JP4470430B2 - Wireless tag and wireless tag creation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag capable of wirelessly writing and reading information and a wireless tag creation apparatus for writing information to the wireless tag.

  An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system is known in which information is read out in a non-contact manner by a predetermined reader (interrogator) from a small wireless tag (responder) in which predetermined information is stored. This RFID system can read information stored in a wireless tag by wireless communication with a reader even when the wireless tag is dirty or placed at an invisible position. Practical use is expected in various fields such as management and inspection processes.

  In writing information to the wireless tag, it is necessary to communicate information with the wireless tag. For example, such information is written by communication using a UHF wave band such as 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz as a communication frequency. However, when a high frequency is used, the communication distance is long, and therefore, in the cartridge of the RFID tag producing apparatus, It is difficult to write information only to a target wireless tag because there is a possibility that communication is performed with a pre-cut RFID tag tape or a wireless tag already written. In particular, in the case of a wireless tag having a WORM (Write Once Read Many) type IC chip, there is a problem that the wireless tag must be discarded because it cannot be erased or rewritten if information is written by mistake. . In view of this, a wireless tag has been proposed in which writing is not possible in the state of the RFID tag tape before cutting, and writing is possible by cutting the RFID tag tape at a predetermined position. For example, the non-contact IC tag described in Patent Document 1 is that.

JP 2002-230499 A

  However, according to the conventional technology, it is possible to prevent information from being written on the RFID tag tape before cutting, but no consideration is given to a wireless tag that has already been written. There was a possibility that information was written to the tag by mistake. In other words, a technology for reliably writing information only to a target wireless tag has not yet been provided.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag and a wireless tag creation device capable of reliably writing information only to a target wireless tag. It is in.

In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the first invention is a wireless tag provided with an IC circuit unit having an information storage unit capable of storing predetermined information, to the information storage unit. A first write control electrode and a second write control electrode for controlling the writing of information, and the IC circuit section is connected to the information storage section when the first write control electrode is short-circuited. Is prohibited, and when the first writing control electrode is opened and the second writing control electrode is short-circuited, writing to the information storage unit is permitted, and the first writing control electrode is permitted. The wireless tag includes write control means for prohibiting the writing of information to the information storage unit when both the insertion control electrode and the second write control electrode are open. The IC circuit unit, the first write control electrode, and the second The tag tape formed by arranging a plurality of embedded control electrodes adjacent to each other is cut to be formed as an individual wireless tag. As a result of cutting at the first cutting position on the tag tape, Both the first writing control electrode related to the wireless tag and the second writing control electrode related to the wireless tag arranged adjacent to the wireless tag are opened, while cutting at the second cutting position As a result, the first write control electrode related to the predetermined wireless tag is opened and the short circuit of the second write control electrode related to the wireless tag arranged adjacent to the wireless tag is maintained. Thus, the pattern of the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode is arranged and configured.
In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the second invention is a wireless tag including an IC circuit unit having an information storage unit capable of storing predetermined information, and to the information storage unit. A first write control electrode, a second write control electrode, and a third write control electrode for controlling the writing of the information, and the IC circuit unit includes the first write control electrode being short-circuited. The information storage unit is prohibited from writing information, the first write control electrode is opened, and the second write control electrode and the third write control electrode are both short-circuited. In the case where writing to the information storage unit is permitted, both the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode are opened and the third write control electrode is short-circuited. Writing information to the information storage unit is prohibited, and the first writing control Pole are those when the second writing control electrode, and both the third writing control electrode is open, including a writing control means for permitting the writing of information to the information storage unit, the radio The tag is a tag tape configured by arranging a plurality of the IC circuit portion, the first write control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third write control electrode related to each wireless tag adjacent to each other. As a result of the cutting at the first cutting position on the tag tape, the first write control electrode related to the predetermined wireless tag is opened, and the wireless tag is formed. As a result of the cutting at the second cutting position, the second writing control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the second tag is opened and the short circuit of the third writing control electrode is maintained. The first writing related to the wireless tag of The control electrode is opened and the short-circuit between the second writing control electrode and the third writing control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag is maintained, and the cutting at the third cutting position is maintained. As a result, the second write control electrode and the third write control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag while the first write control electrode related to the predetermined wireless tag is opened. The pattern of the first write control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third write control electrode is arranged so as to be opened .

In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the third invention is a radio tag producing apparatus for writing information to the radio tag according to the first or second invention, wherein the tag tape is used. Cutting control means for controlling to cut at a predetermined cutting position, and write control information for determining permission or prohibition of writing of new information to the wireless tag divided from the tag tape by cutting Write control information input means, and based on the write control information input by the write control information input means, the cutting position controlled by the cutting control means is a write control electrode corresponding to each wireless tag. And a delivery control means for determining a delivery amount of the tag tape so as to be a position for opening the terminal or a position for maintaining the short circuit thereof.

As described above, in the first aspect of the invention, the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode for controlling the writing of information to the information storage unit are provided, and the IC circuit unit includes the first write control electrode. When the write control electrode is short-circuited, writing of information to the information storage unit is prohibited, and when the first write control electrode is opened and the second write control electrode is short-circuited Allows writing to the information storage unit and prohibits writing of information to the information storage unit when both the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode are open The wireless tag includes a plurality of the IC circuit unit, the first write control electrode, and the second write control electrode that are associated with each wireless tag. The tag tape is cut and formed as individual wireless tags As a result of cutting at the first cutting position on the tag tape, the second writing control electrode related to a predetermined wireless tag and the second related to the wireless tag arranged adjacent to the wireless tag. While all the write control electrodes are opened, as a result of cutting at the second cutting position, the first write control electrode related to a predetermined wireless tag is opened and arranged adjacent to the wireless tag. Since the pattern of the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode is arranged so as to maintain the short circuit of the second write control electrode related to the wireless tag, the information The first write control electrode of the target wireless tag is opened for the first time when writing information to the storage unit, and after writing information to the information storage unit in the wireless tag, the second write control electrode of the wireless tag is turned on. Short circuit It is, can be written reliably information only to the wireless tag.
In the second invention, the IC circuit unit includes a first write control electrode, a second write control electrode, and a third write control electrode for controlling the writing of information to the information storage unit. Prohibits the writing of information to the information storage unit when the first write control electrode is short-circuited, the first write control electrode is opened and the second write control electrode and When both the third write control electrodes are short-circuited, writing to the information storage unit is permitted, and both the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode are opened and the first write control electrode is opened. When the three write control electrodes are short-circuited, writing of information to the information storage unit is prohibited, and all of the first write control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third write control electrode It permits the writing of information to the information storage unit in the when is opened It is intended to include a write control unit, the radio tag, the IC circuit part according to each wireless tag, the first writing control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third writing control electrodes adjacent to each other A plurality of tag tapes arranged side by side are cut to be formed as individual wireless tags, and the first tape related to a predetermined wireless tag as a result of cutting at a first cutting position on the tag tape. The write control electrode is opened, the second write control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag is opened, and the short circuit of the third write control electrode is maintained, and the first As a result of cutting at two cutting positions, the first writing control electrode related to a predetermined wireless tag is opened and the second writing control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag And short of third write control electrode As a result of cutting at the third cutting position, the first writing control electrode related to a predetermined wireless tag is opened and the first related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag The patterns of the first write control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third write control electrode are arranged so as to open the second write control electrode and the third write control electrode. Therefore, the first write control electrode of the target wireless tag is opened for the first time when information is written to the information storage unit, the information is written to the information storage unit of the wireless tag, and then the second of the wireless tag By short-circuiting the write control electrode, it is possible to reliably write information only to the wireless tag. In addition, if specifically desired, the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode Involved in short circuit or open circuit Instead, information can be written to the information storage unit.

In the third aspect of the invention, a cutting control means for controlling the tag tape to be cut at a predetermined cutting position, and permission to write new information to the wireless tag divided from the tag tape by cutting or Write control information input means for inputting write control information for determining prohibition, and a cutting position controlled by the cutting control means based on the write control information input by the write control information input means. And a delivery control means for determining the delivery amount of the tag tape so as to be a position where the write control electrode corresponding to each wireless tag is opened or a position where the short circuit is maintained. It is possible to switch between short-circuiting and opening of the embedded control electrode as appropriate, and thus control writing of information into the information storage unit. That is, it is possible to provide a wireless tag creation device that can reliably write information only to the target wireless tag.

Here, in the third invention, preferably, by bonding the first sheet material to which the IC circuit portion and the write control electrode are fixed and the second sheet material on which the connection electrode is formed, The tag tape in which the write control electrode is short-circuited by the connection electrode is formed. In this way, the writing control electrode of the target wireless tag is short-circuited only when the first sheet material and the second sheet material are bonded to each other, so that the first sheet material before the bonding is applied. Writing of information to the information storage unit provided in the fixed IC circuit unit can be reliably prohibited.

  Preferably, the cutting control means cuts the tag tape at a position where the first write control electrode that is short-circuited in advance is opened. In this way, by opening the first write control electrode of the target wireless tag for the first time when writing information, the information storage unit provided in the IC circuit unit in the tag tape before cutting is opened. The writing of information can be surely prohibited.

  Preferably, the cutting control means cuts the tag tape at a position where the second write control electrode that has been short-circuited in advance is opened. In this way, writing the new information to the information storage unit in the wireless tag can be prohibited by opening the second write control electrode of the wireless tag that has completed the writing of the information by the cutting.

  Preferably, the cutting control means includes the first writing control electrode in the first wireless tag and the second writing control in the second wireless tag arranged adjacent to each other on the tag tape. It cuts so that an electrode may be open | released simultaneously. In this manner, writing of information to the second wireless tag for which writing of information has been completed is prohibited, and writing of information to the first wireless tag that is a target for writing next information is permitted. it can.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an RFID system 10 to which the present invention is preferably applied. In the RFID system 10, a plurality of wireless tag creation apparatuses 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a route server 16, a terminal 18, a general-purpose computer 20, and a plurality of information servers 22 via a wired or wireless communication line 14. It is connected to the.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the wireless tag creation device 12. The wireless tag creation device 12 is for creating the wireless tag 24 shown in FIG. 4, and prints a predetermined print character or the like as will be described later, and sends a desired write ID and article information to the IC circuit unit. The wireless tag 24 according to the user's request can be immediately created by writing it in 80, etc. A cover film 86 and an ink ribbon to be described later for creating the tag tape 26 as the material of the wireless tag 24 98, the RFID tag circuit 24a composed of the antenna unit 62 and the IC circuit unit 80 drives the detachable cartridge 28 that houses the first sheet material 92 and the like arranged in a band at predetermined intervals, and the cartridge motor 30. The cartridge motor drive circuit 32 that controls the delivery of the tag tape 26 from the cartridge 28 and the tag tape 26 are printed. The printing drive circuit 36 for controlling the driving of the thermal head 34, the feeding roller 38 for feeding the tag tape 26 in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the driving of the feeding roller 38 via the feeding roller motor 40 are controlled. A feeding roller driving circuit 42 for carrying out the feeding, a conveyance guide 46 for guiding the tag tape 26 from the cartridge 28 to the carry-out port 44, and cutting the tag tape 26 into a predetermined length according to the driving of the solenoid 48. The first and second sensors S1 and S2 for detecting the position of the tag tape 26, and the transmitting / receiving antenna 52 for communicating with the wireless tag 24. The high-frequency circuit 54 for writing information to the wireless tag 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 52, and read from the wireless tag 24 The signal processing circuit 56 for processing the signal and reading the information, and the cartridge motor driving circuit 32, the printing driving circuit 36, the feeding roller driving circuit 42, the solenoid 48, the high frequency circuit 54, the signal processing circuit 56, etc. And a control circuit 58 for controlling the driving of the RFID tag producing device 12. The control circuit 58 is connected to the communication line 14 by an input / output interface 60. Note that the wireless tag circuit 24a has all the functions of the wireless tag 24, and is therefore substantially equivalent in the following description.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the wireless tag circuit 24a. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless tag circuit 24a transmits / receives a signal to / from the transmission / reception antenna 52 of the wireless tag creation device 12 or an interrogator different from the wireless tag creation device 12. An antenna unit 62 for performing the operation, a rectifying unit 64 for rectifying the carrier wave received by the antenna unit 62, a power source unit 66 for storing energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectifying unit 64, and the antenna unit 62. Connected to the antenna unit 62, a clock extraction unit 68 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the control unit 74 and supplies it to the control unit 74, a memory unit 70 that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal. The modulation / demodulation unit 72 and the control unit 7 for controlling the operation of the wireless tag 24 through the rectification unit 64, the clock extraction unit 68, the modulation / demodulation unit 72, and the like. When, a write control electrode 76 for being connected to the IC circuit part 80 for controlling the writing of information to the memory unit 70, is configured to include. The write control electrode 76 is preferably made of a conductive ink such as copper foil and silver paste, a thin metal wire, or the like, and is thinner (having a smaller cross-sectional radius) than the antenna unit 62 and has a high frequency impedance at a communication frequency. It is expensive. Therefore, it is configured so that the influence on wireless communication is reduced.

  The control unit 74 performs control for storing the predetermined information in the memory unit 70 by communicating with the RFID tag producing device 12, and the modulation / demodulation unit 72 receives the carrier wave received by the antenna unit 62. In addition to basic control, such as control for reflecting back from the antenna unit 62 as a reflected wave after modulation based on the information signal stored in the unit 70, writing or writing of information to the memory unit 70 is permitted or prohibited. Execute control. That is, the control unit 74 includes a write control unit 78, and the write control unit 78 writes information to the memory unit 70 in response to a short circuit or an open of the write control electrode 76. Execute the control to be permitted or prohibited. For example, when the write control electrode 76 is short-circuited, writing of information to the memory unit 70 is permitted, and when the write control electrode 76 is opened, writing of information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited.

  4A and 4B are views for explaining the external appearance and configuration of the wireless tag 24, where FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning. As shown in FIG. 4A, the wireless tag 24 such as “RF-ID” indicating the type of the wireless tag 24 is attached to one surface (front surface) of the wireless tag 24, for example. A print 81 related to the article is printed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the write control electrode 76 in the wireless tag 24 is open, and writing of information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited by the write control means 78. This is created by cutting information at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line X by the cutter 50 after information is written in the RFID tag circuit 24a in the tag tape 26 shown in FIG.

  5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the IC circuit unit 80 including the rectifying unit 64, the power supply unit 66, the clock extracting unit 68, the memory unit 70, the modulation / demodulation unit 72, the control unit 74, and the like includes PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and the like. The antenna unit 62 and the write control electrode 76 are formed on the surface of the base film 82 by printing or the like. Further, a protective film 83 of the same color as the base film 82 made of PET or the like is provided so as to cover the antenna unit 62, the write control electrode 76, and the IC circuit unit 80. The transparent cover film 86 is bonded via the adhesive layer 84, and the release paper 90 is bonded to the back side via the adhesive layer 88. The print 81 is printed on the back surface of the cover film 86, that is, the surface on the adhesive layer 84 side. Further, when the wireless tag 24 is attached to a predetermined product or the like, the release paper 90 is peeled off and adhered by the adhesive layer 88.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the cartridge 28 in detail. The cartridge 28 includes a first roll 94 around which a first sheet material 92 in which the antenna unit 62 and the IC circuit unit 80 are continuously arranged is wound, and the cover having a width substantially the same as the first sheet material 92. A second roll 97 around which a second sheet material 96 in which connection electrodes 95 for short-circuiting the write control electrode 76 are continuously arranged on the film 86 is wound, and an ink ribbon roll 100 around which an ink ribbon 98 is wound. A take-up roller 102 for taking up the ink ribbon 98, and a pressure-bonding roller that presses the first sheet material 92 and the second sheet material 96 and adheres them to feed the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow. 104 are provided so as to be capable of rotating about their respective axis centers. Although the first roll 94 and the second roll 97 are drawn concentrically in the drawing, they are actually spirally wound around a core. The ink ribbon roll 100 and the take-up roller 102 are disposed on the back surface side of the second sheet material 96, that is, the side to be bonded to the first sheet material 92, and the ink ribbon 98 is used to create the wireless tag. By being pressed by the thermal head 34 provided in the main body of the apparatus 12, it is brought into contact with the back surface of the second sheet material 96.

  7A and 7B are views for explaining the formation of the tag tape 26, wherein FIG. 7A shows the second sheet material 96, FIG. 7B shows the first sheet material 92, and FIG. 7C shows the plane of FIG. FIG. 4D shows the tag tape 26 formed by bonding the first sheet material 92 and the second sheet material 96 together. In forming the tag tape 26, the winding roller 102 and the pressure roller 104 are rotated in synchronization with each other in the directions indicated by the arrows by driving the cartridge motor 30. At this time, when the plurality of heating elements provided in the thermal head 34 are energized by the print drive circuit 36, the back surface of the cover film 86 in the second sheet material 96 as shown in FIG. That is, predetermined characters, symbols, barcodes, or the like are printed on the surface to be bonded to the first sheet material 92, and after the printing is performed, the pressure roller 104 bonds the first sheet material 92 to the first sheet material 92. Is done. Here, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, in the first sheet material 92, the write control electrode 76 is composed of a pair of electrodes connected to the IC circuit portion 80, respectively. An opening 85 is formed through the protective film 83 and the adhesive layer 84 so that the end of the pair of electrodes opposite to the IC circuit portion 80 is exposed. As shown in FIG. 7D, in the first sheet material 92 and the second sheet material 96, the connection electrode 95 provided on the second sheet material 96 is fitted into the opening 85 in the first sheet material 92. In the RFID tag circuit 24a of the tag tape 26 thus formed, the write control electrode 76 is short-circuited, and writing of information to the memory unit 70 is permitted. is there.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control circuit 58. As shown in FIG. 8, the control circuit 58 includes a central processing unit CPU 106, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 108, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 110, etc., and uses the temporary storage function of the RAM 110. On the other hand, this is a so-called microcomputer system that performs signal processing according to a program stored in the ROM 108 in advance. The control circuit 58 is connected to the communication line 14 via the input / output interface 60, and exchanges information with the route server 16, the terminal 18, the general-purpose computer 20, the information server 22, and the like. Is possible. FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal 18 or the general-purpose computer 20 when the wireless tag creation device 12 writes information to the wireless tag 24. As shown in FIG. 9, the print characters printed on the wireless tag 24, the write ID that is an ID unique to the wireless tag 24, the address of the article information stored in the information server 22, and the route server 16 The storage address of the corresponding information in the information can be displayed on the terminal 18 or the general-purpose computer 20, and the RFID tag producing device 12 is operated by the operation of the terminal 18 or the general-purpose computer 20, so that the cover The print characters are printed on the film 86, and information such as the write ID and article information is written in the IC circuit unit 80. The correspondence between the ID of the wireless tag 24 and the information written in the wireless tag 24 is stored in the route server 16 and can be referred to as necessary.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the high-frequency circuit 54 in detail. As shown in FIG. 10, the high-frequency circuit 54 includes a transmission unit 112 that transmits a predetermined signal to the wireless tag 24, and a reception unit 114 that receives a reflected wave from the wireless tag 24. The transmitter 112 is generated by the carrier generator 116 that generates a carrier for writing information to the wireless tag 24, and the carrier generator 116 based on the information signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 56. A carrier wave modulation unit 118 that modulates a carrier wave (for example, amplitude modulation based on a TX-ASK signal) and a modulation wave amplification unit 120 that amplifies the modulated wave modulated by the carrier wave modulation unit 118 are configured. . The output of the modulated wave amplification unit 120 is transmitted to the transmission / reception antenna 52 via the coupler 122, transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 52, and supplied to the IC circuit unit 80 via the antenna unit 62 of the wireless tag 24. .

  The reflected wave from the wireless tag 24 received by the transmitting / receiving antenna 52 is input to the receiving unit 114 via the coupler 122. The reception unit 114 includes an LNA (Low Noise Amp) 124 that amplifies a reception signal from the transmission / reception antenna 52, and a band-pass filter 126 that passes only a signal in a predetermined frequency band in the reception signal amplified by the LNA 124. Are provided. The output of the band pass filter 126 is input to the signal processing circuit 56 and demodulated by the signal processing circuit 56, and information related to modulation by the wireless tag 24, that is, information stored in the memory unit 70 is read out.

  The write control information input means 130, tag tape delivery control means 132, and tag tape cutting control means 134 shown in FIG. 10 are all control functions of the control circuit 58. The write control information input means 130 inputs from the input device such as the terminal 18 write control information that determines permission or prohibition of writing new information to the wireless tag 24 divided from the tag tape 26 by cutting. Let The write control information input by the write control information input means 130 is stored in the RAM 30 or the like. The tag tape delivery control means 132 controls the drive of the delivery roller 28 based on the write control information input by the write control information input means 130 so that the tag tape 26 is cut at a predetermined cutting position. Thus, the amount of the tag tape 26 to be sent is determined. The tag tape cutting control means 134 cuts the tag tape 26 at a predetermined cutting position by controlling the operation of the cutter 50.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, a mark 136 for position detection is formed on the bottom surface of the tag tape 26, that is, the surface on the first sheet material 92 side by printing or the like. The first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 are reflection type photoelectric sensors that detect the position (feed amount) of the tag tape 26 by utilizing the change in the amount of reflected light due to the mark, and the tag tape feed control. The means 132 controls the driving of the delivery roller 28 based on the signals from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2, and the position of the cutter 50 relative to the tag tape 26 is indicated by a dotted line X in FIG. In this state, or in the state indicated by the dotted line Y, the feeding of the tag tape 26 is stopped. In FIG. 11B, for convenience of explanation, the antenna unit 62, the write control electrode 76, the IC circuit unit 80, and the like are shown by solid lines. When the write control information input by the write control information input means 130 prohibits writing of new information to the wireless tag 24 divided from the tag tape 26 by cutting, that is, rewriting of information. The tag tape cutting control means 134 cuts the tag tape 26 at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line X in FIG. 11B, but when writing new information is permitted, FIG. The tag tape 26 is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line Y in (b). When the tag tape 26 is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line X, the write control electrode 76 in the wireless tag circuit 24a of the tag tape 26 is opened, so that the write control means 78 of the IC circuit unit 80 Since writing of new information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited, a wireless tag 24 incapable of writing new information is created. When the wireless tag 24 is cut at a cutting position indicated by a dotted line Y, the writing of the new information is performed. Since the short circuit of the control electrode 76 is maintained, the writing control means 78 of the IC circuit unit 80 continues to permit writing of new information to the memory unit 70. A tag 24 is created.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a tag tape 140 having a different aspect from the above-described embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a structural view of the tag tape 140 viewed from the direction indicated by arrow XIII in FIG. In FIG. 12, the antenna unit 62, the IC circuit unit 80, and the like are shown by solid lines for convenience of explanation. Further, in the following description, portions that are the same as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The tag tape 140 is provided with the adhesive layers 84 and 88 on both surfaces of the base film 82 to which the antenna unit 62, the IC circuit unit 80, and the write control electrode 142 composed of a pair of long and short electrodes are fixed. That is, the first sheet material 146 formed by adhering the release paper 90 by the adhesive layer 88 on the IC circuit unit 80 side, and the linear connection electrodes 144 are continuously provided on the cover film 86 in the longitudinal direction of the cover film 86. The provided second sheet material 148 is bonded and formed as shown in FIG. The pair of long and short write control electrodes 142 has a wide area at the end portion not connected to each IC circuit portion 80, and is easily capacitively coupled to the connection electrode 144. Yes. The connection electrode 144 is preferably made of a transparent conductive material. The first sheet material 146 and the second sheet material 148 are wound around the first roll 94 and the second roll 97 in the same manner as the first sheet material 92 and the second sheet material 96. For the first time when information is written to the memory unit 70.

  Since the write control electrode 142 is opened in the IC circuit unit 80 provided in the first sheet material 146 in the state provided in the cartridge 28, information to the memory unit 70 is provided by the write control unit 78. However, when the first sheet material 146 and the second sheet material 148 pulled out from the cartridge 28 are pressed by the pressure roller 104 and bonded together as shown in FIG. As a result, the write control electrode 142 and the connection electrode 144 are rendered conductive, the write control electrode 142 is short-circuited, and writing of information into the memory unit 70 is permitted by the write control means 78. When the tag tape 140 is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line X in FIG. 12 after the writing of information is completed, the write control electrode 142 is opened again, so that the write control of the IC circuit unit 80 is performed. Since the writing of new information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited by the means 78, a wireless tag incapable of writing new information is created, but when cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line Y, Since the short circuit of the write control electrode 142 is maintained, the write control means 78 of the IC circuit unit 80 continues to permit writing of new information to the memory unit 70, so that new information can be written. Wireless tags are created. In this aspect, since the connection electrode 144 is continuously provided in the longitudinal direction of the cover film 86, for example, when the first sheet material 146 and the second sheet material 148 are bonded together, for example, the tag tape 26 There is an advantage that a precise alignment such as the alignment of the opening 85 and the connection electrode 95 is not necessary.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating still another tag tape 150. The tag tape 150 includes a first write control electrode 152 and a second write control electrode 154 in a loop (annular) pattern for controlling the writing of information to the memory unit 70. As shown in FIG. 14, the first write control electrode 152 and the second write control electrode 154 are both connected to the IC circuit unit 80 in a short-circuited state. The write control means 78 in the control unit 74 of the IC circuit unit 80 provided in the tag tape 150 is configured such that the first write control electrode 152 is short-circuited and the second write control electrode 154 is opened. If so, writing of information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited. The tag tape 150 is provided in the cartridge 28 in a state of being wound around a predetermined cylindrical member, for example.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining creation of the wireless tag 156 by cutting the tag tape 150. FIG. 15A shows a state before cutting, and FIG. 15B shows a state cut by a dotted line X in FIG. c) shows a state cut along the dotted line Y in (a). In the tag tape 150 provided in the cartridge 28, the first write control electrode 152 is short-circuited, so that writing of information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited by the write control means 78. As shown in FIG. 15A, the tag tape 150 is cut at a position where the first write control electrode 152 is opened by cutting, as in the RFID circuit 156a shown at the right end of the drawing, the writing tape The write control means 78 permits the writing of information into the memory unit 70. After the writing of information is completed, when the tag tape 150 is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line X in FIG. 15A, the second write control electrode 154 is moved as shown in FIG. Since the information is released, writing of new information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited by the writing control means 78 of the IC circuit unit 80, so that a wireless tag 156 that cannot write new information is created. Is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line Y, the short circuit of the second write control electrode 154 is maintained as shown in FIG. Since permission to write new information to the memory unit 70 is continued by 78, a wireless tag 156 in which new information can be written is created. Here, the tag tape cutting control means 134 preferably has the following information when cutting at any cutting position of the dotted lines X and Y, as shown in FIGS. Cutting is performed so that the first write control electrode 152 in the RFID circuit 156b to be written is opened. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 15B, the first write control electrode 152 and the second RFID tag circuit in the first RFID tag circuit 156b disposed adjacent to each other on the tag tape 150. The second write control electrode 154 in 156a is cut so that it is simultaneously opened.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating still another tag tape 160. The tag tape 160 further includes a third write control electrode 158 for controlling the writing of information to the memory unit 70 in addition to the first write control electrode 152 and the second write control electrode 154. Configured. As shown in FIG. 16, the third write control electrode 158 is connected to the IC circuit unit 80 in a short-circuited state. When the third write control electrode 158 is open, the write control means 78 in the control unit 74 of the IC circuit unit 80 provided in the tag tape 160 has the first write control electrode 152 and Regardless of whether the second write control electrode 154 is short-circuited or opened, writing of information to the memory unit 70 is permitted. The tag tape 160 is provided in the cartridge 28 in a state of being wound around a predetermined cylindrical member, for example.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams for explaining the creation of the wireless tag 162 by cutting the tag tape 160. FIG. 17A shows the state before cutting, and FIG. 17B shows the state cut by the dotted line X in FIG. (c) shows the state cut along the dotted line Y in (a), and (d) shows the state cut along the dotted line Z, respectively. In the tag tape 160 provided in the cartridge 28, the first write control electrode 152 is short-circuited, so that writing of information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited by the write control unit 78. The tag tape 160 is cut at a position where the first write control electrode 152 is opened by cutting, as in the IC circuit portion 80 shown at the right end of FIG. The write control means 78 permits the writing of information into the memory unit 70. After the writing of information is completed, when the tag tape 160 is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line X in FIG. 17A, the second write control electrode 154 is moved as shown in FIG. Since it is opened, writing of new information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited by the writing control means 78 of the IC circuit unit 80, so that a wireless tag 162 incapable of writing new information is created. Is cut at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line Y, the short circuit of the second write control electrode 154 is maintained as shown in FIG. Since permission to write new information to the memory unit 70 is continued by 78, a wireless tag 156 in which new information can be written is created. Further, after the second write control electrode 154 is opened by cutting along the dotted line X, it is created as a wireless tag 162 on which new information cannot be written. When information writing is desired, the third write control electrode 158 is opened as shown in FIG. 17 (d) by cutting at the cutting position indicated by the dotted line Z in FIG. 17 (a). Then, writing of new information into the memory unit 70 is permitted by the writing control means 78 of the IC circuit unit 80.

  Subsequently, an information writing operation to the wireless tags 24, 156, 162 and the like (hereinafter referred to as wireless tags 24 unless otherwise distinguished) by the RFID system 10 configured as described above and a writing preparation operation prior to the information writing operation. explain.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the initialization operation of the RFID tag producing apparatus 12 that is executed prior to the writing of information to the RFID tag 24 by the RFID system 10. First, in step (hereinafter, step is omitted) SPA, machine information of the RFID tag producing device 12 is initialized. Next, in the SPB, after the setting of the carrier wave generator 116 provided in the high frequency circuit 54 of the wireless tag producing device 12 is initialized, this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the machine information initialization operation of the RFID tag producing apparatus 12 in the SPA of FIG. First, in SPA1, the presence or absence of the cartridge 28 is determined. Next, in SPA2, the type of the cartridge 28, that is, the width of the tag tapes 26, 140, 150, 160, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the tag tape 26 unless otherwise distinguished), the presence / absence of RFID, and the like are determined. Next, in SPA3, it is determined whether the tag tape 26 of the cartridge 28 is used up, and the routine is terminated.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the setting initialization operation of the carrier wave generation unit 116 provided in the high frequency circuit 54 of the RFID tag producing device 12 in the SPB of FIG. First, in SPB1, the signal TX-PWR that is supplied to the modulated wave amplifier 120 and determines the transmission signal strength is turned off. Next, in SPB2, the PLL (Phase Locked Loop) provided in the carrier generation unit 116 is set to the carrier frequency, and the oscillation frequency of the VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) provided in the carrier generation unit 116 is also the PLL. After being fixed by the control voltage from, this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the information writing operation to the wireless tag 24 by the wireless tag producing device 12. First, preparation for writing information to the wireless tag 24 is performed in the SWA. Next, in the SWB, the wireless tag 24 to which information is to be written is specified. Next, after the information is written to the wireless tag 24 in the SWC, this routine is terminated.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a preparation operation for writing information to the wireless tag 24 in the SWA of FIG. First, in the SWA 1, a write ID, article information, and the like that are information written to the wireless tag 24 are set. The correspondence between these pieces of information is registered in the information server 22 via the communication line 14 before and after the information is written to the wireless tag 24. Next, in the SWA2, a CRC (Cyclic Readundancy Check) code is calculated from the information set in the SWA1. The CRC code is a signal for detecting an error in communication with the wireless tag 24, and is represented by a polynomial expression such as X ¹⁶ + X ¹² + X ⁵ +1, for example. In the specific operation of the wireless tag 24 described later, the CRC code is calculated in the signal processing circuit 56 and the like from the data received by being reflected and modulated by the wireless tag 24, and the value of the CRC code received and A communication error is detected by comparing the calculation result. Next, in SWA3, a command frame is created based on the information set in SWA1, and then this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining generation of modulation information for transmitting information to the wireless tag 24. First, in the SWD 1, functions such as specifying the wireless tag 24 to which information is to be written and writing information are set. Next, in SWD2, a command corresponding to the function set in SWD1 is determined. Next, in SWD3, a command frame is created from the command determined in SWD2, the write information set in SWA1 in FIG. 22, the CRC code set in SWA2, and the like. Next, in SWD 4, the command frame created in SWD 3 is stored in the memory buffer of the control circuit 58. In the SWD 5, the signal processing circuit 56 generates a TX-ASK signal that is modulation information based on the command frame stored in the memory buffer.

  FIG. 24 shows the types of commands determined by SWD2 in FIG. In communication for specifying the wireless tag 24 to which information is to be written, commands such as “PING” and “SCROLL ID” for reading information stored in the wireless tag 24 are used. Further, in communication for writing information to the wireless tag 24, “ERASE ID” for initializing information stored in the wireless tag 24, “PROGRAM ID” for writing information, and written information Commands such as “VERIFY” for confirmation and “LOCK” for prohibiting writing of new information are used.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining in detail the command frame structure created by the SWD 3 in FIG. In the command frame, T ₀ is time for transmitting 1-bit information, “GAP” is 2T ₀ transmission power off, “PREAMBL” is 5 T ₀ transmission power on, and 20 0 signals are transmitted. It consists of “CLKSYNC” to be transmitted, “COMMAND” which is the content of the command, “SET UP” which is transmission power on of 8T ₀ , and “SYNC” which transmits one signal. “COMMAND” which is a part interpreted by the tag is “SOF” indicating the start of the command, each command “CMD” shown in FIG. 24, and a pointer for designating the memory location of the wireless tag 24 to be written “ “PTR”, “LEN” indicating the length of information to be written, “VAL”, “PTR”, “LEN”, “VAL” which is the content of the written information, and “P” which is the parity information of the written information "EOF" indicating.

  The command frame constitutes a series of signals with the 0 signal, 1 signal, and transmission power on / off shown in FIG. 26 as elements. In the specific operation of the wireless tag 24 to which information is to be written and the information writing operation, the TX-ASK signal, which is modulation information based on the command frame, is supplied to the carrier modulation unit 118 of the high frequency circuit 54, and the carrier wave The modulating unit 118 performs ASK modulation of the carrier wave and transmits it to the wireless tag 24. When the signal is received by the target wireless tag 24, the control unit 74 performs writing of information to the memory unit 70 corresponding to the command, information returning operation, and the like.

  In the reply operation of information by the wireless tag 24, the reply information described in detail below is configured as a series of FSK modulated signals whose elements are the 0 signal and 1 signal shown in FIG. The carrier wave is reflected and modulated and returned to the RFID tag producing apparatus 12. For example, in the specific operation of the wireless tag 24 to which information is to be written, a reflected wave modulated by a signal indicating an ID unique to the wireless tag 24 as shown in FIG. 28 is returned.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a memory configuration of the wireless tag 24. As shown in FIG. 29, in the memory unit 70 of the wireless tag 24, the calculation result of the CRC code, the ID unique to the wireless tag 24, and a password are stored in advance. The reply information is created based on such information. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, when a signal including the “SCROLL ID” command is received, an 8-bit represented by 0xFE is received. A reply signal composed of a “PREAMBLE” signal, “CRC” which is the calculation result of the CRC code stored in the memory unit 70, and “ID” indicating the ID of the wireless tag 24 is created.

  The “PING” command in FIG. 24 described above is a portion corresponding to “CRC” and “ID”, that is, reading start, among information stored in the memory unit 70 of each wireless tag 24 for the plurality of wireless tags 24. This command is used for reading by designating a position, and includes information of a start address pointer “PTR”, a data length “LEN”, and a value “VAL” as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, when “LEN” data after “PTR” -th information is equal to “VAL” among the information stored in the memory unit 70, “PTR + LEN + 1” -th and subsequent 8 bits. The data becomes a reply signal. If the “LEN” data after the “PTR” -th data among the information stored in the memory unit 70 is not equal to “VAL”, a reply signal is not generated because it is not a reply target.

  The reply timing of the wireless tag 24 with respect to the “PING” command is determined by the upper 3 bits of the reply signal, and is divided by “bin0” to “bin0” through the BIN pulse sent from the wireless tag creation device 12 following “PING”. A reply signal is returned in any section of “bin7”. For example, as shown in FIG. 32A, when “PTR = 0”, “LEN = 1”, and “VAL = 0” are sent as “PING” commands, the information stored in the memory unit 70 is stored. In the wireless tag 24 in which the first bit is “0” that matches “VAL”, a signal as shown in FIG. 32B is extracted and incorporated into the reply signal, and the upper 3 bits of the reply signal are If it is “011”, the reply signal is returned in the section “bin3” in the reply to the “PING” command shown in FIG.

  The reply to the “PING” command differs depending on the number of communicable radio tags 24 existing within the communication range of the radio tag producing apparatus 12 as follows. That is, when there is no communicable wireless tag 24 within the communication range of the wireless tag producing device 12, no reply signal is returned as shown in “CASE1” of FIG. When there is one communicable wireless tag 24 within the communication range, for example, a reply signal indicating “ID1” is returned in the “bin3” section, as indicated by “CASE2” in FIG. When there are two wireless tags 24 that can return within the communication range, for example, as shown in “CASE3” in FIG. 34, a reply signal indicating “ID1” is returned in the “bin0” section. , A signal indicating “ID2” is returned in the section of “bin2”. Further, when the upper 3 bits of the reply signal are equal, as shown in “CASE4” in FIG. 34, for example, signals indicating “ID1” and “ID2” may be returned in the “bin2” section. . By repeating this “PING” command while changing the values of “PTR”, “LEN”, and “VAL”, the number of returnable wireless tags 24 existing in the communication range of the wireless tag creation device 12 and each The ID of the wireless tag 24 can be known, and information can be written to the wireless tag 24 to be written using the ID.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the specific operation of the wireless tag 24 to which information is to be written in the SWB of FIG. First, “PTR = 0” and “LEN = 1” are set in SWB1, and “VAL = 0” and the head data flag “a = 0” are set in SWB2. Next, a value “d = 1” indicating the number of “PING” commands is set in SWB3, and “bn (d) = 0” that is a bin number in “d” is set in SWB4. Next, in SWB5, “PING” command frames corresponding to “PTR”, “LEN”, and “VAL” set in SWB1 and SWB2 are created and transmitted. Next, in SWB6, it is determined whether or not there is a reply signal in “bin (bn (d))”, that is, “bin0”. If the determination of SWB6 is affirmative, it can be estimated that the tag has 4 bits “0000” from the top of the memory unit 70. Therefore, in the SWB 11, based on this information, the “SCROLL ID” command frame Is generated and transmitted, a reply signal including the CRC code and ID of the target wireless tag 24 is obtained. Next, the SWB 12 calculates the CRC code of the ID read by the SWB 11, and compares the calculation result with the received CRC code to determine whether the ID is valid. Is judged. When the determination of SWB12 is affirmed, it is determined that the read ID is a valid ID. Therefore, after the ID data is stored in SWB21, the processing after SWB7 is executed. On the other hand, also when the determination of SWB6 is negative, the processing below SWB7 is executed. After “1” is added to the bin number “dn (d)” in the SWB 7, it is determined whether or not the bin number “bn (d)” is smaller than “8”, which is the total number of bin sections, in the SWB 8. Is done. When the determination of SWB8 is affirmed, the processing after SWB6 is executed again. However, when the determination of SWB8 is negative, “d” indicating the number of “PING” commands in SWB9 is “ It is determined whether or not “1”. If the determination of SWB9 is negative, “1” is added to “d” in SWB17, and “1” is added to “bn (d)” in SWB18, and then the processing below SWB6 is performed. When the determination of SWB9 is affirmed again, all the data with the same top data in the memory unit 70 has been confirmed. Therefore, in SWB10, the value of the top data flag “a” is “ Whether or not “0” is determined. On the other hand, if the determination of SWB12 is negative, it is possible that a plurality of tags are responding in the section of “bin (bn (d))”, and it is determined by the “PING” command executed so far. The ID of the wireless tag 24 is further finely classified by creating and transmitting a “PING” command again based on the data to be transmitted. That is, after the length of “LEN” is recalculated in SWB 13, it is determined in SWB 14 whether the length of “LEN” is larger than the total number “MEM_MAX” stored in the memory unit 70. If the determination of the SWB 14 is affirmed, it means that all the data in the memory unit 70 has been read and that the data has an error, and that the data in the memory unit 70 has some defect. In the SWB 22, “1” is subtracted from “d” and the next BIN section is determined without being stored as ID data, but when the determination of the SWB 14 is negative, in the SWB 15, The value of “VAL” is changed based on the data determined by the “PING” command executed so far. Next, in SWB16, "1" is added to "d", and then the processing after SWB4 is executed again. When the determination of SWB10 is affirmative, that is, when it is determined that the value of the head data flag “a” is “0”, it is confirmed that the head data of the memory unit 70 is “0”. Then, “LEN = 1” is set in the SWB 19, and “VAL = 1” and the head data flag “a = 1” are set in the SWB 20, and then the processing after the SWB 4 is executed again. Is negative, that is, when it is determined that the value of the head data flag “a” is not “0”, the IDs of all the wireless tags 24 existing in the communication range have been confirmed. This routine is then terminated. In this routine, when a plurality of wireless tags 24 are detected, a response in the non-target wireless tags 24 is prohibited by a “Quiet” command, which will not be described in detail, and the subsequent processing proceeds. It is done. The identification of the target wireless tag 24 is performed, for example, from the detected ID number having the smallest number. If no wireless tag 24 is detected, the wireless tag 24 is terminated as an error.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of writing information to the wireless tag 24 in the SWC of FIG. First, after “N = 0” and “M = 0” are set in the SWC 1, a signal modulated based on the “ERASE ID” command is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 52 in the SWC 2. The memory unit 70 of the wireless tag 24 is initialized. Next, after the signal modulated based on the “VERIFY” command is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 52 in the SWC 3, the signal is stored in the memory unit 70 of the wireless tag 24 from the reply signal by the wireless tag 24 in the SWC 4. The information is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the memory unit 70 of the wireless tag 24 is normally initialized. When the determination of SWC 4 is affirmed, in SWC 5, a signal modulated based on the “PROGRAM ID” command is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 52, and information is written in the wireless tag 24. Next, after the signal modulated based on the “VERIFY” command is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 52 in the SWC 6, the reply signal from the wireless tag 24 is stored in the memory unit 70 of the wireless tag 24 in the SWC 7. Information is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not it matches the information written in the SWC 5. When the determination of the SWC 7 is affirmed, the SWC 8 transmits a signal modulated based on the “LOCK” command from the transmission / reception antenna 52 and prohibits writing of new information to the wireless tag 24. After this, the routine is terminated. If the determination of SWC7 is negative, “N ← N + 1” is set in SWC9 and then “N = 5” is set in SWC10. Is judged. When the determination of SWC10 is negative, the processing below SWC5 is executed again. However, when the determination of SWC10 is positive, that is, when the writing processing below SWC5 fails five times or more, SWC11 After confirming that the writing of information to the wireless tag 24 has failed, this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the determination of SWC4 is negative, that is, when it is determined that the memory unit 70 of the wireless tag 24 is not properly initialized, after the SWC 12 sets “M ← M + 1” In SWC 13, it is determined whether or not “M = 5”. When the determination of SWC13 is negative, the processing after SWC2 is executed again. However, when the determination of SWC13 is affirmative, that is, when the initialization processing of SWC2 or lower fails five times or more, SWC11 The routine is terminated after confirming that the writing of information to the wireless tag 24 has failed. By the above routine, desired information can be written to the wireless tag 24 within the communication range.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 74 of the wireless tag 24 corresponding to the information writing operation by the wireless tag creation device 12. First, in STM1, it is determined whether or not there is a valid received frame from the modem unit 72. When the determination of STM1 is denied, the determination is repeated until the determination is affirmed, but when the determination of STM1 is affirmed, the received frame received at STM1 is received at STM2. It is determined whether or not the command is related to writing information to the memory unit 70 (“ERASE” command, “PROGRAM ID” command, etc.). If the determination in STM2 is negative, in STM6, the received frame received in STM1 is a command (“SCROLL ID” command, “VERIFY” command, etc.) related to reading information from the memory unit 70. However, if the determination in STM2 is affirmative, writing of information to the memory unit 70 is prohibited in STM3 by opening the write control electrodes 76 and 142, for example. It is determined whether or not. If the determination of STM3 is affirmed, the above command is not executed, and therefore the information is not written to the memory unit 70, and the processing after STM1 is executed again, but the determination of STM3 is denied. In STM4, the write information of the “PROGRAM ID” command is read, and after the write information is stored in the memory unit 70 in STM5, the processes after STM1 are executed again. If the determination of STM6 is negative, that is, if the received frame received in STM1 is not a command related to reading of information from the memory unit 70, the processing after STM1 is executed again. Is affirmed, that is, when the received frame received in STM1 is a command related to reading of information from the memory unit 70, the ID of the wireless tag 24 stored in the memory unit 70 in STM7. Etc. are returned, the processing after STM1 is executed again. In the above control, STM3 to STM5 correspond to the write control means 78.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation on the cover film 86 and the sending / cutting operation of the tag tape 24 performed in parallel with the operation of writing information to the wireless tag 24 in the SWC of FIG. First, in ST1, print writing information is downloaded or uploaded from the information server 22 via the communication line. Next, in ST2 corresponding to the write control information input means 130, the write control information input by the terminal 18 or the like is read. Next, in ST3, a printing operation on the cover film 86 is executed via the cartridge motor drive circuit 32, the print drive circuit 36, the delivery roller drive circuit 42, and the like. Next, an operation of writing information to the wireless tag 24 in the SWC described above is executed. Next, in ST4, it is determined whether or not writing control information read in ST2 is permitted to be written to the wireless tag 24 to be created. If the determination in ST4 is negative, in ST5, the tag tape 26 is sent out until the cutter 50 is positioned at the position indicated by the dotted line X in FIG. Thereafter, the processes in and after ST7 are executed. However, if the determination in ST4 is affirmative, the position of the cutter 50 with respect to the tag tape 26 is indicated by the dotted line Y in FIG. After the tag tape 26 is sent out until it is done, the tag tape 26 is cut by the cutter 50 in ST7 corresponding to the tag tape cutting control means 134. Next, in ST8, the created wireless tag 24 is discharged. Then, in ST9, after confirming the success of the printing and information writing operation, this routine is terminated. In the above control, ST5 and ST6 correspond to the tag tape delivery control means 132. By the above routine, the wireless tag 24 in which predetermined printing is performed and predetermined information is written is created.

  As described above, the wireless tag 24 of the present embodiment includes the write control electrode 76 for controlling the writing of information to the memory unit 70 that is an information storage unit, and the IC circuit unit 80 includes the write control electrode 76. Since it includes write control means 78 (STM3 to STM5) for controlling the writing of information to the memory unit 70 in response to short-circuiting or opening of the control electrode 76, the information is written before and after the writing of information to the memory unit 70. By appropriately switching between short circuit and open of the write control electrode 76, it is possible to reliably write information only to the target wireless tag 24.

  The write control means 78 prohibits writing of information to the memory unit 70 when the write control electrode 76 is open. By opening the insertion control electrode 76, writing of new information to the memory unit 70 in the wireless tag 24 can be prohibited.

  Also, since the connection electrode 95 for short-circuiting the write control electrode 76 is provided, the write control electrode 76 of the target RFID tag circuit 24a is short-circuited by the connection electrode 95 only when information is written. Thus, information can be reliably written only in the RFID tag circuit 24a.

  In addition, a first write control electrode 152 and a second write control electrode 154 for controlling the writing of information to the memory unit 70 are provided, and the write control means 78 includes the first write control electrode 152. Is short-circuited and when the second write control electrode 154 is open, the writing of information into the memory unit 70 is prohibited, and the RFID circuit that is the target for the first time when writing information The first write control electrode 152 of 156a is opened, information is written to the memory unit 70 in the RFID circuit 156a, and then the second write control electrode 154 of the RFID circuit 156a is short-circuited, so that the radio Information can be reliably written only in the tag circuit 156a.

  Further, a third write control electrode 158 for controlling writing of information to the memory unit 70 is further provided, and the write control means 78 is provided when the third write control electrode 158 is opened. Is to allow the information to be written to the memory unit 70. Therefore, if specifically desired, the first write control electrode 152 and the second write control electrode 154 may be short-circuited or opened. Information can be written into the memory unit 70.

  Further, the impedance of the write control electrode 76 is higher than the impedance of the antenna unit 62 that is connected to the IC circuit unit 80 and transmits and receives the information in a non-contact manner. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the write control electrode 76 is short-circuited or opened.

  Further, the RFID tag producing apparatus 12 of this embodiment has a tag tape cutting control means 134 for controlling the tag tape 26 in which a plurality of the RFID tag circuits 24a and the like are continuously arranged to be cut at a predetermined cutting position. Since (ST7) is included, the short-circuit / opening of the write control electrode 76 can be appropriately switched by the cutting, so that the writing of information to the memory unit 70 can be controlled.

  Further, the tag tape cutting control means 134 cuts the tag tape 26 at a position where the previously short-circuited write control electrode 76 is opened. The writing of new information into the memory unit 70 can be prohibited.

  Also, write control information input means 130 (ST2) for inputting write control information for determining permission or prohibition of writing of new information to the wireless tag 24 divided from the tag tape 26 by cutting, The memory unit includes tag tape sending control means 132 (ST5 and ST6) for determining the sending amount of the tag tape 26 based on the writing control information inputted by the writing control information inputting means 130. The wireless tag 24 in which new information can be written and the wireless tag 24 incapable of writing can be easily created.

  Further, by bonding the first sheet material 92 to which the IC circuit unit 80 and the write control electrode 76 are fixed and the second sheet material 96 on which the connection electrode 95 is formed, the connection electrode 95 causes the Since the write control electrode 76 forms the shorted tag tape 26, the writing of the target RFID circuit 24a is not performed until the first sheet material 92 and the second sheet material 96 are bonded together. Since the control electrode 76 is short-circuited, writing of information to the memory unit 70 included in the IC circuit unit 80 fixed to the first sheet material 92 before being bonded can be surely prohibited.

  The tag tape cutting control means 134 cuts the tag tape 150 at a position where the first write control electrode 152 that is short-circuited in advance is opened. By opening the first writing control electrode 152 of the wireless tag circuit 156a, writing of information to the memory unit 70 provided in the IC circuit unit 80 in the tag tape 150 before being cut can be surely prohibited.

  The tag tape cutting control means 134 cuts the tag tape 150 at a position where the second writing control electrode 154 that has been short-circuited in advance is opened. By opening the second write control electrode 154 of the circuit 156a by cutting, writing of new information to the memory unit 70 in the RFID circuit 156a can be prohibited.

  Further, the tag tape cutting control means 134 includes a first write control electrode 152 in the first RFID tag circuit 156b and a second one in the second RFID tag circuit 156a that are disposed adjacent to each other on the tag tape 150. Since the write control electrode 154 is cut so as to be opened at the same time, the writing of information to the second RFID circuit 156a for which writing of information has been completed is prohibited, and the next information writing target The writing of information to the first wireless tag circuit 156b can be permitted.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in other modes.

  For example, the wireless tag 24 of the present embodiment can send back a signal indicating permission or prohibition of information writing in response to a short circuit / opening of the write control electrode 76 provided in the wireless tag 24. It can be applied to product management. That is, the wireless tag 24 is attached to a box 170 having an upper lid that opens in a double-sided manner at a position where the write control electrode 76 is opened by opening the upper lid as shown in FIG. When the upper lid is opened as shown in FIG. 39 (b), it can be detected. Further, as shown in FIG. 40A, the wireless tag 24 is attached to a position where the writing control electrode 76 is opened when the mouth of the bag 172 is broken, as shown in FIG. If the mouth is broken, it can be detected. The wireless tag 24 used for such an application may be provided with perforations in advance at a portion to be cut.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the wireless tag 24 or the like includes an antenna unit 62 that is a loop antenna. However, any antenna that can appropriately communicate information with an RFID system can be used. For example, a dipole antenna, a Yagi antenna, or a microstrip antenna may be used instead of the loop antenna.

  Further, although the RFID tag producing device 12 has only a single cutter 50 for cutting the tag tape 26, it may naturally have a plurality of cutters.

  Further, the wireless tag creation device 12 writes information to the wireless tag 24 and performs printing for identifying the wireless tag 24. However, this printing is not necessarily performed. Alternatively, only information writing may be performed.

  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.

It is a figure explaining the RFID system to which this invention is applied suitably. It is a figure explaining the structure of the radio | wireless tag production apparatus which is one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the wireless tag which is one Example of this invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an appearance and a configuration of the wireless tag in FIG. 3, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view, and FIG. is there. FIG. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining in detail the configuration of the cartridge of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the formation of the tag tape of FIG. 6, (a) is the second sheet material, (b) is the first sheet material, (c) is a plan view of (b), and (d) is The tag tape formed by bonding the first sheet material and the second sheet material is shown. It is a figure explaining the structure of the control circuit of FIG. FIG. 3 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of FIG. 1 or a general-purpose computer when information is written to the wireless tag by the wireless tag creation device of FIG. 2. It is a figure explaining the high frequency circuit of FIG. 2 in detail. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an appearance and a configuration of the tag tape of FIG. 2, in which FIG. 2A is a bottom view, and FIG. is there. It is a figure which shows another example of the tag tape with which the cartridge of FIG. 6 is equipped. It is the structure figure which looked at the tag tape of FIG. 12 from the direction shown by arrow XIII. It is a figure which shows another example of the tag tape with which the cartridge of FIG. 6 is equipped. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining creation of a wireless tag by cutting the tag tape of FIG. 14, (a) shows a state before cutting, (b) shows a state cut by a dotted line X in (a), and (c) shows ( The state cut | disconnected by the dotted line Y of a) is each shown. It is a figure which shows another example of the tag tape with which the cartridge of FIG. 6 is equipped. It is a figure explaining preparation of the wireless tag by cutting | disconnection of the tag tape of FIG. 16, (a) is a state before cutting | disconnection, (b) is a state cut | disconnected by the dotted line X of (a), (c) is ( The state cut | disconnected by the dotted line Y of a), respectively, (d) has shown the state cut | disconnected by the dotted line Z, respectively. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization operation of the wireless tag creation device of FIG. 2 that is executed prior to writing information to the wireless tag of FIG. 3 by the RFID system of FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for describing machine information initialization operation of the wireless tag creation device in the SPA of FIG. 18. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the setting initialization operation | movement of the carrier wave generation part with which the high frequency circuit of the radio | wireless tag production apparatus in SPB of FIG. 18 was equipped. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an information writing operation to the wireless tag of FIG. 3 by the wireless tag creation device of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the preparatory operation | movement for writing information in the radio | wireless tag in SWA of FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing generation of modulation information for transmitting information to the wireless tag of FIG. 3. It is a table | surface which shows the kind of command determined by the command determination routine of FIG. It is a figure explaining the command frame structure of FIG. 23 in detail. It is a figure explaining the 0 signal and 1 signal which are the components of the command frame of FIG. It is a figure explaining 0 signal and 1 signal used for preparation of the reply signal from the radio | wireless tag of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the signal which shows ID intrinsic | native to the wireless tag of FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory structure of the radio | wireless tag of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining “SCROLL ID Reply” returned when a signal including a “SCROLL ID” command is received in the wireless tag of FIG. 3. It is a figure explaining a mode that the information following "LEN" which is a part of information memorize | stored in the memory part of FIG. 3 is extracted. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating in detail “SCROLL ID Reply” in FIG. 24. It is a figure which illustrates the reply state from the wireless tag considered when the wireless tag production apparatus of FIG. 2 performs the operation | movement which identifies the wireless tag in a communication range. It is a figure which illustrates the reply state from the wireless tag considered when the wireless tag production apparatus of FIG. 2 performs the operation | movement which identifies the wireless tag in a communication range. It is a flowchart explaining the specific operation | movement of the radio | wireless tag used as the information writing object in SWB of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the write-in operation | movement of the information to the wireless tag in SWC of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit of the wireless tag corresponding to the information writing operation by the wireless tag creation device of FIG. 2. FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a printing operation on a cover film and a sending / cutting operation of a tag tape, which are performed in parallel with an operation of writing information to a wireless tag in the SWC of FIG. It is a figure explaining the application to the merchandise management of the radio | wireless tag of FIG. 3, (a) has shown the mode that the radio tag was affixed on the upper cover of the box, (b) has each shown the mode that the upper cover was opened. . It is a figure explaining the application to the merchandise management of the radio | wireless tag of FIG. 3, (a) has shown the mode that the radio tag was affixed to the opening | mouth of a bag, (b) has each shown the mode that the mouth was torn. .

Explanation of symbols

12: Radio tag creation devices 24, 156, 162: Radio tags 26, 140, 150, 160: Tag tape 62: Antenna unit 70: Memory unit (information storage unit)
76, 142: Write control electrode 78: Write control means 80: IC circuit portion 92, 146: First sheet material 95, 144: Connection electrode 96, 148: Second sheet material 130: Write control information input means 132 : Tag tape delivery control means 134: tag tape cutting control means 152: first write control electrode 154: second write control electrode 158: third write control electrode

Claims (7)

A wireless tag including an IC circuit unit having an information storage unit capable of storing predetermined information,
A first write control electrode and a second write control electrode for controlling the writing of information to the information storage unit;
The IC circuit portion prohibits writing of information to the information storage portion when the first write control electrode is short-circuited, and the first write control electrode is opened and the second write control electrode is opened. When the write control electrode is short-circuited, writing to the information storage unit is permitted, and when both the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode are open, the information storage unit Including a writing control means for prohibiting writing of information to
In the wireless tag, each of the IC circuit unit, the first writing control electrode, and the second writing control electrode related to each wireless tag is arranged in a row adjacent to each other, and a tag tape formed by cutting each tag is cut. The wireless tag is formed as a wireless tag, and is disposed adjacent to the wireless tag and the first writing control electrode according to a predetermined wireless tag as a result of cutting at the first cutting position on the tag tape. All of the second write control electrodes related to the wireless tag are opened, while the first write control electrode related to a predetermined wireless tag is opened and the wireless tag is opened as a result of the cutting at the second cutting position. A pattern in which the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode are arranged so as to maintain a short circuit of the second write control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the tag. A wireless tag characterized by A wireless tag including an IC circuit unit having an information storage unit capable of storing predetermined information,
A first write control electrode, a second write control electrode, and a third write control electrode for controlling the writing of information to the information storage unit;
The IC circuit portion prohibits writing of information to the information storage portion when the first write control electrode is short-circuited, and the first write control electrode is opened and the second write control electrode is opened. When both the write control electrode and the third write control electrode are short-circuited, writing to the information storage unit is permitted, and both the first write control electrode and the second write control electrode are opened. When the third write control electrode is short-circuited, writing of information to the information storage unit is prohibited, and the first write control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third write When any of the control electrodes is open, it includes a writing control means that permits writing of information to the information storage unit ,
The wireless tag includes a plurality of IC circuit units, first write control electrodes, second write control electrodes, and third write control electrodes that are arranged adjacent to each other. The tape is cut to be formed as individual wireless tags, and as a result of cutting at the first cutting position in the tag tape, the first write control electrode related to a predetermined wireless tag is opened, As a result of cutting at the second cutting position, the second writing control electrode related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag is opened and the short circuit of the third writing control electrode is maintained. The first write control electrode relating to a predetermined radio tag is opened and the second write control electrode and the third write control electrode relating to the radio tag arranged adjacent to the radio tag are short-circuited. Is maintained at the third cutting position. As a result of the disconnection, the first write control electrode related to the predetermined wireless tag is opened and the second write control electrode and the third write related to the wireless tag disposed adjacent to the wireless tag A wireless tag, wherein a pattern of the first write control electrode, the second write control electrode, and the third write control electrode is arranged and configured so that the control electrode is opened . A wireless tag creation device for writing information to the wireless tag according to claim 1 or 2,
Cutting control means for controlling the tag tape to cut at a predetermined cutting position;
Write control information input means for inputting write control information for determining permission or prohibition of writing of new information to the wireless tag divided from the tag tape by cutting;
Based on the writing control information input by the writing control information input means, the cutting position controlled by the cutting control means maintains the position where the writing control electrode corresponding to each wireless tag is opened or its short circuit. And a sending control means for determining a sending amount of the tag tape so as to be in a position to be read. The write control electrode is short-circuited by the connection electrode by bonding the first sheet material to which the IC circuit portion and the write control electrode are fixed and the second sheet material on which the connection electrode is formed. 4. The wireless tag producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tag tape is formed. 5. The RFID tag producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cutting control unit cuts the tag tape at a position where the first write control electrode that is short-circuited in advance is opened. 6. The RFID tag producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cutting control means cuts the tag tape at a position where the second writing control electrode that is short-circuited in advance is opened. The cutting control means simultaneously opens the first writing control electrode in the first wireless tag and the second writing control electrode in the second wireless tag arranged adjacent to each other on the tag tape. The RFID tag producing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the RFID tag producing apparatus is one that is cut as described above.

Images