Printer, printer controlling method and program

Abstract

To provide a printer that further efficiently identifies the optimal antenna position.SOLUTION: A printer that performs printing on a print medium with an RFID includes: a communicating unit that communicates with the RFID; and a searching unit which moves the position of the communicating unit in the planar direction of a print medium relative to the RFID at a predetermined interval, and which searches a position communicable with the RFID. The searching unit has: a first mode that determines whether the communication between the communicating unit and the RFID is successful or not while moving the position of the communicating unit at a first interval; and a second mode that determines whether the communication between the communicating unit and the RFID is successful or not while moving the position of the communicating unit at a second interval narrower than the first interval.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer, a printer control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, which transmits and receives information by contactless communication from an IC chip in which identification information is written, is applied in various fields (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that writes information contactlessly to an RFID element and prints on label paper in which an RFID element is built in. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-296669 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, the antenna position is determined based on the first and last positions at which communication with an RFID was successful, and therefore it was sometimes impossible to efficiently determine the optimal antenna position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such technical problems, and has an object to more efficiently identify the optimal antenna position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID includes a communication unit that communicates with the RFID, and a search unit that moves the position of the communication unit relative to the RFID at predetermined intervals in the surface direction of the print medium to search for a position where communication with the RFID is possible. The search unit has a first mode in which the position of the communication unit is moved at a first interval and determines whether communication between the communication unit and the RFID is successful, and a second mode in which the position of the communication unit is moved at a second interval narrower than the first interval and determines whether communication between the communication unit and the RFID is successful, and the printer includes a selection key for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to a printer according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more efficiently identify the optimal antenna position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a controller. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a menu screen. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a best point search process. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a start screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a search result display screen. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of a search process. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of search points in the quick mode. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of search points in a detailed mode. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another example of search points in the detailed mode. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another example of search points in the detailed mode. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart of a best point determination process. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing acquisition of success / failure information at a point of interest. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a best point determination process. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a successful point group in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] The printer 1 is a thermal transfer printer that performs printing by heating an ink ribbon R and transferring the ink of the ink ribbon R to a print medium M. The print medium M is configured as a continuous body ML in which, for example, a plurality of labels are temporarily attached in succession at predetermined intervals to a strip-shaped backing paper and wound into a roll.

[0011] The print medium M is configured as an RFID medium incorporating an RFID inlet 110 having an IC chip C and an antenna A conforming to RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) specifications. Note that the printer 1 can also print on a print medium that does not have an IC chip C or an antenna A.

[0012] The printer 1 prints variable information such as prices, bar codes, other product information, and management information related to goods or services in the printing area of ​​the printing medium M as necessary, and writes information corresponding to the variable information to the RFID inlet 110 as electronic data.

[0013] In this embodiment, as an example of printing medium M, a label that has adhesive on the back side and can be attached to an object using the adhesive will be described; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the medium may be a tag, wristband, or the like that is fixed to the object using a fixing part.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes, for example, a printing mechanism 10, a ribbon supply shaft 20, a ribbon winding shaft 30, a medium supply shaft 40, a communication unit 50, a movable mechanism 200, an upstream position detection sensor 71, a downstream position detection sensor 72, and a controller 60 as a control unit.

[0015] The printing mechanism 10 includes a head unit 11 and a platen roller 12, and performs printing on the print medium M and transports the continuum ML and the ink ribbon R.

[0016] The head unit 11 holds the thermal head 13 with the heat generating elements of the thermal head 13 exposed from the bottom surface. The platen roller 12 is disposed directly below the thermal head 13 and together with the thermal head 13 constitutes a printing unit 15 that prints on the print medium M.

[0017] The head unit 11 is supported by a support shaft 14 so as to be swingable in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. The head unit 11 can be moved between a head open position where the thermal head 13 is separated from the platen roller 12, and a head closed position where the thermal head 13 abuts against the platen roller 12. In Fig. 1, the head unit 11 is in the head closed position.

[0018] The ribbon supply shaft 20 holds the ink ribbon R in a roll shape to be supplied to the printing unit 15. The ink ribbon R supplied from the ribbon supply shaft 20 to the printing unit 15 is sandwiched between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 12.

[0019] The medium supply shaft 40 holds the continuum ML in a roll shape to be supplied to the printing unit 15. The continuum ML supplied from the medium supply shaft 40 to the printing unit 15 is sandwiched together with the ink ribbon R between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 12.

[0020] When electricity is applied to the heating elements of the thermal head 13 while the print medium M and the ink ribbon R are sandwiched between the thermal head 13 and the platen roller 12, the heat of the heating elements transfers the ink of the ink ribbon R to the print medium M, thereby printing on the print medium M. When the platen roller 12 is rotated in the forward direction by a platen drive motor (not shown), the continuum ML and the ink ribbon R are transported downstream.

[0021] When the ribbon take-up shaft 30 rotates through gear connection with the platen drive motor, the used ink ribbon R is taken up around its outer periphery. When the head unit 11 is in the head open position, only the ink ribbon R can be fed by rotating the ribbon take-up shaft 30.

[0022] Below, we will explain an ink ribbon transfer type printer 1 using a thermal head 13, but this is not limited to this.For example, the printer may be a thermal coloring method in which the printing medium M is thermal paper and printing is performed on the printing medium M by applying heat using the thermal head 13.

[0023] The upstream position detection sensor 71 includes a transmission type photoelectric sensor and a reflection type photoelectric sensor. Eye marks for position detection are printed on the continuum ML at a predetermined interval (pitch) corresponding to the print medium M. The reflection type photoelectric sensor detects the relative position of the print medium M with respect to the printing unit 15 by detecting the eye marks. The transmission type photoelectric sensor detects the relative position of the print medium M with respect to the printing unit 15 by detecting the gap between the print medium M on the continuum ML.

[0024] The downstream position detection sensor 72 includes a transmission type photoelectric sensor or a reflection type photoelectric sensor, and detects the leading position of the continuum ML.

[0025] The upstream position detection sensor 71 and the downstream position detection sensor 72 are positioned relative to the position of the printing unit 15, more specifically, the position where the thermal head 13 prints on the print medium M and where the platen roller 12 and the thermal head 13 clamp the continuum ML. The upstream position detection sensor 71 and the downstream position detection sensor 72 can detect the relative position of the print medium M with respect to the printing unit 15 by detecting the position of the print medium M. Eye marks for position detection printed on the continuum ML at a predetermined interval (pitch) corresponding to the print medium M and the gap between the print medium M and the print medium M in the continuum ML serve as references for setting the position where printing on the print medium M starts (print start position).

[0026] Print instruction data from an external computer, detection signals from the upstream position detection sensor 71 and the downstream position detection sensor 72, etc. are input to the controller 60 via the input / output interface. The controller 60 also controls the supply of electricity to the heating elements of the thermal head 13, the supply of electricity to each drive motor, the supply of electricity to the communication unit 50, and communication (reading, writing) with the IC chip C provided in the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M, etc.

[0027] When printing, the controller 60 executes the printing process while aligning the position of the print medium M to be printed with the print start position, as shown in Fig. 1. The print start position is set based on the position of the eye mark on the continuum ML.

[0028] The communication unit 50 has an antenna that sends a signal to the IC chip C of the RFID inlet 110 and receives a response to the signal. The printer 1 is provided with a movable mechanism 200 that moves the antenna, and is configured so that the position of the antenna relative to the RFID inlet 110 can be moved.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the controller 60 of this embodiment.

[0030] The controller 60 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) 51, a ROM (read only memory) 52, a RAM (random access memory) 53, a transport control circuit 54, a print control circuit 55, a paper detection circuit 57, an IO port 59, and a power supply unit 61. These are interconnected via a bus 65, and are configured to be able to transmit and receive various data to and from each other.

[0031] The CPU 51 is a computer that performs overall control of the entire controller 60 and causes each unit to execute required processing and control by executing a program stored in the ROM 52. The CPU 51 realizes the functions of each unit by executing a program stored in the ROM 52. The various programs executed by the CPU 51 may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a non-volatile memory.

[0032] The ROM 52 stores programs that are read and executed by the CPU 51. The RAM 53 stores various information required for the processes executed by the CPU 51, print data required for printing, print formats, registration information, and the like.

[0033] The transport control circuit 54 controls the drive motor that drives the platen roller 12 in accordance with an instruction signal from the CPU 51, thereby controlling the rotation / stop of the platen roller 12. This controls the transport of the continuum ML on the paper transport path.

[0034] The printing control circuit 55 generates a printing signal corresponding to the printing data to be printed, such as characters, figures, and barcodes, supplied from the CPU 51, and supplies the generated printing signal to the thermal head 13, thereby printing on the printing medium M.

[0035] The paper detection circuit 57 detects detection targets such as eye marks and gaps on the continuum ML on the paper transport path based on information acquired by the upstream position detection sensor 71 and the downstream position detection sensor 72, and sends the information to the CPU 51. The CPU 51 controls the transport of the continuum ML and the ink ribbon R by the transport control circuit 54 based on information from the paper detection circuit 57, and also controls the timing of printing by the thermal head 13 to perform printing at an appropriate position on the print medium M.

[0036] The IO port 59 is connected to the display unit 28 and the input unit 27, and outputs display data supplied from the CPU 51 to the display unit 28. The IO port 59 also sends an operation signal corresponding to a user's operation on the input unit 27 to the CPU 51. The IO port 59 also transmits and receives information to and from the communication unit 50, and communicates (reads and writes) with the IC chip C of the RFID inlet 110.

[0037] The display unit 28 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 27 is configured with a touch panel provided on the display unit 28, buttons, DIP-SW, a flash memory interface, a wireless / wired communication interface, and the like.

[0038] The power supply unit 61 monitors whether the power switch is pressed, and turns the printer 1 on and off by switching on and off the supply of power to each unit based on the operation of the power switch.

[0039] The communication unit 50 is configured to include, for example, an antenna 151 and a communication controller 152. The antenna 151 outputs a radio signal based on the control of the communication controller 152, and receives a response to this signal to communicate with the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M. The communication controller 152 controls the power supply to the antenna 151 based on an instruction from the controller 60.

[0040] The antenna 151 is configured to be movable in the surface direction of the print medium M (the conveying direction of the print medium M and a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) by the movable mechanism 200. This allows the antenna 151 to be moved to a position corresponding to the position of the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M that is at the print start position.

[0041] Next, a description will be given of the print medium M. Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating a continuum ML including the print medium M.

[0042] The continuum ML is composed of, for example, a belt-shaped backing 107 and a plurality of label pieces (print medium M) temporarily attached onto the backing 107.

[0043] An eye mark 109 for position detection is printed in advance on the back side of the mount 107 at a position corresponding to the leading edge on the downstream side in the transport direction of the print medium M. A gap 120 is provided between adjacent print media M.

[0044] The eyemark 109 is printed in a predetermined rectangular shape in a dark color (e.g., black) compared to the backing paper 107. The upstream position detection sensor 71 can set the print start position by detecting the position of the eyemark 109 by utilizing the fact that the eyemark 109 is in a dark color compared to the backing paper 107.

[0045] The gap 120 has a high transmittance because it has only the thickness of the backing paper 107 compared to the portion where the print medium M is present. The upstream position detection sensor 71 and the downstream position detection sensor 72 can set the print start position by detecting the position of the gap 120 by taking advantage of the high transmittance of the gap 120.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID inlet 110 is provided near the center of the print medium M in the transport direction.

[0047] RFID inlet 110 is configured to include, for example, an IC chip C and an antenna A. IC chip C of RFID inlet 110 starts operating when antenna A receives a signal output from antenna 151 of communication unit 50, and outputs a response to this signal via antenna A.

[0048] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the antenna 151 and the movable mechanism 200 of the communication unit 50 of the present embodiment.

[0049] The movable mechanism 200 includes an X-axis moving section 201X and a Y-axis moving section 201Y, which are configured with a stepping motor, a ball screw, etc., provided in the transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "X-axis direction") of the printing medium M and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "Y-axis direction"), respectively.

[0050] The movable mechanism 200 can move the antenna 151 to any position on the print medium M by driving the stepping motors of the X-axis moving section 201X and the Y-axis moving section 201Y based on instructions from the controller 60.

[0051] For example, the X-axis moving section 201X of the movable mechanism 200 is configured to be movable in 25 steps at 1 mm intervals in the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis moving section 201Y is configured to be movable in 29 steps at 1 mm intervals in the Y-axis direction. The antenna 151 can move to each point in a lattice pattern consisting of 25 x 29 steps in a preset search range.

[0052] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the printer 1 configured as above. The printer 1 of this embodiment reads and writes data recorded in the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M, and also prints on the print medium M.

[0053] Here, the position of the RFID inlet 110 on the print medium M may vary due to variations in the manufacturing factory of the continuum ML, differences in specifications between manufacturers, etc. In response to this, by adjusting the position of the antenna 151 with the movable mechanism 200, the position of the antenna 151 can be made to correspond to the position of the RFID inlet 110 when the print medium M is in the print start position.

[0054] Conventionally, a command value was manually input to the movable mechanism 200 while checking the communication status with the RFID inlet 110, and the antenna 151 was moved to a position where communication was possible. With this method, it is necessary to move the antenna 151 every time the continuum ML of the print medium M is replaced. Also, even if communication between the antenna 151 and the RFID inlet 110 is successful, there are cases where the antenna 151 is not necessarily set to an optimal communication position.

[0055] In this embodiment, the best "communication position" of the antenna 151 is searched for based on the success or failure of communication with the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M, and the antenna 151 is moved to the "communication position" obtained based on the search results, as follows. The best point indicates the communication position of the antenna 151 estimated to be optimal for the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M located at the print start position, and is determined by the process described below.

[0056] 5 is a flowchart of the process executed by the controller 60 of this embodiment. First, the controller 60 displays a menu screen (see FIG. 6) on the display unit 28 and waits for an input from the user (step S10). When the controller 60 detects that the user has input an instruction via the input unit 27, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0057] In step S20, the controller 60 determines whether or not the user has selected "New Search" on the menu screen shown in Fig. 6. If "New Search" has been selected, the process proceeds to step S50. If not, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0058] In step S30, the controller 60 determines whether or not the user has selected "Past History Information" on the menu screen shown in Fig. 6. If "Past History Information" has been selected, the process proceeds to step S50. If not, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0059] The past history information is information on the best point determined by the best point search process in the past (e.g., label type, RFID inlet type, coordinates of the best point, antenna radio wave output strength, etc.), which can be read from the recording area and reused. For example, when the continuum ML is changed to another type and then returned to the original continuum ML, it is possible to shorten the best point search process by reusing information on the best point of the original continuum ML on the print medium M.

[0060] In step S40, the controller 60 judges whether or not a distribution file (tag model information) has been selected by the user on the menu screen shown in Fig. 6. If a distribution file has been selected, the process proceeds to step S50. If not, the process returns to step S10 and repeats the process.

[0061] The distribution file is supplied with information about the best point (e.g., label type, RFID inlet type, coordinates of the best point (position in the X-axis direction, position in the Y-axis direction), antenna radio wave output strength (writing strength, reading strength), etc.) as tag model information about the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M of the continuum ML when the continuum ML is shipped from the factory. A user can shorten the process of searching for the best point by storing the distribution file in the memory area of ​​the printer 1 via a memory card, wireless communication, etc. and acquiring information about the best point from the distribution file.

[0062] If a new search is selected in step S20, if past history information is selected in step S30, or if a distribution file is selected in step S40, the process proceeds to step S50, where a best point search process is executed to search for the best point of the antenna 151 relative to the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M. The best point search process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

[0063] After the best point search process in step S50, the controller 60 acquires the best point of the antenna 151 as the "communication position". At this time, the controller 60 also acquires the radio wave output strength of the antenna 151 at the best point. The controller 60 associates the acquired "communication position" with the "radio wave output strength" and temporarily stores them in a storage area of ​​the RAM 53 (step S60).

[0064] Next, the process proceeds to step S70, where the controller 60 moves the antenna 151 to the "communication position" which is the best point by the movable mechanism 200. At this time, the output strength of the radio wave output by the antenna 151 may be set.

[0065] By this process, the antenna 151 is moved to the best position, so that the position of the antenna 151 can be set to the most appropriate position for communicating with the RFID inlet 110 .

[0066] 6 shows a menu screen displayed on the display unit 28 in step S10. The menu screen shows, for example, a new search key for selecting execution of a "new search", a past history information key for selecting "past history information", a distribution file key for selecting a "distribution file", and information on the currently set antenna 151. The new search key also includes a selection key for setting the search mode to either a quick mode or a detailed mode. The search mode will be described in FIG. 7.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the best point search process of this embodiment, showing details of the process of step S50 in FIG.

[0068] When a new search is selected by the user, the search unit executes the process of this flowchart. The search unit is a virtual configuration in which the controller 60 executes a process of searching for the best point by reading a program stored in the ROM 52 or the like.

[0069] First, the search unit causes the display unit 28 to display a start screen (see FIG. 8) that displays the current position of the antenna 151, the radio wave output strength, and the like (step S110).

[0070] The search unit determines whether or not the start key on the start screen is operated by the user (step S120). If the start key is not operated, the process proceeds to step S190, where the controller 60 determines whether or not the cancel key on the start screen is operated by the user.

[0071] If the cancel key is operated, the process according to this flowchart ends, and the process returns to step S10 in Fig. 5. If the cancel key is not operated, the process returns to step S110 and repeats the process.

[0072] In step S120, if the input unit 27 detects that the start key has been operated, the search unit proceeds to step S130, moves the antenna 151 to a predetermined position by the movable mechanism 200, and executes a search process to determine whether communication with the RFID inlet 110 has been successful. Details of the search process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0073] The printer 1 of this embodiment has two search modes: a "quick mode (first mode)" and a "detailed mode (second mode)." The "quick mode" is a mode that performs processing faster (in a short time) by reducing (sparsely scattering) the number of search points. The "detailed mode" takes longer than the quick mode, but is a mode that performs a more detailed search by increasing (densely scattering) the number of search points as much as possible.

[0074] The mode in which the search is to be performed is selected by the user on the menu screen of FIG.

[0075] Next, the process proceeds to step S140, where the search unit executes a best point determination process for determining, from the process result of S130, the best point for the RFID inlet 110. Details of the best point determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0076] After the best point determination process, the process proceeds to step S150, where the search unit displays the results of the best point determination process, that is, the position of the best point and the radio wave output strength at the best point, etc., on the search result display screen (see FIG. 9).

[0077] Next, the search unit judges whether or not the search again key on the search result display screen is operated by the user (step S160). If the search again key is not operated, the process proceeds to step S170, where the controller 60 judges whether or not the end key on the search result display screen is operated by the user. If the end key is not operated, the process returns to step S160.

[0078] If the end key is operated, the process according to this flowchart ends and the process returns to the flowchart in FIG.

[0079] 8 shows a start screen displayed on the display unit 28 in step S110. The start screen shows, for example, the current position (X-axis, Y-axis) of the antenna 151, the size of the RFID inlet 110, and the radio wave output strength of the signal output by the antenna 151. A default value (recommended value) is set in advance for the radio wave output strength, but increase and decrease keys are provided so that the radio wave output strength can be varied by the user. Furthermore, the start screen has, for example, a cancel key and a start key.

[0080] FIG. 9 shows the search result display screen displayed on the display unit 28 in step S150 of FIG.

[0081] The search result display screen shows, for example, the best point position of antenna 151, unique information of RFID inlet 110, the radio wave output signal of antenna 151, and the radio wave intensity (RSSI value) of RFID inlet 110. The RSSI value is shown, for example, by a bar graph, and the color of the graph changes depending on the strength of the signal. Furthermore, the search result display screen has, for example, an end key and a search again key.

[0082] The user refers to the search result display screen and performs a search again if necessary. For example, if the user determines that the RSSI value is higher or lower than the desired value, the user can operate the search again key to return to the start screen of Fig. 8 and manually change the radio wave output strength of the antenna 151.

[0083] The search result display screen shown in FIG. 9 may be configured to display information at a search point in real time on display unit 28 each time a determination is made as to whether communication at a search point has been successful in the process described below.

[0084] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the search process in step S130 of FIG.

[0085] The search unit transfers information such as the success or failure of the search point and the radio wave output strength currently stored in the storage area to an area in which past history information is stored, and then initializes (step S210). Here, the search unit moves the antenna 151 to the home position by the movable mechanism 200. The home position can be set, for example, to the start point of the X axis and the center position of the Y axis (for example, search point D in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12).

[0086] Next, the process proceeds to step S220, where the search unit attempts to communicate with RFID inlet 110 at the current search point (the home position for the first time) and determines whether the communication is successful. If the communication with RFID inlet 110 is successful, the radio wave output strength of antenna 151 at the current search point and the radio wave strength (RSSI value) received from RFID inlet 110 are obtained, and information such as the coordinate position of the search point, whether the communication was successful, the radio wave output strength, and the RSSI value are recorded in the recording area of ​​RAM 53.

[0087] Next, the process proceeds to step S230, where the searching unit moves antenna 151 in the X-axis direction (for example, the direction of arrow E in FIG. 11) to the next search point. In the detailed mode, the interval between search points can be set small, and in the quick mode, the interval between search points can be set larger than in the detailed mode.

[0088] Next, the process proceeds to step S240, where the search unit determines whether or not the end of the search points in the X-axis direction has been reached. If the end of the search points in the X-axis direction has been reached, the process proceeds to step S250, where the search unit moves the antenna 151 to a search point in the Y-axis direction (for example, arrow F in FIG. 11). Note that if the search has already been completed, the antenna 151 may be moved to, for example, an adjacent search point (arrow G in FIG. 11).

[0089] Next, the process proceeds to step S260, where the search unit determines whether or not it has completed determining whether communication has been successful at all search points in a search range that has been preset for the print medium M. That is, the search unit determines whether or not it has completed determining whether communication has been successful at search points that have been preset in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. If it determines that it has not been completed, the process returns to step S220, and, for example, the search points are moved in the X-axis direction while being determined one by one.

[0090] When the determination of the success or failure of communication at all of the search points has been completed, the process according to this flowchart ends and the process returns to the flowchart in FIG.

[0091] The search unit executes a search process for determining whether communication between the RFID inlet 110 and the antenna 151 is successful at a plurality of search points in a search range set in advance on the print medium M.

[0092] Fig. 11 shows an example of the success or failure of communication at a search point in the quick mode, and Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the success or failure of communication at a search point in the detailed mode. In the figure, X indicates a search point where communication has failed (failure point), and O indicates a search point where communication has succeeded (success point).

[0093] In the quick mode shown in Fig. 11, for example, a total of 35 search points can be set in a grid pattern, with 7 points in the X-axis direction and 5 points in the Y-axis direction, in a search range previously set for the print medium M. In contrast, in the detailed mode shown in Fig. 12, for example, a total of 300 search points can be set in a grid pattern, with 20 points in the X-axis direction and 15 points in the Y-axis direction, in a search range previously set for the print medium M.

[0094] In quick mode, the search points are spaced farther apart to make the search faster, whereas in detailed mode the search points are spaced farther apart to make the search more accurate.

[0095] In the examples of Figures 11 and 12, the search starts from search point D at the home position, and proceeds in the X-axis direction from the start to the end as shown by arrow E. When the end of the X-axis is reached, the search moves to the next search point in the Y-axis direction as shown by arrow F. When the search returns from the end to the start in the X-axis direction and reaches the start of the X-axis as shown by arrow G, the search skips the home position in the Y-axis direction to the next search point, and proceeds in the X-axis direction from the end to the start.

[0096] In this way, for example, the search unit can move antenna 151 from the home position in a spiral manner in the X-axis and Y-axis directions (spiral type) to determine the success or failure of communication at each search point on a two-dimensional plane.

[0097] It should be noted that the search operation for the search point is not limited to the example shown in Figures 11 and 12. Figures 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams showing another example of the search operation for the search point.

[0098] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the home position may be set at the end of the X-axis and Y-axis (search point Q), and a search may be performed while moving from search point Q in the X-axis direction, and then the position may be moved to the end of the X-axis next to the Y-axis, and then the search may be performed again by returning along the X-axis (zigzag type).

[0099] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the home position is set at the start of the X-axis and the center of the Y-axis (search point D), and a search is performed while moving from this search point D in the X-axis direction, and then moved next to the Y-axis at the end of the X-axis, and then returned in the X-axis direction, and moved in a spiral manner as described above (H region). Next, the Y-axis is moved upward, and a search is performed while moving in the X-axis direction, and then moved next to the Y-axis at the end of the X-axis, and then returned in the X-axis direction, and then moved in a zigzag manner to perform a search (I region). When the end of the Y-axis is reached, the home position may be moved to the opposite region (region J) sandwiched between the H region, and a search may be performed by moving in a zigzag manner in the same way (combined type). The home position may also be set at the center of the X-axis and Y-axis. In this way, the search unit can determine the best point by changing the home position position or by combining the above-mentioned multiple search operations.

[0100] Furthermore, if the position of the RFID inlet 110 on the print medium M shown in Fig. 3 is closer to the leading or trailing end of the print medium M, the best point may not be found within the search range in which the search points shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are set. In such a case, the best point may be identified by moving the search range by feeding or backfeeding the print medium M in the transport direction and executing the processes of S130 to S140 in Fig. 7.

[0101] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the best point determination process in step S140 of FIG.

[0102] In the best point determination process of this embodiment, a "score" is calculated for each search point based on the success or failure information of communication at each search point. The search point with the highest score is determined as the optimal communication position (best point) of the antenna 151 for the RFID inlet 110.

[0103] The score is calculated, for example, by the following process, with reference to communication success / failure information of surrounding search points for each search point.

[0104] In step S310, the search unit acquires communication success / failure information of the search points currently stored in the memory area, and arranges them on a two-dimensional plane (see FIG. 16). The search unit, for example, sets an arbitrary search point as a "point of interest."

[0105] Next, the process proceeds to step S320, where the search unit determines whether the target point is a success point. If it is a failure point, the process proceeds to step S450, where the score of the target point is updated by adding "0" to it. Then, the process proceeds to step S390.

[0106] If the search unit determines in step S320 that the point is a success point, the process proceeds to step S330, where the search unit acquires success / failure information of the search point adjacent to the point of interest. As an example, the search unit acquires success / failure information of the search point adjacent to the upper side of the point of interest (shown by a black circle) shown in FIG.

[0107] The search unit proceeds to step S340 and determines whether the adjacent point acquired in step S330 is a success point. If it is a failure point, the search unit proceeds to step S460 and updates the score.

[0108] If it is determined in step S340 that the point is a successful point, the search unit proceeds to step S350, and updates the score of the point of interest by adding a positive value (for example, "+1") to the score.

[0109] Next, the search unit proceeds to step S360 and selects another search point adjacent to the adjacent point selected in step S330. As an example, communication success / failure information is acquired for the search point located to the right of the attention point shown in Fig. 16 (the lower right of the aforementioned adjacent attention point). That is, as shown in Fig. 16, the search points are moved in a spiral shape around the attention point to acquire success / failure information.

[0110] Here, the search unit determines whether the other search point is a "peripheral" point (step S370). The "peripheral" here refers to the outermost search point in the set of search points, and indicates the top or bottom end in the X-axis direction, or the right or left end in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 16.

[0111] If the other search point is the outermost periphery, the search unit proceeds to step S380. If the other search point is not the outermost periphery, the search unit returns to step S340 and repeats the determination of whether the other search point is a success point or not. If the other search point is a failure point, the search unit proceeds to step S460 and updates the score. That is, the search unit records the number of success points until the failure point appears. If the other search point is a success point, the search unit proceeds to step S350 and adds a positive value (+1) to the score of the target point.

[0112] If the other search point is on the outermost periphery, the search unit proceeds to step S380 and updates the score by subtracting the score of the focus point (by adding a negative value (e.g., "-0.2") to the score). The score is subtracted because when the focus point is near the edge of the print medium M, there are fewer successful points around it, so the score of points closer to the center is controlled to be higher.

[0113] Next, the process proceeds to step S390, and the search unit changes the focus point to another search point. Specifically, the search point adjacent to the focus point set in step S310 in the X-axis direction is set as the focus point. If the focus point is the end of the X-axis direction, the search point adjacent to the focus point in the Y-axis direction is set as the focus point.

[0114] Next, the search unit proceeds to step S400 and determines whether the above-mentioned processing has been performed for all points as the target point. If the processing for all points has not been completed, the search unit returns to step S320 and repeats the processing.

[0115] When all search points have been processed as points of interest, the search unit proceeds to step S410 and selects the "best point" with the highest score from among the search points. If there are multiple best points with the same score, the best point closest to a preset home position is selected, for example. Alternatively, the point with the highest RSSI value may be selected as the best point. Alternatively, the best point closest to the current position of the antenna 151 may be selected.

[0116] In this manner, a searching section is configured that is a virtual configuration that calculates the best point for antenna 151 based on information on the success or failure of communication at a plurality of search points.

[0117] In this embodiment, when the print medium M is regarded as a two-dimensional plane, for each search point set on the two-dimensional plane, surrounding search points are selected in a spiral shape and weighted to calculate a score. The more successful points there are around a search point, the higher the weighting of the search point's score becomes. In other words, the search point with the highest score, i.e., the search point with the largest area occupied by successful points around it, is determined to be the best point.

[0118] By determining the best point in this manner, the communication position of the antenna 151 that provides the best communication with the RFID inlet 110 can be determined.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 15, the search unit calculates the score by weighting whether the point is a success or not, but it may also be configured to calculate the best point by adding the strength of the RSSI value at the success point as a weighting to the score.

[0120] In this embodiment, the printer 1 that sets the best point of the antenna 151 may be a printer different from the printer 1 that performs each process. For example, the best point of the antenna 151 is determined in advance at a factory or a service center using a continuum ML for setting the best point, and prepared as a distribution file. After that, on the menu screen of Fig. 6, the distribution file is stored in the RAM 53 of the printer 1 installed at the usage location, and it can be used to search for the position of the antenna 151 with a continuum ML of the same specifications loaded, or can be set as the best point as it is.

[0121] In step S360 of the best point determination process, the search does not necessarily have to be spiral, and other search operations may be performed. For example, a score may be set while moving the Y axis to which the point of interest belongs one by one in the X axis direction, and when the end of the Y axis is reached, the point may move to the adjacent Y axis, and this process may be repeated. Alternatively, the point may be moved in a rectangular shape in the X and Y axis directions.

[0122] Fig. 17 is a flowchart of a best point determination process in another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 15 described above, the best point is determined by weighting the search point that occupies the largest area of ​​successful points on the two-dimensional plane of the print medium M.

[0123] In contrast, in another embodiment shown in Figure 17, a group of successful points is extracted by capturing a collection of successful points as a two-dimensional image, and the group of successful points with the largest area is selected from among these groups of successful points, and the central point of the selected group of successful points is designated as the best point.

[0124] In the flowchart of FIG. 17, when the best point determination process is started, first, in step S510, the search unit obtains all communication success / failure information of the search points currently stored in the storage area, and arranges them on a two-dimensional plane.

[0125] The searcher then determines whether there are enough success points.

[0126] For example, if there are no adjacent successful points, if the successful points are less than 10% of the total search points, or if the preset criteria for successful points are not met, it is determined that there are not enough successful points. In this case, the process proceeds to step S560, and the search unit displays on the display unit 28 that the best point cannot be calculated based on the success / failure information of the current search points, and the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0127] If it is determined that there are a sufficient number of successful points, the process proceeds to step S530, where the search unit extracts a set of adjacent successful points as a "successful point group."

[0128] Next, the process proceeds to step S540, where the search unit selects the largest successful point group when there are multiple extracted successful point groups. The largest successful point group is the successful point group that has the largest number of successful points, that is, the successful point group with the largest area.

[0129] Next, the process proceeds to step S550, where the search unit determines the center coordinates of the largest selected group of successful points, more specifically, the center point (center of gravity) when the group of successful points is captured as a two-dimensional plane, as the best point. This method also makes it possible to determine the best point from the set of acquired successful points.

[0130] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a group of successful points in another embodiment.

[0131] The example shown in FIG. 18 shows an example in which three successful point groups, which are sets of successful points (successful point group S, successful point group T, and successful point group U), are extracted. The search unit selects the successful point group S, which is the successful point group with the largest area. The search unit searches for the center coordinates of the successful point group S, and determines the center point as the best point.

[0132] As described above, according to this embodiment, the printer 1 prints on a printing medium M having an RFID inlet 110, and is equipped with a communication unit 50 that communicates with the RFID inlet 110, and a search unit that moves the position of the communication unit 50 relative to the RFID inlet 110 and searches for a position where communication with the RFID inlet 110 is possible, and the search unit is configured to determine whether communication between the RFID inlet 110 and the communication unit 50 has been successful at multiple positions relative to the RFID inlet 110, and to identify the communication position between the RFID inlet 110 and the communication unit 50 based on an area including the multiple positions where it is determined that communication was successful.

[0133] According to this, the communication position with the communication unit 50 is identified based on an area including multiple positions where communication with the RFID inlet 110 was successful, so that the antenna 151 can be set at a position most suitable for communication with the RFID inlet 110 of the print medium M located at the print start position. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently identify the optimal communication position with the RFID inlet 110 depending on the type of RFID inlet 110 built into the print medium M, individual differences in the printer 1 that prints on the print medium M, and the like.

[0134] Furthermore, the search unit sets as the communication position the search point with the greatest number of successful points around it in an area including multiple positions where communication with the RFID inlet 110 was successful. This makes it possible to efficiently identify the optimal communication position with the RFID inlet 110 depending on the type of RFID inlet 110 built into the print medium M, individual differences in the printer 1 that prints on the print medium M, and the like.

[0135] In addition, the search unit moves the antenna 151 of the communication unit 50 in a spiral or rectangular shape from a preset position to search for a position where communication with the RFID inlet 110 is possible, making it possible to efficiently identify the optimal communication position with the RFID inlet 110 depending on the type of RFID inlet 110 built into the printing medium M and individual differences in the printer 1 that prints on the printing medium M.

[0136] In addition, the search unit increases the weighting for the more adjacent positions among the multiple positions where communication was successful, and identifies the communication position between the RFID inlet 110 and the communication unit 50 based on the weighting.This makes it possible to efficiently identify the optimal communication position with the RFID inlet 110 depending on the type of RFID inlet 110 built into the printing medium M and individual differences in the printer 1 that prints on the printing medium M.

[0137] The search unit also stores the identified communication position (best point information) between the RFID inlet 110 and the communication unit 50, and uses the stored communication position (best point information included in the past history information or tag model information) to set the communication position of the communication unit 50. This makes it possible to efficiently identify the optimal communication position with the RFID inlet 110 even when, for example, the print medium M is replaced with another type.

[0138] The search unit also extracts the area of ​​an area including multiple positions where communication was successful, and identifies the communication position between RFID inlet 110 and communication unit 50 based on the central coordinates of the area with the largest area. This allows the best point to be set from a set of successful points, making it possible to efficiently identify the optimal communication position with RFID inlet 110.

[0139] An embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above embodiment merely illustrates one application example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configuration of the above embodiment. The present invention includes the following embodiments. EMBODIMENT 1 A printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID, A communication unit that communicates with the RFID; a search unit that moves a position of the communication unit with respect to the RFID and searches for a position where communication with the RFID is possible, The search unit is determining whether communication between the RFID and the communication unit has been successful at a plurality of positions relative to the RFID, and specifying a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on an area including the plurality of positions where the communication has been successful; Printer. EMBODIMENT 2 A printer according to claim 1, The search unit moves the communication unit in a spiral or rectangular shape from a predetermined position to search for a position where communication with the RFID is possible. Printer. EMBODIMENT 3 A printer according to claim 2, further comprising: the searching unit specifies a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on a weighting that is increased as the number of adjacent positions at which the communication is determined to be successful increases among the multiple positions at which the communication is determined to be successful. Printer. A printer according to claim 2, further comprising: The search unit specifies the center of an area including the positions where the communication has been determined to be successful as the communication position between the RFID and the communication unit. Printer. EMBODIMENT 5 A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The search unit is storing the identified communication position between the RFID and the communication unit, and identifying the communication position with the communication unit based on the stored communication position; Printer. EMBODIMENT 6 A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The search unit extracts an area of ​​a region including a plurality of positions where the communication has been determined to be successful, and identifies a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on the center of the region with the largest area. Printer. EMBODIMENT 7 A method for controlling a printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID, comprising the steps of: the printer includes a communication unit that communicates with the RFID tag, and a search unit that moves a position of the communication unit relative to the RFID tag and searches for a position where communication with the RFID tag is possible; determining whether communication between the RFID and the communication unit is successful at a plurality of positions relative to the RFID; Identifying a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on an area including a plurality of positions where the communication has been determined to be successful. How to control the printer. EMBODIMENT 8 A program executable by a computer of a printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID, the printer includes a communication unit that communicates with the RFID tag, and a search unit that moves a position of the communication unit relative to the RFID tag and searches for a position where communication with the RFID tag is possible; determining whether communication between the RFID and the communication unit is successful at a plurality of positions relative to the RFID; Identifying a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on an area including a plurality of positions where the communication has been determined to be successful. A program that causes the computer to execute the procedure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1. Printer 10 Printing mechanism 11 Head Unit 12 Platen roller 13 Thermal head 14 Support shaft 15 Printing section 20 Ribbon supply shaft 27 Input section 28 Display section 30 Ribbon winding shaft 40 Media supply shaft 50 Communications Department 51 CPU 52 ROM 53 RAM 54 Transport control circuit 55 Printing control circuit 57 Paper detection circuit 59 IO ports 60 Controller 61 Power supply section 65 Bus 71 Upstream position detection sensor 72 Downstream position detection sensor 107 Mount 109 Eyemark 110 RFID Inlet 120 Gap 151 Antenna 152 Communication Controller 200 Movable mechanism 201X X-axis moving part 201Y Y-axis moving part A Antenna C IC chip M Print media ML Continuum

Claims

1. A printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID, A communication unit that communicates with the RFID; a control unit that determines whether communication has been successful while changing a relative position between the RFID and the communication unit, and identifies a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on the success or failure of the communication; The control unit is a first mode in which communication between the communication unit and the RFID is performed while changing a relative position between the RFID and the communication unit at a first interval, radio wave strengths are identified at a plurality of the relative positions where the communication is determined to be successful, and an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified based on the radio wave strengths at the plurality of the relative positions; a second mode in which communication between the communication unit and the RFID is performed while changing the relative positions of the RFID and the communication unit at a second interval narrower than the first interval, radio wave intensities are identified at a plurality of relative positions where the communication is determined to be successful, and an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified based on the radio wave intensities at the plurality of relative positions; having a selection key for selecting between the first mode and the second mode; Printer.

2. A printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID, A communication unit that communicates with the RFID; a control unit that determines whether communication has been successful while changing a relative position between the RFID and the communication unit, and identifies a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit based on the success or failure of the communication; The control unit is a first mode in which communication between the communication unit and the RFID is performed while changing the relative positions of the RFID and the communication unit, radio wave intensities at a plurality of the relative positions at which the communication is determined to be successful are identified, and an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified based on the radio wave intensities at the plurality of the relative positions; a second mode in which communication between the communication unit and the RFID is performed while changing the relative positions of the RFID and the communication unit, radio wave intensities at a plurality of the relative positions at which the communication is determined to be successful are identified, and an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified based on the radio wave intensities at the plurality of the relative positions; a selection key for selecting between the first mode and the second mode; a number of positions at which communication between the RFID and the communication unit is performed while changing the relative position in the second mode is greater than a number of positions at which communication between the RFID and the communication unit is performed while changing the relative position in the first mode; Printer.

3. 2. The printer of claim 1, a number of positions at which communication between the RFID and the communication unit is performed while changing the relative position in the second mode is greater than a number of positions at which communication between the RFID and the communication unit is performed while changing the relative position in the first mode; Printer.

4. 3. The printer according to claim 1, The control unit is a new search key for starting identification of an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit in the first mode or the second mode; A past history information key for reading and reusing a communication position between the RFID and the communication unit that was previously specified and stored; Equipped with The new search key is provided with the selection key. Printer.

5. 3. The printer according to claim 1, The control unit is In the first mode, an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified in a shorter time than in the second mode. Printer.

6. 3. The printer according to claim 1, The communication unit is configured so that its position relative to the RFID can be moved. Printer.

7. 7. The printer according to claim 6, The communication unit is configured to be movable along an X-axis direction which is a transport direction of the print medium. Printer.

8. 7. The printer according to claim 6, The communication unit is configured to be movable along a Y-axis direction that is a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the print medium. Printer.

9. 7. The printer according to claim 6, The communication unit is configured to be movable along an X-axis direction, which is a transport direction of the print medium, and a Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium. Printer.

10. 10. The printer of claim 9, The communication unit is configured to be movable in a spiral manner along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Printer.

11. A method for controlling a printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID, comprising the steps of: The printer includes: A communication unit that communicates with the RFID; a control unit that performs communication between the RFID and the communication unit while changing a relative position between the RFID and the communication unit, a first mode in which communication between the communication unit and the RFID is performed while changing a relative position between the RFID and the communication unit at a first interval, and an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified based on radio wave intensity acquired from the RFID; a second mode in which communication between the communication unit and the RFID is performed while changing a relative position between the RFID and the communication unit by a second interval narrower than the first interval, and an optimal communication position between the RFID and the communication unit is identified based on radio wave intensity acquired from the RFID; based on an instruction as to which of the first mode and the second mode is to be executed, which is preselected. How to control the printer.

Images