JP4780393B2 - Wireless tag label and tag label producing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tag label producing apparatus for producing a radio Tagurabe Le was created is transmitted and received radio tag information.

  2. Description of the Related Art RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems that transmit and receive information in a contactless manner (an electromagnetic coupling method using a coil, an electromagnetic induction method, a radio wave method, etc.) to a RFID circuit element that stores information are known.

  For example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known as a tag label producing device (recording device) for writing information to such a RFID circuit element and producing a RFID label. In this prior art, the tag tape is removed from a roll unit having a roll (roll paper) wound with a tag tape (mounting paper) in which RFID circuit elements (wireless communication elements) are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the tape longitudinal direction. The RFID tag information is written to the RFID tag circuit element provided in the tag tape via the device side antenna (communication antenna), and the printing means (recording head) is used to print the RFID tag information at a predetermined position on the tag tape. By performing printing, tag labels with printing are continuously generated.

JP 2004-82432 A

  In the tag label producing apparatus as in the above prior art, information relating to an object to which the produced RFID tag label is attached is usually written as RFID tag information in the RFID circuit element. Therefore, even if the RFID label is created and used by the user while the RFID tag label is created, due to the user's misoperation or other causes / effects, etc. Since only information related to the object is stored in the circuit element, information that becomes a material for specifying the cause of the malfunction cannot be acquired on the side of the manufacturer or service company. As a result, it has been impossible to ensure the performance of the tag label producing apparatus and the quality of the RFID tag label, resulting in a decrease in reliability.

The objective of this invention is providing the tag label production apparatus which can produce the RFID label which improves reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is a carrying means for carrying a tag medium comprising an IC circuit unit for storing information and a RFID circuit element having a tag side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit. And a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID circuit element by wireless communication, and using the tag medium on which the information transmission / reception is performed to the RFID circuit element, A tag label producing device for producing, wherein writing information for creating the RFID label is written to the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element provided in the RFID tag label via the transmission / reception means comprising a control unit, the environmental information detecting means for detecting the temperature information and humidity information of the surrounding environment of the tag label producing apparatus, the write control means, said ring Depending on the detection result of the information detection means, as the label production time management information, writing the temperature information and humidity information when creating the RFID label in the tag-label producing device to said IC circuit part of said RFID circuit element It is characterized by.

  When creating a RFID label, a tag medium provided with a RFID circuit element is conveyed by a conveying means, and information is transmitted / received to / from an IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element via wireless communication. In addition, after appropriate processing such as printing is performed, the RFID label is completed.

At this time, in the first invention of the present application , various label creation management information at the time of RFID label production is written and stored in the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element by the write control means. As a result, even if the RFID label is created and used by the user while the communication / printing is inappropriate or defective due to user's misoperation or other causes / effects, etc. Alternatively, by obtaining the label creation management information of the RFID circuit element of the RFID label later on the service company side or the like, it is possible to detect and confirm the fact that the malfunction has occurred, and take some measures. As a result, it is possible to ensure the performance of the tag label producing apparatus and the quality of the RFID label, and improve the reliability.
In the first invention of the present application, the writing control means writes and holds the temperature information and humidity information at the time of tag label creation in the IC circuit section as the label creation time management information. Thus, by reading the temperature information and the humidity information at the time of examination after the occurrence of the malfunction, for example, it is confirmed whether the temperature or humidity at the time of creating the RFID label has any adverse effect on the creation of the tag label. be able to.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect , the writing control means further writes object information associated with the RFID label as the label creation time management information in the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element. It is characterized by that.

  When creating a wireless tag label, it is necessary to input various processing contents in the tag label producing apparatus, for example, the contents of characters and figures to be printed, from the operator side. Actually, in response to the recent expansion of the use of RFID label, various uses (in other words, what is the target of the tag label) so that the operator can easily input the operation on the tag label producing device and the operation terminal side that operates this ) May be prepared in advance. Also, the specifications and characteristics of the RFID circuit element itself may be set in advance so as to correspond to the application of the RFID label.

In the second invention of this application , the writing control means writes and holds the object information as the label creation management information in the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element. Thus, by reading this object information at the time of examination after the occurrence of the malfunction, for example, it is possible to confirm whether the object matches the specifications / characteristics of the RFID tag circuit element provided in the RFID tag label. it can. Alternatively, by identifying the software used when the RFID label was created from the object information, the software was appropriate for use with the RFID circuit element provided in the RFID label You can check whether or not. And some measures can be taken based on these confirmation results.

According to a third invention, in the second invention , there is provided software information input means for inputting operation software information used by an operator corresponding to the use of the RFID label, wherein the write control means is configured to input the software information. The object information based on the operation software information input by the means is written in the IC circuit unit.

  Using the object information written by the writing control means based on the operation software information input by the software information input means, whether the object matches the specifications / characteristics of the RFID circuit element, or the software is wireless It can be confirmed whether the tag circuit element is appropriate for use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention , the write control unit generates the tag label used to create the RFID label as the label creation management information in the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element. The apparatus information of the apparatus is further written.

In response to the expansion of the application of wireless tag labels, various types and specifications of tag label producing devices have already been proposed, and in order to ensure the reliability and stability of communication, wireless devices that are the targets of information transmission / reception On the tag circuit element side, ones with specifications and characteristics that match each device must be used. In the fourth invention of the present application , the writing control means writes the device information of the tag label producing device as the label creation time management information in the IC circuit unit and holds it, thereby reading this device information at the time of examination after the occurrence of the failure, For example, the tag label producing apparatus that created the RFID label can check the model conformity as to whether the RFID tag circuit element provided in the RFID tag is an appropriate communication partner, and take some measures. it can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention based on the fourth aspect , the writing control means writes identification information of the tag label producing apparatus as the apparatus information in the IC circuit unit.

  By reading the identification information of the tag label producing device as device information at the time of examination after the occurrence of a malfunction, the device conforms to whether or not the device was an appropriate device as a communication partner of the RFID tag circuit element provided in the RFID label Sex can be confirmed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention , the writing control unit creates the RFID label when the RFID tag label is created as the label creation management information in the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element. The operation information is further written.

In the sixth invention of the present application , the writing control means includes, as label creation management information, operation information at the time of tag label creation, such as power supply voltage, creation date and time, number of printed sheets history, printing form, printing energy, printing speed, number of communication trials, etc. Write and hold in the IC circuit section. Thus, by reading this operation information at the time of examination after the occurrence of a malfunction, for example, the operation state of the tag label producing device when the RFID label was created is abnormal or the operation history up to that point is To see if it had any negative effects.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect , the write control means communicates as the operation information when transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID tag circuit element, such as date / time information, power supply voltage information, and the like when the tag label is created. At least one of trial number information is written in the IC circuit unit.

  By reading the date and time information, power supply voltage information, communication trial number information, etc. at the time of tag label creation as operation information when considering after the occurrence of a defect, the date, power supply voltage, the number of communication trials, etc. when the RFID label was created can be used as clues. It is possible to examine defects.

  According to the present invention, reliability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

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

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

  In FIG. 2, a tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to the PC 118 and produces a desired RFID label with a print based on an operation from the PC 118, and can be opened and closed on the apparatus main body 2 and the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. And an open / close lid 3 provided.

  The apparatus main body 2 is located on the front side (left front side in FIG. 2), and has a side wall provided with a label discharge port 11 (discharge port) for discharging a RFID label T (described later) created in the device main body 2 to the outside. 10 (housing), and a side lid 12 provided below the label discharge port 11 in the side wall 10 and having a lower end rotatably supported.

  The side lid 12 is provided with a pressing portion 13, and the side lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. A power button 14 for turning on / off the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided below the open / close button 4 in the side wall 3a. A cutter driving button 16 for driving a cutting mechanism 15 (see FIG. 3 described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 2 by a user's manual operation is provided below the power button 14. Is pressed, the tag label tape 109 with print (described later) is cut to a desired length to produce the RFID label T.

  The opening / closing lid 3 is pivotally supported at the end of the apparatus main body 2 on the right back side in FIG. 2 and is always urged in the opening direction via an urging member such as a spring. Then, when the open / close button 4 disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 so as to be adjacent to the open / close lid 3 is pressed, the lock between the open / close lid 3 and the apparatus main body 2 is released and opened by the action of the biasing member. Is done. A see-through window 5 covered with a transparent cover is provided at the center side of the opening / closing lid 3.

  The tag label producing apparatus 1 configured as described above is configured to have a size and a weight that can be carried by a user, and can be carried to an appropriate place of use as necessary.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 inside the tag label producing apparatus 1 (however, a loop antenna LC described later is omitted). In FIG. 3, the internal unit 20 schematically includes a printing mechanism 21 including a cartridge holder 6 (housing body holder) for housing a cartridge 7 (wireless tag circuit element housing) and a print head (thermal head) 23. The cutting mechanism 15 (cutting means), the half cut unit 35 (see FIG. 4 described later), and the generated RFID label T (see FIG. 19 described later) are discharged from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2). And a label discharge mechanism 22.

  4 is a plan view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 7. As shown in FIG.

  4 and 5, the cartridge holder 6 accommodates the cartridge 7 so that the direction of the width direction of the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the label discharge port 11 is the vertical direction. The cartridge 7 includes a casing 7A, a first roll 102 around which a strip-shaped base tape 101 (tag medium) is wound, which is disposed in the casing 7A, and a transparent having substantially the same width as the base tape 101. A second roll 104 around which the cover film 103 is wound, a ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out an ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape), and a ribbon 105 after printing. A ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding, a tape feed roller 27 rotatably supported in the vicinity of the tape discharge unit 30 of the cartridge 7, and a guide roller 112 functioning as a transport position regulating means.

  The tape feed roller 27 presses and bonds the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to form the printed tag label tape 109 and feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A (= also functions as a pressure roller). ).

  The first roll 102 is wound with the base tape 101 in which a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To are sequentially formed at predetermined equal intervals in the longitudinal direction around a reel member 102a. In this example, the base tape 101 has a four-layer structure (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 5), from the side wound inside (right side in FIG. 5) to the opposite side (left side in FIG. 5), An adhesive layer 101a made of an appropriate adhesive material, a colored base film 101b made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., an adhesive layer 101c made of an appropriate adhesive material, and a release paper (release material) 101d are laminated in this order. Yes.

  On the back side (left side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b, a loop antenna 152 (tag side antenna) configured in a loop coil shape and transmitting / receiving information is integrally provided in this example, and is connected thereto. The IC circuit portion 151 for storing information is formed, and the RFID tag circuit element To is constituted by these.

  The adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b, and the RFID circuit element is formed on the back side (left side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b. The release paper 101d is bonded to the base film 101b by the adhesive layer 101c provided so as to enclose To. The release paper 101d is one that can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like by peeling it off. It is.

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

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are each configured such that the driving force of a conveying motor 119 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 15 to be described later) provided outside the cartridge 7 is wound around the ribbon via a gear mechanism (not shown). By being transmitted to the take-up roller drive shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, they are rotated in conjunction with each other.

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

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

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

  When the cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roll holder 25 is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are held between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26. At the same time, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with the directions indicated by the arrows B and C by the driving force of the conveying motor 119, respectively. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 are connected by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 27, The pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 rotate, and the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 15 described later). As a result, a print R (see FIG. 19 described later) corresponding to the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101 to be bonded is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after printing are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print. It is carried out of the cartridge 7. The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

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

  On the other hand, as described above, the internal unit 20 is provided with the cutting mechanism 15 and the label discharge mechanism 22, and is further provided with a base tape 101 (a tag label tape with print after bonding, the same applies hereinafter). A loop antenna LC (transmission / reception means) is provided to read or write information via wireless communication with respect to the provided RFID tag circuit element To. Then, after reading or writing information to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being bonded as described above, the cutter driving button 16 ( 2), the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15, and the RFID label T is generated. The RFID label T is then discharged from the label discharge port 11 formed on the side wall 3a (see FIG. 2) by the label discharge mechanism 22.

  The cutting mechanism 15 includes a fixed blade 40, a movable blade 41 made of a metal member and performing a cutting operation together with the fixed blade 40, a cutter helical gear 42 (see FIG. 3) connected to the movable blade 41, A cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 3) connected to the cutter helical gear 42 by a gear train is provided.

  The label discharge mechanism 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the label discharge port 11 provided on the side wall 3a of the apparatus main body 2, and is printed with the tag label tape 109 (in other words, the RFID label T, The same applies to the following, and a tag label that has been printed at a position near the label discharge port 11 (specifically, an information reading or writing position by the loop antenna LC). It functions as a position regulating means for regulating the transport position of the tape 109 for use. That is, the label discharge mechanism 22 includes a driving roller 51 (conveying means), a pressing roller 52 facing the driving roller 51 with a printed tag label tape 109 interposed therebetween, and the pressing roller 52 as a printed tag label tape. The pressure actuating mechanism 53 (see FIG. 3) that is actuated so as to press against or release the pressure is printed by the driving roller 51 in conjunction with the pressure releasing operation of the press actuating mechanism 53. A discharge drive mechanism 54 (see FIG. 3) for rotating the tag label tape 109 so as to be discharged is provided.

  At this time, first guide walls 55 and 56 and second guide walls 63 and 64 for guiding the tag label tape 109 with print to the label discharge port 11 are provided inside the label discharge port 11 ( (See FIG. 4). The first guide walls 55 and 56 and the second guide walls 63 and 64 are integrally formed, and at a discharge position of the tag label tape 109 with print cut by the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41, a predetermined distance from each other. It is arranged to be separated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing operation mechanism unit 53 is attached to the roller support holder 57 (arm member) and the roller support holder 57, and the roller support unit 58 (arm member) that holds the pressing roller 52 at the tip. ), A holder support portion 59 that rotatably supports the roller support holder 57, a cam 60 that drives the pressing operation mechanism portion 53 in conjunction with the cutting mechanism 15, and a biasing spring 61.

  The roller support portion 58 is rotatably supported so as to sandwich the pressing roller 52 from above and below. Then, the roller support holder 57 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 71 in FIG. 3) about the holder support shaft 59 through the cam 60 by the rotation of the cutter helical gear 42, whereby the pressing roller 52 is printed. It is pressed against the tag label tape 109. When the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated again, the holder support shaft 59 is rotated in the reverse direction by the biasing spring 61, and the pressing roller 52 is separated from the tag label tape 109 with print.

  The discharge drive mechanism portion 54 includes a tape discharge motor 65 and a gear train 66, and after the tag label tape 109 with print is pressed against the drive roller 51 by the pressing roller 52, the tape discharge motor 65 is driven to drive the drive roller 51. Is rotated in the discharge direction of the tag label tape 109 with print, so that the tag label tape 109 with print is forcibly discharged in the discharge direction.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the conceptual configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided in the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102, as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. In FIG. 6, the RFID circuit element To includes a loop coil 152 configured to transmit and receive information, which is configured in a loop coil shape having a length in the longitudinal direction L, and an IC circuit that is connected to the loop antenna 152 and stores information. Part 151.

  FIG. 7 is a partial extraction perspective view showing the detailed structure of the main part of the label discharge mechanism 22. In FIG. 7, the middle portions of the first guide walls 55 and 56 in the vertical direction are notched, and the drive roller 51 is disposed on one of the first guide walls 55 from the notch to the discharge position of the tag label tape 109 with print. It is provided so as to face. The drive roller 51 has a roller cutout 51A formed by a concentric groove on the upper surface thereof. On the other hand, on the other first guide wall 56, the pressing roller 52 is supported by the roller support portion 58 of the pressing operation mechanism portion 53 so as to face the discharging position of the tag label tape 109 with print from the notch portion.

  The loop antenna LC (conceptually indicated by imaginary lines in FIG. 7) is arranged so that the pressing roller 52 is positioned at the radial center (radially inside, specifically on the coil center axis X described later). The RFID circuit element To that is disposed in the vicinity of the pressing roller 52 and is provided on the tag label tape 109 with print by magnetic induction (including non-contact methods performed through electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, and other electromagnetic fields). Access (information reading or information writing) is performed.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the internal unit 20 in a state where the label discharge mechanism 22 is removed from the structure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the cutter helical gear 42 is provided with a boss 50 formed in a projecting shape, and this boss 50 is configured to be inserted into a long hole 49 of the movable blade 41 (described later). 9 and FIG. 10). Further, on the downstream side of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 along the tape discharge direction, so as to be positioned between the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 and the first guide walls 55 and 56 (see FIG. 4), A half cut unit 35 is attached.

  The half-cut unit 35 includes a cradle 38 that is arranged in accordance with the fixed blade 40, a half cutter 34 that is opposed to the cradle 38 and is disposed on the movable blade 41 side, and between the fixed blade 40 and the cradle 38. The first guide portion 36 is disposed in combination with the fixed blade 40, and the second guide portion 37 is disposed in combination with the movable blade 41 so as to face the first guide portion 36 (see FIG. 11 described later). See also).

  The first guide portion 36 and the second guide portion 37 are integrally formed, and the side plate 44 together with the fixed blade 40 is provided by a guide fixing portion 36A provided at a position corresponding to a fixing hole 40A (see FIG. 11 described later) of the fixed blade 40. (See FIG. 4).

  The cradle 38 is bent so that an end facing the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the tape discharge unit 30 is parallel to the tape, and forms a receiving surface 38B. Here, as described above, the tag label tape 109 with print is bonded to the cover film 103 and the base tape 101 having a four-layer structure including the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d. Thus, a five-layer structure is formed (see also FIG. 20 described later). Then, by pressing the half cutter 34 against the receiving surface 38B, the tag label tape 109 with print between the half cutter 34 and the receiving surface 38B becomes the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c. Is cut, but only the release paper 101d is left uncut. The receiving surface 38 </ b> B has a role of guiding the tag label tape 109 with print to the label discharge port 11 together with the first guide portions 55 and 56.

  9 and 10 are perspective views showing the appearance of the cutting mechanism 15 in which the half cutter 34 is removed from the internal unit 20.

  9 and 10, in the cutting mechanism 15, when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 3), the movable blade 41 is swung around the shaft hole 48 by the boss 50 and the long hole 49. The tag label tape 109 with print is cut.

  That is, first, when the boss 50 of the cutter helical gear 42 is positioned on the inner side (left side in FIG. 9), the movable blade 41 is positioned away from the fixed blade 40 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as an initial state). ). In this initial state, when the cutter motor 43 is driven and the cutter helical gear 42 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow 70), the boss 50 moves outward and the movable blade 41 counters around the shaft hole 48. The tag label tape 109 with print is cut with the fixed blade 40 fixed to the internal unit 20 by rotating clockwise (in the direction of arrow 73) (this state is hereinafter referred to as a cut state, see FIG. 10).

  After the printed tag label tape 109 is cut in this way to generate the RFID label, it is necessary to return the movable blade 41 to the initial state in order to cut the printed tag label tape 109 to be conveyed next time. Therefore, by driving the cutter motor 43 again and rotating the cutter helical gear 42 counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow 70), the boss 50 moves inward again, and the movable blade 41 rotates in the clockwise direction (in the direction of arrow 74). To move the movable blade 41 away from the fixed blade 40 (see FIG. 9). Then, the tag label tape 109 with print, which is printed and conveyed from the cartridge 7 next time, can be cut.

  At this time, a cutter helical gear cam 42A is provided on the cylindrical outer wall of the cutter helical gear 42, and when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43, the cutter helical gear cam 42A acts on the cutter helical gear 42. The adjacent microswitch 126 is switched from the off state to the on state. Thereby, the cut state of the tag label tape 109 with print is detected.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the movable blade 41 and the fixed blade 40 together with the half-cut unit 35, and FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged sectional view thereof. 11 and 12, the fixed blade 40 is fixed to a side plate 44 (see FIG. 4) provided upright on the left side of the cartridge holder 6 in the printing mechanism 15 by screws or the like as fixing means through a fixing hole 40A. ing.

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

  On the other hand, of the first guide portion 36 of the half-cut unit 35 described above, the end portion 36B facing the printed tag label tape 109 is a receiving surface 38B formed at the end portion of the receiving base 38. And the tag label tape 109 with print is bent in the discharging direction. Therefore, the end portion 36B of the first guide portion 36 has a smooth curved surface with respect to the printed tag label tape 109 discharging direction at the contact surface 36C with respect to the printed tag label tape 109 discharged from the cartridge 7.

  By projecting the end portion 36B of the first guide portion 36 and making the contact surface 36C curved, the front end portion of the tag label tape 109 with print curled to a certain curvature or more first hits the contact surface 36C of the first guide portion 36. . At this time, the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print hits the downstream side (downward in FIG. 12) of the printed tag label tape 109 from the boundary point 75 on the contact surface 36C of the first guide portion. In this case, the leading end of the tag label tape 109 with print moves downstream along the curved surface, so that the label does not enter between the fixed blade 40 and the first guide portion 36 or the cradle 38. It leads to the discharge port 11 direction.

  The first guide portion 36 has a guide width L1 (see FIG. 11) corresponding to the transport path of the printed tag label tape 109 larger than the maximum width (36 mm in this embodiment) of the attached tag label tape 109 to be attached. The inner surface 36D is formed continuously with the contact surface 36C. The internal surface 36D is formed to face first and second inclined surfaces 45A and 45B (details will be described later) of the movable blade 41, and at the time of cutting, the first and second inclined surfaces 45A and 45B of the movable blade 41 are formed. A part is abutted (see FIG. 12). Since the movable blade 41 is formed by a two-stage blade, when the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the movable blade 41, the contact surface 36C and the inner surface 36D corresponding to the end of the first guide portion 36 A gap 39 is formed between the movable blade 41 and the second inclined surface 45B (see FIG. 12).

  13 is a front view showing the appearance of the movable blade 41, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  13 and 14, in the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 45A has an angle of 50 degrees with the back surface of the blade portion 45 opposite to the first inclined surface 45A.

  FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, a control circuit 110 is disposed on a control board (not shown) of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 110 includes a CPU 111 having an internal timer 111A to control each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114, ROMs 115 and 116, a RAM 117, and an EEPROM 131. And are provided.

  The CGROM 114 stores dot pattern data for display corresponding to the code data for each of a large number of characters.

  In a ROM (dot pattern data memory) 115, for each of a large number of characters for printing characters such as alphabet letters and symbols, printing dot pattern data is provided for each typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.). Each typeface is classified and stored in correspondence with the code data for the print character size. In addition, graphic pattern data for printing a graphic image including gradation expression is also stored.

  The ROM 116 reads the print buffer data in correspondence with the character code data such as characters and numbers input from the PC 118 and drives the print head 23, the transport motor 119, and the tape discharge motor 65. A control program, a pulse number determination program for determining the number of pulses corresponding to the amount of energy to form each print dot, and when printing is finished, the tag label tape 109 with print is transported by driving the transport motor 119 to the cutting position. A cutting drive control program for driving the cutter motor 43 to cut the tag label tape 109 with print, and the cut tag label tape 109 with print (= the RFID label T) from the label discharge port 11 by driving the tape discharge motor 65. Forcible tape ejection program and other tags Bell generating apparatus 1 controls various programs required for are stored. The CPU 111 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 116.

  The RAM 117 is provided with a text memory 117A, a print buffer 117B, a write buffer 117C, a parameter storage area 117E, and the like. The text memory 117A stores document data input from the PC 118. In the print buffer 117B, a dot pattern for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses that is the amount of energy for forming each dot, and the like are stored as dot pattern data. The print head 23 is stored in the print buffer 117B. Dot printing is performed according to the existing dot pattern data. The write buffer 117C temporarily stores label creation management information (see FIG. 27 described later) written to the RFID circuit element To when the tag label is created, and various calculation data is stored in the parameter storage area 117E. .

  The EEPROM 131 is a non-volatile memory that retains stored contents even when the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is turned off, like the ROMs 115 and 116. The EEPROM 131 stores device information such as the model name of the tag label producing device 1 and printed sheet history information that is updated each time the tag label T is produced (see FIG. 16 described later).

  The input / output interface 113 includes a PC 118, the print drive circuit 120 for driving the print head 23, a transport motor drive circuit 121 for driving the transport motor 119, and a cutter motor 43. A cutter motor drive circuit 122, a tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 for driving the tape discharge motor 65, and a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC. The transmission circuit 306 that modulates the carrier wave based on the control signal input from the control circuit 110 and the response signal received from the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC are demodulated. The receiving circuit 307 that outputs to the control circuit 110 and the tape cut sensor 1 24, a cut release detection sensor 125, a temperature sensor 132 for detecting the temperature (state quantity) of the ambient environment of the tag label producing apparatus 1, and a humidity sensor 133 for detecting the humidity (state quantity) of the ambient environment of the tag label producing apparatus 1 And a battery voltage monitor 134 for monitoring the voltage of the battery (not shown) of the tag label producing apparatus 1 are connected to each other.

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

  The tape cut sensor 124 and the cut release detection sensor 125 include a cutter helical gear cam 42A and a micro switch 126 provided on the cylindrical outer wall of the cutter helical gear 42 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). . Specifically, when the cutter helical gear 42 is rotated by the cutter motor 43, the micro switch 126 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state by the action of the cutter helical gear cam 42A, and the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the movable blade 45. Detect that is complete. Thus, the tape cut sensor 124 is configured. When the cutter helical gear 42 further rotates, the micro switch 126 is switched from the on state to the off state by the action of the cutter helical gear cam 42A, and it is detected that the movable blade 45 has returned to the release position. Thus, the cut release detection sensor 125 is configured.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically showing the contents stored in the EEPROM 131. As shown in this figure, the EEPROM 131 stores at least a part of label creation time management information (details will be described later). Here, the model name of the tag label creation device 1 and the control of the tag label creation device 1 are necessary. System information (for example, stored in the ROM 116), device information such as the device serial number of the tag label producing device 1 (see FIG. 27 to be described later), and addition and updating each time the RFID tag T is created. The number of printed pages history information and the like are stored.

  FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a connection portion between the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 and the loop antenna LC. In FIG. 17, the transmission circuit 306 is connected to the device-side loop antenna LC, and the reception circuit 307 is connected to a capacitor 310 connected in series with the device-side loop antenna LC.

  FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 18, the RFID circuit element To includes the loop antenna 152 that transmits and receives signals in a contactless manner with the loop antenna LC on the tag label producing apparatus 1 side, and the IC circuit connected to the loop antenna 152. Part 151.

  The IC circuit unit 151 includes a rectifying unit 153 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the loop antenna 152, a power source unit 154 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectifying unit 153 and uses it as a driving power source, and the loop antenna. 152, a clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by 152 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 155, a memory unit 157 that can store a predetermined information signal, and a modulation / demodulation unit 158 connected to the loop antenna 152 And a control unit 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To through the rectifying unit 153, the clock extracting unit 156, the modem unit 158, and the like.

  The modulation / demodulation unit 158 demodulates the communication signal received from the loop antenna 152 from the loop antenna LC of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and receives the carrier wave received from the loop antenna 152 based on the response signal from the control unit 155. Modulate and reflect.

  The control unit 155 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 158, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 157, and performs basic control such as returning by the modulation / demodulation unit 158. Execute proper control.

  19A and 19B are formed when the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration completes the writing (or reading) of information of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the tag label tape 109 with print. FIG. 19A is a top view, and FIG. 19B is a bottom view. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX ′ in FIG.

  In FIG. 19A, FIG. 19B, and FIG. 20, the RFID label T has a five-layer structure in which the print-receiving tape 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. From the print-receiving tape 103 side (the upper side in FIG. 20) toward the opposite side (the lower side in FIG. 20), five layers of the print-receiving tape 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d Is configured. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the loop antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the base film 101b and the adhesive layer 101c and printed on the back surface of the print-receiving tape 103 (this R In the example, “RF-ID” characters indicating the type of the RFID label T are printed.

  FIG. 21 is displayed on the PC 118 (terminal 118a or general-purpose computer 118b) when accessing (reading or writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To by the tag label producing apparatus 1 as described above. It is a figure showing an example of a screen.

  In FIG. 21, in this example, the type of tag label (access frequency and tape size), the printed character R printed corresponding to the RFID circuit element To, and identification information (tag ID) unique to the RFID circuit element To The access (read or write) ID, the address of the article information stored in the information server IS, the storage address of the corresponding information in the route server RS, and the like can be displayed on the PC 118. Although not shown here, the contents of label creation management information (see FIG. 27) described later may be displayed. Then, the tag tag label producing apparatus 1 is operated by the operation of the PC 118, the print character R is printed on the cover film 103, and the write ID, article information, label creation management information, etc. are printed on the IC circuit unit 151. Information is written (or information such as read ID and article information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read).

  At the time of reading or writing as described above, the tag ID of the RFID tag circuit element To of the generated RFID label T and information read from the IC circuit portion 151 of the RFID label T (or to the IC circuit portion 151) The correspondence relationship with the (written information) is stored in the above-described route server RS and can be referred to as necessary.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110.

  In FIG. 22, for example, when the operator presses the power button 14 to turn on the tag label producing apparatus 1 (control circuit 110), this flow is started. First, in step S10, various initialization settings such as clearing the above-described print buffer 117B and setting the variable L for counting the number of times of retry (retry) when writing to the RFID circuit element To to 0 are performed. .

  In the next step S15, the model name information of the tag label producing apparatus 1 stored in the memory is read from the EEPROM 131. The read model name information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area 117E). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S20.

  In step S20, the program version information stored in the memory is read from the EEPROM 131. The read program version information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area 117E). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S25.

  In step S25, the device serial number information stored in the memory is read from the EEPROM 131. The read device serial number information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area 117E). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S30.

  In step S30, the ambient temperature of the tag label producing apparatus 1 detected by the temperature sensor 132 is acquired via the input / output interface 113 and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area 117E). . Then, the process proceeds to next Step S35.

  In step S35, the humidity of the ambient environment of the tag label producing apparatus 1 detected by the humidity sensor 133 is acquired via the input / output interface 113, and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area 117E). . Then, the process proceeds to next Step S40.

  In step S40, the battery voltage of the tag label producing apparatus 1 detected by the battery voltage monitor 134 is acquired via the input / output interface 113, and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area 117E). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S45.

  In step S45, date / time information is acquired via an input / output interface 113 from a clock means (not shown) (for example, the control circuit 110 may be provided or provided externally), and an appropriate memory (for example, the parameter storage area described above) is obtained. 117E etc.) temporarily. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S50.

  In step S50, a command signal input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113 is input and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, a reception buffer (not shown)). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S55.

  In step S55, the memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S50 is searched, and it is determined whether or not the command signal is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118. If it has been input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S100. If it is not input, the determination is not satisfied, and the process directly proceeds to step S60 described later.

  In step S100, a command execution process for executing the command is performed in accordance with a command signal input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113 (see FIG. 23 described later for details). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S60.

  In step S60, it is determined whether or not the operator has pressed the power button 14 to turn off the tag label producing apparatus 1. If the power-off operation has been performed, the determination is satisfied, and this flow ends. If the power-off operation has not been performed, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to the previous step S30.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S100 described above.

  In FIG. 23, first, in step S105, a memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S50 is searched, and it is determined whether or not a command signal related to print image information is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118. If it has been input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S110.

  In step S110, print image information input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the print buffer 117B). Then, this flow ends.

  In step S105, if a command signal related to print image information is not input from an external terminal such as the PC 118, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S115.

  In step S115, a memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S50 is searched, and it is determined whether or not a command signal related to write instruction data to be written to the RFID circuit element To is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118. . The writing instruction data is object information related to the object on which the created RFID label T is provided. For example, when the object is an article, the write instruction data includes an article name, a unit price, and the like. Is a person's name, gender, etc. (see FIGS. 30 and 31 described later). If a command signal related to the write instruction data is input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S120.

  In step S120, write instruction data input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends.

  In step S115, if a command signal related to write instruction data is not input from an external terminal such as the PC 118, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S125.

  In step S125, the memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S50 is searched, and it is determined whether or not a command signal related to the mechanical parameter of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118. The mechanical parameters are various device parameters of the tag label producing apparatus 1 at the time of tag label production. For example, the printing energy (formation energy amount of each printing dot) by the print head 23 and the transport speed of the cover film 103 at the time of printing. And the like (see FIG. 27 described later). If a command signal related to the mechanical parameter is input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S130.

  In step S130, various device settings are performed according to the mechanical parameters input from the external terminal such as the PC 118. The inputted mechanical parameters are temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends.

  If a command signal related to a mechanical parameter is not input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 in the previous step S125, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S135.

  In step S135, a memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S50 is searched, and it is determined whether a command signal related to a print start instruction is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118. If a command signal related to the print start instruction is input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S140.

  In step S140, the printing form is determined. In the present embodiment, the tag label producing apparatus 1 is determined to be interface printing (hereinafter referred to as “I / F printing” as appropriate) in which the print image data is acquired from an external terminal such as the PC 118 via the communication line NW and printed. To do. The determined printing mode information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S200.

  In step S200, the cover film 103 that has been fed from the second roll 104 and printed by the print head 23 and the base tape 101 that has been fed from the first roll 102 are bonded to each other by the pressure roller 107 and printed. The tag label tape 110 is formed, information is written to the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC, and label printing processing is performed to generate the RFID label T by cutting the tag label tape 110 at a predetermined position (details). (See FIG. 24 described later).

  If a command signal related to a print start instruction is not input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 in the previous step S135, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S145.

  In step S145, a memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S50 is searched, and whether or not a command signal related to an information write instruction or an information read instruction to the EEPROM 131 is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 or not. judge. If the command signal is input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S150.

  In step S150, information is written to or read from the EEPROM 131 in accordance with a write / read instruction command input from an external terminal such as the PC 118. Then, this flow ends.

  If a command signal related to an information write instruction or an information read instruction to the EEPROM 131 is not input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 in the previous step S145, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S155.

  In step S155, processing according to other commands input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 is performed.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 described above.

  In FIG. 24, first, in step S300, a write buffer creation process for creating data to be written to the RFID circuit element To on the write buffer 117C is performed (refer to FIG. 25 described later for details).

  In the next step S205, a communication position on the tape with respect to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC (that is, a tape position where the loop antenna LC is substantially opposed to the RFID circuit element To position) is set. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S210.

  In step S210, based on the print image data stored in step S110, the position on the tape where the printing of the label print R is completed is calculated and determined. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S213.

  In step S213, based on the operation signal input from the external terminal such as the PC 118, the cut position of the tag label tape 109 with print (based on the premise that the label size is predetermined in accordance with the type of the cartridge 7). The position of the cutting line is set to a predetermined position for each cartridge 7 (fixed). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S215.

  In step S 215, a control signal is output to the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 via the input / output interface 113, and the tape feeding roller 27 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 are rotated by the driving force of the conveyance motor 121. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor 65 via the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 to drive the drive roller 51 to rotate. Accordingly, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are The tape label roller 109 and the sub-roller 109 are bonded and integrated to form a tag label tape 109 with print, which is further conveyed from the outside of the cartridge 7 to the outside of the tag label producing apparatus 1. Note that the transport speed at this time is set to be the printing speed set in step S130.

  In the next step S220, it is determined whether or not the cover film 103 has reached the print start position by the print head 23. This determination is made by, for example, whether or not an identifier (not shown) provided at an appropriate position of the printed tag label tape 109 is detected by an appropriate optical sensor (not shown), that is, detection of the identifier from the optical sensor. It is sufficient to determine whether or not a signal has been input. The determination is not satisfied until the cover film 103 reaches the print start position, and this procedure is repeated. If the cover film 103 reaches the print start position, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S225.

  In step S225, the tape position of the tag label tape 109 with print at the time when it is determined in step S220 that the cover film 103 has reached the print start position by the print head 23 is set as the reference position. Then, counting of the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the conveyance motor 119, which is a pulse motor, is started. This is because the subsequent position determination (for example, determination as to whether or not a write position in step S240 described later has been reached) is performed by counting the number of output pulses of the transport motor drive circuit 121. . Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S230.

  In step S230, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the print head 23 is energized, and the above-described print region S of the cover film 103 (= the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch or the like). Printing of the label print R such as characters and symbols corresponding to the print image data stored in step S110 is started on the back surface of the RFID circuit element To arranged at intervals. Note that the printing energy by the print head 23 at this time is set to the printing energy set in step S130.

  In the next step S235, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the loop antenna LC described above (in other words, the loop antenna LC set in step S205 is substantially the same as the RFID circuit element To position. Whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the position corresponding to it). As described above, the determination at this time may be detected by counting the number of output pulses of the transport motor drive circuit 121 from the reference position set in step S225. This procedure is repeated until the communication position is reached and the determination is not satisfied.

  In step S240, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the feeding of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped with the loop antenna LC substantially facing the RFID circuit element To. To do. Further, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the label print R is stopped (interrupted).

  In the next step S400, tag access processing for writing the contents of the write buffer 117C created in step S300 to the RFID circuit element To is performed (refer to FIG. 26 described later for details). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S250.

  In step S250, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven in the same manner as in step S215, and the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is resumed, and the printing is performed in the same manner as in step S230. The head 23 is energized to resume printing the label print R.

  In the next step S255, it is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the print end position set in the previous step S210. The determination at this time may also be detected by counting the number of output pulses of the transport motor drive circuit 121 from the reference position set in step S225 as in step S235 described above. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If the determination is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S260.

  In step S260, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the label print R is stopped. Thereby, the printing of the label print R on the print region S is completed.

  In step S265, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the cut position set in the previous step S213 (in other words, the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 has been printed to the position facing the cutting line set in step S213). It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 has arrived. The determination at this time may also be detected by counting the number of output pulses of the transport motor drive circuit 121 from the reference position set in step S225 as in step S235 described above. The determination is not satisfied until the cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S270.

  In step S270, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped. Thereby, in the state where the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 faces the cutting position (cutting line position) set in step S213, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102, and from the second roll 104. The feeding of the cover film 103 and the feeding of the tag label tape 109 with print are stopped.

  In the next step S275, the print number history information stored in the EEPROM 131 is updated. That is, the number of printed sheets stored in the EEPROM 131 is read, and 1 is added and written again.

  Thereafter, in step S280, a control signal is output to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 to drive the cutter motor 43, and the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 is rotated to cover the cover film 103 of the tag label tape 109 with print, adhesive A cutting process is performed to cut (divide) all of the layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d. By the cutting by the cutting mechanism 15, a label-like RFID label T is generated which is separated from the printed tag label tape 109 and has been subjected to writing of RFID tag information to the RFID circuit element To and predetermined printing corresponding thereto. Is done.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S300 described above.

  In FIG. 25, first, in step S305, the write buffer 117C is initialized. Then, the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, the write instruction data stored in the appropriate memory in step S120 is read and stored in the write buffer 117C (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S315.

  In step S315, the model name information read from the EEPROM 131 in step S15 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data (the write instruction data) stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). reference). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S320.

  In step S320, the program version information read from the EEPROM 131 in step S20 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S325.

  In step S325, the device serial number information read from the EEPROM 131 in step S25 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S330.

  In step S330, the environmental temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 132 in step S30 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S335.

  In step S335, the environmental humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 133 in step S35 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S340.

  In step S340, the battery voltage information detected by the battery voltage monitor 134 in step S40 and stored in an appropriate memory is read and stored in addition to the data stored in the write buffer 117C (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S345.

  In step S345, the date / time information obtained from the clock means in step S45 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S350.

  In step S350, the printing mode information (I / F printing in this case) determined in step S140 and stored in an appropriate memory is read and added to the data stored in the writing buffer 117C and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). reference). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S355.

  In step S355, the printing energy information set in step S130 and stored in an appropriate memory is read and added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S360.

  In step S360, the printing speed information set in step S130 and stored in an appropriate memory is read, added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C, and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S365.

  In step S365, the print number history information stored in the EEPROM 131 is read. In the next step S370, the read print number history information is added to and stored in the data stored in the write buffer 117C (see FIG. 27 described later). ). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S375.

  In step S375, the retry count information (that is, variable L information for counting the number of times of retry (retry) when writing to the RFID circuit element To described above). In the access processing, if writing is successful once, L = 0) is added to the data stored in the write buffer 117C and stored (see FIG. 27 described later). Then, this flow ends.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400 described above.

  In FIG. 26, first, in step S405, a timeout time is set as a time limit for retrying when writing to the RFID circuit element To. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S410.

  In step S410, a control signal is output to a timer (not shown) for counting the timeout time set in step S405 (for example, the control circuit 110 may have or be provided externally), and the timer is set. to start. The time may be measured using the clock means described above.

  In the next step S415, the label creation time management information (see FIG. 27 described later) created on the write buffer 117C in the write buffer creation process in step S300 is written to the RFID circuit element To. Specifically, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a label-generated management information is written to the memory unit 157 as a “Program” signal. To the RFID circuit element To and write information.

  In the next step S420, it is determined whether or not writing of the label creation management information to the RFID circuit element To has failed. This determination is performed as follows. That is, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a carrier wave subjected to predetermined modulation as a “Verify” signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the loop antenna LC to prompt a reply. Thereafter, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be written in response to the “Verify” signal is received via the loop antenna 305 and taken in via the receiving circuit 307 and the input / output interface 113. Based on the received reply signal, the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed, and the above-described transmission is performed using a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check, etc.). It is determined whether or not the label creation management information is normally stored in the memory unit 157. If it is written normally, the determination is not satisfied and this flow is terminated. On the other hand, if it has not been normally written, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S425.

  In step S425, 1 is added to the variable L for counting the number of times of retrying writing (retry) to the RFID circuit element To, and the process proceeds to the next step S430.

  In step S430, the retry number information stored in the write buffer 117C in step S375 is updated to the retry number information obtained by adding 1 in step S425, and stored in the write buffer 117C.

  In the next step S435, it is determined whether or not the count started in the previous step S410 has reached the timeout time set in the previous step S405. If not, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to the previous step S415. As a result, when information writing fails, writing retry (retry) is performed until the timeout time elapses. On the other hand, if the timeout time has been reached, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S440.

  In step S440, an error display signal is output to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113 and the communication line NW, and a write error process such as a corresponding write failure (error) display is performed. Further, printing on the cover film 103 may be interrupted and error printing such as “NG” may be performed. Thereby, this flow is complete | finished.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of storage contents of the memory unit 157 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To in which information has been written by the control described above. As shown in FIG. 27, the memory unit 157 stores label creation time management information 135 when the RFID label is created. The label creation time management information 135 is input from an external terminal such as the PC 118, and the above-described writing instruction data 136, which is object information regarding the object to which the created RFID label T is provided, and the above-described model of the tag label producing apparatus 1 Device information 137 composed of name information, program version information, device serial number information (identification information), etc., environmental information 138 composed of environmental temperature information and environmental humidity information at the time of tag label creation, and battery voltage information , Date / time information, printed sheet history information, printing form information, printing energy information, printing speed information, retry count information, and the like, and has operation information 139 related to operations at the time of tag label creation of the tag label creation device 1. ing.

  In the above, the control circuit 110 (specifically, the tag access process shown in FIG. 26) sends the label creation time management information according to claim 6 to the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element provided in the RFID tag label via the transmission / reception means. Write control means for writing is configured. The control circuit 110 (specifically, step S111 and step S112 shown in FIG. 32) also constitutes software information input means for inputting operation software information according to claim 8.

  In the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, a predetermined label printing R is performed on the printing area S of the cover film 103 by the print head 23. The cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101c, A printed label tape 109 having a laminated structure including three layers with the covering release paper 101d is conveyed, and the RFID circuit element To provided in the printed label tape 109 is contacted with information from the loop antenna LC in a non-contact manner. Transmission / reception is performed, information is read or written, and the printed label tape 109 is cut into a predetermined length by the cutting mechanism 15 to create the RFID label T.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, the RFID tag circuit element To stores various types of label creation management information written at the time of RFID label production in the memory unit 157 of the IC circuit unit 151. As a result, even when the RFID label T is created and used by the user while the RFID label T is created while the communication / printing is inappropriate / defective or other problems are caused by the user's misoperation or other causes / effects, By acquiring the label creation time management information of the RFID circuit element To of the RFID label T later on the side of the manufacturer or service company, the fact that the malfunction has occurred can be detected and confirmed, and some measures can be taken. . As a result, it is possible to ensure the performance of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and the quality of the RFID label T and to improve the reliability.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, a write instruction that is object information related to an object provided with the created RFID label T as label creation management information in the memory 152 of the IC circuit 151 of the RFID circuit element To. Remember the data.

  Here, when the RFID label T is created, as described above, various processing contents (various commands) in the tag label creating apparatus 1 and contents of characters and graphics to be printed (print image data) are transmitted from the operator side. Must be entered. At this time, although not specifically described in the present embodiment, the tag label producing apparatus 1 or the operation terminal such as the PC 18 that operates the tag label producing apparatus 1 is generally used for various purposes (in other words, tag label information) so that the operator can easily perform operation input. There is a case where software corresponding to what the object is) is prepared in advance. Also, the specifications and characteristics of the RFID circuit element To itself may be set in advance so as to correspond to the application of the RFID label T.

  In this embodiment, by providing the write instruction data that is the object information as the label creation management information as described above, by reading this write instruction data at the time of examination after the occurrence of the defect, the object It is possible to confirm whether or not the specifications and characteristics of the RFID tag circuit element To provided in the RFID tag T are met. Alternatively, the software used when the RFID label T is created is specified from the write instruction data so that the software is appropriate for use with the RFID circuit element To included in the RFID label T. It can be confirmed whether it was. And some measures can be taken based on these confirmation results.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the model name information, program version information, device serial number information, etc. of the tag label producing device 1 are stored in the memory unit 152 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To as label creation management information. Is stored.

  Here, according to the expansion of application of the RFID label T, various specifications and characteristics of the tag label producing apparatus 1 have already been proposed. In order to ensure communication reliability and stability, information transmission / reception is performed. For the RFID circuit element To, which is the target of the above, ones having specifications and characteristics that match each device must be used. In the present embodiment, as described above, by providing the device information of the tag label producing device 1 as the label creation time management information, the tag label that created the RFID label T by reading the device information at the time of examination after the occurrence of a malfunction. The creation device 1 can confirm the model conformity as to whether the model is an appropriate model as the communication partner of the RFID circuit element To provided in the RFID label T, and can take some measures. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the device information 137 includes device serial number information, it is also confirmed whether the tag label producing device 1 is a proper device as a communication partner of the RFID circuit element To. Can do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the environmental information 138 configured from the environmental temperature information and environmental humidity information at the time of tag label creation as management information at the time of label creation in the memory unit 152 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To. Remember. As a result, by reading this environmental information at the time of examination after the occurrence of the malfunction, the environment when the RFID label T was created, for example, the printing was faint because the temperature at the time of tag label creation was low. Can check whether it has any adverse effects and take some measures.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the battery voltage information, date / time information, print number history information, print mode information, print energy information are stored in the memory unit 152 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To as label creation time management information. , Printing speed information, retry count information, and the like, and operation information 139 related to operations at the time of tag label creation of the tag label creation device 1 is stored. Thus, by reading this operation information at the time of examination after the occurrence of a malfunction, the operation state of the tag label producing apparatus 1 when the RFID label T is produced is abnormal, or the operation history up to that time is the creation of the tag label T. It is possible to confirm whether or not any adverse effects have been caused and to take some countermeasures.

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

(1) Case where tag label producing apparatus has all functions (stand-alone) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to route server RS, information server IS, PC 118, etc. via communication line NW. However, all the functions of the server RS, IS, PC 118, etc. may be provided on the tag label producing apparatus 1 side (so-called stand-alone tag label producing apparatus). In this case, the tag label producing apparatus 1 '(not shown) has some storage means functioning as the server, display means (display) for displaying the remaining amount input screen, and the operator operates the remaining amount related information. Operation input means (keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc.) for inputting is provided.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 ′ (not shown) of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ in the present modification, and corresponds to the above-described FIG.

  In FIG. 28, steps S10 to S45 are the same as those in FIG. In the next step S51, a key input signal input via the input / output interface 113 is input from the operation input means of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′, and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, a reception buffer not shown). Remember. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S56.

  In step S56, a memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in step S51 is searched, and it is determined whether or not a key input signal is input from the operation input means. If it has been input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S500. If it is not input, the determination is not satisfied, and the process directly proceeds to step S60 described later.

  In step S500, a key input execution process for executing the input according to the key input input by the operator using the operation input means is performed (refer to FIG. 29 described later for details). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S60.

  Step S60 is the same as that in FIG. 22 described above, and it is determined whether or not the operator has pressed the power button 14 to turn off the tag label producing apparatus 1. If the power-off operation has been performed, the determination is satisfied, and this flow ends. If the power-off operation has not been performed, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to the previous step S30.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S500 described above, and corresponds to FIG. 23 described above.

  In FIG. 29, first, in step S505, it is determined whether or not the operator has input text information (printing characters) using the operation input means. If it has been input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S510.

  In step S510, the text information input from the operation input unit is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends.

  If no text information is input from the operation input unit in the previous step S505, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S515.

  In step S515, it is determined whether the setting input of the type information of the tag label T created using the operation input unit has been performed. This type information is information indicating the use of the tag label T to be created, and is, for example, article management or a name tag card (see FIGS. 30 and 31 described later). This type information setting input may be made directly by text, for example, an easy type is displayed in advance on the display means of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ', and the operator selects it from there. You may make it input a setting by. If it has been input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S520.

  In step S520, the type information is set according to the type information that has been input. The set type information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends.

  If the type information setting input is not performed in the previous step S515, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S525.

  In step S525, it is determined whether or not the write instruction data has been input using the operation input unit. The configuration of the write instruction data is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. For example, when the type information is set to article management in step S520, the writing instruction data includes the article name, unit price, etc. of the article. For example, when the type information is set in the name tag card in the above step S520, it is composed of name, sex, etc. (see FIGS. 30 and 31 described later). If write instruction data has been input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S530.

  In step S530, write instruction data is created based on the information input in step S525 in accordance with the type information set in step S520. Note that the mapping (format) of the write instruction data may be set by the operator using the operation input means, or is previously determined and stored for each type information, and in the previous step S520. It may be determined according to the set type information. The created write instruction data is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends.

  Note that, in the previous step S525, when the writing instruction data is not input using the operation input unit, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S535.

  In step S535, it is determined whether a mechanical parameter has been input using the operation input means. If the mechanical parameter has been input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S540.

  In step S540, various device settings are performed according to the mechanical parameters input from the operation input means. The inputted mechanical parameters are temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends.

  If no mechanical parameter is input using the operation input unit in the previous step S535, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S545.

  In step S545, it is determined whether the operator has input a print start instruction using the operation input unit. If a print start instruction has been input, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S550.

  In step S550, the printing form is determined. In this modification, it is determined that the printing information input from the operation input means of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ is printed as a stand-alone printing. The determined printing mode information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S555.

  In step S555, print image information is created from the text information (print characters, write instruction data, etc.) input in the above steps and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). The created print image information is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the print buffer 117B). Then, the process proceeds to next Step S200.

  Step S200 is the same as that in FIG. 23 described above, and the cover film 103 that has been fed from the second roll 104 and printed by the print head 23 and the base tape 101 that has been fed from the first roll 102 include a pressure roller. At 107, the tag label tape 110 is printed and the tag label tape 110 is printed. Information is written to the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC, and the tag label tape 110 is cut at a predetermined position to generate the RFID label T. Perform the label printing process. The details of this label printing process are the same as in FIG. Then, this flow ends.

  In step S545, if a print start instruction is not input from the operation input unit, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to next step S560.

  In step S560, it is determined whether or not the operator has input an information write instruction or an information read instruction to the EEPROM 131 using the operation input means. If the instruction input has been performed, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S565.

  In step S565, information is written to or read from the EEPROM 131 in accordance with the writing / reading instruction input from the operation input unit. Then, this flow ends.

  In step S560, if the information input instruction or the information read instruction to the EEPROM 131 is not input from the operation input unit, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S570.

  In step S570, processing corresponding to the other key input input from the operation input means is performed.

  30 and 31 are diagrams schematically showing an example of the storage contents of the memory unit 157 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To in which information is written by the control in the present modification. FIG. 30 shows a case where the type information is article management, and FIG. 31 shows a case where the type information is a name tag card. As shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the memory unit 157 stores label creation time management information 135 when the RFID label is created. In FIG. 30, the label creation time management information 135 is input from the operation input means of the tag label creating apparatus 1 ′, and as described above, write instruction data 136A including type information 140A which is information indicating the use of the RFID label T. And device information 137 composed of the above-mentioned model name information, program version information, device serial number information and the like of the tag label producing device 1, and environmental information 138 comprised of environmental temperature information and environmental humidity information at the time of tag label production. Operation information relating to the operation of the tag label producing apparatus 1 when creating a tag label, etc., and battery voltage information, date / time information, printing number history information, printing form information, printing energy information, printing speed information, and retry count information 139. In FIG. 31, the label creation time management information 135 includes write instruction data 136B input from the operation input means and including type information 140B, device information 137, environment information 138, and operation information 139. Yes.

  Also in this modified example having the above-described configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained in which the performance of the tag label producing apparatus 1 ′ and the quality of the RFID label T can be ensured and the reliability can be improved.

(2) When inputting software information When creating a RFID label, it can be used for various purposes (in other words, RFID label label) so that the operator can easily input the operation on the operation side of the tag label producing apparatus 1 or the PC 18 that operates the RFID label producing device. There is a case in which software corresponding to T) is prepared in advance. In this modification, in such a case, an operator sets and inputs which software is used, and the input software information is written in the RFID circuit element To.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of various command execution processing (step S100 ′) in this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 23 described above.

  In FIG. 32, when the determination is not satisfied in the above-described step S105, the process proceeds to step S111. In this step S111, a memory in which the command signal is temporarily stored in the above-described step S50 is searched, and an external terminal such as the PC 118 is searched. It is determined whether or not a command signal related to software information has been input. The command signal related to the software information is input when the operator activates (or selects) appropriate software in an external terminal such as the PC 118, for example. If it has been input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S112.

  In step S112, software information input from an external terminal such as the PC 118 is temporarily stored in an appropriate memory (for example, the text memory 117A). Then, this flow ends. Other steps S105 to S110 and steps S115 to S155 are the same as those in FIG.

  In this modification, after that, the software information is read into the write buffer 117C, and is written into the memory unit 157 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To as label creation management information. At this time, the software information may be included in the write instruction data 136 or may be mapped and written separately. In this example, the software information is written in the RFID circuit element To as it is. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the object information (or the type information) of the RFID label T is determined based on the input software information. The determined object information may be written.

  Also in this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment is obtained.

(3) When detecting and writing the voltage at the time of printing In the above embodiment, while the tag label producing apparatus 1 is turned on, the battery voltage monitor 134 continuously updates the battery voltage while repeating the steps S30 to S60 of FIG. The battery voltage detected immediately before the print start instruction command is input is written to the RFID circuit element To as one of the label creation management information. However, the present invention is limited to this. Absent. That is, the battery voltage immediately before the start of printing of the print head 23 (or during printing) is detected by the battery voltage monitor 134 and temporarily stored in an appropriate memory, and this is written as one of the management information at the time of label creation. May be. Thereby, by reading this operation information at the time of examination after the occurrence of a malfunction, it is possible to check the voltage drop of the battery immediately before the start of printing (or during printing) in the tag label producing apparatus 1, and when the RFID label T is produced. The operation state of the tag label producing apparatus 1 can be confirmed in more detail.

(4) When writing string information In the above embodiment, the information itself of the label creation management information shown in FIG. 27 or the like is directly written in the memory unit 157 of the IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the ID information associated with the label creation management information is written to the RFID circuit element To, and the label creation management information and the correlation information between the label creation management information and the written ID information (table ) May be stored in the route server RS or the information server IS, for example. In this case, at the time of examination after the occurrence of a problem, the ID information is read from the RFID circuit element To, and the management information at the time of label creation is specified in comparison with the correlation information of the servers RS and IS. Also in this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment is obtained.

(5) Others In the embodiment of the present invention described above, a loop antenna is used as the antenna LC on the device side and the antenna 152 on the RFID tag circuit element To side, and magnetic induction (electromagnetic induction, magnetic coupling, other electromagnetic fields is applied). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dipole antenna, a patch antenna, or the like is used as the transmission / reception means as the two antennas, and information transmission / reception is performed by radio wave communication. May be.

  Moreover, in the above, it was the system which prints on the cover film 103 different from the base tape 101 provided with the RFID circuit element To, and bonds these together, but is not limited to this, for example, as a tag tape You may apply this invention to the system (type which does not perform bonding) which prints on the printing area | region of the cover film layer with which the heat sensitive tape was equipped.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a wireless tag generation system including a tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the whole tag label production apparatus structure. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a tag label production apparatus. It is a top view showing the structure of an internal unit. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a detailed structure of a cartridge. It is the conceptual diagram seen from the arrow D direction in FIG. 5 showing the notional structure of the RFID circuit element with which the base tape extended | stretched from the 1st roll is equipped. It is a partial extraction perspective view showing the principal part detailed structure of a label discharge mechanism. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the internal unit in the state which removed the label discharge | emission mechanism from the structure shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting mechanism which removed the half cutter from the internal unit. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting mechanism which removed the half cutter from the internal unit. It is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of a movable blade and a fixed blade with a half cut unit. It is a partial expanded sectional view showing the detailed structure of a movable blade and a fixed blade with a half cut unit. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a movable blade. It is a cross-sectional view by the AA cross section in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of a tag label production apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the memory content of EEPROM. It is a circuit diagram which represents simply the circuit structure of the connection part of a transmission circuit, a receiving circuit, and a loop antenna. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. FIG. 4 is a top view and a bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID label formed by completing writing (or reading) information of a RFID circuit element and cutting of a tag label tape with print by a tag label producing device. FIG. 20 is a view obtained by rotating a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX ′ in FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on PC (terminal or general-purpose computer) at the time of access (reading or writing) to the RFID tag information of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element by the tag label producing device. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S100. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S300. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400. It is a figure which represents typically an example of the memory content of the memory part of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element in which information was written. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by the control circuit of the tag label production apparatus in the modification in case a tag label production apparatus has all the functions. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S500. In a modification in which the tag label producing apparatus alone has all functions, an example of the contents stored in the memory part of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element in which information is written when the type information is article management is schematically shown FIG. In a modification in which the tag label producing apparatus alone has all functions, an example of the contents stored in the memory part of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element in which the information is written when the type information is a name tag card is schematically shown FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the various command execution process in the modification in the case of inputting software information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tag label production apparatus 1 'Tag label production apparatus 51 Drive roller (conveyance means)
101 Base tape 110 Control circuit (write control means, software information input means)
135 Label creation management information 136 Write instruction data (object information)
137 Device information 138 Environmental information 139 Operation information 151 IC circuit section 152 Loop antenna (tag side antenna)
LC loop antenna (transmission / reception means)
T RFID tag label To RFID tag circuit element

Claims (7)

A transport means for transporting a tag medium including an IC circuit unit storing information and a RFID tag circuit element including a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit;
Transmission / reception means for performing transmission / reception of information by wireless communication with the RFID circuit element;
A tag label creating device that creates a RFID label using the tag medium in which the information transmission / reception is performed to the RFID circuit element,
Write control means for writing management information at the time of creating the RFID label to the IC circuit part of the RFID tag circuit element provided in the RFID tag label, via the transmission / reception means ,
Environmental information detection means for detecting at least one of temperature information and humidity information of the surrounding environment of the tag label producing device,
The write control means includes
According to the detection result of the environmental information detection means, as the label creation management information, at least one of the temperature information and humidity information when the RFID label is created by the tag label producing device is used as the IC of the RFID circuit element. A tag label producing apparatus characterized by writing in a circuit section . In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The tag label producing apparatus, wherein the write control means further writes object information associated with the RFID label as the label creation management information to the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 2 ,
Software information input means for inputting operation software information used by the operator corresponding to the use of the RFID label,
The tag controller according to claim 1, wherein the writing control unit writes the object information based on the operation software information input by the software information input unit into the IC circuit unit. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The write control means further writes device information of the tag label producing device used to create the RFID label as the label creation time management information to the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element. Tag label making device. In the tag label production apparatus according to claim 4 ,
The writing control means writes the identification information of the tag label producing device as the device information in the IC circuit unit. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The write control means further writes, as the label creation management information, operation information of the tag label producing device when the RFID label producing device is produced, to the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element. Creation device. In the tag label producing apparatus according to claim 6 ,
The write control means uses, as the operation information, at least one of date / time information, power supply voltage information, and information on the number of communication trials when information is transmitted / received to / from the RFID tag circuit element when the tag label is created as the IC circuit. A tag label producing apparatus, wherein the tag label is written in a part.

Images