JP2004082432A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a recorder in which operational reliability as a writing unit is enhanced by selecting the recording operation and the data writing operation into an element incorporated in a recording medium at a speed substantially equal to the recording speed of the recorder and recovering a data miss writing occurring accidentally. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder incorporates a plurality of writing means or an antenna, and comprises a means for feeding a recording medium, a means for recording an image on the recording medium, and a plurality of means for writing data in elements incorporated in the recording medium. The recorder further comprises a means for reading out data written by the data writing means, and a means for comparing the data written by the data writing means with the data read out by means of the reading means. When the comparison results represent mismatch, writing is performed by different one of the plurality of writing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs a data write operation on an element in parallel with an image recording operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) system, which is one of the automatic recognition technologies that have emerged in recent years, takes advantage of simultaneous multiple access, etc., and is used in various fields as a substitute for barcodes or two-dimensional codes, or as a complement. This is expected technology.
[0003]
RF-ID is a general term for a technology for transmitting and receiving electronic data wirelessly using a non-contact IC as a data carrier.
[0004]
In the fields that could not be automated until now, as well as in the fields of logistics and FA that were automated by the conventional automatic recognition technology, there are examples in which RF-ID technology is adopted to realize further efficiency. It is increasing.
[0005]
In these fields, a non-contact IC is mounted on a medium such as a label, a card, and a tag, and is relatively frequently used for storing information encoded in a barcode or a two-dimensional code in the non-contact IC. .
[0006]
In such an example, it is necessary to print the visible information on the surface of the medium and write the electronic information to the non-contact IC in addition to this. However, it is not preferable to perform the sharing by a plurality of devices for the purpose of efficiency. Therefore, it is optimal to use an RF-ID image recording device which is equipped with a RF-ID read / write function in a conventional image recording device and writes electronic data to a non-contact IC in parallel with printing on the front surface. It is a target.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The following two problems occur in such a recording apparatus.
[0008]
First, there is a problem that the time required for writing electronic data cannot be secured, and writing may be interrupted halfway.
[0009]
The communication antenna mounted on the image recording device side has a communicable range, and electronic data can be written only when the loop antenna on the recording medium is within this range.
[0010]
Since the communication antenna is fixed at a certain point on the recording medium conveyance path, when the conveyance speed is constant, the time during which the loop antenna exists within the communication range is determined by the conveyance speed.
[0011]
If the time during which the loop antenna exists within the communication range is referred to as a communication allowable time, the writing of the electronic data must be completed within the communication allowable time.
[0012]
To output labels, cards, and the like at a high speed, the transport speed must be increased. However, there has been a problem that the writing speed of electronic data is an obstacle, and the transport speed cannot be further increased.
[0013]
Further, even when the transport speed is normal, if the amount of electronic data to be written is large, more communication time is required, and writing of electronic data may not be completed within the communication allowable time. Furthermore, the allowable communication time may be limited by parameters such as the size of the loop antenna mounted on the recording medium and the output of the communication antenna, and image recording due to writing of electronic data due to these various factors. There is a problem that the printing speed of the apparatus is reduced.
[0014]
The second problem is that the allowable communication time varies depending on the size of the recording medium.
[0015]
Generally, an image recording apparatus that performs printing on cards, labels, and the like can perform printing on recording media of various sizes.
[0016]
There is no problem when the size of the recording medium is sufficiently large, but when the size in the transport direction is small and a plurality of recording media exist within the communicable range of the communication antenna, the non-contact IC to be written is There is a possibility that the communication cannot be specified and a communication failure may occur.
[0017]
At this time, usually, electronic data is written at a timing when one recording medium exists within the communicable range. However, depending on the size of the recording medium in the transport direction and the shape of the communication antenna, a plurality of recording media are always used. May exist within the communicable range.
[0018]
To avoid this, it is sufficient to mount a small communication antenna having a narrow communication range, but at the same time, the allowable communication time is shortened. Will be limited.
[0019]
That is, depending on the shape of the communication antenna to be mounted, it is difficult to cope with various paper sizes.
[0020]
[Means to solve the problem]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a plurality of writing devices or antennas inside a recording device, and implements the following units.
[0021]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus comprising a plurality of data writing means for writing data to an element built in the recording medium.
[0022]
A recording apparatus comprising: a data reading unit that reads data written by the data writing unit; and a comparing unit that compares written data written by the writing unit with data read by the reading unit.
[0023]
If the comparison result by the comparing means does not match, writing is performed by a different writing means among the plurality of writing means.
[0024]
A recording apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed upstream of the recording unit.
[0025]
A recording apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed downstream of the recording unit.
[0026]
If the comparison results by the comparing means do not match, the writing is performed by the downstream writing means of the plurality of writing means.
[0027]
A recording apparatus, comprising: a notifying unit for notifying, when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match after writing by the downstream writing unit.
[0028]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus, comprising: a plurality of communication means for communicating with a plurality of wireless communication elements incorporated in the recording medium.
[0029]
The recording device, wherein the plurality of communication units communicate simultaneously with the plurality of wireless communication elements.
[0030]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication units include a writing unit that writes data to a memory built in the plurality of wireless communication elements.
[0031]
2. A recording apparatus, wherein data written by the writing means is the same data.
[0032]
A recording apparatus, wherein data written by said writing means is different data.
[0033]
A recording apparatus wherein a recording operation by the recording unit and a writing operation by the writing unit are performed almost simultaneously.
[0034]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus comprising: a writing unit that writes data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium; a plurality of communication antennas; and an antenna selection unit that selects an antenna from the plurality of communication antennas.
[0035]
The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas have different shapes.
[0036]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna selection unit selects an antenna according to a shape of the recording medium.
[0037]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna selection unit selects an antenna according to a shape of the wireless communication element.
[0038]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna selection unit selects an antenna according to data to be written to the wireless communication element.
[0039]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A plurality of writing means for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium, a data dividing means for dividing the writing data, and the writing data divided by the data dividing means are written by the plurality of writing means. Do
Recording device.
[0040]
A recording apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed upstream of the recording unit.
[0041]
A recording apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed downstream of the recording unit.
[0042]
A data reading unit that reads data written by the plurality of data writing units;
A recording apparatus, comprising: comparison means for comparing write data written by the writing means with data read by the reading means.
[0043]
If the comparison results by the comparing means do not match, the corresponding divided data is written by the writing means arranged on the downstream side.
[0044]
After writing by the writing means arranged on the downstream side, if the comparison result by the comparing means does not match, reversely transport the recording medium to the upstream side,
A recording apparatus, wherein the corresponding divided data is written again by writing means arranged on the downstream side.
[0045]
The recording apparatus is characterized in that the recording medium is stationary when writing is performed again by the writing means arranged on the downstream side.
[0046]
A recording apparatus, comprising: a notifying unit for notifying when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match after writing by the writing unit disposed on the downstream side.
[0047]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
It has a plurality of data writing devices for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium, a data dividing unit for dividing the write data, and a recording speed selecting unit for selecting a recording speed from a plurality of recording speeds. Recording device.
[0048]
If the write data is smaller than a predetermined value, the recording speed selecting means selects a first recording speed.
[0049]
A recording device, comprising: a writing device selecting unit that selects a first data writing device when the write data is smaller than a predetermined value.
[0050]
A recording apparatus comprising: a data reading unit that reads data written by the data writing unit; and a comparison unit that compares written data written by the data writing unit with data read by the reading unit.
[0051]
If the comparison result by the comparison means does not match, writing is performed by a second writing means.
[0052]
A recording apparatus, comprising: a notifying unit that notifies, when the result of comparison by the comparing unit does not match after writing by the second writing unit.
[0053]
If the write data is larger than a predetermined value, the recording speed selecting means selects a second recording speed.
[0054]
When the write data is larger than a predetermined value, a plurality of data write units are selected.
[0055]
If the write data is larger than a predetermined value, a plurality of data write units are selected, and the recording speed selection unit selects a second recording speed.
[0056]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording speed is equal to or higher than the second recording speed.
[0057]
A recording apparatus, wherein the recording operation by the recording unit and the writing operation by the writing unit are performed while a recording medium including the wireless communication element is moving.
[0058]
The recording device, wherein the wireless communication element is an RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.
[0059]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of writing units for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium; and a speed selection unit for selecting a recording speed of the recording medium according to the write data to be written to the wireless communication element.
[0060]
Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A plurality of writing means for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium, a first selection means for selecting the writing means in accordance with write data to be written to the wireless communication element, and a recording speed to the recording medium. A recording device comprising: a second selection unit for selecting the recording device.
[0061]
[Action]
According to the above configuration of the present invention, even if the electronic information is written to the non-contact IC in parallel with the image printing on the surface of the recording medium, the image recording apparatus can be used regardless of the image printing conditions and the electronic information communication conditions. It is possible to output a printed material without lowering the output speed inherently.
[0062]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0063]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0064]
The recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is of a so-called label printer type that performs recording on a long recording medium.
[0065]
Examples of the recording medium (paper) 112 include label paper in which a label piece is temporarily attached to a mount, tag paper in which perforations are made in thick paper, and the like. It is supplied to the paper transport unit.
[0066]
The transport section mainly includes a transport motor 110 and a transport belt 111, and transports the sheet in the direction of the arrow in the drawing during the recording operation.
[0067]
Here, the roll unit 101 side on the transport path is a transport inlet, and the opposite side is a transport outlet.
[0068]
The printing unit of the printing apparatus 100 includes, for example, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) print heads 102 to 105.
[0069]
Each recording head is an ink jet type line head having a nozzle row corresponding to the sheet width.
[0070]
Black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks are selectively ejected from these four recording heads 102 to 105 to perform color recording.
[0071]
The ink to be ejected is supplied from the ink cartridges (K) 106, (C) 108, (M) 109, and the ink cartridge (Y) 109 to the corresponding print heads by pumps and tubes (not shown).
[0072]
The roll unit 101 includes a roll drive shaft 113 on which the roll paper 112 is mounted, a roll sensor lever 114 whose position changes due to the slackness of the roll paper feed portion, a roll motor (not shown) for driving the roll drive shaft 113, A roll motor (not shown) is driven and controlled according to the position to adjust the feeding speed of the roll paper 112.
[0073]
Further, the roll (feed) unit 101 is provided with an entrance-side communication antenna 115 for writing information to the wireless communication element.
[0074]
A similar communication antenna is also mounted on the transport exit side, and this is referred to as an exit communication antenna 116.
[0075]
FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the recording apparatus 100 embodying the present invention.
[0076]
The host computer (host PC) 300 transfers print data used for printing to the interface controller 902 of the printing apparatus 100 and instructs to start printing.
[0077]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901 controls recording data reception, recording operation, control of RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader / writers 909 and 910, and handling of recording media (paper). Is an arithmetic processing device.
[0078]
After analyzing the command received from the host PC 300, the CPU 901 develops bitmap image data of each color component of the print data in the image memory 904 and draws the image data.
[0079]
As an operation process before recording, the CPU 901 drives a capping motor 915 and a recording head U / D motor 914 via an input / output port (I / O) 911 and a driving unit 912 to release capping of the recording heads 102 to 105, Move to the recording position.
[0080]
Further, a paper feed motor 913 for feeding out label paper and the like built in the wireless communication element 203 via the drive unit 912 and a transport motor 110 are driven to transport the paper to the recording unit.
[0081]
A leading edge detection sensor 118 for determining a recording timing of a sheet conveyed at a constant speed detects a label leading edge position.
[0082]
Thereafter, in synchronization with the sheet conveyance, the CPU 901 sequentially reads the image data of the corresponding color from the image memory 904, sequentially transfers the data to the print heads 102 to 105 via the print head control circuit 917, and outputs a large number Ink is selectively ejected from the nozzles to perform color printing.
[0083]
The operation of the CPU 901 is executed based on a processing program stored in the program ROM 903.
[0084]
The program ROM 903 stores a processing program, a table, and the like corresponding to a control flow described later.
[0085]
A work RAM 905 is used as a work memory. A first buffer, a second buffer, and a write flag (see FIG. 11) for write data used for a write operation to the element are provided in the work RAM 905 area.
[0086]
The EEPROM 906 is a non-volatile memory and stores parameters unique to the apparatus, such as fine print position adjustment between printheads.
[0087]
The RF-ID reader / writer 909 (or 910) for writing and reading information to and from the RF-ID element 203 via the communication antenna 115 (or 116) and the CPU 901 are connected to, for example, an asynchronous serial interface or a bus type I / O. Connected.
[0088]
The ink fullness detection sensor 907 is a sensor provided in a sub-tank (not shown), and independently detects each ink color.
[0089]
The sub-tank receives the ink from the ink cartridge for replenishing the ink, and serves as a buffer for temporarily storing the ink. At the time of replenishing the ink, if the full tank detection sensor 907 in the sub-tank does not detect for a certain period of time, it is determined that the ink cartridge is empty, Prompts replacement of the ink cartridge of the corresponding color.
[0090]
The CPU 901 can read the output of the ink fullness detection sensor 907 for each color by the AD converter 908.
[0091]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the recording medium 112 used in the recording apparatus 100 embodying the present invention.
[0092]
For example, FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a label sheet.
[0093]
The recording medium 112, which is a long label paper, is wound in a roll shape around a cylindrical core having a hollow portion made of paper or a hard material such as plastic. > Indicates a part of the long paper.
[0094]
Labels 201 that can be recorded on the surface are temporarily attached on the mount 200 at substantially equal intervals.
[0095]
There are various types of labels 201 depending on the width and the length in the transport direction, and can be selected according to the image data created by the host PC or the application.
[0096]
The label 201 used in the present invention is provided with, for example, an RF-ID tag, and the RF-ID tag has a built-in wireless communication element 203 including a memory capable of reading and writing information.
[0097]
Further, the RF-ID tag includes, for example, an antenna 204 patterned in a coil shape (electrically) connected to the IC chip 202.
[0098]
Although the wireless communication element 203 in this embodiment does not have a power supply, a power supply for operating the element is created using the received power of the radio wave received from the communication antenna 115 or 116 to the loop antenna 204.
[0099]
The communicable range between the communication antennas 115 and 116 and the wireless communication element 203 is determined by the shapes of the communication antennas 115 and 116, the shape of the antenna 204 on the wireless communication element 203, and the intensity of the radio wave to be transmitted.
[0100]
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the tag paper used.
[0101]
The recording medium 112, which is a long tag paper, is also wound around a core like the <a> label paper, and FIG. 2 <b> shows a part thereof.
[0102]
Perforations 206 may be provided at equal intervals on the long recording paper 205 that can be recorded on the front surface.
[0103]
There are various types of tag paper depending on the width of the recording paper 205 and the interval between the perforations 206, and the tag paper is selected according to characters, image data, or use created by the host PC.
[0104]
After recording, this sheet can be used as a tag for separating the perforations 206 as necessary.
[0105]
The tag paper <b> has a built-in wireless communication element 203 like the label paper.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a block diagram of a host computer 300 that controls the recording apparatus 100 embodying the present invention.
[0106]
In the host computer 300, the main CPU 1000 executes various programs under the control of an operating system (OS).
[0107]
The system bus of the main CPU 1000 is hierarchically connected to a PCI bus as a local bus and an ISA bus via a host / PCI bridge 1002 and a PCI / ISA bridge 1008, respectively, and is connected to each storage device and input / output device. You.
[0108]
The system bus of the main CPU 1000 has a high-speed memory using an SRAM called an L2 cache 1001 and stores codes and data that the main CPU 1000 always accesses.
[0109]
The main memory 1003 includes an operating system (OS), recording data corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 which is a characteristic part of the present invention, an application program for creating and editing data to be written to the wireless communication element, and It is also used as a temporary storage area for execution programs such as a printer driver and a work memory area for executing each program.
[0110]
When the main CPU 1000 executes, for example, an application program dedicated to the recording apparatus 100 according to the present invention loaded from the HDD 1004 to the main memory 1003, display data created and edited is sequentially transmitted from the main memory 1003 to the video controller 1006 via the video controller 1006. The data is written into the RAM 1007 and displayed on the display 305 almost in real time by the display screen refresh function of the video controller 1006.
[0111]
Similarly, the recording data created and edited is converted from the RGB signals into, for example, CMYK signals corresponding to the recording colors of a plurality of recording heads of the recording apparatus 100 by a printer driver program of the recording apparatus 100 (CMYK: Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and further converted into binary (recorded / not recorded) signals (CMYK binary values).
[0112]
On the other hand, the dedicated application software for the recording apparatus 100 embodying the present invention also has a function of creating and editing write data to be written to the wireless communication element 203 in addition to the recorded data.
[0113]
After additional information indicating that the write data is electronic information is added, color conversion by the printer driver is not performed, and the write data is transmitted to the recording apparatus 100 as binary data.
[0114]
The recording data and the write data are transferred to the recording apparatus 100 by a communication driver such as a USB device driver loaded from the HDD 1004 into the main memory 1003, like other execution programs.
[0115]
The ROM 1012 stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program for controlling input / output devices such as a keyboard 301, a mouse 302, and an FDD 1010, initialization at power-on, a self-diagnosis program, and the like. This is a rewritable nonvolatile memory for storing parameters.
[0116]
In order to explain the functions of the host PC 300 used in this embodiment, FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display 305 by an application dedicated to the recording apparatus 100.
[0117]
The dedicated application software is adapted to the function of the recording apparatus 100 and has a function of processing a barcode, a serial number, and the like.
[0118]
Depending on the type of recording data to be created, general-purpose image creation application software may be used.
[0119]
The dedicated application software lays out any recording data as a label image 304, displays it on a display 305, and performs various settings such as the number of prints (recordings) 312 and the paper size 306.
[0120]
The input paper size 306 is reflected on the label image 304 on the display 305. For example, a rectangle 307, a line 308, a character 309, a barcode 310, image data 311 and the like are freely arranged, and a size, an angle, and the like are designated. it can.
[0121]
Further, when a plurality of sheets are continuously recorded, variable information (not shown) for changing the partial data one by one continuously can be added.
[0122]
These pieces of information are transmitted to the recording device 100 according to a recording instruction from the operator.
[0123]
The initial image information is represented by RGB (color elements of red, green, and blue), but at the time of transmission, color conversion corresponding to the color CMYK (color elements of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) of the recording head of the recording apparatus. Thereafter, binarization (recording / non-recording) is performed, and additional information indicating that the information is recorded image information is added.
The above is the method of creating the recording data to be recorded on the surface of the recording medium. The dedicated application software also has an editing function of the writing data 313 to be written to the wireless communication element 203 in addition to the recording data.
[0124]
The content of the write data 313 specified on the application software is transmitted to the recording device 100 as binary data without performing color conversion after additional information indicating electronic information is added.
When the recording apparatus 100 receives information from the host PC 300, the CPU 901 of the recording apparatus analyzes the additional information, and transmits the respective recording data to be transferred to the recording heads 102, 103, 104, and 105, and the communication antennas 115 and 116. And write data transmitted via the
[0125]
Next, the processing performed by the CPU 901 of the recording apparatus 100 after receiving the recording data to be recorded on the recording medium surface and the write data to be written to the wireless communication element 203 built in the recording medium will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. explain.
Various parameters such as the number of sheets to be printed, paper size, and printing speed, print data, and write data to the wireless communication element 203 are transmitted from the host PC 300 to the printing apparatus 100 together with a command for printing (recording). The image is developed in the internal image memory 904 (401).
[0126]
When the reception of the recording data and the writing data is completed (402), the CPU 901 controls the driving of the head U / D motor 914 and the capping motor 915 to move the recording heads 102 to 105 from the capping (standby) position to the recording position (not shown). .
[0127]
Then, the recording medium is fed to the main body of the recording apparatus by driving the paper feeding motor 913, and at the same time, the conveying motor 110 is also turned on to start conveying the recording medium (paper) (403).
[0128]
The recording data and the write data each have additional information indicating the attribute of the information. When the reception of the data is completed, the CPU 901 analyzes the additional information and analyzes the presence or absence of the write data to the wireless communication element 203 (404). ).
[0129]
If there is no write data, the process immediately proceeds to the recording operation (411).
[0130]
If there is data to be written to the wireless communication element 203, first, the amount of data to be written is checked (405).
[0131]
This is performed to determine whether the writing time falls within the communication allowable time.
[0132]
In the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, RF-ID readers / writers (communication units) 909 and 910 are provided at two positions (entrance side and exit side) on the transport path, and one wireless communication element 203 is provided. Can be divided into two processes.
[0133]
Since the required writing time to the wireless communication element 203 increases almost in proportion to the amount of write data, the writing process is divided into two parts, so that the transport speed of the recording medium (corresponding to the recording speed in the recording apparatus of this embodiment). ) Can be substantially doubled. Depending on the paper size, the amount of write data, and the transport speed, one write process may be sufficient.
[0134]
In order to effectively use the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 and the second RF-ID reader / writer 910, when the write data amount is small, the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 on the entrance side performs a write process, and In the case of failure, the same write operation is retried in the second RF-ID reader / writer 910 on the exit side.
[0135]
Here, the maximum value of the amount of data that can be written to the wireless communication element 203 is defined as M.
[0136]
As the value of M, a value determined in advance by the size of the recording medium to be used, the shape of the antenna 204 of the wireless communication element 203, the recording speed, and the like is stored in the program ROM 903 in a table format.
[0137]
Next, assuming that the amount of write data transmitted from the host PC is D, the CPU 901 determines in step 405 whether D is greater than M / 2 (405), and if not (405-No), It is determined that one write process is sufficient, all the write data is written to the first buffer, and further transferred to the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 (407).
[0138]
If D is greater than M / 2 (405-Yes), the divided data is written to the first and second buffers, and the data in the first buffer is transferred to the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 (406).
[0139]
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the first and second buffers secured in the area in the work RAM 905.
[0140]
The first buffer 1101 and the second buffer 1102 each include a write flag 1103, 1106 indicating whether or not write data exists, a data head address of each buffer, end addresses 1104, 1107, and write data areas 1105, 1108.
[0141]
Returning to the flow of FIG.
[0142]
The built-in wireless communication element 203 enters the communicable range of the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 at the head label of the recording medium 112 fed out from the roll unit 101 and simultaneously writes data (408).
[0143]
If the writing is successful (409-Yes), the CPU 901 clears the write flag 1103 set in the first buffer (410), and proceeds to the image recording operation (411).
[0144]
In the case of a write failure, the process proceeds to the recording operation (411) without clearing the write flag 1103 of the first buffer (with write data).
[0145]
When the recording operation (411) ends, it is next determined whether there is data in the first buffer (whether the write flag 1103 is set). If there is no data (412-No, write flag: none), the first RF -It is determined that both the writing by the ID reader / writer 909 and the image recording operation are normal, and then the flow proceeds to the determination (416) of the presence / absence of data in the second buffer (whether the write flag 1106 is set).
[0146]
On the other hand, if there is data in the first buffer (412-Yes), it is determined that writing by the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 has failed, and the data in the first buffer is transferred to the second RF-ID reader / writer 910. Then, the writing operation is performed again (413), and if the writing is successful (414-Yes), the flag 1103 of the first buffer is cleared (415).
[0147]
If the writing is not good (414-No), an alarm is output because the writing has failed twice, and the operation is interrupted (425).
[0148]
If the writing is successful and the write flag 1103 of the first buffer is cleared (415), then it is checked whether or not there is data in the second buffer.
The data is transferred to the second RF-ID reader / writer 910, and the data is written into the wireless communication element 203 (417).
[0149]
If the writing is successful (418-Yes), the writing flag 1106 in the second buffer is cleared (419), and when the specified number of sheets is completed, the sheet conveyance is stopped (421), and the recording heads 102 to 105 are returned to the cap positions and the processing is terminated. .
[0150]
If the specified number has not been completed in 420 (420-No), the process returns to 401.
[0151]
If there is no data in the second buffer at 416, the process proceeds to the determination (420) as to whether the specified number of sheets has been completed.
[0152]
If it is determined in 418 that the writing has failed (418-No), if the failure has not occurred for the second time, the sheet is temporarily stopped, reversely conveyed (423), returned to the writing position of the second RF-ID reader / writer 910, and stopped. (424).
[0153]
Then, the data in the second buffer is written again by the second RF-ID reader / writer 910 (417).
If the writing fails again (418), since it is the second time (422-Yes), an alarm is output and the operation is interrupted (425).
[0154]
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the recording operation performance and the writing operation performance inherent in the recording apparatus can be sufficiently brought out in accordance with the conditions such as the amount of data to be written into the element incorporated in the recording medium and the paper conveyance speed.
[0155]
Although a label printer is used in the description of the present embodiment, a recording device in which an image is recorded on the front surface of a card or the like having a built-in wireless communication element and the internal element is written may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to a label printer.
[0156]
The present invention is also effective in a so-called serial type printer in which a print head is scanned by a carriage or the like in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction, and a print head of light-colored ink is added to enhance the gradation of a print image. It is also effective for printers having a recording head other than the ink jet type.
[0157]
Further, with respect to the arrangement of the writing units in the wireless communication element such as an RF-ID reader / writer, the present embodiment has described the example of two places on the entrance side and the exit side, but a configuration in which more writing units are arranged. The position may be any position on the transport path.
[0158]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to this embodiment.
[0159]
The printing apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment is a label printer having substantially the same configuration as the printing apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment, but differs in the configuration related to writing to a wireless communication element built in a printing medium. Therefore, the difference will be described.
[0160]
In the first embodiment, the communication antennas having the same shape are mounted at the two positions of the entrance and the exit. However, in the present embodiment, a plurality of communication antennas having different shapes are mounted near the transport outlet. These are distinguished by their shapes, and a small one is called a small communication antenna 501 and a large one is called a large communication antenna 502.
[0161]
Next, the shape of the antenna mounted on the recording device 500 will be described.
[0162]
FIG. 6A shows the configuration of the small communication antenna 501.
[0163]
The small communication antenna 501 has an antenna pattern 602 printed on an antenna substrate 601 and is connected to a control unit via a terminal 603.
[0164]
The arrow in the figure indicates the transport direction of the paper, and it can be seen that the length in the transport direction is smaller than the width.
[0165]
Since the length of the communication antenna in the transport direction is directly linked to the communicable range, the small communicable antenna 501 has a narrow communicable range and a short permissible communication time.
[0166]
Here, FIG. 6B shows the positional relationship between the small communication antenna 501 and the wireless communication element 203 taking the case of transporting the label paper as an example.
[0167]
As shown in FIG. 6B, when the wireless communication elements 203 are arranged at a small interval, that is, when the length of the sheet in the transport direction is short, the plurality of wireless communication elements 203 are included in the communicable range 604. Since the delay time is short, the communication allowable time can be increased.
[0168]
Conversely, as shown in FIG. 6 <c>, when the large communication antenna 502 is used and the paper size is the same as <b>, a plurality of wireless communication elements 203 are always in the communicable range, and the communication is performed. The permissible time becomes zero.
[0169]
Next, the case of a large communication antenna will be described with reference to FIG.
[0170]
FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a large communication antenna 502, which has the same configuration as the small communication antenna 501, but has a different shape and a longer length in the transport direction.
[0171]
FIG. 7B shows the positional relationship between the label paper having a sufficiently long length in the transport direction and the small communication antenna 501.
[0172]
It can be seen from the figure that the communicable range 604 is narrow in spite of the large interval between the wireless communication elements 203, so that a long communication allowable time cannot be obtained.
[0173]
Here, by using the large-sized communication antenna 502 as shown in FIG. 7C, the interval between the wireless communication elements 203 and the communicable range can be used effectively, and more communication time can be taken. .
[0174]
As described above, since the optimum shape of the communication antenna is different depending on the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction, the recording apparatus 500 in the present embodiment is equipped with a plurality of communication antennas having different shapes, and the length of the sheet to be used is reduced. A suitable communication antenna is selected and writing to the wireless communication element 203 is performed.
[0175]
Here, the recording medium of the recording apparatus 500 described in this embodiment is the same as the label paper and tag paper described in the first embodiment and FIG.
[0176]
The configuration and operation of the host PC used for recording image data creation, writing data editing, operation command transmission, and the like are completely the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.
[0177]
The electrical block diagram of the recording device 500 can be explained by associating the first antenna 115 with a small communication antenna and the second antenna 116 with a large antenna in a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. .
[0178]
However, in the case of the present invention, only one of the first and second RF-ID readers / writers 909 and 910, for example, the second RF-ID reader / writer 910 is used, and an antenna selection circuit (not shown) is added. It is possible.
[0179]
Next, a communication antenna selection process during recording by the recording device 500 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0180]
Steps 801 to 804 are the same as steps 401 to 404 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0181]
If there is data to be written to the wireless communication element, the length of the sheet in the transport direction is checked first (804).
[0182]
This is a process for selecting a communication antenna to be used for writing.
[0183]
The length LH in the paper transport direction serving as a reference for selecting a communication antenna is stored in the program ROM 903 in advance, and the reference length LH is compared with the received length LP in the paper transport direction (805).
[0184]
When the length LP in the paper transport direction is smaller than the reference length LH, the small communication antenna 115 is selected (806). On the other hand, when the length in the transport direction is larger than the reference length, the small communication antenna 115 is selected. The communication antenna 116 is selected (807).
[0185]
Next, an image recording operation is performed (808), and then the presence or absence of write data is checked again (809). If there is, the RF-ID reader / writer 910 performs a write operation to the wireless communication element 203 (810).
[0186]
Here, if the specified number of sheets is completed (811-Yes), the sheet conveyance is stopped (812), and the processing ends.
[0187]
If there is no write data in 809, the process moves to 811.
[0188]
If there is no write data in 804 (804-No), the antenna selection is unnecessary, and the process directly proceeds to the image recording operation (808).
[0189]
As described above, by providing a plurality of communication antennas having different shapes and selecting an antenna according to the length in the paper transport direction, it is possible to cope with a larger number of paper sizes. (Third embodiment)
The processing operation of the CPU 901 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0190]
An electrical block diagram of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. 9 as in the first embodiment. Various parameters such as the number of sheets to be printed, paper size, and printing speed, print data, and write data to the wireless communication element 203 are transmitted from the host PC 300 to the printing apparatus 100 together with a command for printing (recording). The image is developed in the internal image memory 904 (1201).
[0191]
When the reception of the recording data and the writing data is completed (1202), the CPU 901 controls the driving of the head U / D motor 914 and the capping motor 915 to move the recording heads 102 to 105 from the capping (standby) position to the recording position (not shown). .
[0192]
Then, the recording medium is fed to the main body of the recording apparatus by driving the paper feed motor 913, and at the same time, the conveyance motor 110 is also turned on to start conveying the recording medium (paper) (1203).
[0193]
The recording data and the write data each have additional information indicating the attribute of the information. When the data reception is completed, the CPU 901 analyzes the additional information and analyzes the presence or absence of the write data to the wireless communication element 203 (1204). ).
[0194]
If there is no write data, the process immediately proceeds to the recording operation (1213).
[0195]
If there is data to be written to the wireless communication element 203, the amount of data to be written is first set to the maximum recording speed of the recording device, and the minimum (min.) That can be written by one RF-ID reader / writer. ) It is checked whether the value is not less than the value (1205).
[0196]
This is a procedure for determining an RF-ID reader / writer to be used in accordance with the amount of write data, and for selecting an optimum transport (recording) speed.
[0197]
In the recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, RF-ID readers / writers (communication units) 909 and 910 are provided at two positions (entrance side and exit side) on the transport path, and one wireless communication element 203 is provided. Can be divided into two processes.
[0198]
Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the recording apparatus 100 can select the conveyance (recording) speed of the recording medium from three stages of, for example, 50 [mm / sec], 100 [mm / sec], and 150 [mm / sec]. is there.
[0199]
At each recording speed, when one and two RF-ID readers / writers are used, the amount of data that can be written to the wireless communication element 203 is, for example, one RF-ID reader / writer as shown in the figure. And the maximum recording speed is 150 [mm / sec], which is 32 bytes. On the other hand, if two RF-ID readers / writers are used and the slowest recording speed is set to 50 [mm / sec], it is 128 bytes.
[0200]
From this, the selection of the RF-ID reader / writer and the transport (recording) speed to be used for each write data is as follows, for example.
[0201]
Write data: 128 bytes or more prohibited
: 64 bytes or more 2 reader / writers,
Recording speed is 50mm / sec
: 32 bytes or more 2 reader / writers,
Recording speed is 150mm per second
Write data: less than 32 bytes 1 reader / writer,
Recording speed is 150mm per second
Referring back to FIG. 12, if the value is equal to or more than the writable minimum (min.) Value (1205-Yes), the CPU 901 selects the second recording speed (1206).
[0202]
If it is less than the writable minimum (min.) Value (1205-No), the CPU 901 selects the first recording speed (in this case, 150 [mm / sec]) (1208).
[0203]
The selection of the recording speed for the amount of data to be written to the wireless communication element 203 is stored in the program ROM 903 in a table format.
[0204]
When the first recording speed is selected (1208), data is written to the first buffer to set a write flag (1209), and then the data in the first buffer is transferred to the first RF-ID reader / writer 909. Then, a write operation to the wireless communication element 203 is performed (1210).
[0205]
On the other hand, when the second recording speed is selected (1206), the divided data is written to the first and second buffers to set each write flag (1207).
[0206]
Then, first, the data in the first buffer is transferred to the first RF-ID reader / writer 909, and a write operation to the wireless communication element 203 is performed (1210).
[0207]
At the same time as the built-in wireless communication element 203 enters the communicable range of the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 at the head label of the recording medium 112 fed from the roll unit 101, a data write operation is executed (1210).
[0208]
When the writing is successful (1211-Yes), the CPU 901 clears the write flag 1103 set in the first buffer (1212), and proceeds to the image recording operation (1213).
[0209]
In the case of a write failure, the process proceeds to the recording operation (1213) without clearing the write flag 1103 of the first buffer (with write data).
[0210]
When the recording operation (1213) is completed, it is next determined whether there is data in the first buffer (whether the write flag 1103 is set). If there is no data (1214-No, write flag: none), the first RF -It is determined that both the writing by the ID reader / writer 909 and the image recording operation are normal, and the process then proceeds to the determination (1218) of the presence / absence of data in the second buffer (whether the write flag 1106 is set).
[0211]
On the other hand, if there is data in the first buffer (1214-Yes), it is determined that the writing by the first RF-ID reader / writer 909 has failed, and the data in the first buffer is transferred to the second RF-ID reader / writer 910. Then, the writing operation is performed again (1215), and if the writing is successful (1216-Yes), the flag 1103 of the first buffer is cleared (1217).
[0212]
If the writing is not good again (No. 1216), an alarm is output because the writing has failed twice, and the operation is interrupted (1227).
[0213]
If the writing is successful and the write flag 1103 in the first buffer is cleared (1217), then it is checked whether there is data in the second buffer. If yes (1218-Yes), the data in the second buffer is read by the second RF-ID reader / writer. The data is transferred to the writer 910, and the writing operation to the wireless communication element 203 is performed (1219).
[0214]
If the writing is successful (1220-Yes), the writing flag 1106 in the second buffer is cleared (1221), and if the specified number of sheets is completed (1222-Yes), the sheet conveyance is stopped (1223) and the recording heads 102 to 105 are moved to the cap position And exit.
[0215]
If the specified number has not been completed in 1222 (1222-No), the process returns to 1201.
[0216]
If there is no data in the second buffer at 1218, the process proceeds to the determination (1222) as to whether the specified number of sheets has been completed.
[0217]
If it is determined in 1220 that the writing has failed (1220-No), if the failure has not occurred for the second time, the sheet is temporarily stopped, reversely conveyed (1225), returned to the writing position of the second RF-ID reader / writer 910, and stopped. (1226).
[0218]
Then, the data in the second buffer is written again by the second RF-ID reader / writer 910 (1219).
If the writing fails again (1220-No), since it is the second time (1224-Yes), an alarm is output and the operation is interrupted (1227).
[0219]
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the recording operation performance and the writing operation performance inherent in the recording apparatus can be sufficiently brought out in accordance with the conditions such as the amount of data to be written into the element incorporated in the recording medium and the paper conveyance speed.
[0220]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to select the recording operation at a speed substantially equal to the original recording speed of the recording apparatus and the data writing operation to the element with a built-in recording medium.
[0221]
In addition, since it is possible to recover from a data write error that may occur accidentally, the reliability of operation as a recording device and a writing device is significantly improved.
[0222]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a label printer according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a recording medium in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a host PC according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a label printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a small communication antenna according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a large communication antenna according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an electrical block diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an electrical block diagram of a personal computer (host PC) that controls the recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of first and second buffers for write data.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 shows the number of RF-ID readers / writers used as a parameter.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a writable data amount for each recording speed.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Recording device
101 Roll (feed) unit
102 Recording head (K)
103 Recording head (C)
104 Recording head (M)
105 Recording head (Y)
106 Ink cartridge (K)
107 Ink cartridge (C)
108 ink cartridge (M)
109 Ink cartridge (Y)
110 Transport motor
111 conveyor belt
112 Recording medium
115 Entrance-side communication antenna
116 Exit side communication antenna
117 Operation Panel
118 Tip detection sensor (entrance side)
119 Tip detection sensor (exit side)
200 mount
201 Label
202 IC chip
203 Wireless communication element (RF-ID)
204 loop antenna
205 tag paper
206 recording paper
207 perforation
300 Host PC
301 keyboard
302 mouse
303 Mouse Pointer
304 label image
305 CRT display
306 paper size
307 rectangle
308 lines
309 characters
310 barcode
311 Image data
312 Number of prints
313 Write data
500 recording device
501 Small communication antenna
502 Large Communication Antenna
601 antenna board
602 antenna pattern
603 connection terminal
604 Communication range
901 CPU (central processing unit)
902 interface controller
903 Program ROM
904 image memory
905 Work RAM
906 EEPROM
909 1st RF-ID reader / writer
910 Second RF-ID reader / writer
911 I / O port (I / O)
912 drive unit
913 Paper feed motor
914 Head U / D motor
915 Capping motor
916 pump motor
917 Printhead control circuit
1000 CPU (central processing unit)
1003 Main memory
1004 HDD
1006 Video controller
1007 VRAM
1009 Communication interface
1012 ROM
1013 EEPROM

Claims (40)

Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus comprising a plurality of data writing means for writing data to an element built in the recording medium. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data reading unit that reads data written by the data writing unit, and a comparison unit that compares the write data written by the writing unit with the data read by the reading unit. Recording device. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a comparison result by the comparing unit does not match, writing is performed by a different one of the plurality of writing units. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is arranged upstream of the recording unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed downstream of the recording unit. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match, writing is performed by the downstream writing unit among the plurality of writing units. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies, when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match after writing by the downstream writing unit. Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus, comprising: a plurality of communication means for communicating with a plurality of wireless communication elements incorporated in the recording medium. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of communication units communicate simultaneously with the plurality of wireless communication elements. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of communication units include a writing unit that writes data to a memory built in the plurality of wireless communication elements. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein data written by said writing means is the same data. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein data written by said writing means is different data. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording operation by the recording unit and the writing operation by the writing unit are performed almost simultaneously. Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus comprising: a writing unit that writes data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium; a plurality of communication antennas; and an antenna selection unit that selects an antenna from the plurality of communication antennas. The recording device according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of antennas have different shapes. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the antenna selection unit selects an antenna according to a shape of the recording medium. 17. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the antenna selection unit selects an antenna according to a shape of the wireless communication element. 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the antenna selection unit selects an antenna according to data written to the wireless communication element. Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A plurality of writing means for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium, a data dividing means for dividing the writing data, and the writing data divided by the data dividing means are written by the plurality of writing means. Recording device. 20. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed upstream of the recording unit. 21. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of writing units is disposed downstream of the recording unit. A data reading unit that reads data written by the plurality of data writing units;
22. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising comparison means for comparing write data written by said writing means with data read by said reading means. 22. The recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein when the comparison result by the comparing means does not match, the corresponding divided data is written by a writing means arranged on the downstream side. After the writing by the writing means arranged on the downstream side, if the comparison result by the comparing means does not match, the recording medium is reversely conveyed to the upstream side, and the corresponding divided data is written by the writing means arranged on the downstream side. 24. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein writing is performed again. 25. The recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the recording medium is stationary when writing is performed again by the writing unit disposed on the downstream side. 26. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies, when writing is performed by the writing unit disposed on the downstream side, that the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match, to notify. Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
It has a plurality of data writing devices for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium, a data dividing unit for dividing the write data, and a recording speed selecting unit for selecting a recording speed from a plurality of recording speeds. Recording device. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the write data is smaller than a predetermined value, the recording speed selection means selects a first recording speed. 29. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a writing device selecting unit that selects a first data writing device when the write data is smaller than a predetermined value. 30. The data processing apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a data reading unit that reads the data written by the data writing unit, and a comparison unit that compares the write data written by the data writing unit with the data read by the reading unit. Recording device. 31. The recording apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the writing by the second writing unit is performed when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match. 32. The recording apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies, when the comparison result by the comparing unit does not match after writing by the second writing unit. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the write data is larger than a predetermined value, the recording speed selection means selects a second recording speed. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the write data is larger than a predetermined value, a plurality of data write units are selected. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the write data is larger than a predetermined value, a plurality of data write units are selected, and the recording speed selection unit selects a second recording speed. 36. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the first recording speed is equal to or higher than the second recording speed. 37. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording operation by the recording unit and the writing operation by the writing unit are performed while a recording medium including the wireless communication element is moving. 38. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication element is an RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of writing units for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium; and a speed selection unit for selecting a recording speed of the recording medium according to the write data to be written to the wireless communication element. Paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium;
Recording means for recording an image on the recording medium,
A plurality of writing means for writing data to a wireless communication element incorporated in the recording medium, a first selection means for selecting the writing means in accordance with write data to be written to the wireless communication element, and a recording speed to the recording medium. A recording device comprising: a second selection unit for selecting the recording device.

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