JP4716163B2 - Tag label making device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a RFID label capable of wireless communication of information with the outside.

  An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads / writes information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device) is known. 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, it is possible to access (read / write information) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit section from the reader / writer side, product management, inspection process, etc. Practical use is expected in various fields.

  Such a radio tag is usually formed by providing a radio frequency circuit element on a label-like material, and this tag label is often affixed to a target article or the like for classification and organization of various documents and articles, for example. . In addition, for the management of this wireless tag, it is very convenient to print character information together with the tag itself. In response to this, a tag label producing apparatus that performs both reading / writing of information on a wireless tag and printing on a tag has been proposed.

  For example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known as such a tag label producing apparatus. In this prior art, when a strip-shaped tape (continuous label paper) with rectangular labels attached at predetermined intervals is fed out from a roll (roll paper) and transported through a transport path (printing means (inkjet recording head)). The predetermined print information is printed on the surface of the label. The printed label is then transported downstream in the transport direction, and predetermined RFID tag communication information generated on the device side corresponding to the printed printing information is transmitted to the antenna of the RFID circuit element provided on the label. The RFID tag label is completed by sequentially writing in the IC circuit portion (IC chip) connected to the antenna.

JP 2003-208573 A

  In recent years, with the expansion of the use of wireless tags, a wide variety of uses are desired, and there is a need to create labels with various print modes.

  However, in the above prior art, since the size (length) of the label including the RFID circuit element is fixed, for example, when the number of characters to be printed is reduced to some extent, a blank portion which is a printed portion with respect to the label length. Become more. As a result, if the number of characters is short, the general request of the operator (user) who wants to shorten the length of the label can not be met, and the operator can cut the label manually after creating the label. Or, it was necessary to put up with a normal length label that was not short, which reduced convenience.

  In addition to the need for the number of print characters, depending on the application, it may be possible to shorten the label length of the tag label regardless of the number of print characters.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a tag label producing apparatus capable of easily producing a short label corresponding to the needs desired by an operator and improving convenience.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the first invention includes a device-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged on a tag tape at a predetermined pitch. Access information to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is generated, transmitted to the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna, and information writing to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element or the IC circuit part An information access means for reading information from a drive; a drive means for feeding out the tag tape; and the tag tape fed out by the drive means, comprising the RFID circuit element and having a longitudinal dimension larger than the predetermined pitch. and a cutting position determining means for determining a generation cleavage position a small label, the cutting position determining means, said longitudinal dimension of said label is selected The cutting position is determined so that the predetermined value is obtained, and the driving means discharges the portion of the tag tape whose longitudinal dimension is the selected predetermined value to the outside as the tag label. In addition, a surplus portion of the difference between the predetermined pitch and the selected predetermined value is associated with the tag label and discharged to the outside of the apparatus .

Information is written to or read from the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag tape by the information access means via the device-side antenna. Here, in the first invention of the present application, when determining the cutting position for creating the RFID label from the tag tape provided with such a written or read RFID tag circuit element, the cutting position determining means includes the tag label The cutting position can be determined such that the longitudinal dimension is smaller than the arrangement pitch of the RFID tag circuit elements of the tag tape. Thus, regardless of the arrangement pitch of the RFID circuit elements on the tag tape, the cutting position is determined at an appropriate position so as to be a short tag label corresponding to the needs of the operator, and the cutting is easily performed. Short tag labels can be created. Therefore, convenience can be improved.
Further, the cutting position determining means determines the cutting position so that the longitudinal dimension of the tag label becomes the selected predetermined value. Thus, for example, the cutting position can be determined so that the tag label always has the same length regardless of whether the printing amount is large or small. For example, when the size of the place to be pasted is fixed (for a file of a predetermined standard) It is possible to easily create a convenient label for a back cover label, a video cassette label, a storage medium label, and the like.
Further, the driving means discharges the selected value portion of the tag tape as a tag label to the outside of the apparatus, and discharges the surplus portion to the outside of the apparatus in association with the tag label. This makes it possible to use the surplus portion of the tag tape as a storage label, a spare label, or the like associated with the tag label.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the second invention includes a device-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged at a predetermined pitch on a tag tape, Access information to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is generated, transmitted to the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna, and information writing to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element or the IC circuit part An information access means for reading information from a drive; a drive means for feeding out the tag tape; and the tag tape fed out by the drive means, comprising the RFID circuit element and having a longitudinal dimension larger than the predetermined pitch. Cutting position determining means for determining a cutting position capable of generating a small tag label, and a cutting hand for detecting the cutting position and cutting the tag tape at the position. And a stop control means for stopping the feeding operation by the driving means when it is detected that the cutting means is at a position substantially opposite to the cutting position of the tag tape, and writing to the IC circuit section on the tag tape. Information printing means for performing printing related to the read information or the read information, and the cutting position determination means avoids the arrangement position of the RFID circuit element in the tag tape, and the information The cutting position is determined according to the amount of print information to be printed by a printing means, and the driving means discharges the portion of the tag tape on the tape front side from the cutting position as the tag label to the outside of the apparatus, and An excess portion of a difference between the predetermined pitch and the length of the tape front end portion is associated with the tag label and discharged to the outside of the apparatus .

By determining the cutting position so as to avoid the position of the RFID tag circuit element on the tag tape, it is possible to prevent the RFID tag circuit element from being damaged at the time of cutting, and the function of the wireless tag from being hindered. .

Moreover, the tag tape can be automatically cut at the cutting position by having the cutting means .

Further, when the tag tape is fed out by the driving means and the first or second cutting means is substantially opposed to the cutting position, the stop control means stops the driving means. Thus, the state odor Te, it is possible to cut the tag tape at the cutting position automatically by disconnecting means.

Further, by providing information printing means for performing printing related to information written to the IC circuit unit or information read on the tag tape , simple contents of the information written to the IC circuit unit or read information can be visually confirmed. Can be clarified.

The cutting position determining means determines the cutting position in accordance with the amount of print information printed by the information printing means. Accordingly, for example, when the printing amount is relatively small, the cutting position is determined so as to be a relatively short tag label, and when the printing amount is relatively large, the cutting position is determined so as to be a relatively long tag label. For example, the tag label length can be flexibly set according to the printing amount. Further, the drive means discharges the tag tape from the cutting position to the outside of the device as a tag label, and discharges the excess portion to the outside of the device in association with the tag label, thereby removing the excess portion of the tag tape. It can be used as a backup label, spare label, etc.

(3) The third invention is the above-mentioned first or second invention, wherein the boundary between the tag label and the excess part corresponding to the tag tape is half-cut into the middle in the thickness direction in the tag tape. It has the means.

  As a result, the tag label and the surplus part corresponding to the tag label can be discharged out of the apparatus in a partially connected state (with the association clearly defined), and the tag label can be easily separated or peeled off from the surplus part when the label is attached. Can be.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily create a short label corresponding to the needs desired by the operator and improve convenience.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a tag label producing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a tag label producing apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 2, a transparent resin upper cover 5, and a transparent resin tray 6 erected so as to face the front center of the upper cover 5. A power button 7 disposed on the front side of the tray 6, a cutter lever 9, an LED lamp (notification means) 34, and the like are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper cover 5 of the tag label producing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is removed.

  In FIG. 2, the tape holder 3 is accommodated in the tape holder accommodating portion 4. The tape holder 3 includes a positioning and holding member 12 and a guide member 20, and a tag tape 3A having a predetermined width is wound so as to be rotatable. That is, the guide member 20 as one side wall and the positioning and holding member 12 as the other side wall are provided on both sides of the tag tape 3A in the axial direction so as to be substantially orthogonal to the axis. Further, the upper cover 5 is attached to the rear upper end edge so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the upper side of the tape holder storage portion 4.

  Further, a holder support member 15 is provided at one side edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the tape holder storage portion 4, and the holder support member 15 has a substantially vertically long U shape as viewed from the front. A first positioning groove portion 16 is formed. The mounting member 13 that protrudes outward from the positioning and holding member 12 and is vertically narrow in the vertical direction formed so as to be narrow in the front view downward direction is narrow in the downward direction. The holder support member 15 is fitted into the first positioning groove 16 in close contact therewith. The protruding height of the mounting member 13 is formed to be substantially equal to the width of the first positioning groove 16.

  A lever 27 is provided at the front end in the transport direction of the other side edge of the tape holder housing 4. In the tag tape 3A, the RFID tag circuit element To including the IC circuit unit 150 and the antenna 151 is provided in the center in the width direction in this example.

  FIG. 3 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the tag tape 3A has a three-layer structure in this example (refer to a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3), and the opposite side (lower right in FIG. 3) from the side wound outward (upper left in FIG. 3). Side), the release paper 3a, the adhesive layer 3b, and a long thermal paper (so-called thermal paper) 3c having self-coloring properties are laminated in this order.

  In this example, an IC circuit unit 150 for storing information is integrally provided on the back side of the thermal paper 3c (upper left side in FIG. 3), and the IC circuit unit 150 is provided on the surface of the back side of the thermal paper 3c. An antenna 151 that is connected and transmits / receives information is formed, and the IC circuit unit 150 and the antenna 151 constitute a RFID circuit element To. The release paper 3a is bonded to the thermal paper 3c by the adhesive layer 3b on the back side of the thermal paper 3c (upper left in FIG. 3). The release paper 3a is configured such that when the finally completed RFID label T is affixed to a predetermined product or the like, it can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 3b by peeling it off.

  The power cord 10 is connected to one side end of the back surface of the main body housing 2.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX 'in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the tag tape 3A is wound around the core 3B in a roll shape. A tag tape roll body 100 is constituted by the tag tape 3A and the core 3B, and the tape holder 3 provided with the positioning holding member 12, the guide member 20, and the like.

  Between the positioning holding member 12 and the guide member 20, a substantially cylindrical holder shaft member 40 is provided so as to be disposed in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the core 3B. The holding member 12, the guide member 20, and the holder shaft member 40 constitute the tape holder 3.

  An engagement recess 15A is formed at the inner base end of the holder support member 15, and an elastic locking piece 12A protruding from the lower end of the positioning holding member 12 is engaged with the engagement recess 15A. ing.

  On the bottom surface of the tape holder storage portion 4, a positioning recess 4 </ b> A having a horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view is formed at a predetermined depth (for example, about 1.5 to 3 mm) from the inner base end portion of the holder support member 15 substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction. ). A control board 32 on which a control circuit unit for driving and controlling each mechanism unit according to a command from an external personal computer or the like is provided below the tape holder storage unit 4.

  The width dimension of the positioning recess 4A in the conveyance direction is formed to be substantially equal to the width dimension of the respective lower end edge portions of the positioning holding member 12 and the guide member 20 constituting the tape holder 3. In addition, a tape discriminating unit 60 (described later, also see FIGS. 11 to 13 described later) is provided at the inner base end of the holder support member 15 of the positioning recess 4A and extends from the lower end edge of the positioning holding member 12 in a substantially perpendicular inner direction. ) Is formed at a position opposite to ().

  The discriminating recess 4B has a rectangular shape in plan view that is vertically long in the transport direction, and is formed to be deeper by a predetermined depth (for example, about 1.5 to 3 mm) than the positioning recess 4A. The determination recess 4B is composed of a push-type micro switch or the like, and four tape determination sensors S1, S2, S3, S4 for determining the type of the tag tape 3A are provided in a substantially L shape in this example. Yes. Each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4 is a known mechanical switch composed of a plunger, a micro switch, and the like, and the upper end of each plunger extends from the bottom of the discrimination recess 4B to the bottom of the positioning recess 4A. It is provided so that it may protrude to the part vicinity. The tape discriminating sensors S1 to S4 detect whether or not each sensor hole (described later) of the tape discriminating section 60 is present, and the type of the tag tape 3A attached to the tape holder 3 is determined by the on / off signal. It comes to detect.

  5 (A) and 5 (B) are perspective views showing a state in which the upper cover 5 and the tag tape roll body 100 are removed from the tag label producing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is an expansion perspective view.

  5 (A) and 5 (B), a mounting portion 21 on which the tip portion of the guide member 20 constituting the tape holder 3 is mounted is provided. The placement portion 21 extends substantially horizontally from the rear end edge portion of the insertion port 18 for inserting the tag tape 3 </ b> A to the front upper end edge portion of the tape holder storage portion 4. The distal end portion of the guide member 20 is extended to the insertion port 18.

  Four second positioning grooves 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> D having a substantially L-shaped cross section corresponding to a plurality of width dimensions of the tag tape 3 </ b> A are formed at the edge corners on the rear side in the transport direction of the mounting portion 21. . Each of the second positioning groove portions 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> D is formed so that a part of a portion of the guide member 20 constituting the tape holder 3 that comes into contact with the placement portion 21 can be fitted from above. The positioning recess 4A described above is provided from the inner base end of the holder support member 15 to a position facing the second positioning groove 22A.

  The tag tape roll body 100 including the winding core 3B, the tag tape 3A, and the tape holder 3 is configured such that the mounting member 13 of the positioning member 12 is fitted into the first positioning groove portion 16 of the holder support member 15 and the lower end portion of the positioning member 12 is inserted. The protruding elastic locking piece 12A is engaged with an engagement recess 15A formed at the inner base end of the holder support member 15, and the lower surface of the distal end portion of the guide member 20 is formed in each of the second positioning groove portions 22A to 22D. The guide member 20 is detachably attached to the tape holder storage portion 4 by fitting and bringing the lower end portion of the guide member 20 into contact with the positioning recess 4A.

  FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the upper cover 5 and the tag tape roll body 100 shown in FIG. 1 are removed.

  In FIG. 6, a guide rib portion 23 is erected on the side edge portion of the insertion port 18 on the holder support member 15 side. Further, the side edge (on the left edge in FIG. 6) of the insertion port 18 on the holder support member 15 side is formed so as to correspond to the inner end surface of the positioning member 12 fitted into the holder support member 15. Has been.

  Note that a connector portion 11 composed of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like connected to a personal computer (not shown) or the like is provided on the other side end portion of the back surface of the main body housing 2.

  FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the tape holder 3 is attached to the tag label producing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 with the upper cover 5 removed.

  In FIG. 7, a cutter unit (first cutting means) 8 serving as a cutting means that is moved left and right by the cutter lever 9 provided on the front side surface so as to be movable left and right is provided. A thermal head (hereinafter appropriately referred to as a print head) 31 for printing is provided on the lower side in the upstream direction (right side in FIG. 7), and a platen roller (drive means) is provided at a position facing the print head (information printing means) 31. ) 26 is provided.

  The cutter unit 8 is configured so that its cutting operation can be limited by a solenoid stopper 24. That is, the solenoid stopper 24 includes a plunger 24a that is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 7), a spring 24b that urges the plunger 24a in the advance direction, and the plunger 24a. And a solenoid 24c that can be driven in the backward direction. When the solenoid 24c is not energized and the plunger 24a moves forward due to the urging force of the spring 24b, the plunger 24a locks the above-described lateral movement of the cutter lever 9 to limit the cutting operation of the cutter unit 8, and the solenoid 24c is energized and driven backward. When this occurs, the lock is released to release the restriction on the cutting operation of the cutter unit 8.

  The print head 31 is moved away from the platen roller 26 by rotating the lever 27 for the up / down operation upward, thereby moving the lever 27 downward. Thus, the tag tape 3A is pressed against the platen roller 26 to be ready for printing.

  That is, at the time of printing, the lever 27 is first rotated upward so that one side edge of the tag tape 3A is brought into contact with the inner surface of the guide member 20 and the other side of the tag tape 3A. By inserting the end edge portion into the insertion port 18 while abutting against the guide rib portion 23 erected on the side edge portion of the insertion port 18, and rotating the lever 27 downward in this state, the insertion port The tag tape 3 </ b> A inserted from 18 is urged so as to be pressed toward the platen roller 26 by the line type print head 31. Then, the print head 31 is driven and controlled while the platen roller 26 is rotationally driven by a platen roller motor 208 (see FIG. 9 to be described later) composed of a pulse motor or a stepping motor, thereby conveying the tag tape 3A. In addition, predetermined print data can be sequentially printed on the printing surface, and access to the IC circuit unit 150 via the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit element To via the antenna (device side antenna) 204 located downstream in the transport direction ( Information reading or writing). The printed tag tape 3A discharged onto the tray 6 is cut by the cutter unit 8 by manually operating the cutter lever 9 in the right direction, and the RFID label T (which will be described later) provided with the RFID circuit element To. 18) is divided and generated.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided in the tag tape 3A.

  In FIG. 8, the RFID circuit element To includes an antenna 204 on the tag label producing apparatus 1 side and the antenna 151 that transmits and receives signals in a non-contact manner using a high frequency such as a UHF band, and the antenna 151 that is connected to the antenna 151. IC circuit unit 150.

  The IC circuit unit 150 includes a rectification unit 152 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the antenna 151, and a power source unit 153 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 152 and serves as a driving power source for the IC circuit unit 150. A clock extraction unit 154 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 151 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 157; a memory unit 155 that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal; and the antenna 151 And a control unit 157 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the rectification unit 152, the clock extraction unit 154, the modulation / demodulation unit 156, and the like.

  The modulation / demodulation unit 156 demodulates the communication signal received from the antenna 204 of the tag label producing apparatus 1 received by the antenna 151 and modulates and reflects the carrier wave received from the antenna 204 based on the response signal from the control unit 157. To do.

  The control unit 157 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 156, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 155, and performs basic control such as returning by the modulation / demodulation unit 156. Execute proper control.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 9, the tag tape 3A wound around the core 3B has a plurality of RFID circuit elements To arranged in the center in the width direction as described above. In this example, each RFID circuit The area corresponding to the element To is the print area S where the print R corresponding to each RFID circuit element To is printed by the print head 31 (note that the length of the print area S in the tape longitudinal direction depends on the amount of print information) After the above-described printing, a signal is transmitted by radio communication with the RFID tag circuit element To provided in the tag tape 3A using a high frequency such as a UHF band. The printed tag tape 3A is cut by the cutter unit 8 when the cutter lever 9 is operated as described above, and the RFID label T is generated.

  In addition, the tag label producing apparatus 1 includes a mark sensor 239 that detects the presence / absence of the tag tape 3A in the transport path to the carry-out exit E, and the identification mark M printed substantially along the RFID circuit element To of the tag tape 3A, To the information (RFID tag information) of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID tag circuit element To through the antenna 204 and the platen roller 26 that conveys and sends the tag tape 3A and the cut RFID tag T to the carry-out port E. A high-frequency circuit 201 for accessing (reading or writing) and a signal read from the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To are input via the high-frequency circuit 201, and information is read by performing predetermined processing. In addition, a signal processing circuit 202 for accessing the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To through the high-frequency circuit 201; A print drive circuit 205 that controls energization of the print head 31, a platen roller drive circuit 209 that controls a platen roller motor 208 that drives the platen roller 26, and a lock solenoid drive that controls energization of the solenoid 24. A control circuit 210 for controlling the overall operation of the tag label producing apparatus 1 via the circuit 25, the high-frequency circuit 201, the signal processing circuit 202, the print drive circuit 205, the platen roller drive circuit 209, the lock solenoid drive circuit 25, etc. The LED 34 that is turned on by a control signal from the control circuit 210 is provided. In addition, a conveyance guide for guiding and setting each RFID label T after cutting may be further provided while setting and holding the RFID circuit element To in a predetermined access area facing the antenna 204 at the time of signal transmission and reception by the wireless communication.

  The mark sensor 239 is, for example, a reflective photoelectric sensor including a projector and a light receiver. When the black identification mark M applied to a predetermined portion of the tag tape 3A is not detected, the mark sensor 239 is output from the projector. The light is reflected and input to the light receiver. On the other hand, when the identification mark M is detected, the light output from the projector is not reflected and is not input to the light receiver, and the control output is inverted.

  The control circuit 210 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, it is composed of a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is stored in advance in the ROM using the temporary storage function of the RAM. Signal processing is performed according to the program. The control circuit 210 is powered by the power supply circuit 211A and is connected to, for example, a communication line via the communication circuit 211B. A route server (not shown) connected to the communication line, another terminal, a general-purpose computer, and information Information can be exchanged with a server or the like.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the high-frequency circuit 201. In FIG. 10, the high-frequency circuit 201 receives a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 204 and a transmission unit 212 that transmits a signal to the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 204. Part 213 and transmission / reception separator 214.

  The transmission unit 212 is supplied from the crystal oscillation circuit 215 that generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To and the signal processing circuit 212. A transmission multiplier circuit 216 that modulates the generated carrier wave based on the signal (in this example, amplitude modulation based on the “TX_ASK” signal from the signal processing circuit 212) (in the case of amplitude modulation, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like is used). And a transmission amplifier 217 that amplifies the modulated wave modulated by the transmission multiplier circuit 216 (in this example, amplification whose amplification factor is determined by the “TX_PWR” signal from the control circuit 210). . The output of the transmission amplifier 217 is transmitted to the antenna 204 via the transmission / reception separator 214 and supplied to the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To.

  The reception unit 213 is necessary from the reception first multiplication circuit 218 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID tag circuit element To received by the antenna 204 and the generated carrier wave, and the output of the second multiplication circuit 218. A band-pass filter 219 for extracting only a band signal, a reception first amplifier 221 that amplifies the output of the band-pass filter 219, and an output that further amplifies the output of the reception first amplifier 221 and converts it to a digital signal. 1 limiter 220, a reception second multiplication circuit 222 that multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 204 and the carrier wave generated by the phase shifter 227 and delayed in phase by 90 °. A band pass filter 223 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 222; A reception second amplifier 225 for amplifying the output of the bandpass filter 223 and a second limiter 224 for further amplifying the output of the reception second amplifier 225 and converting it into a digital signal. The signal “RXS-I” output from the first limiter 220 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the second limiter 224 are input to the signal processing circuit 202 and processed.

  The outputs of the reception first amplifier 221 and the reception second amplifier 225 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 226, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the strength of these signals is input to the signal processing circuit 202. It has become so. In this way, in the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To is demodulated by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  11 (A) and 11 (B) are a perspective view from the upper front side and a lower rear view showing the detailed structure of the tag tape roll body 100 provided in the tag label producing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a perspective view.

  11A and 11B, the guide member 20 of the tape holder 3 provided in the tag tape roll body 100 is fitted into the positioning recess 4A formed on the bottom surface of the tape holder storage portion 4. The first extending portion 42 that is in contact with the bottom surface of the positioning recess 4A and the second extending outwardly so as to cover the outer end surface portion of the tag tape 3A on the substantially 1/4 circumference in the front side direction. An extended portion 43 and a third extended portion 44 in which the upper edge extends from the outer peripheral portion of the second extended portion 43 to the vicinity of the insertion port 18 (see FIG. 6) of the tag tape 3A in a front-down manner. And are formed.

  The lower end surface of the distal end portion of the third extending portion 44 is formed substantially horizontally and abuts on the mounting portion 21 of the tag label producing apparatus 1 so that the third extending portion 44 and the second extending portion are in contact with each other. A side edge portion of the tag tape 3 </ b> A attached by the inner side surface 43 is guided to the insertion port 18. Further, a fourth extending portion 45 extending a predetermined length from the position facing the rear end edge in the transport direction of the mounting portion 21 on the lower end surface of the third extending portion 44 to the first extending portion 42 is provided. Is formed. The leading end portion of the fourth extending portion 45 in the conveying direction faces the tape width of the attached tag tape 3A when the lower end surface of the third extending portion 44 is brought into contact with the placement portion 21. It is comprised so that it may fit in either of each 2nd positioning groove part 22A-22D (refer above-mentioned FIG. 7).

  Further, the lower end portion of the mounting member 13 of the positioning member 12 of the tape holder 3 has a predetermined length in the left and right direction from the lower end portion of the mounting member 13 (in this example, about 1.5 mm to 3 mm). A projecting guide 57 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape (in this example, a length of about 1.5 mm to 3 mm) is formed. Thus, when the tape holder 3 is mounted, the mounting member 13 is inserted into the first positioning groove 16 while the guide portion 57 formed at the lower end of the mounting member 13 is brought into contact with the outer end surface of the holder support member 15. By doing so, the tape holder 3 can be mounted while being easily positioned.

  The lower end edge portion of the extending portion 56 of the positioning member 12 extends so as to protrude downward by a predetermined length (in this example, about 1 mm to 2.5 mm) from the lower end edge portion of the guide member 20. In addition, a substantially long rectangular tape discriminating portion 60 extending a predetermined length in a substantially right-angle inside direction is formed at the lower end edge portion.

  The tape discriminating unit 60 is provided with sensor holes 60A to 60D arranged in a substantially L shape at predetermined positions facing the tape discriminating sensors S1 to S4 described above, and cooperates with the sensors S1 to S4. It functions as a tag tape specifying unit that specifies the type of the tag tape 3A. Further, the sensors S1 to S4 can specify the print position, tape width, presence / absence of a tag, and the like as the type of tag tape.

  FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the tape holder as viewed from an obliquely rear side, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the tape holder as viewed from an obliquely forward side.

  12 (A) and 12 (B), the guide member 20 is provided with a first cylindrical portion 35, and the first cylindrical portion 35 is an edge on one end side of the cylindrical hole of the core 3B. The guide member 20 is brought into contact with one end surface of the tag tape 3A. On the other hand, the positioning holding member 12 is provided with a second cylindrical portion 37, and the second cylindrical portion 37 is fitted into the other end side of the core 3B, whereby the positioning holding member 12 is attached to the tag tape 3A. It is in contact with the other end face. The core 3B around which the tag tape 3A is wound is rotatably held by the first cylinder part 35 and the second cylinder part 37.

  One end side of the holder shaft member 40 is fitted into the first tube portion 35 of the guide member 20, and a flange portion 36 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the end surface of the one end side. It is fixed to the outer end face of the one cylindrical portion 35. Further, the other end side end portion of the holder shaft member 40 is fitted and fixed to the second cylinder portion 37 of the positioning holding member 12.

  At this time, the first extending portion 42 of the guide member 20 extends in the lower direction from the lower outer peripheral portion of the outer end surface of the first cylindrical portion 35, and the upper end portion thereof, that is, the first cylindrical portion. In the left and right central portions of the outer peripheral portion of the outer end surface of each of the 35, cutout portions 47 having a substantially square shape in front view are provided.

  Further, the scales 43A, 43, and 43C representing the winding lengths 10m, 20m, and 30m of the attached tag tape 3A are formed on the inner side surfaces of the extending portions 43, 44, and 45 of the guide member 20, respectively. ing. Note that the maximum winding length of the tag tape 3A wound around the tape holder 3 is about 30 m.

  On the other hand, a flange portion 55 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second cylindrical portion 37 of the positioning member 12, and an extension portion 56 extending downward from the lower outer peripheral portion of the flange portion 55 is formed. Has been. The flange 55 and the inner surface of the extension 56 are in contact with the outer end surfaces of the tag tape 3A and the core 3B. The mounting member 13 is located at the substantially central portion in the width direction (upper left to lower right in FIG. 12A) of the outer end surface portions of the flange portion 55 and the extension portion 56, that is, the axis of the holder shaft member 40. It protrudes so that it may be substantially orthogonal to this axial center from the edge part of this.

  13A is a left side view showing the detailed structure of the tape holder 3, FIG. 13B is a front view, and FIG. 13C is a right side view.

  13A to 13C, as described above, the holder shaft member 40 is provided between the positioning and holding member 12 and the guide member 20. At this time, the holder shaft member 40 is provided with a plurality of types (for example, four types) of length dimensions corresponding to the respective length dimensions of the core 3B described above. By changing the dimensions, a plurality of types of tape holders 3 to which tag tapes 3A having different width dimensions can be mounted can be easily manufactured.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line YY ′ in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, a substantially vertically long cutout portion 51 is formed at a tip end portion of the holder shaft member 40 that is fitted into the second cylindrical portion 37 of the positioning holding member 12. The notch 51 is fitted with a positioning rib 50 protruding in the inner radial direction at the inner lower end of the second cylindrical portion 37, whereby the positioning holding member 12 and the guide member 20 are interposed via the holder shaft member 40. And can be positioned.

  In addition, a vertically long rectangular through hole 62 is formed in the extended portion 56 at the lower end portion of the mounting member 13 of the positioning member 12, and the upper end edge of the through hole 62 is directed downwardly toward the distal end. An elastic locking piece 12 </ b> A in which a protruding portion is formed is provided.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ ′ in FIG.

  In FIG. 15, the positioning protrusions 48 projecting from the inner surface of the flange portion 36 of the holder shaft member 40 are fitted into the notches 47 of the first extending portion 42 described above. Positioning with respect to the guide member is performed.

  FIGS. 16A to 16E are diagrams showing examples of punching sensor holes representing the types of tag tapes in the tape discriminating unit 60 of the positioning and holding member 12.

  FIG. 16A shows an example in which the four sensor holes 60A to 60D are provided in the tape discriminating unit 60 as described above. The discriminating recess 4B of the tape holder housing 4 is provided with the tape discriminating sensors S1 to S4 described above corresponding to the tape discriminating holes 60A to 60D. In each of the sensors S1 to S4, the plunger protrudes from the bottom surface of the determination recess 4B to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the positioning recess 4A, and the microswitch is in the OFF state. When each of the sensor holes 60A to 60D is present at a position facing each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4, an off signal is output because the plunger is not pressed and the microswitch is in the off state, and the tape discrimination unit When each of the 60 sensor holes 60A to 60D is not located at a position facing each of the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4, the plunger is pressed and the micro switch is turned on, and an on signal is output. Yes.

  As described above, the tape holder 3 is obtained by associating the detection results of the presence or absence of the four sensor holes 60A to 60D with the four sensors S1 to S4 and corresponding the presence or absence of each sensor hole to “1” and “0”. The type of the tag tape 3A attached to can be displayed by a 4-bit code (in other words, 16 types are distinguished). 16 (A) to 16 (E) respectively show examples of these 16 patterns, and FIG. 16 (A) shows that all the sensor holes 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D exist and are “1, 1, 1”. , 1 ”is output when the sensor holes 60A, 60B, and 60C exist and the detection signal“ 1, 1, 1, 0 ”is output. ) Indicates that sensor holes 60A, 60B, and 60D exist and a detection signal of “1, 1, 0, 1” is output, FIG. 16D illustrates that sensor holes 60B exist and “0, 1, 0, 0”. 16E represents the case where the sensor holes 60C and 60D exist and the detection signal “0, 0, 1, 1” is output.

  As described above, the tape discriminating portion 60 provided at the inner lower edge of the positioning member 12 is inserted into the discriminating recess 4B, and the presence or absence of each of the sensor holes 60A to 60D is detected by the sensors S1 to S4. The type of the tag tape 3A attached to the tape holder 3 can be detected.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are explanatory views for explaining an example of the mounting behavior of the tape holder 3 configured as described above to the tag label producing apparatus 1 side.

  FIG. 17A shows an example in which the tape holder 3 around which the maximum width tag tape 3A is wound is mounted on the core 3B. In FIG. 17A, first, the attachment member 13 of the positioning holding member 12 of the tape holder 3 is inserted into the positioning groove 16 of the holder support member 15. And the lower end surface of the 3rd extension part 44 of the guide member 20 of the tape holder 3 is contact | abutted on the mounting part 21, and the 4th extension part 45 of this guide member 20 is the conveyance direction of the mounting part 21 It is made to fit in the 2nd positioning groove part 21A formed in a rear side corner | angular part. Further, the lower end edge portion of the first extending portion 42 of the guide member 20 is fitted and brought into contact with a positioning recess 4 </ b> A formed on the bottom surface portion of the tape holder storage portion 4.

  At the same time, the tape discriminating portion 60 formed at the lower end portion of the extending portion 56 of the positioning holding member 12 of the tape holder 3 is inserted into the discriminating recess portion 4B formed inside the base end portion of the holder support member 15. Then, the elastic locking piece 12 </ b> A is engaged with the engagement recess 15 </ b> A formed at the base end portion of the holder support member 15.

  By the above operation, the tape holder 3 is detachably attached to the tape holder storage portion 4, and the presence or absence of the sensor holes 60A to 60E of the tape discrimination portion 60 facing each other can be detected via the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4. It becomes.

  Subsequently, in a state where the lever 27 is rotated upward, the one side edge of the tag tape 3A is brought into contact with the inner surface of the guide member 20, and the tag tape 3A is pulled out. The other side edge portion is inserted into the insertion port 18 while being brought into contact with the guide rib portion 23 erected on the side edge portion of the insertion port 18. Thereafter, by rotating the lever 27 downward, the leading end portion of the tag tape 3A is pressed against the platen roller 26 by the print head 31, and printing is possible.

  FIG. 17B shows an example in which the tape holder 3 around which the tag tape 3A having the minimum width is wound is mounted on the core 3B. In FIG. 17B, first, the attachment member 13 of the positioning holding member 12 of the tape holder 3 is inserted into the positioning groove portion 16 of the holder support member 15. And the lower end surface of the 3rd extension part 44 of the guide member 20 of the tape holder 3 is contact | abutted on the mounting part 21, and the 4th extension part 45 of this guide member 20 is the conveyance direction of the mounting part 21 It is made to fit in 2nd positioning groove part 21D formed in a rear side corner | angular part. Further, the lower end edge portion of the first extending portion 42 of the guide member 20 is fitted and brought into contact with a positioning recess 4 </ b> A formed on the bottom surface portion of the tape holder storage portion 4.

  At the same time, the tape discriminating portion 60 formed at the lower end portion of the extending portion 56 of the positioning holding member 12 of the tape holder 3 is inserted into the discriminating recess portion 4B formed inside the base end portion of the holder support member 15. Then, the elastic locking piece 12 </ b> A is engaged with the engagement recess 15 </ b> A formed at the base end portion of the holder support member 15.

  By the above operation, the tape holder 3 is detachably attached to the tape holder storage portion 4, and the presence or absence of the sensor holes 60A to 60E of the tape discrimination portion 60 facing each other can be detected via the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4. It becomes.

  Thereafter, the lever 27 is pivoted upward and the like is the same as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIGS. 18A and 18B are examples of the appearance of the RFID label T formed after the information reading (or writing) of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the tag tape 3A are completed as described above. 18A is a top view, and FIG. 18B is a bottom view. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along section XIX-XIX ′ in FIG.

  FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 19 show examples of the RFID label T that is produced and discharged by the tag label producing apparatus of the present embodiment. As described above, it has a three-layer structure, and is laminated in the order of thermal paper 3c, adhesive layer 3b, and release paper 3a from the surface side (upper side in FIG. 19) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 19). is doing. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the IC circuit unit 150 and the antenna 151 is provided on the back side of the thermal paper 3c (To may be upside down in FIG. 19), and the surface of the thermal paper 3c. A print R (in this example, “AA-AA” characters) is printed. Further, on the surface of the release paper 3a, a black identification mark M is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction (see FIG. 18), starting from the position on the rear side of the front end of the antenna 151 on the front side in the transport direction (left side in FIG. 18A). 18 (a) right side) printed up to the end.

  In the illustrated example, the antenna 151 is extended in the longitudinal direction of the tape in the RFID circuit element To. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the antenna 151 is extended in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the tape (for example, a right angle direction). May be.

  In the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the basic configuration as described above, the greatest feature of this embodiment is that the cutting position of the tag tape 3A is determined according to the amount of print information to be printed on the thermal paper 3c, and the RFID circuit element To The object is to create a RFID label T having a length shorter than the arrangement pitch. The details will be described below.

  First, the operation | movement according to the conveyance position of the tag tape 3A in the tag label production apparatus 1 is demonstrated using FIG.20 and FIG.21.

  20A to 20F respectively illustrate the positional relationship between the identification mark M of the tag tape 3A and the RFID tag circuit element To that are continuously drawn out, the mark sensor 239, the print head 31, and the cutter unit 8. FIGS. 21A to 21F show the positional relationship among the print area S, the RFID circuit element To, and the identification mark M of the tag tape 3A in the respective states of FIGS. 20A to 20F. It is a conceptual diagram expressed in detail.

  First, FIG. 20A and FIG. 21A show a state immediately after the feeding of the tag tape 3A from the core 3B is started and the RFID circuit element To related to the RFID label T to be created this time is delivered. ing. In this state, the identification mark M is not detected by the mark sensor 239, and the plunger 24a of the solenoid stopper 24 is in the retracted position (lock release position), so that the cutter unit 8 can operate to cut the tape 3A. is there.

  When the conveyance of the tag tape 3A further proceeds from this state, the front end of the RFID tag circuit element To in the tape conveyance direction reaches the position of the print head 31 (see FIGS. 20B and 21B).

  Here, in the present embodiment, the entire length corresponding to the RFID circuit element To that is continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction on the tag tape 3A is defined as the cutting prohibition region F, and the adjacent RFID circuit element To and the RFID circuit element To. Is set as a severable region G (see FIG. 21B). At this time, as described above, on the surface of the release paper 3a (see FIG. 19 and the like) of the tag tape 3A, a black identification mark M corresponding to the entire length of the cut-prohibited area F is provided in advance by printing, for example. ing. The tip end of the identification mark M on the downstream side in the tape transport direction is at a position offset by a distance L1 upstream of the tip end in the tape transport direction of the cutting prohibition area F (in other words, the RFID circuit element To). The rear end of the tape transport direction (upstream side) is at a position offset from the rear end of the cutting prohibition area F by the distance L2 to the upstream side of the transport direction.

  As a result, when the leading end of the identification mark M reaches the position of the mark sensor 239 due to the movement of the tag tape 3A, the leading end of the print area S corresponding to the position of the RFID circuit element To reaches the position of the print head 31. Correspondingly, when the identification mark M is detected by the mark sensor 239, printing R is started in the printing area S (see FIGS. 20B and 21B).

  When the transport of the tag tape 3A further proceeds from the state of FIG. 20B and FIG. 21B, the front end of the RFID circuit element To (in other words, the cutting prohibited area F) in the tape transport direction is positioned at the position of the cutter unit 8. (See FIG. 20C and FIG. 21C). In this state, since the identification mark M is already being detected by the mark sensor 239 as described above, the detection of the arrival at this position is performed in the state (identification mark shown in FIGS. 20B and 21B). This is performed by detecting (details will be described later) that the tag tape 3A has advanced by L2-L1 from the M detection start state. In response to this detection, the plunger 24a of the solenoid stopper 24 is driven to the advanced position (lock position), and the tape 3A of the cutter unit 8 cannot be cut (restricted).

  In FIG. 20D and FIG. 21D, the tag tape 3A is further conveyed from the state of FIG. 20C and FIG. 21C, and the RFID circuit element To (in other words, the cut-prohibited area F). Represents a state of passing through the position of the cutter unit 8. At this time, the mark sensor 239 is still detecting the presence of the identification mark M.

  When the transport of the tag tape 3A further proceeds from the state of FIG. 20D and FIG. 21D, the rear end of the RFID circuit element To (in other words, the cutting prohibition area F) in the tape transport direction is the position of the cutter unit 8. (See FIGS. 20E and 21E). At this time, the rear end of the identification mark M reaches the position of the mark sensor 239 according to the dimension setting relationship described above. Therefore, when the identification mark M is no longer detected by the mark sensor 239, the RFID circuit element To (cut-inhibited area F) has slipped downstream from the position of the cutter unit 8 in the transport direction (in other words, the severable area G is in the cutter unit. In response to this, the plunger 24a of the solenoid stopper 24 is again driven to the retracted position (lock release position), and the tape 3A of the cutter unit 8 can be cut (see FIG. 20 (E) and FIG. 21 (E)).

  After that, when the conveyance of the tag tape 3A further proceeds from the state of FIG. 20E and FIG. 21E, the tag tape according to the amount of print information (that is, according to the length of the print region S in the tape longitudinal direction). The cutting position 3A is reached (see FIGS. 20F and 21F). Here, the length in the tape longitudinal direction of the print area S is set to be longer than the length in the tape longitudinal direction of the cut prohibition area F (in other words, the RFID circuit element To), and the cutting position is the position of the RFID circuit element To. Are offset by a distance L3 upstream of the leading end of the print area S corresponding to the direction of tape transport (see FIGS. 20D and 21B, etc.). The distance L3 is set shorter than the arrangement pitch G + F of the RFID circuit elements To (see FIG. 21B, etc.). Accordingly, after the identification mark M is no longer detected by the mark sensor 239 (the state shown in FIGS. 20E and 21E), it is further detected that the tag tape 3A has advanced by L3-F (details will be described later). ), It is considered that the cutting position has been reached. At this time, the conveyance of the tag tape 3A is stopped, and the tag tape 3A is cut by the cutter unit 8 at this cutting position. When the length of the print area S in the tape longitudinal direction is shorter than the cutting prohibition area F, the cutter unit 8 is disabled by the solenoid stopper 24 in the cutting prohibition area F as described above. Is a position offset by a distance F upstream of the leading end of the print area S in the tape transport direction (that is, the length of the RFID label T to be created is the longitudinal direction of the tape in the cut-prohibited area F (RFID circuit element To)) Length).

  In the above example, the black identification mark M is attached corresponding to the arrangement position of the RFID circuit element To (in other words, the cut-prohibited area F), and both the front end position and the rear end position are detected by the sensor. Although it detected by 239, it is not restricted to this. For example, two short marks (= start point trigger mark and end point trigger mark) respectively corresponding to the start point and end point of the cutting prohibited area may be provided as identification marks and detected by the sensor 239. Further, only the start point trigger mark is provided, and distance information from the start point trigger mark is additionally provided by an appropriate method (for example, the tape is conveyed to a distance corresponding to the end point trigger mark position after the start point trigger mark is detected). The end point trigger mark itself may be omitted by determining whether the motor has been driven or not).

  As described above, in this embodiment, according to the feeding of the tag tape 3A, the detection state of the identification mark M is associated with the timing at which the cutting prohibition area F or the cuttable area G faces the cutter unit 8, Control is performed so that the unit 8 cannot be cut or can be cut, and the cutting position of the tag tape 3A is determined according to the amount of print information, and the RFID label T having a length shorter than the arrangement pitch of the RFID circuit elements To is created. Control.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 210 in order to perform such control.

  When the above-described tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4 perform the reading operation of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and it is detected that the RFID tag circuit element is not included (tagless tape), this flow is started (that is, this embodiment). In the tag label producing apparatus 1, although not described in detail, the tagless tape can also be housed and mounted in the tape holder 3 instead of the tag tape 3 </ b> A, and the determination unit 60 corresponding to the tagless tape. Is detected by, for example, the tape discrimination sensors S1 to S4).

  In FIG. 22, first, in step S105, print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 31, which has been input via a terminal (not shown) or a general-purpose computer, is read via the communication circuit 211B and the input / output interface.

  In the next step S107, based on the print information read in step S105, the cutting position of the tag tape 3A is determined according to the amount of print information printed on the thermal paper 3c of the tag tape 3A. In other words, the length of the RFID label T corresponding to the amount of print information (= the length in the tape longitudinal direction of the print area S) is determined. Specifically, when the printing amount is relatively small, the cutting position is determined so that the length of the tag label T is relatively short. When the printing amount is relatively large, the length of the tag label is relatively long. Determine the cutting position to be longer).

  Thereafter, in step S110, a variable N for counting the number of times of retrying (number of access attempts) 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 S111, a control signal is output to the platen roller drive circuit 209 (see FIG. 9), and the drive shaft of the platen roller 26 is rotationally driven by the drive force of the platen roller motor 208 constituted by, for example, a pulse motor. Thereby, the tag tape 3A wound around the core 3B in a roll shape is fed out.

  Next, in step S112, it is determined whether or not the identification mark M of the tag tape 3A that has been fed out is detected by the mark sensor 239. When the identification mark M is detected, the identification mark M reaches the position of the mark sensor 239, and the leading end of the print area S corresponding to the RFID circuit element To reaches the position of the print head 31 (FIG. 20B). And (see FIG. 21B), the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S113. In step S <b> 113, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 205, and printing in the print region S is started by the print head 31.

  In the next step S114, it is determined whether or not the tag tape 3A has been further transported by a predetermined amount (= the transport distance of L2-L1 described above) since the detection of the identification mark M in step S112. The conveyance distance at this time may be determined by counting the number of pulses output from the platen roller driving circuit 209 that drives the platen roller motor 208, for example.

  As described above, when the tag tape 3A is further conveyed by L2-L1 from the time of detection of the identification mark M and the leading end of the RFID circuit element To (in other words, the cutting prohibition area F) reaches the position of the cutter unit 8, the determination is made. Is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S115.

  In step S115, a control signal is output to the lock solenoid drive circuit 25 to stop energization of the solenoid stopper 24 to the solenoid 24c (that is, the solenoid 24c is energized so far and the cutter unit 8 is unlocked). The plunger 24a is driven forward by the spring 24b to restrict the left / right operation of the cutter lever 9. This restricts the cutting operation of the cutter unit 8 (locked state, see FIGS. 20C and 21C).

  Next, in step S120, whether or not the tag tape 3A has been further conveyed by a predetermined amount since the operation of the solenoid stopper 24 in step S115 (for example, reading of the position where the tip of the RFID circuit element To faces the antenna 204 or the vicinity thereof is read. It is determined whether or not a possible position has been reached. Similarly to the above, the determination of the transport distance at this time may be performed, for example, by counting the number of pulses output from the platen roller driving circuit 209 that drives the platen roller motor 208. If the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S200.

  In step S200, tag information reading processing is performed, an inquiry signal for reading is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To, and a response signal including RFID tag information is received and read. 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 FIG. 23 described later), so this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S130.

  In step S130, a combination of the information read from the RFID circuit element To in step S200 and the print information already printed by the print head 31 corresponding to the information is sent via the communication circuit 211B, for example, a terminal (not shown). Or it outputs via a general purpose computer, and this output combination is memorize | stored in an information server or a route server. The stored data is stored and held in, for example, a database so that it can be referred to from a terminal or a general-purpose computer as necessary.

  After that, in step S135, it is confirmed whether or not the printing R on the printing region S corresponding to the RFID tag circuit element To that is the processing target at this point of the tag tape 3A 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 FIG. 23 described later), so the determination in step S125 is not satisfied. In step S137, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 205 (see FIG. 9) to stop energization of the print head 31 and stop printing. As described above, the fact that the RFID circuit element To is not a normal product is clearly displayed by stopping printing halfway, and then the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the printed tag tape 3A has been further conveyed by a predetermined amount (for example, the entire length of the RFID circuit element To, in other words, the entire length of the cutting prohibited area F) from the time when the solenoid stopper 24 is operated in step S115 (wireless). It is determined whether or not the tag circuit element To, in other words, the rear end of the cutting prohibition area F has passed the cutter unit 8). As described above, this determination is made depending on whether or not the identification mark M on the tag tape 3A is no longer detected by the mark sensor 239. When the identification mark M is no longer detected, the rear end of the identification mark M passes the position of the mark sensor 239, and the rear end of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting prohibition area F passes the cutter unit position (see FIG. 20 (E) and FIG. 21 (E)), the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S141.

  In step S141, a control signal is output to the lock solenoid drive circuit 25, the solenoid 24c of the solenoid stopper 24 is energized, the plunger 24a is retracted, and the above-described lock is released. Thereby, the cutting operation of the tag tape 3A by the cutter unit 8 becomes possible.

  In the next step S143, it is determined whether or not the tag tape 3A has been further transported by a predetermined amount (= the transport distance of L3-F described above) from the time when the identification mark M in step S140 is no longer detected. Similarly to the above, the determination of the transport distance at this time may be performed, for example, by counting the number of pulses output from the platen roller driving circuit 209 that drives the platen roller motor 208. When a predetermined amount (= transport distance for L3-F) is being transported, the cutting position of the tag tape 3A determined in the previous step S107 has reached the cutter unit position (FIG. 20F and FIG. 21 (F)), the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S145.

  In step S145, a control signal is output to the platen roller drive circuit 209 (see FIG. 9), and the rotation drive of the drive shaft of the platen roller 26 by the platen roller motor 208 is stopped. Thereby, the conveyance of the tag tape 3A is stopped, and the cutting operation of the tag tape 3A by the cutter unit 8 becomes possible. In addition, a lighting control signal is output to the LED lamp 34 to light it. When step S145 is completed, this flow ends.

  In the above description, the stop of transport of the tag tape 3A is notified by turning on the LED lamp 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, characters may be displayed on the liquid crystal screen or notified by voice.

  According to the above flow, the tag tape 3A is cut at an appropriate position according to the amount of print information by moving the cutter lever 9 of the cutter unit 8 in a direction crossing the tag tape 3A by manual operation, and the RFID tag circuit element To A label-like RFID tag T on which the RFID tag information has been read and predetermined printing corresponding to the RFID tag information is generated.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above.

  In FIG. 23, first, in step S210, after the tag tape 3A is printed, the RFID circuit element To to be read information is transported to the vicinity of the antenna 204, and the target tag is set.

Thereafter, in step S220, information stored in the RFID circuit element To is read in accordance with a predetermined communication parameter or the like “Scroll”.
The “All ID” command is output to the signal processing circuit 202. Based on this, a “Scroll All ID” signal as access information is generated by the signal processing circuit 202 and transmitted to the RFID circuit element To to be accessed via the high frequency circuit 201 to prompt a reply.

  Next, in step S230, a reply signal (wireless tag information such as article information) transmitted from the RFID circuit element To be accessed in response to the “Scroll All ID” signal is received via the antenna 204. The high-frequency circuit 201 and the signal processing circuit 202 (see FIG. 9) are used for capturing.

  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, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S260 whether N = 5. 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 moves to step S270, and an error display signal is output to a terminal or a general-purpose computer via an input / output interface (not shown) and the communication circuit 211B, and a corresponding reading failure (error) is displayed. The flag F is set to 1, and this flow is finished. In this way, even if reading is unsuccessful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S240 is satisfied, reading of the RFID tag information from the RFID circuit element To to be read is completed, and this routine ends.

  By the above routine, the RFID tag information of the IC circuit 151 can be accessed and read out from the RFID tag circuit element To to be accessed by the tag tape 3A in the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  In the above, the information that the transmitting unit 212, the receiving unit 213, and the signal processing circuit 202 of the high-frequency circuit 201 write information to or read information from the IC circuit unit of the RFID tag circuit element according to each claim. Configure access means.

  Further, the control circuit 210, the platen roller driving circuit 209, the platen roller motor 208, and the platen roller 26 constitute stop control means for stopping the feeding operation by the driving means according to claim 6.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, in the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the platen roller 2
The tag tape 3A is fed out by the drive shaft 6 and wireless communication is performed by the antenna 204 to the RFID circuit element To provided in the tag tape 3A to read (or write, refer to a modification described later) predetermined information. After that, the tag tape 3A is cut by the cutter unit 8 to create the RFID label T.

  At this time, in this embodiment, when determining the cutting position for creating the RFID label T from the tag tape 3A having the RFID circuit element To that has been read (or written), the thermal paper of the tag tape 3A is determined. The cutting position is determined according to the amount of print information to be printed on 3c. That is, the cutting position is determined so as to be a relatively short tag label when the printing amount is relatively small, and the cutting position is determined so as to be a relatively long tag label when the printing amount is relatively large. Therefore, the length of the RFID label T is flexibly set according to the printing amount within a range smaller than the arrangement pitch (F + G) of the RFID circuit elements To on the tag tape 3A. As a result, regardless of the arrangement pitch of the RFID circuit elements To on the tag tape 3A, the cutting position is determined at an appropriate position so as to be a short tag label corresponding to the operator's needs. By cutting with the cutter unit 8, the short RFID label T can be easily created. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the tag tape 3A is fed out and conveyed by the platen roller 26, the cutter unit 8 is located at a position facing the cutting position determined by the control circuit 210 in accordance with the amount of print information. Since the conveyance of the tape is automatically stopped (see step S145 in FIG. 22), the tape can be cut by operating the cutter unit 8 via the cutter lever 9 by manual operation. That is, since the tag tape 3A is automatically conveyed until the cutting position according to the amount of print information is reached, the operator does not have to perform the tape feeding operation, and the labor can be reduced.

  Further, particularly in the present embodiment, when the cutting position determined according to the amount of print information by the control circuit 210 reaches the cutter position by the cutter unit 8, a lighting control signal is output to the LED lamp 34 to turn on the light. (See step S145 in FIG. 22). Accordingly, it is possible to reliably notify the operator that the tag tape 3A has been positioned and stopped in a state where it can be cut.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, an identification mark M for identifying the cut-prohibited area F and the cuttable area G is provided on the tag tape 3A, and this is detected by the mark sensor 239, and the solenoid stopper 24 is detected according to the detection result. However, the operation of the lever cutter unit 8 by the operation of the cutter lever 9 is restricted so that the tag tape 3A can be cut in the cuttable area G but the tag tape 3A cannot be cut in the cut prohibition area F. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the IC circuit unit 150 and the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit element To from being accidentally damaged at the time of disconnection and hindering the function as the RFID tag.

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

(1) When selecting the label length of the RFID label T FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 210 in this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 22 in the above embodiment. The same steps as those in FIG. 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

24 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 22 described above in that FIG.
Step S107 ′ is provided instead of Step S107.

  That is, when printing information to be printed on the RFID label T is read in step S105, the process proceeds to the next step S107 ′. In step S107 ′, the label length information of the RFID label T to be created, which is input via a terminal (not shown) or a general-purpose computer, is read through the communication circuit 211B and the input / output interface. In this example, this label length information is one of a plurality of fixedly determined values (for example, a value optimal for a back cover label of a predetermined standard file, a label of a video cassette, a label of a storage medium, etc.). A predetermined value is selected and input by the operator. Needless to say, the operator may arbitrarily input a specific value for the label length. Based on the read label length information, the cutting position of the tag tape 3A is determined.

  The subsequent steps S110 to S145 are the same as in FIG.

  According to the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present modification, in addition to the same effects as the above embodiment, for example, the cutting position can be determined so that the RFID label T always has the same length regardless of whether the printing amount is large or small. For example, when the size of the location to be pasted is fixed (in the above example, a label on the back cover of a predetermined standard file, a label on a video cassette, a label on a storage medium), etc., a convenient label is easily created. be able to.

(2) When cutting with the cutter unit automatically (auto cutter)
FIG. 25 is a conceptual diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 according to this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 9 of the above embodiment. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. As shown in the figure, in the tag label producing apparatus 1 in this modification, when the cutting position determined according to the print information amount reaches the cutter position, the conveyance is stopped and the control circuit 210 to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 30. Based on this control signal, the cutter solenoid 28 is driven to operate the cutter unit (second cutting means) 8 ', and the tag tape 3A is automatically cut.

  At this time, based on the detection signal of the identification mark M by the mark sensor 239, when the cutting prohibition area F exists at the position facing the cutter unit 8 ', the cutting operation by the cutter unit 8' is locked (restricted). When the severable region G exists at the position facing the cutter unit 8 ', the cutting operation lock by the cutter unit 8' is released.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 210 in order to realize the behavior in this modification, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 22 in the above embodiment and FIG. 24 in the modification of (1) above. It is. The same steps as those in FIGS. 22 and 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  26 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 22 described above in that step S115 ′ is provided instead of step S115 of FIG. 22, step S141 of FIG. 22 is deleted, and step S145 is replaced with step S145 of FIG. ′ And step S150 is newly added.

  That is, the same flow as the flow of FIG. 22 is executed from step S105 to step S114.

  When the determination in step S114 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S115 ′. In step S115 ', a control signal is output to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 30, and the cutter of the cutter unit 8' is held at a position retracted from the transport path of the tag tape 3A via the cutter solenoid 28 (in other words, from the control circuit 210). The operation of the cutter unit 8 'is locked by a software method called a control signal) and a control signal is output to the LED 34 to turn off the light.

  The subsequent steps S120 to S140 are the same as those in FIG.

  When the determination in step S140 is satisfied, the process directly proceeds to step S143, and it is determined whether or not the cutting position of the tag tape 3A has reached the cutter unit position. When the determination in step S143 is satisfied, the process proceeds to next step S145 ′.

  In step S145 ′, a control signal is output to the platen roller drive circuit 209 (see FIG. 25), and the rotation drive of the drive shaft of the platen roller 26 by the platen roller motor 208 is stopped. Thereby, conveyance of the tag tape 3A is stopped.

  In the next step S150, a control signal is output to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 30, and the blade of the cutter unit 8 'is moved forward (cutting operation) toward the tag tape 3A to cut the printed tag tape 3A (in other words, The cutter unit 8 'is unlocked by a software method called a control signal from the control circuit 210), and a lighting control signal is output to the LED 34 to light it.

  According to the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present modification, not only the same effect as in the above-described embodiment that the short RFID label T can be easily produced and the convenience can be improved, but also automatic cutting is performed. It is also possible to obtain an effect of reducing the operator labor due to.

  Also, in this modification, unlike the above embodiment, the LED 34 is turned off when the operation of the cutter unit 8 'is locked, and the LED 34 is turned on when the cutter unit 8' is unlocked. That is, based on the detection result of the mark sensor 239, whether the cutter unit 8 'is facing the cutting prohibition area F or the cutting possible area G is indicated by whether or not the LED lamp 34 is lit. It can be clearly displayed to the operator whether 8 'is in a state in which the cutting operation is possible or in a state in which the cutting operation is prohibited.

(3) When printing a cut mark without cutting FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an operation according to the transport position of the tag tape 3A of the tag label producing apparatus 1 in this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 20 of the above embodiment. It is a figure to do. Portions equivalent to those in FIG. 20 of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the tag label producing apparatus 1 of this modification is not provided with the cutter unit 8 and the solenoid stopper 24. That is, when the transport of the tag tape 3A proceeds from the state of FIG. 27A, the tip of the identification mark M ′ reaches the position of the mark sensor 239, and the tip of the RFID tag circuit element To in the tape transport direction is the print head 31. Is reached and printing R is started in the printing area S (see FIG. 27B). Then, as shown in FIG. 27C, when the print head 31 performs printing on the print area S and the conveyance of the tag tape 3A further proceeds, the rear end of the identification mark M ′ reaches the position of the mark sensor 239. To do. At this time, the identification mark M ′ is formed so that the rear end of the RFID circuit element To (cut-off prohibited area F) is positioned at the print head 31. Accordingly, when the identification mark M is no longer detected by the mark sensor 239, it is considered that the RFID circuit element To (cut-off prohibition area F) has fallen downstream from the position of the print head 31 in the transport direction (see FIG. 27D). . It should be noted that from the state of FIG. 27B to the state of FIG. 27D (that is, the section in which the print head 31 is opposed to the RFID circuit element To (disconnection prohibited area F)), printing is performed from the control circuit 210. A control signal is output to the drive circuit 205 so that the cut mark cannot be printed by the print head 31 (however, the printing R is normally performed). As a result, it is possible to prevent a cut mark from being printed on the RFID circuit element To (cut-off prohibited area F), and to prevent the RFID circuit element To from being damaged at the time of cutting, thereby hindering the function of the RFID tag. can do.

  When the conveyance of the tag tape 3A further proceeds, the cutting position of the tag tape 3A according to the amount of print information (that is, according to the length of the print area S in the tape longitudinal direction) (the upstream side of the print area S in the tape conveyance direction) At a position offset by the distance L3) reaches the print position by the print head 31 (see FIG. 27E). At this time, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 205, and the print head 31 prints a cut mark (planned cutting line) CM at the cutting position. The tag tape 3A on which the cut mark CM is printed is further transported without being cut (see FIG. 27F), and is discharged from the tag label producing apparatus 1. Since the operator can visually confirm the cutting position by printing the cut mark CM at the cutting position, the operator can then easily cut the tag tape 3A using, for example, scissors, and remove the RFID label T. Can be created.

  In this modification, the print head 31 constitutes a cutting position printing means for printing on the tag tape.

  Also by this modification, the same convenience improvement effect as the said embodiment is acquired.

(4) In the case where the surplus portion is used as a recording tape In the above embodiment and the modified examples (1) and (2), the tag tape is 3A at a cutting position where the tag label is shorter than the arrangement pitch of the RFID circuit elements To. In this case, an extra portion from the cutting position to the front end portion of the next RFID tag circuit element To is generated although not particularly described. In this modification, a half cut is made between the surplus portion and the created RFID label T (the thermal paper 3c and the adhesive layer 3b are cut leaving only the release paper 3a portion), and the RFID label T and the surplus portion are partially separated. Is discharged outside the device in a connected state.

  FIG. 28 is a conceptual diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 according to this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 9 of the above embodiment. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 28, a cutter unit 8 ″ is provided instead of the cutter unit 8 described above, and a control signal is output from the control circuit 210 to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 30, and the cutter solenoid 28 is driven based on this control signal. This cutter unit 8 ″ is a half-cut that cuts the thermal paper 3c and the adhesive layer 3b while leaving only the release paper 3a portion of the tag tape 3A together with the normal cutting (separation) function of the tag tape 3A. (In this sense, the cutter unit 8 ″ also constitutes a semi-cutting means.) In this way, normal cutting and half-cutting are not performed by one cutter unit. Separate cutters may be provided.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 210 in this modification, and is a diagram corresponding to FIGS. 24 and 26 in FIG. 22 and the modifications (1) and (2) in the above embodiment. . The same steps as those in these figures are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 24, the difference from the flowchart of FIG. 26 of the modified example (2) described above is that step S143 ′ is provided instead of step S143 of FIG. 26, and steps S146 to S149 are newly added. Step S150 ′ is provided instead of step S150 in FIG.

  That is, the same procedure as the flow of FIG. 26 is executed from step S105 to step S143 ′. Note that the first cutting position in step S143 ′ is the cutting position determined in accordance with the print information amount in step S107, and the same control as in step S143 in FIG. 26 is performed. In order to distinguish them from each other, they are referred to as first cutting positions. When the determination in step S143 ′ is satisfied, the process proceeds to next step S145 ′, and the conveyance of the tag tape 3A is stopped.

  In the next step S146, a control signal corresponding to half cut is output to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 30, and the cutter unit 8 ″ is moved forward toward the tag tape 3A to half cut the printed tag tape 3A (release paper). The thermal paper 3c and the adhesive layer 3b are cut while leaving only the 3a portion), and a lighting control signal is output to the LED 34 to light it.

  In the next step S147, a control signal is output to the platen roller drive circuit 209, and the drive shaft of the platen roller 26 is driven to rotate by the drive force of the platen roller motor 208 constituted by, for example, a pulse motor. Thereby, conveyance of the tag tape 3A is started again.

  In the next step S148, it is determined whether or not the second cutting position has reached the cutter position by the cutter unit 8 ″. Here, the second cutting position is the next RFID circuit located upstream of the tag tape 3A. It is a position corresponding to the front end portion of the element To, and is a cutting position positioned at every arrangement pitch G + F of the RFID circuit element To, so that after the first cutting position in the previous step S143 ′ has reached the cutter position. When the tag tape 3A is conveyed by a distance of G + F−L3 (see FIG. 21B, etc.), the front end portion of the next RFID circuit element To which is the second cutting position has reached the cutter position Therefore, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S149.

  In step 149, a control signal is output to the platen roller drive circuit 209 (see FIG. 28), the rotation drive of the drive shaft of the platen roller 26 by the platen roller motor 208 is stopped, and the conveyance of the tag tape 3A is stopped.

  In the next step 150 ', a control signal is output to the cutter solenoid drive circuit 30, and the cutter of the cutter unit 8 "is operated to cut (separate) the tag tape 3A. This flow is finished.

  According to the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present modified example, in addition to the same effects as those of the above embodiment, the tag label is produced in a state where the RFID label T and a surplus portion corresponding to the RFID tag T are partially connected (while the association is clarified). The RFID label T can be easily separated from the surplus portion by removing the release paper 3c at the time of label application. As a result, the surplus portion can be used as a tape or a backup tape associated with the tag label.

  In the modified example (4), the tag label and the surplus part are associated with each other by half-cutting, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, printing for associating the tag label with the tag label is performed at the same time as printing of the tag label, and normal cutting (separation) that is not half-cutting is performed at the half-cut position (in other words, 2 per tag label T). It is also possible to discharge them in a separated state and to ensure their relevance by the printed part after discharge. Alternatively, the print may be performed for the association, and two sheets (the tag label portion and the surplus portion following the discharge) may be continuously discharged as described above to provide the relevance.

(5) Others (5-1) When RFID Tag Information is Written In the above description, an example has been described in which a RFID tag label that can only be read (but cannot be written) is created. The present invention may be applied when information is written to the IC circuit unit 151 of the tag circuit element To.

  In this case, in the procedure corresponding to step S105 in FIG. 22 described above, in addition to the print information to be printed on the RFID label T by the print head 31, information to be written to the IC circuit section 151 of the RFID circuit element To is read. Then, in the procedure corresponding to step S200, a tag ID (all or a part) is designated and memory initialization (erase) for writing RFID tag information such as ID information or article information is performed, and then the RFID tag The information is transmitted to and written in the RFID circuit element To, and the information written in the RFID circuit element To is combined with the already printed information corresponding to this in the procedure corresponding to step S130. Is memorized.

  Also according to this modification, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained when information is written to the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To.

(5-2) Configuration to be bonded to the print-receiving tape In the above embodiment, the print head 31 performs printing on the tag tape 3A wound around the core 3B, and the RFID tag circuit element To provided in the tag tape 3A. The RFID label T that has been read or written to and further cut into a predetermined length is created, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the RFID circuit element To is arranged at a predetermined interval in the tape longitudinal direction and is fed from a tag tape (base tape) fed out from the tag tape roll and a print tape roll different from the tag tape roll and printed by the print head. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the printed tag label tape that has been bonded is cut into a predetermined length to form a wireless tag label. In this case, the identification mark M as the identifier can be provided on the base tape side, or can be provided on the print-receiving tape side. The mark sensor 239 may be disposed on the base tape or the print-receiving tape side to detect the identification mark M. In these cases, the same effect is obtained.

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

  It is assumed that the “Scroll All ID” signal and the like used above comply with the Auto-ID specification formulated by EPC global. EPC global is a non-profit corporation established jointly by the International EAN Association, which is an international organization of distribution codes, and the United Code Code Council (UCC), which is an American distribution code organization. Note that signals conforming to other standards may be used as long as they perform the same function.

  In addition, 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 perspective view showing the schematic structure of the tag label production apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the state which removed the upper cover of the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XX ′ in FIG. 3. It is the perspective view showing the state which removed the upper cover and the tag tape roll from the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the expansion perspective view of the W section in FIG. 3 (A). It is a back perspective view showing the state which removed the upper cover and tag tape roll of the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a tape holder is attached to the tag label producing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with an upper cover removed. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the radio | wireless tag circuit element with which a tag tape is equipped. It is a conceptual diagram showing the control system of a tag label production apparatus. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of a high frequency circuit. It is the perspective view from the front upper side showing the detailed structure of the tag tape roll body with which the tag label production apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was equipped, and the perspective view from the lower back. It is the perspective view which looked at the tape holder from the diagonally back side, and the perspective view which looked at the diagonally front side. It is the left view, front view, and right view showing the detailed structure of a tape holder. It is arrow sectional drawing in the YY 'cross section in FIG. 13 (A). It is arrow sectional drawing in the ZZ 'cross section in FIG. 13 (A). It is a figure which shows the example of perforation of the sensor hole showing the kind of tag tape in the tape discrimination | determination part of a positioning holding member. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the mounting | wearing behavior to the tag label production apparatus side of a tape holder. It is the upper surface figure and bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID tag label. It is a cross-sectional view by the XIX-XIX 'cross section in FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing the positional relationship of the identification mark of a tag tape, and a RFID circuit element with a mark sensor, a print head, and a cutter unit. FIGS. 20A to 20F are conceptual diagrams illustrating in detail the positional relationship among a tag tape print area, a RFID circuit element, and an identification mark in each state. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs in the modification which selects label length. It is a conceptual diagram showing the control system of the tag label production apparatus by the modification which performs the cutting | disconnection operation | movement by a cutter unit automatically. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs in the modification which performs the cutting | disconnection operation | movement by a cutter unit automatically. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement according to the conveyance position of the tag tape of the tag label production apparatus in the modification which prints a cut mark without cut | disconnecting. It is a conceptual diagram showing the control system of the tag label production apparatus by the modification which utilizes a surplus part as a recording tape. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs in the modification which utilizes a surplus part as a copy tape.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tag label production apparatus 3A Tag tape 8 Cutter unit (1st cutting means)
8 'Cutter unit (second cutting means)
8 "cutter unit (half cutting means)
26 Platen roller (drive means, stop control means)
34 LED lamp (notification means)
31 Print head (information printing means, cutting position printing means)
150 IC circuit section 202 Signal processing circuit (information access means)
204 Antenna (device side antenna)
208 Platen roller motor (stop control means)
209 Platen roller drive circuit (stop control means)
210 Control circuit (cutting position determination means, stop control means)
212 Transmitter (information access means)
213 Receiver (information access means)
T wireless tag label To wireless tag circuit element

Claims (3)

A device-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged at a predetermined pitch on the tag tape;
Access information to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is generated, transmitted to the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna, and information writing to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element or the IC circuit part Information access means for reading information from,
Drive means for paying out the tag tape;
A cutting position determining means for determining a cutting position in the tag tape fed out by the driving means and capable of generating a tag label having the RFID circuit element and having a longitudinal dimension smaller than the predetermined pitch;
Have
The cutting position determining means includes
Determining the cutting position so that the longitudinal dimension of the tag label is a selected predetermined value;
The driving means discharges a portion of the tag tape whose longitudinal dimension is the selected predetermined value as the tag label to the outside of the apparatus, and also calculates a difference between the predetermined pitch and the selected predetermined value. A tag label producing device , wherein the surplus portion is associated with the tag label and discharged outside the device. A device-side antenna that transmits and receives information by wireless communication with a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements arranged at a predetermined pitch on the tag tape;
Access information to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is generated, transmitted to the RFID circuit element via the device-side antenna, and information writing to the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element or the IC circuit part Information access means for reading information from,
Drive means for paying out the tag tape;
A cutting position determining means for determining a cutting position capable of generating a tag label having the RFID circuit element and having a longitudinal dimension smaller than the predetermined pitch in the tag tape fed out by the driving means;
Cutting means for detecting the cutting position and cutting the tag tape at the position;
Stop control means for stopping the feeding operation by the drive means when it is detected that the cutting means is a position substantially opposite to the cutting position of the tag tape;
On the tag tape, information printing means for performing printing related to information written to the IC circuit unit or information read out;
Have
The cutting position determining means determines the cutting position so as to avoid an arrangement position of the RFID circuit element in the tag tape and according to a print information amount to be printed by the information printing means ,
The driving means discharges a portion of the tag tape on the tape front end side from the cutting position as the tag label to the outside of the apparatus, and an excess portion of a difference between the predetermined pitch and the length of the tape front end portion of the tag tape. A tag label producing device, wherein the tag label producing device is discharged outside the device in association with the device. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A tag label producing apparatus comprising: a semi-cutting means for cutting a boundary portion between the tag label and the excess portion corresponding to the tag tape to a middle portion in the thickness direction of the tag tape .

Images