JP2005338994A - Radio tag ic circuit holding body and cartridge for tag label creating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve flexibility of a tag label without reducing a protection function of an IC circuit part and to improve convenience when a user sticks the tag label to an object of sticking. <P>SOLUTION: A radio tag IC circuit holding body H is provided with the IC circuit part 151 storing tag information and a protection film 160 which is disposed to cover the IC circuit part 151 and has a narrow part 200 for improving flexibility formed near at least the IC circuit part 151. The body H is arranged in a printed tag label tape 110 for creating the radio tag label T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for continuously producing a wireless tag capable of wireless communication of information with the outside in a tape shape, and in particular, a wireless tag IC circuit holding body provided in the tag label producing apparatus and the same are used. The present invention relates to a cartridge for a tag label producing apparatus.

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

  Such a wireless tag is usually formed by providing a wireless tag circuit element on a label-like material, and this tag label is often attached to a target article. As a configuration of this tag label, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this prior art, two antennas (large area antenna layers) are provided on both sides of one IC circuit part (IC label), and these two antennas are connected to the IC circuit part, respectively. And the structure which consists of these two antennas and an IC circuit part is mounted on base materials, such as paper and a plastic film.

JP 2003-168099 A (paragraph numbers 0008 to 0009, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  The RFID label configured as described above is not clearly described in the above prior art, but in order to securely hold the IC circuit part and protect it from external impacts, etc., and further facilitate handling during manufacturing. For this reason, the vicinity of the IC circuit portion (for example, a connection portion with the antenna) may be covered with a holding member (protective film) made of resin or the like.

  However, in this case, since the holding member has a certain degree of rigidity (waist strength), the tag label as a whole is not easily deformed, and the flexibility tends to be reduced. As a result, for example, when a user wants to attach a tag label to an article having a concavo-convex shape, the tag label cannot be easily attached, and convenience is reduced. On the other hand, if the holding member is eliminated or thinned in order to improve the pastability, holding of the IC circuit part and impact protection may be lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the flexibility of a tag label without reducing the protection function of the IC circuit unit, and to improve the convenience when the user attaches the tag label to an object to be attached, The object is to provide a cartridge for a tag label producing apparatus using the same.

  To achieve the above object, a first invention is a tag IC circuit holder comprising an IC circuit section for storing tag information and a holding member for holding the IC circuit section. In addition, a low-rigidity portion for increasing flexibility is provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion.

  In the first invention of the present application, the IC circuit portion can be protected from external impact or the like by disposing a holding member for holding the IC circuit portion. Further, by providing a low rigidity portion at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion of the holding member, it is possible to improve the flexibility of the finally produced tag label. As a result, it is possible to achieve high flexibility of the tag label while maintaining the protection function of the IC circuit unit, and to improve convenience when the user attaches the tag label to the object to be attached.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the antenna has an antenna for transmitting and receiving information, and a connection terminal provided for connecting the IC circuit unit and the antenna, respectively, and is used for producing a tag label. It is characterized by being able to.

  In the second invention of the present application, in the configuration of the IC circuit holder used to connect the antenna and the IC circuit part with the connection terminal and create the tag label, the IC circuit part is securely held by the holding member and the external impact or the like. Can be protected.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the tag label is provided on a tag label tape for producing the tag label.

  In the third invention of the present application, in the tag label tape for producing the tag label, the IC circuit portion can be securely held by the holding member and can be protected from external impact or the like.

  According to a fourth invention, in the second or third invention, the IC circuit portion and the connection terminal integrated through the holding member have rigidity larger than that of the antenna.

  Thereby, in the combined body of the IC circuit portion, the connection terminal, and the holding member having high rigidity, the flexibility of the combined body as a whole can be improved by providing the holding member with the low rigidity portion.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the low-rigidity portion has a narrow width in which the dimension in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the label tape in the holding member is reduced. It comprises a part.

  By providing the holding member with a narrow portion having a small width dimension, the rigidity in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion can be relatively reduced, and the flexibility of the entire tag label can be improved.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the narrow portion is formed by a concave portion provided so as to be cut in the width direction from an end portion of the holding member.

  By providing the concave portion by cutting it in the width direction from the end portion of the holding member, the width direction dimension of the remaining portion of the cut can be reduced, and the narrow portion can be formed.

  The seventh invention is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the narrow portion has the widthwise dimension of the holding member continuously reduced along the longitudinal direction of the label tape.

  A narrow part can be formed by making the width direction dimension of a holding member small continuously along a tape longitudinal direction, and making it a so-called substantially wedge shape.

  According to an eighth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the low-rigidity portion includes a thin-walled portion in which the dimension in the thickness direction of the label tape is reduced in the holding member. Features.

  By providing the holding member with a thin portion having a small dimension in the tape thickness direction, the rigidity in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion can be relatively reduced, and the flexibility of the entire tag label can be improved.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the thin portion is formed by a concave portion provided so as to be cut in the thickness direction from an end portion of the holding member.

  By providing the concave portion by cutting it in the thickness direction from the end of the holding member, it is possible to reduce the dimension in the thickness direction of the portion left after cutting and form a thin portion.

  According to a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the low-rigidity portion includes a plurality of through holes formed in a thickness direction of the holding member.

  By forming a plurality of through holes in the holding member in the thickness direction, the rigidity in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion can be relatively reduced, and the flexibility of the entire tag label can be improved.

  In order to achieve the above object, an eleventh invention comprises: an IC circuit portion for storing tag information; and a holding member provided with a low-rigidity portion for increasing flexibility at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion. A tag label producing apparatus that has a tag tape roll configured by winding a tag tape on which a plurality of RFID tag IC circuit holders having the same are wound, and creates a tag label based on the tag tape fed out from the tag tape roll It is characterized by being detachably attached to.

  In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tag label tape provided on the cartridge for the tag label producing apparatus, the IC circuit portion can be protected from external impact or the like by disposing the holding member for holding the IC circuit portion. Further, by providing a low rigidity portion at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion of the holding member, it is possible to improve the flexibility of the finally produced tag label. As a result, it is possible to achieve high flexibility of the tag label while maintaining the protection function of the IC circuit unit, and to improve convenience when the user attaches the tag label to the object to be attached. Moreover, the winding diameter of the tag tape roll can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the holding member is disposed so as to substantially cover the IC circuit portion, and the low-rigidity portion is provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion of the holding member, so that the tag label is not reduced without reducing the protection function of the IC circuit portion. The flexibility when the user sticks the tag label to the object to be pasted can be improved.

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

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system to which a tag label producing device including a RFID tag IC circuit holder and a tag label producing device cartridge of the present embodiment is applied.

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

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

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

  The apparatus main body 8 includes the above-described cartridge holder portion into which the cartridge 100 is fitted and a casing 9 that forms an outer shell, a print head (thermal head) 10 that performs predetermined printing (printing) on the cover film 103, and a cover film. For label labels that have been printed while laminating the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 that drives the ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover 103, the cover film (printed tape) 103, and the belt-like base tape (tag tape) 101. Wireless communication between the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 for feeding out from the cartridge 100 as the tape 110 and the RFID circuit element To (provided later) provided in the tag label tape 110 with print using high frequency such as UHF band. And the tag label tape 1 with the printed tag label. 10 is cut to a predetermined length at a predetermined timing to generate a label-like RFID tag T (details will be described later), and the RFID circuit element To is opposed to the antenna 14 at the time of signal transmission / reception by the wireless communication. A pair of transport guides 13 for setting and holding in a predetermined access area and guiding each RFID label T after being cut, and sending the guided RFID label T to the carry-out port (discharge port) 16 for transmission It has a roller 17 and a sensor 18 that detects the presence or absence of the RFID label T at the carry-out port 16.

  The sensor 18 is a reflective photoelectric sensor including, for example, a projector and a light receiver. When the RFID label T does not exist between the projector and the light receiver, the light output from the projector is input to the light receiver. On the other hand, when the RFID label T is present between the projector and the light receiver, the light output from the projector is shielded and the control output from the light receiver is inverted.

  On the other hand, the apparatus main body 8 also processes the signal read from the RFID circuit element To and the RF circuit 21 for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 14. A signal processing circuit 22 for driving, a cartridge motor 23 for driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 described above, a cartridge drive circuit 24 for controlling the drive of the cartridge motor 23, and A print drive circuit 25 that controls energization of the print head 10, a solenoid 26 that drives the cutter 15 to perform a cutting operation, a solenoid drive circuit 27 that controls the solenoid 26, and the delivery roller 17 are driven. Delivery roller motor 28 and delivery roller drive circuit for controlling the delivery roller motor 28 9 and control for controlling the overall operation of the tag label producing apparatus 2 through the high frequency circuit 21, the signal processing circuit 22, the cartridge drive circuit 24, the print drive circuit 25, the solenoid drive circuit 27, the feed roller drive circuit 29, and the like. Circuit 30.

  The control circuit 30 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, is composed of a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing is performed according to the program. The control circuit 30 is connected to, for example, the communication line 3 via the input / output interface 31, and the route server 4, the other terminal 5, the general-purpose computer 6, the information server 7 and the like connected to the communication line 3 are connected to the control circuit 30. Information can be exchanged between the two.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge 100 according to the present embodiment provided in the tag label producing apparatus 2.

  In FIG. 3, a cartridge 100 includes a first roll (tag tape roll) 102 around which the base tape 101 is wound and a transparent cover film 103 having the same width as the base tape 101. The second roll 104, the ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out the ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the cover film 103 is a thermal tape), and the ribbon winding for winding the ink ribbon 105 after printing. A roller 106 and a pressure roller 107 that presses and adheres the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to feed the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A while forming the printed tag label tape 110 are provided.

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

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

  On the back side of the base film 101b (left side in FIG. 3), antennas (antenna portions) 152A and 152B for transmitting and receiving information are integrally provided, and information is connected via connection terminals 159A and 159B so as to be connected thereto. IC circuit part 151 is formed, and a protective film 160 (IC protective film) as a holding member is disposed so as to substantially cover the ends of antennas 152A and 152B, connection terminals 159A and 159B, and IC circuit part 151. Has been. These IC circuit unit 151 and protective film 160 constitute a wireless tag IC circuit holder H. The IC circuit unit 151 and the antennas 152A and 152B constitute the RFID circuit element To.

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

  The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a. The cover film 103 has an ink ribbon 105 driven by a ribbon supply side roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roller 106 disposed on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). By being pressed, it is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

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

  In the cartridge 100 configured as described above, the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 is supplied to the pressure roller 107. On the other hand, as described above, the ink ribbon 105 is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104.

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

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the high-frequency circuit 21. In FIG. 4, the high-frequency circuit 21 receives a transmission unit 32 that transmits a signal to the RFID circuit element To through the antenna 14 and a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To that is received by the antenna 14. The unit 33 and the transmission / reception separator 34 are configured.

  The transmitting unit 32 includes a crystal resonator 35 that generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 36, and a VCO. (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 37 and transmission for modulating the generated carrier wave based on the signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 22 (in this example, amplitude modulation based on the “TX_ASK” signal from the signal processing circuit 22) A multiplication circuit 38 (however, in the case of amplitude modulation, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used) and a transmission amplifier 39 that amplifies the modulated wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 38 are provided. The generated carrier wave preferably uses a frequency in the UHF band, and the output of the transmission amplifier 39 is transmitted to the antenna 14 via the transmission / reception separator 34, and the IC circuit of the RFID circuit element To Supplied to the unit 151.

  The reception unit 33 is necessary from the reception first multiplication circuit 40 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14 and the generated carrier wave, and the output of the reception first multiplication circuit 40. Received by the antenna 14, the first band-pass filter 41 for extracting only a signal in a wide band, the reception first amplifier 43 that amplifies the output of the first band-pass filter 41 and supplies the amplified signal to the first limiter 42. The reception second multiplication circuit 44 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To and the carrier wave that has been generated and shifted in phase by 90 °, and the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 44 has a necessary band. The second band pass filter 45 for extracting only the signal and the output of the second band pass filter 45 are input and amplified and supplied to the second limiter 46. Receiving second amplifier 47. The signal “RXS-I” output from the first limiter 42 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the second limiter 46 are input to the signal processing circuit 22 and processed.

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

  6 shows the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder H provided on the base tape 101 wound around the first roll 101 and the peripheral portion thereof, and is a partial enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged top view showing an extracted portion A in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a side sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII ′ in FIG.

  6, 7, and 8, two antennas each having a plurality of connection end portions 152 a and 152 b on the side connected to the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID tag circuit holder H and transmitting and receiving information. 152A, 152B, the IC circuit unit 151 having greater rigidity than the antennas 152A, 152B, and the IC circuit unit 151 are connected to the two connection ends 152a, 152b, respectively. The connection terminals 159A and 159B having greater rigidity, the wireless circuit disposed so as to substantially cover the IC circuit portion 151, the connection terminals 159A and 159B, and the connection ends 152a and 152b of the antennas 152A and 152B. The protective film 160 of the tag IC circuit holder H is provided. As described above, the connection ends 152a and 152b, the connection terminals 159A and 159B, and the IC circuit 151 of the antenna 152 are substantially covered from the upper side in FIG.

  In this example, the protective film 160 is cut into a substantially V shape in the tape width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7) from the end of the protective film 160 at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 as the greatest feature of the present embodiment. A concave portion 201 is provided. As a result, a narrow portion 200 having a reduced size in the tape width direction is formed, and this narrow portion functions as a low-rigidity portion for increasing the flexibility of the protective film 160.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided near the RFID tag circuit holder H. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the RFID circuit element To is configured to transmit and receive signals in a contactless manner using the antenna 14 on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side using a high frequency such as a UHF band, and the antenna 152 connected to the antenna 152. IC circuit portion 151.

  The IC circuit unit 151 includes a rectification unit 153 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the antenna 152, a power supply unit 154 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 153 and serves as a driving power source, and the antenna 152. A clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the received carrier wave and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 155, a memory unit 157 that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal, and a modem that is connected to the antenna 152 And a controller 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the rectifier 153, the clock extractor 156, the modem 158, and the like.

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

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

  FIGS. 10A and 10B show the appearance of the RFID label T formed after the information reading (or writing) of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the printed tag label tape 110 are completed as described above. FIG. 10A is a top view, and FIG. 10B is a bottom view. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI ′ in FIG. 10 (corresponding to the section xi-xi ′ in FIG. 6), and FIG. 12 is a cross section taken along the line XII-XII ′ in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line xii-xii ′.

  10 (a), 10 (b), 11 and 12, the RFID label T has a five-layer structure in which a cover film 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. From the film 103 side (upper side in FIGS. 11 and 12) toward the opposite side (lower side in FIGS. 11 and 12), the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d There are 5 layers. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the adhesive layer 101c and printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 (in this example, the RFID label T). "RF-ID" indicating the type) is printed.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 when accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To by the tag label producing apparatus 2 as described above. It is a figure showing an example.

  In FIG. 13, in this example, the print character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, the access (reading or writing) ID that is an ID unique to the RFID circuit element To, and stored in the information server 7 The address of the received article information 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, the tag label producing apparatus 2 is activated by the operation of the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, and the print character R is printed on the cover film 103, and the read ID and article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151. Or the like (or information such as the write ID and article information is written in the IC circuit unit 151).

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

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

  In the tag label producing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the wirelessly taken out from the cartridge 100 as the printed tag label tape 110 and set and held at a predetermined position (access area) facing the antenna 14 by the transport guide 13. The tag circuit element To is sequentially accessed (reading of the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 or writing to the IC circuit unit 151), and is cut by the cutter 15 for each RFID tag IC circuit holding body H. A tag label T is generated. The generated RFID label T is used after being peeled off by the user from the release paper 101d and exposing the adhesive layer 101c, and then being attached to various articles or the like through the adhesive layer 101c.

  Here, in the IC circuit holder H of the present embodiment, the protective film 160 is disposed so as to substantially cover the IC circuit portion 151. Thereby, the IC circuit unit 151 can be securely held and protected from external impact or the like. Further, a concave portion 201 is provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 in the protective film 160 so as to function as a low-rigidity portion. Accordingly, the IC circuit portion 151 and the connection terminals 159A and 159B having higher rigidity than the antennas 152A and 152B are included. Among them, at least the rigidity in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 can be relatively reduced, and flexibility (flexibility) can be improved. As a result, it is possible to improve the flexibility of the entire tag label T finally produced using these (ease of bending / deformation in a direction perpendicular to the tape longitudinal direction). As a result, it is possible to achieve high flexibility of the RFID label T while maintaining the protection function of the IC circuit unit 151, and to improve convenience when the user attaches the RFID label T to the object to be attached.

  Further, as a result of the improved flexibility of the RFID tag circuit holder H as described above, the RFID tag circuit holder H is attached to the base tape 101 in the first roll 102 in the cartridge 100 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the base tape 101 having a large number of RFID tag circuit holders H can be wound relatively easily. As a result, if the number of turns is the same, the diameter of the entire first roll 102 can be reduced to reduce the size of the cartridge 100 by saving space, and the interval between the turns can be reduced. The number of RFID tag circuit holders H can be increased by increasing the number.

  Further, as a result of the improved flexibility of the RFID tag IC circuit holder H as described above, when the base tape 101 is unwound from the first roll 102 in the cartridge 100 as shown in FIG. When the direction is greatly changed, such as when the roller 107 passes, it is easy to become familiar with the shape of the conveyance path. As a result, there is also an effect that traveling performance can be improved (running resistance can be reduced).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.
(1) When different concave portions are provided FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) are partially enlarged top views showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder and its peripheral portion in this modified example. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 7 of embodiment. Components equivalent to those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 14A, a plurality of concave portions 201 cut into a substantially V shape in the above embodiment are provided in the longitudinal direction of the tape (left and right in the figure) (in this example, two on each side in the tape width direction). Thus, a plurality of (two) narrow portions 202 are realized.

  In FIG. 14B, a concave portion 203 cut into a substantially U shape instead of a substantially V shape is provided, thereby realizing a narrow portion 204. In this example, the missing portions 205 (in this example, linearly missing) are provided at the four corners of the protective film 160, thereby realizing the narrow portions 206 at both ends of the protective film 160 in the longitudinal direction of the tape. doing.

  In addition, the shape of the recessed parts 201 and 203 is not limited to a substantially V shape or a substantially U shape as described above, and may be a substantially rectangular shape (rectangular shape), a slit shape, or the like. Also, the defect portion 205 may be a polygonal shape, a curved shape (R shape), a stepped shape, or the like, instead of the linear cut-out shape as described above. Further, as long as at least one is installed in the vicinity of the IC circuit unit 151, a plurality of installations may be provided, or a plurality of installations may be provided. Furthermore, the depth of cut of the concave portions is not all the same, and various types may be combined. Furthermore, the above-described concave portion may be provided not only in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 but also in other portions (may be substantially the entire circumference), and it is sufficient if it is provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151.

Also in the above modification, the same effect as the said embodiment is acquired.
(2) When a through-hole is provided FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b) are partially enlarged top views showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder and its peripheral part in this modified example. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 7 of a form. Components equivalent to those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 15 (a), a plurality of through-holes 210 (in this example, the tape width direction) penetrating the protective film 160 in the thickness direction are used in place of the concave portions 201 to 203 of the above-described embodiment and the modified example of (2). This is provided on one side), thereby lowering the rigidity of the surrounding area relatively to function as a low rigidity portion.

  In FIG. 15B, a large number of through-holes 211 smaller in diameter than the through-hole 210 are provided centering around the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151, thereby relatively reducing the rigidity around this and allowing it to function as a low-rigidity portion. ing.

  In addition, the shape of the through holes 210 and 211 is not limited to the circle shape as described above, and may be a substantially rectangular shape (rectangular shape), a triangular shape, a polygonal shape, or the like. Further, as long as at least one is installed in the vicinity of the IC circuit unit 151, a plurality of installations may be provided, or a plurality of installations may be provided. Furthermore, the hole diameters are not all the same, and various types may be combined. Furthermore, the above through-holes may be provided not only in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 but also in other portions (may be substantially over the entire area). In short, it is sufficient that they are provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151.

Also in the above modification, the same effect as the said embodiment is acquired.
(3) Case of Wedge Shape FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged top view showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder and its peripheral part in this modified example, and corresponds to FIG. 7 of the above embodiment. is there. Components equivalent to those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 16, the width direction dimension W of the protective film 160 is continuously reduced along the tape longitudinal direction (left and right direction in the figure) (so-called substantially wedge shape or substantially rhombus shape). Thereby, the portions other than the tape longitudinal direction intermediate portion of the protective film 160 of this modified example have a width direction size W narrower than the width direction size (= maximum size in the protective film 160) Wo in the intermediate portion. (= Narrow part).

  In the above structure, as long as the width direction dimension is smaller than Wo in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151, the rigidity is relatively smaller than that of the portion having the width direction Wo. The further away (toward both ends in the longitudinal direction of the tape), the width direction dimension W is further reduced and the rigidity is reduced. From the viewpoint of reducing the rigidity in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151, contrary to the structure shown in FIG. 16, for example, the width direction dimension at both ends in the longitudinal direction is Wo, and the intermediate portion is the smallest in the width direction. Thus, the dimension in the width direction may be continuously reduced (double-headed substantially wedge shape). Further, when the width direction dimension is continuously changed, it may be changed not by a linear shape (tapered shape) as described above but by a curved shape.

Also in the above modification, the same effect as the said embodiment is acquired.
(4) When a slit is provided in the holding body arranged in the tape width direction FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holding body and its peripheral part provided in the base tape in this modification. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 6 of the said embodiment. Components equivalent to those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 17, in this modification, antennas 152A and 152B each having connection end portions 152a and 152b are arranged in the tape longitudinal direction (vertical direction in the figure), and these connection end portions 152a and 152b are connected to each other. Therefore, the connection terminals 159A and 159B are arranged in a direction (= tape width direction, left-right direction in the figure) substantially orthogonal to the tape longitudinal direction (= the longitudinal direction of the antennas 152A and 152B). Correspondingly, the protective film 160 disposed so as to substantially cover the IC circuit portion 151, the connection terminals 159A and 159B, and the connection ends 152a and 152b of the antennas 152A and 152B also has a longitudinal direction in the tape width. It is arranged to be in the direction.

  And in this modification, the concave part 230 cut | disconnected in the substantially rectangular shape at the tape width direction both ends (however, the tape longitudinal direction position is the tape longitudinal direction position vicinity of the IC circuit part 151) of the said protective film 160. Thus, the narrow portion 231 is realized.

  The shape of the concave portion 230 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape as described above, and may be a substantially V shape, a substantially U shape, a slit shape, or the like. Further, as long as at least one is installed in the vicinity of the IC circuit unit 151, a plurality of installations may be provided, or a plurality of installations may be provided. Further, the depths of cut of the concave portions 230 are not all the same, and various types may be combined. Furthermore, the concave portion 230 may be provided not only in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 but also in other portions. In short, it is sufficient if it is provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151.

  In addition, in the same way as shown in FIG. 14B described above, the end portions (upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left end in the figure) of both ends of the protective film 160 in the tape width direction (the left and right direction in the figure). It is good also as a defect | deletion part by making defect | deletion linearly. Also about this defect | deletion part, a polygonal shape, a curve shape (R shape), a stepped shape, etc. may be sufficient instead of a linear cut-off shape.

Also in the above modification, the same effect as the said embodiment is acquired.
(5) When a portion (thin wall portion) with reduced dimensions is provided in the thickness direction FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b) show the RFID tag IC circuit holder provided on the base tape in this modification. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a detailed structure of a peripheral portion thereof and is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 of the embodiment. Portions equivalent to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 18 (a), at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 of the protective film 160, a concave portion cut into a substantially V shape in this example from the upper surface of the protective film 160 in the tape thickness direction (vertical direction in the drawing). 220 are provided at two locations in the longitudinal direction of the tape (left and right direction in the figure). As a result, a thin portion 221 having a reduced dimension in the tape thickness direction is formed, and this thin portion 221 functions as a low-rigidity portion for increasing the flexibility of the protective film 160.

  In FIG. 18B, a large number of concave portions 222 that are not substantially V-shaped but are substantially slit-shaped in the thickness direction are provided, thereby realizing a thin portion 223.

  The shapes of the concave portions 220 and 222 are not limited to a substantially V shape or a substantially slit shape as described above, and may be a substantially U shape, a substantially rectangular shape (rectangular shape), or the like. Further, as long as at least one is installed in the vicinity of the IC circuit unit 151, a plurality of installations may be provided, or a plurality of installations may be provided. Furthermore, the depth of cut of the concave portions is not all the same, and various types may be combined. Further, the above-described concave portion may be provided not only in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151 but also in other portions (may be substantially all over the longitudinal direction of the tape), as long as it is provided at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit portion 151. It ’s enough. Moreover, the tape width direction length of the cut-out concave portions may be provided over the entire length of the protective film 160 in the tape width direction, or a part thereof (for example, the width direction corresponding to the arrangement position of the IC circuit portion) It may be provided in the central part only).

  In addition, in the same way as shown in FIG. 14B, the end portions (upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left portion in the drawing) of the protective film 160 at both ends in the tape longitudinal direction are linearly lost. It is good also as a defect part. Also about this defect | deletion part, a polygonal shape, a curve shape (R shape), a stepped shape, etc. may be sufficient instead of a linear cut-off shape.

  Also in the above modification, the same effect as the said embodiment is acquired.

  In the above, as shown in FIG. 8, in the RFID tag circuit holder H provided in the adhesive layer 101c, only one side (upper side in FIG. 8) of the connection terminals 159A and 159B is the protective film 160. In the above description, the present invention is applied to the structure substantially covered with the above, and the RFID tag T having the structure shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is finally generated as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 19 corresponding to FIG. 12, the other side of the connection terminals 159A and 159B (upper side in FIG. 19, in other words, between the connection terminal 159A and the antenna 152A) is another protective film 160 ′. Even if the above-described low-rigidity portion of the present invention is applied to a substantially covered structure (a low-rigidity portion is provided on at least one of the protective films 160 and 160 ′), the RFID label T having improved flexibility can be generated using this. good. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the above description, the apparatus is not limited to the RFID tag information communication apparatus main body side such as the cartridge 100, but a so-called installation type or integral type that cannot be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body side is used, and the first type is included therein. A roll 102 may be provided. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

  Further, in the above, the tag label producing apparatus 2 reads or writes the RFID tag information from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To and prints for identifying the RFID circuit element To by the thermal head 10. (Printing) is performed, but this printing is not necessarily performed, and only reading or writing of the RFID tag information may be performed.

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

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

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system to which a tag label producing device including a RFID tag IC circuit holder and a tag label producing device cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a notional block diagram showing the detailed structure of the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of the cartridge by one Embodiment of this invention with which the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was equipped. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of the high frequency circuit shown in FIG. It is a conceptual side view showing the more detailed structure of the 1st roll shown in FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing by the VI-VI 'surface in the elements on larger scale of FIG. 3 showing the detailed structure of a radio | wireless tag IC circuit holder and its peripheral part. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged top view showing an A portion extracted from FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view taken along a section VIII-VIII ′ in FIG. 7. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the upper surface figure and bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID tag label. It is a cross-sectional view by the XI-XI 'cross section in FIG. It is a cross-sectional view by the XII-XII 'cross section in FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on a terminal or a general purpose computer at the time of access to the RFID tag information of the IC circuit part of a RFID circuit element. It is the elements on larger scale showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder in the modification which provided different concave parts, and its peripheral part. It is the elements on larger scale showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder in the modification which provided the penetration hole, and its peripheral part. It is the elements on larger scale showing the detailed structure of the RFID tag IC circuit holder in the modification which made the RFID tag IC circuit holder a wedge shape, and its peripheral part. It is a sectional side view showing the detailed structure of the radio | wireless tag IC circuit holder provided in the base tape in the modification which provided the slit in the holder arrange | positioned in the tape width direction, and its peripheral part. It is a sectional side view showing the detailed structure of the radio | wireless tag IC circuit holding body with which the base tape in the modification which provided the part which reduced the dimension in the thickness direction was equipped, and its peripheral part. It is a cross-sectional view showing the modification which applied this invention to the structure which covered the other side of the connecting terminal with another protective film.

Explanation of symbols

2 Tag label production device 100 Cartridge 101 Base tape (tag tape)
102 1st roll (tag tape roll)
110 Printed tag label tape 151 IC circuit portion 152A Antenna 152a Connection end portion 152B Antenna 152b Connection end portion 159A Connection terminal 159B Connection terminal 160 Protective film (holding member)
160 'protective film (holding member)
200 Narrow part (low rigidity part)
201 Concave part 202 Narrow part (low rigidity part)
203 Concave part 204 Narrow part (low rigidity part)
210 Through hole 211 Through hole 220 Concave part 221 Thin part (low rigidity part)
222 Concave part 223 Thin part (low rigidity part)
230 Concave part 231 Narrow part (low rigidity part)
H RFID tag circuit holder T RFID label W Width dimension of holding member

Claims (11)

An IC circuit unit for storing tag information;
A tag IC circuit holder comprising a holding member for holding the IC circuit section,
A wireless tag IC circuit holder, wherein the holding member is provided with a low-rigidity part for increasing flexibility at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit part. The wireless tag IC circuit holder according to claim 1,
An antenna for transmitting and receiving information;
A connection terminal provided to connect the IC circuit unit and the antenna,
A wireless tag IC circuit holder used for producing a tag label. The wireless tag IC circuit holder according to claim 1 or 2,
A RFID tag IC circuit holder, which is provided on a tag label tape for producing the tag label. The wireless tag IC circuit holder according to claim 2 or 3,
The wireless tag IC circuit holder, wherein the IC circuit portion and the connection terminal integrated via the holding member have rigidity higher than that of the antenna. The RFID tag IC circuit holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The wireless tag IC circuit holder according to claim 1, wherein the low-rigidity part includes a narrow part whose dimension in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the label tape is reduced in the holding member. The RFID tag IC circuit holder according to claim 5,
The narrow-width portion is formed by a recessed portion provided so as to be cut in the width direction from an end portion of the holding member. The RFID tag IC circuit holder according to claim 5,
The RFID tag circuit holder according to claim 1, wherein in the narrow portion, the dimension in the width direction of the holding member is continuously reduced along the longitudinal direction of the label tape. The RFID tag IC circuit holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The wireless tag IC circuit holder according to claim 1, wherein the low-rigidity portion includes a thin-walled portion of the holding member whose dimension in the thickness direction of the label tape is reduced. The wireless tag IC circuit holder according to claim 8,
The wireless tag IC circuit holder, wherein the thin portion is formed by a concave portion provided so as to be cut in the thickness direction from an end portion of the holding member. The RFID tag IC circuit holder according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The wireless tag IC circuit holder, wherein the low rigidity portion includes a plurality of through holes formed in a thickness direction of the holding member. A tag in which a plurality of RFID tag IC circuit holders having an IC circuit part for storing tag information; and a holding member having a low-rigidity part for increasing flexibility at least in the vicinity of the IC circuit part are arranged It has a tag tape roll configured by winding a tape,
A cartridge for a tag label producing apparatus, which is detachably attached to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a tag label based on the tag tape fed out from the tag tape roll.

Images