WO2005078650A1

WO2005078650A1 - Roll for tag label manufacturing apparatus, and wireless tag circuit element cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2005078650A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/002116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ohashi; Kunihiro Yasui; Takuya Nagai; Takeo Iwasaki
Original assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2004-02-16
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: JPWO2005078650A1

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To reduce the diameter of an entire roll at the time of forming the roll by taking up a tag tape whereupon wireless tag circuit elements are arranged. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The wireless tag circuit element To is provided with an IC circuit part (151) for storing information, an antenna (152) having a plurality of connecting edge parts (152A, 152B) on sides to be connected with the IC circuit part (151) to transmit and receive information, a plurality of connecting terminals (159A, 159B) arranged in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the antenna (152), and a protection film (160), arranged to almost cover the IC circuit part (151), the connecting terminals (159A, 159B) and the connecting edge parts (152A, 152B) of the antenna (152). The base material tape (101) whereupon a plurality of the wireless tag circuit elements To are arranged is taken up to constitute the first roll (102).

Description

Specification

Roll for tag label producing apparatus and cartridge for RFID circuit element

The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for continuously producing a wireless tag capable of wirelessly communicating information with the outside in a tape shape, and more particularly to a tag label producing apparatus roll provided in the tag label producing apparatus and a roll for the same. The present invention relates to a wireless tag circuit element cartridge using the same. Background art

[0002] A RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system for reading information and writing Z information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) Z writer (writing device) is known. For example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-shaped wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit for storing predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit unit for transmitting and receiving information. The reader Z writer can access (read information, write Z) information to the RFID tag information in the IC circuit even if it is dirty or placed in an invisible position. It is expected to be practical in various fields such as product management and inspection processes!

[0003] Such a wireless tag is generally formed by providing a wireless tag circuit element on a label-like material, and the tag label is often attached to a target article. As a shape of a wireless tag circuit element provided on a label, the shape described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this conventional technology, two substantially rectangular antenna portions are provided on both sides of one IC circuit portion, and these two antenna portions are connected to the above-described IC circuit portion by two substantially rectangular connection terminals. ing. Then, the connection portions of the IC circuit portion, the connection terminal, and the connection terminal of each antenna portion are substantially covered with a protective film.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-44817 (Paragraph No. 0020-0034, FIGS. 1 and 2) Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] In the case of creating a wireless tag by writing information to the wireless tag circuit element, a large number of wireless tags are formed along the longitudinal direction in order to continuously and efficiently generate the wireless tag. The tag tape on which the tag circuit elements are arranged is wound to form a roll, and the tag tape is fed out from the roll to read the RFID tag circuit elements that appear sequentially and read the blue report.

It is considered that Z writing is performed.

Here, when the tag tape is wound to form a roll as described above, in each wireless tag circuit element, the IC circuit section and the antenna section are connected by a connection terminal, as in the above-described related art. If a protective film is used to cover almost the part (ヽゎ loose strap), the protective film has a certain degree of rigidity (strength of the waist), so it is difficult for the protective film to form a substantially circular arc along the winding circumferential direction ( (It becomes almost linear). This tendency becomes more remarkable as the length of the protective film in the longitudinal direction of the RFID circuit element (in other words, the longitudinal direction of the tag tape) increases.

[0007] In the related art, two connection terminals for connecting the IC circuit part and the two antenna parts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the RFID circuit element (in other words, in the longitudinal direction of the tag tape). The antenna unit on one side, the connection terminal on one side, the IC circuit unit, the connection terminal on the other side, and the antenna unit on the other side are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the RFID circuit element. For this reason, when the above-described conventional technology is applied to the configuration in which the tag tape is wound to form a roll as described above, the length of the protective film of the strap portion in the tag tape longitudinal direction increases, and the strap portion winds the tag tape. It becomes almost arcuate along the direction of rotation, making it difficult to wind the tag tape. As a result, it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the entire roll, and the interval between turns is increased. If the diameter is the same, the number of turns to be wound is reduced.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a roll for a tag label producing device that can reduce the diameter of the entire roll when forming a roll by winding a tag tape on which a wireless tag circuit element is arranged, and a wireless tag using the same. An object of the present invention is to provide a circuit element cartridge.

Means for solving the problem

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a roll for a tag label producing apparatus configured by winding a tag tape on which a plurality of RFID circuit elements are arranged, wherein the RFID circuit element is An IC circuit section for storing information; an antenna section having a plurality of connection ends on a side connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting and receiving information; and an IC circuit section for connecting to the plurality of connection sections. A plurality of connection terminals that are provided to connect the respective connection ends and are arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the antenna unit; and a junction between at least the IC circuit unit and the plurality of connection terminals. And a protection member for protecting the.

[0010] In the tag tape, when the IC circuit portion and the antenna portion are connected by a connection terminal, and the connection portion (a so-called strap) is protected by a protection member to be a wireless tag circuit element, the protection member has a certain degree of protection. Due to its rigidity (stiffness), when wound as a tag tape, its strap part is unlikely to be formed in a substantially circular arc along the winding direction! This tendency becomes more remarkable as the length of the protection member increases. In the first invention of the present application, the plurality of connection terminals for connecting the IC circuit section and the plurality of connection ends of the antenna section are formed in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the antenna section (in other words, the tag tape longitudinal direction). By arranging the strap portions, the above-described length of the strap portion in the tag tape longitudinal direction can be suppressed. This makes it easier for the strap portion to be formed into a substantially arc shape along the direction in which the tag tape is wound. it can. As a result, the entire roll can be reduced in diameter, the interval between turns can be reduced, and if the diameter is the same, the number of turns to be wound can be increased.

A second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the wireless tag circuit element has the plurality of connection terminals arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the antenna unit. And

[0012] By arranging the plurality of connection terminals in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the antenna section (the longitudinal direction of the tag tape), the length of the strap section in the longitudinal direction of the tag tape can be minimized. This makes it possible to reliably reduce the diameter of the entire roll, and to surely reduce the interval between turns to increase the number of turns.

[0013] In a third aspect based on the first or second aspect, the longitudinal length of the plurality of connection ends of the antenna section is in the longitudinal direction of the connection terminal of the RFID circuit element. It is characterized by being longer than the length to be cut.

[0014] Thus, when the strap portion is manufactured, even if the positioning of the connection terminal, which is connected and fixed to the connection end portion of the antenna portion, in the longitudinal direction of the antenna portion is slightly shifted, the connection is securely performed. Therefore, high-speed and inexpensive manufacturing that does not require high positioning accuracy can be performed, and the yield can be improved.

[0015] In a fourth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of wireless tag circuit elements include a plurality of connection terminals provided in each of the plurality of connection terminals in a width direction of the tag tape. The tag tape is arranged in a staggered arrangement along the longitudinal direction of the tag tape.

[0016] By arranging the connection terminal in the tag tape width direction in a staggered arrangement for each RFID circuit element, the circumferential distance between the connection terminals increases when viewed at the same tag tape width direction position. It becomes easier to form a substantially circular arc when wound. As a result, the entire roll can be further reduced in diameter, and the number of turns to be wound can be increased if the diameter is the same.

[0017] In a fifth aspect based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the antenna section of the wireless tag circuit element has the connection end on the side connected to the IC circuit section. It is characterized by comprising a dipole antenna provided.

[0018] By arranging a plurality of connection terminals for connecting the IC circuit section and the plurality of connection ends of the dipole antenna in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the antenna section, the above-described tag tape longitudinal section of the strap section is provided. The length in the direction can be suppressed, and the strap portion can be easily formed into a substantially arc shape along the direction in which the tag tape is wound.

[0019] In a sixth aspect based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the antenna section of the wireless tag circuit element has two connection end portions on a side connected to the IC circuit section. It is characterized by comprising one loop antenna with

By arranging a plurality of connection terminals for connecting the IC circuit section and the two connection ends of one loop antenna in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the antenna section, The length of the tag tape in the longitudinal direction can be suppressed, and the strap portion can be easily formed into a substantially arc shape along the direction in which the tag tape is wound.

[0021] In order to achieve the above object, a seventh invention is directed to a first invention having a first roll formed by winding a tag tape, and a second roll formed by winding a print-receiving tape. While feeding out the tag tape and the print-receiving tape from the roll and the second port, the print-receiving tape is The RFID tag circuit element cartridge is configured to be detachably attached to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a tag label by performing predetermined printing on the printed tape and pasting the printed tape and the tag tape after printing. An IC circuit section for storing information; an antenna section having a plurality of connection ends on a side connected to the IC circuit section for transmitting and receiving information; and the IC circuit section and the plurality of connection ends. And are provided to connect

A plurality of connection terminals arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the antenna portion; and a protection member for protecting at least a junction between the IC circuit portion and the plurality of connection terminals. It is characterized in that a plurality of circuit elements are arranged.

[0022] In the tag tape, when the IC circuit section and the antenna section are connected by connecting terminals, and the connecting section (so-called strap) is protected by a protective member to form a wireless tag circuit element, each wireless tag is used. Since the strap portion of the circuit element has a certain degree of rigidity (stiffness), when the tag portion is wound as a tag tape, the strap portion does not easily form a substantially arc along the circumferential direction of the winding. There is a property. This tendency becomes more remarkable as the length of the strap portion in the tag tape longitudinal direction is longer. In the seventh invention of the present application, in the wireless tag circuit element provided on the tag tape of the first roll, a plurality of connection terminals for connecting the IC circuit section and a plurality of connection ends of the antenna section are connected to the antenna section. By arranging the strap portions in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tag tape (in other words, the tag tape longitudinal direction), the length of the strap portion in the tag tape longitudinal direction can be suppressed. This makes it easier for the strap portion to become substantially arcuate along the direction in which the tag tape is wound, so that the tag tape having a plurality of RFID circuit elements can be wound relatively easily during the formation of the first roll. You can go. As a result, the entire first portal can be reduced in diameter, so that the cartridge can be downsized. Further, since the interval between the turns can be reduced, the number of turns wound on the first roll can be increased if the first roll storage space in the cartridge is the same.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, the length of the strap portion in the longitudinal direction of the tag tape is suppressed, and the strap portion is easily formed in a substantially arc shape along the direction in which the tag tape is wound. The tag tape provided with the tag can be wound relatively easily. As a result, When the roll is formed by winding the tag tape, the entire diameter of the roll can be reduced.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an RFID tag generation system to which a tag label producing device including a roll for a tag label producing device and a RFID circuit element cartridge of the present embodiment is applied.

In the wireless tag generation system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a tag label creating device (wireless tag information communication device) 2 includes a route server 4, a terminal 5, and a general-purpose device via a wired or wireless communication line 3. It is connected to a computer 6 and a plurality of information servers 7.

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

In FIG. 2, a cartridge holder (not shown) as a recess is provided in the apparatus main body 8 of the tag label producing apparatus 2, and a cartridge (wireless tag circuit element cartridge) 100 is provided in the holder. It is attached detachably.

The apparatus main body 8 is provided with the above-mentioned cartridge holder portion into which the cartridge 100 is fitted and also forms a housing 9 and a predetermined print (printing) on a cover film 103 (see FIG. 3 described later). Head (thermal head) 10 that performs printing, a ribbon take-up roll drive shaft 11 that drives the ink ribbon that has completed printing on the cover film 103, and a tape feeder that feeds the printed tag tape 1 10 out of the cartridge body 100. An antenna 14 for transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication using a high frequency such as a UHF band between the roller drive shaft 12 and the RFID tag circuit element To (to be described in detail later) provided on the printed tag tape 110, and the above-described printing The tag 15 that cuts the completed tag tape 110 to a predetermined length at a predetermined timing to generate a label-shaped wireless tag label T (wireless tag, details of which will be described later), and the above-described wireless communication. A pair of the main transport guides 13 for holding and setting the RFID circuit element To in a predetermined access area facing the antenna 14 at the time of signal transmission and reception, and for guiding each RFID label T after cutting, A delivery roller 17 for transporting and sending the RFID label T to an exit (discharge port) 16 and a sensor 18 for detecting the presence or absence of the RFID label T at the exit 16. Have.

[0030] The sensor 18 is, for example, a reflection-type photoelectric sensor that also has the power of a light emitter and a light receiver. If the RFID label T does not exist between the transmitter and the receiver, the light output from the transmitter is input to the receiver. On the other hand, when the RFID label is present between the light emitter and the light receiver, the light output from the light emitter is shielded and the control output from the light receiver is inverted.

On the other hand, the apparatus main body 8 also has a high-frequency circuit 21 for performing hair access (reading or writing information) to the wireless tag circuit element To via the antenna 14 and a read-out signal from the wireless tag circuit element To. A signal processing circuit 22 for processing signals, a cartridge motor 23 for driving the ribbon take-up roll drive shaft 11 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 12, and a cartridge drive circuit for controlling the drive of the cartridge motor 23 24, a print drive circuit 25 for controlling the energization of the print head 10, a solenoid 26 for driving the cutter 15 to perform a cutting operation, a solenoid drive circuit 27 for controlling the solenoid 26, and A delivery roller motor 28 for driving the roller 17; a delivery roller drive circuit 29 for controlling the delivery roller motor 28; 1, a signal processing circuit 22, a cartridge driving circuit 24, a printing driving circuit 25, a solenoid driving circuit 27, a sending roller driving circuit 29, etc., and a control circuit 30 for controlling the entire operation of the tag label producing apparatus 2. .

[0032] The control circuit 30 is a so-called microcomputer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, which are central processing units that are not shown in detail, and uses a temporary storage function of the RAM to store the ROM. Signal processing is performed according to a program stored in advance. The control circuit 30 is connected to, for example, a communication line 3 via an input / output interface 31, and is connected to the route server 4, the other terminal 5, the general-purpose computer 6, and the information server 7 connected to the communication line 3. It is possible to exchange information with the like.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a detailed structure of the cartridge 100 according to the present embodiment provided in the tag label producing apparatus 2.

In FIG. 3, the cartridge 100 includes a first roll 102 on which a band-shaped base tape (tag tape) 101 is wound, and a transparent cover having substantially the same width as the base tape 101. A second roll 104 on which one film 103 is wound, a ribbon supply roll 111 for feeding out the ink ribbon 105, a ribbon winding roll 106 for winding the printed ribbon 105, and a base tape 101; And a tape feed roller 107 for feeding the tape in the direction shown by arrow A while pressing and bonding the cover film 103 to form a tag tape 110 with print.

[0035] The first roll 102 winds the base tape 101 on which a plurality of RFID circuit elements To are sequentially formed in the longitudinal direction around a reel member 102a, and the second roll 104 includes a reel. The cover film 103 is wound around the screw member 104a.

Each of the ribbon take-up roll 106 and the tape feed roller 107 has a drive force of a cartridge motor 23 (for example, a pulse motor) provided outside the cartridge 100 (see FIG. 2 described above). The rotation is driven by the transmission to the tape feed roller drive shaft 12.

The base tape 101 wound around the first roll 102 has a four-layer structure in this example (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3). Toward the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3), an adhesive layer 101a also having an appropriate adhesive material, a colored base film 101b having a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, an adhesive layer 101c also having an appropriate adhesive material, and peeling. The sheets are laminated and arranged in the order of the paper release 101d.

[0038] An antenna (antenna unit) 152 for transmitting and receiving information is provided integrally on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b in this example, and connection terminals 159A are connected to the antenna. , 159B, and an IC circuit section 151 for storing information is further formed. The IC circuit section 151 further covers connection ends 152A, 152B (see FIG. 7 described later) of the antenna 152, the connection terminals 159A, 159B, and the IC circuit section 151. As described above, the protection film 160 (which functions as a protection member for protecting at least the junction between the IC circuit portion 151 and the connection terminals 159A and 159B) is disposed, and thereby, the RFID tag circuit element To (Detailed structure will be described later).

On the front side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, the above-mentioned adhesive layer 101a for bonding the cover film 103 later is formed, and on the back side (the left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, The adhesive layer 101c provided so as to include the wireless tag circuit element To Release paper lOld is adhered to base film 101b. The release paper 101d is such that when the RFID label T, which is finally completed in the form of a label, is affixed to a predetermined product or the like, it is peeled off so that it can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c. It is.

The cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is driven by a ribbon supply roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roll 106 arranged on the back side (ie, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). When the ribbon 105 is pressed by the print head 10, the ribbon 105 comes 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 the roller holder is moved from the separated position to the contact position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are attached to the print head 10 and the platen roller 108. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feed roller 107 and the sub-roller 109. Then, the ribbon take-up roll 106 and the tape feed roller 107 are rotationally driven in synchronization with each other in 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 and the sub roller 109 and the platen roller 108 are connected by gears (not shown), and the tape feed roller 107 and the sub roller 109 are driven by the drive of the tape feed roller drive shaft 12. Then, the platen roller 108 rotates, and the base tape 101 having a four-layer structure is fed from the first roll 102. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 10 are energized by the print drive circuit 25. As a result, printing of predetermined characters, symbols, bar codes, etc. R (see FIG. 10 (a) described later) is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 (= the surface on the side of the adhesive layer 101a). Mirrored characters are printed by looking at the lateral force. Then, the base tape 101 having the four-layer structure and the cover film 103 on which the printing has been completed are bonded and integrated by the tape feed roller 107 and the sub-roller 109 to form a printed tag tape 110, It is carried out of the cartridge 100. The ink ribbon 105 having been printed on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roll 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roll drive shaft 11.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the high-frequency circuit 21. Figure 4 The high-frequency circuit 21 includes a transmitting unit 32 for transmitting a signal to the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 14 and a receiving unit 33 for inputting a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14. And a transmission / reception separator 34.

[0043] The transmitting unit 32 is a quartz oscillator that functions as a carrier wave generating unit that generates a carrier wave for accessing (performing information reading or writing) the wireless tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the wireless tag circuit element To. 35, PLL (Phase

Locked Loop) 36, VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 37, and modulates the carrier generated by the carrier generation means based on the signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 22 (in this example, the signal from the signal processing circuit 22). A transmission multiplying circuit 38 that functions as a carrier modulation means for performing amplitude modulation based on the “TX—ASK” signal (however, in the case of amplitude modulation, a variable amplification factor amplifier or the like may be used), and the signal is modulated by the transmission multiplying circuit 38. And a transmission amplifier 39 functioning as modulated wave amplifying means for amplifying the modulated wave (in this example, the amplification rate is determined by the “TX-PWR” signal from the control circuit 30). The carrier generated by the carrier generating means preferably uses a UHF band frequency, and the output of the transmission amplifier 39 is transmitted to the antenna 14 via the transmission / reception separator 34 to be transmitted to the wireless tag circuit element. Supplied to IC circuit section 151 of To.

[0044] The receiving unit 33 includes a first receiving multiplication circuit 40 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14 by the carrier generated by the carrier generation means, Output power of 1 multiplying circuit 40 A first bandpass filter 41 for extracting only a signal in a necessary band, and a first receiving amplifier for amplifying the output of the first bandpass filter 41 and supplying it to a first limiter 42 43, a receiving second multiplying circuit 44 for multiplying a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14 and a carrier wave generated by the carrier wave generating means and having a phase shifted by 90 °, and A second band-pass filter 45 for extracting only a signal in a band in which the output power of the reception second multiplication circuit 44 is also necessary, and a reception band for amplifying the output of the second band-pass filter 45 and supplying it to a second limiter 46 And a 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 first receiving amplifier 43 and the second receiving amplifier 47 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 48, and a signal “: RSSI” indicating the strength of those signals is output to a signal processing circuit. 22 is entered. In this way, in the tag label producing device 2 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave of the To tag power is demodulated by IQ quadrature demodulation.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual side view showing a more detailed structure of the first roll 102 described above. As described above, the base tape 101 wound around the first roll 102 has a plurality of RFID circuit elements To (details will be described later) sequentially arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed structure of the wireless tag circuit element To provided on the base tape 101 wound on the first roll 101, and is a VI-VI ′ plane in a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged top view showing a portion A in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII ′ in FIG.

In FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the RFID circuit element To includes the IC circuit section 151 and a plurality of connection ends 152A and 152B on the side connected to the IC circuit section 151. An antenna 152 for transmitting and receiving information, an IC 152 and a plurality of (two in this example) connection ends 152A and 152B are provided for connection to each other, and intersect with the longitudinal direction of the antenna 152. A plurality (two in this example) of the connection terminals 159A and 159B arranged in directions (in this example, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the antenna), the IC circuit section 151, the connection terminals 159A and 159B, and the antenna 152 And the protective film 160 disposed so as to substantially cover the connection ends 152A and 152B of the antenna 152, as described above, the connection ends 152A and 152B of the antenna 152, the connection terminals 159A and 159B, and the IC circuit. The part 151 is almost covered by the protective film 160 from the lower side in FIG. (In other words, the IC circuit section 151 is arranged so as to be embedded in the protective film 160, and the connection terminals 159A and 159B are arranged so as to be mounted on the protective film 160, and the connection is performed thereon. The ends 152A and 152B are arranged so as to be placed thereon.

[0049] In this example, the antenna 152 is a single loop antenna having the two connection ends 152A and 152B on the side connected to the IC circuit section 151. At this time, the lengths LA, L of the plurality of connection ends 152A, 152B of the antenna 152 in the longitudinal direction of the antenna (horizontal direction in FIG. 7). B is longer than the length (width) W of the connection terminals 159A and 159B in the same direction (left-right direction in FIG. 7), and the connection end 152A and the connection end 152B are in the longitudinal direction of the antenna (FIG. 7). The antennas are arranged so as to overlap with each other in the short direction of the antenna (vertical direction in FIG. 7) in the middle and left and right directions.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the above-described RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 9, the RFID circuit element To is composed of the antenna 14 of the tag label producing apparatus 2 and the UHF band or the like. The antenna 152 includes the antenna 152 for transmitting and receiving signals without contact using high frequency, and the IC circuit unit 151 connected to the antenna 152.

[0051] The IC circuit unit 151 includes a rectifying unit 153 for rectifying a carrier received by the antenna 152, a power supply 154 for storing energy of the carrier rectified by the rectifying unit 153 to serve as a driving power source, A clock extraction unit 156 for extracting a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 152 and supplying the clock signal to a control unit 155 (described later); a memory unit 157 functioning as information storage means capable of storing a predetermined information signal; A modulation section 158 connected to the antenna 152; and the control section 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the rectification section 153, the clock extraction section 156, the modulation / demodulation section 158, and the like. It has.

The modulation / demodulation section 158 demodulates the communication signal from the antenna 14 of the tag label producing apparatus 2 received by the antenna 152 and receives the signal from the antenna 152 based on the response signal from the control section 155. And modulates the reflected carrier.

The control unit 155 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modem unit 158, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 157, and generates a return signal based on the information signal. The basic control such as the control to be returned by the unit 158 is executed.

FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) show the RFID label formed after the information reading (or writing) of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the printed tag tape 110 are completed as described above. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of T. FIG. 10A is a top view, and FIG. 10B is a bottom view. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Xl-X in FIG.

In FIG. 10 (a), FIG. 10 (b) and FIG. 11, 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 film 103 side (upper side in Fig. 11) toward the opposite side (lower side in Fig. 11), the cover film 103 The adhesion 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 R (the RFID label T in this example). “RF—ID” that indicates the type of print is printed.

FIG. 12 shows the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 when the tag label producing apparatus 2 accesses (reads or writes) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit section 151 of the RFID circuit element To as described above. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a screen.

In FIG. 12, in this example, a print character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, an access (read or write) ID which is an ID unique to the RFID circuit element To, the information server The address of the article information stored in 7 and the storage destination address of the corresponding information in the route server 4 can be displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6. Then, by operating the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, the tag label creating device 2 is operated, and the print character R is printed on the cover film 103, and the read ID stored in the IC circuit unit 151 in advance is read. Then, the wireless tag information such as the article information is read (or the information such as the write ID and the article information is written in the IC circuit section 151).

In the above description, an example in which the main transport guide 13 is accessed (information reading or writing) by holding the main transport guide 13 in the access area with the moving printed tag tape 110 in the printing operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-described access may be performed with the printed tag tape 110 stopped at a predetermined position and held by the main transport guide 13.

[0059] 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 the information written in the IC circuit unit 151). ) Is stored in the above-described route server 4 and can be referred to as needed.

In the tag label producing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the tag label 110 is taken out from the cartridge 100 as a printed tag tape 110, and is removed by the main transport guide 13. The wireless tag circuit element To set and held at a predetermined position (access area) opposite to 14 is sequentially accessed (reading the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 or writing to the IC circuit unit 151).

Here, as described above, in the base tape 101, the connection between the IC circuit portion 151 and the antenna portion 152 is connected by the connection terminal 159, and the connection portion (so-called strap) is substantially covered with the protective film 160. When the wireless tag circuit element To is used, the protective film 160 has a certain degree of rigidity (lumbar strength). For this reason, when the base tape 101 is wound around the first roll 102, the strap portion has a property that it is difficult to form a substantially circular arc along the winding circumferential direction (see FIG. 13). This tendency becomes more conspicuous as the protective film 160 is longer. Further, if the protective film 160 is so long, there is a high possibility that a plurality of protective films 160 overlap at the same (or very close) circumferential position, as shown in FIG. It becomes almost arc-shaped.

In the present embodiment, correspondingly, the connection terminals 159A and 159B for connecting the IC circuit section 151 and the connection ends 152A and 152B of the antenna 152 are connected in the longitudinal direction of the antenna 152 (in other words, By arranging in the direction intersecting with the base tape 101 (longitudinal direction of the base tape 101), the above-described length Lo of the strap portion in the longitudinal direction of the base tape 101 can be suppressed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the strap portion tends to be substantially arc-shaped along the direction in which the base tape 101 is wound, so that the base tape 101 having many RFID circuit elements To is provided. Can be wound relatively easily. As a result, the diameter of the entire first roll 102 can be reduced, the interval between turns can be reduced, and if the diameter is the same, the number of turns to be wound can be increased. In particular, in the present embodiment, by arranging the connection terminals 159A and 159B in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the antenna 152 (the longitudinal direction of the base tape 101), the length of the above-described strap portion in the longitudinal direction of the base tape 101 is reduced. Lo can be minimized. As a result, effects such as a small diameter of the entire first roll 102 and an increase in the number of turns can be reliably obtained. Further, the size of the protection sheet 160 can be reduced by / J.

At this time, in particular, as shown in FIG. 14, for a plurality of RFID circuit elements To arranged in the longitudinal direction on the base tape 101, the antenna connection end 152A and the antenna connection end If the left and right positional relationship with the base tape 101 in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 14) with respect to the 152B is arranged so as to be staggered alternately along the longitudinal direction of the base tape 101, When viewed at the position in the width direction of the base tape 101, the circumferential interval between the connection terminals increases, and the base tape 101 is more likely to be formed into a substantially arc shape when wound around the base tape 101. As a result, in this case, the entire first roll 102 can be further reduced in diameter, and the number of turns to be wound can be increased. Note that, even if the above left-right positional relationship between the antenna connection end 152A and the antenna connection end 152B is not reversed in a zigzag manner, the RFID tag circuit element To is simply placed in the width direction of the base tape 101 without changing the left-right relationship. The same effect can be obtained even if the elements are slid and arranged in a staggered manner.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the connection end 152A and the connection end 152B are mutually in the antenna short direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7) in the antenna longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 7). ) Are arranged overlapping. As a result, during the manufacturing and processing of the strap portion, the positioning force in the longitudinal direction of the antenna portion of the connection terminals 159A and 159B to be connected and fixed to the antenna connection end portions 152A and 152B, as shown in FIG. However, even if the antenna is slightly displaced in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. 15 (b) and 15 (c) (in these figures, the position of the protective film 160 is shown for simplicity of illustration), the connection can be made securely. It can be performed. As a result, high-speed and inexpensive manufacturing can be performed without the need for increasing the positioning accuracy, and the yield can be improved.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the antenna 152 is a so-called loop antenna. The present invention is not limited to this, and may have another shape.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing such a modification. In this example, each of the RFID circuit elements To is provided with two antennas 152-1 and 152-2 as V, so-called dipole antennas. The antennas 152-1 and 152-2 have connection ends 152-1A and 152-2 on the side connected to the IC circuit section 151 (not shown), respectively.

Also in this modification, as in the above-described embodiment, as shown in the figure, the IC circuit section 151 is connected to the connection ends 152-1A and 152-2A of the antennas 152-1, 152-2. Connection terminals 159A and 159B are arranged in a direction (in this example, a direction substantially perpendicular to) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the antenna (the left-right direction in FIG. 16) (not shown), and thereby the base material of the strap portion is provided. The Step 101 The length in the longitudinal direction is suppressed. As a result, the strap portion can be easily formed into a substantially arc shape along the direction in which the base tape 101 is wound, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

Also in this modified example, as in the configuration shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of RFID circuit elements To arranged in the longitudinal direction on base tape 101 have their connection ends 152-1 connected to antenna 152-1. 1 A and the connection end 152-2A of the antenna 152-2 The right and left positional relationship force in the width direction of the base tape 101 (vertical direction in Fig. 16) The zigzag pattern is alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the base tape 101 It is arranged so that it becomes. As a result, similarly to the above, when viewed at the same position in the width direction of the base tape 101, the circumferential spacing of the connection terminals is increased, and the connection terminals are more likely to be formed in a substantially arc shape, so that the first roll 102 as a whole has a smaller diameter and a smaller turn. The effect of increasing the number can be obtained. Also, as described above, even if the above left-right positional relationship between the antenna connection end 152-1A and the antenna connection end 152-2A is not reversed in a zigzag manner, the left-right relationship remains the same and the wireless tag circuit element is simply The same effect can be obtained even if To is slid in the width direction of the base tape 101 and arranged in a staggered manner.

In the above description, as shown in FIG. 8, in the RFID circuit element To provided in the adhesive layer 101c, only one side (the lower side in FIG. 8) of the connection terminals 159A and 159B is protected. The force described in the example in which the RFID tag T having the structure shown in FIG. 11 is finally generated by using a structure substantially covered with the film 160 is not limited to this. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, in the RFID tag circuit element To provided in the adhesive layer 101c, the other side of the connection terminals 159A and 159B (the upper side in FIG. 17, in other words, the connection terminals 159A and 159B are connected to the antenna). The structure between the end portions 152A and 152B) may be substantially covered with another protective film 16 (and may be used to generate the RFID label T. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0070] In the above description, the present invention is not limited to the wireless tag information communication device such as the cartridge 100 which can be attached to and detached from the wireless communication device main body, but a so-called non-detachable or integrated type which can be attached to and detached from the device main body. May be provided with the first roll 102. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

Further, in the above description, the tag label producing device 2 is an IC circuit of the RFID tag circuit element To. The wireless tag information is read or written from the unit 151, and printing (printing) for identifying the wireless tag circuit element To is performed by the thermal head 10. However, this printing is not necessarily performed. It may be one that only reads or writes wireless tag information.

[0072] Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention is embodied with various changes without departing from the spirit thereof.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a RFID tag generation system to which a tag label producing device including a tag label producing device roll and a RFID tag circuit element cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a detailed structure of a tag label producing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the detailed structure of the RFID circuit element cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating detailed functions of the high-frequency circuit illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual side view showing a more detailed structure of a first roll shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing a detailed structure of the wireless tag circuit element, taken along plane VI-VI ′ in a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged top view showing a portion A extracted from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII ′ in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a wireless tag circuit element.

FIG. 10 is a top view and a bottom view illustrating an example of the appearance of the RFID label T.

FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line Xl-X in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a terminal or a general-purpose computer when accessing wireless tag information.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual side view showing a behavior in which a first roll expands.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification in which the left and right positional relationship between two antenna connection ends in the base tape width direction is staggered.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a positioning behavior of two connection terminals. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification using a loop antenna.

[17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which both sides of the connection terminal are substantially covered with a protective film. Explanation of symbols

2 Tag label making device

100 cartridge (wireless tag circuit element cartridge)

101 Base tape (Tag tape)

102 1st roll (Roll for tag label making device)

103 Cover film (printed tape)

104 2nd roll

151 IC circuit

152 Antenna (antenna part)

152A, B connection end

159A, B connection terminal

160 Protective film (protective member)

160 'protective film (protective member)

T wireless tag label (wireless tag)

To wireless tag circuit element

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A roll (102) for a tag label producing device, which is configured by winding a tag tape (101) on which a plurality of wireless tag circuit elements (To) are arranged,

The wireless tag circuit element (To),

An IC circuit section (151) for storing information,

An antenna unit (152; 152-1, 152-1) having a plurality of connection ends (152A, 152B; 152-1A, 152-2A) on the side connected to the IC circuit unit (151) for transmitting and receiving information. — 2)

It is provided for connecting the IC circuit section (151) and the plurality of connection ends (152A, 152B; 152-1A, 152-2A) respectively, and the antenna section (152; 152-1, 152). —Protects a plurality of connection terminals (159A, 159B) arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of at least (2), and at least a joint between the IC circuit part (151) and the plurality of connection terminals (159A, 159B). A roll (102) for a tag label producing device, comprising a protective member (160; 16 ()) for performing the operation.

[2] The roll (102) for a tag label producing device according to claim 1,

The wireless tag circuit element (To) includes a plurality of connection terminals (159A, 159B) arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the antenna section (152; 152-1, 152-2). A roll for a tag label producing device (102), characterized in that:

[3] The roll (102) for a tag label producing device according to claim 1 or 2,

The longitudinal lengths (LA, LB) of the plurality of connection ends (152A, 152B; 152-1A, 152-2A) of the antenna section (152; 152-1, 152-2) are determined by the wireless tag circuit. A roll (102) for a tag label producing device, wherein the length (W) of the connection terminal (159A, 159B) of the element (To) in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length (W).

[4] In the roll (102) for a tag label producing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

The plurality of wireless tag circuit elements (To) are formed by positioning forces of the plurality of connection terminals (159A, 159B) provided in the width direction of the tag tape (101) in the longitudinal direction of the tag tape (101). A roll for a tag label producing device (102), which is arranged in a staggered arrangement along the line.

[5] In the roll (102) for a tag label producing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

The antenna sections (152-1, 152-2) of the RFID circuit element (To) are connected to the connection ends (152-1A, 152-2A) on the side connected to the IC circuit section (151), respectively. A roll (102) for a tag label producing device, which is constituted by a dipole antenna having ()).

[6] In the roll (102) for a tag label producing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

The antenna section (152) of the RFID circuit element (To) is configured by one loop antenna having two connection ends (152A, 152B) on the side connected to the IC circuit section (151). A roll (102) for a tag label producing device, characterized in that it is performed.

[7] A first roll (102) formed by winding a tag tape (101),

A second roll (104) wound with a print-receiving tape (103),

While feeding out the tag tape (101) and the print-receiving tape (103) from the first roll (102) and the second roll (104), predetermined printing is performed on the print-receiving tape (103), The RFID tag circuit element cartridge (100) detachably attached to the tag label producing device (2) for producing the tag label (T) by sticking the printed tape (103) and the tag tape (101) after printing. )

The tag tape (101)

An IC circuit section (151) for storing information and a plurality of connection ends (152A, 152B; 152-1A, 152-2A) on the side connected to the IC circuit section (151) are provided for transmitting and receiving information. To connect the antenna section (152; 152-1, 152-2) with the IC circuit section (151) and the plurality of connection ends (152A, 152B; 152-1A, 152-2A), respectively. A plurality of connection terminals (159A, 159B) arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the antenna section (152; 152-1, 152-2), and at least the IC circuit section (151). And a plurality of wireless tag circuit elements (To) having a protection member (160; 16 ()) for protecting a joint between the plurality of connection terminals (159 A and 159B). Wireless tag circuit element cartridge (100).