JP2010042636A - Label making device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label making device capable of simplifying hardware constitution, achieving cost reduction, and also, stabilizing a current to be applied to a light emitting means. <P>SOLUTION: A mark sensor for the label making device 1 includes: a photodiode 127a that emits light in accordance with the supplied current; a photo-transistor 127b that detects the presence or absence of an identification mark PM based on the light emitted from the photodiode and reflected by a tag label tape 109; a CPU 111 that controls a voltage corresponding to the current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a; and a voltage/current conversion circuit 131 disposed between the CPU 111 and the photodiode 127a, for converting the voltage controlled through the port of the CPU 111 to the current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus for producing a label using a label tape.

In a conventional label producing apparatus, a black start mark is attached to a white release paper contained in a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the cartridge holder, and the position of the start mark is distinguished from the white and black boundaries. The configuration to detect is adopted. Such a label producing apparatus uses a reflection type sensor composed of a light emitting diode on the light emitting side and a phototransistor on the light receiving side, the light emitting side only switches on / off of the light emitting diode, and the light receiving side configures the CPU port. This is used to switch the emitter resistance value of the phototransistor and adjust the threshold value for distinguishing the boundary between white and black of the start mark to suppress the variation of the reflective sensor (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-82432 A

  In the above prior art, since the emitter resistance value of the phototransistor is switched using the CPU port, such a dedicated switching port is required separately, and the hardware configuration of the label producing apparatus is complicated accordingly. It was.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a label producing apparatus capable of reliably detecting an identification mark on the basis of a threshold value adjusted according to individual differences of each light emitting means, while being simple and inexpensive.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge holder capable of mounting a cartridge in which a label tape having an identification mark is stored, and the identification mark provided on the label tape supplied from the cartridge. An identification mark detection means for detecting the label tape, a transport means for transporting the label tape, and a print means for performing predetermined printing on the label tape transported by the transport means or a print-receiving tape to be bonded thereto. The identification mark detection means includes: a light emission means that emits light in response to a supplied current; and a light reception means that detects the presence or absence of the identification mark based on the reflected light of the light emitted from the label tape. And a CPU for controlling a voltage corresponding to a current to be supplied to the light emitting means, and between the CPU and the light emitting means, A voltage controlled via the ports of serial CPU, characterized in that it comprises a voltage-current conversion circuit for converting the current to be supplied to said light emitting means.

  Thus, instead of switching the resistance value of the light receiving means on the light receiving side as in the prior art, the current supplied to the light emitting means on the light emitting side is controlled by converting the voltage controlled via the CPU port into a current. is doing. Thus, the voltage-current conversion circuit can control the current to be supplied to the light emitting means in a desired mode according to the individual difference of each light emitting means, and a threshold value for detecting the presence / absence (for example, black and white) of the identification mark Can be adjusted to a desired mode. Then, while reliably detecting the identification mark using a suitably adjusted threshold, the total number of CPU ports used for controlling the light emission state of the light emitting means can be reduced as compared with the conventional one, thereby simplifying the hardware configuration, Cost can be reduced. In other CPUs, since the number of ports occupied by the identification mark detection means is reduced, the number of ports that can be used for other purposes can be increased.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the CPU uses a digital / analog conversion output port as the port.

  As a result, a control voltage is output directly from the digital / analog conversion output port, and the current supplied to the light emitting means through the voltage-current conversion circuit is controlled to a desired mode. Therefore, the CPU to be used for controlling the light emitting state of the light emitting means The number of ports can be reduced, the hardware configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  A third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the CPU uses a pulse width control output port as the port.

  As a result, the voltage / current conversion circuit stably converts the current supplied to the light emitting means based on the pulse voltage output from the pulse width control output port, so that the CPU to be used for controlling the light emission state of the light emitting means. The number of ports can be reduced, the hardware configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the pulse width control is employed, the threshold for detecting the identification mark can be selected more freely than in the conventional method of switching the resistance value.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the input is provided between the CPU and the voltage-current converter, the input is connected to the pulse width control output port of the CPU, and the output is connected to the voltage-current converter. It is characterized by comprising connected analog means.

  Thereby, the threshold value for detecting the presence or absence of the identification mark can be adjusted to a continuous linear desired value, for example, instead of a stepped shape.

  In a fifth aspect based on any one of the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the CPU controls a voltage applied to the voltage-current conversion circuit in accordance with a duty ratio of an output waveform from the pulse width control output port. It is characterized by that.

  Thereby, if it is set as an appropriate duty ratio, the electric current which flows into a light emission means can be variably controlled to an appropriate value, and the threshold for detecting the presence or absence of an identification mark can be made suitable.

  A sixth invention includes any one of the first to fifth inventions, comprising an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna for transmitting / receiving information, and the arrangement pitch matches the pitch of the identification mark. In addition, the apparatus has a device-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information to and from the RFID circuit element provided on the label tape through wireless communication.

  Accordingly, the position of the identification mark can be accurately grasped, information can be transmitted to and received from the RFID circuit element at a suitable position, and the RFID label can be created.

  In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the label tape according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect of the invention, wherein the label tape covers the adhesive layer for attaching to the object to be attached and the adhesive layer for attaching. A material layer, and the identification mark is provided on the release material layer.

  Thereby, a label can be reliably affixed on affixing object by peeling off a peeling material layer at the time of affixing a label. Further, by providing an identification mark on the release material layer to be peeled off at the time of pasting, there is no identification mark on the pasted label, and the appearance can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect an identification mark on the basis of a threshold value adjusted in accordance with individual differences of each light emitting means while being simple and inexpensive.

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

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag generation system provided with a tag label producing apparatus of this embodiment.

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

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 2, a tag label producing apparatus 1 produces a printed RFID label using a tag tape having a RFID circuit element in the apparatus based on the operation from the PC 118. The tag label producing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 having a substantially hexahedral (substantially cubic) -shaped casing 200 on the outer shell, and an opening / closing lid provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 so as to be openable / closable (or removable). 3.

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

  The front lid 12 includes a pressing portion 13, and the front lid 12 is opened forward by pushing the pressing portion 13 from above. A power button 14 for turning on / off the power of the tag label producing apparatus 1 is provided at one end of the front wall 10. A cutter driving button 16 is provided below the power button 14. The cutter driving button 16 is for driving a cutting mechanism 15 (see FIG. 3 described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 2 by an operator's manual operation. When the cutter driving button 16 is pressed, the tag label tape 109 with print (see FIG. 4 described later) is cut to a desired length to create the RFID label T.

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

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 inside the tag label producing apparatus 1 (however, a loop antenna LC described later is omitted). In FIG. 3, the internal unit 20 schematically includes a cartridge holder 6 that accommodates the cartridge 7, a printing mechanism 21 that includes a print head (thermal head) 23 as a printing unit, a fixed blade 40, and a movable blade 41. And a half-cut unit 35 provided with a half cutter 34 that is located downstream of the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41 in the tape conveying direction.

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the internal unit 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the cartridge holder 6 is arranged such that the width direction of the tag label tape 109 with print discharged from the tape discharge portion 30 of the cartridge 7 and further discharged from the label discharge port 11 is the vertical vertical direction. The cartridge 7 is stored. The internal unit 20 is provided with a label discharge mechanism 22 and a loop antenna LC.

  The loop antenna LC (apparatus antenna) has a communicable area on the inner side of the housing 200, and is configured to be able to transmit and receive information to and from the RFID circuit element To provided on the tag label tape 109 with print.

  The label discharge mechanism 22 discharges the tag label tape 109 with print after being cut by the cutting mechanism 15 (in other words, the RFID label T, the same applies hereinafter) from the label discharge port 11 (see FIG. 2). That is, the label discharge mechanism 22 includes a drive roller 51 that is rotated by a driving force of a tape discharge motor 65 (see FIG. 6 to be described later), and a pressing roller 52 that faces the drive roller 51 with the tag label tape 109 printed thereon interposed therebetween. And a mark sensor 127 for detecting an identification mark PM (see FIG. 5 described later) provided on the tag label tape 109 with print. At this time, the first guide walls 55 and 56 and the second guide walls 63 and 64 for guiding the tag label tape 109 with print to the label discharge port 11 and the loop antenna LC are provided inside the label discharge port 11. It has been. The first guide walls 55 and 56 and the second guide walls 63 and 64 are integrally formed at the discharge position of the tag label tape 109 with print (RFID label T) cut by the fixed blade 40 and the movable blade 41, respectively. Are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

  The tape feed roller drive shaft (relative movement means, transport means) 108 and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 provide the transport drive force for the tag label tape 109 with print and the ink ribbon 105 (described later), respectively. Driven in rotation with each other.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  When the cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 6 and the roll holder 25 is moved from the release position to the print position, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are held between the print head 23 and the platen roller 26. At the same time, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. Then, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the tape feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with directions indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. At this time, the tape feed roller drive shaft 108, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 are connected by a gear mechanism (not shown), and the tape feed roller 27, The pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 rotate, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102, and is supplied to the tape feed roller 27 as described above. On the other hand, the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104, and a plurality of heating elements of the print head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 6 described later). As a result, a print R (see FIG. 9 described later) corresponding to the RFID circuit element To on the base tape 101 to be bonded is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 on which the printing has been completed are bonded and integrated by the tape feeding roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a tag label tape 109 with print, and the tape discharge unit 30 ( (See FIG. 4). The ink ribbon 105 that has finished printing on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

  Further, the housing 7A of the cartridge 7 has a detected portion 190 (for example, an identifier such as an uneven shape), and a cartridge sensor 81 is provided at a position corresponding to the detected portion 190 of the cartridge holder 6. ing. The cartridge sensor 81 detects the mounting state of the cartridge 7 and also detects cartridge information relating to the type of the cartridge 7, and the detection signal of the cartridge sensor 81 is input to the control circuit 110 (see FIG. 6 described later). Thus, the control circuit 110 can acquire the presence or absence of the cartridge 7 and the cartridge information. In this embodiment, a white reference cassette for setting the detection threshold value of the identification mark PM and a black reference cassette for setting the detection threshold value of the identification mark PM are prepared as the cartridge 7. For example, the cartridge sensor 81 is configured to be able to detect whether the cartridge attached to the cartridge holder 6 is a white reference cassette or a black reference cassette. The cartridge information includes information such as the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements To in the base tape 101, the tape width, and the tape type (so-called laminate type to which the cover film 103 is attached or other type). It is.

  As the cartridge sensor 81, a sensor that performs mechanical detection such as a mechanical switch, a sensor that performs optical detection, a sensor that performs magnetic detection, or the like may be used. The RFID tag information may be read from the RFID tag circuit element for the cartridge provided in the casing 7A of the RFID tag 7 via the wireless communication.

  Then, information is read or written to the RFID circuit element To by the loop antenna LC with respect to the tag label tape 109 with print generated by being bonded as described above, and then automatically or after the cutter driving button 16. By operating (see FIG. 2), the tag label tape 109 with print is cut by the cutting mechanism 15, and the RFID label T is generated. Thereafter, the RFID label T is further discharged from the label discharge port 11 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) by the label discharge mechanism 22.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the tag label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. In addition, the arrow shown in a figure shows an example of the flow of a signal, and does not limit the flow direction of a signal.

  In FIG. 6, a control circuit 110 is arranged on a control board (not shown) of the tag label producing apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 110 is provided with a CPU 111 for controlling each device, an input / output interface 113 connected to the CPU 111 via a data bus 112, a CGROM 114, ROMs 115 and 116, and a RAM 117.

  The ROM 116 reads a print buffer data in response to an operation input signal from the PC 118, and prints a print drive control program for driving the print head 23, the transport motor 119, and the tape discharge motor 65. A cutting drive control program for driving the printed tag label tape 109 to the cutting position by driving the conveying motor 119 and driving the cutter motor 43 to cut the printed tag label tape 109, for the cut printed tag label A tape discharge program for forcibly discharging the tape 109 (= the RFID label T) from the label discharge port 11 by driving the tape discharge motor 65, and access information such as an inquiry signal and a write signal for the RFID circuit element To are generated. Transmission program and reception circuit output to the transmission circuit Et reception program including processing the input response signal, other tag label producing apparatus 1 controls various programs required for are stored. The CPU 111 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 116. The EEPROM 116A is a kind of ROM whose contents can be electrically rewritten.

  The RAM 117 is provided with a text memory 117A, a print buffer 117B, a parameter storage area 117E, and the like. The text memory 117A stores document data input from the PC 118. In the print buffer 117B, a dot pattern for printing such as a plurality of characters and symbols, the number of applied pulses that is the amount of energy for forming each dot, and the like are stored as dot pattern data. The print head 23 is stored in the print buffer 117B. Dot printing is performed according to the existing dot pattern data. The parameter storage area 117E stores various types of calculation data, tag identification information (UID) of the RFID circuit element To (described above) from which information has been read (acquired), and the like.

  The input / output interface 113 includes a display device 112, a PC 118, the print drive circuit 120 for driving the print head 23, a transport motor drive circuit 121 for driving the transport motor 119, and a cutter motor 43. A cutter motor drive circuit 122 for driving, a half cutter motor drive circuit 128 for driving the half cutter motor 129, a tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 for driving the tape discharge motor 65, and an identification mark PM are detected. The mark sensor 127, the voltage / current conversion circuit 131 that controls the mark sensor 127, the cartridge sensor 81 that detects the mounting state of the cartridge 7, the cutter driving button 16, the transmission circuit 306, and the reception circuit 307. Is connected.

  The transmission circuit 306 (signal transmission means) generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC and controls input from the control circuit 110. Based on the signal, the carrier wave is modulated and an interrogation wave is output. The receiving circuit 307 (signal receiving means) demodulates the response wave (response signal) received from the RFID circuit element To via the loop antenna LC and outputs the demodulated signal to the control circuit 110. The transmission / reception circuits 306 and 307 and the loop antenna LC are connected via an antenna duplexer 240.

  Here, the antenna duplexer 240 is used to transmit and receive information with one antenna. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two antennas are provided corresponding to the transmission circuit 306 and the reception circuit 307. Also good.

  In such a control system having the control circuit 110 as the core, when character data or the like is input via the PC 118, the text (document data) is sequentially stored in the text memory 117A, and the print head 23 is driven by the drive circuit. 120, each of the heat generating elements is selectively driven to generate heat corresponding to the print dots for one line, and the dot pattern data stored in the print buffer 117B is printed, and in synchronization with this, for carrying The motor 119 performs tape transport control via the drive circuit 121. The transmission circuit 306 performs carrier wave modulation control based on the control signal from the control circuit 110 and outputs a query wave from the loop antenna LC. The reception circuit 307 demodulates the response wave received from the RFID circuit element To. Processing of the signal acquired in this step.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration example of the mark sensor 127 and the voltage / current conversion circuit 131 shown in FIG.

  The mark sensor 127 includes a photodiode 127a (light emitting means) and a phototransistor 127b (light receiving means). The photodiode 127a is an example of a light emitting unit, and the phototransistor 127b is an example of a light receiving element. The photodiode 127a emits light according to the supplied current. The label tape described above is transported in the vicinity of the photodiode 127a and the phototransistor 127b. The phototransistor 127b is configured to receive reflected light corresponding to an object (the state of the surface thereof) that reflects the light output from the photodiode 127a.

  The base of the transistor TR1 is connected to the D / A port (corresponding to a digital / analog conversion output port) P1 of the CPU 111, the resistor R1 is connected to the emitter, and the terminal I1 of the interface 131a is connected to the collector. Is connected. In the following description, the D / A port is simply referred to as a port.

  The voltage-current conversion circuit 131 is provided between the CPU 111 and the photodiode 127a of the mark sensor 127, and has a function of converting a voltage controlled via the port P1 of the CPU 111 into a current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a. The voltage-current conversion circuit 131 includes a resistor R1, a transistor TR1, an interface 131a, resistors R2 and R3, and an output terminal AD. The interface 131a has terminals I1, I2, and I3, and has terminals O1, O2, and O3. The terminals I1, I2, and I3 are electrically connected to the terminals O1, O2, and O3, respectively, inside the interface 131a.

  In the interface 131a, the terminal I1 is connected to the collector of the transistor TR1, the terminal I2 is connected to one end of the resistor R2, and the terminal I3 is connected to the power supply VCC. The interface 131a has a terminal O1 connected to the cathode of the photodiode 127a of the mark sensor 127, a terminal O2 connected to the emitter of the phototransistor 127b, a terminal O3 connected to the collector of the phototransistor 127b, and the photodiode 127a. Connected to the anode. The output terminal AD is an output terminal provided between the resistor R2 and the resistor R3, and outputs a voltage divided by the resistor R2 and the resistor R3.

  In the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 configured as described above, the base voltage of the transistor TR1 is controlled by the output of the port P1 of the CPU 111, and the current from the power supply VCC is supplied to the photodiode 127a of the mark sensor 127 according to the control state of the base voltage. Is supplied. That is, the CPU 111 controls the voltage corresponding to the current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a through the port P1, for example, using pulse width control. Therefore, the current corresponding to the pulse width control using the port P1 of the CPU 111 is supplied to the photodiode 127a, and the light emitting state is set according to the pulse width control. Due to the presence of such a voltage-current conversion circuit 131, the current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a of the mark sensor 127 can be stabilized.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To. In addition, the arrow shown in a figure shows an example of the flow of a signal, and does not limit the flow direction of a signal.

  In FIG. 8, the RFID circuit element To is connected to the loop antenna 152 that performs wireless communication or electromagnetic induction and non-contact signal transmission / reception with the loop antenna LC on the tag label producing apparatus 1 side, and the loop antenna 152. And the IC circuit portion 151.

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

  The modulation / demodulation unit 158 demodulates the communication signal received from the loop antenna 152 from the loop antenna LC of the tag label producing apparatus 1, modulates the return signal from the control unit 155, and responds from the loop antenna 152. Send as.

  The clock extraction unit 156 extracts a clock component from the received signal and extracts the clock to the control unit 155, and supplies a clock corresponding to the frequency of the clock component of the received signal to the control unit 155.

  The control unit 155 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 158, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 157, and returns the response signal from the loop antenna 152 by the modulation / demodulation unit 158. Basic control such as control is executed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the RFID label T formed by completing the information writing of the RFID circuit element To and the cutting of the tag label tape 109 with print by the tag label producing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration. FIG. 9A is a top view and FIG. 9B is a bottom view. FIG. 10A is a view obtained by rotating the transverse cross section taken along the IXA-IXA ′ cross section in FIG. 9 by 90 ° counterclockwise, and FIG. 10B is the cross section taken along the IXB-IXB ′ cross section in FIG. It is the figure which rotated the transverse cross section 90 degrees counterclockwise.

  9 and 10, the RFID label T has a five-layer structure in which the cover film 103 is added to the four-layer structure shown in FIG. 5 as described above, and the cover film 103 side (upper side in FIG. 10). To the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 10), the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d constitute five layers. The label tape 109 (see FIG. 4) includes an adhesive layer 101a (adhesive adhesive layer) for application to an application target, and a release paper 101d (release material layer) covering the adhesive layer 101a. The identification mark PM is provided on the release paper 101d. As described above, the RFID circuit element To including the loop antenna 152 provided on the back side of the base film 101b is provided in the base film 101b and the adhesive layer 101c, and the RFID circuit element To is provided on the back surface of the cover film 103. A label print R (in this example, “RF-ID” indicating the type of the RFID label T) corresponding to the stored information is printed. The RFID circuit element To is provided on the label tape 109 so that the arrangement pitch matches the pitch of the identification marks PM.

  Further, as described above, the half-cut line HC is formed in the cover film 103, the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c by the half cutter 34 along the tape width direction. In the cover film 103, a region on the rear end side in the tape longitudinal direction (right side in FIG. 9) of the half-cut line HC is a print region S on which the label print R is printed, and the half-cut line HC is sandwiched from the print region S. The front end side (left side in FIG. 9) in the longitudinal direction of the tape is the front margin area S1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing threshold value adjustment processing by the digital / analog conversion output port P1 of the mark sensor 127 which is, for example, a reflection type sensor. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 represents the contents of control by the CPU 111.

  In step S1, the cartridge sensor 81 detects whether or not the cartridge 7 attached to the cartridge holder 6 is a white reference cassette. When the cartridge sensor 81 detects that it is a white reference cassette, in step S2, the CPU 111 outputs 1.0 V from the digital / analog conversion output port P1. Here, the initial output voltage is set to 1.0 V in consideration of a margin for the VBE on-voltage (0.5 V) of the transistor TR1.

  In step S3, the CPU 111 performs a waiting process for 20 ms. In step S4, the CPU 111 reads the voltage value of the output terminal AD (hereinafter referred to as “AD value”). Specifically, the CPU 111 reads the AD value five times at intervals of, for example, 23 μs, adopts an intermediate value of these AD values, and stores the value in the RAM 117. In the present embodiment, such intermediate values are expressed and handled as AD_W10, AD_W12,..., AD_W40.

  In step S5, the CPU 111 determines whether the output voltage is 4.0 V or less. Here, “4.0V” is an example determined based on 80% of the power supply voltage 5.0V. If it is determined in step S5 that the output voltage is 4.0 V or less, the CPU 111 raises the output voltage by +0.2 V (step S6), and returns to step S3 for execution.

  On the other hand, if the output voltage is not less than 4.0 V in step S5, the CPU 111 displays on the display device 112 that the cassette should be replaced in step S7.

  In step S8, the cartridge sensor 81 detects whether or not the cartridge 7 mounted on the cartridge holder 6 is a black reference cassette. When it is detected that the cartridge 7 is a black reference cassette, in step S9, the CPU 111 outputs 1.0 V from the digital / analog conversion output port P1.

  In step S10, the CPU 111 performs a waiting process for 20 ms. In step S <b> 11, the CPU 111 reads the voltage value (corresponding to the “AD value”) of the output terminal AD. Specifically, the CPU 111 reads the AD value five times at intervals of, for example, 23 μs, adopts an intermediate value of these AD values, and stores the value in the RAM 117. In the present embodiment, such intermediate values are handled as AD_B10, AD_B12,..., AD_B40. Note that the intermediate value is adopted in this way because, when the average value is adopted, if one AD value greatly deviates due to noise or the like, it deviates from the normal value. This is because it stood up.

  In step S12, the CPU 111 determines whether the output voltage is 4.0 V or less. If it is determined in step S12 that the output voltage is 4.0 V or less, the CPU 111 raises the output voltage by +0.2 V (step S13), and returns to step S10 for execution.

On the other hand, if the output voltage is not less than 4.0 V in step S12, the CPU 111 sets 10 as the initial value of the variable n in step S14. This corresponds to an output voltage of 1.0V. Next, in step S15, the CPU 111 calculates a difference AD_DEFn between the AD value AD_Wn of the white reference cassette and the AD value AD_Bn of the black reference cassette. The variable n represents a multiple of 2. That is, the CPU 111 performs the following calculation.
AD_W10−AD_B10 = AD_DEF10
AD_W12−AD_B12 = AD_DEF12
・
・
AD_W40−AD_B40 = AD_DEF40
In step S17, the CPU 111 determines whether the variable n is 40 or less. If it is determined in step S17 that the variable n is 40 or less, the CPU 111 adds +2 to the variable n, and returns to step S15 for execution. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S17 that the variable n is not 40 or less, the CPU 111 executes step S18.

  In step S18, the CPU 111 sets the AD value AD_Wn when the difference AD_DEFn is maximum as the white level, the AD value AD_Bn at that time as the black level, and (AD_Wn + AD_Bn) / 2 as the threshold value, and stores the threshold value and the output voltage in the EEPROM 116A. Specifically, the CPU 111 selects a duty at which the difference AD_DEFn between the AD value AD_Wn of the white reference cassette and the AD value AD_Bn of the black reference cassette is 1.0 V or more and the difference AD_DEFn is maximized.

  In step S19, even if the CPU 111 calculates until the output voltage reaches 4.0V, if the difference AD_DEFn ≧ 1.0V is not satisfied, an error display is performed (step S20). Note that the determination level of 1.0 V may be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag label creation process in step S100.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the cartridge 7 is attached to the cartridge holder 6 based on the detection signal from the cartridge sensor 81. This step is repeated until the cartridge 7 is mounted. If the cartridge 7 is mounted, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S103.

  In step S <b> 103, the control circuit 110 acquires cartridge information regarding the mounted cartridge 7 based on the detection signal from the cartridge sensor 81. As described above, the cartridge information includes information such as the arrangement interval of the RFID circuit elements To on the base tape 101, the tape width, and the tape type (so-called laminate type to which the cover film 103 is attached or other type). Is included.

  In the next step S105, the control circuit 110, based on various information included in the label production instruction signal from the PC 118, print data, print length, communication data with the RFID circuit element To (write data), front half cut Preparation processing for setting the position and full cut position is executed. Convenience can be improved by operating and editing information necessary for this preparation process from the PC 118.

  In the next step S107, an appropriate communication position and an appropriate transmission output between the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To determined in a “maintenance mode” to be described later are read from an appropriate memory (for example, the RAM 117). The proper communication position and the proper transmission output are stored in the memory in step S590 in FIG. 14 described later), and based on this, the communication position and the transmission output are set. The proper communication position here is determined by the transport amount from a print start position (a position where the mark sensor 127 detects the identification mark PM), which will be described later.

  Next, in step S110, when performing communication from the loop antenna LC to the RFID circuit element To in step S110, the control circuit 110 performs communication retry (retry) when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To (access). Variables M and N for counting the number of trials are initialized to 0 (see FIG. 14 described later).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S115, and the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the transport motor drive circuit 121, and rotationally drives the tape feed roller 27 and the ribbon take-up roller 106 by the driving force of the transport motor 119. Further, a control signal is output to the tape discharge motor 65 via the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123 to drive the drive roller 51 to rotate. Accordingly, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the tape feed roller 27, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 104. The base tape 101 and the cover film 103 are The tape feeding roller 27 and the sub roller 109 are bonded and integrated to form a tag label tape 109 with print, which is conveyed.

  Thereafter, in step S120, the control circuit 110 determines whether the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 is detected based on the input detection signal of the mark sensor 127 (in other words, the cover film 103 starts printing by the print head 23). Whether or not the position has been reached). This step is repeated until the identification mark PM is detected. If the identification mark PM is detected, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next Step S125.

  In step S125, the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 120, energizes the print head 23, and the above-described print region S of the cover film 103 (= the substrate tape 101 is equally spaced at a predetermined pitch). The printing of the label print R such as characters, symbols, and barcodes corresponding to the print data generated in step S105 is started on the area of the RFID tag circuit element To arranged in step S105.

  Thereafter, in step S130, the control circuit 110 determines whether the printed tag label tape 109 has been transported to the previous half-cut position set in the previous step S105 (in other words, the half-cutter 34 of the half-cut unit 35 is moved to the front half-cut line). Whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has reached the position facing the HC). In this determination, for example, the conveyance distance after detecting the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 in step S120 may be detected by a predetermined known method (the conveyance motor 119 which is a pulse motor is driven). For example, the number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 is counted).

  This step is repeated until the tag label tape 109 with print reaches the front half-cut position. When the tag label tape 109 with print reaches the front half-cut position, the determination at step S130 is satisfied, and the routine goes to the next step S135.

  In step S135, the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the transport motor drive circuit 121 and the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123, stops driving the transport motor 119 and the tape discharge motor 65, and supplies the tape feed roller 27, The rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the driving roller 51 is stopped. As a result, in the process in which the tag label tape 109 with print fed out from the cartridge 7 moves in the discharge direction, the half cutter 34 of the half cut unit 35 faces the front half cut line HC set in step S105. The feeding of the base tape 101 from the first roll 102, the feeding of the cover film 103 from the second roll 104, and the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print are stopped. At this time, a control signal is also output to the print drive circuit 120, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and printing of the label print R is stopped (print interruption).

  Thereafter, in step S140, the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the half cutter motor drive circuit 128 to drive the half cutter motor 129 and rotate the half cutter 34 to cover the cover film of the tag label tape 109 with print. 103, a pre-half cut process is performed in which the adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, and the adhesive layer 101c are cut to form a pre-half cut line HC.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S145, and the control circuit 110 resumes the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print by rotating the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 in the same manner as in step S115. In the same manner as in step S125, the print head 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  In the next step S200, the control circuit 110 performs tag access processing. That is, when the RFID circuit element To is conveyed to the communication position (that is, the position where the RFID circuit element To and the loop antenna LC are in the proper communication positional relationship set in step S107), the conveyance and printing are stopped to transmit / receive information. Thereafter, conveyance and printing are resumed to complete printing (see FIG. 13 described later).

  When step S200 is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S155 (at this time, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print has been resumed in step S200). In step S155, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the printed tag label tape 109 has been transported to the full cut position (in other words, the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 has been printed to a position directly opposite the full cut position set in step S105). It is determined whether the tag label tape 109 has arrived. The determination at this time may be performed in the same manner as described above, for example, by detecting the transport distance after detecting the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 in the above-described step S120 by a predetermined known method (a transport motor that is a pulse motor). The number of pulses output from the conveyance motor drive circuit 121 that drives 119 is counted). The determination is not satisfied until the full cut position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the full cut position is reached, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the next step S160.

  In step S160, the control circuit 110 stops the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 in the same manner as in step S135, and stops the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print. Thereby, the base tape 101 is fed from the first roll 102 and the cover film 103 is fed from the second roll 104 with the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15 facing the full cut position set in step S105. , And the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print is stopped.

  After that, in step S165, the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the cutter motor drive circuit 122 to drive the cutter motor 43, and rotates the movable blade 41 of the cutting mechanism 15, so that the tag label tape 109 with print is printed. The cover film 103, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101a, the base film 101b, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 101c, and the release paper 101d are all cut (divided) to form a full cut process. A label-like RFID tag T that is separated from the printed tag label tape 109 by the cutting mechanism 15 and has predetermined RFID tag information written on the RFID circuit element To and corresponding printing is performed. Generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S170, and the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the tape discharge motor drive circuit 123, restarts the drive of the tape discharge motor 65, and rotates the drive roller 51. As a result, the transport by the driving roller 51 is resumed, and the RFID label T generated in the label shape in step S165 is transported toward the label discharge port 11 and discharged from the label discharge port 11 to the outside of the apparatus. Exit.

  The above-mentioned flow is not intended to limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-mentioned flow, and the procedure may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the tag access process in step S200 described above.

  First, in step S210, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been conveyed to an appropriate communication position with the loop antenna LC set in step S107 described above. Similarly to step S130 of FIG. 12 described above, this determination also causes the transport distance after detecting the identification mark PM of the base tape 101 in step S120 to reach the appropriate communication position (transport amount) set in step S107. It is performed by detecting whether or not it has been performed by a predetermined known method.

  This step is repeated until the printed tag label tape 109 reaches the communication position. When the printed tag label tape 109 reaches the communication position, the determination at step S210 is satisfied, and the routine proceeds to the next step S220.

  In step S220, the control circuit 110 stops the rotation of the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 in the same manner as in step S135, and the loop antenna LC is substantially aligned with the RFID circuit element To. In this state, the transport of the tag label tape 109 with print stops. Further, the energization of the print head 23 is stopped, and the printing of the label print R is stopped (interrupted).

  Subsequently, in step S400, the control circuit 110 transmits / receives information by wireless communication between the loop antenna LC and the RFID circuit element To, and the above-described IC circuit unit 151 of the RFID circuit element To is shown in FIG. An information transmission / reception process (refer to FIG. 14 described later for details) is performed in which the information created in step S105 is written (or the information stored in advance in the IC circuit unit 151 is read).

  In the next step S240, the control circuit 110 restarts the conveyance of the tag label tape 109 with print by rotating the tape feeding roller 27, the ribbon take-up roller 106, and the driving roller 51 in the same manner as in step S145 of FIG. At the same time, the print head 23 is energized to resume the printing of the label print R.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S250, and the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the tag label tape 109 with print has been transported to the aforementioned print end position (calculated in step S105 in FIG. 12). The determination at this time may also be performed by a predetermined known method, for example, after the detection of the identification mark PM in step S120, as described above. The determination is not satisfied until the print end position is reached, and this procedure is repeated. When the print end position is reached, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to the next Step S260.

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

  The above-mentioned flow is not intended to limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-mentioned flow, and the procedure may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the information transmission / reception process in step S400 described above. Note that the control circuit 110 performs control such that transmission of various signals to the RFID circuit element To in this flow is performed with the transmission output set in step S107 described above.

  In FIG. 14, first, in step S405, the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the transmission circuit 306, and obtains an inquiry signal (in this example, a tag ID read command) for acquiring ID information stored in the RFID circuit element To. As a signal), the interrogation wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written through the loop antenna LC. Thereby, the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is initialized.

  Thereafter, in step S415, the control circuit 110 receives the reply signal (including the tag ID) transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To as a write target in response to the tag ID read command signal via the loop antenna LC. The data is taken in via the receiving circuit 307.

  Next, in step S420, the control circuit 110 determines whether or not the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To has been normally read based on the received reply signal.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S425, 1 is added to M, and it is further determined in step S430 whether M has reached 5. If M is less than 5, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S405 and the same procedure is repeated. If M has reached 5, the process proceeds to step S437, and the control circuit 110 outputs an error display signal to the PC 118, causes the corresponding writing failure (error) display to be performed, and ends this routine. In this way, even if initialization is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S420 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S440, and the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the transmission circuit 306, specifies the tag ID read in step S415, and sets the desired tag as desired. Is transmitted as a signal (in this example, a Write command signal) to the memory unit 157, a query wave having been subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as an information write target via the loop antenna LC, and information is written. .

  Thereafter, in step S445, the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the transmission circuit 306, designates the tag ID read in step S415, and reads out the data recorded in the memory unit 157 of the corresponding tag (this example) Then, the interrogation wave having been subjected to the predetermined modulation is transmitted as a Read command signal) to the RFID circuit element To as the information writing target via the loop antenna LC to prompt a reply. Thereafter, in step S450, the control circuit 110 receives the reply signal transmitted from the RFID tag circuit element To to be written in response to the Read command signal via the loop antenna LC, and takes it in via the reception circuit 307.

  Next, in step S455, the control circuit 110 confirms the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To based on the received reply signal, and a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Using the Redundancy Check or the like, it is determined whether or not the above-described predetermined information transmitted is normally stored in the memory unit 157.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S460, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S465 whether N has reached 5. If N is less than 5, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S440 and the same procedure is repeated. When N reaches 5, the process proceeds to step S437 described above, and the control circuit 110 outputs an error display signal to the PC 118 to display a corresponding writing failure (error), and ends this routine. In this way, even if information writing is not successful, retry is performed up to five times.

  When the determination in step S455 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S470, and the control circuit 110 outputs a control signal to the transmission circuit 306, specifies the tag ID read in step S415, and stores it in the memory unit 157 of the corresponding tag. The interrogation wave having been subjected to predetermined modulation as a signal for prohibiting overwriting of the recorded data (in this example, a lock command signal) is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To as the information write target via the loop antenna LC, and the RFID tag Writing new information to the circuit element To is prohibited. As a result, the writing of the RFID tag information to the RFID tag circuit element To to be written is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S480, in which the control circuit 110 prints the information written in the RFID circuit element To in step S440 and the label print R that has already been printed in the print area S by the print head 23 corresponding to this information. The combination with the information is output via the communication line NW and stored in the information server IS or the route server RS. This stored data is stored and held in the database of each server IS, RS, for example, so that it can be referred to from the PC 118 as necessary. This routine is completed as described above.

  The above-mentioned flow is not intended to limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-mentioned flow, and the procedure may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention.

  Further, the case has been described above in which the RFID tag information is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To and written to the IC circuit unit 151 to create the RFID label T. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and predetermined RFID tag information is previously provided. May read the RFID tag information from the read-only RFID circuit element To that is stored and held in a non-rewritable manner, and print the corresponding tag to create the RFID label T.

  In this case, step S440 to step S470 in FIG. 14 may be omitted, and the tag ID and the wireless tag information may be acquired based on the reply signal in step S415. Thereafter, in step S480, the combination of the print information and the read RFID tag information is stored.

  FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 shown in FIG. This process represents an identification mark detection process performed after the threshold adjustment process described above.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the CPU 111 reads adjustment data for each apparatus from time T1 through communication with the EEPROM 116A. Note that the adjustment data referred to here represents a threshold value that has been adjusted in the threshold value adjustment process described above.

  At time T2, the CPU 111 starts outputting “H” as shown in FIG. 15B by analog output using the digital / analog conversion output port P1. At this time, the analog output is less than the maximum voltage. Then, a predetermined voltage is applied to the base of the transistor TR1, and the transistor TR1 is turned on, and a current flows between its collector and emitter as shown in FIG. The mark sensor 127 is supplied with current by applying a voltage from the power supply VCC to the emitter of the phototransistor 127b via the interface 131a. The phototransistor 127b detects reflected light of the light output from the photodiode 127a.

  When the identification mark PM arrives as shown in FIG. 15 (e), the CPU 111 determines that the phototransistor 127b of the mark sensor 127 is in response to the presence of the identification mark PM at time T3 as shown in FIG. 15 (d). As the output voltage changes, the output voltage changes according to the presence of the identification mark PM at time T4. Then, the CPU 111 can detect the presence of the identification mark PM according to the output of the phototransistor 127b of the mark sensor 127 using the threshold value adjusted individually as described above.

  Thereafter, at time T5, the CPU 111 sets the output from the digital / analog conversion output port P1 to the L level to turn off the transistor TR1 (corresponding to “D / A output stop” in the figure), and the phototransistor 127b is turned on. The current is not supplied and the function of the phototransistor 127b is stopped (corresponding to “sensor OFF” in the drawing).

  Note that the above flowchart does not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above flow, and procedures may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention.

  In the present embodiment, the label producing apparatus 1 includes a cartridge holder 6 in which a cartridge 7 in which a label tape 109 having an identification mark PM is accommodated can be mounted, and an identification provided on the label tape 109 supplied from the cartridge 7. A mark sensor 127 (identification mark detection means) for detecting the mark PM, a transport means for transporting the label tape 109, a label tape 109 transported by the transport means, or a print-receiving tape to be bonded thereto is predetermined. The mark sensor 127 includes a photodiode 127a (light emitting means) that emits light in response to a supplied current and reflected light from the emitted label tape 109. Phototransistor 127b (light receiving means) for detecting the presence or absence of PM, and a photo die The CPU 111 controls the voltage corresponding to the current to be supplied to the node 127a, and is provided between the CPU 111 and the photodiode 127a, and the voltage controlled via the port of the CPU 111 is set to the current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a. A voltage-current conversion circuit 131 for conversion.

  Thereby, instead of switching the resistance value of the phototransistor 127b on the light receiving side as in the prior art, the current supplied to the photodiode 127a on the light emitting side by converting the voltage controlled through the port of the CPU 111 into a current. Is controlling. As a result, the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 can control the current to be supplied to the photodiode 127a in a desired manner according to the individual difference of each photodiode 127a, and detects the presence or absence (for example, black and white) of the identification mark PM. It is possible to adjust the threshold value for the desired mode. As a result, the total number of ports of the CPU 111 used for controlling the light emission state of the photodiode 127a can be reduced as compared with the conventional one, while the identification mark PM is reliably detected using an appropriately adjusted threshold value. And cost reduction. In addition, since the number of ports occupied by the mark sensor 127 is reduced in the CPU 111, the number of ports that can be used for other purposes can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 111 uses, for example, a digital / analog conversion output port P1 that outputs an analog control voltage after digital / analog conversion.

  As a result, the control voltage is directly output from the digital / analog conversion output port P1, and the current supplied to the photodiode 127a through the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 is controlled in a desired manner. Therefore, the light emission state of the photodiode 127a is controlled. The number of CPU 111 ports to be used can be reduced, the hardware configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

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

  FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of a tag label producing apparatus according to a modification of the embodiment. In addition, the arrow shown in a figure shows an example of the flow of a signal, and does not limit the flow direction of a signal.

  The tag label producing apparatus of the modification is provided with an RC integrating circuit 132 in addition to the tag label producing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The RC integration circuit 132 is provided between the CPU 111 and the voltage / current conversion circuit 131. The RC integration circuit 132 will be described later.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RC integration circuit 132, the voltage / current conversion circuit 131, the mark sensor 127, and the like illustrated in FIG. Note that the voltage / current conversion circuit 131 and the mark sensor 127 have substantially the same configuration as the voltage / current conversion circuit 131 and the mark sensor 127, respectively, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In this modification, an RC integration circuit 132 is provided, and a pulse width control output port P2 is provided instead of the digital / analog conversion output port P1 of the CPU 111. The pulse width control output port P2 is a type of port for outputting a signal whose pulse width is controlled by the CPU 111.

  The RC integration circuit 132 is provided between the CPU 111 and the current-voltage conversion circuit 131 as described above. The RC integration circuit 132 has an input connected to the pulse width control output port of the CPU 111 and an output connected to the voltage-current conversion circuit 131.

  The RC integration circuit 132 includes a resistor R4, a capacitor C1, and a resistor R5. The resistor R4 is connected in series between the pulse width control output port P2 of the CPU 111 and the base of the transistor TR1. The RC integration circuit 132 has a function of analogizing a pulse width control signal which is an output waveform from the pulse width control output port P2 of the CPU 111. Between the base of the transistor TR1 and the resistor R4, the other end of the capacitor C1 having one end grounded is connected, and the other end of the resistor R5 having one end grounded is also connected.

  The CPU 111 controls the voltage applied to the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 according to the duty ratio of the output waveform of the pulse width control output port P2.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing threshold adjustment processing by pulse width control. In the illustrated flowchart, the description of the same procedure as that of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 described above will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described below.

  In step S2a, the CPU 111 outputs a pulse width control output waveform with a duty ratio (corresponding to the duty shown in the figure) of, for example, 30% from the pulse width control output port P2. Here, considering that the base-emitter voltage of the transistor TR1 is 0.5 V, the minimum duty ratio is 15%, but the duty initial value is set to 30% in consideration of the margin.

  In step S3, the CPU 111 performs a waiting process for 20 ms. The reason why the waiting processing time is set to 20 ms is that the pulse width control stabilization time and the transmission time of the phototransistor 127b are taken into consideration. For example, the pulse width control stabilization time is actually 6 ms, the response time of the transistor TR1 is about 130 μs, and the response time of the phototransistor 127b is about 270 μs.

  In step S4, the CPU 111 reads the voltage value of the output terminal AD (hereinafter referred to as “AD value”). Specifically, the CPU 111 reads the AD value five times at intervals of, for example, 23 μs, adopts an intermediate value of these AD values, and stores the value in the RAM 117. In the present embodiment, such intermediate values are handled as AD_W30, AD_W32,..., AD_W90. The reason why the interval is set to 23 μs is to prevent the same value from being read in synchronization with the period of the pulse width control when it is set to 15 μs or 20 μs.

  In step S5a, the CPU 111 determines whether the duty ratio is 90% or less. When it is determined in step S5a that the duty ratio is 90% or less, the CPU 111 increases the duty ratio by + 2% (step S6a), and returns to step S3 for execution.

  On the other hand, when the duty ratio is not 90% or less in step S5a, in step S, the CPU 111 displays on the display device 112 that the cassette should be replaced.

  In step S8, as described above, the cartridge sensor 81 detects whether or not the cartridge 7 mounted on the cartridge holder 6 is a black reference cassette. When it is detected that the cartridge 7 is a black reference cassette, in step S9a, the CPU 111 outputs a pulse width control output waveform having a duty of 30% from the pulse width control output port P2. This corresponds to the total time of the pulse width control stabilization time and the transmission time of the phototransistor.

  In step S10, the CPU 111 performs a waiting process for 20 ms. In step S11, the CPU 111 reads the AD value (voltage value) of the output terminal AD. Specifically, the CPU 111 reads the AD value five times at intervals of, for example, 23 μs, adopts an intermediate value of these AD values, and stores the value in the RAM 117. In the present embodiment, such intermediate values are handled as AD_B30, AD_B32,..., AD_B90. Note that the intermediate value is used in this way, as described above, when an average value is used, if one AD value deviates greatly due to noise or the like, it deviates from the normal value, thus preventing this. This is because measures were taken to prevent this. The reason why the interval is set to 23 μs is that, in the same manner as described above, if the interval is set to 15 μs or 20 μs, the interval is synchronized with the period of the pulse width control, and the same value is read. is there.

  In step S12a, the CPU 111 determines whether the duty ratio is 90% or less. When it is determined in step S12a that the duty ratio is 90% or less, the CPU 111 increases the duty ratio by + 2% (step S13a), and returns to step S10 for execution.

On the other hand, if the duty ratio is not 90% or less in step S12a, the CPU 111 sets 30 as the initial value of the variable n in step S14a. This corresponds to a duty ratio of 30%. In step S15, the CPU 111 calculates a difference AD_DEFn between the AD value AD_Wn of the white reference cassette and the AD value AD_Bn of the black reference cassette. The variable n represents a multiple of 2. That is, the CPU 111 performs the following calculation.
AD_W30−AD_B30 = AD_DEF30
AD_W32−AD_B32 = AD_DEF32
・
・
AD_W90−AD_B90 = AD_DEF90
In step S17a, the CPU 111 determines whether the variable n is 90 or less. If it is determined in step S17a that the variable n is 90 or less, the CPU 111 adds +2 to the variable n, and returns to step S15 for execution. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S17a that the variable n is not 90 or less, the CPU 111 executes step S18.

  In step S18a, the CPU 111 stores the AD value AD_Wn when the difference AD_DEFn is maximum as a white level, the AD value AD_Bn at that time as a black level, (AD_Wn + AD_Bn) / 2 as a threshold, and the on-duty as PWM duty in the EEPROM 116A. Specifically, the CPU 111 selects a duty at which the difference AD_DEFn between the AD value AD_Wn of the white reference cassette and the AD value AD_Bn of the black reference cassette is 1.0 V or more and the difference AD_DEFn is maximized.

  In step S19, similarly to the above, even if the CPU 111 calculates the duty ratio to 90%, if the difference AD_DEFn ≧ 1.0V is not satisfied, an error display is performed (step S20). Note that the determination level of 1.0 V may be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the RC integration circuit 132 and the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 shown in FIG. This process represents an identification mark detection process performed after the threshold adjustment process described above.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the CPU 111 reads adjustment data for each apparatus from time T1 through communication with the EEPROM 116A. Note that the adjustment data referred to here represents a threshold adjusted by the threshold adjustment processing described above.

  At time T2, the CPU 111 starts outputting a pulse width control signal having a comb-like output waveform as shown in FIG. 19B using the pulse width control output port P2. Then, the RC integration circuit 132 converts such a pulse width control signal into an analog voltage from time T2, and outputs a waveform shown in FIG. The transistor TR1 is turned on when a predetermined voltage reaches the threshold voltage at its base, and current starts to flow between its collector and emitter as shown in FIG. 19 (d). In the mark sensor 127, a voltage is applied to the emitter of the phototransistor 127b from the power supply VCC via the interface 131a, and current is supplied. As a result, the phototransistor 127b starts to detect the light returned from the light output from the photodiode 127a.

  When the identification mark PM arrives as shown in FIG. 19 (f), the CPU 111 causes the phototransistor 127b of the mark sensor 127 to output voltage according to the presence of the identification mark PM at time T3 as shown in FIG. 19 (d). And the output voltage changes according to the presence of the identification mark PM at time T4. Then, the CPU 111 can detect the presence of the identification mark PM according to the output of the phototransistor 127b of the mark sensor 127, using the threshold adjusted as described above.

  Thereafter, at time T5, the CPU 111 sets the output from the pulse width control output port P2 to L level to turn off the transistor TR1 (corresponding to “PWM output stop” in the figure), and supply current to the phototransistor 127b. As a result, the function of the phototransistor 127b is stopped (corresponding to “sensor OFF” in the figure).

  Since the configuration other than the above is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Also in this modification, the same effect as the one embodiment can be obtained.

  In the modification of the present embodiment, the CPU 111 uses, for example, a pulse width control output port P2 that outputs a pulse voltage whose pulse width is controlled by pulse width control, instead of the digital / analog conversion output port P1 described above. Yes.

  As a result, the voltage / current conversion circuit 131 stably converts the current supplied to the photodiode 127a on the basis of the pulse voltage output from the pulse width control output port P2, so that it is used for controlling the light emission state of the photodiode 127a. The number of CPU 111 ports to be reduced can be reduced, the hardware configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the pulse width control is employed, the threshold for detecting the identification mark PM can be selected more freely than in the conventional method of switching the resistance value.

  In the modification of the present embodiment, an RC is provided between the CPU 111 and the voltage / current conversion circuit 131, an input is connected to the pulse width control output port P 1 of the CPU 111, and an output is connected to the voltage / current conversion circuit 131. An integration circuit (analogization means) is provided.

  Thereby, the threshold value for detecting the presence / absence of the identification mark PM can be adjusted to a continuous linear desired value instead of a stepped shape, for example.

  In the modification of this embodiment, the CPU 111 controls the voltage applied to the voltage-current conversion circuit 131 according to the duty ratio of the output waveform from the pulse width control output port P2.

  Thus, if the duty ratio is set to an appropriate value, the current flowing through the photodiode 127a can be variably controlled to an appropriate value, and the threshold value for detecting the presence or absence of the identification mark PM can be made suitable.

  In the above embodiment or a modification thereof, the tag label producing apparatus includes the IC circuit unit 151 that stores information and the loop antenna 152 (tag side antenna) that transmits and receives information, and the arrangement pitch matches the pitch of the identification mark PM. Thus, the apparatus has an apparatus-side antenna LC for transmitting / receiving information to / from the RFID circuit element To provided on the label tape 109 via wireless communication.

  Thereby, the position of the identification mark PM can be accurately grasped, information can be transmitted to and received from the RFID circuit element To at a suitable position, and the RFID label T can be created.

  In the above-described embodiment or a modification thereof, the label tape 109 includes an adhesive layer 101a for attaching to an object to be attached, and a release material layer 101d that covers the adhesive layer 101a for attachment, The identification mark PM is provided on the release material layer 101d.

  Thereby, the label can be reliably applied to the object to be attached by peeling off the release material layer 101d when attaching the label. Further, at the time of attachment, the identification mark PM is provided on the release material layer 101d to be peeled off, so that the identification mark PM does not exist on the attached label, and the appearance can be improved.

  In the above description, a case where a coiled loop antenna is used as the loop antenna LC of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and the tag antenna 152 on the RFID tag circuit element To side and information transmission / reception is performed by wireless communication or electromagnetic induction has been described as an example. For example, a dipole antenna may be adopted as the antenna of the tag label producing apparatus 1 and the tag antenna 152 on the RFID tag circuit element To side, and information transmission / reception may be performed by radio wave communication using the UHF band.

  Further, in the above description, the case where the tag label T is created by cutting the printed tag label tape 109 after printing and access (reading or writing) to the RFID circuit element To by the cutting mechanism 15 has been described. It is not limited to this. That is, when the label mount (so-called die-cut label) separated in advance to a predetermined size corresponding to the label is continuously arranged on the tape fed out from the roll, the cutting mechanism 15 does not need to cut the label mount. After the tape has been discharged from the label discharge port 11, only the label mount (the one with the already accessed RFID tag circuit element To and the corresponding printing) may be peeled off from the tape to produce the tag label T. The present invention is also applicable to such a case.

  Further, the above description has been given by taking as an example the case where the base tape 101 or the like is wound around the reel member to form a roll, and the roll is arranged in the cartridge 7 and the base tape 101 is fed out. It is not limited to this. For example, a long flat paper-like or strip-like tape or sheet in which at least one RFID circuit element To is arranged (the one formed by cutting a tape wound around a roll and cutting it to an appropriate length) Are stacked in a predetermined storage unit (for example, stacked in a tray shape) to form a cartridge, and the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder on the label producing apparatus side, and transferred and transported from the storage unit. The tag label may be created by printing and writing.

  Further, a structure in which the roll is detachably attached directly to the label producing apparatus side, or a long flat paper-like or strip-like tape or sheet is transferred from the outside of the label producing apparatus one by one by a predetermined feeder mechanism, and the label producing apparatus A configuration in which the first roll 102 is supplied to the inside of the apparatus is not limited to the one that can be attached to and detached from the label producing apparatus main body side such as the cartridge 7. It is also possible to provide it. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

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

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

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a wireless tag generation system including a tag label producing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the whole tag label production apparatus structure. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the internal unit inside a tag label production apparatus. It is a top view showing the structure of an internal unit. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a detailed structure of a cartridge. It is a functional block diagram showing the control system of a tag label production apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural examples, such as a mark sensor and a voltage-current conversion circuit which are shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a wireless tag circuit element. It is the upper side figure and bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the RFID label formed after the information writing of the RFID circuit element and the cutting of the tag label tape with print were completed by the tag label producing device. 9 is a diagram obtained by rotating a cross-sectional view taken along the IXA-IXA ′ cross section in FIG. 9 by 90 ° counterclockwise, and a diagram obtained by rotating the cross-sectional view taken by the IXB-IXB ′ cross section in FIG. 9 by 90 ° counterclockwise. . For example, threshold adjustment processing by a digital / analog conversion output port of a mark sensor that is a reflective sensor is shown. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of a tag label production process. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of a tag access process. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of an information transmission / reception process. 8 is a timing chart illustrating an operation example of the voltage-current conversion circuit illustrated in FIG. 7. It is a functional block diagram which shows the control system of the tag label production apparatus as a modification of the said embodiment. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an RC integration circuit and the like illustrated in FIG. 16. It is a flowchart which shows the threshold value adjustment process by pulse width control. It is a timing chart which shows the operation example of RC integration circuit and voltage-current conversion circuit which are shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tag label production apparatus 6 Cartridge holder 7 Cartridge 60 Antenna drive apparatus 101 Base material tape (tape for labels)
108 Tape feed roller drive shaft 109 Printed tag label tape (label tape)
110 Control circuit 111 CPU
127 Mark sensor (identification mark detection means)
127a Light emitting element (light emitting means)
127b Light receiving element (light receiving means)
131 Voltage-current conversion circuit (voltage-current conversion means, identification mark detection means)
132 RC integration circuit (analogization means)
151 IC circuit section 152 Tag antenna 306 Transmission circuit 307 Reception circuit LC Loop antenna To RFID tag circuit element P1 Digital / analog conversion output port P2 Pulse width control output port

Claims (7)

A cartridge holder capable of mounting a cartridge in which a label tape having an identification mark is stored;
An identification mark detection means for detecting the identification mark provided on the label tape supplied from the cartridge;
Conveying means for conveying the label tape;
Printing means for performing predetermined printing on the label tape transported by the transport means or the print-receiving tape to be bonded to the tape;
The identification mark detection means includes
A light emitting means for emitting light according to the supplied current;
A light receiving means for detecting the presence or absence of the identification mark based on the reflected light of the light emitting label tape;
A CPU for controlling a voltage corresponding to a current to be supplied to the light emitting means;
A label producing method comprising: a voltage-current conversion circuit that is provided between the CPU and the light-emitting means and converts a voltage controlled via a port of the CPU into a current to be supplied to the light-emitting means. apparatus. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
The CPU uses a digital / analog conversion output port as the port. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1,
The label producing apparatus, wherein the CPU uses a pulse width control output port as the port. In the label making apparatus according to claim 3,
An analogization unit is provided between the CPU and the voltage-current conversion circuit, an input is connected to a pulse width control output port of the CPU, and an output is connected to the voltage-current conversion circuit. Label making device. In the label producing apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4,
The CPU is configured to control a voltage applied to the voltage-current conversion circuit in accordance with a duty ratio of an output waveform from the pulse width control output port. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna for transmitting / receiving information, and wireless communication with the RFID circuit element provided on the label tape so that the arrangement pitch matches the pitch of the identification mark A device for producing a label, comprising a device-side antenna for transmitting and receiving information via a network. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The label tape is
An adhesive layer for application to be applied to the object to be applied;
A release material layer covering the adhesive layer for pasting,
The label producing apparatus, wherein the identification mark is provided on the release material layer.

Images