Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device capable of performing good data communication with a wireless tag provided on a holder that holds a medium used for printing.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, a printing device includes a shaft, an antenna, a reader, and a controller. The shaft rotatably supports a medium roll in which a medium is wound around a cylindrical body provided with a wireless tag. The antenna is provided at the cylindrical body supported by the shaft and wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag. The reader reads data recorded in the wireless tag by wireless communication via the antenna. The controller causes the reader to perform a second read of the data recorded in the wireless tag after the cylindrical body has been rotated around the shaft for an arbitrary rotation time and then has been stopped when the reader is unable to read the data recorded in the wireless tag by wireless communication via the antenna.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A thermal printer such as a label printer performs printing by overlapping an ink ribbon on a printing paper and transporting it, and transferring the ink of the ink ribbon to the printing paper by a thermal head. The thermal printer may perform printing control settings such as printing speed depending on the type of ink ribbon used. Some conventional thermal printers perform printing control settings based on data read from a wireless tag provided on a ribbon roll around which an ink ribbon is wound.

[0003] However, depending on the positional relationship between the wireless tag provided on the ribbon roll and the antenna, the data may not be readable from the wireless tag by the reader / writer provided in the thermal printer. For this reason, a data reading process that can surely read the data of the wireless tag provided on the ribbon roll is desired for a printing apparatus such as a thermal printer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of good data communication with a wireless tag provided on a holder that holds a medium used for printing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to an embodiment, a printing apparatus includes a shaft, an antenna, a reader, and a control unit. The shaft rotatably supports a media roll around which a media is wound on a cylindrical body provided with a wireless tag. The antenna is provided on the cylindrical body supported by the shaft and performs wireless communication with the wireless tag. The reader reads data recorded on the wireless tag by wireless communication via the antenna. When the reader cannot read the data recorded on the wireless tag by wireless communication via the antenna, the control unit rotates the cylindrical body around the shaft for an arbitrary rotation time and then stops, and causes the reader to execute reading of the data recorded on the wireless tag again.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scales of the respective parts in the drawings used in the following description may be changed as appropriate. Further, the drawings may show the configuration in a simplified or omitted manner for easier understanding of the description. First, a configuration example of the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the label printer 100 has a housing 2 and a cover 4. The cover 4 is rotatably connected to the housing 2 via two hinges 3. The cover 4 is rotatable between an open position shown in FIG. 1 that opens the interior of the housing 2 and a closed position that covers the interior of the housing 2. There is a damper 1 between the cover 4 and the housing 2 to gently slow down the opening and closing operation of the cover 4. The label printer 100 has a substantially rectangular block-shaped outer profile with the cover 4 closed.

[0010] On the front surface of the housing 2, there are an operation unit 202, a display unit 204, and a power switch 206. The operation unit 202 is an input device (such as a touch panel, operation keys, etc.) for the user to input operation instructions. The operation unit 202 inputs information such as information regarding label paper and the number of printed sheets, for example. The display unit 204 is a display device for displaying information. The display unit 204 displays operation information, operation menus, etc., for example. The power switch 206 is a switch for turning on or off the power of the label printer 100.

[0011] The label printer 100 has a supply shaft 6, a feed shaft (shaft) 10, a take-up shaft 12, and a printing unit 20. The supply shaft 6 attaches a label paper roll. The feed shaft 10 removably attaches a ribbon roll in which a pre-use ink ribbon is wound around a paper tube 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The supply shaft 6 and the feed shaft 10 are examples of shafts that support a media roll (ribbon roll, label paper roll). The take-up shaft 12 removably attaches a ribbon roll that takes up the used ink ribbon sent out from the ribbon roll attached to the feed shaft 10. The printing unit 20 is an example of a printing section and forms an image by transferring the ink ribbon onto the label paper.

[0012] The label paper roll is formed by winding a long strip of label paper (printing paper) in a roll shape. The label paper is an example of printing paper (medium). The printing paper is not limited to label paper and may be, for example, a strip of thermal paper. The label paper roll is an example of a medium roll in which label paper (printing paper) as a medium for printing is wound around a core material as a cylindrical body (holder).

[0013] The label paper wound around the label paper roll is formed by arranging and attaching a plurality of labels on one side of a long backing paper. The label has an adhesive layer on the side facing the backing paper and is detachable from the backing paper. After being peeled off from the backing paper, the label can be attached to other articles. The label paper roll is formed by winding the label paper around the core material with the side of the backing paper to which the label is attached facing inward.

[0014] The ribbon roll is formed by winding a long ink ribbon in a roll shape. The ink ribbon is a medium that holds ink (image forming material) that is transferred to the label paper by heat. The ribbon roll before use is formed by winding the ink ribbon before ink transfer around a paper tube 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The diameter of the ribbon roll before use decreases when the ink ribbon is fed out. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the ribbon roll before use is attached to the feed shaft 10. The ribbon roll before use is an example of a medium roll in which an ink ribbon as a medium for printing is wound around a paper tube as a cylindrical body (holder).

[0015] The ribbon roll after use is formed by winding up the ink ribbon after ink transfer (the ink ribbon fed out from the ribbon roll before use). In other words, the ribbon roll after use is formed by winding up the ink ribbon pulled out from the ribbon roll before use on the downstream side of the printing unit 20. The diameter of the ribbon roll after use gradually increases by winding up the ink ribbon. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the ribbon roll after use is attached to the take-up shaft 12.

[0016] The side wall 201 of the housing 2 fixes one end of the supply shaft 6, the delivery shaft 10, and the take-up shaft 12. The side wall 201 holds the three shafts 6, 10, and 12 in a cantilever state. The take-up shaft 12 has substantially the same structure as the delivery shaft 10 except that it does not include the antenna 40 described later (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, detailed description of the take-up shaft 12 will be omitted.

[0017] The supply shaft 6 is provided with two hold plates 701 and 702 that respectively abut against both end faces in the axial direction of the label paper roll near both ends in the longitudinal direction. The rear hold plate 701 close to the side wall 201 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the supply shaft 6. The hold plate 701 determines the mounting position of the label paper roll in the axial direction so that the center in the axial direction of the label paper roll aligns with the center of the label printer 100. The front hold plate 702 attached near the end of the supply shaft 6 on the side away from the side wall 201 of the housing 2 is fixed to the supply shaft 6 by a fixture 703.

[0018] The label paper roll is attached to the supply shaft 6 with the front hold plate 702 removed from the supply shaft 6. The front hold plate 702 is attached to the front end of the supply shaft 6 to which the label paper roll is attached. The label paper of the label paper roll is pulled out from the label paper roll by a label paper conveyance roller 68 (see FIG. 4), passes through the printing unit 20, and exits from the label printer 100.

[0019] The delivery shaft 10 and the take-up shaft 12 of the ribbon roll are each provided with stopper plates 13 and 14 near the side wall 201 of the housing 2. The stopper plates 13 and 14 are movable along the longitudinal direction of the respective shafts 10 and 12. The stopper plate 13 abuts against one axial end of the ribbon roll before use attached to the delivery shaft 10. The stopper plate 13 aligns the axial center of the ribbon roll with the center of the label printer 100. The stopper plate 14 abuts against one axial end of the ribbon roll after use attached to the take-up shaft 12. The stopper plate 14 aligns the axial center of the ribbon roll with the center of the label printer 100.

[0020] At a position facing the front end on the side away from the side wall 201 of the delivery shaft 10 and the take-up shaft 12, there is a ribbon shaft fixing plate 15. The ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 is rotatably connected to a support plate 203 erected upward from the bottom wall 205 of the housing 2 via a hinge 16. The ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 has a receiving hole 151 and a receiving hole 152. The receiving hole 151 receives the tip 411 of a fixed shaft 41 (hereinafter, may also be simply referred to as the tip 411 of the delivery shaft 10) of the delivery shaft 10 described later. The receiving hole 152 receives the tip 121 of the take-up shaft 12. The ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 has an insertion hole 153 through which the head lever 21 of the printing unit 20 is inserted.

[0021] When attaching a ribbon roll to the delivery shaft 10, the ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 is opened to a position not shown, and the ribbon roll is attached to the delivery shaft 10. The ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 is rotated to the position shown in the figure. The tip 411 of the delivery shaft 10 is inserted into the receiving hole 151. The tip 121 of the take-up shaft 12 is inserted into the receiving hole 152. In this state, the ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 fixes the tip 411 of the delivery shaft 10 and the tip 121 of the take-up shaft 12.

[0022] The ink ribbon pulled out from the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 is wound up by the take-up shaft 12 through the printing unit 20. The printing unit 20 conveys the ink ribbon while overlapping it on the label paper and passes the printing unit 20 at the same speed as the label paper.

[0023] The printing unit 20 has a thermal head disposed on the side opposite to the label paper of the ink ribbon. The printing unit 20 has a platen roller at a position facing the thermal head with the ink ribbon and the label paper sandwiched therebetween. The printing unit 20 thermally transfers the ink of the ink ribbon to the label paper by pressing the ink ribbon against the label paper with the thermal head. For example, the printing unit 20 prints an image for labels such as a two-dimensional barcode on each label of the label paper.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the delivery shaft 10 in the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the delivery shaft 10 in the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment. The take-up shaft 12 has substantially the same structure as the delivery shaft 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 except that it does not include the antenna 40, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the delivery shaft 10 has a fixed shaft 41, an intermediate sleeve 42, and a bearing 43. The fixed shaft 41 is fixed to the side wall 201 of the housing 2 in a cantilever state. The intermediate sleeve 42 is coaxially disposed outside the fixed shaft 41. The bearing 43 is coaxially disposed outside the fixed shaft 41.

[0026] The fixed shaft 41 is, for example, a solid metal shaft and is fixed to the side wall 201 of the housing 2 in a cantilever state using bolts. The tip 411 of the fixed shaft 41 protrudes from the front end of the intermediate sleeve 42.

[0027] The intermediate sleeve 42 is substantially cylindrical and has a bearing 43 inside it near the end on the side wall 201 side. The bearing 43 fits inside the end of the intermediate sleeve 42 and is fixed to the intermediate sleeve 42. The bearing 43 is cylindrical and can be formed of resin or metal. The inner diameter of the intermediate sleeve 42 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the bearing 43.

[0028] The intermediate sleeve 42 is rotatable (pivotable) with respect to the fixed shaft 41 by the bearing 43. The intermediate sleeve 42 has the above-described stopper plate 13 on the outside near the end on the side wall 201 side. The stopper plate 13 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate sleeve 42 and can be fixed at a desired position in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] On the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate sleeve 42, there are two boss portions 421 for positioning the leaf spring 44 and screw holes 422 for fastening and fixing the leaf spring 44 to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate sleeve 42. The leaf spring 44 has a slit 441 through which the boss portion 421 is inserted at one end on the side wall 201 side, and a screw hole through which a screw 442 passes at the other end. The leaf spring 44 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate sleeve 42 by inserting the boss portion 421 of the intermediate sleeve 42 through the slit 441 and screwing the screw 442 into the screw hole 422.

[0030] The leaf spring 44 is made of metal, for example. The leaf spring 44 presses the inner surface of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll outward and fixes the paper tube 30 to the intermediate sleeve 42 with the paper tube 30 attached to the outside of the intermediate sleeve 42. The leaf spring 44 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate sleeve 42 to such an extent that the intermediate sleeve 42 can be inserted into the paper tube 30. The leaf spring 44 has a circumferential width narrower than the width of the antenna 40 along the circumferential direction of the fixed shaft 41.

[0031] On the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 41, there is a sheet-like antenna 40. On the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 41, there is a wiring 401 that is electrically connected to the antenna 40 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the fixed shaft 41. The antenna 40 and the wiring 401 may be, for example, a continuous metal foil, or a metal foil patterned on the surface of a flexible substrate. For example, the pattern of the antenna 40 has the shape of a loop antenna in order to generate a magnetic field.

[0032] Between the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 41 and the antenna 40, there is a magnetic sheet 45. The magnetic sheet 45 is provided so that eddy currents are generated in the metal fixed shaft 41 by the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40 and do not cancel out the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40. For this reason, the magnetic sheet 45 has a size that is slightly larger than the antenna 40 so as to exist between the antenna 40 and the fixed shaft 41.

[0033] The antenna 40 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 41 by the thickness of the magnetic sheet 45. For this reason, the end of the wiring 401 on the antenna 40 side is slightly inclined in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the fixed shaft 41 toward the antenna 40. Since a bearing 43 is provided between the intermediate sleeve 42 and the fixed shaft 41, the inner diameter of the intermediate sleeve 42 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the fixed shaft 41. For this reason, the antenna 40 and the wiring 401 do not slide on the inner surface of the intermediate sleeve 42. For example, even when the fixed shaft 41 is inserted into the intermediate sleeve 42 or when the intermediate sleeve 42 rotates with respect to the fixed shaft 41, the antenna 40 and the wiring 401 do not slide on the inner surface of the intermediate sleeve 42.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of a label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the label printer 100 has a control unit 60 that performs various controls. The control unit 60 is constituted by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example. Further, the processor may be an MPU (micro processing unit), SoC (system on a chip), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (graphics processing unit), ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), PLD (programmable logic device), or FPGA (field-programmable gate array), etc. Further, the processor may be a combination of a plurality of these.

[0035] The control unit 60 is connected to a power switch 206, an operation unit 202, a display unit 204, a memory 62, a reader / writer 63, a label paper conveyance motor 64, an ink ribbon feeding motor 65, an ink ribbon winding motor 66, and a communication unit 67.

[0036] The memory 62 includes, for example, a rewritable non-volatile memory. The memory 62 stores various data such as control programs and control data. For example, the memory 62 stores data regarding the printing speed according to the ink ribbon.

[0037] The reader / writer 63 is an example of a reader. The reader / writer 63 is a device that wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40. For example, the reader / writer 63 reads the data recorded in the wireless tag 32 by wireless communication with the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40.

[0038] The label paper conveyance motor 64 rotates a label paper conveyance roller 68 that pulls out label paper from a label paper roll. The ink ribbon feed motor (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the feed motor) 65 rotates the intermediate sleeve 42 (4201) of the feed shaft 10. A ribbon roll before use is set on the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feed shaft 10.

[0039] The feed motor 65 is composed of a motor such as a DC motor, for example, and is driven (rotated) according to the control from the control unit 60. Also, the rotation direction, rotation torque, etc. of the feed motor 65 are controlled from the control unit 60. For example, when a positive voltage is applied, the feed motor 65 rotates in a predetermined first direction (positive direction), and when a negative voltage is applied, it rotates (reverses) in a direction opposite to the first direction (reverse direction). Further, the torque for rotating the intermediate sleeve of the feed shaft 10 by the feed motor 65 is controlled according to the magnitude of the applied voltage.

[0040] The ink ribbon take-up motor (take-up motor) 66 rotates the intermediate sleeve 42 (4202) of the take-up shaft 12. A used ribbon roll that has wound up the ink ribbon sent out from the ribbon roll before use is set on the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the take-up shaft 12. The take-up motor 66 is composed of a motor such as a DC motor, for example, similar to the feed motor 65, and is driven (rotated) according to the control from the control unit 60. The control unit 60 drives the take-up motor 66 to rotate the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the take-up shaft 12 and winds up the ink ribbon sent out from the ribbon roll before use. The paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feed shaft 10 rotates in response to the winding up of the ink ribbon by the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the take-up shaft 12.

[0041] Further, the control unit 60 may rotate only the feeding motor 65 in the forward direction without driving the take-up motor 66. When the feeding motor 65 rotates in the forward direction, the paper tube 30 of the unused ribbon roll set on the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feeding shaft 10 rotates, and the ink ribbon is fed out. When the ink ribbon is fed out, the control unit 60 may rotate the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction by the amount of rotation in the forward direction. By rotating the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction, the ink ribbon fed out is rewound onto the unused ribbon roll attached to the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feeding shaft 10. Further, when the ink ribbon is fed out, the control unit 60 may rewind the fed-out ink ribbon by rotating the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction at a low voltage for a predetermined time.

[0042] The communication unit 67 is constituted by a communication interface for communicating with an external device ED such as a host computer. The communication unit 67 may be an interface for wired communication or an interface for wireless communication. The communication unit 67 transmits and receives various data to and from the external device ED.

[0043] Next, the ribbon roll attached to the feeding shaft 10 in the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing an example of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the feeding shaft 10. The ribbon roll attached to the feeding shaft 10 has an ink ribbon wound around the outer peripheral surface of the paper tube 30. The diameter and length of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll are defined by the shape and size of the feeding shaft 10 of the label printer 100.

[0044] In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a wireless tag 32 is provided on the outer side of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll. The wireless tag 32 has an IC circuit including a processor and a memory (internal memory) and a loop antenna, and is driven by power generated by receiving the magnetic field generated in the antenna 40. However, the wireless tag 32 may be provided on the paper tube 30, may be provided on the inner surface of the paper tube 30, or may be provided at an intermediate portion between the outer peripheral surface and the inner surface of the paper tube 30. The wireless tag 32 attached to the outer peripheral surface 301 of the paper tube 30 has no specific regulations regarding its shape and size, and any tag provided on the paper tube 30 is acceptable.

[0045] The paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll is attached to the delivery shaft 10 in an arbitrary orientation. That is, the circumferential position of the wireless tag 32 with respect to the antenna 40 when attaching the ribbon roll to the delivery shaft 10 is not defined. For this reason, the wireless tag 32 may be attached facing the antenna 40, or may be attached in the opposite direction.

[0046] The ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 is replaced with the power switch 206 of the label printer 100 turned off and the cover 4 of the housing 2 opened. After replacing the ribbon roll on the delivery shaft 10, the power switch 206 is turned on. When the power switch 206 is turned on, the control unit 60 reads data from the wireless tag 32 by the reader / writer 63. The wireless tag 32 stores data regarding the ink ribbon (image forming material) wound around the paper tube 30. For example, the data regarding the ink ribbon includes product name, type (for plain paper, for thick paper), width, length, manufacturing date, serial number (manufacturing number), remaining amount of the ink ribbon, and the like.

[0047] The control unit 60 controls the printing using the ink ribbon based on the information read from the wireless tag 32. For example, the control unit 60 sets printing control such as the printing speed corresponding to the ink ribbon based on the information read from the wireless tag 32. Thereby, the control unit 60 controls the label paper conveyance motor 64, the ink ribbon feeding motor 65, and the ink ribbon winding motor 66 so as to perform printing control corresponding to the ink ribbon.

[0048] Next, the wireless tag 32 in the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 of the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing an example of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10. FIG. 5 shows a wireless tag TagA as a first example of the wireless tag 32 attached to the outer peripheral surface 301 of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10. Further, FIG. 6 shows a wireless tag TagB as a second example of the wireless tag 32 attached to the outer peripheral surface 301 of the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10.

[0049] The wireless tag 32 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is attached to the outer peripheral surface 301 of the paper tube 30 by adhesion at substantially the center in the axial direction of the paper tube 30. The wireless tag TagA illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example of a sheet-like wireless tag including a circular loop antenna having a predetermined diameter (for example, φ35 mm). Further, the wireless tag TagB illustrated in FIG. 6 is an example of a rectangular sheet-like wireless tag including a loop antenna having a predetermined rectangular size (for example, 31×14 mm).

[0050] As described above, it is assumed that there are no specific regulations regarding the shape and size of the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 for the label printer 100. Further, the ribbon roll is such that the paper tube 30 is attached to the delivery shaft 10 in an arbitrary orientation. That is, the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 has an arbitrary shape and size, and the positional relationship with respect to the antenna 40 is also arbitrary. The control unit 60 controls so that the reader / writer 63 can read data from the wireless tag 32 even when a wireless tag 32 having an arbitrary shape and size is attached at an arbitrary position.

[0051] Next, the data reading process from the wireless tag 32 depending on the positional relationship between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data reading result from the wireless tag according to the positional relationship (angle) between the wireless tags 32 (wireless tag TagA and wireless tag TagB) provided on the paper tube 30 and the antenna 40. Further, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the angle between the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 and the antenna 40 is 0 degrees. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 90 degrees.

[0052] Here, the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 represents the positional relationship between the center point in the radial width of the wireless tag 32 (referred to as the center of the wireless tag 32) and the center point in the radial width of the antenna 40 (referred to as the center of the antenna 40). Specifically, the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is defined such that the normal direction passing through the center of the antenna 40 is 0 degrees, and the angle clockwise is represented with respect to the center of the diameter of the antenna 40.

[0053] In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the center of the wireless tag 32 is in the normal direction passing through the center of the antenna 40, the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 0 degrees. In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the center of the wireless tag 32 is at a position 90 degrees from the normal direction passing through the center of the antenna 40, the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 90 degrees.

[0054] Also, in FIGS. 8 and 9, the white arrows indicate the main direction and magnitude of the magnetic field generated in the antenna 40. In the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the width of the antenna 40 in the radial direction of the fixed shaft 41 is set to half of the radial direction of the fixed shaft 41 (that is, the antenna 40 covers half of the radial direction of the fixed shaft 41). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40 is stronger at the central portion in the radial direction of the antenna 40 and weaker at the ends.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, when the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 0 degrees, the wireless tag 32 receives the strong magnetic field generated by the antenna 40. When the wireless tag 32 receives a strong magnetic field, it can obtain (generate) the power for operation necessary for data communication from the antenna 40. In a state where the wireless tag 32 is generating the power necessary for operation, the reader / writer 63 and the wireless tag 32 can perform stable data communication. As a result, when the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 0 degrees, the control unit 60 succeeds in reading data from the wireless tag 32 by the reader / writer 63.

[0056] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 90 degrees, it becomes difficult for the wireless tag 32 to receive the magnetic field generated in the antenna 40. When the magnetic field received by the wireless tag 32 is weak, it cannot obtain (generate) the power for operation necessary for data communication from the antenna 40. When the wireless tag 32 cannot generate the power necessary for operation, it becomes difficult for the reader / writer 63 and the wireless tag 32 to perform stable data communication. As a result, when the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 90 degrees, the control unit 60 fails to read data from the wireless tag 32 by the reader / writer 63.

[0057] In the data reading result shown in FIG. 7, the circles indicate successful data reading, and the crosses indicate failed data reading. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the reader / writer 63 has failed to read data from the wireless tags TagA and TagB whose angles with the antenna 40 are 90 degrees or 270 degrees. Also, the reader / writer 63 has failed to read data from the wireless tag TagB whose angle with the antenna 40 is 90 to 315 degrees.

[0058] The wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 generates operating power in response to the magnetic field generated in the antenna 40 by electromagnetic induction. If the magnetic field passing through the loop antenna of the wireless tag 32 is weak, the necessary operating power cannot be generated and normal data reading (data communication) cannot be performed. The reading result shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the smaller the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30, the wider the range of angles at which data reading fails. Also, the reading result shown in FIG. 7 indicates that if the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is near 0 degrees, data reading is successful even if the wireless tag 32 is small.

[0059] In the label printer 100, the angle between the wireless tag 32 provided on the ribbon roll and the antenna 40 changes due to the rotation of the ribbon roll. Also, in the label printer 100, the ribbon roll is attached to the feed shaft 10 in an arbitrary orientation (the angle between the wireless tag and the antenna is in an arbitrary state). For this reason, the label printer 100 rotates the ribbon roll (changes the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40) to perform data reading of the wireless tag 32.

[0060] Also, while the ribbon roll is rotating (while the position of the wireless tag 32 is moving), since the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes, the amplitude of the response signal of the wireless tag 32 received by the reader / writer 63 via the antenna 40 fluctuates. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately read the data of the wireless tag 32. For this reason, the control unit 60 of the label printer 100 executes the data reading of the wireless tag 32 with the rotation of the ribbon roll stopped. When the control unit 60 of the label printer 100 fails to read the data of the wireless tag 32, it repeats the data reading in a state where the ribbon roll is further rotated and then stopped.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation timing when the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment executes the data reading process of the wireless tag 32. The control unit 60 repeatedly executes the rotation (rotation) and stop of the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10 and the data reading process of the wireless tag 32 until a predetermined maximum value is reached. In the example shown in FIG. 10, T(n) is the rotation time (rotation time) for rotating the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10 with the counter n as a variable (n = 1, 2,... 5). As T(n) (T(1), T(2),..., T(5)), for example, arbitrary times are set. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 10, TS is a predetermined processing time for executing the data reading process of the wireless tag 32.

[0062] According to the example shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 60 rotates the paper tube 30 provided with the wireless tag 32 for T(1) time and then stops and executes the data reading process for TS time. When the control unit 60 fails to read the data in the state of rotating for T(1) time, it further rotates the paper tube 30 for T(2) time and then stops and executes the data reading process for TS time. That is, the control unit 60 repeatedly executes the data reading process for TS time in a state where the paper tube 30 is rotated for T(n) time and then stopped until data can be read from the wireless tag 32 (or until the number of rotations of the paper tube 30 exceeds a predetermined maximum value).

[0063] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a setting example of T(n) which is the rotation time for rotating the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10. As T(n), any time is set so that the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 does not repeatedly become the same angle. In the example shown in FIG. 11, n = 1, 2,... 5, T(1) is 0.5 seconds, T(2) is 0.7 seconds, T(3) is 0.9 seconds, T(4) is 1.1 seconds, and T(5) is 1.3 seconds.

[0064] As T(n), for example, any time (rotation time) is set. By repeating the rotation at any time, the paper tube 30 provided with the wireless tag 32 will vary at any rotation angle (the amount of variation in the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40). However, T(n) may be set as a certain time so that the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 does not repeatedly become an angle at which data reading fails.

[0065] That is, the rotation time set as T(n) is set so that the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 does not repeatedly become an angle at which data reading fails (near 90 degrees or 270 degrees). Also, the "n" which is the number of repetitions of the rotation of the paper tube 30 (the number of repetitions of the data reading process) has a preset maximum value (Nmax).

[0066] Also, the rotation time T(n) as shown in FIG. 11 may be stored in the memory 62 in advance as a preset value, for example. Also, the rotation time T(n) may be randomly selected by the control unit 60 under predetermined conditions.

[0067] According to the operation at the timing shown in FIG. 10, as the paper tube 30 rotates for an arbitrary rotation time, the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 varies at an arbitrary angle. Therefore, it can be expected that the data of the wireless tag 32 can be read at any timing by the reader / writer 63. Further, since the control unit 60 controls the rotation of the paper tube 30 by the rotation time, it is not necessary to precisely control the rotation angle of the paper tube 30 (accurately grasp the rotation angle). As a result, the control unit 60 can be easily controlled even by a mechanism that rotates the feed shaft 10 and the take-up shaft 12 with a DC motor or the like for which it is difficult to accurately grasp the rotation angle.

[0068] Next, a first operation example of the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 in the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 in the label printer 100. Here, it is assumed that when the power switch 206 of the label printer 100 is turned on, the control unit 60 starts the operation of the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 shown in FIG. 12.

[0069] However, the timing for starting the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 is not limited to the case where the power switch 206 is turned on. If the paper feed is stopped, the control unit 60 can stop the rotation of the paper tube 30 at an arbitrary timing and execute the data reading process for the wireless tag. For example, the control unit 60 may start the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 described above according to an operation on the operation unit 202. Further, the control unit 60 may start the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 according to an instruction from an external device ED that communicates via the communication unit 67.

[0070] When the control unit 60 starts the data reading process for the wireless tag 32, it sets the value of the counter n provided in the internal memory or the memory 62 to "0" as the initial value (ACT11). When the control unit 60 sets the initial value in the counter n, it executes the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 for a predetermined processing time (TS time) with the delivery shaft 10 stationary (ACT12). For example, the control unit 60 instructs the reader / writer 63 to read the data stored in the wireless tag 32 and acquires the data reading result from the reader / writer 63.

[0071] The reader / writer 63 generates a magnetic field in the antenna 40 in response to the control of the control unit 60 and transmits a data read request for the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40. On the other hand, the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10 is driven by the power generated by the magnetic field from the antenna 40. When the wireless tag 32 is activated by the generated power, it outputs the data (data regarding the ink ribbon) stored in the internal memory in response to the read request from the reader / writer 63.

[0072] The reader / writer 63 receives the data output by the wireless tag 32 as a response to the data read request. When the reader / writer 63 receives data from the wireless tag 32, it supplies the received data to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 determines that the reading is successful when it can acquire the data output by the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40 by the reader / writer 63, and determines that the reading fails when it cannot acquire the data.

[0073] When the data reading from the wireless tag 32 is successful (ACT13, YES), the control unit 60 ends the data reading process for the wireless tag 32. When the data reading from the wireless tag 32 is successful, the control unit 60 performs, for example, print settings based on the data read from the wireless tag 32.

[0074] Also, when the data reading from the wireless tag 32 fails (ACT13, NO), the control unit 60 increments the value of the counter n (n = n + 1) (ACT14). When the control unit 60 increments the counter n, it determines whether the counter n is less than or equal to the maximum value Nmax (ACT15). The maximum value Nmax is the maximum value of the variable n set as T(n). In the setting example shown in FIG. 11, since the variable n of T(n) is n = 1, 2,..., 5, Nmax is set to "5". In this case (when Nmax = 5), the control unit 60 determines whether the counter n is less than or equal to "5".

[0075] When the counter n is less than or equal to Nmax (ACT15, YES), the control unit 60 drives the take-up motor 66 for a time period of T(n) (ACT16). When the take-up motor 66 is driven for a time period of T(n), the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the take-up shaft 12 rotates for a time period of T(n). By rotating, the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the take-up shaft 12 winds up the ink ribbon sent out from the ribbon roll of the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10. As a result, the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 rotates by the amount of ink ribbon wound up on the take-up shaft 12 (the amount of ink ribbon sent out).

[0076] That is, the paper tube 30 provided with the wireless tag 32 attached to the delivery shaft 10 rotates for a time period of T(n) by the drive of the take-up motor 66. When the paper tube 30 rotates for a time period of T(n), the positional relationship (angle) between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes according to the rotation amount of the paper tube 30 for a time period of T(n). After changing the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 by driving the take-up motor 66 for a time period of T(n), the control unit 60 returns to ACT12 and executes the data reading process again. Thereby, the control unit 60 can perform the data reading process while varying the positional relationship between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40.

[0077] Further, when the counter n exceeds Nmax (ACT15, NO), the control unit 60 notifies an error (ACT17). For example, the control unit 60 notifies the error by displaying an error message indicating that the data of the wireless tag 32 cannot be read on the display unit 204. When the control unit 60 displays the error message on the display unit 204, it ends the data reading process for the wireless tag 32.

[0078] As described above, in the first operation example, when the control unit of the label printer fails to read data from the wireless tag, it rotates the paper tube equipped with the wireless tag for an arbitrary rotation time. The control unit executes the data reading process for the wireless tag by the reader / writer with the paper tube rotated for an arbitrary rotation time stopped. The control unit repeatedly performs the process of rotating for an arbitrary rotation time and then stopping and having the reader / writer execute the data reading process until it successfully reads data from the wireless tag.

[0079] Thereby, when the label printer cannot read data from the wireless tag, it can change the positional relationship between the wireless tag and the antenna and retry the data reading process. As a result, the label printer as a printing device can read the data of the wireless tag with simple control even if the wireless tag of an arbitrary shape and size is attached at an arbitrary position.

[0080] Also, when the control unit of the label printer cannot read the data of the wireless tag, it repeatedly executes the rotation of the paper tube and the data reading process until the number of repeated executions exceeds a predetermined maximum value. When the number of times the paper tube is rotated exceeds the predetermined maximum value, the control unit stops the rotation of the paper tube, notifies an error, and then ends the data reading process for the wireless tag. Thereby, the label printer as a printing device can prevent a large amount of unused ink ribbon from being sent out, and can suppress the consumption of the ink ribbon and the waste of power.

[0081] In addition, the control unit of the label printer executes data reading processing for the wireless tag by the reader / writer in a state where the rotation of the paper tube has stopped. As a result, the reader / writer can prevent failure of data reading due to the movement of the wireless tag and can surely read data for the wireless tag. Next, a second operation example of data reading processing for the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 in the label printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of data reading processing for the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 in the label printer 100. Here, it is assumed that when the power switch 206 is turned on, the control unit 60 of the label printer 100 starts the operation of data reading processing for the wireless tag 32 shown in FIG. 12. However, also in the second operation example, the timing for starting the data reading processing for the wireless tag 32 is not limited to the case where the power switch 206 is turned on.

[0082] When starting the data reading processing, the control unit 60 sets the value of the counter n provided in the internal memory or the memory 62 to “0” as the initial value (ACT31). When the control unit 60 sets the initial value in the counter n, it executes data reading processing for the wireless tag 32 for a predetermined processing time (TS time) with the delivery shaft 10 stationary (ACT32). For example, the control unit 60 instructs the reader / writer 63 to read the data stored in the wireless tag 32 and acquires a data reading result from the reader / writer 63.

[0083] In response to the control of the control unit 60, the reader / writer 63 generates a magnetic field in the antenna 40 and transmits a data read request for the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40. On the other hand, the wireless tag 32 provided on the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10 is driven by the power generated by the magnetic field from the antenna 40. When the wireless tag 32 is activated by the generated power, it outputs the data stored in the internal memory in response to the read request from the reader / writer 63.

[0084] The reader / writer 63 receives the data output by the wireless tag 32 as a response to a data read request. When the reader / writer 63 receives data from the wireless tag 32, it supplies the received data to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 determines that the reading is successful when the reader / writer 63 can acquire the data output by the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40, and determines that the reading has failed when it cannot acquire the data.

[0085] When the reading of the data from the wireless tag 32 fails (ACT33, NO), the control unit 60 increments the value of the counter n (n = n + 1) (ACT34). When the control unit 60 increments the counter n, it determines whether the counter n is less than or equal to the maximum value Nmax (ACT35). The maximum value Nmax is the maximum value of the variable n set as T(n).

[0086] When the counter n is less than or equal to Nmax (ACT35, YES), the control unit 60 drives the feeding motor 65 in the forward direction for a time period of T(n) (ACT16). Here, it is assumed that the feeding motor 65 is driven in the forward direction (the direction in which the ink ribbon is fed) without driving the winding motor 66. When the feeding motor 65 is driven in the forward direction for a time period of T(n), the paper tube 30 provided with the wireless tag 32 attached to the feeding shaft 10 rotates in the direction (forward direction) in which the ink ribbon is fed for a time period of T(n). When the paper tube 30 attached to the feeding shaft 10 rotates in the forward direction, the ink ribbon (ink ribbon before use) wound around the paper tube 30 is fed out. In the second operation example, since the winding motor 66 is not driven, the ink ribbon is not wound around the winding shaft 12 and remains in the fed-out state.

[0087] When the paper tube 30 rotates for T(n) time, the positional relationship (angle) between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes according to the rotation amount of the paper tube 30 for T(n) time. After changing the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 by driving the feeding motor 65 for T(n) time, the control unit 60 returns to ACT32 and executes the data reading process again. Thereby, the control unit 60 can perform the data reading process while varying the positional relationship between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40.

[0088] When the data is successfully read from the wireless tag 32 in ACT32 (ACT33, YES), the control unit 60 ends the data reading process for the wireless tag 32. When the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 ends, the control unit 60 rotates the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction and performs a rewinding control to rewind the fed ink ribbon (ACT38).

[0089] For example, as the rewinding control, the control unit 60 rewinds the fed ink ribbon by rotating the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction for the time it was rotated in the forward direction. As a specific example, when the data reading is successful after rotating for T(2) time (when the reading is successful at n = 2), the control unit 60 rotates the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction for the rotation time of T(1)+T(2). Thereby, the control unit 60 can rewind the fed ink ribbon. Further, after the end of the rewinding control, the control unit 60 may remove the slack of the ink ribbon by rotating the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction and the winding motor 66 in the forward direction for a short time.

[0090] However, the rewinding control is not limited to the method described above. For example, as the rewinding control, the control unit 60 may rewind the fed ink ribbon by rotating the feeding motor 65 in the reverse direction with a low torque by a low voltage for a predetermined time. In this case, the feeding motor 65 may be driven with a torque such that it can rewind the unused fed ink ribbon but cannot pull out the used ink ribbon wound around the winding shaft 12.

[0091] Further, when the counter n exceeds Nmax (ACT35, NO), the control unit 60 notifies an error (ACT37). For example, the control unit 60 notifies the error by displaying an error message indicating that the data of the wireless tag 32 cannot be read on the display unit 204. Even when the control unit 60 notifies the error and ends the data reading process for the wireless tag 32, it performs the rewinding control of the ink ribbon as described above (ACT38).

[0092] In the above second operation example, when the control unit of the label printer fails to read the data of the wireless tag provided on the paper tube, it rotates the paper tube by rotating the feed motor for an arbitrary rotation time. The control unit executes the data reading process for the wireless tag on the reader / writer with the paper tube stopped after rotating it for an arbitrary rotation time. The control unit repeats the operation of executing the data reading process with the paper tube stopped after rotating it again for an arbitrary rotation time until the data reading from the wireless tag is successful.

[0093] Thereby, if the label printer is in a state where the data from the wireless tag cannot be read, it can change the positional relationship between the wireless tag and the antenna and retry the data reading process. As a result, the label printer as a printing device can surely read data from a wireless tag of an arbitrary shape and size with simple control.

[0094] Also, in the second operation example, when the control unit of the label printer acquires the data from the wireless tag, it rotates the paper tube in the reverse direction by the amount of rotation of the paper tube up to that point. Thereby, the ink ribbon sent out for reading the data of the wireless tag can be rewound onto the ribbon roll, and wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon can be prevented.

[0095] Also, in the second operation example, when the number of times the paper tube is rotated exceeds a predetermined maximum value, the control unit of the label printer rotates the paper tube in the reverse direction by the amount of rotation of the paper tube up to that point. As a result, the label printer can stop the unnecessary feeding of the ink ribbon and rewind the ink ribbon that has been fed out up to that point onto the ribbon roll. As a result, the label printer as a printing device can suppress the consumption of the ink ribbon.

[0096] Also, in the second operation example shown in FIG. 13 described above, the ink ribbon rewinding control after the data reading process for the wireless tag is completed may not be performed. Even when the ink ribbon is not rewound, although the amount of wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon is less than when the rewinding control is performed, the wasteful consumption of the ink ribbon can be suppressed. In addition, when the ink ribbon rewinding control is not performed, there is an advantage that the printing operation can be immediately started.

[0097] Note that the above-described embodiment may be applied to the data reading process for a wireless tag provided on the core material (an example of a cylindrical body) of a label paper roll (an example of a paper roll), similar to the wireless tag provided on the paper tube 30 described above. The wireless tag provided on the core material of the label paper roll can record data such as the size, thickness, and material of the paper. Similar to the above-described feed shaft 10, the supply shaft 6 to which the core material of the label paper roll provided with the wireless tag is attached is provided with an antenna connected to the reader / writer. By applying the above-described embodiment to the label printer having these configurations, it becomes possible to acquire data from the wireless tag provided on the core material of the label paper roll.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above-described embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above-described embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Symbols

[0099] 2…Housing, 10…Delivery Shaft (Shaft), 12…Take-up Shaft, 20…Printing Unit, 32, 321, 322…Wireless Tags, 40…Antenna, 41…Fixed Shaft, 42…Intermediate Sleeve, 4201…Intermediate Sleeve of Delivery Shaft, 4202…Intermediate Sleeve of Take-up Shaft, 43…Bearing, 60…Control Unit, 62…Memory, 63…Reader / Writer (Reader), 64…Label Paper Transport Motor, 65…Ink Ribbon Delivery Motor, 66…Ink Ribbon Take-up Motor, 67…Communication Unit, 100…Label Printer, 202…Operation Unit, 204…Display Unit, 206…Power Switch, ED…External Device.

Claims

1. A shaft that rotatably supports a media roll around which a media is wound around a cylindrical body provided with a wireless tag, An antenna for wireless communication with the wireless tag provided on the cylindrical body supported by the shaft, A reader that reads data recorded on the wireless tag by wireless communication via the antenna, A control unit that, when the reader cannot read the data recorded on the wireless tag by wireless communication via the antenna, rotates the cylindrical body around the shaft for an arbitrary rotation time and then stops, and causes the reader to read the data recorded on the wireless tag again, A printing apparatus comprising the same.

2. The control unit repeatedly executes a process of rotating the cylindrical body around the shaft for an arbitrary rotation time different from the previous rotation time and then stopping, and causing the reader to read the data recorded on the wireless tag until the reader can read the data recorded on the wireless tag. The printing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. A take-up shaft that takes up the media sent out from the media roll supported by the shaft, and a take-up motor that rotates the take-up shaft, When the reader cannot read the data recorded on the wireless tag, the control unit drives the take-up motor for an arbitrary rotation time and then causes the reader to read the data recorded on the wireless tag again in a state where the cylindrical body that rotates according to the take-up of the media by the take-up shaft has stopped. The printing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. Having a feed motor that rotates the shaft that supports the media roll, When the reader cannot read the data recorded on the wireless tag, the control unit rotates the feed motor in the forward direction for an arbitrary rotation time and then causes the reader to read the data recorded on the wireless tag again in a state where the cylindrical body supported by the shaft has stopped. The printing apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. When the reader reads the data recorded on the wireless tag, the control unit rotates the feed motor in the reverse direction by the amount of rotation of the feed motor in the forward direction. The printing apparatus according to Claim 4.

Images