JP4636384B2 - Tag label making device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a RFID label having a RFID circuit element that performs wireless communication of information with the outside.

  An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads / writes information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device) is known. For example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits and receives information. Even if the battery is dirty or placed in an invisible position, the reader / writer can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information in the IC circuit unit, and manage the product. Practical use is expected in various fields such as inspection processes.

  For example, as a writer for writing information to such a RFID circuit element, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this prior art, when a strip-shaped tag tape (mounting paper) on which rectangular label pieces (labels) are pasted at predetermined intervals is fed out from a tag tape roll (roll paper) and transported through a transport path, Predetermined RFID tag information generated on the device side is transmitted to the antenna of the RFID circuit element built in the label piece, and sequentially written in an IC circuit unit (IC chip) connected to the antenna, and printing means ( Printing information corresponding to the written RFID tag information is printed on the surface of the RFID label by the recording head) to complete the RFID tag label.

JP 2004-82432 A

  In general, the RFID label produced by writing RFID tag information and related printing by the above-described conventional writer (writing device) is provided by pasting or the like on a management target (product or the like). Then, by reading the RFID tag information from the RFID label provided on the product etc. with a reader (reading device), information on the product is obtained and the product is managed. As described above, in order to create a RFID label and use it to actually manage merchandise, a system having both reader and writer functions is required. However, the above-mentioned conventional writer does not have a function as a reader, or even if it has the reader function, it is configured only for communication with a tag for writing. Since it could not be applied to the management of products, it was necessary to prepare a separate reader.

  On the other hand, in the above-described conventional writer, for example, when an ordinary print label that does not include a RFID circuit element is created, a device-side antenna that performs wireless communication with the RFID circuit element becomes unnecessary. In such a case, there was a potential demand to use the device side antenna for another purpose. In addition, for example, there is a potential demand for effective use of the device-side antenna without making it idle while the RFID label is not created.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tag label producing apparatus capable of simplifying a device configuration and reducing a user's cost burden by making an antenna usable as a reader.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a tag label producing device having a tag label producing device main body and an antenna unit detachable from the tag label producing device main body, wherein the antenna unit stores information. A tag-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication between an IC circuit unit and a tag-side antenna that transmits and receives information; and the tag label producing apparatus body includes the antenna unit A housing provided with an engaging portion for engaging; a transport means for transporting a tag medium provided with the RFID circuit element disposed in the housing; and the tag medium transported by the transport means. And an information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID circuit element.

  In the first invention of the present application, information is transmitted to and received from the RFID tag circuit element with respect to the tag label producing apparatus main body including a conveying means for conveying a tag medium having a RFID circuit element in the housing and an information generating means for generating access information. An antenna unit including a unit-side antenna is configured to be detachable.

  Thus, when producing the RFID label, the antenna unit is attached to the tag label producing apparatus main body and used as a component of the tag label producing apparatus, and the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium conveyed by the conveying means is used by the information generating means. The generated access information is transmitted from the unit side antenna for access, and predetermined information is written to the RFID circuit element to create a RFID tag label.

  On the other hand, when the RFID tag label is not created, the antenna unit is detached from the tag label producing apparatus main body, so that the unit side antenna provided in the antenna unit can be utilized and used as the RFID tag information reading apparatus. That is, for example, access information generated by the information generating means on the tag label producing apparatus main body side is transmitted from the unit side antenna to the RFID tag circuit element to be read and accessed to identify the RFID tag circuit element identification information, etc. Predetermined information reading can be performed.

  As described above, when the RFID label is produced, the antenna unit is used as a component of the label producing apparatus. In other cases, the antenna unit can be detached and used as the RFID tag information reading apparatus by itself. As a result, compared to the case where both the label producing device and the RFID tag information reading device are prepared separately, the device configuration can be simplified and the cost burden on the user can be reduced, and the reliability and reliability of the operation can be improved. Can be improved.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the unit-side antenna of the antenna unit is configured such that the communicable range differs between when the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion and when the antenna is removed. It is characterized by that.

  This makes the communicable range relatively narrow, for example, when creating a RFID label by attaching it to the engaging part, preventing the occurrence of erroneous writing, etc., and comparing the communicable range when reading from the engaging part. Therefore, a wider range of RFID circuit elements can be read.

  In a third aspect of the present invention based on the second aspect, the tag label producing apparatus main body switches the transmission output by the unit-side antenna between when the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion and when the antenna unit is removed. Control means is provided.

  For this reason, for example, when creating a RFID label by attaching it to the engaging portion, the transmission output is reduced to narrow the communicable range to prevent the occurrence of erroneous writing, etc. By increasing the transmission output, the communicable range can be made relatively wide, and a wider range of RFID circuit elements can be read.

  In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, the tag label producing apparatus main body has a restricting means for restricting a communicable range of the unit-side antenna when the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion. Features.

  As a result, for example, when creating a RFID label by attaching it to the engaging portion, communication with RFID circuit elements other than those to be communicated in the tag label producing apparatus is suppressed to prevent erroneous writing or the like. Or, it is possible to suppress the useless communication by suppressing the emission of electromagnetic waves to the outside of the tag label producing apparatus main body. It is possible to read a wider range of RFID tag circuit elements.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention based on the fourth aspect, when the antenna unit is mounted on the engaging portion, the restricting means is the radio that is a communication target provided in the tag medium by the unit-side antenna. It is arranged so as to suppress radiation of electromagnetic waves to the RFID tag circuit elements other than the tag circuit elements.

  Thereby, when the RFID tag label is created by being attached to the engaging portion, communication to the RFID tag circuit element other than the communication target in the tag label producing device can be suppressed to prevent the occurrence of erroneous writing or the like. it can.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention based on the above-described fourth aspect, the restricting means suppresses radiation of electromagnetic waves to the outside of the tag label producing apparatus main body by the unit-side antenna when the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion. It is characterized by being arranged.

  Thereby, when attaching to an engaging part and producing a RFID label, the radiation | emission of the electromagnetic wave to the tag label production apparatus main body outward can be suppressed, and useless communication can be suppressed.

  According to a seventh invention, in the first to sixth inventions, when the antenna unit is attached to the engagement portion, the RFID circuit element provided in the tag medium mainly conveyed by the conveying means. The IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element that is mainly present outside the tag label producing device when the antenna unit is removed from the engaging unit when the writing mode for writing desired RFID tag information to the IC circuit unit is established. And a mode control unit for controlling the information generation unit so as to be in a reading mode for acquiring identification information of the RFID circuit element.

  Thereby, when the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion to create the RFID label, the mode control means switches the mode of the information generating means to the writing mode, and the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium conveyed by the conveying means, The access information generated by the information generation means of the antenna unit is transmitted from the unit-side antenna for access, and predetermined information is written to the RFID circuit element to create the RFID tag label.

  On the other hand, when the antenna unit is removed from the engaging portion, the mode control unit switches the mode of the information generation unit to the reading mode, and transmits access information to the RFID tag circuit element to be read from the unit side antenna. It is possible to access and read predetermined information such as identification information of the RFID circuit element.

  According to an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the antenna unit includes an operation unit for starting the acquisition operation of the identification information in the reading mode.

  Thus, after the antenna unit is removed from the engaging portion, by operating the operation means, information can be read from the target RFID circuit element and its identification information can be acquired.

  A ninth invention is characterized in that, in the eighth invention, the operating means is connected to the information generating means via a conductor member connecting the antenna unit and the tag label producing apparatus main body.

  An operation signal from the operation means is output to the tag label producing apparatus main body side via the conductor member, and the information generation means generates access information for the RFID tag circuit element to be read, and the generated access information Can be supplied to the unit side antenna via the conductor member and transmitted for access to read predetermined information such as identification information of the RFID circuit element.

  A tenth invention is characterized in that, in the eighth or ninth invention, the antenna unit is provided with a gripping part for an operator to grip when operating the operating means.

  Thereby, the operativity and stability when the operator operates can be improved.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the first to tenth aspects, the antenna unit includes an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion of the housing at one end portion thereof, and the other side. The end portion has a shape different from that of the engaged portion so that the end portion cannot be engaged with the engaging portion of the housing.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operator from attaching the antenna unit to the tag label producing apparatus main body in the reverse direction.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the first to eleventh aspects of the invention, there is provided detection means for detecting whether or not the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion.

  By detecting the mounting state of the antenna unit by the detecting means, for example, it is possible to automatically control the communicable range by the unit-side antenna to be different between when the antenna unit is mounted and when it is removed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the device configuration and reduce the cost burden on the user.

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

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system provided with a tag label producing apparatus of this embodiment.

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

  2 and 3 are perspective views showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the antenna unit is removed from the apparatus main body, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the antenna unit is attached to the apparatus main body. Yes.

  2 and 3, the tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to the PC 118 and produces a desired RFID label T with print (see FIG. 17 described later) based on an operation from the PC 118. (Tag label producing device main body), the opening / closing lid 3 provided on the upper surface of the device main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, and the engaging portion 201 provided on the side portion of the casing 200 of the device main body 2 so as to be detachable. The antenna unit 9 is provided. The antenna unit 9 incorporates a loop antenna LC (details will be described later). When the antenna unit 9 is detached from the tag label producing apparatus 1, it reads the RFID tag information from the RFID label (RFID circuit element To) outside the producing apparatus. It can be used as a portable antenna for this purpose (details will be described later).

  The apparatus main body 2 is located on the front side (the left front side in FIGS. 2 and 3), and includes a side wall 10 having a label discharge port 11 for discharging the RFID label T created in the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. The side cover 10 is provided below the label discharge port 11 in the side wall 10 and has a side lid 12 supported at its lower end so as to be rotatable.

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

  The opening / closing lid 3 is pivotally supported at the end of the apparatus main body 2 at the right rear side in FIGS. 2 and 3 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.

  The antenna unit 9 has a housing 202, and a loop antenna LC (unit-side antenna, FIG. 2) that performs wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To (described later in detail) is provided in the housing 202. Are shown conceptually in imaginary lines). The casing 202 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. When the casing 202 is inserted in the direction of the arrow 205 with respect to the concave portion 204 of the engaging portion 201 of the apparatus main body 2, the casing 202 is fitted into the concave portion 204 as shown in FIG. As a result, the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 so that the communication range of the loop antenna LC can transmit / receive information to / from the RFID circuit element To provided in the tag label tape 109 to be conveyed. Positioned. At this time, the communicable range of the antenna unit 9 differs between when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 and when it is removed (details will be described later).

  For example, a metal shield plate 236 is provided on the side surface of the recess 204 (on the lower right side in FIG. 2). Thereby, the recessed part 204 becomes the shape opened to apparatus upper direction. The shield plate 236 can suppress electromagnetic waves generated from the loop antenna LC from radiating outward from the apparatus body 2 when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus body 2 as shown in FIG. Yes.

  The housing 202 of the antenna unit 9 has a convex portion 232 on one side surface (a surface on the side of the side wall 10 that is the front of the device when attached to the apparatus main body 2) 202b. A recess 233 that fits into the device body 2 is provided in the engagement portion 201 of the apparatus main body 2. With such a structure, the operator is prevented from mounting the antenna unit 9 on the apparatus main body 2 in the wrong direction. Further, on another side surface 202d of the casing 202 (the lower right side surface in FIG. 2), the antenna unit 9 is detached from the device main body 2 and information is read from the RFID circuit element To existing outside the tag label producing device 1. At this time, an operation switch 302 for starting a reading operation is provided. Furthermore, a grip portion 234 for an operator to grip the housing 202 is provided at an appropriate position on the side surface 202b and the opposite side surface 202c of the housing 202. As a result, the gripping ability when the operator removes the antenna unit 9 from the apparatus main body 2 and uses it as a portable antenna, and the operability and stability when operating the operation switch 302 can be improved.

  Further, a substantially spherical recess 206 is provided on the side surface 202b of the housing 202. When the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the fitting member 208 urged in the direction of fitting into the recess 206 by the urging means 207 such as a spring is fitted into the recess 206. (See FIG. 4 described later). The front end portion of the fitting member 208 has a substantially spherical shape so as to fit the concave portion 206, and when the user tries to remove the antenna unit 9 from the apparatus main body 2, the biasing means 207 is contracted. Thus, the fitting member 208 is removed from the recess 206, and the antenna unit 9 can be easily removed. On the other hand, at the time of communication between the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To, the solenoid 210 (see FIG. 4 and the like to be described later) is extended so that the fitting member 208 is fixed in a state where it is fitted in the recess 206, and the antenna unit. 9 and the engaging portion 201 (recessed portion 204) of the apparatus main body 2 are maintained in an engaged state (in other words, the antenna unit 9 is locked while being attached to the apparatus main body 2).

  Further, a cable 223 (conductive member) for electrically connecting the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2 is provided, and the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 of the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 are provided via the cable 223. Signals are transmitted / received to / from the loop antenna LC via the antenna duplexer 240 (see FIG. 15 described later). The loop antenna LC is disposed closer to the side surface 202a in the housing 202, and includes the wireless tag by magnetic induction (including electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, and other non-contact methods performed via an electromagnetic field). Access (information reading or information writing) to the circuit element To is performed.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 7.

  4 and 5, the internal unit 20 schematically includes a cartridge holder 6 that accommodates the cartridge 7, a printing mechanism 21 that includes a printing head (thermal head) 23 as a printing unit, and a cutting mechanism 15. 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 FIGS. 2 and 3), and a half cut unit 35 (see FIG. 9 described later). It has.

  The cartridge holder 6 accommodates the cartridge 7 so that the printing surface of the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the label discharge port 11 is in the vertical direction.

  The cartridge 7 includes a housing 7 </ b> A, a first roll 102 that is disposed in the housing 7 </ b> A and has a belt-like base tape 101 wound thereon, and the transparent cover film that has substantially the same width as the base tape 101. 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 configured such that when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like, the release paper 101d can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c by peeling it off. Further, on the surface of the release paper 101d, a predetermined identifier for transport control (in this example, a black identifier, or a base tape 101 by laser processing or the like) is provided at a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To. A hole penetrating through the hole may be drilled, or a Thomson-type hole or the like) may be provided.

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

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

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

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

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

  When the cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roll holder 25 is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are held between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26. At the same time, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the directions indicated by the arrows B and C by the driving force of the conveying motor 119, respectively. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 are connected by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 27, The pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 rotate, and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 15 described later). As a result, a label print R (see FIG. 17 described later) corresponding to the stored information of the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101 to be bonded is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after printing are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print. It is carried out of the cartridge 7. The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

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

  On the other hand, as described above, the internal unit 20 includes the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, and the antenna unit 9 is mounted between the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22. The Further, between the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, a magnetic member 235 made of, for example, ferrite is provided at a position on the opposite side across the transport path of the mounted antenna unit 9 and the printed tag label tape 109. Is provided. As a result, the magnetic path generated by the loop antenna LC is concentrated, enabling efficient communication to the RFID circuit element To that is the communication target of the loop antenna LC, while other RFID circuit elements To (that is, For example, communication to the RFID circuit element To in the cartridge 7) is suppressed. In this case, the magnetic member is provided at a position on the opposite side across the conveyance path of the loop antenna LC and the printed tag label tape 109. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the magnetic member may be disposed on both sides of the conveyance path. It may be.

  Then, after the information is read or written to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print, the cutter driving button 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is operated automatically. As a result, 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 in the side wall 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) 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. 8 and the like described later) connected to the movable blade 41, A cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 15 described later) connected to the gear 42 by a gear train is provided.

  The label discharge mechanism 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the label discharge port 11 provided in the side wall 10 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 (conveying means), a pressing roller 52 facing the driving roller 51 with a printed tag label tape 109 interposed therebetween, and the pressing roller 52 as a printed tag label tape. A pressure actuating mechanism 53 (not shown) that is actuated so as to depress or release the pressure, and printing is performed by the drive roller 51 in conjunction with the depressing operation of the press actuating mechanism 53. A discharge driving mechanism 54 (not shown) for rotating the tag label tape 109 so as to be discharged is provided. Further, the label discharge mechanism 22 has a mark sensor 127 (see FIG. 7 described later) for detecting the identification mark PM provided on the release paper 101d of the tag label tape 109 with print.

  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.

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

  FIG. 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. In FIG. 7A, the middle portions of the first guide walls 55 and 56 in the vertical direction are notched, and the drive roller 51 is provided on one of the first guide walls 55 from the notched portion to the tag label tape 109 with print. It is provided so as to face the discharge position. 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.

  Further, an appropriate identification mark PM (see FIG. 6 or the like) provided on the release paper 101d of the base tape 101 corresponding to the position of each RFID circuit element To is upstream of the driving roller 51 in the transport direction. A detectable mark sensor 127 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 an appearance of the internal unit 20 in a state where the label discharge mechanism 22 and the antenna unit 9 are 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). A half cut unit 35 is attached to the downstream side of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 along the tape discharging direction.

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

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

  The cradle 38 is bent so that 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. 18 described later). Then, by pressing the half cutter 34 against the receiving surface 38B using the driving force of the half cutter motor 129 as described above, the tag label tape 109 with print between the half cutter 34 and the receiving surface 38B is The cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c are cut, but only the release paper 101d is left uncut and a half-cut line HC (see FIG. 17 and the like described later) substantially along the tape width direction. It is formed. In addition, after the half cutter 34 contacts the receiving surface 38B, for example, in the above-described configuration, the half cutter motor 129 is configured not to be overloaded by a not-shown slip clutch interposed in the gear train. Is preferred. The receiving surface 38 </ b> B has a role of guiding the tag label tape 109 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. 15), 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 with a screw or the like through a fixing hole 40A.

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

  On the other hand, of the first guide portion 36 of the half-cut unit 35 described above, 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 (information generating means) is arranged 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 solenoid for driving the solenoid 210 A drive circuit 215, the mark sensor 127 for detecting the identification mark PM, a tape cut sensor 124, a cut release detection sensor 125, and a mounting sensor 301 for detecting whether the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2; The loop in the antenna unit 9 A transmitting circuit 306 and receiving circuit 307 for transmitting and receiving wireless tag circuit element To and the information via the antenna LC, and the operation switch 302 provided in the antenna unit 9 are respectively connected.

  The transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 are connected to the loop antenna LC via the antenna duplexer 240. Thereby, signal transmission and reception are possible using one loop antenna LC. Further, wiring for connecting the loop antenna LC on the antenna unit 9 side and the antenna duplexer 240 on the apparatus body 2 side, wiring for connecting the operation switch 302 on the antenna unit 9 side and the input / output interface 113 on the apparatus body 2 side, etc. Are bundled to form the cable 223.

  The mounting sensor 301 (detection means) is a so-called limit switch provided in the engaging portion 201 of the apparatus main body 2, and is turned on when the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, and the detection signal is sent to the control circuit 110. To output. When the detection signal is input from the mounting sensor 301, the control circuit 110 switches to the writing mode for creating the tag label, and when the detection signal from the mounting sensor 301 is not input, the control circuit 110 functions as the reader. Switch to reading mode.

  In this case, the limit switch is used as the mounting sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 are connected to a connector, and a current flowing when the terminals of the connector are connected and connected is detected. By doing so, the mounting state of the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 may be detected. Further, a micro switch or the like that is closed when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 may be used.

  For example, when character data or the like is input via the PC 118 in the writing mode, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the text memory 117A and the print head 23 is driven via the drive circuit 120. Each heating element is selectively driven to generate heat corresponding to the printing dots for one line and prints the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 117B. In synchronization with this, the transport motor 119 drives the drive circuit. Control of tape conveyance is performed via 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.

  Further, the tape cut sensor 124 and the cut release detection sensor 125 are constituted by a cutter helical gear cam 42A provided on the cylindrical outer wall of the cutter helical gear 42 and a micro switch 126 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). ). 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 functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 16, the RFID circuit element To includes the loop antenna 152 that performs contactless transmission / reception of signals 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.

  17 (a) and 17 (b) are formed when the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration completes the writing (or reading) of information on the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the tag label tape 109 with print. It is a figure showing an example of the external appearance of the made RFID label T, FIG.17 (a) is a top view, FIG.17 (b) is a bottom view. 18A is a view obtained by rotating the transverse cross section taken along the XVIIIA-XVIIIA ′ cross section in FIG. 17 by 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 18B is the cross section taken along the XVIIIB-XVIIIB ′ cross section in FIG. It is the figure which rotated the figure 90 degrees counterclockwise.

  17 (a), 17 (b), 18 (a), and 18 (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. 18) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 18) 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, and both sides in the longitudinal direction of the tape sandwiching the half-cut lines HC1 and HC2 from the print area S 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.

  As already described, instead of providing the black marking as shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B 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, when the mark sensor 127 is constituted by a known reflection type photoelectric sensor composed of a projector and a light receiver, if the identification mark PM composed of the hole comes at a position between the light projector and the light receiver, the light from the light projector Is transmitted 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. 19 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. 19, 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, when the antenna unit 9 is mounted (that is, in the writing mode), the RFID tag circuit element is attached to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being bonded together by the loop antenna LC. After information reading or writing is performed on To, the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15 to generate the RFID label T.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110. This flow is started when the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is turned on, for example.

  In FIG. 20, first, in step S <b> 1, based on the detection signal from the mounting sensor 301, it is determined whether or not the sensor unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2. When the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 (in other words, when a detection signal from the attachment sensor 301 is input), the determination in step S1 is satisfied, and the writing mode in step S100 is entered. Note that the writing mode here is an operation mode in which the RFID label producing device 1 creates the RFID label T. The RFID tag information is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To and written to the IC circuit unit 151. Corresponding to the case where the RFID label T is created (see FIG. 23 described later), while reading the RFID tag information from the read-only RFID circuit element To in which predetermined RFID tag information is stored and retained in a non-rewritable manner in advance. This includes the case where the RFID label T is created by performing printing. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2 (in other words, when the detection signal from the mounting sensor 301 is not input), the determination at Step S1 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to the reading mode at Step S300. The reading mode is an operation mode in which the tag label producing apparatus 1 is used as a reader for reading the RFID tag information from the RFID label (RFID circuit element To) outside the producing apparatus.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 when creating a tag label. In FIG. 21, when a predetermined RFID label production start operation is performed by the tag label production apparatus 1 through the PC 118 in the state where the writing mode in step S100 described above is set, for example, this flow is started.

  First, in step S105, when a predetermined RFID label production start operation is performed by the tag label producing apparatus 1 via the PC 118, print data, communication data with the RFID circuit element To, based on an operation signal from the PC 118, front and rear Preparation processing for setting the half-cut position and full-cut position is executed.

  Next, in step S108, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 to set the transmission output of the loop antenna LC to a predetermined small output value, and then, in step S110, the wireless tag from the loop antenna LC is set. When communicating with the circuit element To, when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To, variables M and N for counting the number of times of communication retry (retry) (number of access attempts) and whether the communication is successful Is initialized to 0. The predetermined small output value is such that if the transmission output is too large, unnecessary communication with the RFID circuit element To of the RFID label T that has already been created or the RFID label T is made. The output value is set to an optimum output value for communication with the RFID circuit element To to be transported, which is determined in advance by experiments and calculations so as not to occur.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S115, 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.

  Thereafter, whether or not the identifier PM of the base tape 101 is detected based on the detection signal of the mark detection sensor 127 input via the input / output interface 113 in step S120 (in other words, the cover film 103 is printed by the print head 23). Whether the start position has been reached). The determination is not satisfied until the identifier PM is detected, and this procedure is repeated. When the identifier PM is detected, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S125.

  In step S125, 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 of the cover film 103 (= the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch or the like). Printing of label print R such as characters, symbols, barcodes, etc. corresponding to the print data generated in step S105 is started on the back surface of the RFID circuit element To arranged at intervals.

  Thereafter, in step S130, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the previous half-cut position set in the previous step S105 (in other words, the half-cut line set by the half cutter 34 of the 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. The determination at this time may be performed, for example, by detecting a transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in the above-described step S120 (transport that drives the transport motor 119 that is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the motor drive circuit 121 is counted). The determination is not satisfied until the 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 S135.

  In step S135, 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 output. Then, the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the driving roller 51 is stopped. Thus, in the process in which the tag label tape 109 with print fed out from the cartridge 7 moves in the discharge direction, the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the front half cut line HC1 set in step S105. 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 S140, 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 tag tape 109 with print. A pre-half-cut process for cutting the film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c to form the front half-cut line HC1 is performed.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S145, and similarly to step S115, 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 S125. Then, the print head 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  After that, in step S150, the tag label tape 109 to be 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 pasted only reaches the loop antenna LC. It is determined whether or not it has been transported by (transport distance). Similar to step S130, 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, tag access 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 S155 (at this time, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print has been resumed in step S200). In step S155, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described full cut position (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 identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S120 (a transport motor 119 which is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the motor is counted, etc.). 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 S160.

  In step S160, similarly to step S135, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped. Thus, the base tape 101 is fed from the first roll 102 and the cover film 103 is fed from the second roll 104 with the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 facing the cutting line CL set in step S105. , And the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S165, a control signal is output to the cutter motor driving 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

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S170, where a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 is restarted, and the drive roller 51 is rotated. As a result, the conveyance by the driving roller 51 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in step S165 is conveyed toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the label label producing apparatus 1. This flow is finished.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above. First, in step S210, it is determined whether the printed tag label tape 109 has been transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC described above. The determination at this time may also be detected by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S120, as in step S130 of FIG. 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 S135, 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).

  In the next step S225, a control signal is output to the solenoid drive circuit 215 to extend the solenoid 210. As a result, the fitting member 208 is fixed in a state of being fitted into the recess 206 (see FIG. 4), and as a result, the antenna unit 9 is locked in a state of being attached to the apparatus main body 2.

  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 S105 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, The locked state of the antenna unit 9 is released, another mode printing R ′ (for example, “NG” characters) corresponding to the communication error is printed, etc.), 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 S235.

  In step S235, a control signal is output to the solenoid drive circuit 215 to shorten the solenoid 210. Thereby, the fitting fixed state to the recessed part 206 of the fitting member 208 is cancelled | released, and the mounting lock state to the apparatus main body 2 of the antenna unit 9 is cancelled | released. That is, the antenna unit 9 can be detached from the apparatus main body 2.

  In the next step S240, similarly to step S145 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 conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print, and the print head. 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  At this time, if the energization stop time of the print head 23 after step S220 becomes longer than a predetermined time due to a large number of communication attempts (retry times) in step S400, the temperature of the print head 23 is increased. May have declined. 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 S105 in FIG. 21). The determination at this time may also be detected by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S120 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 S135 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 via the input / output interface 113, and the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is initialized “Erase”. As a signal, a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written via the loop antenna LC. The “Erase” signal is transmitted with a small transmission output set in step 108 (the same applies to other signals transmitted in FIG. 23). 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.

  After that, in step S415, the reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written corresponding to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna LC, and taken in via the receiving circuit 307 and the input / output interface 113. .

  Next, in step 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, and an error display signal is output to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113 to display a corresponding writing failure (error). In step S437, the aforementioned flag F = 1 is set. To end this routine. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

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

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

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

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

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

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S480, 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 113 and the communication line NW and stored in the information server IS or the route server RS. This stored data is stored and held in the database of each server IS, RS, for example, so that it can be referred to from the PC 118 as necessary. This routine is completed as described above.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 when the tag label producing apparatus 1 is used as a reader. In FIG. 24, when a reading start operation is performed by the operation switch 302 in the reading mode of step S300 described above, this flow is started. Usually, the operation of the operation switch 302 at this time is performed while the operator removes the antenna unit 9 from the apparatus main body 2 and holds the antenna unit 9 using the holding portions 234 provided on both sides of the unit housing 202. For example, it is performed while the side surface 202a is brought close to the RFID circuit element To (the RFID tag T or the like) to be read.

  Here, the present flow is started only when the reading start operation is performed by the operation switch 302. However, the present flow is not limited to this, and this flow is automatically performed when the reading mode of the above-described step S300 is entered. It may be started.

  In FIG. 24, first, in step S310, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and the transmission output of the loop antenna LC is set to the maximum output value MAX.

  Here, the transmission output is set to the maximum output value MAX. However, for example, the maximum output value MAX and a second output value MAX−Δ that is smaller than the maximum output value MAX by a predetermined value Δ are set, and the normal reading mode is set. The transmission output is set to the second output value MAX-Δ, and the transmission output is set to the maximum output value MAX only when it is desired to read a relatively distant object (for example, with an operation switch). It is good also as a structure which can be switched.

  Next, in step 330, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and an inquiry signal (for example, “Scroll All ID” “Ping” signal or the like) for acquiring information stored in the RFID circuit element To is a predetermined signal. The modulated carrier wave is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To which is a reading target via the loop antenna LC, and a reply is prompted. The inquiry signal is transmitted with a large transmission output set in step S310 (the same applies to other signals transmitted in FIG. 24).

  Thereafter, in step S340, a reply signal is transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be read in response to the inquiry signal, and it is determined whether the reply signal is received via the loop antenna LC and the receiving circuit 307. If the reply signal has not been received, the process returns to step S330, and steps S330 and S340 are repeated until the reply signal is received. That is, when there is no RFID circuit element To (RF tag label T) to be read in the communication range of the antenna unit 9, the transmission state of the inquiry signal is continued. If the reply signal is received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S350.

  In step S350, the RFID tag information acquired from the RFID circuit element To that is the reading target is output, for example, via the input / output interface 113 and the communication line NW, and this flow ends. At this time, the RFID tag information acquired from the RFID circuit element To that is the reading target is 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.

  Although not specifically described here, a retry may be performed a predetermined number of times when information reading fails.

  Note that, in the above, steps S1, S100, and S300 performed by the control circuit 110 are the ICs of the RFID circuit elements provided in the tag medium mainly conveyed by the conveying means when the antenna unit is mounted on the engaging portion. When the antenna unit is removed from the engaging portion, the RFID tag circuit element IC circuit portion mainly exists outside the tag label producing apparatus when the antenna unit is removed from the engaging portion. A mode control unit that controls the information generation unit is configured to be in a reading mode for acquiring identification information. Steps S108 and S310 performed by the control circuit 110 constitute output control means for switching the transmission output by the unit-side antenna to be increased or decreased depending on whether the antenna unit is attached to or removed from the engaging portion.

  In the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above, the RFID circuit element To is provided to the apparatus main body 2 including the drive roller 51 and the like that conveys the tag label tape 109 with print provided with the RFID circuit element To. An antenna unit 9 including a loop antenna LC for transmitting / receiving information is configured to be detachable, and the device body 2 and the antenna unit 9 constitute a tag label producing device 1 (tag label producing system).

  Thus, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 to create the RFID label T, the control circuit 110 satisfies the determination in step S1 and enters the writing mode in step S100, and has been printed by the drive roller 51. The RFID tag circuit element To of the tag label 109 is accessed by transmitting the access information generated by the control circuit 110 of the apparatus body 2 from the loop antenna LC and reading or writing predetermined information to the RFID circuit element To. To create the RFID label T.

  On the other hand, when the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the control circuit 110 enters the reading mode in step S300 because the determination in step S1 is not satisfied. When the operation switch 302 of the antenna unit 9 is operated, the access information generated by the control circuit 110 on the apparatus body 2 side is transmitted from the loop antenna LC to the RFID tag circuit element To to be read in steps S310 to S350. Thus, it is possible to access and read predetermined information such as identification information of the RFID circuit element To. In other words, the loop antenna LC provided in the antenna unit 9 can be used and used as a wireless tag information reading device.

  As described above, when the RFID label T is produced, the antenna unit 9 is used as a component of the tag label producing apparatus 1. In other cases, the RFID tag information is removed by utilizing the loop antenna LC that is removed and provided in the antenna unit 9. It can be used as a reader. As a result, compared to the case where both the label producing device and the RFID tag information reading device are prepared separately, the device configuration can be simplified and the cost burden on the user can be reduced, and the reliability and reliability of the operation can be improved. Can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 under the control of the control circuit 110, the transmission output from the loop antenna LC is reduced, and when the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2. The transmission output from the loop antenna LC is increased. As a result, when creating a RFID label, the transmission output is reduced to narrow the communicable range to prevent the occurrence of erroneous writing and the like. The range can be made relatively wide, and a wider range of the RFID circuit element To can be read.

  In this embodiment, in particular, a magnetic member 235 is provided between the loop antenna LC built in the mounted antenna unit 9 and the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. As a result, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 and the RFID label T is produced, the magnetic path generated by the loop antenna LC is concentrated, and the RFID circuit element To be communicated in the tag label producing apparatus 1 is collected. Communication to the RFID circuit element To other than can be suppressed and occurrence of erroneous writing can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, in particular, a shield plate 236 is provided on the side surface of the recess 204 of the casing 200 of the apparatus body 2. Thereby, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the housing engaging portion 201 of the apparatus main body 2 at the time of tag label production, it is possible to suppress useless communication by suppressing the emission of electromagnetic waves to the outside of the tag label production apparatus 1 main body. it can. On the other hand, when reading is performed with the antenna unit 9 removed from the apparatus main body 2, such restriction on the communication range can be released to widen the communicable range, and a wider range of the RFID circuit element To can be read. .

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the antenna unit 9 is provided with the operation switch 302 for starting the information reading operation of the RFID circuit element To in the reading mode. Thereby, after the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, wireless communication is not performed until the operator operates the operation switch 302, so that useless communication can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the antenna unit 9 and the tag label producing apparatus main body 1 are connected using the cable 223. Thereby, compared with the case where radio | wireless communication is performed between the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2, for example, durable and reliable electrical conduction can be ensured. Further, the information reading start operation by the operation switch 302 provided in the antenna unit 9 can be reliably performed.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, a grip portion 234 for the operator to grip the housing 202 is provided on the side surface 202b of the housing 202 of the antenna unit 9 and the side surface 202c on the opposite side. Thereby, it is possible to improve the gripping property of the housing 202 when the operator removes the antenna unit 9 from the apparatus main body 2 and uses it as a portable antenna, and the operability and stability when operating the operation switch 302. .

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the convex portion 232 is provided on the side surface 202 b of the housing 202 of the antenna unit 9, and the concave portion 233 that fits the convex portion 232 is provided in the engaging portion 201 of the apparatus body 2. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operator from erroneously mounting the antenna unit 9 on the tag label producing apparatus main body 2 in the reverse direction.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the engagement sensor 201 of the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a mounting sensor 301 that detects whether the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2. As a result, as in the present embodiment, the antenna unit 9 can be automatically controlled so that the communicable range by the loop antenna LC differs between when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 and when it is removed.

  In the present embodiment, particularly, when the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To perform information transmission / reception by the solenoid 210 provided in the apparatus main body 2, the mounting state of the antenna unit 9 to the apparatus main body 2 is changed. When the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To are not transmitting / receiving information, the mounting and fixing state of the antenna unit 9 to the apparatus main body 2 is released. Thus, by making it impossible to detach the antenna unit 9 during communication, the smoothness, continuity, and stability of communication can be reliably improved.

  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 the shield plate is provided in the antenna unit In the above embodiment, the shield plate 236 is provided in the housing recess 204 of the apparatus main body 2 so that the electromagnetic waves generated from the loop antenna LC when the tag label is produced However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, when an antenna for creating a tag label is installed on the apparatus body 2 side and a shield plate is provided on the antenna unit 9, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus body 2 to create a tag label, You may make it suppress that the electromagnetic wave generate | occur | produced from the antenna by the side of an apparatus main body radiates | emits the apparatus main body 2 outside.

  FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ of this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 2 described above. Parts similar to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 25, unlike the above embodiment, in this modified example, no shield plate is installed in the concave portion 204 of the apparatus main body 2 ′, and the concave portion 204 has a shape opened to the side and upper side of the apparatus. On the other hand, the antenna unit 9 ′ has, for example, a metal shield plate 237 on the side surface 202 a side of the housing 202. As a result, when the antenna unit 9 ′ is mounted on the apparatus main body 2 ′, the shield plate 237 is interposed between the loop antenna LC built in the antenna unit 9 ′ and the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print. (See FIG. 26 described later).

  FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ and corresponds to FIG. 4 described above. Parts similar to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 26, between the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, the wireless tag in the writing mode is placed on the opposite side across the transport path of the mounted antenna unit 9 and the printed tag label tape 109. A loop antenna LC2 that performs information communication with the circuit element To by magnetic induction is provided. The loop antenna LC2 and the loop antenna LC of the antenna unit 9 can be switched according to the mode. When the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 'and enters the writing mode, the loop antenna LC2 is switched. When the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 ′ and enters the reading mode, the loop antenna LC is switched (see FIG. 27 described later). With such a configuration, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 ′ when producing the tag label, the radiation of the electromagnetic wave generated from the loop antenna LC2 is suppressed by the shield plate 237 of the antenna unit 9, and the tag label producing apparatus 1 It is possible to suppress useless communication by suppressing the emission of electromagnetic waves to the outside of the main body.

  FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ and corresponds to FIG. 15 described above. Parts similar to those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 27, the apparatus main body 2 'connects the antenna duplexer 240 connected to the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 to the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus main body 2' side based on the control signal from the control circuit 110 '. A switching circuit 239 for switching to connect to the loop antenna LC on the antenna unit 9 side is provided. That is, when the detection signal of the mounting state of the antenna unit 9 is input from the mounting sensor 301, the control circuit 110 switches to the writing mode for creating the tag label, and switches the switching circuit 239 to switch the antenna duplexer 240. When the loop antenna LC2 is connected and the detection signal of the detached state of the antenna unit 9 is input from the mounting sensor 301, the mode is switched to the reading mode, and the switching circuit 239 is switched to switch between the antenna duplexer 240 and the antenna unit 9. The loop antenna LC is connected.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed at the time of tag label creation by the control circuit 110 ′, and corresponds to FIG. 21 described above. The same steps as those in FIG. 21 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. This flow is started when a predetermined RFID label producing operation is performed by the tag label producing apparatus 1 through the PC 118, for example, in the write mode.

  28 differs from FIG. 21 described above in that the procedure of step S103 is added. That is, as described above, when the detection signal of the mounting state of the antenna unit 9 is input from the mounting sensor 301 and the writing mode is switched, first, in step S103, a control signal is output to the switching circuit 239 to switch the switching circuit 239. The antenna duplexer 240 and the loop antenna LC2 are connected. The other procedures are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed when the control circuit 110 ′ uses the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ as a reader, and corresponds to FIG. 24 described above. The same steps as those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. This flow starts when the operation switch 302 is operated in the reading mode.

  In FIG. 29, the difference from FIG. 24 described above is that step S305 is added. In step S305, a control signal is output to the switching circuit 239 to switch the switching circuit 239 to connect the antenna duplexer 240 and the loop antenna LC on the antenna unit 9 side. The other procedures are the same as those in FIG.

  Also in the modified examples described above, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

(2) When switching mode by manual operation In the embodiment described above, based on the detection signal from the mounting sensor 301, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body, thereby writing mode and reading. Although the case where the mode is automatically switched has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the operator may manually switch between the writing mode and the reading mode using the operation switch 302.

  FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ″ and is a diagram corresponding to the above-described FIG. 15. The same parts as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the device main body 2 ″ of the tag label producing device 1 ″ of the present modification is different from the device main body 2 ′ shown in FIG. 27 of the modification (1) and does not have the mounting sensor 301. . Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 ″ in this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 20 described above.

  In FIG. 31, in step S1A, it is determined whether or not an operation signal from the operation switch 302 has been input. If there is an input, the determination in step S1A is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the reading mode in step S300. On the other hand, if no operation signal is input, the determination in step S1A is not satisfied and the writing mode in step S100 is entered. As described above, in this modification, the mode is not automatically switched according to the mounting state of the antenna unit 9 but is switched to the reading mode by the operation input of the operation switch 302. In the present modification, after entering the reading mode in step S300, the flow shown in FIG. 24 is started as it is. Note that the setting of the operation mode is not limited to input by the operation switch 302 provided in the antenna unit 9, and the operation mode may be set by an appropriate input means provided in the apparatus main body 2.

  Also in the modified examples described above, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since a mounting sensor is unnecessary, the device configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

(3) Others 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 (electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, other non-contact methods performed via electromagnetic fields are used. 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 transmission / reception means, and information transmission / reception may be performed by radio wave communication using reflection.

  In the above description, the tag label producing apparatus (so-called cartridge horizontal type) in which the opening / closing lid 3 is provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body 2 and the cartridge 7 is mounted in the horizontal position on the upper side has been described as an example. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a tag label producing apparatus (so-called cartridge vertical installation type) having an open / close lid on the side of the apparatus main body and mounting the cartridge 7 in the vertical position on the side.

  In the above, the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2 are cable-connected using the cable 223. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and signals are transmitted and received between the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2 by wireless communication. May be performed.

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

  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, For example, it prepares for a tag tape. The present invention may be applied to a method (a type in which bonding is not performed) in which printing is performed on a printing region of the printed tape layer. In this case, the configurations of the cradle 38 and the half cutter 34 in the half cut unit 35 are different from those of the present embodiment. That is, the cradle is disposed on the half cutter 34 side of FIG. 9 and the half cutter is disposed on the cradle 38 side.

  In the above description, the case where the tag label T is generated by cutting the printed tag label tape 109 after printing and access (reading or writing) to the RFID circuit element To by the cutting mechanism 15 has been described. It is not limited to this. That is, when the label mount (so-called die-cut label) separated in advance to a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, the cutting mechanism 15 does not need to cut the label mount. After the tape has been discharged from the label discharge port 11, only the label mount (the one with the already accessed RFID circuit element To and the corresponding printing performed) may be peeled off from the tape to produce the tag label T. The present invention is also applicable to such a case.

  Further, the above description is given taking as an example the case where the base tape 101 is wound around the reel member 102a to form the first roll 102, the roll is arranged in the cartridge 7 and the base tape 101 is fed out. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a long flat paper-like or strip-like tape or sheet in which at least one RFID circuit element To is arranged (the one formed by cutting a tape wound around a roll and cutting it to an appropriate length) Are stacked in a predetermined storage unit (for example, stacked in a tray shape) to form a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder on the tag label producing apparatus side, and is transported and transported from the storage unit. The tag label may be created by printing and writing.

  Further, a structure in which the above roll is directly detachably attached to the tag label producing apparatus side, or a long flat paper-like or strip-like tape or sheet is transferred one by one from the outside of the tag label producing apparatus by a predetermined feeder mechanism. The first roll 102 is not limited to the tag label producing apparatus main body side such as the cartridge 7 and can be attached to the apparatus main body side. It is also possible to provide it. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

  It is assumed that the “Scroll ID” signal, “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 illustrating a wireless tag generation system including a tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the whole tag label production apparatus structure. It is a perspective view showing the whole tag label production apparatus structure. It is a top view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a tag label production apparatus. 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 extended | stretched from the 1st roll is equipped. It is the partial extraction perspective view showing the principal part detailed structure of a label discharge mechanism, and the figure showing the conceptual structure of a mark sensor. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the internal unit in the state which removed the label discharge | emission mechanism and the antenna unit 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 showing the detailed structure of a movable blade and a fixed blade with a half cut unit. 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 the tag label production apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. 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. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the XVIIIA-XVIIIA ′ cross section rotated 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the XVIIIB-XVIIIB ′ cross section 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 control procedure performed by a control circuit at the time of tag label creation. 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 flowchart showing the control procedure performed by a control circuit when using a tag label production apparatus as a reader. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case of providing a shield board in an antenna unit. It is a top view showing the internal structure of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case of providing a shield board in an antenna unit. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case of providing a shield board in an antenna unit. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed at the time of tag label preparation by a control circuit in the modification in the case of providing a shield board in an antenna unit. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed when using a tag label production apparatus as a reader | leader by a control circuit in the modification in the case of providing a shield board in an antenna unit. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case of performing mode switching by manual operation. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit in the modification in the case of performing mode switching by manual operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tag label production apparatus 1 'Tag label production apparatus 1 "Tag label production apparatus 2 Apparatus main body (tag label production apparatus main body)
9 Antenna unit 51 Driving roller (conveying means)
109 Printed tag label tape (tag medium)
110 Control circuit (information generating means, output control means)
110 'control circuit (information generating means, output control means)
110 "control circuit (information generating means, output control means)
151 IC circuit section 152 Loop antenna (tag side antenna)
200 Housing 201 Engaging portion 223 Cable (conductor member)
234 Grasping part 235 Magnetic member (regulating means)
236 Shield plate (regulation means)
301 Wear sensor (detection means)
302 Operation switch (operation means)
LC loop antenna (unit side antenna)
To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (12)

A tag label producing device,
A tag label producing device having an antenna unit detachable from the tag label producing device main body,
The antenna unit is
A unit-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication between an IC circuit unit that stores information and a tag-side antenna that transmits and receives information;
The tag label producing apparatus main body is
A housing having an engaging portion for engaging the antenna unit;
A conveying means that is provided in the casing and conveys a tag medium in which the RFID circuit elements are arranged;
A tag label producing apparatus comprising: information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID circuit elements of the tag medium carried by the carrying means. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
The tag label producing apparatus, wherein the unit side antenna of the antenna unit is configured so that a communicable range is different between when the antenna is attached to the engaging portion and when the antenna is removed. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 2,
The tag label producing apparatus main body comprises an output control means for switching the transmission output by the unit side antenna to be increased or decreased depending on whether the antenna unit is attached to or removed from the engaging portion. . In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 2,
The tag label producing apparatus has a restricting means for restricting a communicable range of the unit side antenna when the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 4,
The regulating means is
When the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion, the unit-side antenna suppresses the emission of electromagnetic waves to wireless tag circuit elements other than the wireless tag circuit element to be communicated provided in the tag medium. A tag label producing apparatus characterized by being arranged as described above. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 4,
The regulating means is
When the antenna unit is mounted on the engaging portion, the tag label producing device is arranged so as to suppress radiation of electromagnetic waves to the outside of the tag label producing device main body by the unit side antenna. . In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion, writing for writing desired RFID tag information to the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag medium mainly carried by the carrier means Mode,
When the antenna unit is removed from the engaging portion, the reading mode for acquiring the identification information of the RFID circuit element is mainly obtained from the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element existing outside the tag label producing apparatus. like,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising mode control means for controlling the information generating means. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 7,
The antenna unit is
An apparatus for producing a tag label, comprising operation means for starting an operation for acquiring the identification information in the reading mode. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 8,
The tag label producing apparatus, wherein the operating means is connected to the information generating means via a conductor member connecting the antenna unit and the tag label producing apparatus main body. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 8 and 9,
The tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna unit includes a grip portion for an operator to grip when operating the operation means. In the tag label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The antenna unit is
At one end thereof, an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion of the housing is provided,
The tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other side end portion has a shape different from that of the engaged portion so as not to be engaged with the engaging portion of the housing. The tag label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising detecting means for detecting whether or not the antenna unit is attached to the engaging portion.

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