JP4895199B2 - Wireless tag information communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag information communication apparatus that performs information transmission and reception with a wireless tag circuit element that performs wireless communication of information with the outside.

  An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads / writes information in a non-contact manner between a small wireless tag and a reader (reading device) / writer (writing device) is known. For example, a wireless tag circuit element included in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits / receives information. When a transmission wave is transmitted from the antenna of the reader as an interrogator to the RFID circuit element, the RFID circuit element transmits a response using the energy of the radio wave of the transmission wave. As a conventional technique for reading information from a RFID circuit element using such a reader, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1.

  In this conventional technology, an operation terminal (PC) is connected to a reader, and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation terminal, whereby a file or information stored in a RFID tag circuit element held by a person is read and acquired from the reader. It is.

  On the other hand, for example, a RFID label producing apparatus that creates RFID tags by writing RFID tag information in such RFID circuit elements has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this prior art, a strip-shaped tag tape (base tape) provided with RFID circuit elements at predetermined intervals is fed from a tag tape roll (first roll) and from another roll (second roll). The printed tape is bonded to the tag tape. At this time, predetermined RFID tag information generated on the device side is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element of the tag tape and written to the IC circuit unit, and printing corresponding to the RFID tag information to be written is printed on the tape to be printed. This is performed by the printing means, whereby a wireless tag label with printing is created.

JP-A-2005-298100 JP 2005-186567 A

  In general, the RFID label produced by the tag label producing apparatus as described in Patent Document 2 is provided in association with, for example, being attached to a management target (article or the like). Then, the RFID tag information is read from the RFID label provided on the product etc. by a reader as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, information on the product is obtained, and the product is managed. As described above, in order to create a RFID label and use it for actual product management, the functions of both the reader and the tag label producing device are required.

  Here, the reader in the prior art includes a communication circuit (high frequency circuit) for generating a transmission signal for the RFID circuit element and receiving a response signal from the RFID circuit element, and transmitting the transmission signal and the response. And an antenna for receiving signals. Similarly, the tag label producing apparatus in the prior art also includes a communication circuit (high frequency circuit) for generating information for writing and an antenna. Therefore, if at least a relatively expensive communication circuit part can be shared, it should be possible to simplify the device configuration and reduce the cost burden on the user. However, there is a conventional technique that takes such points into consideration. There wasn't.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag information communication apparatus capable of simplifying a device configuration and reducing a cost burden on a user by sharing a communication circuit portion.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention provides a housing that forms an outline of an apparatus main body, a transport means that is provided in the housing and transports a tag medium, and an IC circuit section that stores information Can transmit and receive information to both the RFID tag circuit element for label preparation provided in the tag medium and the RFID circuit element for information acquisition located outside the housing Device-side antenna means, information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag circuit element for label production or the RFID circuit element for information acquisition, and the access information generated by the information generating means A label creation processing mode for performing a tag label creation process using the tag medium provided with the label creation RFID circuit element, and the information acquisition Possess and possible mode switching means switches the information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the tag circuit element and an operation means for switching operation of said mode switching means to said information acquisition processing mode, the mode switching When the switching operation by the operation unit is performed while the tag label creation process is being executed in the label creation process mode, the tag label creation in a mode in which the access information transmission frequency is lowered than usual It is characterized in that the processing and the information acquisition processing in a mode in which the transmission frequency of the access information is lowered than usual are executed side by side .

  In the first invention of the present application, it is possible to execute a label creation processing mode in which a RFID label is created in the housing and an information acquisition processing mode in which information is read (acquired) from a RFID circuit element outside the apparatus. That is, in the label creation processing mode, a tag medium having a label creation RFID circuit element is conveyed by the conveyance means, and information is transmitted / received using the access information to the label creation RFID circuit element via the apparatus side antenna means. The RFID tag label is created using the tag medium subjected to. On the other hand, in the information acquisition processing mode, predetermined RFID tag information is read by performing information transmission / reception using information acquisition RFID circuit elements located outside the housing and access information via the device-side antenna means, To be acquired. As described above, since the antenna means and the information generation means which is a communication circuit portion corresponding to the antenna means can be shared and label creation and information reading (acquisition) can be performed, both the label creation device and the RFID tag information reading device Can be simplified and the cost burden on the user can be reduced as compared with the case where they are arranged separately.

In this way, when both the tag label creation process and the information acquisition process are provided, the label creation process can be executed by the operator from a location far away from the RFID tag information communication device, for example, via an operation terminal connected to the network. However, since the information acquisition process requires that the RFID tag circuit element attached to or pasted on the object be brought close to the communication distance range of the device-side antenna means, the operator must be close to the RFID tag information communication device. There are many cases. In response to this, the first invention of the present application is provided with operation means for switching the mode switching means to the information acquisition processing mode in the wireless tag information communication apparatus. Thereby, in the RFID tag information communication apparatus having both the tag label creation process and the information acquisition process, when the operator wants to perform the information acquisition process, by operating the operation means as necessary, The apparatus can be reliably transferred to the information acquisition processing mode on the spot and information can be acquired from the target RFID tag circuit element. By improving the operability in this way, the convenience for the operator can be improved.
In addition, when there is a switching operation when the mode switching means is executing the tag label creation processing in the label creation processing mode, the tag label creation processing of the aspect in which the transmission frequency of the access information is lowered than usual, and the access information Are executed side by side with the information acquisition processing in a mode in which the transmission frequency is lower than usual. As a result, not only the tag label creation process and the information acquisition process are executed, but both processes can be executed in parallel. As a result, the operator of any process can be given a psychological sense of security that his process has already been started and is being executed .
In order to achieve the above object, the second invention provides a casing that forms an outline of the apparatus main body, a transport means that is provided in the casing and transports a tag medium, and an IC circuit that stores information. Information transmission / reception to and from the RFID tag circuit element for label preparation provided in the tag medium and the RFID circuit element for information acquisition located outside the housing, each having a tag side antenna for transmitting and receiving information Possible device side antenna means, information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag circuit element for label production or the RFID tag circuit element for information acquisition, and the access information generated by the information generating means A label creation processing mode for performing tag label creation processing using the tag medium including the label creation RFID circuit element, and the information acquisition A mode switching means capable of switching an information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the RFID circuit element, and an operation means for switching the mode switching means to the information acquisition processing mode, wherein the mode The switching means is configured to release the switching to the information acquisition processing mode when a predetermined time has elapsed after switching to the information acquisition processing mode based on a switching operation by the operation means.
In addition, after switching to the information acquisition processing mode based on the switching operation, the information acquisition processing mode is automatically canceled when a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the operability at the time of mode switching can be further improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the label creation from becoming impossible by forgetting to cancel the information acquisition processing mode.
In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the invention provides a housing that constitutes an outline of the apparatus main body, a transport means that is provided in the housing and transports a tag medium, and an IC circuit that stores information Information transmission / reception to and from the RFID tag circuit element for label preparation provided in the tag medium and the RFID circuit element for information acquisition located outside the housing, each having a tag side antenna for transmitting and receiving information Possible device side antenna means, information generating means for generating access information for accessing the RFID tag circuit element for label production or the RFID tag circuit element for information acquisition, and the access information generated by the information generating means A label creation processing mode for performing tag label creation processing using the tag medium including the label creation RFID circuit element, and the information acquisition A mode switching means capable of switching an information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the RFID circuit element, and an operation means for switching the mode switching means to the information acquisition processing mode, wherein the mode The switching means, after switching to the information acquisition processing mode based on the switching operation by the operating means, cancels the switching to the information acquisition processing mode when transmission of the access information is completed a predetermined number of times. To do.
In addition, after switching to the information acquisition processing mode based on the switching operation, the operability at the time of mode switching is further improved by automatically canceling the information acquisition processing mode when transmission of a predetermined number of access information is completed. Can do. Further, it is possible to prevent the label creation from becoming impossible by forgetting to cancel the information acquisition processing mode.

According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, there is provided switching signal input means for inputting a switching signal for switching the mode switching means to the label production processing mode.

  Thereby, in the RFID tag information communication apparatus having both functions of the tag label creation process and the information acquisition process, for example, by inputting the switching signal from the operation terminal connected to the network by the switching signal input means, the mode switching means Switching to the label creation processing mode can be executed even from a place where the operator is far away from the RFID tag information communication apparatus.

In a fifth aspect based on any one of the second to fourth aspects , the mode switching means prohibits switching to the tag label creation processing mode when the information acquisition processing is being executed in the information acquisition processing mode. It is characterized by doing.

  As a result, the information acquisition process can be executed at a higher priority than the label creation process, and the convenience of the operator who is near the RFID tag information communication apparatus and currently performs the information acquisition process is hindered. Can be prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the mode switching unit performs the switching operation by the operation unit when the tag label generation process is being executed in the label generation processing mode. In this case, the execution of the tag label creation process is interrupted and the mode is switched from the label creation process mode to the information acquisition process mode.

  As a result, information acquisition processing that is often performed by an operator near the RFID tag information communication device is executed in preference to label creation processing that can be executed from a location far from the RFID tag information communication device. can do. As a result, the operator can always perform the information acquisition process if he / she comes close to the RFID tag information communication apparatus, and the convenience can be improved.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect , the mode switching means performs the switching operation by the operating means when the label producing process is executing a producing process for a plurality of RFID tag labels as the tag label producing process. If there is, the execution of the tag label creation process is interrupted after the creation of one RFID label related to the creation is completed, and the mode is switched to the information acquisition process mode, and the label creation process is performed again after the information acquisition process is completed. The mode is switched to a mode, and a process of creating the remaining number of RFID label is executed.

  As a result, even when a plurality of labels are created continuously (or collectively), the information acquisition process can be prioritized and executed in the form of interrupting the label creation, and it comes close to the RFID tag information communication device. Thus, it is possible to prevent the waiting time of the operator who is going to perform the information acquisition process from becoming long and to improve convenience. Also, at this time, by completing the creation of one label that is being created at that time, it is possible to prevent degradation of the label quality due to printing disturbances, etc. Further, after the information acquisition process, the label creation is resumed and the remaining labels are created. In addition, it is possible to prevent a shortage of created sheets or forgetting to create.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the operation unit stops the pressing operation corresponding to the pressing operation as the switching operation to the information acquisition processing mode and the pressing operation. The mode switching means switches to the information acquisition processing mode when the operation means reaches the pressed position, and the operation means switches the normal position to the normal position. When returning to the position, switching to the information acquisition processing mode is canceled.

  By making the information acquisition processing mode only when the operator presses, it is possible to further improve the operability of the operator in mode switching.

According to a ninth invention, in any one of the first to seventh inventions , the operation means includes a switching position corresponding to the switching operation to the information acquisition processing mode and a release position corresponding to the operation for releasing the switching. The mode switching means switches to the information acquisition processing mode when the operating means is in the switching position, and the operating means is in the release position. In this case, the switching to the information acquisition processing mode is cancelled.

  Operation reliability in mode switching can be improved by using a selective pressing method switch that needs to be pressed by the operator at both the switching position and the release position.

A tenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to ninth aspects of the invention , there is provided first notifying means for notifying an operator that the mode switching means has switched to the information acquisition processing mode. .

  This makes it possible for the operator to reliably recognize the operation state of the apparatus (that is, the information acquisition processing mode).

An eleventh invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to tenth inventions , there is provided a second notifying means for notifying an operator in accordance with the result of the information acquisition process in the information acquisition process mode. .

  This makes it possible for the operator to reliably recognize the result of the information acquisition process. Further, it becomes unnecessary to separately provide a display device for displaying the result in addition to the wireless tag information communication device.

In a twelfth aspect based on the tenth or eleventh aspect , the first or second notification means performs the notification by visual display or voice utterance.

  As a result, the operating state of the apparatus, the information acquisition processing result, and the like can be appealed to the operator's sight or hearing to be recognized with certainty.

A thirteenth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to twelfth inventions , the operation means is provided on a front surface or an upper surface of the casing.

  By providing it on the front surface or the upper surface of a housing that is easy to see and operate, the operability and convenience for the operator can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, by sharing the communication circuit portion, it is possible to simplify the device configuration and reduce the cost burden on the user.

  Hereinafter, a wireless tag information communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a RFID label generation system.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system provided with the wireless tag information communication apparatus of the present embodiment.

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

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 2, the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 creates a RFID label with print using a tag medium having a label producing RFID circuit element in the apparatus, based on the operation from the PC 118, The information is read (acquired) from the information acquisition RFID circuit element. The processing mode of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 includes a label creation processing mode for creating the above-described RFID tag label with printing, and an information acquisition processing mode for reading information of the RFID tag circuit element for information acquisition. And a standby state mode that is neither the label creation processing mode nor the information acquisition processing mode.

  The wireless tag information communication device 1 includes a device main body 2 having a substantially hexahedron (substantially cubic) case 200 on the outer shell, and an open / close provided on the upper surface of the device main body 2 so as to be openable / closable (or removable). And a lid 3.

  The casing 200 of the apparatus main body 2 is located on the front side of the apparatus (left front side in FIG. 2), and includes a label discharge port 11 for discharging a RFID label T (described later) created in the apparatus main body 2 to the outside. A front wall 10 and a front lid 12 provided below the label discharge port 11 in the front wall 10 and having a lower end rotatably supported.

  The front lid 12 includes a pressing portion 13, and the front lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. Further, a power button 14 for turning on / off the power of the wireless tag information communication apparatus 1 is provided at one end of the front wall 10. An operation switch 90 is provided below the power button 14 (the operation switch 90 may be provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2).

  The operation switch 90 is a switch for switching the processing mode described above to the information acquisition processing mode. The operation switch 90 is a switch (toggle switch) of a pressing method having a pressing position corresponding to the pressing operation and a normal position that returns when the pressing operation is stopped. The operation switch 90 is switched to the information acquisition processing mode when the pressed position is reached by the pressing operation, and the switching to the information acquisition processing mode is released when the operation switch 90 is returned to the normal position. In this case, since the information acquisition processing mode is entered only when the operator performs a pressing operation, the operability of the operator in switching the processing mode is improved.

  Further, as the operation switch 90, a selective pressing (seesaw) method including a switching position corresponding to the switching operation to the information acquisition processing mode and a release position corresponding to the operation for canceling the switching to the information acquisition processing mode. The switch may be used. In this case, since the pressing operation by the operator is required for both the switching position and the release position, it is possible to improve the operational certainty in switching the processing mode.

  In addition, by providing the operation switch 90 on the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 that is easy to see and operate, the operability and convenience for the operator can be improved.

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

  In addition, a cutter driving button 16, an LED 91, and a monitor 92 are provided in this order from the opening / closing button 4 side at a position adjacent to the opening / closing lid 3 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. The cutter driving button 16 is for driving a cutting mechanism 15 (see FIG. 3 described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 2 by an operator's manual operation. When the button 16 is pressed, the tag label tape 109 with print (see FIG. 4 to be described later) is cut to a desired length to create the RFID label T. In addition, by providing the cutter driving button 16, the LED 91, the monitor 92, and the like on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 that is easily noticeable and easy to operate, the operability and convenience for the operator can be improved. .

  The LED 91 is a display (first notification unit) that notifies the operator that the processing mode is switched to the information acquisition processing mode. Specifically, when the information acquisition processing mode is selected and switched by the operation switch 90, the LED 91 is blinked or lit. As a result, the operating state of the apparatus can be surely recognized by the operator visually. Instead of the LED 91 or in addition to the LED 91, a means (speaker or the like) for performing notification by sound output such as a beep sound or a buzzer may be provided.

  The monitor 92 is a display (second notification means) that performs notification (acquisition content) corresponding to the result of the information acquisition processing in the information acquisition processing mode to the operator. By providing the monitor 92, the operator can be surely recognized the result of the information acquisition process visually. Further, it is not necessary to separately provide a display device for displaying the result in addition to the wireless tag information communication device 1. In addition, when notifying only the success or failure of information acquisition as a result of an information acquisition process, you may provide LED instead of a monitor. In this case, the LED 91 that displays the operating state may also be used for display by color, lighting interval, or the like. In addition, a means (speaker or the like) for notifying by sound generation may be provided.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 inside the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 (however, loop antennas LC1 and LC2 to be described later are omitted). In FIG. 3, the internal unit 20 schematically includes a cartridge holder 6 that accommodates the cartridge 7, a printing mechanism 21 that includes a print head (thermal head) 23, and a cutting that includes a fixed blade 40 and a movable blade 41. A mechanism (cutting means) 15 and a cut unit 35 (half cutting means) provided with a half cutter 34 are provided on the downstream side of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 in the tape transport direction.

  On the upper surface of the cartridge 7, for example, a tape specifying display portion 8 that displays the tape width of the base tape 101 incorporated in the cartridge 7, the color of the tape, and the like is provided. A roller holder 25 is pivotally supported on the cartridge holder 6 by a support shaft 29, and is switched between a printing position (contact position, see FIG. 4 described later) and a release position (separation position) by a switching mechanism. It is possible. In the roller holder 25, a platen roller 26 and a tape pressure roller 28 are rotatably arranged. When the roller holder 25 is switched to the printing position, the platen roller 26 and the tape pressure roller 28 are The print head 23 and the tape feed roller 27 are pressed against each other.

  The print head 23 includes a large number of heating elements and is attached to a head attachment portion 24 that is erected on the cartridge holder 6.

  The cutting mechanism 15 includes a fixed blade 40 and a movable blade 41 made of a metal member. The driving force of the cutter motor 43 (see FIG. 6 to be described later) is transmitted to the handle portion 46 of the movable blade 41 through the cutter helical gear 42, the boss 50, and the long hole 49, and the movable blade rotates, together with the fixed blade 40. Perform cutting operation. This cutting state is detected by the micro switch 126 that is switched by the action of the cutter helical gear cam 42A.

  In the half-cut unit 35, the cradle 38 and the half cutter 34 are arranged to face each other, and the first guide portion 36 and the second guide portion 37 are further formed on the side plate 44 (see FIG. 4 described later) by the guide fixing portion 36A. It is attached. The half cutter 34 is rotated by a driving force of a half cutter motor 129 (see FIG. 6 described later) around a predetermined rotation fulcrum (not shown). A receiving surface 38 </ b> B is formed at the end of the receiving table 38.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the cartridge holder 6 is arranged such that the width direction of the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the tape discharge portion 30 of the cartridge 7 and further discharged from the label discharge port 11 is the vertical vertical direction. The cartridge 7 is stored.

  Further, the internal unit 20 is provided with a label discharge mechanism 22, a label creation loop antenna (first antenna) LC1, and an information acquisition loop antenna (second antenna) LC2.

  The label creation loop antenna LC1 includes a communicable area on the inner side of the housing 200, and is configured to transmit / receive information to / from the label creation RFID circuit element To provided on the tag label tape 109 with print. The information acquisition loop antenna (second antenna) LC2 includes a communicable area on the outside of the casing 200, and is configured to transmit and receive information to and from the information acquisition RFID circuit element To located outside the casing 200. Yes. Between the label creating loop antenna LC1 and the information acquiring loop antenna LC2, for example, a metal shield member 85 for blocking magnetic flux generated from the loop antennas LC1 and LC2 is provided.

  The label discharge mechanism 22 discharges the tag label tape 109 with print after being cut by the cutting mechanism 15 (in other words, the RFID label T, the same applies hereinafter) from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2). That is, the label discharge mechanism 22 is driven by a drive roller 51 that is rotated by a drive force of a tape discharge motor 123 (see FIG. 6 described later), and a pressing roller 52 that faces the drive roller 51 with the tag label tape 109 printed therebetween. And a mark sensor 127 for detecting an identification mark PM (see FIG. 5 described later) provided on the tag label tape 109 with print. At this time, inside the label discharge port 11, the first guide walls 55 and 56 and the second guide wall 63 for guiding the tag label tape 109 with print to the label discharge port 11 and the label creation loop antenna LC 1, 64 is provided. The first guide walls 55 and 56 and the second guide walls 63 and 64 are integrally formed at the discharge position of the tag label tape 109 with print (RFID label T) cut by the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41, respectively. Are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

  The tape feed roller drive shaft (conveying means) 108 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 provide the transport driving force for the tag label tape 109 with print and the ink ribbon 105 (described later), and are linked to each other. Driven by rotation.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the detailed structure of the cartridge 7. In FIG. 5, a cartridge 7 includes a housing 7A and a first roll 102 (in fact, spiral, which is disposed in the housing 7A and wound with a band-shaped base tape 101). And a second roll 104 wound with the transparent cover film 103 having substantially the same width as the base tape 101 (actually, it is a spiral shape, but is simply shown as a concentric circle in the figure) A ribbon supply side roll 211 for feeding out the ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape), a ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding the ribbon 105 after printing, and a tape discharge of the cartridge 7 A tape feed roller 27 is rotatably supported near the portion 30. The base tape 101 and the tag label tape 109 with print in which the cover film 102 is bonded to the base tape 101 constitute a tag medium.

  The tape feed roller 27 presses and bonds the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 to form the tag label tape 109 with print, and feeds the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. Also works).

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

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

  The adhesive layer 101a for later bonding the cover film 103 is formed on the front side (right side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b, and on the back side (left side in FIG. 5) of the base film 101b The release paper 101d is bonded to the base film 101b by the adhesive layer 101c provided so as to enclose the tag circuit element To.

  The release paper 101d is one that can be adhered to the product or the like by the adhesive layer 101c when the RFID label T finally completed in a label shape is attached to a predetermined product or the like by peeling it off. It is. Further, on the surface of the release paper 101d, a predetermined position corresponding to each RFID tag circuit element To for label production (in this example, a position further forward than the front end of the tag side antenna 152 on the front side in the transport direction) is provided. , A predetermined identification mark for transport control (in this example, a black identification mark. Alternatively, a hole penetrating the base tape 101 may be formed by laser processing or the like, or a Thomson-type processing hole may be used). PM is provided.

  The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a. The cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is a ribbon driven by the ribbon supply side roll 211 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 disposed on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101). 105 is pressed against the print head 23 to be brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feeding roller 27 are respectively connected to the ribbon through a gear mechanism (not shown) driven by a conveying motor 119 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 to be described later), for example, a pulse motor provided outside the cartridge 7. By being transmitted to the take-up roller drive shaft 107 and the tape feed roller drive shaft (conveying means) 108, they are rotated in conjunction with each other. The print head 23 is disposed upstream of the tape feed roller 27 in the transport direction of the cover film 103.

  In the above configuration, the base tape 101 fed out from the first roll 102 is supplied to the tape feed roller 27. On the other hand, the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104 is disposed on the back side thereof (that is, the side to be bonded to the base tape 101), and is driven by the ribbon supply side roll 211 and the ribbon take-up roller 106. The ribbon 105 is pressed against the print head 23 and brought into contact with the back surface of the cover film 103.

  When the cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roll holder 25 is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are held between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26. At the same time, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with directions indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 are connected by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 27, The pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 rotate, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102, and is supplied to the tape feed roller 27 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 6 described later). As a result, a print R (see FIG. 8 to be described later) corresponding to the label producing RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101 to be bonded is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 on which the printing has been completed are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print, and the tape discharge unit 30 ( (See FIG. 4). The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

  A cartridge sensor 81 for detecting the mounting state of the cartridge 7 is provided at a corresponding position of the cartridge holder 6, and a detection signal of the cartridge sensor 81 is input to the control circuit 110 (see FIG. 6 described later). It has become so.

  Then, after the label producing loop antenna LC1 reads and writes information to the label producing RFID circuit element To on the printed tag label tape 109 produced by being bonded as described above, it is automatically performed. Alternatively, by operating the cutter driving button 16 (see FIG. 2), the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15 and the RFID label T is generated. Thereafter, the RFID label T is further discharged from the label discharge port 11 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) by the label discharge mechanism 22.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, a control circuit 110 is disposed on a control board (not shown) of the wireless tag information communication apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 110 includes a CPU 111 that controls each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114, ROMs 115 and 116, a RAM 117, a transmission circuit 306, and a reception circuit. 307 and an antenna duplexer 240 are provided.

  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, for the cut printed tag label Tape discharge program for forcibly discharging the tape 109 (= the RFID label T) from the label discharge port 11 by driving the tape discharge motor 65, an inquiry signal and a write signal for the RFID circuit element To for label production or information acquisition And access information such as A transmission program for processing a response signal input from a reception circuit, and other various programs necessary for controlling the tag label producing apparatus 1 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 (UID) of the information acquisition RFID circuit element To (described above) that has been 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, and a cutter motor 43. Via the cutter motor drive circuit 122, the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 for driving the half cutter motor 129, the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 for driving the tape discharge motor 65, and the loop antennas LC1 and LC2 A carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID circuit element To for label creation or information acquisition is generated, and the carrier wave is modulated on the basis of a control signal input from the control circuit 110. A transmitting circuit 306 (information generating means) for outputting a wave, A response wave (response signal) received from the information acquisition RFID circuit element To via the loop antennas LC1 and LC2 is demodulated, and a reception circuit 307 to output to the control circuit 110 and an identification mark PM are detected. The mark sensor 127, the cartridge sensor 81 for detecting the mounting state of the cartridge 7, the operation switch 90, the LED 91, and the monitor 92 are connected.

  The transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307 are connected to the loop antennas LC1 and LC2 via the antenna duplexer 240 and the switching circuit 86. Based on the control signal from the control circuit 110, the switching circuit 86 switches the antenna duplexer 240 to connect to the label producing loop antenna LC1 or the information obtaining loop antenna LC2. Specifically, when the label creation processing mode is selected as the processing mode, the control circuit 110 connects the antenna duplexer 240 and the label creation loop antenna LC1 and selects the information acquisition processing mode as the processing mode. If it is, the switching circuit 86 is controlled so that the antenna duplexer 240 and the information acquisition loop antenna LC2 are 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. In addition, the transmission circuit 306 performs carrier wave modulation control based on the control signal from the control circuit 110 and outputs an interrogation wave, and the reception circuit 307 processes the demodulated signal based on the control signal from the control circuit 110.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the label producing or information obtaining RFID circuit element To. In FIG. 7, the RFID circuit element To for label creation or information acquisition, the loop antenna 152 for transmitting and receiving signals in a non-contact manner by magnetic induction with the loop antennas LC1 and LC2 on the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 side, The IC circuit unit 151 is connected to the loop antenna 152.

  The IC circuit unit 151 includes a rectification unit 153 that rectifies the interrogation wave received by the loop antenna 152, a power supply unit 154 that accumulates the energy of the interrogation wave rectified by the rectification unit 153, and serves as a drive power source. A clock extraction unit 156 that extracts a clock signal from the interrogation wave received by the loop antenna 152 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 155, a memory unit 157 that can store a predetermined information signal, and a modulation / demodulation connected to the loop antenna 152 And a controller 155 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the rectifier 153, the clock extractor 156, the modem 158, and the like.

  The modem 158 demodulates the communication signals received from the loop antenna 152 from the loop antennas LC1 and LC2 of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and is received from the loop antenna 152 based on the response signal from the control unit 155. The response wave is modulated and reflected as a response wave.

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

  FIG. 8 shows a RFID label formed by completing the information writing (or reading) of the RFID tag circuit element To for label production and the cutting of the tag label tape 109 with print by the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration. It is a figure showing an example of the external appearance of T, Fig.8 (a) is a top view, FIG.8 (b) is a bottom view. 9A is a view obtained by rotating the transverse cross section taken along the IXA-IXA ′ cross section in FIG. 8 by 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 9B is the cross section taken along the IXB-IXB ′ cross section in FIG. It is the figure which rotated the transverse cross section 90 degrees counterclockwise.

  8 and 9, the RFID label T has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. 5 as described above, and the cover film 103 side (upper side in FIG. 9). Further toward the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 9), the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d constitute five layers. As described above, the RFID tag circuit element To for label production including the loop antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the base film 101b and the adhesive layer 101c, and the label is produced on the back surface of the cover film 103. A label print R (in this example, “RF-ID” indicating the type of the RFID label T) corresponding to the stored information of the RFID tag circuit element To is printed.

  Also, the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c are provided with the half-cut line HC (half-cut portion. However, in this example, substantially along the tape width direction by the half cutter 34 as described above. The front half-cut line HC1 and the rear half-cut line HC2 are formed. In the cover film 103, an area sandwiched between the half-cut lines HC1 and HC2 is a print area S on which the label print R is printed, and both sides in the longitudinal direction of the tape sandwiching the half-cut lines HC1 and HC2 from the print area S. Are a front margin area S1 and a rear margin area S2.

  In the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the basic configuration as described above, as described above, the label producing process mode for producing the RFID label T using the RFID circuit element To for label production in the housing 200, and the apparatus 1 An information acquisition processing mode in which information is read (acquired) from an external information acquisition RFID circuit element can be executed. That is, in the label creation processing mode, the base tape 101 provided with the label creation RFID circuit element To is conveyed by the tape feed roller 27 and is applied to the label creation RFID circuit element To via the label creation loop antenna LC1. Information transmission / reception is performed, and the RFID label T is created. On the other hand, in the information acquisition processing mode, predetermined RFID tag information is read and acquired by performing information transmission / reception with the information acquisition RFID circuit element To located outside the housing 200 via the information acquisition loop antenna LC2. Is done.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure related to the information acquisition process (hereinafter referred to as “scan” as appropriate) executed by the CPU 111 of the control circuit 110. This information acquisition process is set by the control circuit 110 so that it always operates when the power is on, regardless of whether or not the cartridge 7 is mounted in the apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 10, first, in step S505, an operation signal of the operation switch 90 is input (identified) via the input / output interface 113.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S510, and based on the operation signal input in step S505, it is determined whether the operator has performed an operation for executing the information acquisition processing mode, that is, whether the operation switch 90 has been operated to the pressed position. If there is no pressing operation, the determination is not satisfied and the value of the scan execution flag Fs indicating whether or not the scan is being executed is set to 0 in step S560, and this flow is ended. If there is a pressing operation, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S520.

  In step S520, after setting the scan execution flag Fs = 1, the process proceeds to step S600.

  In step S600, a scan process for reading data stored in the IC circuit section 151 of the information acquisition RFID circuit element To is performed (see FIG. 11 described later). When the scan process in step S600 is completed, the process proceeds to next step S530.

  In step S530, it is determined whether or not a flag F (see FIG. 11 described later) indicating whether or not there is a communication error is 1. The determination is satisfied because the scan processing in step S600 is not successful (in the case of a communication error) F = 1 (see step S680 in FIG. 11), and in step S560, the scan execution flag Fs = The flow is terminated with 0. If F = 0 (when communication error does not occur and information can be acquired), the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S540.

  In step S540, the RFID tag information acquired from the information acquisition RFID circuit element To to be read based on the reply signal received in step S600 is appropriately processed. As the processing, for example, the read information is displayed on the monitor 92, or output via the input / output interface 113 and the communication line NW, and stored in the information server IS or the route server RS so that it can be referred to by the PC 118 as necessary. Or display on the display means of the monitor 92 or the PC 118. Then, similarly to step S560, in step S550, the scan execution flag Fs = 0 is set, and this flow is ended.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S600 in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, first, in step S610, a switching control signal is output to the switching circuit 86 to connect the antenna duplexer 240 and the information acquisition loop antenna LC2.

  Thereafter, in step S620, a query wave having been subjected to a predetermined modulation is used as an inquiry signal (in this example, a tag ID read command signal) for acquiring ID information stored in the RFID circuit element To. To the RFID tag circuit element To for information acquisition to be read, and prompts a reply.

  Next, in step S630, the reply signal (including RFID tag information such as tag ID) transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be read in response to the inquiry signal is sent via the information acquisition loop antenna LC2. Are received via the receiving circuit 307.

  Next, in step S640, it is determined using a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check, etc.) whether or not there is an error in the received reply signal.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S650, where 1 is added to K (which is a variable for counting the number of retries during communication failure and is initially initialized to 0), and further, step S660. It is determined whether or not K has reached a predetermined number of retries (in this example, 5 times, which may be set as appropriate). If K ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S620 and the same procedure is repeated. If K = 5, the process moves to step S670. In step S680, a flag F indicating the presence or absence of a communication error (initially initialized to 0) is set to 1, and then an error display signal is input to the input / output interface 113. Through the monitor 92 or the LED 91 to display a reading failure (error), and this flow is terminated.

  In this way, even if reading is unsuccessful, retry is performed up to a predetermined number of times (in this example, 5 times), and when it ends unsuccessfully up to 5 times, F = 1 is satisfied, so that the determination in step S530 of FIG. In step S560, Fs = 0. That is, if the inquiry signal (access information) is output a predetermined number of times after the processing mode is switched to the information acquisition processing mode by the operation switch 90, the switching to the information acquisition processing mode is forcibly released.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S640 is satisfied, the reading of the RFID tag information from the RFID tag circuit element To for information acquisition to be read is completed, and this flow ends.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of tag label creation processing. Note that the flow of the information acquisition process of FIG. 10 always operates when the power is turned on, whereas the flow of FIG. 12 starts to operate according to the operator's instruction from the PC 118 to the tag label producing apparatus 1. That is, when the flow of FIG. 12 is operating, the flow of FIG. 10 is also operating in parallel at the same time. (Such parallel processing is often performed by, for example, an OS of a computer) , One CPU 111 can be made to perform by a known method similar to “multitask processing”).

  In FIG. 12, first, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the scan execution flag Fs is 0. This step S102 is repeated until the scan execution flag Fs becomes 0. When the scan execution flag Fs becomes 0, the determination is satisfied, and the routine proceeds to the next step S105. As a result, while the scan execution flag Fs is 1 (in other words, the processing in steps S600 to S540 in FIG. 10 is being performed), the tag label creation processing of this flow is interrupted.

  In step S105, based on the operation signal from the PC 118, preparatory processing for setting print data, communication data (writing data) with the RFID tag circuit element To for label production To, the setting of the front / rear half-cut position, the full-cut position, and the like. Execute. Convenience can be improved by operating and editing information necessary for this preparation process from the PC 118.

  Next, in step S110, when communication is performed from the label producing loop antenna LC1 to the label producing RFID circuit element To, a communication retry (retry) is performed when there is no response from the label producing RFID circuit element To. Variables M and N for counting the number of times of execution (number of access attempts) are initialized to 0 (see FIG. 16 described later).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S115, 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 119. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor 65 via the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 to drive the drive roller 51 to rotate. Accordingly, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are The tape feeding roller 27 and the sub roller 109 are bonded and integrated to form a tag label tape 109 with print, which is conveyed.

  Thereafter, whether or not the identifier PM of the base tape 101 is detected based on the detection signal of the mark detection sensor 127 input via the input / output interface 113 in step S120 (in other words, the cover film 103 is printed by the print head 23). Whether the start position has been reached). If the identifier PM is detected, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S125.

  When the identifier PM is not detected (in other words, the cover film 103 has not reached the print start position), the process proceeds to step S122, and it is determined whether the scan execution flag Fs is 1. When the scan execution flag Fs is 1 (the scan process is being executed), the label creation interruption process is executed in step S124, and the process returns to step S120. If the scan execution flag Fs is not 1 (no scan process is executed), the process returns to step S120 and the same procedure is repeated.

  In step S125, a control signal is output to the print drive circuit 120 via the input / output interface 113, the print head 23 is energized, and the above-described print region S of the cover film 103 (= the base tape 101 at a predetermined pitch or the like). Label printing R such as characters, symbols, barcodes, etc. corresponding to the print data generated in step S105 is printed on the back surface of the RFID circuit element To for label production arranged at intervals. Start.

  Thereafter, in step S130, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the previous half-cut position set in the previous step S105 (in other words, the position where the half cutter 34 of the half-cut mechanism 35 faces the front half-cut line HC1). Whether the tag label tape 109 with print has reached) is determined. The determination at this time may be performed, for example, by detecting a transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in the above-described step S120 (transport that drives the transport motor 119 that is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the motor drive circuit 121 is counted).

  If the tag label tape 109 with print has not reached the front half-cut position, the determination is not satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S132, where it is determined whether the scan execution flag Fs is 1. When the scan execution flag Fs is 1 (the scan process is being executed), the label creation interruption process is executed in step S134 and the process returns to step S130, and the scan execution flag Fs is not 1 (the scan process is being executed). If not, the process returns to step S130 and the same procedure is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the front half-cut position, the determination at step S130 is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S135.

  In step S135, 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 output. Then, the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the driving roller 51 is stopped. Thereby, in the process in which the tag label tape 109 with print fed out from the cartridge 7 moves in the discharge direction, the half cutter 34 of the half cut mechanism 35 faces the front half cut line HC1 set in step S105. The feeding of the base tape 101 from the first roll 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 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 S140, a control signal is output to the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 via the input / output interface 113 to drive the half cutter motor 129, and the half cutter 34 is rotated to cover the tag label tape 109 with print. A pre-half-cut process for cutting the film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c to form the front half-cut line HC1 is performed.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S145, and similarly to step S115, 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, and the same as step S125. Then, the print head 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  Thereafter, in step S150, the tag label tape 109 to be transported is a predetermined value (for example, the label producing RFID circuit element To having the cover film 103 on which the corresponding printing is applied is attached to the label producing loop antenna LC1. It is determined whether or not it has been transported by a transport distance that only reaches (). Similar to step S130, the conveyance distance at this time may be determined by counting the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the conveyance motor 119, which is a pulse motor.

  When the printed tag label tape 109 has not been conveyed by a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S152 to determine whether or not the scan execution flag Fs is 1. When the scan execution flag Fs is 1 (the scan process is being executed), the label creation interruption process is executed in step S154 and the process returns to step S150, and the scan execution flag Fs is not 1 (the scan process is being executed). If not, the process returns to step S150 and the same procedure is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the tag label tape 109 with print has been conveyed by a predetermined value, the determination at step S150 is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S200.

  In the next step S200, tag access processing is performed. That is, when the label producing RFID circuit element To is conveyed to the communication position (the position where the label producing RFID circuit element To faces the label producing loop antenna LC1), the conveyance and printing are stopped, and information is transmitted / received. The conveyance and printing are resumed to complete the printing, and further, the conveyance is stopped and the conveyance is stopped at the rear half-cut position to form the rear half-cut line HC2 (see FIG. 15 described later).

  When step S200 is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S155 (at this time, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print has been resumed in step S200). In step S155, whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the above-described full cut position (in other words, the tag label tape with print to the position where the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 faces the full cut position set in step S105). 109) is determined. The determination at this time may be performed in the same manner as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S120 (a transport motor 119 which is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives the motor is counted, etc.). The determination is not satisfied until the full cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the full cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S160.

  In step S160, similarly to step S135, 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, the base tape 101 is fed from the first roll 102 and the cover film 103 is fed from the second roll 104 with the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 facing the full cut position set in step S105. , And the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S165, a control signal is output to the cutter motor driving circuit 122 to drive the cutter motor 43, and the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 is rotated to cover the cover film 103 of the tag label tape 109 with print, adhesive A full cut process is performed in which the layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d are all cut (divided) to form a cutting line. The RFID tag label T in the form of a label is separated from the printed tag label tape 109 by the cutting mechanism 15 and the RFID tag information of the RFID circuit element To for label production is read and a predetermined printing corresponding to this is performed. Is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S170, where a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 via the input / output interface 113, the drive of the tape discharge motor 65 is restarted, and the drive roller 51 is rotated. As a result, the transport by the driving roller 51 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in step S165 is transported toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the apparatus. Exit.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S124 in FIG.

  First, in step S181, the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped in the same manner as in step S135 in FIG. Thereafter, in step S182, it is determined whether or not the scan execution flag Fs is 0 (no scan process is executed). When the scan execution flag Fs is 1 instead of 0, the determination is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S181 and the same procedure is repeated. When the scan execution flag Fs is 0, the determination in step S182 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S183, and the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is resumed in the same manner as in step S145 in FIG. finish.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of steps S134 and S154 in FIG. 12 (step S214 will be described later).

  First, in step S185, similarly to step S135 in FIG. 12, the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print and the printing of the label print R are stopped. Thereafter, in step S186, it is determined whether or not the scan execution flag Fs is 0 (no scan process is executed). When the scan execution flag Fs is 1 instead of 0, the determination is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S185 to repeat the same procedure. On the other hand, when the scan execution flag Fs is 0, the determination in step S186 is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S187, and the printed tag label tape 109 and the label printing R are printed in the same manner as in step S145 in FIG. Resume and end this flow.

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

  First, in step S210, it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the label producing loop antenna LC1 described above. The determination at this time may also be detected by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identifier PM of the base tape 101 in step S120 as in step S130 of FIG.

  When the tag label tape 109 with print has not reached the communication position, the determination at Step S210 is not satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S212, where it is determined whether the scan execution flag Fs is 1. When the scan execution flag Fs is not 1 (the scan process is not executed), the determination in step S212 is not satisfied and the process returns to step S210 and the same procedure is repeated. When the scan execution flag Fs is 1 (the scan process is being executed), the determination in step S212 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214, the label creation interruption process shown in FIG. 14 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S210. Return and repeat the same procedure.

  On the other hand, when the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the communication position, the determination at step S210 is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S220.

  In step S220, similarly to step S135, the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 is stopped, and the label producing loop antenna LC1 is substantially connected to the label producing RFID circuit element To. In contrast, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print stops. Further, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the label print R is stopped (interrupted).

  Subsequently, in step S400, information is transmitted / received by radio communication between the label producing loop antenna LC1 and the label producing RFID circuit element To, and the IC circuit unit 151 of the label producing RFID circuit element To is transmitted to the IC circuit section 151 of the label producing RFID circuit element To. The information created in step S105 of FIG. 12 is written (or the information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read), and information transmission / reception processing is performed (see FIG. 16 described later for details).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S240, and similarly to step S145 in FIG. 12, 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 and the printing. The head 23 is energized to resume printing the label print R.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S250, and it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been conveyed to the above-described print end position (calculated in step S105 in FIG. 12). The determination at this time may also be detected by a predetermined known method, for example, after detecting the identifier PM in step S120, as described above. 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 S260.

  In step S260, as in step S135 of FIG. 12, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the label print R is stopped. Thereby, the printing of the label print R on the print region S is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S270, and after the sheet is transported to a predetermined rear half-cut position, a post-half cut process is performed in which the half cutter 34 forms the rear half-cut line HC2. This routine is completed as described above.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400 described above. In this example, information writing will be described as an example of the information writing and information reading described above.

  In FIG. 16, first, in step S402, a switching control signal is output to the switching circuit 86, and the antenna duplexer 240 and the label producing loop antenna LC1 are connected.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S405, where a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306 via the input / output interface 113, and an inquiry signal (in this example) for acquiring the ID information stored in the label producing RFID circuit element To. As a tag ID read command signal, the interrogated wave having undergone predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written via the label producing loop antenna LC1. As a result, the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To for label production To is initialized.

  Thereafter, in step S415, the reply signal (including the tag ID) transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written corresponding to the tag ID read command signal is received via the label creating loop antenna LC1. Then, the data is taken in via the receiving circuit 307 and the 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 label producing 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 S405 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.

  When the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S440, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, the tag ID read in step S415 is designated, and desired data is written to the corresponding tag in the memory unit 157. As a signal (a Write command signal in this example), an interrogation wave that has been subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the label creation RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the label creation loop antenna LC1 to write information.

  Thereafter, in step S445, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, the tag ID read in step S415 is designated, and the signal recorded in the memory unit 157 of the corresponding tag is read (in this example, a Read command signal). The interrogation wave having undergone predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To for label creation to be written via the label creation loop antenna LC1 to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S450, the reply signal transmitted from the label producing RFID circuit element To to be written in response to the Read command signal is received via the label producing loop antenna LC1 and taken in via the receiving circuit 307.

  Next, in step S455, based on the received reply signal, information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID tag circuit element To for label production is confirmed, and a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check) is confirmed. Or the like) is used to determine whether or not the above-mentioned transmitted predetermined information has been normally stored in the memory unit 157.

  If 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 determination in step S455 is satisfied, the process moves to step S470, a control signal is output to the transmission circuit 306, the tag ID read in step S415 is designated, and the data recorded in the memory unit 157 of the corresponding tag is recorded. The interrogation wave which has been subjected to predetermined modulation as a signal for prohibiting overwriting (in this example, a lock command signal) is transmitted to the label producing RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the label producing loop antenna LC1, and the label Writing new information to the creating RFID circuit element To is prohibited. Thereby, the writing of the RFID tag information to the RFID tag circuit element To for label production to be written is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S480, the information written in the label producing RFID circuit element To in the above step S440, and the print information of the label print R already printed in the print area S by the print head 23 corresponding thereto. 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.

  In the above, the transmission circuit 306 constitutes information generation means for generating access information for accessing the label producing RFID circuit element or the information obtaining RFID circuit element.

  Further, the tag medium having the RFID tag circuit element for producing the label is obtained by using the access information generated by the information generating means in steps S510, S520, S530, and S550 of FIG. 10 executed by the control circuit 110. A mode switching unit is configured to switch between a label creation processing mode for performing tag label creation processing and an information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the information acquisition RFID circuit element. The operation switch 90 constitutes an operation unit for switching the mode switching unit to the information acquisition processing mode.

  Further, the procedure of step S505 of FIG. 10 executed by the control circuit 110 constitutes a switching signal input unit that inputs a switching signal for switching the mode switching unit to the label creation processing mode.

  In the present embodiment described above, when the label production processing mode is executed, information is written to the label production RFID circuit element To provided on the printed tag label tape 109 via the label production loop antenna LC1. Then, the tag label tape 109 with print is cut, and the RFID label T with print is produced. On the other hand, when the information acquisition processing mode is executed, information stored in the information acquisition RFID circuit element To located outside the casing 200 is read and acquired via the information acquisition loop antenna LC2. As described above, since one RFID tag information communication device 1 can be used for both tag label creation processing and information reading (acquisition) processing, compared to the case where both the label creation device and the information reading device are prepared separately. Thus, the device configuration can be simplified and the cost burden on the user can be reduced.

  At this time, the tag label creation process can be executed by the operator from a location far away from the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 via the network-connected PC 118 or the like, but the information acquisition process is attached to and pasted on the object. It is necessary to make the information acquisition RFID circuit element To equal within the communication distance range of the information acquisition loop antenna LC2. For this reason, the operator who intends to perform the information acquisition process is often near the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the operator wants to perform information acquisition processing, the operation switch 90 provided on the front surface or the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 is operated to change the operation state of the apparatus to the information acquisition processing mode. Try to switch. As a result, the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 can be surely shifted to the information acquisition processing mode on the spot, and information can be acquired from the target information acquisition RFID circuit element To. Thus, the operability of the operator can be improved.

  In this embodiment, in particular, after setting Fs = 1 in step S520 in FIG. 10, Fs = 0 does not occur until Fs = 0 is returned in step S550 or step S560. That is, when the information acquisition process is executed, even if the flow of FIG. 12 starts based on the operation signal from the PC 118, the determination in step S102 of FIG. 12 is not satisfied, and switching to the label creation process mode is prohibited. Is done. Therefore, since the information acquisition process can be executed with a higher priority than the tag label generation process, the convenience of the operator who is near the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 and is currently performing the information acquisition process (labeled by the PC) It can be prevented from being obstructed (by others trying to make it).

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, when the tag label creation process is being executed, if there is a switching operation to the information acquisition process mode by the operation switch 90, Fs = 1 is set in step S520 of FIG. 12, step S122, step S132, or step S152 is satisfied, and the execution of the tag label creation process is interrupted in step S124, step S134, or step S154. On the other hand, in step S600 after step S520, the scan process is executed, so that the process is forcibly switched from the label creation process mode to the information acquisition process mode. As a result, information acquisition processing in which the operator is often near the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 can be performed from a place far from the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 (for example, by the PC 118 or the like via the communication line NW). ) It can be executed with priority over the executable tag label creation process. As a result, since the operator can always perform the information acquisition process when coming to the vicinity of the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1, the convenience of the operator can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, after switching to the information acquisition processing mode by the operation switch 90, transmission of access information a predetermined number of times (K = 5 in the example described above using FIG. 11) is completed. In step S680, F = 1 and after step S530 in FIG. 10 and Fs = 0 in step S560, the switch to the information acquisition processing mode is automatically canceled (when the label creation mode has been forcibly shifted). Returns to labeling mode, otherwise simply returns to standby). Thereby, the operability of the operator at the time of processing mode switching can be further improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent the RFID label T from being unable to be created by forgetting to cancel the information acquisition processing mode.

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

(1) When creating a plurality of RFID labels In this modification, the operation switch 90 is used to switch to the information acquisition processing mode while a plurality of RFID tag labels are being created in the label creation processing mode. This is an example of the case.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the tag label creation processing procedure in the control procedure executed by the control circuit 110 in this modification, and corresponds to FIG. 12 described above. The same steps as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 17, when the execution of the tag label creation processing procedure is started, the preparation processing in step S105 ′ is first performed. In step S105 ′, as in step S105 of FIG. 12 described above, based on the operation signal from the PC 118, print data, communication data with the RFID tag circuit element To for label production To, the front / rear half-cut position, and the full-cut position Preparation processing for setting the above is executed (described above). In addition to this, the number of labels to be created, which is input from the PC 118 for creating a plurality of sheets, is stored in the RAM 117 (see FIG. 6).

  Next, in step S110 ′, variables M and N for counting the number of times of retry (number of access attempts) are initialized to 0 (described above), and a variable X for counting the number of completed RFID tag labels is set. Initialize to 1. Subsequently, step S115 and step S120 are executed as in FIG. Step S120 is repeated until the cover film 103 reaches the print start position. When the cover film 103 reaches the print start position, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S125 to start printing the label print R.

  Then, step S130 is executed in the same manner as in FIG. Step S130 is repeated until the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the front half-cut position. When the tape label tape 109 with print has reached the front half-cut position, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S135. Stop printing R.

  And step S140-step S150 are performed similarly to above-mentioned FIG. Step S150 is repeated until the tag label tape 109 with print is conveyed by a predetermined distance. When the tape label tape 109 having been printed is conveyed by a predetermined distance, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S200 ′ to execute tag access processing (details will be described later) 18). And step S155-step S170 are performed similarly to above-mentioned FIG.

  After executing step S170, it is determined in step S180 whether or not creation of the RFID label T of the number specified by the PC 118 has been completed. When the creation of the designated number of RFID label T is completed, the determination is satisfied and this flow is terminated. If the creation of the designated number of RFID label T has not been completed, the determination at step S180 is not satisfied, and the routine goes to step S190.

  In step S190, it is determined whether or not the scan execution flag Fs is 0 (scan processing is not executed). This step S190 is repeated until the scan execution flag Fs becomes 0. When the scan execution flag Fs becomes 0, the determination is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step S195, 1 is added to the variable X, and the process returns to step S115. Repeat the procedure.

  Thus, after the creation of one RFID label T is completed, the RFID label label T creation process is temporarily interrupted while the scan execution flag Fs is 1 (the scan process is being executed). It becomes. Thereafter, when the scan execution flag Fs becomes 0, the RFID label label T creation process is resumed.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S200 ′ described above, and corresponds to FIG. 15 described above. Steps similar to those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The flow shown in FIG. 18 is obtained by omitting steps S212 and S214 from the flow of FIG. That is, first, in step S210, it is determined whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the communication position with the label producing loop antenna LC1 described above. This procedure is repeated until the printed tag label tape 109 is transported to the communication position. When the communication position is reached, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S220 to transport the printed tag label tape 109 and the label printing R. Stop printing. Then, Steps S400 to S270 are executed as in FIG. 15 described above, and this flow is finished.

  As described above, in this modification, when the operation switch 90 is operated to switch to the information acquisition processing mode while a plurality of RFID label T is being created, the process proceeds to step S190. Is not satisfied, and after the creation of one RFID label T related to the creation is completed, the execution of the tag label creation process is temporarily interrupted to switch to the information acquisition process mode. Then, after completion of the information acquisition process (scan process), the determination in step S190 is satisfied, and the process is switched again to the label creation process mode, and the creation process of the remaining number of RFID label T is continued.

  Thus, even when a plurality of RFID tag labels T are created continuously (or collectively), the information acquisition process can be preferentially executed while interrupting the creation of the RFID label T. Accordingly, as described above, it is possible to prevent the waiting time of the operator who is near the wireless tag information communication device 1 and performs the information acquisition process from increasing, and to improve convenience. At this time, since the production of one RFID label T produced at that time is completed, it is possible to prevent the quality of the RFID label T from being deteriorated due to printing disturbance or the like. Furthermore, since the creation of the RFID label T is resumed after the information acquisition process, and the remaining RFID label T is created, it is possible to prevent the number of created sheets from being insufficient or forgotten to be created.

(2) In the case where the tag label creation process and the information acquisition process are performed in parallel In the above, the switching operation to the information acquisition process mode is performed by the operation switch 90 during the process of creating the RFID label T. When it is performed, the tag label creation process is canceled and the information acquisition process mode is preferentially executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the tag label creation process is not stopped, and the tag label creation process and the information acquisition process are performed in parallel in the time sharing method, and the duty (execution time ratio) of the tag label creation process is reduced. .

  In this case, the control circuit 110 switches the switching circuit 86 for each predetermined occupation period (time slot) divided in time, so that the label creation loop antenna LC1 and the information acquisition loop antenna LC2 are simultaneously connected in a time sharing manner. Operate.

  FIG. 19 conceptually shows an example of this time sharing behavior. In the example of FIG. 19, the duty ratio of the tag label creation process is reduced by setting the distribution ratio of time slots to “tag label creation process”: “information acquisition process” 2: 1. In this case, the tag label generation process in which the transmission frequency of the access information by the transmission circuit 306 is lowered than usual and the information acquisition process in the aspect of which the transmission frequency of the access information by the transmission circuit 306 is lowered than usual are simultaneously performed. It will be executed side by side. As a result, even if the operator who wants to execute the tag label creation process and the operator who wants to execute the information acquisition process give instructions to the RFID tag information communication apparatus 1 at the same timing, Therefore, each operator can be given a psychological sense of security that his / her processing has already been started and is being executed.

(3) Others In the above, as shown in FIG. 11, after the processing mode of the apparatus is switched to the information acquisition processing mode by the operation switch 90, when the transmission of the access information a predetermined number of times is completed, the information acquisition processing mode is entered. The changeover is automatically canceled, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a timer is provided in the control circuit 110, and after switching to the information acquisition processing mode by the operation switch 90, the switching to the information acquisition processing mode is automatically canceled after a predetermined time has elapsed. good. Also in this case, as described above, the operability at the time of mode switching can be improved, and it is possible to prevent the label creation from becoming impossible by forgetting to cancel the information acquisition processing mode.

  In the above description, the information acquisition loop antenna LC2 is provided on the side surface side of the apparatus body 2, and the information acquisition RFID circuit element located outside the apparatus body 2 (housing 200) on the side surface side of the apparatus body 2. Although information is read from To, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the information acquisition loop antenna LC2 is provided on the front side or the upper surface side of the apparatus body 2, and the information acquisition wireless tag is located outside the apparatus body 2 (housing 200) on the front surface side or the upper surface side of the apparatus body 2. Information may be read from the circuit element To. Furthermore, the label creation loop antenna LC1 and the information acquisition loop antenna LC2 can be configured as a common loop antenna without being separated.

  In the above description, the RFID tag information is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To for label production To and written in the IC circuit unit 151 to create the RFID tag T. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the RFID label T is created by reading the RFID tag information from the RFID tag circuit element To for read-only label in which predetermined RFID tag information is stored and retained in a non-rewritable manner, and performing printing corresponding thereto. Even in this case, the present invention can be applied, and in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

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

  Further, in the above, the case where the RFID label T is created by cutting the printed tag label tape 109 that has completed access (reading or writing) to the RFID tag circuit element To for printing and labeling by the cutting mechanism 15 is taken as an example. Although explained, it is not limited to this. That is, when the label mount (so-called die-cut label) separated in advance to a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, the cutting mechanism 15 does not need to cut the label mount. After the tape has been discharged from the label discharge port 11, the RFID label label T is created by removing only the label mount (the one with the already-accessed RFID tag circuit element To for label production and the corresponding printing) from the tape. The present invention may be applied to such a case.

  Further, the above has described the case where the RFID label T with print is created using the tag label tape 109 with print as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention creates the RFID label T without printing. It can also be applied to things.

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

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

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a wireless tag generation system including a wireless tag information communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the whole structure of a wireless tag information communication apparatus. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a wireless tag information communication apparatus. It is a top view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a wireless tag information communication apparatus. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a detailed structure of a cartridge. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of the RFID tag information communication apparatus which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. FIG. 3 is a top view and a bottom view showing an example of the appearance of a RFID label formed after information writing (or reading) of a RFID circuit circuit element for producing a label and cutting of a tag label tape with print completed by a RFID tag information communication apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram in which a cross-sectional view taken along the IXA-IXA ′ cross section in FIG. 8 is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise, and a cross-sectional view taken along the IXB-IXB ′ cross-section in FIG. 8 is rotated 90 ° counterclockwise. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of an information acquisition process among the control procedures performed by a control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the scanning process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of a tag label production process among the control procedures performed by a control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the first label production interruption process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the other label production interruption process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag access process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the information transmission / reception process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of a tag label production process among the control procedures performed by the control circuit in the modification which performs batch production of a plurality of RFID tags. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag access process shown in FIG. It is a figure which represents notionally an example of the behavior of the time sharing of the modification which implements a tag label production process and an information acquisition process simultaneously in parallel.

Explanation of symbols

1 wireless tag information communication device 2 device main body 23 print head (printing means)
90 changeover switch (switching means)
91 LED (first notification means)
92 Monitor (second notification means)
101 Base tape (tag medium)
109 Tag label tape (tag medium)
118 PC (operation terminal)
151 IC circuit section 152 Loop antenna (tag side antenna)
200 housing 306 transmission circuit (information generating means)
LC1 Label making loop antenna (device side antenna means)
LC2 Information acquisition loop antenna (device side antenna means)
To RFID circuit element (RFID tag circuit element for label production, RFID tag circuit element for information acquisition)

Claims (13)

A housing constituting the outer shell of the apparatus body;
A conveying means provided in the housing for conveying the tag medium;
An RFID circuit element for label production provided in the tag medium, and an RFID circuit element for information acquisition located outside the housing, each comprising an IC circuit section for storing information and a tag-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information; Device side antenna means capable of transmitting and receiving information to both,
Information generating means for generating access information for accessing the label creating RFID circuit element or the information obtaining RFID circuit element;
Using the access information generated by the information generating means, a label creation processing mode for performing a tag label creation process using the tag medium provided with the label creation RFID circuit element, and the information acquisition wireless Mode switching means capable of switching information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the tag circuit element;
It possesses an operation means for switching operation of said mode switching means to said information acquisition processing mode,
The mode switching means is
When there is the switching operation by the operation unit when the tag label creation process is being executed in the label creation process mode, the tag label creation process of the aspect in which the transmission frequency of the access information is lowered than usual, The RFID tag information communication apparatus , wherein the information acquisition processing of the aspect in which the transmission frequency of the access information is lowered than usual is executed side by side . A housing constituting the outer shell of the apparatus body;
A conveying means provided in the housing for conveying the tag medium;
An RFID circuit element for label production provided in the tag medium, and an RFID circuit element for information acquisition located outside the housing, each comprising an IC circuit section for storing information and a tag-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information; Device side antenna means capable of transmitting and receiving information to both,
Information generating means for generating access information for accessing the label creating RFID circuit element or the information obtaining RFID circuit element;
Using the access information generated by the information generating means, a label creation processing mode for performing a tag label creation process using the tag medium provided with the label creation RFID circuit element, and the information acquisition wireless Mode switching means capable of switching information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the tag circuit element;
Operating means for switching the mode switching means to the information acquisition processing mode;
Have
The mode switching means is
The wireless tag information communication apparatus, wherein after switching to the information acquisition processing mode based on a switching operation by the operation means, the switching to the information acquisition processing mode is canceled when a predetermined time has elapsed. A housing constituting the outer shell of the apparatus body;
A conveying means provided in the housing for conveying the tag medium;
An RFID circuit element for label production provided in the tag medium, and an RFID circuit element for information acquisition located outside the housing, each comprising an IC circuit section for storing information and a tag-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information; Device side antenna means capable of transmitting and receiving information to both,
Information generating means for generating access information for accessing the label creating RFID circuit element or the information obtaining RFID circuit element;
Using the access information generated by the information generating means, a label creation processing mode for performing a tag label creation process using the tag medium provided with the label creation RFID circuit element, and the information acquisition wireless Mode switching means capable of switching information acquisition processing mode for performing information acquisition processing of the tag circuit element;
Operating means for switching the mode switching means to the information acquisition processing mode;
Have
The mode switching means is
The RFID tag information, wherein after switching to the information acquisition processing mode based on a switching operation by the operation means, the transmission to the information acquisition processing mode is canceled when transmission of the access information is completed a predetermined number of times. Communication device. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An RFID tag information communication apparatus, comprising: a switching signal input unit that inputs a switching signal for switching the mode switching unit to the label creation processing mode. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The mode switching means is
The RFID tag information communication apparatus, wherein when the information acquisition process is being executed in the information acquisition process mode, switching to the tag label creation process mode is prohibited. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 ,
The mode switching means is
If the switching operation by the operation means is performed while the tag label creation process is being executed in the label creation process mode, the execution of the tag label creation process is interrupted, and the information is output from the label creation process mode. A wireless tag information communication apparatus, wherein the wireless tag information communication apparatus is switched to an acquisition processing mode. The wireless tag information communication apparatus according to claim 6 ,
The mode switching means is
If the switching operation by the operation means is performed when the creation process of a plurality of RFID labels is executed as the tag label creation process in the label creation process mode, one RFID label related to the creation is made After completing the creation of the tag, the execution of the tag label creation process is interrupted and switched to the information acquisition process mode. After the completion of the information acquisition process, the process is switched again to the label creation process mode to execute the process of creating the remaining number of RFID label labels. A wireless tag information communication apparatus characterized by the above. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The operation means includes
A pressing method switch having a pressing position corresponding to the pressing operation as the switching operation to the information acquisition processing mode, and a normal position to return when the pressing operation is stopped,
The mode switching means is
Switching to the information acquisition processing mode when the operating means is in the pressed position, and canceling the switching to the information acquisition processing mode when the operating means is returned to the normal position. RFID tag information communication device. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The operation means includes
A switch of a selective pressing method having a switching position corresponding to the switching operation to the information acquisition processing mode and a release position corresponding to the operation of canceling the switching;
The mode switching means is
Switching to the information acquisition processing mode when the operating means is in the switching position, and canceling the switching to the information acquisition processing mode when the operating means is in the release position. RFID tag information communication device. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
A wireless tag information communication apparatus, comprising: first notification means for notifying an operator that the mode has been switched to the information acquisition processing mode by the mode switching means. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
A wireless tag information communication apparatus, comprising: a second notification unit that performs notification corresponding to a result of an information acquisition process in the information acquisition process mode to an operator. The wireless tag information communication device according to claim 10 or 11 ,
The first or second notification means is
An RFID tag information communication apparatus that performs the notification by visual display or voice utterance. The wireless tag information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 ,
An RFID tag information communication apparatus, wherein the operation means is provided on a front surface or an upper surface of the housing.

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