JP7319135B2 - WIRELESS TAG WRITING DEVICE, CALIBRATION METHOD AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wireless tag writing device, a calibration method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art A printer that prints on a label sheet to which a wireless tag such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is attached performs the following processing when determining write conditions for the wireless tag. First, the wireless tags to be actually used are transported at a constant transport pitch. Radio waves are sequentially transmitted at a plurality of radio wave intensities when stopped at each transport position, and radio wave intensities of response waves received from wireless tags are recorded in association with the radio wave intensities used at the time of transmission. Then, based on the recording results at each transport position, the position of the label paper (writing position) when writing to the wireless tag and the radio wave intensity when writing to the wireless tag are determined as conditions for writing to the wireless tag. ing.

For example, conventionally, there has been proposed a technique of executing the processing related to setting of the write conditions described above as calibration.

By the way, in order to obtain the optimum write conditions, in order to prevent writing to other wireless tags than the wireless tag to be written, the radio wave intensity at the time of transmission and the radio wave intensity of the response wave sent from each wireless tag must be determined. Relationships need to be scrutinized. Therefore, conventionally, a wireless tag is searched for at least one wireless tag using all radio wave intensities from low output to high output.

However, the above-described conventional method has the problem of being time-consuming and inefficient, because radio waves are transmitted even at a level of radio wave intensity at which it is predicted that there will be no response from the wireless tag.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a wireless tag writing device, a calibration method, and a program capable of efficiently deriving write conditions for wireless tags.

A wireless tag writing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a conveying means, a transmitting means, a receiving means, and a measuring means. The conveying means conveys the sheet provided with the wireless tag. The transmitting means is arranged on the transport path of the paper and transmits a first radio wave for communicating with the wireless tag. The receiving means receives a second radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag responding to the first radio wave. Each time the conveying means conveys the sheet by a predetermined amount, the measuring means measures the second signal received by the receiving means from a specific level of radio wave intensity among a plurality of levels of radio wave intensities that can be transmitted by the transmitting means. The radio field strength of the radio wave is reduced to a level below the threshold, and a set of the radio field strength of the first radio wave and the radio field strength of the second radio wave is obtained and recorded . Further, the measuring means measures the level of the first radio wave at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than a threshold value at the previous transport position transported by the transport means, and measures the level of the first radio wave at the next transport position. When the level of the first radio wave for starting transmission is set to a level higher than the level at which the radio field strength of the second radio wave is less than the threshold, and the level of the first radio wave is not transmitted. , causes the first radio wave to be transmitted at the radio wave intensity of the level not yet transmitted, and obtains a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of label paper according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the AA section of the label paper shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the label printer according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the label printer according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the label printer according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of calibration processing performed by the label printer of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of label printing processing performed by the label printer of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the wireless tag writing device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an example in which the wireless tag writing device of the present invention is applied to a printer device.

First, the roll paper 1 used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of label paper. 2 is an enlarged view of the AA section of the label paper shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roll paper 1 has a strip-shaped mount 2 and label paper 3 attached to the surface of the mount 2 at regular intervals. The mount 2 is a release paper or the like, and the label paper 3 can be peeled off from the mount 2 .

Label sheets 3 are affixed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of mount 2 . As shown in FIG. 2, each label sheet 3 has a wireless tag 4 enclosed on the back side of the label sheet (the side to be adhered to the backing sheet 2). The wireless tag 4 is also called an RFID tag, an IC tag, or the like, and has a structure in which an IC chip 5 and an antenna 6 are embedded in a thin film. The surface of the label paper 3 becomes the printing surface for visible information.

The IC chip 5 of the wireless tag 4 is provided with a power generation section, a demodulation section, a modulation section, a memory section, a control section, and the like. The power generator rectifies and stabilizes a signal corresponding to radio waves received by the antenna 6 to supply power to each part of the IC chip 5 . The demodulator demodulates a signal corresponding to the radio wave received by the antenna 6 and sends it to the controller. The modulation section modulates the data sent from the control section and causes the antenna 6 to transmit the data. The control unit writes data demodulated by the demodulation unit to the memory unit, reads data from the memory unit, and sends the read data to the modulation unit.

The memory section is composed of a setting area for storing and holding data in a non-rewritable manner and a user area in which arbitrary data can be written. An ID code is written in advance in the setting area. The ID code is a wireless tag specific code set to individually identify each wireless tag 4 .

Next, a label printer that writes tag data to the wireless tag 4 of the label paper 3 without contact using wireless communication and prints visible information such as character strings on the surface (printing surface) of the label paper 3 will be described. do.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the label printer according to this embodiment. The label printer 10 includes a label holder (not shown) for holding the roll paper 1 wound in a roll. The label printer 10 conveys the leading edge of the roll paper 1 fed out from the label holder along a predetermined conveyance path while writing tag data on the label paper 3 attached to the backing paper 2 of the roll paper 1 and displaying the tag data thereon. print information;

On the transport path of the roll paper 1, there are transport rollers 11, a label sensor 12, an antenna 14 of a reader/writer 13, and a print head 15 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction (direction of arrow C in the figure). is provided. Here, the label sensor 12 and print head 15 are provided above the transport path. Antenna 14 is provided below the transport path. A platen roller 16 is provided at a position facing the print head 15 across the transport path. Note that the antenna 14 may be provided above the transport path.

The transport rollers 11 nip the roll paper 1 and transport the nipped roll paper 1 in the transport direction by rotating counterclockwise.

The label sensor 12 detects the label paper 3 provided on the roll paper 1 . Specifically, the label sensor 12 detects the label paper 3 conveyed on the conveying path by optically detecting the leading edge of the label paper 3 . A detection signal from the label sensor 12 is supplied to a controller 18 to be described later via a sensor signal input section 21 .

The label sensor 12 can be realized by a reflective photoelectric sensor or a transmissive photoelectric sensor. For example, in the case of a reflective photoelectric sensor, the label sensor 12 detects a black mark or the like printed in advance on the front edge portion of the label paper 3 of the mount 2 or the like to indicate the reference position. Further, for example, in the case of a transmissive photoelectric sensor, the label sensor 12 is composed of an issuing unit and a light receiving unit that are arranged facing each other with the roll paper 1 interposed therebetween. In this case, the light emitted by the light-emitting portion passes through the mount 2 or the mount 2 and the label paper 3 and is detected by the light-receiving portion. The intensity of the light detected by the light-receiving unit is smaller when passing through the backing paper 2 and the label paper 3 than when passing through only the backing paper 2 . That is, the position where the intensity of light detected by the light receiving unit switches from low to high corresponds to the leading edge of the label paper 3, and the position where the intensity of light detected by the light receiving unit switches from high to low corresponds to the trailing edge of the label paper 3. corresponds to the edge.

The antenna 14 is provided at a close distance from the conveying surface of the conveying route. Then, it has strong directivity toward the conveying surface directly above (directly below when the antenna 14 is provided above the conveying route). The antenna 14 transmits a radio wave (first radio wave) under the control of the reader/writer 13 and receives a response wave (second radio wave) transmitted from the wireless tag 4 that has received this radio wave. Here, the response wave includes the ID code of the wireless tag 4 as the transmission source.

The reader/writer 13 writes or reads tag data to or from the wireless tag 4 existing within the communication area of radio waves transmitted from the antenna 14 . The reader/writer 13 and the antenna 14 are examples of transmitting means and receiving means.

The print head 15 is driven by a head drive section 17 and prints various visible information on the surface of the label paper 3 positioned on the platen roller 16 . A thermal head, for example, can be used as the print head 15 . An ink ribbon may be interposed between the print head 15 and the label paper 3 .

The reader/writer 13 and the head driving section 17 are connected to the controller 18 respectively. The controller 18 is also connected with an operation panel 19, a communication interface 20, a sensor signal input section 21, a transport section 22, and the like.

The operation panel 19 has various keys, a display section, and the like. The operation panel 19 accepts operation instructions such as setting of various parameters and calibration.

The communication interface 20 has a function of interfacing with a host device. A host device such as a personal computer is connected to the communication interface 20 via a communication line. The label printer 10 receives tag data to be written to the wireless tag 4 of the label paper 3 and print data such as characters to be printed on the printing surface of the label paper 3 from the host device via the communication interface 20 . As with the operation panel 19, the host device can instruct (control) the operation of the label printer 10, such as setting various parameters and performing calibration.

Signals from various sensors including the label sensor 12 are input to the sensor signal input unit 21 . The various sensors include an opening/closing sensor (not shown) for detecting opening/closing of a member that is opened/closed to replace the roll paper 1, such as a cover, a door, or a lid.

The transport unit 22 has a drive source such as a motor, and rotates the transport roller 11 and the platen roller 16 under the control of the control unit 30 . Specifically, the transport unit 22 rotates the transport roller 11 and the platen roller 16 counterclockwise. By this rotation, the roll paper 1 (label paper 3) is transported in the transport direction of arrow C. As shown in FIG. In addition, the transport unit 22 functions as an example of transport means together with the transport roller 11 and the platen roller 16 .

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the hardware configuration of the label printer 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the label printer 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the label printer 10 includes a control section 30 , a storage section 32 and a controller 18 .

The control unit 30 has a general computer configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30c. The CPU 30a reads various programs and data files stored in the ROM 30b and the storage unit 32, and develops them in the RAM 30c. The CPU 30a comprehensively controls the operation of the label printer 10 by cooperating with various programs, data files, and the like developed in the RAM 30c.

The control unit 30 is connected to the storage unit 32 and the controller 18 via an internal bus 31 .

The storage unit 32 has storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and flash memory. The storage unit 32 stores various programs executed by the CPU 30a and various setting information.

The controller 18 connects the control unit 30 and an input/output device that performs various settings and operation control of the label printer 10 . Specifically, the controller 18 includes a reader/writer 13 (antenna 14), a head drive section 17 (print head 15), an operation panel 19, a communication interface 20, and a sensor signal input section 21 (label sensor 12). , and the transport unit 22 .

Here, the operation panel 19 includes a display section 19a and an operation section 19b. The display unit 19 a displays various display screens under the control of the control unit 30 . The operation unit 19 b detects the operation information of the operator and transmits it to the control unit 30 .

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the functional configuration of the label printer 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the label printer 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the label printer 10 includes a write processing unit 301, a print control unit 302, and a calibration processing unit 303 as functional units. Some or all of these functional units may be a software configuration realized by cooperation of a processor (CPU 30a) and a program stored in a memory (ROM 30b, storage unit 32), or may be realized by a dedicated circuit or the like. It may be a hardware configuration to be used.

The write processing unit 301 controls the reader/writer 13 to write tag data to the wireless tag 4 on the label paper 3 . Specifically, the write processing unit 301 writes tag data to the wireless tag 4 by controlling the operation of the reader/writer 13 based on the write conditions set by the calibration processing unit 303, which will be described later. do.

The print control unit 302 prints visible information on the surface of the label paper 3 conveyed on the conveying path L by controlling the print head 15 . Specifically, the write processing unit 301 prints the visible information on the surface of the label paper 3 on which the tag data is written by the write processing unit 301 .

The calibration processing unit 303 executes calibration processing for adjusting various parameters related to writing to the wireless tag 4 (hereinafter also referred to as writing conditions).

Here, the writing conditions are, for example, the position (writing position) of the label paper 3 (wireless tag 4) with respect to the antenna 14 when writing the tag data to the wireless tag 4, and the radio wave intensity when writing the tag data to the wireless tag 4. (hereinafter also referred to as transmission intensity). Moreover, the write condition of the wireless tag 4 includes a threshold for distinguishing between the response wave from the wireless tag 4 to be written and the response wave from the wireless tag 4 other than the write target.

By the way, in order to obtain the optimum write conditions, the transmission strength of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 14 and the response wave received from the wireless tag 4 are controlled in order to prevent writing to other wireless tags other than the target wireless tag. It is necessary to scrutinize the relationship with the radio wave intensity (hereinafter also referred to as reception intensity). Here, the received strength of the response wave is a measured value such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

Conventionally, at least the range where the wireless tag 4 exists is moved at a constant conveying pitch, and the wireless tag is searched using all output intensities from low output to high output. For example, when the output intensity is divided into 10 levels, radio waves are sequentially transmitted at output intensities from the minimum output level of 1 to the maximum output level of 10 levels, and the reception intensity of the responding wireless tag 4 is recorded for each level. are doing.

However, in the above-described method, radio waves are transmitted even at a level of radio wave intensity at which it is predicted that there will be no response from the wireless tag, which is time consuming and inefficient.

Therefore, in the calibration processing unit 303 of the present embodiment, among the transmission intensities that can be transmitted from the antenna 14, the reception intensity of the response wave of the wireless tag 4 is expected to be less than a predetermined threshold. By suppressing , the number of transmissions of radio waves to be transmitted to the wireless tag 4 and the transmission time can be reduced. Details of the calibration processing unit 303 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the calibration processing section 303 has an information acquisition section 3031 , a position determination section 3032 , a measurement section 3033 and a condition derivation section 3034 . Here, the information acquisition unit 3031 is an example of acquisition means. The position determination unit 3032 is an example of determination means. The measuring unit 3033 is an example of measuring means.

The information acquisition unit 3031 acquires placement position information indicating the placement position of the label paper 3 on the roll paper 1 and the placement position of the wireless tag 4 on the label paper 3 . Specifically, the information acquisition unit 3031 acquires the length of the label paper 3 attached to the roll paper 1 in the transport direction (hereinafter referred to as the label length), the interval between the label papers 3 (hereinafter referred to as the paper pitch), the label The length of the wireless tag 4 provided on the paper 3 in the conveying direction (arrow C) (hereinafter referred to as the tag length) is acquired as arrangement position information.

Also, the information acquisition unit 3031 acquires the sensor type of the label sensor 12 . The sensor type is information indicating whether the label sensor 12 is a reflective sensor or a transmissive sensor.

There is no particular limitation on the method of acquiring the arrangement position information and the sensor type, and various forms can be adopted. For example, the information acquisition unit 3031 may acquire the arrangement position information and sensor type input by the operator from various operation switches provided on the operation panel 19 or a host device connected to the label printer 10 . Further, for example, the information acquisition unit 3031 may acquire arrangement position information and sensor types stored in advance in the storage unit 32 or the like as setting information.

Based on the placement position information acquired by the information acquisition unit 3031, the position determination unit 3032 determines a calibration start position and a calibration end position that define a measurement range on the label paper 3 to be processed by the measurement unit 3033, which will be described later. to decide.

Specifically, based on the label length, paper pitch, tag length, etc. acquired by the information acquisition unit 3031, the position determination unit 3032 determines the calibration start position and end position within the range of the label length + paper pitch. to decide. Here, the calibration start position and end position can be defined by the distance from the leading edge of the label paper 3, for example.

The measurement range defined by the calibration start position and end position preferably has a size larger than at least the tag length and includes the range in which the wireless tag 4 is provided. Further, the position determination unit 3032 may adjust the calibration start position and end position according to the sensor type acquired by the information acquisition unit 3031 .

In this way, since the position determination unit 3032 determines the measurement range based on the arrangement position of the wireless tag 4 on the label paper 3, the measurement unit 3033, which will be described later, scans the wireless tag 4 related to derivation of the write conditions. can be done efficiently. Further, the position determining unit 3032 limits the range of movement for each conveying pitch performed by the measuring unit 3033, which will be described later, to the range where the wireless tag 4 is provided on the label paper 3 or the range of the label paper 3 that includes this range. can do. Therefore, the position determining unit 3032 can improve the accuracy of the processing performed by the measuring unit 3033 and can improve the efficiency of deriving the write conditions.

The measurement unit 3033 measures the reception strength of the response wave using radio with a plurality of output intensities within the measurement range defined by the calibration start position and end position set by the position determination unit 3032 .

Specifically, when the label sensor 12 detects the leading edge of the label paper 3, the measurement unit 3033 controls the transport unit 22 to transport the label paper 3 to the calibration start position. Next, the measurement unit 3033 conveys the label paper 3 in the conveying direction in units of a predetermined conveying pitch from the calibration start position to the end position. Here, the conveying pitch is smaller than the tag length, and may be a value obtained by dividing the tag length P into a plurality of pieces (such as ten divisions). In addition, it is preferable that the measurement unit 3033 intermittently perform the transport in units of the transport pitch.

In addition, the measurement unit 3033 controls the reader/writer 13 to sequentially transmit radio waves having a plurality of transmission intensities from the antenna 14 each time the label paper 3 is conveyed by the conveyance pitch. Then, when the measurement unit 3033 acquires the reception intensity of the response wave received from the wireless tag 4 via the reader/writer 13, the measurement unit 3033 associates the transmission intensity (or level) and the reception intensity with the conveying position of the label paper 3. Record pairs with intensity.

Here, the measurement unit 3033 selects any one specific level (hereinafter referred to as start level). Although the start level can be set arbitrarily, among the plurality of levels of transmission strength that the reader/writer 13 can transmit, the level higher than the middle level of the transmission strength (higher transmission strength) level) should be set.

After setting the start level, the measurement unit 3033 transmits radio waves while decreasing the level of transmission strength in order from the start level. Then, when the reception intensity of the response wave of the wireless tag 4 becomes less than the threshold value, the measurement unit 3033 stops the level lowering operation and stops the transmission of radio waves. Here, the step width for lowering the level is not limited to 1. For example, the level may be lowered every two or more levels, such as two levels lower than the starting level. Also, although the threshold value of the reception intensity can be arbitrarily set, it is preferable to set the threshold value to a reception intensity value that does not need to be considered when determining the write conditions. For example, a value that defines that there is no response from the wireless tag 4 may be set as the threshold.

If there are levels at which radio waves have not been transmitted at levels higher than the start level or the level at which the transmission of radio waves is stopped, the measurement unit 3033 causes radio waves to be transmitted at the transmission strength of each of these untransmitted levels. Get the received strength of the response wave at the level. As a result, the measuring unit 3033 can comprehensively transmit radio waves with transmission intensities at which the reception intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold among the transmission intensities that the reader/writer 13 can transmit. In this case, the order in which radio waves are transmitted at levels that have not yet been transmitted does not matter, and radio waves may be transmitted in order from the highest level or may be transmitted in order from the lowest level.

An operation example of the measurement unit 3033 will be described below. In the following, it is assumed that the reader/writer 13 can transmit radio waves at 10 transmission intensities from levels L1 to L10. It is assumed that the larger the value of n (n is an integer) of the level Ln, the larger the transmission strength.

First, as an example, an example in which the level L10 with the maximum transmission strength is set as the start level will be described. In this case, the measurement unit 3033 decreases the transmission strength of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 14 by one level from the level L10, and obtains the reception strength of the response wave received at each level. Then, for example, when the received strength of the response wave is less than the threshold at level L4, the measurement unit 3033 considers that the received strength of the response wave is less than the threshold at the transmission strengths after L3 (L1 to L3), and lowers the level. and stop transmitting radio waves. In this case, since there is no higher level than the start level (level L10), the measuring unit 3033 controls the conveying unit 22 to convey the label paper 3 by the conveying pitch, and then transmits radio waves. Start again from the starting level.

According to such an operation example, the measuring unit 3033 can comprehensively transmit radio waves with transmission intensities at which the reception intensities are equal to or greater than the threshold among the transmission intensities that the reader/writer 13 can transmit. In addition, since the measurement unit 3033 performs unidirectional level control in which the level of the transmission intensity is sequentially decreased from the starting level (maximum level), it is possible to easily and efficiently perform control related to level switching. can be done.

Next, as another example, an example in which level L6 is set as the starting level will be described. In this case, the measurement unit 3033 decreases the transmission strength of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 14 by one level from the level L6, and obtains the reception strength of the response wave received at each level. Then, for example, when the received intensity of the response wave is less than the threshold at L4, the measurement unit 3033 considers that the received intensity of the response wave is less than the threshold at the transmission intensities of L3 and later (L1 to L3). Stop transmitting radio waves. Also, in this case, since there are levels higher than the start level, the measuring section 3033 causes radio waves to be transmitted at each of levels L7 to L10, and acquires the reception strength of the response wave received at each level. Then, the measurement unit 3033 controls the transport unit 22 to transport the label paper 3 by the transport pitch, and then starts transmitting radio waves from the start level.

According to such an operation example, the measuring unit 3033 can comprehensively transmit radio waves with transmission intensities at which the reception intensities are equal to or greater than the threshold among the transmission intensities that the reader/writer 13 can transmit. In addition, the measurement unit 3033 can quickly identify the level of the transmission intensity at which the reception intensity is less than the threshold, compared to the above operation example in which the maximum level is the starting level. In addition, by setting the start level to a level higher than the intermediate level, the measurement unit 3033 lengthens the period of unidirectional level control in which the level of the transmission strength is sequentially decreased from the start level. Control related to level switching can be performed easily and efficiently.

The measurement unit 3033 conveys the label paper 3 at each conveyance pitch from the calibration start position to the end position, and acquires each set of transmission intensity and reception intensity obtained at each conveyance position as a measurement result. More specifically, the measurement unit 3033 records the unique ID of the wireless tag 4 that returned the response wave and the output intensity of the response wave in association with the transmission intensity. When a plurality of wireless tags 4 return response waves, all the unique IDs and output intensities of each wireless tag 4 are recorded.

In this way, the measuring unit 3033 sets one of the radio field intensities of radio waves that can be transmitted from the antenna 14 as a starting level, excluding the level with the lowest transmission strength, and transmits radio waves while decreasing the level from the starting level. sequentially. Then, when the reception intensity of the response wave becomes less than the threshold value at a certain level, the measurement unit 3033 stops the decrease and the transmission of the radio wave after that level. As a result, the measurement unit 3033 can suppress the transmission of radio waves with a transmission intensity that is expected to cause the reception intensity of the response wave to be less than the threshold. can be reduced.

The condition derivation unit 3034 derives write conditions based on the measurement results obtained by the measurement unit 3033 . Specifically, the condition derivation unit 3034 determines the writing position of the label paper 3 when writing to the wireless tag 4, the transmission intensity, the threshold for distinguishing between the wireless tag 4 to be written and the other wireless tags 4, and the like. derive Then, the condition deriving unit 3034 sets the writing conditions in the label printer 10 by storing the derived writing conditions as setting information in the storage unit 32 or the like. Note that the method of deriving the write conditions is not particularly limited, and a known derivation method can be used.

Next, the flow of calibration processing performed by the label printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of calibration processing performed by the label printer 10 . The calibration process is started in response to a user operation, for example, when starting to use the label printer 10 or when replacing the roll paper 1 . In this processing, a processing example in which the maximum level of the transmission intensity levels that the reader/writer 13 can transmit is set as the start level will be described.

First, the information acquisition unit 3031 acquires arrangement position information such as label length, paper pitch, and tag length, and the sensor type (step S11). Next, the position determination unit 3032 determines the calibration start position and end position based on the arrangement position information and the sensor type acquired in step S11 (step S12).

Subsequently, the measurement unit 3033 conveys the label paper 3 to the calibration start position determined in step S12 based on the detection result of the label sensor 12 (step S13). Next, the measurement unit 3033 sets the value of the index i representing the level of the transmission intensity to n (n is an integer) representing the level value of the maximum intensity (step S14).

Subsequently, the measurement unit 3033 controls the reader/writer 13 to transmit radio waves from the antenna 14 with the transmission intensity Li of the index i (step S15). Next, the measurement unit 3033 determines whether or not the reception intensity of the response wave transmitted from the wireless tag 4 is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S16).

Here, if the reception intensity of the response wave is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S16; Yes), the measurement unit 3033 records the combination of the transmission intensity Li and the reception intensity in association with the conveying position of the label paper 3 ( step S17). Next, the measurement unit 3033 decrements the value of the index i by 1 (step S18), and returns the process to step S15. Note that if the index i cannot be decremented in step S18, that is, if the index i is a value (for example, 1) representing the level of the minimum strength, even if the reception strength is equal to or greater than the threshold in step S16, the process proceeds to step S19. shall be transferred.

On the other hand, in step S16, if the reception intensity of the response wave is less than the threshold (step S16; No), the measurement unit 3033 stops transmitting radio waves (step S19), and proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the measurement unit 3033 determines whether the label paper 3 has reached the calibration end position. Here, if the label paper 3 has not reached the calibration end position (step S20; No), the measurement unit 3033 conveys the label paper 3 by the conveyance pitch (step S21), and the process proceeds to step S14. return. When the label paper 3 reaches the calibration end position (step S20; Yes), the measurement unit 3033 shifts the process to step S22.

Subsequently, the condition derivation unit 3034 derives the write conditions based on the measurement results obtained (recorded) in the processes of steps S13 to S21 (step S22). Then, the condition deriving unit 3034 sets the derived writing condition in the label printer 10 (step S23), and ends this processing.

The calibration processing unit 303 can set, in the label printer 10, writing conditions suitable for writing data to the label paper 3 (wireless tag 4) by executing the calibration processing described above. The write processing unit 301 writes data to the wireless tag 4 by controlling the operation of the reader/writer 13 based on the write conditions set in the label printer 10 .

In the processing of FIG. 6, an example of deriving the writing condition based on the measurement result obtained from one label sheet 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the processing of steps S13 to S21 may be executed for each of a plurality of label papers 3, and the writing conditions may be derived from the measurement results obtained from each label paper 3. FIG.

Next, the flow of label printing processing performed by the label printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of label printing processing performed by the label printer 10. As shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 30 controls the transport unit 22 to transport the label paper 3 (roll paper 1) (step S31).

Subsequently, the write processing unit 301 writes tag data to the wireless tag 4 based on the write conditions set in the calibration process (step S32). Specifically, when the write processing unit 301 detects that the label paper 3 has reached the write position of the tag data set as the write condition based on the detection result of the label sensor 12, the write condition is set as the write condition. writes tag data at the output intensity. Next, the print control unit 302 prints the visible information on the label paper 3 on which the tag data has been written, which is conveyed in the conveying direction (step S33).

Subsequently, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the required number of label sheets 3 have been processed (writing tag data and printing visible information) (step S34). Here, if the required number of label sheets 3 have not been processed (step S34: No), the control section 30 returns the process to step S31.

When the required number of label sheets 3 have been processed (step S34: Yes), the control unit 30 stops conveying the label sheets 3 and terminates this process.

As described above, when determining the writing conditions for the wireless tag 4, the label printer 10 sets the radio wave that can be transmitted from the antenna 14 each time the label paper 3 provided with the wireless tag 4 is transported by a predetermined transport pitch. One of the intensities excluding the level with the lowest transmission intensity is set as the starting level, and radio waves are transmitted sequentially while decreasing the level from the starting level. Then, when the reception intensity of the response wave becomes less than the threshold value at a certain level, the label printer 10 stops decreasing and transmitting radio waves after that level.

As a result, the label printer 10 can suppress the transmission of radio waves with a transmission intensity that is expected to cause the reception intensity of the response wave to be less than the threshold value. can be reduced. Therefore, the label printer 10 can efficiently derive the write conditions for the wireless tag 4 .

It should be noted that the above-described embodiment can be appropriately modified and implemented by changing a part of the configuration or functions of the label printer 10 . Therefore, hereinafter, some modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described as other embodiments. In the following description, points different from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and detailed description of points common to the contents already described will be omitted. Further, the modifications described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described embodiment, the radio wave transmission start level is fixed at each transport position for each transport pitch, but the level is not limited to this and may be changed dynamically. For example, the measurement unit 3033 may set the level at which the reception intensity fell below the threshold at the previous transport position as the current start level. Further, for example, the measurement unit 3033 may determine the level to be set as the current start level based on the increase/decrease tendency of the level below which the reception intensity has fallen at each transport position for the last several times.

As a result, the label printer 10 can dynamically switch the start level based on the reception status of the response wave at the time of transportation for each transportation pitch, so that it is possible to improve the efficiency of deriving the writing condition.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the label printer 10 derives the writing conditions, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an information processing device such as a host device connected to the label printer 10 may derive the write conditions.

In this case, the information processing apparatus performs calibration processing section 303 (position determination section 3032, measurement section 3033, and condition derivation section 3034) through cooperation of a processor (CPU) of the apparatus and a program stored in a storage device. to realize the function of Then, the information processing apparatus executes the above-described calibration process by controlling each section of the label printer 10 and sets the derived writing conditions in the label printer 10 .

As a result, the information processing device can derive the write conditions outside the label printer 10 , so the write conditions can be derived without considering the CPU power and memory capacity of the label printer 10 .

The program executed by the label printer 10 of the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and can be stored on a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or the like. provided on a computer-readable recording medium.

Alternatively, the program executed by the label printer 10 of the embodiment described above may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the label printer 10 of the embodiment described above may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Further, the program executed by the label printer 10 of the embodiment described above may be configured so as to be pre-installed in a ROM or the like and provided.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 roll paper 2 label mount 3 label paper 4 wireless tag 10 label printer 11 transport roller 12 label sensor 13 antenna 14 reader/writer 15 print head 16 platen roller 30 controller 301 write processor 302 print controller 303 calibration processor 3031 information acquisition unit 3032 position determination unit 3033 measurement unit 3034 condition setting unit

JP 2014-32491 A

Claims (5)

a conveying means for conveying a sheet provided with a wireless tag;
a transmitting means arranged on the transport path of the paper and transmitting a first radio wave for communicating with the wireless tag;
receiving means for receiving a second radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag in response to the first radio wave;
Every time the sheet is conveyed by the conveying means, the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave received by the receiving means is determined from the radio wave intensity of a specific level among the plurality of levels of radio wave intensities that can be transmitted by the transmitting means. is reduced to a level at which the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold, and a measurement means for acquiring and recording a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave;
with
The measuring means transmits the level of the first radio wave at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than a threshold value at the previous transport position transported by the transport means, at the next transport position. is set to the level of the first radio wave that starts, and if there is a level at which the first radio wave has not been transmitted at a level higher than the level at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than the threshold, A wireless tag writing device that transmits the first radio wave at the radio wave intensity of the level not yet transmitted, and acquires a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave. The measuring means determines the maximum level of radio wave intensities that can be transmitted by the transmitting means as a specific level, and determines the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave received by the receiving means from the radio wave intensity of the specific level. 2. The wireless tag writing device according to claim 1, wherein the radio field intensity is reduced to a level below the threshold. The measuring means determines that the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave received by the receiving means is less than a threshold from among radio wave intensities of a plurality of levels that can be transmitted by the transmitting means, from the radio wave intensity of a specific level higher than an intermediate level. 2. The wireless tag writing device according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave intensity is reduced to the level of . Conveying means for conveying a sheet provided with a wireless tag; transmitting means arranged on a conveying path of the sheet for transmitting a first radio wave for communicating with the wireless tag; and responding to the first radio wave. a calibration method executed by a wireless tag writing device comprising receiving means for receiving a second radio wave transmitted from said wireless tag, or by an information processing device controlling the operation of said wireless tag writing device. hand,
Every time the sheet is conveyed by the conveying means, the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave received by the receiving means is determined from the radio wave intensity of a specific level among the plurality of levels of radio wave intensities that can be transmitted by the transmitting means. is reduced to a level at which the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold, and a measurement step of acquiring and recording a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave;
including
In the measuring step, the transmitting means transmits the level of the first radio wave at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than a threshold value at the previous transport position transported by the transport means, at the next transport position. is set to the level of the first radio wave that starts, and if there is a level at which the first radio wave has not been transmitted at a level higher than the level at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than the threshold, A calibration method comprising transmitting the first radio wave at the radio wave intensity of the level not yet transmitted, and obtaining a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave. Conveying means for conveying a sheet provided with a wireless tag on a conveying path; transmitting means arranged on the conveying path for transmitting a first radio wave for communicating with the wireless tag; and the first radio wave. A computer of a wireless tag writing device, or a computer of an information processing device that controls the operation of the wireless tag writing device, comprising receiving means for receiving a second radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag that responds to
Every time the sheet is conveyed by the conveying means, the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave received by the receiving means is determined from the radio wave intensity of a specific level among the plurality of levels of radio wave intensities that can be transmitted by the transmitting means. is reduced to a level at which the radio wave intensity is less than the threshold, and a measurement means for acquiring and recording a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave;
to make it work,
The measuring means transmits the level of the first radio wave at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than a threshold value at the previous transport position transported by the transport means, at the next transport position. is set to the level of the first radio wave that starts, and if there is a level at which the first radio wave has not been transmitted at a level higher than the level at which the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave is less than the threshold, A program for causing the first radio wave to be transmitted at the radio wave intensity of the untransmitted level, and obtaining a set of the radio wave intensity of the first radio wave and the radio wave intensity of the second radio wave.

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