JP2011204011A - Image forming device, data writing printing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely write data into an IC tag having a narrow pitch, and to print printing content where the combination of data to be written into the IC tag is assured to a recording paper attached with the IC tag is ensured.SOLUTION: An image forming device performing data writing into the IC tag and printing onto the recording paper with the IC tag attached therewith includes a detection means for detecting a position of the recording paper on a paper carrying passage of the recording paper; a reading means for reading identification information from the IC tag, identifying the IC tag; a control means for obtaining an carrying order of the recording paper, on the basis of the read-out identification information and the detected position of the recording paper; a writing means for writing the data corresponding, to the obtained carrying order into the IC tag; and a printing means for printing content corresponding to the obtained carrying order onto the recording paper.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a data writing / printing method, and a program, and particularly preferably applied to an image forming apparatus that performs data writing on an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet with an IC tag, such as an RFID-compatible printer. Is related to the technology.

  Conventionally, a label printer capable of writing on an RFID tag is known, but in the case of such a printer, a predetermined label is attached to a label arranged at equal intervals and an RFID tag attached to the label. It is required to issue a combination of printing and data written to the RFID tag without making a mistake.

  When the label pitch of the RFID tag label, that is, the RFID tag pitch is narrowed, the reader / writer (R / W) module built in the printer receives the RFID tag included in the label to be printed now, in addition to the RFID tag. The label next to the label and the next label may be detected at the same time. Then, since it is impossible to determine which RFID tag is the label to be printed from the R / W module, an error has occurred in the conventional printer. Alternatively, even if the writing is forcibly performed, writing is performed on the next label that is not a printing target or the next next label, and the combination of the printing content and the data that is written on the RFID tag is not accurate.

  As countermeasures, conventionally, the R / W module has always used a label with a wide IC tag pitch, that is, a label pitch so that only one RFID tag is detected. In this case, the pitch at which the next RFID tag is not detected differs depending on the type of IC tag, and it is difficult for the user to determine the pitch of the IC tag label, and the manufacturer also supports all IC tags that the customer wants to use. Therefore, there is also a problem that the IC tag must be evaluated. Also, if the pitch between labels (between RFID tags) is increased in accordance with the printer, the number of labels that can be wound on one roll decreases (for example, when 1,000 sheets can be wound at a pitch of 25 mm, the printer If it is necessary to make the pitch 50 mm or more, the number of rolls is halved).

  On the other hand, as another countermeasure, shielding with metal is performed so as not to detect the next tag. In this method, even if the next tag is not detected for one IC tag type due to shielding, another IC tag cannot detect the current IC tag to be printed. The tag variety will be narrowed. Also, placing metal around the antenna will change the characteristics of the antenna's electromagnetic wave radiation pattern, resonance frequency, etc., so it will not impair the stability of communication with the IC tag and will not detect the next tag. There was also a problem that it was difficult to design both.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, there is no interference interference of electromagnetic waves between IC tags even when a plurality of IC tags are close to each other, and data writing and reading with respect to individual limited IC tags are accurately performed. A non-contact type IC tag writing / reading device which can be performed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transmission / reception antenna for writing and reading data to / from an IC tag, a non-contact type IC tag writing / reading unit including a waveguide for guiding a radio wave signal in an antenna mounting portion on which the antenna is mounted, Moving means for moving the writing / reading means is provided.

JP 2007-188392 A

  The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to accurately read and write data with respect to an IC tag even when the IC tags are narrow and close to each other. However, this does not guarantee a combination of data to be written to the IC tag and contents to be printed on the label to which the written IC tag is attached.

  RFID tags read and write data wirelessly, and have the advantage of being able to be identified over a longer distance than barcode reading. For example, for large labels such as clothing price tags and books. There is a need to use it in cases of troubled individual items. In view of these needs, printers that issue not only reliable writing to narrow-pitch RFID tags but also printing contents that guarantee a combination of data written on the tags with labels attached to the tags are required. It has been.

  In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention reliably writes data to an IC tag with a narrow pitch, and print contents in which a combination with data to be written to an IC tag is guaranteed on a recording paper with an IC tag attached. The purpose is to be able to print with.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs data writing on an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet with an IC tag, and detects the position of the recording sheet on the conveyance path. Means for reading identification information for identifying the IC tag from the IC tag, control means for determining the conveyance order of the recording paper based on the read identification information and the detected position of the recording paper, A writing unit that writes data corresponding to the determined transport order to the IC tag, and a printing unit that prints print contents corresponding to the determined transport order on a recording sheet.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the detection unit detects a position on the conveyance path where the reading unit can read the identification information of one IC tag, and the control unit detects the position at the detected position. The order of transport of the recording paper with the IC tag from which the identification information is read may be obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the detection unit is provided at a position before the recording paper passes the printing unit, and detects the paper size of the recording paper and the interval between the recording papers. The control means drives the conveyance means for conveying the recording paper in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction based on the detected paper size and interval, and when the identification information of only one IC tag is read by the reading means, The conveyance order of the recording paper with the IC tag attached may be obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the detection unit is provided at a position downstream of the reading unit in the transport direction, detects the sheet size of the recording sheet and the interval between the recording sheets, and controls the unit. However, based on the detected paper size and interval, the conveying means for conveying the recording paper is driven in the conveying direction, and when the identification information of only one IC tag is read by the reading means, the IC tag is attached. Alternatively, the order of transporting the recording sheets may be obtained.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention relates to the above-described image forming apparatus by associating the recording sheet conveyance order data, the IC tag identification information, the data to be written to the IC tag, and the print content data to be printed on the recording sheet. You may have a memory | storage means to memorize | store.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus described above, the writing unit uses the identification information of the IC tag associated with the obtained transport order to transfer the data associated with the transport order to the IC The tag may be written, and the printing unit may print the printing content associated with the determined transport order on the recording paper.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the control unit stores the identification information of the IC tag attached to the recording sheet for which the conveyance order is obtained in association with the conveyance order in the storage unit. It may be.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, when the control unit resumes the writing of data to the IC tag once suspended and the printing on the recording paper, the identification information read and the stored identification information are stored. When the information matches, the writing unit and the printing unit may perform data writing and printing using the stored identification information and the associated print content.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the above image forming apparatus, in which the printing unit only applies to the recording paper to which the IC tag is attached when the data is normally written to the IC tag by the writing unit. Printing may be performed.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention may include a radio wave blocking unit that is provided at a position downstream of the reading unit in the transport direction and blocks radio waves transmitted from the IC tag.

  A data writing / printing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a data writing / printing method in an image forming apparatus that performs data writing on an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet with an IC tag attached thereto. A detection step for detecting the position of the recording medium, a reading step for reading the identification information for identifying the IC tag from the IC tag, and the conveyance order of the recording paper based on the read identification information and the detected position of the recording paper. A required transport order determining step, a writing step for writing data corresponding to the determined transport order to the IC tag, and a printing step for printing the print content corresponding to the determined transport order on a recording sheet.

  A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program used in an image forming apparatus that performs data writing on an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet with an IC tag, and the recording detected by a detection unit in a computer Based on the position acquisition process for acquiring the position on the paper conveyance path, the reading process for reading the identification information for identifying the IC tag from the IC tag, the read identification information and the acquired position of the recording paper A transport order determination process for determining the transport order of the paper, a writing process for writing data corresponding to the determined transport order to the IC tag, a print process for printing the print content corresponding to the determined transport order on the recording paper, Is executed.

  According to the present invention, data can be surely written to an IC tag with a narrow pitch, and printing can be performed with respect to a recording sheet with an IC tag, with a combination of data written to the IC tag guaranteed. It becomes possible to do.

It is the schematic which showed the structure of the RFID corresponding | compatible printer which concerns on embodiment (1st) of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller board provided in an RFID-compatible printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the tag / label order determination process which concerns on embodiment (1st) of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the data writing process / label printing process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the order data which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the RFID corresponding | compatible printer which concerns on embodiment (2nd) of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the tag / label order determination process which concerns on embodiment (2nd) of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tag-containing label is conveyed in the reverse direction from the printing start position (the direction away from the printing position), thereby gradually reducing the number of readable RFID tags. This determines the order of label transport. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the RFID tag has identification information (tag ID) that allows each tag to be uniquely identified by the UHF band RFID tag, and that the printer has a function of reading and writing a plurality of RFID tags. Here, reading and writing to a plurality of RFID tags means reading and writing RFID tags that can be communicated one by one in order for a human being.

  First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an RFID-compatible printer according to the present embodiment. The RFID-compatible printer 10 of this embodiment includes a thermal head 11, a platen roller 12, a sensor 13, an antenna 14, an R / W module 15, a printer controller board 16, a transport roller 17a, and a transport roller 17b, and data to the RFID tag. Write and print on labels.

  The thermal head 11 transfers ink from an ink ribbon (not shown) to the RFID tag-containing label 51 by applying heat. Further, the thermal head 11 performs printing by causing color development by heat when the recording paper is thermal paper. The platen roller 12 fixes the ink on the label transferred by the thermal head 11 by applying pressure. A thermal head 11 as a heating means and a platen roller 12 as a pressure means constitute a printing means for printing on a label.

  The transport rollers 17a and 17b direct the label ledger 50 on which the RFID tag-labeled label 51 is placed toward the printing position where the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12 are located (in the forward direction) or away from the printing position ( By moving it in the reverse direction, the RFID tag-containing label 51 is conveyed. Further, the transport rollers 17a and 17b have a function of blocking the radio wave from the antenna 14, and the radio wave of the antenna 14 does not reach the RFID tag that has not passed through the transport roller. The sensor 13 detects that the RFID tag-labeled label 51 has reached the printing position. The sensor 13 can detect the leading and trailing ends of the RFID tag-labeled label 51 in the traveling direction, and can acquire data on the label length (length in the traveling direction) and the interval between the labels.

  The antenna 14 transmits and receives radio for reading and writing data to and from the RFID tag. The R / W module 15 controls the antenna 14, reads a tag ID for identifying each tag from the RFID tag, and writes data to the RFID. In this embodiment, reading / writing of data with respect to RFID is performed in a state where the RFID tag is stopped. The printer controller board 16 controls the R / W module 15, sensor 13, transport roller 17, thermal head 11, and platen roller 12, and performs tag / label order determination processing, data writing processing / label printing processing unique to the present invention. Do.

  Note that the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied need not be limited to a printer of a type that transfers ink from an ink ribbon or develops thermal paper by heat from a thermal head, and can handle roll-shaped paper. As long as the printer has a built-in R / W module, the printing method may be an ink jet method or a dot impact method.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer controller board of this embodiment. The printer controller board 16 is configured by connecting a CPU 161, ROM 162, RAM 163, nonvolatile RAM 164, sensor control unit 165, motor drive control unit 166, and head control unit 167 to a bus 168.

  The CPU 161 controls the RFID-compatible printer 10 and reads a control program stored in the ROM 162 and an application specific to the present invention to perform each control. The ROM 162 stores various applications such as a control program for the entire printer, an application for causing the CPU 161 to perform tag / label order determination processing unique to the present invention, and data writing processing / label printing processing. The RAM 163 is a work area that is used when the CPU 161 performs control. The non-volatile RAM 164 stores order data used in tag / label order determination processing and data writing processing / label printing processing unique to the present invention.

  The sensor control unit 165 is a functional block that controls the operation of the sensor 13 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 161. The motor drive control unit 166 is a functional block that controls the operation of the transport roller 17 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 161. The head controller 167 is a functional block that controls the operations of the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 161.

  Next, operations performed by the RFID-compatible printer according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of tag / label order determination processing according to the present embodiment. First, the sensor 13 detects that the label with the first RFID tag has reached the print start position (step S101). At this time, the CPU 161 acquires label length and label interval data obtained by the sensor 13 detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the label. And CPU161 receives the detection result of the sensor 13, and stops label conveyance via the motor drive control part 166 (step S102). At this time, the state is as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 161 reads the tag ID from the RFID tag in the stopped state via the R / W module 15 (step S103). In the state of FIG. 1, tag IDs of three labels (labels with RFID tags 51a, 51b, and 51c) are read.

  Next, the CPU 161 determines whether the read tag ID is one (step S104). Here, the tag IDs of the three labels are read, and since the read tag IDs are two or more (step S104 / NO), the label ledger 50 is conveyed in the reverse direction via the motor drive control unit 166. (Step S105). At this time, the transport distance is one label, and the transport is performed until the label 51a with the RFID tag reaches the position of the label 51b with the RFID tag. The above operation is continued until one tag ID is read (step S104 / NO, step S105, step S103).

  The reason why the RFID tag-containing label stops once when it reaches the print start position and is conveyed in the reverse direction until the number of readable tag IDs becomes one is to grasp the RFID tag-containing label that is conveyed first. In the state where the label with the first RFID tag is stopped at the print start position, a plurality of tag IDs (three in FIG. 1) are read. This is because the number of read tag IDs and the plurality of RFID tags can be read. Only the position of the tag ID can be known, and the transport order of the plurality of tag IDs cannot be grasped.

  For example, referring to FIG. 1, when the RFID tag-labeled label 51a is stopped at the print start position, the tag IDs of the RFID tag-labeled labels 51a, 51b, and 51c are read. It is unknown. When the conveyance in the reverse direction is performed once, the RFID tag-containing label 51c moves to the right side of the conveyance roller 17 and the tag IDs of the RFID tag-containing labels 51a and 51b are read. You can see that it is the last of the three tags. Further, if the conveyance in the reverse direction is performed once, the RFID tag-containing label 51b moves to the right side of the conveyance roller 17, and only the tag ID of the RFID tag-containing label 51a is read. It can be seen that the transport order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51a is the first of the three tags before the RFID tag-labeled label 51c.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. If the CPU 161 determines that the number of read tag IDs is one (step S104 / YES), the CPU 161 determines the transport order of the read tag IDs (step S106). In the example of FIG. 1, it is determined that the conveyance order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51 a is No. 1.

  Subsequently, the CPU 161 updates the order data (step S107). The order data is data used for tag / label order determination processing and data writing processing / label printing processing, and is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 164. An example of the order data is shown in FIG. FIG. 5A shows the order data in the initial state, and FIG. 5B shows the updated order data. The order data includes the order of transport (order), the data to be written to the RFID tag (write data), the content to be printed on the label attached with the RFID tag to be written (print content), and the tag ID of the RFID tag to be written ( Tag ID) and the result (execution result) of the data writing process are associated with each other. Although one table data is shown in FIG. 5, the data format is not limited to this, and an arbitrary format can be adopted. For example, when it is determined that the transport order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51a is No. 1, in the order data update, as shown in FIG. 5B, for the tag ID associated with the order "1", the RFID tag-labeled label The tag ID “IDa (51a)” of 51a is written.

  After updating the order data, the CPU 161 transports the label ledger 50 in the forward direction via the motor drive control unit 166 (step S108). The transport distance at this time is one label as in the reverse transport. That is, the RFID tag-containing label 51a at the position of the RFID tag-containing label 51c is conveyed until it reaches the position of the RFID tag-containing label 51b. Then, the tag ID is read in the stopped state (step S109).

  When a new tag ID is read (step S110 / YES), the CPU 161 determines the transport order of the newly read tag ID (step S106). Then, the order data is updated for the newly confirmed tag ID (step S107). Referring to FIG. 1, when the RFID tag-incorporated label 51a at the position of the RFID tag-incorporated label 51c is conveyed until it reaches the position of the RFID tag-incorporated label 51b, the tag ID read is the RFID tag-incorporated label 51a, This is the tag ID of the RFID tag attached to 51b. Then, since the conveyance order of the RFID tag-containing label 51a has been determined and already reflected in the order data, the order data is updated for the unreflected RFID tag-containing label 51b. Since the transport order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51b is determined to be the second, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tag ID “IDb (51b) of the RFID tag-labeled label 51b is associated with the tag ID associated with the order“ 2 ”. Is written.

  After the first label with the RFID tag is confirmed, the label ledger 51 is transported in the forward direction, and the transport order of subsequent labels with the RFID tag can be confirmed. The above operation is repeated until a new tag ID is not read (step S110 / NO, step S106 to step S109).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the data writing process / label printing process according to the present embodiment. First, the CPU 161 reads the sequence data in the nonvolatile RAM 164 and determines whether there is data that has not yet been written (step S201). If there is unexecuted data (step S201 / YES), data writing is performed for the RFID tag in the minimum order among the unexecuted (step S202). In the example of FIG. 5, since the order “1” is the smallest of the unexecuted data, the CPU 161 writes to the RFID tag attached to the RFID tag-containing label 51 a via the R / W module 15. Write the data “Data A”.

  Subsequently, the CPU 161 determines whether data has been normally written to the RFID tag. Since the R / W module 15 knows whether or not the data writing to the RFID tag has been normally performed, the CPU 161 acquires the information from the R / W module 15. When the data writing is performed normally (step S203 / YES), the CPU 161 updates the order data (step S206), and prints in the order of writing on the label with the RFID tag to which the written RFID tag is attached. The contents are printed (step S207). The update contents of the order data here is to write “normal” in the execution result associated with the order “1” in the example of FIG. 5.

  On the other hand, when the data writing is not normally performed (step S203 / NO), the CPU 161 updates the order data (step S204), and writes the data to the next RFID tag (step S205). The update content of the order data here is to write “error” in the execution result associated with the order “2” in the example of FIG. 5. If data writing is not performed normally, printing on the label is not performed. This is for assuring a combination of data to be written to the RFID tag and contents to be printed on the label to which the tag is attached.

  The above operation is repeated until there is no unwritten data written to the RFID tag (step S201 / YES, step S202 to step S207).

  In the present embodiment, data is first written to the RFID tag, and printing corresponding to data written normally is performed on the label. However, the label may be printed first. Good. The timing of data writing may be performed each time the tag ID of one RFID tag is read and the transport order is determined, or the transport order is determined first until the leading label is transported to the print start position again. Then, data writing may be performed collectively for a plurality of RFID tags whose order is determined thereafter. As described above, the timing of data writing or label printing and which of these two processes is performed first can be arbitrarily selected.

  In this embodiment, since the order data is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 164, even when the power is turned off once and the position of the label is changed when the power is turned on again, or when another label is set, It is possible to effectively use the sequence data recorded as the processing results up to that point. For example, when the power is turned on again, the tag ID is read, the tag ID included in the order data is compared with the read tag ID, and if they match, the order can be regarded as the order data. If they do not match, the flow of FIG. 3 may be performed from the beginning.

  In the present embodiment, the transport roller 17 also has a function of blocking the radio wave from the antenna 14, thereby limiting the reading range of the tag ID, but another radio wave blocking means can be placed at an arbitrary position (for example, It may be provided at a position between the thermal head 11 and the conveying roller 17) and the tag ID reading range may be set freely.

  In the present embodiment, the tag ID is used as identification information for identifying the RFID tag, but other data may be used. When manufacturing an RFID tag label, a writing test is always performed one by one in order to remove a tag on which the RFID tag cannot be written (failed). If the label is manufactured under the condition that different information is written to each RFID tag when performing the writing test, the data read from the memory area where writing is performed at the time of inspection is used instead of the tag ID. The above processing flow can be realized. However, the memory area to be written at the time of inspection may overwrite the data desired by the user with this printer, so the user instructs the history to identify the printed label. Data (data for which it succeeded) is stored.

  According to this embodiment, the RFID tag-containing label is conveyed in the reverse direction from the printing start position, so that the number of readable RFID tags is gradually reduced, the RFID tag and the label conveyance order are determined, and the RFID tag Since data writing to the tag and printing to the label are performed, it is possible to guarantee a combination of the data to be written to the RFID tag and the printing content to the label to which the tag is attached.

  In addition, this eliminates the need for a label that must have a certain pitch or more according to the printer specifications despite the small label size, so that the number of labels that can be included in one roll can be increased. The user can reduce the frequency of paper replenishment compared to the conventional case.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tag label is temporarily stopped in a region where radio waves from the antenna do not reach, and gradually conveyed toward the print start position (forward direction). One situation is created and the conveyance order of the RFID tag and the label is determined. The difference from the first embodiment is that there is no operation of once transporting to the printing start position and transporting in the reverse direction. Hereinafter, description of points common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the RFID-compatible printer according to the present embodiment. The RFID-compatible printer 20 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the RFID-compatible printer 20 of the first embodiment, and includes a thermal head 21, a platen roller 22, a sensor 23, an antenna 24, an R / W module 25, a printer controller board 26, A conveyance roller 27a and a conveyance roller 27b are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor 23 is installed at a position in the vicinity of the transport rollers 27a and 27b so as to detect that one RFID tag-containing label passes. Similar to the sensor 13 of the first embodiment, the sensor 23 detects the leading and trailing ends of the RFID tag-labeled label 51 in the traveling direction, and obtains the label length (the traveling direction length) and the distance between the labels. Is possible.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of tag / label order determination processing according to the present embodiment. First, the sensor 23 detects that the leading RFID tag-labeled label has passed the transport roller 27 (step S201). At this time, the CPU 161 acquires label length and label interval data obtained by the sensor 13 detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the label. Then, the CPU 161 receives the detection result of the sensor 23 and stops the label conveyance via the motor drive control unit 166 (step S202). This is the state of FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 161 reads the tag ID from the RFID tag in the stopped state via the R / W module 15 (step S203). In the state of FIG. 6, the tag ID of one label (label with RFID tag 51a) is in a readable area.

  Next, the CPU 161 determines whether the tag ID has been read (step S204). When the tag ID is normally read (step S204 / YES), the CPU 161 determines the transport order of the read tag ID (step S206). In the example of FIG. 6, it is determined that the transport order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51a is No. 1.

  Subsequently, the CPU 161 updates the order data (step S207). The contents and update of the order data are as shown in FIG. 5 as in the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, since it is determined that the transport order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51a is No. 1, in the order data update, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tag ID associated with the order “1” is The tag ID “IDa (51a)” of the RFID tag label 51a is written.

  After updating the order data, the CPU 161 transports the label ledger 50 in the forward direction via the motor drive control unit 166 (step S208). The transport distance at this time is one label as in the reverse transport. That is, the RFID tag-containing label 51b is conveyed until it reaches the position of the RFID tag-containing label 51a. Then, the tag ID is read in the stopped state (step S209).

  Then, the CPU 161 determines whether or not a new tag ID has been read. If a new tag ID has been read (step S210 / YES), the CPU 161 determines the transport order of the newly read tag ID (step S206). Then, the order data is updated for the newly confirmed tag ID (step S207). In the example of FIG. 6, since the transport order of the RFID tag-labeled label 51b is determined to be the second, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tag of the RFID tag-labeled label 51b is associated with the tag ID associated with the order “2”. Write the ID “IDb (51b)”.

  Thereafter, the above process is repeated until a new tag ID is read (step S210 / NO, steps S206 to S209).

  In the above description, the range in which the antenna 24 can read the tag ID is set to the left side of the transport roller 27. However, since the range in which the radio wave reaches varies depending on the IC tag, this range is narrow (not in the vicinity of the transport roller 27 but on the left side). In the case of an area), the labels are conveyed one by one until the tag ID is read.

  According to the present embodiment, there is no need for an operation of once transporting to the printing start position and transporting in the reverse direction until one tag ID can be read. There is no need to perform drive control, and it is possible to guarantee a combination of data to be written to the RFID tag and contents to be printed on the label to which the tag is attached with a simpler configuration.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  That is, the program executed by the RFID-compatible printers 10 and 20 in the present embodiment acquires the IC tag read through the R / W module 15 and the function of acquiring the detection result of the sensor 13 through the sensor control unit 165. A function for transporting labels via the motor drive control unit 166, a function for determining the label transport order, a function for writing data to the RFID tag via the R / W module 15, and a label via the head control unit 167 The module configuration includes a function for printing on the printer, and actual means are realized using actual hardware. That is, when the computer (CPU) reads a program from a predetermined recording medium and executes it, the above-mentioned means are loaded onto the main storage device and generated.

  The programs executed by the RFID-compatible printers 10 and 20 in the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, nonvolatile memory card, or the like. It may be configured to be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. And the recording medium which recorded the program code comprises this invention.

10, 20 RFID compatible printer 11, 21 Thermal head 12, 22 Platen roller 13, 23 Sensor 14, 24 Antenna 15, 25 R / W module 16, 26 Printer controller board 17, 27 Transport roller 50 Label ledger 51 Label with RFID tag 51 161 CPU
162 ROM
163 RAM
164 Non-volatile RAM
165 Sensor control unit 166 Motor drive control unit 167 Head control unit 168 Bus

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus for performing data writing to an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet to which the IC tag is attached,
Detecting means for detecting a position of the recording paper on the conveyance path;
Reading means for reading identification information for identifying the IC tag from the IC tag;
Control means for determining the conveyance order of the recording paper based on the read identification information and the detected position of the recording paper;
Writing means for writing data corresponding to the determined transport order to the IC tag;
Printing means for printing on the recording paper the print content corresponding to the determined transport order;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The detection means detects a position on the conveyance path where the reading means can read the identification information of one IC tag,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit obtains a transport order of the recording paper to which an IC tag from which the identification information is read is attached at the detected position. The detection means is provided at a position before the recording paper passes through the printing means, detects the paper size of the recording paper and the interval between the recording paper,
The control unit drives a conveyance unit that conveys the recording paper in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction based on the detected paper size and the interval, and the identification information of only one IC tag is read by the reading unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the image is read, the transport order of the recording paper to which the IC tag is attached is obtained. The detection means is provided at a position downstream of the reading means in the transport direction, detects the paper size of the recording paper and the interval between the recording papers,
The control unit drives a conveyance unit that conveys the recording paper in the conveyance direction based on the detected paper size and the interval, and the reading unit reads the identification information of only one IC tag. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a conveyance order of the recording paper with the IC tag attached is obtained.   2. The storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit that stores the recording sheet conveyance order data, the identification information of the IC tag, the data to be written on the IC tag, and the print content data to be printed on the recording sheet in association with each other. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 above. The writing means writes the data associated with the transport order to the IC tag using the identification information of the IC tag associated with the determined transport order,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing unit prints the print content associated with the obtained transport order on the recording paper.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control unit stores the identification information of the IC tag attached to the recording paper for which the conveyance order is obtained in the storage unit in association with the conveyance order. apparatus.   The control means stores the stored identification information when the read identification information and the stored identification information coincide with each other when the data writing to the IC tag that has been suspended and the printing on the recording paper are resumed. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing unit and the printing unit perform data writing and printing using the identification information and the associated print contents. 6. .   9. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing on a recording sheet to which the IC tag is attached only when data writing to the IC tag is normally performed by the writing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a radio wave blocking unit that is provided at a position downstream of the reading unit in a conveyance direction and blocks radio waves transmitted from the IC tag. A data writing / printing method in an image forming apparatus for performing data writing to an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet to which the IC tag is attached,
A detection step of detecting a position of the recording paper on the conveyance path;
A step of reading identification information for identifying the IC tag from the IC tag;
A transport order determining step for obtaining a transport order of the recording paper based on the read identification information and the detected position of the recording paper;
A writing step of writing data corresponding to the determined transport order into the IC tag;
A printing step for printing on the recording paper the printing content corresponding to the determined transport order;
A data writing and printing method comprising: A program used in an image forming apparatus that performs data writing to an IC tag and printing on a recording sheet to which the IC tag is attached,
On the computer,
Position acquisition processing for acquiring the position on the conveyance path of the recording paper detected by the detection means;
A reading process of reading identification information for identifying the IC tag from the IC tag;
A transport order determination process for determining a transport order of the recording paper based on the read identification information and the acquired position of the recording paper;
A writing process for writing data corresponding to the determined transport order to the IC tag;
A printing process for printing on the recording paper the printing content corresponding to the determined transport order;
A program characterized by having executed.

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