JP2007128479A - Label issuing device, image acquiring device and label - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the beauty of an article from being damaged when a label including a radio tag is attached to the article. <P>SOLUTION: This label issuing device is provided with a label issuing part 26 for issuing a label including a radio tag, an image acquiring device 10 for reading an image of an area with a label attached of an object, a storing part 23 for storing image data of the area with the label attached, read by the image acquiring device 10, and a printing part 27 for printing the image data stored by the storing part 23 on a face opposite from an attachment face of the label issued by the label issuing part 26 to the object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention has, for example, a non-contact information medium called a wireless tag or RFID, a tag used by being attached to an object, a tag issuing device for issuing the tag, and a tag issuing device. The present invention relates to an image acquisition apparatus.

  In recent years, a non-contact information medium is provided on an article such as a product, and a reading device capable of reading the information on the non-contact information medium in a non-contact manner is provided. Based on the information on the non-contact information medium read by the reading device. A system for managing goods has been developed. A non-contact information medium is a small object that includes a memory storing an ID, which is a unique identifier, and an antenna, and can read and write information to and from the memory by non-contact from the outside. It is called. As a method of attaching this type of non-contact information medium to an article, a technique of generating a tag (label) in which the non-contact information medium is embedded and attaching the tag to the target article is common.

Therefore, conventionally, a tag issuer comprising means for printing information on the surface of a label paper embedded with a non-contact information medium, and means for communicating with the non-contact information medium provided on the label paper and writing information in a non-contact manner. An apparatus has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-140548 A

  By the way, the size of the tag in which the non-contact information medium is embedded cannot be made smaller than the size of the built-in non-contact information medium. On the other hand, the size of the non-contact information medium can be equated with the size of the antenna of the medium. The size of the antenna is restricted by the communication distance required for the use of the non-contact information medium and the wavelength of the radio wave used for wireless communication. For this reason, when there is no information to be printed on the surface of a tag embedded with a non-contact information medium or when there is little information, a large margin will remain with respect to the surface area, and as shown in FIG. When 1 is attached to the article 2, the beauty of the article 2 is greatly impaired. In FIG. 15, reference numeral 3 indicates a non-contact information medium antenna (loop coil antenna) built in the card 1, and reference numeral 4 indicates an IC chip of the non-contact information medium. The IC chip 4 is mounted with a non-volatile memory that stores an ID that is a unique identifier.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent a deterioration of the aesthetics of the article when it is attached to the article with a non-contact information medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tag that can be used, an issuing device for the tag, and an image acquisition device used for the tag issuing device.

  The tag issuing device of the present invention includes a memory and an antenna that store a unique identifier, has a non-contact information medium that can read and write information from / to the memory in a non-contact manner from the outside, and is attached to an object A tag issuing means for issuing a tag to be used, an image reading means for reading an image of a tag sticking area of an object, an image storage means for storing image data of a tag sticking area read by the image reading means, Image printing means for printing the image data stored by the image storage means on a surface opposite to the surface of the tag issued by the tag issuing means on the opposite side of the tag.

  By taking such a measure, a tag with a non-contact information medium is issued in which an image having the same pattern as the tag affixing area of the object is printed on the surface opposite to the affixing surface to the object.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is a tag which has a non-contact information medium, and can provide the tag which can prevent that the beauty | look of the goods deteriorates when it attaches to an article.
Further, it is possible to provide a tag issuing device that can easily issue this type of tag and an image acquisition device used in the tag issuing device.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a tag for issuing a label-type tag 1 in which a non-contact information medium (hereinafter referred to as a wireless tag) composed of a loop coil antenna 3 and an IC chip 4 is embedded. A case where the present invention is applied to an issuing system will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a bill issuing system according to the present embodiment. This bill issuing system is composed of an image acquisition device 10 and a bill issuing device 20. The image acquisition device 10 and the tag issuing device 20 are electrically connected via a wired or wireless communication line.

  The image acquisition device 10 includes a main body 11, a trigger switch 12 attached to the main body 11, and a marking device 13 that is also attached to the main body 11. The main body 11 is provided with a control unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a marking drive unit 16, a transmission unit 17, a notification unit 18, and the like.

  The control unit 14 controls each of the image reading unit 15, the marking driving unit 16, the transmission unit 17, and the notification unit 18 in response to the trigger signal input from the trigger switch 12, and is configured mainly with a CPU. Has been. The image reading unit 15 shoots the tag pasting area of the object 2 to which the tag 1 is pasted and takes in the image data, and is configured by a CCD camera, for example. The marking drive unit 16 causes the marking device 13 to perform a marking operation, and by this marking operation, a predetermined mark is attached to the tag pasting region of the article 2 that is the subject to which the tag 1 is pasted. The transmission unit 17 transmits the image data read by the image reading unit 15 to the tag issuing device 20. The notification unit 18 notifies the operator of completion of image reading, an image reading error, and the like using light, sound, or other notification means.

  A configuration example of the image acquisition apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a top view of the image acquisition device 10, FIG. 3 is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view. The main body 11 of the image acquisition device 10 is formed by a grip portion 111 and a head portion 112 attached to the tip thereof. The trigger switch 12 is provided on the bottom surface of the grip portion 111.

  The marking device 13 includes a pair of marking plates 131 and 132 attached to both side surfaces of the head portion 112, and a rotation mechanism (not shown) of the marking plates 131 and 132. Both marking plates 131 and 132 are fan-shaped, and the axis 133 is centered between the default position shown in FIG. 5A and the marking position shown in FIG. Reciprocate at the same time. End portions on the rotation direction side from the default position to the marking position on the circular arc surfaces of both marking plates 131 and 132 are notched flat, and rectangular marking surfaces 134 and 135 are formed. For example, stamping ink is applied to both marking surfaces 134 and 135. A colored adhesive may be used instead of ink. Further, the shape of the marking surfaces 134 and 135 is not limited to a rectangular shape.

  The bottom surface of the head portion 112 is divided into a flat surface 112a on the end side to which the grip portion 111 is attached and a flat surface 112b on the tip side that is the opposite side. The tip side flat surface 112b is recessed from the end side flat surface 112a, and a vertical stepped portion 112c is formed therebetween. A light receiving lens 151 of the image reading unit 15 is provided substantially at the center of the front end side flat surface 112b. Further, a cover member 113 is attached to the head portion 112 so as to sandwich the tip side flat surface 112b from both sides. The bottom surfaces 113a and 113b of the triangular members that form both side surfaces of the cover member 113 are flat and are flush with the distal flat surface 112a of the head portion 112.

  Returning to FIG. The tag issuing device 20 includes a control unit 21 mainly composed of a CPU, a receiving unit 22, a storage unit 23, a code reading unit 24, an image processing unit 25, a tag issuing unit 26, a printing unit 27, and the like. Yes. Further, an article database 28 and a history database 29 are connected to the control unit 21. A wireless tag reader / writer 30 is also mounted and connected to the control unit 21.

  The reception unit 22 receives the image data transmitted from the transmission unit 17 of the image acquisition device 10 and outputs it to the storage unit 23. The storage unit 23 temporarily stores the image data output from the receiving unit 22, and is configured by a RAM, for example.

  The code reading unit 24 recognizes an optically readable code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code and its standard from the image data stored in the storage unit 23, and reads a code value. Also, the presence area of the optically readable code is specified. That is, since the code reading unit 24 reads the code from the image data, the coordinates at which the code in the image data is acquired can be specified. By searching for the color around the coordinates, the color used in the optically readable code can also be specified. In each code standard, the shape of the base color and the minimum size are specified. Therefore, the minimum necessary area as the code existence area is calculated from the coordinates where the code in the image data is acquired, and is set as the code existence area. For example, in the Japanese unified product code JAN standard, the minimum thickness of one black bar is called one module. The two black bars at the left end and the two black bars at the right end have the thickness of one module, and the bar code is specified to have a margin of 11 modules on the left and 7 modules on the right. The vertical width of the black bar is specified as about 31 modules or more. Therefore, when the barcode is a JAN standard barcode, the size of one module is known from the thickness of the black bar at the end. Then, a length of 11 modules on the left and 7 modules on the right of the area where the black bar exists is defined as a horizontal width, and a rectangular area having a vertical length of the black bar is defined as a code existing area. The coordinates of the upper left point, the upper right point, the lower left point, and the lower right point of the code existence area may be used as the code existence area value.

  The image processing unit 25 generates print image data from the image data stored in the storage unit 23 and outputs the print image data to the printing unit 27. The tag issuing unit 26 issues one label-type tag 1 in which a wireless tag including the loop coil antenna 3 and the IC chip 4 is embedded one by one. The label 1 may be issued by cutting continuous label sheets one by one, or by feeding out the single label sheets stacked on the stocker one by one. The printing unit 27 prints print image data on the surface of the tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26 (the surface opposite to the surface attached to the object 2). For example, a thermal type or ink jet type color is used. A printer is used.

  In the article database 28, data such as names related to the articles are stored in association with the code values of the optically readable codes attached to at least some of the articles 2. In the history database 29, image data and the like of the article 2 to which the tag 1 is attached are stored in association with the ID that is the identifier of the wireless tag embedded in the tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26. The article database 28 and the history database 29 may be formed on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device built in or externally attached to the tag issuing device 20, or of a computer connected via a communication line. You may form on a memory | storage device.

  The reader / writer 30 communicates with the wireless tag embedded in the tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26 in a contactless manner, reads data such as an ID stored in the memory of the tag, Data is written to the memory.

  When issuing a tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag to be attached to an arbitrary article 2 using the tag issuing system having such a configuration, the operator has the grip portion 111 of the image acquisition device 10 and the head portion 112 is a tag pasting target. Press against the desired tag pasting area of the article 2. As a result, the terminal-side flat surface 112a of the head portion 112 and the bottom surfaces 113a and 113b of the cover member 113 come into contact with the surface of the article 2, and a tag pasting area is formed between the light receiving lens 151 of the image reading section 15 and the article 2. The shooting space including it is secured. Therefore, the operator turns on the trigger switch 12 of the image acquisition device 10. If it does so, the control part 14 of the image acquisition apparatus 10 will control each part in the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, when detecting that the trigger switch 12 is turned on as ST (step) 1, the control unit 14 gives an activation command to the image reading unit 15 as ST 2. As a result, the image reading unit 15 performs a photographing operation. Then, the surface image of the article 2 in the photographing space received by the light receiving lens 151, that is, the image data of the tag pasting area is captured. Therefore, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the captured image data is normally captured by the image reading unit 15 in ST3. Here, for example, when the image reading unit 15 does not operate normally and image reading fails, the control unit 14 notifies an image reading error via the notification unit 18 and ends the current control. .

  When the image reading unit 15 has successfully captured the image data of the tag pasting area of the article 2, the control unit 14 gives an activation command to the marking driving unit 16 as ST4. Thereby, the marking drive part 16 operates, the rotation mechanism of the marking device 13 acts, and the pair of marking plates 131 and 132 rotate from the default position to the marking position. When the marking plates 131 and 132 are rotated to the marking position, the marking surfaces 134 and 135 at the leading ends in the rotation direction come into contact with the surface of the article 2. Thereby, a pair of rectangular marks are given in the tag pasting area of the article 2. Note that the shape of the mark applied in the tag pasting area of the article 2 may be a triangular (Δ) shape with the bottom facing downward so that the vertical direction of shooting is clear.

  The marking device 13 acts to return the marking plates 131 and 132 from the marking position to the default position when a sufficient time has elapsed for marking. Therefore, when the marking plates 131 and 132 are returned to the default positions in ST5 and the end of marking is detected, the control unit 14 gives an activation command to the transmission unit 17 in ST7. Thereby, in the transmission unit 17, the image data in the tag pasting area read by the image reading unit 15 is transmitted to the tag issuing device 20 using wired or wireless.

  Then, the control part 14 operates the alerting | reporting part 18 as ST7, and alert | reports completion of image reading. When the operator confirms that the completion of image reading has been notified, the operator may move the image acquisition device 10 away from the article 2.

  Here, the image reading unit 15 constitutes an image reading unit that reads an image of the tag pasting area of the article 2 as the tag pasting target. Moreover, the marking drive part 16 and the marking apparatus 13 comprise the marking means which attaches the mark which shows a tag sticking position to the tag sticking area | region of the article 2 which is the same object.

  The image data in the tag pasting area transmitted from the image acquisition device 10 is received by the receiving unit 22 of the tag issuing device 20 and stored in the storage unit 23. Then, the control unit 21 of the tag issuing device 20 controls each unit according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  That is, when confirming that the received image data is stored in the storage unit 23 as ST11, the control unit 21 instructs the code reading unit 24 to search for an optically readable code as ST12. As a result, the code reading unit 24 searches the received image data stored in the storage unit 23 for an optically readable code such as a barcode. If the code cannot be detected, a null value is returned to the control unit 21. If the code can be detected, the code value and the code standard information are returned to the control unit 21 together with the information of the code existence area.

  Therefore, when a null value is returned from the code reading unit 24 in ST13, the control unit 21 determines that there is no optically readable code in the tag pasting area of the article 2, so that the control unit 21 sends the image processing unit 25 to ST14. Command print image output. As a result, the image processing unit 25 takes in the received image data stored in the storage unit 23 as print image data. Then, this print image data is given to the control unit 21.

  Next, the control unit 21 controls the reader / writer 30 in ST15 to read the ID held by the wireless tag embedded in the first tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26. Further, if there is a margin in the capacity of the wireless tag memory embedded in the tag 1, the print image data received from the image processing unit 25 is additionally written in the wireless tag memory. In ST16, the ID is associated with the print image data received from the image processing unit 25 and stored in the history database 29.

  Next, the control unit 21 instructs the image processing unit 25 to add a tag presence mark in ST17. As a result, the image processing unit 25 adds the print image data of the tag presence mark prepared in advance to a predetermined position of the print image data at the current time, and becomes new print image data.

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 instructs the printing unit 27 to perform printing in ST18. In ST19, the card issuing unit 26 is instructed to issue a card. As a result, the printing unit 27 prints the image of the print image data generated by the image processing unit 25 on the surface of the single bill 1 issued from the bill issuing unit 26 at the head. After printing, the tag 1 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the action of the tag issuing unit 26 and issued as a tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag attached to the article 2.

  On the other hand, in ST13, when the code reading unit 24 returns information on the standard and code value of the optically readable code and information on the code existence area, an optical reading of a barcode or the like is possible in the tag pasting area of the article 2. Since there is a code, the control unit 21 instructs the image processing unit 25 to fill the code existing area of the print image with a predetermined background color in ST20. As a result, the image processing unit 25 takes in the received image data stored in the storage unit 23 as print image data. The portion of the code existence area in the print image data is filled with the background color. In this embodiment, the background color is the color of the printing surface of the tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26 (the surface opposite to the surface to be attached to the object).

  Next, in step ST21, the control unit 21 encodes an optically readable code from the code value and information of the code standard, and constructs image data of the encoded optically readable code. In ST22, the image processing unit 25 is instructed to add the image data of the optically readable code to the code existing area. As a result, the image processing unit 25 adds the image data of the optically readable code to the code existing area filled in the background color. Then, the print image data to which the image data of the optically readable code is added is given to the control unit 21. The bar color of the optically readable code is black in this embodiment.

  Next, the control unit 21 searches the article database 28 as ST23, and acquires data stored in association with the code value of the optically readable code. In ST24, the reader / writer 30 is controlled to read the ID held by the wireless tag embedded in the first tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26. In ST25, the ID and the print image data received from the image processing unit 25 are associated with each other and written and stored in the history database 29. In ST26, the reader / writer 30 is further controlled to write the data acquired from the article database 28 together with the code value of the optically readable code into the memory of the wireless tag embedded in the tag 1. In addition, if there is sufficient capacity in the memory of the wireless tag embedded in the tag 1, the print image data received from the image processing unit 25 is additionally written in the memory of the wireless tag. The code value of the optically readable code and the data acquired from the article database 28 may be stored in association with the print image data corresponding to the history database 29 as well as being written in the memory of the wireless tag.

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 instructs the printing unit 27 to perform printing in ST27. In ST28, the card issuing unit 26 is instructed to issue a card. As a result, the printing unit 27 prints the image of the print image data generated by the image processing unit 25 on the surface of the single bill 1 issued from the bill issuing unit 26 at the head. Then, after printing, it is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the action of the tag issuing unit 26 and issued as a tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag attached to the article 2.

  Here, the tag issuing unit 26 includes a memory and an antenna that store a unique identifier (ID), and has a wireless tag that can read and write information to and from the memory without contact from the outside. A bill issuing means for issuing a tag 1 to be used by pasting is configured. The storage unit 23 constitutes image storage means for storing image data of the tag pasting area read by the image reading means. The printing unit 27 constitutes an image printing unit that prints the image data stored by the image storage unit on the surface opposite to the surface of the tag issued by the tag issuing unit.

  Further, the reader / writer 30 constitutes medium information reading means for reading the identifier (ID) in a non-contact manner from the memory of the wireless tag of the tag 1 issued by the tag issuing means, and medium information writing means for writing data. To do. The history database 29 includes tag information storage means for storing an identifier (ID) read from the RFID tag memory of the tag 1 by the medium information reading means and image data printed on the tag 1 by the image printing means in association with each other. Constitute.

  The code reading unit 24 constitutes code searching means for searching for an optically readable code from the image data stored in the image storage means, and code reading means for reading the code value when an optically readable code is found. The control unit 21 constitutes code image generation means for generating an image of an optically readable code from the code value read by the code reading means by the process of ST21. The image processing unit 25 constitutes an image processing unit that synthesizes an image of the optically readable code generated by the code image generation unit with the image data stored by the image storage unit. In the process of ST21, the control unit 21 notifies the image processing unit 25 of the code value and the code standard, and the image processing unit 25 generates an image of an optically readable code based on the code value and the code standard. You may comprise so that it may have a code image generation means.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a case is assumed in which a tag 1 is pasted on a region 5 surrounded by a broken line of an article 2 on which a V-shaped pattern is formed. In this case, the operator presses the head portion 112 of the image acquisition device 10 against the region 5 of the article 2 and turns on the trigger switch 12. Then, the image reading unit 15 of the image acquisition device 10 reads the image in the area 5 and transmits this image data to the tag issuing device 20. Further, the marking device 13 of the image acquisition device 10 operates, and a pair of rectangular marks 6a and 6b are marked in the region 5 as illustrated.

  In the tag issuing device 20, since there is no optically readable code in the image data, a tag presence mark is added to the image data. The image data to which the tag presence mark is added is printed on the surface of the tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag, and a tag 1 having a pattern as shown in FIG. 9 is issued. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 9 denotes a tag presence mark. Therefore, the operator attaches the tag 1 to the article 2 with the image printing surface as the front. At this time, the label 1 is pasted so that the left and right lower ends of the tag 1 overlap the marks 6a and 6b.

  A state when the tag 1 is attached to the article 2 is shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 15 shows a state where the conventional bill 1 having many blanks is pasted to the same position of the same article 2. As is clear from the comparison between the two figures, in the conventional example, a part of the V-shaped pattern is hidden by sticking the tag 1 to the article 2 and the aesthetic appearance is impaired. Since the character pattern is reproduced, it does not detract from the beauty.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a barcode 7 that is an optically readable code is printed in the tag pasting area 5 of the article 2. Also in this case, the operator presses the head portion 112 of the image acquisition device 10 against the region 5 of the article 2 and turns on the trigger switch 12. Then, an image including the barcode 7 in the area 5 is read by the image reading unit 15 of the image acquisition device 10, and this image data is transmitted to the tag issuing device 20. Further, the marking device 13 of the image acquisition device 10 operates, and a pair of rectangular marks 6a and 6b are marked in the region 5 as illustrated.

  In the tag issuing device 20, since an optically readable code is present in the image data, the area where the barcode 7 is present in the image data is filled with the color of the printing surface of the tag 1. Further, an image of the barcode 8 having the same information as the information that the barcode 7 has is newly constructed and overwritten on the painted portion. Then, the image data in which the image of the barcode 8 is overwritten is printed on the surface of the tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag, and the tag 1 having a pattern as shown in FIG. 12 is issued. Therefore, the operator attaches the tag 1 to the article 2 with the image printing surface as the front. At this time, the label 1 is pasted so that the left and right lower ends of the tag 1 overlap the marks 6a and 6b.

  FIG. 13 shows a state when the tag 1 is attached to the article 2. As shown in the figure, even if the tag 1 is pasted on the barcode 7 printed in advance on the article 2, the barcode 8 having the same information as the barcode 7 information is reproduced on the surface of the article 2. Therefore, it does not hinder information processing such as product registration using a barcode.

  Incidentally, an optically readable code such as a bar code generally uses two types of colors, and expresses a difference in a numerical value (code value) indicated by each code by a difference in color arrangement. When an optically readable code is photographed, the optically readable code of the photographed image has colors other than the two colors used for displaying the code (due to the influence of the photographing environment such as illumination and the number of pixels of the light receiving element of the photographing device) For example, two intermediate colors) are mixed. Also, when one of the two colors of the optically readable code is dark green, when printing the optically readable code with a color printer having four colors of red, blue, yellow and black, dark green Is printed by multiplying the four colors of ink, the printed optically readable code is interspersed with four colors of ink. Due to the factors described above, when the printed image acquisition area includes an optically readable code, when the tag 1 is issued in the same process as when the optically readable code is not included, the optically readable information printed on the surface of the tag 1 can be obtained. There is a high possibility that the code will be poorly read. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the code print area of the print image is distinguished from the other print image areas, and the color of the code print area is determined by selecting two types of ink colors used in the printing unit. When one of the two colors in the code printing area is used as the color of the surface of the tag 1, one type of ink may be selected for use in the code printing area.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag in which the same image as the pattern formed in the tag pasting area 5 of the article 2 is printed on the surface opposite to the pasting surface can be easily obtained. Therefore, when the tag 1 is affixed to the article 2, the aesthetic appearance of the article 2 is not impaired.

  Even when an optically readable code such as a barcode is present in the tag pasting area 5 of the article 2, the optically readable code is not lost by sticking the tag 1 to the article 2, so that the optically readable code is not lost. There will be no hindrance to the work using. In addition, the optically readable code of the read image data is not printed on the tag 1 as it is, but the code value and the code standard are read from the image data, and the image data of the optically readable code is reconstructed and printed on the tag 1. Since it did in this way, the reading precision of an optically readable code does not deteriorate from the present condition.

  Further, since the marks 6a and 6b as marks are automatically given to the tag pasting area 5 of the article 2, the tag 1 can be easily pasted into the desired pasting area 5. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the article 2 from being damaged because the tag 1 is bent and pasted to the pasting area.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the image data printed on the surface of the tag 1 is stored in the history database 29 in association with the ID that is the identifier of the wireless tag that the tag 1 has. Therefore, for example, even when the surface of the tag 1 attached to the article 2 is dirty, there is an advantage that the tag 1 on which the same image is printed can be easily reissued. Further, when the print image data is written in the memory of the wireless tag, even if the tag issuing device is not connected to the history database 29, the print information data written in the memory of the wireless tag is read by the medium information reading means. Thus, the tag 1 on which the same image is printed can be easily reissued.

(Second Embodiment)
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as embodiment mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the code reading unit 24, the image processing unit 25, the article database 28, and the history database 29 are eliminated as a tag issuing device, and instead connected to the control unit 211, the storage unit 23 receives image data stored in the control unit 211 from the control unit 211, transmits the image data to an externally connected computer via a communication line, and receives image data from the computer via a communication line. A bill issuing device 201 having a data input / output unit 31 to be sent to the control unit 211 is used.

  In this embodiment, a computer having externally connected functions corresponding to a code reading unit and an image processing unit is provided, and a computer is provided with a storage unit corresponding to an article database and a history database. That is, the control unit 21 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 23 to an external computer via the data input / output unit 31. The control unit 21 controls the reader / writer 30 to read the ID held by the wireless tag embedded in the top tag 1 issued from the tag issuing unit 26. Then, the read ID is transmitted to an external computer via the data input / output unit 31.

When the external computer receives the image data from the tag issuing device 201, the external computer searches the image data for the presence or absence of the optically readable code, and if there is, obtains information on the code existence area, its code value, and information on the code standard. Then, the print image data having the optically readable code is edited from the received image data and the information on the code existence area, the code value and the code standard information, and the data input / output unit 31 is connected to the control unit 211 of the tag issuing device 201. To send via.
If there is no optically readable code, the computer edits the print image data from the received image data and transmits it to the control unit 211 of the tag issuing device 201 via the data input / output unit 31.

When receiving the print image data from the computer, the control unit 211 of the tag issuing device 201 instructs the printing unit 27 to perform printing, and instructs the tag issuing unit 26 to issue a tag. In this way, the tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag attached to the article 2 is issued.
Further, the external computer receives the ID of the wireless tag from the tag issuing device 201 and associates this ID with the edited print image data and stores it in a storage unit corresponding to a history database.

As described above, even if the functions corresponding to the code reading unit and the image processing unit are provided in the external computer and the print image data is edited on the external computer side, the same effect can be obtained. That is, the tag 1 with a built-in wireless tag in which the same image as the pattern formed in the tag pasting area 5 of the article 2 is printed on the surface opposite to the pasting surface can be easily issued. Therefore, when the tag 1 is attached to the article 2, the aesthetic appearance of the article 2 is not impaired. Further, it is possible to cope with a case where an optically readable code such as a barcode exists in the tag pasting area 5 of the article 2. Moreover, instead of printing the optically readable code of the read image data as it is on the tag 1, the code value and the code standard can be read from the image data, and the image data of the optically readable code can be reconstructed and printed on the tag 1. .
The article database and the history database may be provided in the tag issuing device.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tag issuing system in which the image acquisition device 10 and the tag issuing devices 20 and 201 are separated from each other. However, the tag issuing devices 20 and 201 function as the image acquisition device 10. It is also possible to configure the present invention with a single bill issuing device by incorporating the above.

  In each of the above embodiments, when an image of a tag pasting area not including an optically readable code is acquired, image data of a tag presence mark is added to the image data to obtain print image data. Even when the image of the tag pasting area including the possible code is acquired, the image data of the tag presence mark may be added to the image data to obtain the print image data. Further, whether or not to add image data of the tag presence mark may be arbitrarily selected as an option item.

  In each of the above embodiments, the optical readable code is reconstructed from the code value and the code standard recognized from the image data when the image data including the optical readable code is acquired. The code value can be arbitrarily changed by the user, and the optically readable code is reconstructed from the code value and code standard instructed to be changed, and the image data in the tag pasting area is overwritten. Good.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the respective embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine the component covering each embodiment.

The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the tag issue system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view of the image acquisition apparatus in the same tag issue system. The side view of the image acquisition apparatus in the same tag issue system. The bottom view of the image acquisition apparatus in the same tag issue system. The figure which shows the operation state of the marking apparatus with which the image acquisition apparatus of the tag issuing system is provided. The flowchart which shows the main control procedures of the control part with which the image acquisition apparatus of the tag issue system is provided. The flowchart which shows the main control procedures of the control part with which the tag issuing apparatus of the same tag issuing system is provided. The schematic diagram of the articles | goods used in a 1st Example. The schematic diagram of the tag issued in the 1st Example. The state figure of goods when a tag is stuck in the 1st Example. The schematic diagram of the articles | goods used in a 2nd Example. The schematic diagram of the tag issued in the 2nd Example. The state figure of goods when a tag is stuck in the 1st Example. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the tag issue system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. The state figure of articles | goods when a tag is affixed in the prior art example corresponded to a 1st Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tag, 2 ... Goods, 3 ... Antenna, 4 ... IC chip, 5 ... Tag sticking area | region, 6a, 6b ... Mark, 10 ... Image acquisition apparatus, 13 ... Marking apparatus, 14 ... Control part, 15 ... Image reading part 20, 201 ... tag issuing device, 21, 211 ... control unit, 23 ... storage unit, 24 ... code reading unit, 25 ... image processing unit, 26 ... tag issuing unit, 27 ... printing unit, 28 ... article database, 29 ... history database, 30 ... wireless tag reader / writer.

Claims (12)

It has a memory and antenna that store a unique identifier, and has a non-contact information medium that can read and write information to the memory from the outside in a non-contact manner. Bill issuing means to
Image reading means for reading an image of the tag pasting area of the object;
Image storage means for storing image data of the tag pasting area read by the image reading means;
Image printing means for printing the image data stored by the image storage means on a surface opposite to the surface of the tag issued by the tag issuing means on the opposite side to the object;
A bill issuing device comprising: Medium information reading means for reading the identifier in a non-contact manner from a memory of a non-contact information medium included in a tag issued by the tag issuing means;
A tag information storage unit that stores the identifier read from the memory of the non-contact information medium included in the tag by the medium information reading unit and the image data printed on the tag by the image printing unit in association with each other;
The bill issuing device according to claim 1, further comprising:   A medium information writing unit for writing image data printed on the tag by the image printing unit to a memory of a non-contact information medium included in the tag issued by the tag issuing unit. Item 1. A bill issuing device according to item 1 or 2. Code search means for searching for an optically readable code from the image data stored by the image storage means;
A code reading means for reading the code value when the optical readable code is found by the code searching means;
Code image generating means for generating an image of the optically readable code from the code value read by the code reading means;
Image processing means for combining an image of the optically readable code generated by the code image generation means with the image data stored by the image storage means;
The image printing unit prints the image data processed by the image processing unit on a surface opposite to a surface of the tag issued by the tag issuing unit, which is affixed to the object. A bill issuing device according to 1. It has a memory and antenna that store a unique identifier, and has a non-contact information medium that can read and write information to the memory from the outside in a non-contact manner. Bill issuing means to
Image reading means for reading an image of the tag pasting area of the object;
Image storage means for storing image data of the tag pasting area read by the image reading means;
Data input / output means for outputting image data stored in the image storage means to the outside and inputting image data from the outside;
Image printing means for printing the image data input by the data input / output means on the surface opposite to the surface of the tag issued by the tag issuing means on the opposite side of the object;
A bill issuing device comprising:   6. The tag issue according to claim 1, wherein the image printing unit prints image data with a mark indicating that the non-contact information medium is provided on the image read by the image reading unit. apparatus. Marking means for attaching a mark indicating a tag application position to the tag application area of the object;
The bill issuing device according to claim 1 or 5, further comprising:   8. The bill issuing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the marking means places a mark in the reading area in conjunction with an image reading operation by the image reading means. An image of a tag pasting area of an object to be pasted with a tag having a non-contact information medium capable of reading and writing information to and from the memory in a non-contact manner from outside is provided with a memory storing a unique identifier and an antenna. Image reading means;
Marking means for attaching a mark indicating a tag sticking position of the tag issued by the tag issuing device to the tag sticking area of the object;
Transmitting means for transmitting image data read by the image reading means;
An image acquisition apparatus comprising:   The image acquisition apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the marking unit adds a mark in a reading area in conjunction with an image reading operation by the image reading unit. It is a tag that has a memory and antenna that store a unique identifier, has a non-contact information medium that can read and write information to and from the memory without contact, and is attached to an object. And
A tag characterized in that image data read by an image reading means for reading an image of a tag affixing area of the object is printed on a surface opposite to the affixing surface to the object.   12. The mark indicating that the non-contact information medium is included together with the image data read by the image reading means is printed on a surface opposite to the surface to be attached to the object. Bill.

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