A label printer and a label printing method

Abstract

The application discloses a label printer and a label printing method. The label printer comprises a paper bin for accommodating a label roll paper; an RFID reader-writer comprising a plurality of antennas, the plurality of antennas being arranged in at least two non-parallel planes respectively; and a controller for controlling the RFID reader-writer to identify an RFID label arranged on the label roll paper and controlling a printing operation according to an identification result of the RFID label. The application can solve the problem of identification blind area of a single antenna and improve the identification success rate of the RFID reader-writer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of printing, and more specifically, relates to a label printer and a label printing method. Background Technology

[0002] Labels refer to the text, graphic symbols, and all explanatory materials on a product. Labels are widely used in retail, industrial production, express delivery, apparel, office management, and other scenarios. Examples include price tags, product description labels, shelf labels, barcode labels, clothing labels, document labels, archive labels, labels for various items and stationery, and waybills. Users can print labels using label printers.

[0003] Currently, label printers and RFID readers on the market generally only contain a single antenna. For example... Figure 1 As shown, when reading an RFID tag, the current flowing through the RFID reader's antenna changes, generating a magnetic field of varying intensity over time. This change in magnetic field alters the magnetic flux through the coil on the RFID tag, inducing a current in the coil that powers the chip on the RFID tag, enabling normal communication between the RFID reader and the tag.

[0004] However, the size of the RFID tag's projected area on the RFID reader's antenna affects the reader's success rate in recognizing the tag, thus creating a certain blind spot for RFID readers. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the antenna of the RFID reader is not parallel to the RFID tag, and the change in magnetic flux through the coil on the RFID tag is small enough, the induced current is insufficient to power the chip on the RFID tag, causing the RFID reader to fail to identify the RFID tag information. In extreme cases, the antenna of the RFID reader is perpendicular to the RFID tag, at which point normal identification is completely impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects or improvement needs of the existing technology, the present invention provides a label printer and label printing method, which can solve the problem of blind spots in the identification of a single antenna and improve the identification success rate of RFID readers.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a label printer is provided, comprising:

[0007] Paper tray, used to hold label rolls;

[0008] An RFID reader / writer, the RFID reader / writer including multiple antennas, the multiple antennas being respectively arranged in at least two non-parallel planes;

[0009] The controller is used to control the RFID reader to identify the RFID tag on the tag roll and to control the printing operation based on the RFID tag identification result.

[0010] Furthermore, the RFID reader includes two antennas, which are respectively disposed on two non-parallel planes in the outer space of the label roll, and the included angle between the two non-parallel planes on the side of the label roll is less than 170°.

[0011] Furthermore, the tag roll includes a core and a continuous paper wound around the core, the RFID tag is disposed on the curved surface of the core, and the plurality of antennas are arranged along the curved surface of the core.

[0012] Furthermore, both of the at least two non-parallel planes are parallel to the axis of the label roll.

[0013] Furthermore, the plurality of antennas are disposed on the outer wall surface of the paper tray.

[0014] Furthermore, controlling the RFID reader on the RFID tag mounted on the tag roll includes the following steps:

[0015] Configure the activation order of the multiple antennas;

[0016] The RFID reader is controlled to turn on the antennas sequentially according to the specified turn-on order, and turn off the other antennas, until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

[0017] Furthermore, at least two of the plurality of antennas have different areas, and the activation sequence satisfies the condition of prioritizing the activation of the antenna with the larger area.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a label printing method is provided, applied to a label printer, the label printer including a paper tray and an RFID reader / writer, the paper tray being used to hold label rolls; the RFID reader / writer including a plurality of antennas, the plurality of antennas being respectively disposed on at least two non-parallel planes;

[0019] The label printing method includes the following steps:

[0020] Control the RFID reader to identify the RFID tags located on the tag roll;

[0021] The label printing is controlled based on the RFID tag identification result.

[0022] Furthermore, controlling the RFID reader to identify the RFID tag disposed on the tag roll includes the following steps:

[0023] Configure the activation order of the multiple antennas;

[0024] The RFID reader is controlled to turn on the antennas sequentially according to the specified turn-on order, and turn off the other antennas, until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

[0025] Furthermore, at least two of the plurality of antennas have different areas, and the activation sequence satisfies the condition of prioritizing the activation of the antenna with the larger area.

[0026] Overall, compared with the prior art, the above technical solution conceived in this invention includes multiple antennas, and the multiple antennas are respectively arranged on at least two non-parallel planes. In this way, at least two antennas will form a certain angle, which can play a complementary role, thereby solving the problem of blind spots in the recognition of a single antenna and improving the recognition success rate of the RFID reader. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the identification principle of existing RFID readers;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the blind spots in existing RFID reader / writer technology;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic flux when an existing RFID reader identifies a blind spot.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic flux of antenna No. 1 of the RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic flux of the RFID tag on antenna No. 2 in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a label printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] 1. RFID tag; 2. RFID antenna reader; 3. Magnetic field line; 4. RFID tag projection; 5. Antenna No. 1; 6. Antenna No. 2. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0036] In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0037] This invention discloses a label printer and a label printing method. These will be described separately below.

[0038] An embodiment of the present invention provides a label printer, which includes a paper tray, an RFID reader / writer, and a controller.

[0039] Paper trays are used to hold rolls of label paper.

[0040] An RFID reader / writer, comprising multiple antennas arranged on at least two non-parallel planes.

[0041] The number of antennas is at least two, and multiple antennas can be arranged on multiple planes, of which at least two planes are not parallel to each other.

[0042] The example described is an RFID reader comprising three antennas arranged on three planes. Two of the planes can be parallel to each other, while the third plane is not parallel to these two. For example, the three antennas could be positioned on the left and lower planes of the tag roll, and on the right plane parallel to the left plane. Alternatively, none of the three planes can be parallel to each other.

[0043] The controller is used to control the RFID reader to identify the RFID tag on the tag roll and to control the printing operation based on the RFID tag identification result.

[0044] RFID tags can store information such as the type and size of the tag roll.

[0045] Because the multiple antennas of the RFID reader are positioned on at least two non-parallel planes, at least two antennas will form an angle, allowing them to complement each other. Therefore, at least one antenna in the RFID reader will always be able to successfully identify the RFID tag, thus solving the problem of blind spots caused by a single antenna and improving the identification success rate of the RFID reader.

[0046] Furthermore, the RFID reader includes two antennas, which are respectively disposed on two non-parallel planes in the external space of the label roll. The included angle between the two non-parallel planes on the label roll side is less than 170°. When the included angle between the two non-parallel planes on the label roll side is less than 170°, the complementarity of the two antennas can be further improved, thereby further improving the recognition success rate of the RFID reader. Otherwise, the recognition success rate of the RFID reader will be low and will not meet the requirements.

[0047] Furthermore, the tag roll includes a core and a continuous paper wound around the core, the RFID tag is disposed on the curved surface of the core, specifically the inner wall or the outer wall of the curved surface, and the plurality of antennas are arranged along the curved surface of the core.

[0048] Furthermore, both of the at least two non-parallel planes are parallel to the axis of the label roll.

[0049] Furthermore, the plurality of antennas are disposed on the outer wall of the paper compartment.

[0050] Furthermore, controlling the RFID reader to identify the RFID tag includes the following steps:

[0051] First, set the activation order of the multiple antennas.

[0052] Then, the RFID reader is controlled to turn on the antennas sequentially according to the opening sequence and turn off the other antennas until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

[0053] Assuming the RFID reader has N antennas, antenna 1, antenna 2, ..., antenna N, and is configured to activate antenna N first, followed by antennas 1, 2, ..., in sequence, the RFID reader will activate antenna N first and deactivate the other antennas. If the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag when antenna N is activated, the process ends. Otherwise, antennas 1, 2, ... will be activated sequentially while the other antennas are deactivated, until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

[0054] It should be noted that the above implementation method is not the only one; for example, two antennas can also be turned on simultaneously for identification.

[0055] Furthermore, at least two of the multiple antennas have different areas, and the activation sequence prioritizes activating the antenna with the larger area.

[0056] It should be noted that the statement that the areas of the multiple antennas are not completely the same does not mean that all of the multiple antennas have different areas, but rather that at least two antennas have different areas.

[0057] Assuming the RFID reader has two antennas, one with a larger area and the other with a smaller area, the larger antenna will be activated first. Activating the larger antenna first improves the success rate of identification during the initial antenna activation, thus saving identification time.

[0058] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is an example of an RFID reader / writer that includes two antennas.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the RFID reader includes antenna 1 and antenna 2. Antenna 1 is located on the lower plane of the first axis, and antenna 2 is located on the left plane of the first axis.

[0060] After the label roll is placed into the label printer and the cover is closed for inspection, the RFID reader immediately reads the information of the RFID tag. Antenna No. 1 starts working first. When the effective projection area of ​​the RFID tag on antenna No. 1 is large enough, the induced current is large enough and the RFID reader can read the RFID tag normally.

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown, if the effective projected area of ​​the RFID tag on antenna number 1 is small, the induced current is too small, the chip on the RFID tag cannot work properly, and the RFID reader cannot read the information from the RFID tag. Figure 6 As shown, when switching to antenna number 2, since the planes of the two antennas are not parallel, the projection area of ​​the RFID tag on antenna number 2 is large enough, and the induced current is large enough, so the RFID reader can also read the information of the RFID tag normally.

[0062] Regardless of how the consumables are placed, the two antennas complement each other, ensuring that the RFID reader can always read the RFID tag information. Furthermore, the printer recognizes the consumables simply by placing them in, eliminating user waiting time and providing a superior user experience.

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a label printing method applied to a label printer. The label printer includes a paper tray and an RFID reader. The paper tray has a cavity for accommodating a label roll that rotates about a first axis. The RFID reader includes multiple antennas, which are respectively disposed on at least two non-parallel planes.

[0064] The label printing method includes the following steps:

[0065] S701, control the RFID reader / writer to identify the RFID tag;

[0066] S702, control the label printing based on the RFID tag identification result.

[0067] Furthermore, controlling the RFID reader to identify the RFID tag includes the following steps:

[0068] Configure the activation order of the multiple antennas;

[0069] The RFID reader is controlled to turn on the antennas sequentially according to the specified turn-on order, and turn off the other antennas, until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

[0070] Furthermore, the areas of the multiple antennas are not exactly the same, and the activation sequence satisfies the condition of prioritizing the activation of the antenna with the larger area.

[0071] The working principle and technical effects of the label printing method are the same as those of the label printers mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A label printer, characterized in that, include: Paper tray, used to hold label rolls; An RFID reader / writer, the RFID reader / writer including multiple antennas, the multiple antennas being respectively arranged in at least two non-parallel planes; A controller is used to control the RFID reader to identify RFID tags placed on the label roll paper, and to control the printing operation based on the RFID tag identification result; wherein, the label roll paper includes a core, the RFID tag is placed on the curved surface of the core, the plurality of antennas are arranged along the curved surface of the core, and when the RFID reader includes two antennas, the two antennas are respectively arranged on two non-parallel planes in the external space of the label roll paper, and the included angle between the two non-parallel planes on the side of the label roll paper is less than 170°.

2. The label printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The label roll also includes a continuous paper wound around the core.

3. The label printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The at least two non-parallel planes are both parallel to the axis of the label roll.

4. The label printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of antennas are disposed on the outer wall of the paper bin.

5. The label printer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps of controlling the RFID reader and the RFID tag located on the tag roll include: Configure the activation order of the multiple antennas; The RFID reader is controlled to turn on the antennas sequentially according to the specified turn-on order, and turn off the other antennas, until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

6. The label printer as described in claim 5, characterized in that, At least two of the multiple antennas have different areas, and the activation sequence prioritizes activating the antenna with the larger area.

7. A label printing method, characterized in that, An application is made in a label printer, which includes a paper tray and an RFID reader / writer. The paper tray is used to hold label rolls. The RFID reader / writer includes multiple antennas, which are respectively disposed on at least two non-parallel planes. The label roll includes a core, and the RFID tag is disposed on the curved surface of the core. The multiple antennas are arranged along the curved surface of the core. When the RFID reader / writer includes two antennas, the two antennas are respectively disposed on two non-parallel planes in the external space of the label roll, and the included angle between the two non-parallel planes on the side of the label roll is less than 170°. The label printing method includes the following steps: Control the RFID reader to identify the RFID tags located on the tag roll; The label printing is controlled based on the RFID tag identification result.

8. The label printing method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The steps of controlling the RFID reader to identify the RFID tag located on the tag roll include: Configure the activation order of the multiple antennas; The RFID reader is controlled to turn on the antennas sequentially according to the specified turn-on order, and turn off the other antennas, until the RFID reader successfully identifies the RFID tag.

9. The label printing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, At least two of the multiple antennas have different areas, and the activation sequence prioritizes activating the antenna with the larger area.

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