JP4589033B2 - Recording apparatus, recording method, storage medium, program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, a storage medium, and a program for printing and writing information on a recording medium to which an RF-ID tag is attached.

  With the development of semiconductor technology and electronic communication technology, RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) capable of transmitting and receiving electronic information in a non-contact manner has been put into practical use. Recently, an automatic recognition system (hereinafter referred to as “RF-ID system”) using this technology has been put into practical use. ") Is being developed.

  In general, an RF-ID system is composed of an RF-ID tag that is equipped with an electronic circuit and holds electronic information, and an RF-ID reader / writer that controls the RF-ID tag. There are features such as simultaneous communication with the RF-ID tag and the like, and being less susceptible to obstacles. These are features not found in automatic recognition systems such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. For this reason, not only in areas where automatic recognition has been difficult with barcodes and 2D codes so far, but also in areas such as logistics and distribution that have been automated with conventional automatic recognition systems based on barcodes and 2D codes. However, application of the RF-ID system has been attracting attention for its convenience.

Here, when an RF-ID tag is mounted on a recording medium such as a card or label and used in an RF-ID system, printing on the surface of the recording medium and writing of electronic information on the RF-ID tag are performed in advance. Recently, these operations are not performed separately by separate apparatuses, but a printing apparatus is equipped with a function for writing to an RF-ID tag, and printing on the surface of a recording medium and RF- Printing devices with an RF-ID tag writing function that collectively write electronic information to an ID tag have come to be used.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-220744 (page 5, FIG. 2)

  However, there are many standards for the RF-ID tag due to differences in the frequency band to be used, communication procedures, and the like. When constructing an RF-ID system, the RF-ID tag is most suitable for the application. There is a restriction that the standard must be selected and the frequency band and communication procedure must be made common for each system.

  For this reason, for example, when the old system is changed to the new system and the standard of the RF-ID tag to be used is changed, the entire RF-ID system is arranged so as to move from the old system to the new system. Had to be.

  For example, when RF-ID tags are used across a plurality of countries, RF-ID tags using the same frequency band may not be used as they are due to the radio wave law of each country. For this reason, the RF-ID tag must be reattached depending on the country used.

  Furthermore, the recording medium to which the RF-ID tag is attached may be divided into a plurality depending on the usage pattern of the user (for example, a plurality of products bundled in one set at the time of transportation are separated from each other at the time of delivery). Conceivable). In such a case, the recording medium is also divided into a recording medium with an RF-ID tag and a recording medium with no RF-ID tag as the product is separated. Unless the ID tag was attached again, it could not be automatically recognized by the RF-ID system.

  Thus, when trying to use a recording medium with an RF-ID tag in a plurality of different RF-ID systems or attaching an RF-ID tag without considering the usage pattern, It was necessary to reattach the RF-ID tag, which was inconvenient for the system user. For this reason, when writing electronic information to an RF-ID tag using a printing apparatus, it is assumed that the RF-ID tag is used in a plurality of different RF-ID systems, and It is considered that it is necessary to consider what kind of standard is there for the entire system and how the RF-ID tag is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In a recording apparatus that writes electronic information and prints an image on a recording medium with an RF-ID tag, the present invention provides convenience for the user. An object is to generate a recording medium in consideration.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
Printing means for printing an image at a printing position on a continuous label sheet having a plurality of labels having wireless communication elements attached to the mount;
A wireless communication unit that writes electronic information by communicating with the wireless communication element at a communication position arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous label paper from the printing position;
Transport means for transporting the continuous label paper to the printing position and the communication position;
A control unit that controls communication between the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication element, and further controls driving of the transport unit,
Before printing the image on the plurality of labels of the continuous label paper by the printing unit, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the leading label of the continuous label paper to the communication position, and Whether or not communication is possible by attempting to communicate with the wireless communication element of the top label of the continuous label paper by sequentially switching the communication procedure of the wireless communication unit and controlling the wireless communication unit Determine
When it is determined that the wireless communication unit cannot communicate with the wireless communication element of the leading label, invalidate communication with the wireless communication element,
If it is determined that the wireless communication unit can communicate with the wireless communication element of the leading label, set a communication procedure for communicating with the wireless communication element,
By controlling the transport unit, the leading label is returned to the upstream side in the transport direction of the continuous label paper from the printing position, and then the printing unit is controlled to print an image on the leading label. In addition, by controlling the wireless communication unit, according to the set communication procedure, write electronic information to the wireless communication element of the head label,
An image is printed on the label after the first label by controlling the printing means, and electronic information is written according to the set communication procedure by controlling the wireless communication unit. And

  According to the present invention, in a recording apparatus that writes electronic information and prints an image on a recording medium with an RF-ID tag, the recording medium is generated in consideration of user convenience. Is possible.

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

[First Embodiment]
<Overall system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system in which an inkjet-type continuous label paper printing apparatus with an RF-ID tag writing function (hereinafter simply referred to as “printing apparatus”) and a host computer are connected in the present embodiment.

  The printing apparatus (100) and the host computer (101) are connected by a cable (102). The host computer (101) uses the printing apparatus (via the printer cable as a control command with image data, information to be written in the RF-ID tag, etc. 100).

<Configuration of printing device>
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus (100) used in the present embodiment. The printing apparatus (100) has a configuration capable of printing on continuous label paper (210). Reference numeral 205 denotes a roll unit. When a continuous label sheet temporarily attached with a label piece is mounted on the mount, the continuous label sheet is supplied to the transport unit. The transport unit is mainly composed of a transport motor (206) and a transport belt (207), and has a function of transporting continuous label paper in the direction of the arrow in the drawing during printing.

  In this embodiment, the roll unit (205) side on the transport path is the transport inlet and the opposite side is the transport outlet. The printing apparatus (100) has, as printing means, a black (K) head (203K), a cyan (C) head (203C), a magenta (M) head (203M), and a yellow (Y) head (203Y) which are inkjet recording heads. These heads are constituted by full-line type ink jet recording heads having a nozzle row having a length corresponding to the width of a label piece. It is possible to perform full-color printing by ejecting K, C, M, and Y inks from these four heads, respectively. The ink to be ejected is from a black (K) ink cartridge (204K), a cyan (C) ink cartridge (204C), a magenta (M) ink cartridge (204M), and a yellow (Y) ink cartridge (204Y) by a pump (not shown). Supplied to each inkjet recording head.

  The roll unit (205) drives a roll drive shaft (208) on which the continuous label paper (210) is mounted, a roll sensor lever (209) whose position changes due to slack of the continuous label paper, and a roll drive shaft (208). A continuous label sheet is fed by driving and stopping the roll motor according to the state of the roll sensor lever (209).

  There is an RF-ID communication unit (200) that reads and writes electronic information with the RF-ID tag by communicating with the RF-ID tag at the transport exit, and the RF-ID communication unit (200) further includes , An RF-ID communication antenna (201) and an RF-ID reader / writer (202) that performs RF-ID communication control. In the present embodiment, the RF-ID reader / writer (202) has a plurality of communication procedures (in this embodiment, the first communication procedure and the second communication procedure) in order to support communication with RF-ID tags of various standards. The communication procedure is switched between two communication procedures), and electronic information can be read from and written to RF-ID tags of different standards (communication procedures) within the same frequency band. it can.

  FIG. 3 is a simplified electrical block diagram of the printing apparatus (100) according to the present embodiment. The host computer (101) transfers the image data used for printing and the electronic information written in the IC chip (information holding unit) of the RF-ID tag as a data command to the printing apparatus (100), and instructs to start the printing process. To do. In addition, it is possible to transmit to the printing apparatus (100) a sheet setting command for instructing the number of label pieces to be printed by the printing apparatus (100) and the type and size of continuous label sheets.

  In the printing apparatus (100), communication is controlled by the communication driver (303), and commands (data command, paper setting command) from the host computer (101) are received.

  The printing apparatus (100) renders the received image data as image data of each color component by developing a bitmap on each of the RAMs (310K) to (310Y). Further, a data command which is electronic information to be written in the RF-ID tag, and a sheet setting command such as the number of label pieces and the type and size of continuous label sheets are stored in the RAM (310R). When the data command and the paper setting command are thus developed in the RAMs (310Y) to (310R), the ink jet recording heads (309K) to (309Y) are moved to the printable position by the head drive mechanism control motor (307). Let

  In printing, the main controller (301) sequentially reads out the corresponding color image data from each of the RAMs (310K) to (310Y) in synchronization with the conveyance of the continuous label paper, and passes through the head drive circuit (304). The ink is output to ink jet recording heads (309K) to (309Y) that discharge inks of the corresponding colors.

  In this way, each of the inkjet recording heads (309K) to (309Y) discharges a color image by discharging ink in accordance with the drawn image data. The continuous label paper on which the image has been printed is conveyed to the RF-ID communication unit (200), and is built into the label piece by the RF-ID reader / writer (302) via the RF-ID communication antenna (306). Of the two IC chips of the RF-ID tag, electronic information is written to the first IC chip by the first communication procedure, and the second IC chip is written by the second communication procedure. Write similar information. The continuous label paper for which writing has been completed is discharged to the conveyance outlet.

  The above control is performed by the main controller (301) executing a control program stored in the ROM (308).

<Configuration of recording medium>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a continuous label sheet in which one RF-ID tag (405) is built for each label piece (402) used in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The long continuous label paper (400) has a form wound around a cylindrical core having a hollow portion in a roll shape, and FIG. 4 shows a part of the continuous label paper. A label piece (402) that can be printed on the surface is temporarily attached to the mount (401) at equal intervals, and a non-volatile memory for storing electronic information is mounted inside the label piece (402). An RF-ID tag (405) configured by an IC chip (403A, 403B) and a common antenna (404) electrically connected to the IC chip (403A, 403B) is enclosed. In this embodiment, the IC chips (403A, 403B) each include an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the two IC chips (403A, 403B) can be used in the same frequency band. It is a different standard, and the communication procedure for reading and writing electronic information is different.

<Processing in printing apparatus>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when electronic information is written in two IC chips in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Paper setting commands such as the number of label pieces and the type and size of continuous label paper, and data commands such as image data to be printed and electronic information to be written on the IC chip are printed from the host computer (101) together with commands for instructing printing. The data is transmitted to the device (100) as variable information or copy information, and the image data is stored in the RAM (310K) to (310Y) and the data command is stored in the RAM (310R) (step S501).

  In step S502, the type of communication procedure is identified for each of the two IC chips incorporated in the RF-ID tag of the label piece attached to the top of the continuous label sheets (details will be described later).

  When the identification of the type of communication procedure is completed in step S502, the conveyance of the continuous label paper is started in step S503.

  In the label piece printing in step S504, the label piece is printed at the printing position. After the printing is completed, the label piece is conveyed to the RF-ID communication unit (200) and passes through the upper part of the RF-ID communication antenna (201). In the RF-ID tag writing process (I) in step S505, Electronic information is written to the first IC chip (for example, 403A) of the RF-ID tag built in the label piece by the first communication procedure.

  Subsequently, in the RF-ID tag writing process (II) in step S506, the same electronic information is written to the second IC chip (for example, 403B) of the RF-ID tag by the second communication procedure. Note that the communication procedure for writing the electronic information to which IC chip is performed based on the communication procedure identified in step S502. In the RF-ID reader / writer (302) of the printing apparatus (100), the communication procedure is switched according to the instruction, and electronic information is written by the communication procedure after the switching.

  The processes from step S504 to step S506 are repeated until the set number of label pieces is reached. When writing to the RF-ID tag is successful, the number of printed and written sheets reaches the set value, and there is no unprinted or unwritten information (step S507), the final label piece is discharged to the transport outlet and the transport is finished. (Step S508).

  Next, details of step S502 (processing for identifying a communication procedure when writing electronic information for each IC chip of the RF-ID tag) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S901, the top label piece is transported to the position above the RF-ID communication antenna 201 and then stopped. At this time, a variable N representing a communication procedure used when the RF-ID reader / writer 302 performs communication is set to 1 (step S902), and the RF-ID reader / writer has an Nth (N = 1) communication procedure. Is used to communicate with the RF-ID tag via the RF-ID communication antenna 201 (step S903).

  If communication with one of the IC chips of the RF-ID tag can be correctly performed (in the case of “Yes” in step S904), the communication procedure N (N = 1) is set as the communication procedure with the IC chip in step S905. ) Is set to be valid (that is, the first communication procedure is set to be valid), and the process proceeds to step S907. On the other hand, when communication with any IC chip of the RF-ID tag is impossible (in the case of “No” in step S904), the communication procedure N (N = 1) is set invalid (step S906). The process proceeds to step S907. In step S907, it is determined whether or not all types of communication procedures have been confirmed. If confirmation of all types of communication procedures has not been completed (“No” in step S907), the process proceeds to step S908, and the variable N is incremented (N = 2), and the process returns to step S903 again.

  After returning to step S903, the same processing is performed using a communication procedure N (N = 2) which is an Nth (second) communication procedure included in the RF-ID reader / writer. By repeating such processing, the communication procedure capable of communicating with each IC chip of the RF-ID tag is set to be valid.

  On the other hand, if all the communication procedures of the RF-ID reader / writer have been confirmed (“Yes” in step S907), the leading label piece is back-fed upstream (step S909), and the identification process is performed. finish.

  Thus, by using each of a plurality of communication procedures possessed by the RF-ID reader / writer, attempting to communicate with each IC chip of the RF-ID tag of the top label piece, and determining whether communication is possible, RF -The communication procedure of each IC chip of the ID tag can be identified.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when writing electronic information to a recording medium (label piece) attached with an RF-ID tag, a plurality of IC chips are mounted. Corresponding to RF-ID systems with different communication procedures by writing the same electronic information with different communication procedures for each IC chip to the recording medium (label piece) with RF-ID tag provided Possible recording media (label pieces) can be generated.

  As a result, for example, even when the communication procedure of the RF-ID tag to be used is changed from the old system to the new system, the communication procedure for the old system and the communication procedure for the new system are used together. This eliminates the need to migrate from the old system to the new system.

  In addition, for example, even when the RF-ID tag cannot be used as it is because it is used in a plurality of countries and the communication procedure is different for each country, the electronic information is used for a plurality of IC chips by the communication procedure for each country used. , It is not necessary to re-attach the RF-ID tag.

  In the above embodiment, one RF-ID reader / writer 302 corresponds to a plurality of communication procedures, and the communication procedure is switched to perform communication with the RF-ID tag. Instead of this, a plurality of RF-ID readers / writers capable of writing electronic information using different specific communication procedures may be provided, and the RF-ID reader / writers may be switched and used.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, in order to cope with a plurality of RF-ID systems having different communication procedures, the same electronic device is used with different communication procedures for label pieces attached with RF-ID tags including a plurality of IC chips. Although the information is written in the same frequency band, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it is possible to generate a recording medium compatible with a plurality of RF-ID systems having different frequency bands.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a continuous label sheet in which three RF-ID tags used in different radio frequency bands are incorporated in one label piece.

  The long continuous label paper (600) has a form wound in a roll shape on a cylindrical core having a hollow portion, and FIG. 6 shows a part of the continuous label paper. A label piece (602) that can be printed on the surface is temporarily attached to the mount (601) at equal intervals, and a non-volatile memory for storing electronic information is mounted inside the label piece (602). Three types of RF-ID tags composed of IC chips (603A, 603B, 603C) and antennas (604A, 604B, 604C) independently connected to the IC chips (603A, 603B, 603C) are enclosed. Yes. In the present embodiment, the IC chip (603A, 603B, 603C) uses an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, and the electronics between the three IC chips (603A, 603B, 603C). Information is read and written at different radio frequencies.

  In the present embodiment, the RF-ID tag including the IC chip 603A and the RF-ID tag including the IC chip 603B perform communication using similar radio frequency bands. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the antenna 604A connected to the IC chip 603A and the antenna 604B connected to the IC chip 603B have the same shape. Note that the IC chips 603A and 603B connected to different antennas (604A and 604B) may be connected to a common antenna.

  On the other hand, communication with an RF-ID tag including the IC chip 603C is performed using a higher radio frequency band than other RF-ID tags. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the antenna 604C connected to the IC chip 603C is smaller in size than other antennas. In the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, communication is possible in radio frequency bands corresponding to three types of IC chips (603A, 603B, 603C), and three corresponding RF-ID communication antennas (201) and It is assumed that there are three RF-ID reader / writers.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when electronic information is written in three IC chips in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The paper setting commands such as the number of label pieces and the type and size of continuous label paper, the image data to be printed, and the data commands such as electronic information to be written in the IC chips (603A, 603B, 603C) are displayed together with commands for instructing printing. The image data is stored in the RAM (310K) to (310Y) and the data command is stored in the RAM (310R), respectively, as variable information or copy information from the host computer (101) to the printing apparatus (100) (step S701). .

  In step S702, the radio frequency is identified for each IC chip (603A, 603B, 603C) of each RF-ID tag of the label piece attached to the top of the continuous label sheets (details will be described later).

  When the identification of the radio frequency is completed in step S702, the conveyance of the continuous label paper is started in step S703.

  In the label piece printing in step S704, the label piece is printed at the printing position. After the printing is completed, the label piece is conveyed to the RF-ID communication unit (200) and passes through the upper part of the three RF-ID communication antennas (201), and then the first RF-ID tag writing process in step S705. An RF-ID reader / writer (202) corresponding to the first radio frequency band and an RF-ID communication antenna (201) are connected to the IC chip (603A) of the first RF-ID tag incorporated in the label piece. ) To write electronic information.

  Subsequently, in the second RF-ID tag writing process in step S706, the RF chip reader / writer (202) corresponding to the second radio frequency band is applied to the IC chip (603B) of the second RF-ID tag. The same electronic information is written by the antenna for RF-ID communication (201).

  Subsequently, in the third RF-ID tag writing process of step S707, the RF chip reader / writer (202) corresponding to the third radio frequency band is applied to the IC chip (603C) of the third RF-ID tag. The same electronic information is written by the antenna for RF-ID communication (201). Note that which radio frequency band (using which RF-ID reader / writer and RF-ID communication antenna) is used to write electronic information to which IC chip depends on the radio frequency band identified in step S702. Based on. In the printing apparatus, the RF-ID reader / writer and the RF-ID communication antenna are switched according to the instruction, and electronic information is sequentially written according to the radio frequency band of the switched RF-ID reader / writer and the RF-ID communication antenna. I do.

  The processing from step S704 to step S706 is repeated until the set number of label pieces is reached. When writing to the RF-ID tag is successful, the number of printed and written sheets reaches the set value, and there is no unprinted and unwritten information (step S708), the final label piece is discharged to the transport outlet and the transport is finished. (Step S709).

  Next, details of step S702 (processing for identifying a radio frequency when writing electronic information for each IC chip of the RF-ID tag) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1001, the top label piece is transported to the position above the RF-ID communication antenna 201 and then stopped. At this time, in step S1002, a variable N representing the RF-ID reader / writer and the RF-ID communication antenna is set to 1 (that is, the first RF-ID reader / writer and the first RF-ID communication). By selecting the antenna, communication at the first radio frequency is possible), and the first RF-ID reader / writer is connected at the first radio frequency via the first RF-ID communication antenna. Communication is performed (step S1003).

  If communication with any RF-ID tag is successful (in the case of “Yes” in step S1004), the first radio frequency is set as the radio frequency in communication with the RF-ID tag in step S1005. It is set to be valid (that is, the first RF-ID reader / writer and the first RF-ID communication antenna are set to be valid), and the process proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, when communication with any RF-ID tag is impossible (in the case of “No” in step S1004), the corresponding radio frequency (first radio frequency) is set to invalid (step S1006). .

  In step S1007, it is determined whether or not all the radio frequencies have been confirmed. If confirmation has not been completed for all the radio frequencies (“No” in step S1007), the process proceeds to step S1008, and the variable N is incremented ( N = 2) and the process returns to step S1003 again.

  After returning to step S1003, the same processing is performed using the Nth (second) RF-ID reader / writer and the RF-ID communication antenna. By repeating such processing, the radio frequencies that can communicate with the RF-ID tag are each effectively set.

  On the other hand, if confirmation has been completed for all RF-ID readers / writers (that is, for all radio frequencies) (“Yes” in step S1007), the leading label piece is back-fed upstream (step S1009). ), The process of identifying the radio frequency to be used is terminated.

  In this way, all RF-ID readers / writers having different radio frequencies try to communicate with each RF-ID tag incorporated in the head label piece, and determine whether or not communication is possible. The radio frequency that can be communicated with the tag can be identified.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when writing electronic information to a recording medium (label piece) with an RF-ID tag, a plurality of RF-IDs are written. A recording medium (label piece) that is compatible with a plurality of RF-ID systems in different radio frequency bands by writing the same electronic information in different radio frequency bands to a recording medium (label piece) to which a tag is attached. ) Can be generated.

  As a result, for example, when the radio frequency band of the RF-ID tag to be used is changed from the old system to the new system, the radio frequency band for the old system and the radio frequency band for the new system are changed. They can be used together, eliminating the need to migrate from the old system to the new system, keeping the entire system in line.

  In addition, for example, even when RF-ID tags cannot be used as they are because they are used in a plurality of countries and have different radio frequency bands in each country, the radio frequencies for each country used for a plurality of RF-ID tags. By writing electronic information with a band, it is not necessary to reattach the RF-ID tag.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration includes a plurality of RF-ID readers / writers and RF-ID communication antennas capable of communication at a specific radio frequency. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is different, for example. An RF-ID reader / writer capable of communication using a plurality of radio frequencies may be prepared and used by switching.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the same electronic information is written in a different communication procedure (or radio frequency band) on a recording medium to which a plurality of RF-IDs are attached. The medium may be a medium that can be used by being separated for each RF-ID tag.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a continuous label sheet in which two RF-ID tags are incorporated in a label piece that can be divided into two.

  The long continuous label paper (800) has a form wound on a cylindrical core having a hollow portion in a roll shape, and FIG. 8 shows a part of the continuous label paper. A label piece (802) that can be printed on the surface of the mount (801) is temporarily attached at equal intervals, and the label piece is printed by a perforation (805) and information is written to the RF-ID tag. After that, it can be divided into two.

  Inside each label piece (802) separated by the perforation, an IC chip (803A, 803B) equipped with a non-volatile memory for storing electronic information and an IC chip (803A, 803B) are electrically connected. Two RF-ID tags configured with connected antennas (804A, 804B) are enclosed. In the present embodiment, the IC chips (803A, 803B) include an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the two IC chips (803A, 803B) can be used in the same radio frequency band. The communication procedure for reading and writing electronic information is also the same.

  In steps S505 and S506 of FIG. 5 described above, electronic information suitable for the application when the label piece is divided is written in each RF-ID tag.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when electronic information is written to the RF-ID tag attached to a recording medium (label piece) that can be divided into a plurality of pieces, the recording medium (label piece) By writing the necessary electronic information on each RF-ID tag when the is divided, both of the divided recording media (label pieces) can be used in the RF-ID system.

  As a result, even if the recording medium to which the RF-ID tag is attached is divided into a plurality of parts depending on the usage pattern of the user, it can be continuously used without attaching the RF-ID tag again. .

  In each of the above embodiments, a full-line type ink jet printing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is also effective for a serial type printer that scans a recording head perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction. This is also effective for printers having a recording head other than the ink-jet method, to which a light-color ink recording head is added in order to improve the performance.

  Further, the recording medium is not limited to the one temporarily attached to the continuous label paper, and may be temporarily attached to the cut paper, and the position of the RF-ID communication antenna is not limited to the outlet side of the recording apparatus. It may be on the side or inside the body.

[Other embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a system configuration diagram in which an inkjet-type continuous label paper printing apparatus with an RF-ID tag writing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a host computer. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing apparatus for inkjet type continuous label paper with an RF-ID tag writing function concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the continuous label paper which attached | subjected the RF-ID tag used with the printing apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a printing process and a process at the time of writing electronic information in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the continuous label paper which attached | subjected the RF-ID tag used with the printing apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the printing process and the process at the time of electronic information writing in the printing apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the continuous label paper which attached | subjected the RF-ID tag used with the printing apparatus concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding the processing method which identifies the communication procedure for writing electronic information. It is a flowchart regarding the processing method for identifying the radio frequency for writing electronic information.

Explanation of symbols

100 Printing apparatus 101 PC (host computer)
201 Communication antenna 202 RF-ID reader / writer 301 Main controller 302 RF-ID reader / writer 306 Communication antenna 308 ROM

Claims (4)

Printing means for printing an image at a printing position on a continuous label sheet having a plurality of labels having wireless communication elements attached to the mount;
A wireless communication unit that writes electronic information by communicating with the wireless communication element at a communication position arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous label paper from the printing position;
Transport means for transporting the continuous label paper to the printing position and the communication position;
A control unit that controls communication between the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication element, and further controls driving of the transport unit,
Before printing the image on the plurality of labels of the continuous label paper by the printing unit, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the leading label of the continuous label paper to the communication position, and Whether or not communication is possible by attempting to communicate with the wireless communication element of the top label of the continuous label paper by sequentially switching the communication procedure of the wireless communication unit and controlling the wireless communication unit Determine
When it is determined that the wireless communication unit cannot communicate with the wireless communication element of the leading label, invalidate communication with the wireless communication element,
If it is determined that the wireless communication unit can communicate with the wireless communication element of the leading label, set a communication procedure for communicating with the wireless communication element,
By controlling the transport unit, the leading label is returned to the upstream side in the transport direction of the continuous label paper from the printing position, and then the printing unit is controlled to print an image on the leading label. In addition, by controlling the wireless communication unit, according to the set communication procedure, write electronic information to the wireless communication element of the head label,
An image is printed on the label after the first label by controlling the printing means, and electronic information is written according to the set communication procedure by controlling the wireless communication unit. A recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication element is an RF-ID tag . The label includes a plurality of wireless communication elements, and the control unit communicates with each wireless communication element of the label according to a different communication procedure by controlling the wireless communication unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 . The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit is an ink jet recording head that forms an image by discharging ink .

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