JP4666156B2 - Radio tag information communication device and radio tag circuit element cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag circuit element cartridge including a wireless tag circuit element that transmits and receives information to and from the outside, and a wireless tag information communication apparatus that detachably arranges the wireless tag circuit element cartridge.

  In the RFID tag information communication device such as a reader / writer for writing / reading information to / from the RFID circuit element that stores information, many methods have been developed to transmit / receive information to / from the RFID circuit element, Widely used. As a method for transmitting and receiving information, there are a contact method using a connector and the like, a non-contact method such as an electromagnetic coupling method using a coil, an electromagnetic induction method, an optical method, and a radio wave method.

  Among the above-mentioned non-contact methods, those that adopt an electromagnetic coupling method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a radio wave method are RFIDs that read / write information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a wireless tag information communication device ( Radio Frequency Identification) system is known. The wireless tag circuit element included in the 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, and the wireless tag is dirty. Even if it is placed in an invisible position, the RFID tag information communication device side can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit, and can manage and inspect products. Practical use is expected in various fields such as processes.

  Such a radio tag is usually formed by providing a radio frequency circuit element on a label-like material, and this tag label is often affixed to a target article or the like for classification and organization of various documents and articles, for example. . In addition, for the management of this wireless tag, it is very convenient to print character information together with the tag itself. In response to this, a wireless tag information communication device (tag label producing device) that performs not only reading / writing information on a wireless tag but also printing on a tag has been already proposed.

  For example, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a roll (roll paper) around which a base tape (continuous label paper) in which RFID tag circuit elements (antennas and IC chips) are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the tape longitudinal direction is wound. The tag tape is fed out from the roll unit, and predetermined printing is performed at a predetermined position of the tag tape by a printing unit, and then the wireless device provided on the tag tape is connected to the tag tape via an apparatus-side antenna (RF-ID communication antenna). By sending and receiving the RFID tag information to the tag circuit element, a tag label with printing is generated.

JP 2003-140548 A

  Although not clearly described in Patent Document 1, generally, when performing wireless communication between a wireless tag information communication device and a wireless tag circuit element in an RFID system, shortwave (13 .56 MHz) is often used. However, in this case, since the communication distance is short, it is necessary to arrange the apparatus-side antenna and the RFID circuit element so as to face each other in the vicinity when transmitting and receiving information.

  At this time, in the above-described conventional RFID tag information communication device, after the tag medium is fed out from the tag roll, the device-side antenna is provided in the vicinity of the conveyance path after the printing process, and the device-side antenna and the RFID circuit element are located in the vicinity. Since this is a configuration in which information is transmitted and received, the apparatus has been increased in size.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag information communication device and a wireless tag circuit element cartridge capable of reducing the size of the device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a substantially sheet shape in which the RFID circuit element having an IC circuit section for storing information and a tag-side loop antenna connected to the IC circuit section is arranged. Alternatively, the RFID tag circuit element cartridge that can be continuously supplied with a substantially tape-like tag medium is detachably installed, and the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder when the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder. Between the side wall of the circuit element cartridge or the concave side wall provided in the RFID tag circuit element cartridge so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall, and between the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element And a device-side loop antenna that transmits and receives information by magnetic induction.

  In the first invention of the present application, when the RFID circuit element cartridge is installed in the cartridge holder, a substantially sheet-like or substantially tape-like tag medium is continuously supplied from the RFID circuit element cartridge. At this time, the device-side loop antenna faces the side walls in the vicinity of the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge or the recess side wall, for example, is disposed at the position where the tag roll is extended, and is generated by the coil of the device-side loop antenna. By using the magnetic path, information is transmitted to and received from the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium by magnetic induction.

  Thus, in the vicinity of the side wall of the RFID circuit element cartridge, information is transmitted and received between the apparatus side loop antenna and the RFID medium circuit element of the tag medium, for example, at the position where the tag roll is extended in the tag medium transport path. As a result, the apparatus can be reduced in size as compared with the prior art.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the device-side loop antenna has a magnetic path generated by a device-side coil provided in the device-side loop antenna, the surface of the tag medium in the tag medium transport path. It is provided so that it may cross | intersect a direction.

  By efficiently crossing the magnetic path of the magnetic flux generated by the device-side coil of the device-side loop antenna with the surface direction of the tag medium transport path, information is efficiently transmitted and received between the device-side loop antenna and the RFID circuit element. be able to.

  In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the apparatus-side loop antenna is provided so as to face the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge when the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder. It is characterized by being.

  By providing the device-side loop antenna so as to face the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge, the cartridge can be easily taken in and out.

  In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, the device-side loop antenna is substantially the same as the side wall so that the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is cut when the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder. It is provided so as to face the side wall of the first concave portion provided in parallel.

  By facing the side wall of the first recess cut out from the side wall of the RFID circuit element cartridge, even if the tag medium transport path is inside the cartridge, the device-side loop antenna is surely brought close to the tag medium transport path, and a predetermined short length. Information can be transmitted to and received from the tag side loop antenna at a distance. As a result, information can be transmitted and received reliably.

  In a fifth aspect based on the second aspect, the device-side loop antenna cuts a bottom wall substantially orthogonal to a side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge when the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder. Thus, it is provided so as to face the second recess side wall provided substantially parallel to the side wall.

  By facing the side wall of the second concave portion cut from the bottom wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge, the apparatus side loop antenna can be arranged close to the tag medium conveyance path, and the tag side loop antenna can be reliably disposed at a close distance. Information can be sent and received. As a result, information can be transmitted and received reliably.

  According to a sixth invention, in any one of the third to fifth inventions, the device-side loop antenna includes a dimension H in the conveyance path width direction of the tag medium of the tag-side coil constituting the tag-side antenna, The apparatus is characterized in that the dimension h of the apparatus side coil in the conveyance path width direction is substantially equal.

  By substantially matching the dimension in the conveyance path width direction of the tag side coil and the apparatus side coil, the coupling efficiency of the coils can be increased, and the reliability when information is transmitted and received in both directions is improved.

  In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the device-side loop antenna has a central axis in the transport path width direction of the tag side coil and a central axis in the transport path width direction of the device side coil. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond substantially, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  As a result, the tag-side coil and the apparatus-side coil can be almost completely aligned with respect to the conveyance path width direction, and can easily be made to correspond to tag-side coils of various widths.

  In an eighth aspect based on any one of the third to fifth aspects, the device-side loop antenna has a dimension H in the transport path width direction of the tag-side coil constituting the tag-side antenna, wherein the device-side coil It is comprised so that it may become larger than the dimension h in the said conveyance path width direction.

  By making the dimension of the tag side coil in the conveyance path width direction larger than the width direction dimension of the device side coil, the device side coil and the tag side coil can always be used even if there are multiple types of tag side coils in the tape width direction. Since the size of the overlapping portion can be made constant, the communication condition can be prevented from changing.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the apparatus-side loop antenna has a central axis in the transport path width direction of the tag-side coil and a central axis in the transport path width direction of the apparatus-side coil. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond substantially, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Thereby, the tag side coil can be directly opposed to at least all the dimensions of the apparatus side coil in the conveyance path width direction, and the tag side coil of various widths can be easily handled.

  In a tenth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the apparatus-side loop antenna is configured such that the tag-side coil has an end position on one side in the conveyance path width direction and the apparatus-side coil on the one side in the conveyance path width direction. The end positions are arranged so as to substantially coincide with each other.

  Thereby, the tag side coil can be directly opposed to at least all the dimensions of the apparatus side coil in the conveyance path width direction, and the tag side coil of various widths can be easily handled.

  In an eleventh aspect based on any one of the third to fifth aspects, the apparatus-side loop antenna has a dimension H in the transport path width direction of the tag-side coil constituting the tag-side antenna, wherein the apparatus-side coil Is configured to be smaller than a dimension h in the conveyance path width direction.

  Even if there is an error in the position in the width direction of the tag side coil, the area of the overlapping part of the device side coil and the tag side coil can be increased by making the width direction dimension of the device side coil larger than the width direction dimension of the tag side coil. Can be maintained at a predetermined size.

  In a twelfth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the apparatus-side loop antenna has a central axis in the conveyance path width direction of the tag-side coil and a central axis in the conveyance path width direction of the apparatus-side coil. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond substantially, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Thereby, the apparatus side coil can be directly opposed to at least all the dimensions of the tag side coil in the conveyance path width direction, and it can be easily made to correspond to the tag side coils of various widths.

  In a thirteenth aspect based on the eleventh aspect, the apparatus-side loop antenna includes an end position of the tag-side coil on the other side in the conveyance path width direction, and a position on the other side of the apparatus-side coil in the conveyance path width direction. The end positions are arranged so as to substantially coincide with each other.

  Thereby, the apparatus side coil can be directly opposed to at least all the dimensions of the tag side coil in the conveyance path width direction, and it can be easily made to correspond to the tag side coils of various widths.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on any one of the sixth to thirteenth aspects, the device-side loop antenna has a dimension x in the transport direction of the transport path of the device-side coil that is equal to the transport path of the tag-side coil. It is configured to be smaller than the dimension y in the transport direction.

  Thereby, the dimension y of the tag side coil moving along the transport path is made larger than the dimension x of the apparatus side coil which is the fixed side, so that the tag side coil faces the apparatus side coil in the transport direction. Can be ensured while communicating with the tag, and the reliability of information transmission and reception can be improved.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the dimension y in the transport direction of the transport path of the tag side coil is a time required for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID circuit element at the transport speed v of the tag medium. It is set to be larger than a value obtained by multiplying t and adding a dimension x in the transport direction of the transport path of the apparatus side coil.

  Thus, by setting the dimension y of the tag side coil to be larger than v × t + x, it is possible to ensure that the tag side coil is directly facing the device side coil in the conveyance direction while communicating with the tag. Can be secured. As a result, it is possible to stably send and receive information to and from the RFID tag circuit element during conveyance of the tag medium, and to further improve the reliability of information transmission and reception.

  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the tag according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the cartridge holder is wound around a tag tape in which a plurality of the RFID circuit elements are continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction as the tag medium. The RFID tag circuit element cartridge containing a tape roll is configured to be detachable.

  The tag tape is fed out from the tag tape roll provided in the RFID circuit element cartridge attached to the cartridge holder, and information is transmitted and received by magnetic induction from the device side loop antenna to each RFID circuit element provided in the tag tape. Can do.

  A seventeenth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixteenth inventions, there is provided printing means for carrying out printing on the tag medium to be transported or a printing medium bonded thereto.

  By printing on a tag medium to be conveyed (or a medium to be printed attached thereto) with a printing unit, it is possible to create a printed RFID tag label in which information is read from or written to the RFID circuit element.

  In particular, when printing on a medium to be printed that is bonded to a tag medium, the information transmission / reception is determined by determining the arrangement of the device-side loop antenna and the printing means so that the information transmission / reception timing is earlier than the printing timing. It is also possible to perform printing that reflects the quality of the results.

  In order to achieve the above object, an eighteenth invention is an RFID circuit element cartridge configured to be detachable from a cartridge holder of an RFID tag information communication apparatus, an IC circuit unit for storing information, and the IC circuit unit A tag medium on which the RFID circuit element having a tag-side loop antenna connected to the tag is disposed, and a housing in which the tag medium is stored so as to be continuously supplied to the RFID tag information communication apparatus. Then, the side wall of the housing or the concave side wall provided so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall is directly opposed to the device-side loop antenna provided in the wireless tag information communication device when attached to the cartridge holder. It is characterized by arranging in this way.

  In the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, when the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is installed in the cartridge holder, the tag medium is continuously supplied from the RFID tag circuit element cartridge. At this time, the apparatus side loop antenna is arranged in the vicinity of the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge or the recess side wall so as to face the side wall, and by using the magnetic path generated by the coil of the apparatus side loop antenna, Information is exchanged with the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium by magnetic induction.

  In this way, by the structure in which information is transmitted and received between the device side loop antenna and the RFID tag circuit element of the tag medium in the vicinity of the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge, in the tag medium transport path, for example, in the vicinity of the feeding of the tag roll Thus, the RFID tag information communication apparatus can be made smaller than when a loop antenna is provided in the vicinity of the conveyance path after printing to transmit and receive information.

  In a nineteenth aspect based on the eighteenth aspect, the position of the transport path is regulated in order to make the distance between the transport path of the tag medium and the apparatus-side loop antenna substantially constant when attached to the cartridge holder. It has the conveyance position control means to do.

  Thus, for example, even if a change in supply mode based on consumption of the tag medium (change in tag tape roll diameter, etc.) occurs, the position of the conveyance path is regulated, and the tag medium conveyance path and the apparatus-side loop antenna Since the distance can be made substantially constant, the stability and reliability of information transmission / reception is improved even when communicating with the RFID circuit element at a position immediately after feeding out the tag roll whose winding diameter changes depending on the remaining amount, for example. be able to.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the nineteenth aspect of the invention, the recess side wall is disposed so as to face the apparatus-side loop antenna, and restricts the position of the conveyance path as the conveyance restriction unit. To do.

  By making the concave portion side wall also serve as the conveyance regulating means, the position of the conveyance path can be regulated without newly providing another member.

  In a twenty-first aspect based on any one of the eighteenth to twentieth aspects, the tag-side loop antenna includes a central axis in the transport path width direction of the tag medium and a transport path width direction of the tag-side coil in the transport path width direction. The central axis is arranged so as to substantially coincide with the central axis.

  Thus, even when various RFID tag circuit element cartridges having different tag media sizes and types are exchanged and used in the cartridge holder of the RFID tag information communication device, the RFID tag information communication device is used in the conveyance path width direction. The center axis position of the tag side coil can always be made substantially constant with respect to the side.

  In a twenty-second invention according to any one of the eighteenth to twentieth inventions, the tag-side loop antenna includes an edge position on one side in the conveyance path width direction of the tag medium and the conveyance path width of the tag-side coil. The distance from the edge position on one side in the direction is arranged to be a predetermined fixed value.

  As a result, even when various RFID tag circuit element cartridges having different tag media sizes and types are exchanged and used in the cartridge holder of the RFID tag information communication device, the tag side with respect to the RFID tag information communication device side is used. The position of the one side edge of the coil in the conveyance path width direction can be made substantially constant at all times.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the wireless tag information communication device.

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

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system to which the label producing apparatus (wireless tag information communication apparatus) of the present embodiment is applied.

  In the RFID tag generating system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the label producing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is connected to a route server 4, a terminal 5, a general-purpose computer 6, and a plurality of information servers 7 via a wired or wireless communication line 3. It is connected.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing the detailed structure of the label producing apparatus 2.

  In FIG. 2, the apparatus body 8 of the label producing apparatus 2 is provided with a cartridge holder portion 19 (cartridge holder) as a recess, and the cartridge 100 (wireless tag circuit element cartridge) can be attached to and detached from the holder portion 19. It is attached.

  The apparatus main body 8 includes a print head (printing means, thermal head) 10 for performing predetermined printing (printing) on a print-receiving tape 103 (print-receiving medium) fed from the second roll 104, and printing on the print-receiving tape 103. Printed tag label while laminating the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 for driving the finished ink ribbon 105, and the base tape 101 (tag medium) fed from the print-receiving tape 103 and the first roll 102 (tag tape roll). Magnetic induction (electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, etc.) between the pressure roller driving shaft 12 for feeding out from the cartridge 100 as the tape 110 and the RFID tag circuit element To (described later in detail) provided in the tag label tape 110 with print Loop antenna (device-side loop) that transmits and receives signals using a non-contact method that is performed via a magnetic field (Antenna) 305, a cutter 15 that cuts the printed tag label tape 110 to a predetermined length at a predetermined timing, and generates a label-like RFID label T (details will be described later); (Outlet) 16 is a delivery roller 17 that is transported to and sent out, a discharge sensor 18 that is provided in the vicinity of the carry-out exit 16 and detects the presence or absence of the RFID label T, and an outer shell is configured to accommodate them, and the cartridge 100 is attached and detached. The housing 9 includes the cartridge holder portion 19 and the carry-out port 16 that can be fitted to each other.

  The loop antenna 305 is an antenna configured in a loop coil shape, and is provided on the protruding portion 19 a of the cartridge holder portion 19. On the other hand, a recess 100A1-1 is provided at a position corresponding to the loop antenna 305 on the side wall 100A1 of the housing 100A of the cartridge 100. Thus, when the cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge holder part 19, the protruding part 19a of the cartridge holder part 19 is fitted into the cartridge housing concave part 100A1-1, and the loop antenna 305 provided in the protruding part 19a. Directly faces the side wall 100A1-1a (recess side wall) of the cartridge housing recess 100A1-1. In addition, it is not necessary for the facing antenna here to face the loop antenna 305 and the side wall 100A1-1a in a completely parallel state, and they may face each other in a slightly inclined state (the same applies hereinafter). As a result, the loop antenna 305 conveys the base tape 101 so that the magnetic path of the magnetic flux generated by the coil of the loop antenna 305 intersects the surface direction of the base tape 101 (in this example, substantially orthogonal). It is arranged in the vicinity of the path (between the feed position from the roll and the pressure roller drive shaft 12).

  On the other hand, the apparatus body 8 also includes a transmission circuit 306 and a reception circuit 307 for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID circuit element To by magnetic induction via the loop antenna 305, and the ribbon winding roller described above. A cartridge motor 23 for driving the drive shaft 11 and the pressure roller drive shaft 12, a cartridge drive circuit 24 for controlling the drive of the cartridge motor 23, a print drive circuit 25 for controlling the energization of the print head 10, A solenoid 26 for driving the cutter 15 to perform a cutting operation, a solenoid drive circuit 27 for controlling the solenoid 26, a motor 28 for the feed roller for driving the feed roller 17, the transmission circuit 306, the reception circuit 307 , Cartridge drive circuit 24, print drive circuit 25, solenoid drive circuit 27, and a control circuit 30 for controlling the operation of the entire label producing apparatus 2 via the delivery roller drive circuit 29 and the like.

  The control circuit 30 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, is composed of a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing is performed according to the program. The control circuit 30 is connected to, for example, a communication line via the input / output interface 31, and is connected to the route server 4, the other terminal 5, the general-purpose computer 6, the information server 7 and the like connected to the communication line. It is possible to exchange information.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge 100.

  In FIG. 3, the cartridge 100 includes the casing 100 </ b> A, the first roll 102 around which the strip-shaped base tape 101 is wound and disposed in the casing 100 </ b> A, and substantially the same as the base tape 101. Ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out the second roll 104 around which the transparent print-receiving tape 103 having a width is wound, and the ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape). And a ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up the ribbon 105 after printing, a pressure roller 107, and a non-adhesive guide roller 112 (conveying position regulating means) using fluorine resin or the like.

  The pressure roller 107 presses and adheres the base tape 101 and the print-receiving tape 103 and feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A while serving as the printed tag label tape (= also functions as a tape feed roller). . At this time, the side wall 100A1-1a of the cartridge housing recess 100A1-1 described above is located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the base tape 101 from the pressure roller 107, and magnetic induction is performed via the loop antenna 305 at the upstream position. Thus, access (reading or writing) to the RFID circuit element To provided in the base tape 101 is performed. The print head 10 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the print-receiving tape 103 from the pressure roller 107. The distance from the pressure roller 107 to the tag access position by the loop antenna 305 is set to be larger than the distance from the pressure roller 107 to the print head 10.

  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 embodiment, the base tape 101 has a four-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 3) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3). The adhesive layer 101a made of an appropriate adhesive material, the colored base film 101b made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the adhesive layer 101c made of an appropriate adhesive material, and the release paper (peeling material) 101d are laminated in this order. ing.

  On the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b, a loop antenna 152 (tag side loop antenna) that is configured in a loop coil shape and transmits / receives information is integrally provided, and information is connected so as to be connected thereto. Is formed, and the RFID circuit element To is constituted by these.

  On the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b is formed the adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the print-receiving tape 103, and on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101b is a RFID circuit. The release paper 101d is bonded to the base film 101b by the adhesive layer 101c provided so as to enclose the element To. The release paper 101d is one that can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like by peeling it off. It is.

  The second roll 104 has the print-receiving tape 103 wound around a reel member 104a. The print-receiving tape 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is 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). The ribbon 105 is brought into contact with the back surface of the print-receiving tape 103 by being pressed by the print head 10.

  The ribbon winding roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are driven by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23 (see FIG. 2 described above), for example, a pulse motor provided outside the cartridge 100. By being transmitted to the roller drive shaft 12, it is rotationally driven.

  In the cartridge 100 configured as described above, the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 is supplied to the pressure roller 107. On the other hand, the print-receiving tape 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is driven by a ribbon supply-side roll 111 and a ribbon take-up roller 106 disposed on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). The ink ribbon 105 is pressed by the print head 10 and brought into contact with the back surface of the print-receiving tape 103.

  When the cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge holder portion 19 of the apparatus main body 8 and a roll holder (not shown) is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the print-receiving tape 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are connected to the print head 10. While sandwiched between the platen roller 108, the base tape 101 and the print-receiving tape 103 are sandwiched between the pressure roller 107 and the sub roller 109. The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the directions indicated by the arrows B and D by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23, respectively. At this time, the pressure roller driving shaft 12 is connected to the sub roller 109 and the platen roller 108 by a gear (not shown), and the pressure roller 107, the sub roller 109, and the platen roller are driven by the driving of the pressure roller driving shaft 12. The roller 108 rotates, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102, and is supplied to the pressure roller 107 as described above. On the other hand, the print-receiving tape 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and the plurality of heating elements of the print head 10 are energized by the print drive circuit 25. As a result, a print R (see FIG. 9 described later) corresponding to the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101 to be bonded is printed on the back surface of the print-receiving tape 103. Then, the base tape 101 and the print-receiving tape 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the pressure roller 107 and the sub-roller 109 to form a printed tag label tape, and are carried out of the cartridge 100. The The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the print-receiving tape 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11.

  FIG. 4 is provided so as to face the loop antenna 152 of the RFID circuit element To provided on the base tape 101 fed from the first roll 102 and the side wall 100A1-1a of the cartridge housing recess 100A1-1. It is a figure showing the magnitude | size and positional relationship with the loop antenna 305 made.

  As described above, the RFID circuit element To is composed of the loop antenna 152 configured to have a loop coil shape for transmitting / receiving information, and the IC circuit unit 151 connected to the antenna to store information. The loop antenna 152 (hereinafter referred to as “tag-side antenna 152” as appropriate) and the device-side loop antenna 305 (hereinafter referred to as “device-side antenna 305” as appropriate) of the RFID circuit element To As shown in FIG. 4, the dimension H of the tag-side antenna 152 in the base tape 101 transport path width direction and the dimension h of the apparatus-side antenna 305 in the tape transport path width direction are configured to be substantially equal.

  On the other hand, the dimension L2 of the tag-side antenna 152 in the transport direction of the base tape 101 transport path is equal to the transport speed v of the base tape 101, as shown in FIG. A value obtained by multiplying the time T necessary for transmission / reception of information with the RFID circuit element To via the device-side antenna 305 by 307 and adding the dimension L1 in the transport direction of the transport path of the device-side antenna 305 (ie, vT + L1). It is set to be larger.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tag-side antenna 152 and the device-side antenna 305 having such a magnitude relationship have their center axes (in this case, the center axis X) in the transport path width direction substantially coincide with each other. It is arranged. In this embodiment, in order to make the central axes of the antennas 152 and 305 substantially coincide with each other as described above, a cartridge-side protrusion for positioning is installed at an appropriate position of the cartridge housing 100A, although not particularly illustrated and described. In addition, the apparatus side protruding portion is installed at a corresponding position of the cartridge holder portion 19 of the apparatus main body 8, and when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge holder portion 19, the apparatus side protruding portion is the cartridge side protruding portion. The height of the cartridge becomes a predetermined value by being in contact with each other, so that the center in the width direction of the tag side coil and the apparatus side coil coincide with each other. A cartridge side protrusion formed in a corresponding thickness is provided in a cartridge housing for storing a base tape having a different width (or a base tape provided with RFID circuit elements To having different tag side antenna widths). Thus, when the cartridge is replaced with the cartridge, the height of the cartridge when mounted on the cartridge holder portion 19 is adjusted as appropriate, so that the central axes of both antennas 152 and 305 are substantially coincident with each other. Yes.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration related to an access (write or read) function to the RFID circuit element To among the functions of the label producing device 2.

  In FIG. 6, the label producing apparatus 2 generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna 305 and controls input from the control circuit 30. The transmitter circuit 306 that modulates the carrier wave based on the signal; the receiver circuit 307 that demodulates the response signal received from the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna 305 and outputs the demodulated signal to the control circuit 30; The control circuit 30 performs modulation control of the carrier wave in the transmission circuit 306 and processing of the signal demodulated by the reception circuit 307.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a circuit configuration of a connection portion between the transmission circuit 306, the reception circuit 307, and the loop antenna 305.

  In FIG. 7, the transmission circuit 306 is connected to the device-side loop antenna 305, and the reception circuit 307 is connected to a capacitor 310 connected in series with the device-side loop antenna 305.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 8, the RFID circuit element To includes the loop antenna 152 that transmits and receives signals without contact with the antenna 305 on the label producing apparatus 2 side by magnetic induction, and the IC circuit unit connected to the loop antenna 152. 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 305 of the label producing apparatus 2 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.

  9 (a) and 9 (b) are formed by completing the information writing (or reading) of the RFID tag circuit element To and the cutting of the printed tag label tape 110 by the label producing device 2 having the above-described configuration. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of the RFID label T that is used, in which FIG. 9A is a top view and FIG. 9B is a bottom view. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX ′ in FIG.

  9A, 9B and 10, the RFID label T has a five-layer structure in which the print-receiving tape 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. From the 103 side (upper side in FIG. 10) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 10), the print-receiving tape 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d constitute five layers. Yes. 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 adhesive layer 101c and printed on the back surface of the tape to be printed 103 (in this example, the RFID tag label). "RF-ID" indicating the type of T) is printed.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 when accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To by the label producing apparatus 2 as described above. It is a figure showing an example.

  In FIG. 11, in this example, the tag label type (access frequency and tape size), the printed character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, and the access (reading) that is an ID unique to the RFID circuit element To. (Or write) ID, the address of the article information stored in the information server 7, the storage address of the corresponding information in the route server 4, etc. can be displayed on the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6. Then, the tag label producing apparatus 2 is operated by the operation of the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 so that the print character R is printed on the base film 101c, and information such as the write ID and article information is stored in the IC circuit unit 151. Written (or wireless tag information such as article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read).

  In addition, when reading or writing as described above, the ID of the generated RFID label T and the information read from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID label T (or information written to the IC circuit unit 151) The correspondence relationship is stored in the route server 4 and can be referred to as necessary.

  FIG. 12 shows the creation of the RFID label T described above, that is, the substrate tape 101 is conveyed and the RFID tag control information is written while the printing tape 103 is conveyed and predetermined printing is performed by the print head 10, and the printing is performed. After the tape 103 and the base tape 101 are bonded to form a printed tag label tape 110, the control circuit 30 executes the printed tag label tape 110 for each RFID circuit element To and cuts the RFID label T. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed.

  In FIG. 12, first, in step S105, when the writing operation of the label producing apparatus 2 is performed, this flow is started. Then, the RFID tag control information to be written to the RFID circuit element To, which is input via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6, and the RFID tag label T is printed by the print head 10 corresponding to the RFID tag control information. Print information to be read is read via the communication line 3 and the input / output interface 31.

  Thereafter, in step S110, variables M and N for counting the number of retries (retry) when communication failure is suspected and a flag F indicating whether communication is good or bad are initialized to zero.

  In step S 115, a control signal is output to the cartridge driving circuit 24, and the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are driven to rotate by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23. As a result, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the pressure roller 107, and the print-receiving tape 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. Further, a control signal is output to the delivery roller motor 28 via the delivery roller drive circuit 29 to drive the delivery roller 17 to rotate. As a result, as described above, the base tape 101 and the print-receiving tape 103 are bonded and integrated with the pressure roller 107 (and by the sub-roller 109), and the printed tag label tape 110 is moved outward from the cartridge body 100. It is conveyed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120, and the base tape 101 and the print-receiving tape 103 are set to a predetermined value C (for example, the RFID tag control information is written and printed on the print area of the preceding RFID circuit element To and the print-receiving tape 103 corresponding thereto. Then, it is determined whether or not the next RFID circuit element To has been transported by a transport distance (which reaches a position almost opposite to the loop antenna 305). The conveyance distance at this time may be determined by, for example, detecting with a known tape sensor separately provided with an appropriate identification mark provided on the base tape 101. If the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S200.

  In step S200, tag information writing / printing processing is performed, memory initialization (erasing) for writing is performed, and then a transmission signal including RFID tag control information is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101. In addition to writing, the print head 10 prints the print R in the corresponding area of the print tape 103 (see FIG. 13 described later for details). When step S200 is completed, the process proceeds to step S125.

  In step S125, it is determined whether or not flag F = 0. If the writing process has been completed normally, F = 0 remains (see step S385 in the flow shown in FIG. 13 described later), so this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S130.

  In step S130, the combination of the information written in the RFID circuit element To in step S200 and the print information already printed by the print head 10 corresponding to this is sent via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3. The data is output via the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 and stored in the information server 7 or the route server 4. The stored data is stored and held in, for example, a database so that it can be referred to from the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 as necessary.

  Thereafter, in step S135, it is confirmed whether or not the printing on the area corresponding to the RFID circuit element To that is the processing target at this point in the tape to be printed 103 has been completed, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S125 described above, if the writing process is not normally completed for some reason, F = 1 is set (see step S385 in the flow shown in FIG. 13 described later), so the determination in S125 is satisfied. In step S137, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25 to stop energization of the print head 10 and stop printing. In this way, it is clearly displayed that the RFID circuit element To is not a normal product due to the suspension of printing. In addition, you may be made to perform the printing of special modes, such as an alarm and alerting to that effect, not stop during printing.

  After step S137 ends, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the printed tag label tape 110 further has a predetermined amount (for example, all of the target RFID circuit elements To and the corresponding print area of the print-receiving tape 103 have a cutter 15 with a predetermined length (margin amount). ) Judge whether it has been transported by a transport distance that only exceeds a minute). Similar to step S120 described above, the conveyance distance at this time may be determined by, for example, detecting the marking with a tape sensor. If the determination is satisfied, the process moves to step S145.

  In step S145, control signals are output to the cartridge drive circuit 24 and the delivery roller drive circuit 29, the drive of the cartridge motor 23 and the delivery roller motor 28 is stopped, and the ribbon take-up roller 106, pressure roller 107, and delivery roller are stopped. The rotation of 17 is stopped. Thereby, the feeding of the base tape 101 from the first roll 102, the feeding of the print-receiving tape 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 110 with print by the delivery roller 17 are stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S150, a control signal is outputted to the solenoid drive circuit 27 to drive the solenoid 26, and the printed tag label tape 110 is cut by the cutter 15. As described above, at this time, for example, the RFID tag circuit element To to be processed and the printed tag label tape 110 to which the print area of the print-receiving tape 103 corresponding thereto is pasted sufficiently exceed the cutter 15. When the cutter 15 is cut, the RFID tag label T in the form of a label in which the RFID tag control information is written in the RFID circuit element To and the predetermined printing is performed corresponding to the RFID tag control information is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S155, where a control signal is output to the delivery roller drive circuit 29, the drive of the delivery roller motor 28 is resumed, and the delivery roller 17 is rotated. As a result, the conveyance by the delivery roller 17 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in step S150 is conveyed toward the carry-out port 16 and is discharged from the carry-out port 16 to the outside of the apparatus 2.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above.

  In FIG. 13, first, in step S300, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25, the print head 10 is energized, and an area corresponding to the RFID circuit element To to be processed in the print target tape 103 ( A print R such as characters, symbols, barcodes, and the like read in step S105 of FIG. 12 is printed on the surface of the RFID tag circuit element To attached to the back surface of the RFID circuit element To by the pressure roller 107.

  In step S310, an identification number ID assigned to the RFID circuit element To to be written is set by a known appropriate method.

  Thereafter, in step S320, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation as an “Erase” signal that initializes information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is a loop antenna. The data is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written via 305. Thereby, the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is initialized.

  Next, in step S 330, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Verify” signal for confirming the contents of the memory unit 157 is transmitted via the loop antenna 305 to the information writing target radio wave. Send to tag circuit element To and prompt reply.

  Thereafter, in step S340, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna 305 and taken in via the receiving circuit 307.

  Next, in step S350, 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 S360, 1 is added to M, and it is further determined in step S370 whether M = 5. If M ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S320 and the same procedure is repeated. If M = 5, the process proceeds to step S380, where an error display signal is output to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 via the input / output interface 31 and the communication line 3, and a corresponding writing failure (error) display is performed. Exit. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times. Even when the base tape 101 wound around the first roll 102 is completely consumed, the reply signal in S340 is not received due to the absence of the RFID circuit element To, and therefore the determination in step S350 is not satisfied. In step S380, the above display is performed.

  If the determination in step S350 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S390, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave that has been subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Program” signal that writes desired data to the memory unit 157 is a loop antenna. The information is written to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via 305.

  After that, in step S400, 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 305 and returned. Prompt. Thereafter, in step S 410, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna 305 and taken in via the receiving circuit 307.

  Next, in step S420, based on the received reply signal, the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and the transmitted predetermined information is normally stored in the memory unit 157. It is determined whether or not it has been done.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S430, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S440 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S390 and the same procedure is repeated. In the case of N = 5, the process proceeds to the above-described step S380, and the writing failure (error) display corresponding to the terminal 5 or the general-purpose computer 6 is similarly performed. In step S385, the above-described flag F = 1 is set, and this flow is performed. finish. In this way, even if information writing is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S450, and a carrier wave that has been subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Lock” command by outputting a control signal to the transmission circuit 306 is transmitted to the wireless target of information writing via the loop antenna 305. Transmission to the tag circuit element To is prohibited, and writing of new information to the RFID circuit element To is prohibited. This completes the writing of the RFID tag control information to the RFID circuit element To to be written, the RFID circuit element To is discharged as described above, and this flow is finished.

  By the above routine, the corresponding RFID tag control information is written to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written on the base tape 101 in the cartridge 100, and the above-mentioned wireless tag control area is written to the corresponding region on the print-receiving tape 103. A print R corresponding to the tag control information can be printed.

  Although the above description has been given of the case where the RFID tag information is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To and written to the IC circuit unit 151 to create the RFID label T, the present invention is not limited to this. May read the RFID tag information from the read-only RFID circuit element To that is stored and held in a non-rewritable manner, and print the corresponding tag to create the RFID label T.

  In this case, only the print information is read in step S105 in FIG. 12, and the RFID tag information is read / printed in step S200. Thereafter, in step S130, the combination of the print information and the read RFID tag information is stored.

  In the label producing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the print-receiving tape 103 that is fed from the second roll 104 and subjected to predetermined printing by the print head 10, and the base that is fed from the first roll 102. The material tape 101 is bonded to each other by the pressure roller 107 to form a tag label tape 110 with print, and the RFID label T is generated using the tag label tape 110.

  At this time, in this embodiment, as described above, the recess 100A1-1 is provided in the cartridge casing 100A, and the loop antenna 305 is disposed so as to face the side wall 100A1-1a of the cartridge casing recess 100A1-1. Thus, the loop antenna 305 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the base tape 101 (between the feeding position from the roll and the pressure roller driving shaft 12), and the magnetic path generated by the coil of the loop antenna 305 is By using magnetic induction, information is transmitted to and received from the RFID circuit element To provided on the base tape 101.

  In this way, the loop antenna 305 is disposed so as to face the side wall 100A1-1a of the cartridge housing recess 100A1-1, so that the loop antenna 305 is disposed at a close distance in the conveyance path of the base tape 101. Therefore, information can be transmitted and received between the loop antenna 305 and the RFID circuit element To of the base tape 101 in the transport path of the base tape 101 in the cartridge casing 100A. Thereby, compared with the case where a loop antenna is provided in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the printed tag label tape 110 after being carried out of the cartridge housing 100A, the label producing device 2 can be downsized.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the loop antenna 305 is arranged so that the magnetic path of the magnetic flux generated by the coil of the loop antenna 305 intersects the surface direction of the base tape 101 (substantially orthogonal in this example). By doing so, information can be efficiently transmitted and received between the loop antenna 305 and the RFID circuit element To.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the dimension H of the tag-side antenna 152 in the base tape 101 transport path width direction is substantially equal to the dimension h of the apparatus-side antenna 305 in the tape transport path width direction. Thus, the coupling efficiency of the coils (tag-side antenna 152 and device-side antenna 305) can be increased by making the dimensions in the conveyance path width direction of the tag-side antenna 152 and the device-side antenna 305 substantially coincide with each other. The reliability when sending and receiving information in both directions can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the tag-side antenna 152 and the device-side antenna 305 are disposed so that the central axes (in this case, the central axis X) of the base-side tape 101 in the conveyance path width direction substantially coincide with each other. By aligning the center position in the width direction in this way, the tag side antenna 152 and the apparatus side antenna 305 can be almost completely aligned with respect to the conveyance path width direction, and can correspond to tag side antennas of various widths. Easy to do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 described above, the dimension L2 of the tag side antenna 152 in the transport direction of the base tape 101 transport path is set to the transport speed v of the base tape 101 and the control of the apparatus main body 8 is performed. The circuit 30 and the transmission / reception circuits 306 and 307 are multiplied by the time T necessary for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID circuit element To via the device-side antenna 305, and the dimension L1 of the device-side antenna 305 in the transport direction is added. It is set to be larger than the value (that is, vT + L1). This ensures that the tag-side antenna 152 is facing the device-side antenna 305 in the conveying direction during the conveyance of the base tape 101 while communicating with the tag. Information can be sent and received stably without stopping the conveyance of the tape 101, and the reliability of information sending and receiving can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the distance from the pressure roller 107 to the tag access position by the loop antenna 305 is set to be larger than the distance from the pressure roller 107 to the print head 10. Thereby, the information transmission / reception timing by the loop antenna 305 can be made earlier than the printing timing. As a result, for example, it is possible to perform printing that reflects the quality of the information transmission / reception results, such as clarifying that tag access has not been successful due to the suspension of printing as in this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge holder 19, the position of the transport path of the base tape 101 is set so that the distance between the transport path of the base tape 101 and the loop antenna 305 is substantially constant. In order to regulate this, a guide roller 112 made of a non-adhesive material such as a fluororesin is provided. Thereby, for example, even if a change in supply mode (change in tag tape roll diameter, etc.) based on consumption of the base tape 101 occurs, the position of the transport path is regulated, and the transport path of the base tape 101 and the loop antenna Since the distance to 305 can be made substantially constant, the stability and certainty of information transmission / reception can be improved.

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

(1) In the case where a recess is provided in the bottom wall of the cartridge housing FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge in this modification, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and the cartridge holder in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of a part. 14 and 15, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG. 3 in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In this modification, the bottom wall 100'A2 of the housing 100'A of the cartridge 100 '(RFID tag circuit element cartridge) has a side wall 100'A2-1a (concave side wall) substantially parallel to the side wall 100'A1. Recess 100′A2-1 is provided so as to cut. On the other hand, a projecting portion 19'a is provided at a position corresponding to the concave portion 100'A2-1 on the bottom surface of the cartridge holder portion 19 '(cartridge holder). A loop antenna 305 is provided on the protrusion 19′a. As a result, when the cartridge 100 ′ is mounted in the cartridge holder portion 19 ′, the protruding portion 19′a of the cartridge holder portion 19 ′ is fitted into the cartridge housing recess portion 100′A2-1. The loop antenna 305 provided at 'a faces the side wall 100'A2-1a of the cartridge housing recess 100'A2-1 and is disposed in the vicinity of the transport path of the base tape 101. . At this time, the loop antenna 152 of the RFID circuit element To provided on the base tape 101 and the loop antenna 305 provided on the protruding portion 19'a have a central axis (in this case, the center in the transport path width direction). The axes Y) are arranged so as to substantially coincide with each other.

  Also in this modified example having the above-described configuration, the loop antenna 305 can be disposed at a close distance in the transport path of the base tape 101, and therefore the loop antenna 305 is included in the transport path of the base tape 101 in the cartridge housing 100A. And the RFID circuit element To of the base tape 101 can transmit and receive information. Thereby, the effect similar to the said embodiment that the size reduction of the label production apparatus 2 can be achieved is acquired.

(2) In the case where a restricting member for restricting the conveyance path is provided FIG. 16 is an explanatory view for explaining the detailed structure of the cartridge in this modification, and is a view substantially corresponding to FIG. 3 of the above embodiment. Parts equivalent to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a cartridge 100 ″ (RFID tag circuit element cartridge) includes a plurality of guide rollers 112 (here, between the first roll 102 and the pressure roller 107 in the conveyance path of the base tape 101). Three guide rollers 112A, 112B, 112C), whereby the transport path of the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 passes through the vicinity of the side wall 100 ″ A1 of the housing 100 ″ A. On the other hand, the cartridge holder portion 19 ″ (cartridge holder) provided in the apparatus main body 8 of the label producing apparatus 2 is not provided with a protruding portion as in the above embodiment. First, at a position corresponding to the guide rollers 112A, 112B, and 112C, it is necessary to face the casing side wall 100 ″ A1 directly. Loop antenna 305 is provided. The other configuration is the same as the above embodiment.

  Also in this modified example having the above-described configuration, the loop antenna 305 can be disposed at a close distance in the transport path of the base tape 101, and therefore the loop antenna 305 is included in the transport path of the base tape 101 in the cartridge housing 100A. And the RFID circuit element To of the base tape 101 can transmit and receive information. Thereby, the effect similar to the said embodiment that the size reduction of the label production apparatus 2 can be achieved is acquired.

  In this modification, the guide rollers 112A, 112B, and 112C are provided so that the transport path of the base tape 101 passes through the vicinity of the side wall 100 ″ A1 of the housing 100 ″ A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the recess 100 ′ ″ A2-1 is placed on the bottom wall 100 ″ ″ A2 of the cartridge housing 100 ″ ″ A on the tape side from the line M connecting the reel member 102a and the pressure roller 107. It may be provided at a position (right side in FIG. 17) so that the recess 100 ′ ″ A2-1 regulates the transport position. Thereby, a guide roller becomes unnecessary and it can simplify a structure. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 14 described above, if the device-side antenna 305 is disposed in the recess 100 ″ ″ A2-1, the size of the device can be reduced and the positional relationship between the tag antenna 152 and the device antenna 305 can be determined. It can be kept close and constant regardless of the remaining amount. Further, in this configuration, the concave portion 100 ′ ″ A2-1 contacts the release paper 101d side of the base tape 101, so that the adhesive layer 101a of the base tape 101 is mistakenly attached to the concave portion 100 ′ ″ A2-1. As compared with the case where the conveyance position is restricted on the adhesive layer 101a side, it is not necessary to use a non-adhesive material such as a fluororesin, and an inexpensive resin can be used.

(3) Variation in size of device-side antenna and tag-side antenna (i) When the width of the tag-side antenna is larger than the width of the device-side antenna In the above-described embodiment, the width direction of the base tape 101 conveyance path of the tag-side antenna 152 The dimension H in FIG. 5 and the dimension h in the tape conveyance path width direction of the apparatus-side antenna 305 are substantially equal to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the width direction dimension H (here, H ′, H ″) of the tag side antenna 152 (here 152 ′, 152 ″) is larger than the width direction dimension h of the device side antenna 305. You may comprise. As a result, at least the magnetic path that has passed through the device-side antenna 305 can be surely passed through the tag-side antennas 152 ′ and 152 ″, and there are a plurality of types of widths such as these tag-side antennas 152 ′ and 152 ″. Even in the case of the width, the area of the overlapping portion (shaded area in the figure) can be made constant, so that the communication conditions can be made constant. Therefore, the certainty of information transmission / reception can be improved.

(Ii) When the width of the device-side antenna is larger than the width of the tag-side antenna In the above embodiment, the dimension H of the tag-side antenna 152 in the width direction of the base tape 101 and the width direction of the tape of the device-side antenna 305 However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the width direction dimension h (here, h ′) of the device side antenna 305 (here, 305 ′) is the tag. You may comprise so that it may become larger than the width direction dimension H of the side antenna 152. FIG. With this configuration, even if the conveyance of the base tape 101 is shifted in the width direction as shown in the figure, the area of the overlapping portion (shaded portion in the figure) of the device side antenna 305 'and the tag side antenna 152 is constant. Therefore, the communication conditions can be made constant. Therefore, the certainty of information transmission / reception can be improved.

(4) Variations in Arrangement of Device Side Antenna and Tag Side Antenna In the above embodiment, the tag side antenna 152 and the device side antenna 305 are arranged such that the central axes in the transport path width direction are substantially coincident with each other. It is not limited to this. That is, for example, the one end (or the other side) end position of the tag-side antenna 152 in the conveyance path width direction of the base tape 101 substantially coincides with the one end (or the other side) end position of the apparatus-side antenna 305 in the width direction. You may arrange | position. In this case, by forming the cartridge side protruding portion of the cartridge described above to a corresponding thickness, the cartridge height at the time of mounting on the cartridge holder portion is appropriately adjusted so that the end positions of both antennas 152 and 305 substantially coincide. This is enough.

  According to this modification, for example, when the tag-side antenna 152 and the device-side antenna 305 have substantially the same width in the width direction, the tag-side antenna 152 and the device-side antenna 305 are almost completely opposed in the width direction. Can do. On the other hand, for example, when the width of the tag-side antenna 152 is larger than the width of the device-side antenna 305, the tag-side antenna 152 can be directly opposed to at least all the dimensions of the device-side antenna 305 in the conveyance path width direction. On the other hand, for example, when the width of the device-side antenna 305 is larger than the width of the tag-side antenna 152, the device-side antenna 305 can be directly opposed to at least all the dimensions of the tag-side antenna 152 in the conveyance path width direction.

(5) Others In the above, the example in which the RFID tag information is written to, read from, or printed on the base tape 101 moving inside the cartridge 100 or the like has been described. The tape 101 or the like may be stopped at a predetermined position (further, reading and writing may be held by a predetermined conveyance guide), and the above-described printing and reading / writing may be performed.

  In the above description, the case where the tag label T is created by cutting the printed tag label tape 110 that has been printed and accessed (read or written) to the RFID circuit element To by the cutter 15 has been described. Not limited to. That is, in the case where a label mount (so-called die cut label) previously separated into a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, even if it is not cut by the cutter 15, After the tape has been discharged from the discharge port 16, 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 invention can also be applied to such a case.

  Moreover, in the above, it was the system which prints on the cover film 103 different from the base-material tape 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To, and bonds these together, but it is not restricted to this, It is provided in a tag tape. The present invention may be applied to a method of printing on a cover film (a type in which bonding is not performed). Further, the present invention is not limited to reading or writing RFID tag information from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To and printing for identifying the RFID circuit element To by the print head 10. This printing does not necessarily have to be performed, and the present invention can also be applied to those that only read or write the RFID tag information.

  Further, the above description has been given by taking as an example the case where the tag tape is wound around the reel member to form a roll, and the roll is arranged in the cartridge 100 and the tag tape is fed out. However, the present invention 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 2 side, and transferred from the storage unit. The tag label may be created by carrying out printing and writing.

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

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

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

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system to which a label producing apparatus as an embodiment of the wireless tag information communication apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is a conceptual block diagram showing the detailed structure of the label production apparatus which is one Embodiment of the RFID tag information communication apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of one Embodiment of the RFID circuit element cartridge of this invention. It is a figure showing the magnitude | size and positional relationship of the loop antenna of the RFID tag circuit element with which the base tape extended | stretched from the 1st roll is provided, and the loop antenna provided so as to face the side wall of a cartridge housing | casing recessed part. . It is a figure for demonstrating that the conveyance direction dimension of a tag side antenna is larger than the value which multiplied the time required for transmission / reception of information to the conveyance speed of a base-material tape, and added the conveyance direction dimension of the apparatus side antenna. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure regarding the access function to a RFID circuit element among the functions of the label production apparatus which is one Embodiment of the RFID tag information communication apparatus of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which represents simply the circuit structure of the connection part of a transmission circuit, a receiving circuit, and a loop antenna. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the upper side figure and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the RFID tag label formed by the label production apparatus which is one Embodiment of the RFID tag information communication apparatus of this invention. FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line XX ′ in FIG. 8. When accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element by the label producing apparatus which is an embodiment of the RFID tag information communication apparatus of the present invention, a screen displayed on a terminal or a general-purpose computer It is a figure showing an example. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of the cartridge in the modification in the case of providing a recessed part in the bottom wall of a cartridge housing | casing. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the cartridge and cartridge holder part by the XV-XV cross section in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of the cartridge in the modification in the case of providing the control member which controls a conveyance path | route. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detailed structure of a cartridge in a modified example in a case where a conveyance path is restricted by a recess provided in a bottom wall of a cartridge housing. It is a conceptual diagram showing an example in case the width | variety of a tag side antenna is larger than the width | variety of a device side antenna. It is a conceptual diagram showing an example in case the width | variety of an apparatus side antenna is larger than the width | variety of a tag side antenna.

Explanation of symbols

10 Print head (printing means)
19 Cartridge holder (cartridge holder)
19 'cartridge holder (cartridge holder)
19 ″ cartridge holder (cartridge holder)
100 cartridge (wireless tag circuit element cartridge)
100 'cartridge (wireless tag circuit element cartridge)
100 ″ cartridge (RFID tag circuit element cartridge)
100 ″ cartridge (RFID tag circuit element cartridge)
100A casing 100′A casing 100 ″ A casing 100 ′ ″ A casing 100A1-1A side wall (concave side wall, first concave side wall)
100'A2-1A side wall (concave side wall, second concave side wall)
100 ″ A1 side wall 101 base tape (tag medium)
101 'Base material tape (tag medium)
101 "base tape (tag medium)
102 1st roll (tag tape roll)
103 Printed tape (printed medium)
112A guide roller (conveying position regulating means)
112B guide roller (conveying position regulating means)
112C guide roller (conveyance position regulating means)
151 IC circuit part 152 Loop antenna (tag side loop antenna)
152 'loop antenna (tag side loop antenna)
152 ″ loop antenna (tag side loop antenna)
305 Loop antenna (device side loop antenna)
305 'loop antenna (device side loop antenna)
To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (22)

A substantially sheet-like or substantially tape-like tag medium in which an RFID circuit element having an IC circuit part for storing information and a tag-side loop antenna connected to the IC circuit part is arranged is stored so as to be continuously supplied. A cartridge holder for detachably installing the RFID tag circuit element cartridge,
When the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder, the RFID tag circuit element cartridge faces the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge or the recessed sidewall provided in the RFID tag circuit element cartridge so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall. And a device-side loop antenna that transmits and receives information by magnetic induction to and from the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The device-side loop antenna is
A radio tag information communication, wherein a magnetic path generated by a device side coil provided in the device side loop antenna is provided so as to intersect a surface direction of the tag medium in a transport path of the tag medium apparatus. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 2,
The device-side loop antenna is
An RFID tag information communication apparatus, wherein the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is provided so as to face a side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge when the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 2,
The device-side loop antenna is
When attaching the RFID circuit element cartridge to the cartridge holder, the RFID tag circuit element cartridge is provided so as to face the first recess side wall provided substantially parallel to the side wall so as to cut out the side wall of the RFID tag circuit element cartridge. A wireless tag information communication device characterized by the above. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 2,
The device-side loop antenna is
When attaching the RFID circuit element cartridge to the cartridge holder, it faces the second recess side wall provided substantially parallel to the side wall by cutting a bottom wall substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the RFID circuit element cartridge. A wireless tag information communication apparatus, characterized by being provided as described above. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The device-side loop antenna is
The dimension H in the conveyance path width direction of the tag medium of the tag side coil constituting the tag side antenna is configured to be substantially equal to the dimension h in the conveyance path width direction of the device side coil. A wireless tag information communication device characterized by the above. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 6,
The device-side loop antenna is
The RFID tag information communication, wherein a central axis of the tag side coil in the transport path width direction and a central axis of the device side coil in the transport path width direction are arranged to substantially coincide with each other apparatus. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The device-side loop antenna is
The radio in which the dimension H in the conveyance path width direction of the tag side coil constituting the tag side antenna is configured to be larger than the dimension h in the conveyance path width direction of the device side coil. Tag information communication device. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 8,
The device-side loop antenna is
The RFID tag information communication, wherein a center axis in the transport path width direction of the tag side coil and a center axis in the transport path width direction of the device side coil are arranged to substantially coincide with each other apparatus. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 8,
The device-side loop antenna is
The end position of the tag side coil on one side in the transport path width direction and the end position of the device side coil on the one side in the transport path width direction are arranged so as to substantially coincide with each other. A wireless tag information communication device. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The device-side loop antenna is
A radio in which the dimension H in the conveyance path width direction of the tag side coil constituting the tag side antenna is configured to be smaller than the dimension h in the conveyance path width direction of the device side coil. Tag information communication device. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
The device-side loop antenna is
The RFID tag information communication, wherein a central axis of the tag side coil in the transport path width direction and a central axis of the device side coil in the transport path width direction are arranged to substantially coincide with each other apparatus. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
The device-side loop antenna is
The end position of the tag side coil on the other side in the transport path width direction and the end position of the device side coil on the other side in the transport path width direction are arranged so as to substantially coincide with each other. A wireless tag information communication device. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 6 to 13,
The device-side loop antenna is
The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dimension x of the device side coil in the transport direction of the transport path is smaller than a dimension y of the tag side coil in the transport direction of the transport path. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 14,
The dimension y in the transport direction of the transport path of the tag side coil is obtained by multiplying the transport speed v of the tag medium by a time t required for transmission / reception of information with the RFID circuit element, and the transport path of the device side coil. The wireless tag information communication apparatus is set to be larger than a value obtained by adding the dimension x in the transport direction. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The cartridge holder is configured to be detachable from the RFID circuit element cartridge storing a tag tape roll wound with a tag tape in which a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements are continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction as the tag medium. A wireless tag information communication apparatus, comprising: The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
An RFID tag information communication apparatus comprising: a printing unit that performs printing on the tag medium to be conveyed or a printing medium to be bonded to the tag medium. A wireless tag circuit element cartridge configured to be detachable from a cartridge holder of a wireless tag information communication device,
A tag medium in which a wireless tag circuit element including an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side loop antenna connected to the IC circuit unit is disposed;
A housing that accommodates the tag medium so that it can be continuously supplied to the wireless tag information communication device;
The side wall of the housing or the concave side wall provided so as to be substantially parallel to the side wall faces the device-side loop antenna provided in the wireless tag information communication device when attached to the cartridge holder. An RFID tag circuit element cartridge characterized by being arranged. The RFID tag circuit element cartridge according to claim 18,
And a transport position restricting means for restricting a position of the transport path so as to make a distance between the transport path of the tag medium and the apparatus-side loop antenna substantially constant when attached to the cartridge holder. RFID tag circuit element cartridge. The RFID tag circuit element cartridge according to claim 19,
The concave sidewall is
The RFID tag circuit element cartridge, wherein the RFID circuit element cartridge is disposed so as to face the loop antenna on the apparatus side and restricts a position of the transport path as the transport restricting means. The RFID tag circuit element cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
The tag side loop antenna is
The RFID tag circuit element cartridge, wherein the tag medium is disposed so that a central axis of the tag medium in the transport path width direction and a central axis of the tag side coil in the transport path width direction substantially coincide with each other. . The RFID tag circuit element cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
The tag side loop antenna is
The tag medium is disposed so that the distance between the edge position on one side in the conveyance path width direction of the tag medium and the edge position on one side of the tag side coil in the conveyance path width direction becomes a predetermined fixed value. The RFID tag circuit element cartridge characterized by the above-mentioned.

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