JP4761184B2 - Tag label producing apparatus and tag label producing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus that reads or writes information on a wireless tag capable of wireless communication of information with the outside and creates a wireless tag label.

RFID (Radio) for reading / writing information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device)
There is known a Frequency Identification) system.

  For example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits and receives information. Even if the battery is dirty or placed in an invisible position, the reader / writer can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information in the IC circuit unit, and manage the product. Practical use is expected in various fields such as inspection processes.

  Various communication protocols have been proposed for wireless communication with the wireless tag, and various communication protocols are used according to the use of each wireless tag. Correspondingly, a communication device that can handle a plurality of types of communication protocols has been described (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-291079 A

  The communication device of the above prior art is a multi-protocol compatible type capable of supporting a plurality of types of communication protocols, but if the communication protocol that matches the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated is unknown, how can the communication protocol be There was no particular consideration as to whether or not to specify. For this reason, in such a case, communication with the RFID circuit element may be difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tag label producing apparatus capable of reliably communicating even when communicating with a RFID circuit element whose communication protocol is unknown.

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 an element, a driving unit for feeding out the tag tape, and an access information generating unit that generates access information for accessing information in the IC circuit unit And an information transmitting means for transmitting the access information generated by the access information generating means to the tag-side antenna in a non-contact manner via the apparatus-side antenna and accessing information of the IC circuit unit, and an apparatus communication protocols use frequency information acquisition means for acquiring outside of the tag communication protocol used frequency information about the tape stored in the first storage means Based on the acquired communication protocol used frequency information in the communication protocol used frequency information acquisition means, a protocol determination means for determining a communication protocol for use in transmission to the tag antenna according to the information transmitting means, the communication Second storage means storing and holding protocol use frequency information; and writing means for updating the communication protocol use frequency information by writing information to the first or second storage means in response to execution of the access. The first or second storage means stores and holds a plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to a plurality of tag attribute parameter information related to the tag tape, and the protocol determination means includes the plurality of communication protocols. The tag attribute parameter information of the tag tape to be communicated among the protocol usage frequency information. The communication protocol to be used is determined based on the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to, and the writing means writes information to the first or second storage means when the access to the IC circuit unit is successful. And the communication protocol usage frequency information is updated .

In the first invention of this application, the communication protocol used by the information transmitting means for accessing the information of the IC circuit unit is stored in the first storage means (for example, provided outside the apparatus) and the communication protocol is stored in the protocol determining means. This is determined based on the communication protocol usage frequency information acquired by the usage frequency information acquisition means. As a result, communication protocol usage frequency information such as past actual usage frequency up to that time can be obtained even when communication is performed with respect to an RFID circuit element whose communication protocol is unknown and access is made to the information of the IC circuit unit. Accordingly, a communication protocol that matches the RFID circuit element can be determined and communication can be performed reliably.

Further, referring to the communication protocol usage frequency information in the second storage means provided on the device side, the protocol determining means determines the communication protocol matching the RFID circuit element according to the communication protocol usage frequency information , and reliably Can communicate.

Further, every time access is performed with the communication protocol determined by the protocol determining means, the use history of the communication protocol in the access can be accumulated as a new use history, and the communication protocol use frequency information can be updated.

Moreover, when access fails, it is not counted as a use history, but only when access is successful can be accurately accumulated as communication protocol use frequency information .

Also, out of the communication protocol usage frequency information stored in the first or second storage means, reference is made to the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information of the tag tape provided with the RFID circuit element to be communicated . By doing so, the protocol determining means can determine the communication protocol that matches the RFID circuit element, and communication can be performed reliably.

According to a second invention, in the first invention , the tag attribute parameter information includes detection means for detecting the width of the tag tape, and the first or second storage means has a plurality of tag tape width values. A plurality of the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the information is stored and held, and the protocol determination unit uses the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the width of the tag tape detected by the detection unit. It is characterized by determining a communication protocol.

Thus, detecting means detects the width of the tag tape, the protocol determining means, a communication protocol corresponding to the detected width of the tag tape in the communication protocol used frequency information stored in the first or the second storage means By referring to the usage frequency information , a communication protocol that matches the RFID circuit element can be determined, and communication can be performed reliably.

In a third aspect based on the first aspect , the first or second storage means stores and holds a plurality of communication protocol use frequency information corresponding to a plurality of user ID information relating to an operator, and determines the protocol The means determines a communication protocol to be used based on communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the user ID information of an operator who wants to communicate among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information. .

As a result, the protocol determination is made by referring to the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the user ID information of the operator who uses the tag label producing device among the communication protocol usage frequency information stored in the first or second storage means. The means can determine the communication protocol normally used by the operator, and can communicate reliably.

According to a fourth invention, in the first invention , there is provided printing means for printing on the tag tape, and the first or second storage means corresponds to a plurality of third information relating to the print contents by the printing means. A plurality of the communication protocol usage frequency information is stored and held, and the protocol determination means is a communication protocol corresponding to the third information related to printing when communication is to be performed among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information A communication protocol to be used is determined based on usage frequency information .

Thus, by referring to the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the third information related to the contents printed on the tag tape at the time of communication among the communication protocol usage frequency information stored in the first or second storage means, the protocol The determining means can determine a communication protocol that is normally used for the print contents, and communication can be reliably performed.

According to a fifth invention , in any one of the first to fourth inventions , the protocol determining means determines a use order of the plurality of communication protocols based on the communication protocol use frequency information. .

As a result, when a plurality of communication protocols can be used on the tag label producing apparatus side, the protocol determination means determines the use order based on the communication protocol use frequency information , so that the wireless tag to be communicated among the plurality of protocols is A protocol that matches the circuit element can be found and used efficiently and quickly.

According to a sixth invention, in the fifth invention , there is provided a judging means for judging whether or not the access to the IC circuit unit has succeeded after the execution of the access, wherein the information transmitting means is the protocol determining means. The access is performed by switching the communication protocol according to the determined use order of the plurality of communication protocols and the determination result of the success or failure of the access by the determination means.

  As a result, when attempting to access the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated, the access attempt is made while sequentially switching the communication protocol in accordance with the success or failure of the access, following the order of use of the plurality of communication protocols determined by the protocol determining means. By repeating, it is possible to reliably find and use a protocol that matches the RFID circuit element.

In order to achieve the above object, a tag label producing system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes an IC circuit unit that is arranged on a tag tape and stores predetermined information, and a tag side antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits and receives information. Access device for generating access information for accessing information of the IC circuit unit, device side antenna for transmitting and receiving by radio communication with the tag side antenna of the RFID tag circuit element having, drive means for feeding out the tag tape Generating means and an information transmitter for transmitting the access information generated by the access information generating means to the tag-side antenna via the device-side antenna in a non-contact manner and accessing information in the IC circuit unit stage, a tag label producing apparatus having, database as a first storage means for storing and holding the communication protocol used frequency information A tag label producing system comprising bets, the tag label producing apparatus, a communication protocol used frequency information acquisition means for acquiring a communication protocol frequently used information on the tag tape stored in the database, the communication protocol used frequency information acquisition Based on the communication protocol use frequency information acquired by the means, protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for transmission to the tag side antenna by the information transmitting means, and storing and holding the communication protocol use frequency information A second storage means; and a write means for updating the communication protocol usage frequency information by writing information to the first or second storage means in response to the execution of the access. 2 The storage means includes a plurality of tag attribute parameters related to the tag tape. A plurality of the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the information is stored and held, and the protocol determining means corresponds to the tag attribute parameter information of the tag tape to be communicated among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information The communication protocol to be used is determined based on the communication protocol usage frequency information to be used, and the writing means writes information to the first or second storage means when the access to the IC circuit unit is successful. The communication protocol usage frequency information is updated .

In the seventh invention of the present application, the protocol determining means determines the communication protocol used by the information transmitting means of the tag label producing apparatus for accessing the information of the IC circuit unit based on the communication protocol usage frequency information relating to the tag tape of the database. To do. As a result, communication protocol usage frequency information such as past actual usage frequency up to that time can be obtained even when communication is performed with respect to an RFID circuit element whose communication protocol is unknown and access is made to the information of the IC circuit unit. Accordingly, a communication protocol that matches the RFID circuit element can be determined and communication can be performed reliably.

Each time access is performed with the communication protocol determined by the protocol determination means of the tag label producing device, the use history of the communication protocol in the access is accumulated in the database as a new use history, and the communication protocol use frequency information is updated. can do.

Moreover, when access fails, it is not counted as a use history, but only when access is successful can be accurately accumulated as communication protocol use frequency information .

Also, on the tag label producing apparatus side, the communication protocol usage frequency information stored in the database refers to the communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information of the tag tape provided with the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated . By doing so, the protocol determining means can determine the communication protocol that matches the RFID circuit element, and communication can be performed reliably.

According to the present invention, since the communication protocol at the time of access is determined based on the communication protocol usage frequency information , even when communication is performed with respect to an RFID circuit element whose communication protocol is unknown, communication is reliably performed. be able to.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a wireless tag generation system.

  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.

  In this RFID tag generating system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a tag label producing device (RFID tag information communication device) 2 is a terminal for operating the route server 4 and tag label producing device 2 via a wired or wireless communication line 3 ( An operation terminal 5 and the information server 7 are connected to construct a network (for example, a wide area).

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

  In FIG. 2, the device body 8 of the tag label producing device 2 is provided with a cartridge holder portion (not shown) as a recess, and the cartridge 100 is detachably attached to the cartridge holder portion.

  The apparatus main body 8 includes the cartridge holder portion into which the cartridge 100 is fitted, and serves as a printing unit that performs predetermined printing (printing) on the casing 9 that forms the outer shell and the cover film 103 (see FIG. 4 described later). A print head (thermal head) 10, a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 for driving the ink ribbon that has finished printing on the cover film 103, and a tape feed roller drive for feeding out the tag label tape 110 with print from the cartridge body 100. An antenna (device) for transmitting and receiving signals by radio communication between the shaft (driving means) 12 and a RFID circuit element To (provided in detail later) provided in the tag label tape 110 with print using high frequency such as UHF band Side antenna) 14 and the printed tag label tape 110 with a predetermined length at a predetermined timing. A cutter 15 that generates a label-like wireless tag label T by cutting the wireless tag, and holds and sets the wireless tag circuit element To in a predetermined access area facing the antenna 14 at the time of signal transmission / reception via the wireless communication and A pair of transport guides 13 for guiding the tag label T, a delivery roller 17 for transporting the guided RFID label T to the carry-out port (discharge port) 16 and sending it out, and the presence or absence of the RFID label T at the carry-out port 16 And a discharge sensor 18 for detecting.

  On the other hand, the apparatus body 8 also has a high-frequency circuit 21 for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 14, and a control circuit 30 among a plurality of corresponding protocols as will be described later. The signal processing circuit 22 for processing the signal read from the RFID circuit element To and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 described above are driven based on the protocol set by the above. A cartridge motor 23, a cartridge drive circuit 24 for controlling the drive of the cartridge motor 23, a print drive circuit 25 for controlling energization of the print head 10, and the cutter 15 are driven to perform a cutting operation. A solenoid 26, a solenoid drive circuit 27 for controlling the solenoid 26, and the delivery roller 7, a feed roller motor 28 for driving the feed roller 7, a feed roller drive circuit 29 for controlling the feed roller motor 28, and a lid open / close detection sensor 19 for detecting the open / closed state of a lid (not shown) provided on the housing 9. A sensor 20 (detection means) for detecting tag attribute parameter information (tape width information in this example) provided in a detected portion 190 (details will be described later) provided in the cartridge 100, the high-frequency circuit 21, and signal processing And a control circuit 30 for controlling the overall operation of the tag label producing apparatus 2 through the 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.

The control circuit 30 is a so-called microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 30 performs signal transmission / reception with the CPU 30A, the ROM 30B, the RAM 30C, the signal processing circuit 22 and the high-frequency circuit 21, which are central processing units. 30D, etc., and performs signal processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM 30B while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM 30C. The control circuit 30 is connected to, for example, the communication line 3 via the communication circuit 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 3. Information can be exchanged between them. Further, as will be described later, a non-volatile memory (Flash) as the second storage means.
ROM) 30E may be provided.
Note that the route server 4, the other terminal 5, the general-purpose computer 6, and the information server 7 are also composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The information server 7 includes a database for storing and storing usage history information inside (or may be connected to the outside) (details will be described later).

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 100 according to the present embodiment provided in the tag label producing apparatus 2.

  In FIG. 4, a cartridge 100 includes a first roll 102 around which a strip-shaped base tape (tag tape) 101 is wound, and a transparent cover film 103 that is substantially the same width as the base tape 101. The second roll 104, the ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out the ink ribbon 105, the ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up the ink ribbon 105 after printing, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are pressed. A tape feed roller 107 that feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A while adhering to the tag label tape 110 with print is provided.

  The first roll 102 is wound with the base tape 101 in which a plurality of RFID circuit elements To are sequentially formed, for example, at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction around a reel member 102a. The second roll 104 is a reel The cover film 103 is wound around the member 104a.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 107 are driven by a driving force of a 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.

  The base tape 101 wound around the first roll 102 has a four-layer structure in this example (refer to a partially enlarged view in FIG. 4), and the opposite side from the side wound inside (the right side in FIG. 4). (Left side in FIG. 4) Order of adhesive layer 101a made of an appropriate adhesive material, colored base film 101b made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), adhesive layer 101c made of an appropriate adhesive material, and release paper 101d It is laminated and configured.

  An antenna (tag side antenna) 152 that transmits and receives information is integrally provided on the back side (left side in FIG. 4) of the base film 101b, and an IC circuit unit 151 that stores information so as to be connected thereto is provided. The RFID circuit element To is formed by these (detailed structure will be described later).

  The adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 4) of the base film 101b, and the RFID circuit element is formed on the back side (left side in FIG. 4) 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 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.

  In the above configuration, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the apparatus main body 8 and a roller holder (not shown) having the platen roller 108 and the sub roller 109 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are arranged. Is sandwiched between the print head 10 and the platen roller 108, and the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feed roller 107 and the sub roller 109. The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 107 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the direction indicated by the arrow B by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 12, the sub roller 109, and the platen roller 108 are connected by a gear (not shown), and the tape feed roller 107, sub roller 109, Then, the platen roller 108 rotates, and the four-layer base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102.

  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, printing R (see FIG. 8A described later) such as predetermined characters, symbols, and barcodes is printed on the back surface (= the surface on the adhesive layer 101a side) of the cover film 103 (however, printing is performed from the back surface). (Prints mirror-symmetric characters, etc. when viewed from the side). The base tape 101 having the four-layer structure and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 107 and the sub roller 109 to form a tag label tape 110 with print, and the cartridge 100 It is carried out. 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. 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 transmitting unit 32 generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To, a crystal resonator 35, and a PLL (Phase
The generated carrier wave is modulated on the basis of a signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 22 (Locked Loop) 36 and 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 modulation wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 38 is sent from the control circuit 30 to “TX_PWR”. And a variable transmission amplifier 39 that determines and amplifies the amplification factor according to the signal. 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.

  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. Received by the antenna 14, the first band-pass filter 41 for extracting only a signal in a wide band, the reception first amplifier 43 that amplifies the output of the first band-pass filter 41 and supplies the amplified signal to the first limiter 42. The reception second multiplication circuit 44 for multiplying the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To and the carrier wave having a phase delayed by 90 ° after being generated, and a signal in a necessary band from the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 44 A second band-pass filter 45 for extracting only the signal, and the output of the second band-pass filter 45 is inputted and amplified and supplied to the second limiter 46. Receiving second amplifier 47. 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 an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the sensor 20.

  In FIG. 6, the sensor 20 is a mechanical switch that detects the concavo-convex shape by urging and contacting the contact point 20 </ b> B with the spring member 20 </ b> A against the identifiers 190 </ b> A to 190 </ b> C of the detected portion 190 having the concavo-convex shape. In addition, a detection signal is output to the control circuit 30 from the contact 20B arranged corresponding to each uneven portion.

  These identifiers 190A to 190C are tag attribute parameter information (= first information: width / color of the base tape 101 to which the element To is attached), which is optimum for the RFID circuit element To in the cartridge 100, depending on the presence / absence of the unevenness. , The memory capacity of the IC circuit unit 151, the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements To, the sensitivity of the antenna 152, and the like. Output to 30.

  The sensor 20 as the detection means is not limited to a mechanical switch, and may be another method, for example, a sensor using light reflection. In this case, for example, a light emitting diode that emits light in response to a signal from the control circuit 30 and a phototransistor that receives reflected light from each identifier 190A to 190C of the light emission and outputs a corresponding detection signal to the control circuit 30 are provided.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 7, the RFID circuit element To includes an antenna 14 that transmits and receives signals without contact with the antenna 14 on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side using a high frequency such as a UHF band, 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 a control unit 155 (described later); a memory unit 157 that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal; The modulation / demodulation unit 158 connected to the antenna 152, and the control unit 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the rectification unit 153, the clock extraction unit 156, the modulation / demodulation unit 158, and the like. ing.

  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.

  8A and 8B show the appearance of the RFID label T formed after the information reading (or writing) of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the printed tag label tape 110 are completed as described above. 8A is a top view, and FIG. 8B is a bottom view. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the IX-IX ′ cross section in FIG.

  8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9, 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. 9) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 9), 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.

  FIG. 10 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. 10, in this example, the type (tag frequency and tape size) of the tag label, the print character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, and the access (read) that is an ID unique to the RFID circuit element To. (Or write) ID, the address of the article information stored in the information server 7, the storage address of the corresponding information in the route server 4, etc. can be displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6. Then, the tag label producing apparatus 2 is activated by the operation of the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 so that the print character R is printed on the cover film 103 and the article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 as will be described later. Or the like (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 information server 7 and can be referred to as necessary.

  11A to 11C show correlations between the tag attribute parameter information stored in the database of the information server 7 shown in FIG. 1 and communication protocol usage frequency information (hereinafter referred to as appropriate). In this example, the width of the tape information base tape 101 read by the sensor 20 is taken as an example of the tag attribute parameter information, and each width (three types) is shown. ) Represents communication protocol usage frequency information for each. The horizontal axis represents the types of communication protocols (in this example, five types of communication protocols; a, b, c, d, and e), and the vertical axis represents the frequency of use, for example, wireless The number of tag label creations (for example, the number of tag label creations or the number of times the cartridge 100 is attached / detached) is represented. The five types of communication protocols (a to e) used in the present embodiment are: communication protocol a; EPC global class 1, communication protocol b; EPC global class 2, communication protocol c; ISO protocol, d; ubiquitous ID class 1, e; Each corresponds to ubiquitous ID Class2.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of the cartridge 100 in which the width of the base tape 101 is 18 mm. As shown in the figure, the frequency of use is in the order of protocol d, protocol b, protocol e, protocol c, and protocol a. (As a result, as will be described later, access is performed in the order of communication protocol d → b → e → c → a which is frequently used on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side).

  FIG. 11B illustrates an example of the cartridge 100 in which the width of the base tape 101 is 24 mm. As illustrated, the frequency of use is in the order of protocol b, protocol c, protocol d, protocol e, and protocol a. (As a result, as will be described later, access is performed in the order of communication protocol b → c → d → e → a, which is frequently used on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side).

  FIG. 11C illustrates an example of the cartridge 100 in which the width of the base tape 101 is 36 mm. As illustrated, the frequency of use is in the order of protocol d, protocol b, protocol e, protocol c, and protocol a. It is high. (As a result, as will be described later, access is performed in the order of communication protocol d → b → e → c → a which is frequently used on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU of the control circuit 30 provided in the tag label producing apparatus 2.

  In FIG. 12, for example, when a tag information read or write operation (in other words, a tag label creation operation) is performed in the tag label creation device 2 via the terminal 5, this flow is started. First, in step S1, based on the detection result of the sensor 20, the width of the base tape 101 provided in the cartridge 100 attached to the cartridge holder portion of the tag label producing apparatus 2 is detected and determined.

  Thereafter, in step S2, an inquiry signal is output to the information server 7 regarding the communication protocol usage frequency information relating to the width of the base tape 101 determined in step S1, and the communication sent from the information server 7 in response thereto. Based on the protocol usage frequency information, the corresponding communication protocol (usage order) is determined.

  Next, in step S3, the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To is accessed using the communication protocol determined in step S2.

  Thereafter, in step S4, the communication protocol used in step S3 is transmitted to the information server 7 indicating that it is a new usage record (usage frequency), whereby the corresponding usage history information is updated in the information server 7. Is done.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S1.

  In FIG. 13, first, in step S11, the detected portion 190 (uneven portion) of the cartridge 100 fitted to the cartridge holder portion of the tag label producing apparatus 2 is detected by the sensor 20, and this detection signal (sensor signal). Is input (identified) (may be temporarily stored in the RAM of the control circuit 30).

  After that, in step S12, the tag attribute parameter represented by the identifiers 190A to 190C is performed by performing predetermined processing (including calculation, analysis, extraction, etc. as necessary) based on the detection signal detected in step S11. Information (in this example, width information of the base tape 101) is acquired.

  In the next step S <b> 13, the acquired tape width information of the base tape 101 is stored in the RAM of the control circuit 30.

  When step S13 ends, the process proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure representing the detailed procedure of step S2 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S21, the tape width information stored in the RAM in step S13 is read.

  In step S22, an inquiry signal of a protocol corresponding to the read width of the base tape 101 is output to the information server 7.

  Thereafter, in step S23, protocol use frequency information corresponding to the width of the base tape 101, which is output from the information server 7 in response to the inquiry signal in step S22, is input. The information input at this time is the communication protocol use frequency information shown in FIG. 11 earlier. For example, when the tape width read in step S13 is 18 mm, the contents shown in FIG. Is done. The input data format may be, for example, the usage frequency value (absolute value or relative value) of each protocol a, b, c, d, e itself, or their usage frequency order.

  In step S24, the use order of communication protocols is determined in descending order of use frequency based on the use frequency information of the communication protocol input in step S23. That is, for example, when the width of the base tape 101 is 18 mm, the communication protocol is d → b → e → c → a, and when the width of the base tape 101 is 24 mm, the communication protocol b → c → e → d → When the width of the base tape 101 is 36 mm, the communication protocol is b → c → d → e → a. When this step S24 ends, this flow ends, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU of the information server 7 in relation to the flowchart of FIG.

  15, first, in step S31, the protocol inquiry signal output from the tag label producing apparatus 2 in step S22 of FIG. 14 described above is input (may be temporarily stored in the RAM of the information server 7).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S32, and the communication protocol usage frequency information table stored in the database of the information server 7 corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information is referred to the one corresponding to the inquiry signal input in step S31. To do. In the above example, if the width of the base tape 101 output from the tag label producing apparatus 2 side in step S22 is 18 mm, the communication protocol usage frequency information table shown in FIG. If the width of the base tape 101 is 24 mm, the communication protocol use frequency information table shown in FIG. 11B is referred to (quoted), and if the width of the base tape 101 is 36 mm, FIG. Referring to (quoting) the communication protocol usage frequency information table shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S33, the communication protocol use frequency information referred (cited) in step S32 is output to the tag label producing apparatus 2. As described above, the data format of the information output at this time may be the use frequency value (absolute value or relative value) of each protocol a, b, c, d, e, or the use frequency thereof. The order may be sufficient. When step S33 ends, this flow ends.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reading RFID tag information from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To, which is an example of the tag information access in step S3 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 16, first, in step S90, the communication protocol used in the current communication is set based on the use order of the communication protocol determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S100, and after the printed tag label tape 110 is printed, the RFID circuit element To to be read is conveyed to the vicinity of the antenna 14.

  Thereafter, in step S110, a variable N for counting the number of times of retrying (number of access attempts) when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To is initialized to zero.

In step S 120, a “Scroll All ID” command for reading information stored in the RFID circuit element To based on the communication protocol set in the previous step S 90 is output to the signal processing circuit 22. In response to this, the signal processing circuit 22 uses “Scroll” as access information.
An “All ID” signal is generated and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed via the high-frequency circuit 21 using the communication protocol to prompt a reply.

  Next, in step S130, a reply signal (RFID tag information such as article information) transmitted from the RFID circuit element To be accessed in response to the “Scroll All ID” signal is received via the antenna 14. The high-frequency circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22 are used.

  Next, in step S140, it is determined using a known CRC code (Cyclic Redundancy Check) whether or not there is an error in the reply signal received in step S130.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S150, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S160 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S120 and the same procedure is repeated.

  If N = 5, the process moves to step S170, and it is determined whether or not all communication protocols among the communication protocols determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 have been accessed. If all the communication protocols have not been accessed, the determination in step S170 is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S180, and the communication protocol is switched to the next protocol in accordance with the order of use determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. Returning to step S110, the same procedure is repeated.

  If access using all the communication protocols determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 has been performed in step S170, the process proceeds to step S190, and the error display signal is transmitted via the communication circuit 31 and the communication line 3 above. The data is output to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 to display a corresponding reading failure (error), and this flow is finished.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S140 is satisfied, reading of the RFID tag information from the RFID circuit element To to be read is completed, and this flow ends.

  With the above routine, the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 can be accessed and read for the RFID circuit element To to be accessed using the corresponding optimum communication protocol.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a wireless tag information writing procedure to the IC circuit unit 151 of the wireless tag circuit element To, which is another example of the tag information access in step S3 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, first, in step S190, the communication protocol used in the current communication is set based on the use order of the communication protocol determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S200, a tag ID (identification information) is set by a known appropriate method, and the RFID circuit element To that is an information writing target is transported to the vicinity of the antenna 14.

  Thereafter, in step S210, when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To, variables N and M for counting the number of times of retry (number of access attempts) are initialized to 0, respectively.

  In step S220, based on the communication protocol set in the previous step S90, an “Erase” command for initializing information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is output to the signal processing circuit 22. In response to 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 using the communication protocol. initialize.

  In step S230, a “Verify” command for confirming the contents of the memory unit 157 based on the communication protocol is output to the signal processing circuit 22. In response to this, the signal processing circuit 22 generates a “Verify” signal as access information and transmits it to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S240, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written corresponding 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 S250, based on the reply signal, information in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is checked to determine whether or not the memory unit 157 has been normally initialized.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S260, 1 is added to M, and it is further determined in step S270 whether M = 5. If M ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S220 and the same procedure is repeated. If M = 5, the process proceeds to step S360 (details will be described later). In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S250 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S290, and a “Program” command for writing desired data in the memory unit 157 based on the communication protocol is output to the signal processing circuit 22. In response to this, the signal processing circuit 22 generates a “Program” signal as access information including ID information that is originally intended to be written, and uses the above communication protocol to the RFID circuit element To to which information is to be written via the high frequency circuit 21. The predetermined information is written in the memory unit 157.

  Thereafter, in step S300, a “Verify” command is output to the signal processing circuit 22 based on the communication protocol. In response to 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 using the communication protocol to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S310, the reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written corresponding 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 S320, 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 S330, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S340 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S290 and the same procedure is repeated. If N = 5, the process proceeds to step S360.

  In step S360, it is determined whether all the communication protocols among the communication protocols determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 have been accessed. If all the communication protocols have not been accessed, the determination in step S360 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S380. The communication protocol is switched to the next protocol in accordance with the use order determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. Returning to step S210, the same procedure is repeated.

  If access using all of the communication protocols determined in step S2 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed in step S360, the process proceeds to step S280, and writing failure (error) corresponding to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is performed. Display is performed, and this flow ends.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S320 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S350, and a “Lock” command for prohibiting subsequent writing to the RFID circuit element T is output to the signal processing circuit 22 based on the communication protocol. In response to this, a “Lock” signal is generated in the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21 using the communication protocol, and is sent to the RFID circuit element To. Writing new information is prohibited. Thereby, the writing of the RFID tag information to the RFID circuit element To to be written is completed, and the tag information writing flow is completed.

  With the above routine, the RFID circuit element To to be accessed can be accessed to the IC circuit unit 151 by using an optimal communication protocol corresponding thereto, and predetermined information can be written.

  In the above-described operation flow, an example is shown in which the conveyance guide 13 is held in the access area and accessed (read or written) with respect to the moving tag label tape 110 that is moving in accordance with the printing operation. Not limited to this. That is, the access may be performed while the printed tag label tape 110 is stopped at a predetermined position and held by the transport guide 13. Further, at the time of reading or writing as described above, the correspondence relationship between the generated printing information of the RFID label T and the ID of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID label T is stored in the route server 4 and necessary. You can refer to it accordingly.

  In the above, the signal processing circuit 22 has access information (“Scroll All ID” signal, “Erase” signal, “Verify” signal, “Program” signal, etc.) for accessing the IC circuit unit 151) described in each claim. The access information generating means for generating is configured. Further, the transmission unit 32 of the high-frequency circuit 21 transmits the access information generated by the access information generation unit to the tag-side antenna in a non-contact manner via the device-side antenna and performs information transmission for accessing the information of the IC circuit unit. Configure the means.

  In addition, the database of the information server 7 constitutes first storage means outside the apparatus, and the communication protocol usage frequency information table shown as an example in FIGS. 11A to 11C is stored in the first storage means. Corresponds to usage history information.

  Further, step S2 of the flow shown in FIG. 12 executed by the control circuit 30 constitutes usage history information acquisition means for acquiring usage history information related to the tag tape stored in the first storage means, and this usage history information. Protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for transmission to the tag side antenna by the information transmitting means based on the use history information acquired by the acquiring means is also configured. Step S4 constitutes a writing means for updating the usage history information by writing information to the first storage means in response to the execution of the access. Step S140 in FIG. 16, step S250 and step S320 in FIG. However, after the access is executed, a determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the access to the IC circuit unit is successful.

  In the tag label producing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the access information generated by the signal processing circuit 22 is transmitted from the antenna 14 to the antenna 152 of the RFID circuit element To and accessed to the IC circuit unit 151. (Reading or writing) is performed. At this time, the control circuit 30 communicates with the RFID circuit element To based on the use history information related to the RFID circuit element To (particularly, in this example, the use history information related to the cartridge 100 including the RFID circuit element To). Determine the communication protocol used for communication. As a result, even when communication is performed with respect to the RFID circuit element To whose communication protocol is unknown, communication that matches the RFID circuit element To according to the use history information such as the actual frequency of use in the past. The protocol can be determined and communication can be performed reliably.

  At this time, in particular, the control circuit 30 determines the use order (trial order) of the plurality of communication protocols based on the use history information of the information server 7 for the tag label producing apparatus 2 side where a plurality of communication protocols can be used. By doing (in the above example, the higher the frequency of use, the earlier the trial), it is possible to efficiently and quickly find and use a protocol that matches the RFID tag circuit element To to be communicated among a plurality of protocols.

  Further, tag attribute parameter information (in this example, the tape width of the base tape 101) by the identifiers 190A to 190D formed in the detected portion 190 of the cartridge 100 is detected by the sensor 20, and the control circuit 30 responds accordingly. An inquiry signal including tag attribute parameter information is transmitted to the information server 7 to obtain corresponding usage history information. As a result, even in the case where a plurality of cartridges 100 having different tag attribute parameters of the RFID circuit element To are used in the single cartridge label producing device 2 by being appropriately attached to and removed from the cartridge holder portion, it can be quickly and easily used. Information communication can be performed using an optimal communication protocol corresponding to the RFID circuit element To of each cartridge 100. That is, regardless of the type of cartridge 100 (in other words, the type of RFID tag circuit element To to be communicated), it is possible to quickly and easily communicate.

  Further, every time access is performed with the communication protocol determined by the control circuit 30, the usage history information is always updated by accumulating the usage history of the communication protocol in the access as a new usage history in the database of the information server 7. It can be.

  In the above example, the protocol use frequency information is input from the information server 7 to the control circuit 30 and the communication protocol use order is determined on the basis of the protocol use frequency information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the information server 7 may determine the communication protocol usage order related to the tag attribute parameter information at the stage of the inquiry from the control circuit 30, and transmit the determined usage order to the control circuit 30. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when tag label production operation in the tag label production apparatus 2 is performed via the terminal 5, step S1-> step S2-> step S3-> step S4 of the flow shown in FIG. However, this is not a limitation. In other words, after the power is turned on, after executing step S 1 → step S 2 → step S 3 → step S 4 as described above, for example, when the lid provided on the housing 9 is opened and closed for exchanging the cartridge 100. Only step S1 → step S2 → step S3 → step S4 may be executed again, and otherwise, only step S3 → step S4 may be repeated using the already determined communication protocol. In this case, it is sufficient to detect whether the lid is opened or closed by the lid opening / closing detection sensor 19 shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. The modifications will be described below.

(1) When using a user ID In the above embodiment, based on the tag attribute parameter information as the first information, the information server 7 searches for the usage history information corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information. Although the communication protocol has been determined, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the usage history information corresponding to the user ID as the second information relating to the operator is stored and stored in advance in the database, and the usage history information corresponding to the user ID input from the terminal 5 at the time of communication is stored in the information server. 7 may search, and based on this, the tag label producing apparatus 2 may determine the communication protocol.

  18A to 18C show the correlation (communication protocol usage frequency information table) between the user ID information stored in the database of the information server 7 and the communication protocol usage frequency information in this modification. It is a figure and is a figure corresponding to FIG. 11 of the said embodiment, In this example, the communication protocol use frequency information for every three users is represented. As in FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the types of communication protocols (in this example, five types of communication protocols; a, b, c, d, e), and the vertical axis represents the use thereof. Expressed by frequency.

  FIG. 18A shows an example of the user A, and the frequency of use increases in the order of the protocol b, the protocol c, the protocol d, the protocol e, and the protocol a as shown in FIG. As described above, the tag label producing apparatus 2 performs access in the order of communication protocol b → c → d → e → a, which is frequently used.

  FIG. 18B shows an example of the user B. As shown in the figure, the frequency of use increases in the order of protocol b, protocol c, protocol e, protocol d, protocol a (as a result, as will be described later). As described above, the tag label producing apparatus 2 performs access in the order of communication protocol b → c → e → d → a, which is frequently used.

  FIG. 18C shows an example of the user C. As shown in the figure, the frequency of use increases in the order of protocol d, protocol b, protocol e, protocol c, and protocol a (as a result, as will be described later). As described above, the tag label producing device 2 performs access in the order of the communication protocol d → b → e → c → a, which is frequently used.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU of the control circuit 30 provided in the tag label producing apparatus 2 in the present modification, and corresponds to FIG.

  In FIG. 19, when a user ID is input at the start of a tag label creation operation at the terminal 5 and a tag information read or write operation (in other words, a tag label creation operation) using the tag label creation device 2 is performed, this flow is started. . First, in step S1 'corresponding to step S1 in FIG. 12, the user ID is input from the terminal 5 via the communication circuit 31 and the communication line 3, and the user identification (determination) is performed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2 ′ corresponding to step S2, and an inquiry signal is output to the information server 7 regarding the communication protocol usage frequency information relating to the user ID determined in step S1 ′, and the information server 7 responds accordingly. Based on the transmitted communication protocol use frequency information, the corresponding communication protocol (use order) is determined.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S3 ′ corresponding to step S3, and the wireless tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the wireless tag circuit element To is accessed using the communication protocol determined in step S2 ′. Note that the details of step S3 ′ are the same as those shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, for example.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S4 ′ corresponding to step S4, and the communication protocol used in step S3 ′ is transmitted to the information server 7 to the effect that it is a new usage record (usage frequency). The corresponding usage history information is updated.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S1 ′, and corresponds to FIG. 13 of the above embodiment.

In FIG. 20, first, in step S11 ′, an operation signal related to the user ID is input (identified) from the terminal 5 via the communication circuit 31 and the communication line 3 (may be temporarily stored in the RAM of the control circuit 30). ).
To do.

  Thereafter, in step S12 ′, the user ID is obtained by performing predetermined processing (including calculation, analysis, extraction, etc. as necessary) on the operation signal input in step S11 ′.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S13 ′, and the acquired user ID information is stored in the RAM of the control circuit 30.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of step S2 ′ shown in FIG. 19 and corresponds to FIG. 13 in the above embodiment.

  First, in step S21 ′ corresponding to step S21, the user ID information stored in the RAM in step S13 ′ is read.

  In step S22 ′ corresponding to step S22, an inquiry signal of a protocol corresponding to the read user ID information is output to the information server 7.

  Thereafter, in step S23 ′ corresponding to step S23, the protocol corresponding to the user ID output from the information server 7 in response to the inquiry signal in step S22 ′ is the same as in steps S22 and S23 of the embodiment. Usage frequency information is entered. The information input at this time is the communication protocol usage frequency information shown in FIG. 18 earlier. For example, when the user ID read in step S13 ′ is that of Mr. A, the information shown in FIG. Contents are entered. The input data format may be, for example, the usage frequency value (absolute value or relative value) of each protocol a, b, c, d, e itself, or their usage frequency order.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S24 ′ corresponding to step S24, and the use order of communication protocols is determined in descending order of use frequency based on the use frequency information of the communication protocol input in step S23 ′. That is, for example, in the case of user A, communication protocol b → c → d → e → a, and in the case of user B, communication protocol b → c → e → d → a. In this case, the communication protocol is in the order of d → b → e → c → a. When this step S24 'is finished, this flow is finished and the routine proceeds to the above step S3'.

  In the above description, the communication protocol usage frequency information table shown as an example in FIGS. 18A to 18C corresponds to the usage history information stored in the first storage means described in each claim. Further, step S2 ′ of the flow shown in FIG. 19 executed by the control circuit 30 constitutes usage history information acquisition means for acquiring usage history information related to the tag tape stored in the first storage means. Protocol determining means for determining a communication protocol to be used for transmission to the tag side antenna by the information transmitting means based on the use history information acquired by the history information acquiring means is also configured. Further, step S4 ′ constitutes a writing means for writing information to the first storage means and updating the usage history information in response to the execution of the access.

  Also in this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment is obtained.

  That is, since the control circuit 30 determines a communication protocol to be used for communication with the RFID circuit element To based on user usage history information, communication is performed with respect to the RFID circuit element To whose communication protocol is unknown. However, the communication protocol is determined according to the past use history information (= usage tendency etc.) of the communication protocol used by the user for the RFID circuit element To, and the communication protocol that matches the RFID circuit element To is surely used. Can communicate.

  At this time, in particular, the control circuit 30 determines the use order (trial order) of the plurality of communication protocols based on the use history information with respect to the tag label producing apparatus 2 side where a plurality of communication protocols can be used (the above-mentioned order). In this example, the higher the frequency of use, the more the trial is performed in the earlier order), so that a protocol that matches the RFID tag circuit element To to be communicated among a plurality of protocols can be found and used efficiently and quickly.

  Further, the control circuit 30 transmits an inquiry signal including the user ID information to the information server 7 according to the user ID input by the user through the terminal 5 to acquire the corresponding usage history information. As a result, even when different users alternate using one tag label producing apparatus 2, information communication can be performed quickly and easily using an optimum communication protocol corresponding to each user.

  Further, every time access is performed with the communication protocol determined by the control circuit 30, the new usage history is accumulated in the database of the information server 7 as described above, so that the usage history information can always be updated.

  Even in this modification, as described above, it is not limited to inputting the protocol use frequency information from the information server 7 to the control circuit 30 and determining the communication protocol use order based on the information on the control circuit 30 side. At a certain stage, the information server 7 may determine the communication protocol usage order related to the user, and transmit the determined usage order to the control circuit 30. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

  Further, in the above modified example, when the tag label producing operation is performed, step S1 ′ → step S2 ′ → step S3 ′ → step S4 ′ of the flow shown in FIG. 19 is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, after executing Steps S1 ′ to S4 ′ once, Step S1 → Step S2 → Step S3 → Step S4 is executed again only when the lid opening / closing detection sensor 19 detects the opening / closing of the lid. Otherwise, only step S3 → step S4 may be repeated using the already determined communication protocol.

(2) When using print information or the like In the above embodiment, the use protocol is determined based on the use history information corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information. In the modified example of (1), based on the use history information corresponding to the user ID. Although the use protocol is determined, the present invention is not limited to this, and the use protocol may be determined based on use history information corresponding to other information.

  That is, in this case, although illustration and detailed description are omitted, information on the print contents to be printed on the cover film 103 input by the operator at the terminal 5 at the start of tag label production (= third information, for example, print text / language The tag label producing device 2 transmits an inquiry signal including this third information to the information server 7 in accordance with the content / type, type of software or template used at the time of printing, and the like. In the database of the information server 7, the correlation between the third information and the communication protocol use frequency information (= communication protocol) is previously stored in the database as in FIGS. 11 (a) to (c) and FIGS. 18 (a) to (c). Usage frequency information table) is stored, and the information server 7 refers to the communication protocol usage frequency information table stored in the database and corresponds to the inquiry signal, and outputs it to the tag label producing device 2 side, On the tag label producing apparatus 2 side, a communication protocol (order) to be used is determined in accordance with the input protocol use frequency information. The use of the lid opening / closing detection sensor 19 is the same as described above.

  Also by this modification, the same effect as the modification (2) is obtained.

(3) In the case of using a local network The above has described the case where the tag label producing device 2, the terminal 5 and the like are incorporated into a (wide area) network via the communication line 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. . That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the tag label producing apparatus 2 and the terminal 5 are connected by a local network (so-called LAN or the like) (not connected to other external lines), and thereby the RFID tag generating system 1 ′ is connected. It may be generated.

  In this case, the above-described database is provided in the terminal 5, for example, and the first to third information as shown in FIG. 11 (a) to FIG. 11 (c) and the example shown in FIG. (Communication protocol usage frequency information table) is stored in the database (first storage means). Then, an inquiry signal based on the tag attribute parameter information detected on the tag label device 2 side is transmitted to the terminal 5 and a corresponding table is referred to, and usage history information is transmitted to the tag label device 2 or an operation input is performed on the terminal 5 The table corresponding to the terminal is used by referring to the database according to the user ID, the print content, etc., and the history information is transmitted to the tag label device 2. Subsequent processing (including writing update) on the tag label device 2 side is the same as described above, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Also by this modification, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment and the modification of (1) and (2) can be acquired.

(4) The case where the taglar producing device alone has all the functions In other words, all the functions of the database and the terminal 5 in the modified example of the above (3) may be provided on the tag label producing device 2 side. In this case, the tag label producing apparatus 2 includes a non-volatile memory 30E (see FIG. 3 described above) as a storage unit (second storage unit) that functions as the database, and an operation unit (keyboard, mouse, touch panel) input by an operator. Etc.).

  In this case, the correlation (communication) between the communication protocol usage frequency information and the first to third information as shown in FIG. 11 (a) to (c) and FIG. Protocol usage frequency information table) is stored. Then, the table corresponding to the CPU of the control circuit 30 is used by referring to the database according to the tag attribute parameter information detected by the sensor 20 or the user ID input by the operation means or the print content. Get history information. Since the processing (including writing update) after obtaining the usage history information is the same as described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  Also by this modification, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment and the modification of (1) and (2) can be acquired.

(5) Others (a) Variations in communication protocol determination As described above, a plurality of types of communication protocols are prepared in advance, and the use (trial) order when using all of them is determined according to the past use history. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. In other words, only a part (at least one) of the plurality of types of protocol groups is selected according to the usage history, and only the selected protocol is determined according to the usage history as described above. Alternatively, only one protocol may be selected from a plurality of types of protocol groups according to the usage history, and communication (trial) may be performed using the selected protocol.

  In addition, the communication protocol after selecting a part or determining the use order as described above, the communication protocol determined as in the above embodiment, and a fixed use order (for example, the first The first communication may be performed using a predetermined communication protocol, or if all of them cannot be used, the communication protocol may be combined with a predetermined communication protocol before the error display is displayed. .

  In any of the above cases, at least as compared with the conventional structure in which communication protocol is unknown at all and the communication protocol cannot be tried at random in such a case without considering communication with the RFID circuit element To whose communication protocol is unknown. It is possible to reliably search for the corresponding communication protocol and to reliably communicate.

(B) When printing is not performed Further, in the above, the tag label producing apparatus 2 reads or writes the RFID tag information with respect to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To and uses the RFID tag by the thermal head 10. Although printing (printing) is performed on the circuit element To, this printing is not necessarily performed, and only reading or writing of the RFID tag information may be performed.

  It is assumed that the “Scroll All ID signal”, “Erase signal”, “Verify signal”, and “Program signal” used above conform to the Auto-ID specification formulated by EPC global. 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.

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 notional block diagram showing the detailed structure of the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed structure of a control circuit. It is a side view showing the detailed structure of the cartridge with which the tag label production apparatus was equipped. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of the high frequency circuit shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of a structure of a sensor. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the upper side figure and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the RFID label formed after the information reading (or writing) of the RFID circuit element and the cutting of the tag label tape with print were completed. It is a cross-sectional view by IX-IX 'section in Drawing 8 (a). 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 figure showing the correlation with tag attribute parameter information and communication protocol use frequency information. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which CPU of the control circuit with which the tag label production apparatus was equipped performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure showing the detailed procedure of step S2 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which CPU of an information server performs in relation to the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the RFID tag information reading procedure which is an example of tag information access of step S3 of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the RFID tag information writing procedure which is an example of tag information access of step S3 of FIG. It is a figure showing the correlation of the user ID information stored and hold | maintained in the database of an information server in the modification using a user ID, and communication protocol use frequency information. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which CPU of a control circuit performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S1 'shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure showing the detailed procedure of step S2 'shown in FIG. It is a system configuration | structure figure showing the example comprised by the local network.

Explanation of symbols

1 RFID tag generation system 1 'RFID tag generation system 2 Tag label production device 5 Terminal (operation terminal)
7 Information server 10 Print head (printing means)
12 Tape feed roller drive shaft (drive means)
14 Antenna (device side antenna)
20 sensor (detection means)
22 Signal processing circuit (access information generating means)
30 control circuit 30E non-volatile memory (second storage means)
32 Transmitter (information transmission means)
100 cartridge 101 base tape (tag tape)
151 IC circuit section 152 Antenna (tag side antenna)
190 To-be-detected part R Printing T RFID label To To RFID circuit element

Claims (7)

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;
Access information generating means for generating access information for accessing information of the IC circuit unit;
The access information generated by the access information generating means is transmitted to the tag antenna without contact via the device antenna, and information transmitting means for accessing the information of the IC circuit unit;
Communication protocol usage frequency information acquisition means for acquiring communication protocol usage frequency information related to the tag tape stored in the first storage means outside the apparatus ;
Based on the acquired communication protocol used frequency information in the communication protocol used frequency information acquisition means, a protocol determination means for determining a communication protocol for use in transmission to by the tag antenna the information transmission means,
Second storage means for storing and holding the communication protocol use frequency information;
A write means for writing information to the first or second storage means and updating the communication protocol use frequency information according to the access after execution;
Have
The first or second storage means is
Storing and holding a plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to a plurality of tag attribute parameter information related to the tag tape;
The protocol determining means includes
Determining a communication protocol to be used based on communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information of the tag tape to be communicated among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information;
The writing means includes
The tag label producing apparatus , wherein when access to the IC circuit unit is successful, information is written to the first or second storage means to update the communication protocol usage frequency information . In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Detecting means for detecting the width of the tag tape as the tag attribute parameter information ;
The first or second storage means stores and holds a plurality of communication protocol use frequency information corresponding to a plurality of tag tape width values,
The tag determining apparatus, wherein the protocol determining means determines a communication protocol to be used based on the communication protocol use frequency information corresponding to the width of the tag tape detected by the detecting means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The first or second storage means stores and holds a plurality of communication protocol use frequency information corresponding to a plurality of user ID information related to an operator,
The protocol determining means determines a communication protocol to be used based on communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the user ID information of an operator who wants to communicate among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information. A featured tag label production device. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Having printing means for printing on the tag tape;
The first or second storage means stores and holds a plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to a plurality of third information related to the print contents by the printing means,
The protocol determining means determines a communication protocol to be used based on communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the third information related to printing when communication is to be performed among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information. The tag label production apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The tag determining device, wherein the protocol determining means determines a use order of a plurality of the communication protocols based on the communication protocol use frequency information . In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 5 ,
A determination means for determining whether or not the access to the IC circuit unit has succeeded after the execution of the access;
The information transmission means performs the access by switching the communication protocol in accordance with a use order of a plurality of communication protocols determined by the protocol determination means and an access success / failure determination result by the determination means. Tag label making device. 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. apparatus antenna that performs, drive means for feeding the tag tape, the access information generating means for generating access information for accessing information of the IC circuit part, and, the access information generated by the access information generating means, send without contact via the apparatus antenna on the tag side antenna, and the tag label producing apparatus having the information transmission hand stage, for accessing the information of the IC circuit part,
A database as first storage means for storing and holding the communication protocol use frequency information ;
A tag label producing system having
The tag label producing device is
Communication protocol usage frequency information acquisition means for acquiring communication protocol usage frequency information related to the tag tape stored in the database;
Based on the communication protocol usage frequency information acquired by the communication protocol usage frequency information acquisition unit, a protocol determination unit that determines a communication protocol to be used for transmission to the tag-side antenna by the information transmission unit;
Second storage means for storing and holding the communication protocol use frequency information;
A write means for writing information to the first or second storage means and updating the communication protocol use frequency information according to the access after execution;
Have
The first or second storage means is
Storing and holding a plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to a plurality of tag attribute parameter information related to the tag tape;
The protocol determining means includes
Determining a communication protocol to be used based on communication protocol usage frequency information corresponding to the tag attribute parameter information of the tag tape to be communicated among the plurality of communication protocol usage frequency information;
The writing means includes
The tag label producing system , wherein when the access to the IC circuit unit is successful, information is written to the first or second storage means to update the communication protocol usage frequency information .

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