JP4600774B2 - Label making device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus that includes a label tape mark detecting device that detects an identification mark arranged on a label tape, and creates a label using the label tape .

  A label is created in which a cartridge containing a label tape roll in which a label tape is wound in a roll shape is mounted on a cartridge holder, and desired characters are printed on the label tape supplied from the cartridge and discharged into a label shape. The device is known. In this label producing apparatus, predetermined printing is performed on the label tape while feeding the label tape from the label tape roll housed in the cartridge, and the printed label tape is cut to a predetermined length. To create a label.

  When producing a label with the label producing apparatus, it is necessary to set a reference position for determining a printing start position, a tape cutting position, and the like on the label tape. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has already been proposed a label tape mark detection device in which a detection unit is provided in the vicinity of a label tape conveyance path, and the leading end of the label tape is set by the detection unit to set a print start reference position. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In this prior art, a slit is provided in the transport path of the label tape (printing tape), and a guide portion is provided for guiding the transported label tape to the slit. When the label tape passes through the slit, The leading end of the tape is detected by a detection means (tape detection sensor).

JP-A-8-267848

  In the above-described prior art, the detection accuracy of the detection means can be maintained well by passing the label tape through a slit having a small gap and maintaining the positional relationship between the detection means and the label tape at the time of detection substantially stably. It is possible. However, the label tape fed out from a state wound in a roll is often curled at the tip, and particularly in the case of such a curled label tape, there is a risk of clogging in the slit when passing. . On the other hand, when the width of the slit is increased in order to prevent such clogging, the positional relationship between the detection means and the label tape at the time of detection becomes unstable, and the detection accuracy by the detection means may be reduced. was there. In other words, the conventional technology has room for further improvement in terms of improving detection accuracy while preventing tape clogging.

An object of the present invention is to provide a label producing apparatus capable of improving detection accuracy while preventing tape clogging.

To achieve the above object, a first invention comprises a label tape mark detection device for detecting an identification mark arranged on a label tape, and a label production device for producing a label using the label tape The mark detection device includes a detection unit for detecting the identification mark when the label tape is conveyed in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the identification by the detection unit of the label tape being conveyed. Guide means provided so as to be movable with respect to the transport path of the label tape so as to be guided when the mark is detected , and the guide means has a transport path in the vicinity of the detection means of the label tape, A restriction position for restricting within a predetermined range corresponding to a detection range of the detection means, and a separation position located in a direction away from the conveyance path from the restriction position , Configured to be movable between a crimping position to be crimped to the label tape, and created at the regulation position when the identification mark is detected, and at the separation position when other labels are created. Control is performed so that the label is moved to the crimping position when the label is discharged .

In the first invention of this application, when the label tape provided with the identification mark is conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the identification mark is detected by the detecting means. At this time, a guide means movable with respect to the transport path is provided to guide the label tape when the identification mark is detected. Thus, for example, initially while smoothly introducing the distal end of the label tape while preventing tape jam keep away from the conveying path in the separated position guide means, transported after introducing the restriction position the guiding means path It is possible to guide the label tape close to the position and detect the identification mark by the detecting means in this guided state. In this way, the clogging can be prevented by introducing the leading end of the label tape while the guide means is away from the transport path, and the mark detection can be performed while the label tape is guided. Since the positional relationship between the detection means and the identification mark can be maintained substantially stably, the detection accuracy can be improved while preventing tape clogging.

In addition, the regulation function provided in the guide means keeps the positional relationship between the detection means and the identification mark substantially stable by restricting the conveyance path in the vicinity of the detection means of the label tape within a predetermined range. be able to.

In addition , the identification mark of the label tape can always be detected with high accuracy in accordance with the characteristics of the detection means. Further, by setting a predetermined range corresponding to the required detection accuracy, it is possible to ensure the required detection accuracy.

According to a second invention, in the first invention, the guide means includes first drive means for reciprocating the guide means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport path between the separation position and the restriction position. And

  The guide means can be moved linearly by the first drive means and can be reciprocated between the separation position and the restriction position.

According to a third invention, in the first invention, the guide means further comprises second drive means for reciprocating around the predetermined rotation center between the separation position and the restriction position. It is characterized by.

  The guide means can be rotated by the second drive means, and can be reciprocated between the separation position and the restriction position.

In a fourth aspect based on the second or third aspect , the first or second driving means moves the guide means from the separated position to the restricted position before the detection means starts detecting the identification mark. It is characterized by moving.

  As a result, the leading end of the label tape is smoothly introduced while keeping the guide means at the separated position and away from the conveying path to prevent clogging of the tape, and after the introduction, the guiding means is set to the restricting position to the conveying path. The guide of the label tape is executed closer, and the identification mark can be detected by the detecting means in this guided state.

According to a fifth invention, in the fourth invention, there is provided first determination means for determining whether or not the guide means has reached a first transport position that moves to the restriction position based on a transport state of the label tape. The first or second driving means moves the guide means from the separated position to the restricted position when the first judging means judges that the first transport position has been reached. And

  As a result, when the transport of the label tape is started, the guide means is first moved away from the transport path, and the leading end of the label tape is smoothly introduced while preventing clogging of the tape. When it is determined that the transport position has been reached, the guiding means is moved closer to the transport path to guide the label tape, and in this guided state, the identification mark can be detected by the detecting means.

In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect , after the detecting means detects the leading end of the label tape, the guide means is moved to the restricting position based on the transport state of the label tape. A second determination unit configured to determine whether or not the transport position has been reached, and the first or second drive unit in the previous period determines that the second determination unit has reached the second determination position; The means is moved from the separated position to the restricting position.

In the sixth invention of the present application, the detection means is also used for tape introduction confirmation after the conveyance of the label tape is started. That is, at first, the guide means is moved away from the transport path to smoothly introduce the leading end of the label tape while preventing tape clogging. After the leading end of the label tape is detected by the detecting means, the second determining means is further introduced. When it is determined that the second transport position has been reached, guidance of the label tape is performed by bringing the guide means closer to the transport path, and the identification mark is detected by the detection means in this guided state. Thus after detecting the introduction of the tape tip, brought close to the guide means, that to perform the mark detection, it is possible to improve the reliability of the mark detection.

According to a seventh invention, in any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, the first or second drive means moves the guide means from the restriction position to the separation position after the detection means detects the identification mark. It is made to move to.

  Thus, once the identification mark is detected, smooth passage of the label tape can be reliably performed.

According to an eighth invention, in any one of the fourth to seventh inventions, the first or second driving means is based on a transport state of the label tape, and after the detection of the identification mark by the detection means, wherein the moving the guide means to the front Ki圧 fixing position.

  As a result, when the label tape is finally discharged from the apparatus, for example, when the guide means also serves as the drive means for the discharge, the driving force can be reliably transmitted. In some cases, the driving means and the label tape can be brought into close contact with each other, and the driving force can be reliably transmitted.

According to a ninth invention, in any one of the first to eighth inventions, the label tape is provided with an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit. It has a tag circuit element and a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information via wireless communication.

  By using a label tape provided with a wireless tag circuit element, information is transmitted / received to / from the wireless tag circuit element, and information is read or written, whereby a wireless tag label can be created.

A tenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect , the transmission / reception means performs transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element when the guide means is in the restriction position.

  By performing wireless communication with the transport path regulated within a predetermined range, the communication distance between the transmission / reception means and the RFID tag circuit element can be stably maintained, improving the stability and reliability of communication. be able to.

First aspect of the present invention, the above in any one of the first to 1 0 invention, disposed opposite sandwiching a conveyance path of the label tape and the guide means, the transport path in cooperation with said guide means The guide cooperating means is opposed to the regulation cooperating means via a predetermined gap at a restricting position for performing the restriction within the predetermined range. It is characterized by.

  Thereby, it is possible to ensure good tape passage between the guide means and the regulation cooperation means, while suppressing variations in the transport path of the label tape. Further, when a rotation driving roller is used for the guiding means or the regulation cooperating means, the conveying speed by the conveying means positioned upstream from the guiding means / regulating cooperating means, and the conveying (guidance) speed by the rotating driving roller. Even if a very small speed difference occurs, this is allowed by the gap, and it is possible to prevent sagging or wrinkling on the label tape.

First and second invention, in the first 1 invention, the regulating cooperating means may be rotatably configured cooperating roller.

  Thereby, since regulation cooperation can be executed while rotating itself, the tape can be smoothly passed without causing clogging between the guide means and the regulation cooperation means.

Invention of the first 3, in any of the first to 1 2 invention, the guiding means, characterized in that it is a reciprocating roller that is rotatably configured.

  As a result, the label tape can be guided while rotating itself, and the tape can be smoothly guided without clogging.

Invention of the first 4, in the first third aspect of the present invention, based on the conveyance status of the label tape, the forward and backward rollers, characterized by having a roller drive means for rotatably driving the said along the conveying direction orientation .

  By guiding the label tape while it is rotationally driven by the roller driving means, the label tape can be smoothly and reliably guided without clogging.

Invention of the first 5, in any one of the first to 1 4 invention, the guide means, characterized in that provided on the downstream side of the label tape from said detecting means.

  For example, when a printing unit located upstream in the transport direction with respect to the guide unit and the detection unit performs positioning on the label tape based on mark detection, the detection unit is positioned downstream in the tape transport direction with respect to the guide unit. If provided, the distance from the printing unit to the detection unit increases along the transport direction, and the non-printing portion (margin portion) from the leading end of the tape increases accordingly. In the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, by providing the guide means on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the detection means, it is possible to avoid the above disadvantages and to reduce the non-printing portion.

Invention of the first 6, in the first 5 invention, from the guidance reference position by the guiding means the distance b to the detector means along the transport path, until the identification mark from the tip portion of the label tape It is characterized by being smaller than the distance a.

  As a result, detection by the detection means is started after the leading end of the label tape reaches the guide means and guidance is started, so that an effect of improving detection accuracy can be obtained with certainty.

A seventeenth invention, in any one of the first to the first to sixth aspects, comprising a cutting means for cutting the label tape, said guiding means, the downstream side in the conveying direction of the label tape from said cutting means It is characterized by being provided in.

  Since the guide means is arranged on the downstream side of the cutting means, after the label tape is cut by the cutting means, the guide of the separated label tape (that is, the formed label) is executed by the guide means. The position detection accuracy of the identification mark in the label can be kept good. Further, when the label finally cut and formed is discharged out of the apparatus, for example, when the guiding means also serves as a driving means for the discharging, there is no cutting means on the downstream side of the guiding means. Tape clogging can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve detection accuracy while preventing tape clogging.

Hereinafter, describing the tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the label producing apparatus of the present invention with reference to accompanying drawings. This embodiment is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a RFID label generation system.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system having a tag label producing apparatus provided with a mark detection apparatus of the present embodiment.

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

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 2, a tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to the PC 118 and produces a desired RFID label with a print based on an operation from the PC 118, and can be opened and closed on the apparatus main body 2 and the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. And an open / close lid 3 provided.

  The apparatus main body 2 is a part of the opening / closing lid 3 and is located on the front side (left front side in FIG. 2), and a label discharge port for discharging a RFID label T (described later) created in the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. 11 and a side lid 12 provided below the side wall 3a and the label discharge port 11 and having a lower end rotatably supported.

  The side lid 12 is provided with a pressing portion 13, and the side lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. A power button 14 for turning on / off the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided below the open / close button 4 in the side wall 3a. Below this power button 14, a cutter drive button 16 is provided for driving a cutting mechanism 15 (see FIG. 3 described later) as cutting means disposed in the apparatus main body 2 by a user's manual operation. When the button 16 is pressed, the tag label tape 109 with print (described later) is cut to a desired length to create the RFID label T.

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

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 inside the tag label producing apparatus 1 (however, a loop antenna LC described later is omitted). In FIG. 3, the internal unit 20 schematically includes a cartridge holder 6 that accommodates the cartridge 7, a printing mechanism 21 having a printing head (thermal head) 23, a cutting mechanism 15, and a half-cut unit 35 (described later). 4) and a label discharge mechanism 22 for discharging the generated RFID label T (see FIG. 18 described later) from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2).

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

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

  The tape feed roller 27 presses and bonds the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to form the printed tag label tape 109 and feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A (= also functions as a pressure roller). ).

  The first roll 102 is wound with the base tape 101 in which a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To are sequentially formed at predetermined equal intervals in the longitudinal direction around a reel member 102a. In this example, the base tape 101 has a four-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 5), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 5) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 5), An adhesive layer 101a made of an appropriate adhesive material, a colored base film 101b made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), an adhesive layer 101c made of an appropriate adhesive material, and a release paper 101d are laminated in this order.

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

  The adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b, and the RFID circuit element is formed on the back side (left side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b. The release paper 101d is bonded to the base film 101b by the adhesive layer 101c provided so as to enclose To.

  The release paper 101d is one that can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like by peeling it off. It is. Further, on the surface of the release paper 101d, a transport control is performed at a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To (in this example, a position further forward than the front end of the antenna 152 on the front side in the transport direction). A predetermined identification mark (in this example, a black identification mark. Alternatively, a hole penetrating through the base tape 101 may be formed by laser processing or the like, or a Thomson-type processing hole or the like) may be provided. Yes.

  The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a. The cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is a ribbon driven by the ribbon supply side roll 111 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 arranged on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). 105 is pressed against the print head 23 to be brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are each configured such that the driving force of a conveying motor 119 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 15 to be described later) provided outside the cartridge 7 is wound around the ribbon via a gear mechanism (not shown). By being transmitted to the take-up roller drive shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, they are rotated in conjunction with each other.

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

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

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

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

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

  On the other hand, as described above, the internal unit 20 is provided with the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, and is further provided with a base tape 101 (a tag label tape with print after bonding, the same applies hereinafter). A loop antenna LC (transmission / reception means) is provided to read or write information via wireless communication with respect to the provided RFID tag circuit element To. Then, after reading or writing information to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being bonded as described above, the cutter driving button 16 ( 2), the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15, and the RFID label T is generated. The RFID label T is then discharged from the label discharge port 11 formed on the side wall 3a (see FIG. 2) by the label discharge mechanism 22.

  The cutting mechanism 15 includes a fixed blade 40, a movable blade 41 that performs a cutting operation together with the fixed blade 40, a cutter helical gear 42 (see FIG. 3) connected to the movable blade 41, and the cutter helical gear 42. And a cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 3) connected by a gear train.

  The label discharge mechanism 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the label discharge port 11 provided on the side wall 3a of the apparatus main body 2, and is printed with the tag label tape 109 (in other words, the RFID label T, The same applies hereinafter) functioning as discharge means for forcibly discharging from the label discharge port 11. That is, the label discharge mechanism 22 includes a driving roller 51, a pressing roller 52 facing the driving roller 51 with the printed tag label tape 109 interposed therebetween, and a conveying path for the printed tag label tape 109. A pressing operation mechanism portion 53 (see FIG. 3) as a second driving unit that is operated so as to be pressed against the tag label tape 109 with print or to release the pressing. A discharge drive mechanism 54 (see FIG. 3) is provided for rotating the tag label tape 109 with print by the drive roller 51 in conjunction with the pressing release operation of the press operation mechanism 53.

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

  Further, the label discharge mechanism 22 has a mark detection device 10 (a label detection device for a label tape) that detects the identification mark PM provided on the release paper 101d of the tag label tape 109 with print (for details). Later). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7B, the mark detection apparatus 10 includes a mark sensor 127 (detection means) made up of a well-known light emitting diode and phototransistor for detecting the identification mark PM, and a tag label for printing. The pressing roller 52 (guide means, advance / retreat roller) is configured to be movable with respect to the transport path of the tape 109. The pressing roller 52 is disposed downstream of the cutting mechanism 15 and the mark sensor 127 in the transport direction of the tag label tape 109 with print, and is pressed against the tag label tape 109 with print by pressing the drive roller 51 (regulatory cooperation). (A working means, a cooperating roller) in cooperation with the tag label tape 109 with print (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4), by being positioned through a slight gap with the driving roller 51, A restriction position (position indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 4) for guiding the tag label tape 109 with print (in other words, restricting the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print within a predetermined range), and this restriction position Or a separation position (position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4) located in a direction away from the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. It is controlled to move to become 3 stage position (described in detail later). The first guide wall 56 and the second guide wall 64 are provided at positions corresponding to the separation positions of the pressing roller 52 (see FIG. 4). The loop antenna LC can move the pressing roller 52 by a support member (not shown) on the opposite side of the first guide wall 56 and the second guide wall 64 from the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. It is fixedly provided independently of the configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing operation mechanism unit 53 includes a roller support holder 57, a roller support unit 58 that is attached to the roller support holder 57 and holds the pressing roller 52 at the tip, and the roller support holder 57. It comprises a holder support portion 59 that is rotatably supported, a cam 60 that drives the pressing operation mechanism portion 53 in conjunction with the cutting mechanism 15, and an urging spring 61.

  The roller support portion 58 is rotatably supported so as to sandwich the pressing roller 52 from above and below. Then, the roller support holder 57 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3) about the holder support shaft 59 through the cam 60 by the rotation of the cutter helical gear 42, whereby the pressing roller 52 is printed. The tag label tape 109 is brought close to. When the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated again, the holder support shaft 59 is rotated in the reverse direction by the biasing spring 61, and the pressing roller 52 is separated from the tag label tape 109 with print.

  The discharge drive mechanism unit 54 includes a tape discharge motor 65 and a gear train 66, and after the tag label tape 109 with print is pressed against the drive roller 51 by the pressing roller 52 (that is, the pressing roller 52 is in the above-described pressure bonding position). Later, by driving the tape discharge motor 65 and rotating the drive roller 51 in the discharge direction of the tag label tape 109 with print, the tag label tape 109 with print is forcibly discharged in the discharge direction. Further, the discharge drive mechanism 54 has a pressure roller motor 130 (roller driving means; see FIG. 15 described later) for driving the pressure roller 52, and the pressure roller 52 is moved to the restriction position as necessary (for example, In some cases, the pressing roller 52 is driven to rotate in the discharge direction of the tag label tape 109 with print. As described above, when the pressing roller 52 is in the pressure-bonding position and the tag label tape 109 with print is discharged by the rotation of the driving roller 51, the pressing roller 52 is free to move (for example, when a gear train (not shown) is separated). It rotates (in other words, rotated according to the rotational drive of the drive roller 51).

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the conceptual configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided in the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102, as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. In FIG. 6, the RFID circuit element To is composed of the loop antenna 152 that is configured in a loop coil shape and transmits / receives information, and an IC circuit unit 151 that is connected thereto and stores information. Further, the aforementioned identification mark PM is provided on the surface of the release paper 101d at a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To. This identification mark PM has a distance La (see FIG. 18 described later) from the front end of the tag label tape 109 (RF tag label T) printed to the front end of the identification mark PM, and is the center of the mark sensor 127, the drive roller 51, and the pressing roller 52. It is arranged on the release paper 101d so as to be larger than the distance Lb (see FIG. 4) from the shaft position (guide reference position).

  FIG. 7A is a partial extraction perspective view showing a detailed structure of a main part of the label discharge mechanism 22, and FIG. 7B is a view showing a conceptual configuration of the mark sensor 127. 7A, as described above, the mark detection device 10 includes a mark sensor 127 including a known light emitting diode and a phototransistor for detecting the identification mark PM, and a transport path for the tag label tape 109 with print. The pressing roller 52 is configured to be movable with respect to the moving member. Further, middle portions in the vertical direction of the first guide walls 55 and 56 are notched, and the drive roller 51 is provided on one first guide wall 55 from the notch to the discharge position of the tag label tape 109 with print. Provided. The drive roller 51 has a roller cutout 51A formed by a concentric groove on the upper surface thereof. On the other hand, on the other first guide wall 56, the pressing roller 52 is supported by the roller support portion 58 of the pressing operation mechanism portion 53 so as to face the discharging position of the tag label tape 109 with print from the notch portion. FIG. 7 shows the case where the pressing roller 52 is in the separated position. Accordingly, when the pressing roller 52 is in the restriction position or the pressure bonding position described above, the roller support portion 58 of the pressing operation mechanism portion 53 moves in the direction of the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print, and the pressing roller 52 is moved to the first position. A guide wall 56 is inserted into the cutout portion so as to approach the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print.

  The loop antenna LC (the arrangement position is conceptually shown in FIG. 7 (a)) is arranged so that the pressing roller 52 is positioned at the radial center (radially inward, specifically on the coil central axis). However, the RFID tag circuit which is disposed in the vicinity of the pressing roller 52 and is provided on the tag label tape 109 with print by magnetic induction (including non-contact methods performed through electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, and other electromagnetic fields). Access (information reading or information writing) to the element To is performed. Here, the loop antenna LC is arranged so that the pressing roller 52 is located at the center in the radial direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressing roller 52 may be arranged at the outer side in the radial direction. Further, it may be arranged not on the pressing roller 52 side but on the driving roller 51 side in the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print.

  Further, on the upstream side of the driving roller 51 in the transport direction (in other words, between a half cutter 34 and a loop antenna LC, which will be described later), the release paper 101d of the base tape 101 corresponds to the position of each RFID circuit element. A mark sensor 127 (detection means) capable of detecting an appropriate identification mark PM (see FIG. 6 and the like) provided is provided. As shown in FIG. 7B, the mark sensor 127 is a known reflection type photoelectric sensor including a projector 127a made of a light emitting diode and a light receiver 127b made of a phototransistor, for example. The control output from the light receiver 127b is inverted depending on whether or not the identification mark PM exists between the light projector 127a and the light receiver 127b. The mark sensor 127 is not limited to the reflective type, and a transmissive photoelectric sensor may be used.

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

  In FIG. 8, the cutter helical gear 42 is provided with a boss 50 formed in a projecting shape, and this boss 50 is configured to be inserted into a long hole 49 of the movable blade 41 (described later). 9 and FIG. 10). Further, on the downstream side of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 along the tape discharge direction, so as to be positioned between the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 and the first guide walls 55 and 56 (see FIG. 4), A half cut unit 35 is attached.

  The half-cut unit 35 includes a cradle 38 that is arranged in accordance with the fixed blade 40, a half cutter 34 that is opposed to the cradle 38 and is disposed on the movable blade 41 side, and between the fixed blade 40 and the cradle 38. The first guide portion 36 is disposed in combination with the fixed blade 40, and the second guide portion 37 is disposed in combination with the movable blade 41 so as to face the first guide portion 36 (see FIG. 11 described later). See also).

  The first guide portion 36 and the second guide portion 37 are integrally formed, and the side plate 44 together with the fixed blade 40 is provided by a guide fixing portion 36A provided at a position corresponding to a fixing hole 40A (see FIG. 11 described later) of the fixed blade 40. (See FIG. 4).

  The cradle 38 is bent so that an end facing the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the tape discharge unit 30 is parallel to the tape, and forms a receiving surface 38B. Here, as described above, the tag label tape 109 with print is bonded to the cover film 103 and the base tape 101 having a four-layer structure including the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d. Thus, a five-layer structure is formed (see also FIG. 19 described later). Then, by pressing the half cutter 34 against the receiving surface 38B, the tag label tape 109 with print between the half cutter 34 and the receiving surface 38B becomes the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c. Is cut, but only the release paper 101d is left uncut. The receiving surface 38 </ b> B has a role of guiding the tag label tape 109 with print to the label discharge port 11 together with the first guide portions 55 and 56.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  By projecting the end portion 36B of the first guide portion 36 and making the contact surface 36C curved, the front end portion of the tag label tape 109 with print curled to a certain curvature or more first hits the contact surface 36C of the first guide portion 36. . At this time, the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print hits the downstream side (downward in FIG. 12) of the printed tag label tape 109 from the boundary point 75 on the contact surface 36C of the first guide portion. In this case, the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print moves downstream along the curved surface, so that the label does not enter between the fixed blade 40 and the first guide portion 36 or the cradle 38. It leads to the discharge port 11 direction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The ROM 116 reads the print buffer data in correspondence with the character code data such as characters and numbers input from the PC 118 and drives the print head 23, the transport motor 119, and the tape discharge motor 65. A control program, a pulse number determination program for determining the number of pulses corresponding to the amount of energy to form each print dot, and when printing is finished, the tag label tape 109 with print is transported by driving the transport motor 119 to the cutting position. A cutting drive control program for driving the cutter motor 43 to cut the tag label tape 109 with print, and the cut tag label tape 109 with print (= the RFID label T) from the label discharge port 11 by driving the tape discharge motor 65. Forcible tape ejection program and other tags Bell generating apparatus 1 controls various programs required for are stored. The CPU 111 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 116.

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

  The input / output interface 113 includes a PC 118, the print drive circuit 120 for driving the print head 23, a transport motor drive circuit 121 for driving the transport motor 119, and a cutter motor 43. A cutter motor drive circuit 122, a half cutter motor drive circuit 128 for driving the half cutter motor 129, a tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 for driving the tape discharge motor 65, and a pressure roller motor 130 A carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID circuit element To via the pressing roller motor drive circuit 131 and the loop antenna LC is generated, and based on a control signal input from the control circuit 110. The transmitter circuit 306 for modulating the carrier wave, The response signal received from the circuit element To via the loop antenna LC is demodulated, and the reception circuit 307 that outputs to the control circuit 110, the mark sensor 127 that detects the identification mark PM, and the tape cut sensor 124. And the cut release detection sensor 125 are connected to each other.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The control unit 155 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 158, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 157, and performs basic control such as returning by the modulation / demodulation unit 158. Execute proper control.

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

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

  Also, the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c are provided with the half-cut line HC (half-cut portion. However, in this example, substantially along the tape width direction by the half cutter 34 as described above. The front half-cut line HC1 and the rear half-cut line HC2 are formed. In the cover film 103, an area sandwiched between the half-cut lines HC1 and HC2 is a print area S on which the label print R is printed. Are a front margin area S1 and a rear margin area S2. In other words, the front and rear margin areas S1, S2 and the print area S of the cover film 103 are distinguished by the half-cut lines HC1, HC2.

  In the present embodiment, the identification mark PM is provided in the front margin area S1 of each RFID label T. At this time, as described above, the distance La from the tip of the RFID label T (printed tag label tape 109) to the tip of the identification mark PM is the distance between the mark sensor 127 and the center axis positions of the driving roller 51 and the pressing roller 52. The identification mark PM is arranged so as to be larger than Lb (see FIG. 4).

  As already described, instead of providing the black marking as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B as the identification mark PM, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a hole substantially penetrating the base tape 101 may be provided by punching with a Thomson type or a Bic type, laser processing, or the like. In this case, in the case where the mark sensor 127 is constituted by a known reflection type photoelectric sensor including a projector and a light receiver, when the identification mark PM including the hole comes at a position between the light projector and the light receiver, the light from the light projector is transmitted. Is transmitted through the hole of the identification mark PM and the transparent cover film 103 and is not reflected and is not received by the light receiver, thereby inverting the control output from the light receiver.

  FIG. 20 is displayed on the PC 118 (terminal 118a or general-purpose computer 118b) when accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To by the tag label producing apparatus 1 as described above. It is a figure showing an example of a screen.

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

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

  In the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the basic configuration as described above, the greatest feature of this embodiment is that the pressing roller 52 configured to be movable with respect to the transport path of the printed tag label tape 109 is provided with an identification mark by the mark sensor 127. When the PM is detected, the above-described restriction position is set. When other tag labels are produced (when printing, etc., but before cutting), the above-described separated position is set. When the cut tag label tape 109 (wireless tag label T) is printed, It is to control to move to the crimping position. This point will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 to perform such control.

  In FIG. 21, when a predetermined RFID label producing operation is performed by the tag label producing apparatus 1 via the PC 118, this flow is started. At the start of this flow, the pressing roller 52 is located at the above-mentioned separated position. First, in step S1, an operation signal from the PC 118 is input (via the communication line NW and the input / output interface 113). Based on the operation signal, print data, communication data with the RFID circuit element To, front / rear half A preparatory process for setting the cut position and full cut position is executed.

  Next, in step S3, when communication is performed from the loop antenna LC to the RFID circuit element To, the number of times of retrying communication (retry) is counted when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To. Variables M and N to be initialized and a flag F indicating whether or not the communication is successful are initialized to 0.

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

  In the next step S7, the leading end of the printed tag label tape 109 to be transported is a roller position (first transport position. Specifically, the transport path of the printed tag label tape 109 and the central axes of the drive roller 51 and the pressing roller 52 are in contact with each other. It is determined whether or not it has reached a position where a straight line connecting is crossed. In this determination, for example, the transport distance of the tag label 109 is detected by a predetermined known method (such as counting the number of pulses output from the transport motor drive circuit 121 that drives the transport motor 119, which is a pulse motor). Is done. This procedure is repeated until the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print reaches the roller position, and when it reaches, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S8.

  In step S 8, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113, the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the driving force of the cutter motor 43, and the roller support holder 57 is rotated about the holder support shaft 59. It is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3). As a result, the pressing roller 52 located at the separation position is moved closer to the tag label tape 109 with print and moved to the regulation position. Further, control signals are output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 and the pressure roller motor drive circuit 131 via the input / output interface 113, and the drive roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 are driven by the drive force of the tape discharge motor 65 and the pressure roller motor 130, respectively. The tag label tape 109 with print is rotated in the conveying direction.

  After that, in step S10, the mark sensor 127 detects the identification mark PM provided on the tag label tape 109 with print whose transport path is regulated by the pressing roller 52 moved to the regulation position in step S8. Further, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input via the input / output interface 113 (in other words, whether or not the cover film 103 has reached the print start position by the print head 23). The determination is not satisfied until the identification mark PM is detected, and this procedure is repeated. When the identification mark PM is detected, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S15.

  In step S15, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the print head 23 is energized, and the above-described print region S (= the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch, etc.) of the cover film 103. Printing of the label print R such as characters, symbols, and barcodes corresponding to the print data generated in step S1 is started on the back surface of the RFID circuit element To arranged at intervals.

  In the next step S 17, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113, and the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated again by the driving force of the cutter motor 43. Accordingly, the roller support holder 57 is rotated clockwise around the holder support shaft 59 by the biasing spring 61, and the pressing roller 52 is separated from the tag label tape 109 with print. As a result, the pressing roller 52 located at the restriction position is moved to the separation position. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 and the pressure roller motor drive circuit 131 via the input / output interface 113, and the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 and the pressure roller motor 130 is stopped to drive the drive roller 51 and the pressure roller 52. The rotation drive of is stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S20, whether the printed tag label tape 109 has been transported to the previous half-cut position set in the previous step S1 (in other words, the half-cut line set by the half-cut mechanism 35 in the previous half-cut mechanism 35 in step S1). It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached a position directly facing HC1. In this determination, for example, the conveyance distance after the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 is detected in the above-described step S10 may be detected by a predetermined known method (the conveyance motor 119 which is a pulse motor is driven). For example, the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 is counted). The determination is not satisfied until the previous half-cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the previous half-cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S25.

  In step S25, control signals are output to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, the drive of the transport motor 119 and the tape discharge motor 65 is stopped, and the tape feed roller 27 is stopped. Then, the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the driving roller 51 is stopped. As a result, in the process in which the tag label tape 109 with print fed out from the cartridge 7 moves in the discharge direction, the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the front half cut line HC1 set in step S1, The feeding of the base tape 101 from the first roll 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print are stopped. At this time, a control signal is also output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and printing of the label print R is stopped (print interruption).

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

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

  Thereafter, in step S40, the tag label tape 109 that has been conveyed has a predetermined value (for example, the RFID circuit element To to which the cover film 103 on which the corresponding printing has been applied is bonded) only reaches the loop antenna LC. It is determined whether or not it has been transported by (transport distance). Similar to step S20, the conveyance distance at this time may be determined by counting the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the conveyance motor 119, which is a pulse motor.

  In the next step S200, label creation processing is performed. That is, when the RFID tag circuit element To is conveyed to the communication position (the position where the RFID tag circuit element To faces the loop antenna LC), the conveyance and printing are stopped, information is transmitted and received, and then the conveyance and printing are resumed to perform printing. After completion of the transfer, the transfer is stopped at the rear half-cut position, and the rear half-cut line HC2 is formed (see FIG. 22 described later).

  When step S200 is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S45 (note that at this time, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print has been resumed in step S200). In step S45, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the full cut position described above (in other words, the tag label tape with print until the position where the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 faces the cutting line CL set in step S1). 109) is determined. The determination at this time may be performed in the same manner as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 in the above step S10 (a transport motor that is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives 119 is counted). The determination is not satisfied until the full cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the full cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S50.

  In step S50, similarly to step S25, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped. Thus, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104 with the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 facing the cutting line CL set in step S1. , And the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped.

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

  In step S57, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113, the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the driving force of the cutter motor 43, and the roller support holder 57 is moved to the holder support shaft 59. Is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3). As a result, the pressing roller 52 located at the separation position is moved closer to the tag label tape 109 with print and moved to the pressure-bonding position. As a result, the tag label tape 109 with print is held between the driving roller 51 and the pressing roller 52.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60, where a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 31, the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 is restarted, and the drive roller 51 is rotated. At this time, as described above, the pressing roller 52 is separated from the pressing roller motor 130 when, for example, a gear train (not shown) is separated, and can be freely rotated (in other words, rotated according to the rotational driving of the driving roller 51). It is in a state. As a result, the conveyance by the driving roller 51 is started, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in step S55 is conveyed toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the label label producing apparatus 1. The

  Then, the process proceeds to the next step S65, where a control signal is output to the cutter motor driving circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113, and the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated again by the driving force of the cutter motor 43. Accordingly, the roller support holder 57 is rotated clockwise around the holder support shaft 59 by the biasing spring 61, and the pressing roller 52 is separated from the tag label tape 109 with print. As a result, the pressing roller 52 located at the restriction position is moved to the separation position. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, and the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 is stopped to stop the rotation drive of the drive roller 51. This completes this flow.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above. In the flow shown in FIG. 22, first, in step S210, it is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC described above. The determination at this time may be performed by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 as in step S20 of FIG. 21 described above. The determination is not satisfied until the communication position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the communication position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S220.

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

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S400, where information is transmitted and received by radio communication between the antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To, and the information created in the above step S1 in FIG. 21 for the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To. Is written (or the information previously stored in the IC circuit portion is read), and information transmission / reception processing is performed (refer to FIG. 23 described later for details).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S230, and it is determined whether or not the information transmission / reception is successful in step S400. Specifically, since the flag F = 1 should be set at the time of communication failure in step S400 (see step S437 in FIG. 23 described later), it is determined whether F = 0.

  If F = 1, the determination is not satisfied, the communication with respect to the RFID circuit element To is considered to have failed, the process proceeds to step S700, and error processing for notifying the operator of the communication failure on the label (for example, Another mode printing R ′ (for example, “NG” character) corresponding to the communication error is printed), and this routine is terminated.

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

  In step S240, as in step S35 of FIG. 21, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven to resume the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print, and to the print head 23. The energization is resumed and the printing of the label print R is resumed.

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

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S250, and it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the aforementioned print end position (calculated in step S1 in FIG. 21). The determination at this time may also be performed by a predetermined publicly known method, for example, after the detection of the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 as described above. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S260.

  In step S260, as in step S25 of FIG. 21, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped and printing of the label print R is stopped. Thereby, the printing of the label print R on the print region S is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S500, and after the sheet is transported to a predetermined rear half-cut position, a post-half cut process is performed in which the rear half-cut line HC2 is formed by the half cutter 34 of the half-cut unit 35. This routine is completed as described above.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400 described above. In this example, information writing will be described as an example of the information writing and information reading described above.

  First, in step S405 of the flow shown in FIG. 23, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 (see FIG. 16 and the like) via the input / output interface 113, and information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is stored. As an “Erase” signal to be initialized, a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To to be written through the loop antenna LC. Thereby, the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is initialized.

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

  Thereafter, in step S415, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna LC, and the receiving circuit 307 (see FIG. 16 and the like) and the input are received. Capture via the output interface 113.

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

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

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

  Thereafter, in step S445, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Verify” signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the loop antenna LC to prompt a reply. . Thereafter, in step S450, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna 305, and taken in via the receiving circuit 307 and the input / output interface 113.

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

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

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

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

  24 (a), 24 (b) and 24 (c) are plan views respectively showing the positional relationship with the driving roller 51 and the like when the pressing roller 52 is located at the separation position, the restriction position, and the pressure bonding position. It is.

  FIG. 24A shows a state in which the pressing roller 52 is in the separated position, and the end portion of the pressing roller 52 on the tape transport path side (upper side in FIG. 24) is the first guide wall 56 and the second guide wall. 64 is separated from the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print so as to be substantially aligned with the position 64. As a result, the tag label tape 109 with print can pass between the rollers in a wide range. For example, even when the tip of the tag label tape 109 with print is curled, it can be smoothly introduced downstream in the transport direction. It is like that. Therefore, when a tag label is created (when printing or the like, but before cutting) other than when the identification mark PM is detected by the mark sensor 127, the pressing roller 52 is moved to the separation position (see step S17 in FIG. 21 above). .

  FIG. 24B shows a state in which the pressing roller 52 is in the restricting position, and the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print is within a predetermined range by being positioned through the driving roller 51 and a slight gap Y. To regulate. As a result, as shown in the partial enlarged view in FIG. 24B, the transport path in the detection portion of the tag label tape 109 with print by the mark sensor 127 is within a predetermined range X corresponding to the detection range of the mark sensor 127. It can be regulated. Therefore, when the identification mark PM is detected by the mark sensor 127, the pressure roller 52 is detected after being moved to the restriction position (see step S8 in FIG. 21).

  FIG. 24C shows a state in which the pressing roller 52 is in the pressure-bonding position. The printed tag label tape 109 is sandwiched in cooperation with the driving roller 51 and is cut by the rotational driving of the driving roller 51. The tag label tape 109 (wireless tag label T) can be forcibly discharged (see step S57 and step S60 in FIG. 21).

  In the above, the control circuit 110 (specifically, the procedure of step S7 in FIG. 21) constitutes first determination means for determining whether or not the first transport position has been reached.

  In the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, a predetermined label printing R is performed on the printing area S of the cover film 103 by the print head 23, and the cover film 103 and the first roll 102 The fed base tape 101 is bonded and integrated by the tape feed roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print, and the RFID circuit element To provided in the label tape 109 with print is provided. In contrast, information is transmitted and received from the loop antenna LC in a non-contact manner, information is read or written, the printed label tape 109 is cut into a predetermined length by the cutting mechanism 15, and the RFID label T is printed. Created.

  In the production of the RFID label T performed in this way, in the present embodiment, the mark sensor 127 detects the identification mark PM provided on the printed label tape 109, whereby the print start reference position of the print head 23 is detected. Set up. At this time, a pressing roller 52 that is movable with respect to the transport path of the printed label tape 109 is provided to guide the printed label tape 109 when the identification mark PM is detected. As a result, when a tag label other than the detection of the identification mark PM by the mark sensor 127 (when printing, etc., but before cutting), the pressure roller 52 is set at a separated position so as to be away from the conveyance path and for printed labels. While the leading end of the tape 109 is smoothly introduced, after the introduction, the pressure roller 52 is set to the restricting position to guide the printed label tape 109 close to the conveyance path, and in this guided state, the mark sensor 127 performs the guidance. The identification mark PM can be detected. In this manner, the clogging of the tape can be prevented by introducing the leading end of the printed label tape 109 in a state where the pressing roller 52 is separated from the conveyance path, and the printed label tape is printed with the pressing roller 52 as a regulation position. By performing mark detection in a state in which 109 is guided, the positional relationship between the mark sensor 127 and the identification mark PM at the time of detection can be maintained substantially stably, so that detection accuracy is improved while preventing tape clogging. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, by setting the pressing roller 52 to the restriction position, the restriction function restricts the transport path of the printed label tape 109 in the vicinity of the mark sensor 127 within a predetermined range. Thereby, the positional relationship between the mark sensor 127 and the identification mark PM at the time of detection can be maintained substantially stably.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, by setting the pressing roller 52 to the restriction position, the transport path in the vicinity of the mark sensor 127 of the tag label tape 109 with print is within a predetermined range X corresponding to the detection range of the mark sensor 127. regulate. Accordingly, the identification mark PM of the tag label tape 109 with print can always be detected with high accuracy in accordance with the characteristics of the mark sensor 127. Moreover, the required detection accuracy can be ensured by setting a predetermined range corresponding to the required detection accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, before the detection of the identification mark PM by the mark sensor 127 is started, the pressing roller 52 is controlled to move from the separation position to the restriction position. As a result, detection by the mark sensor 127 is started after the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print is regulated within a predetermined range, so that an effect of improving detection accuracy can be obtained with certainty.

  In this embodiment, in particular, after the identification mark PM is detected by the mark sensor 127, the pressing roller 52 is immediately moved from the restriction position to the separation position. Thus, the interval between the pressing roller 52 and the restriction position can be minimized, and smooth passage of the tag label tape 109 with print can be reliably performed except when the identification mark PM is detected.

  In this embodiment, particularly, when the cut tag label tape 109 with print (radio tag label T) is discharged, the pressing roller 52 is moved to the pressure-bonding position. As a result, when the RFID label T is discharged, the driving roller 51 as the driving means for the discharging operation and the RFID label T can be brought into close contact with each other, and the driving force of the driving roller 51 can be reliably transmitted to the RFID label T. . As a result, the discharge can be reliably performed.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the pressing roller 52 is opposed to the driving roller 51 with a predetermined gap Y at a restriction position where the tag label tape 109 with print is restricted within a predetermined range. Thereby, it is possible to ensure good tape passage between the pressing roller 52 and the driving roller 51 while suppressing variations in the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. Further, by providing the gap in this way, the tape conveyance speed by the tape feeding roller 27 located on the upstream side of the pressing roller 52 and the driving roller 51 and the conveyance (guide) speed by the pressing roller 52 and the driving roller 51 are reduced. Even if a minute speed difference is generated, this is allowed by the gap, and it is possible to prevent sagging and wrinkles from occurring on the tag label tape 109 with print.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the drive roller 51 configured to be rotatable is used as a regulation cooperating unit that regulates the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print within a predetermined range in cooperation with the pressing roller 52. As a result, regulation cooperation can be executed while the driving roller 51 itself rotates, so that the tag label tape 109 with print can pass smoothly without causing tape clogging between the pressing roller 52 and the driving roller 51. it can.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, as the guide means for guiding the tag label tape 109 with print, a pressing roller 52 configured to be rotatable is used. Accordingly, the tag label tape 109 with print can be guided while the pressing roller 52 itself rotates, and the tag label tape 109 with print can be smoothly guided.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the pressing roller 52 is rotationally driven in a direction along the transport direction of the tag label tape 109 with print at a restriction position where the tag label tape 109 with print is restricted within a predetermined range. Thereby, for example, even if it is the tag label tape 109 with print with the curled tip, the pressure tag 52 itself guides the tag label tape 109 with print in the transport direction while rotating, while preventing the tape clogging reliably. The tag label tape 109 with print can be smoothly guided.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the pressing roller 52 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the tag label tape 109 with print from the mark sensor 127. Here, as in the present embodiment, positioning when printing on the cover film 103 by the print head 23 located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the pressing roller 52 and the mark sensor 127 is based on mark detection by the mark sensor 127. For example, when the mark sensor 127 is provided on the downstream side of the pressing roller 51 in the tape transport direction, the distance from the print head 23 to the mark sensor 127 is increased along the transport direction. The non-printing portion (margin portion) from the front end of the tape in the RFID label T is increased. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, the pressing roller 52 is provided downstream of the mark sensor 127 in the transport direction of the tag label tape 109 with print, thereby avoiding the above-described adverse effects and reducing the non-printing portion. be able to.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the distance Lb from the central axis of the drive roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 to the mark sensor 127 along the conveyance path is determined from the front end of the tag label tape 109 with print (RFID label T). It is made smaller than the distance La to the tip of PM. As a result, the detection by the mark sensor 127 is started after the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the roller positions of the driving roller 51 and the pressing roller 52 and the tape transport path is restricted within a predetermined range. Therefore, the detection accuracy improvement effect can be obtained with certainty.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the pressing roller 52 is disposed downstream of the cutting mechanism 15 in the transport direction of the tag label tape 109 with print. Thus, even after the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15, the formed RFID label T is guided by the pressing roller 52 and the position detection accuracy of the identification mark PM on the RFID label T is improved. Can be held. Further, when the RFID label T finally cut and formed is discharged out of the apparatus, there is no member such as the cutting mechanism 15 on the downstream side of the pressing roller 52, so that the tape clogging can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, transmission / reception is performed with the RFID circuit element To when the pressing roller 52 is in the restriction position. Thereby, since the positional relationship between the RFID tag To and the loop antenna LC is constant, the RFID tag circuit element To can be accessed stably.

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

(1) When using guide means other than rollers In the above-described embodiment, the pressing roller 52 is movable with respect to the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, another guide means, for example, a guide wall may be configured to be movable with respect to the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print.

  FIG. 25 is a plan view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 in this modification. As shown in FIG. 25, in this modified example, the guide wall 62 is configured to be movable with respect to the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. The tag label tape 109 with print is located at a pressure-bonding position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 25) for sandwiching the tag label tape 109 with print in cooperation with 51, and a slight gap with the drive roller 51. (In other words, the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print within a predetermined range) (a position indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 25). It moves so as to move a three-stage position composed of a separation position (position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 25) located in a direction away from the 109 conveyance path. It is controlled. In this modification, the loop antenna LC is disposed on the drive roller 51 side of the tape transport path.

  Also in this modified example having the above-described configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the above-described embodiment that the detection accuracy can be improved while preventing tape clogging.

  A guide wall may be fixedly provided on the drive roller 51 side of the tape conveyance path instead of the drive roller 51, and the pressing roller 52 may be movably provided on the opposite side of the tape conveyance path as in the above embodiment. Good. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

(2) When the roller is set to the restricting position after a predetermined amount of conveyance after detecting the tape leading end In the above embodiment, the pressing roller 52 is moved to the restricting position after the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print reaches the roller position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure roller 52 may be moved to the restriction position after the mark sensor 127 detects the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print and then transports a predetermined amount.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 ′ (not shown) for performing such control, and corresponds to FIG. 21 described above. In FIG. 26, the same steps as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 26, steps S1 to S5 are the same as in FIG. 21 described above, and preparation processing for performing various settings and the like based on the input operation signal, initialization of the flag F and the like, and conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print are carried out. Start.

  In the next step S6, it is determined whether or not the leading end portion of the printed tag label tape 109 conveyed by the mark sensor 127 has been detected. The determination is not satisfied until the tip is detected, and this procedure is repeated. If it is detected, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S7 ′.

  In step S7 ′, it is determined whether or not the printed tag label tape 109 has been conveyed by a predetermined amount after the leading end of the printed tag label tape 109 has been detected. The predetermined amount is set to a value smaller than the distance La (see FIG. 18) from the tip of the tag label tape 109 with print (RFID label T) to the tip of the identification mark PM. This determination is performed, for example, by counting the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the conveyance motor 119 that is a pulse motor. This procedure is repeated until the printed tag label tape 109 is conveyed by a predetermined amount. When it is conveyed, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S8, and the pressing roller 52 is moved to the restriction position.

  Subsequent steps S10 to S65 are the same as those in FIG. Further, the other control performed by the control circuit 110 ′ is the same as the control of the control circuit 110, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the above, the control circuit 110 ′ (specifically, the procedure of step S7 ′ in FIG. 26) constitutes second determination means for determining whether or not the second transport position has been reached.

  According to this modification, in addition to obtaining the same effect as the above embodiment, the timing for moving the pressing roller 52 to the restriction position can be finely adjusted by appropriately changing the setting of the predetermined amount.

(3) In the case where the mark sensor is provided on the downstream side of the roller In the above embodiment, the mark sensor 127 is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the tag label tape 109 with print from the pressing roller 52 (drive roller 51). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the downstream side of the roller position as shown in FIG. In this case, the identification mark PM of the tag label tape 109 with print that has passed the roller position is detected by the mark sensor 127. Therefore, when the mark is detected, the tag label tape 109 with print is pressed against the drive roller 51 and the restriction position. By being sandwiched between the rollers 52, it is possible to reliably detect that the conveyance path is restricted.

  The mark sensor 127 may be provided at substantially the same position as the pressing roller 52 (drive roller 51) in the transport direction of the tag label tape 109 with print.

(4) In the case where the roller is set to the restricted position when the RFID tag information is transmitted / received. Although not particularly performed in the above embodiment, when performing transmission / reception of information between the antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To by wireless communication, The pressing roller 52 may be moved to the restriction position.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the label creation process (step S200 ′) in the control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 ″ (not shown) for performing such control. 28 corresponds to Fig. 28. In Fig. 28, the same procedures as those in Fig. 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 28, steps S210 to S220 are the same as in FIG. 22 described above, and when the tag label tape 109 with print is transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped. At the same time, the printing of the label print R is stopped (interrupted).

  In the next step S225, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113, the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the driving force of the cutter motor 43, and the roller support holder 57 is centered on the holder support shaft 59. Is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3). As a result, the pressing roller 52 located at the separation position is moved closer to the tag label tape 109 with print and moved to the regulation position. At this time, since the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped, the rotation of the pressing roller 52 is not performed.

  The next steps S400 to S230 and step S700 are the same as those in FIG. 22 described above, and information transmission / reception processing for writing information to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To is performed by wireless communication. Determine if. When communication fails, error processing is performed, and when communication is successful, the process proceeds to the next step S235.

  In step S235, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113, and the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated again by the driving force of the cutter motor 43. Accordingly, the roller support holder 57 is rotated clockwise around the holder support shaft 59 by the biasing spring 61, and the pressing roller 52 is separated from the tag label tape 109 with print. As a result, the pressing roller 52 located at the restriction position is moved to the separation position.

  Since the next steps S240 to S500 are the same as those in FIG. 28 described above, description thereof will be omitted. Further, the other control performed by the control circuit 110 ″ is the same as the control of the control circuit 110, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  According to this modification, wireless communication can be performed in a state where the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print is regulated within a predetermined range. As a result, the communication distance between the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To can be stably maintained, and the stability and reliability of communication can be improved.

(5) Others In the above, the pressure roller 52 is supported by the roller support holder 57 that can be rotated about the holder support shaft 59, and the pressure roller 52 is used for the tag label printed by rotating the roller support holder 57. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing roller 52 is supported by a rack, and the pressing roller 52 is used by using a known rack and pinion mechanism (first driving means). It is good also as a structure reciprocated linearly in the direction substantially orthogonal to a conveyance path | route (or diagonal direction may be sufficient).

  In the above description, the movement between the separation position, the restriction position, and the crimping position of the pressing roller 52 is automatically performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operator manually uses the operation lever. The pressing roller 52 may be moved.

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

  Further, in the above, an example is shown in which the RFID tag information is written by stopping the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print at a predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The wireless tag information may be written.

  Moreover, in the above, it was the system which prints on the cover film 103 different from the base-material tape 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To, and bonds these together, but it is not restricted to this, It is provided in a tag tape. The present invention may be applied to a method of printing on a cover film (a type in which bonding is not performed). Further, the present invention is not limited to reading or writing RFID tag information from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To and printing for identifying the RFID circuit element To by the print head 23. This printing does not necessarily have to be performed, and the present invention can also be applied to those that only read or write the RFID tag information.

  Further, the above description has been given by taking as an example the case where the base tape 101 is wound around the reel member 102a to form a roll, and the roll is arranged in the cartridge 7 and the base tape 101 is fed out. It is not limited to this. For example, the first roll 102 may be provided as a so-called installation type or an integral type that is not attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body side. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

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

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

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system having a tag label producing device provided with a mark detection device of the present embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the whole tag label production apparatus structure. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a tag label production apparatus. It is a top view showing the structure of an internal unit. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a detailed structure of a cartridge. It is the conceptual diagram seen from the arrow D direction in FIG. 5 showing the notional structure of the RFID circuit element with which the base tape drawn | fed out from the 1st roll is equipped. It is a partial extraction perspective view showing the principal part detailed structure of a label discharge mechanism. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the internal unit in the state which removed the label discharge | emission mechanism from the structure shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting mechanism which removed the half cutter from the internal unit. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting mechanism which removed the half cutter from the internal unit. It is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of a movable blade and a fixed blade with a half cut unit. It is a partial expanded sectional view of FIG. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a movable blade. It is a cross-sectional view by the AA cross section in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of a tag label production apparatus. It is a circuit diagram which represents simply the circuit structure of the connection part of a transmission circuit, a receiving circuit, and a loop antenna. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. FIG. 4 is a top view and a bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID label formed by completing writing (or reading) information of a RFID circuit element and cutting of a tag label tape with print by a tag label producing device. FIG. 18 is a diagram in which a cross-sectional view taken along the IXXA-IXXA ′ cross section in FIG. 18 is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise, and a cross-sectional view taken in the IXXB-IXXB ′ cross section in FIG. 18 is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise. It is a bottom view of the RFID label in the case where a hole substantially penetrating through the base tape is provided as a mark by laser processing or the like. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on PC (terminal or general-purpose computer) at the time of access (reading or writing) to the RFID tag information of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element by the tag label producing device. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400. It is a top view showing the positional relationship with a drive roller etc. when a press roller is located in a separation position, a regulation position, and a pressure bonding position, respectively. It is a top view showing the structure of the internal unit in the modification in the case of using guide means other than a roller. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit in the modification in the case of making a roller into a control position after conveying a predetermined amount after detecting the leading end of the tape. It is a top view showing the structure of the internal unit in the modification in the case of providing a mark sensor in the roller downstream. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of a label production process among the control procedures performed by the control circuit in the modification in the case of making a roller into a control position at the time of transmission / reception of wireless tag information.

Explanation of symbols

1 Tag label making device (label making device)
10 Mark detection device (mark detection device for label tape)
15 Cutting mechanism (cutting means)
51 Driving roller (regulation cooperating means, cooperating roller)
52 Pressing roller (guide means, advance / retreat roller)
53 Pressing mechanism (second driving means)
109 Printed tag label tape (label tape)
110 Control circuit (first determination means)
110 'control circuit (second determination means)
127 Mark sensor (detection means)
130 Pressing roller motor (roller driving means)
151 IC circuit section 152 Loop antenna (tag side antenna)
LC loop antenna (transmission / reception means)
PM identification mark To RFID circuit element

Claims (17)

A label producing device comprising a label tape mark detecting device for detecting an identification mark arranged on a label tape, and producing a label using the label tape ,
The mark detection device
Detection means for detecting the identification mark when the label tape is conveyed in the longitudinal direction;
Guide means provided so as to be movable with respect to the transport path of the label tape so as to guide the label tape to be transported when detecting the identification mark by the detection means ;
The guiding means includes
A restriction position for restricting the transport path of the label tape in the vicinity of the detection means within a predetermined range corresponding to the detection range of the detection means, and a separation located in a direction away from the transport path from the restriction position It is configured to be movable between a position and a crimping position to be crimped to the label tape,
Control is performed so as to move to the restriction position when the identification mark is detected, to the separation position when the other label is produced, and to the crimping position when the produced label is discharged. A label making device characterized by. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A label producing apparatus comprising: first driving means for reciprocating the guide means in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance path between the separation position and the restriction position. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A label producing apparatus, comprising: a second driving means for reciprocating the guide means around a predetermined rotation center between the separation position and the restriction position. In the label producing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The label producing apparatus, wherein the first or second driving unit moves the guide unit from the separated position to the restricting position before the detection unit starts detecting the identification mark. The label producing apparatus according to claim 4 ,
First determination means for determining whether the guide means has reached a first transport position that moves to the restriction position based on a transport state of the label tape;
The first or second driving means in the first stage moves the guide means from the separated position to the restricted position when the first judging means judges that the first transport position has been reached. Label making device. The label producing apparatus according to claim 4 ,
After the detection means detects the leading end of the label tape, a second determination is made as to whether or not the guide means has reached a second transport position that moves to the restriction position based on the transport state of the label tape. Having a determination means;
The first or second driving means moves the guide means from the separated position to the restricted position when the second judging means judges that the second judging position has been reached. Label making device. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 ,
The label producing apparatus, wherein the first or second driving unit moves the guide unit from the restriction position to the separated position after the detection unit detects the identification mark. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7 ,
The first or second driving means on the basis of the conveyance state of the label tape, after the detection of the identification mark by the detecting means, and moving said guide means to pre Ki圧 fixing position Label making device. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
A RFID tag circuit element provided on the label tape and having an IC circuit section for storing information and a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit section, and a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information via wireless communication. A label making device characterized by. The label producing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein
The label producing apparatus, wherein the transmission / reception means performs transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element when the guide means is in the restricted position. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 1 0,
A regulation cooperating means that is provided opposite to the guide means and the conveyance path of the label tape, and regulates the conveyance path within a predetermined range in cooperation with the guide means;
The label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit is opposed to the regulation cooperating unit via a predetermined gap at a regulation position where regulation is performed within the predetermined range. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 1, wherein,
The regulating cooperating means, the label producing apparatus, characterized in that the rotatable configured cooperating roller. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 1 2,
The label producing apparatus, wherein the guide means is an advance / retreat roller configured to be rotatable. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 3, wherein,
A label producing apparatus comprising roller driving means for rotating the advance / retreat roller in a direction along the carrying direction based on the carrying state of the label tape. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 1 4,
The label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide means is provided downstream of the detecting means in the transport direction of the label tape. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 5, wherein,
A label producing apparatus characterized in that a distance b from a guide reference position by the guide means to the detection means along the transport path is smaller than a distance a from the leading end of the label tape to the identification mark. . The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16 ,
Cutting means for cutting the label tape;
A label producing apparatus, wherein the guide means is provided downstream of the cutting means in the transport direction of the label tape.

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