JP4640710B2 - Tag label production system and antenna module unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing system and an antenna module unit having a tag label producing apparatus main body and an antenna module unit for producing a RFID label including a RFID circuit element that performs wireless communication of information with the outside.

  There is known 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). 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 (recording apparatus) 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, a 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 prior art writer, for example, when creating a normal print label that does not include the RFID circuit element, the access information is generated with the device side antenna that performs wireless communication with the RFID circuit element. No information generation means is required. In such a case, if the apparatus-side antenna and the information generating means can be used for different purposes, the convenience can be improved. In addition, for example, there is an advantage that the device side antenna and the information generation means can be effectively utilized without making the RFID tag label produced.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to use the antenna and information generation means of a tag label producing apparatus as a reader, thereby improving convenience and further simplifying the device configuration and reducing the cost burden on the user. It is to provide a tag label producing system and an antenna module unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is a tag label producing system having a tag label producing device main body and an antenna module unit that can be attached to and detached from the tag label producing device main body, the tag label producing device main body comprising: A radio tag circuit including a housing having an engaging portion for engaging with the antenna module unit, an IC circuit portion that is provided in the housing and stores information, and a tag-side antenna that transmits and receives information A transport unit configured to transport a tag medium in which an element is disposed; and a device-side antenna that is provided in the casing and transmits and receives information to and from the wireless tag circuit element by wireless communication, and the antenna module unit includes: Information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit, and the antenna module. When the data unit is attached to the engaging portion, information can be transmitted / received to / from the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag medium via the device-side antenna using the access information generated by the information generating means. When the antenna module unit is removed from the engaging portion, a first transmission / reception switching means for disabling the information transmission / reception via the device-side antenna is provided for the tag label producing device main body and the antenna module unit. It is provided in at least one.

  In the first invention of the present application, access information is generated for a tag label producing apparatus main body having a conveying means for conveying a tag medium having a RFID circuit element, a device side antenna for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID circuit element, and a housing. The antenna module unit provided with the information generating means is configured to be detachable, and the tag label producing apparatus main body and the antenna module unit constitute a system.

  When creating the RFID label, when the antenna module unit is attached to the tag label producing apparatus main body, the first transmission / reception switching means can transmit / receive information to / from the RFID tag circuit element via the apparatus-side antenna. As a result, the antenna module unit is used as a component of the tag label producing device, and the access information generated by the information generating unit of the antenna module unit is transmitted from the device side antenna to the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium conveyed by the conveying unit. The RFID tag label can be created by accessing the RFID tag circuit element and reading or writing predetermined information.

  On the other hand, when the RFID label is not created, the antenna module unit can be used as a single unit by removing it from the tag label producing apparatus main body. This makes it possible to use the RFID tag information reading function by utilizing the information generating means provided in the antenna module unit. That is, for example, the access information generated by the information generation means is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element to be read (such as an antenna provided externally to the unit) by using an appropriate means for access, and the RFID circuit Predetermined information such as element identification information can be read. At this time, information transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna is disabled by the first transmission / reception switching means, and interference and the like are prevented.

  As described above, when the RFID label is produced, the antenna module unit is used as a component of the label producing apparatus. In other cases, the RFID module information reading function can be used by removing the antenna module unit alone. 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 first transmission / reception switching unit switches an output destination of the access information from the information generation unit depending on whether the first transmission / reception switching unit is attached to the engagement portion. To do.

  Thus, when the antenna module unit is mounted on the tag label producing apparatus main body, the first transmission / reception switching means can transmit / receive information to / from the RFID tag circuit element via the apparatus-side antenna and read predetermined information from the RFID circuit element. The RFID label can be created by writing, and when the antenna module unit is removed from the tag label producing apparatus main body, the access information generated by the information generating means is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element to be read using an appropriate means, Can be read.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the antenna module unit has a unit-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication with the RFID circuit element, and the first transmission / reception switching is performed. When the antenna module unit is mounted on the engaging portion, the RFID tag circuit provided in the tag medium via the device-side antenna using the access information generated by the information generating unit When the antenna module unit is removed from the engaging portion, information can be transmitted / received to / from an element, and the RFID tag circuit element outside the tag label producing apparatus main body via the unit side antenna using the access information It is characterized by enabling information transmission / reception.

  In the third invention of the present application, when the RFID label is created, if the antenna module unit is mounted on the tag label producing apparatus main body, the first transmission / reception switching means can transmit / receive information to / from the RFID circuit element via the apparatus antenna. . As a result, the antenna module unit is used as a component of the tag label producing device, and the access information generated by the information generating unit of the antenna module unit is transmitted from the device side antenna to the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium conveyed by the conveying unit. The RFID tag label can be created by accessing the RFID tag circuit element and reading or writing predetermined information. At this time, when information is read from or written to the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium using the unit-side antenna provided in the antenna module unit, the positional relationship with the RFID circuit element may not be determined depending on the mounting state. Although it may be stable, distance is too large, or transmission output may be insufficient, reading and writing information using the antenna on the device side avoids the above adverse effects and ensures reliability. High communication can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the RFID label is not created, the antenna module unit can be used as a single unit by removing it from the tag label producing apparatus main body. Thereby, the information generation means provided in the antenna module unit can be utilized and used as a wireless tag information reading device. That is, for example, access information generated by the information generation means is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element to be read by using the unit-side antenna to access, and predetermined information such as identification information of the RFID circuit element is read. It can be performed. At this time, information transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna is disabled by the first transmission / reception switching means, and interference and the like are prevented.

  As described above, when the RFID label is produced, the antenna module unit is used as a component of the label producing apparatus. In other cases, the antenna module unit can be removed and used alone as the RFID tag information reading apparatus. 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 fourth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to third aspects of the present invention, a mounting detection unit that detects a mounting direction when the antenna module unit is mounted on the engaging portion, and a detection result of the mounting detection unit. Accordingly, a tag label creation mode for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag medium mainly conveyed by the conveyance means, and the RFID circuit element present mainly outside the tag label production apparatus main body And a mode control means for controlling the information generation means so as to switch between scan modes for transmitting and receiving information.

  Thereby, when the mounting direction when the antenna module unit is mounted on the engaging portion corresponds to the RFID label production, the mode control unit switches the mode of the information generation unit to the tag label production mode, and the conveyance unit The access information generated by the information generating means of the antenna module unit is transmitted from the device-side antenna to access the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium transported by the device, and the RFID tag circuit element is read with predetermined information or information. The RFID label can be created by writing.

  In addition, when the mounting direction when the antenna module unit is mounted on the engaging portion corresponds to information reading outside the apparatus main body, the mode control unit switches the mode of the information generating unit to the scan mode, and the reading target Access information is transmitted from the unit-side antenna to the wireless tag circuit element to be accessed, and predetermined information such as identification information of the wireless tag circuit element can be read.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the casing of the tag label producing apparatus includes a recess for inserting and mounting the antenna module unit as the engaging portion. Features.

  Mounting stability can be improved by inserting the antenna module unit into the recess and mounting the antenna module unit on the tag label producing apparatus main body side.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the tag label producing apparatus main body is configured in a substantially hexahedron shape, and includes a discharge port for discharging the tag medium to the outside of the housing on one side surface other than the bottom surface, Is provided on either one of the side surfaces adjacent to the side surface provided with the discharge port, or the upper surface.

  Thereby, according to a specification and a use, it can be set as the structure where an operator is most easy to mount | wear to the tag label production apparatus main body side of an antenna module unit, and convenience can be improved.

  In a sixth aspect based on the sixth aspect, the casing of the tag label producing apparatus main body is provided with a cover member that can be opened and closed for mounting the tag medium on an upper surface or both side surfaces thereof. The concave portion is provided in the cover member.

  By providing the recess for mounting the antenna module unit in the opening / closing means at the upper part of the housing, a space for installing the recess becomes unnecessary in a portion other than the opening / closing means, and the degree of freedom of layout in the apparatus can be improved.

  In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the tag label producing device main body has a holder for installing a tag body capable of mounting a tag medium container in which the tag medium can be continuously supplied. Is provided at a lower portion of the holder for installing the storage body.

  By providing a recess for mounting the antenna module unit in the lower part of the holder for installing the housing, it is possible to effectively utilize the space under the holder, which usually has a vacant space or a space surplus, and to increase the degree of freedom of layout in the device. Can be improved.

  A ninth invention is the antenna module unit according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the antenna module unit is configured to transmit and receive information between the device-side antenna and the RFID circuit element provided in the tag medium. The antenna module unit when the device-side antenna and the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag medium are not transmitting and receiving information. And at least one of the antenna module unit and the tag label producing apparatus main body is provided with a locking means that can release the engaged state between the housing and the engaging portion of the housing.

  By making it impossible for the antenna module unit to be detached by the lock means during communication, the smoothness, continuity, and stability of communication can be reliably improved.

  A tenth invention is the tag label producing device according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, wherein at least one of the tag label producing device main body and the antenna module unit has the antenna module unit attached to the engaging portion. A connection terminal for providing electrical continuity between the main body and the antenna module unit is provided.

  By using terminal connection between the unit and the main body, antenna module units having different characteristics can be mounted as necessary.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to tenth aspects of the invention, a connection cable for achieving electrical continuity between the tag label producing apparatus main body and the antenna module unit is provided.

  Durability and highly reliable electrical continuity can be secured by connecting the unit and the main body side with a cable.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the antenna module unit is charged by power feeding from the tag label producing apparatus body when the antenna module unit is attached to the engaging portion. Means are provided.

  Thereby, whenever the antenna module unit is mounted on the tag label producing apparatus main body side, the power storage means is charged, and a drive power supply can be secured when the antenna module unit is detached and operated independently by the unit.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unit side antenna for transmitting and receiving information by wireless communication between an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag side antenna for transmitting and receiving information, and the IC circuit. An antenna module unit configured to be engageable with and disengageable from an engaging portion provided in a target device, the information generating means generating access information for accessing the wireless tag information of the unit, When it is removed from the unit, information can be transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element outside the target device via the unit side antenna using the access information generated by the information generating unit, When mounted, there is provided a second transmission / reception switching means for disabling the information transmission / reception via the unit side antenna.

  In the thirteenth invention of the present application, on the other hand, when the unit is used independently from the target device, the information generating means and unit provided in the antenna module unit are removed by removing the antenna module unit from the engaging portion of the target device. By using the side antenna, it can be used as a wireless tag information reader. That is, for example, access information generated by the information generation means is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element to be read by using the unit-side antenna to access, and predetermined information such as identification information of the RFID circuit element is read. It can be performed.

  On the other hand, when used as a component of the target device, when the antenna module unit is attached to the engaging portion of the target device, the second transmission / reception switching unit disables information transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element via the unit-side antenna, Only the function of the information generator means provided in the antenna module unit can be utilized.

  As described above, only the function of the information generation unit is used as a component of the target device by being attached to the target device, while the antenna module unit alone can be used as a wireless tag information reading device when removed. . As a result, compared to the case where both the target device and the RFID tag information reading device are arranged separately, it is possible to simplify the device configuration and reduce the cost burden on the user by sharing a part, In addition, the reliability and reliability of operation can be improved.

  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.

  Hereinafter, a tag label producing apparatus which is an embodiment of a tag label producing system 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.

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

  In FIG. 2, a tag label producing apparatus 1 (tag label producing system) is connected to the PC 118 and produces a desired printed RFID tag label based on an operation from the PC 118. The apparatus main body has a substantially hexahedron (substantially cubic) shape. 2 (tag label producing device main body), an opening / closing lid 3 (cover member) provided on the upper surface of the device main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, and an engagement portion 201 provided on a side portion of the casing 200 of the device main body 2. And an RF module / antenna unit 9 (hereinafter simply referred to as “antenna unit 9”) provided to be attachable / detachable (engageable / detachable). The antenna unit 9 (antenna module unit) has both a function as an antenna and a function as an RF module, and is used as a reader that reads wireless tag information from a wireless tag label (wireless tag circuit element To) by itself. (Details will be described later).

  The apparatus main body 2 includes a label discharge port 11 (discharge port) that is positioned on the front side (left front side in FIG. 2) and discharges the RFID label T (details will be described later) created in the device main body 2 to the outside. The side wall 10 and a side lid 12 provided below the label discharge port 11 in the side wall 10 and having a lower end rotatably supported.

  The side lid 12 is provided with a pressing portion 13, and the side lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. A power button 14 for turning on / off the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided below the opening / closing button 4 in the side wall 10. A cutter driving button 16 for driving a cutting mechanism 15 (see FIG. 3 described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 2 by a user's manual operation is provided below the power button 14. Is pressed, 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 on the right back side in FIG. 2 and is always urged in the opening direction via an urging member such as a spring. Then, when the open / close button 4 disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 so as to be adjacent to the open / close lid 3 is pressed, the lock between the open / close lid 3 and the apparatus main body 2 is released and opened by the action of the biasing member. Is done. A see-through window 5 covered with a transparent cover is provided at the center side of the opening / closing lid 3.

  The antenna unit 9 has a housing 202, and in the housing 202, a loop antenna LC1 (imaginary line in FIG. 2) that performs wireless communication with a RFID circuit element To (details will be described later). And a transmission circuit 306, a reception circuit 307, a control circuit 216, and the like for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC1 (unit side antenna) (FIG. 14 described later). For example).

  The housing 202 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and 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 as shown in the figure and is fitted into the concave portion 204. . Thereby, the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. Note that a display unit 241 (here, a design of a tag label producing apparatus) is provided on one side surface (a surface on the right front side in FIG. 2) 202a of the housing 202 so that the orientation of the antenna unit 9 at the time of mounting can be seen. Note that characters and symbols may be provided), and convenience is provided so that the mounting operability can be improved.

  A substantially spherical concave portion 206 is provided on the other side surface (the surface on the left front side in FIG. 2) 202c 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. (Refer to FIG. 3 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, when information is transmitted / received between the loop antenna LC2 and the RFID circuit element To, which will be described later, the solenoid 210 (see FIG. 3 and the like which will be described later) is extended so that the fitting member 208 is fixed in a state of being fitted in the recess 206. Thus, the engagement state between the antenna unit 9 and the engagement portion 201 (recessed portion 204) of the apparatus main body 2 is maintained (in other words, the antenna unit 9 is locked in a state where the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2). It has become.

  Connectors 211 and 212 for electrically connecting the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 to the bottom surface 204a of the concave portion 204 of the apparatus main body 2 and the lower surface 202e of the antenna unit 9 (only the connector terminals are shown in FIG. 2). 14 (described later) is provided. The connector 211 of the apparatus body 2 has a power terminal 211a and signal terminals 211b and 211c, and the connector 212 of the antenna unit 9 has a power terminal 212a and signal terminals 212b and 212c (see FIG. 2). . The terminals 211a, 211b, and 211c and the terminals 212a, 212b, and 212c are connected when the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, and as a result, the control circuit 110, the loop antenna LC2, and the antenna unit of the apparatus main body 2 are connected. The transmission / reception of signals between the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 and charging of the rechargeable battery 213 (power storage means) of the antenna unit 9 are performed (see FIG. 14 described later).

  The loop antenna LC1 is disposed at a substantially intermediate position between the side surface 202a and the opposite side surface 202b in the casing 202, and the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2 and used as a reader by itself. In this case, access (information reading) to the RFID tag circuit element To outside the tag label producing apparatus body 2 is performed by magnetic induction (including non-contact methods performed through electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, and other electromagnetic fields). It has become.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 7.

  In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the internal unit 20 generally includes a cartridge holder 6 (a storage body installation holder) that stores a cartridge 7 (tag medium storage body), and a print head (thermal head) as a printing unit. ) 23, a printing mechanism 21, a cutting mechanism 15, a half-cut unit 35 (see FIG. 7 and the like to be described later), and the generated RFID label T (see FIG. 16 to be described later) as a label discharge port 11 (FIG. 2). And a label discharge mechanism 22 for discharging from the printer.

  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 casing 7A, a first roll 102 around which a strip-shaped base tape 101 (tag medium) is wound, which is disposed in the casing 7A, and a transparent having substantially the same width as the base tape 101. A second roll 104 around which the cover film 103 is wound, a ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out an ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape), and a ribbon 105 after printing. A ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding, a tape feed roller 27 rotatably supported in the vicinity of the tape discharge unit 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. 4), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 4) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 4), 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. 4) 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. 4) of the base film 101b, and the RFID circuit element is formed on the back side (left side in FIG. 4) 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 conveyance motor 119 (see FIG. 14 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. 3), 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. 14 described later). As a result, a label print R (see FIG. 16 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 is provided with the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, and is further provided with a base tape 101 (a tag label tape with print after bonding, the same applies hereinafter). A loop antenna LC2 (device-side antenna) that reads or writes information via wireless communication is provided for the provided RFID tag circuit element To. Then, after reading or writing information to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC2 with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being bonded as described above, the cutter driving button 16 ( 2), the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15, and the RFID label T is generated. The RFID label T is then discharged from the label discharge port 11 formed on the side wall 3a (see FIG. 2) by the label discharge mechanism 22.

  When the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the antenna unit 9 is inserted between the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22. The antenna unit 9 is provided with the loop antenna LC1 that reads information from the RFID tag circuit element To outside the device body 2 via wireless communication. However, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the device body 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the loop antenna LC1 of the antenna unit 9 is not used, and information is read from or written to the RFID tag circuit element To of the tag label tape 109 with print carried by the loop antenna LC2 provided in the apparatus main body 2. (Details will be described later).

  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. 7 described later) connected to the movable blade 41, A cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 14 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. The label discharge mechanism 22 has a mark sensor 127 (see FIG. 6 and the like described later) for detecting an 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. 3). 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. 5 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. 5, the RFID circuit element To is composed of the loop antenna 152 that is configured in a loop coil shape and transmits / receives information, and an IC circuit unit 151 that is connected thereto and stores information. Further, the above-described identification mark PM is provided on the surface of the release paper 101d at a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID circuit element To.

  FIG. 6A is a partial extraction perspective view showing a detailed structure of a main part of the label discharge mechanism 22, and FIG. 6B is a view showing a conceptual configuration of the mark sensor 127. In FIG. 6A, the first guide walls 55 and 56 are cut off in the middle in the vertical direction, and the drive roller 51 is inserted into one of the first guide walls 55 from the notch 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, on the upstream side of the driving roller 51 in the conveyance direction (in other words, between a half cutter 34 and a loop antenna LC2 described later), the release paper 101d of the base tape 101 corresponds to the position of each RFID circuit element. A mark sensor 127 capable of detecting an appropriate identification mark PM (see FIG. 5) provided is provided. As shown in FIG. 6B, the mark sensor 127 is a known reflection type photoelectric sensor including, for example, a light projector 127a made of a light emitting diode and a light receiver 127b made of a phototransistor. 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. 7 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. 7, the cutter helical gear 42 is provided with a boss 50 formed in a protruding shape, and this boss 50 is configured to be inserted into a long hole 49 of the movable blade 41 (see below). 8 and FIG. 9). Further, on the downstream side of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 along the tape discharging direction, so as to be positioned between the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 and the first guide walls 55 and 56 (see FIG. 3), A half cut unit 35 is attached.

  The half-cut unit 35 includes a cradle 38 that is arranged in accordance with the fixed blade 40, a half cutter 34 that is opposed to the cradle 38 and is disposed on the movable blade 41 side, and between the fixed blade 40 and the cradle 38. The first guide portion 36 is disposed in combination with the fixed blade 40, and the second guide portion 37 is disposed in combination with the movable blade 41 so as to face the first guide portion 36 (FIG. 10 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. 3) 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. 14 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. 17 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. 16 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.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing the appearance of the cutting mechanism 15 with the half cutter 34 removed from the internal unit 20.

  8 and 9, in the cutting mechanism 15, when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 14), 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. 8), 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. 9).

  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. 8). 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. 10 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. 11 is a partially enlarged sectional view thereof. 10 and 11, the fixed blade 40 is fixed to a side plate 44 (see FIG. 3) 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. 11) 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. 10) corresponding to the transport path of the tag label tape 109 with print larger than the maximum width (36 mm in this embodiment) of the tag label tape 109 with print 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. Part is abutted (see FIG. 11). 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. 11).

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

  12 and 13, in this 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. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a state where the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2.

  In FIG. 14, a control circuit 110 (information generating means) is disposed on a control board (not shown) of the tag label producing apparatus 1. The control circuit 110 includes a CPU 111 having an internal timer 111A for controlling each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114, ROMs 115 and 116, and a RAM 117. Is provided. The control circuit 110 is supplied with power from a power source 214 (for example, a battery, a battery, etc., or an external power source) provided at an appropriate location of the tag label producing apparatus 1 via a power circuit (not shown).

  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. The cutter motor driving circuit 122, the half cutter motor driving circuit 128 for driving the half cutter motor 129, the tape discharging motor driving circuit 123 for driving the tape discharging motor 65, and the solenoid 210 (locking means) are driven. Are connected to the solenoid drive circuit 215, the mark sensor 127 for detecting the identification mark PM, the tape cut sensor 124, the cut release detection sensor 125, and the connector 211. The connector 211 is connected to a loop antenna LC2 that performs wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To provided on the tag label tape 109 that has been printed.

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

  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. 7 and 8). ). 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.

  On the other hand, the antenna unit 9 includes a loop antenna LC1 that performs wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To outside the apparatus body 2 when the unit is removed, and a control circuit 216 (information generation unit) that performs various controls of the antenna unit 9. A carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna (the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus main body 2 side when the antenna unit is attached, and the loop antenna LC1 when the antenna unit is attached / detached) is generated. A transmitter circuit 306 that modulates the carrier wave based on a control signal input from a control circuit (the control circuit 110 on the apparatus main body 2 side when the antenna unit is mounted; the control circuit 216 when the antenna unit is detached); and a RFID circuit element From To the above loop antenna (with antenna unit installed) The apparatus 1 demodulates the response signal received via the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus main body 2 side, and the loop antenna LC1 when the antenna unit is attached / detached. The receiving circuit 307 output to the control circuit 216) at the time of detachment, the antenna duplexer 240 for connecting the transmitting circuit 306 and the receiving circuit 307 to the loop antennas LC1 and LC2, and the control signal from the control circuit 216 Based on the control signal from the control circuit 216 and the switching circuit 217 for switching the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 to be connected to the control circuit 110 on the apparatus body 2 side or the control circuit 216 on the antenna unit 9 side. The antenna duplexer 240 is connected to the loop body on the apparatus body 2 side. A switching circuit 243 (first transmission / reception switching means) for switching to connect to the antenna LC2 or the loop antenna LC1 on the antenna unit 9 side, the connector 212 connected to the connector 211 on the apparatus body 2 side, the control circuit 216, etc. A rechargeable rechargeable battery 213 for supplying electric power to the control circuit 216 and a communication for transmitting information read by the antenna unit 9 to a server or database (not shown) by wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN). And a control unit 218.

  The transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 are connected to the loop antenna LC1 or the loop antenna LC2 by the switching circuit 243 via the antenna duplexer 240. Thereby, transmission and reception of signals with the RFID circuit element To can be performed using one loop antenna.

  As described above, the connector 211 on the apparatus body 2 side has a power terminal 211a and signal terminals 211b and 211c, and the connector 212 on the antenna unit 9 side has a power terminal 212a and signal terminals 212b and 212c. ing. When the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the power supply terminals 211a and 212a, the signal terminals 211b and 212b, and the signal terminals 211c and 212c are connected by connecting the connectors 211 and 212, respectively. (State shown in FIG. 14). As a result, power is supplied from the power supply 214 on the apparatus body 2 side to the rechargeable battery 213 of the antenna unit 9 via the power supply terminal 211a of the connector 211 and the power supply terminal 212a of the connector 212, and the rechargeable battery 213 is charged. ing.

  The attachment / detachment state between the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 indicates whether or not the terminals 211a and 212a of the connectors 211 and 212, the terminals 211b and 212b, and the terminals 211c and 212c are connected and conducted (for example, current flowing at that time). (In this case, as the attachment / detachment detection sensor, a micro switch or the like that is closed when the apparatus main body 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 may be provided in the apparatus main body 2 or the antenna unit 9). Then, the connector 212 outputs the detection result as a detection signal 235 to the control circuit 216. The control circuit 216 to which the detection signal 235 is input switches the switching circuits 217 and 243 to the apparatus body 2 side when the connectors 211 and 212 are connected, and connects the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 to the control circuit 110. When the antenna duplexer 240 is connected to the loop antenna LC2 (as shown in FIG. 14) and the connectors 211 and 212 are not connected (that is, the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 and used alone) ), The switching circuits 217 and 243 are switched to the antenna unit 9 side so that the transmitting circuit 306 and the receiving circuit 307 are connected to the control circuit 216 and the antenna duplexer 240 is connected to the loop antenna LC1 (described later). State shown in FIG. At this time, the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus body 2 side is disconnected from the control circuit 110, the transmission circuit 306, and the reception circuit 307, so that information transmission / reception via the loop antenna LC2 becomes impossible.

  FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 15, 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.

  16 (a) and 16 (b) are formed when the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration completes writing (or reading) information on the RFID circuit element To and cutting of the tag label tape 109 with print. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of the RFID label T that is used, in which FIG. 16A is a top view and FIG. 16B is a bottom view. FIG. 17A is a view obtained by rotating the transverse cross section taken along the XVIIA-XVIIA ′ cross section in FIG. 16 by 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 17B is the cross section taken along the XVIIB-XVIIB ′ cross section in FIG. It is the figure which rotated the figure 90 degrees counterclockwise.

  16 (a), 16 (b), 17 (a), and 17 (b), the RFID label T has a cover film 103 added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. 4 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. 17) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 17) 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 FIGS. 17A and 17B 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. 18 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. 18, 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, information is read from the RFID tag circuit element To by the loop antenna LC with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being pasted together with the antenna unit 9 attached thereto. After the writing is performed, the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15 to generate the RFID label T.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 to perform such control.

  In FIG. 19, when a predetermined RFID label producing operation is performed by the tag label producing apparatus 1 through the PC 118, this flow is started. At this time, the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2 are switched by the control circuit 216 to which the detection signal 235 indicating that the connector 211 and 212 are connected from the connector 212 is input. The circuits 217 and 243 are respectively switched to the apparatus main body 2 side, the transmission circuit 306, the reception circuit 307, and the control circuit 110 are connected, and the antenna duplexer 240 and the loop antenna LC2 are respectively connected (that is, FIG. 14). The state shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, an operation signal from the PC 118 is input (via the communication line NW and the input / output interface 113), and based on this operation signal, print data, communication data with the RFID circuit element To, front / rear half cut Preparation processing for setting the position and full cut position is executed.

  Next, in step S3, when communication is performed from the loop antenna LC2 to the RFID circuit element To, the number of times of retrying communication (retry) is counted when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To. Variables M and N to be initialized and a flag F indicating whether or not the communication is successful are initialized to 0.

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

  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 through the input / output interface 113 in step S10 (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. If the identifier PM is detected, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S15.

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

  Thereafter, in step S20, whether the printed tag label tape 109 has been transported to the previous half-cut position set in the previous step S1 (in other words, the half-cut line set by the half-cut mechanism 35 in the previous half-cut mechanism 35 in step S1). It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached a position directly facing HC1. 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 S10 (transport that drives a 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 S25.

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

  Thereafter, in step S30, a control signal is output to the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 via the input / output interface 113 to drive the half cutter motor 129, and the half cutter 34 is rotated 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 S35, and similarly to step S5, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven to resume the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print, and the same as step S15. Then, the print head 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  After that, in step S40, 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 LC2. It is determined whether or not it has been transported by (transport distance). Similar to step S20, the conveyance distance at this time may be determined by counting the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the conveyance motor 119, which is a pulse motor.

  In the next step S200, 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 is substantially facing the loop antenna LC2), the conveyance and printing are stopped, information transmission / reception is performed, and then the conveyance and printing are resumed for printing. Is completed, and the conveyance is stopped at the rear half-cut position, and the rear half-cut line HC2 is formed (see FIG. 20 described later).

  When step S200 is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S45 (note that at this time, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print has been resumed in step S200). In step S45, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the full cut position described above (in other words, the tag label tape with print until the position where the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 faces the cutting line CL set in step S1). 109) is determined. The determination at this time may be performed in the same manner as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 (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.

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

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

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60, where a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 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 S55 is conveyed toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the label label producing apparatus 1. This flow is finished.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above. In the flow shown in FIG. 20, first, in step S210, it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC2. The determination at this time may also be performed, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 as in step S20 of FIG. 19 described above. The determination is not satisfied until the communication position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the communication position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S220.

  In step S220, as in step S25, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and printing is performed with the loop antenna LC2 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 in the recess 206 (see FIG. 3), and as a result, the antenna unit 9 is locked in a state of being attached to the apparatus main body 2.

  After that, the process proceeds to step S400, information is transmitted and received between the antenna LC2 and the RFID circuit element To by wireless communication, and the information created in the above-described step S1 in FIG. 19 with respect to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To. Is written (or the information previously stored in the IC circuit unit is read) and information transmission / reception processing is performed (refer to FIG. 21 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 when communication fails in step S400 (see step S437 of FIG. 21 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 S35 in FIG. 19, 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 the printed tag label tape 109 has been transported to the above-described print end position (calculated in step S1 in FIG. 19). The determination at this time may be, for example, as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S10 by a predetermined known method. 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, similarly to step S25 of FIG. 19, 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. 21 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. 21, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the input / output interface 113, the connectors 211 and 212, and the switching circuit 217, and stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To. As an “Erase” signal that initializes the received information, a carrier wave that has undergone predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written via the antenna duplexer 240, the switching circuit 243, the connectors 212 and 211, and the loop antenna LC2. To do. 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, the connectors 211, 212, and the switching circuit 217, and a predetermined modulation is performed as a “Verify” signal for confirming the contents of the memory unit 157. The performed carrier wave is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as the information write target via the antenna duplexer 240, the switching circuit 243, the connectors 212 and 211, and the loop antenna LC2, and prompts a reply.

  Thereafter, in step S415, the reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna LC, and the connectors 211 and 212, the switching circuit 243, and the antenna are shared. Device 240, receiving circuit 307, switching circuit 217, connectors 212 and 211, and 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 to which information is to be written via LC2.

  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 LC2 to prompt a reply. . Thereafter, in step S450, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written corresponding to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna LC2 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, where 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 LC2. 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.

  Next, a case where the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 and used as a reader will be described. At this time, the operator carries, for example, the antenna unit 9 removed from the apparatus body 2 and brings the side surface 202b side of the antenna unit 9 closer to the RFID circuit element To (the RFID tag T or the like) to be read. Read information.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 216 of the antenna unit 9 when used as a reader in this way. This flow is started when the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 and the detection signal 235 indicating that the connectors 211 and 212 are not connected is input from the connector 212 as described above.

  First, in step S310, a control signal is output to the switching circuits 217 and 243 to switch to the antenna unit 9 side. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 23, the transmission circuit 306, the reception circuit 307 and the control circuit 216 are connected, and the antenna duplexer 240 and the loop antenna LC1 are connected.

  Next, in step S320, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the switching circuit 217, and an inquiry signal (for example, “Scroll All ID” “Ping”) for acquiring information stored in the RFID circuit element To. As a signal or the like, a carrier wave subjected to a predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To which is a reading target via the antenna duplexer 240, the switching circuit 243, and the loop antenna LC, and a reply is urged.

  Thereafter, in step S330, a reply signal is transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be read in response to the inquiry signal, and the reply signal is transmitted to the loop antenna LC1, the switching circuit 243, the antenna duplexer 240, the receiving circuit 307, and the switching circuit. It is determined whether or not the signal has been received via the circuit 217. If the reply signal has not been received, the process returns to step S320, and steps S320 and SS330 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 S340.

  In step S340, the RFID tag information acquired from the RFID circuit element To that is the reading target is transmitted to a server, a database, or the like (not shown) via the communication control unit 218, and the process returns to the preceding step S320.

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

  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 and receiving information, a transmission circuit 306, a reception circuit 307, and the like is configured to be detachable, and the apparatus body 2 and the antenna unit 9 constitute a tag label production apparatus 1 (tag label production system). To do.

  Thus, when the RFID label T is created, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the tag label producing apparatus main body 2, the switching circuit 243 is switched to the apparatus main body 2 side, and information is transmitted to and received from the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC2. It can be performed. As a result, the antenna unit 9 is used as a component of the tag label producing apparatus 1, and the access generated by the control circuit 110 of the apparatus body 2 is applied to the RFID circuit element To of the tag label tape 109 with print carried by the driving roller 51. The RFID tag T can be created by transmitting information from the loop antenna LC2 and performing access to read or write predetermined information to the RFID circuit element To.

  On the other hand, when the RFID label T is not created, the antenna unit 9 can be used as a single unit by removing the antenna unit 9 from the tag label producing apparatus body 2. Thereby, the control circuit 216 provided in the antenna unit 9 can be utilized and used as a wireless tag information reading device. That is, the access information generated by the control circuit 216 is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be read by using the loop antenna LC1 and accessed to read predetermined information such as identification information of the RFID circuit element To. It can be performed. At this time, information transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC2 is disabled by the switching circuit 243, and the occurrence of interference and the like is prevented.

  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, while in other cases, the antenna unit 9 can be detached and used as a RFID tag information reading apparatus. As a result, compared to the case where both the tag 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 this embodiment, in particular, when the RFID label T is created, information is transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element To of the tag label tape 109 with print using the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus side. Thus, for example, when information is read or written to the RFID tag circuit element To of the tag label tape 109 with print using the loop antenna LC1 provided in the antenna unit 9, the RFID tag circuit depends on the unit installation state. The positional relationship with the element To may be unstable, the distance may be too large, or the transmission output may be insufficient. However, as in this embodiment, information is read using the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus side. By performing writing, it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned adverse effects and reliably perform reliable communication.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the engaging part 201 (recessed part 204) is provided in the casing 200 of the tag label producing apparatus 1, and the antenna unit 9 is inserted into the engaging part 201 (recessed part 204) to engage (fit). By doing so, the antenna unit 9 is attached to the tag label producing apparatus 1. Thereby, mounting stability can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the engagement portion 201 (recessed portion 204) for attaching and detaching the antenna unit 9 is viewed from the front of the device (the side including the label discharge port 11, that is, the side wall 10 side). Provided in the section. Thereby, according to a specification and a use, it can be set as the structure where a user can most easily mount the antenna unit 9 to the tag label production apparatus main body 2 side, and convenience can be improved. In addition, the loading / unloading position of the antenna unit 9 together with the open / close button 4, the power button 14, the cutter driving button 16, and the like can be concentrated on one side of the apparatus main body (here, the right side when viewed from the front of the apparatus). Can be improved.

  In this embodiment, in particular, when the loop antenna LC2 and the RFID circuit element To perform information transmission / reception by the solenoid 210 provided in the apparatus body 2, the mounting state of the antenna unit 9 to the apparatus body 2 is changed. When the loop antenna LC2 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. In this way, it is possible to reliably improve the smoothness, continuity, and stability of communication by making it impossible to detach the antenna unit 9 during communication in the tag label creation mode.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the connector 211 is provided in the apparatus main body 2, the connector 212 is provided in the antenna unit 9, and the terminals of both the connectors 211 and 212 are connected when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. Electrical conduction between the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 is achieved. As described above, the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2 side are connected to each other, so that antenna units having different characteristics can be mounted as necessary.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the rechargeable battery 213 is provided in the antenna unit 9, and the rechargeable battery 213 is charged by power supply from the apparatus main body 2 when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. Thereby, since the rechargeable battery 213 can be charged every time the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2 side, it is possible to secure a driving power source for detaching and operating the unit alone.

  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 switching modes according to the mounting direction of the antenna unit In the above embodiment, when the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the tag label is always created, but the present invention is not limited to this. . That is, the tag label creation mode for creating a tag label and the scan mode for reading information from the RFID circuit element To outside the apparatus body 2 may be switched according to the mounting direction of the antenna unit 9.

  FIG. 24 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. In FIG. 24, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In this modification, the RFID label T is transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element To provided on the tag label tape 109 with print carried in the apparatus main body 2 'according to the mounting direction of the antenna unit 9'. Is switched (tag label creation mode) or information is read from the RFID circuit element To existing outside the apparatus body 2 '(scan mode). Therefore, the side surface 202a of the housing 202 is provided with the display unit 241 (here, the design of the tag label producing device, which may be a character or a symbol) indicating that the mounting direction corresponds to the tag label producing mode. On the opposite side surface 202b, a display unit 242 (see FIG. 25 described later) indicating that the mounting direction corresponds to the scan mode is provided.

  The casing 202 of the antenna unit 9 ′ is provided with a substantially spherical recess 206 on the side surface 202c and the opposite side surface 202d. As a result, the fitting member 208 is fitted when the antenna unit 9 'is mounted in a direction corresponding to either of the above modes. As in the above embodiment, when the antenna unit 9 ′ is mounted in a direction corresponding to the tag label production mode, the solenoid 210 extends when transmitting / receiving information between the loop antenna LC2 and the RFID circuit element To. The antenna unit 9 'is locked in a state where it is mounted on the apparatus main body 2'.

  On the bottom surface 204a of the recess 204 of the apparatus main body 2 'and the lower surface 202e of the antenna unit 9' are connectors 211 'and 212' for electrically connecting the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 (in FIG. Only terminals are shown (see FIG. 26 described later). The connector 211 'of the apparatus body 2' has a power terminal 211a and signal terminals 211b and 211c, and the connector 212 'of the antenna unit 9' has power terminals 212a and 212e and signal terminals 212b, 212c and 212d. is doing. The terminals 211a, 211b, and 211c and the terminals 212a, 212b, and 212c are connected when the antenna unit 9 'is mounted on the apparatus main body 2' in the tag label producing mode, respectively. As a result, a control circuit for the apparatus main body 2 'is connected. 110 and the loop antenna LC2 and transmission / reception of signals between the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 of the antenna unit 9 ′, and charging of the rechargeable battery 213 of the antenna unit 9 is performed (see FIG. 26).

  On the other hand, the terminals 212d and 212e of the antenna unit 9 'correspond to the scan mode and are arranged on the opposite side to the other terminals 212a, 212b and 212c. That is, when the antenna unit 9 'is attached to the apparatus main body 2' in the tag label production mode, the terminals 212d and 212e are not connected, and when the antenna unit 9 'is attached to the apparatus main body 2' in the scan mode. The terminal 212d is connected to the terminal 211b (the terminal 211c) on the apparatus main body 2 'side to be conductive, and the power terminal 212e is connected to the power terminal 211a on the apparatus main body 2' side to be conductive. Yes. As a result, by detecting the current flowing through the terminal 212d, the antenna unit 9 'is mounted on the apparatus main body 2' in a direction corresponding to the tag label production mode or mounted in a direction corresponding to the scan mode. Is detected. Further, since the power supply terminals 211a and 212e are also connected in the scan mode, the rechargeable battery 213 included in the antenna unit 9 'is charged (see FIG. 26 described later).

  FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ when the antenna unit 9 ′ is attached to the apparatus main body 2 ′ in the direction corresponding to the scan mode. As shown in FIG. 25, in the scan mode, the antenna unit 9 'is mounted on the apparatus main body 2' so that the side surface 202b faces outward, and is used as a stationary reader. At this time, the operator reads information by bringing the RFID circuit element To (the RFID tag T or the like) to be read close to the antenna unit 9 '. As described above, the display unit 242 (here, the antenna pattern, which may be characters or symbols) indicating that the mounting direction corresponds to the scan mode is provided on the side surface 202b of the antenna unit housing 202. It has been.

  FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ of this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 14 described above. In FIG. 26, parts similar to those in FIG. FIG. 26 shows a state where the antenna unit 9 ′ is mounted on the apparatus main body 2 ′ in the direction corresponding to the scan mode.

  In FIG. 26, the mounting direction of the antenna unit 9 'with respect to the apparatus main body 2 (the direction corresponding to the tag label production mode or the direction corresponding to the scan mode) is the terminal 212d on the apparatus main body 2' side as described above. Or it may be 211c) to detect whether it is connected (for example, a current flowing at that time). That is, the direction corresponds to the scan mode when the current is detected, and the tag label creation mode when the current is not detected. And connector 212 'outputs a detection result (detection signal 236) to control circuit 216'. The control circuit 216 ′ to which the detection signal 236 (mounting detection means) is input switches the switching circuits 217 and 243 to the apparatus main body 2 ′ side when the connectors 211 ′ and 212 ′ are connected in the tag label production mode. When transmitting circuit 306 and receiving circuit 307 are connected to control circuit 110 and antenna duplexer 240 is connected to loop antenna LC2 (as shown in FIG. 14 above), and connectors 211 and 212 are connected in scan mode. The switching circuits 217 and 243 are switched to the antenna unit 9 ′ side so that the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 are connected to the control circuit 216 ′ and the antenna duplexer 240 is connected to the loop antenna LC1 (FIG. 26 state). At this time, since the power supply terminals 211a and 212e are connected, the rechargeable battery 213 included in the antenna unit 9 is charged.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 216 ′ of the antenna unit 9 ′ of the present modification. This flow is started when the power of the antenna unit 9 'is turned on, for example.

  First, in step S610, it is determined whether the antenna unit 9 'is attached to the apparatus main body 9'. This determination is performed by detecting whether or not the power supply terminal 211a of the connector 211 ′ and the power supply terminal 212a or 212e of the connector 212 ′ are connected to each other (for example, a current flowing at that time). That is, it is performed by detecting whether the detection signal 235 is input from the connector 212 ′. If the antenna unit 9 ′ is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S620.

  In step S620, it is determined whether the antenna unit 9 'is attached to the apparatus main body 2' in an orientation corresponding to the tag label creation mode or in an orientation corresponding to the scan mode. This determination is based on whether or not the signal terminal 212d of the connector 212 'of the antenna unit 9' is connected to the signal terminal 211b (or the terminal 211c) of the connector 211 'of the apparatus main body 2' (for example, the current flowing at that time). )). That is, it is performed by detecting whether or not the detection signal 236 is input from the connector 212 ′. If the orientation corresponds to the tag label creation mode, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S630.

  In step S630, control signals are output to the switching circuits 217 and 243 to switch to the apparatus body 2 'side. Thereby, the transmitting circuit 306, the receiving circuit 307, and the control circuit 110 are connected, and the antenna duplexer 240 and the loop antenna LC2 are connected (state shown in FIG. 14). Thereby, control by the control circuit 110 on the apparatus body side (see FIGS. 19 to 21) is performed, and the RFID label T is created.

  On the other hand, if the antenna unit 9 ′ is not attached to the apparatus main body 2 ′ or is attached in a direction corresponding to the scan mode, the determination in step S610 or step S620 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S640. .

  In step S640, control signals are output to the switching circuits 217 and 243 to switch to the antenna unit 9 'side. As a result, the transmission circuit 306, the reception circuit 307, and the control circuit 216 ′ are connected, and the antenna duplexer 240 and the loop antenna LC1 are connected (state shown in FIG. 26).

  Next, in step S650, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the switching circuit 217, and an inquiry signal (for example, “Scroll All ID” “Ping”) for acquiring information stored in the RFID circuit element To. As a signal or the like, a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To which is a reading target via the loop antenna LC1 to prompt a reply.

  Thereafter, in step S660, a reply signal is transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be read in response to the inquiry signal, and the reply signal is transmitted to the loop antenna LC1, the switching circuit 243, the antenna duplexer 240, the receiving circuit 307, and the switching circuit. It is determined whether or not the input has been made through the circuit 217. If the reply signal has not been received, the process returns to step S650, and steps S650 and SS660 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 inquiry signal transmission state is continued. If the operator receives a reply signal by holding the RFID circuit element To (RFID label T or the like) over the antenna unit 9 ', the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S670.

  In step S670, the RFID tag information acquired from the RFID circuit element To that is the reading target is transmitted to a server, database, or the like (not shown) via the communication control unit 218, and this flow ends.

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

  In the above, the control circuit 216 ′ (specifically, the procedure of step S620 in FIG. 27) constitutes a mode control means for controlling the information generating means so as to switch between the tag label creation mode and the scan mode.

  According to the present modification described above, the mounting direction of the antenna unit 9 'is detected based on the detection signal 236 input from the connector 212', and the RFID circuit element of the tag label tape 109 with print according to the detection result. Control is performed so as to switch between a tag label production mode for performing information transmission / reception with To and a scan mode for performing information transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element To existing outside the tag label production apparatus main body. Thus, when the antenna unit 9 'is mounted on the apparatus main body 2', the tag label creation mode is not always set, but the scan mode can be switched, so that the antenna unit 9 'can be used only as a portable reader for the unit alone. Instead, it can be used as a stationary reader. Thereby, the usage form as a reader | leader of antenna unit 9 'can be expanded, and a user's convenience can be improved.

(2) Variation of engagement portion arrangement In the above embodiment, the case where the engagement portion 201 (recessed portion 204) is provided on the side portion of the apparatus main body 2 has been described as an example. You may provide in the other position of the main body 2.

(I) Case where concave portion is provided on the front side of the apparatus FIG. 28A is a perspective view showing a simplified overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1A of the present modification. As shown in this figure, in this modified example, an engaging portion 201A (recessed portion 204A) is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 2A, and the engaging portion 201A (recessed portion 204A) is located from the front side of the apparatus main body 2A. The antenna unit 9A is configured to be attachable / detachable (engagement / detachment). The opening / closing lid 3 is formed with a notch 220 corresponding to the engaging portion 201A (recessed portion 204A) from the side wall 10 to the upper surface.

  Also by this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

(Ii) Case where concave portion is provided on the upper side of the apparatus FIG. 28 (b) is a perspective view schematically showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1B of the present modification. As shown in this figure, in this modification, an engaging portion 201B (recessed portion 204B) is provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body 2B, and the engaging portion 201B (recessed portion 204B) is provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body 2B. The antenna unit 9B is configured to be attachable / detachable (engagement / detachment). The opening / closing lid 3 has an opening 221 on the upper surface thereof corresponding to the engaging portion 201B (recessed portion 204B).

  Also by this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

(Iii) Case where concave portion is provided in the opening / closing lid FIG. 29 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1C of the present modification. As shown in this figure, in this modification, the opening / closing lid 3 itself is provided with an engaging portion 201C (recessed portion 204C), and the antenna unit 9C is attached to and detached from (engaged / removed from) the engaging portion 201C (recessed portion 204C). It is configured to be possible.

  According to this modification, in addition to obtaining the same effect as in the above embodiment, the recess 204C for mounting the antenna unit 9C is provided in the opening / closing lid 3 so that the space for installing the recess is not provided in the portion other than the opening / closing lid 3. It becomes unnecessary, and the degree of freedom of layout in the apparatus main body 2C can be improved.

(Iv) Case where concave portion is provided on the lower side of the cartridge FIG. 30 is a top view schematically showing the entire configuration of the tag label producing apparatus 1 in a state where the opening / closing lid 3 is opened. FIG. 30 shows a state where the cartridge 7 is removed from the cartridge holder 6.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the lower part (bottom part) of the cartridge holder 6 is provided with an engaging part 201D (recessed part 204D), and the antenna unit 9D is attached to and detached from the engaging part 201D (recessed part 204D). It is configured to be disengageable.

  According to this modification, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the above embodiment, there is a case where a normal empty space or a surplus of space is generated by providing the recess 204D for mounting the antenna unit 9D at the lower part of the cartridge holder 6. A large space under the holder can be used effectively, and the degree of freedom of layout in the apparatus main body 2D can be improved.

(3) When the apparatus main body and the antenna unit are connected by cable In the above embodiment, the connector 211 for electrically connecting the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 to the recess 204 and the antenna unit 9 of the apparatus main body 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 31, for example, the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2 are connected to the cable 223. You may make it connect with (connection cable).

  In FIG. 31, connectors 245 and 246 for detecting contact between the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 are provided on the bottom surface 204a of the concave portion 204 of the apparatus main body 2 and the lower surface 202e of the antenna unit 9 (in FIG. Only terminals are shown (see FIG. 32 described later). The connector 245 of the apparatus main body 2 has a signal terminal 245a, and the connector 246 of the antenna unit 9 has a signal terminal 246a. The terminal 245a and the terminal 246a are connected when the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, and the detection signal 235 is output from the connector 246 to the control circuit 216.

  FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1G of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 14 described above. FIG. 32 shows a state in which the antenna unit 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2.

  In FIG. 32, parts similar to those in FIG. In FIG. 32, the connection cable 223 includes a power line 247 for connecting the power source 214 on the apparatus body 2 side and the rechargeable battery 213 of the antenna unit 9, a control circuit interface 113 on the apparatus body 2 side, and the antenna unit 9. A connection line 248 that connects the switching circuit 217 and a connection line 249 that connects the loop antenna LC2 on the apparatus body 2 side and the switching circuit 243 of the antenna unit 9 are wired.

  In this modification, the attachment / detachment state between the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9 is determined by detecting whether the terminals 245a and 246a of the connectors 245 and 246 are connected to each other (for example, current flowing at that time), Detected. Then, the connector 246 outputs the detection result to the control circuit 216 as a detection signal 235. The control circuit 216 to which the detection signal 235 is input switches the switching circuits 217 and 243 to the apparatus body 2 side when the connectors 245 and 246 are connected, and connects the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 to the control circuit 110. When the antenna duplexer 240 is connected to the loop antenna LC2 (as shown in FIG. 32) and the connectors 245 and 246 are not connected (that is, when the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 and used alone) The switching circuits 217 and 243 are switched to the antenna unit 9 side so that the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 are connected to the control circuit 216 and the antenna duplexer 240 is connected to the loop antenna LC1. In this modification, the connection cable 223 (power line 247) always feeds power from the power source 214 of the apparatus body 2 to the rechargeable battery 213 of the antenna unit 9 even when the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus body 2. .

  According to the modification described above, it is possible to ensure electrical continuity with high durability and reliability between the antenna unit 9 and the apparatus main body 2. Further, when the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2, power can be supplied to the unit from the apparatus main body side, so that it is possible to reliably secure a driving power when the antenna unit 9 is detached and operated independently by the unit.

(4) When the label label production is stopped when the unit is disconnected during communication In the above embodiment, when the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To are transmitting / receiving information, the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. Although the state is fixed (locked), it is not limited to this. In other words, without fixing (locking) the antenna unit 9, for example, when the antenna unit 9 is removed during information transmission / reception, the creation of the tag label may be stopped.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag access process among the control procedures executed by the control circuit in the present modification, and corresponds to FIG. 20 described above.

  The flow shown in FIG. 33 is different from the flow shown in FIG. 20 in that the procedure for locking and unlocking the antenna unit 9 in steps S225 and S235 is eliminated, and the information transmission / reception process in step S400 is performed in step S400. It is a point that replaced ′. Since other procedures are the same, description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400 ′ and corresponds to FIG. 21 described above. In this example, as in FIG. 21, information writing among information writing and information reading will be described as an example.

  In FIG. 34, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a detection signal 235 indicating that the connectors 211 and 212 are connected is input from the connector 212. If so, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S405. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 9 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 due to an operator's erroneous operation or the like and is not attached, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S490 and an error display signal is sent to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113. And output a corresponding error display (for example, “antenna unit has been removed!” Or “antenna unit error: tag label creation stopped”), and in step S495, the above-mentioned flag F = 1 is set. This routine is terminated.

  The next steps S405 to S437 are the same as those in FIG.

  In the next step S438, it is determined again whether or not the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 as in step S401. If so, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S440. On the other hand, if it is not attached, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S490, and an error display signal is output to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113, and a corresponding error display (for example, “the antenna unit is removed”). Or “antenna unit error: tag label generation is stopped”), and the flag F is set to 1 in step S495, and this routine is terminated.

  The next steps S440 to S465 are the same as those in FIG.

  In the next step S468, it is determined again whether or not the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 in the same manner as in steps S401 and S438. If so, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S470. On the other hand, if it is not attached, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S490, and an error display signal is output to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113, and a corresponding error display (for example, “the antenna unit is removed”). Or “antenna unit error: tag label generation is stopped”), and the flag F is set to 1 in step S495, and this routine is terminated.

  The next steps S470 to S490 are the same as those in FIG.

  With the above routine, if the antenna unit 9 is removed while the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To are transmitting and receiving information, the transmission and reception of information is stopped. As a result of the flag F = 1, in the subsequent step S230 (see FIG. 33), it is considered that communication with the RFID circuit element To has failed, and the process proceeds to step S700, where the communication failure is manipulated on the label. Error processing (for example, printing another mode print R ′ (for example, “NG”) corresponding to the communication error) is performed. Then, a full cut process is performed, and the RFID label T subjected to the error process is discharged (see FIG. 19). In this way, when the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2 during communication, the production of the normal RFID label T is stopped and the RFID label T subjected to error processing is produced. Yes.

  According to this modification, when the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2 during communication, for example, due to an operator's mistaken operation, the transmission / reception of information is stopped, the creation of the RFID label T is stopped, and the corresponding error Display. This can prompt the user to prevent erroneous operations. In addition, by creating a tag label that has been subjected to error processing (error printing) in that case, an abnormal RFID label T can be clarified and its use can be prevented.

(5) 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, and other non-contact methods performed via electromagnetic fields are performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a dipole antenna or a patch antenna may be used as the transmitting / receiving means as the two antennas, 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 addition, as described above, when the antenna unit 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, information can be transmitted to and received from the RFID circuit element To via the apparatus-side loop antenna LC 2, and the antenna unit 9 is removed from the apparatus main body 2. In this case, the case where the switching circuit 243 as the first transmission / reception switching means for disabling information transmission / reception via the loop antenna LC2 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. May be provided on the apparatus main body 2 side, and a switching circuit may be provided across both the apparatus main body 2 and the antenna unit 9.

  In addition, the information read by the antenna unit 9 is transmitted to an external server, database, or the like (not shown) via the communication control unit 218, but is not limited thereto. That is, for example, display means may be provided in the antenna unit 9 to display the read information, or storage means may be provided in the antenna unit 9 to store the read information.

  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 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. 4 showing the notional structure of the RFID circuit element with which the base tape extended | stretched from the 1st roll is equipped. It is a 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. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the XVIIA-XVIIA ′ cross section rotated 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the XVIIB-XVIIB ′ 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 detailed procedure of step S200. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which the control circuit of an antenna unit in the case of using a unit alone as a reader. It is a circuit diagram showing the circuit structure of the antenna unit in the case of using a unit alone 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 switching modes according to the mounting direction of the antenna unit. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure of the tag label production apparatus when an antenna unit is mounted on the apparatus main body in a direction corresponding to the scan mode. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case of switching modes according to the mounting direction of the antenna unit. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which the control circuit of the antenna unit in the modification in the case of switching mode according to the mounting direction of an antenna unit performs. It is a perspective view which simplifies and represents the whole structure of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case where a recessed part is provided in an apparatus front side, and the case where a recessed part is provided in an apparatus upper side. It is a perspective view which simplifies and represents the whole structure of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in the case of providing a recessed part in an opening-and-closing lid. FIG. 10 is a top view schematically showing the overall configuration of the tag label producing apparatus in a state where an opening / closing lid is opened in a modification in which a recess is provided on the lower side of a cartridge. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in case an apparatus main body and an antenna unit are made into a cable connection. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in case an apparatus main body and an antenna unit are cable-connected. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of a tag access process among the control procedures performed by a control circuit in the modification in the case where tag label production is stopped when a unit is disconnected during communication. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of said step S400 '.

Explanation of symbols

1 Tag label making device (tag label making system)
1 'tag label making device (tag label making system)
1A-1G Tag label making device (Tag label making system)
2 Device body (Tag label making device body)
2 'Device body (Tag label making device body)
2A to 2F device main body (tag label making device main body)
3 Open / close lid (cover member)
6 Cartridge holder (holder for holder)
7 Cartridge (tag medium container)
9 RF module / antenna unit (antenna module unit)
9 'RF module / antenna unit (antenna module unit)
9A-9F RF module / antenna unit (antenna module unit)
11 Label discharge port 51 Drive roller (conveying means)
101 Base tape (tag medium)
110 Control circuit (information generating means)
151 IC circuit section 152 Loop antenna (tag side antenna)
200 Housing 201 Engaging portion 204 Recessed portion 210 Solenoid (locking means)
211 Connector (connection terminal)
212 Connector (connection terminal)
211 'connector (connection terminal)
212 'connector (connection terminal)
213 Rechargeable battery (electric storage means)
216 Control circuit (information generating means)
216 'control circuit (information generating means, mode control means)
223 cable (connection cable)
225A Tag label making device engaging part (unit side positioning part)
225B Projector engaging part (unit side positioning part)
229 Display unit 230 Display unit 236 Detection signal (mounting detection means)
243 switching circuit (first transmission / reception switching means)
LC1 loop antenna (unit side antenna)
LC2 loop antenna (device side antenna)
To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (13)

A tag label producing system having a tag label producing apparatus main body and an antenna module unit that can be attached to and detached from the tag label producing apparatus main body,
The tag label producing apparatus main body is
A housing having an engaging portion for engaging the antenna module unit;
A transport means for transporting a tag medium provided with an RFID circuit element provided with an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information;
A device-side antenna provided in the housing and configured to transmit and receive information by wireless communication with the RFID circuit element;
The antenna module unit is
Comprising information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit;
When the antenna module unit is attached to the engaging portion, the RFID tag circuit element and information provided in the tag medium via the device-side antenna using the access information generated by the information generating means When the antenna module unit is removed from the engaging portion, the first transmission / reception switching means for disabling the information transmission / reception via the apparatus-side antenna is provided as the tag label producing apparatus main body and the antenna. A tag label producing system provided on at least one of the module units. In the tag label production system according to claim 1,
The first transmission / reception switching means includes
A tag label producing system, wherein the output destination of the access information from the information generating means is switched according to whether or not it is attached to the engaging portion. In the tag label production system according to claim 1 or 2,
The antenna module unit has a unit side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication with the RFID circuit element;
The first transmission / reception switching means includes
When the antenna module unit is attached to the engaging portion, the RFID tag circuit element and information provided in the tag medium via the device-side antenna using the access information generated by the information generating means Enables transmission and reception,
When the antenna module unit is removed from the engaging portion, information can be transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element outside the tag label producing apparatus body via the unit side antenna using the access information. Characteristic tag label production system. In the tag label production system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A mounting detection means for detecting a mounting direction when the antenna module unit is mounted on the engaging portion;
Depending on the detection result of the mounting detection means, a tag label creation mode for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID tag circuit element mainly provided on the tag medium conveyed by the conveyance means, and mainly outside the tag label production apparatus main body. A tag label producing system comprising: a mode control unit that controls the information generating unit so as to switch between the RFID circuit element that is present and a scan mode for transmitting and receiving information. In the tag label production system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The tag label producing system according to claim 1, wherein the casing of the tag label producing apparatus includes a recess for inserting and mounting the antenna module unit as the engaging portion. In the tag label production system according to claim 5,
The tag label producing apparatus main body is configured in a substantially hexahedron shape, and includes a discharge port for discharging the tag medium to the outside of the housing on one side surface other than the bottom surface,
A tag label production system, wherein the concave portion is provided on either one of the side surface adjacent to the one side surface including the discharge port and the upper surface. In the tag label production system according to claim 6,
The casing of the tag label producing apparatus main body is:
A cover member provided to be openable and closable for mounting the tag medium is provided on the upper surface or both side surfaces thereof,
The tag label producing system, wherein the concave portion is provided in the cover member. In the tag label production system according to claim 7,
The tag label producing apparatus main body is
A storage body installation holder capable of mounting a tag medium storage body that stores the tag medium so as to be continuously supplied;
The tag label producing system according to claim 1, wherein the recess is provided in a lower part of the holder for installing the storage body. In the tag label production system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
When the device-side antenna and the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag medium perform information transmission / reception, the engagement state between the antenna module unit and the engagement portion of the housing is maintained,
When the device-side antenna and the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag medium are not transmitting and receiving information, the engagement state between the antenna module unit and the engagement portion of the housing can be released. A tag label producing system, wherein a locking means is provided on at least one of the antenna module unit and the tag label producing apparatus main body. In the tag label production system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
At least one of the tag label producing apparatus main body and the antenna module unit is a connection terminal for achieving electrical continuity between the tag label producing apparatus main body and the antenna module unit when the antenna module unit is attached to the engaging portion. A tag label producing system characterized by comprising: In the tag label production system according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A tag label producing system comprising a connection cable for establishing electrical continuity between the tag label producing apparatus main body and the antenna module unit. In the tag label production system according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The antenna module unit is
When the antenna module unit is mounted on the engaging portion, the tag label producing system includes a power storage unit that is charged by power feeding from the tag label producing apparatus main body. 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;
Information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit;
An antenna module unit configured to be detachable from an engagement portion provided in a target device,
When removed from the engaging portion, the access information generated by the information generating means can be used to transmit / receive information to / from the RFID circuit element outside the target device via the unit side antenna. An antenna module unit, comprising: a second transmission / reception switching unit that disables the transmission / reception of information via the unit-side antenna when mounted on a joint.

Images