element capable of reading or writing information from outside through wireless communication, a tag tape roll used for the tag label roll, and a tag tape roll cartridge.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique that facilitates replacement work of consumables by forming a consumable or the like into a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body in a processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing. In this prior art, an ink ribbon cassette of a color printer is formed into a cartridge, and a barcode-type label is attached to the cartridge. For printing, the bar code recorded on the label is read by the detection means (scanner) on the main body side to obtain information (sensitivity, type, number of printable sheets, etc.) relating to the ink film in the cartridge, and smooth It is supposed to print on.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-221068 (paragraph numbers 0013 to 0026, FIG. 3)

  In recent years, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads / writes information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device) is known. For example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits and receives information. Even if it is placed in an invisible position, the reader / writer can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information (stored information) of the IC circuit unit, Practical use is expected in various fields such as product management and inspection processes.

  By the way, as described above, the RFID label is used in various ways. When producing the RFID label, a strip-like tag provided with RFID circuit elements in the longitudinal direction of the tape at a predetermined interval in the tag label producing device, for example. After mounting the cartridge provided with the tape on the cartridge holder on the apparatus side, the tag tape roll is driven to feed out the tag tape, thereby transporting each RFID circuit element along the longitudinal direction of the tape. Then, when this is carried, the IC circuit connected to the antenna of the RFID tag circuit element by transmitting the predetermined access information generated on the apparatus side to the antenna of each RFID circuit element via the device side antenna. Sequentially access (read or write) the RFID tag information of each unit. The RFID circuit element from which the RFID tag information has been read or written is then conveyed downstream in the conveying direction and cut into a label shape with a predetermined length, thereby completing the RFID tag label.

  Here, in the structure in which the tag tape roll is formed into a cartridge and is attached to and detached from the cartridge holder portion on the apparatus side as described above, when the tag tape which is a consumable item is exhausted, the tag can be easily and easily replaced by replacing the cartridge. The tape is refilled. In order to continue to ensure smooth communication with the RFID circuit element even after the cartridge is replaced, what kind of RFID tag circuit element is accommodated in the cartridge before the start of communication, and how It is preferable to determine beforehand whether or not the information is suitable for various communication modes. Therefore, in order to cope with this, the above-described conventional technology is applied, a barcode label or the like that can be read by a scanner is provided at an appropriate position of the cartridge, and information on the RFID circuit element in the cartridge is stored in the label. It can be considered.

  However, in this case, the bar code label is inevitably long in the left-right direction depending on the data capacity to be stored. For this reason, if a scanner that performs one-dimensional (straight line) scanning is used as the detection means (scanner) for detecting this, the entire apparatus becomes larger, and the weight and manufacturing cost increase.

  The object of the present invention is to detect information related to the RFID tag circuit element before the start of communication, identify the RFID tag circuit element, and perform access, thereby enabling smooth and reliable communication without erroneous reading, erroneous writing, interference, etc. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tag label producing device capable of downsizing the information detecting means relating to the RFID circuit element and reducing the size and weight of the device, and a cartridge for the tag label producing device used therefor.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a wireless tag circuit having an IC circuit unit arranged on a tag tape and storing predetermined information and a tag side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit for transmitting and receiving information. A device side antenna that transmits and receives by radio communication with the tag side antenna of the element, a driving means for feeding out the tag tape, and access information for accessing information of the IC circuit unit is generated, and the device side An information access means for transmitting to the tag side antenna via the antenna and accessing information of the IC circuit unit, and a tag identifier provided on the tag tape for identifying the RFID circuit element are detected. A tag identifier detection unit; and a control unit that controls the information access unit in accordance with a detection result of the tag identifier detection unit.

  In the first invention of this application, when the RFID circuit label is created by accessing the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element, the tag tape is driven by the driving means and the access information is generated by the information access means. The data is transmitted to the tag side antenna via the antenna, and access to information (reading of information or updating of writing of information, etc.) of the IC circuit unit provided in the RFID tag circuit element of the tag tape is performed.

  At this time, the tag identifier of the tag tape is detected by the tag identifier detection means, and the control means controls the operation of the information access means according to the detection result. In other words, since the RFID tag circuit element is specified by the tag identifier in advance and access to the IC circuit unit can be performed, smooth and reliable communication without erroneous reading, erroneous writing, interference, etc. can be performed. At this time, since the tag identifier on the tag tape is detected, it is possible to automatically scan in the longitudinal direction of the tape by driving the tag tape when the tag label is created. Therefore, by arranging the tag identifier detection means so as to face the tag tape fed out, for example, it is possible to use a tag having a small length in the tag tape longitudinal direction, and the size can be reduced. As a result, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the tag identifier detection unit detects the tag identifier while the tag tape is being fed out by the driving unit.

  By detecting the tag identifier while the tag tape is being fed out by the driving means, the tag identifier detecting means is not scanned, or the tag identifier detecting means is not used having a large length in the tag tape longitudinal direction. The tag identifier can be scanned. As a result, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the tag identifier detection means is arranged so as to face the tag tape to be fed out.

  By arranging the tag identifier detection means so as to face the tag tape being fed out and detecting the tag identifier on the tag tape, it is possible to automatically scan in the longitudinal direction of the tape by driving the tag tape when the tag label is created. . As a result, it is possible to use a tag identifier detecting means having a small length in the longitudinal direction of the tag tape, and the size can be reduced. Therefore, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the tag identifier detection unit detects the tag identifier including identification information of the RFID circuit element.

  A tag identifier including tag identification information of the RFID circuit element is detected by the tag identifier detection means, and the control means controls the operation of the information access means according to the detection result. Thereby, tag identification information included in the tag identifier can be acquired in advance, the RFID circuit element can be specified based on the identification information, and the IC circuit unit can be accessed.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the tag identifier detection means is means for optically detecting the tag identifier.

  The tag identifier is detected optically by the tag identifier detection means, and the control means can control the operation of the information access means according to the detection result.

  A sixth invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to fifth inventions, there is provided printing means for performing predetermined printing on the tag tape or a print-receiving tape bonded to the tag tape.

  Thereby, after accessing the information of the IC circuit part of the RFID tag circuit element of the tag tape, it is possible to create a printed tag label tape by printing on the tag tape or the tape to be printed.

  According to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the tag tape or a tape to which the print-receiving tape after printing and the tag tape are bonded together is stopped when the drive means is stopped. It has the cutting means cut | disconnected to a predetermined length and made into a tag label, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  By cutting the tag label tape into a predetermined length corresponding to each RFID circuit element, the tag label can be completed without cutting the RFID circuit element.

  An eighth invention is characterized in that, in the seventh invention, positioning detection means for detecting a positioning identifier for defining a cutting position of the cutting means is provided.

  By detecting the positioning detection identifier by the positioning detection means, it is possible to define the cutting position and perform cutting by the cutting means.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the tag identifier detection means is also used as the positioning detection means, and the detection means used also as the drive stop of the driving means and the cutting of the cutting means. After the generation of the tag label, when the driving means resumes driving for the generation of the next subsequent tag label, after detecting the tag identifier related to the subsequent tag label, the positioning identifier is detected after driving a predetermined amount, Thereafter, the cutting means is arranged so that the cutting means is cut when the driving means is stopped.

  By adopting such an arrangement order, a smooth work flow using one dual-purpose detection means such as restart of driving after cutting → tag information detection by detection means → positioning identifier detection by the same detection means → drive stop → cutting. Can be realized.

  In order to achieve the above object, a tenth aspect of the present invention relates to a wireless tag circuit element including an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined information and a tag-side antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits and receives information. A tag tape roll for winding a plurality of tag tapes arranged continuously in a longitudinal direction, wherein a tag identifier for specifying the RFID circuit element is provided on one surface of the tag tape. Features.

  In the tenth invention of the present application, when the RFID label is created, the tag tape is fed out, and the access information generated on the tag label producing device side is received by the tag side antenna of the RFID circuit element, and the information on the IC circuit section Is accessed (information read or information write update, etc.). At this time, since the tag identifier is provided on one surface of the tag tape, it is possible to generate the access information according to the detection result by detecting the tag identifier on the device side. Become. That is, since the RFID tag circuit element can be specified in advance on the device side based on the tag identifier and the IC circuit unit can be accessed, smooth and reliable communication without erroneous reading, erroneous writing, interference, etc. can be performed. At this time, since the tag identifier on the tag tape is detected, it is possible to automatically scan in the longitudinal direction of the tape by driving the tag tape when the tag label is created. Therefore, a tag identifier detecting means having a small length in the tag tape longitudinal direction can be used, and the size can be reduced. As a result, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the tag identifier of the tag tape includes identification information of the RFID circuit element.

  As a result, by detecting the tag identifier on the device side when the tag label is created, the tag identification information included in the tag identifier is acquired in advance, the RFID circuit element is specified based on the identification information, and the IC circuit unit is accessed. It can be performed.

  In a twelfth aspect based on the tenth or eleventh aspect, the tag identifier of the tag tape is a barcode.

  As a result, the barcode is scanned on the apparatus side when the tag label is created, and the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element can be accessed based on this.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention based on any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, the tag tape further includes a positioning identifier for defining a cutting position on the one side surface of the tag tape. .

  The cutting can be executed after the cutting position is defined by detecting the positioning identifier on the apparatus side.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, a plurality of the tag identifiers or the positioning identifiers of the tag tape are provided corresponding to the plurality of RFID circuit elements. It is characterized by being.

  It is possible to identify each RFID circuit element on the device side from the tag identifier provided corresponding to each RFID circuit element, and to define the cutting position on the device side from the positioning identifier provided corresponding to each RFID circuit element. it can.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, a plurality of the tag identifiers and the positioning identifiers are provided at predetermined intervals corresponding to the plurality of RFID circuit elements, and the tag identifier, the positioning identifier, Are alternately arranged.

  By detecting the tag identifiers and positioning identifiers alternately provided while feeding out the tag tape, it is possible to create a tag label by defining the cutting position while sequentially identifying the RFID tag circuit elements.

  In a sixteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the tag identifier relating to a tag label following the one tag label is provided substantially immediately after the tag tape feeding direction of the positioning identifier relating to one tag label. Features.

  As a result, when the tag tape drive is resumed for the generation of the next tag label after the tag label is generated by stopping and cutting the tag tape feed-out drive, the tag detecting device detects the tag identifier related to the tag label and then drives the same amount by the same detection means. It is possible to detect a positioning identifier and then stop driving to realize a smooth work flow of cutting.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, in any one of the tenth to sixteenth aspects of the invention, the tag identifier or the positioning identifier is used as the surface on the one side of the tag tape, It was provided in the peeling material which covers an adhesive material layer.

  Since the tag identifier is provided on the release material located on one side of the tag tape, it is possible to generate the access information according to the detection result by detecting this tag identifier on the device side It becomes. Further, since the release paper is peeled off when the generated RFID label is attached to a predetermined product or the like, it is possible to generate a clean RFID tag label with no unnecessary tag identifier display.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the tenth to seventeenth aspects, an adhesive material layer for attaching a print-receiving tape on which a predetermined printing has been performed is provided on the other surface of the tag tape. It is characterized by that.

  A printed tag label can be created by pasting a printed tape on the side opposite to the tag identifier of the tag tape through an adhesive layer.

  A nineteenth invention is characterized in that the tag tape roll of any one of the tenth to eighteenth inventions is housed in a cartridge.

  By making the tag tape roll into a cartridge, it becomes easier for the operator to handle than when the tag tape roll is bare as it is. As a result, it is possible to relatively easily cope with downsizing of the apparatus side.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform smooth and reliable communication without erroneous reading, erroneous writing, interference, etc. by detecting information related to the wireless tag circuit element before starting communication, specifying the wireless tag circuit element, and performing access. In addition, the detection means for detecting information relating to the RFID tag circuit element can be downsized, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system to which the tag label producing apparatus of this embodiment is applied. This embodiment is an embodiment in a case where the present invention is applied to a wireless tag generation system that can only read (not write).

  In the RFID tag generating system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the tag label producing apparatus 2 (RFID information communication apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a route server 4, a terminal 5, a general-purpose computer 6, a wired or wireless communication line 3, And a plurality of information servers 7.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a detailed structure of the tag label producing apparatus 2.

  In FIG. 2, the apparatus body 8 of the tag label producing apparatus 2 is provided with a cartridge holder portion (not shown) as a recess, and a cartridge 100 (wireless tag circuit element cartridge; tag tape roll cartridge) is provided in this holder portion. Is detachably attached.

  The apparatus main body 8 includes the above-described cartridge holder portion into which the cartridge 100 is fitted and a casing 9 constituting the outer shell, and a print head (in this example, a thermal head) as a printing unit that performs predetermined printing (printing) on the cover film 103. Head) 10, ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 that drives ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on cover film 103, cover film (printed tape) 103, and base tape (tag tape) 101 are bonded together. On the other hand, the UHF band between the pressure roller driving shaft 12 serving as a driving means for feeding the tag label tape 110 with print out from the cartridge 100 and the RFID circuit element To (provided later) provided in the tag label tape 110 with print. Antenna 14 (devices) for transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication using high frequency such as Mounting antenna), a cutter 15 for cutting the printed tag label tape 110 into a predetermined length at a predetermined timing to generate a label-like RFID label T (details will be described later), and signal transmission / reception by the wireless communication The RFID circuit element To is set and held in a predetermined access area facing the antenna 14 and a pair of transport guides 13 for guiding the cut tape 110 (= RF tag label T) and the guided radio A delivery roller 17 that conveys and sends the tag label T to the carry-out port (discharge port) 16, a sensor 18 that detects the presence / absence of the RFID label T at the carry-out port 16, and the transport of the tape tape 110 for tag labels printed on the cutter 15. Facing the transport path (horizontal direction in FIG. 2) on the downstream side in the direction (in this example, facing the back side of the tape) And a photosensor 19 (tag identifier detection means) that inputs a corresponding detection signal to the control circuit 30.

  On the other hand, the apparatus main body 8 also processes the signal read from the RFID circuit element To and the RF circuit 21 for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 14. A signal processing circuit 22 for the above, a cartridge motor 23 for driving the ribbon take-up roller driving shaft 11 and the tape feeding roller driving shaft 12 described above, a cartridge driving circuit 24 for controlling the driving of the cartridge motor 23, and A print drive circuit 25 that controls energization of the print head 10, a solenoid 26 that drives the cutter 15 to perform a cutting operation, a solenoid drive circuit 27 that controls the solenoid 26, and the delivery roller 17 are driven. Delivery roller motor 28 and delivery roller drive circuit 2 for controlling the delivery roller motor 28 And the above-described control for controlling the overall operation of the tag label producing apparatus 2 through the high-frequency circuit 21, the signal processing circuit 22, the cartridge drive circuit 24, the print drive circuit 25, the solenoid drive circuit 27, the delivery roller drive circuit 29, and the like. Circuit 30.

  The control circuit 30 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, is composed of a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing is performed according to the program. The control circuit 30 is connected to, for example, a communication line via the input / output interface 31, and is connected to the route server 4, the other terminal 5, the general-purpose computer 6, the information server 7 and the like connected to the communication line. It is possible to exchange information.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge 100.

  In FIG. 3, the cartridge 100 includes a casing 100 </ b> A, a first roll 102 around which the strip-shaped base tape 101 is wound and disposed in the casing 100 </ b> A, and substantially the same width as the base tape 101. A second roll 104 around which the transparent cover film 103 is wound, a ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out the ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the cover film is a thermal tape), and a ribbon after printing The ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up 105, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are pressed and bonded to form the printed tag label tape 110, and the tape is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow A (= tape feed). A pressure roller 107 (which also functions as a roller).

  The first roll 102 is wound with the base tape 101 in which a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To are sequentially formed at predetermined equal intervals in the longitudinal direction around a reel member 102a.

  In this example, the base tape 101 has a four-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 3) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3), Adhesive layer 101a (adhesive layer) made of an appropriate adhesive, colored base film 101b made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), adhesive layer 101c (adhesive layer) made of appropriate adhesive, release paper 101d (peeling) The material is laminated in the order of materials.

  An antenna (tag side antenna) 152 for transmitting and receiving information is integrally provided on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, and information can be updated so as to be connected thereto (rewritable rewritable). The IC circuit unit 151 for storage is formed, and the RFID tag circuit element To is constituted by these.

  The adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, and the RFID circuit element is formed on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b. The release paper 101d is bonded to the base film 101b by the adhesive layer 101c provided so as to enclose To. The release paper 101d is one that can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like by peeling it off. It is.

  The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a. The cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 has a ribbon 105 driven by a ribbon supply side roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roller 106 arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). When pressed by the print head 10, it is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are driven by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23 (see FIG. 2 described above), for example, a pulse motor provided outside the cartridge 100. By being transmitted to the feed roller drive shaft 12, it is rotationally driven.

  In the cartridge 100 configured as described above, the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 is supplied to the pressure roller 107. On the other hand, the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is ink driven by a ribbon supply side roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roller 106 arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). The ribbon 105 is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103 when pressed by the print head 10.

  When the cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge holder portion of the apparatus main body 8 and a roll holder (not shown) is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are moved to the print head 10 and the platen roller. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the pressure roller 107 and the sub-roller 109. The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the directions indicated by the arrows B and D by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23, respectively. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 is connected to the sub roller 109 and the platen roller 108 by a gear (not shown), and as the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 is driven, the pressure roller 107, the sub roller 109, Then, the platen roller 108 rotates, and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the pressure roller 107 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104 and the plurality of heating elements of the print head 10 are energized by the print drive circuit 25. As a result, a print R (see FIG. 7 described later) is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the pressure roller 107 and the sub-roller 109 to form a tag label tape 110 with print, and are carried out of the cartridge 100. The The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11.

  FIG. 4 is an arrow view from the direction E in FIG. 3 showing a detailed structure of the base tape 101 as seen from the one surface (back surface).

  In FIG. 4, on the release paper 101d of the base tape 101, a barcode BC (tag identifier) for identifying the RFID circuit element To at the time of access and a cutter corresponding to each RFID circuit element To. 15 are alternately provided with cut marks PM (positioning identifiers) for positioning the cutting position CL. Specifically, a barcode BC related to the next subsequent tag label T is provided almost immediately after the cut mark PM related to one tag label T (= adjacent to the upper side in FIG. 4). . As a result, the base tape 101 of the first roll 102 includes approximately the same number of barcodes BC and cut marks PM as the RFID circuit element To. At this time, the arrangement interval (pitch) between the adjacent barcodes BC and the arrangement interval between the adjacent cut marks PM are substantially the same as the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements To, and the barcode BC and the cut mark PM A predetermined interval is interposed between the two.

  The barcode BC includes identification information (tag ID) of the corresponding RFID circuit element To, and the photosensor 19 (see FIG. 2) reads the identification information by scanning the barcode BC. The information is input to the control circuit 30. The photosensor 19 also serves as a positioning detection means for detecting the cut mark PM. As will be described later, after detecting the bar code BC, the photo sensor 19 detects the cut mark PM that follows the transport of the tape 110 and detects the corresponding. A signal is input to the control circuit 30.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the high-frequency circuit 21. In FIG. 5, the high-frequency circuit 21 transmits a signal to the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 14 and receives a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14. The unit 33 and the transmission / reception separator 34 are configured.

The transmission unit 32 accesses the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To in accordance with a control signal (carrier wave generation command signal) from the control circuit 30 (read in this example and write in a modification described later). Crystal oscillator 35 and PLL (Phase
The generated carrier wave is modulated based on a signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 22 (Locked Loop) 36, a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 37 (in this example, a “TX_ASK” signal from the signal processing circuit 22) A transmission multiplication circuit 38 (amplitude modulation based on the above) (however, in the case of amplitude modulation, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used) and a modulated wave (wireless tag information) modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 38 And a variable transmission amplifier 39 that determines and amplifies the amplification factor according to the “TX_PWR” signal from 30. The generated carrier wave preferably uses a frequency in the UHF band, and the output of the transmission amplifier 39 is transmitted to the antenna 14 via the transmission / reception separator 34, and the IC circuit of the RFID circuit element To Supplied to the unit 151. Note that the RFID tag information is not limited to the signal modulated as described above, but may be only a carrier wave.

  The reception unit 33 is necessary from the reception first multiplication circuit 40 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14 and the generated carrier wave, and the output of the reception first multiplication circuit 40. A first bandpass filter 41 for extracting only a signal in a wide band, a reception first amplifier 43 for amplifying the output of the first bandpass filter 41, and a digital signal obtained by further amplifying the output of the reception first amplifier 43. A first limiter 42 that converts the signal into a signal; a reception second multiplication circuit 44 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14 and the carrier wave that has been generated and delayed in phase by 90 °; The second band-pass filter 45 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 44, and the second band-pass filter 4 5 and a second limiter 46 for further amplifying the output of the reception second amplifier 47 and converting it into a digital signal. The signal “RXS-I” output from the first limiter 42 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the second limiter 46 are input to the signal processing circuit 22 and processed.

  The outputs of the reception first amplifier 43 and the reception second amplifier 47 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 48, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the strength of these signals is input to the signal processing circuit 22. It has become so. In this way, in the tag label producing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To is demodulated by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 6, the RFID circuit element To includes an antenna 14 that transmits and receives signals in a non-contact manner using a high frequency such as a UHF band with the antenna 14 on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side, and the antenna 152 that is connected to the antenna 152. IC circuit portion 151.

  The IC circuit unit 151 includes a rectification unit 153 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the antenna 152, and a power supply unit 154 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 153 and serves as a driving power source for the IC circuit unit 151. A clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 152 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 155; a memory unit 157 that can store a predetermined information signal; and a modulation / demodulation unit connected to the antenna 152 158, and the control unit 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To through the rectifying unit 153, the clock extracting unit 156, the modem unit 158, and the like.

  The modem 158 demodulates the communication signal received from the antenna 14 of the tag label producing apparatus 2 received by the antenna 152, and modulates and reflects the carrier wave received from the antenna 152 based on the response signal from the controller 155. To do.

  The control unit 155 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 158, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 157, and performs basic control such as returning by the modulation / demodulation unit 158. Execute proper control.

  7 (a) and 7 (b) show an example of the appearance of the RFID label T formed by completing the information writing of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the tag label tape 110 with print as described above. 7A is a top view (that is, a view seen from the cover film 103 side), and FIG. 7B is a bottom view (ie, a view seen from the release paper 101d side). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section VIII-VIII ′ in FIG.

  7 (a), 7 (b), and 8, the RFID label T has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. From the (upper side in FIG. 8) toward the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 8), the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d constitute five layers. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the adhesive layer 101c and printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 (in this example, the RFID label T). "RF-ID" indicating the type) is printed. Further, a barcode BC and a cut mark PM are provided on the surface of the release paper 101d by printing, for example.

  FIG. 9 shows a screen displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 when accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To by the tag label producing apparatus 2 as described above. It is a figure showing an example.

  In FIG. 9, in this example, the tag label type, the print character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, the access (read or write) ID which is an ID unique to the RFID circuit element To, the information server 7 and the storage address of the corresponding information in the route server 4 can be displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6. When the tag is created, the tag label producing device 2 is operated by operating the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 so that the print character R is printed on the cover film 103 and the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID circuit element To. Radio tag information such as article information stored in advance is read (or information such as the write ID and article information is written in the IC circuit unit 151).

  In the above description, an example in which the conveyance guide 13 is held in the access area and accessed (read or written) with respect to the moving printed tag label tape 110 in connection with the printing operation is shown. However, the access may be performed with the printed tag label tape 110 stopped at a predetermined position and held by the transport guide 13.

  Further, at the time of reading or writing as described above, the ID of the generated RFID label T and the information read from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID label T (or information written to the IC circuit unit 151) The correspondence relationship is stored in the route server 4 and can be referred to as necessary.

  FIG. 10 shows the creation of the above-described RFID label T, that is, the printed label label 110 after the cover film 103 is conveyed and the base tape 101 is bonded to the printed label 10 while the printing head 10 performs predetermined printing. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 when the tape 110 is cut for each RFID circuit element To to form the RFID label T.

  In FIG. 10, when the reading operation of the tag label producing apparatus 2 is performed, this flow is started. First, in step S <b> 105, print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 10 input through the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is read through the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31.

  Thereafter, in step S110, there is no response from the RFID circuit element To, and a variable N for counting the number of retries (number of access attempts) and a flag F indicating whether communication is good or bad are initialized to zero.

  In step S 115, a control signal is output to the cartridge driving circuit 24, and the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are driven to rotate by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23. Thereby, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the pressure roller 107, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. At this time, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25, the print head 10 is energized, and a predetermined area of the cover film 103 (for example, a wireless tag circuit arranged at equal intervals on the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch). A print R such as a character, a symbol, or a barcode read in step S105 is printed on a region to be bonded to the back surface of the element To. Further, a control signal is output to the delivery roller motor 28 via the delivery roller drive circuit 29 to drive the delivery roller 17 to rotate. As a result, as described above, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the pressure roller 107 and the sub-roller 109 to form a tag label tape 110 with print, and the cartridge body 100 is conveyed outward. At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the tag label tape 110 with print is changed from the position of the barcode BC related to a certain label T → the position of the RFID circuit element To → the position of the cut mark PM → the next label. The bar code BC is ejected from the cartridge 100 in the order of the position of the bar code BC, and is transported on the transport path.

  Thereafter, in step S120, whether the barcode BC on the release paper 101d has been read by the photosensor 19 for the printed tag label tape 110 conveyed in the flow order as described above (in other words, that It is determined whether or not the tag identifier of the RFID circuit element To positioned immediately after the carrying direction has been acquired. If the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S200.

  In step S200, tag information reading processing is performed by specifying the tag ID (all or a part) based on the tag identifier acquired in step S120, an inquiry signal for reading is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To, and wireless communication is performed. A response signal including tag information is received and read (refer to FIG. 11 described later for details). When step S200 is completed, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, it is determined whether or not flag F = 0. If the reading process is normally completed, F = 0 remains (see step S280 in the flow shown in FIG. 11 described later), so this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S130.

  In step S130, a combination of the information read from the RFID circuit element To in step S200 and the print information already printed by the print head 10 corresponding to the information is sent via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3. The data is output via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 and stored in the information server 7 or the route server 4. The stored data is stored and held in, for example, a database so that it can be referred to from the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 as necessary.

  Thereafter, the determination in step S135 is repeated until the printing on the area of the cover film 103 corresponding to the RFID circuit element To that is the processing target at this time is completed. After the printing is completed, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S125 described above, if the reading process is not normally completed for some reason, F = 1 is set (see step S280 in the flow shown in FIG. 11 described later), so the determination in S125 is satisfied. In step S137, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25 to stop energizing the print head 10 and stop printing. As described above, the fact that the RFID circuit element To is not a normal product is clearly displayed by stopping printing halfway, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, it is determined whether the printed tag label tape 110 is further conveyed and the cut mark PM on the release paper 101d is detected by the photosensor 19. If the determination is satisfied, the process moves to step S145.

  In step S145, in response to the detection of the cut mark PM, a control signal is output to the cartridge drive circuit 24 and the delivery roller drive circuit 29, and the drive of the cartridge motor 23 and the delivery roller motor 28 is stopped to take up the ribbon. The rotation of the roller 106, the pressure roller 107, and the delivery roller 17 is stopped. As a result, the feeding of the base tape 101 from the first roll 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 110 with print by the feed roller 17 are stopped, and the release tape 101d is provided. In addition, the cutting line CL is just positioned between the cutters of the cutter 105.

  Thereafter, in step S150, a control signal is output to the solenoid drive circuit 27 to drive the solenoid 26, and the printed tag label tape 110 is cut (divided) along the cutting line CL by using the blade of the cutter 15. As described above, at this time, for example, the RFID tag circuit element To to be processed and the print area of the cover film 103 corresponding thereto all sufficiently exceed the cutter 15, and by cutting the cutter 15, the RFID tag A label-like RFID label T on which the RFID tag information of the circuit element To is read and predetermined printing corresponding to the RFID tag information is performed is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S155, where a control signal is output to the delivery roller drive circuit 29, the drive of the delivery roller motor 28 is resumed, and the delivery roller 17 is rotated. As a result, the conveyance by the delivery roller 17 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in a label shape in step S150 is conveyed toward the carry-out port 16 and is further discharged from the carry-out port 16 to the outside of the apparatus 2.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above.

  In FIG. 11, first, in step S210, based on the tag identifier acquired in step S120 of FIG. 10, the tag ID (tag ID) of the RFID circuit element To to be communicated (built in the generated RFID tag label). Is also possible).

Thereafter, in step S220, a “Scroll ID” command (for reading information stored in the RFID circuit element To by designating part or all of the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To acquired in the aforementioned step S120. Or a “Ping” command) is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, the signal processing circuit 22 uses “Scroll” as access information.
An “ID” signal (or “Ping” signal) is generated and transmitted via the high-frequency circuit 21 to the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed having the tag ID, and prompts a reply.

  Next, in step S230, a reply signal (RFID tag information such as article information) transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed corresponding to the “Scroll ID” signal is received via the antenna 14, and the high frequency signal is received. The data is taken in via the circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22.

  Next, in step S240, it is determined using a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check, etc.) whether or not there is an error in the reply signal received in step S230.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S250, and 1 is added to N. Further, in step S260, N is a predetermined number of retries set in advance (in this example, 5 times. Other times may be set as appropriate). It is determined whether or not. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S220 and the same procedure is repeated. If N = 5, the process proceeds to step S270, and an error display signal is output to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3 to display a reading failure (error), and in step S280. The aforementioned flag F = 1 is set, and this flow is finished. In this way, even if reading is unsuccessful, retry is performed up to a predetermined number of times (in this example, 5 times).

  When the determination in step S240 is satisfied, the reading of the RFID tag information from the RFID circuit element To to be read is completed, and this flow ends.

  Through the above routine, the RFID tag information of the IC circuit 151 can be accessed and read from the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed in the cartridge 100. Further, if the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 cannot be read correctly within a predetermined number of times, it can be determined that the RFID circuit element To is damaged, and therefore, it is determined whether the RFID label is not defective. Is possible.

  In the above, the access information (“Scroll ID” signal, “Ping” signal, which will be described later) for the signal processing circuit 22 and the transmission unit 32 of the high frequency circuit 21 to access the information of the IC circuit unit described in each claim. (Program) signal, “Erase” signal, “Verify” signal, etc.) are generated and transmitted to the tag-side antenna via the device-side antenna to constitute information access means for accessing information in the IC circuit unit. Further, the control circuit 30 constitutes a control means for controlling the information access means according to the detection result of the tag identifier detection means.

  As described above, in the tag label producing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, when producing the RFID label T, the base tape 101 and the printed cover film 103 are pressure-bonded by the pressure roller 107 and the sub-roller 109. The tag label 110 for printed tag label is generated, and the access information generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and the high frequency circuit 21 is transmitted to the antenna 152 of the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 14, and the RFID tag circuit element To Access to the information of the IC circuit unit 151 (reading of information in this example, writing of information in a modified example described later) is performed.

  At the time of this access, the barcode BC of the release paper 101d is detected by the photo sensor 19, and the RFID circuit element to be accessed is specified and accessed in advance according to the detection result (in this example, the tag ID is accessed). Therefore, it is possible to perform smooth and reliable communication without erroneous reading, erroneous writing, interference, and the like. At this time, since the photo sensor 19 is provided so as to face the transport path of the tag label tape 110 (in this example, so as to face the release paper 101d on the back surface of the tape), the tape is automatically automatically driven when the tape 110 is driven out. The barcode BC on the release paper 101d can be detected while scanning in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, it is possible to use a photosensor 19 having a small length in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the tape 110, and the size can be reduced. As a result, the tag label producing apparatus 2 can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the release paper 101d is peeled off when the generated RFID label T is affixed to a predetermined product or the like, there is an effect that it is possible to generate a clean RFID tag label that does not display an unnecessary tag identifier (= barcode BC). is there.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical idea. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

(1) When information is written to the RFID circuit element In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an RFID tag generation system that can only be read (not written) has been described as an example. The present invention may be applied to a RFID tag generation system that writes information to the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID circuit element To.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 in this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 10 described above. The same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 12, information written in the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID circuit element To and the printing information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 10, which are input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 in step S <b> 105 </ b> A. Is read via the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31. After this procedure is completed, the process proceeds to step S110A, and in addition to the aforementioned variable N and flag F, a variable M (details will be described later) is initialized to zero.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S200A through steps S115 and S120 similar to those in FIG. In step S200A, memory initialization (erase) for writing tag information by designating a tag ID (all or a part) based on the tag identifier acquired in step S120 is performed, and then the RFID tag information is stored in the RFID tag. The data is transmitted and written to the circuit element To (refer to FIG. 13 described later for details). When step S200A is completed, the process proceeds to step S125 as in FIG.

  In step S125, it is determined whether or not the flag F = 0 as in FIG. 10, and when this determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S130A.

  In step S130A, the combination of the information written in the RFID circuit element To in step S200A and the print information already printed by the print head 10 corresponding to the information is sent via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3. The data is output via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 and stored in, for example, the route server 4 as in step S130 of FIG. The stored data is stored and held so that it can be referred to from the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 as necessary.

  The subsequent procedure is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200A described above.

  In FIG. 13, first, in step S310, based on the tag identifier acquired in step S120 of FIG. 12, the tag ID (tag) of the RFID circuit element To to be communicated (built in the generated RFID tag label) ID may be a part of ID).

  Thereafter, in step S320, an “Erase” command for designating the tag ID (all or part) acquired in step S120 and initializing information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is used as a signal processing circuit. 22 for output. Based on this, an “Erase” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written through the high frequency circuit 21 to initialize the memory unit 157.

  In step S330, a “Verify” command for confirming the contents of the memory unit 157 is output to the signal processing circuit 22 in the same manner as described above. Based on this, a “Verify” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S340, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the antenna 14 and taken in via the high frequency circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22.

  Next, in step S350, based on the reply signal, information in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the memory unit 157 has been normally initialized.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S360, and 1 is added to M. Further, in step S370, M is a predetermined number of retries set in advance (in this example, 5 times. Other times may be set as appropriate). It is determined whether or not. If M ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S320 and the same procedure is repeated. When M = 5, the process proceeds to step S380, where an error display signal is output to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3, and a corresponding writing failure (error) display is performed. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times. When step S380 ends, the process proceeds to step S385. In step S385, the aforementioned flag F = 1 is set, and the process proceeds to step S460.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S350 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S390, and a “Program” command for writing desired data in the memory unit 157 is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, the signal processing circuit 22 generates a “Program” signal as access information including information to be written in the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To that is input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6. The information is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the high frequency circuit 21, and the information input through the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is written in the memory unit 157.

  Thereafter, a “Verify” command is output to the signal processing circuit 22 in step S400. Based on this, a “Verify” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 in the same manner as described above, and is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S 410, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the antenna 14 and taken in via the high-frequency circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22.

  Next, in step S420, based on the reply signal, the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and whether or not the transmitted predetermined information is normally stored in the memory unit 157. Determine whether.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S430, and 1 is added to N. Further, in step S440, N is a predetermined number of retries set in advance (in this example, 5 times. Other times may be set as appropriate). It is determined whether or not. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S390 and the same procedure is repeated. If N = 5, the process proceeds to the above-described step S380, and similarly, the writing failure (error) display corresponding to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is displayed, and the above-described flag F = 1 is set in step S385, and this flow is finished. To do. In this way, even if information writing is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process moves to step S450, and a “Lock” command is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, a “Lock” signal is generated in the signal processing circuit 22 in the same manner as described above, and is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the high-frequency circuit 21, and a new signal is sent to the RFID circuit element To. Information writing is prohibited. As a result, the writing of the RFID tag information to the RFID circuit element To to be written is completed, and the RFID circuit element To is discharged as described above. When step S450 ends, this flow ends.

  According to the above routine, desired information can be written in the IC circuit section 151 for the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed in the cartridge 100.

  As described above, in the present modification, the wireless tag generation system for writing the wireless tag information has substantially the same effect as the above embodiment.

(2) In the case where bonding is not performed In other words, as described in the above embodiment, printing is performed directly on the cover film 103 different from the tag tape (base tape) 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To. This is a case in which these are not pasted but applied to a RFID tag circuit element cartridge for a tag label producing apparatus for printing on a cover film provided on a tag tape.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge 100 ′ according to this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 3 described above. Components equivalent to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 14, a cartridge 100 'is a first roll (tag tape roll) 102' around which a thermal tape 101 '(tag tape) is wound, and this thermal tape 101' is fed to the outside of the cartridge 100 '. And a tape feed roller 107 '.

  The first roll 102 ′ is wound around a reel member 102 a ′ with a strip-like transparent thermal tape 101 ′ in which a plurality of the RFID tag circuit elements To are sequentially formed in the longitudinal direction.

  In this example, the heat-sensitive tape 101 'wound around the first roll 102' has a three-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 14), and is on the surface from the side wound outside to the opposite side. A cover film 101a ′ made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having a heat-sensitive recording layer, an adhesive layer 101b ′ made of an appropriate adhesive material, and a release paper 101c ′ (release material) are laminated in this order.

  An IC circuit portion 151 for storing information is integrally provided on the back side of the cover film 101'a, and the antenna 152 is formed on the surface on the back side of the cover film 101'a. On the back side of the cover film 101'a, the release paper 101c 'is bonded to the cover film 101'a by the adhesive layer 101b'. The release paper 101c ′ includes a barcode BC (tag identifier) for specifying the RFID circuit element To at the time of access and a cutting position CL by the cutter 15 as in the base tape release paper 101d of the above embodiment. Cut marks PM (positioning identifiers) for positioning are alternately provided. FIG. 15 is an arrow view seen from the direction of arrow E ′ in FIG. 14 showing this arrangement, and corresponds to FIG. 4 of the above embodiment.

  When the cartridge 100 ′ is mounted on the cartridge holder portion of the tag label producing apparatus 2 and a roller holder (not shown) is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the thermal tape 101 ′ is moved between the print head 10 and the platen roller 108. In addition, it is held between the tape feed roller 107 ′ and the sub roller 109. As the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 is driven by the drive force of the cartridge motor 23 (see FIG. 2), the tape feed roller 107 ', the sub roller 109, and the platen roller 108 rotate in synchronization with each other, and the first roll 102 is rotated. The heat-sensitive tape 101 'is fed out from'.

  The drawn thermal tape 101 'is supplied to the print head 10 on the downstream side in the transport direction. In the print head 10, the plurality of heating elements are energized by the print drive circuit 25 (see FIG. 2), whereby the print is printed on the surface of the cover film 101a 'of the thermal tape 101', and the printed tag label tape 110 is printed. After being formed as ', it is carried out of the cartridge 100'. It goes without saying that printing using an ink ribbon as in the above-described embodiment may be used.

  After carrying out of the cartridge 100 ′, the RFID circuit element To is identified based on the detection signal of the barcode BC detected by the photosensor 19, and the information of the IC circuit unit 151 is transmitted via the antenna 14, as in the above embodiment. Is accessed (information read / write). Thereafter, the conveyance by the feed roller 17 and the cutting by the cutter 15 are the same as those in the above-described embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Also in this modified example, effects such as a reduction in size and weight of the tag label producing apparatus 2 and a reduction in manufacturing cost are obtained as in the above embodiment.

(3) Other
(A) When no cutting is performed In the above, an example in which the tag label T is created by cutting the tapes 110 and 110 ′ after printing and access (reading or writing) to the RFID circuit element To by the cutter 15. However, this is not a limitation. That is, in the case where a label mount (so-called die cut label) previously separated into a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, even if it is not cut by the cutter 15, After the tape has been discharged from the discharge port 16, only the label mount (the one with the already accessed RFID circuit element To and the corresponding printing performed) may be peeled off from the tape to produce the tag label T. In this case, since there is no fear of cutting the tag, a slight positional error can be allowed, and a pulse motor which is the cartridge motor 23 (refer to FIG. 2 described above) is not provided without corresponding to the aforementioned cut mark PM. The label end position (stop position) may be determined from the number of pulses to be applied. Even in this case, the tag identifier corresponding to the barcode BC is read by the tag identifier detection means such as the photosensor 19 provided in the vicinity of the tape transport path in the same manner as described above, and the target RFID circuit is detected according to the detection result. Access (information reading or information writing) can be performed by specifying the element To. As a result, as described above, it is possible to use an identifier detecting unit such as the photo sensor 19 having a small length in the tape longitudinal direction (conveying direction), and the tag label producing apparatus 2 can be reduced in size and weight and reduced in manufacturing cost. An effect can be obtained.

(B) Other Detection Modes In the above, the barcode BC as the tag identifier is detected by the photosensor 19, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, an optical identifier may be provided on the tape 101, 101 'and detected by the optical detection means, or a magnetic identifier may be provided on the tape 101, 101' and detected by the magnetic detection means. May be.

(C) Communication frequency, communication protocol, etc. In addition, in the above, the barcode BC as the tag identifier includes the tag ID information and is detected by the photosensor 19 in order to specify the access target. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . That is, the tag identifier stores not only the ID information of the RFID circuit element To but also information related to the communication frequency, communication protocol, etc., and these are also read by the tag identifier detection means such as the photosensor 19, and the control circuit 30 You may control to access using the said communication frequency and communication protocol at the time of access. In this case, it is possible to use a different communication frequency or communication protocol for each cartridge, and even in that case, it is possible to reliably access with the optimum communication frequency or communication protocol. For example, if the RFID circuit elements To can be specified only by their communication frequency and communication protocol (for example, at least the adjacent RFID circuit elements To are set to have different frequencies and protocols), the tag The ID information may not be provided as an identifier, and only the communication frequency or communication protocol may be provided as a tag identifier. In this case, instead of the above-mentioned “Scroll ID” signal, a “Scroll All ID” signal may be output.

The “Scroll” used above
The “ID” signal, “Ping” signal, “Scroll All ID” signal ”,“ Erase ”signal,“ Verify ”signal,“ Program ”signal, etc. conform to the Auto-ID specification established by EPC global. To do. EPC global is a non-profit corporation established jointly by the International EAN Association, which is an international organization of distribution codes, and the United Code Code Council (UCC), which is an American distribution code organization. Note that signals conforming to other standards may be used as long as they perform the same function.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system to which a tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a conceptual block diagram showing the detailed structure of a tag label production apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of a cartridge. It is an arrow line view from the E direction in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of a high frequency circuit. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the upper surface figure and bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID tag label. FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along a section VIII-VIII ′ in FIG. 7. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on a terminal or a general purpose computer at the time of access to RFID tag information. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the preparation procedure of the RFID label performed with the control circuit in the modification which writes information in a RFID circuit element. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200A shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of the cartridge of the modification which does not perform bonding. It is an arrow line view from the E 'direction in FIG. 14 showing the detailed structure which looked at the thermal tape from the back surface.

Explanation of symbols

2 Tag label production device 10 Print head (printing means)
12 Pressure roller drive shaft (drive means)
14 Antenna (device side antenna)
15 Cutter (cutting means)
19 Photosensor (tag identifier detection means, positioning detection means)
21 High-frequency circuit 22 Signal processing circuit (information access means)
30 Control circuit (control means)
32 Transmitter (information access means)
100 cartridge (tag tape roll cartridge)
100 'cartridge (tag tape roll cartridge)
101 Base tape (tag tape)
101a Adhesive layer (adhesive layer for bonding)
101c Adhesive layer (adhesive layer on the pasting side)
101d Release paper (release material)
101 'Thermal tape (tag tape)
101b 'Adhesive layer (adhesive layer on the pasting side)
101c 'Release paper (release material)
102 1st roll (tag tape roll)
102 'first roll (tag tape roll)
103 Cover film (printed tape)
151 IC circuit section 152 Antenna (tag side antenna)
BC barcode (tag identifier)
CL cutting position PM cut mark (positioning identifier)
To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (19)

Wireless communication between the tag-side antenna of the RFID tag circuit element that is arranged on the tag tape and has a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit for storing predetermined information and transmitting / receiving information. A device-side antenna that performs
Drive means for paying out the tag tape;
Information access means for generating access information for accessing the information of the IC circuit unit, transmitting the information to the tag side antenna via the device side antenna, and accessing the information of the IC circuit unit;
Tag identifier detection means for detecting a tag identifier provided on the tag tape to identify the RFID circuit element;
A tag label producing apparatus comprising control means for controlling the information access means in accordance with a detection result of the tag identifier detection means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
The tag label producing device, wherein the tag identifier detecting means detects the tag identifier while the tag tape is being fed out by the driving means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The tag label producing device, wherein the tag identifier detecting means is arranged so as to face the tag tape fed out. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 3,
The tag identifier producing device detects the tag identifier including identification information of the RFID circuit element. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The tag label producing device, wherein the tag identifier detecting means is means for optically detecting the tag identifier. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising printing means for performing predetermined printing on the tag tape or a print-receiving tape bonded to the tag tape. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising cutting means for cutting a tag tape or a tape on which a print-receiving tape and a tag tape are bonded together into a predetermined length when driving of the driving means is stopped. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 7,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising positioning detection means for detecting a positioning identifier for defining a cutting position of the cutting means. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 8,
The tag identifier detection means is configured to be used as the positioning detection means,
The detecting means that is also used as the subsequent tag label when the driving means resumes driving to generate the next tag label after the tag label is generated by stopping the driving means and cutting the cutting means. After the tag identifier is detected, the tag identifier is arranged so that the positioning identifier is detected after driving a predetermined amount, and then the cutting means is cut when the driving means is stopped. Creation device. A tag tape in which a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements each having an IC circuit section for storing predetermined information and a tag side antenna connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting and receiving information is continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the tape is wound. A tag tape roll that turns,
A tag tape roll, wherein a tag identifier for specifying the RFID circuit element is provided on one surface of the tag tape. In the tag tape roll according to claim 10,
The tag tape roll, wherein the tag identifier of the tag tape includes identification information of the RFID circuit element. In the tag tape roll according to claim 10 or 11,
The tag tape roll, wherein the tag identifier of the tag tape is a barcode. The tag tape roll according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
A tag tape roll further comprising a positioning identifier for defining a cutting position on the one side surface of the tag tape. The tag tape roll according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
A tag tape roll, wherein a plurality of tag identifiers or positioning identifiers of the tag tape are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements. The tag tape roll according to claim 14,
A plurality of the tag identifiers and the positioning identifiers are provided at predetermined intervals corresponding to the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements, and the tag identifiers and the positioning identifiers are alternately arranged. Tag tape roll. The tag tape roll according to claim 15,
A tag tape roll, wherein the tag identifier relating to a tag label subsequent to the one tag label is provided almost immediately after the tag tape feeding direction of the positioning identifier relating to one tag label. The tag tape roll according to any one of claims 10 to 16,
A tag tape roll, wherein the tag identifier or the positioning identifier is provided on a release material that covers the adhesive material layer on the attachment side of the RFID circuit element as the one surface of the tag tape. The tag tape roll according to any one of claims 10 to 17,
A tag tape roll comprising an adhesive material layer for bonding a print-receiving tape on which predetermined printing has been performed to the other surface of the tag tape. A tag tape roll cartridge containing the tag tape roll according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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