JP2007328540A - Tag label formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use a part with no tag printed thereon in accordance with a transmitting and receiving content, as a blank. <P>SOLUTION: The tag label formation device 1 for forming a wireless tag label T using a tag label tape 109 having an adhesive layer 101c, a release paper 101d and a wireless tag circuit element To comprises a tape feeding roller 27, a loop antenna LC transmitting and receiving information, and a printing head 23. A control circuit 110 cooperatively controls the printing head 23 and the tape feed roller 27 to print a tag in accordance with the transmitting and receiving content by the loop antenna LC in a tag printing area S provided in a position corresponding to the wireless tag circuit element To of a cover film 103, and print a predetermined pattern in a printing area S1 located closer to the tape tip side than the tag printing area S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing device for producing a RFID label having a RFID circuit element capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the outside via wireless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art A label producing apparatus that stores a label medium roll, in which a print medium is wound in a roll shape, is stored in a cartridge, prints out a print medium from the label medium roll, and discharges the print medium in a label form. It has been. In this label producing apparatus, predetermined printing is performed on a printing medium while the printing medium is fed from a label medium roll, and a label is produced by bonding the printing medium after printing and the medium to be bonded thereto. .

  On the other hand, there is known an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that transmits and receives information in a non-contact manner (an electromagnetic coupling method using a coil, an electromagnetic induction method, a radio wave method, etc.) to a RFID circuit element that stores information. .

  Conventionally, a tag label producing apparatus for producing a RFID label in which the RFID circuit element is inserted into the label has already been proposed. As this tag label producing apparatus, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this prior art, a strip-shaped tag tape (base tape) in which RFID circuit elements each having an IC circuit portion and a tag side antenna (antenna portion) are arranged at a predetermined interval is a tag tape roll (first roll). On the other hand, tag printing (printing information) corresponding to the information transmission / reception contents described later is printed by the printing means (thermal head) on the printing tape (cover film) fed from the printing tape roll (second roll). . Then, after the printed tape to be printed and the tag tape are bonded together to form a tag label tape, predetermined information (wireless tag information) corresponding to the tag printing is applied to the IC circuit unit by the device side antenna. Are sent and received. After that, the tag label tape that has been printed and transmitted and received in this manner is cut to a predetermined length by a cutting means (cutter) (on the rear end side of the label), thereby completing the RFID label.

JP 2005-141407 A

  In the above prior art, as described above, tag printing by the printing means, information transmission / reception by the antenna on the device side, and cutting of the label label tape on the label label end side by the cutter are performed in this order, so the printing means → cutting along the tape transport direction. It is arranged in the order of means → device side antenna. For this reason, when the preparation of the preceding RFID label is completed and the trailing edge is cut by the cutter, the leading edge of the succeeding RFID label positioned at the cutting portion has already passed the position of the printing means. For this reason, even if the production of the subsequent RFID label is started and tag printing corresponding to the transmission / reception contents is started, at least the portion from the cutting site to the printing start position is a non-printing section (blank area), and printing is performed. As a part, it was not effectively used and wasted.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tag label producing apparatus that can effectively utilize a portion other than a region where tag printing corresponding to transmission / reception contents is used as a blank space.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention includes a print medium layer, an adhesive layer for applying the print medium layer to an object to be applied, and an adhesive layer for applying the adhesive layer. A tag label producing device for producing a RFID label using a tag label tape having a peeling material layer to cover, an RFID circuit element having an IC circuit unit for storing information and an antenna for transmitting and receiving information, A conveying means for conveying the tag label tape; a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting and receiving information in a non-contact manner between the RFID circuit elements; and a printing means for performing predetermined printing on the printing medium layer. , Tag printing corresponding to the transmission / reception contents by the transmission / reception means is performed in a first printing area provided at a position corresponding to the RFID circuit element in the print medium layer, and the front of the print medium layer Second to perform a predetermined pattern printed on the printing area located on the tape front end side of the first print area, characterized by a control means for controlling in cooperation with the printing means and said transport means.

  Tag printing corresponding to the contents of transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element of the transmission / reception means is performed by the printing means on the first printing area of the printing medium layer, and this printing medium layer and this are pasted to the object to be pasted A tag label tape having a laminated structure including a three-layered adhesive layer for attaching and a release material layer covering the same and a RFID circuit element is conveyed by a conveying means, and a RFID label is formed using the tag label tape. Created. At this time, in the first invention of the present application, the control means controls the conveyance means and the printing means in a coordinated manner, thereby providing a second printing area on the tape leading end side in addition to the first printing area for performing the tag printing, 2 A predetermined pattern is printed in the print area. As a result, portions other than the first print area where tag printing corresponding to transmission / reception contents is performed can be effectively used as a blank without wasting it, and can be used for various purposes.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, a second layer for cutting a layer other than the release material layer of the tag label tape between the first print area and the second print area of the tag label tape. One half cutting means is provided.

  The RFID label produced by the first half-cutting means leaving the release material layer and cutting the other layers between the first print area and the second print area located on the tape front side. When the user peels off the other layer (label main body) from the release material layer so that the user can stick it to the object to be attached, it can be easily peeled off with the fingertip. In addition, since the first print area becomes the label body side due to the peeling when using the label, the second print area remains on the tape side, so it is not necessary to print and paste on the label body side. Thus, additional information that should be present can be used by pattern printing in the second print area, and in this sense, efficient use without waste is possible.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the control unit is configured to provide a predetermined print area in a third print area located on the opposite side of the first print area from the first print area. The printing unit and the transport unit are controlled in cooperation so as to perform pattern printing.

  When the tag printing corresponding to the transmission / reception contents by the transmission / reception means is relatively short, a margin may be generated on the side opposite to the second printing area (the tape rear end side) from the first printing area in the tag label tape. In the third invention of the present application, the control unit controls the conveyance unit and the printing unit in a coordinated manner, thereby providing a third printing area on the tape rear end side of the first printing area so as to perform a predetermined pattern printing. As a result, this area can be effectively utilized without being wasted as a blank space, and can be used for various purposes.

  In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the control means links the printing means and the conveying means so as to print different print patterns in the second print area and the third print area. It is characterized by controlling.

  By making it possible to print two different print patterns in the second print area and the third print area, the range of effective utilization can be further expanded and convenience can be improved.

  5th invention cut | disconnects layers other than the said peeling material layer of the said tag label tape in the said 3rd or 4th invention between the said 1st printing area | region of the said tag label tape and the said 3rd printing area | region. It has the 2nd half cutting means for this, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The second half-cutting means leaves the release material layer and cuts the other layers between the first printing area and the third printing area located on the rear end side of the tape. When the user peels off the other layer (label body) from the release material layer in order for the user to attach the tag label to the object to be attached, it can be easily peeled off with the fingertip. In addition, the first print area becomes the label body side by peeling off when using the label, but the third print area remains on the tape side, so there is no need to print and affix on the label body side. As such, additional information that should be present can be used by pattern printing in the third print area, and in this sense, it is possible to effectively use the information without waste.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the control means relates to a label related to the creation of the RFID label as the pattern print in the second print area or the third print area. The printing unit and the transport unit are controlled in cooperation so as to print information.

  Thereby, various additional information created on the RFID label can be notified to the label user, and the tape can be used effectively and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the control means controls the printing means and the conveying means in a coordinated manner so as to print the creation date and time information for creating the RFID label as the label related information. It is characterized by.

  Thereby, since the label user can easily recognize the label creation date and time, the convenience can be improved.

  In an eighth aspect based on the sixth aspect, the control means prints the printing means and the conveying means so as to print in-use information to be notified to the user when the RFID label is used as the label-related information. It is characterized by controlling in cooperation.

  As a result, the label user can easily recognize various precautions, information on the label pasting object manager / storage location, label creator, and the like, so that convenience can be improved. .

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the control means controls the printing means and the conveying means in cooperation so as to print the precaution information for the user of the RFID label as the use time information. It is characterized by that.

  Thereby, since the label user can easily recognize various precautions such as handling and usage related to the RFID tag label and the object to be pasted, convenience can be improved.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the sixth to ninth aspects of the present invention, operation signal input means for inputting an operation signal of an operator is provided, and the control means receives the operation signal input by the operation signal input means. Accordingly, pattern setting means for variably setting the contents of the pattern printing is provided.

  Thereby, the pattern to be printed in the second print area or the third print area can be variably set according to the operation of the operator, and the convenience can be further improved.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the operation signal input means inputs selection signals from a plurality of preset label-related information as the operation signals, and the pattern setting means The content of the pattern printing is set according to the selection signal input by the input means.

  Thereby, the operator can select from the preset label-related information, and the pattern to be printed in the second print area or the third print area can be variably set according to the selection operation, thereby further improving convenience. be able to.

  A twelfth invention is characterized in that, in the tenth or eleventh invention, the pattern setting means limits and sets the contents of the pattern printing so as to be included in the range of the second printing area. To do.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform pattern printing so that it always falls within the range of the second print area regardless of the contents of the pattern print input by the operator.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention based on any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the control unit prints the print pattern so that the print pattern is repeatedly printed a plurality of times in the second print area or the third print area. The means and the transport means are controlled in cooperation.

  Thereby, it is possible to reliably notify the user of additional information described by the pattern printing. Further, even if the pattern printing is relatively short, the space on the tape can be effectively utilized by performing repeated printing without generating a blank space.

  In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the control means includes a predetermined line, color, or the like in the print pattern or a surrounding area in the second print area or the third print area. The printing unit and the conveyance unit are controlled in cooperation so as to perform printing with decoration including addition or change of at least one of a pattern and a graphic image.

  Thereby, the additional information described by the pattern printing can be further emphasized, and the user can be surely notified.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, detection means for detecting a detection identifier located at a position corresponding to the first print area of the tag label tape is provided. .

  By providing a detection identifier at a position corresponding to the first print area and detecting it by the detection means, it is possible to improve the transport accuracy and positioning accuracy during transport of the tag label tape during label production. As a result, it is possible to improve label reliability and production efficiency.

  In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, a base tape layer for attaching the RFID circuit element is bonded to the print medium layer via a bonding adhesive layer. It has a crimping means.

  As a result, a print medium layer having a first print area on which predetermined tag printing has been performed, an adhesive layer for bonding, a base tape layer to which a RFID circuit element is attached, and this is pasted on the object to be pasted Therefore, it is possible to construct a wireless tag label with print having a laminated structure including five adhesive layers for attaching and a release material layer covering the adhesive layer.

  According to the present invention, a portion other than a region where tag printing corresponding to transmission / reception contents is performed can be effectively used without being wasted as a blank space.

  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 provided with a tag label producing apparatus of this embodiment.

  In the RFID tag generating system TS shown in FIG. 1, the tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to a route server RS, a plurality of information servers IS, a terminal 118a, and a general-purpose computer 118b via a wired or wireless communication line NW. . Note that the terminal 118a and the general-purpose computer 118b are collectively referred to as “PC 118” as appropriate hereinafter.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1. In FIG. 2, a tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to the PC 118 and produces a desired RFID label with a print based on an operation from the PC 118, and can be opened and closed on the apparatus main body 2 and the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. And an open / close lid 3 provided. On the upper surface of the apparatus body 2, an opening / closing button 4 for opening / closing the opening / closing lid 3 is disposed adjacent to the opening / closing lid 3.

  The apparatus main body 2 is positioned on the front side (left front side in FIG. 2), and includes a side wall 10 having a label discharge port 11 for discharging a RFID label T (details will be described later) created in the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. The side wall 10 includes a side cover 12 provided below the label discharge port 11 and having a lower end rotatably supported.

  The side lid 12 is provided with a pressing portion 13, and the side lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. Further, a power button 14 for turning on / off the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided below the opening / closing button 4 in the side wall 10. A cutter driving button 16 for driving a cutting mechanism 15 (see FIG. 3 described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 2 by a user's manual operation is provided below the power button 14. Is pressed, the tag label tape 109 (details will be described later) is cut to a desired length to produce the RFID label T.

  The opening / closing lid 3 is pivotally supported at the end of the apparatus main body 2 on the right back side in FIG. 2 and is always urged in the opening direction via an urging member such as a spring. When the open / close button 4 disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 is pressed, the lock between the open / close lid 3 and the apparatus main body 2 is released and released by the action of the urging member. A see-through window 5 covered with a transparent cover is provided at the center side of the opening / closing lid 3.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 inside the tag label producing apparatus 1 (however, a loop antenna LC described later is omitted). In FIG. 3, the internal unit 20 schematically includes a cartridge holder 6 that accommodates a cartridge (wireless tag circuit element cartridge) 7, a printing mechanism 21 that includes a print head (thermal head) 23 as printing means, A cutting mechanism 15, a half-cut unit 35 (see FIG. 8 described later), and a label discharge mechanism 22 that discharges the generated RFID label T (see FIG. 19 described later) from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2). I have.

  4 is a plan view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 7. As shown in FIG.

  4 and 5, the cartridge holder 6 accommodates the cartridge 7 so that the width direction of the tag label tape 109 discharged from the label discharge port 11 is the vertical direction. The cartridge 7 includes a housing 7 </ b> A, a first roll 102 that is disposed in the housing 7 </ b> A and has a belt-like base tape 101 wound thereon, and the transparent cover film that has substantially the same width as the base tape 101. A second roll 104 wound with 103 (printed medium layer), a ribbon supply-side roll 111 for feeding out an ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape), and a ribbon after printing A ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up 105, a tape feed roller 27 (conveying means, pressure-bonding means) rotatably supported in the vicinity of the tape discharge portion 30 of the cartridge 7, and a guide roller 112 functioning as a conveying position regulating means. And have.

  The tape feed roller 27 presses and bonds the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to form the printed tag label tape 109 and feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A (= also functions as a pressure 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. 5), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 5) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 5), Adhesive layer 101a made of an appropriate adhesive material, colored base film 101b (base material layer) made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), adhesive layer 101c (adhesive layer for attachment) made of an appropriate adhesive material, release paper The layers are laminated in the order of 101d (peeling material layer).

  On the back side (left side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b, a loop antenna 152 (tag side loop antenna) configured in a loop coil shape and transmitting / receiving information is integrally provided in this example, and is connected thereto. Thus, the IC circuit unit 151 for storing information is formed, and these constitute the RFID circuit element To.

  The adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b, and the RFID circuit element is formed on the back side (left side in FIG. 5) 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 configured such that when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like, the release paper 101d can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c by peeling it off. Further, the surface of the release paper 101d has a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To (and corresponding to a tag printing area S described later) (in this example, the front end of the antenna 152 on the front side in the transport direction). Furthermore, a predetermined identifier for transport control (in this example, a black identifier. Alternatively, a hole substantially penetrating the base tape 101 may be formed by laser processing or the like. (See (c)) PM is provided.

  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 is a ribbon driven by the ribbon supply side roll 111 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). 105 is pressed against the print head 23 to be brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are driven by a ribbon take-up roller via a gear mechanism (not shown) driven by a conveying motor 119 (see FIG. 15 to be described later), for example, a pulse motor provided outside the cartridge 7. By being transmitted to the shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, they are driven to rotate in conjunction with each other.

  On the other hand, at this time, the print head 23 having a large number of heat generating elements is attached to the head attaching portion 24 erected on the cartridge holder 6 and arranged upstream of the tape feed roller 27 in the transport direction of the cover film 103. ing.

  Further, a roller holder 25 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 29 in front of the cartridge 7 in the cartridge holder 6 (lower side in FIG. 4), and a printing position (contact position, FIG. Reference) and a release position (separation position). In the roller holder 25, a platen roller 26 and a tape pressure roller 28 are rotatably arranged. When the roller holder 25 is switched to the printing position, the platen roller 26 and the tape pressure roller 28 are The print head 23 and the tape feed roller 27 are pressed against each other.

  In the above configuration, the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 is supplied to the tape feed roller 27. On the other hand, the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101), and is driven by the ribbon supply side roll 111 and the ribbon take-up roller 106. The ribbon 105 is pressed against the print head 23 and brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  When the cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roll holder 25 is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are held between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26. At the same time, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the directions indicated by the arrows B and C by the driving force of the conveying motor 119, respectively. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 are connected by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 27, The pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 rotate, and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 15 described later). As a result, a label print R (tag print, see FIG. 18 described later) corresponding to the stored information of the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101 to be bonded is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after printing are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print. It is carried out of the cartridge 7. 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 107.

  Note that, on the upper surface of the housing 7A of the cartridge 7, for example, a tape specifying display portion 8 for displaying the tape width of the base tape 101 incorporated in the cartridge 7 and the color of the tape is provided. . When the cartridge 7 is attached to the cartridge holder 6 and the opening / closing lid 3 is closed, the above-described see-through window 5 and the tape specifying display unit 8 face each other, and the tape specifying display unit 8 is opened via the transparent cover of the see-through window 5. Visible from the outside of the apparatus body 2. As a result, the type of the cartridge 7 attached to the cartridge holder 6 can be easily visually recognized from the outside of the apparatus main body 2 through the transparent window 5.

  On the other hand, as described above, the internal unit 20 includes the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, and further includes a base tape 101 (a tag label tape after bonding, the same applies hereinafter). A loop antenna LC (transmission / reception means) for reading or writing information from / to the RFID circuit element To via wireless communication is provided. Then, after reading or writing information to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC with respect to the tag label tape 109 produced by pasting as described above, the cutter driving button 16 (FIG. 2) is automatically or after read. The tag label tape 109 is cut by the cutting mechanism 15 and the RFID label T is generated. The RFID label T is then discharged from the label discharge port 11 formed in the side wall 10 (see FIG. 2) by the label discharge mechanism 22 after that.

  The cutting mechanism 15 includes a fixed blade 40, a movable blade 41 that performs a cutting operation together with the fixed blade 40, a cutter helical gear 42 that is coupled to the movable blade 41, and a gear train that is coupled to the cutter helical gear 42. The cutter motor 43 is provided.

  The label discharge mechanism 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the label discharge port 11 provided on the side wall 10 of the apparatus main body 2 and is cut by the cutting mechanism 15 for the tag label tape 109 (in other words, the RFID label T, hereinafter the same). ) As a discharge means for forcibly discharging from the label discharge port 11. That is, the label discharge mechanism 22 presses the driving roller 51, the pressing roller 52 facing the driving roller 51 with the tag label tape 109 interposed therebetween, and presses the pressing roller 52 against the tag label tape 109, or The discharge mechanism for rotating the tag label tape 109 to be discharged by the drive roller 51 in conjunction with the pressing operation of the pressing mechanism mechanism 53 that is operated so as to release the pressing force. And a drive mechanism unit 54.

  At this time, first guide walls 55 and 56 and second guide walls 63 and 64 for guiding the tag label tape 109 to the label discharge port 11 are provided inside the label discharge port 11 (FIG. 4). reference). The first guide walls 55 and 56 and the second guide walls 63 and 64 are integrally formed, and are spaced apart from each other at a discharge position of the tag label tape 109 cut by the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41. Are arranged to be.

  The pressing operation mechanism unit 53 is attached to the roller support holder 57, the roller support holder 57, a roller support unit 58 that holds the pressing roller 52 at the tip, and a holder support unit that rotatably supports the roller support holder 57. 59, a cam 60 that drives the pressing operation mechanism 53 in conjunction with the cutting mechanism 15, and an urging spring 61.

  The roller support portion 58 is rotatably supported so as to sandwich the pressing roller 52 from above and below. Then, the roller support holder 57 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3) about the holder support shaft 59 through the cam 60 by the rotation of the cutter helical gear 42, whereby the pressing roller 52 is used for tag labels. Pressed against the tape 109. When the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated again, the urging spring 61 causes the holder support shaft 59 to rotate in the opposite direction, and the pressing roller 52 is separated from the tag label tape 109.

  The discharge drive mechanism unit 54 includes a tape discharge motor 65 and a gear train 66. After the tag label tape 109 is pressed against the drive roller 51 by the pressing roller 52, the tape discharge motor 65 is driven to drive the drive roller 51 to the tag label. By rotating the tape 109 in the discharge direction, the tag label tape 109 is forcibly discharged in the discharge direction.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the conceptual configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided in the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102, as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. In FIG. 6, the RFID circuit element To is composed of the loop antenna 152 that is configured in a loop coil shape and transmits / receives information, and an IC circuit unit 151 that is connected thereto and stores information.

  FIG. 7 is a partial extraction perspective view showing the detailed structure of the main part of the label discharge mechanism 22. In FIG. 7, the middle portions of the first guide walls 55 and 56 in the vertical direction are notched, and the drive roller 51 is located on one first guide wall 55 from the notch to the discharge position of the tag label tape 109. Provided. The drive roller 51 has a roller cutout 51A formed by a concentric groove on the upper surface thereof. On the other hand, on the other first guide wall 56, the pressing roller 52 is supported by the roller support portion 58 of the pressing operation mechanism portion 53 so as to face the discharge position of the tag label tape 109 from the notch portion.

  The loop antenna LC (conceptually indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 7) is disposed in the vicinity of the pressing roller 52 so that the pressing roller 52 is positioned at the center in the radial direction. In addition, the RFID tag circuit element To included in the tag label tape 109 is accessed (reading information or writing information) by a magnetic coupling or other non-contact method performed via a magnetic field.

  Further, on the upstream side of the driving roller 51 in the transport direction (in other words, between a half cutter 34 and a loop antenna LC, which will be described later), the release paper 101d of the base tape 101 corresponds to the position of each RFID circuit element. A mark sensor 127 (detection means) capable of detecting an appropriate identifier PM (see FIG. 6) provided is provided. The mark sensor 127 is, for example, a known reflection type photoelectric sensor including a projector and a light receiver. The control output from the light receiver is inverted depending on whether or not the identifier PM exists between the projector and the light receiver. The first guide wall 56 facing the mark sensor 127 has a structure such that the surface has a color that does not reflect the light of the projector, or the light receiver receives an inclination so that the reflected light is not received.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the internal unit 20 in a state where the label discharge mechanism 22 is removed from the structure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the cutter helical gear 42 is provided with a boss 50 formed in a projecting shape, and this boss 50 is configured to be inserted into a long hole 49 of the movable blade 41 (described later). 11 and FIG. 9). Further, on the downstream side of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 along the tape discharge direction, so as to be positioned between the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 and the first guide walls 55 and 56 (see FIG. 4), A half cut unit 35 (half cutting means) is attached.

  The half-cut unit 35 includes a cradle 38 that is arranged in accordance with the fixed blade 40, a half cutter 34 that is opposed to the cradle 38 and is disposed on the movable blade 41 side, and between the fixed blade 40 and the cradle 38. The first guide portion 36 is disposed in combination with the fixed blade 40, and the second guide portion 37 is disposed in combination with the movable blade 41 so as to face the first guide portion 36 (see FIG. 11 described later). See also). The first guide portion 36 and the second guide portion 37 are integrally formed, and are attached to the side plate 44 (see FIG. 4) together with the fixed blade 40 by a guide fixing portion 36A provided at a position corresponding to the fixed hole 40A of the fixed blade 40. It has been.

  At this time, a half cutter motor 129 (not shown; see FIG. 15 described later) is provided to rotate the half cutter 34 around a predetermined rotation fulcrum (not shown). The driving mechanism of the half cutter 34 using the half cutter motor 129 is not shown in detail, but can be configured as follows, for example. That is, for example, the half cutter motor 129 is constituted by an electric motor capable of rotating forward and reverse, and is connected to a crank member (same) provided with a pin (same) via a gear train (not shown), and the above-mentioned pin of the rank member A long groove for engaging is formed in the half cutter 34. When the crank member is rotated by the driving force of the half cutter motor 129, the pin of the crank member moves along the long groove, thereby causing the half cutter 34 to move in a predetermined direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). Can be rotated.

  The cradle 38 is bent so that the end portion facing the tag label tape 109 discharged from the tape discharge portion 30 is parallel to the tape to form a receiving surface 38B. Here, as described above, the tag label tape 109 is formed by laminating the cover film 103 and the base tape 101 having a four-layer structure including the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d. It has a five-layer structure (see also FIG. 19 described later). Then, by pressing the half cutter 34 against the receiving surface 38B using the driving force of the half cutter motor 129 as described above, the tag label tape 109 between the half cutter 34 and the receiving surface 38B becomes a cover film. 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c are cut, but only the release paper 101d is left uncut, and a half-cut line HC (see FIG. 18 described later) is formed substantially along the tape width direction. The In addition, after the half cutter 34 contacts the receiving surface 38B, for example, in the above-described configuration, the half cutter motor 129 is configured not to be overloaded by a not-shown slip clutch interposed in the gear train. Is preferred. The receiving surface 38 </ b> B has a role of guiding the tag label tape 109 to the label discharge port 11 together with the first guide portions 55 and 56.

  9 and 10 are perspective views showing the appearance of the cutting mechanism 15 in which the half cutter 34 is removed from the internal unit 20.

  9 and 10, in the cutting mechanism 15, when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 3), the movable blade 41 is swung around the shaft hole 48 by the boss 50 and the long hole 49. As a result, the tag label tape 109 is cut.

  That is, first, when the boss 50 of the cutter helical gear 42 is positioned on the inner side (left side in FIG. 9), the movable blade 41 is positioned away from the fixed blade 40 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as an initial state). ). In this initial state, when the cutter motor 43 is driven and the cutter helical gear 42 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow 70), the boss 50 moves outward and the movable blade 41 counters around the shaft hole 48. The tag label tape 109 is cut with the fixed blade 40 fixed to the internal unit 20 by rotating clockwise (in the direction of arrow 73) (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a cut state, see FIG. 10).

  After the tag label tape 109 is cut and the RFID label is generated in this way, it is necessary to return the movable blade 41 to the initial state in order to cut the tag label tape 109 to be transported next time. Therefore, by driving the cutter motor 43 again and rotating the cutter helical gear 42 counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 70), the boss 50 moves inward again, and the movable blade 41 rotates in the clockwise direction (in the direction of arrow 74). To move the movable blade 41 away from the fixed blade 40 (see FIG. 9). Next, the tag label tape 109 that is printed and conveyed from the cartridge 7 can be cut.

  At this time, the cutter helical gear cam 42A is provided on the cylindrical outer wall of the cutter helical gear 42, and when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43, the cutter helical gear 42 is moved to the cutter helical gear 42 by the action of the cutter helical gear cam 42A. The adjacent microswitch 126 is switched from the off state to the on state. Thereby, the cut state of the tag label tape 109 is detected.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the movable blade 41 and the fixed blade 40 together with the half-cut unit 35, and FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged sectional view thereof. 11 and 12, the fixed blade 40 is fixed to a side plate 44 (see FIG. 4) provided upright on the left side of the cartridge holder 6 in the printing mechanism 15 with a screw or the like through a fixing hole 40A.

  The movable blade 41 is substantially V-shaped and includes a blade portion 45 provided at a cutting portion, a handle portion 46 positioned opposite to the blade portion 45, and a bent portion 47. The bent portion 47 is provided with the shaft hole 48, and is supported by the side plate 44 at the shaft hole 48 so that the movable blade 41 can rotate with the bent portion 47 as a fulcrum. Further, the elongated hole 49 is formed in the handle 46 on the opposite side of the blade 45 provided at the cutting portion of the movable blade 41. The blade portion 45 is formed by a two-stage blade, and the blade surface is constituted by two inclined surfaces having different inclination angles of the first inclined surface 45A and the second inclined surface 45B that gradually reduce the thickness of the blade portion 45. ing.

  On the other hand, of the first guide portion 36 of the half-cut unit 35 described above, an end portion 36B facing the tag label tape 109 to be discharged is along a receiving surface 38B formed at the end portion of the receiving base 38. The tag label tape 109 is protruded and bent in the discharging direction. Accordingly, the end portion 36B of the first guide portion 36 has a smooth curved surface with respect to the tag label tape 109 discharging direction at the contact surface 36C with respect to the tag label tape 109 discharged from the cartridge 7.

  By projecting the end portion 36B of the first guide portion 36 and making the contact surface 36C a curved surface, the front end portion of the tag label tape 109 curled to a certain curvature or more first hits the contact surface 36C of the first guide portion 36. At that time, when the leading end of the tag label tape 109 hits the downstream side (downward in FIG. 12) of the tag label tape 109 from the boundary point 75 on the contact surface 36C of the first guide portion. The leading end portion of the tag label tape 109 moves downstream along the curved surface thereof, leading to the label discharge port 11 direction without entering between the fixed blade 40 and the first guide portion 36 or the cradle 38. It is like that.

  Further, the first guide portion 36 is formed such that the guide width L1 (see FIG. 11) corresponding to the transport path of the tag label tape 109 is larger than the maximum width (36 mm in the present embodiment) of the tag label tape 109 to be attached. In addition, the inner surface 36D is formed continuously with the contact surface 36C. The internal surface 36D is formed to face first and second inclined surfaces 45A and 45B (details will be described later) of the movable blade 41, and at the time of cutting, the first and second inclined surfaces 45A and 45B of the movable blade 41 are formed. A part is abutted (see FIG. 12). Since the movable blade 41 is formed by a two-stage blade, when the tag label tape 109 is cut by the movable blade 41, the contact surface 36C and the inner surface 36D corresponding to the end of the first guide portion 36 and the movable blade A gap 39 is formed between the second inclined surface 45B of 41 (see FIG. 12).

  13 is a front view showing the appearance of the movable blade 41, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  13 and 14, in the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 45A has an angle of 50 degrees with the back surface of the blade portion 45 opposite to the first inclined surface 45A.

  FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, a control circuit 110 is disposed on a control board (not shown) of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 110 includes a CPU 111 having an internal timer 111A for controlling each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114, ROMs 115 and 116, and a RAM 117. It has been.

  The CGROM 114 stores dot pattern data for display corresponding to the code data for each of a large number of characters.

  In a ROM (dot pattern data memory) 115, for each of a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabet letters and symbols, printing dot pattern data is provided for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.). Each typeface is classified and stored in correspondence with the code data for the print character size. In addition, graphic pattern data for printing a graphic image including gradation expression is also stored.

  The ROM 116 reads the print buffer data in correspondence with the character code data such as characters and numbers input from the PC 118 and drives the print head 23, the transport motor 119, and the tape discharge motor 65. A control program, a pulse number determination program for determining the number of pulses corresponding to the amount of energy formed for each printing dot, the tag label tape 109 when the printing is completed, the conveyance motor 119 is driven to the cutting position and conveyed, and the cutter motor 43, a cutting drive control program for cutting the tag label tape 109 by driving 43, a tape for forcibly discharging the cut tag label tape 109 (= the RFID label T) from the label discharge port 11 by driving the tape discharge motor 65 In the control of the discharge program and other tag label producing device 1 Required various programs are stored. The CPU 111 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 116.

  The RAM 117 is provided with a text memory 117A, a print buffer 117B, a parameter storage area 117E, and the like. The text memory 117A stores document data input from the PC 118. In the print buffer 117B, a dot pattern for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses that is the amount of energy for forming each dot, and the like are stored as dot pattern data. The print head 23 is stored in the print buffer 117B. Dot printing is performed according to the existing dot pattern data. Various calculation data are stored in the parameter storage area 117E.

  The input / output interface 113 includes a PC 118, the print drive circuit 120 for driving the print head 23, a transport motor drive circuit 121 for driving the transport motor 119, and a cutter motor 43. The cutter motor driving circuit 122, the half cutter motor driving circuit 128 for driving the half cutter motor 129, the tape discharging motor driving circuit 123 for driving the tape discharging motor 65, and the wireless tag via the loop antenna LC. The transmitter circuit 306 generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the circuit element To and modulates the carrier wave based on a control signal input from the control circuit 110, and the RFID circuit element To The response signal received via the loop antenna LC from The reception circuit 307 that performs the operation and outputs the control circuit 110, the tape cut sensor 124, and the cut release detection sensor 125 are connected to each other.

  In such a control system having the control circuit 110 as the core, when character data or the like is input via the PC 118, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the text memory 117A, and the print head 23 is driven by the drive circuit. 120, each of the heat generating elements is selectively driven to generate heat corresponding to the print dots for one line, and the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 117B is printed, and in synchronization with this, for carrying The motor 119 performs tape transport control via the drive circuit 121. In addition, the transmission circuit 306 performs carrier wave modulation control based on the control signal from the control circuit 110, and the reception circuit 307 processes the demodulated signal based on the control signal from the control circuit 110.

  The tape cut sensor 124 and the cut release detection sensor 125 include a cutter helical gear cam 42A and a micro switch 126 provided on the cylindrical outer wall of the cutter helical gear 42 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). . Specifically, when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43, the micro switch 126 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state by the action of the cutter helical gear cam 42A, and the cutting of the tag label tape 109 by the movable blade 45 is completed. Detect that Thus, the tape cut sensor 124 is configured. When the cutter helical gear 42 further rotates, the micro switch 126 is switched from the on state to the off state by the action of the cutter helical gear cam 42A, and it is detected that the movable blade 45 has returned to the release position. Thus, the cut release detection sensor 125 is configured.

  FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a connection portion between the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 and the loop antenna LC. In FIG. 16, the transmission circuit 306 is connected to the device-side loop antenna LC, and the reception circuit 307 is connected to the capacitor 310 connected in series with the device-side loop antenna LC.

  FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 17, the RFID circuit element To includes the loop antenna 152 that transmits and receives signals in a contactless manner with the loop antenna LC on the tag label producing apparatus 1 side, and the IC circuit connected to the loop antenna 152. Part 151.

  The IC circuit unit 151 includes a rectifying unit 153 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the loop antenna 152, a power source unit 154 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectifying unit 153 and uses it as a driving power source, and the loop antenna. 152, a clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by 152 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 155, a memory unit 157 that can store a predetermined information signal, and a modulation / demodulation unit 158 connected to the loop antenna 152 And a control unit 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To through the rectifying unit 153, the clock extracting unit 156, the modem unit 158, and the like.

  The modulation / demodulation unit 158 demodulates the communication signal received from the loop antenna 152 from the loop antenna LC of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and receives the carrier wave received from the loop antenna 152 based on the response signal from the control unit 155. Modulate and reflect.

  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. 18A and 18B are formed when the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration completes writing (or reading) of the RFID tag circuit element To and cutting of the tag label tape 109 with print. It is a figure showing an example of the external appearance of the RFID tag T made, FIG. 18 (a) is a top view, FIG.18 (b) is a bottom view. FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of the IXXA-IXXA ′ cross section in FIG. 18 rotated 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 19B is the cross section of the IXXB-IXXB ′ cross section in FIG. It is the figure which rotated the figure 90 degrees counterclockwise.

  18 (a), 18 (b), 19 (a), and 19 (b), the RFID label T has a cover film 103 added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. 5 as described above. The cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, from the cover film 103 side (upper side in FIG. 19) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 19) The release paper 101d constitutes 5 layers. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the loop antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the base film 101b and the adhesive layer 101c, and the RFID circuit element To is provided on the back surface of the cover film 103. A label print R (in this example, “RF-ID” indicating the type of the RFID label T) corresponding to the stored information is printed.

  Also, the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c are provided with the half-cut line HC (half-cut portion. However, in this example, substantially along the tape width direction by the half cutter 34 as described above. Two front half-cut lines HC1 and rear half-cut line HC2 (details will be described later) are formed. In the cover film 103, an area sandwiched between the half-cut lines HC1 and HC2 is a tag printing area (first printing area) S where label printing (tag printing) R is performed. Both sides in the longitudinal direction of the tape across the lines HC1 and HC2 are a front printing area (second printing area) S1 and a rear printing area (third printing area) S2, respectively.

  Further, as already described, the tag label producing apparatus 1 uses a set of base tape 101 and cover film 103, and sequentially produces a plurality of RFID label T using a tag label tape 109 obtained by bonding them together. In this embodiment, predetermined pattern prints R1 and R2 are respectively printed on the front print area S1 and the rear print area S2 of the cover film 103 of each RFID label T at the time of the sequential production.

  The pattern prints R1 and R2 are sentences or images that can be edited by the user in advance, and the contents thereof include various additional information (label related information) related to the creation of the RFID label T. Specific examples include (a) content that indicates that any type of tag is included (= one of the information at the time of use. “This label has a built-in RF-ID tag!”, Etc.) 18 (a) (see pattern printing R1 and R2) and (a) Handling precautions (= Notes information as usage information. “Folding prohibited!”, “Do not take outside!”, “Special” Handle labels carefully! ”Etc. Refer to the pattern prints R1 and R2 in FIG. 18 (a), and (c) Content related to the place where the object to be pasted is stored (= one of the information at the time of use. 1 factory 10F material room "), (d) contents related to the name of the organization that owns and manages the object to be pasted (= one of the information at the time of use," for sales department ", etc.) How to use, such as specifying the pasting method, pasting location and target (= One of the information at the time of use. “Paste it at the top right of the file!”) And (f) The content related to the attention of the pasting work (= Note information as the information at the time of use. Please clean the affixed part before attaching "," Do not affix to metal parts! ") And (ki) Specify the return destination: Confirm the usage status at the return destination, the place of disposal Contents related to the handling of the pre-print area S1 and post-print area S2 after use, such as specifying the method (= one of the information at the time of use. After adhering, please return the remaining tape to the management department!) After installation, the remaining tape is to the dedicated collection box!), And (g) Contents related to creation date and time (= creation date information. “January 1, 2005”, “January 1, 2005”) (Saturday) 13:00 "), and (K) Details on use (valid) deadline (= use One of the usage information, such as “Please paste by January 1, 2005”, etc.) (Co) Creator name, ID content (= One of the usage information. “Created Suzuki A21111”, etc. ), And (sa) the contents of the created organization name (company / department) (= one of the information at the time of use, “sales department creation”, etc.).

  Note that the text of the pattern prints R1 and R2 may be in English or the like as shown in FIG. 18, or may be in another language such as Japanese. The pattern prints R1 and R2 may have the same contents or different contents. When the contents of the pattern prints R1 and R2 are made different from each other, the amount of information related to the RFID label T increases accordingly, so that the range of effective use is further expanded and convenience can be improved. Furthermore, in order to make the additional information expressed by the pattern prints R1 and R2 more prominent, the pattern prints R1 and R2 or their surrounding areas include at least one addition or change of a predetermined line, color, pattern, or graphic image. You may print with decoration.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 18A, the dimension (distance from the half-cut line HC1 to the half-cut line HC2) X of the tag print region S in the tape longitudinal direction is the content and mode of the label print R (for example, the number of characters, font, etc.). It is set variably according to. Also, the dimension in the tape longitudinal direction of the front print area S1 (distance from the tape front end to the half-cut line HC1) X1 and the dimension in the tape longitudinal direction of the rear print area S2 (distance from the half-cut line HC2 to the tape rear end) ) X2 is set in advance to a predetermined value (in this example, fixed) (however, as will be described later, the rear half-cut line HC2 may not be provided). Further, the identifier PM described above remains on the release paper 101d, and the distance from the leading end of the identifier PM in the tape transport direction to the leading end of the RFID circuit element To offset in the tape transport direction is a predetermined value L. It has become. As already described, the identifier PM is not shown in place of the black marking shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, but the identifier PM is a base material formed by laser processing or the like. A hole that substantially penetrates the tape 101 may be provided. In this case, when the mark sensor 127 is constituted by a known reflection type photoelectric sensor composed of a projector and a light receiver, when the identifier PM composed of the hole comes at a position between the light projector and the light receiver, the light from the light projector is transmitted. The light passing through the hole of the identifier PM and the transparent cover film 103 is not reflected and is not received by the light receiver, thereby inverting the control output from the light receiver.

  FIG. 20 is displayed on the PC 118 (terminal 118a or general-purpose computer 118b) 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 1 as described above. It is a figure showing an example of a screen.

  20, in this example, the type of tag label (access frequency and tape size), label print R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, and identification information (tag ID) specific to the RFID circuit element To The access (read or write) ID, the address of the article information stored in the information server IS, the storage address of the corresponding information in the route server RS, and the like can be displayed on the PC 118. Then, the tag tag label producing apparatus 1 is operated by the operation of the PC 118, the label print R is printed on the cover film 103, and the information such as the write ID and article information is written on the IC circuit unit 151 (or Information such as read ID and article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read).

  At the time of reading or writing as described above, the tag ID of the RFID tag circuit element To of the generated RFID label T and information read from the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID label T (or to the IC circuit portion 151) The correspondence relationship with the (written information) is stored in the above-described route server RS and can be referred to as necessary.

  In the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the basic configuration as described above, the control behavior of the print head 23 and the loop antenna LC according to the transport position of the tag label tape 109 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(A) When the printing length is relatively long FIGS. 21A to 21N respectively show the identifier PM of the tag label tape 109 continuously fed out, the RFID circuit element To, and the tag printing area S of the label printing R, It is explanatory drawing showing the positional relationship with front printing area | region S1 of pattern printing R1, and rear printing area | region S2 of pattern printing R2, and the loop antenna LC, the mark sensor 127, the half cut unit 35, the cutting mechanism 15, and the print head 23. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, in the base tape 101, the tape transport direction distance L between the identifier PM and the RFID circuit element To is the tape transport between the mark sensor 127 and the print head 23. It is set in advance so as to be slightly larger than the direction distance Lo.

  First, FIG. 21A shows a state before the feeding of the tag label tape 109 from the cartridge 7 is started. In the state shown in the figure, the identifier PM is not detected by the mark sensor 127.

  When the feeding of the tag label tape 109 is started and the transport of the tag label tape 109 is started, the printing of the pattern printing R1 is started in the front printing area S1 of the cover film 103 (FIG. 21B). In this example, as shown in FIGS. 21C to 21K, which will be described later, the tag type (existence) (the letter “RFID TAG”) is repeatedly printed.

  When the tag label tape 109 is further transported from this state (in other words, transport of the base tape 101 and the cover film 103; the same applies hereinafter), the vicinity of the front end of the RFID tag circuit element To in the tape transport direction approaches the position of the print head 23. (FIG. 21 (c)). Here, as described above, since L> Lo, when the leading end of the identifier PM in the tape transport direction reaches the position of the mark sensor 127 due to the movement of the tag label tape 109, the RFID circuit of the cover film 103 is used. The position corresponding to the element To (the position to be pasted to the position of the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101) does not reach the position of the print head 23, but is slightly ahead. In this state (= when the identifier PM is detected by the mark sensor 127), the printing of the pattern print R1 in the previous print area S1 is already completed, so that the print area S for performing the main print described later can be obtained. A slight margin area is generated in the area. If this margin is not particularly necessary, L = Lo may be set.

  When the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 proceeds slightly from this state, the position of the cover film 103 corresponding to the RFID circuit element To reaches the print head 23 (FIG. 21 (d)). Then, printing of label printing R (tag printing) is started in the tag printing area S of the cover film 103 (FIG. 21E). In this example, as shown in FIGS. 21 (k) to 21 (n) to be described later, a case where a relatively long character (alphabet character “ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) is printed is taken as an example.

  When the tag label tape 109 is further conveyed from the state of FIG. 21 (e), the position of the front half-cut line HC1 set in advance (the position at the distance X1 from the front end of the tape as described above, see FIG. 18). The position of the half-cut unit 35 is reached (FIG. 21 (f)). In this state, since the identifier PM has already been detected by the mark sensor 127 as described above, the detection of the arrival at this position is detected from the state shown in FIG. 21C (identifier PM detection start state). This is done by detecting that the tape 109 has advanced a predetermined distance. In response to this detection, the transport of the tag label tape 109 is stopped, and the front half-cut line HC1 is formed by the half-cut unit 35 (FIG. 21 (f)).

  Thereafter, the transport of the tag label tape 109 is resumed, and when the transport of the tag label tape 109 further proceeds from the state of FIG. 21 (f) (FIG. 21 (g)), the RFID circuit element To is positioned at the position of the loop antenna LC. (FIG. 21 (h)). At this time, since a relatively long character (“ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) is printed as the label print R in this example as described above, all the prints in the tag print region S have not been completed at this time. For this reason, conveyance and printing of the tag label tape 109 are temporarily stopped (interrupted), and after carrying out wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To from the loop antenna LC in the conveyance stopped state, conveyance and printing are resumed ( FIG. 21 (i)), and finally, printing of all (“ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) is completed (FIG. 21 (j)).

  When the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 further proceeds from the state of FIG. 21 (j), the position of the rear print area S 2 of the cover film 103 reaches the print head 23. Detection of this position is performed by detecting that the tag label tape 109 has advanced a predetermined distance from the state shown in FIG. In response to this detection, printing of the pattern print R2 is started in the post print area S2 (FIG. 21 (k)). In this example, the same contents as the pattern print R1 are printed. In this case as well, a slight margin may or may not be provided between the tag print area S and the post print area S2, as in the case of the front print area S1 and the tag print area S. It may be.

  When the tag label tape 109 is further conveyed from the state of FIG. 21 (k), the position of the rear half-cut line HC2 set in advance (the position at the distance X2 from the rear end of the tape as described above, see FIG. 18). However, it reaches the position of the half-cut unit 35. The detection of arrival at this position is performed by detecting that the tag label tape 109 has advanced by a predetermined distance from the state shown in FIG. 21C, as in the position detection of the front half-cut line HC2. In response to this detection, the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 is stopped, and the rear half-cut line HC2 is formed by the half-cut unit 35 (FIG. 21 (l)).

  When the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 further proceeds from the state shown in FIG. 21 (l), the printing of the pattern printing R2 in the post-printing area S2 is completed. (FIG. 21 (m)). Depending on the setting of the size of the rear print area S2, the end of printing of the pattern print R2 may be preceded by the formation of the rear half-cut line HC2.

  Thereafter, when the transport of the tag label tape 109 further proceeds, the cutting line CL corresponding to the tape longitudinal dimension X of the tag print area S of each RFID label T set variably according to the length of the label print R The position of (cutting part) reaches the position of the cutting mechanism 15. The detection of this position is also performed by detecting that the tag label tape 109 has advanced a predetermined distance from the state shown in FIG. Corresponding to this detection, the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 is stopped, and the cutting mechanism 15 cuts along the cutting line CL (FIG. 21 (n)). To do.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of the RFID label T completed as described above, and is a diagram substantially corresponding to FIG. 18A described above. The RFID label T is provided with a RFID circuit element To at the center in the longitudinal direction of the tape and a label printing R is made in the tag printing area S corresponding thereto, with the front and rear half-cut lines HC1 and HC2 sandwiched between them. A front print area S1 and a post print area S2 having an identifier PM are provided. A pattern print R1 is printed in the front print area S1, and a pattern print R2 is printed in the rear print area S2.

  In FIG. 22, since the length of the pre-print area S1 is increased, the pattern print R1 is repeatedly printed in the tape transport direction in the pre-print area S1, so that the patterns within the pre-print area S1 In the meantime, almost no blank space is generated, but if the length of the post-printing area S2 is large, the pattern print R2 may be repeatedly printed in the tape transport direction in the post-printing area S2. By repeating the pattern printing R1, R2 a plurality of times, additional information described by the pattern printing R1, R2 can be reliably notified to the label user.

  As described above, the length of the tag print area S varies depending on the form of the label print R. However, if the length of the tag print area S becomes larger than a certain amount due to a large number of characters in the label print R or the like, The half-cut line HC2 is omitted (that is, the post-printing area S2 is not set), and becomes a tag printing area S where label printing R is performed up to the rear end of the tag label tape 109.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the RFID label T having no such post-printing area S2, and corresponds to FIG. The RFID label T has an RFID circuit element To disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the tape and a label printing R in the tag printing area S corresponding to the RFID tag circuit element To, and has an identifier PM across the front half-cut line HC1. Only the preprint area S1 is provided. A pattern print R1 is printed in the previous print area S1.

(B) When the printing length is relatively short FIGS. 24A to 24N show the identifier PM of the tag label tape 109 and the wireless tag that are continuously fed out, as in FIGS. 21A to 21N. Circuit element To, tag print area S of label print R, pre-print area S1 of pattern print R1, and post-print area S2 of pattern print R2, loop antenna LC, mark sensor 127, half-cut unit 34, cutting mechanism 15, print 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship with a head 23. FIG. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 24 (h) to 24 (n) to be described later, a case where a relatively short character (alphabet character "ABCDEFGHIJ") is printed is taken as an example.

  24A to 24G are the same as FIGS. 21A to 21G described above. That is, when the feeding of the tag label tape 109 from the cartridge 7 is started from the state shown in FIG. 24A, printing of the pattern print R1 is started in the front print region S1 of the cover film 103 (FIG. 24B). When the leading edge of the identifier PM reaches the position of the mark sensor 127, the printing of the pattern print R1 in the previous print area S1 is completed (FIG. 24D), and then the conveyance further proceeds (FIG. 24C). ) Printing of the label print R is started in the tag print area S of the cover film 103 (FIG. 24E). When the conveyance further proceeds and the position of the previous half-cut line HC1 reaches the position of the half-cut unit 35, the half-cut unit 35 forms the front half-cut line HC1 (FIG. 24 (f)). Then, the transport of the tag label tape 109 is resumed, and the transport of the tag label tape 109 further proceeds (FIG. 24G).

  Then, since the number of characters of the label print R is relatively small in this example, the label print R is printed before the RFID circuit element To reaches the position of the loop antenna LC (see FIG. 24 (i) described later). “ABCDEFGHIJ”) is completed first (FIG. 24H).

  Thereafter, the conveyance proceeds and the RFID circuit element To reaches the position of the loop antenna LC (FIG. 24 (i)). All printing has been completed. Therefore, the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 is stopped (interrupted), and wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To is performed from the loop antenna LC in the conveyance stopped state. Thereafter, the transport of the tag label tape 109 is resumed (FIG. 24 (j)). In this example, the position of the rear print area S2 of the cover film 103 has reached the print head 23 at this time, and printing of the pattern print R2 is started in the rear print area S2. In this example, the same content as the pattern printing R1 is printed.

The subsequent FIGS. 24 (k) to 24 (n) are substantially the same as the flow of FIGS. 21 (l) to 21 (n). That is, when the transport of the tag label tape 109 further proceeds from the state of FIG. 24 (j) and the position of the half cut line HC2 reaches the position of the half cut unit 35, the transport of the tag label tape 109 is stopped and the half cut unit The rear half-cut line HC2 is formed by 35 (FIG. 24 (k)). When the conveyance further proceeds, the printing of the pattern printing R2 in the post-printing area S2 is completed (FIG. 24 (l)),
Further, the conveyance further proceeds (FIG. 24 (m)), and when the position of the cutting line CL reaches the position of the cutting mechanism 15, the conveyance is stopped, and the cutting mechanism 15 cuts along the cutting line CL (FIG. 24 (n)). Then, the front end side of the tag label tape 109 is separated to form a RFID label T.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of the RFID label T completed as described above, and is a diagram substantially corresponding to FIG. 22 described above in (A). As described above, the pattern print R1 is printed in the front print area S1, and the pattern print R2 is printed in the rear print area S2.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 to perform the above control.

  In FIG. 26, when a predetermined RFID label producing operation is performed by the tag label producing apparatus 1 via the PC 118, this flow is started. First, in step S100, an operation signal from the PC 118 is input (via the communication line NW and the input / output interface 113), and preparations for setting print data and communication data with the RFID circuit element To are performed based on the operation signal. Processing (refer to FIG. 27 described later for details) is executed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5, where a control signal is output to the conveying motor drive circuit 121 via the input / output interface 113, and the tape feeding roller 27 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 are driven to rotate by the driving force of the conveying motor 121. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor 65 via the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 to drive the drive roller 51 to rotate. Accordingly, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are They are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print, and are further conveyed from the outside of the cartridge 7 to the outside of the tag label producing apparatus 1. When transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is started in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S6.

  In step S6, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the print head 23 is energized, and the pre-printing located on the front end side of the tape with respect to the tag print area S of the cover film 103 is performed. In the area S1, printing of the pattern printing R1 of characters and symbols corresponding to the printing data generated in step S100 (pre-printing pattern printing) is started (see FIG. 21B).

  Thereafter, in step S10, based on the detection signal of the mark detection sensor 127 input through the input / output interface 113, it is determined whether or not the identifier PM of the tag label tape 109 with print has been detected. The determination is not satisfied until the identifier PM is detected, and this procedure is repeated. If the identifier PM is detected, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S11.

  In step S11, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the pattern print R1 in the previous print area S1 is stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 has been transported to the main print start position (tip position of the tag print area S) where the label print R is to be printed. The determination at this time may be performed, for example, by detecting a transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in the above-described step S10 (transport that drives a transport motor 119 that is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the motor drive circuit 121 is counted). The determination is not satisfied until the print start position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the print start position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S15.

  In step S15, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the print head 23 is energized, and the above-described tag print region S (= the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch) in the cover film 103. Printing of label print R such as characters, symbols, barcodes, etc. corresponding to the print data generated in step S100 (main print) on the back surface of the RFID circuit elements To arranged at equal intervals. ) Is started (see FIG. 21D and FIG. 21E).

  Thereafter, in step S20, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the previous half-cut position (in other words, the position where the half cutter 34 of the half-cut mechanism 35 faces the front half-cut line HC1 set in step S100). It is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 has reached. The determination at this time may be, for example, as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. The determination is not satisfied until the previous half-cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the previous half-cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S25.

  In step S25, control signals are output to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, the drive of the transport motor 119 and the tape discharge motor 65 is stopped, and the tape feed roller 27 is stopped. Then, the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the driving roller 51 is stopped. Thus, in the process in which the tag label tape 109 with print fed out from the cartridge 7 moves in the discharge direction, the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the front half cut line HC1 set in step S100. 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 109 are stopped. At this time, a control signal is also output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and printing (main printing) of the label printing R is stopped (printing interruption).

  Thereafter, in step S30, a control signal is output to the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 via the input / output interface 113 to drive the half cutter motor 129, and the half cutter 34 is rotated to cover the tag tag tape 109 with print. A pre-half-cut process for cutting the film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c to form the front half-cut line HC1 is performed (see FIG. 21F).

  Then, the process proceeds to step S35, and similarly to step S5, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven to resume the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print, and the same as step S15. Then, the print head 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  Thereafter, in step S40, the print end position (see step S130 described later) variably set in accordance with the print contents (number of print characters, fonts, etc.) in step S100, and the operation signal input by the operator in step S100. In accordance with the tag rear end position (see step S145 described later) set according to the type information of the cartridge 7 included in the label label tape 109, all label prints R are printed on the tag print region S. Before completion, whether the RFID tag circuit element To is in the communication position (position where the RFID circuit element To faces the loop antenna LC) (the state shown in FIG. 21 (h)) or the RFID circuit element To Before the communication position (position where the RFID circuit element To faces the loop antenna LC), It is determined whether the printing of the label print R is completed (the state shown in FIG. 24 (i)).

  For example, if the positional relationship is such that the length of the label print R to be printed is relatively long and the state shown in FIG. 21 (h) is satisfied, the determination in step S40 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S200, where the long print label is printed. Perform the creation process. That is, when the RFID tag circuit element To is conveyed to the communication position (the position where the RFID tag circuit element To faces the loop antenna LC), the conveyance and printing are stopped, information is transmitted and received, and then the conveyance and printing are resumed to perform printing. After completing the printing and carrying the pattern printing R2 on the rear printing area S2 located on the tape rear end side of the tag printing area S (after printing pattern printing), the conveyance is stopped at the rear half-cut position. The rear half-cut line HC2 is formed (see FIG. 28 described later).

  On the other hand, for example, if the positional relationship is such that the length of the label print R to be printed is relatively short and the state shown in FIG. 24 (i) is obtained, the determination in step S40 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S300. Print label creation processing is performed. That is, the conveyance and printing are continued as they are to complete the printing first, and then the conveyance is further performed until the communication position of the RFID circuit element To is reached (position where the RFID circuit element To faces the loop antenna LC). Stops data transmission / reception, prints pattern print R2 (post-print pattern print) in post-print area S2 located on the tape rear end side of tag print area S, and then transports at post-half-cut position After stopping, the rear half-cut line HC2 is formed (see FIG. 29 described later).

  When step S200 or step S300 is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S45 (note that at this time, the transport of the tag label tape 109 has been resumed in step S200 or step S300). In step S45, whether the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described full cut position (in other words, the tag label tape 109 has been moved to the position where the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 faces the cutting line CL set in step S100). Whether it has been reached). The determination at this time may be, for example, as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. The determination is not satisfied until the full-cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated.

  In step S50, similarly to step S25, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped. Thus, the base tape 101 is fed from the first roll 102 and the cover film 103 is fed from the second roll 104 with the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 facing the cutting line CL set in step S100. , And the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 is stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S55, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 to drive the cutter motor 43, and the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 is rotated to cover the cover film 103 and the adhesive layer of the tag label tape 109 with print. A full cut process is performed to cut (divide) all of 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d to form a cutting line CL (see FIG. 21 (n)). By the cutting by the cutting mechanism 15, the tag label tape 109 is cut off, the RFID tag information of the RFID circuit element To is read, and the RFID tag T in the form of a label corresponding to this is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60, where a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 31, the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 is restarted, and the drive roller 51 is rotated. As a result, the conveyance by the driving roller 51 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in step S55 is conveyed toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the label label producing apparatus 1. This flow is finished.

  The cutting process in step S55 and the label discharge process in step S60 may be performed in conjunction with each other as follows, for example.

  For example, first, during the cutting operation by the cutting mechanism 15, the cutter motor 43 is driven via the input / output interface 113 and the cutter motor drive circuit 122, the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 70 in FIG. 3), and the boss 50 and the cam 60 rotate the roller support holder 57 counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3) around the holder support portion 59. The tag label tape 109 is pressed against the driving roller 51 by the pressing roller 52 immediately before the tag label tape 109 starts to be cut by the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41, and the tag label tape 109 is held until the tape is cut.

  Thereafter, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the tag label tape 109 has been cut based on the detection signal of the tape cut detection sensor 124. When the detection signal of the micro switch 126 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state and it is determined that the cutting is completed, the rotation of the cutter motor 43 is temporarily stopped via the input / output interface 113 and the cutter motor driving circuit 122. On the other hand, when the cutting is not completed, the driving of the cutter motor 43 is continued until the micro switch 126 is switched from the off state to the on state.

  When the cutting is completed and the cutter motor 43 is stopped, the tape discharge motor 65 is rotated through the input / output interface 113 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123, and the drive roller 51 is rotated through the gear train 66 to hold the tape (wireless The tag label T) is discharged. Then, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the RFID label T is discharged depending on whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 sec to 1.0 sec) has elapsed since the tape discharge is started. If the tape discharge motor 65 has been discharged, the rotation of the tape discharge motor 65 is stopped via the input / output interface 113 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123. If the discharge has not been completed, the rotation continues until the tape discharge motor 65 is discharged.

  After the rotation of the tape discharge motor 65 is stopped, the cutter motor 43 is rotated again via the input / output interface 113 and the cutter motor drive circuit 122. As a result, the cutter helical gear 42 also rotates again to rotate the movable blade 41 back to the release position (see FIG. 12), and the roller support holder 57 is in the direction in which the pressing roller 52 is separated by the biasing spring 61 (arrow in FIG. 3). 71 is rotated in the reverse direction) and held by the stopper 72 at a predetermined interval. Thereafter, based on the detection signal from the cut release detection sensor 125, the control circuit 110 detects whether the cut release operation is completed. When the micro switch 126 is not switched from the on state to the off state and the cut release operation is not completed, the rotation of the cutter motor 43 is continued until the micro switch 126 is completed. When the micro switch 126 is switched from the on state to the off state and the cut release operation is completed, the rotation of the cutter motor 43 is stopped, and the full cut process and the label discharge process are completed.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S100 described above. In the flow shown in FIG. 27, first, in step S105, an operation signal input from the PC 118 is input (identified) via the input / output interface 113 (operation signal input means). This operation signal includes, for example, characters, designs, patterns, etc. of label printing R and pattern printing R1, R2 designated by the operator, fonts thereof (font, size, thickness, etc.) or character codes such as letters and numbers. When printing information such as data is included and information is written to the RFID circuit element To, the writing information (at least RFID tag information including a tag ID as identification information) is also included. As the operation signals for the label printing R and the pattern printing R1, R2, since the input operation by the operator is simplified, the selection signals obtained by selecting from a plurality of predetermined patterns are used. Is desirable. As described above, when the user can edit the pattern prints R1 and R2 in advance, this step S105 is a pattern in which the contents of the pattern print are variably set according to the operation signal input by the operation signal input means. It also constitutes setting means. The input signal at this time includes information on the type of the cartridge 7 mounted in the cartridge holder 6 (in other words, the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements in the base tape 101, the tape width of the base tape 101, etc. Tag attribute information) is also included.

  For this cartridge information, a detected portion (for example, an identifier such as a concavo-convex shape) provided separately in the cartridge 7 is used as appropriate cartridge detection means (a mechanical detection device such as a mechanical switch or an optical detection sensor). Or a sensor that performs magnetic detection), and the type of the cartridge 7 may be automatically detected and searched based on the detection signal.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110, and print data corresponding to the print information (main print data for performing label printing R) is created based on the operation signal input in step S105.

  In step S115, communication data corresponding to the writing information is created based on the operation signal input in step S105. As described above, this procedure is executed when information is written to the RFID circuit element To to produce the RFID label T. However, information stored in the RFID circuit element To is read in advance. When creating the tag label T, this procedure may be omitted.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120, and the position of the above-described front half-cut line HC1 is set. In this setting, the position on the tape of the front half-cut line HC1 corresponding to the cartridge information is set based on the operation signal input in step S105. That is, as described above, the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements in the base tape 101 (in other words, the distance between the cutting line CL and the cutting line CL, the length of one RFID label T) is unique depending on the type of the cartridge 7. In addition, the position of the front half-cut line HC1 (unlike the rear half-cut line HC) is determined in advance from the front end of the tag label tape 109 at a certain position depending on the length of the RFID label T. (For example, stored in an appropriate location of the control circuit 110 in the form of a table). In this procedure, based on such a premise, the position of the front half-cut line HC1 is set (fixed) to a predetermined position for each cartridge 7.

  In step S125, the communication position on the tape by the RFID circuit element To described above is set. In this setting, similarly to step S120, based on the operation signal input in step S105, the type (size) and arrangement position of the RFID circuit element To are fixed from the tip of the tag label tape 109 depending on the type of the cartridge 7. Based on the pre-determined position, the arrangement position of the RFID circuit element To on the tag label tape 109 is set (fixed) to a predetermined position for each cartridge 7.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S130, and the position on the tape where the printing of the label printing R (main printing) is completed is calculated based on the print data created in step S110. That is, depending on the contents of the label print R, when the print length is long, the print end position is (relatively) closer to the rear end of the label, and when the print length is short, the print end position is It is closer (relatively) to the label front end side.

  In step S135, the position of the rear half-cut line HC2 described above is set. This setting sets the position on the tape of the rear half-cut line HC2 corresponding to the cartridge information based on the operation signal input in step S105 and the print end position calculated in step S130. That is, based on the operation signal input in step S105, the distance from the print end position to the rear half-cut line HC2 is calculated in step S130 based on the premise that the distance from the print end position to the rear half-cut line HC2 is predetermined in accordance with the type of the cartridge 7. The position of the rear half-cut line HC2 on the tape is calculated in such a manner that the predetermined distance is added to the print end position (intervening).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140, and the position (full cut position) of the cutting line CL of the tag label tape 109 is set. Similarly to step S120, this setting is based on the operation signal input in step S105, and on the premise that the label size is predetermined in advance depending on the type of the cartridge 7, the cutting position of the tag label tape 109 is cut. Is set (fixed) at a predetermined position for each cartridge 7.

  In step S145, the rear end position on the tape of the RFID circuit element To described above is set. Similarly to the above, this setting is also based on the premise that the type (size) and arrangement position of the RFID circuit element To are determined in advance depending on the type of the cartridge 7 based on the operation signal input in step S105. The rear end position of the RFID tag circuit element To on the tag label tape 109 is set (fixed) to a predetermined position for each cartridge 7.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S150, where the position of the half-cut line HC2 set in step S135 and the position of the cutting line CL set in step S140 are on the label rear end side with respect to the rear end position of the RFID circuit element To in step S145. It is determined whether or not. If the position of the rear half cut line HC2 and the position of the cutting line CL are set on the label rear end side, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S160.

  If the position of the rear half cut line HC2 or the position of the cutting line CL is set on the label front end side with respect to the rear end position of the RFID circuit element To, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S155. In step S155, there is a possibility that a part of the RFID circuit element To will be cut if it remains as it is. To avoid this, both the position of the rear half-cut line HC2 and the position of the cutting line CL are wireless. The position is corrected (reset) so as to be on the label rear end side with respect to the rear end position of the tag circuit element To, and the process proceeds to step S160.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160, and based on the operation signal input in step S105, the front and rear print data (print data for performing pattern printing R1, R2) corresponding to the print information is fixed (or variable). Create a good). At this time, the content of the data may be limited and set so that the print data is within the range of the pre-print area S1 and the post-print area S2.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S165, where the print positions of the pre- and post-print data created in step S160 are set. Similarly to the above, this setting is also based on the premise that the label size is predetermined according to the type of the cartridge 7 based on the operation signal input in step S105, for example, the cutting line CL of the tag label tape 109. The positions of the pre-printing area S1 and the post-printing area S2 for executing the printing of the pre- and post-printing are set (fixed) to predetermined positions for each cartridge 7 on the basis of the position (full cut position).

  Thereafter, in step S170, when communication is performed from a loop antenna LC, which will be described later, to the RFID circuit element To, the number of times of retrying communication (retry) when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To (number of access attempts). The variables M and N to be counted and the flag F indicating whether or not the communication is successful are initialized to 0, and this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above. In the flow shown in FIG. 28, first, in step S210, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC described above (in other words, the loop antenna LC set in step S125 above is the RFID circuit. It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 has reached a position substantially opposite to the element To position. The determination at this time may also be detected by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10, as in step S20 of FIG. 26 described above. The determination is not satisfied until the communication position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the communication position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S220.

  In step S220, as in step S25, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the tag antenna is used with the loop antenna LC substantially facing the RFID circuit element To. The conveyance of the tape 109 is stopped. Further, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing (main printing) of the label printing R is stopped (interrupted) (see FIG. 21H).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S400, where information is transmitted / received by radio communication between the antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To, and the information created in step S115 in FIG. 27 with respect to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To. Is written (or the information previously stored in the IC circuit unit is read), and information transmission / reception processing is performed (refer to FIG. 30 described later for details).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S230, and it is determined whether or not the information transmission / reception is successful in step S400. Specifically, since the flag F = 1 should be set when communication fails in step S400 (see step S437 in FIG. 30 described later), it is determined whether F = 0.

  If F = 1, the determination is not satisfied and the communication with respect to the RFID circuit element To is considered to have failed. The process proceeds to step S700, and predetermined error processing for notifying the operator of the communication failure on the label is performed. Do.

  On the other hand, if F = 0, the determination is satisfied, communication with the RFID circuit element To is considered successful, and the process proceeds to step S240.

  In step S240, similarly to step S35 of FIG. 26, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven to resume the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print, and to the print head 23. The energization is resumed and the printing of the label print R is resumed.

  At this time, if the energization stop time of the print head 23 after step S220 is increased to some extent due to a large number of communication trials (retry times) in step S400, the temperature of the print head 23 decreases. There is a possibility. Therefore, in order to cope with this, the energization (energy amount per unit time) to the print head 23 may be made larger than usual when the printing is resumed in step S240.

  After step S240, the process proceeds to step S250, where it is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described print end position (calculated in step S130 in FIG. 27). The determination at this time may be, for example, as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S260.

  In step S260, as in step S25 of FIG. 26, energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and printing of the label print R (main printing) is stopped. This completes the printing of the label print R on the tag print area S (see FIG. 21 (j)).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S500, in which the above-described post-pattern printing R2 is printed on the post-printing area S2 located on the tape rear end side with respect to the tag printing area S, and the half-printing position is transferred to a predetermined post-half-cut position. The rear half-cut line HC2 is formed by the half cutter 34 of the cut unit 35, and the post-printing / post-half-cut process is performed (refer to FIG. 31 described later for details).

  When the above step S500 or step S700 is finished, this routine is finished.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S300 described above. In the flow shown in FIG. 29, first, in step S310, as in step S250 in FIG. 28, it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the print end position (calculated in step S130 in FIG. 27). . The determination at this time may be performed by the same method as in step S250. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S320.

  In step S320, as in step S260 of FIG. 28, energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and printing of the label print R is stopped. Thereby, the printing of the label print R on the tag print area S is completed (see FIG. 24H).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S330, and it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC described above in the same manner as in step S210 of FIG. The determination at this time may be performed by the same method as in step S210. The determination is not satisfied until the communication position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the communication position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S340.

  In step S340, similarly to step S220, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the tag antenna is used with the loop antenna LC substantially facing the RFID circuit element To. The conveyance of the tape 109 is stopped (see FIG. 24 (i)).

  Subsequent step S400 is the same as FIG. 28, and information transmission / reception processing is performed in which information is transmitted and received by radio communication between the antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To (see FIG. 30 described later for details).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S350, and in the same manner as in step S230 of FIG. 28, it is determined whether or not the information transmission / reception of step S400 is successful depending on whether F = 0.

  If F = 1, the determination is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S700 as in FIG. 28, and a predetermined error process is performed. If F = 0, the determination is satisfied, communication with the RFID circuit element To is considered successful, and the process proceeds to step S360.

  In step S360, as in step S240 of FIG. 28, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven to resume the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print (see FIG. 24J). .

  The subsequent steps S500 and S600 are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400 described above with reference to FIGS. In this example, information writing will be described as an example of the information writing and information reading described above.

  First, in step S405 of the flow shown in FIG. 30, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 (see FIG. 15 and the like) via the input / output interface 113, and the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is stored. As an “Erase” signal to be initialized, a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To to be written through the loop antenna LC. Thereby, the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is initialized.

  Next, in step S410, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the input / output interface 113, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation is sent via the loop antenna LC as a “Verify” signal for confirming the contents of the memory unit 157. To the RFID circuit element To, to which information is to be written, to prompt a reply.

  Thereafter, in step S415, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written corresponding to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna LC, and the receiving circuit 307 (see FIG. 15 etc.) and the input are received. Capture via the output interface 113.

  Next, in step S420, based on the received reply signal, information in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is checked to determine whether the memory unit 157 has been normally initialized.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S425, 1 is added to M, and it is further determined in step S430 whether M = 5. If M ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S405 and the same procedure is repeated. If M = 5, the process moves to step S435, an error display signal is output to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line NW, and the corresponding write failure (error) display is performed. Further, in step S437, the above-mentioned flag is displayed. F = 1 and this routine is finished. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S440, where a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a desired modulated data carrier is written as a “Program” signal to write the desired data in the memory unit 157 as a loop antenna. Information is written by transmitting to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the LC.

  Thereafter, in step S445, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Verify” signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the loop antenna LC to prompt a reply. . Thereafter, in step S450, the reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written corresponding to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna LC, and taken in via the receiving circuit 307 and the input / output interface 113.

Next, in step S455, based on the received reply signal, information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy) is confirmed.
And the like, it is determined whether or not the predetermined information transmitted above is normally stored in the memory unit 157.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S460, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S465 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S440 and the same procedure is repeated. If N = 5, the process proceeds to the above-described step S435, and similarly, a write failure (error) display corresponding to the PC 118 is performed. In step S437, the above-described flag F = 1 is set, and this routine is terminated. In this way, even if information writing is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S455 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S470, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Lock” command is set as an information writing target wireless tag via the loop antenna LC. Transmission to the circuit element To is prohibited, and writing of new information to the RFID circuit element To is prohibited. Thereby, the writing of the RFID tag information to the RFID circuit element To to be written is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S480, in which the information written in the RFID circuit element To in step S440 is combined with the print information of the label print R already printed on the tag print area S by the print head 23 correspondingly. Is output via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line NW and stored in the information server IS or the route server RS. This stored data is stored and held in the database of each server IS, RS, for example, so that it can be referred to from the PC 118 as necessary. This routine is completed as described above.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S500 described above with reference to FIG. In the flow shown in FIG. 31, first, in step S620, it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the print printing start position (calculated in step S165 in FIG. 27) described above. The determination at this time may be, for example, as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. The determination is not satisfied until the print printing start position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S640.

  In step S640, as described above, the printing of the pattern print R2 on the post-printing area S2 is started by energizing the print head 23 (see FIG. 21 (k) and FIG. 24 (j)).

  Thereafter, in step S510, it is determined whether or not the position of the half-cut line HC2 set in step S135 described above and the position of the cutting line CL set in step S140 described above are equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. To do. If the position of the rear half-cut line HC2 and the position of the cutting line CL are too close, this determination is not satisfied, and it is considered that it is not appropriate to provide the rear half-cut line HC2 separately from the cutting line CL. Exit. On the other hand, if the position of the rear half-cut line HC2 and the position of the cutting line CL are sufficiently far, this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S520. In step S510, for example, the positions of the cutting line CL and the rear half-cut line HC2 are too close to each other and the label is peeled off at the time of full cutting by the cutting mechanism 15, or the tape that has been peeled off is cut by the cutting mechanism 15. This is a procedure for preventing the operation of the apparatus from sticking to the movable blade 41 and the like.

  In step S520, as in step S20, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described half-cut position (in other words, the half-cutter 34 of the half-cut mechanism 35 calculates the half-cut line HC2 after the calculation in step S135). It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 has reached the directly facing position. Similar to the above description, the determination at this time may be performed by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. The determination is not satisfied until the rear half-cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the rear half-cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S530.

  In step S530, as in step S50 described above, a control signal is output to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113 to drive the transport motor 119 and the tape discharge motor 65. Then, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped. Accordingly, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and the cover film from the second roll 104 in a state where the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the half cut line HC2 after calculation in step S135. The feeding of 103 and the feeding of the tag label tape 109 are stopped.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S540, and similarly to step S30, a control signal is output to the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 to rotate the half cutter 34, and the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a of the tag label tape 109 with print, After the base film 101b and the adhesive layer 101c are cut, a post-half-cut process for forming a post-half-cut line HC2 is performed (see FIG. 21 (l) and FIG. 24 (k)).

  Then, the process proceeds to step S550, and the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven in the same manner as in step S35 to resume the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S660, and it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the print printing end position (substantially set in steps S160 and S165 in FIG. 27) described above. The determination at this time may be, for example, as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. The determination is not satisfied until the post-printing print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S680.

  In step S680, similarly to step S260 described above, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the pattern print R2 is stopped. Thereby, the printing of the pattern print R2 for the post-printing area S2 is completed (see FIG. 21 (m) and FIG. 24 (m)), and this routine is finished.

  In the above, step S6, step S10, step S11, step S12, step S15, step S20, step S25, etc. of the flow shown in FIG. The tag printing corresponding to the transmission / reception contents by the transmission / reception means is performed in the first printing area provided at the position corresponding to the first printing area, and a predetermined pattern is formed in the second printing area located on the tape leading end side from the first printing area of the print medium layer A control unit that controls the printing unit and the conveyance unit in a coordinated manner so as to perform printing is configured.

  In the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, a predetermined label printing R is performed on the tag printing area S of the cover film 103 by the print head 23, and the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101c, Then, the tag label tape 109 having a laminated structure including three layers with the release paper 101d covering the same is conveyed, and the tag label tape 109 is cut into a predetermined length by the cutting mechanism 15 to produce the RFID label T.

  At this time, the print head 23 performs a predetermined pattern printing R1 on the front printing area S1 located on the tape leading end side with respect to the tag printing area S on the cover film 103, and at the back of the tape from the tag printing area S on the cover film 103. A predetermined pattern print R2 is performed by the print head 23 on the rear print area S2 located on the end side. Since these pattern prints R1 and R2 are various additional information that is notified to the label user in connection with the creation of the RFID label T, portions other than the tag print region S for performing the label print R corresponding to the contents of transmission / reception. Can be used effectively for various purposes without being wasted as a blank space. Therefore, the convenience for the label user can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the half-cut unit 35 leaves the release paper 101d and cuts the other layers to form the front and rear half-cut lines HC1 and HC2. When the other layers (label main bodies 103, 101a to c) are peeled off from the release paper 101d to be attached to the object to be attached, they can be easily peeled off with a fingertip. Further, the tag print area S becomes the label main bodies 103 and 101a to c due to the peeling when the label is used, but the front print area S1 and the rear print area S2 are portions remaining on the tape side. , 101a to c are printed on the front print area S1 and the rear print area S2, and the pattern prints R1 and R2 are printed with additional information that is not necessary to be printed and pasted. Can be used.

  In the above description, the case where the half-cut unit 35 serving as a half-cutting unit cuts the tag label tape 109 other than the release paper 101d has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and conversely, only the release paper 101d is cut. You may do it.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(1) When tape bonding is not performed That is, as described in the above embodiment, printing is performed on the cover film 103 different from the base tape 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To and these are bonded together. Instead, this is a case where the present invention is applied to a cartridge for a tag label producing apparatus that directly prints on a cover film provided on a tag tape.

  FIG. 32 is a plan view showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 7 ′ of this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 4 described above. Parts equivalent to those in FIG. 4 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 32, a cartridge 7 'includes a first roll 102' around which a thermal tape 101 '(tag tape, tag medium) is wound, and a tape feed that feeds the thermal tape 101' toward the outside of the cartridge 7 '. And a roller 27 '.

  The first roll 102 ′ is wound around a reel member 102 a ′ with a strip-like transparent thermal tape 101 ′ in which a plurality of the RFID tag circuit elements To are sequentially formed in the longitudinal direction. The reel member 102a 'is rotatably fitted and accommodated in a boss 95 standing on the bottom surface of the cartridge 7'.

  In this example, the heat-sensitive tape 101 'wound around the first roll 102' has a three-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 32), and is on the surface from the side wound inside to the opposite side. Cover film 101a '(printed medium layer) made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like having a heat-sensitive recording layer, adhesive layer 101b' (adhesive layer for application) made of an appropriate adhesive material, release paper 101c '(release) The layers are laminated in the order of the material layers.

  On the back side of the cover film 101a ', the loop antenna 152 (tag side loop antenna) configured in a loop coil shape and transmitting / receiving information is integrally provided in this example, and the IC is connected to this loop antenna 152a. The circuit unit 151 is formed, and the RFID tag circuit element To is configured by these. On the back side of the cover film 101a ', the release paper 101c' is bonded to the cover film 101a 'by the adhesive layer 101b'. Further, like the release paper 101d, the surface of the release paper 101c ′ has a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To (in this example, further forward of the front end of the antenna 152 in the transport direction). Position) is provided with a predetermined identifier for transport control (in this example, a black identifier. Alternatively, a laser processing or the like may be used to drill a hole substantially penetrating through the thermal tape 101 'as described above) PM. ing.

  When the cartridge 7 'is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roller holder 25 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the thermal tape 101' is held between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26, and the tape feed It is sandwiched between the roller 27 'and the sub-roller 28'. Then, the tape feed roller 27 ′, the sub roller 28 ′, and the platen roller 26 rotate in synchronization, and the thermal tape 101 ′ is fed out from the first roll 102 ′.

  The drawn thermal tape 101 ′ is guided by a substantially cylindrical reel 92 that is rotatably inserted in a reel boss 91 erected on the bottom surface of the cartridge, and the print head 23 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the opening 94. Supplied to. In the print head 23, a plurality of heating elements are energized by the above-described print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 15), whereby the label print R is printed on the surface of the cover film 101a 'of the thermal tape 101', and the printed tag label is printed. After being formed as the tape 109 ′, it is carried out of the cartridge 7 ′ from the discharge port 96.

  After unloading from the cartridge 7 ', the IC circuit unit 151 is accessed (information read / write) via the loop antenna LC described above. Thereafter, conveyance by the driving roller 51, cutting by the cutting mechanism 15 and the like may be performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The half cut unit 35 is different from the one corresponding to the so-called laminate type described in FIG. That is, in the configuration described in FIG. 10 and the like, the cradle 36 is on the print head 23 side, and the half cutter 34 is on the platen roller 26 side. This is a configuration for performing half-cutting from the surface opposite to the release paper of the created tape. However, when a thermal tape is used as in this modification (the same applies when an ink ribbon is used in a type that does not perform lamination described later with reference to FIG. 33), the release paper is opposite to the laminate type. . Therefore, in order to half-cut the portions other than the release paper, the arrangement of the cradle 36 and the half cutter 34 is reversed. That is, the half cutter 34 is on the print head 23 side, and the cradle 36 is on the platen roller 26 side.

  In this example, in order to enable automatic detection of the above-described cartridge type information and the like relating to the cartridge 7 'on the apparatus side, a cartridge RFID tag circuit in which information relating to the cartridge 7' is stored in advance on the outer peripheral side wall surface 93 of the cartridge 7. An element Tc is provided. An antenna AT that transmits and receives signals to and from the RFID tag circuit element Tc by non-contact wireless communication is provided on the side wall 6A of the cartridge holder 6 that faces the RFID circuit element Tc. .

  Also in this modification, although detailed illustration is omitted, in the thermal tape 101 ′, the distance L from the leading end position of the identifier PM in the tape transport direction to the leading end of the RFID circuit element To in the tape transport direction is the same as in the above embodiment. The distance is set in advance so as to be slightly larger than the tape conveyance direction distance Lo between the mark sensor 127 and the print head 23. As a result, pattern printing R1 is performed on the front and rear printing areas S1 and S2 in printing by the print head 23 and conveyance of the tag label tape 109 'by the same method as described with reference to FIGS. , R2 makes it possible to effectively use the portion other than the tag printing area S where the label printing R corresponding to the transmission / reception contents is performed without wasting it as a blank space, which is useful for various purposes. Can be improved.

  In the configuration of the modified example, printing is performed only by heat generation of the print head 23 without using an ink ribbon or the like by using a thermal tape as a tag tape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as in the above embodiment. In addition, printing may be performed using a normal ink ribbon.

  FIG. 33 is a plan view showing the detailed structure of such a modified cartridge 7 ″, and corresponds to FIG. 32 and FIG. 4 described above. The same parts as FIG. 32, FIG. The same reference numerals are given, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 33, a cartridge 7 ″ of this modification has a first roll 102 ″ around which a base tape 101 ″ (tag tape, tag medium) is wound.

  The first roll 102 ″ is wound around a reel member 102a ″ with a strip-shaped transparent base tape 101 ″ in which a plurality of the RFID circuit elements To are sequentially formed in the longitudinal direction.

  The base tape 101 ″ wound around the first roll 102 ″ has a three-layer structure in this example (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 33), and the PET is directed from the side wound inside to the opposite side. A colored base film 101a ″ (printed medium layer) made of (polyethylene terephthalate), an adhesive layer 101b ″ (adhesive layer for application) made of an appropriate adhesive, and a release paper 101c ″ (release material layer). They are stacked in order.

  On the back side of the base film 101a ″, the loop antenna 152 (tag side loop antenna) configured in a loop coil shape and transmitting / receiving information is integrally provided in this example, and the IC is connected so as to be connected thereto. A circuit portion 151 is formed, and these constitute the RFID circuit element To. On the back side of the base film 101a ″, the release paper 101c ″ is bonded to the base film 101a ″ by the adhesive layer 101b ″. In addition, on the surface of the release paper 101c ″, as described above, a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To (in this example, a position further forward than the front end of the antenna 152 on the front side in the transport direction). In addition, a predetermined identifier for transport control (in this example, a black identifier. Alternatively, by laser processing or the like, as in the above, the base tape Even it is) PM the like piercing the substantially penetrating pores provided 01 ".

  When the cartridge 7 ″ is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roller holder 25 is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the base tape 101 ″ and the ink ribbon 105 are sandwiched between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26. At the same time, it is held between the tape feed roller 27 'and the sub-roller 28'. Then, the tape feed roller 27 ′, the sub roller 28 ′, and the platen roller 26 rotate in synchronization, and the base tape 101 ″ is fed out from the first roll 102 ″.

  On the other hand, at this time, a plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 15), and the information stored in the RFID circuit element To is accommodated on the surface of the base film 101a ″ of the base tape 101 ″. The printed label R is printed and formed as a tag label tape 109 "with print, and then is carried out of the cartridge 7".

  After carrying out of the cartridge 7 ″, the IC circuit section 151 is accessed (reading / writing information) via the loop antenna LC described above. Thereafter, the conveyance by the driving roller 51 and the cutting by the cutting mechanism 15 are performed as described above. The description is omitted because it is sufficient to carry out in the same manner as the embodiment, and the half-cut unit 35 is the same as that of the modified example of FIG.

  Also in this modified example, as in the modified example of FIG. 32 above, in the base tape 101 ″, the distance L from the leading end position of the identifier PM in the tape transport direction to the leading end of the RFID circuit element To in the tape transport direction is the mark sensor 127. Is set in advance so as to be slightly larger than the tape conveyance direction distance Lo between the print head 23 and the print head 23. As a result, printing is performed by the same method as described with reference to FIGS. In the printing by the head 23 and the transport of the tag label tape 109 ″, the portions other than the tag printing area S for performing the label printing R corresponding to the transmission / reception contents by performing the pattern printing R1, R2 in the front / rear printing areas S1, S2. Can be effectively utilized as a blank space, and can be used for various purposes to improve the convenience of the label user.

(2) Others In the above, a pressure roller as a conveying means is provided, thereby driving a tag label tape 109 as a tag medium and a cover film 103 as a print medium, and a fixedly installed print head 23 or loop antenna. Although a relative movement is given to the LC, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, on the contrary, the print head 23 (with the loop antenna LC) is driven by a predetermined moving mechanism so as to give a relative movement between the tag medium such as a sheet and the print medium. Good. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained by performing the same control in the same relative positional relationship as described above.

  In the above, a loop antenna is used as the antenna LC on the device side and the antenna 152 on the RFID tag circuit element To side, and magnetic induction (including non-contact methods performed via electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, and other electromagnetic fields) is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information transmission / reception may be performed by radio communication using a dipole antenna or a patch antenna as the two antennas.

  In the above description, the half-cut unit 35 serving as the half-cutting unit is provided separately from the cutting mechanism 15 serving as the cutting unit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, for example, half cutting may be performed by controlling the rotation angle of the fixed blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 to be smaller than that at the time of full cutting, and both the cutting means and the half cutting means may be used. . In this case, the same effect is obtained. Alternatively, the half-cutting means for forming the half-cut line HC1 and the half-cutting means for forming the half-cut line HC2 may be separate means.

  In the above description, the RFID tag information T is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To and written to the IC circuit unit 151 to create the RFID tag T. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as already mentioned, while reading the RFID tag information from the read-only RFID circuit element To in which predetermined RFID tag information is stored and retained in a non-rewritable manner, printing corresponding to the RFID tag information T is performed. The present invention can also be applied to the case of creating the image, and also in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the apparatus main body side is not limited to a configuration in which the first roll 102 is detachably attached to the tag label producing apparatus 1 side without using the cartridge 7 or a detachable attachment to the tag label producing apparatus 1 such as the cartridge 7. It is also conceivable to provide the first roll 102 as a so-called stationary type or an integral type that cannot be attached and detached. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

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

  Furthermore, although the case where the RFID label provided with the RFID circuit element To is described as an example of the print label has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the RFID tag circuit element To is not provided as long as the original effect of the present invention is ensured, in which the label main body portion is made variable according to the printing length and the label is easily handled by the user. You may apply this invention to the label production apparatus which produces a printing label, and the printing label produced by this. In this case, the loop antenna LC, the transmission circuit 306, and the reception circuit 307 can be omitted in the label producing apparatus 1, and the RFID circuit element To is not required on the label side.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  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 illustrating a wireless tag generation system including a tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure of the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a tag label production apparatus. It is a top view showing the structure of the internal unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a detailed structure of a cartridge. It is the conceptual diagram seen from the arrow D direction in FIG. 5 showing the conceptual structure of a RFID circuit element. It is a partial extraction perspective view showing the principal part detailed structure of a label discharge mechanism. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the internal unit in the state which removed the label discharge | emission mechanism from the structure shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting mechanism which removed the half cutter from the internal unit. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting mechanism which removed the half cutter from the internal unit. It is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of a movable blade and a fixed blade with a half cut unit. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the detailed structure of a movable blade and a fixed blade. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a movable blade. It is a cross-sectional view by the AA cross section in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of a tag label production apparatus. It is a circuit diagram which represents simply the circuit structure of the connection part of a transmission circuit, a receiving circuit, and a loop antenna. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a wireless tag label T. FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram obtained by rotating a cross-sectional view of the IXXA-IXXA ′ section and the IXXB-IXXB ′ section in FIG. 18 by 90 ° counterclockwise. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on PC at the time of access (reading or writing) to wireless tag information. It is explanatory drawing showing the positional relationship of the tape for tag labels, a loop antenna, a mark sensor, a half cut unit, a cutting mechanism, and a print head. It is a figure showing the example of a radio | wireless tag label. It is a figure showing the example of the RFID label without a back printing area. It is explanatory drawing showing the positional relationship of the tape for tag labels, a loop antenna, a mark sensor, a half cut unit, a cutting mechanism, and a print head. It is a figure showing the example of a radio | wireless tag label. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S100. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S300. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S500. It is a top view showing the detailed structure of the cartridge of the modification which does not perform tape bonding. It is a top view showing the detailed structure of the cartridge of the other modification which does not perform tape bonding.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tag label production apparatus 15 Cutting mechanism 23 Print head (printing means)
27 Tape feed roller (conveying means, crimping means)
28 Tape pressure roller 35 Half-cut unit (first half-cutting means, second half-cutting means)
101 substrate tape 101b base film 101c adhesive layer (adhesive layer for application)
101d Release paper (release material layer)
101 'thermal tape 101a' cover film (printed medium layer)
101b 'adhesive layer (adhesive layer for application)
101c 'Release paper (release material layer)
101 "base tape 101a" base film 101b "adhesive layer (adhesive layer for application)
101c ″ release paper (release material layer)
103 Cover film (printed medium layer)
109 Tag Label Tape 109 ′ Tag Label Tape 109 ″ Tag Label Tape 110 Control Circuit 127 Mark Sensor (Detection Means)
151 IC circuit part 152 Antenna CL cutting line (cutting part)
HC1, HC2 half cut line (half cut part)
LC loop antenna (transmission / reception means)
PM identifier S Print area (first print area)
S1 Pre-print area (second print area)
S2 Post print area (3rd print area)
T RFID tag label To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (16)

A print medium layer, an adhesive layer for attaching the print medium layer to an object to be attached, a release material layer covering the adhesive layer for attachment, and an IC circuit unit for storing information A tag label producing device for producing a RFID label using a tag label tape having an RFID circuit element having an antenna for transmitting and receiving information,
Transport means for transporting the tag label tape;
Transmission / reception means for transmitting and receiving information without contact with the RFID circuit element;
Printing means for performing predetermined printing on the print medium layer;
Tag printing corresponding to transmission / reception contents by the transmission / reception means is performed on a first printing area provided at a position corresponding to the RFID circuit element in the printing medium layer, and the first printing area in the printing medium layer. A tag label producing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls the printing unit and the conveying unit in a coordinated manner so as to perform a predetermined pattern printing in a second printing region located closer to the front end of the tape. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
It has 1st half cutting means for cut | disconnecting layers other than the said peeling material layer of the said tag label tape between the said 1st printing area | region and the said 2nd printing area | region of the said tag label tape. Tag label making device. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The control means includes
The printing means and the conveying means are controlled in cooperation so that a predetermined pattern is printed in a third printing area located on the opposite side of the first printing area from the first printing area in the printing medium layer. The tag label production apparatus characterized by doing. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 3,
The control means includes
The tag label producing apparatus, wherein the printing unit and the conveying unit are controlled in cooperation so that the different printing patterns are printed in the second printing region and the third printing region. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
A second semi-cutting means for cutting a layer other than the release material layer of the tag label tape is provided between the first print area and the third print area of the tag label tape. Tag label making device. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control means includes
Controlling the printing means and the conveying means in cooperation so as to print label-related information related to the creation of the RFID label as the pattern printing in the second printing area or the third printing area. A featured tag label production device. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 6,
The control means includes
A tag label producing apparatus, wherein the printing unit and the conveying unit are controlled in cooperation so as to print the production date and time information for producing the RFID label as the label related information. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 6,
The control means includes
A tag label producing apparatus that controls the printing means and the conveying means in cooperation so as to print in-use information to be notified to a user when using a RFID label as the label-related information. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 8,
The control means includes
A tag label producing apparatus, wherein the printing unit and the conveying unit are controlled in cooperation so that precaution information for a user of the RFID label is printed as the use time information. The tag label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
Having an operation signal input means for inputting an operation signal of the operator;
The control means includes
A tag label producing apparatus comprising pattern setting means for variably setting the contents of the pattern printing in accordance with the operation signal input by the operation signal input means. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 10,
The operation signal input means includes
As the operation signal, input a selection signal from a plurality of the label related information set in advance,
The pattern setting means includes
A tag label producing apparatus, wherein the content of the pattern printing is set according to the selection signal input by the operation signal input means. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
The pattern setting means includes
A tag label producing apparatus, wherein the content of pattern printing is limited and set so as to be included in the range of the second printing area. The tag label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The control means includes
The tag label producing apparatus, wherein the printing unit and the conveying unit are controlled in cooperation so that the printing pattern is repeatedly printed a plurality of times in the second printing region or the third printing region. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The control means includes
In the second print area or the third print area, the print pattern or its surrounding area is printed with a decoration including addition or change of at least one of a predetermined line, color, pattern, and image. The tag label producing apparatus, wherein the printing unit and the conveying unit are controlled in cooperation. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
A tag label producing apparatus, comprising: a detecting means for detecting a detection identifier located at a position corresponding to the first print area of the tag label tape. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
An apparatus for producing a tag label, comprising: a pressure-bonding means for bonding a base tape layer for attaching the RFID circuit element to the print medium layer via a bonding adhesive layer.

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