JP3831581B2 - Printer with RF-ID read / write function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer with an RF-ID reading / writing function capable of writing user data on a label embedded with a non-contact readable / writable RF-ID tag and performing printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, a bar code printer in which an RF-ID reading / writing module capable of reading and writing is incorporated in an RF-ID tag is considered.
[0003]
In FIG. 1, 11 is a housing. A paper supply unit 21 for supplying a continuous paper, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, is provided on the rear surface of the housing 11, and a take-out port 12 through which a printed label is discharged is provided on the front surface of the housing 11. ing.
[0004]
In addition, a switch 13 as an operation unit and a plurality of LEDs 14 are provided above the switch 13 on the front surface of the housing 11.
[0005]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the housing 11 of FIG. In FIG. 2, a paper transport path 22 is formed from the paper supply unit 21 toward the take-out port 12. A platen roller 23 is provided near the take-out port 12 of the paper conveyance path 22 and below the paper conveyance path 22. A thermal head 24 is provided at a position facing the platen roller 23.
[0006]
A supply roller 25 supplies the ink ribbon 26 between the thermal head 24 and the platen 23, and a winding roller 27 winds up the ink ribbon supplied from the ribbon supply roller 25. Here, a direction in which a sheet is conveyed from the sheet supply path 21 along the sheet conveyance path 22 toward the take-out port 12 is defined as a conveyance direction x.
[0007]
An RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is fixed below the sheet conveyance path 22 at a position slightly returned from the platen 23 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction x. The RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is indicated by a broken line in FIG. Further, an RF-ID reading / writing module 32 on which an electrical component for reading / writing processing by the RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31 is mounted is disposed at a position indicated by a broken line in the housing 11.
[0008]
That is, FIG. 13 shows a view of the periphery of the platen 23 and the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 from the top.
[0009]
Further, a rectangular label 42 is attached to the belt-like paper 41 supplied from the paper supply unit 21 at a predetermined interval. An RF-ID tag 43 is embedded at the leading end side of the label 42 in the transport direction X as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an area in the conveyance direction x direction where the RF-ID tag 43 is embedded is referred to as a tag area A, and an area where the RF-ID tag 43 of the label 42 is not embedded is referred to as a label area B. User data is read / written to the RF-IF tag 43 by the RF-ID read / write antenna 31, and barcodes, characters, and the like are printed on the label area B by the thermal head 24.
[0010]
The embedded position of the RF-ID tag 23 on the label 42 may be on the rear end side of the label 42 as shown in FIG. In the case of FIG. 14B, the label area B is located on the front end side in the transport direction x, and the RF-ID tag 43 is located on the rear end side of the label area B.
[0011]
Accordingly, in the label having the arrangement of FIG. 14A, the RF-ID tag 43 reaches the platen 23 first, and then the label region B reaches the platen 23. 14B, the label region B reaches the platen 23 first, and then the RF-ID tag 43 reaches the platen 23.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  By the way, FIG.(B)When the embedded position of the RF-ID tag 43 is at the rear end of the label 42, the positions of the platen 23, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 and the RF-ID tag 43 in the print standby state are as follows. The relationship is as shown in FIG.
[0013]
That is, in the print standby state, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 and the RF-ID tag 43 are located at a distance.
[0014]
Therefore, when printing is started by a print command from the print standby state, first, the thermal head 24 prints a bar code, a character, etc. on the label area B, and the paper 41 is transported in the transport direction x, so that RF When the RF-ID tag 43 is positioned on the ID reading / writing antenna 31, reading / writing to the RF-ID tag 43 is performed by the RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31.
[0015]
Therefore, there is a problem that even when a print command is issued from the print standby state, reading / writing to the RF-ID tag 43 cannot be performed immediately.
[0016]
In addition, the paper 41 is transported in the transport direction x, and the RF-ID tag 43 is positioned on the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 so that writing to the RF-ID tag 43 is RF-ID read. / If a write error occurs as a result of the write antenna 31, the label area B has already been printed, so the write error cannot be notified to the operator using the label area B. There was a problem.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an RF-ID tag as soon as a print command is issued, regardless of the position of the RF-ID tag embedded in the label. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer with an RF-ID read / write function that can read / write, and can reliably notify an operator when an error in writing to an RF-ID tag occurs.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Claim1The printer with the described RF-ID read / write function is a printer in which a sheet having an RF-ID tag as a part of a label is supplied, an RF-ID read / write antenna, a printing unit for printing on the label, First printing means for writing to the RF-ID tag by the RF-ID reading / writing antenna before printing operation for printing on the label by the printing unit, and printing on the label by the printing unit. And a second writing means for writing to the RF-ID tag during a printing operation.
[0021]
  Claim2The printer with the RF-ID read / write function described in claim1The first writing means or the second writing means described can be selected by a software command.
[0022]
  Claim3In the described printer with an RF-ID read / write function, the first writing means or the second writing means is automatically based on the mounting position of the antenna and the relative position of the RF-ID tag on the label. It is characterized by being selected.
[0023]
7. A printer with an RF-ID read / write function according to claim 6, wherein an RF-ID read / write antenna and a print for printing on the label are provided in a printer in which a sheet having an RF-ID tag is supplied as a part of the label. And a writing means for writing to the RF-ID tag during a printing operation in which the label is printed on the label, and the RF-ID according to the RF-ID tag position information on the label It is characterized by comprising variable means for varying the start position for starting the data writing operation to the tag and the end position for ending the writing operation.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 used in the prior art have the same structure as that of this embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, slots 51 to 53 for mounting the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 are provided along the transport direction x below the paper transport path 22. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted in the slot 51 closest to the platen 23.
[0028]
Next, the system configuration of a printer with an RF-ID read / write function will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling the printer as a whole. The system bus 61a from the CPU 61 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62 for storing various control programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63 provided with various work areas, an operation unit 13, a thermal head 24, The RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31 controls the reading / writing operation of the RF-ID module 32, the communication I / F (interface) 64, and the paper 41 are fed in the conveying direction x or back in the direction opposite to the conveying direction x. A feed motor 65 for feeding is connected. A host computer 71 is connected to the communication I / F 64. The host computer 71 transmits an RF-ID issue start command as a software command to the printer. Depending on the parameter of this command, data is written to the RF-ID tag 43 before printing on the label area B (first writing means) or written to the RF-ID tag 43 while printing is performed on the label area B. It is possible to select whether to perform (second writing means). The RF-ID module 32 has a write function means for writing user data to the RF-ID tag 43 from the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 and a read function means for reading user data written in the RF-ID tag 43. And.
[0029]
As this command, the position and size of the RF-ID tag 43 on the label 42 can also be specified. The printer that has received this command writes data to the RF-ID tag 43 before printing on the label area B depending on the position and size of the RF-ID tag 43 on the label 42 (first writing means). It is possible to automatically select whether to write to the RF-ID tag 43 (second writing means) while printing in the label area B.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 receives the RF-ID issuance start command from the host computer 71, the printer first writes data to the RF-ID tag 43 before printing on the label area B. Accordingly, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted in the slots 51 to 53 in advance according to the position of the RF-IF tag 43 on the label 42. For example, in the case of a label as shown in FIG. 14A, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted in the slot 51 closest to the platen 23. In the case of a label as shown in FIG. 14B, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted in the slot 53 farthest from the platen 23.
[0031]
As described above, since the slot in which the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted can be selected according to the position of the RF-ID tag 43 on the label 42, the RF-ID tag 43 has an RF under the RF-ID tag 43. -An ID read / write antenna 31 can be arranged. That is, at the print standby position, the RF-ID tag 43 can be placed within a range that can be read / written by the RF-ID read / write antenna 31.
[0032]
After mounting the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 in any of the slots 51 to 53 as described above, when the printer receives an RF-ID issue start command transmitted from the host computer 71, first, the RF-ID read / write Data is written from the write antenna 31 to the RF-ID tag 43 (step S1). Data writing from the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 to the RF-ID tag 43 is controlled by the RF-ID module 32.
[0033]
Next, it is determined whether data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 has been successful (step S2). This determination is performed by determining a return code returned from the RF-ID tag 43 to the RF-ID read / write antenna 31.
[0034]
If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S2, a barcode, characters, and the like are printed in the label area B from the thermal dot 24 (step S3).
[0035]
On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S2, error processing is performed (step S4). As this error processing, the LED 14 may be turned on or a buzzer may be sounded.
[0036]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, before printing in the label area B, data can always be normally written in the RF-ID tag 43.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the slot in which the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted is selected according to the position of the RF-ID tag 43 on the label 42. Then, at the print standby position, the RF-ID tag 43 is placed in a range where it can be read / written by the RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31.
[0038]
When the printer receives the RF-ID issue start command transmitted from the host computer 71, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 reads the RF-ID data stored in the RF-ID tag 43 (step). S11). The read RF-ID data is transferred to the host computer 71 via the RF-ID module 32 and the communication I / F 64 (step S12). The host computer 71 creates write data to the RF-ID tag 43 based on the transferred RF-ID data and transmits it to the printer.
[0039]
The printer performs a process of writing RF-ID data to the RF-ID tag 43 by the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 (step S13). Then, it is determined whether or not the writing process has succeeded in the RF-ID tag 43 (step S14).
[0040]
If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S14, a barcode, characters, and the like are printed in the label area B from the thermal pad 24 (step S15).
[0041]
On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S14, an error process is performed (step S16). As this error processing, the LED 14 may be turned on or a buzzer may be sounded.
[0042]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, before printing in the label area B, data can always be normally written in the RF-ID tag 43. Furthermore, write data to the RF-ID tag 43 can be created based on the RF-ID data stored in the RF-ID tag 43 in advance.
[0043]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first and second embodiments described above, the mounting position of the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is variable, but in this third embodiment, the RF-ID read is performed as shown in FIG. The writing antenna 31 is mounted immediately downstream of the platen 23. The operation when the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is mounted as described above and printing on the label 42 as shown in FIG. 14B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
When the printer receives the RF-ID issuance start command transmitted from the host computer 71, immediately after the print standby state in FIG. 7, processing for printing on the label area B by the thermal head 24 is started (step S21).
[0045]
Then, it is determined whether writing from the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 to the RF-ID tag 43 has been completed (step S22). If “NO” is determined in step S22, data is written from the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 to the RF-ID tag 43 (step S23).
[0046]
Then, it is determined whether or not the data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 is successful (step S24). This determination is performed by determining a return code from the RF-ID tag 43.
[0047]
If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S24, “1” is set to the write success flag F (step S25).
[0048]
On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S24, it is determined whether printing on the label area B is completed (step S26).
[0049]
If “NO” is determined in the determination in step S26, the processes in and after step S22 described above are performed. That is, regardless of whether the writing of data to the RF-ID tag 43 is successful or not, if the printing is not completed, the processes after step S22 are continuously performed.
[0050]
If “YES” in the determination in step S26, that is, if it is determined that printing has ended, it is determined whether or not the write success flag F is “1” (step S27).
[0051]
If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S27, the label issuing process ends.
[0052]
On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S27, an error process is performed (step S28). As this error processing, the LED 14 may be turned on or a buzzer may be sounded.
[0053]
That is, if it is determined in step S27 that an error has occurred in writing to the RF-ID tag 43, the printing process for the label area B has already been completed. Is sounding.
[0054]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the RF-ID issue start command is received, the printing operation to the label area B can be started first and the writing process to the RF-ID tag can be performed.
[0055]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. In the first and second embodiments described above, the mounting position of the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is variable, but in this fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. The writing antenna 31 is mounted immediately downstream of the platen 23. The operation when the RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31 is mounted as described above and printing on the label 42 as shown in FIG. 14B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0056]
The flowchart of FIG. 10 is characterized in that a determination block of step S22a is provided between step S22 and step S23 of the flowchart of FIG. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the RF-ID tag position information that the RF-ID tag 43 is located on the label 42 is received together with the RF-ID issue start command. Therefore, the printer varies the position where the data writing operation to the RF-ID tag starts and the position where the writing operation ends according to the position information (variable means).
[0057]
When the RF-ID tag 43 comes to the position shown in FIG. 8, it is determined as “YES” in the determination in step S22a, and data is written to the RF-ID tag 43 (step S23).
[0058]
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the RF-ID tag 43 reads the RF-ID by obtaining the position of the RF-ID tag 43 on the label 42 as information. / Because the data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 is performed only after the position of the writing antenna 31, the data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 can be surely succeeded.
[0059]
By the way, the first and second embodiments described above are provided with data (first writing means) for writing data to the RF-ID tag 43 before printing on the label area B. The third and fourth embodiments include writing to the RF-ID tag 43 (second writing means) while printing in the label area B. When the printer receives an RF-ID issuance start command from the host computer 71, the printer may select the first writing means or the second writing means as specified by the command.
[0060]
Further, when the position and size of the RF-ID tag 43 on the label 42 are designated together with the command, the first writing means or the second writing means is automatically set according to the data. You may make it select.
[0061]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the fifth embodiment, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is fixed immediately downstream of the platen 23 as shown in FIG. The operation when the RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31 is mounted as described above and printing on the label 42 as shown in FIG. 14B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0062]
When the printer receives the RF-ID issuance start command transmitted from the host computer 71, immediately after the print standby state in FIG. 7, processing for printing on the label area B by the thermal head 24 is started (step S31). Next, it is determined whether or not the writable position for the RF-ID tag 43 has been reached (step S32). Here, the RF-ID tag position information indicating that the RF-ID tag 43 is located on the label 42 is received together with the RF-ID issue start command. Therefore, the printer sets a position for starting the data writing operation to the RF-ID tag and a position for ending the writing operation according to the position information. The writable position refers to a position between a position where the data writing operation to the RF-ID tag starts and a position where the writing operation ends. If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S32, data is written from the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 to the RF-ID tag 43 (step S33).
[0063]
Then, it is determined whether data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 has been successful (step S34). This determination is performed by determining a return code from the RF-ID tag 43.
[0064]
If "YES" is determined in the determination in step S34, it is determined whether printing is finished (step S35). If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S35, the issuance is terminated.
[0065]
By the way, when it is determined “NO” in the determination in step S34, a process of backfeeding the paper 41 is performed (step S36). Then, after the label area B is back-fed to the printing standby position by the transport motor 65, an error pattern is printed on the label area B (step S37). As this error pattern, “XXXX” may be printed on the entire label area B.
[0066]
As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, even if the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is fixed, if writing to the RF-ID tag 43 fails, the label is provided by back feeding. An error pattern can be printed in area B. As described above, when data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 fails, an error pattern is printed, so that the operator can visually recognize that fact.
[0067]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the sixth embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 is fixed immediately downstream of the platen 23 as shown in FIG. The operation when the RF-ID reading / writing antenna 31 is mounted in this way and printing on the label 42 as shown in FIG. 14B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0068]
When the printer receives the RF-ID issue start command transmitted from the host computer 71, processing for feeding the label 42 by the transport motor 65 is performed (step S41). Next, it is determined whether or not the position at which writing to the RF-ID tag 43 is possible (step S42). Here, the RF-ID tag position information indicating that the RF-ID tag 43 is located on the label 42 is received together with the RF-ID issue start command. Therefore, the printer sets a position for starting the data writing operation to the RF-ID tag and a position for ending the writing operation according to the position information. The writable position refers to a position between a position where the data writing operation to the RF-ID tag starts and a position where the writing operation ends. If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S42, data is written from the RF-ID read / write antenna 31 to the RF-ID tag 43 (step S43).
[0069]
Then, it is determined whether or not the data writing to the RF-ID tag 43 is successful (step S44). This determination is performed by determining a return code from the RF-ID tag 43.
[0070]
If “YES” is determined in the determination in step S44, the label 42 is back-fed (step S45). That is, the label area B is fed back to the print standby position. Then, printing of barcodes, characters, etc. on the label area B is started (step S46).
[0071]
Then, it is determined whether printing has been completed (step S47). If it is determined by this determination that printing has ended, the label issuing process ends.
[0072]
Incidentally, if “NO” is determined in the determination in step S44, error processing is performed by turning on the LED 14 or sounding a buzzer (step S48).
[0073]
As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, first, data is written to the RF-ID tag, and when the data is successfully written to the RF-ID tag, the label area B is printed. Therefore, when an RF-ID tag data write error occurs, printing in the label area B does not have to be performed, so that the level can be saved.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
  As described in detail above, the RF-ID tag can be read / written as soon as the print command is issued, regardless of the position where the RF-ID tag is embedded in the label.The
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer with an RF-ID read / write function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a cross section of a main part according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an attachment mechanism that can change the attachment position of the antenna according to the embodiment along the sheet conveyance direction;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a printer with the same RF-ID read / write function.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a platen and a label.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a platen and a label.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the sixth embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between RF-ID read / write antennas.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a label and an RF-ID tag.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a label and an RF-ID tag.
[Explanation of symbols]
23 ... Platen roller,
24 ... Thermal head,
31 ... RF-ID read / write antenna,
32 ... RF-ID read / write module,
41 ... paper,
42 ... label,
43 ... RF-ID tag.

Claims (3)

 In a printer in which a sheet having an RF-ID tag is supplied as part of a label, an RF-ID reading / writing antenna, a printing unit for printing on the label, and a printing operation for printing on the label at the printing unit First writing means for writing to the RF-ID tag by the RF-ID read / write antenna before and writing to the RF-ID tag during a printing operation in which the label is printed on the label A printer with an RF-ID read / write function, comprising: It said first writing means or said second write means RF-ID read write function printer of claim 1, wherein it is selectable by software commands. Said first writing means or said second write means, claim characterized in that it is automatically selected based on the relative position of the RF-ID tag at the mounting position and the on the label of the antenna 1 The printer with the described RF-ID read / write function.

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