JP2006035830A - Recording apparatus, printing controlling system, and printing controlling program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus with an RFID writing function which has a function for preventing an incomplete RFID tag from flowing out and a function for preventing an incomplete RFID tag from using, a printing controlling system, and a printing controlling program. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of a failure in printing on the surface of a recording medium or writing in an RFID tag, a special treatment is applied and a record of the failure is registered in a database. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control system, and a printing control program equipped with an RFID recording function for communicating with a recording medium incorporating an RFID tag.

  In recent years, with the development of semiconductor technology and electronic communication technology, an automatic recognition system called RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) capable of transmitting and receiving information without contact has been developed.

  This RFID system is composed of an RFID tag that is equipped with an electronic circuit and holds information, and an RFID reader / writer that controls the RFID tag.

  Features of the RFID system include new data writing and appending, simultaneous communication with a plurality of RFID tags, and being less susceptible to obstacles. These have functions not available in automatic recognition systems such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. Because of its convenience, it has attracted attention not only in fields that have been difficult to automate with barcodes and two-dimensional codes, but also in the logistics and distribution fields that have been automated with conventional automatic recognition systems.

  An RFID tag mounted on a medium such as a card or label and used in the system needs to print the surface of the medium and write information to the RFID tag. In recent years, these tasks are shared by separate devices. Instead, a printing apparatus with an RFID tag recording function that mounts an RFID tag recording function on the printing apparatus and collectively prints the medium surface and records information on the RFID tag is used.

  There are many types of RFID tags, such as different antenna sizes and different IC chips, and each has a different memory storage capacity, communicable range, and communication time. A general printing apparatus with an RFID tag recording function supports these different types of RFID tags.

  In recent printing apparatuses with an RFID tag recording function, in order to satisfy the market demand for throughput, writing to the RFID tag is performed simultaneously with printing on the surface of the recording medium.

  In particular, in a color printing apparatus having a plurality of line heads, a plurality of line heads are arranged side by side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. In addition, the writing to the RFID tag is simultaneously executed to improve the throughput.

On the other hand, if printing on the surface of the recording medium or writing to the RFID tag fails, an error is generated and printing on the surface of the recording medium is not performed for the medium that has failed to write to the RFID tag. A system and a system for printing on the surface of a recording medium meaning an RFID write error have also been devised.
(For example, Patent Document 1)

JP2003-150914A (pages 3 and 4, FIG. 4)

  However, in the system of the above conventional example, since the record that failed to print on the surface of the recording medium or to write to the RFID tag does not remain in the database, there is a possibility that an improperly written illegal RFID tag will flow out. There are cases where it is impossible to prevent the use of an incomplete RFID tag that cannot be avoided or leaked.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus with an RFID writing function, a printing control system, and a printing control program having an incomplete RFID tag outflow prevention function and an incomplete RFID tag use prevention function.

  In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus with an RFID tag recording function according to the present invention implements the following recording apparatus, print control system, and print control program.

That is,
Image recording means for recording an image on a recording medium provided with a wireless communication element comprising an antenna and an electronic circuit;
In a recording apparatus, a print control system, or a print control program comprising an information writing means for writing information to the wireless communication element,
In the case where image recording on a recording medium or writing of information on a wireless communication element fails, a special processing unit is provided.

  The special processing by the print control system or the print control program of the present invention is characterized by instructing invalid registration of corresponding data to a database (host PC).

  The special processing by the print control system or the print control program of the present invention is characterized in that the write data of the RFID tag is cleared.

  The special processing by the print control system or the print control program of the present invention is characterized in that invalid printing is performed on a recording medium.

  The special processing by the print control system or the print control program of the present invention is characterized in that the recording medium is physically deformed.

  According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus with an RFID writing function, a printing control system, and a printing control program that have an unauthorized RFID tag leakage prevention function and an unauthorized RFID tag unauthorized use prevention function. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First embodiment

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printing system in which a host computer is connected to a printing apparatus used in this embodiment.

As this printing apparatus, an ink-jet color card printing apparatus using a long line head is used.
The printing apparatus 101 and the host computer 100 are connected by a printer cable 107, and various data processed by the host computer 100 are recorded by the printing apparatus 101, and printer status such as error information of the printing apparatus 101 is recorded on the host computer. 100 is configured to be detected. The printing apparatus 101 opens and closes a later-described line head, an RFID communication antenna, and an upper cover 103 for opening and closing a transport unit, and a tank unit that stores liquid ink as an ejection medium supplied to the later-described line head. A front cover 104, a sheet feeding unit 109 that feeds a recording medium loaded on a sheet feeding tray 102, which will be described later, to the recording unit 108, and a paper discharge unit 110 that stores the recording medium conveyed from the recording unit 108. The outer shell is constructed. Reference numeral 105 denotes a power switch of the printing apparatus, reference numeral 106 denotes an input unit for setting an operating environment in the printing apparatus, and an operation panel as means for notifying the user of an error occurrence state of the image printing apparatus, and includes an LED 111, an LCD 112, and a button 113. Consists of

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an RFID tag built-in card 201 as a recording medium used by the printing apparatus 101 of this embodiment.

  The RFID tag 205 includes an IC chip 203 on which a nonvolatile memory for storing electronic information is mounted and a loop antenna 202, and is covered with a paper or PET resin film 204. The RFID tag built-in card 201 does not have a power source, and an internal power source can be generated by high-frequency power received from an RFID communication antenna (described later) disposed in the printing apparatus 101, and electronic information can be written to the RFID tag 205.

  3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the arrangement of the inkjet recording head and the RFID communication antenna 303 of the printing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. FIG.

  In the conveyance unit 302 located below the line head, the RFID tag built-in card 201 stacked on the paper feed tray 102 is conveyed at a speed of 100 mm / sec toward the recording position by the line head 305 by a feeding method described later. Then, when the position is managed by the TOF sensor 304 and transported to the communication position of the RFID communication antenna 303, writing of electronic information to the RFID tag 205 built in via the RFID communication antenna 303 is started. . Subsequently, when the printing position is reached, ink is ejected by the respective recording heads (306Bk, 306C, 306LC, 306M, 306LM, 306Y), an image is printed on the RFID tag built-in card 201, and finally the paper discharge unit 110. It is configured to be carried out. Under the transport unit 302, a tank unit 301 for storing dedicated ink supplied to each recording head (306Bk, 306C, 306LC, 306M, 306LM, 306Y) is detachably fixed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of a control command transmitted from the host computer used in this embodiment.

  As control commands, a paper setting command 501 for setting the size of a paper to be printed, a format command 502 having a reference setting for recording data, a data command (503, 504) for setting detailed information on characters, images, and RFIDs. 505), there is a job start command 510 that indicates the end of the print data and starts the job, and these commands are output as in the recording command transfer example 511. The type of the IC chip 203 of the RFID tag is designated by 506, the RFID tag size is designated by 507, the write data amount is designated by 508, and the write data is designated by 509.

  FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of the printing apparatus used in this embodiment.

  A main controller 601 controls the entire printing apparatus, and has a function as a storage unit that stores input data, which will be described later, and a function as a data control unit and a setting unit. The main controller is connected to the host computer 100 and can exchange signals with each other. Reference numeral 602 denotes a ROM which is connected to the main controller and stores a control program corresponding to a flow which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, and the main controller 601 operates using the RAM 612 according to these programs. The RAM 612 temporarily stores data transferred from the host computer 100 and written to the RFID tag 205, and the RFID communication circuit 609 connected to the main controller 601 is stored in the RAM 612 through the RFID communication antenna 610. Write data to the RFID tag. Reference numeral 606 denotes an image buffer (recording data storage means) that stores image data transmitted from the host computer 100. Reference numeral 606Bk denotes a black image buffer that temporarily stores black image data. Similarly, 606C, 606LC, and 606M. 606LM and 606Y are image buffers for temporarily storing image data of cyan, magenta, light magenta, cyan, light cyan, and yellow. Reference numeral 603 denotes a drive circuit for driving a heating element (not shown) incorporated in the recording head for each color, and a driver controller 607 connected to the main controller 601 uses a bitmap format for each color stored in the image buffer. The image is printed by controlling the head driving circuit 603 in accordance with the image data recorded in (1). Reference numeral 604D denotes a motor driver that drives a feed motor 604 provided in the transport unit. Yes, both are controlled by the main controller 601.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of information registered and managed in the database used in this embodiment.

The record number 701, effective date 702, ID number 703, name 704, gender 705, age 706, and security code 707 managed in the database of the host computer 100 are transmitted to the printing apparatus 101 as write data 509, and will be described later. Thus, writing is performed on the IC chip 203 of the RFID tag.
The valid / invalid 711 registers and manages the success or failure of printing on the surface of the corresponding tag and writing to the RFID tag. FIG. 7 shows that the data 712 (record number 104) is invalid (missing number) and is reissued as data 713 separately.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

  Various parameters such as the number of printed sheets, paper size, type of IC chip 203, image information to be printed, and information to be recorded on the IC chip 203 are transmitted from the host computer 100 to the printing apparatus 101 together with a command for instructing printing. The print image information is recorded in the image buffer (606Bk to 606Y), and the electronic information is recorded in the RAM 612 (S801).

  When the analysis of the received print command is completed, the conveyance of the recording medium is started (S802). When the recording medium is transported to the communication position of the RFID communication antenna 303 after the transport is started, writing of electronic information to the RFID tag 205 incorporated via the RFID communication antenna 303 is started (S803). After writing the electronic information to the RFID tag, it is determined whether the writing has been completed normally (S804). If the writing has not been completed normally, printing on the surface of the recording medium is not performed and the tag “invalid” is stored in the RAM 612. "(S808) is set.

When the writing of electronic information to the RFID tag is normally completed, each recording head (Bk, C, LC, M, LM, Y) is sequentially driven when the recording medium reaches the printing position, and the RFID tag is built-in. An image is printed on the card 201 (S805). At this time, before printing on the recording medium surface is completed, it is determined whether printing has been completed normally without an error such as a paper jam (S806). If “valid” (S807) is not completed normally, “invalid” (S808) of the tag is set in the RAM 612.
When the recording medium is carried out to the paper discharge unit 110, the conveyance is stopped (S 809), and the tag “valid” (S 807) or “invalid” (S 808) is notified to the host computer 100.
The host computer registers the tag “valid” (S807) or “invalid” (S808) in the valid / invalid (711) of the database (S810).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, by providing means for notifying the host computer of the surface printing and RFID tag writing results in the printing apparatus, the RFID tag chip writing failure or the RFID tag surface can be obtained. When the printing fails, the RFID tag of the corresponding number can be invalidally registered on the database. As a result, even if an incomplete RFID tag is leaked from the operation side, it becomes possible to manage validity / invalidity on the database, and it is possible to avoid confusion at the site due to illegal use of the tag or repeated issuance.

Second embodiment

  In the first embodiment, the processing when the writing of electronic information to the RFID tag does not end normally is performed by performing “invalid printing” on the surface of the recording medium, so that the object of the present invention is more effectively implemented. it can.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

  Various parameters such as the number of printed sheets, paper size, type of IC chip 203, image information to be printed, and information to be recorded on the IC chip 203 are transmitted from the host computer 100 to the printing apparatus 101 together with a command for instructing printing. The print image information is recorded in the image buffer (606Bk to 606Y), and the electronic information is recorded in the RAM 612 (S901).

  When the analysis of the received print command is completed, conveyance of the recording medium is started (S902). When the recording medium is transported to the communication position of the RFID communication antenna 303 after the transport is started, writing of electronic information is started to the RFID tag 205 built in via the RFID communication antenna 303 (S903). After the writing of the electronic information to the RFID tag is completed, it is determined whether the writing has been completed normally (S904). If the writing has not been completed normally, normal printing is not performed on the surface of the recording medium. A pattern that can be determined to be an invalid tag (FIG. 11) "is printed (S906). Further, the tag “invalid” (S909) is set in the RAM 612 for notifying the host computer 100.

  When the writing of electronic information to the RFID tag is normally completed, each recording head (Bk, C, LC, M, LM, Y) is sequentially driven when the recording medium reaches the printing position, and the RFID tag is built-in. An image is printed on the card 201 (S905). At this time, before printing on the recording medium surface is completed, it is determined whether printing has been completed normally without an error such as a paper jam (S907). If “valid” (S908) is not completed normally, “invalid” (S909) of the tag is set in the RAM 612.

When the recording medium is carried out to the paper discharge unit 110, the conveyance is stopped (S 910), and the tag “valid” (S 908) or “invalid” (S 909) is notified to the host computer 100.
The host computer registers the tag “valid” (S908) or “invalid” (S909) in the valid / invalid (711) of the database (S911).

As described above, in the second embodiment, by providing means for notifying the host computer of the surface printing and RFID tag writing results in the printing apparatus, the RFID tag chip writing failure or the RFID tag surface can be obtained. When the printing fails, the RFID tag of the corresponding number can be invalidally registered on the database. As a result, even if an incomplete RFID tag is leaked from the operation side, it becomes possible to manage validity / invalidity on the database, and it is possible to avoid confusion at the site due to illegal use of the tag or repeated issuance.
In addition, when writing to the EFID tag fails, “printing invalid data” on the surface of the recording medium can suppress incomplete RFID tag outflow itself.

Third embodiment

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the processing when the writing of electronic information to the RFID tag does not end normally is cut with a cutter, so that the object of the present invention is more effective. Can be implemented.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

  Various parameters such as the number of printed sheets, paper size, type of IC chip 203, image information to be printed, and information to be recorded on the IC chip 203 are transmitted from the host computer 100 to the printing apparatus 101 together with a command for instructing printing. The print image information is recorded in the image buffer (606Bk to 606Y), and the electronic information is recorded in the RAM 612 (S1001).

  When the analysis of the received print command is completed, conveyance of the recording medium is started (S1002). When the recording medium is conveyed to the communication position of the RFID communication antenna 303 after the conveyance is started, writing of electronic information is started to the RFID tag 205 built in via the RFID communication antenna 303 (S1003). After the writing of the electronic information to the RFID tag is completed, it is determined whether the writing has been completed normally (S1004). If the writing has not been completed normally, an auto cutter unit (not shown) disposed in the vicinity of the discharge unit 110 The recording medium is cut (S1006). In addition, the tag “invalid” (S1009) is set in the RAM 612 for notifying the host computer 100.

When the writing of electronic information to the RFID tag is normally completed, each recording head (Bk, C, LC, M, LM, Y) is sequentially driven when the recording medium reaches the printing position, and the RFID tag is built-in. An image is printed on the card 201 (S1005). At this time, before printing on the recording medium surface is completed, it is determined whether printing has been completed normally without an error such as a paper jam (S1007). If “valid” (S1008) is not completed normally, the tag “invalid” (S1009) is set in the RAM 612.
When the recording medium is carried out to the paper discharge unit 110, the conveyance is stopped (S1010), and the tag computer is notified of “valid” (S1008) or “invalid” (S1009).

  The host computer registers the tag “valid” (S1008) or “invalid” (S1009) in the valid / invalid (711) of the database (S1011).

  As described above, in the third embodiment, by providing means for notifying the host computer of the surface printing and RFID tag writing results in the printing apparatus, the RFID tag chip writing failure or the RFID tag surface can be obtained. When the printing fails, the RFID tag of the corresponding number can be invalidally registered on the database. As a result, even if an incomplete RFID tag is leaked from the operation side, it becomes possible to manage validity / invalidity on the database, and it is possible to avoid confusion at the site due to illegal use of the tag or repeated issuance.

  In addition, when writing on the EFID tag or printing on the surface fails, the recording medium is cut with a cutter, thereby preventing incomplete RFID tag outflow itself.

Other examples

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to a full-line type ink jet printing apparatus, a printer having a recording head other than the ink jet system, that is, another recording system such as a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an electrophotographic type, or a monochrome printing apparatus. It is also possible to apply to.

  The “pattern that can be determined to be a visually invalid tag (FIG. 11)” described in the second embodiment is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to easily assume printing of vertical lines or horizontal lines, or filling the entire surface.

1 is a configuration diagram in which an inkjet printing apparatus with an RFID tag recording function and a host computer in this embodiment are connected. FIG. It is the structure schematic of the recording medium incorporating the RFID tag used in a present Example. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus used in this embodiment. It is a perspective view explaining typically the arrangement of the ink jet recording head of the printing apparatus used in a present Example, and the communication antenna for RFID. It is a figure which shows the control command system of the printing apparatus in a present Example. 1 is an electrical block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the information registered and managed by the database in a present Example. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a printing process in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining printing processing in a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining printing processing in a third embodiment. A representative example of “invalid print pattern” in the second embodiment will be shown.

Explanation of symbols

100 Host computer
101 Printing device
102 Paper tray
103 Top cover
104 Front cover
105 Power switch
106 Operation panel
107 Printer cable
108 Recording unit
109 Paper feeder
110 Paper discharge unit
111 LED
112 LCD
113 button

201 RFID tag built-in card
202 Loop antenna
203 IC chip
204 films
205 RFID tag

301 Tank
302 Conveying unit
303 Communication antenna
304 TOF sensor
305 line head
306Bk recording head (black)
306C print head (cyan)
306LC recording head (light cyan)
306M recording head (magenta)
306LM recording head (light magenta)
306Y recording head (yellow)

501 Paper setting command
502 Format command
503 Character data command
504 Image data command
505 RFID data command
506 IC chip type part
507 RF-ID tag mounting position
508 RF-ID data length
509 RF-ID data writing part
510 Job start command
511 Command transmission example

600 Drive circuit
601 Main controller
602 ROM
603 Head drive circuit
604 Feed motor
604D motor driver
605 lift motor
606Bk black image buffer
606C Cyan image buffer
606LC light cyan image buffer
606M Magenta image buffer
606LM light magenta image buffer
606Y yellow image buffer
607 Driver controller
608 Pickup motor
609 RFID communication circuit
610 Communication antenna for RFID
611 Sensor circuit
612 RAM

701 RFID tag maximum write capacity reference table

801 Print command reception processing
802 Recording medium feeding / conveyance start processing
803 IC chip writing process of RFID tag
804 IC chip writing normal / abnormal confirmation processing of RFID tag
805 RFID tag surface printing process
806 RFID tag surface printing normal / abnormal confirmation processing
807 RFID tag valid flag setting processing
808 RFID tag invalid flag setting processing
809 Transfer stop processing
810 RFID tag valid / invalid registration process in database

901 Print command reception processing
902 Recording medium feeding / conveyance start processing
903 IC chip writing processing of RFID tag
904 IC chip writing normal / abnormal confirmation processing of RFID tag
905 RFID tag surface printing process
906 Invalid print processing on the RFID tag surface
907 RFID tag surface printing normal / abnormal confirmation processing
908 RFID tag valid flag setting processing
909 RFID tag invalid flag setting processing
910 Transfer stop processing
911 RFID tag valid / invalid registration process in database

1001 Print command reception processing
1002 Recording medium feeding / conveyance start processing
1003 RFID chip IC chip writing processing
1004 IC chip writing normality / abnormality confirmation processing of RFID tag
1005 RFID tag surface printing process
1006 RFID tag cut (physical destruction) processing
1007 RFID tag surface printing normal / abnormal confirmation processing
1008 RFID tag valid flag setting processing
1009 RFID tag invalid flag setting processing
1010 Transport stop processing
1011 RFID tag valid / invalid registration process in database

Claims (15)

Image recording means for recording an image on a recording medium provided with a wireless communication element comprising an antenna and an electronic circuit;
In a recording apparatus comprising information writing means for writing information to the wireless communication element,
A recording apparatus comprising means for performing special processing when image recording to a recording medium or writing of information to a wireless communication element fails.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special process instructs the database (host PC) to invalidate the corresponding data.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special processing is to clear write data of the RFID tag. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special processing is invalid printing on a recording medium surface. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special processing physically deforms the recording medium. Image recording means for recording an image on a recording medium attached with an RFID tag comprising an antenna and an electronic circuit;
In a recording apparatus comprising information writing means for communicating with an RFID tag attached to a recording medium and writing information,
A printing control system equipped with an RFID tag recording function, comprising means for performing a special process when recording on a recording medium or writing on an RFID tag fails. 7. The print control system with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 6, wherein the special processing performs invalid registration of the corresponding data in a database (host PC). 7. The print control system with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 6, wherein the special processing clears write data of the RFID tag. The print control system with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 6, wherein the special processing performs invalid printing on the surface of the recording medium. The print control system with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 6, wherein the special processing physically deforms the recording medium with a cutter or the like. Means for printing information on the surface of a recording medium comprising an antenna and an electronic circuit, and attached with an RFID tag for recording information in a non-contact manner;
In a printing apparatus comprising a means for communicating with an RFID tag attached to a recording medium and writing information,
A printing control program equipped with an RFID tag recording function, comprising means for performing a special process when printing on the surface of a recording medium or writing to an RFID tag fails. 12. The print control program equipped with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 11, wherein the special processing performs invalid registration of the corresponding data in a database (host PC). 12. The print control program with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 11, wherein the special processing clears the write data of the RFID tag. 12. The printing control program with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 11, wherein the special processing performs invalid printing on a surface of the recording medium. 12. The print control program with an RFID tag recording function according to claim 11, wherein the special processing physically deforms the recording medium.

Images