JP2006171836A - Tag label preparing device and radio tag label - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily prepare a long label corresponding to needs desired by an operator, and to improve convenience. <P>SOLUTION: This tag label preparing device 2 is provided with an antenna 14 for transmitting and receiving information through a plurality of radio communication between radio tag circuit elements To arranged at almost equal intervals in a base material tape 101 by radio communication, a transmitting part 32 of a signal processing circuit 22 and a high frequency circuit 21 for generating and transmitting access information to an IC circuit part 151 to the radio tag circuit element To, and for performing information writing or information reading to the IC circuit 151, a press-fitting roller driving shaft 12 for feeding the base material tape 101 and a cutter 15 for cutting a tape 110 for a printed tag label into a predetermined length, and for generating a radio tag label T. A plurality of the radio tag circuit elements To may be arranged in one radio tag label T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a RFID label capable of wireless communication of information with the outside, and a RFID label manufactured by the tag label producing apparatus.

  An RFID (Radio 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. The wireless tag circuit element included in the 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, and the wireless tag is dirty. Even if it is placed in an invisible position, it is possible to access (read / write information) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit section from the reader / writer side, product management, inspection process, etc. Practical use is expected in various fields.

  Such a radio tag is usually formed by providing a radio frequency circuit element on a label-like material, and this tag label is often affixed to a target article or the like for classification and organization of various documents and articles, for example. . In addition, for the management of this wireless tag, it is very convenient to print character information together with the tag itself. In response to this, a tag label producing apparatus that performs both reading / writing of information on a wireless tag and printing on a tag has been proposed.

  In this prior art tag label producing apparatus, a tape (carrier tape) in which a plurality of labels of a predetermined size provided with RFID circuit elements (RFIDs) are arranged at equal intervals so as to be peeled is wound in a roll shape and detachable. Equipped with a mounting part. Then, while feeding out the tape from the roll of the mounting portion, the RFID tag information is sent to and received from the RFID circuit element, and after that, predetermined printing is performed on each label, thereby generating the tag labels continuously. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-245870 A (paragraph numbers 0035 to 0075, FIGS. 1 to 3)

  In recent years, with the expansion of the use of wireless tags, a wide variety of uses are desired, and there is a need to create labels with various print modes.

  However, in the above prior art, since the size (length) of the label provided with the RFID circuit element is fixedly fixed, for example, if the number of printed characters exceeds a certain level, the label length cannot be accommodated. As a result, only halfway printing can be performed among the number of characters desired by the operator (user), or the label itself cannot be created. It was not possible, and convenience was reduced.

  In addition to the need for the number of print characters, depending on the application, it may be possible to increase the label length of the tag label regardless of the number of print characters.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tag label producing apparatus and a wireless tag label that can easily produce a long label corresponding to the needs desired by an operator and improve convenience.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information by wireless communication with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on a tag tape at substantially equal intervals, and the wireless Access information to the IC circuit part of the tag circuit element is generated, transmitted to the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna, information written to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element, or from the IC circuit part Information access means for reading information, driving means for feeding out the tag tape, and cutting the tag tape fed out by the driving means into a predetermined length to generate a tag label having the RFID circuit element And a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the one tag label.

  In the first invention of the present application, when a tag tape in which a plurality of RFID circuit elements are arranged at substantially equal intervals is fed out by a driving means, and the tag tape thus drawn is cut by a cutting means to produce a tag label, A plurality of RFID circuit elements can be arranged on one tag label. Thus, for example, when it is desired to increase the tag label length, to increase the amount of reading or writing information, to increase the number of print characters desired by the operator when printing on the tag tape, or to a plurality of wireless tags regardless of them. If you want to place a circuit element on a tag label, etc., you can easily create a long label that meets the needs of the operator by performing the above feeding and cutting so that two or more RFID tag circuit elements are placed on one tag label. It can be created and convenience can be improved.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the number determining means for determining the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label, and the processed number of information writing or reading of the RFID tag circuit elements are detected. And a cutting control means for controlling the cutting means in accordance with the arrangement number determined by the number determination means and the processed number detected by the number detection means. .

  In the second invention of the present application, the number determining unit determines the number of RFID circuit elements arranged on the tag label, and the number detecting unit detects the number of actual RFID tag circuit elements that have been written or read, and determines them. The cutting means is controlled according to the detected number and the detected number. Thus, for example, if the number of already detected RFID tag circuit elements has reached the determined number, the cutting means performs cutting without further writing or reading, and the number of detected RFID tag circuit elements is determined. If it has not reached, the tag tape is further fed out by the driving means, and writing or reading is further performed, so that the determined number of RFID circuit elements can be arranged on the tag label.

  According to a third invention, there is provided an information access control means for controlling the information access means according to the arrangement number determined by the number determination means and the processed number detected by the number detection means in the second invention. It is characterized by that.

  Thus, for example, when a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements are arranged on one tag label, substantially the same information is written to each RFID tag circuit element, different information is written to each other, It becomes possible to perform control such as writing information to the RFID circuit element and invalidating the remainder.

  A fourth invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to third inventions, there is provided printing means for performing predetermined printing on the tag tape.

  For example, if the operator has a large number of characters to be printed on the tag tape by the printing means, the tag tape is fed and cut so that two or more RFID circuit elements corresponding to the number of printed characters are arranged on one tag label. As a result, it is possible to easily create a label having a print mode desired by the operator and to improve convenience.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, there is provided a number setting unit that allows an operator to set the number of the RFID circuit elements arranged on the one tag label. The number determining means determines the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label according to the setting by the operator in the number setting means.

  In the fifth invention of the present application, when the number setting means sets the number according to the number of RFID tag circuit elements desired by the operator, the number determination means sets the number of wireless tags to one tag label according to the number setting. Decide to place tag circuit elements. As a result, since the label can be created with a high degree of freedom in accordance with the number of RFID tag circuit elements desired by the operator, the convenience can be further improved.

  According to a sixth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, there is provided a label length setting means that allows an operator to set the length of the tag label, and the number determining means is configured to set the label length. The number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label is determined according to the setting by the operator in the means.

  In the sixth invention of the present application, when the label length desired by the operator is set by the label length setting means, the number determining means places the set number of RFID circuit elements on one tag label according to the setting. Determine the number. As a result, since the label can be created with a high degree of freedom by adjusting the number of RFID circuit elements corresponding to the label length desired by the operator, the convenience can be further improved.

  According to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, there is provided an information amount detection means for detecting an information amount written to the IC circuit unit or an information amount read from the IC circuit unit. The number determining means determines the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label according to the information amount detected by the information amount detecting means.

  In the seventh invention of this application, when the operator writes information of a predetermined amount of information to the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element or reads information of the predetermined amount of information from the IC circuit portion, the information amount is information amount detecting means. In accordance with the amount of information, the number determining means determines the number so that the set number of RFID circuit elements are arranged on one tag label. As a result, since the label can be created with a high degree of freedom by adjusting the number of RFID circuit elements according to the amount of information read or written by the operator, the convenience can be further improved.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the printer includes a print setting unit that allows an operator to set characters, symbols, and the like to be printed by the printing unit, and the number determination unit includes the operator in the print setting unit. The number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label is determined in accordance with the setting according to.

  In the eighth invention of this application, when the character or design desired by the operator is set by the print setting means, the number determining means arranges the set number of RFID circuit elements on one tag label according to the setting. The number is determined as follows. As a result, the label can be created with a high degree of freedom by adjusting the number of RFID circuit elements according to the length of characters to be printed by the operator, the size of the design, and the like, so that convenience can be further improved.

  In a ninth aspect based on the third aspect, when the information access control means arranges the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements in one tag label, the IC circuit of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements of the tag label The information access means is controlled so that substantially the same information is written in the unit.

  Even if information transmission / reception with one IC circuit unit becomes impossible for some reason by writing substantially the same information to the IC circuit units of a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements, Information can be sent and received. That is, a backup function can be provided.

  In a tenth aspect based on the third aspect, when the information access control means arranges a plurality of the RFID tag circuit elements in one tag label, the IC circuit of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements of the tag label The information access means is controlled so as to write different pieces of information to the respective units.

  By writing different information to the IC circuit portions of a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements, for example, when the amount of information to be written is large, the information is divided into a plurality of pieces and written to different IC circuit portions. It is possible to reliably write the information amount of information.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the third aspect, when the information access control means arranges the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements in one tag label, among the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements of the tag label, The information access unit is controlled so that information is written in an IC circuit part of some RFID circuit elements and functions of other RFID circuit elements are invalidated.

  By writing information to only one of the IC circuit portions of the plurality of RFID circuit elements, the remainder is invalidated, that is, even if there are multiple IC circuit portions, only one of the IC circuit portions is used. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of interference during transmission / reception.

  In order to achieve the above object, the RFID label of the twelfth aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of RFID circuit elements each having an IC circuit part for storing information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit part, and the IC circuit A predetermined print corresponding to the information stored in the section is performed.

  Thus, for example, when the operator desires printing with a large number of characters, a tag label in which two or more RFID circuit elements are arranged corresponding to the number of printed characters can be realized. That is, a long label corresponding to the needs of the operator can be easily realized, and convenience can be improved.

  In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, substantially the same information is stored and held in the IC circuit portions of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements.

  Even if information transmission / reception between one IC circuit unit and the tag label device side becomes impossible for some reason by storing and holding substantially the same information in the IC circuit units of a plurality of RFID circuit elements, other IC circuit units By using, the transmission and reception of the information can be secured. That is, a backup function can be provided.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, different information is stored and held in IC circuit portions of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements.

  The IC circuit units of a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements store and hold different information, for example, when the amount of information to be stored and held is large, the information is divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in different IC circuit units. Thus, it is possible to reliably store and hold a large amount of information.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, information is stored and held in an IC circuit portion of a part of the RFID tag circuit elements among the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements, and functions of the other RFID tag circuit elements are It is invalidated.

  Only one of the IC circuit units of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements stores and holds information, and the remaining functions are invalidated. That is, even if there are a plurality of IC circuit units, only one IC circuit unit is used. By limiting, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of interference or the like during information transmission / reception.

  According to the present invention, by extending and cutting so that two or more RFID circuit elements are arranged on one tag label, a long label corresponding to the needs desired by the operator can be easily created. Can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system (wireless tag information communication system) to which the tag label producing apparatus of this embodiment is applied.

  In the RFID tag generating system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a tag label producing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes a route server 4, an (operation) 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 this holder portion.

  The apparatus main body 8 includes the cartridge holder portion into which the cartridge 100 is fitted and a casing 9 constituting the outer shell, and a print head (thermal head) 10 as printing means for performing predetermined printing (printing) on the cover film 103. And a tape winding roller drive shaft 11 that drives the ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film (printed tape) 103, and the printed tag label tape 110 while bonding the cover film 103 and the base tape 101 together. Wirelessly using a high frequency such as a UHF band between a pressure roller driving shaft (driving means) 12 for feeding out from the cartridge 100 and a RFID tag circuit element To (which will be described in detail later) provided on the printed tag label tape 110. Antenna (device side antenna) 14 for transmitting and receiving signals by communication, and the above printed A cutter (cutting means) 15 for cutting the tag label tape 110 into a predetermined length at a predetermined timing to generate a label-like RFID label T (details will be described later), and a RFID circuit element at the time of signal transmission / reception by the wireless communication The To is set and held in a predetermined access area facing the antenna 14, and a pair of transport guides 13 for guiding the tape 110 (= the RFID label T) after cutting and the guided RFID label T are carried. It has a delivery roller 17 that conveys and sends it to an outlet (discharge port) 16, and a discharge sensor 18 that detects the presence or absence of the RFID label T at the carry-out port 16.

  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 the above, a cartridge motor 23 for driving the ribbon take-up roller driving shaft 11 and the tape feeding roller driving shaft 12 described above, a cartridge driving circuit 24 for controlling the driving 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 2 for controlling the delivery roller motor 28 And a control circuit 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 delivery roller drive circuit 29, and the like. 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, a communication line via the input / output interface 31, and is connected to 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. It is possible to exchange information.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge 100.

  In FIG. 3, the cartridge 100 includes a casing 100A, a first roll 102 around which the strip-shaped base tape 101 (tag tape) disposed in the casing 100A is wound, and the base tape 101 A second roll 104 around which the transparent cover film 103 having substantially the same width is wound, a ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out the ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the cover film is a thermal tape), The ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding the ribbon 105 after printing, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are pressed and bonded to form the printed tag label tape 110, and the tape is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow A. A pressure roller 107 (which also functions as a tape feed roller).

  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.

  An antenna (antenna unit) 152 for transmitting and receiving information is integrally provided on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, and an IC circuit unit 151 for storing information is formed so as to be connected thereto. Thus, the RFID circuit element To is configured.

  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 fed out from the second roll 104 has a ribbon 105 driven by a ribbon supply side roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roller 106 arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). When pressed by the print head 10, 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, the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is ink driven by a ribbon supply side roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roller 106 arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). The ribbon 105 is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103 when pressed by the print head 10.

  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 base tape 101 is fed out 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, a print R (see FIG. 6 described later) is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 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, and are carried out of the cartridge 100. The 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 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 crystal resonator 35, and a PLL (Phase
The generated carrier wave is modulated on the basis of a signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 22 (Locked Loop) 36 and VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 37 (in this example, a “TX_ASK” signal from the signal processing circuit 22 A transmission multiplication circuit 38 (amplitude modulation based on the above) (however, in the case of amplitude modulation, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used), and a modulation wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 38 is sent from the control circuit 30 to “TX_PWR”. And a variable transmission amplifier 39 that determines and amplifies the amplification factor according to the signal. 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. A first bandpass filter 41 for extracting only a signal in a wide band, a reception first amplifier 43 for amplifying the output of the first bandpass filter 41, and a digital signal obtained by further amplifying the output of the reception first amplifier 43. A first limiter 42 that converts the signal into a signal, a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 14, and a carrier wave that has been generated and delayed by 90 ° in phase by the phase shifter 49 are received. A second multiplying circuit 44, a second bandpass filter 45 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the received second multiplying circuit 44, and the second band A reception second amplifier 47 that amplifies the output of the pass filter 45 and a second limiter 46 that further amplifies the output of the reception second amplifier 47 and converts it into a digital signal are provided. 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 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To is demodulated by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 5, the RFID circuit element To includes an antenna 14 that transmits and receives signals in a contactless manner using a high frequency such as a UHF band with the antenna 14 on the tag label producing apparatus 2 side, and the antenna 152 that is 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, and 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 for the IC circuit unit 151. A clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 152 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 the antenna 152 And a control unit 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To through the rectification unit 153, the clock extraction unit 156, the modulation / demodulation unit 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. 6A and 6B are examples of 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. 6A is a top view, and FIG. 6B is a bottom view. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section VII-VII ′ in FIG.

In FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7, the RFID label T includes a plurality (two in this example) of RFID tag circuit elements To. As shown in FIG. 7, the portion of the RFID label T including the RFID circuit element To has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. From the upper side in FIG. 7 to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 7), the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d constitute five layers. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the adhesive layer 101c and printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 (in this example, “Report
A1 ”) is printed.

  FIG. 8 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 this example, in this example, the tag label type (access frequency and tape size), the printed character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, and the access (reading) that is the ID unique to the RFID circuit element To. (Or write) ID, the address of the article information stored in the information server 7, the storage address of the corresponding information in the route server 4, etc. can be displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6. When the tag label is produced, the tag label producing apparatus 2 is operated by operating the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 so that the print character R is printed on the cover film 103 and the write ID is written on the IC circuit unit 151 as will be described later. In addition, information such as article information is written (or radio tag information such as article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read). At this time, the conveyance guide 13 may be held in the access area to access (read or write) the printed tag label tape 110 that is moving in accordance with the printing operation, or the printed tag label tape may be accessed. The above access may be performed in a state where 110 is stopped at a predetermined position and held by the conveyance guide 13. Further, at the time of reading or writing as described above, the ID of the RFID circuit element To of the generated RFID label T and the information written in the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To (or from the IC circuit unit 151) The correspondence relationship with the read information) is stored in the route server 4 and can be referred to as necessary.

  Here, the greatest feature of the present invention is that the tag label producing apparatus 2 has a function capable of arranging a plurality of RFID circuit elements To on one RFID label T as described above. In the embodiment, it is possible to switch between arranging one RFID tag circuit element To or arranging a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To on one tag label T, and arranging them on the one RFID tag label T at that time An operator (user) sets the number n of RFID circuit elements To to be created, and the tag label producing device 2 creates the RFID label T in response to this.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the RFID label T is formed in this way, after the cover film 103 is conveyed and the base tape 101 is bonded to the printed tag label tape 110 while performing predetermined printing with the print head 10. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 when the printed tag label tape 110 is cut to form the RFID label T.

  In FIG. 9, first, when a writing operation of the tag label producing apparatus 2 is performed in step S105, this flow is started. Then, information to be written in the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID circuit element To that has been input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 and correspondingly, the print head 10 should print on the RFID label T. The print information and the number n of RFID circuit elements To to be arranged on one RFID tag T as described above are read through the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31. Note that the number n of the RFID circuit elements To at this time may be set so that the operator can freely enter a numerical value, or can be selected within a predetermined number range (for example, 1 to several). The operator may select and input from the display. In that case, it may be first input or selected whether to use one (one) or plural (two or more).

  Thereafter, in step S110, a variable N for counting the number of retries (retry) when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To and a flag F indicating whether communication is good or bad are initialized to zero.

  In step S 115, a control signal is output to the cartridge driving circuit 24, and the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are driven to rotate by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23. Thereby, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the pressure roller 107, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. At this time, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25, the print head 10 is energized, and a predetermined area of the cover film 103 (for example, a wireless tag circuit arranged at equal intervals on the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch). A print R such as a character, a symbol, or a barcode read in step S105 is printed on a region to be bonded to the back surface of the element To. Further, a control signal is output to the delivery roller motor 28 via the delivery roller drive circuit 29, and the delivery roller 17A is rotationally driven. As a result, as described above, the base tape 101 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, and the cartridge body 100 is conveyed outward.

  After that, in step S120, the tag label tape 110 with print is a predetermined value C (for example, a transport distance that the RFID circuit element To to which the cover film 103 on which the corresponding print has been applied is bonded is reached the transport guide 13). Judge whether it was only transported. The conveyance distance at this time may be determined by, for example, detecting with a known tape sensor separately provided with an appropriate identification mark provided on the base tape 101. If the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S200. In step S200, tag information writing processing is performed, memory initialization (erasing) for writing is performed, and then the RFID tag information is transmitted and written to the RFID circuit element To (refer to FIG. 10 described later for details). When step S200 is completed, the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, it is determined whether or not the RFID tag information writing processing in step S200 has been completed for all n RFID circuit elements To input in step S105. This determination is made by counting the number of times each time the process of step S200 is completed in the counter means provided in an appropriate place (for example, in the control circuit 30), and this count value becomes equal to n input in step S105. What is necessary is just to determine whether it was. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the count value of the number of detection times of the identification mark by the tape sensor in step S120 described above.

  If the RFID circuit element To that has not yet been written remains, the determination is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S120 and the same procedure is repeated. That is, when the previous RFID tag circuit element To has been written, the conveyance is further continued, and when the printed tag label tape 110 is conveyed again by the predetermined value C, step S120 is satisfied again, and in step S200. Write processing to the next RFID circuit element To is performed, and this is repeated until all n are completed. As a result, predetermined RFID tag information (substantially identical to each RFID circuit element To in this example) corresponding to the IC circuit portions 151 of all n RFID tag circuit elements To is written.

  Here, “substantially the same” means as follows. In other words, the identification number ID (= ID information) written in the IC circuit unit 151 of each RFID circuit element To is separate from each other without making the information itself of each RFID circuit element To identical in order to prevent interference. Although the information is set later, the information (for example, article information) read out in association with the information server 7 or the route server 4 when it is read later is the same (the information written in the IC circuit unit 151 is different) Are also associated with the same information). Various methods can be considered, and the same information may be stored in the database of the server itself, or there may be a method in which a single piece of common information is associated with any RFID circuit element To. . Further, when not only the ID information but also the article information etc. are written in the IC circuit unit 151, the ID information portion is different, but the article information etc. may be the same information. In any of these cases, the article information corresponding to the IC circuit portion of each RFID circuit element To is the same, so it can be said that the information written in the IC circuit portion 151 is substantially the same.

  When all the n writing processes are completed as described above, the determination in step S122 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, it is determined whether or not flag F = 0. If the writing process has been completed normally, F = 0 remains (see step S350 in the flow shown in FIG. 10 described later), so this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S130.

  In step S130, the combination of the information written in the IC circuit section 151 of the RFID circuit element To in step S200 and the print information already printed by the print head 10 corresponding to this is the input / output interface 31 and The data is output via the communication line 3 via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 and stored in the information server 7 or the route server 4. The stored data is stored and held in, for example, a database so that it can be referred to from the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 as necessary.

  After that, in step S135, it is confirmed whether or not the printing on the area corresponding to the RFID circuit element To that is the processing target at this point in the cover film 103 is completed, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S125 described above, if the writing process is not normally completed for some reason, F = 1 is set (see step S385 in the flow shown in FIG. 10 to be described later). If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S137, where a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25 to stop energization of the print head 10 and stop printing. As described above, the fact that the RFID circuit element To is not a normal product is clearly displayed by stopping printing halfway, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the tag label tape 110 with print is further printed in a predetermined amount (for example, the target RFID circuit element To and the print region of the cover film 103 corresponding to the target RFID circuit element To all have a predetermined length (margin amount)). It is determined whether or not it has been transported by a transport distance (exceeding a minute). Similar to step S120 described above, the conveyance distance at this time may be determined by, for example, detecting the marking with a tape sensor. If the determination is satisfied, the process moves to step S145.

  In step S145, control signals are output to the cartridge drive circuit 24 and the delivery roller drive circuit 29, the drive of the cartridge motor 23 and the delivery roller motor 28 is stopped, and the ribbon take-up roller 106, pressure roller 107, and delivery roller are stopped. The rotation of 17 is stopped. Thereby, the feeding of the base tape 101 from the first roll 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 110 with print by the feed roller 17 are stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S150, a control signal is outputted to the solenoid drive circuit 27 to drive the solenoid 26, and the printed tag label tape 110 is cut by the cutter 15. As described above, at this point in time, for example, all of the n RFID tag circuit elements To to be processed and the print area of the cover film 103 corresponding thereto have sufficiently exceeded the cutter 15. , The RFID tag label T in the form of a label in which predetermined RFID tag information is written in n RFID circuit elements To and predetermined printing corresponding to this is performed (in this example, one common word as described above). Is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S155, where a control signal is output to the delivery roller drive circuit 29, the drive of the delivery roller motor 28 is resumed, and the delivery roller 17 is rotated.

  Thereby, the conveyance by the delivery roller 17 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in the above-described step S150 is conveyed toward the carry-out port 16 and is discharged from the carry-out port 16 to the outside of the tag label producing apparatus 2.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above.

  In FIG. 10, first, in step S310, identification numbers ID (= ID information) of a plurality of RFID circuit elements To included in one RFID tag T to be written are set by a known appropriate method. As described above, the identification information of the RFID tag To to be written always stores different ID information for each RFID circuit element To, so that each RFID circuit element can be accessed without interference) Further, the RFID circuit element To that is the object of writing information is conveyed to the vicinity of the antenna 14.

  Thereafter, in step S320, an “Erase” command for initializing information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, an “Erase” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written through the high frequency circuit 21 to initialize the memory unit 157.

  Next, in step S 330, a “Verify” command for checking the contents of the memory unit 157 is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, a “Verify” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S340, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the antenna 14 and taken in via the high frequency circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22.

  Next, in step S350, based on the reply signal, information in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the memory unit 157 has been normally initialized.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S360, 1 is added to M, and it is further determined in step S370 whether M = 5. If M ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S320 and the same procedure is repeated. When M = 5, the process proceeds to step S380, where an error display signal is output to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3, and a corresponding writing failure (error) display is performed. Exit. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S350 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S390, and a “Program” command for writing desired data in the memory unit 157 is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, a “Program” signal (= RFID information such as the above ID information) is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21. Information is written in the memory unit 157.

  Thereafter, a “Verify” command is output to the signal processing circuit 22 in step S400. Based on this, a “Verify” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S 410, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the antenna 14 and taken in via the high-frequency circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22.

  Next, in step S420, based on the reply signal, the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and whether or not the transmitted predetermined information is normally stored in the memory unit 157. Determine whether.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S430, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S440 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S390 and the same procedure is repeated. In the case of N = 5, the process proceeds to the above-described step S380, and the writing failure (error) display corresponding to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is similarly performed. In step S385, the above-described flag F = 1 is set, and this flow is performed. finish. In this way, even if information writing is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  If the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process moves to step S450, and a “Lock” command is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, a “Lock” signal is generated in the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the high frequency circuit 21, and writing of new information to the RFID circuit element To is prohibited. Is done. Thereby, the writing of the RFID tag information to the RFID circuit element To to be written is completed, and this flow is finished.

  With the above routine, desired RFID tag information (ID information or the like) can be written in the IC circuit 151 for the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed in the cartridge 100.

  In the above description, the signal processing circuit 22 and the transmission unit 32 of the high-frequency circuit 21 have access information to the IC circuit unit 151 (“Scroll All ID” signal, “Erase” signal, “Verify” signal, “Verify” signal, “ Program access signal is generated and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element via the antenna on the device side, and the information access means for writing information to the IC circuit part of the RFID tag circuit element or reading information from the IC circuit part is configured. To do.

  Further, the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 for setting the number of RFID circuit elements To placed on one RFID label T by the operator determines the number of RFID circuit elements placed on one tag label. Constitutes number setting means which can be set. Further, step S105 in the flow of FIG. 9 executed by the control circuit 30 in accordance with the number setting constitutes number determining means for determining the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label, and step S122 is information on the RFID tag circuit elements. The number detecting means for detecting the processed number of writing or information reading is configured, and the cutting means is controlled according to the arrangement number determined by the number determining means in step S150 and the processed number detected by the number detecting means. The disconnection control unit is configured, and steps S120 and S200 configure an information access control unit that controls the information access unit in accordance with the arrangement number determined by the number determination unit and the processed number detected by the number detection unit. .

  As described above, in the tag label producing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the base tape 101 on which a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To are arranged at substantially equal intervals is fed out, and the fed out base tape 101 and printing are performed. When the RFID label T is produced by cutting the tag label tape 110 with the cover film 103 pasted together by the cutter 15 (in this example, the number n is set by the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6). A plurality of RFID circuit elements To can be arranged on one RFID tag T. As a result, for example, the operator wants to increase the label length of the RFID label T from the beginning, or to increase the amount of information written to the IC circuit 151, or to increase the number of characters to be printed, If there is an intention to place the RFID circuit element To on the RFID label T or the like, (in this example, by setting n ≧ 2 in the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6), two or more RFID circuit elements To The feeding and cutting can be performed so as to be arranged on one RFID tag T, and the RFID label T corresponding to the needs of the operator can be easily created, and convenience can be improved.

  At this time, in particular, in the present embodiment, as described above, when a plurality of RFID circuit elements To are arranged on one RFID tag T, the IC circuit portions 151 of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements TO are substantially connected to each other. It is possible to write the same information (RFID tag information including ID information).

  As an example in which the RFID label T including such a plurality of RFID circuit elements To can be utilized, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, an iron container V is filled with oil or the like as an attachment object of the RFID label T. A case where a drink or a medicine is contained in a drum can, a can filled with food or processed goods, or a container V such as a glass bottle can be considered. When the contents of the container V are materials that do not transmit (or are difficult to transmit) radio waves, when the RFID tag T is attached to the container V and radio waves are received by the RFID circuit element To, depending on the attachment position From the direction of arrival of radio waves, it may be a blind spot and it may be difficult to receive. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, if the RFID label T according to this embodiment including a plurality of RFID circuit elements To is affixed, the RFID circuit element To on one side is blinded. Even in this case, the other RFID circuit element To can ensure the information writing / reading function by normal radio wave transmission / reception.

  Further, even when the blind spot is not particularly generated as described above, one of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To can be used for so-called backup. That is, even if information transmission / reception with any one of the plurality of RFID circuit elements To is impossible for some reason, the IC circuit 151 of the backup RFID circuit element To should be used. Thus, it is possible to secure transmission and reception of the information. In this case, the “Lock” operation (operation to disable overwriting) in step S450 shown in FIG. 10 is performed only on the backup RFID circuit element To, and other than that, overwriting can be performed at any time. You may do it.

  Further, even when a blind spot is not particularly generated as described above, a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To can be connected to a single wireless device as described above when it is desired to widen the reception range of incoming radio waves. It is effective to provide the tag label T.

  The present invention can be further modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

(1) Variation of printing mode In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, printing is performed so as to extend over a plurality of (in this example, two) RFID tag circuit elements To (in this example, ("Report A1") is performed (FIG. 12A is a simplified representation of this). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other printing modes may be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12B, printing is started from an area corresponding to one of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To (the first in this example) RFID tag circuit element To (thus short). In this case, the printing may be performed only in an area corresponding to the RFID circuit element To). For example, it is suitable for printing relatively long sentences such as cautionary notes and usage. If the printing is relatively short, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), printing is performed in the area corresponding to each of the plurality of RFID circuit elements To, or the printing characters are enlarged. When it is desired to make it easier to visually recognize, printing may be performed in an intermediate area of a plurality of RFID circuit elements To as shown in FIG.

  Further, variations of the printing mode may be appropriately selected according to the needs of the operator. In that case, an appropriate operation tool (application or so-called template) is activated by software pre-installed in the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, and it is possible to input or select what kind of printing can be performed by the operator. It is preferable that

(2) When switching according to print length (print information amount) FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 in this modification.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 13, first, in step S105 ′ provided in place of step S105, as in step S105, the IC of the RFID circuit element To that has been input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is used. Information to be written to the circuit unit 151 and corresponding print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 10 are read via the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to newly provided step S107, and the number n of RFID circuit elements To to be arranged on the RFID label T is determined according to the amount of print information input in step S105 ′. This determination is made with reference to the correlation between the amount of print information and the number n of RFID circuit elements To stored in advance in the form of a table in the control circuit 30, for example. It is determined that the number n of RFID circuit elements To is sequentially increased as the amount of print information increases (in correspondence with the increase in RFID label length required for printing).

  When step S107 ends, the process proceeds to step S110. Since the subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG.

  In the above, the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 constitutes a print setting means that allows an operator to set characters, symbols, and the like to be printed by the printing means according to the claims, and is executed by the control circuit 30 in FIG. Step S107 constitutes a number determining means for determining the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label.

  In this modification, when a character or design desired by the operator is set on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, the control circuit 30 should be arranged on one RFID label T according to the setting. The number n of To is determined, and the tag label producing apparatus 2 is controlled so that the n RFID circuit elements To are arranged. As a result, the operator can adjust the number of RFID circuit elements To arranged according to the length of characters to be printed, the size of the pattern, etc., and create the RFID label T with a high degree of freedom, thereby improving convenience. be able to.

  In the above, the arrangement number n of the RFID circuit elements To is switched according to the amount of printing information (printing character length, etc.). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing mode (what font is selected, Japan The arrangement number n of the RFID circuit elements To may be switched according to whether the characters are letters or alphabets, texts or images. In this case as well, an effect that can improve the convenience for the operator is obtained.

(3) When switching by selecting the label length FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 in this modification.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 14, first, in step S105 ″ provided in place of step S105 of the above-described embodiment, the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element To that is input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 The information to be written in 151, the print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 10 corresponding thereto, and the label length of the RFID label T to be created by the operator via the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31. Is read.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to newly provided step S107 ″, and the number n of RFID circuit elements To to be arranged on the RFID label T is determined in accordance with the label length of the RFID label T input in the above step S105 ″. This determination is made with reference to the correlation between the label length of the RFID label T and the number n of RFID circuit elements To stored and held in the control circuit 30 in the form of a table in advance, for example. The number n of RFID tag circuit elements To is determined to increase as the label length increases.

  When step S107 ″ is completed, the process proceeds to step S110. The subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG.

  In the above, the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 constitutes the label length setting means that allows the operator to set the length of the tag label according to each claim, and the steps of the flow shown in FIG. 14 executed by the control circuit 30 S107 ″ constitutes a number determining means for determining the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label.

  In the present modification, when the label length desired by the operator is set on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, the control circuit 30 of the RFID circuit element To to be arranged on one RFID label T is set according to the setting. The number n is determined, and the tag label producing apparatus 2 is controlled so that the n RFID circuit elements To are arranged. As a result, the number of RFID circuit elements To arranged corresponding to the label length desired by the operator can be adjusted, and the RFID label T can be created with a high degree of freedom, so the convenience can be further improved.

(4) When writing different information to a plurality of RFID circuit elements To As such an example, first, it is conceivable that the arrangement number n is switched and controlled according to the amount of information written to the RFID circuit elements To. . FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 in this modification.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 15, in the same manner as the modification of (2) above, first, in step S105 ′, the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To that has been input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is applied. Information to be written and corresponding print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 10 are read via the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S107 ′, and similarly to step S107, the number n of RFID circuit elements To to be arranged on the RFID label T is determined according to the information amount of the write information input in step S105 ′. This determination is made, for example, with reference to the correlation between the amount of information to be written and the number n of RFID circuit elements To that are stored and held in the control circuit 30 in the form of a table in advance. It is determined that the number n of RFID circuit elements To is sequentially increased as the amount of information increases (in correspondence with the restriction on the amount of information that can be written in one RFID circuit element To).

  When step S107 ′ is completed, the process proceeds to newly provided step S108. In step S108, the write information input in step S105 ′ is appropriately set so as to correspond to each RFID circuit element To corresponding to the number n of RFID circuit elements To determined in step S107 ′. Divide into n. The information after the division may be temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM in the control circuit 30.

  After step S108 ends, the process proceeds to step S110. Since the subsequent steps are the same as those in FIGS. 9 and 13, the description thereof is omitted. When the write process is repeated in step S200 by repeating step S120 → step S200 → step S123 → step S120 →..., The respective pieces of division information stored in the RAM are sequentially written into the IC circuit unit 151. To go.

  In the above, step S105 ′ of the flow of FIG. 15 executed by the control circuit 30 is the information amount detecting means for detecting the amount of information written to the IC circuit unit or the amount of information read from the IC circuit unit according to each claim. Step S107 ′ constitutes a number determination means for determining the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label.

  In this modification, when an operator operates and inputs predetermined information to be written to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, one control circuit 30 is provided according to the amount of information. The number n of the RFID circuit elements To to be arranged on the RFID label T is determined, and the tag label producing apparatus 2 is controlled so that the n RFID circuit elements To are arranged. As a result, the number of RFID circuit elements To can be adjusted according to the amount of information that the operator wants to write, and the RFID label T can be created with a high degree of freedom, so that convenience can be improved.

  In addition, as described above, the operator is not limited to inputting one piece of information but dividing it as write information and inputting it to each RFID circuit element To, and the operator inputs a plurality of pieces of information. Then, in response to this, writing may be performed sequentially corresponding to each RFID circuit element To. In this case, for example, a plurality of pieces of write information are input in step S105 of FIG. 9 (the number n of the RFID circuit elements To may be input, or n is not input assuming that the number is the same as the number of write information. However, it is only necessary to sequentially write the plurality of pieces of write information to the RFID circuit element To in step S200.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of using such a RFID label T. In this example, a plurality of materials (A material, B material, C material, D material, E material, F material, G material) and multiple materials (in this example, H material, I material, J material, K material, L material, M material, N material) (Omitted).

  Corresponding to each of these, a RFID label T having seven RFID circuit elements storing information related to A material, B material, C material, D material, E material, F material, and G material is attached on the upper side. On the other hand, on the lower side, there are seven RFID label T having seven RFID circuit elements storing information on H material, I material, J material, K material, L material, M material, and N material. It is affixed. In these cases, seven RFID tag circuit elements To are included in one RFID tag T, and information related to the corresponding material is stored in the IC circuit unit 150 of each RFID circuit element To.

  FIG. 17 shows another example of use. This example is an example in which one RFID label T is pasted as a station name display guide on the wall surface of a subway station. In this example, a RFID label T having two RFID circuit elements To storing information corresponding to the station name “Horita” of the station and the station name “Nagoya” of the next station is affixed.

  In this case, for example, when a passenger equipped with a portable reader terminal holds the terminal in front of the characters “Horita”, communication is performed with the corresponding RFID circuit element To on the left side of the figure, and various information on Horita station is obtained. When the terminal is placed in front of the word “Nagoya”, communication is performed with the corresponding RFID circuit element To on the right side of the figure, and various information such as required time to Nagoya Station and transfer information are read. Displayed on the terminal screen.

(5) Others (A) When a plurality of devices are arranged but only one is used The above uses the function (wireless communication function) for all of the plurality of RFID circuit elements To arranged on one RFID tag T However, this is not a limitation. That is, the tag label producing device 2 side writes information only to the IC circuit portion 151 of some of the RFID tag circuit elements To among the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To of the RFID label T, and the other RFID circuit elements To The function may be invalidated (including the hibernation) (see “Lock” signal described above).

  In this case, information is written to only one of the IC circuit portions 151 of the plurality of RFID circuit elements To and the remainder is invalidated, that is, one IC circuit portion 151 is used even if there are a plurality of IC circuit portions 151. By limiting to the above, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of interference or the like during information transmission / reception.

(B) Mode selection In other words, variations relating to the placement control of the RFID circuit element To as described above are modes in which the operator can select in advance (for example, the “tag number priority mode” corresponding to the above embodiment, the above ( 2) “Print length priority mode” corresponding to the modification, (3) “Label length priority mode” corresponding to the modification, and (4) “Multiple tag mode” “information amount priority mode” corresponding to the modification. (5) (A) “1 tag limited mode” corresponding to the modified example), and before starting the production by the RFID label producing apparatus 2, the mode selection is performed from the terminal 5, the general-purpose computer 6 or the like. You may make it perform.

  Furthermore, from the same viewpoint, “single arrangement mode” in which one RFID circuit element To is arranged in each RFID label T and “multiple arrangement mode” in which a plurality of RFID circuit elements To are arranged in each RFID label T are provided. You may make it select first.

(C) In the case of performing only information reading In the above description, the case of performing information writing in the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the RFID circuit capable of only reading information. You may apply this invention to the production | generation system of the RFID label T provided with the element To. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

(D) In the case where bonding is not performed That is, as in the above-described embodiment, printing is performed on the cover film 103 different from the tag tape (base tape) 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To and these are bonded together. Instead, the present invention may be applied to a tag label producing apparatus that performs printing on a cover film provided on a tag tape. In this case, the RFID tag circuit element To is provided on the tape to be printed, but a thermal tape can also be used as the tape. Also in this case, the same effect as the above embodiment is obtained.

The “Scroll” used above
The “All ID” signal, the “Erase” signal, the “Verify” signal, the “Program” signal, and the like are assumed to conform to the Auto-ID specification established by the 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 apparatus 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 a cartridge. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of a high frequency circuit. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the top view and bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID label It is a cross-sectional view by the VII-VII 'cross section in FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on a terminal or a general purpose computer in accessing wireless tag information. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by a control circuit at the time of preparation of a RFID label. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 in FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing an example which can utilize the RFID label containing a several RFID circuit element. It is a conceptual top view showing the variation of the printing aspect to a radio | wireless tag label. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs in the modification switched according to printing length (printing information amount). It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs in the modification which selects and switches label length. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs in the modification which switches and controls the number of arrangement | positioning according to the amount of information written in the RFID circuit element. It is explanatory drawing showing the actual utilization example of the RFID label which carried out the write-in process of several writing information to several RFID circuit element sequentially. It is explanatory drawing showing the other utilization example of the RFID label which carried out the write-in process of several writing information to several RFID circuit element sequentially.

Explanation of symbols

2 Tag label production device 5 Terminal (number setting means; print setting means; label length setting means)
6 General-purpose computer (number setting means; print setting means; label
Length setting means)
10 Print head (printing means)
12 Pressure roller drive shaft (drive means)
14 Antenna (device side antenna)
15 Cutter (cutting means)
21 High-frequency circuit 22 Signal processing circuit (information access means)
30 Control circuit 32 Transmitter (information access means)
101 Base tape (tag tape)
110 Printed tag label tape 151 IC circuit section 152 Antenna (tag side antenna)
T RFID tag label (tag label)
To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (15)

A device-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information by wireless communication with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged at substantially equal intervals on the tag tape;
Access information to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is generated, transmitted to the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna, and information writing to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element or the IC circuit part Information access means for reading information from,
Drive means for paying out the tag tape;
Cutting the tag tape fed out by the driving means into a predetermined length, and cutting means for generating a tag label provided with the RFID circuit element,
A tag label producing apparatus, wherein a plurality of the RFID circuit elements can be arranged on the one tag label. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
Number determining means for determining the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label;
A number detecting means for detecting a processed number of the information writing or the information reading of the RFID circuit element;
A tag label producing apparatus, comprising: a cutting control unit that controls the cutting unit according to the number of arrangements determined by the number determining unit and the processed number detected by the number detecting unit. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 2,
An apparatus for producing a tag label, comprising: an information access control unit that controls the information access unit according to the arrangement number determined by the number determination unit and the processed number detected by the number detection unit. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising printing means for performing predetermined printing on the tag tape. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A number setting means that allows an operator to set the number of the RFID circuit elements to be arranged on the one tag label;
The number determining means determines the number of RFID tag circuit elements to be arranged on the tag label according to the setting by the operator in the number setting means. The tag label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Having a label length setting means by which an operator can set the length of the tag label;
The number determining means determines the number of RFID tag circuit elements to be arranged on the tag label according to the setting by the operator in the label length setting means. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An information amount detecting means for detecting the amount of information written to the IC circuit unit or the amount of information read from the IC circuit unit;
The number determining means determines the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label according to the information amount detected by the information amount detecting means. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 4,
A print setting unit that allows an operator to set a character or a pattern to be printed by the printing unit;
The tag number producing device, wherein the number determining means determines the number of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on the tag label according to the setting by the operator in the print setting means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 3,
The information access control means writes substantially the same information to the IC circuit portions of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements of the tag label when arranging the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements on one tag label. A tag label producing apparatus for controlling the information access means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 3,
The information access control means, when arranging a plurality of the RFID circuit elements in one tag label, writes different information to the IC circuit portions of the RFID circuit elements of the tag label, respectively. A tag label producing apparatus for controlling an information access means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 3,
When the information access control means arranges a plurality of the RFID tag circuit elements in one tag label, the information access control means is provided in an IC circuit part of some of the RFID tag circuit elements of the tag label. A tag label producing apparatus, wherein the information access means is controlled so as to write information and invalidate a function of another RFID circuit element. A plurality of RFID circuit elements each having an IC circuit unit for storing information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit unit;
A RFID label having a predetermined print corresponding to information stored in the IC circuit unit. The RFID label according to claim 12,
The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein substantially the same information is stored and held in the IC circuit portions of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements. The RFID label according to claim 12,
The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein different information is stored and held in the IC circuit portions of the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements. The RFID label according to claim 12,
The RFID tag label, wherein information is stored and held in an IC circuit portion of a part of the RFID tag circuit elements among the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements, and functions of other RFID tag circuit elements are invalidated. .

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