HK1227513B - Ic tag issuing device - Google Patents

Description

IC tag issuing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an IC tag issuing device that writes desired identification data onto each IC tag in a continuous body of IC tags arranged in a plurality of rows in a contactless manner and issues the IC tags.

Background Art

In recent years, RFID (radio frequency identification) has been proposed as a technology that facilitates inventory management and sales management of products by using IC tags equipped with an IC chip and an antenna that can electrically write and read information in a contactless manner. Generally, an IC chip and antenna are formed as an inlay (inlay) formed on a film, and are enclosed within a paper sheet such as a label or price tag to form an IC tag. Furthermore, although the inlay equipped with an IC chip and antenna is sometimes referred to as an IC tag, electronic tag, wireless tag, or RFID tag, in this specification, a product label (price tag), label, or other paper sheet equipped with an IC chip and antenna is referred to as an IC tag.

IC tags are generally provided as an IC tag continuum in which IC tags are continuously connected. An IC tag issuing device has been proposed that writes desired data such as product numbers on the IC tag continuum in a non-contact manner, and prints product and manufacturer data, bar codes encoded with these data, etc. on each surface and issues the IC tags (for example, refer to patent document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-338179

In recent years, the use of IC tags has increased, and the demand for high-speed, large-scale issuance of IC tags has grown. To increase the issuance speed of IC tags, the conveyance speed of the continuous IC tag must be increased. However, there is a limit to the communication speed with IC tags. Increasing the conveyance speed of the continuous IC tag to increase the issuance speed leads to problems such as poor writing to the IC tags and reduced yield.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to provide an IC tag issuing device that can perform communication processing with IC tags at high speed and reliably, thereby improving the issuance speed.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following solution methods.

The IC tag issuing device of the present invention is an IC tag issuing device that writes identification data into multiple columns of IC tags arranged as an IC tag continuum and issues them, and is characterized in that it comprises: multiple write column antenna units, which are arranged opposite to each column of the multiple columns of IC tags, and write the above-mentioned identification data into the above-mentioned IC tags by electromagnetic induction; and a radio wave antenna unit, which is arranged on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the above-mentioned IC tag continuum compared to the above-mentioned multiple write column antenna units, and writes the above-mentioned identification data into the above-mentioned IC tags by radio waves. For the above-mentioned IC tags for which the above-mentioned identification data cannot be written using the above-mentioned multiple write column antenna units, the above-mentioned radio wave antenna unit is used to write the above-mentioned identification data.

Furthermore, in the IC tag issuing device of the present invention, a plurality of reading column antenna units may be provided on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the IC tag continuum compared to the plurality of writing column antenna units, respectively arranged opposite to each column for the plurality of columns of IC tags, and reading the inherent tag ID from the IC tags by electromagnetic induction. For the IC tags whose tag ID cannot be read using the plurality of reading column antenna units, the plurality of writing column antenna units may be used to write the identification data.

Furthermore, in the IC tag issuing device of the present invention, the writing of the identification data using the radio wave antenna unit may be performed by specifying the tag ID.

Furthermore, in the IC tag issuing device of the present invention, the write column antenna unit may be electromagnetically shielded except for a surface of the IC tag continuum that faces the IC tags.

Furthermore, in the IC tag issuing device of the present invention, there may also be a conveying unit that conveys the above-mentioned IC tag continuum while attracting it on a conveyor belt, and the above-mentioned writing column antenna unit and the above-mentioned radio wave antenna unit are arranged opposite to the above-mentioned IC tag of the above-mentioned IC tag continuum conveyed by the above-mentioned conveying unit.

According to the present invention, there is a technical effect that communication processing with IC tags can be performed at high speed, thereby improving the issuance speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of an embodiment of an IC tag issuing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing a partial structure of the IC tag continuum shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG3 is an enlarged front view and a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the IC tag shown in FIG2 .

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the structure of the inlay shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the pre-processing device shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the pre-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view showing the structure of a support plate in the pretreatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first antenna unit shown in FIG5 .

FIG9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the column antenna unit shown in FIG8 .

FIG10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the column antenna unit shown in FIG8 .

FIG11 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus shown in FIG1 .

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the post-processing device shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit that controls the operation of the embodiment of the IC tag issuing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of product information stored in the information storage unit shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of page information and an example of reissue information stored in the information storage unit shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a tag ID reading operation of the embodiment of the IC tag issuing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a tag ID reading operation of the embodiment of the IC tag issuing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the identification data writing operation of the embodiment of the IC tag issuing apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The IC tag issuing device of this embodiment writes the desired data to each IC chip of the IC tag continuum 1 in a non-contact manner, and prints and issues the product and manufacturer information, as well as a barcode encoded with this information, on the surface of each IC tag continuum. Referring to Figure 1, the IC tag issuing device includes a mounting table 2 for mounting the IC tag continuum 1 before issuance, a pre-processing device 3, a printing device 4, a post-processing device 5, and a mounting table 2 for mounting the issued IC tag continuum 1.

2 , the IC tag continuum 1 is a continuous paper (folded paper) in which multiple columns of IC tags 10 are alternately folded and arranged. In this embodiment, 20 IC tags 10, which are 10 sheets*2 rows from the first column to the tenth column, are arranged on one page. Conveying holes 11 are formed at equal intervals on both sides of the IC tag continuum 1. In addition, a detection mark 12 indicating the start of the page is printed near the front end in the conveying direction of the area where the conveying holes 11 are formed. In addition, the IC tag continuum 1 can also be a roll of paper wound into a roller shape. In this case, the detection mark 12 indicating the start of the IC tag 10 can be printed on each row.

Referring to FIG3(a), the IC tag 10 includes an inlay 13. FIG3(a) is an enlarged front view of the area indicated by arrow A in FIG2, and FIG3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG3(a). The IC tag 10 of this embodiment is a product label. As shown in FIG3(b), the inlay 13 is sandwiched and included between the front paper 10a and the back paper 10b.

Referring to Figure 3(b) and Figure 4 , inlay 13 consists of a substrate 13a, an antenna 14, and an IC chip 15. Inlay 13 is constructed by, for example, forming substrate 13a from a synthetic resin film, forming a linear antenna 14 made of a conductor on substrate 13a, and then bonding IC chip 15 to antenna 14 using a conductive adhesive. Antenna 14 has an elongated shape with its longitudinal direction along the transport direction. A loop antenna element 14a is provided in the center of the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a dipole antenna element 14b is provided, connected to loop antenna element 14a and extending linearly toward the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a meander line antenna element 14c is provided at the front and rear ends of loop antenna element 14a in the longitudinal direction, connected to dipole antenna element 14b and zigzagging in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

The IC chip 15 includes a built-in nonvolatile memory, such as an EEPROM, that retains data even when power is off. The nonvolatile memory of the IC chip 15 includes a tag ID storage area that pre-stores the unique number (hereinafter referred to as the tag ID) for each inlay 13, and a user storage area that can be rewritten by the user. The IC chip 15 has electromagnetic induction communication capabilities, which transfer energy and signals by magnetically coupling the reader/writer's antenna coil with the loop antenna element 14a of the antenna 14, and radio wave communication capabilities, which transfer energy and signals by exchanging radio waves between the reader/writer's antenna, the dipole antenna element 14b, and the meander line antenna element 14c of the antenna 14.

The loading platform 2 includes a loading plate 21 on which the continuous IC tag 1 is loaded. The loading plate 21 is configured to be able to change its position and angle relative to the loading surface of the pre-processing device 3 and the post-processing device 5 according to the size and paper quality of the continuous IC tag 1. This allows the continuous IC tag 1 loaded on the loading platform 2 to be smoothly fed to the pre-processing device 3, and allows the continuous IC tag 1 issued from the post-processing device 5 to be neatly loaded on the loading platform 2.

The pre-processing device 3 is an encoding device that writes user-desired data, such as a product number, into each IC tag 10 (the user storage area of the IC chip 15) of the IC tag continuum 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 5 , the pre-processing device 3 includes a first antenna unit 31, a second antenna unit 32, a third antenna unit 33, a first traction paper feed unit 61, a first conveyor unit 62, a second conveyor unit 63, a first negative pressure suction unit 71, a second negative pressure suction unit 72, a third negative pressure suction unit 73, a fourth negative pressure suction unit 74, a first sensor 81, a second sensor 82, a third sensor 83, and a first rotary encoder unit 91.

The first traction feed unit 61 is located at the farthest upstream position, where it receives the unissued IC tag continuum 1. Referring to Figures 5 to 7 , it includes an endless belt 61c that rotates between a drive roller 61a and a driven roller 61b, and a first traction feed drive motor 61d that rotates the endless belt 61c via the drive roller 61a. The endless belt 61c is provided with feed pins 61e that engage with the feed holes 11 of the IC tag continuum 1. As the first traction feed unit 61 rotates the endless belt 61c, the feed pins 61e sequentially engage and disengage with the feed holes 11, pulling and feeding the IC tag continuum 1 toward the downstream first conveyor unit 62. Furthermore, the drive roller 61a of the first traction feed unit 61 includes a first rotary encoder 91 that detects the rotation of the drive roller 61a. A first sensor 81 is provided near the first traction feed unit 61 to detect the detection mark 12 of the IC detection tag continuum 1. Thus, the position of the continuous IC tag 1 (IC tag 10 ) in the pre-processing device 3 can be detected based on the detection results of the first sensor 81 and the first rotary encoder unit 91 .

The first conveyor unit 62 is located downstream of the first traction paper feed unit 61 and includes an endless conveyor belt 62c that rotates between a drive roller 62a and a driven roller 62b, and a first conveyor belt drive motor 62d that rotates the conveyor belt 62c via the drive roller 62a. The first conveyor unit 62 rotates the conveyor belt 62c to transport the continuous IC tag 1 placed on the conveyor belt 62c toward the downstream second conveyor unit 63. Furthermore, a second sensor 82 for detecting the detection mark 12 of the continuous IC tag 1 is provided between the first conveyor unit 62 and the second conveyor unit 63. This sensor is configured to detect when the leading edge of a page has reached between the first and second conveyor units 62 and 63.

Furthermore, a support plate 62e is disposed between the drive roller 62a and the driven roller 62b below the upper conveyor belt 62c, in contact with the lower surface (inner circumference) of the upper conveyor belt 62c. Therefore, when the continuous IC tag body 1 is conveyed from upstream to downstream, the conveyor belt 62c rotates while sliding on the support plate 62e.

A plurality of suction holes 71b are formed on the support plate 62e, facing the conveyor belt 62c, along the conveying direction. These holes draw air in due to the rotation of the first suction fan 71a of the first negative pressure suction unit 71, and the second suction holes 72b draw air in due to the rotation of the second suction fan 72a of the second negative pressure suction unit 72. Furthermore, a plurality of through-holes 62f are formed in the conveyor belt 62c. Thus, the negative pressure of the first and second negative pressure suction units 71, 72 ensures that the continuous IC tag 1 is conveyed in close contact with the conveyor belt 62c.

The second conveyor unit 63 is located downstream of the first conveyor unit 62 and includes an endless conveyor belt 63c that rotates between a drive roller 63a and a driven roller 63b, and a second conveyor belt drive motor 63d that rotates the conveyor belt 63c via the drive roller 63a. The second conveyor unit 63 rotates the conveyor belt 63c to transport the continuous IC tag 1 placed on the conveyor belt 63c toward the downstream printer 4. Furthermore, a third sensor 83 is provided between the second conveyor unit 63 and the printer 4 to detect the detection mark 12 of the continuous IC tag 1. This sensor is configured to detect when the leading edge of a page has reached between the second conveyor unit 63 and the printer 4.

Furthermore, a support plate 63e is disposed between the drive roller 63a and the driven roller 63b below the upper conveyor belt 63c, in contact with the lower surface (inner circumference) of the upper conveyor belt 63c. Therefore, when the continuous IC tag body 1 is conveyed from upstream to downstream, the conveyor belt 63c rotates while sliding on the support plate 63e.

A plurality of suction holes 73b, which draw air in due to the rotation of the third suction fan 73a of the third negative pressure suction unit 73, and a plurality of suction holes 74b, which draw air in due to the rotation of the fourth suction fan 74a of the fourth negative pressure suction unit 74, are formed in the support plate 63e at a position opposite the conveyor belt 63c. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 63f are formed in the conveyor belt 63c. Thus, the negative pressure of the third and fourth negative pressure suction units 73, 74 ensures that the continuous IC tag 1 is conveyed in close contact with the conveyor belt 63c.

The first antenna unit 31 and the second antenna unit 32 are arranged above the first conveying unit 62 so as to be close to and opposite to each other. The first antenna unit 31 and the second antenna unit 32 are antennas that communicate with the IC tag 10 by electromagnetic induction and have the same structure. The first antenna unit 31 is used to read the tag ID from the IC tag 10. The second antenna unit 32 is used to write desired data such as the product number to the IC tag 10 (the user storage area of the IC chip 15). Hereinafter, the data written to the IC tag 10 will be referred to as identification data. The structure of the first antenna unit 31 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

8( a ), the first antenna unit 31 is provided with column antennas 31a to 31j at positions facing the IC tags 10 in the first to tenth columns, respectively, of the continuous IC tag body 1 being conveyed by the first conveyor unit 62. The column antennas 31a to 31j are divided into upstream column antennas 31a to 31e and downstream column antennas 31f to 31j and are arranged in a zigzag pattern. The upstream column antennas 31a to 31e are arranged facing the IC tags 10 in odd-numbered columns, while the downstream column antennas 31f to 31j are arranged facing the IC tags 10 in even-numbered columns.

The shielding plate 310 supports the column antenna units 31a to 31j and is made of a metal such as aluminum or a conductive material such as a conductive resin. The shielding plate 310 is positioned close to and parallel to the continuous IC tag 1 being conveyed by the first conveyor 62. The openings 311a to 311j corresponding to the column antenna units 31a to 31j are formed in a zigzag pattern, divided into upstream openings 311a to 311e and downstream openings 311f to 311j. The openings 311a to 311j are elongated, generally rectangular, with the conveyance direction as the longitudinal direction. The upstream openings 311a to 311e differ in shape only at one corner on the upstream side, while the downstream openings 311f to 311j differ in shape only at one corner on the downstream side. In the shield plate 310 , regions formed between the upstream openings 311 a to 311 e and between the downstream openings 311 f to 311 j serve as interference prevention regions for preventing mutual communication interference.

9 and 10 , column antennas 31a to 31j are composed of a printed circuit board 312 having a shape substantially identical to openings 311a to 311j, a loop antenna element 313 formed on the bottom surface of printed circuit board 312, an antenna terminal 314 provided upright on the upper surface opposite to loop antenna element 313 at the end of printed circuit board 312, a ferrite sheet 315, and an antenna case 316 covering printed circuit board 312 from the top. The shape of printed circuit board 312 differs only in one corner, where antenna terminal 314 is provided upright. The antenna housing 316 is made of a metal such as aluminum or a conductive material such as a conductive resin. It has a terminal opening 316a through which the antenna terminal 314 passes. The antenna terminal 314 is inserted through the terminal opening 316a with a ferrite sheet 315 sandwiched between the antenna housing 316 and the printed circuit board 312. A retaining ring (not shown) is attached to the antenna terminal 314, securing the printed circuit board 312 to the antenna housing 316. The ferrite sheet 315 covers the loop antenna element 313 from the top side of the printed circuit board 312, suppressing radiation from the printed circuit board 312. Furthermore, the antenna housing 316 is secured to the top side of the shield plate 310 with screws 317, with the printed circuit board 312 fitting into the openings 311a to 311j. In this state, the surface of the printed circuit board 312, except for the surface facing the continuous IC tag 1, is electromagnetically shielded. The surface of the printed circuit board 312, where the loop antenna element 313 is formed, directly faces the continuous IC tag 1 being conveyed by the first conveyor 62.

Because the openings 311a-311j and the printed circuit board 312 have elongated, roughly rectangular shapes that differ in shape only at one corner, they can be installed in a single orientation. Since the upstream openings 311a-311e differ in shape only at one corner, the antenna terminals 314 connected to the ends of the printed circuit board 312 in the upstream column antenna sections 31a-31e are located upstream. Furthermore, since the downstream openings 311f-311j differ in shape only at one corner, the antenna terminals 314 connected to the ends of the printed circuit board 312 in the downstream column antenna sections 31f-31j are located downstream. Thus, the antenna terminals 314 of the upstream column antenna sections 31a-31e and the downstream column antenna sections 31f-31j are arranged in directions that separate them from each other. This prevents interference between the antenna terminals 314 of the column antenna units 31 a to 31 e arranged on the upstream side and the antenna terminals 314 of the column antenna units 31 f to 31 j arranged on the downstream side.

Reference numeral 318 in Figures 9 and 10 denotes a non-adhesive coated plate, such as a silicone coated plate, affixed to the lower surface of the shield plate 310 to cover the openings 311a to 311j. If the IC tag continuum 1 is a continuous nameplate temporarily attached to a backing sheet, the non-adhesive coated plate 318 can prevent the nameplate from adhering to the shield plate 310. Furthermore, the non-adhesive coated plate 318 can be affixed to cover the entire shield plate 310, including the openings 311a to 311j on the lower surface.

The third antenna unit 33 is disposed above and opposite the second transport unit 63. The third antenna unit 33 communicates with the IC tag 10 using a different radio wave method from the first antenna unit 31 and the second antenna unit 32. The third antenna unit 33 is used to write identification data to the IC tag 10.

The printing device 4 is a printing unit that prints product and manufacturer data, as well as barcodes encoded with these data, on the surfaces of each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1. Hereinafter, the data printed on the surfaces of the IC tags 10, such as product and manufacturer data and barcodes encoded with these data, will be referred to as print data. Referring to Figure 11 , the printing device 4 includes a printing unit 41, a light fixing unit 42, and a filter unit 43. Referring to Figure 1 , the printing device 4 also includes a second traction paper feed unit 64, a third conveying unit 65, a discharge roller 66, and a fifth negative pressure suction unit 75.

The second traction paper feed unit 64 is located at the farthest upstream position for receiving the continuous IC tag 1 from the pre-processing device 3. Referring to Figure 11 , it includes an endless belt 64c that rotates between a driving roller 64a and a driven roller 64b, and a second traction paper feed drive motor 64d that rotates the endless belt 64c via the driving roller 64a. The endless belt 64c is provided with a feed pin 64e that engages with the feed hole 11 of the continuous IC tag 1. Thus, the second traction paper feed unit 64 rotates the endless belt 64c, causing the feed pin 64e to sequentially engage and disengage with the feed hole 11, thereby traction-feeding the continuous IC tag 1 toward the downstream printing unit 41. Furthermore, the drive roller 64a of the second traction paper feed unit 64 includes a second rotary encoder unit 92 that detects the rotation of the drive roller 64a. A fourth sensor 84 that detects the detection mark 12 on the continuous IC tag 1 is provided between the second traction paper feed unit 64 and the printing unit 41. Thus, the position of the continuous IC tag 1 (IC tag 10 ) in the printing device 4 can be detected based on the detection results of the fourth sensor 84 and the second rotary encoder unit 92 .

The printing unit 41 uses an electrophotographic method, such as laser, that forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum using laser light, develops the latent image using toner, and then transfers the image to the surface of the IC tag 10. The printing unit 41 prints product and manufacturer data, along with a barcode encoded with this data, on the surface of each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1. It also prints the page number in an area near the front end of the page other than the IC tag 10, for example, in the area where the feed hole 11 is formed. The printing method used by the printing unit 41 is not limited to electrophotography; thermal transfer, thermal, or inkjet printing may also be used.

The third conveyor unit 65 is located downstream of the printing unit 41 and includes an endless conveyor belt 65c that rotates between a driving roller 65a and a driven roller 65b, and a third conveyor belt drive motor 65d that rotates the conveyor belt 65c via the driving roller 65a. The third conveyor unit 65 rotates the conveyor belt 65c to convey the continuous IC tag 1 placed on the conveyor belt 65c toward the post-processing device 5 via a downstream discharge roller 66.

Furthermore, a support plate 65e is disposed between the drive roller 65a and the driven roller 65b below the upper conveyor belt 65c, in contact with the lower surface (inner circumference) of the upper conveyor belt 65c. Therefore, when the continuous IC tag body 1 is conveyed from upstream to downstream, the conveyor belt 65c rotates while sliding on the support plate 65e.

A plurality of suction holes are formed along the conveying direction at a position on the support plate 65e that faces the conveyor belt 65c. These holes draw air in due to the rotation of the fifth suction fan 75a of the fifth negative pressure suction unit 75. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes are formed in the conveyor belt 65c. Therefore, the negative pressure of the fifth negative pressure suction unit 75 allows the continuous IC tag 1 to be conveyed in close contact with the conveyor belt 65c.

The optical fixing unit 42 irradiates the surface of the continuous IC tag 1 conveyed by the third conveyor unit 65 with a flash of light, such as a xenon tube, to melt the toner transferred by the printing unit 41 and fix the toner image. This allows the toner image to be fixed in a non-contact manner without damaging the IC tag 10 (due to external forces).

The filter unit 43 is an air filter for removing gas and odor generated during light fixing by the light fixing unit 42 .

The post-processing device 5 verifies that the identification data is correctly written on each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1 and marks any IC tags 10 that have incorrectly written identification data. Referring to FIG12 , the post-processing device 5 includes a fourth antenna unit 51, an embossing unit 52, a fourth conveying unit 67, a sixth negative pressure suction unit 76, a seventh negative pressure suction unit 77, a page number reading unit 93, a fifth sensor 85, a sixth sensor 86, and a seventh sensor 87.

The fourth conveyor unit 67 is located upstream of the post-processing device 5, which receives the continuous IC tag 1 from the printer 4. It includes an endless conveyor belt 67c that rotates between a drive roller 67a and a driven roller 67b, and a fourth conveyor belt drive motor 67d that rotates the conveyor belt 67c via the drive roller 67a. The fourth conveyor unit 67 rotates the conveyor belt 67c to convey the continuous IC tag 1 placed on the conveyor belt 67c toward the downstream embossing unit 52. Furthermore, a sixth sensor 86 is provided between the fourth conveyor unit 67 and the embossing unit 52 to detect the detection mark 12 of the continuous IC tag 1. This sensor is configured to detect when the leading edge of a sheet reaches the area between the fourth conveyor unit 67 and the embossing unit 52. Furthermore, a seventh sensor 87 is provided at the discharge outlet of the embossing unit 52 to detect the detection mark 12 of the continuous IC tag 1. This sensor is configured to detect paper jams, etc., in the embossing unit 52.

Furthermore, a support plate 67e is disposed between the drive roller 67a and the driven roller 67b below the upper conveyor belt 67c, in contact with the lower surface (inner circumference) of the upper conveyor belt 67c. Therefore, when the continuous IC tag body 1 is conveyed from upstream to downstream, the conveyor belt 67c rotates while sliding on the support plate 67e.

A plurality of suction holes are formed along the conveying direction of the support plate 67e at a position opposite the conveyor belt 67c. These holes draw air in due to the rotation of the sixth suction fan 76a of the sixth negative pressure suction unit 76, and the seventh suction fan 77a of the seventh negative pressure suction unit 77. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes are formed in the conveyor belt 67c. Therefore, the negative pressure of the sixth and seventh negative pressure suction units 76 and 77 keeps the continuous IC tag 1 in close contact with the conveyor belt 67c while being conveyed.

The fifth sensor 85 is disposed near the most upstream position in the post-processing device 5 that receives the continuous IC tag body 1 from the printing device 4, and is configured to detect when the leading edge of a page has arrived at the post-processing device 5. Furthermore, the page number reading unit 93 is also disposed near the most upstream position in the post-processing device 5 that receives the continuous IC tag body 1 from the printing device 4. When the fifth sensor 85 detects that the leading edge of a page has arrived at the post-processing device 5, the page number reading unit 93 reads the page number printed by the printing device 4 by imaging the surface of the continuous IC tag body 1.

The fourth antenna unit 51 is disposed above and opposite the fourth transport unit 67. The fourth antenna unit 51 communicates with the IC tag 10 using a different radio wave method from the first antenna unit 31 and the second antenna unit 32. The fourth antenna unit 51 is used to read the tag ID from the IC tag 10 transported by the fourth transport unit 67 and write identification data to the IC tag 10.

Referring to Figure 12 , the embossing unit 52 is provided with a cutter member 53 corresponding to each of the multiple rows of IC tags 10. The cutter member 53 is a marking unit that performs the embossing process by cutting off and bending a portion of the end of the IC tag 10. Furthermore, the embossing unit 52 performs the embossing process by using the cutter member 53 to cut off and bend a portion of the end of the IC tag 10 on which the identification data is not correctly written.

The first antenna unit 31, the second antenna unit 32, the third antenna unit 33, and the fourth antenna unit 51 are arranged opposite the conveyor belt 62c and the support plate 62e of the first conveyor unit 62, the conveyor belt 63c and the support plate 63e of the second conveyor unit 63, and the conveyor belt 67c and the support plate 67e of the fourth conveyor unit 67, respectively. Therefore, in order to maintain good communication between each antenna unit and the facing IC tag continuum 1 (IC tag 10), the conveyor belts 62c, 63c, 67c and the support plates 62e, 63e, 67e preferably have a low dielectric constant that does not change the resonant frequency of the antenna of the IC tag continuum 1 (IC tag 10). Furthermore, since the conveyor belts 62c, 63c, and 67c slide while being negatively pressed against the support plates 62e, 63e, and 67e, respectively, the wear caused by the sliding of the conveyor belts 62c, 63c, and 67c against the support plates 62e, 63e, and 67e is minimized. Furthermore, it is important that the conveyor belts 62c, 63c, and 67c and the support plates 62e, 63e, and 67e have excellent friction resistance (made of a material with a low coefficient of friction) and are not susceptible to static electricity. Therefore, in this embodiment, polyurethane belts are used as the conveyor belts 62c, 63c, and 67c, and POM (polyoxymethylene) plates are used as the support plates 62e, 63e, and 67e.

Next, the configuration of the control unit that controls the operation of the IC tag issuing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 .

13 , the IC tag issuing device of this embodiment includes a conveying control unit 101 , a writing control unit 102 , a printing control unit 103 , an information storage unit 110 , a tag ID reading unit 121 , a first identification data writing unit 122 , a second identification data writing unit 123 , and an identification data reading unit 124 .

The conveyance control unit 101 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM of the conveyance control unit 101 stores a control program for controlling the conveyance of the continuous IC tag 1 . The conveying control unit 101 reads out the control program stored in the ROM and expands the control program in the RAM, thereby controlling the conveying component group (the first traction paper feed drive motor 61d, the first conveyor belt drive motor 62d, the second conveyor belt drive motor 63d, the second traction paper feed drive motor 64d, the third conveyor belt drive motor 65d, the fourth conveyor belt drive motor 67d) and the suction component group (the first suction fan 71a, the second suction fan 72a, the third suction fan 73a, the fourth suction fan 74a, the fifth suction fan 75a, the sixth suction fan 76a, the seventh suction fan 77a) according to the input from the position sensor group (the first sensor 81, the first rotary encoder unit 91, the second sensor 82, the third sensor 83, the fourth sensor 84, the second rotary encoder unit 92, the fifth sensor 85, the sixth sensor 86, and the seventh sensor 87) to convey the IC tag continuum 1.

The write control unit 102 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM of the write control unit 102 stores a control program for writing identification data to each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1. The write control unit 102 reads the control program stored in the ROM and expands it in the RAM to control the communication component group (tag ID reading unit 121, first identification data writing unit 122, second identification data writing unit 123, and identification data reading unit 124) to write identification data to each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1.

The print control unit 103 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM of the print control unit 103 stores a control program for operating the print unit 41 and the optical fixing unit 42. The print control unit 103 reads the control program stored in the ROM and expands it in the RAM to control the print unit 41 and the optical fixing unit 42, thereby printing print data on the surface of each IC tag 10 of the IC tag continuum 1.

The information storage unit 110 is a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and includes a product information storage unit 111 , a page information storage unit 112 , and a reissue information storage unit 113 .

The product information storage unit 111 is a storage unit for storing product information input via a network (not shown) or various recording media. As shown in Figure 14, the product information is a summary of information consisting of the identification data (management number, etc.) written on each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1, the print data (product number, product name, etc.) printed on the surface of each IC tag 10 in the IC tag continuum 1, and the tag ID of the IC tag 10 in which the identification data is written. Furthermore, the tag ID is blank until the identification data is written on the IC tag 10, as shown in Figure 14 (a). After the identification data is written on the IC tag 10, the tag ID of the IC tag 10 in which the identification data is written is shown in Figure 14 (b).

The page information storage unit 112 is a storage unit that stores page information generated for each page of the IC tag continuum 1. Referring to FIG15(a), the page information consists of row and column information indicating the position of the tag ID on the page, the read tag ID, the identification data (such as the management number) written on each IC tag 10 on a page, the print data (such as the product number and product name) printed on the surface of each IC tag 10 on a page, and the tag ID of the IC tag 10 on which the identification data is written. Alternatively, as the page information storage unit 112, a storage area may be secured in the RAM of the write control unit 102 or the print control unit 103 to be used as a buffer.

The reissue information storage unit 113 is a storage unit for storing the reissue information reissued in the latest batch. Referring to FIG15(b), the reissue information is composed of identification data that failed to be written to the IC tag 10 and corresponding print data (product number, product name, etc.).

The tag ID reader 121 is a reader/writer that uses the first antenna 31 to read the tag ID from the IC tag 10 of the continuous IC tag body 1 conveyed by the first conveyor 62 by electromagnetic induction. Furthermore, the tag ID reader 121 is configured to have the function of communicating with the IC tag 10 using multiple frequency channels with different frequencies, with different frequency channels being used at least for the adjacent columns of antennas 31a to 31j in the width direction and the diagonal direction.

The first identification data writing unit 122 is a reader/writer that uses the second antenna unit 32 to write identification data to the IC tags 10 of the continuous IC tag body 1 conveyed by the first conveyor unit 62 by electromagnetic induction. Furthermore, the first identification data writing unit 122 is configured to have the function of communicating with the IC tags 10 using multiple channels with different frequencies, with different channels being used at least for the adjacent column antenna units 32a to 32j in the width direction and the diagonal direction.

The second identification data writing unit 123 is a reader/writer that uses the third antenna unit 33 to write identification data into the IC tags 10 of the IC tag continuum 1 conveyed by the second conveying unit 63 by radio waves.

The identification data reading unit 124 is a reader/writer that uses the fourth antenna unit 51 to read the tag ID and identification data from the IC tags 10 of the IC tag continuum 1 conveyed by the fourth conveyance unit 67 by radio waves.

Next, the issuing operation of the IC tag issuing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16 to FIG. 18 .

When the IC tag continuum 1 is placed on the first traction paper feed unit 61 and a start button (not shown) is pressed, the conveyance control unit 101 controls the conveyance component group (the first traction paper feed drive motor 61d, the first conveyor belt drive motor 62d, the second conveyor belt drive motor 63d, the second traction paper feed drive motor 64d, the third conveyor belt drive motor 65d, and the fourth conveyor belt drive motor 67d) to convey the IC tag continuum 1. Furthermore, in the IC tag issuing apparatus of this embodiment, the conveyance of the IC tag continuum 1 is based on the printing speed of the printing device 4. In the pre-processing device 3 and the post-processing device 5, the IC tag continuum 1 is continuously conveyed and subjected to a series of processes.

16 , the conveyance control unit 101 waits for detection of the detection mark 12 by the first sensor 81 provided near the first traction paper feed unit 61 (step A01). Then, when the first sensor 81 detects the detection mark 12 indicating the beginning of a page, the writing control unit 102 is notified of the detection of the detection mark 12.

Upon receiving notification of the detection of the detection mark 12, the write control unit 102 generates blank page information (step A02). Next, the transport control unit 101 determines the transport distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the first row to reach the upstream column antenna units 31a-31e of the first antenna unit 31 (step A03). Specifically, arrival is determined when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the IC tags 10 in the odd-numbered columns of the first row are within the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 31a-31e.

When the IC tags 10 in the first row reach the column antenna units 31a to 31e located upstream in the first antenna unit 31, the conveying control unit 101 notifies the write control unit 102 of this fact. The write control unit 102 reads the tag IDs from the IC tags 10 in the odd columns of the first row through the tag ID reading unit 121 (step A04), and records the read tag IDs in the page information generated in step A02 (step A05). The data records of the IC tags 10 whose tag IDs could not be read remain blank. Figure 17 (a) shows a state in which the tag IDs of all the IC tags 10 in the odd columns of the first row are successfully read, and the read tag IDs are recorded in the page information.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the first row to arrive at the downstream column antenna units 31f to 31j of the first antenna unit 31 (step A06). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have arrived when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the IC tags 10 in the even-numbered columns of the first row have entered the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 31f to 31j.

When the IC tags 10 in the first row reach the downstream column antennas 31f to 31j in the first antenna unit 31, the conveyance control unit 101 notifies the write control unit 102 of this fact. The write control unit 102 uses the tag ID reader 121 to read the tag IDs from the IC tags 10 in the even-numbered columns of the first row (step A07), and records the read tag IDs in the page information generated in step A02 (step A08).

At this moment, the normal IC tags 10 in the first row are judged based on whether the tag ID is recorded. The write control unit 102 reads the identification data and print data of the normal IC tags 10 stored in the first row from the product information in sequence, and records the read identification data and print data in the data record of the page information in which the tag ID is recorded (step A09). Figure 17 (b) shows that the tag IDs of all IC tags 10 in the even columns of the first row are successfully read, and the tag IDs are recorded in all the data records in the first row of the page information, and the identification data and print data read from the product information are recorded. In addition, the identification data and print data read from the product information and recorded in the page information are controlled by flags, etc. so that they are not read from the product information again and recorded in the page information.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the second row to arrive at the upstream column antenna units 31a to 31e of the first antenna unit 31 (step A10). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have arrived when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the odd-numbered columns of the second row of IC tags 10 have entered the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 31a to 31e.

When the IC tags 10 in the second row arrive at the upstream column antenna units 31a to 31e of the first antenna unit 31, the conveyance control unit 101 notifies the write control unit 102 of this fact. The write control unit 102 uses the tag ID reading unit 121 to read the tag IDs from the IC tags 10 in the odd-numbered columns of the second row (step A11), and records the read tag IDs in the page information generated in step A02 (step A12).

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the second row to arrive at the downstream column antenna units 31f to 31j of the first antenna unit 31 (step A13). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have arrived when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the IC tags 10 in the even-numbered columns of the second row have entered the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 31f to 31j.

When the IC tags 10 in the second row reach the downstream column antenna units 31f-31j of the first antenna unit 31, the conveyance control unit 101 notifies the write control unit 102 of this fact. The write control unit 102 uses the tag ID reading unit 121 to read the tag IDs from the IC tags 10 in the even-numbered columns of the second row (step A14) and records the read tag IDs in the page information generated in step A02 (step A15). At this point, the IC tags 10 in the second row are determined to be normal based on whether the tag IDs are recorded. The write control unit 102 sequentially reads the identification data and print data of the normal IC tags 10 in the second row from the product information and records the read identification data and print data in the data record of the page information that records the tag ID (step A16). Figure 15 (a) shows a state where the tag ID cannot be read from the IC tag 10 in the first column of the second row, and the data record in the first column of the second row is blank.

In addition, the reading of the tag ID in steps A04, A07, A11, and A14 can also be performed multiple times until the IC tag 10 leaves the communication area of the column antenna parts 31a to 31j (the loop antenna element 14a of the IC tag 10 leaves the loop antenna element 313 of the column antenna parts 31a to 31j).

The tag ID reading operation performed in steps A1 to A16 is performed to determine whether the IC tag 10 is functioning normally. Therefore, whether the IC tag 10 is functioning normally is determined based on whether the tag ID is described in the page information.

Furthermore, the time at which the IC tags 10 in the first row arrive at the downstream column antennas 31f-31j of the first antenna unit 31 in step A06 and the time at which the IC tags 10 in the second row arrive at the upstream column antennas 31a-31e of the first antenna unit 31 in step A10 may occur immediately or almost simultaneously, depending on the spacing between the IC tags 10 and the size and layout of the column antennas 31a-31j. In this case, although the upstream column antennas 31a-31e and the downstream column antennas 31f-31j communicate simultaneously, the diagonally adjacent column antennas 31a-31j use different communication channels, preventing interference and enabling reliable communication with the target IC tags 10.

18 , the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the first row to reach the upstream column antenna units 32a to 32e of the second antenna unit 32 (step B01). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have arrived when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the odd-numbered columns of the first row of IC tags 10 have entered the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 32a to 32e.

If the IC tags 10 in the first row reach the column antenna sections 32a to 32e located upstream of the second antenna section 32, the conveyance control section 101 notifies the write control section 102 of this fact. The write control section 102 writes the identification data described in the page information to the IC tags 10 in the odd columns of the first row via the first identification data write section 122 (step B02), and determines whether all writing is successful (step B03). If not all writing is successful in step B03, and there are IC tags 10 for which writing of identification data fails, the write control section 102 extracts the data record (tag ID and identification data) including the identification data for which writing failed from the page information (step B04), and temporarily stores it in RAM, etc.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the first row to reach the downstream column antenna units 32f to 32j of the second antenna unit 32 (step B05). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have reached the continuous IC tag body 1 when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the even-numbered columns of the first row are within the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 32f to 32j.

If the IC tags 10 in the first row reach the column antenna sections 32f to 32j located downstream of the second antenna section 32, the conveyance control section 101 notifies the write control section 102 of this fact. The write control section 102 writes the identification data described in the page information to the IC tags 10 in the even-numbered columns of the first row via the first identification data write section 122 (step B06), and determines whether all writing is successful (step B07). If not all writing is successful in step B07, and if there are IC tags 10 for which writing of identification data fails, the write control section 102 extracts the data record (tag ID and identification data) including the identification data for which writing failed from the page information (step B08), and temporarily stores it in RAM, etc.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the second row to arrive at the upstream column antenna units 32a to 32e of the second antenna unit 32 (step B09). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have arrived when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the odd-numbered columns of the second row enter the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 32a to 32e.

If the IC tags 10 in the second row reach the column antenna sections 32a to 32e located upstream of the second antenna section 32, the conveyance control section 101 notifies the write control section 102 of this fact. The write control section 102 writes the identification data described in the page information to the IC tags 10 in the odd columns of the second row via the first identification data write section 122 (step B10), and determines whether all writing is successful (step B11). If not all writing is successful in step B11, and the write control section 102 fails to write the identification data to any IC tag 10, the data record (tag ID and identification data) including the identification data for which writing failed is extracted from the page information (step B12) and temporarily stores it in RAM, etc.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the IC tag continuum 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tags 10 in the second row to arrive at the downstream column antenna units 32f to 32j of the second antenna unit 32 (step B13). Specifically, the IC tags 10 are judged to have arrived when all of the loop antenna elements 14a of the IC tags 10 in the even-numbered columns of the second row have entered the loop antenna elements 313 of the column antenna units 32f to 32j.

If the IC tags 10 in the second row reach the column antenna sections 32f to 32j located downstream of the second antenna section 32, the conveyance control section 101 notifies the write control section 102 of this fact. The write control section 102 writes the identification data described in the page information to the IC tags 10 in the even columns of the second row via the first identification data write section 122 (step B14), and determines whether all writing is successful (step B015). Then, if not all writing is successful in step B15, and there are IC tags 10 for which writing of identification data fails, the write control section 102 extracts the data record (tag ID and identification data) including the identification data for which writing failed from the page information (step B16), and temporarily stores it in RAM, etc.

In addition, the writing of identification data in steps B02, B06, B10, and B13 can be performed multiple times until the IC tag 10 leaves the communication area of the column antenna parts 32a to 32j (the loop antenna element 14a of the IC tag 10 leaves the loop antenna element 313 of the column antenna parts 32a to 32j).

Furthermore, the writing of identification data in steps B02, B06, B10, and B14 is performed on IC tags 10 whose tag IDs can be read and whose identification data is recorded in the page information. Furthermore, since the writing of identification data in steps B02, B06, B10, and B14 specifies the target IC tags 10, the writing is performed without confirming the tag IDs of the IC tags 10. Furthermore, the time when the IC tags 10 in the first row of step B05 reach the downstream column antenna sections 32f-32j of the second antenna section 32 and the time when the IC tags 10 in the second row of step B09 reach the upstream column antenna sections 32a-32e of the second antenna section 32 may occur immediately or almost simultaneously, depending on the spacing between the IC tags 10 and the size and layout of the column antenna sections 32a-32j. In this case, although the column antenna units 32a to 32e located on the upstream side and the column antenna units 32f to 32j located on the downstream side communicate simultaneously, since different channels are used for communication in the column antenna units 32a to 32j adjacent to each other in the oblique direction, interference can be prevented and communication with the target IC tag 10 can be reliably performed.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection results of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and waits for the IC tag 10 to which identification data was written in steps B02, B06, B10, and B13 to reach the communication area of the third antenna unit 32 (step B17). Then, if the IC tag 10 to which identification data was written in steps B02, B06, B10, and B13 reaches the communication area of the third antenna unit 33, the conveyance control unit 101 notifies the write control unit 102 of this fact. The write control unit 102 writes identification data to the IC tag 10 for which identification data writing failed in steps B02, B06, B10, and B13 (step B18). The second identification data write unit 123 specifies the tag ID based on the data record extracted in steps B04, B08, B12, and B16, and writes the identification data to the IC tag 10.

In addition, the second identification data writing unit 123 uses the third antenna unit 33 to communicate with the IC tag 10 in an electric wave manner, so the communication area is wider than the electromagnetic induction method, but the first antenna unit 31 and the second antenna unit 32 are electromagnetically shielded except for the surface opposite to the IC tag continuum 1, so interference with the communication with the tag ID reading unit 121 and the first identification data writing unit 122 is prevented.

Next, the conveyance control unit 101 determines the conveyance distance of the continuous IC tag body 1 based on the detection result of the first rotary encoder unit 91 and notifies the printer 4 of the arrival of the corresponding page. The printer 4 then detects the leading end of the corresponding page by detecting the detection mark 12 with the fourth sensor 84, prints the page number on the corresponding page, and prints the print data described in the page information on the surface of the IC tag 10 of each page (step B19).

Next, when the fifth sensor 85 of the post-processing device 5 detects the detection mark 12 of the corresponding page, the conveyance control unit 101 notifies the page number reading unit 93 and the writing control unit 102 of the detection of the detection mark 12. The page number reading unit 93 then reads the page number printed on the corresponding page (step B20). The page number is read to identify the page. Therefore, in addition to the page number, a mark such as a barcode can also be printed and read. However, by printing the page number, the user can directly identify the page, making manual inspection easier.

Next, the write control unit 102 reads the tag ID and identification data from the IC tag 10 of the IC tag continuum 1 conveyed by the fourth conveyor unit 67 using the fourth antenna unit 51 via the identification data reading unit 124 (step B21). The write control unit 102 then compares the tag ID and identification data read in step B21 with the page information of the page number read by the page number reading unit 93 (step B22) and determines whether they match (step B23).

If an inconsistent data record exists in step B23, that is, if the identification data described in the page information cannot be read and the identification data is written to an IC tag 10 with a tag ID different from that in the page information, the identification data and print data are recorded as inconsistent data records in the reissue information storage unit 113 as reissue information (step B24). Figure 15(b) shows an example in which the identification data described in the page information cannot be read from the IC tag 10 in the first row and fifth column, and the identification data and print data in the first row and fifth column are recorded as reissue information.

Next, as shown in Figure 14(b), the tag ID of the data record that matches the data in step B23 is recorded in the product information using the identification data as a key (step B25), completing the issuance operation for one page. Furthermore, the issuance operation from steps A01 to B25 is performed in parallel for each page. Furthermore, after the issuance operation based on the product information is completed, the issuance operation based on the reissue information is performed.

The write control unit 102 notifies the embossing unit 52 of the position information of the IC tags 10 whose tag IDs could not be read and the IC tags 10 whose identification data does not match the page information. The embossing unit 52 then embosses the IC tags 10 whose tag IDs could not be read and the IC tags 10 whose identification data does not match the page information and issues them.

Thus, when the issued IC tag continuum 1 is cut and aligned, IC tags 10 in which identification data has not been correctly written can be easily distinguished and replaced with IC tags 10 issued based on the reissue information.

In this embodiment, the IC tags 10 form a page of ten columns and two rows, but the number of columns and rows forming a page can be arbitrary. The number and layout of the column antennas 31a to 31j in the first antenna section 31 and the column antennas 32a to 32j in the second antenna section 32 are appropriately determined based on the number of columns and size of the IC tags 10 forming a page.

As described above, according to this embodiment, an IC tag issuing device is configured to write identification data into and issue multiple columns of IC tags 10 arranged as an IC tag continuum 1, and comprises: a plurality of second antenna sections 32 functioning as write column antenna sections, which are arranged opposite to each column for the multiple columns of IC tags 10, and write identification data into the IC tags 10 by electromagnetic induction; and a third antenna section 33 functioning as a radio wave antenna section, which is arranged on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the IC tag continuum 1 compared to the second antenna section 32, and writes identification data into the IC tags 10 by radio waves. For IC tags 10 for which identification data cannot be written using the second antenna section 32, the third antenna section 33 is used to write identification data.

According to this configuration, even if the conveying speed of the IC tag continuum 1 is increased to produce an IC tag 10 in which the identification data cannot be written using the second antenna portion 32, the identification data can be written using the third antenna portion 33, so that communication processing with the IC tag can be performed at a high speed and reliably, thereby increasing the issuance speed.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the first antenna unit 31 is configured to have a plurality of columns of IC tags 10 arranged opposite to each column on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the IC tag continuum 1 compared to the second antenna unit 32, and to read the inherent tag ID from the IC tag 10 by electromagnetic induction, and the second antenna unit 32 is used to write identification data for the IC tag 10 whose tag ID cannot be read using the first antenna unit 31.

According to this configuration, IC tags 10 whose tag IDs cannot be read can be excluded from the writing of identification data, thereby improving the writing efficiency of identification data and increasing the issuance speed. In addition, in the second antenna unit 32, identification data can be directly written without reading the tag ID from the IC tag 10, thereby shortening the time it takes to write identification data.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the writing of the identification data using the third antenna unit 33 is performed by specifying the tag ID.

According to this configuration, when writing identification data using the third antenna unit 33 , it is possible to precisely identify the IC tag 10 for which writing of identification data using the second antenna unit 32 failed.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second antenna portion 32 is electromagnetically shielded except for the surface facing the IC tag 10 of the IC tag continuum 1.

According to this configuration, interference between communication using the second antenna unit 32 and communication using the third antenna unit 33 can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first conveying unit 62 and the second conveying unit 63 are provided as conveying units for conveying the IC tag continuum 1 while sucking the IC tag continuum 1 on the conveyor belts (62c, 63c).

The second antenna unit 32 is arranged to face the IC tags 10 of the continuous IC tag body 1 conveyed by the first conveyance unit 62 , and the third antenna unit 33 is arranged to face the IC tags 10 of the continuous IC tag body 1 conveyed by the second conveyance unit 63 .

According to this configuration, the IC tags 10 of the IC tag continuum 1 can reliably communicate with the second antenna unit 32 and the third antenna unit 33 in a facing state, thereby improving communication accuracy.

As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples and can of course be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

1…IC tag continuum, 2…loading platform, 3…pre-processing device, 4…printing device, 5…post-processing device, 10…IC tag, 11…feed hole, 12…detection mark, 13…inlay, 13a…substrate, 14…antenna, 14a…loop antenna element, 14b…dipole antenna element, 14c…meander antenna element, 15…IC chip, 21…loading plate, 31…first antenna unit, 31a–31j…row antenna unit, 32…second antenna unit, 32a–32j…row antenna unit, 33…third antenna unit, 41…printing unit, 42…optical fixing unit, 43…filter unit, 51…fourth antenna unit, 52…embossing unit, 53…cutter component, 61…first traction paper feed unit, 61a…driving roller, 61b…driven roller, 61c…endless belt, 61d…first traction paper feed unit Paper feed drive motor, 61e...Conveyor pin, 62...First conveyor section, 62a...Drive roller, 62b...Driven roller, 62c...Conveyor belt, 62d...First conveyor belt drive motor, 62e...Support plate, 62f...Through hole, 63...Second conveyor section, 63a...Drive roller, 63b...Driven roller, 63c...Conveyor belt, 63d...Second conveyor belt drive motor, 63e...Support plate, 63f...Through hole, 64...Second traction paper feed section, 64a...Drive roller, 64b...Driven roller, 64c...Endless belt, 64d...Second traction paper feed drive motor, 64e...Conveyor pin, 65...Third conveyor section, 65a...Drive roller, 65b...Driven roller, 65c...Conveyor belt, 65d...Third conveyor belt drive motor, 65e...Support plate, 66...Discharge roller, 67...Fourth conveyor section, 67a...Drive roller Drive roller, 67b…Driven roller, 67c…Conveyor belt, 67d…Fourth conveyor belt drive motor, 67e…Support plate, 71…First negative pressure suction portion, 71a…First suction fan, 71b…Suction hole, 72…Second negative pressure suction portion, 72a…Second suction fan, 72b…Suction hole, 73…Third negative pressure suction portion, 73a…Third suction fan, 73b…Suction hole, 74…Fourth negative pressure suction portion, 74a…Fourth suction fan, 74b…Suction hole, 75…Fifth negative pressure suction portion, 75a…Fifth suction fan, 76…Sixth negative pressure suction portion, 76a…Sixth suction fan, 77…Seventh negative pressure suction portion, 77a…Seventh suction fan, 81…First sensor, 82…Second sensor, 83…Third sensor, 84…Fourth sensor, 85…Fifth sensor, 86… Sixth sensor, 87...seventh sensor, 91...first rotary encoder unit, 92...second rotary encoder unit, 93...page number reading unit, 101...conveyance control unit, 102...writing control unit, 103...printing control unit, 110...information storage unit, 111...product information storage unit, 112...page information storage unit, 113...reissue information storage unit, 121...tag ID reading unit, 122...first identification data writing unit, 123...second identification data writing unit, 124...identification data reading unit, 310...shielding plate, 311a to 311j...openings, 312...printed circuit board, 313...loop antenna element, 314...antenna terminal, 315...ferrite sheet, 316...antenna case, 316a...terminal opening, 317...screw, 318...non-adhesive coated plate.

Claims (5)

1. An IC tag issuing device, which writes identification data into and issues multiple columns of IC tags arranged as a continuum of IC tags, characterized in that it comprises: Multiple write-to-column antenna sections are configured opposite to each column of the aforementioned IC tags, and write the identification data to the IC tags via electromagnetic induction; and The radio-wave antenna section, compared to the aforementioned plurality of write column antenna sections, is positioned downstream of the IC tag continuum in the transport direction, and writes the identification data to the IC tag via radio waves. For IC tags that cannot have their identification data written using the aforementioned multiple write column antenna sections, the aforementioned radio wave antenna section is used to write the identification data. 2. The IC tag issuing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Upstream of the IC tag continuum in the transport direction, compared to the aforementioned multiple write column antenna sections, there are multiple read column antenna sections that are respectively configured opposite to each column of the IC tags and read the inherent tag ID from the IC tags by electromagnetic induction. For IC tags whose tag IDs cannot be read using the multiple read column antenna sections, the identification data is written using the multiple write column antenna sections. 3. The IC tag issuing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The identification data of the IC tag with the specified tag ID is written using the radio wave antenna section, and multiple IC tags whose identification data writing fails using the write column antenna section can be specified. 4. The IC tag issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The aforementioned column antenna section is electromagnetically shielded except for the surface of the IC tag that faces the IC tag continuum. 5. The IC tag issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The system includes a conveyor unit that simultaneously attracts and transports the IC tag continuum on a conveyor belt. The aforementioned writing antenna section and the aforementioned radio wave antenna section are arranged opposite to the aforementioned IC tag continuum of the aforementioned IC tag transported by the aforementioned transport section.