JP4706903B2 - Radio tag information communication device and radio tag cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag information communication apparatus for writing information to or reading information from a wireless tag circuit element capable of wireless communication of information with the outside, and a wireless tag cartridge used therefor.

  An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads / writes information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device) is known. 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. . As a wireless tag information communication apparatus for writing information to or reading information from the wireless tag circuit element in order to create the tag label, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

  In this prior art, a strip-shaped tag tape in which RFID tag circuit elements (RF tags) including an IC circuit unit and a tag side antenna (antenna unit) are arranged at a predetermined interval is fed out from a tag tape roll, and is transported. When printing is carried, predetermined printing information is printed on the surface of the label by the printing means (thermal head), and predetermined RFID tag information generated on the apparatus side corresponding to the printed printing information is printed on the label. It is transmitted to the tag-side antenna of the provided RFID tag circuit element, and is sequentially written in an IC circuit portion (IC chip) connected to the antenna. After that, the printed tag label tape that has been printed and the RFID tag information has been written is cut to a predetermined length to complete the RFID label.

JP 2004-333651 A

  In recent years, a wide variety of uses have been desired along with the expansion of the use of wireless tags, and in order to improve convenience, there is a need to create labels by changing the printing mode and label length in various ways. In particular, when changing the label length, the direction of the antenna of the RFID circuit element provided on the label is changed (for example, when the label length is to be shortened, the antenna direction is not set to the tape longitudinal direction of the tag tape. It is necessary (or effective). In this case, since the polarization plane of the antenna of the RFID circuit element changes (the polarization direction changes), the polarization plane of the antenna on the RFID tag information communication apparatus side must also be changed to ensure good communication. . Therefore, in order to create labels with various label lengths, the polarization plane on the RFID tag circuit element side of the label is changed to a plurality of polarization planes as described above. The polarization direction must also be changeable to multiple.

  However, the above prior art does not consider the above points, and the polarization plane of the antenna on the apparatus side is one and fixed. For this reason, as a result of not being able to cope with the case where a plurality of polarization planes on the RFID tag circuit element side as described above are generated, it has not been possible to meet the need for producing RFID tag labels with the various label lengths.

  An object of the present invention is to provide RFID tag information communication capable of creating RFID tag labels of various lengths and improving convenience by reliably performing RFID communication corresponding to a plurality of polarization planes of RFID circuit elements. An apparatus and an RFID tag cartridge are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention provides a plurality of tag label RFID circuit elements each including a first IC circuit unit for storing information and a first tag side antenna connected to the first IC circuit unit. Information is transmitted / received by wireless communication between a tag tape installation holder for detachably installing the arranged tag tape and the first tag side antenna of the tag label wireless tag circuit element. First-side antenna means configured to be capable of switching the plane of polarization of the time, first access information generating means for generating first access information to the first IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element for tag label, The first access information generated by one access information generating means is transmitted to the tag label RFID circuit element in a non-contact manner via the first device-side antenna means, And having a first information transmitting means for accessing the 1IC circuit.

  In the wireless tag information communication device, the tag tape mounted using the tag tape holder is transported by driving means such as a motor and a roller, and the first access information generated by the first access information generating means is the first access information. 1 The information transmitting means transmits the tag IC to the first tag side antenna of the RFID label circuit element for tag label provided on the tag tape via the first device side antenna means, and the first IC circuit unit is accessed to generate the tag label. Is done.

  Thus, when producing a tag label from a tag tape, in the 1st invention of this application, the polarization plane of the 1st device side antenna means is changeable. Thus, for example, when the polarization plane of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tag tape transport direction, the polarization plane of the first device side antenna means is adjusted to match this. When the plane of polarization of the tag label RFID circuit element is the tag tape transport direction, the plane of polarization of the first device side antenna means is substantially parallel to the transport direction. If the plane of polarization of the RFID circuit element for tag label is an oblique direction that forms a predetermined angle with the tag tape transport direction, the plane of polarization of the first device side antenna means is adjusted so as to match this. It is possible to switch the polarization plane (the polarization direction) of the first device-side antenna means so as to match the tag polarization plane (the polarization direction). As described above, since wireless communication can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of polarization planes of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape, it is possible to create RFID labels having various lengths, and to have one polarization plane. Convenience can be improved compared to the conventional structure that can only deal with.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the tag tape installation holder is a tag tape roll installation holder for detachably installing a tag tape roll around which the tag tape is wound. .

  Thereby, the tag tape is fed out from the tag tape roll mounted on the tag tape roll installation holder, and the tag label is generated by accessing the first IC circuit portion of the tag label wireless tag circuit element provided on the tag tape. Can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the tag tape roll installation holder is a cartridge holder in which a wireless tag cartridge including a tag tape roll wound with the tag tape is detachable.

  As a result, the tag tape is fed out from the tag tape roll provided in the RFID tag cartridge attached to the cartridge holder, and the tag label is accessed by accessing the first IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element for tag label provided in the tag tape. Can be generated.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the first apparatus-side antenna means includes a first antenna and a second antenna whose plane of polarization intersects the first antenna. It is characterized by.

  Depending on the plane of polarization of the tag label RFID circuit element on the tag tape, wireless communication can be performed by switching between the first antenna and the second antenna where the plane of polarization intersects. Convenience can be improved compared to conventional structures that cannot be handled.

  In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the first antenna is provided at least in the vicinity of the tag tape transport path so that the plane of polarization of the first antenna is substantially perpendicular to the tag tape transport direction. The second antenna is provided at least in the vicinity of the tag tape transport path so that the plane of polarization thereof is substantially parallel to the transport direction of the tag tape.

  By switching between the first antenna and the second antenna for wireless communication, even when the tag label RFID circuit element is arranged in the tag tape conveyance direction, it is arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tag tape conveyance direction. Wireless communication can be performed reliably.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, a first connection state in which the first information transmission means is connected to the first antenna, and a second connection state in which the first information transmission means is connected to the second antenna. And a switching connection means capable of switching between at least two states.

  Thus, when the tag label RFID circuit element is arranged so that the plane of polarization is substantially perpendicular to the tag tape transport direction, the first information transmitting means is connected to the first antenna, and the tag tape transport direction. If the first information transmission means is connected to the second antenna for wireless communication, the first information transmission means can be shared in both cases, so that the circuit configuration is simplified. Can do.

  In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the switching connecting means connects the first information transmitting means to both the first antenna and the second antenna substantially simultaneously, and the first and second antennas are connected to each other. The combined polarization plane is configured to be switchable to a third connection state having a predetermined angle with the tag tape transport direction.

  For the tag label, the first information transmitting means is connected to both the first and second antennas in the third connection state, and their combined polarization planes are inclined surfaces that form a predetermined angle with the tag tape transport direction. Even when the plane of polarization of the wireless tag circuit element is in an oblique direction, wireless communication can be reliably performed with the plane of polarization matched to this, so that convenience can be further improved.

  In an eighth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the first information transmitting means is connected to both the first antenna and the second antenna in the same phase, and the combined polarization plane of the first and second antennas is A fourth connection state that makes the surface substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the tag tape, and the first information transmission means are connected in opposite phases to each other between the first antenna and the second antenna. And a combination switching means capable of switching between a fifth connection state in which the combined polarization plane of the second antenna is a plane including the tag tape transport direction.

  Thus, when the RFID label circuit element for tag label is arranged so that the plane of polarization is substantially perpendicular to the tag tape transport direction, the fourth connection state is the same phase for both the first antenna and the second antenna. When the first information transmitting means is connected to the first tape, the first information transmitting means is connected in the opposite phase between the first antenna and the second antenna as the fifth connection state when the first information transmitting means is connected to the first tape. By doing so, wireless communication can be reliably performed in any case. As a result, since the first information transmitting means can be shared in both cases, the circuit configuration can be simplified. It is also possible to arrange the first antenna and the second antenna in a manner that intersects at a predetermined angle rather than in a manner that is orthogonal to each other, and in this case, a combined deviation that occurs in the fourth connection state and the fifth connection state. It is also possible to change the area of the wavefront.

  According to a ninth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the first device-side antenna means has a polarization plane of the first polarization plane substantially orthogonal to the tag tape transport direction and the tag. The antenna is characterized in that it is a single antenna that can be selectively switched to a second polarization plane that is a plane including the tape transport direction.

  Depending on the polarization plane of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape, the polarization plane of the single antenna is a first polarization plane substantially orthogonal to the tag tape transport direction or a second plane including the tag tape transport direction. Since wireless communication can be performed by switching to the polarization plane, convenience can be improved as compared with the conventional structure that can handle only one polarization plane.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, polarization plane control means for controlling the plane of polarization of the single antenna is provided.

  The polarization plane control means controls the polarization plane of a single antenna, thereby switching between the first polarization plane substantially orthogonal to the tag tape transport direction or the second polarization plane including the tag tape transport direction to perform wireless communication. Can do.

  In an eleventh aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the first device-side antenna means has a fixed polarization plane, and the antenna drive means changes the polarization plane of the first apparatus-side antenna means. Is provided.

  The polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means can be changed by the antenna driving means in accordance with the arrangement direction of the tag label RFID circuit elements on the tag tape. Thereby, the convenience can be improved compared with the conventional structure which can respond only to the polarization plane of one tag label RFID circuit element.

  In a twelfth aspect according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the first device-side antenna means includes the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape of the RFID tag cartridge attached to the cartridge holder. The polarization plane at the time of transmission / reception is switched according to tag polarization information related to the polarization plane of the first tag antenna connected to.

  In accordance with the tag polarization information of the tag label RFID circuit element, the polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means at the time of transmission / reception is switched to match the tag polarization plane. As a result, wireless communication can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of polarization planes of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape, and convenience can be improved as compared with the conventional structure that can handle only one polarization plane. it can.

  In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the tag polarization information is provided in a tag polarization information holding unit of the wireless tag cartridge.

  Based on the tag polarization information provided in the tag polarization information holding unit of the wireless tag cartridge, the radio wave for the tag label in the tag tape is switched by switching the polarization plane of the first device side antenna means to match the tag polarization plane. Wireless communication can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of polarization planes of the tag circuit element.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the tag polarization information holding unit is a cartridge side identifier provided in the wireless tag cartridge and including the tag polarization information, and the cartridge side detecting the cartridge side identifier An identifier detecting means is provided.

  By detecting the cartridge-side identifier with the cartridge-side identifier detection means, tag polarization information included in the detected cartridge-side identifier is acquired, and the polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means is matched with the tag polarization plane. Can be switched.

  In a fifteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the tag polarization information holding unit is provided on the tag tape, and is a tape side identifier including the tag polarization information. The tape side detects the tape side identifier. An identifier detecting means is provided.

  By detecting the tape-side identifier with the tape-side identifier detection means, the tag polarization information included in the detected tape-side identifier is acquired, and the polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means is matched with the tag polarization plane. Can be switched.

  In a sixteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the tag polarization information holding unit is provided in the RFID tag cartridge, and a second IC circuit unit holding cartridge identification information is connected to the second IC circuit unit. 2nd apparatus side antenna which is the RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification provided with 2 tag side antennas, and transmits / receives information by radio | wireless communication between the said 2nd tag side antennas of this RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification Means, second access information generating means for generating second access information to the second IC circuit section of the cartridge identification RFID circuit element, and the second access information generated by the second access information generating means. , Non-contactingly transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification via the second device side antenna means, and to the second IC circuit unit Characterized in that a second information transmission means for performing access.

  The second access information generated by the second access information generating means is transmitted to the second tag side antenna of the RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification provided in the RFID tag cartridge by the second information transmitting means via the second device side antenna means. In response to this, the second IC circuit unit is accessed, whereby cartridge identification information is acquired. As a result, tag polarization information can be acquired based on the acquired cartridge identification information, so that the polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means can be switched to match the tag polarization plane.

  In a seventeenth aspect based on any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the polarization plane of the first device-side antenna unit is switched to a plurality of planes, and transmission is performed from the first information transmission unit on each polarization plane. The reception of the response signal transmitted from the first IC circuit unit via the first tag side antenna according to the received first access information by the first device side antenna means in a non-contact manner and reading each information And polarization plane determining means for determining the polarization plane of the corresponding first device side antenna means based on the response signal read by the information receiving means in each polarization plane.

  In the seventeenth invention of the present application, the first access information generated by the first access information generating means is transmitted to the tag label wireless tag via the first apparatus side antenna means while switching the polarization plane of the first apparatus side antenna means to a plurality of planes. The first tag side antenna of the circuit element is transmitted and accessed. Then, the response signal transmitted from the first IC circuit unit according to the first access information is received by the first device side antenna means and read by the information receiving means. At this time, for example, there is a difference in the behavior of the response signal when the polarization plane of the first device side antenna means matches or does not match the polarization plane of the tag tape of the tag label RFID circuit element. Therefore, in the seventeenth invention of the present application, this property is utilized, and the polarization plane determining means determines the polarization plane of the corresponding first device side antenna means based on the response signals in the respective polarization planes. It is possible to switch the polarization plane so as to match. As a result, wireless communication can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of polarization planes of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape, so that convenience is improved as compared with the conventional structure that can handle only one polarization plane. Can do.

  In an eighteenth aspect based on the seventeenth aspect, the polarization plane deciding means determines the signal intensity of each response signal read by the information receiving means in each polarization plane with respect to the polarization plane of the first apparatus side antenna means. Of these, the polarization plane at the time of receiving the response signal having the highest signal strength is determined.

  Since the polarization plane of the first device side antenna means matches the polarization plane of the tag tape of the tag label RFID tag circuit element, the magnitude of the signal strength of the response signal increases compared to when the plane does not match. The plane of polarization determining means determines the plane of polarization when the response signal having the highest signal intensity is received among the response signals in each plane of polarization. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably perform wireless communication corresponding to a plurality of polarization planes of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of tag label RFID circuit elements including a first IC circuit unit for storing information and a first tag side antenna connected to the first IC circuit unit. A tag tape roll configured by winding continuously arranged tag tapes is stored, and is configured to be detachable from a wireless tag information communication device that creates a tag label using the tag tape fed out from the tag tape roll. The RFID tag cartridge includes a tag polarization information holding unit that holds tag polarization information related to a polarization plane of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape.

  By providing the tag polarization information holding unit on the cartridge side, when the cartridge is attached to the RFID tag information communication device, for example, the tag polarization information held in the tag polarization information holding unit on the device side is acquired. The polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means for communicating with the tag label producing RFID circuit element can be switched. Thus, for example, when the polarization plane of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape is a plane substantially orthogonal to the tag tape conveyance direction, the polarization plane of the first device side antenna means is adjusted to match this. When the plane of polarization of the RFID circuit element for tag label is a plane that includes the direction of transport of the tag tape, the plane of polarization of the first device side antenna means is set to the plane of transport. If the plane of polarization of the RFID circuit element for tag label is an oblique plane that forms a predetermined angle with the tag tape transport direction, the first device side antenna means is adapted to match this. The plane of polarization of the first device side antenna means can be switched so as to match the plane of polarization of the tag, for example, the plane of polarization of the first side is the plane in the oblique direction. As a result, wireless communication can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of polarization planes of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape, so that RFID tag labels of various lengths can be created, and only on one polarization plane. Convenience can be improved compared to conventional structures that cannot be handled.

  In a twentieth aspect based on the nineteenth aspect, the tag polarization information holding unit is a cartridge-side identifier provided in a housing and including the tag polarization information.

  For example, the cartridge-side identifier detection means provided on the RFID tag information communication apparatus side detects the cartridge-side identifier, and acquires tag polarization information included in the detected cartridge-side identifier, thereby deviating the first apparatus-side antenna means. The wavefront can be switched to match the tag polarization plane.

  According to a twenty-first aspect, in the nineteenth aspect, the tag polarization information holding unit is a tape-side identifier provided on the tag tape and including the tag polarization information.

  For example, the tape-side identifier detecting means provided on the RFID tag information communication apparatus side detects the tape-side identifier, and acquires the tag polarization information included in the detected tape-side identifier, so that the bias of the first apparatus-side antenna means can be obtained. The wavefront can be switched to match the tag polarization plane.

  In a twenty-second aspect based on the nineteenth aspect, the tag polarization information holding unit is provided in the housing, and a second IC circuit unit holding cartridge identification information and a second tag connected to the second IC circuit unit It is a RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification provided with a side antenna.

  For example, the second access information generated by the second access information generating means provided on the RFID tag information communication apparatus side is transmitted to the second tag antenna of the RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification, and thereby to the second IC circuit section. Thus, cartridge identification information is acquired on the apparatus side. As a result, by acquiring the tag polarization information based on the acquired cartridge identification information, the polarization plane of the first device-side antenna means can be switched to match the tag polarization plane.

  According to the present invention, radio communication can be performed corresponding to a plurality of polarization planes of the RFID circuit element, and a plurality of antenna arrangements can be handled, and RFID labels having various lengths can be created. Convenience can be improved compared to a conventional structure that can handle only one polarization plane.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a detailed structure of an RFID tag information communication apparatus (tag label producing apparatus) 2 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 8 of the wireless tag information communication apparatus 2 is provided with a cartridge holder portion (tag tape roll holder, tag tape holder; not shown) as a recess, and in this holder portion, a cartridge 100 is detachably attached.

  The apparatus main body 8 includes the cartridge holder portion into which the cartridge 100 is fitted and a casing 9 constituting the outer shell, and a print head (thermal head) 10 as printing means for performing predetermined printing (printing) on the cover film 103. Then, the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 that drives the ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 and the cover film 103 and the base tape 101 are bonded together, and the tag label tape 110 is printed out from the cartridge 100. The RFID tag circuit element To provided in the printed tag label tape 110 is provided at least in the vicinity of the transport path of the pressure roller driving shaft 12 for printing and the printed tag label tape 110 (= so as to be in a communicable range). (Details will be described later) Using high frequency such as UHF band A second antenna 14h and a first antenna 14v (details will be described later) for transmitting and receiving signals by wireless communication, and the printed tag label tape 110 are cut to a predetermined length at a predetermined timing to form a label-like RFID tag T ( The cutter 15 for generating details will be described later, and the RFID circuit element To is set and held in a predetermined access area facing the second antenna 14h or the first antenna 14v at the time of signal transmission / reception via the wireless communication, and after cutting A pair of conveyance guides 13 for guiding the tape 110 (= the RFID label T), a delivery roller 17 for conveying the guided RFID label T to the carry-out port 16 and sending it out, and the RFID label T at the carry-out port 16 A discharge sensor 18 for detecting the presence or absence of

On the other hand, the apparatus main body 8 also has a high-frequency circuit 21 for accessing (reading or writing information to) the RFID circuit element To via the first and second antennas 14v and 14h, and a RFID circuit element To. A signal processing circuit 22 for processing a signal read from the cartridge, a cartridge motor 23 for driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 11 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 described above, and driving of the cartridge motor 23. A cartridge drive circuit 24 for controlling, a print drive circuit 25 for controlling energization to the print head 10, a solenoid 26 for driving the cutter 15 to perform a cutting operation, and a solenoid drive circuit 27 for controlling the solenoid 26. A feed roller motor 28 for driving the feed roller 17 and the feed roller motor 28. A sensor (not shown) for detecting the uneven shape of each of a plurality of identifiers provided in a delivery roller drive circuit 29 to be controlled and a detected part (cartridge side tag polarization information holding part) 190 (details will be described later) provided in the cartridge 100 (Cartridge-side identifier detection means) 20, various types of parameter data (details will be described later) relating to the RFID circuit element To detected by the sensor 20 and the type of cartridge 100, and various information such as the address of article information Is stored in advance, for example, a database (DB) 51 comprising a non-volatile storage device, an operation unit 52 comprising a plurality of character input keys and various function keys for an operator to input character data and instruction data relating to printing, For example, LCD (Liquid
a display unit 53 for displaying character data, instruction data, notification signals, etc. input from the operation unit 52 to the operator, the high-frequency circuit 21, the signal processing circuit 22, and the cartridge drive circuit. 24, a control circuit 30 for controlling the operation of the entire RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 via a print drive circuit 25, a solenoid drive circuit 27, a 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.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detailed structure of a cartridge 100 h including a base tape on which a lateral antenna type RFID circuit element is formed as an example of the cartridge 100.

  In FIG. 2, a cartridge 100h includes a housing 100hA, a first roll (tag tape roll) 102h around which the belt-shaped base tape (tag tape) 101h is disposed and disposed in the housing 100hA. Ribbon supply for feeding out a second roll 104 around which the transparent cover film 103 having the same width as that of the base tape 101h is wound, and the ink ribbon 105 (not required when the cover film is a thermal tape). The direction indicated by the arrow A while pressing the side roll 111, the ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up the ribbon 105 after printing, and the base tape 101h and the cover film 103 to form the printed tag label tape 110. And a pressure roller 107 (which also functions as a tape feed roller). .

  The first roll 102h is wound around the reel member 102ha with the base tape 101h in which a plurality of horizontal antenna type RFID circuit elements Toh are sequentially formed at predetermined equal intervals in the tape longitudinal direction.

  In this example (except for the RFID tag circuit element and its vicinity), the base tape 101h basically has a four-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 2), and is wound on the inner side (in FIG. 2). From the right side to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 2), an adhesive layer 101ha made of an appropriate adhesive material, a colored base film 101hb made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., an adhesive layer 101hc made of an appropriate adhesive material The release papers 101hd are stacked in this order.

  On the back side (left side in FIG. 2) of the base film 101hb, two elongated dipole antennas (first tag side antennas) 152h for transmitting and receiving information are provided (in this example, integrally) and connected thereto. Thus, an IC circuit portion (first IC circuit portion) 151 for storing information is formed, and a horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh is constituted by these. In the example shown in FIG. 2, two dipole antennas 152h are provided in an arrangement (lateral arrangement) parallel to the tape longitudinal direction (tape transport direction) of the base tape 101h (see FIGS. 4 and 9 described later). ).

  The adhesive layer 101ha for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 2) of the base film 101hb, and the horizontal antenna type wireless is provided on the back side (left side in FIG. 2) of the base film 101hb. The release paper 101hd is bonded to the base film 101hb by the adhesive layer 101hc provided so as to enclose the tag circuit element Toh. The release paper 101hd can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101hc when the RFID label Th finally completed in the form of a label is affixed to a predetermined product or the like. It is.

  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 has a ribbon 105 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 101h). When pressed by the print head 10, it is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the pressure roller 107 are respectively driven by the driving force of the cartridge motor 23 (see FIG. 1 described above), for example, a pulse motor provided outside the cartridge 100h. By being transmitted to the feed roller drive shaft 12, it is rotationally driven.

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

  When the cartridge 100h is mounted on the cartridge holder portion of the apparatus body 8 and a roll holder (not shown) is moved from the separation position to the contact position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are moved to the print head 10 and the platen roller. The base tape 101 h and the cover film 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 tape feed roller drive shaft 12 is connected to the sub roller 109 and the platen roller 108 by a gear (not shown), and as the tape feed roller drive shaft 12 is driven, the pressure roller 107, the sub roller 109, Then, the platen roller 108 rotates, and the base tape 101h is fed out from the first roll 102h and supplied to the pressure roller 107 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 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. 10 described later) is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. Then, the base tape 101h and the cover film 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 110h, which is carried out of the cartridge 100h. The 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 11.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detailed structure of a cartridge 100v including a base tape on which a vertical antenna type RFID circuit element is formed as an example of the cartridge 100.

  Compared with the cartridge 100h shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge 100v shown in FIG. 3 has the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov formed on the base tape 101v wound around the first roll 102v inside. In other respects, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The base tape 101v has a four-layer structure made of the same material as the base tape 101 of the cartridge 100h (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3), and on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the base film 101vb. Two elongated dipole antennas (first tag antennas) 152v for transmitting and receiving information are provided in an arrangement (vertical arrangement) parallel to the tape width direction of the base tape 101v (a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction). An IC circuit unit (first IC circuit unit) 151 that stores information so as to be connected thereto is formed (refer to FIGS. 4 and 11 described later), and a vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov is configured by these. .

  In the apparatus main body 8 of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2, both the cartridge 100h in FIG. 2 and the cartridge 100v in FIG. 3 can be attached to the cartridge holder, and the same printing is performed on each cover film 103. It can be done.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the arrangement of the polarization planes of the tag-side antennas of the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh and the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov provided on the base tape. FIG. 4A is a conceptual plan view of the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh, and FIG. 4B shows the polarization plane of the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh and the corresponding second antenna 14h. It is a conceptual perspective view showing a positional relationship. FIG. 4C is a conceptual plan view of the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov, and FIG. 4D shows the polarization plane of the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov and the corresponding first antenna 14v. It is a conceptual perspective view showing a positional relationship.

  4 (a) and 4 (b), as described above, the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh has one elongated dipole antenna 152h arranged in parallel to the tape transport direction of the base tape 101h. As a result, the polarization plane Hth is a plane including the tape conveyance direction (in other words, the polarization direction is parallel to the tape conveyance direction). The second antenna 14h has a positional relationship in which the second antenna 14h is disposed (vertically) directly above the antenna 152h of the RFID circuit element Toh conveyed along the tape conveyance path, and the propagation direction of the radio wave radiated from the second antenna 14h. And an electric field (an example of the direction is represented by E) is generated, and a polarization plane Hdh that is a plane including the vibration direction of the electric field is a plane including the tape conveyance direction (in other words, the polarization direction is Parallel to the tape transport direction). The figure conceptually shows the plane of polarization. In this case, since one dipole antenna 152h can be formed relatively long, the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh has a configuration in which the sensitivity of wireless communication is relatively high.

  4 (c) and 4 (d), as described above, the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov has one elongated dipole antenna 152v in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction of the base tape 101v. As a result, the polarization plane Htv is a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction (in other words, the polarization direction is substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction). The first antenna 14v has a positional relationship in which the first antenna 14v is disposed directly above (in the vertical direction) the antenna 152v of the RFID circuit element Tov conveyed along the tape conveyance path, and the propagation direction of the radio wave radiated from the first antenna 14v. An electric field (an example of the direction is represented by E) is generated so that the plane of polarization Hdv including the vibration direction of the electric field is a plane that is substantially orthogonal (substantially perpendicular) to the tape transport direction. (In other words, the polarization direction is substantially orthogonal to the tape transport direction). The figure conceptually shows the plane of polarization. In this case, the single dipole antenna 152v is short and needs to be accommodated in the limited tape width direction, so that the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov has a relatively low sensitivity for wireless communication. It has become.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the high-frequency circuit 21. In FIG. 5, a high-frequency circuit 21 includes an antenna switch (switching) circuit 341 that is switched by a control circuit 30, and a RFID circuit element To (hereinafter referred to as “RFID tag circuit element To”) via the antenna switch circuit 341 and first and second antennas 14v and 14h. A transmitting unit (first information transmitting means) 32 for transmitting signals to the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh and the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov, collectively referred to as RFID tag circuit elements Tov and Toh); It comprises a receiving unit 33 for inputting reflected waves from the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh received by the first and second antennas 14v and 14h, and a transmission / reception separator 34.

  The antenna switch circuit 341 is a switch circuit using a known high-frequency FET or diode, and connects one of the first and second antennas 14v and 14h to the transmission / reception separator 34 by a selection signal from the control circuit 30. It is.

The transmitting unit 32 generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov, Toh, and a PLL (Phase
The generated carrier wave is modulated on the basis of a signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 22 (Locked Loop) 36 and VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 37 (in this example, a “TX_ASK” signal from the signal processing circuit 22 A transmission multiplication circuit 38 (amplitude modulation based on the above) (however, in the case of amplitude modulation, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used), and a modulation wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 38 is sent from the control circuit 30 to “TX_PWR”. And a variable transmission amplifier 39 that determines and amplifies the amplification factor according to the signal. The generated carrier wave preferably uses a frequency such as UHF band or microwave, and the output of the transmission amplifier 39 passes through the antenna switch circuit 341 via the transmission / reception separator 34, and the first and second outputs. The signals are transmitted to the two antennas 14v and 14h and supplied to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh.

  The reception unit 33 includes a reception first multiplication circuit 40 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh received by the first and second antennas 14v and 14h and the generated carrier wave, and reception thereof. A first bandpass filter 41 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the first multiplier circuit 40, a reception first amplifier 43 for amplifying the output of the first bandpass filter 41, and the reception first amplifier A first limiter 42 for further amplifying the output of 43 and converting it into a digital signal, and reflected waves from the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh received by the first and second antennas 14v and 14h and The reception second multiplication circuit 44 that multiplies the carrier wave whose phase is delayed by 90 ° by the phase shifter 49, and only the signal of the necessary band from the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 44. A second band-pass filter 45 for output, a reception second amplifier 47 for amplifying the output of the second band-pass filter 45, and a second amplifier for further amplifying the output of the reception second amplifier 47 and converting it to a digital signal. 2 limiter 46. The signal “RXS-I” output from the first limiter 42 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the second limiter 46 are input to the signal processing circuit 22 and processed.

  The outputs of the reception first amplifier 43 and the reception second amplifier 47 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 48, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the strength of these signals is input to the signal processing circuit 22. It has become so. In this way, in the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave from the RFID tag circuit elements Tov and Toh is demodulated by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the detailed configuration of the second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v on the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 side.

  In FIG. 6, the second antenna 14h has a configuration in which linear dipole antennas 14hA and 14hB are provided on a substantially straight line in this example, and is provided in an arrangement substantially parallel to the tape transport direction of the base tape 101. It has been. For this reason, as described above, the polarization plane Hdh is a plane including the tape conveyance direction (in other words, the polarization direction is parallel to the tape conveyance direction). However, the figure conceptually shows the plane of polarization.

  In this example, the first antenna 14v is provided with dipole antennas 14vA and 14vB that are bent and deformed so as to be substantially folded, and is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction of the base tape 101. ing. For this reason, the polarization plane Hdv is a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction (in other words, the polarization direction is substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction). However, the figure conceptually shows the plane of polarization. The reason why the dipole antennas 14vA and 14vB of the first antenna 14v are formed in a substantially folding shape is that the length corresponds to the frequency of the signal transmitted and received by the antenna in order to obtain sufficient sensitivity when transmitting and receiving signals. However, since the width dimension of the normal base tape 101 is shorter than that, it is bent and deformed into a substantially folding shape in order to match it. However, when the tape width dimension is sufficiently large or when a sufficiently large substantially sheet-like tape (single-cut tape piece) is handled, the first antenna 14v can also be a linear one.

  The second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v are both connected to the antenna switch circuit 341, and a second connection state in which the second antenna 14h is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34 by a selection signal from the control circuit 30. And the first connection state in which the first antenna 14v is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the sensor 20.

  In FIG. 7, in this example, the sensor 20 has a concavo-convex shape by biasing and contacting the contact 20B with the spring member 20A against the identifiers (cartridge side identifiers) 190A to 190D of the detected portion 190 having the concavo-convex shape. It is a mechanical switch to detect, and a detection signal is output to the control circuit 30 from the contact 20B arranged corresponding to each uneven part.

  These identifiers 190 </ b> A to 190 </ b> D indicate communication parameters (frequency of radio waves used for wireless communication, communication protocol, etc.) and tag attribute parameters (base Parameter data regarding the arrangement interval (pitch) of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh in the material tape 101, the polarization plane, the tag sensitivity, the memory capacity of the IC circuit unit, the tape width of the base tape 101, and the like are shown. Normally, the communication parameters and the tag attribute parameters are common to all cartridges for all the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh provided in one cartridge.

  For example, any one of the identifiers 190A to 190D represents an arrangement interval (for example, 12 cm, 16 cm, etc.) of the RFID circuit element Toh in the base tape 101h included therein as an example of information on the tag attribute parameter, Another identifier includes polarization information of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh (the polarization plane Htv in a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape transport direction, or the polarization plane Hth in a plane including the tape transport direction). Represents.

  Then, the control circuit 30 can know the parameter data in the cartridge 100 from the detection signal of the contact point 20B indicating the uneven state of the identifiers 190A to 190D, and further, the cartridge mounted from the database 51 from the combination of these parameter data. 100 types (cartridges 100h, 100v, etc.) can be searched.

  The sensor 20 as the detection means is not limited to a mechanical switch, and may be another method, for example, a sensor using light reflection. In this case, for example, a light-emitting diode that emits light in response to a signal from the control circuit 30 and a phototransistor that receives reflected light from each of the emission identifiers 190A to 190D and outputs a corresponding detection signal to the control circuit 30 are configured. be able to. Further, as a further developed optical sensor, various barcodes (including one-dimensional and two-dimensional) are written on the surface of the release sheet of the cartridge 100 or the base tape 101, for example, on the apparatus main body 8 of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2. A configuration of reading with a provided reading device is also possible. It is also possible to use the function of this identifier in combination with an identification (conveyance positioning) mark provided on the surface of the release paper described later. In this case, for example, in the case of a wide mark, the RFID circuit element Tov of the polarization plane Htv in a plane substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction, and in the case of a narrow mark, the RFID circuit element Toh of the polarization plane Hth of the plane including the tape conveyance direction can do.

  As described above, the parameter data related to the cartridge 100 can be acquired from the cartridge 100 itself, so that it is not necessary for the operator to input the parameter data, and the parameter data can be acquired with certainty.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh. In FIG. 8, the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh transmit and receive signals in a non-contact manner using the first and second antennas 14v and 14h on the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 side and a high frequency such as a UHF band. Antennas 152v and 152h and the IC circuit unit 151 connected to the dipole antennas 152v and 152h are provided.

  The IC circuit unit 151 rectifies the carrier wave received by the dipole antennas 152v and 152h, and a power source for accumulating the energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 153 to be used as a driving power source for the IC circuit unit 151. 154, a clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the dipole antennas 152v and 152h and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 155, and a memory unit that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal 157, the modulation / demodulation unit 158 connected to the dipole antennas 152v and 152h, the rectification unit 153, the clock extraction unit 156, the modulation / demodulation unit 158 and the like for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh. The above-described control unit 155 is provided.

  The modem 158 demodulates the communication signals received from the first and second antennas 14v and 14h of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 received by the dipole antennas 152v and 152h, and converts the response signal from the controller 155 into a response signal. Based on this, the carrier waves received from the dipole antennas 152v and 152h are modulated and reflected.

  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) show a tag label tape that has been read from or written to the RFID tag circuit element Toh and has been printed as described above from the base tape 101h provided with the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of the RFID label Th formed after the cutting of 110 h is completed, 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.

  9 (a), 9 (b), and 10, the RFID label Th includes one horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh. As shown in FIG. 10, the four layers shown in FIG. The structure is a five-layer structure in which a cover film 103 is added to the structure. From the cover film 103 side (upper side in FIG. 10) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 10), the cover film 103, adhesive layer 101ha, base The film 101hb, the adhesive layer 101hc, and the release paper 101hd constitute five layers. As described above, the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh including the dipole antenna 152h provided on the back side of the base film 101hb is provided in the adhesive layer 101hc and printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 (in this example, "RF-ID") is printed.

  11 (a) and 11 (b) show a tag label tape for reading and writing information and printing a RFID tag circuit element Tov as described above from a base tape 101v provided with a vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of the RFID label Tv formed after cutting of 110v, in which FIG. 11A is a top view and FIG. 11B is a bottom view. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XII-XII ′ cross section in FIG.

  11A, 11B, and 12, the RFID label Tv includes one vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov. As shown in FIG. 12, the four layers shown in FIG. The structure is a five-layer structure in which a cover film 103 is added to the structure, and has the same laminated structure as the RFID label Th including the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh. As described above, the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov is provided in the adhesive layer 101vc on the back side of the base film 101vb.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11A, the RFID label labels Th and Tv have a constant tape width W, and the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh are centered. It is created by cutting at a predetermined length L (L may be fixed or variable) in the tape transport direction in the arrangement to be positioned, and this cut label length L is one of the tag attribute parameters. The distance between the RFID tag circuit elements Tov and Toh is substantially the same.

  FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 53 when the RFID tag information communication device 2 as described above accesses (reads or writes) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh. It is a figure showing an example of a screen.

  In FIG. 13, in this example, the type of tag label (in this example, it is represented by the access frequency as the communication parameter information, the label length or the polarization plane information as the tag attribute parameter information, etc.), the RFID circuit The print character R printed corresponding to the element To, the access (read or write) ID that is an ID unique to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh, the address of the article information stored in the database 51, etc. It is displayed on the display unit 53 so as to be switchable.

  When the tag label is created, the RFID tag information communication device 2 is operated by the operation of the operation unit 52, the print character R is printed on the cover film 103, and the write ID and the write ID and the IC circuit unit 151 as described later. Information such as article information is written (or wireless tag information such as article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read). At this time, the conveyance guide 13 may be held in the access area to access (read or write) the printed tag label tape 110 that is moving in accordance with the printing operation, or the printed tag label tape may be accessed. The access may be performed in a state where 110 is stopped at a predetermined position and held by the conveyance guide 13. Further, at the time of reading or writing as described above, the ID of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh of the generated RFID label T and the information (or IC) written in the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh. The correspondence relationship with the information read from the circuit unit 151 is stored in the database 51 and can be referred to as necessary.

  Here, the greatest feature of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is that information is transmitted by radio communication with the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh of the RFID tag circuit elements Tov and Toh provided in the cartridges 100h and 100v, respectively. The first and second antennas 14v and 14h are configured to transmit and receive and switch the polarization planes Hdv and Hdh at the time of the transmission and reception. In particular, in this embodiment, the second antenna 14h The plane of polarization intersects the first antenna 14v, the second antenna 14h is a plane whose polarization plane Hdh includes the tape conveyance direction, and the polarization plane Hdv of the first antenna 14v is substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction. A second connection state in which the transmitter 32 is further connected to the second antenna 14h via the transmission / reception separator 34, and the transmitter 32. It lies in the a first connection state of connecting the first antenna 14v via the transmit-receive splitter 34 switchable.

  In this embodiment, the detected portion 190 provided in the cartridge 100 is provided with tag polarization information related to the directions of the polarization planes Htv and Hth of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh. It is also characterized by acquiring polarization information and switching the first connection state and the second connection state accordingly (switching the directions of the polarization planes Hdv and Hdh of the device-side antenna).

  FIG. 14 shows a process for producing the RFID label T performed in this way, after the cover film 103 is conveyed and the substrate tape 101 is bonded to the printed tag label tape 110 while performing predetermined printing with the print head 10. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 when the printed tag label tape 110 is cut to form the RFID label T.

  In FIG. 14, first, in step S <b> 105, this flow is started when an operation of reading (writing in a modified example described later) of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 is performed via the operation unit 52. The print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 10 is read by an input operation via the operation unit 52, and the communication parameter and tag attribute parameter (RFID circuit element) of the cartridge 100 detected by the sensor 20 are read. Parameter data relating to the polarization information of Tov and Toh is read (in the later-described modification in which information writing is performed, write information to be written to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh is also performed in this procedure. Read in).

  In the antenna switching process of step S300, the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element includes the cartridge 100 by the tag attribute parameter (polarization information of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh) read by the sensor 20. A first connection state in which the first antenna 14v is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34, and a selection signal is output to the antenna switch circuit 341 according to the determination. The second connection state in which 14h is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34 is switched.

  Specifically, when it is determined that the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh is included, that is, the polarization plane is a plane including the tape transport direction (polarization plane Hth), the second antenna 14h is transmitted and received. The second connection state connected to the separator 34 is switched, so that the polarization plane Hth of the tag-side antenna and the polarization plane Hdh of the apparatus-side antenna match.

  When it is determined that the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov is included, that is, the polarization plane is a plane orthogonal to the tape transport direction (polarization plane Htv), the first antenna 14v is The first connection state connected to the transmission / reception separator 34 is switched, so that the polarization plane Htv of the tag side antenna and the polarization plane Hdv of the apparatus side antenna match.

  Thereafter, in step S110, a variable N for counting the number of retries when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To 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. Thereby, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the pressure roller 107, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. At this time, the print signal generated in step S400 is output to the print drive circuit 25, the print head 10 is energized, and the characters, symbols, etc. read in step S105 are printed in a predetermined area of the cover film 103. R is printed. Further, a control signal is output to the delivery roller motor 28 via the delivery roller drive circuit 29, and the delivery roller 17A is rotationally driven. As a result, as described above, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the pressure roller 107 and the sub-roller 109 to form a tag label tape 110 with print, and the cartridge 100 It is conveyed outward.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the tag label tape 110 with print is transported to a predetermined value C (for example, the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh to which the cover film 103 with the corresponding printing applied is attached only to the transport guide 13). Judge whether it was transported by the distance). The conveyance distance at this time may be determined, for example, by detecting with a known tape sensor separately provided with an appropriate identification mark provided on the base tape 101 (for example, release paper 101 hd). If the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S200.

  In step S200, a tag information reading process is performed, an inquiry signal for reading is transmitted to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh, and a response signal including RFID tag information is received and read (see FIG. 15 described later for details). At this time, since the polarization planes Htv and Hth of the tag side antenna coincide with the polarization planes Hdv and Hdh of the device side antenna as described above in step S300, the signal transmission and reception in step S200 is reliably performed with high sensitivity. Done. 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 reading process is normally completed, F = 0 remains (see step S280 in the flow shown in FIG. 15 described later), so this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S130.

  In step S130, the combination of the information read from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh in step S200 and the print information already printed by the print head 10 corresponding thereto is stored in the database 51. Is remembered.

  Thereafter, in step S135, it is confirmed whether or not the printing on the area corresponding to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh that are the target of processing at this point in the cover film 103 is completed, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S125 described above, if the reading process is not normally completed for some reason, F = 1 is set (see step S280 in the flow shown in FIG. 15 to be described later). If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S137, where a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 25 to stop energization of the print head 10 and stop printing. As described above, the fact that the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh are not normal products is clearly displayed by stopping printing halfway, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the tag label tape 110 with print is further printed in a predetermined amount (for example, all of the target RFID circuit elements Tov, Toh and the corresponding print area of the cover film 103 have the cutter 15 with a predetermined length (blank space). It is judged whether or not it has been transported by the transport distance) that exceeds the amount). 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 cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 110 with print by the feed 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, all of the printable areas of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh and the cover film 103 corresponding to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh sufficiently exceed the cutter 15. The RFID tag label T in the form of a label on which the RFID tag information of the elements Tov and Toh is read and predetermined printing corresponding thereto is performed 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 until the RFID label T is no longer detected by the sensor 18. As a result, the conveyance by the delivery roller 17 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the form of a label in step S150 is conveyed toward the carry-out port 16, and further discharged from the carry-out port 16 to the outside of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2. Is done.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above.

In FIG. 15, first, in step S210, after printing the tag label tape 110 with print, the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh to be read information are
Of the first and second antennas 14v and 14h, the antenna is transported to the vicinity of the antenna connected to the transmitter / receiver separator 34 via the antenna switch circuit 341 in step S300.

Thereafter, in step S220, a “Scroll All ID” command is used to read information stored in the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh in accordance with predetermined communication parameters (such as the above-described frequency band and communication protocol) based on the cartridge information. Is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, the signal processing circuit 22 uses “Scroll” as access information.
An “All ID” signal is generated and transmitted to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh to be accessed via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply.

  Next, in step S230, a reply signal (wireless tag information such as article information or tag identification information ID) transmitted from the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh to be accessed in response to the “Scroll All ID” signal is transmitted to the antenna. 14 through the high-frequency circuit 21 and the signal processing circuit 22.

  Next, in step S240, it is determined using a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check, etc.) whether or not there is an error in the reply signal received in step S230.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S250, and 1 is added to N. Further, in step S260, N is a predetermined number of retries set in advance (in this example, 5 times. Other times may be set as appropriate). It is determined whether or not. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S220 and the same procedure is repeated. If N = 5, the process proceeds to step S270, where an error display signal is output to the display unit 53 to cause reading failure (error display). In step S280, the aforementioned flag F = 1 is set, and this flow ends. In this way, even if reading is unsuccessful, retry is performed up to a predetermined number of times (in this example, 5 times).

  When the determination in step S240 is satisfied, reading of the RFID tag information from the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh to be read is completed, and this flow is finished.

  Through the above routine, the RFID tag information of the IC circuit 151 can be accessed and read for the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh to be accessed in the cartridge 100.

  In the above, the first antenna 14v and the second antenna 14h transmit and receive information to and from the first tag side antenna of the RFID label circuit element for tag label according to each claim, and at the time of transmission / reception. A first device-side antenna unit configured to be able to switch the wavefront is configured.

  Further, the control circuit 30 and the signal processing circuit 22 constitute first access information generating means for generating first access information (such as a “Scroll All ID” signal) to the first IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element for tag label. . The transmitter 32 of the high-frequency circuit 21 transmits the first access information generated by the first access information generating means to the tag label radio circuit element in a non-contact manner via the first device-side antenna means, and the first IC circuit A first information transmission unit that accesses the unit is configured.

  Further, the switching connection means in which the antenna switch circuit 341 can switch between a first connection state in which the first information transmission means is connected to the first antenna and a second connection state in which the first information transmission means is connected to the second antenna. Configure.

  As described above, in the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the base tape 101 is fed out, and the “Scroll All ID” signal generated by the control circuit 30 and the signal processing circuit 22 is converted into a high frequency circuit. 21 is transmitted to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh provided on the base tape 101 via one of the first and second antennas 14v and 14h by the transmitting unit 32, and the IC circuit unit 151 is accessed. The tag label T is generated.

  When the RFID label T is produced from the base tape 101 in this way, the first and second antennas 14v and 14h, in which the polarization planes Hdv and Hdh are surfaces including a plane substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction and the tape transport direction, respectively. Any one of these is connected to the transmission unit 32 of the high-frequency circuit 21 so that the polarization planes Hdv and Hdh can be switched. Thereby, the first and second antennas 14v and 14h are switched and connected so that the polarization planes Hdv and Hdh are switched so as to match the polarization planes Htv and Hth of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh in the base tape 101. It becomes possible. Accordingly, even when the cartridge 100h including the base tape 101h on which the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh whose polarization plane is a plane including the tape conveyance direction is mounted, the polarization plane is the tape conveyance direction. Even when the cartridge 100v including the base tape 101v on which the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov, which is an orthogonal plane, is mounted, wireless communication is reliably performed with respect to the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh. be able to. As described above, wireless communication can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of polarization planes of the RFID circuit elements Tov and Toh in the base tape 101. Therefore, convenience is improved as compared with the conventional structure that can deal with only one polarization plane. Can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, an antenna capable of switching between a first connection state in which the transmission unit 32 of the high-frequency circuit 21 is connected to the first antenna 14v and a second connection state in which the transmission unit 32 is connected to the second antenna 14h. By having the switch circuit 341, the transmission unit 32 can be shared in both connection states, so that the circuit configuration can be simplified.

  The present invention can be further modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

(1) When switching two polarization planes intersecting with a single device-side antenna In the above embodiment, the second antenna 14h arranged parallel to the tape transport direction as the device-side antenna, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction By switching between the two antennas of the first antenna 14v disposed on the polarization plane Hdh, which is a plane including the tape conveyance direction, and the polarization plane Hdv orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction, the present invention performs switching. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the directions of two polarization planes Hdv and Hdh that intersect with a common single antenna may be selectively switched. Such a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 16 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a detailed structure of the RFID tag information communication apparatus according to this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 1 of the above embodiment. In FIG. 16, as described above, the common antenna (microstrip antenna) 14 ′ is connected to the high frequency circuit 21, and this dual antenna 14 ′ is provided on the base tape 101. Signals are transmitted and received by radio communication using high-frequency waves in the UHF band, corresponding to both the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh and the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov.

  FIG. 17A is a side view showing the detailed structure of the dual-purpose antenna 14 ′, and FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view thereof. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the dual-purpose antenna 14 'includes a microstrip antenna element 14'A on one side (upper side in the figure) and a ground plane 14B' on the other side (lower side in the figure). And a dielectric 14′C in the middle so as to be sandwiched between them.

  Through holes 14'Ba and 14'Ca are respectively provided at two locations in the radial direction of the ground plane 14'B and the dielectric 14'C. Then, one end of the microstrip line 50 is connected to the polarization plane changeover switch 350 (polarization plane control means) as a feed line to the dual-purpose antenna 14 '(see FIG. 19 described later) connected to the high frequency circuit 21C. Two feed lines 50A connected so as to be branched from the polarization plane changeover switch 350 are feed points P1 provided at two locations of the microstrip antenna element 14'A through the through holes 14'Ba and 14'Ca, respectively. It extends to P2 and is connected.

  FIG. 18A is a perspective view showing a schematic top structure of the microstrip antenna element 14′A and the dielectric 14′C, and FIG. 18B is a perspective view showing a schematic bottom structure of the ground plane 14′B. is there. FIG. 18C is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical connection relationship between the dual-purpose antenna 14 'and the high-frequency circuit 21C.

  18 (a) to 18 (c), on the antenna element 14'A, a polarization plane Hdh corresponding to communication with the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh is provided as the two feeding points P described above. A first polarization feeding point P1 for generating the dual antenna 14 'and a second polarization for generating the polarization plane Hdv corresponding to the communication to the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov in the dual antenna 14'. A wave feed point P2 is provided.

  FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing the detailed structure of the high-frequency circuit 21C, and corresponds to FIG. 5 of the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 18C, the high frequency circuit 21 </ b> C includes the polarization plane changeover switch 350 that is switched by a switching signal from the control circuit 30. When the polarization plane changeover switch 350 is switched to the first polarization side in FIG. 18A, the high frequency signal from the high frequency circuit transmission unit 32 is guided to the first polarization feed point P1, and the horizontal antenna type radio tag. While the first polarization plane Hdh suitable for transmission / reception with the circuit element Toh is generated, when switched to the second polarization side in FIG. 18 (a), the high frequency signal is guided to the second polarization feed point P2 and vertically A second polarization plane Hdv suitable for transmission / reception with the antenna-type RFID circuit element Tov (substantially orthogonal to the first polarization plane Hdh) is generated.

  In this modification, the first antenna plane Hdh generated by feeding to the first polarization feeding point P1 is supported by the conveyance guide 13 in the access area. The plane of polarization is substantially parallel to the plane of polarization Hth of the Toh dipole antenna 152h (= both are surfaces including the tape transport direction) and is substantially orthogonal to the plane of polarization Htv of the dipole antenna 152v of the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov. The second polarization plane Hdv generated by feeding to the second polarization feeding point P2 is caused by the dipole antenna 152h of the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh supported by the transport guide 13 in the access area. It is configured so as to be substantially orthogonal to the polarization plane Hth and substantially parallel to the polarization plane Htv by the dipole antenna 152v of the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov (= both are substantially orthogonal to the tape transport direction). Thereby, since the transmission part 32 can be shared in both cases, a circuit structure can be simplified.

(2) When switching two orthogonal antenna planes and switching between two orthogonal polarization planes and a combined polarization plane having a predetermined angle with respect to them, in the above embodiment, the apparatus side antenna is arranged parallel to the tape transport direction. By switching between the second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction so that only one of them operates in the tape transport direction, the tape transport direction is included. The polarization plane Hdh, which is a plane, and the polarization plane Hdv, which is substantially orthogonal to the tape transport direction, are switched to generate only one. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes the tape transport direction by switching the two antennas, ie, the first antenna 14v and the second antenna 14h, so that they operate in either one or both of the antennas. In addition to the polarization plane Hdh that is a plane and the polarization plane Hdv orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction, the polarization plane Hdi that forms a predetermined angle with the tape conveyance direction may be selectively switched. Such a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram conceptually showing the arrangement of the polarization planes of the tilted antenna type RFID circuit element Toi provided on the base tape, which is the communication target of the present modification, and is shown in FIG. 4 of the above embodiment. It is an equivalent figure. In FIG. 20, an elongated dipole antenna (first tag antenna) 152i for transmitting and receiving information is provided in an arrangement (inclined arrangement) that forms a predetermined angle in the tape transport direction of the base tape 101i, and is connected to this. An IC circuit part (first IC circuit part) 151 for storing information is formed, and these constitute an inclined antenna type RFID circuit element Toi.

  For this reason, the direction of the polarization plane Hti generated by the dipole antenna 152i is arranged to form a predetermined angle in the tape transport direction (the predetermined angle is formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction) (however, FIG. Shows the polarization plane conceptually). When the polarization plane Hti has a sufficient crossing angle with respect to both the tape transport direction and the direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction, the first and second antennas 14v and 14h as in the above embodiment are used. Insufficient communication signal strength can be obtained. Therefore, a device-side antenna capable of generating the polarization plane Hdi having the predetermined angle in the tape transport direction is required.

  In this modification, a combination antenna 114 configured by combining the first and second antennas 14v and 14h is provided (refer to FIG. 21 to be described later), whereby the polarization plane Hdh, which is a plane including the tape conveyance direction, and the tape conveyance direction. In addition to the plane of polarization Hdv that is substantially orthogonal to the plane of polarization, the plane of polarization Hdi that forms a predetermined angle with the tape transport direction is also selectively switched.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram conceptually showing the arrangement of the polarization planes that can be generated, representing the configuration of the combination antenna 114 on the RFID tag information communication apparatus side. In FIG. 21, the combination antenna 114 is provided in such a manner that the second antenna 14h parallel to the tape transport direction and the first antenna 14v in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction are overlapped and the respective centers coincide with each other. It has a configuration. The second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v are both connected to a polarization plane angle switch 360 (for example, provided in the high frequency circuit 21), and only the second antenna 14h is transmitted / received by a switching signal from the control circuit 30. A second connection state in which a polarization plane Hdh, which is a plane including the tape conveyance direction, is connected to the separator 34, and a polarization plane Hdv that is only orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction when only the first antenna 14v is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34. And a third connection state in which both the second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v are both connected to the transmission / reception separator 34 and synthesize a polarization plane Hdi having a predetermined angle in the tape transport direction. (However, the plane of polarization is conceptually shown in the figure).

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of the polarization plane angle switch 360. In FIG. 22, the polarization plane angle switch 360 includes three three-point selector switches SW1, SW2, SW3 and a coupler 55. The three-point switch SW1, SW2, SW3 is a switch for switching any one of the three connection contacts Ca, Cb, Cc to one base point Co by a switching signal from the control circuit 30, respectively. The coupler 55 includes one common terminal C0 and two branch terminals C1 and C2. The high-frequency signal input from the common terminal C0 is distributed in-phase to the branch terminals C1 and C2, or any one of the branch terminals C1 and C2. The high-frequency signal input from is output only to the common terminal C0.

  In the three-point selector switch SW1, the base point Co is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34, the connection terminal Ca is connected to the vertical antenna line Lv, the connection terminal Cb is connected to the common terminal C0 of the coupler 55, and the connection terminal Cc is It is connected to the horizontal antenna line Lh. In the three-point selector switch SW2, the base point Co is connected to the second antenna 14h in the combination antenna 114, the connection terminal Ca is connected to the branch terminal C1 of the coupler 55, and the connection terminal Cb is connected to the horizontal antenna line Lh. The connection terminal Cc is grounded via the resistor Rh. Further, in the three-point selector switch SW3, the base point Co is connected to the first antenna 14v in the combination antenna 114, the connection terminal Ca is connected to the vertical antenna line Lv, and the connection terminal Cb is connected to the branch terminal C2 of the coupler 55. The connection terminal Cc is grounded via the resistor Rv.

  Here, for the coupler 55, for example, a Wilkinson coupler is preferably used. Although not specifically illustrated, this Wilkinson coupler is configured by an impedance matching circuit using a microstrip line, and avoids interference between the first and second antennas 14v and 14h while matching input and output impedances. However, the two first and second antennas 14v and 14h and the high-frequency circuit 21 can be coupled.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between combinations of switching connections in the three three-point selector switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 and the polarization planes Hdv, Hdh, and Hdi generated thereby. In FIG. 23, the switch SW1 is switched to the connection terminal Cc, the switch SW2 is switched to the connection terminal Cb, and the switch SW3 is switched to the connection terminal Cc, whereby the transmission / reception separator 34 is directly connected only to the second antenna 14h. A state is reached (see FIG. 22 above), and the polarization plane Hdh can be generated.

  Also, the switch SW1 is switched to the connection terminal Ca, the switch SW2 is switched to the connection terminal Cc, and the switch SW3 is switched to the connection terminal Ca, so that the transmission / reception separator 34 is directly connected only to the first antenna 14v. (See FIG. 22 above), a polarization plane Hdv can be generated.

  Further, the switch SW1 is switched to the connection terminal Cb, the switch SW2 is switched to the connection terminal Ca, and the switch SW3 is switched to the connection terminal Cb, whereby the transmission / reception separator 34 is connected to the second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v via the coupler 55. Thus, a polarization plane Hdi having a predetermined angle in the tape transport direction can be synthesized.

  The antenna switching process (corresponding to step S300 in FIG. 14 in the above embodiment) performed by the control circuit in this modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of antenna switching processing executed by the control circuit 30 of the present modification.

  In FIG. 24, first, in step S305 ′, based on the tag polarization information read in step S105 of FIG. 14, whether or not the polarization plane generated by the antennas 152i and 152i is the polarization plane Hth that is a plane including the tape transport direction. (In other words, whether or not it is a lateral antenna type RFID circuit element Toh). When the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S310 ′, and a switching signal is output to the polarization plane angle switch 360 so as to be in the second connection state in which the transmission / reception separator 34 is directly connected only to the second antenna 14h. End the flow.

  On the other hand, if the determination is not satisfied in step S305 ′, the process proceeds to step S315 ′, and whether or not the polarization plane generated by the tag side antenna is the polarization plane Htv substantially orthogonal to the tape transport direction (vertical antenna). Type RFID tag circuit element Tov). When the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S320 ′, and a switching signal is output to the polarization plane angle switch 360 so as to be in the first connection state in which the transmission / reception separator 34 is directly connected only to the first antenna 14v. End the flow.

  If the determination is not satisfied in step S315 ′, the process proceeds to step S325 ′, where the polarization plane generated by the tag side antenna is assumed to be the polarization plane Hti that forms a predetermined angle in the tape transport direction. A switching signal is output to the polarization plane angle switch 360 so as to be in the third connection state in which the device 34 is connected to the second antenna 14h and the first antenna 14v, and this flow is finished.

  In the modification described above, even when the polarization plane of the RFID circuit element is oblique, the device-side antenna can synthesize the polarization plane that matches this, so that wireless communication can be performed reliably. In addition, convenience can be improved.

  Note that the tilted antenna type RFID circuit element Toi shown in FIG. 20 can form the two dipole antennas 152i longer than the dipole antenna 152v of the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov. In comparison, the sensitivity of wireless communication can be increased. Further, the tag label Ti provided with the inclined antenna type RFID circuit element Toi has an advantage that the length in the label longitudinal direction can be shortened as compared with the tag label Th provided with the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh.

(3) Case where two orthogonal combined polarization planes are switched by overlapping two apparatus-side antennas and switching both phase differences The present modification is a combined antenna having a structure in which two linear antennas are stacked as the apparatus-side antenna By switching the phase of the signals input to the two linear antennas between the same phase and the opposite phase (phase difference is 180 °), the combined polarization plane that is substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction and the tape transport This is a case of using a combined antenna that is generated by selectively switching the combined polarization plane including the direction. Such a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. Parts equivalent to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the synthetic antenna 314 on the tag label device side. In FIG. 25, the synthetic antenna 314 includes a first antenna 214a configured with two linear dipole antennas 214aA and 214aB, and a second antenna 214b configured with two linear dipole antennas 214bA and 214bB. It has. The first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b are linear antennas having the same length, and both form the same predetermined angle with respect to the tape transport direction and are mutually in the tape transport direction (in top view as shown). It arrange | positions so that it may become symmetrical (line symmetry) about the parallel straight line Lp. Of the crossing angles formed by the first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b, the crossing angle X located on the tape longitudinal direction side is an acute angle, and the crossing angle Y located on the tape width direction side is an obtuse angle. ing.

  The first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b are both connected to an in-phase / anti-phase distributor 450 (provided in the high-frequency circuit 21 as described later), and the signal from the transmission / reception separator 34 is sent to both. Input distribution. When the signal is distributed and input, the fourth connection state in which the signals are distributed and input to the first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b by the switching signal from the control circuit 30 is distributed to the first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b. It switches to the 5th connection state to input.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram conceptually showing the arrangement of the polarization planes generated in the fourth connection state and the fifth connection state in the combined antenna 314, respectively. In FIG. 26, in the fourth connection state in which signals having the same phase are distributed and input to the first and second antennas 214a and 214b, the virtual vertical antenna is positioned at the center of the obtuse angle crossing angle Y between the first and second antennas 214a and 214b. 214d is combined, that is, the combined antenna 314 functions as an antenna in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tape transport direction. Thereby, in the fourth connection state, a combined polarization plane Hdv substantially orthogonal to the tape conveyance direction is generated (however, the polarization plane is conceptually shown in the figure).

  In the fifth connection state in which signals having opposite phases are distributed and input to the first and second antennas 214a and 214b, the virtual horizontal antenna 214c is located at the center of the acute angle X between the first and second antennas 214a and 214b. In other words, the combined antenna 314 functions as an antenna that is parallel to the tape transport direction. As a result, a combined polarization plane Hdh that is a plane including the tape conveyance direction is generated in the fifth connection state (the polarization plane is conceptually shown in the figure).

  FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram showing the detailed structure of the high-frequency circuit 21D, and corresponds to FIG. 5 of the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 25, the high frequency circuit 21 </ b> D includes the in-phase / anti-phase distributor 450 that is switched by a switching signal from the control circuit 30. As an internal configuration of the in-phase / anti-phase distributor 450, for example, by inserting a waveguide having a length half the wavelength of a signal into one input line, the line length corresponding to half the wavelength between the other input line is used. A configuration in which a difference input is generated, and distribution inputs having opposite phases to each other can be applied.

  In the modification described above, the fifth connection state of the reverse phase distribution input is set for the horizontal antenna type RFID circuit element Toh that generates the polarization plane Hth that is a plane including the tape conveyance direction, and is substantially the same as the tape conveyance direction. By adopting the fourth connection state of the in-phase distribution input for the vertical antenna type RFID circuit element Tov that generates the orthogonal polarization plane Htv, wireless communication can be reliably performed in any case. As a result, the high-frequency transmitter 32 can be shared in both cases, so that the circuit configuration can be simplified. In addition, by appropriately controlling the phase shift and amplitude to be combined, it is possible to arrange the first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b in a manner that intersects at a predetermined angle instead of being orthogonal to each other. It is also possible to change the area width of the resultant polarization plane between the fourth connection state and the fifth connection state.

  Furthermore, since the first antenna 214a and the second antenna 214b can be arranged so as to intersect at a predetermined angle, both the first and second antennas 214a and 214b are bent and deformed (see the first antenna 14v in FIG. 6). There is an advantage that the antenna can be formed to a length that can provide sufficient sensitivity without any problem, and that both antennas can be arranged within the tape width.

(4) In the case of sensorless in which the tag polarization information holding unit is not provided in the cartridge In the above embodiment, the detected portion (tag polarization information) provided in the cartridge 100 by the sensor 20 provided in the apparatus main body 8 of the label producing apparatus 2. The tag attribute parameter (parameter data) including the tag polarization information is detected from the holding unit) 190, and the two first and second antennas 14v and 14h are switched according to the tag polarization information. Is not limited to this. That is, with respect to the RFID circuit element To included in the base tape 101, the cartridge is based on the response signal read by sequentially switching the polarization plane of the device side antenna (with the polarization plane of the tag side antenna still unknown). The device side antenna to be used and the plane of polarization thereof may be determined. Such a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. Parts equivalent to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 30 in creating the RFID label T in the present modification, and corresponds to FIG. 14 in the above embodiment. This modified example is assumed to have the same hardware configuration as the second modified example including the combination antenna 114.

  In FIG. 28, the only difference from the flowchart of FIG. 14 is that only the print information is read in step S105 and that the polarization plane detection process is performed in step S400 following step S120 without performing the antenna switching process in step S300. It is. When the RFID tag circuit element To included in the base tape 101 is positioned in the vicinity of the combination antenna 114 by the tape conveyance in Step S120, the polarization plane detection processing in Step S400 is performed, whereby the deviation of the RFID tag circuit element To is detected. The wavefront is detected (in other words, it is detected which one is the RFID circuit element Tov, Toh, Toi, etc.), and wireless communication can be performed by switching to the optimum device-side antenna.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of polarization plane detection processing executed by the control circuit of this modification. In FIG. 29, first, in step S405, the polarization plane angle switch 360 is switched by a switching signal from the control circuit 30 to set the second connection state in which only the second antenna 14h is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34.

In step S410, the information stored in the RFID circuit element To is read out.
The “All ID” command is output to the signal processing circuit 22. Based on this, a “Scroll All ID” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 22 and transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed via the high frequency circuit 21 to prompt a reply.

  Thereafter, in step S415, if there is a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed corresponding to the “Scroll All ID” signal, the signal is received via the antenna 14, and the strength of the reply signal is received. Is received from the RSSI circuit 48 in the receiving unit 33 (see FIG. 5 and the like) and stored.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S420, in which the polarization plane angle switch 360 is further switched by a switching signal from the control circuit 30, so that only the first antenna 14v is connected to the transmission / reception separator 34.

Then, the process proceeds to step S425, and “Scroll All” is performed as in step S410.
ID ”signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To to be accessed, and in the next step S430, if there is a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To as in the above step S415, the signal is received, Capture and save RSSI signals.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S435, where the polarization plane angle switch 360 is further switched by a switching signal from the control circuit 30, and a third connection state is established in which both the first and second antennas 14v and 14h are connected to the transmission / reception separator 34. .

Then, the process proceeds to step S440, and “Scroll All” is performed as in step S410.
ID ”signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To to be accessed, and in the next step S445, if there is a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To as in step S415, the signal is received, Capture and save RSSI signals.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S450, and the RSSI signal having the largest value is selected by comparing the three RSSI signals stored in steps S415, S430, and S445. Then, in the next step S455, the polarization plane angle switch 360 is switched so as to be in a connection state corresponding to the selected RSSI signal, and this flow is finished.

  In the present modification described above, the RSSI indicating the strength of the reply signal is received by performing the wireless communication while receiving the reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To while sequentially switching the polarization plane of the device-side antenna to a plurality. Capture and save the signal. At this time, for example, there is a difference in the behavior of each reply signal when the plane of polarization of the device-side antenna matches the plane of polarization of the RFID circuit elements Tov, Toh, Toi. In this modification, this property is used, and the polarization plane determining means (corresponding to step S450 described above) determines the polarization plane of the corresponding device-side antenna based on each response signal in each polarization plane. That is, by selecting the polarization plane of the device-side antenna corresponding to the largest one among the RSSI signals, it is possible to switch the polarization plane so as to match the tag polarization plane.

  In the polarization plane detection process in step S400, when wireless communication is performed with the RFID circuit element To, radio tag information (tag ID, etc.) other than the tag polarization information can be acquired sufficiently, and this is sufficient. The tag information reading process in step S200 thereafter can be omitted.

(5) In the case where the cartridge identification RFID circuit element for holding the tag polarization information is provided in the cartridge In the above embodiment, the detected portion (provided in the cartridge 100) by the sensor 20 including the mechanical switch that detects the uneven shape. Although the tag attribute parameter (parameter data) including the tag polarization information is detected from the tag polarization information holding unit 190, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a cartridge identification RFID circuit element including a second IC circuit unit that holds tag polarization information and a second tag antenna is provided in the main body of the cartridge 100, and is provided in the device main body 8 of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 2. Alternatively, the tag polarization information may be read by the third antenna (second device side antenna means).

  In such a modified example, more parameter data (including tag polarization information) can be reliably obtained than a sensor using a mechanical switch or an optical sensor, and the operator's effort is not required. Improves. The third antenna may be configured in common with the first and second antennas 14v and 14h, or may be configured as an independent antenna.

(6) Others (A) When information is written In the above description, the case where the process of reading information from the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov, Toh, Toi has been described as an example. The present invention may be applied to the RFID tag information communication device of the RFID label T provided with the RFID circuit elements Tov, Toh, Toi capable of writing information. In this case, the same effect is obtained. In the present invention, the configuration for printing on the base tape 101 is not indispensable, and the same effect can be obtained only by reading or writing information with respect to the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit elements Tov, Toh, Toi.

(B) Type that is not a cartridge with a built-in roll In the above, the cartridge 100 is provided with the first roll 102 wound with the base tape 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To, and various cartridges 100 are attached to and detached from the cartridge holder. Although the case where it was freely mounted was described as an example, it is not limited to this. That is, instead of such a cartridge structure, the first tape 102 may be directly attached to a predetermined portion (roll holder) of the apparatus main body 8 and the base tape 101 may be fed out. The tray member is not limited to a roll, and stores a plurality of flat paper-like label materials each formed with one or several RFID circuit elements To in a stacking direction (so-called stack type). Is attached to a predetermined portion (tray holder, tag tape holder) of the apparatus main body 8, the label material taken out from the tray member is conveyed, and information is read to the RFID circuit element To provided in the label material or You may make it write. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

(C) In the case where bonding is not performed In other words, as described above, when printing is performed on the cover film 103 different from the tag tape (base tape) 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To, and these are bonded together. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a wireless tag information communication apparatus that performs printing on a cover film provided on a tag tape. In this case, the RFID tag circuit element To is provided on the tape to be printed, but a thermal tape can also be used as the tape. Also in this case, the same effect as the above embodiment is obtained.

(D) In the case of forming a network Further, in the above embodiment and each modification, the wireless tag information communication device 2 includes the database 51 and is an example of a stand-alone type that can store and retrieve necessary information independently. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the RFID tag information communication device 2 includes an interface, and a RFID tag is connected to a route server, a terminal, a general-purpose computer, and a plurality of information servers via a wired or wireless communication line The present invention may be applied to a system. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

  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.

It is a conceptual block diagram showing the detailed structure of the radio | wireless tag information communication apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of a cartridge provided with the base tape which formed the horizontal antenna type | mold RFID circuit element as an example of a cartridge. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of a cartridge provided with the base tape in which the vertical antenna type | mold RFID tag circuit element was formed as an example of a cartridge. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the arrangement | positioning of the polarization plane of each tag side antenna of the horizontal antenna type | mold RFID tag circuit element and vertical antenna type | mold RFID tag circuit element provided in the base tape. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of a high frequency circuit. It is the figure which showed notionally the detailed structure of the 1st antenna by the side of a wireless tag information communication apparatus, and a 2nd antenna. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of a structure of the sensor which detects the parameter data of a cartridge. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the top view and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the RFID tag label provided with the horizontal antenna type | mold radio | wireless circuit element. FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line XX ′ in FIG. 9. It is the top view and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the RFID tag label provided with the vertical antenna type | mold radio | wireless circuit element. FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken along the XII-XII ′ section in FIG. 11. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on a display part in the case of access of wireless tag information. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by a control circuit at the time of preparation of a RFID label. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 in FIG. It is a notional block diagram showing the detailed structure of a RFID tag information communication apparatus in a modification in which two polarization planes intersecting with a single apparatus-side antenna are switched. It is the side view and sectional drawing showing the detailed structure of a combined use antenna. It is the perspective view showing the upper surface schematic structure of a combined antenna, and explanatory drawing showing the electrical connection relation. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed structure of a high frequency circuit. The figure which showed notionally the arrangement | positioning of the polarization plane of the inclination antenna type | mold RFID tag circuit element provided in the base tape in the modification which switches two orthogonal polarization planes and the synthetic | combination polarization plane which makes a predetermined angle with respect to them It is. It is a figure showing the composition of a combination antenna and showing notionally the arrangement of the polarization plane which can be generated. It is a figure showing the detailed structure of the polarization plane angle switch. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the combination of the switching connection in three three-point selector switches, and the three polarization planes produced by it. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the antenna switching process performed by the control circuit of the modification produced by switching three polarization planes. It is a figure showing the structure of a synthetic | combination antenna in the modification which switches two orthogonal synthetic | combination polarization planes by switching the phase difference of two signals. It is the figure which showed notionally the arrangement | positioning of the polarization plane which arises in a 4th connection state and a 5th connection state in a synthetic | combination antenna, respectively. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed structure of the said high frequency circuit. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by a control circuit at the time of preparation of a RFID label in the modification which does not provide a tag polarization information holding | maintenance part in a cartridge. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the polarization plane detection process performed by the control circuit in the modification which does not provide a tag polarization information holding | maintenance part in a cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

2 RFID tag information communication device 14h Second antenna (first device side antenna means)
14v first antenna (first device side antenna means)
20 sensor (cartridge side identifier detection means)
21 High-frequency circuit (first information transmission means)
22 Signal processing circuit (first access information generating means)
32 Transmitter (first information transmitter)
100 cartridge (wireless tag cartridge)
101 Base tape (tag tape)
102 1st roll (tag tape roll)
151 IC circuit section 152 Dipole antenna (first tag side antenna)
190 Detected part (cartridge side identifier)
To wireless tag circuit element Toh wireless tag circuit element Toi wireless tag circuit element Tov wireless tag circuit element

Claims (22)

A tag for detachably installing a tag tape on which a plurality of tag label RFID tag circuit elements having a first IC circuit unit for storing information and a first tag antenna connected to the first IC circuit unit are arranged A tape holder, and
First device side antenna means configured to transmit and receive information by wireless communication with the first tag side antenna of the tag label RFID circuit element, and to be able to switch the polarization plane at the time of transmission and reception;
First access information generating means for generating first access information to the first IC circuit unit of the tag label RFID circuit element;
The first access information generated by the first access information generation means is transmitted to the RFID label circuit element for tag label in a non-contact manner via the first device-side antenna means, and access to the first IC circuit section is performed. First information transmitting means to perform;
A wireless tag information communication apparatus comprising: The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The wireless tag information communication apparatus, wherein the tag tape installation holder is a tag tape roll installation holder for detachably installing a tag tape roll around which the tag tape is wound. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The wireless tag information communication apparatus, wherein the tag tape roll installation holder is a cartridge holder to which a wireless tag cartridge having a tag tape roll around which the tag tape is wound is detachable. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first apparatus-side antenna means includes a first antenna and a second antenna whose plane of polarization intersects with the first antenna. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 4,
The first antenna is provided at least in the vicinity of the tag tape transport path so that the plane of polarization thereof is a surface substantially perpendicular to the tag tape transport direction;
The RFID tag information communication apparatus, wherein the second antenna is provided at least in the vicinity of a transport path of the tag tape so that a plane of polarization thereof is substantially parallel to a transport direction of the tag tape. . The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 5,
Switching connection means capable of switching between at least two states of a first connection state in which the first information transmission means is connected to the first antenna and a second connection state in which the first information transmission means is connected to the second antenna. A wireless tag information communication apparatus comprising: The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 6,
The switching connection means connects the first information transmission means to both the first antenna and the second antenna substantially simultaneously, and a combined polarization plane of the first antenna and the second antenna is predetermined with respect to the transport direction of the tag tape. The wireless tag information communication apparatus is configured to be switchable to a third connection state having an angle of. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 4,
The first information transmitting means is connected to both the first antenna and the second antenna in the same phase, and the combined polarization plane of the first and second antennas is substantially perpendicular to the carrying direction of the tag tape; The fourth connection state to be achieved and the first information transmitting means are connected in opposite phases to each other between the first antenna and the second antenna, and the combined polarization plane of the first and second antennas is the tag tape. A wireless tag information communication apparatus, comprising: a combination switching unit capable of switching between a fifth connection state so as to be a plane including the transport direction of the first tag. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first device-side antenna means selectively selects a polarization plane as a first polarization plane that is substantially orthogonal to the tag tape transport direction and a second polarization plane that includes the tag tape transport direction. A radio tag information communication apparatus, characterized in that it is a switchable single antenna. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
An RFID tag information communication apparatus comprising polarization plane control means for controlling a polarization plane by the single antenna. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first device side antenna means has a fixed plane of polarization,
An RFID tag information communication apparatus comprising an antenna driving means for changing a polarization plane of the first apparatus-side antenna means. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The first device side antenna means includes tag polarization information relating to a polarization plane of a first tag side antenna connected to the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape of the RFID tag cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder. Accordingly, the polarization plane at the time of transmission / reception is switched accordingly. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 12,
The RFID tag information communication apparatus, wherein the tag polarization information is provided in a tag polarization information holding unit of the RFID tag cartridge. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 13,
The tag polarization information holding unit is a cartridge-side identifier provided in the wireless tag cartridge and including the tag polarization information,
A wireless tag information communication device comprising cartridge-side identifier detecting means for detecting the cartridge-side identifier. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 13,
The tag polarization information holding unit is a tape-side identifier provided on the tag tape and including the tag polarization information,
A wireless tag information communication apparatus comprising a tape-side identifier detecting means for detecting the tape-side identifier. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 13,
The tag polarization information holding unit is provided in the radio tag cartridge, and includes a second IC circuit unit holding cartridge identification information and a second tag side antenna connected to the second IC circuit unit. A tag circuit element,
Second apparatus side antenna means for transmitting and receiving information by wireless communication with the second tag side antenna of the cartridge identification RFID circuit element;
Second access information generating means for generating second access information to the second IC circuit portion of the cartridge identification RFID circuit element;
The second access information generated by the second access information generating means is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element for cartridge identification in a non-contact manner via the second device-side antenna means to access the second IC circuit section. A wireless tag information communication apparatus, comprising: a second information transmission means for performing The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The polarization plane of the first device-side antenna unit is switched to a plurality of planes, and in each polarization plane, the first tag circuit side from the first IC circuit unit according to the first access information transmitted from the first information transmission unit An information receiving means for receiving the response signal transmitted through the antenna by the first apparatus side antenna means in a non-contact manner, and reading each of them;
An RFID tag information communication apparatus, comprising: a polarization plane determination unit that determines the polarization plane of the corresponding first apparatus side antenna unit based on a response signal read by the information reception unit in each polarization plane. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 17,
The polarization plane deciding means determines the polarization plane of the first device side antenna means when receiving a response signal having the highest signal strength among the signal strengths of the response signals read by the information receiving means in each polarization plane. An RFID tag information communication apparatus, characterized in that a wavefront is determined. A plurality of tag label RFID circuit elements each having a first IC circuit unit for storing information and a first tag antenna connected to the first IC circuit unit are wound around a tag tape. A wireless tag cartridge configured to be detachable from a wireless tag information communication device for storing a tag tape roll and creating a tag label using the tag tape fed out from the tag tape roll,
An RFID tag cartridge comprising: a tag polarization information holding unit that holds tag polarization information related to a polarization plane of the tag label RFID circuit element in the tag tape. The wireless tag cartridge according to claim 19,
The RFID tag cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tag polarization information holding unit is a cartridge-side identifier provided in a housing and including the tag polarization information. The wireless tag cartridge according to claim 19,
The RFID tag cartridge, wherein the tag polarization information holding unit is a tape-side identifier provided on the tag tape and including the tag polarization information. The wireless tag cartridge according to claim 19,
The tag polarization information holding unit is provided in a housing, and includes a second IC circuit unit that holds cartridge identification information and a second tag side antenna connected to the second IC circuit unit. An RFID tag cartridge which is an element.

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