printer

Abstract

To prevent a first printing medium from being wasted in issuing a plurality of printing media having RFID inlays respectively.SOLUTION: A printer according to one embodiment of the present invention, which performs printing on printing media having RFID inlays respectively, comprises: a platen roller that conveys the printing media; a printing head having a heating part constituted of a plurality of heating bodies arranged in line, which performs printing on the printing media while making the heating part and the platen roller hold the printing media; radio antennas that are arranged closer to a downstream side of a conveyance path for the printing media than the heating part of the printing head and on printed surfaces of the printing media being conveyed; and a reader-writer that makes communication with the RFID inlays of the printing media through the radio antennas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printers are known that print on labels incorporating an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) inlay (hereinafter simply referred to as an "inlay") having an IC chip and an antenna. When printing on a label with such a printer, a reader / writer mounted on the printer reads and writes data from and to the inlay incorporated in the label. To read and write data from and to the inlay, the reader / writer is connected to an RFID antenna that transmits and receives radio waves. In conventional printers, the RFID antenna is located upstream of the position where the heating element of the print head is formed in the label transport path (see FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-157521 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the RFID antenna is located upstream of the label transport path based on the position where the heating element of the print head is formed (heating element position) as in conventional printers, the first label may be wasted. This problem will be explained below.

[0005] Usually, when printing each of a number of consecutively arranged labels, the printer waits with the print start position of the first label positioned at the heating element position of the print head, and when printing each label, the printer reads and writes data from the inlay of each label before printing. Here, if the RFID antenna is located upstream of the heating element position, it is necessary to reversely feed the label so that the first label is in an appropriate position for reading and writing data from the inlay. However, when the first label is reversely fed, especially in the case of a label with a small pitch (short length in the conveying direction), the leading edge of the first label may fall off from the heating element position of the print head. If the RFID antenna could be positioned close to the heating element position in the label conveying path, it would be possible to prevent the leading edge of the first label from falling off from the heating element position of the print head, but due to the structure of the print head, it is difficult to bring the RFID antenna close enough to the heating element position. For this reason, in the past, the first label was wasted without being printed, and the second label was printed. This problem is particularly likely to occur in the case of small pitch labels or when the RFID antenna is located far from the heating element.

[0006] In addition, for the second and subsequent labels, each label needs to be conveyed backwards to read and write data from the inlay, but if the RFID antenna is located away from the heating element, the distance the label needs to be conveyed backwards to read and write data becomes longer, lowering throughput. As mentioned above, due to the structure of the print head, it is difficult to bring the RFID antenna close enough to the heating element, so there is a limit to how much throughput can be improved.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the first sheet of print medium from going to waste when multiple sheets of print medium each having an RFID inlay are issued in sequence. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID inlay, comprising: a platen roller for transporting the print medium; a print head having a heat generating section made up of a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a line, the print head printing on the print medium while holding the print medium between the heat generating section and the platen roller; a radio antenna disposed downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head in a transport path of the print medium and on the print surface side of the transported print medium; a reader / writer that communicates with the RFID inlay of the print medium via the wireless antenna; The printer is provided with: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, when multiple sheets of print media each having an RFID inlay are issued in sequence, it is possible to prevent the first sheet of print media from going to waste. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a printer according to one embodiment with an internal view. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a printing section of a printer according to an embodiment when a print head unit is in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a label support mechanism of the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a label support mechanism of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a head mechanism of a printer according to an embodiment, seen from below. [Figure 7] 1 includes an exploded perspective view of a head assembly to be assembled into a head mechanism and a cross-sectional view of a thermal head. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the head mechanism shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for mounting an RFID antenna in a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment in which an RFID antenna is attached to a ribbon adjustment plate, and FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of the printer. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a printer according to an embodiment with the interior visible, showing the wiring path between the RFID antenna and the reader / writer. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of conveyance control of the printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of conveyance control of the printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of conveyance control of the printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram showing an RFID antenna disposed on a head holding part in a printer according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram showing an RFID antenna disposed at the tip of a thermal head in a printer according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an RFID antenna arranged on the bottom surface of a thermal head in a printer according to a modified example, and FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an RFID antenna arranged in an opening provided in the thermal head in a printer according to a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an RFID antenna arranged on a head accessory in a printer according to a modified example, and FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a side view of the front part of the head accessory when the head accessory shown in FIG. 19A is mounted on a printer. [Figure 20] 13 is a diagram showing an RFID antenna disposed near a label presence / absence detection sensor in a printer according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a printer according to a modified example, and FIG. 21B is a diagram showing an RFID antenna disposed near the cutter or downstream of the cutter in the printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The embodiments described below are not limited to the drawings which are illustrated by the brief description of the drawings.

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention is a printer that prints on a print medium having an RFID inlay, comprising: a platen roller for transporting the print medium; a print head having a heat generating section made up of a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a line, the print head printing on the print medium while holding the print medium between the heat generating section and the platen roller; a radio antenna disposed downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head in a transport path of the print medium and on the print surface side of the transported print medium; a reader / writer that communicates with the RFID inlay of the print medium via the wireless antenna; The printer is provided with:

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of print media each having an RFID inlay are issued in sequence, it is possible to prevent the first print medium from going to waste.

[0014] In a second aspect of the present invention, the print head has a head body and a heat exhaust unit attached to the head body, In the printer according to the first aspect, the wireless antenna is attached to the heat exhaust section.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the wireless antenna can be integrated with the print head, and the wireless antenna can be accurately positioned downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head.

[0016] A third aspect of the present invention provides a head assembly including the print head, The printer according to the first aspect, wherein the wireless antenna is attached to the head assembly.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the wireless antenna can be integrated with the print head, and the wireless antenna can be accurately positioned downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head.

[0018] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a head assembly including the print head; a head holding portion that detachably holds the head assembly, In the printer according to the first aspect, the wireless antenna is attached to the head holding part.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the wireless antenna can be accurately positioned downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head.

[0020] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print head performs printing on the print medium while sandwiching the print medium and the ink ribbon between the heat generating portion and the platen roller, the printer includes a ribbon adjustment unit that adjusts the tension of the ink ribbon downstream of a transport path of the ink ribbon; In the printer according to the first aspect, the wireless antenna is attached to the ribbon adjustment unit.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, since the wireless antenna is disposed separately from the print head, there is no need to remove the wireless antenna when replacing the print head.

[0022] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a printer described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a control unit that controls the reader / writer to communicate with the RFID inlay of the printing medium when the printing medium is transported to a communication position where the distance from a reference position of the wireless antenna to a reference position of the RFID inlay of the printing medium is a predetermined value in the transport direction of the printing medium.

[0023] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the print medium is transported toward a wireless antenna located downstream of the heat generating portion on the transport path of the print medium, and then communication is performed, so that the first sheet of print medium does not fall off the print medium.

[0024] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, a cutting unit that cuts the print medium downstream of the heat generating unit of the print head in a transport path of the print medium, In the printer according to the first aspect, the wireless antenna is disposed in the vicinity of the cutting portion or downstream of the cutting portion.

[0025] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, since the wireless antenna is disposed separately from the print head, it is not necessary to remove the wireless antenna when replacing the print head.

[0026] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the external appearance of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. For ease of explanation, XYZ coordinates are defined below as shown in Figure 1. That is, +X and -X respectively indicate the left-right direction of the printer 1, +Y and -Y respectively indicate the front-rear direction of the printer 1, and +Z and -Z respectively indicate the up-down direction of the printer 1. An issuing port 5 for issuing (discharging) printed labels is provided in a front cover 2 on the front side of the printer 1. An open cover 6 is attached to one side of the printer 1 by two hinges 7 so that it can be opened and closed freely in the vertical direction.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a side view of the main parts of the printer 1 with the inside visible, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the printing section 11 when the print head unit 13 is in an open state. Inside the printer 1, there are arranged a paper supply unit 10 located at the rear, a printing unit 11 located at the front, and an ink ribbon unit 12 located above.

[0028] The paper supply unit 10 is loaded with roll paper R. As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper R is a continuous paper CP wound into a roll. The continuous paper CP includes a strip-shaped backing paper PM and a plurality of labels PL removably attached to the backing paper PM at intervals. The surface (front side) of the backing paper PM that comes into contact with the adhesive surface of the labels PL is coated with a release agent such as silicone, making it possible to easily peel off the labels PL. An RFID inlay IL (hereinafter simply referred to as "inlay IL") is incorporated in the labels PL. The surface (back side) of the backing paper PM to which the labels PL are not attached may be formed with position detection marks IM at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction to indicate the position of the labels. The labels PL may be made of thermal paper or plain paper. In the case of thermal paper, a thermal coloring layer is formed on the surface of the paper, which changes color to a specific color (black, red, etc.) when a predetermined temperature range is reached. Although not shown, the paper supply unit 10 can also be loaded with roll paper, which is a roll of linerless labels with an adhesive surface formed by applying an adhesive to the back side of the printing surface.

[0029] The paper supply unit 10 includes a support shaft 10a and a roll guide 10b, and holds the roll paper R and supplies the continuous paper CP paid out from the roll paper R to the printing unit 11. The support shaft 10a supports the roll paper R in a freely rotatable state. The roll guide 10b is installed in a freely movable state along the axial direction of the support shaft 10a so that its position can be changed according to the width of the roll paper R.

[0030] The printing section 11 includes a print head unit 13, a support stand 14 arranged below the print head unit 13, and a damper 15, and performs printing on the labels PL of the continuous paper CP. The print head unit 13 is installed inside the printer 1 in a state in which it can be opened and closed freely, as described below. When the print head unit 13 is in a closed state, a paper passage route is formed between the print head unit 13 and the support base 14. The paper passage route is connected to the issue port 5 (see FIG. 1). A head lock lever 16 that maintains the closed state of the print head unit 13 is mounted on the support base 14. When the head lock lever 16 is operated, the closed state of the print head unit 13 is released and the front part of the print head unit 13 is lifted as shown in Figure 3, causing the print head unit 13 to open (move away from the platen roller 23). The damper 15 is disposed in a state in which it can freely swing so as to apply tension to the web paper CP.

[0031] 2 and 3, the continuous paper CP is transported from the damper 15 through the label support mechanism 70, and is discharged from the issuing port 5 (FIG. 1) after printing. The label support mechanism 70 is installed upstream of the thermal head 18 (an example of a print head) and the platen roller 23 in the transport path of the continuous paper CP.

[0032] The ink ribbon unit 12 includes a ribbon supply unit 12a and a ribbon winding unit 12b, and supplies and winds up the ink ribbon RB coated with printing ink. The ribbon supply unit 12a supports the ink ribbon RB wound in a roll so that it can rotate freely. The ribbon winding unit 12b winds up and collects the ink ribbon RB after printing. When the ink ribbon RB is to be used, the ink ribbon RB pulled out from the ribbon supply unit 12a is passed under the print head unit 13 and wound up by the ribbon winding unit 12b. The ribbon supply unit 12a and the ribbon take-up unit 12b are connected (attached) to an inner wall 102 of the housing of the printer 1.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, a ribbon adjustment plate 66 (an example of a ribbon adjustment section) is provided in front of the thermal head 18 in the print head unit 13. The ribbon adjustment plate 66 is fixed to an internal frame (not shown) by a pair of screws 664 that pass through long holes (long holes 665 in Fig. 10) formed at both ends. By loosening each of the screws 664, the ribbon adjustment plate 66 can be moved up and down or tilted left and right, thereby adjusting the tension (tension) of the ink ribbon RB.

[0034] In the printer 1, the continuous paper CP fed from the roll paper R in the paper supply unit 10 is transported via the damper 15 to the paper route between the print head unit 13 and the support table 14, and on the way there, the labels PL of the continuous paper CP are printed. At this time, the thermal head 18 prints on each label PL of the continuous paper CP while holding the continuous paper CP and the ink ribbon RB between the heat generating part 18L and the platen roller 23. After the printing process, the continuous paper CP is discharged from the printer 1 through the issuing port 5.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 2, a label presence detection sensor 64 is installed near the issuing port 5 of the printer 1. The label presence detection sensor 64 is disposed downstream of the thermal head 18 and is capable of detecting the label PL issued (discharged) from the issuing port 5. The label presence detection sensor 64 is a light reflection type sensor, but can also be configured as a light transmission type sensor. The detection result (output signal) of the label presence detection sensor 64 is used to control the transport of the continuous paper CP.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned printing unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the print head unit 13 is supported on a main frame (not shown) of the printer 1 so that the print head unit 13 can freely swing (i.e., open and close) around the X axis on a swing shaft S1 provided at the rear.

[0037] On the underside (surface facing the paper feed route) of the print head unit 13, a thermal head 18 is installed with its heat generating portion 18L facing the paper feed route. The heat generating portion 18L of the thermal head 18 is formed of a glaze layer that protrudes a predetermined amount (for example, several tens of μm) from the substrate of the thermal head 18, includes a plurality of heat generating resistors (heating elements) that generate heat when energized, and performs printing on the label PL of the continuous paper CP. The plurality of heat generating resistors are aligned and arranged along the width direction of the continuous paper CP (direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the continuous paper CP).

[0038] A pair of engagement claws 19 (see FIG. 3) are provided on the underside of the front side of the print head unit 13 so as to sandwich the thermal head 18. Behind the engagement claws 19 on the print head unit 13, pins 20 are provided which protrude outward from both side surfaces of the print head unit 13.

[0039] The print head unit 13 is biased in the open direction by a torsion spring (not shown) attached to the pivot shaft S1, but is maintained in the closed state by a pair of locking claws 22 of the support base 14 being respectively caught on a pair of pins 20 on the lower part of the print head unit 13. When the print head unit 13 is in the closed state, a pair of engagement claws 19 of the print head unit 13 are fitted into both ends of the rotation shaft of the platen roller 23. When the head lock lever 16 is operated rearward, the lock claw 22 moves rearward in conjunction with the head lock lever 16 and disengages from the pin 20. When the lock claw 22 disengages from the pin 20, the print head unit 13 automatically opens due to the biasing force of the torsion spring, as shown in Figure 3.

[0040] The platen roller 23 transports the continuous paper CP fed from the paper supply unit 10 along the paper passage route to the issuing port 5 (see FIG. 1). The platen roller 23 is installed on the upper part of the support base 14 in a state in which it can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and rotates together with the thermal head 18 while clamping the continuous paper CP during printing. When the continuous paper CP is plain paper, the platen roller 23 rotates during printing while sandwiching the continuous paper CP and the ink ribbon RB together with the thermal head 18. In this case, the ink ribbon RB is transported from the ribbon supply unit 12a via ribbon rollers 121, 122 (see FIG. 3) provided in the print head unit 13, and is taken up by the ribbon take-up unit 12b.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the label support mechanism 70 is disposed on the support base 14 . FIG. 4 shows perspective views of the label support mechanism 70 in both the narrow label guide position and the wide label guide position. 4, the label support mechanism 70 has a label support section 71, a sensor assembly 72, and a label guide section 73. The label support section 71 has a support surface 711 that supports the continuous paper CP facing the platen roller 23 from below. The sensor assembly 72 is attached to the label support part 71 in a state in which it can be slid in the width direction of the continuous paper CP, and has a light transmission type sensor and a reflective type sensor built in. The label guide part 73 is attached to the sensor assembly 72, and serves to pinch the continuous paper CP transported toward the platen roller 23 between itself and the support surface 711 of the label support part 71, and to guide the continuous paper CP from above. A reader / writer 91, which will be described later, is built into the label supporting mechanism 70. The reader / writer 91 is provided for writing data to an inlay IL incorporated in the label PL, or for reading data from the inlay IL.

[0042] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-section of the sensor assembly 72 and the label guide unit 73 when the label support mechanism unit 70 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the paper surface of the transported continuous paper CP and extending in the width direction (X direction) of the continuous paper CP. 5, the label guide portion 73 is attached to the sensor assembly 72. A small gap g1 is formed between the lower surface of the label guide portion 73 and the support surface 711 of the label support portion 71, and this gap g1 becomes the transport path for the continuous paper CP. The label support part 71 is provided with a guide protrusion 712 and a guide groove 713 in the longitudinal direction, which engage with the sensor assembly 72. The sensor assembly 72 is capable of sliding in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the width direction of the continuous paper CP) while engaging with the guide protrusion 712 and the guide groove 713 of the label support part 71 according to the label width used. The sensor assembly 72 has a structure in which a swinging part 721 at the top and a sliding part 722 at the bottom are swingably connected by a swinging shaft 723. The sliding part 722 is engaged with a guide protrusion 712 and a guide groove 713 of the label support part 71 and is slidable in the longitudinal direction. The swinging part 721 is swingable about the swinging shaft 723 from a position shown in FIG. 5 in which it is close to the sliding part 722 (the position when the printer 1 is in operation) in a direction away from the sliding part 722 (i.e., counterclockwise in FIG. 5), thereby allowing a new continuous paper CP to be set in the printer 1.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor assembly 72 has a built-in label position detection sensor 74. The label position detection sensor 74 includes a light emitting element 621 and a light receiving element 622. The light emitting element 621 is disposed on the swinging portion 721, and the light receiving element 622 is disposed on the sliding portion 722. The light emitting element 621 and the light receiving element 622 face each other. Since the transport path of the ink ribbon RB is above the label guide portion 73, the light emitting element 621, which is above the light receiving element 622, is disposed between the transport path of the ink ribbon RB and the transport path of the continuous paper CP. When the light receiving element 622 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 621, the light transmission sensor 62 detects the end of each label PL in the transport direction of the continuous paper CP based on the difference in the received light intensity between the light transmitted through the label PL and the backing paper PM and the light transmitted only through the backing paper PM. The detection result (output signal) of the label position detection sensor 74 is used for transport control of the continuous paper CP.

[0044] Next, the head mechanism 35 provided in the print head unit 13 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. The head mechanism 35 is a mechanism associated with the thermal head 18 in a state in which the support plate 17, ribbon rollers 121, 122, oscillation shaft S1, etc. have been removed from the print head unit 13. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the main parts of the head mechanism 35 seen from below. As shown in Fig. 6, the head mechanism 35 has the thermal head 18, a head holding part 36, a pin pressing part 37 (not visible in Fig. 6), a head cover 39, a swing shaft 40, a rotation shaft 41, etc.

[0045] Although not visible in FIG. 6, a head attachment member 38 is fixed to the thermal head 18 . FIG. 7 includes an exploded perspective view showing a method of attaching the thermal head 18 and the head attachment member 38, and a cross-sectional view of the thermal head 18 (cross-sectional view cut at the center in the longitudinal direction). As shown in FIG. 7, the head accessory member 38 is a plate-like member, and has a center plate 381 and a pair of end plates 382. An upwardly protruding pin 38P is attached to the upper surface of the central plate 381. The pin 38P has a columnar portion 38Pc extending upward from the surface of the central plate 381 and a tapered portion 38Pt tapering at the top of the columnar portion 38Pc. A recess 38Pr recessed toward the +X side is formed in the columnar portion 38Pc. As will be described later, the pin 38P is necessary for holding the thermal head 18 in the head holding portion 36.

[0046] The thermal head 18 includes a heat sink 181, a substrate 183, and a connector 184. The substrate 183 may have two or more substrates connected thereto, and is formed with the heat generating portion 18L described above. The heat sink 181 is provided to efficiently dissipate heat generated by the substrate 183. The heat sink 181 is formed with two screw holes 181a. 7, the substrate 183 includes a first substrate portion 183a on which the heat generating portion 18L is disposed, a second substrate portion 183b connected to a connector 184, and a flexible substrate portion 183c connecting the first substrate portion 183a and the second substrate portion 183b. The heat sink 181 is set to be thickest at the first substrate portion 183a of the substrate 183 so that heat from the first substrate portion 183a, which generates the most heat, can be efficiently dissipated. A protrusion 1811 that protrudes downward so as to cover the tip of the first substrate portion 183a is formed at the tip of the heat sink 181. This makes it possible to prevent jams from occurring when the continuous paper CP (especially in the case of thick paper) is back-fed (conveyed in the reverse direction).

[0047] As shown in Fig. 7, two holes 381a are formed in the central plate 381 of the head attachment member 38, and the head attachment member 38 is fixed to the thermal head 18 by fastening screws 383 through the holes 381a into the screw holes 181a of the thermal head 18. In the following description, the thermal head 18 and the head attachment member 38 integrated together will be referred to as the "head assembly 18A" where appropriate. The head assembly 18A is detachable from the head cover 39. Two holes 381a are formed in the central plate 381 of the head attachment member 38, and the head attachment member 38 is fixed to the thermal head 18 by fastening screws 383 through the holes 381a into the screw holes 181a of the thermal head 18.

[0048] A pair of notches 382a are formed at the front ends of the end plates 382 on both sides of the head accessory member 38. The notches 382a have a U-shape that opens upward. As will be described later, the cutout portion 382a is provided for adjusting the front-rear position of the thermal head 18. A cutout portion 382b is formed at the rear end of the end plate 382 on both sides of the head accessory member 38. The cutout portion 382b has a U-shape so as to sandwich the guide projection 393 of the head cover 39 therebetween.

[0049] Next, the configuration of the main parts of the head mechanism 35 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the head mechanism 35 shown in Fig. 6. Note that a circuit board that is connected to the connector 184 of the thermal head 18 is fixed to the head cover 39, but is not shown in Fig. 8 for the sake of visibility of the head cover 39. As shown in Fig. 8, the head mechanism section 35 is configured by assembling, in order from the top, a head holding section 36, a head assembly 18A, and a head cover 39. The head holding section 36 and the head cover 39 are supported by a swing shaft 40. The swing shaft 40 is supported by the support plate 17 (see Fig. 3), and is fixed to an internal frame (not shown) that is located inside the support plate 17 and is configured integrally with the support plate 17.

[0050] The head holding part 36 holds the head assembly 18A so that the head assembly 18A does not fall under its own weight, and releases the hold on the head assembly 18A in response to operation of the head hold releasing part 30 in the +X direction. The head assembly 18A can be easily removed from the head holding part 36 by operating the head hold releasing part 30. The head holding portion 36 includes a plate-like member including a support plate 361 and side walls 362 provided on both left and right ends of the support plate 361, and a pin pressing portion 37, and detachably holds the head assembly 18A. A pair of engagement claws 19 that engage with both ends of the rotation shaft of the platen roller 23 are formed on the front ends of the side walls 362 on both sides of the head holding portion 36. Insertion holes 362a, 362b through which the swing shaft 40 is inserted are formed on the rear ends of the side walls 362 on both sides of the head holding portion 36.

[0051] The operation unit 42 is a rotation operation means for adjusting the position of the thermal head 18 in the front-rear direction by moving the head assembly 18A back and forth. Here, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction when the direction in which the printed label PL advances by the thermal head 18 is defined as the forward direction. The adjustment of the position of the thermal head 18 in the front-rear direction is performed to obtain optimal print quality depending on the type of label (thickness, hardness, etc.). A rotating shaft 41 that rotates in response to a rotation operation of the operating unit 42 is supported on side walls 362 on both sides of the support plate 361 of the head holding unit 36. The head assembly 18A engages with the rotating shaft 41 by fitting U-shaped cutout portions 382a on both ends of the head assembly 18A into both ends of the rotating shaft 41 from below.

[0052] The pin pressing section 37 has a pressing plate 37a and a coil spring 37b, and presses the pin 38P of the head assembly 18A when the head assembly 18A is held by the head holding section 36. The pressing plate 37a is installed on the support plate 361 by pins 37f and 37g in a state in which it can move slightly along its longitudinal direction (width direction of the web paper CP). The pins 37f and 37g are fixed by a retaining ring or the like so as not to come off the pressing plate 37a. The head release section 30 is formed as a portion bent downward from the pressing plate 37a. In other words, the pressing plate 37a and the head release section 30 are integrally formed. The head release section 30 penetrates a hole 36f formed in the support plate 361 and a hole 381b (see FIG. 7) formed in the head accessory member 38, and protrudes from the head mechanism section 35 so as to be operable. A hole 36g is formed in the support plate 361 of the head holding portion 36, and a hole 37d is formed in the pressing plate 37a of the pin pressing portion 37. A pin 38P of the head assembly 18A passes through the holes 36g and 37d, and protrudes upward from the hole 37d. The pressing plate 37a is formed with a protrusion 37j that protrudes upward between the hole 37d and the pin 37g. The pressing plate 37a is formed with a convex portion 37i that is convex toward the protrusion 37j on the edge of the hole 37d. The coil spring 37b of the pin pressing portion 37 is mounted between the pin 37g and the protrusion 37j. The pressing plate 37a is biased in the -X direction by the coil spring 37b. When the pressing plate 37a is biased by the coil spring 37b, the protrusion 37i engages with the recess 38Pr of the pin 38P protruding upward from the hole 37d, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of "the state in which the pin 38P is engaged" in FIG. 8. This causes the pin 38P to be locked to the pressing plate 37a, and the head assembly 18A is held by the head holding portion 36.

[0053] 8, the pin pressing portion 37 has a pin abutment piece 37h. The pin abutment piece 37h is located slightly on the -X side from the tapered portion 38Pt of the pin 38P protruding upward from the hole 37d. In other words, the pin abutment piece 37h is located at a position where it abuts against the tapered portion 38Pt of the pin 38P when the head hold releasing portion 30 is operated in the D1 direction (+X direction).

[0054] To release the head assembly 18A from the head holding part 36, the head release part 30 is operated in the +X direction as described above. That is, the head release part 30 of the pressing plate 37a is moved in the opposite direction (+X direction) against the biasing force of the coil spring 37b. As the pressing plate 37a moves in the +X direction, the pin abutment piece 37h abuts against the tapered part 38Pt of the pin 38P to press down the pin 38P, and the engagement between the recess 38Pr of the pin 38P and the protrusion 37i of the pin pressing part 37 is released. As a result, the head assembly 18A falls under its own weight.

[0055] The head cover 39 is configured to be able to swing relative to the head holding portion 36 and to cover at least a portion of the thermal head 18 from below. The head cover 39 is formed with an insertion hole 395 through which the swing shaft 40 passes, and is able to swing around the swing shaft 40. A pair of guide protrusions 393 are formed on both side portions of the head cover 39. The pair of guide protrusions 393 engage with the cutout portions 382b of the head assembly 18A, thereby connecting the head assembly 18A to the head cover 39. The guide protrusions 393 make it possible to smoothly insert and remove the head assembly 18A from the printer 1.

[0056] The head cover 39 includes a front thermal head mounting portion 391 and a rear circuit board fixing portion 392. The head cover 39 of the head assembly 18A is mounted on the thermal head mounting portion 391. A threaded portion 392a is formed on the circuit board fixing portion 392, and a circuit board (not shown) connected to the connector 184 of the thermal head 18 is fixed by screwing a screw into the threaded portion 392a via the circuit board.

[0057] Next, the arrangement of the RFID antenna 311 (an example of a wireless antenna) that transmits electromagnetic waves to the inlay IL incorporated in each label PL of the continuous paper CP transported within the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the RFID antenna 311 in the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the antenna assembly 31 includes an RFID antenna 311, a wiring 312, and a pair of mounting members 313. The wiring 312 is connected to one end of the RFID antenna 311 and is for electrically connecting to a reader / writer 91, which will be described later. The pair of mounting members 313 are members for improving workability when assembling the antenna assembly 31 to the antenna case 32.

[0058] The antenna case 32 is a member for housing the antenna assembly 31. As described below, the antenna case 32 is attached to the ribbon adjustment plate 66. As shown in Fig. 9, the antenna case 32 has an elongated case main body 321 and three protruding parts 322 protruding upward from the case main body 321. An engagement claw 322c is formed on the upper end of the protruding part 322.

[0059] The case body 321 has a generally U-shaped cross section in order to receive the antenna assembly 31 from one side. The case body 321 is formed with a pair of openings 3211 for respectively receiving a pair of mounting members 313 of the antenna assembly 31. Inside the case body 321, a mounting surface 3212 for mounting the RFID antenna 311 is formed, and a stopper 3213 for abutting against the RFID antenna 311 and the mounting member 313 to position the antenna assembly 31 in the X direction is provided. Inside the case body 321, a plurality of pressing portions 3214 for pressing the RFID antenna 311 from above, and a plurality of press-in portions 3215 for press-in the wiring 312 are provided. When the antenna assembly 31 is attached to the antenna case 32 , the antenna assembly 31 is held by the antenna case 32 and does not move relative to the antenna case 32 .

[0060] The antenna case 32 that holds the antenna assembly 31 is attached to the rear surface of the ribbon adjustment plate 66, as shown in Fig. 10A. The ribbon adjustment plate 66 has a flat portion 661 extending laterally, and a groove portion 662 that is formed by bending the lower end of the flat portion 661. Three holes 663 are formed in the flat portion 661. The antenna case 32 is attached to the ribbon adjustment plate 66 by the three engagement claws 322c of the antenna case 32 engaging with the three holes 663, respectively, and by a part of the case body 321 of the antenna case 32 engaging with the groove portion 662 (see Fig. 10B).

[0061] FIG. 10B shows a cross section of the printer 1 near the RFID antenna 311 with the RFID antenna 311 installed. As shown in FIG. 10B, the RFID antenna 311 is disposed downstream of the heat generating portion 18L of the thermal head 18 in the transport path of the web paper CP, and on the label printing surface side of the transported web paper CP. The reason why the RFID antenna 311 is disposed on the label printing surface side of the continuous paper CP is as follows. When the label PL is attached to a conductive material such as metal, a metal sheet may be provided on the adhesive layer side of the inlay IL to prevent the electromagnetic waves for the inlay IL from being canceled. In this case, the label PL is configured such that the inlay IL and the thermal layer are laminated in this order on the upper surface side of the base material, and the metal sheet (e.g., an aluminum sheet) and the adhesive layer are laminated in this order on the lower surface side of the base material. Therefore, the RFID antenna 311 is disposed on the label printing surface side of the continuous paper CP so that communication with the inlay IL by electromagnetic waves radiated from the RFID antenna 311 is possible.

[0062] Next, a preferred method of connecting the RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a side view of a portion of the printer 1 with the interior visible, similar to Fig. 2. The RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91 are not actually visible from the side, but are shown visible for the purpose of explanation. Fig. 11 shows a wiring path when the RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91 are connected via a relay board. As described above, the RFID antenna 311 is disposed adjacent to the ribbon adjustment plate 66, and the reader / writer 91 is built into the label support mechanism 70, so it is necessary to electrically connect the RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91 with wiring. The RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91 may be directly connected with a single wiring, but connecting the two via a relay board improves workability. As shown in Fig. 11, the relay board 24 is fixed to the support plate 171 of the print head unit 13. One end of the wiring 312 is connected to the RFID antenna 311, and a connector 312c attached to the other end is connected to a connector (not shown) of the relay board 24. One end of the wiring 912 is connected to the reader / writer 91, and a connector 912c attached to the other end is connected to a connector (not shown) of the relay board 24. Wiring that electrically connects the wiring 312 and the wiring 912 is mounted on the relay board 24. In this configuration, when connecting the RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91, the connector 312c and the connector 912c are inserted into the relay board 24, which improves workability compared to the case where the RFID antenna 311 and the reader / writer 91 are connected with a single wire.

[0063] Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 12, the control unit 8 of the printer 1 includes a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, an input interface (I / F) 84, a display control unit 85, a motor controller 86, a head controller 87, a sensor interface (I / F) 88, a reader / writer interface (I / F) 89, and a communication bus 90. Although not shown, a control unit constituting the control unit 8 of the printer 1 is built into the printer 1.

[0064] The CPU 81 loads firmware stored in the ROM 82 into the RAM 83 and executes it to realize various functions of the printer 1 . The firmware controls the transport of the continuous paper CP based on the output signals of the label position detection sensor 74 and the label presence / absence detection sensor 64. The firmware also records the data that the reader / writer 91 reads from the inlay IL, and transmits data to be written by the reader / writer 91 to the inlay IL of each label via the reader / writer interface 89 to the reader / writer 91. The input interface 84 is an interface that receives operational inputs made to the input buttons 3 and transmits the inputs to the CPU 81. The display control unit 85 causes the display panel 4 to display an image based on the display data received from the CPU 81. The motor controller 86 includes a drive circuit that drives the motor 9 based on a control signal sent from the firmware. The control signal includes, for example, information related to the transport amount of the continuous paper CP. The head controller 87 includes an image buffer and controls the flow of current selectively to multiple heating elements included in the heating section 18L of the thermal head 18 in accordance with the print data, based on a control signal (e.g., a strobe signal) sent from the firmware. The sensor interface 88 receives output signals from the label position detection sensor 74 and the label presence / absence detection sensor 64 , converts them into digital values, and transmits them to the CPU 81 . The reader / writer interface 89 is an interface between the control unit 8 and the reader / writer 91, and transmits instruction signals for reading and writing from the firmware to the reader / writer 91. The reader / writer interface 89 receives read data from the reader / writer 91, and transmits data to be written to the inlay IL to the reader / writer 91.

[0065] Next, an example of a label transport method when the printer 1 issues a label PL will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. Each of Figures 13 to 15 shows the position of the heat generating part 18L of the print head (heating element position), the detection position of the label position detection sensor 74, and the positional relationship of the RFID antenna 311 in each state along the time series of the continuous paper (including the first label PL#1, the second label PL#2, ...). As described above, the RFID antenna 311 is disposed downstream of the transport path of the continuous paper CP from the heat generating portion 18L of the thermal head 18. Therefore, when multiple labels PL are produced in sequence, the label transport method shown in any one of Figures 13 to 15 can prevent the first label PL from being wasted.

[0066] (I) First example of label transport method (Fig. 13) Referring to Figure 13, in the first example, when printing each label on continuous paper, the printer 1 waits with the print start position of the first label PL#1 located at the heating element position (state ST11), and when printing each label, it writes data to the inlay of each label before printing. In this state, the printer 1 receives print data from a host computer (not shown) and starts issuing labels. First, the printer 1 transports the first label PL#1 in the forward direction F (downstream) to a communication position where communication with the inlay IL of the first label PL#1 is performed via the RFID antenna 311 (state ST12). Because the distance between the heating element position and the reference position of the RFID antenna 311 (for example, the center position of the RFID antenna 311 in the transport direction) is known, the transport amount from state ST11 to state ST12 (referred to as the "optimum offset amount") is determined in advance so as to optimize the reading and writing of data from and to the inlay IL. In state ST12, after writing data to the inlay IL of the first label PL#1, the continuous paper CP is transported in the reverse direction (upstream) and the printing start position of the first label PL#1 is positioned at the heating element position, as in state ST11 (state ST13), and then printing is performed on the first label PL#1 (state ST14). The printing of the second label PL#2 and each subsequent label is performed in the same manner as the first label. When the print start position of each label is positioned at the heating element position, the label position detection sensor 74 detects the end of each label and transports the continuous paper CP by a predetermined amount according to the distance from the position of the label position detection sensor 74 to the heating element position.

[0067] According to the first example of the label conveying method, when writing data to the inlay IL of the first label PL#1, the label is conveyed in the forward direction from the standby position (position in state ST11), so it is possible to issue the first label PL#1 without it falling off from the heating element position. Therefore, the first label PL#1 is not wasted. In the first example of the label conveying method, after communication with the inlay IL, printing is performed on the entire area of ​​the label PL from the print start position, so good print quality is obtained.

[0068] (II) Second example of label transport method (Fig. 14) 14, in the second example, when printing each label on the continuous paper, the printer 1 makes the first label PL#1 wait at the communication position (i.e., the position where the RFID antenna 311 and the inlay IL of the first label PL#1 communicate) (state ST21). When printing each label, the printer 1 writes data to the inlay of each label and then prints. In state ST21, the printer 1 receives print data from a host computer (not shown) and starts issuing labels. First, in state ST21, the printer 1 writes data to the inlay IL of the first label PL#1, then transports the continuous paper CP in the reverse direction (upstream) until the print start position of the first label PL#1 is located at the heating element position (state ST22), and then prints the first label PL#1 while transporting it in the forward direction F (state ST23). After that, the printer 1 further transports the continuous paper CP in the forward direction F and causes the second label PL#2 to wait at the communication position. The printing of the second label PL#2 and subsequent labels is similar to that of the first label. When each label is positioned at the communication position, the label position detection sensor 74 detects the edge of each label and transports the continuous paper CP a predetermined amount according to the distance from the position of the label position detection sensor 74 to the known communication position.

[0069] According to the second example of the label conveying method, there is no need to convey the first label PL#1 from the standby position when writing data to the inlay IL, and the continuous paper CP does not fall off from the heating element position even when conveyed in reverse for printing. Therefore, it is possible to print the first label PL#1, and the first label PL#1 is not wasted. In the second example of the label conveying method, good print quality is obtained because printing is performed on the entire area of ​​the label PL from the print start position after communication with the inlay IL.

[0070] (III) Third example of label transport method (Fig. 15) Referring to FIG. 15, in the third example, when each label on the continuous paper is printed, the printer 1 makes the first label PL#1 wait with the print start position located at the heating element position (state ST31) as in the first example. In the third example, when printing each label, the printer 1 prints the label partway, writes data to the inlay, and then prints the remaining part. That is, when printing the first label PL#1, the printer 1 prints the first label PL#1 partway while transporting the continuous paper CP in the forward direction F (downstream) from state ST31. The printer 1 stops transporting the continuous paper CP when the first label PL#1 is in the communication position (state ST32) and writes data to the inlay IL of the first label PL#1. Next, the printer 1 prints the remaining part of the first label PL#1 while transporting the continuous paper CP further in the forward direction F (state ST33). The printing of the second label PL#2 and each subsequent label is similar to that of the first label. When the print start position of each label is positioned at the heating element position, the label position detection sensor 74 detects the end of each label and transports the continuous paper CP a predetermined amount according to the distance from the position of the label position detection sensor 74 to the heating element position. After printing of the first label PL#1 is completed, printing of the second label PL#2 may be started without stopping the transport of the continuous paper CP.

[0071] According to the third example of the label conveying method, when writing data to the inlay IL of the first label PL#1, it is only necessary to convey the label PL#1 in the forward direction from the standby position, so that the first label PL#1 can be issued without falling off from the heating element position. Therefore, the first label PL#1 is not wasted. In the third example of the label conveying method, there is no need to convey the label PL in the reverse direction after the reader / writer communicates with the inlay IL, so throughput is improved. In the third example of the label conveying method, conveyance of the continuous paper CP may or may not be stopped in state ST32. Since the time required to write data to the inlay is short, data can be written to the inlay while conveying the continuous paper CP before and after the communication position. Stopping conveyance of the continuous paper CP in state ST32 has the advantage that the reader / writer can stably communicate with the RFID inlay at the communication position.

[0072] As explained with reference to the first to third examples of the label conveying method, the control unit 8 controls the reader / writer 91 to communicate with the inlay IL of the label PL at a communication position where the label PL is conveyed in the conveying direction from the printing start position by the above-mentioned optimal offset amount. In each of the above examples of the label conveying method, the case where writing is performed on the inlay of the label has been described, but reading of data from the inlay of the label may be performed before or after the timing of writing.

[0073] As described above, in the printer 1 described above, the RFID antenna 311 is disposed downstream of the heat generating portion 18L of the thermal head 18 in the transport path of the continuous paper CP. Therefore, when writing data to the inlay of the first label, the leading edge of the first label does not fall off from the heating element position of the print head. In other words, since the RFID antenna 311 is disposed downstream of the heating element position of the thermal head 18, it is not necessary to transport the continuous paper CP in the reverse direction when writing data to the inlay of the first label, and it is possible to prevent the first label from falling off from the heating element position. Therefore, the first label can be printed without waste.

[0074] In Fig. 10, an example in which the RFID antenna is disposed on the ribbon adjustment plate is shown, but the RFID antenna can be disposed in other locations. Below, modified examples of printer 1 in which the RFID antenna is disposed in a location different from the location shown in Fig. 10 are described with reference to Figs. 16 to 21.

[0075] (I) First Modification FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an RFID antenna 311A ​​disposed on a head holding part 36A in a printer according to a first modified example. 6 in that a connecting member 365 is provided at the front end of head holding part 36A to connect side walls 362 on both sides. In this modification, an RFID antenna 311A ​​is attached to the front surface of connecting member 365. The RFID antenna may be disposed on the rear surface of connecting member 365.

[0076] (II) Second Modification FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an RFID antenna 311B disposed at the tip of the thermal head 18 in a printer according to a second modified example. In this modification, an RFID antenna 311B is attached to the front surface of the heat sink 181 of the thermal head 18.

[0077] (III) Third Modification FIG. 18A is a side view of a thermal head in a printer according to a third modified example, and shows an RFID antenna 311C disposed on the bottom surface of the thermal head. In this modification, a heat sink 181C of the thermal head is extended forward compared to the heat sink 181 shown in Fig. 7. That is, a front end surface 181Cf of the heat sink 181C is located forward of a front end surface 181f (shown by a virtual line) of the heat sink 181. The RFID antenna 311C is attached to the bottom surface of the heat sink 181C, forward of the heat generating portion 18L.

[0078] (IV) Fourth Modification FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an RFID antenna 311D disposed in an opening 181h provided in a thermal head in a printer according to a fourth modified example. A heat sink 181D of a thermal head of a printer according to this modification is different from the heat sink 181 shown in Fig. 7 in that an opening 181h is formed in front of the heat generating portion 18L, and an RFID antenna 311D is disposed in the opening 181h.

[0079] (V) Fifth Variation Fig. 19A is a diagram showing an RFID antenna 311E arranged on a head accessory 38E in a printer according to a fifth modified example. Fig. 19B is a diagram showing a front part of the head accessory 38E as viewed from the side when the head accessory 38E shown in Fig. 19A is mounted on a printer. In this modification, the head accessory 38E is different from the head accessory 38 shown in Fig. 7 in the position of the front end of the central plate. That is, the front end 381Ef of the central plate 381E of the head accessory 38E is located forward of the front end 381f (shown by a virtual line) of the central plate 381 of the head accessory 38. The RFID antenna 311E is disposed near the front end 381Ef on the bottom surface of the central plate 381E. As shown in Fig. 19B, the RFID antenna 311E is disposed forward of the heat generating part 18L of the thermal head 18.

[0080] (VI) Sixth Modification FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an RFID antenna 311F disposed near the label presence / absence detection sensor 64 in a printer according to a sixth modified example. In the printer according to the sixth modified example, a member 64Ex is provided that extends the housing portion of the label presence detection sensor 64 in the -X direction. An RFID antenna 311F is attached to the bottom surface of the member 64Ex (see the view of arrow B). The lateral length of the member 64Ex is not important, but it is sufficient to ensure that the length allows the RFID antenna 311F to be placed.

[0081] (VII) Seventh Variation Fig. 21A is a perspective view of a printer according to a seventh modified example. Fig. 21B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an issuing port 5A in the printer of Fig. 21A, and shows an RFID antenna disposed near a cutter 45 or downstream of the cutter 45. As shown in FIG. 21B, the printer according to the seventh modification differs from the printer 1 in that a cutter 45 is disposed near the label issuing port 5A. The cutter 45 has a fixed blade 451 fixed to the wall 25 of the printer housing, and a movable blade 452 that can move in the vertical direction. At this time, the continuous paper CP passes through the transport port 45S downstream of the thermal head 18, and is discharged from the issuing port 5A. The issuing port 5A is formed by an upper member 51 provided above (on the printing surface side) the transported continuous paper CP, and a lower member 52 provided below the transported continuous paper CP. In the printer of this modification, the RFID antenna 311G or the RFID antenna 311H may be disposed on the wall portion 25 adjacent to the fixed blade 451 (i.e., near the cutter 45). The RFID antenna 311G is disposed on the surface of the wall portion 25 facing the continuous paper CP. The RFID antenna 311H is disposed on the surface of the wall portion 25 facing the thermal head 18. In the printer of this modification, an RFID antenna 311J may be disposed on the upper member 51 downstream of the cutter 45.

[0082] In the printers according to any of the first to seventh modified examples, the RFID antenna is disposed downstream of the transport path of the continuous paper CP from the heat generating portion 18L of the thermal head 18, and on the label printing surface side of the transported continuous paper CP. Therefore, in each modified example, the effect of printing the first label without waste is achieved, as in the case where the RFID antenna is disposed on the ribbon adjustment plate.

[0083] The first modification has the advantage that the wireless antenna can be accurately positioned downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head. According to the second to fifth modified examples, the RFID antenna can be integrated with the thermal head 18, which has the advantage that the RFID antenna can be accurately positioned downstream of the heat generating portion 18L of the thermal head 18. According to the sixth and seventh modified examples, since the RFID antenna is arranged separately from the thermal head 18, there is an advantage that there is no need to remove the RFID antenna when replacing the thermal head 18.

[0084] Although the embodiment of the printer of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Furthermore, the above embodiment can be improved or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Printer 2. Front cover 3...Enter button 4. Display panel 5,5A…Issue port 51: upper member, 52: lower member 6…Open cover 7…Hinge 8...Control section 81: CPU, 82: ROM, 83: RAM, 84: input interface, 85: display control unit, 86: motor controller, 87: head controller, 88: sensor interface, 89: reader / writer interface, 90: communication bus 9…Motor 10...Paper supply section 10a...Support shaft, 10b...Roll guide 11...Printing section 12...Ink ribbon section 12a... ribbon supply section, 12b... ribbon take-up section, 121, 122... ribbon rollers 13...Print head unit 14...Support stand 15…Damper 16...Head lock lever 17,171...Support plate 18A…Head assembly 18...thermal head, 18L...heat generating portion, 181...heat sink, 181a...screw hole, 181f...tip portion, 181h...opening, 183...substrate, 184...connector 19…Engagement claw 20…Pin 22...Lock claw 23...Platen roller 24...Relay board 25…Wall part 31...Antenna assembly 311...RFID antenna, 312...wiring, 312c...connector, 313...assembly member 32…Antenna case 321: case body; 322: protrusion; 322c: engagement claw 35...Head mechanism 36…Head holder 36f, 36g...hole, 361...support plate, 362...side wall, 362a, 362b...through hole, 362c...pin abutment portion, 37...pin pressing portion, 37a...pressing plate, 37b...coil spring, 37d...hole, 37f, 37g...pin, 37h...pin abutment piece, 37i...projection, 37j...projection, 30...head retention release portion 38...Head accessories 38P... pin, 381... center plate, 381a, 381b... holes, 382... end plate, 382a... notch, 382b... notch, 383... screw 39…Head cover 391: Thermal head mounting portion; 392: Circuit board fixing portion; 392a: Threaded portion; 393: Guide projection; 394: Pin; 395: Through hole; 396: Notch portion 40...Oscillating shaft 41...Rotation axis 42...Operation unit 45…Cutter 45S: Transport opening, 451: Fixed blade, 452: Movable blade 64...Label presence detection sensor 66…Ribbon adjustment plate 661: Flat portion; 662: Groove portion; 663: Hole; 664: Screw; 665: Slot 70...Label support mechanism 71: label support portion, 73: label guide portion, 74: label position detection sensor 91...Reader / writer 912…Wiring, 912c…Connector CP...Continuous paper, PM...Backing paper, PL...Label, IL...RFID inlay, IM...Position detection mark, RB...Ink ribbon, R...Roll paper S1: Swing axis

Claims

1. A printer for printing on a print medium having an RFID inlay, comprising: a platen roller for transporting the print medium; a print head having a heat generating section made up of a plurality of heat generating elements arranged in a line, the print head printing on the print medium while holding the print medium between the heat generating section and the platen roller; a radio antenna disposed downstream of the heat generating portion of the print head in a transport path of the print medium and on the print surface side of the transported print medium; a reader / writer that communicates with the RFID inlay of the print medium via the wireless antenna; A printer equipped with

2. The print head has a head body and a heat exhaust unit attached to the head body, The wireless antenna is attached to the heat exhaust section.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

3. a head assembly including the print head; The wireless antenna is attached to the head assembly.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

4. a head assembly including the print head; a head holding portion that detachably holds the head assembly, The wireless antenna is attached to the head holder.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

5. the print head performs printing on the print medium while sandwiching the print medium and the ink ribbon between the heat generating portion and the platen roller; the printer includes a ribbon adjustment unit that adjusts the tension of the ink ribbon downstream of a transport path of the ink ribbon; The wireless antenna is attached to the ribbon adjustment section.

2. The printer according to claim 1.

6. a control unit that controls the reader / writer to communicate with an RFID inlay of the print medium at a communication position where the print medium is conveyed a predetermined distance in a conveyance direction from a print start position of the print medium, A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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