WO2010103864A1

WO2010103864A1 - Printed label producing device

Info

Publication number: WO2010103864A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/050324
Authority: WO
Inventors: 博昭喜多
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2010-01-14
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: JP2010211634A

Abstract

At the time of producing labels, transportation failure caused by poor transportation force can be reliably prevented. A wireless tag cartridge (3), a cartridge holder (6), and a cutting means (15) are configured and arranged so that 1/4 of a circumferential length (W) of a tape feeding roller (27), a distance (Z) between a roller center (O) and the cutting means (15) along the tape transportation direction of a tag tape (101), and a distance (Y) between a rear end of an IC holder (92) in the transportation direction and a position of the cutting means (15) satisfy Z+(W/4)>Y. The tape feeding roller (27) and the cutting means (15) are cooperatively controlled so that, when transportation is stopped for the cutting means (15) to perform cutting, the entirety of the IC holder (92) in the transportation direction is in arc contact with the outer periphery of the tape feeding roller (27).

Description

Print label production device

The present invention relates to a printed label producing apparatus for printing on a tag tape provided with a wireless tag circuit element and creating a wireless tag label with printing.

2. Description of the Related Art An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that transmits and receives information without contact with a RFID circuit element that stores information is known.

For example, as a tag label producing device for producing an RFID label by transmitting / receiving information to / from such an RFID circuit element, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this prior art, when producing a RFID label, a RFID tag cartridge (tag label producing device cartridge) equipped with two tape rolls is attached, and a bonding tape (for printed tag label) in which the two tapes are bonded together. Tape). That is, when the wireless tag cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder, the tag tape (base tape) is fed out from the tag tape roll by the conveyance by the conveyance means, and the print-receiving tape (cover film) is fed out from the print-receiving tape roll. The tag tape and the print-receiving tape are pressed against each other by a pressing roller (pressing roller) provided on the cartridge side (the sub-roller on the tag label producing apparatus side also cooperates) to form a bonding tape. At this time, during the conveyance, predetermined printing is formed on the print-receiving tape by the printing means (printing head). After that, when the bonding tape is conveyed to a predetermined conveyance direction position, the bonding tape is cut by a cutting means (cutter) (this cutting position becomes the rear end portion in the conveyance direction of the RFID label), and thereby a predetermined length. The RFID label with the mark is continuously generated.

JP 2006-323735 A

In the prior art, when one RFID tag label is completed as described above (by cutting the rear end of the bonding tape), the bonding tape for producing the next RFID tag label is With the cut portion as the leading end in the conveyance direction, the tape tape is subsequently stopped together with the tag tape and the tape to be printed before bonding. Here, as described above, the print-receiving tape is wound in the print-receiving tape roll, is fed out from the print-receiving tape roll, and is adhered (with the tag tape) by the pressing roller during conveyance. To a part of the laminated tape. Similarly, when the tag tape is transported, it is wound in the tag tape roll, is fed out from the tag tape roll, is pasted by a pressing roller (to a print-receiving tape), and part of the pasting tape. It becomes the behavior of ... Therefore, in the state where one preceding RFID tag label is completed and stopped as described above, the print-receiving tape and the tag tape (immediately before being bonded) exist on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the pressure roller, and the conveyance of the pressure roller. A bonded tape that has already been bonded exists on the downstream side in the direction.

Here, the direction of the tag tape is changed by the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller when pressing the bonding. On the tag tape, a plurality of wireless tag main bodies are arranged at predetermined intervals in the tape longitudinal direction. Each RFID tag main body includes an IC holder (IC circuit holder) for holding the RFID circuit element. The IC holder includes a conductive connection land (connection terminal) for electrically connecting the IC circuit portion and the antenna pattern, and an electrically insulating holding member (protective film) for protecting the circuit. As a result, the structure has a certain thickness. Therefore, in the wireless tag main body, a portion where the IC holder is provided has a larger wall thickness and a relatively large rigidity compared to other portions. Therefore, when the direction of the tag tape is changed by the pressing roller as described above, when the IC holding body passes through the pressing roller, the IC holding body having a large rigidity is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller. It is allowed to pass through while being deformed. As a result, a large resistance (conveyance resistance) occurs due to the rigidity of the IC holding body when the pressure roller passes.

In particular, in a state where one preceding RFID tag label is completed and transport is stopped as described above, the deformation due to the shape of the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller is completed partway through the IC holder (that is, the leading end of the IC holder in the transport direction). Although the side is deformed into an arc shape along the outer periphery of the pressure roller and has already been in contact with the outer periphery, the rear end side in the transport direction of the remaining IC holder is not in contact with the outer periphery of the pressure roller. There may be a case where no deformation has occurred. In such a case, the transporting resistance of the transporting unit becomes particularly large when the transporting of the transporting unit is started when the subsequent RFID label is produced. Therefore, the transporting force of the transporting unit is insufficient, resulting in a transport failure. There was a fear. In particular, in the battery-driven label producing apparatus instead of the AC power source, there is a strong concern as described above, because the conveying force of the conveying means is limited.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printed label producing apparatus that can reliably prevent the occurrence of conveyance failure due to insufficient conveyance force during label production.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention provides a sheet-like antenna substrate, a tag antenna provided on the antenna substrate for transmitting and receiving information, an IC circuit unit for storing information, and the IC The RFID circuit using the tag tape in which a plurality of RFID tag bodies are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tape, each of which includes an IC holder including a holding member that holds the circuit portion with respect to the antenna substrate. A printing label producing apparatus for producing a plurality of RFID tag labels provided with an element, comprising: a tag tape roll in which the tag tape is wound in a direction perpendicular to an axis; and a printing tape to be bonded to the tag tape. The print-receiving tape roll wound in the direction orthogonal to the axis, and the tag tape fed out from the tag tape roll and the print-out tape roll. A cartridge holder that has a pressing roller that presses and bonds the print-receiving tape to form a bonding tape, and a cartridge holder that can be attached and detached, and the tag tape, the print-receiving tape, and the bonding tape are conveyed. A conveying means for printing, a printing means for printing on the print-receiving tape during conveyance by the conveying means, a cutting means for cutting the bonding tape in the thickness direction when the conveyance by the conveying means is stopped, and A sub-roller that presses the tag tape and the print-receiving tape in cooperation with the pressing roller to form the bonding tape, and the entire size of the IC holder in the conveying direction during the cutting operation by the cutting means is the pressing roller. The conveying means and the cutting means are arranged so that the conveyance of the tag tape is stopped in a state of being in a circular arc shape along the outer periphery of the tape. And having a control means for controlling in cooperation means.

In the first invention of the present application, the RFID tag cartridge provided with two tape rolls is mounted, and the production is performed using a bonding tape obtained by bonding two tapes. That is, when the wireless tag cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder, the tag tape is fed out from the tag tape roll by the conveyance by the conveying means, and the print-receiving tape is fed out from the print-receiving tape roll. The tag tape and the print-receiving tape are pressed against each other by a pressing roller provided on the cartridge side (the sub-roller on the printing label producing apparatus side also cooperates) to form a bonding tape. At this time, during the conveyance, predetermined printing is formed on the print-receiving tape by the printing unit. After that, when the bonding tape is conveyed to a predetermined conveyance direction position, the bonding tape is cut by a cutting means (this cutting position becomes the rear end in the conveyance direction of the label), whereby a label with a predetermined length printed Is completed.

When one printed label (by cutting the rear end of the bonded tape) is completed as described above, the bonded tape for creating the next printed label is As the leading end portion in the transport direction, it is in a state where it is subsequently stopped together with the tag tape and the tape to be printed before bonding. Here, as described above, the print-receiving tape is wound in the print-receiving tape roll, is fed out from the print-receiving tape roll, and is adhered (with the tag tape) by the pressing roller during conveyance. To a part of the laminated tape. Similarly, when the tag tape is transported, it is wound in the tag tape roll, is fed out from the tag tape roll, is pasted by a pressing roller (to a print-receiving tape), and part of the pasting tape. It becomes the behavior of ... Therefore, as described above, one printed label (printed RFID tag label or printed label) has been completed and stopped (or a normal label without a RFID tag main body in the surplus part has been completed and stopped. ), The print-receiving tape and the tag tape are present upstream of the pressure roller in the conveying direction (immediately before being bonded), and the already-bonded bonding tape is present on the downstream side of the pressing roller in the conveying direction. It becomes. At this time, the print-receiving tape and the tag tape are respectively fed out from two different rolls (print-receiving tape roll and tag tape roll), conveyed, and merged and bonded at the position of the pressing roller. Therefore, the direction of at least one of the two tapes is changed by the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller when the bonding is pressed.

Here, on the tag tape, a plurality of wireless tag main bodies are arranged at predetermined intervals in the tape longitudinal direction. Each wireless tag main body includes an antenna base, a tag antenna, and an IC holder (so-called strap). The IC holder is composed of a conductive connection land that electrically connects the IC circuit portion and the antenna pattern, and an electrically insulating holding member that protects the circuit, and therefore has a certain thickness. It has a structure. Therefore, in the wireless tag main body, the part with the IC holder has a larger wall thickness than the other parts (the part with no IC holder and only the antenna base and the tag antenna), and has a relatively large rigidity. I have. Therefore, when the direction of the tag tape is changed by the pressing roller as described above, when the IC holding body passes through the pressing roller, the IC holding body having a large rigidity is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller. It is allowed to pass through while being deformed. As a result, a large resistance (conveyance resistance) occurs due to the rigidity of the IC holding body when the pressure roller passes.

In particular, in the state where one preceding label with printing as described above is completed and the conveyance is stopped (or in the state where the normal label without the RFID tag main body is completed and stopped in the surplus part), the IC holding body is halfway. State in which the deformation due to the outer peripheral shape of the pressing roller is completed (i.e., the tip end side of the IC holder in the transport direction is deformed into an arc shape along the outer peripheral shape of the pressing roller and has already been in contact with the outer peripheral portion. The rear end side in the transport direction of the remaining IC holder may not be in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller and is not deformed at all. In such a case, the transporting resistance of the transporting unit becomes particularly large when the transporting of the transporting unit is started when a label with subsequent printing is subsequently produced. There is a risk.

Therefore, in the first invention of the present application, the control means controls the conveying means and the cutting means in cooperation with each other so that the entire length of the IC holding body in the conveying direction at the time of cutting of the cutting means (when conveyance of the conveying means is stopped) is cut. Is brought into contact with the arcuate shape along the outer periphery of the pressing roller. As a result, in a state where one preceding label with printing is completed and the conveyance is stopped, all of the IC holder is completely deformed by the outer peripheral shape of the pressing roller (that is, the entire dimension of the IC holder in the conveyance direction is pressed). The roller is deformed into an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the roller and is in a state of being in contact with the outer peripheral portion. Therefore, in the IC holder, there is no portion that has not been deformed yet in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the pressure roller, so that it is possible to reduce the significant increase in conveyance resistance at the start of conveyance as described above. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of conveyance failure due to insufficient conveyance force of the conveyance means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the cartridge holder includes an arc-shaped warping direction of the IC holder in a state where the tag tape is wound as the tag tape roll, and the tag tape is the pressing roller. The RFID tag cartridge configured to be opposite to the arcuate warping direction of the IC holder in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the IC holder is detachable.

When the IC holder is deformed so as to be bent in an arc shape on the outer side of the pressure roller from the state of being bent in an arc shape on the one side in the tag tape roll, the warp is warped. Therefore, the conveyance resistance based on the rigidity described above becomes particularly large. Therefore, in such a case, it is particularly effective in preventing the occurrence of a conveyance failure by controlling the control unit so that the conveyance is stopped in a state where all of the IC holding members are in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller as described above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the cartridge holder includes a distance X from the center of the pressing roller to the cutting means along the tag tape transport direction, a circumferential length L of the outer periphery of the pressing roller, and the tag tape. The RFID tag cartridge is configured so that X + (L / 4)> Y is established between the cutting position by the cutting means and the dimension Y from the cutting position of the IC holder to the rear end in the transport direction of the IC holder It is characterized by being removable.

For example, when the print-receiving tape and the tag tape are joined at the position of the pressing roller to form a bonding tape, the printing-tape transport path upstream of the pressing roller and the bonding tape downstream of the pressing roller are transported. In some cases, the route is substantially in a straight line. In such a configuration, the tag tape transport path may be substantially perpendicular to the bonding tape transport path (in other words, the tag tape is turned about 90 ° at the position of the pressing roller).

In this case, when the tag tape is brought into contact with the pressing roller, the quarter portion of the circumferential length L of the outer circumference of the roller is generally brought into contact. In this state, the distance along the conveying direction between the position at the beginning of winding of the tag tape around the roller outer periphery and the position at the end of winding is substantially equal to L / 4, and the cutting means from the position at the end of winding around the roller outer periphery. Is approximately equal to the distance X from the center of the pressing roller to the cutting means along the tag tape conveyance direction. Therefore, the distance along the conveyance direction from the position where the tag tape starts to be wound around the outer periphery of the roller to the cutting means is the sum of the two, X + (L / 4).

Therefore, in order to realize a state in which all parts of the IC holder are in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the pressing roller (including the IC holder being located at the distance X portion) (wrapped) when the conveyance is stopped. On the tag tape, the distance Y from the rear end in the conveying direction of the IC holder to the cutting position of the cutting means is smaller than X + (L / 4), that is, X + (L / 4)> It is sufficient if Y is satisfied.

In the third invention of the present application, the RFID tag cartridge is configured such that X + (L / 4)> Y, and the cartridge holder and cutting means are arranged. Thereby, when conveyance stops, the state which all the parts of IC holding body contacted the outer peripheral part of the press roller is implement | achieved reliably, and generation | occurrence | production of conveyance defect can be prevented reliably.

According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the control unit corresponds to each first length direction region corresponding to an arrangement position of the RFID circuit element in the tag tape. A first label as one RFID tag label having a predetermined print is created, and for each one second length direction region sandwiched between two continuous first length direction regions of the tag tape. Correspondingly, the conveyance means, the printing means, and the cutting means are controlled in cooperation so as to create one second label that does not include the RFID circuit element.

As described above, when a tape to be printed is bonded to a tag tape having a RFID circuit element, and a label is created by printing on the tape to be printed, generally, the RFID tag circuit element is disposed at the position. Printing is formed on the area of the tape to be printed that is bonded to the corresponding length direction area of the tag tape, and the RFID tag label with printing is formed. At this time, as the print to be formed, a print of contents corresponding to information stored in the IC circuit unit (for example, text, graphic image, etc.) is usually formed. The length changes. On the other hand, in the tag tape, the wireless tag main body (including the wireless tag circuit element) is arranged at a predetermined interval (fixed pitch). For this reason, when the length of the printed portion (tag label main body) in one printed wireless tag label is shorter than the pitch of the arrangement of the wireless tag main body, on both sides in the tape length direction of the printed portion (tag label main body), Two non-printing portions (margin portions) are generated. Since these two non-printing parts (margins) do not have a wireless tag body and cannot be used as a wireless tag label, it is usually easy for the user to separate the printing part (tag label body) when attaching the label. A predetermined process is performed.

As this processing, a part of the label of the laminated structure is cut while leaving a part in the thickness direction (half-cutting by a so-called half-cutting means (half-cutter)). Is not provided, it is conceivable to perform cutting (full cut) by a normal cutting means (cutter).

However, in a wireless tag label with print (consisting of three parts, non-print part on one side / print part / non-print part on the other side), if the border between the non-print part and the print part is fully cut, The print portion (margin portion), the print portion (tag label body), and the other non-print portion (margin portion) are separated. That is, each time a single RFID label with a print is executed, the three labels are discharged in a state of being separated from each other. At this time, the length of the two non-printing portions (margin portions) is significantly shorter than the printing portion (tag label body). For this reason, at the time of transport / discharge after cutting, the operation and performance of various mechanisms (detection mechanism, transport mechanism, etc.) in the vicinity deviate from the transport path by mistake due to static electricity or separation from the transport means. May be adversely affected.

Accordingly, in the fourth invention of the present application, the control means controls the conveyance means, the printing means, and the cutting means in cooperation, so that one first label (corresponding to each first length direction region of the tag tape) While including a wireless tag main body and having a predetermined print), one second label (for the wireless tag main body) is provided for each second length direction area (other than the first length direction area) of the tag tape. Normal labels that do not contain). In other words, when a plurality of printed RFID label labels composed of the three small labels described above are executed along the transport direction (however, it is not always a batch creation), “one side of the preceding label Non-printing part / printing part / non-printing part on the other side ”,“ non-printing part on one side / printing part / non-printing part on the other side ”of the subsequent label, and“ one side of the subsequent label ” Non-printing part on the side / printing part / non-printing part on the other side ”..., When the non-printing part on the other side of the preceding label and the non-printing part on one side of the following label Combined to form one second label (the printed portion is set to one first label as described above). Thus, in the above example, the preceding label “one non-printing part / printing part / non-printing part on the other side” and the subsequent label “non-printing part on one side / printing part / non-printing on the other side” “Printed portion”, and the subsequent label “non-printed portion on one side / printed portion / non-printed portion on the other side” are preceded by “first label (printed) / second label (not printed)”, Subsequent “first label (with printing) / second label (without printing)” and subsequent “first label (with printing) / second label (without printing)” are replaced. . That is, as described above, every time a single RFID label with print is executed, the first label and the second label are discharged in a state of being separated from each other. As described above, the second label corresponds to a combination of the aforementioned non-printing portion (margin portion) on one side and the non-printing portion (margin portion) on the other side. Compared to (tag label body), it is not so short. As a result, as described above, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect by deviating from the conveyance path to the side during conveyance / discharge after cutting. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operation reliability of the print label producing apparatus and perform highly reliable label production. In addition, as described above, when the conveyance is started for the first label production from the conveyance stop state after the second label production, the significant increase in conveyance resistance can be reduced, and the conveyance failure due to the insufficient conveyance force of the conveyance means. Can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the control unit includes the conveying unit, the printing unit, and the cutting unit so that the created first label and second label are alternately discharged. It is characterized by controlling in cooperation.

In the fifth invention of the present application, the first label (with printing) / second label (without printing) / first label (with printing) / second label (without printing) along the carrying direction when the RFID label is produced・ Alternate discharge as in The length of the second label discharged alternately with the first label is not so short as compared with the first label as described above. As a result, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect by deviating from the conveyance path to the side during conveyance / discharge after cutting.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of conveyance failure due to insufficient conveyance force during label production.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system provided with a tag label producing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of a tag label production apparatus. It is a conceptual block diagram which shows notionally the structure of the principal part of the cartridge with which the tag label production apparatus was mounted | worn. It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning and a structure of the wireless tag main body in a tag tape. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view around the IC circuit portion of the wireless tag body shown in FIG. 4. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is a functional block diagram which shows the control system of a tag label production apparatus. It is a figure showing an example of the screen displayed on a terminal or a 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 the upper side figure and bottom view which show an example of the external appearance of the RFID tag label and accessory label which were formed after the cutting | disconnection of the tag label tape after printing was completed. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX ′ in FIG. 9. It is explanatory drawing which shows each dimension setting in the tape for tag labels printed (or the label tape for printed labels) of the state which is not cut | disconnected. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship with the identifier of the tag label tape for printing | printed_out drawn out continuously, the RFID tag circuit element, the printing area | region of label printing, an apparatus antenna, a mark sensor, a cutting mechanism, and a print head. It is a figure which shows the example of the completed attached label and the RFID tag label (or printing label). It is a figure which shows the example of an attached label at the time of label printing being printed for the longest, and a wireless tag label (or printing label). It is a figure explaining the conveyance defect at the time of starting conveyance of the tag tape by a tape feed roller after completion of the RFID label by cutting. It is a figure explaining the conveyance failure at the time of starting conveyance of the tag tape by a tape feed roller after completion of the RFID label by cutting. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure performed by the control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of step S100. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of step S200. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of step S400. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of step S500. It is a system block diagram which shows the RFID label production | generation system provided with the printing apparatus and RFID tag communication apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of a printing apparatus. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram conceptually showing an overall structure of a printing apparatus. It is a conceptual block diagram which represents notionally the whole structure of a wireless tag communication apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the flow which produces | generates the RFID label with a printing by the RFID label production | generation system shown in FIG.

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

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(A) Basic Configuration An RFID label producing system TS including a tag label producing device 1 that is a printed label producing device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this RFID label producing system TS, the tag label producing apparatus 1 is connected to a route server RS, an information server IS, a terminal 118a, and a general-purpose computer 118b via a communication network NW including an appropriate communication line. Note that the terminal 118a and the general-purpose computer 118b are collectively referred to as “PC 118” as appropriate hereinafter.

The external structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the tag label producing apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body 2 provided with a cartridge holder 31 (see FIG. 3) on which a cartridge 3 is mounted.

The apparatus main body 2 includes an overall rectangular parallelepiped housing 2s having an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a front surface portion, a back surface portion, and left and right side surface portions as its outer shell. An upper lid 4 and an upper lid operation button 5 are provided on the upper surface portion. A label discharge port 7, a front lid 8, a power button 9, and a cutter drive button 10 are provided on the front surface.

The upper lid 4 is rotatably supported at the end of the apparatus main body 2 on the right back side in FIG. 2 and is urged in the opening direction by an urging member (not shown), Is configured to be lockable. In addition, when the cartridge 3 is attached or detached, the lock is released by pressing the upper lid operation button 5, and the upper lid 4 is opened by the urging action of the urging member. It can be done. The upper lid 4 is provided with a see-through window 6 fitted with a transparent cover or the like.

The label discharge port 7 is for discharging the RFID label T created inside the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. The front lid 8 can be opened and closed by pivoting with the lower end as a fulcrum, and is pivoted forward and opened by pushing a pressing portion 8p provided at the upper end from above. The power button 9 is used for turning on / off the main power of the tag label producing apparatus 1. The cutter driving button 10 is used to form the RFID label T by cutting the printed tag label tape 109 by an operator manually operating a cutter 15 (see FIG. 3) described later.

The configuration of the main part of the cartridge 3 mounted on the cartridge holder 31 of the apparatus main body 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, the cartridge 3 is housed in the cartridge holder 31 such that the direction of the width direction of the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the label discharge port 7 is substantially perpendicular to the paper surface in the drawing. . The cartridge 3 includes a housing 3A, and a first roll 102 (which is originally spiral but simplified and shown as a concentric circle) around which a strip-shaped tag tape 101 is wound. A second roll 104 (which is originally spiral but simplified and shown as a concentric circle) around which the transparent cover film 103 having substantially the same width as the tag tape 101 is wound, and an ink ribbon 105 ( Ribbon supply side roll 111 for feeding out a thermal transfer ribbon (not required when the print-receiving tape is a heat-sensitive tape), a ribbon take-up roller 106 for taking up the ink ribbon 105 after printing, and rotating in the vicinity of the tape discharge portion of the cartridge 3 A tape feed roller 27 and a guide roller 112 supported in a possible manner are provided. The tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided with a sub-roller 28 that makes a pair with the tape feed roller 27 of the cartridge 3.

The tape feed roller 27 is driven by the roller drive shaft 108 to cooperate with the opposing sub-roller 28 so that the tag tape 101 and the cover film 103 are pressed and bonded to form the tag label tape 109 with print. The tape is fed in the direction indicated by arrow A (= functions as a pressure roller).

The first roll 102 is wound around the reel member 102a with the tag tape 101 in which a plurality of wireless tag main bodies 90 are sequentially formed at predetermined equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. In this example, the tag tape 101 has a seven-layer structure (refer to a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3), and appropriately moves from the side wound inside (the right side in FIG. 3) to the opposite side (the left side in FIG. 3). Adhesive layer 101a made of an adhesive, colored first base film 101b made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), adhesive layer 101c made of an appropriate adhesive, adhesive layer 101d made of an appropriate adhesive, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) The second base film 101e made of tartar) or the like, the adhesive layer 101f made of an appropriate adhesive, and the release paper 101g are laminated in this order.

On the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the first base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed, and on the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the first base film 101b, The adhesive layer 101c is provided so as to enclose the wireless tag main body 90, and these three layers are integrated to form the first tape 101A. Further, on the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the second base film 101e, an adhesive layer 101d to be bonded to the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the adhesive layer 101c of the first tape 101A is formed with the wireless tag body 90 interposed therebetween. Further, the release paper 101g is adhered to the back side (left side in FIG. 3) of the second base film 101e by the adhesive layer 101f. Of these, the four layers of the adhesive layer 101d, the second base film 101e, the adhesive layer 101f, and the release paper 101g constitute a second tape 101B.

The wireless tag main body 90 includes a resin-made antenna base 91 formed in a sheet shape, and a loop coil-shaped tag antenna 62 provided so as to be exposed on the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the antenna base 91. An IC holding body which is disposed on the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the antenna base 91 and includes an IC circuit unit 80 for storing information and a holding member 95 for holding the IC circuit unit 80 with respect to the antenna base 91 92 (so-called strap).

The holding member 95 is made of an electrically insulating material for circuit protection, and holds the IC circuit unit 80 against the antenna base 91 by covering the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the IC circuit unit 80. At the same time, the tag antenna 62 and the IC circuit unit 80 are connected. The tag antenna 62 that transmits and receives information and the IC circuit unit 80 that stores information constitute the RFID circuit element To. When the wireless tag main body 90 is viewed as a whole, the IC circuit portion 80 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is disposed on the front side (right side in FIG. 3) of the antenna base 91, and further on the front side (in FIG. 3). Since the holding member 95 covers the right side), the IC holder 92 is provided so as to protrude to the first tape 101A side of the antenna base 91 (the wireless tag main body 90 and the IC circuit portion 80). Will be described in detail later).

The release paper 101g is peeled off when the RFID label T (see FIG. 9 described later) that is finally completed in a label is attached to an article (target to be attached) such as a predetermined product. 101f can be adhered to the product or the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, 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 an ink ribbon driven by the ribbon supply side roll 111 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 disposed on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the tag tape 101). The ink ribbon 105 is brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103 by being pressed by the print head 23 (provided on the cartridge holder 31 side).

The housing 3A of the cartridge 3 has a cover so that the print head 23 provided on the cartridge holder 31 side can be pressed against the ink ribbon 105 and the cover film 103 when the cartridge 3 is mounted on the cartridge holder 31. A notch 3a for exposing a part of the conveyance path of the film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 to the outside is formed.

Also, a platen roller 24 is provided at a position facing the print head 23 on the cartridge holder 31 side to apply a pressing force to the cover film 103 to carry the tape.

Further, the tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided with a cutter 15 adjacent to the discharge port of the cartridge 3. In this example, the cutter 15 is a so-called scissor type cutting machine having a fixed blade and a movable blade (see FIG. 5 described later), and is connected to a solenoid (not shown). When this solenoid is excited by a solenoid drive circuit (not shown), the movable blade is actuated to cut the printed tag tape 109 into a predetermined length and form the RFID label T.

Further, the tag label producing device 1 is provided with a mark sensor 127 (details will be described later) and a device antenna 52 on the downstream side of the cutter 15 in the tape transport direction. The device antenna 52 performs communication for reading or writing information with respect to the RFID circuit element To disposed on the tag tape 101.

The tag label producing apparatus 1 has a driving roller 51 and a pressing roller 53 on the downstream side in the tape conveying direction further from the apparatus antenna 52 and on the near side of the label discharge unit.

An example of the arrangement and configuration of the wireless tag main body 90 in the tag tape 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) and FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (b).

4 (a) to 4 (c), 5 (a) to 5 (b), and FIG. 3 described above, the tag tape 101 includes a plurality of tape tapes at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. A wireless tag main body 90 is arranged. The wireless tag main body 90 is sandwiched between the first tape 101A and the second tape 101B in the tape thickness direction. As described above, the wireless tag main body 90 includes the antenna base 91, the tag antenna 62, and the IC holder 92 including the IC circuit unit 80 and the holding member 95. In this example, the antenna pattern of the tag antenna 62 which is also formed in a substantially rectangular shape on the front side (upper side in FIG. 5) of the antenna base 91 formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a sheet of an appropriate synthetic resin material. 62A is disposed, and the IC holder 92 is provided so as to protrude toward the first tape 101A with respect to the antenna base 91. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the IC holder 92 is arranged at one corner of the substantially rectangular tag antenna 62.

The IC holding body 92 includes a first connection land 93 connected to the radially outer end of the loop coil shape of the antenna pattern 62A and a second connection land connected to the other radially inner end. 94. Each of the first connection land 93 and the second connection land 94 is a thin plate-like conducting member formed in a substantially L shape, and each short side portion is an end of the antenna pattern 62A and the antenna base 91. At the same time, it is caulked from both the front and back surfaces and fixed by crimping at crimping

portions

96 and 97, respectively. The long side portions of the two connection lands 93 and 94 are arranged on the antenna base 91 side of the long side portions of the two connection lands 93 and 94 in parallel. It is provided so as to overlap in an arrangement straddling the side portion. Each of the connection lands 93 and 94 has a short side portion connected to the end portion of the antenna pattern 62A by the crimping

portions

96 and 97, and each long side portion has the above overlapping portion and the IC circuit portion 80. It is connected. As a result, the IC circuit unit 80 is electrically connected to both ends of the antenna pattern 62A of the tag antenna 62 through the connection lands 93 and 94 and is conductive.

In addition, the antenna pattern 62A of the tag antenna 62 is bent and arranged so as to bypass the IC circuit unit 80 in the vicinity of the IC circuit unit 80 in a plan view of the RFID label T (a field of view facing the front surface or the back surface). A portion 62Ab is provided. The surface of the two connection lands 93 and 94 including the IC circuit portion 80 is covered with a thin resin holding member 95. The IC circuit unit 80 is held on the surface of the antenna base 91 by the holding member 95 and the connection lands 93, 94. That is, the holding member 95, the IC circuit unit 80, and the two connection lands 93, 94 constitutes the IC holder 92.

The functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the RFID circuit element To is connected to the tag antenna 62 that transmits and receives signals without contact with the device antenna 52 of the tag label producing device 1 by wireless communication or electromagnetic induction as described above. IC circuit unit 80.

The IC circuit unit 80 includes a rectification unit 81 that rectifies the interrogation wave received by the tag antenna 62, a power supply unit 82 that accumulates the energy of the interrogation wave rectified by the rectification unit 81 and uses it as a drive power source, and A clock extraction unit 84 that extracts a clock signal from the interrogation wave received by the tag antenna 62 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 83; a memory unit 86 that can store a predetermined information signal; and modulation / demodulation connected to the tag antenna 62 And a control unit 83 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the memory unit 86, the clock extraction unit 84, the modulation / demodulation unit 85, and the like.

The modem unit 85 demodulates the interrogation wave received from the tag antenna 62 of the tag label producing apparatus 1 received by the tag antenna 62, modulates the return signal from the control unit 83, and responds from the tag antenna 62. (Signal including tag ID) is transmitted.

The clock extraction unit 84 extracts a clock component from the received signal and supplies a clock corresponding to the frequency of the clock component to the control unit 83.

The control unit 83 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modem unit 85, generates a reply signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 86, and sends the reply signal to the tag antenna by the modem unit 85. Basic control such as control returned from 62 is executed.

The functional configuration of the control system in the tag label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 7, a control circuit 110 is arranged 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 for controlling each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114,

ROMs

115 and 116, and a RAM 117. It has been.

The ROM 116 reads a print buffer data in response to an operation input signal from the PC 118, and prints a print drive control program for driving the print head 23, the transport motor 119, and the tape discharge motor 65. A cutting drive control program for driving the printed tag label tape 109 to the cutting position by driving the conveying motor 119 and driving the cutter motor 43 to cut the printed tag label tape 109 by the movable blade 41 of the cutter 15; A tape discharge program for forcibly discharging the cut tag label tape 109 (= RF tag label T) from the label discharge port 7 by driving the tape discharge motor 65, an inquiry signal to the RFID circuit element To, a write signal, etc. Access information to the transmission circuit 306 Force transmitting program reception program for processing an input response signal from the receiving circuit 307, and other tag-label producing device 1 various programs required for control 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 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 parameter storage area 117E stores various calculation data, tag identification information (tag ID) of the RFID circuit element To from which information is read (acquired), and the like.

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 for driving the roller drive shaft 108, The RFID circuit element To is accessed via the cutter antenna drive circuit 122 for driving the cutter motor 43, the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 for driving the tape discharge motor 65, and the device antenna 52 (read / read). The transmitter circuit 306 that generates a carrier wave and outputs an interrogation wave (transmission signal) obtained by modulating the carrier wave based on an input control signal, and the device antenna 52 from the RFID circuit element To. The receiving circuit 307 for demodulating and outputting the response signal received via the And the mark sensor 127 for detecting a child PM is connected.

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. The transmission circuit 306 performs carrier wave modulation control based on the control signal from the control circuit 110 and outputs the interrogation wave, and the reception circuit 307 processes the demodulated signal based on the control signal from the control circuit 110. .

An example of display on the display screen of the terminal 118a when the RFID label T is created will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the type (access frequency and tag label size) of the RFID label T, the print characters printed by the print head 23, the access ID that is identification information unique to the RFID circuit element To in the RFID label T, and the information shown in FIG. The address of the article information stored in the server IS and the storage destination address of the corresponding information in the route server RS of FIG. 1 are included.

(A) Alternating generation of RFID label and attached label In the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the above configuration, as described above, the RFID tag circuit element To is attached to the tag circuit tape To by the device antenna 52 with respect to the tag label tape 109 that has been pasted and produced. After the information is read or written, the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutter 15 to generate the RFID label T. At this time, as one feature of the present embodiment, the RFID label T as the first label including the RFID circuit element To and the attached label Ti as the second label not including the RFID circuit element To (for details, see FIG. Are created as a pair by one creation operation by the tag label producing apparatus 1.

9 (a) and 9 (b), the tag label producing device 1 completes the writing (or reading) of information with respect to the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the printed tag label tape 109. An example of the external appearance of the RFID label T and the attached label Ti created as a pair with the RFID label T will be described. Note that the direction toward the left side in FIGS. 9A and 9B corresponds to the transport direction in the tag label producing apparatus 1 (the same applies to FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14 described later). ).

9 (a), 9 (b), and 10, as described above, the RFID label T and the attached label Ti are created as a pair by one creation operation by the tag label creation device 1 described above. (For the print label S having the same configuration, see the second embodiment described later). At this time, the RFID labels are produced in the order of the RFID labels T next to the attached labels Ti along the transport direction. As described above, the RFID label T and the attached label Ti have an eight-layer structure in which the cover film 103 is added to the seven-layer structure shown in FIG. 3 (the RFID tag label T includes the RFID tag main body 90 and has a nine-layer structure). From the cover film 103 side (upper side in FIG. 10) to the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 10), the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a for bonding the first tape 101A, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c, the adhesive layer 101d of the second tape 101B, the base film 101e, the sticking adhesive layer 101f, and the release paper 101g constitute eight layers.

In the RFID label T, as described above, the RFID circuit element To that includes the tag antenna 62 and the IC circuit unit 80 between the adhesive layer 101c of the first tape 101A and the adhesive layer 101d of the second tape 101B. And a label print R (in this example, an alphabetic character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) corresponding to information stored in the RFID circuit element To is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 (mirror image printing). In the RFID label T, the entire area in the longitudinal direction (from the rear end et on the upstream side in the transport direction to the front end ft on the downstream side in the transport direction) of the RFID label T on which the label print R is printed becomes the label print region PE.

Further, in the attached label Ti, a pitch reference line Lp (described later in detail) is set at a position that is separated by a predetermined distance X1 from the rear end et1 on the upstream side in the tape transport direction toward the front end ft1 on the downstream side in the tape transport direction. Has been. With the pitch reference line Lp as a boundary, the upstream region in the tape transport direction is the front margin region PE1, and the downstream region in the tape transport direction from the pitch reference line Lp is the rear blank region PE2.

As already described, the tag label producing apparatus 1 uses a set of tag tape 101 and cover film 103, and sequentially produces a plurality of RFID label T using a tag label tape 109 with prints bonded together. In this example, when this is sequentially produced, it corresponds to the production-related information of the RFID label T that follows the attached label Ti in the tape transport direction on the cover film 103 located in the front margin area PE1 of each attached label Ti. The subsequent information print R1 is printed. In addition, in the rear margin area PE2 of each attached label Ti, information related to the creation of the RFID label T (not shown in particular in FIG. 9) that has been created ahead of the attached label Ti in the tape transport direction. The preceding information print R2 corresponding to is printed. However, the subsequent information mark R1 and the preceding information print R2 may be omitted.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9A, the tape transport direction length X of the RFID label T is variably set according to the content and mode of the label print R (for example, the number of characters, font, etc.). Further, the dimension in the tape longitudinal direction of the front margin area PE1 (the distance from the rear end et1 of the tape transport direction of the attached label Ti to the pitch reference line Lp) X1 is set in advance to a predetermined value (in this example, fixed). ing. Further, the dimension (the distance from the front end ft1 of the attached label Ti in the tape transport direction to the pitch reference line Lp) X2 of the rear margin area PE2 in the tape longitudinal direction depends on the length X of the RFID label T in the tape transport direction. , Change short or long. Note that the rear margin area PE2 may not be provided at all (that is, X2 = 0), and the attached label may be configured only by the front margin area R1.

Further, the identifier PM is provided on the release paper 101g of the attached label Ti at a position near the upstream side in the tape transport direction from the reference pitch line Lp.

(B) Control Behavior at Label Creation As described above, in the tag label creation device 1, information is read or written to the RFID circuit element To by the device antenna 52 with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being pasted together. After this, the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutter 15 to generate the RFID label T, and the attached label Ti is also generated. Hereinafter, the behavior of control according to the transport position will be described with reference to FIGS. The main cutting position of the RFID label T on the rear end side in the tape conveyance direction is variably controlled according to whether the label print R is long or short. In this embodiment, the case where the label print R is relatively long will be described as an example. To do.

First, each dimension setting will be described with reference to FIG. 11 for the tag label tape 109 with print in an uncut state (refer to the second embodiment to be described later for the tag label tape 510 with the same configuration). . In this example, the case where the RFID label T printed with a relatively long character (alphabetic character “ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) is created is shown as an example.

In FIG. 11, on the tag label tape 109 with print, the pitch reference line Lp, the identifier PM, and the RFID circuit element To are periodically arranged at the same pitch interval P along the tape conveyance direction. That is, the corresponding identifier PM and the RFID circuit element To are arranged at the same relative position with reference to the plurality of pitch reference lines Lp arranged at equal intervals with the pitch interval P.

As described above, the length X1 of the front margin area PE1 in the tape conveyance direction is set to a fixed length, that is, a position separated from the pitch reference line Lp by X1 upstream of the tape conveyance direction (at the rear end et1 in FIG. 8). (Corresponding) is the boundary between the attached label Ti and the RFID label T subsequent thereto, and this position is the front cutting position (the front cutting line CLf) where the cutter 15 cuts. As described above, the length X in the tape conveyance direction of the RFID label T is set variably according to the content and mode (for example, the number of characters, font, etc.) of the label print R, and upstream of the RFID label T in the tape conveyance direction. The rear end (corresponding to the rear end et in FIG. 9) becomes a boundary between the RFID label T and the attached label Ti that follows, and this position is a main cutting position (main cutting line CLr) cut by the cutter 15. ) The distance from the main cutting line CLr to the pitch reference line Lp of the subsequent attached label Ti is the tape transport direction length X2 of the rear margin area PE2.

As described above, since the pitch interval P between two adjacent pitch reference lines Lp is constant, the relationship X1 + X + X2 = P is established. Then, the length of the attached label Ti corresponds to the length X2 of the rear blank area PE2 corresponding to the RFID label T (not shown in FIG. 11) that has been created in advance, and the subsequent RFID label T. This is the total length (X2 + X1 located on the left side in the figure) with the length X1 of the front margin area PE1.

In the present embodiment, the distance between the front end of the identifier PM in the tape transport direction and the front end of the RFID tag main body 90 offset relative thereto is set as the predetermined value LA (see FIG. 12 described later). The distance from the position of the front cutting line CLf to the rear end of the IC holder 92 in the tape transport direction is set as a predetermined value Y. The length X of the RFID label is set to be longer than the predetermined value Y.

At this time, as a feature of the present embodiment, the length X1 of the front margin area PE1 is made relatively long, and the distance Y from the rear end of the IC holder 92 in the tape transport direction to the position of the front cutting line CLf is set short. (See the gap g shown in FIG. 11 between the position of the front cutting line CLf and the tip of the RFID tag main body 90 in the tape transport direction. The gap g becomes narrower as the distance Y becomes shorter). As a result, after completion of the attached label Ti by cutting, the conveyance failure at the start of conveyance by the tape feed roller 27 is prevented when the production of the next RFID label T is started (details will be described later). In addition, by making the length X1 of the front margin area PE1 relatively long, the attached label Ti alone is reliably sandwiched between the driving roller 51 and the pressing roller 53 on the downstream side in the tape transport direction from the cutter 15, and the label discharge path It is surely discharged out of the apparatus without coming off (see FIG. 3 etc.).

12A to 12L, the identifier PM of the tag label tape 109 with print, the RFID tag circuit element To, the print area S of the label print R, the device antenna 52, and the mark sensor 127, which are continuously drawn out, are used. The positional relationship between the cutter 15 and the print head 23 will be described. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, in the tag tape 101, the distance LA from the front end position of the identifier PM in the tape transport direction to the front end of the wireless tag body 90 in the tape transport direction is the mark sensor 127 and the print head 23. Is set in advance so as to be equal to the tape conveyance direction distance Lo. Further, in order to avoid the complexity of the illustration, the subsequent information printing R1 and the preceding information printing R2 are abbreviated by dotted lines.

First, FIG. 12A shows a state immediately after the feeding of the tag label tape 109 with print from the cartridge 3 is started. In the state shown in the figure, the preceding information print R2 has already been printed in the rear margin area PE2, and the identifier PM has not been detected by the mark sensor 127.

When the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print (in other words, transport of the tag tape 101 and the cover film 103, and so on) proceeds further from this state, the vicinity of the front end in the tape transport direction of the area for printing the subsequent information print R1 is the print head 23. Is reached (FIG. 12B), and printing of the subsequent information print R1 on the cover film 103 is started (FIG. 12C).

When the printing of the subsequent information printing R1 is completed and the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print further proceeds, the vicinity of the front end of the wireless tag main body 90 in the tape transport direction reaches the position of the print head 23 (FIG. 12 (d)). Here, since LA = Lo as described above, when the leading end of the identifier PM reaches the position of the mark sensor 127 due to the movement of the tag label tape 109 with print, the wireless tag main body 90 of the cover film 103 is used. The position corresponding to (the position where the wireless tag main body 90 of the tag tape 101 is to be attached) reaches the position of the print head 23. Correspondingly, when the identifier PM is detected by the mark sensor 127, printing of the label print R on the cover film 103 is started (see FIG. 12E). In this example, as the label print R, as described above, relatively long characters (alphabetic characters “ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) are printed.

When the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print further proceeds from the state shown in FIG. 12 (e), the position of the preset cutting line CLf reaches the position of the cutter 15 (FIG. 12 (f)). A preset position of the front cutting line CLf (as described above, a position at a distance (X2 + X1) from the tape tip and a distance X1 from the pitch reference line Lp, see FIG. 11) reaches the position of the cutter 15. (FIG. 12 (f)). In this state, since the identifier PM has already been detected by the mark sensor 127 as described above, the detection of arrival at this position is started from the state shown in FIG. 12D (identifier PM detection start state). This is performed by detecting that the completed tag label tape 109 has advanced a predetermined distance. Corresponding to this detection, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped, the front cutting line CLf is cut by the cutter 15, and the attached label Ti is divided and formed.

Thereafter, by restarting the transport, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print further proceeds from the state of FIG. 12 (f), and the attached label Ti generated in the form of a label is discharged out of the tag label producing apparatus 1. (FIG. 12 (g); the attached label Ti is not shown).

Here, as described above, since the length X1 of the front margin area PE1 is set to be relatively long, the attached label Ti formed to be longer (X1 + X2) also deviates from the discharge path of the tag label device 1. And reliably conveyed between the driving roller 51 and the pressing roller 52 and discharged outside the apparatus.

Then, when the printed tag label tape 109 is further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 12G, the wireless tag main body 90 reaches the position of the device antenna 52 (FIG. 12H). At this time, since a relatively long character (“ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) is printed as the label print R in this example as described above, the printing of the label print R has not yet been completed at this point. Therefore, the conveyance and printing of the tag label tape 109 with print are temporarily stopped (interrupted), and wireless communication with the wireless tag main body 90 is performed from the apparatus antenna 52 in the conveyance stopped state. Thereafter, the conveyance and printing are resumed (FIG. 12 (i)), and finally all (“ABCDEFGHIJKLMN”) printing is completed (FIG. 12 (j)).

When the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print further proceeds from the state of FIG. 12 (j), the vicinity of the front end in the tape transport direction of the area where the preceding information print R2 is printed reaches the position of the print head 23 (FIG. 12 (k)). )), Printing of the preceding information print R2 on the cover film 103 is started. It is sufficient to detect that this position has been reached by detecting that the tag label tape 109 with print has advanced a predetermined distance from the state shown in FIG. 12D, as in the case of detecting the position of the previous cutting line CLf. .

When the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print further proceeds from the state of FIG. 12 (k), it corresponds to the tape longitudinal direction dimension X of each RFID label T set variably according to the length of the label print R. The position of the main cutting line CLr reaches the position of the cutter 15 (note that the preceding information print R2 has been printed at this stage). The detection of this position may be performed by detecting that the tag label tape 109 with print has advanced a predetermined distance from the state shown in FIG. In response to this detection, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped, and the cutter 15 cuts at the main cutting line CLr (FIG. 12 (l)), and the leading end side of the tag label tape 109 with print is cut off. The wireless tag label T is assumed.

An example of the attached label Ti and the RFID label T completed as described above will be described with reference to FIG. This figure substantially corresponds to a part of the above-described tag label tape 109 with print in FIG. 11 (refer to the second embodiment to be described later for the print label S having the same configuration). FIG. 13 shows an example of the RFID label T for the second and subsequent sheets created after one or more RFID labels T are created in advance. The RFID label T shown in the center is generated as a pair in combination with the attached label Ti shown on the left side. The attached label Ti shown on the right side as a reference is generated together with the RFID label T (not shown) to be produced next.

In this way, the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment controls so that the attached label Ti and the RFID label T are alternately generated and discharged. In the attached label Ti shown on the left side, the preceding information print R2 ("01234456789" in the illustrated example) is printed in the rear margin area PE2 downstream of the pitch reference line Lp in the tape transport direction (enlarged view). See XIIIa). Further, in the same attached label Ti, a subsequent information print R1 (“ABCDEFGHIJKLMN” in the illustrated example) is printed in the front margin area PE1 upstream of the pitch reference line Lp (see the enlarged view XIIIb). Further, the same preceding information print R2 and subsequent information print R1 are also printed on the attached label Ti (the one on the right side in the figure) to be created next.

As described above, the pitch reference line Lp is provided at a fixed-length pitch interval P. Within the pitch interval P, the fixed-length front margin area PE1 (length X1) and the RFID label T (length) X) and the rear margin area PE2 (length X2) are arranged. The length X in the tape conveyance direction of the RFID label T is variably set according to the content and mode (for example, the number of characters and the number of fonts) of the label print R to be printed. The remaining area obtained by subtracting the blank area PE1 and the area occupied by the RFID label T is the rear blank area PE2.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the label print R of the RFID label T is printed the longest (in the example shown, “ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQ”), the attached margin Ti to be created next has a trailing blank area PE2. In this case, printing of the preceding information print R2 is omitted (even if the length X2 = 0 is not satisfied, printing is omitted even if the preceding information printing R2 is insufficient). May be). Even when the attached label Ti is constituted only by the front margin area PE1, the length X1 of the front margin area PE1 is surely set so as not to deviate from the discharge path of the tag label apparatus 1 and the pressing roller 52. Is set to a length sufficient to be nipped and conveyed by the printer and discharged, so that it is reliably discharged out of the apparatus.

(C) Main part configuration of the present embodiment for prevention of conveyance failure By the way, the main part of the present embodiment is the tag tape 101 and the tape tape 101 in the creation of the RFID label T sequentially executed by the basic configuration and operation as described above. This is to prevent a conveyance failure at the start of conveyance of the cover 103 film. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation related to the main part will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as a comparative example for obtaining the above action, consider a case where the gap g (see FIG. 11) between the position of the aforementioned front cutting line CLf and the front end of the wireless tag main body 90 in the tape transport direction is relatively large. . FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram showing the conceptual structure of the tag tape 101 in such a comparative example, and FIG. 15B conceptually shows the transport path of the tag tape 101 from the first roll 102. FIG.

15A and 15B, the tag tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 is a part of the roller outer periphery of the tape feed roller 27 (in this example, about 1 / of the roller circumferential length W). 4 part), the transport path is bent by the tape feed roller 27 substantially perpendicular to the direction of the transport path after bonding, and the cover film 103 (not shown) is pasted by the tape feed roller 27 and the sub-roller 28, A tag label tape 109 with print is formed. The tag tape 101 included in the tag label tape 109 that has been bonded in this manner and included in the tag label tape 109 with print reaches the cutter 15 at the front cutting line CLf in the front of the tape conveyance direction, and the conveyance by the tape feed roller 27 is stopped at that position. Is attached to form the attached label Ti (see FIG. 12F).

As described above, in the transport stop state after the attached label Ti is created, in the tag tape 101 included in the tag label tape 109 with print, between the winding start position and the winding end position with respect to the outer periphery of the tape feed roller 27. The distance along the transport direction is substantially equal to W / 4 (see FIG. 15B). Further, the distance from the winding end position on the outer periphery of the feed roller 27 to the cutter 15 is substantially equal to the distance Z from the center O of the feed roller 27 to the cutter 15 along the conveyance direction of the tag tape 101. Therefore, the distance along the conveying direction from the position at which the tag tape 101 starts to wrap around the outer periphery of the feed roller 27 to the cutter 15 is Z + (W / 4) which is the sum of the two.

In the structure of this comparative example, from the above-described distance Y from the position of the front cutting line CLf to the rear end of the IC holder 92 in the tape transport direction, from the center O of the feed roller 27 along the tag tape 101 transport direction. Specific examples of dimensions of the distance Z to the cutter 15 and the roller circumferential length W include, for example, Y = 20.28 mm, Z = 9 mm, W = 31.4 mm (the diameter of the tape feed roller 27 is 10 mm, W / 4 = 7.9 mm). In this case, the gap g = 6 mm.

By the way, as described above, the IC holding body 92 is electrically insulative to protect the IC circuit unit 80 and the conductive connection lands 93 and 94 that electrically connect the IC circuit unit 80 and the antenna pattern 62A. The holding member 95 is comprised. Therefore, the IC holder 92 has a structure having a certain thickness and has high rigidity. As a result, when the tag tape 101 passes through the tape feeding roller 27, the IC holding body 92 having a large rigidity is passed along the outer peripheral portion of the tape feeding roller 27 while being deformed into an arc shape. (See FIG. 15B).

Here, in the comparative example shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the gap g is relatively large as described above, and the front cutting line CLf is relatively separated from the front end of the wireless tag main body 90 in the tape conveyance direction. In the position. As a result, the distance Y becomes relatively long, and a relationship of Z + (W / 4) <Y is established. For this reason, in the state where the preceding attached label Ti is completed and the conveyance by the tape feed roller 27 is stopped, the deformation due to the outer peripheral portion shape of the tape feed roller 27 is completed only to the middle of the IC holding body 92. . That is, as shown in FIG. 15B, the tip end portion 92f of the IC holding body 92 in the tape transport direction is deformed into an arc shape along the outer peripheral shape of the tape feed roller 27 and has already been in contact with the outer peripheral portion. The remaining tape transport direction rear end side portion 92b of the IC holder 92 is not in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the tape feed roller 27 and is not deformed at all. As a result, when the conveyance by the tape feed roller 27 is started when the subsequent attached label Ti is produced, the conveyance resistance becomes particularly large, so that the conveyance force of the tape feed roller 27 is insufficient and a conveyance failure may occur. There is.

In contrast, in the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the gap g is relatively small as described above, and the front cutting line CLf is relatively at the front end of the wireless tag body 90 in the tape transport direction. It is provided at a close position. As a specific example similar to the above, for example, Y = 16.28 mm, Z = 9 mm, W = 31.4 mm (the diameter of the tape feed roller 27 is 10 mm, W / 4 = 7.9 mm). In this case, Z + W / 4 = 16.9 mm. In this case, the gap g = 2 mm. As a result of such a structure, the distance Y is relatively short, and a relationship of Z + (W / 4)> Y is established. For this reason, in the state where the preceding attached label Ti is completed and the conveyance by the tape feed roller 27 is stopped, all of the IC holders 92 are in a state of being completely deformed by the outer peripheral shape of the tape feed roller 27. That is, as shown in FIG. 16B, the entire dimension of the IC holding body 92 in the tape transport direction is deformed into an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion shape of the tape feed roller 27, and the outer peripheral portion is already in contact. Therefore, there is no non-contact and undeformed portion on the outer peripheral portion of the tape feed roller 27 in the IC holder 92, so that it is possible to reduce the significant increase in transport resistance at the start of transport as described above. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of conveyance failure due to insufficient conveyance force of the tape feed roller 27.

A control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 to perform such control will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 17, when a predetermined RFID label producing operation is performed by the tag label producing apparatus 1 via the PC 118, this flow is started. First, in step S100, an operation signal from the PC 118 is input (via the communication line NW and the input / output interface 113), and preparation for setting print data, communication data with the RFID circuit element To, and the like based on the operation signal is performed. Processing (refer to FIG. 18 described later for details) is executed.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5, where a control signal is output to the conveying motor drive circuit 121 via the input / output interface 113, and the tape feeding roller 27 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 are driven to rotate by the driving force of the conveying 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. Thus, the tag 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, and the tag tape 101 and the cover film 103 are fed to the tape feed. They are bonded and integrated by the roller 27 and the sub-roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print, and are conveyed out of the cartridge 3 and further outward of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

Thereafter, in step S10, the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the print start position of the subsequent information print R1 in the front margin area PE1 (hereinafter referred to as the front margin print start position as appropriate) (in other words, the subsequent information print R1). It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the position where it faces the print head 23 at the print start position (see FIG. 12B). The determination at this time is, for example, a predetermined known method for detecting the distance (successively stored and held from the previous time) the tape was transported after the identifier PM of the tag tape 101 was detected when the RFID label T was created last time. What is necessary is just to count the number of pulses output from the transfer motor drive circuit 121 that drives the transfer motor 119, which is a pulse motor. The determination is not satisfied until the front margin printing start position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the previous margin printing start position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S15.

In step S15, 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 print data generated in step S100 is applied to the above-described front margin area PE1 of the cover film 103. Printing of subsequent information printing R1 such as corresponding characters, symbols, barcodes, etc. is started (see FIG. 12C). Note that the printing of the subsequent information printing R1 is automatically terminated as soon as printing of the corresponding print data is completed.

Thereafter, in step S20, based on the detection signal of the mark detection sensor 127 input through the input / output interface 113, whether or not the identifier PM of the tag label tape 109 with print is detected, that is, the tag label tape 109 with print is Whether the label print R has been transported to the print start position of the label print R in the label print area PE (hereinafter referred to as the “main print start position” where appropriate) (in other words, for the label label that has been printed to the print print start position of the label print R up to the position facing the print head It is determined whether the tape 109 has arrived; see FIG. The determination is not satisfied until the identifier PM is detected, and this procedure is repeated. If the identifier PM is detected, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S25.

In step S25, 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 print data generated in step S100 is applied to the label print area PE of the cover film 103 described above. Printing of label printing R such as corresponding characters, symbols, barcodes, etc. is started (see FIG. 12E).

Thereafter, in step S30, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described pre-cut position (in other words, the tag label with print to the position where the movable blade 41 of the cutter 15 faces the front cut line CLf set in step S100). Whether the tape 109 has been reached). Here, as already described with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the gap g between the position of the front cutting line CLf and the front end of the wireless tag body 90 in the tape transport direction is, for example, about 2 mm. Thus, the gap g in the comparative example structure of FIGS. 15A and 15B is shorter by 4 mm than 6 mm. In other words, this corresponds to the setting position of the front cutting line CLf being shifted to the upstream side in the transport direction by 4 mm in this embodiment compared to the comparative example, and the determination in step S30 is also This corresponds to the timing of the previous cutting being delayed by 4 mm. The determination in step S30 may be performed by, for example, detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the tag tape 101 in step S20 (using a transport motor 119 that is a pulse motor). Counting the number of pulses output from the driving motor driving circuit 121 for driving, etc.). The determination is not satisfied until the previous cutting position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the previous cutting position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S35.

In step S35, control signals are output to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, the drive of the transport motor 119 and the tape discharge motor 65 is stopped, and the tape feed roller 27 is stopped. Then, the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the driving roller 51 is stopped. As a result, in the process in which the tag label tape 109 with print fed out from the cartridge 3 moves in the discharge direction, the first roll with the movable blade 41 of the cutter 15 facing the front cutting line CLf set in step S100. The feeding of the tag tape 101 from 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print are stopped. At this time, a control signal is also output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and printing of the label print R is stopped (print interruption).

Thereafter, in step S40, a control signal is output to the cutter motor driving circuit 122 via the input / output interface 113 to drive the cutter motor 43, and the movable blade 41 is rotated to cover the cover film 103 of the tag label tape 109 with print. Then, a pre-cutting process is performed in which the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, the adhesive layer 101d, the base film 101e, the adhesive layer 101f, and the release paper 101g are all cut (divided) by the pre-cut line CLf (FIG. 12 ( f)). By the cutting by the cutter 15, the attached label Ti is generated, which is separated from the printed tag label tape 109 and printed with information related to the creation of the two RFID tag labels T and T created (created) before and after. .

Then, the process proceeds to step S45, and the feeding of the tag label tape 109 with print is resumed by rotating the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 in the same manner as in step S5. When the conveyance is resumed, the increase in the conveyance resistance is reduced by the above-described action. In addition to the resumption of conveyance, the printing of the label print R is resumed by energizing the print head 23 as in step S25. In addition, when the tape conveyance is resumed, the attached label Ti generated in the form of a label (separated from the tag label tape 109 with print) in step S40 is conveyed toward the label discharge port 7, and the label discharge port 7 is discharged out of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S200, and print label creation processing is performed. That is, when the RFID tag circuit element To is conveyed to the communication position (position where the RFID tag main body 90 faces the device antenna 52), conveyance and printing are stopped and information transmission / reception is performed (see FIG. 12H). Printing is resumed to complete the printing (see FIGS. 12 (i) and 12 (j)), and the preceding information print R2 on the next attached label Ti is printed (see FIG. 19 described later).

Next, the process proceeds to step S50 (note that at this point, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is resumed at step S200), and whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described main cutting position (in other words, It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the position where the movable blade 41 of the cutter 15 faces the main cutting line CLr set in step S100. The determination at this time is also the same as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the tag tape 101 in the above step S20 by a predetermined known method (the transport motor 119 which is a pulse motor). Counting the number of pulses output from the driving motor driving circuit 121 for driving, etc.). The determination is not satisfied until the main cutting position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. If it is reached, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S55.

In step S55, similarly to step S35, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped. Thereby, with the movable blade 41 of the cutter 15 facing the main cutting line CLr set in step S100, the tag tape 101 is fed from the first roll 102, the cover film 103 is fed from the second roll 104, In addition, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print stops.

Thereafter, in step S60, 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 cutter 15 is rotated to cover the cover film 103 and the adhesive layer 101a of the tag label tape 109 with print. The base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, the adhesive layer 101d, the base film 101e, the adhesive layer 101f, and the release paper 101g are all cut (divided) along the main cutting line CLr (see FIG. 12 (l)). . By the cutting by the cutter 15, the tag label tape 109 that has been printed is separated, the RFID tag information of the RFID circuit element To is read (or the prescribed tag information is written), and the prescribed printing corresponding thereto is performed. A label-like RFID label T is generated.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S65, where a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 31, the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 is restarted, and the drive roller 51 is rotated. As a result, the conveyance by the driving roller 51 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in the above-described step S60 is conveyed toward the label discharge port 7 and discharged from the label discharge port 7 to the outside of the label label producing apparatus 1. This flow is finished.

The detailed procedure of step S100 described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the flow shown in FIG. 18, in step S105, an operation signal input from the PC 118 is input (identified) via the input / output interface 113. The operation signal includes, for example, characters, designs, patterns, etc. of the label print R (two prints for the previous print and the current print) specified by the operator, fonts thereof (font, size, thickness, etc.), characters, When printing information such as code data of characters such as numbers and creation date and time are included and information is written to the RFID circuit element To, the writing information (RFID tag information including at least a tag ID as identification information) Is also included. Further, information on the type of the cartridge 3 attached to the cartridge holder 6 (in other words, tag attribute information such as the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements in the tag tape 101 and the tape width of the tag tape 101) is also included.

For this cartridge information, a detected part (for example, an identifier such as a concavo-convex shape) provided separately in the cartridge 3 is appropriately detected by means of mechanical detection such as a mechanical switch, a sensor for optical detection, The type of the cartridge 3 may be automatically detected and searched based on this detection signal.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110, and print data (label printing R, subsequent information printing R1, and preceding information printing R2) corresponding to the printing information is created based on the operation signal input in step S105.

In step S115, communication data corresponding to the writing information is created based on the operation signal input in step S105. As described above, this procedure is performed when information is written to the RFID circuit element To to create the RFID label T, but only the information previously stored in the RFID circuit element To is read. When the RFID label T is created (without writing information), this procedure may be omitted.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120, and the position of the above-described front cutting line CLf is set. In this setting, the position on the tape of the front cutting line CLf corresponding to the cartridge information is set based on the operation signal input in step S105. That is, the pitch interval P of the RFID tag main body 90 in the tag tape 101 (in other words, the distance between the pitch reference line Lp and the pitch reference line Lp) is uniquely determined according to the type of the cartridge 3 as described above. Further, the position of the front cutting line CLf (unlike the main cutting line CLr) is determined in advance from the front end of the tag label tape 109 with print (or the front end of the identifier PM) to a fixed position regardless of the contents of the label print R. (For example, stored in an appropriate location of the control circuit 110 in the form of a table). However, at this time, as described above, regarding the distance Z from the center O of the feed roller 27 to the cutter 15 along the conveyance direction of the tag tape 101 and the circumferential length W of the outer circumference of the tape feed roller 27, IC The position of the front cutting line CLf is set so that the distance Y from the rear end of the holding body 92 in the tape transport direction to the cutting position of the cutter 15 satisfies the condition of Z + (W / 4)> Y. . In this procedure, the position of the front cutting line CLf is set to a predetermined position (fixed) for each cartridge 3 under such a premise.

In step S125, a communication position on the tape by the above-described wireless tag main body 90 is set. In this setting as well as step S120, based on the operation signal input in step S105, the type (size) and arrangement position of the wireless tag main body 90 and the wireless tag circuit element To and the arrangement position are determined depending on the type of the cartridge 3. Based on the pre-determined position from the front end of the tape 109 for printing, the position of the RFID tag main body 90 on the tag label tape 109 with print is set to a predetermined position for each cartridge 3 (fixedly). ) Set.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S130, and based on the print data created in step S110, the position on the tape at which the printing of the label print R is completed (hereinafter referred to as the “main print end position” as appropriate) is calculated. That is, depending on the contents of the label print R, when the print length is long, the print end position is (relatively) closer to the rear end of the label, and when the print length is short, the print end position is It is closer (relatively) to the label front end side.

In step S135, the position of the main cutting line CLr described above is set. In this setting, the position of the main cutting line CLr corresponding to the cartridge information on the tape is set based on the operation signal input in step S105 and the print end position calculated in step S130. That is, based on the operation signal input in step S105, the distance from the print end position to the main cutting line CLr is calculated in step S130 on the premise that the distance from the print end position to the main cutting line CLr is fixed in advance depending on the type of the cartridge 3. The position of the main cutting line CLr on the tape is calculated in such a manner that the predetermined distance is added to the print end position (intervened).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140, and the position of the pitch reference line Lp of the tag label tape 109 with print is set. In this setting as well as step S120, the label size of the tag label tape 109 with print is based on the premise that the label size is determined in advance according to the type of the cartridge 3 based on the operation signal input in step S105. The position of the pitch reference line Lp is set (fixed) to a predetermined position for each cartridge 3.

In step S145, the rear end position on the tape of the wireless tag main body 90 described above is set. This setting is also based on the premise that the type (size) and arrangement position of the RFID circuit element To are determined in advance by the type of the cartridge 3 based on the operation signal input in step S105, as described above. The rear end position of the RFID label main body 90 on the tag label tape 109 with print is set (fixed) to a predetermined position for each cartridge 3.

Then, the process proceeds to step S150, and it is determined whether or not the position of the main cutting line CLr (main cutting position) set in step S135 is closer to the label rear end side than the rear end position of the wireless tag main body 90 in step S145. If the position of the main cutting line CLr is set on the label rear end side, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S165.

If the position of the main cutting line CLr is set on the label front end side with respect to the rear end position of the wireless tag main body 90, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S155. In step S155, since there is a possibility that a part of the wireless tag main body 90 is cut as it is, in order to avoid this, the position of the main cutting line CLr is labeled more than the rear end position of the wireless tag main body 90. The position is corrected so as to be on the rear end side (reset), and the process proceeds to step S165.

In step S165, the printing positions of the subsequent information printing R1 and the preceding information printing R2 are set. Similarly to the above, this setting is also based on the precondition that the label size is predetermined according to the type of the cartridge 3 based on the operation signal input in step S105. For example, the pitch of the tag label tape 109 with print is set. Using the position of the reference line Lp as a reference, the positions for executing the subsequent information printing R1 and the preceding information printing R2 are set to fixed positions (fixed) for each cartridge 3 in advance. Note that, as shown in 14 above, when the trailing margin area PE2 for printing the preceding information print R2 is insufficient, the setting of the print position of the preceding information print R2 is omitted.

Thereafter, in step S170, when communication is performed from the device antenna 52, which will be described later, to the RFID circuit element To, the number of times of retrying communication (retry) when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To (number of access attempts). The variables M and N to be counted are initialized to 0, and this routine is terminated.

The detailed procedure of step S200 described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the flow shown in FIG. 19, first, in step S210, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the device antenna 52 described above (in other words, the device antenna 52 set in step S125 above is the RFID tag main body. It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached a position substantially opposite to the 90 position; see FIG. The determination at this time may also be detected by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identifier PM of the tag tape 101 in step S20, as in step S30 of FIG. The determination is not satisfied until the communication position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the communication position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S220.

In step S220, in the same manner as in step S35, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the tag label that has been printed with the apparatus antenna 52 facing the wireless tag main body 90 is substantially facing. The conveyance of the tape 109 for use stops. Further, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the label print R is stopped (interrupted) (see FIG. 12 (i)).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S400, information is transmitted and received between the device antenna 52 and the RFID circuit element To by wireless communication, and the IC circuit unit 80 of the RFID circuit element To is created in the above step S115 of FIG. Information transmission / reception processing is performed in which information is written (or information previously stored in the IC circuit unit is read) (see FIG. 20 described later for details).

Next, the process proceeds to step S230, and similarly to step S45 of FIG. 17, the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 are rotationally driven to resume the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print, The print head 23 is energized to resume printing the label print R.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S240, and it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described main printing end position (calculated in step S130 in FIG. 18). The determination at this time may also be made by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the tag tape 101 in step S20 in the same manner as described above, for example. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the print end position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S250.

In step S250, as in step S35 of FIG. 17, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped and printing of the label print R is stopped. Thereby, the printing of the label print R for the predetermined print area is completed (see FIG. 12J).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S500, and a post-margin printing process is performed in which the preceding information print R2 is printed at a position corresponding to the rear margin area PE2 only when the length X2 of the rear margin area PE2 is sufficiently long (details will be described later). 21), this routine is terminated.

The detailed procedure of step S400 described above will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, information writing will be described as an example of the information writing and information reading described above.

In FIG. 20, first, in step S410, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the input / output interface 113 to transmit a tag ID read command signal. That is, the transmitter circuit 306 generates a query wave (in this example, the tag ID read command signal as an inquiry signal) for acquiring the stored ID information of the RFID circuit element To by performing predetermined modulation. To do. Then, this tag ID read command signal is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written through the device antenna 52. Thereby, the memory part 86 of the RFID circuit element To is initialized.

Thereafter, in step S415, the reply signal (including the tag ID) transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To as the write target corresponding to the tag ID read command signal is received via the device antenna 52, and the receiving circuit 307 is received. And input / output interface 113.

Next, in step S420, based on the received reply signal, it is determined whether or not the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To has been normally read.

If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S425, 1 is added to M, and it is further determined in step S430 whether M = 5. If M ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S410 and the same procedure is repeated. If M = 5, the process proceeds to step S435, and an error display signal is output to the PC 118 via the input / output interface 113, the corresponding writing failure (error) display is performed, and this routine is terminated. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

If the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S440, where a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the input / output interface 113, and a write command signal is transmitted. That is, the transmission circuit 306 performs a predetermined modulation to specify the tag ID read in step S415 and write a query wave for writing desired data in the memory unit 86 of the RFID circuit element To (in this example, The Write command signal) is generated. Then, the Write command signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the device antenna 52, and information is written.

Thereafter, in step S445, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the input / output interface 113, and a Read command signal is transmitted. In other words, the transmission circuit 306 performs predetermined modulation to specify the tag ID read in step S415 and to read the data recorded in the memory unit 86 of the RFID circuit element To (this example) Then, the Read command signal) is generated. Then, this Read command signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To which information is to be written via the device antenna 52 to prompt a reply.

Thereafter, in step S450, a reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written in response to the Read command signal is received via the device antenna 52 and taken in via the receiving circuit 307.

Next, in step S455, the information stored in the memory unit 86 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed based on the received reply signal, and a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check, etc.) is used. Then, it is determined whether or not the predetermined information transmitted as described above is normally stored in the memory unit 86.

If it is not stored normally, the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S460, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S465 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S440 and the same procedure is repeated. If N = 5, the process proceeds to step S435 described above, and similarly a writing failure (error) display corresponding to the PC 118 is performed, and this routine is terminated. In this way, even if information writing is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

If the storage is normally performed in step S455, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S470. In step S470, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, and a lock command signal is transmitted. That is, the transmission circuit 306 performs a predetermined modulation to specify the tag ID read in step S415 and to interrogate the data recorded in the memory unit 86 of the RFID circuit element To. (In this example, the lock command signal is generated). Then, the lock command signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the device antenna 52, and writing of new information to the RFID circuit element To is prohibited. Thereby, the information writing to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written is completed.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S480, and the combination of the information written in the RFID circuit element To in the step S440 and the print information of the label print R already printed in the print area by the print head 23 corresponding to this, The data is output via the input / output interface 113 and the communication line NW and stored in the information server IS or the route server RS. This stored data is stored and held in the database of each server IS, RS, for example, so that it can be referred to from the PC 118 as necessary. This routine is completed as described above.

The detailed procedure of step S500 described above with reference to FIG. 19 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S510 of the flow shown in FIG. 21, the position of the main cutting line CLr set in step S135 (the main cutting position) and the position of the pitch reference line Lp set in step S140 are set in advance. It is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (specifically, a distance that is necessary for printing the preceding information print R2). If the position of the main cutting line CLr and the position of the pitch reference line Lp are too close, this determination is not satisfied and it is considered that it is not appropriate to print the preceding information print R2, and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the position of the main cutting line CLr and the position of the pitch reference line Lp are sufficiently far, this determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S520.

In step S520, as in step S10, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the print start position of the preceding information print R2 in the rear blank area PE2 (hereinafter, referred to as the rear blank print start position as appropriate) (in other words, It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the print start position of the preceding information print R2 up to the position facing the print head 23; see FIG. 12 (k)). The determination at this time may be performed by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the tag tape 101 in step S20 in the same manner as described above (driving the transport motor 119, which is a pulse motor). For example, the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 is counted). The determination is not satisfied until the trailing margin printing start position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the trailing margin printing start position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to the next step S530.

In step S530, as in step S15 and the like described above, 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 rear margin area PE2 of the cover film 103 is Printing of characters, symbols, barcodes and the like corresponding to the print data of the preceding information print R2 generated in step S110 is started (see FIG. 12 (l)). Note that the printing of the preceding information print R2 automatically ends as soon as printing of the corresponding print data is completed. Then, this routine ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control circuit 110 controls the tape feed roller 27 and the cutter 15 in cooperation with each other, and when the cutter 15 that has stopped the conveyance is cut, the IC holding body 92 in the entire conveyance direction is arranged. The dimensions are brought into contact with each other in an arc shape along the outer peripheral portion of the tape feed roller 27 (see FIG. 16B). Thereby, when the preceding attached label Ti is completed and the conveyance is stopped, all of the IC holding bodies 92 are in a state of being completely deformed by the outer peripheral portion shape of the tape feed roller 27. Therefore, in the IC holder 92, there is no non-contact and undeformed portion on the outer peripheral portion of the tape feeding roller 27, so that a significant increase in transport resistance at the start of transport can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of conveyance failure due to insufficient conveyance force of the tape feed roller 27.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the distance Y from the position of the front cutting line CLf to the rear end of the IC holder 92 in the tape transport direction, the center O of the feed roller 27 along the transport direction of the tag tape 101, and the cutter 15. The wireless tag cartridge 3 is configured such that Z + (W / 4)> Y with respect to the distance Z and the roller circumferential length W, and the cartridge holder 6 and the cutter 15 are disposed. Thereby, when the conveyance is stopped, it is possible to surely realize a state where all the parts of the IC holding body 92 are in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the tape feed roller 27, and it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a conveyance defect.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the IC holder 92 of the tag tape 101 has an arc-shaped warping direction when the tag tape 101 is wound as the first roll 102, and the tag tape 101 is connected to the tape feed roller 27. The arcuate warping direction in contact with the outer peripheral portion is the opposite direction (see FIG. 16B). For this reason, the IC holding body 92 is deformed so as to be bent in an arc shape on the outer side of the tape feed roller 27 from the state in which the IC holder 92 is bent in an arc shape on one side in the first roll 102. In such a case, the warping is corrected in the opposite direction, so that the conveyance resistance based on the rigidity of the IC holder 92 described above becomes particularly large. Therefore, as described above, it is particularly effective in preventing the occurrence of a conveyance failure to control the conveyance of the tag tape 101 while all of the IC holders 92 are in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the tape feed roller 27. is there.

In this embodiment, in particular, the control circuit 110 controls the tape feed roller 27, the print head 23, and the cutter 15 in cooperation with each other, and each time the RFID label T with print is produced, the RFID label T is attached. Two of the labels Ti and the labels Ti are alternately discharged while being separated from each other. As described above, the attached label Ti corresponds to a combination of the aforementioned rear margin area PE2 portion on the other side and the front margin area PE1 portion on the one side. Therefore, the length (X1 + X2) is the label printing area. Compared with the length X of the PE portion (the RFID label T main body), it is not so short. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tag label producing apparatus 1 from being adversely deviated laterally from the conveyance path during conveyance / discharge after the attached label Ti is cut. Therefore, the operation reliability of the tag label producing apparatus 1 can be improved and a highly reliable label can be produced.

In the first embodiment, the single tag label producing device 1 performs both printing and dividing formation of the RFID label T (that is, producing the printed label) and reading information or writing information to the RFID circuit element To. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, creation of a print label and information transmission / reception may be performed by separate devices (printing device, wireless tag communication device). Hereinafter, such a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 22, the RFID label generation system TS <b> 2 provided with a printing device constituting the printing label producing device of this embodiment and a RFID tag communication device will be described. FIG. 22 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate (in FIGS. 23 to 26 below). The same).

In this RFID label generation system TS2 shown in FIG. 22, the printing device 402 and the RFID tag communication device 403 are connected to the information server IS, the terminal 118a, and the general-purpose computer 118b via a wired or wireless communication line NW.

23, the internal structure of the printing apparatus 402 will be described, and the overall structure of the printing apparatus will be described using FIG. 23 and 24, the printing apparatus 402 includes an apparatus main body 408 having a cartridge holder 405. A print label cartridge 407 is provided in the cartridge holder 405, and the width direction of the tag tape 101 is substantially perpendicular to the paper surface in the drawing. It is stored so that it becomes.

The print label cartridge 407 is substantially the same as the tag tape 101 and the first roll 502 around which the strip-shaped tag tape 101 on which the RFID tag main body 90 (not shown) is arranged is wound in the same manner as the above embodiment. A second roll 504 wound with the transparent cover film 103 having a width, a ribbon supply side roll 511 for feeding out the ink ribbon 505, a ribbon take-up roller 506 for taking up the ink ribbon 505 after printing, and a tag tape 101 and the cover film 103 are pressed and bonded together to form a printed label tape 510, which is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow, and provided with a tape feed roller 507 fed out from the print label cartridge 407.

On the other hand, the apparatus main body 408 includes a print head 410 for performing predetermined printing (label printing R, subsequent information printing R1, and preceding information printing R2 as in the first embodiment) on the cover film 103, and this printing. A print drive circuit 425 for controlling energization to the head 410, a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 411 for driving the ribbon take-up roller 506, a tape feed roller drive shaft 412 for driving the tape feed roller 507, and the tape A sub-roller 509 paired with the feed roller 507, a platen roller 508, a print label cartridge motor 423 that is a pulse motor for driving the tape feed roller drive shaft 412 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 411, and the print Print label cartridge for controlling the drive of the label cartridge motor 423 A cartridge driving circuit 424; a cutter 415 that cuts the printed label tape 510 to a predetermined length at a predetermined timing to generate a printed label S; and a cutter solenoid 426 that drives the cutter 415 to perform a cutting operation. And a solenoid drive circuit 427 for controlling the solenoid 426. Although detailed description and illustration are omitted, in the print label cartridge 407 and the apparatus main body 408 of the present embodiment as well, as in the above-described embodiment, from the position of the front cutting line CLf in the direction of tape transport of the IC holder 92. With respect to the distance Y to the end, the distance Z from the center O of the feed roller 507 along the conveyance direction of the tag tape 101 to the cutter 415, and the roller circumferential length W, Z + (W / 4)> Y. (The details will be described later).

The above-described print label cartridge drive circuit 424, print drive circuit 425, solenoid drive circuit 427 and the like are controlled by the control circuit 430. The control circuit 430 is a so-called microcomputer, and although not shown in detail, it is composed of a central processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. The signal processing is performed according to the programmed program. The control circuit 430 is connected to, for example, the communication line NW via the input / output interface 431, and exchanges information with the terminal 118a, the general-purpose computer 118b, the information server IS, and the like connected to the communication line NW. It is possible.

In the above configuration, the ribbon take-up roller 506 and the tape feed roller 507 are driven to rotate in synchronization with the directions indicated by the arrows by the driving force of the print label cartridge motor 423. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 412 is connected to the sub-roller 509 and the platen roller 508 by a gear (not shown). As the tape feed roller drive shaft 412 is driven, the tape feed roller 507, the sub-roller 509, And the platen roller 508 rotates. As a result, the tag tape 101 having the seven-layer structure described above is fed from the first roll 502 and supplied to the tape feed roller 507, and the cover film 103 is fed from the second roll 504.

The extended cover film 103 is connected to the print head 410 together with the ribbon supply roller 511 and the ribbon 505 driven by the ribbon take-up roller 506 disposed on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the tag tape 101). And the platen roller 508, and is pressed against the print head 410 to be brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103. At this time, a plurality of heating elements of the print head 410 are energized by the print drive circuit 425, and a label print R such as a predetermined character, symbol, barcode, stripe, etc. is printed in a predetermined area on the back surface of the cover film 103. . The ink ribbon 505 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 506 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 411.

The cover film 103 after printing is sandwiched between the tag tape 101 and the tape feed roller 507 and the sub-roller 509, and is pasted and integrated together by pressing to form a printed label tape 510. Then, the printed label tape 510 is cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 415, thereby generating a printed label S including the RFID circuit element To, and the printed label S is transferred to the carry-out port 408B (see FIG. 22). ).

The overall structure of the wireless tag communication device 403 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 25, the print label S generated by the printing device 402 is carried into the device main body 409 of the RFID tag communication device 403 from the carry-in port 409A (see FIG. 22) (for example, by an operator's manual operation). It is like that.

The apparatus main body 409 includes a label feed roller 517 that conveys the print label S carried in from the carry-in port 409A in the direction indicated by the arrow, a label feed roller drive shaft 518 that drives the label feed roller 517, and this label feed roller drive. For example, a label feed roller motor 519 that is a pulse motor that drives the shaft 518, a label feed roller drive circuit 520 that controls the drive of the label feed roller motor 519, and the RFID circuit element To provided in the print label S A device antenna 414 that transmits and receives signals by radio communication using high frequency with the wireless tag circuit element To (see FIG. 26 described later) provided in the wireless tag main body 90 of the print label S via the device antenna 414. Wireless) with print by accessing (reading or writing) The high-frequency circuit 421 for completing the gravel T, the signal processing circuit 422 for processing the signal read from the RFID circuit element To, and the RFID label T with print to the exit 409B (see FIG. 22). And a conveyance guide 413 for guiding.

Further, the apparatus main body 409 is connected to the control circuit 530 that controls the operation of the entire RFID tag communication apparatus 403 via the high frequency circuit 421, the signal processing circuit 422, the label feed roller driving circuit 520, and the like. And a display / operation unit (a touch panel in this example) 540 having a display function and an operation input function. The control circuit 530 is a so-called microcomputer, like the control circuit 430 described above. The control circuit 530 is connected to the communication line NW via the input / output interface 531 and can exchange information with the terminal 118a, the general-purpose computer 118b, the information server IS, and the like connected to the communication line NW. It is. The touch panel 540 displays print information corresponding to the print label S to be accessed with respect to the RFID circuit element To (other information may be displayed as necessary).

Next, an example of the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In this RFID label generation system TS2, first, an operator inputs identification information (tag ID) specific to the RFID circuit element To, printing information (printing characters, etc.) corresponding thereto and additional information through the terminal 118a. To do. Then, the identification information, the print information, and the additional information are sent to the printing apparatus 402, and the corresponding packet information (not shown) is generated by the printing apparatus 402. Then, the packet information is sent from the printing device 402 to the wireless tag communication device 403 and the information server IS.

At this time, in the printing apparatus 402, printing R corresponding to the printing information is performed on the cover film 103 by the printing head 410, and the printed label formed by integrating the printed cover film 103 and the tag tape 101 together. The print label S including the RFID tag main body 90 including the RFID circuit element To is generated and carried out by cutting the tape 510 with the cutter 415 (At this time, as in the first embodiment, the attached label Ti and the print label S are alternately produced (see FIGS. 9, 11, 13, and 14).

Also, on the touch panel 540 of the wireless tag communication device 403, print information corresponding to the print label S generated by the printing device 402 is displayed. The operator sees the display on the touch panel 540, inserts the print label S corresponding to the print information displayed on the touch panel 540 from the carry-in port 409 </ b> A of the wireless tag communication device 403, and supplies the printed label S into the wireless tag communication device 403. Then, data corresponding to the identification information is written in the RFID circuit element To provided in the print label S, and the RFID label T with print is completed. When a plurality of pieces of print information are displayed on the touch panel 540, the operator selects one piece of print information using the touch panel 540, and then wirelessly displays the print label S corresponding to the selected print information. This is supplied to the tag communication device 403.

The RFID label generation system TS2 of the present embodiment is characterized by the same configuration and control mode when the print label S is created by the printing device 402 as when the RFID label T is created by the tag label creation device 1 of the first embodiment. (Excluding controls related to information transmission / reception). That is, in the second embodiment, the circumferential length W of the outer periphery of the tape feed roller 507 and the center O of the tape feed roller 507 along the tape transport direction of the tag tape 101 are the same as described above with reference to FIG. Print label so that the distance Y from the rear end in the conveying direction of the IC holder 92 to the cutting position of the cutter 415 satisfies the relationship Z + (W / 4)> Y with respect to the distance Z from to the cutter 415. Cartridge 407, and a cartridge holder 405 and a cutter 415 are arranged. Then, the control circuit 430 of the printing apparatus 402 controls the tape feeding roller 507 and the cutter 415 in cooperation with the same control contents (except for control items related to communication) as in the above-described flows (= claims of each claim) Function as a control means) so that when the cutter 415 that has stopped transporting is cut, the entire dimension of the IC holder 92 in the transport direction is in an arcuate shape along the outer periphery of the tape feed roller 507. Yes. Thereby, when one preceding attached label Ti is completed and the conveyance is stopped, all of the IC holders 92 are completely deformed by the outer peripheral shape of the tape feed roller 507, and the conveyance resistance is remarkably increased at the start of conveyance. Can be reduced. As a result, similar to the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of conveyance failure due to insufficient conveyance force of the tape feed roller 507.

Further, the control circuit 430 controls the tape feed roller 507 (roller drive shaft 412), the print head 23, and the cutter 15 in cooperation with each other so that one tag tape 101 constituting each label print area PE corresponds to one tag tape 101. While the print label S is created, one attached label Ti is created for each tag tape 101 that constitutes the combined area of the front margin area PE1 and the rear margin area PE2. Thus, as described above, every time one printed label S is produced, the two printed labels S and the attached label Ti are alternately discharged in a state of being separated from each other. As described above, the attached label Ti corresponds to a combination of the aforementioned rear margin area PE2 portion on the other side and the front margin area PE1 portion on the one side, and therefore the length (X1 + X2) is the label printing. Compared with the length X of the area PE portion (printed label body), it is not so short. As a result, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus 402 from adversely deviating laterally from the conveyance path during conveyance / discharge after the attached label Ti is cut. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operation reliability of the printing apparatus 402 and to create a highly reliable print label S, and hence a RFID label T.

In the above, an example in which the tag tape 101 or the like is stopped at a predetermined position and the above-described printing or reading / writing is performed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and writing of RFID tag information to the moving tag tape 101 is performed. -You may make it read and print.

In addition, the RFID tag information is read or written from the IC circuit unit 80 of the RFID circuit element To, but the printing heads 23 and 410 perform printing for identifying the RFID circuit element To. Absent. This printing does not necessarily have to be performed, and the present invention can be applied to those that only read or write the RFID tag information.

The first rolls 102 and 502 are not limited to those that can be attached to and detached from the tag label producing device 1 and the printing device 402 side such as the

cartridges

3 and 407, but are so-called installation types or integral types that are not attachable to and detachable from the device body side. It is also possible. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

In the above description, the arrows shown in FIGS. 6, 24, 25, 26, etc. show an example of the signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction.

The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 17 to 21 and the like do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-described flow, and addition / deletion of the procedure or change of order within the scope of the gist and technical idea of the invention. You may do.

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

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tag label production apparatus 3 Cartridge 15 Cutter 23 Print head 27 Tape feed roller 28 Sub roller 31 Cartridge holder 52 Apparatus antenna 62 Tag antenna 80 IC circuit part 90 Radio | wireless tag main body 91 Antenna base material 92 IC holding body 95 Holding member 101 Tag tape 102 1st 1 roll 103 cover film 104 second roll 108 tape feed roller drive shaft 109 printed tag label tape 402 printing device 403 RFID tag communication device 405 cartridge holder 410 print head 412 tape feed roller drive shaft 414 device antenna 415 cutter 502 first roll 504 Second roll 509 Sub-roller PM Identifier R Label printing R1 Subsequent information printing R2 Preceding information printing PE label printing area PE1 front margin area PE2 rear margin area Lp pitch reference line CLf front cutting line CLr main cutting line S printing label T wireless tag label Ti attached label To wireless tag circuit element

Claims

A sheet-like antenna substrate (91), a tag antenna (62) provided on the antenna substrate (91) for transmitting and receiving information, an IC circuit unit (80) for storing information, and the IC circuit unit A plurality of wireless tag bodies (90) each having an IC holder (92) including a holding member (95) for holding (80) with respect to the antenna substrate (91) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the tape longitudinal direction. A printed label producing apparatus for producing a plurality of RFID labels (T) having the RFID circuit elements (To) using the arranged tag tape (101),
A tag tape roll (102; 502) in which the tag tape (101) is wound in a direction orthogonal to the axis, and a print-receiving tape (103) bonded to the tag tape (101) in a direction orthogonal to the axis. The printed tape roll (104; 504) wound and the tag tape (101) fed out from the tag tape roll (102; 502) and the tape tape (104; 504) fed out from the tag tape roll (104; 504) A cartridge holder (31; 405) to which the RFID tag cartridge (3; 407) having a pressing roller (27; 507), which is pressed and bonded to the print-receiving tape (103) to form a bonding tape (109), can be attached and detached. When,
Conveying means (108; 412) for conveying the tag tape (101), the print-receiving tape (103), and the bonding tape (109);
Printing means (23; 410) for performing printing on the print-receiving tape (103) during conveyance by the conveyance means (108; 412);
Cutting means (15; 415) for cutting the bonding tape (109) in the thickness direction when the conveyance by the conveyance means (108; 412) is stopped;
A sub-roller (28; 509) that presses the tag tape (101) and the print-receiving tape (103) in cooperation with the pressing roller (27; 507) to form the bonding tape (109);
In the cutting operation by the cutting means (15; 415), the entire size of the IC holder (92) in the conveying direction is in a circular arc shape along the outer periphery of the pressing roller (27; 507). Control means (S5 to S65, S100, S200, S400, S500) for controlling the transport means (108; 412) and the cutting means (15; 415) in a coordinated manner so that the transport of the tape (101) is stopped. And a printed label producing apparatus (1; 402).
In the printed label production apparatus according to claim 1,
The cartridge holder (31; 405)
In the state where the tag tape (101) is wound as the tag tape roll (102; 502), the arc holding direction of the IC holder (92), and the tag tape (101) is the pressing roller (102). 27; 507) The RFID tag cartridge (3; 407) configured such that the arc-shaped warping direction of the IC holder (92) in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the IC holder (92) is opposite. Printable label producing apparatus (1; 402) characterized by being detachable.
In the printed label production apparatus according to claim 2,
The cartridge holder (31; 405)
A distance X from the center of the pressing roller (O) along the conveying direction of the tag tape (101) to the cutting means (15; 415), a circumferential length L of the outer periphery of the pressing roller (27; 507), the tag Between the dimension Y from the cutting position (CLf) by the cutting means (15; 415) to the rear end of the IC holder (92) in the transport direction of the tape (101),
X + (L / 4)> Y
The RFID label cartridge (3; 407) configured to satisfy the above is removable, and the print label producing apparatus (1; 402) is characterized in that
In the printed label production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control means (S5 to S65, S100, S200, S400, S500)
As one RFID tag label (T) having a predetermined print corresponding to each first length direction region corresponding to the arrangement position of the RFID circuit element (To) in the tag tape (101). A first label (T) is created, and the wireless tag corresponding to each second length direction region sandwiched between two continuous first length direction regions of the tag tape (101). The conveying means (108; 412), the printing means (23; 410), and the cutting means (15; 415) are formed so as to produce one second label (Ti) that does not include the circuit element (To). Print label producing apparatus (1; 402) characterized by being controlled in cooperation.
In the printed label production apparatus according to claim 4,
The control means (S5 to S65, S100, S200, S400, S500)
The conveying means (108; 412), the printing means (23; 410), and the cutting means (so that the produced first label (T) and second label (Ti) are alternately discharged. 15; 415) is controlled in cooperation with the print label producing apparatus (1; 402).