JP4799050B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a function of performing printing on an RFID label incorporating an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag capable of reading and writing information without contact, and a read / write function of performing writing / reading of RFID information. .

  Conventionally, for RFID labels that incorporate RFID tags that can write / read information (hereinafter abbreviated as read / write) in a non-contact manner by radio waves, product and producer information on the surface and barcodes that code them 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a printing apparatus that has a printing function for performing printing of the above and a read / write function for reading and writing information from and to an RFID tag memory. The RFID label used in this printing device is an adhesive type in which an RFID tag is incorporated between a label having an adhesive layer on the back surface and a release mount, or an adhesive between two printing papers. There are two-sided display types that are formed by bonding RFID tags from both sides, but many of these use thin substrates such as paper and synthetic films, which can apply a strong impact on the surface or label If it is bent or given static electricity, the connection portion between the antenna and the IC chip constituting the RFID tag or the IC chip itself may be damaged, and the function as the RFID label may not be performed. Therefore, when issuing an RFID label on which printing such as barcodes and RFID information is written by a printing device, a read / write test is performed on the RFID tag to check for errors and to issue a defective RFID label whose read / write function is impaired. This is being prevented. However, an information read / write error with respect to the RFID tag is not necessarily caused by the defect of the RFID tag itself as described above, but also occurs depending on the read / write environment of the RFID tag. That is, the RFID tag receives the magnetic flux output from the reader / writer antenna and uses it as read / write energy. However, this magnetic flux is easily affected by surrounding metal and the like, and the angle of the RFID tag relative to the antenna (relative This is because the amount of energy transferred depending on the position) changes, and a read / write error occurs when energy sufficient to read / write from / to the memory in the RFID chip cannot be obtained due to these factors. Therefore, when selecting a defective RFID label whose read / write function has been impaired, if the RFID label is determined as a defective product and discarded only by a single error determination, the expensive RFID label is wasted and the cost is increased. Will lead to Thus, before making a pass / fail judgment, a read / write retry is performed twice and three times, and if the read / write cannot be performed on the RFID tag, the device is processed as a defective product. As such, for example, the recording medium is written to the non-contact IC being transported without stopping, and if it is determined that the writing is not performed correctly, a retry is performed. If correct writing is not performed even after retrying, recording on the corresponding recording medium is not performed. Alternatively, a technique relating to a recording apparatus that records a marking indicating that writing cannot be normally performed is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-150914 A

However, in the prior art, when IC writing fails, the RFID tag is back-fed to the IC writing retry position, and the transport unit is driven again from this state, and the label is supplied to the communication range of the RFID unit (antenna). Since IC writing is performed when paper is used, if the number of retries increases, it takes time to carry back to the IC write retry position and the communication range, leading to a decrease in throughput. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and has a function of printing on an RFID label in which an RFID tag is incorporated and a function of reading and writing RFID information, and reading and writing errors are caused by damage to the RFID tag. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of accurately detecting a generated defective RFID label.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that records information on an RFID label in which an RFID tag is incorporated. The printing apparatus includes a conveyance unit that conveys the RFID label and an RFID read / write antenna. A read / write unit that reads / writes information from / to the RFID tag using the antenna; a determination unit that includes a counter that determines an error in the information read / written from / to the RFID tag and counts the number of determinations; The information read / written by the read / write unit is determined to be an error by the determination unit, and the determination count is the maximum number of repetitions for performing the read / write error determination in a state where the RFID label is stopped at a predetermined position. When the error setting number is reached, read and write the information again at that position, When the set number is determined to be an even number when the set number is equal to or greater than the allowable number of errors that is the maximum number of repetitions of performing the read / write error determination for the RFID label, the RFID label is Stop by carrying a certain distance in the forward or backward direction within the range readable and writable by the antenna, and when the set number is determined to be an odd number, the RFID label within the writable range by the antenna, When it is determined that the number is even , it is provided with a read / write unit that performs a certain distance conveyance in a direction opposite to the direction conveyed by a certain distance, stops, and reads / writes the information to / from the RFID tag again. It is characterized by.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus for recording information on an RFID label in which an RFID tag is incorporated. The printing apparatus includes a conveyance unit that conveys the RFID label and an RFID read / write antenna. Read / write means for reading / writing information from / to the RFID tag, determination means having a counter for determining an error in the information read / written from / to the RFID tag, and counting the number of determinations, and reading / writing by the read / write means When the determined information is determined to be an error by the determination means, and the determination count reaches an error setting number that is the maximum number of repetitions for performing read / write error determination with the RFID label stopped at a predetermined position Read and write the information again at that position, and the error setting number or more When the set number is determined to be an even number when the read / write error determination for the RFID label is equal to or less than the allowable error number, the antenna position is set to the RFID label. The antenna can be read from and written to the RFID label when the set number is determined to be an odd number by moving the position of the antenna relative to the RFID tag within a readable / writable range in the front-rear direction. Within a certain range, when the even number is determined, the antenna is displaced with respect to the RFID tag by a certain distance in a direction opposite to the direction moved by a certain distance, and thereafter, with respect to the RFID tag. Re-reading / writing means for reading / writing the information again.

  The displacement of the antenna position is performed by rotation of the RFID read / write antenna.

The number of error settings is arbitrarily set within the range of the allowable error number.

When the determination means determines that the number of determinations is normal before reaching the error setting number or the error allowable number, the determination unit notifies the start of printing on the RFID label and determines that the determination is normal. If the number of determinations reaches the allowable number of errors without being performed, a label defect can be notified .

Reading and writing of the information with respect to the RFID tag can be performed with the RFID tag stopped.

  As described above, when the information read / written by the read / write means is determined to be an error by the determination means, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is correct at the position or within the range where the RFID label can be read / written by the antenna. Since it is equipped with a re-read / write means that reads and writes information to and from the RFID tag again by transporting in the opposite direction or in the opposite direction, the relative position of the RFID tag and the antenna and the environmental influence in the device can be changed. It is possible to eliminate the influence of read / write errors based on various factors other than the RFID tag failure, such as the environment and RFID label specifications.

In addition, when the information read / written by the read / write unit is determined to be an error by the determination unit, the printing apparatus of the present invention displaces the position of the antenna with respect to the RFID tag and reads / writes information from / to the RFID tag. Re-reading and re-reading means is provided, so that the relative position of the RFID tag and antenna and the environmental influence in the device can be changed. This is due to various factors such as reading / writing environment other than RFID tag defects and RFID label specifications. It is possible to eliminate the effects of read / write errors based on it.

  In addition, since the displacement of the antenna position is performed by rotating the RFID read / write antenna, the operation time can be shortened compared to the case of moving the antenna in the forward and reverse directions.

  In addition, since reading and writing of information with respect to the RFID tag is performed in a state where conveyance of the RFID tag is stopped, reading and writing of information with respect to the RFID can be stably performed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a label printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the label printer 1 is mainly composed of a supply unit 2, an RFID reader / writer 3, a printing unit 4, and the like.

An RFID label sheet 6 wound in a roll shape is attached to the supply shaft 5 of the supply means 2. The RFID label sheet 6 is fed out from the supply shaft 5 by rotating the platen roller 7 of the printing unit 4, and is transferred to the printing unit 4 through the RFID reader / writer 3. A sensor 8 is provided in front of the RFID reader / writer 3, and the sensor 8 detects a detection mark (not shown) on the mount 9. Then, the printing unit 4 starts printing based on the timing when the sensor 8 detects the detection mark.

The printing unit 4 includes a platen roller 7 and a thermal head (printing head) 10 that are arranged to face each other. Between the platen roller 7 and the thermal head 10, the RFID label sheet 6 fed from the supply unit 2 and the ink ribbon 12 fed from the supply reel 11 are supplied. Then, the heat generating element (printing element) 13 of the thermal head 10 generates heat to dissolve the ink on the ink ribbon 12, thereby transferring the ink onto the RFID label paper 6 for printing. The RFID label paper 6 after printing is taken out from the take-out port 14, and the ink ribbon 12 after printing is taken up on the take-up reel 15. The printing method of the printing unit 4 is not limited to the thermal transfer type, and may be a thermal type or an ink jet type.

The RFID reader / writer 3 disposed between the supply unit 2 and the printing unit 4 includes an antenna 16. The antenna 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the RFID label paper 6.

Next, an RFID label that is printed by a label printer will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a roll-shaped RFID label sheet 6 on which printing is performed by the label printer 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, an RFID label sheet 6 is an adhesive (not shown) in which a number of RFID labels 17 are provided on a back surface of a lower layer 19 at a predetermined interval on a mount (release paper) 9 formed in a strip shape. It is the composition temporarily attached via.

The RFID label 17 includes an upper layer 18 and a lower layer 19 that are stacked, and an IC chip 20 and an antenna 21 are disposed between the upper layer 18 and the lower layer 19. On the other hand, the mount 9 has perforations 22 for cutting the RFID labels 17 one by one, and detection marks (not shown) are printed on the back surface at predetermined intervals. Note that FIG. 2 is an example of the RFID label paper 6, and the configuration of the RFID label paper 6 is not limited to this. For example, the RFID label paper 6 in which the perforations 22 are not formed on the mount 9 or the RFID label paper 6 in which the RFID labels 17 are continuously connected may be used.

The RFID reader / writer 3 communicates with the IC chip 20 via the antenna 16 and the antenna 21 of the RFID label 17 to write information to the IC chip 20 and read information from the IC chip 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the label printer 1 and the RFID label 17.

As shown in the figure, the CPU 23 constituting the control unit body of the label printer 1 is connected to a ROM 25 and a RAM 26 via a bus 24. The ROM 25 stores a program for performing the process shown in FIG. 4 to be described later, and the RAM 26 has various memory areas. The CPU 23 is also connected to a head controller 27, and the thermal head 10 is controlled by the head controller 27.

The CPU 23 is connected to the drive control controller 28 via the bus 24, and controls the motor driver 29 by the drive control controller 28 to drive the pulse motor 30 to convey the RFID label paper 6. The drive controller 28 is connected to the sensor 8 via the A / D converter 31 and drives the pulse motor 30 based on the timing at which the sensor 8 detects a detection mark (not shown) on the mount 9.

The CPU 23 is connected to the antenna 16 via the communication means 32 of the RFID reader / writer 3, and transmits / receives a signal from the antenna 16 to the antenna 21 of the RFID label 17.

On the other hand, the RFID label 17 has an IC chip 20, and the IC chip 20 transmits and receives signals from the antenna 21 to the antenna 16 of the label printer 1 via the communication means 33. 34 is a communication interface (communication I / F) for transmitting and receiving print data and issuance history data to and from the host computer 35, 36 is a keyboard provided via a keyboard controller 37, and 38 is provided via an LCD controller 39. LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are all connected to the CPU 23 via the bus 24.

Next, operations performed by the label printer 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

First, processing is started by turning on a power switch (not shown), a hardware check of the memory, CPU 23, etc. is performed, the paper position is transported to the home position, and the program in the ROM 25 is read into the RAM 26 and made executable. Initial processing is performed. When information to be written to the IC in the RFID label 17 is transmitted from the host computer 35 to the RFID label 17 that has been transported to a predetermined position where it can communicate with the antenna 16 and is waiting to be received, the communication I / F 34 is used. This is received (step S1).

Here, the command transmitted from the host computer 35 to the label printer 1 can be transmitted in a format in which each data is separated by a comma, such as RFID write data, 2, 5, and print data. That is, between the data written to the RFID label 17 and the print data, a set number of read / write errors (set number of errors) and an allowable number of read / write errors (allowable number of errors) can be designated. In this example, the number of error settings is two and the allowable number of errors is five. Here, the set number of errors is the maximum number of repetitions of reading / writing error determination with the RFID label 17 stopped at a predetermined position, and the allowable number of errors performs reading / writing error determination on the RFID label 17. This is the maximum number of repetitions. The set number of errors is arbitrarily set within the range of the allowable number of errors.

In step S2, the number of read / write errors (error count) in the read / write error determination counted in step S7 described later is cleared. That is, for the first write to the RFID label 17, the error count is zero.

In step S <b> 3, electrical writing is performed on the RFID label 17 from the RFID reader / writer 3 to the IC chip 20 via the antenna 16.

In step S4, the RFID reader / writer 3 makes an inquiry to the RFID label 17 to verify the written content, and a read / write error determination is performed. Here, the determination that there is no read / write error is performed by the read / write error determination when both the electrical writing and the verification (reading) of the written contents are successful.

When there is no writing error (in the case of N), in step S5, visual and optical information (characters, bar codes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) are used on the surface of the RFID label 17 by using the thermal head 10 of the label printer 1. ), And the issuance history including the number of copies of the RFID 17 is transferred from the label printer 1 to the host computer 35. This is performed, for example, by transferring the serial number of the RFID label 17 that has been normally issued to the host computer 35.

In step S6, the number of issued RFID labels 17 set in advance is compared with the issuance history, and if the designated number of issued sheets is reached (in the case of Y), the series of processes is terminated.

In step S6, if the number of issued histories is less than the designated effective number (in the case of N), the process returns to step S3.

On the other hand, if there is a read / write error (in the case of Y) in step S4, the number of errors is added in step S7, and this is stored as an error count. In step S8, the error count is compared with the set number of errors. If the error count is within the set number (N), the process returns to step S3.

In step S8, if the error count exceeds the set number of errors (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step S9, and the error count is compared with the allowable number of errors. If the error count is within the allowable number of errors (in the case of N), the process moves to step S10 to determine whether or not the error count is an even number.

If it is determined in step S10 that the error count is an even number (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step S11, and the RFID label 17 in which the error has occurred is within the range where the antenna 16 of the RFID reader / writer 3 can read and write. The transport is stopped for a certain distance in the reverse direction, and the process returns to step S3. If the error count is an odd number (in the case of N) in step S10, the process proceeds to step S12, and the RFID label 17 in which the error has occurred is transported by a certain distance in the forward direction within a range where the antenna 16 can read and write. Stop and return to step S3.

On the other hand, in step S9, when the error count exceeds the allowable number of errors (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step S13, and issuance of the RFID label 17 is stopped. In the next step S14, when the issuance stop state is not canceled during a predetermined time, for example, by operating a predetermined key, a series of processing ends (end processing).

If the issue stop state is canceled in step S14, the process returns to step S2. As a result, the error count is canceled (the error count becomes zero), and the above operation is repeated.

When the issuance is stopped in step S13, the operator can be notified by a buzzer sound, display display, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the read / write environment is changed by relatively moving the RFID label sheet 6. However, the read / write environment can be changed by changing the position of the antenna 16 of the RFID reader / writer 3. . In this case, it is possible to move the position of the antenna 16 in the front-rear direction with respect to the RFID label 17, but it is also possible to rotate the antenna 16. For example, in FIG. 4, the operation of the label printer 1 when the antenna 16 is moved is obtained by replacing step S <b> 11 with reverse movement (movement in the supply shaft 5 direction) and step S <b> 12 in the forward movement (in the direction of the outlet 14). 4) can be performed in accordance with FIG. The operation of the label printer 1 when the antenna 16 is rotated is performed in accordance with FIG. 4 by replacing step S11 with clockwise rotation and step S12 with counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 4, for example. These details can be omitted.

The read / write error is not only when the RFID label medium itself is defective, but also when the positional relationship between the antennas of both the label printer and the RFID label is poorly adjusted, adjustments such as the RFID label transport route and the RFID label stop position can be made. It is also affected by the insufficient case or the configuration of the RFID label. Therefore, if an RFID label in which a read / write error has occurred due to these causes is treated as a defective product even though there is no problem in terms of quality, an expensive RFID label is wasted.

According to the present embodiment, when reading / writing is not normally performed on an RFID label, if the error count (number of errors) is equal to or less than the allowable number of errors, the RFID label in which the reading / writing error has occurred can be communicated. The reading / writing environment in the label printer of the RFID label is greatly changed as compared with the case where the reading / writing is carried out in the forward / reverse direction. This enables early recovery from errors due to the influence of the read / write environment.

Also, if necessary, set the number of errors and if the error count is less than or equal to the number of errors set, it is possible to read / write to the RFID label that caused the read / write error again at that position. Compared with the case of reading and writing, the operation time can be shortened.

In addition, by changing the relative position of the RFID tag and the RFID reader / writer by rotating the antenna of the RFID reader / writer, it is possible to quickly recover from an error due to the influence of the read / write environment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently detect a defective RFID label whose read / write function is impaired, so that an expensive RFID label is not wasted.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which an RFID label in which a read / write error has occurred is blank-shipped while being blank, but the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, a phrase such as “X”, “defective”, or “ERROR” May be printed.

  The configuration of the above embodiment is an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a schematic side view which shows the internal structure of the label printer which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the roll-shaped RFID label which prints with the printer of this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the printer of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of processing performed by the printer of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Label printer 2 Supply means 3 RFID reader / writer 4 Printing means 5 Supply axis 6 RFID label paper 7 Platen roller 8 Sensor 9 Mount 10 Thermal head (print head)
11 Supply reel 12 Ink ribbon 13 Heating element (printing element)
14 take-out port 15 take-up reel 16 antenna 17 RFID label 18 upper layer 19 lower layer 20 IC chip 21 antenna 22 perforation 23 CPU
24 bus 25 ROM
26 RAM
27 Head Controller 28 Drive Control Controller 29 Motor Driver 30 Pulse Motor 31 A / D Converter 32 Communication Means (RFID Reader / Writer)
33 Communication means (RFID tag)
34 Communication interface (communication I / F)
35 Host Computer 36 Keyboard 37 Keyboard Controller 38 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
39 LCD controller

Claims (6)

In a printing apparatus that records information on an RFID label incorporating an RFID tag,
Conveying means for conveying the RFID label;
Read / write means that has an RFID read / write antenna and reads / writes information to / from the RFID tag by the antenna;
A determination means comprising a counter for determining an error in the information read / written from / to the RFID tag and counting the number of determinations;
An error in which the information read / written by the read / write unit is determined to be an error by the determination unit, and the number of determinations is the maximum number of repetitions for performing the read / write error determination with the RFID label stopped at a predetermined position. When the set number is reached, the information is read / written again at that position, and is equal to or greater than the error set number and equal to or less than the error allowable number which is the maximum number of repetitions for performing read / write error determination on the RFID label. When the set number is determined to be an even number, the RFID label is stopped by carrying a certain distance in the forward or reverse direction within a range that can be read and written by the antenna, and the set number is an odd number. If it is determined, the RFID label is determined to be the even number within a range that can be read and written by the antenna. Performing a predetermined distance transport in the opposite direction of the predetermined distance conveyed direction if stopped, the read and write of the information to the RFID tag again, characterized by comprising a reading and writing unit again printed apparatus. In a printing apparatus that records information on an RFID label incorporating an RFID tag,
Conveying means for conveying the RFID label;
Read / write means that has an RFID read / write antenna and reads / writes information to / from the RFID tag by the antenna;
A determination means comprising a counter for determining an error in the information read / written from / to the RFID tag and counting the number of determinations;
An error in which the information read / written by the read / write unit is determined to be an error by the determination unit, and the number of determinations is the maximum number of repetitions for performing the read / write error determination with the RFID label stopped at a predetermined position. When the set number is reached, the information is read / written again at that position, and is equal to or greater than the error set number and equal to or less than the error allowable number which is the maximum number of repetitions for performing read / write error determination on the RFID label. When the set number is determined to be an even number, the antenna position is displaced with respect to the RFID tag by a certain distance in the front-rear direction within a range where the position of the antenna can be read from and written to the RFID label. When the set number is determined to be an odd number, the antenna can be read from and written to the RFID label In囲内, the said predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the even number and the direction which is predetermined distance in the case where it is determined, the position of the antenna is displaced with respect to the RFID tag, for subsequent to said RFID tag A printing apparatus comprising: a re-reading / reading unit that reads / writes information again. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position of the antenna is displaced by rotation of the RFID read / write antenna. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error setting number is arbitrarily set within a range of the error allowable number. When the determination means determines that the number of determinations is normal before reaching the error setting number or the error allowable number, the determination unit notifies the start of printing on the RFID label and determines that the determination is normal. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a label defect is notified when the number of determinations reaches an allowable error number without being performed. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading / writing of the information with respect to the RFID tag is performed in a state where the RFID tag is stopped.

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