Image recording apparatus and recording method

Abstract

To solve the problem that in a recording apparatus that performs recording of an image on a label transported in a transport direction by recording means and writing of data to an RFID tag by writing means positioned on a downstream side of the recording means in a transport direction, in a case where a label in which writing to the RFID tag fails is detected, it is necessary to perform recording and data writing of the failed label on another label as recovery printing, but the recording and the data writing cannot be automatically performed in the related art.SOLUTION: Recovery printing is automatically arranged on a label on which recording of an image is not started when it is detected that a writing process is not normally finished.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording method for a recording device that forms images and writes data on labels with RFID tags arranged on a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a recording device that forms an image on a label with an embedded RFID tag attached to a rolled backing and writes data to the RFID tag. When writing data to an RFID tag, if there is a defect in the RFID tag, the data writing may fail.

[0003] If the RFID unit used to write to the RFID tag is located downstream of the recording head that records on the label, when it is determined that data writing to the RFID tag has failed, the data has already been recorded on a label located upstream of the failed label. Patent Document 1 discloses that image recording and data writing can be continued on labels other than the label on which writing to the RFID tag has failed, including labels on which recording has already been performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-150914 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a label on which RFID tag writing has failed is detected, the image formation and data writing that would have been performed on the label on which the data writing to the RFID tag failed must be performed on another label as recovery printing. However, if the antenna that writes to the RFID tag is located downstream of the recording head, by the time the failure to write data to the RFID tag is detected, the image recording on the label has already been completed. However, Patent Document 1 only continues to record the image and write the data on the label upstream of the label on which the data writing has failed, which poses the problem of not being able to perform recovery printing automatically.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that, in a configuration in which the antenna that writes to the RFID tag is located downstream in the transport direction from the recording head that records the image, when a label for which writing to the RFID tag has failed is detected, can automatically perform image formation and data writing that would have been performed on that label on another label. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, a recording method according to one aspect of the present invention includes the following steps: a receiving step of receiving a job including image data and write data, a recording step of using the recording means to perform recording based on the image data on a label being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction, a writing step of using the writing means to write based on the write data to an RFID tag included in the label on which recording was performed, a determining step of determining whether the writing step was completed successfully, and a recovery step of, when it is determined in the determining step that the writing step for the predetermined RFID tag was not completed successfully, re-recording an image and writing data on a label including the predetermined RFID tag on which image recording has not yet begun. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when a label for which writing to an RFID tag has failed is detected, the image recording and data writing that would have been performed on that label can be automatically performed on another label. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a recording system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of a recording apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an RFID tag-equipped label. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the printing apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the recording apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the contents recorded on the label when no writing defects are detected in the RFID tag. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a recording head and an R / W antenna. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where a label in which a writing error to an RFID tag has been detected is fed back to the recording start position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where recovery printing is added to the end of a job when a writing error to an RFID tag is detected. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where recovery printing is performed on an unrecorded label when a writing error is detected in an RFID tag. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a recording head and an R / W antenna. [Figure 13] This diagram shows how the order of recording on the label is rearranged so that it does not change when a faulty write to the RFID tag is detected. [Figure 14] A diagram showing labels for cases where the order can be random. [Figure 15] A diagram showing labels for cases where changing the order would cause problems. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] <Configuration of recording device> First, the configuration of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a recording system including a recording apparatus according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general internal configuration of the recording apparatus.

[0012] 1, the recording system includes a recording device 100 and a host computer 104, which are communicatively connected via an interface 105. The recording device 100 includes a device main body 101 and a roll sheet holder 103 into which a roll 200 on which a sheet 200S is wound is loaded. The device main body 101 is provided with an operation panel 102. The operation panel 102 has a display unit formed of an LCD or the like and an input unit formed of a touch panel, buttons, etc.

[0013] 1 shows an example in which the interface 105 connecting the recording device 100 and the host computer 104 uses a printer cable, but it may also be connected via a network such as a LAN. The communication connection may be wired or wireless. The interface 105 functions as a receiving means by which the recording device 100 receives data from the outside.

[0014] The host computer 104 is a computer terminal that supplies job data to the recording device 100, and is configured as a personal computer, a smartphone, a server device, or the like. A plurality of host computers 104 may be connected to one recording device 100.

[0015] The recording device 100 performs a recording operation on the sheet 200S based on job data received from the host computer 104. The recording operation includes an image forming operation on the labels arranged on the sheet 200S and an operation of reading and writing data from and to the RFID tags embedded in the labels. For example, an item identification code of a predetermined number of digits used in a POS system or a distribution management system that manages product information is recorded on the label surface and written to the RFID tag. The recording device 100 performs the above-mentioned recording operation while transporting the sheet 200S pulled out from the roll 200 by a transport unit 201 shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] In this embodiment, the job data is described as including both data to be recorded on the label and data to be written on the RFID tag, but the data to be recorded may be sent as job data and the data to be written may be sent separately from the job data.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, the sheet 200S pulled out from the roll 200 loaded in the roll sheet holder 103 passes through a guide unit 211 and is supplied to a conveying unit 201. The guide unit 211 is a mechanism for restricting the position of the sheet 200S in the width direction perpendicular to a predetermined conveying direction of the sheet 200S so that it does not exceed a predetermined range. The direction indicated by A in the figure (conveying direction A) is the predetermined conveying direction. In Fig. 2, the sheet 200S is indicated by a dashed line.

[0018] The transport unit 201 drives the transport rollers 202 and the transport belt 207 by a driving force transmitted from a drive motor 206. A fan 208 is provided inside the transport unit 201, and the sheet 200S is attracted to the transport belt 207 by a negative pressure generated by the fan 208. In this state, the transport unit 201 transports the sheet 200S from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction A.

[0019] A leading edge detection sensor 209 is disposed at a predetermined position upstream of the recording head 210 and the R / W antenna 230 in the conveying direction A. A transmission type sensor is used for the leading edge detection sensor 209, which detects the introduction of the edge of each label arranged on the sheet 200S based on differences in light transmittance and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 501 (FIG. 5). In addition, an encoder that counts the conveyance amount of the sheet 200S is provided on, for example, the conveying roller 202.

[0020] The main controller 501 of the recording device 100 manages information about the transport position of each label based on the detection signal obtained from the leading edge detection sensor 209 and the transport amount of the sheet 200S counted by the encoder. The information about the transport position of each label is referenced in the image formation operation by the recording head 210 and the read / write operation by the R / W antenna 230.

[0021] The print head 210 is held so that its nozzle surface, on which a large number of nozzles that eject ink are arranged, faces the surface of the sheet being transported by the transport belt 207. An ink tank (not shown) is connected to the print head 210. The printing device 100 causes the print head 210 to eject ink in accordance with a signal that determines whether or not ink is to be ejected from each of the multiple nozzles of the print head 210. In this way, an image is formed (recorded) on the sheet 200S being transported.

[0022] In this embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus using ink as a recording material will be described as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can be applied to recording apparatuses of various recording methods, such as thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and other electrophotographic printers.

[0023] The R / W antenna 230 as the reading means and the writing means outputs radio waves for reading (reading) and writing (writing) data to and from RFID tags respectively built into a plurality of labels arranged on the sheet 200S. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the R / W antenna 230 is provided on the downstream side of the recording head 210 in the conveyance direction A of the sheet 200S.

[0024] The sheet 200S on which image formation is performed by the recording head 210 and data writing is performed by the R / W antenna 230 is discharged out of the apparatus main body 101 from the sheet discharge port.

[0025] <Label with RFID tag> Next, the label 302 with an RFID tag and the sheet 200S used as the recording medium in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the sheet 200S. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the label 302.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the roll 200 is obtained by winding a continuous sheet 200S. The sheet 200S is configured by arranging a plurality of labels 302 at equal intervals on a base material 301. The base material 301 has, for example, a peeling surface, and the label 302 is detachably attached to the peeling surface via an adhesive layer.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the label 302 includes an RFID tag 405 inside. The RFID tag 405 is also called an inlay or an inlet. One label 302 incorporates one RFID tag 405. The RFID tag 405 is composed of an IC chip 403 and an antenna 404.

[0028] The IC chip 403 includes a controller and a memory. The controller transmits and receives data to and from the R / W antenna 230 (reader / writer) of the recording apparatus 100 according to a predetermined procedure. Also, a response is transmitted to a processing request from the recording apparatus 100. The processing request includes a request for reading data from the memory and a request for writing data to the memory.

[0029] The memory in the IC chip 403 has areas such as TID (Tag identifier) ​​memory, EPC (Electronic product code) memory, user memory, and reserved memory. The TID memory is an area where a unique value is written to each RFID tag 405 by the manufacturer when the RFID tag 405 is manufactured. The EPC memory is an area where code information for identifying individual RFID tags is stored. The user memory is an area where the user can freely read and write data. The reserved memory is an area for storing password information used for the lock function and the disable (kill) function.

[0030] <Configuration of the control system of the recording device> 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the recording apparatus 100 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the recording apparatus 100 has a main controller 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an image buffer memory 504, a driver controller 506, etc. Also connected to the main controller 501 are a drive circuit 507, a sensor circuit 509, an RFID controller 510, an operation panel 102, etc. A head drive circuit 505 is connected to the driver controller 506. The recording apparatus 100 performs a conveying operation of the sheet 200S and a recording operation on the label 302 based on control signals from the main controller 501.

[0031] The main controller 501 is a control unit that controls the entire recording device 100 and is composed of a CPU. The main controller 501 executes various processes using the RAM 502 as a work area in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 502. The RAM 502 is a volatile or non-volatile storage area and is used as a work memory, etc. The ROM 503 is a non-volatile storage area that stores the control program for the recording device 100, the program related to this embodiment, etc. The main controller 501 is connected to the host computer 104 via an interface, and transmits and receives signals to and from the host computer 104.

[0032] The image buffer memory 504 is a memory that stores image data transmitted from the host computer 104. The head drive circuit 505 is a drive circuit that drives a heating element (not shown) in the print head 210, and is driven under the control of a driver controller 506. The driver controller 506 controls the head drive circuit 505 so that ink is ejected from the nozzles of the print head 210 based on the bitmap data stored in the image buffer memory 504.

[0033] A drive circuit 507 drives the transport motor 206 of the transport unit 201, and is controlled by the main controller 501. A sensor circuit 509 performs detection operations for various sensors, such as the leading edge detection sensor 209, and transmits the acquired detection signals to the main controller 501. The touch panel and buttons of the operation panel 102 input signals to the main controller 501 in response to user operations. Display control on the LCD is also performed by the main controller 501.

[0034] The RFID controller 510 communicates contactlessly with the RFID tags 405 in the labels 302 arranged on the conveyed sheet 200S, and reads and writes (R / W) data. The RFID controller 510 is controlled by the main controller 501. Data to be written to the RFID tags 405 is supplied from the host computer 104.

[0035] <Functional configuration of the recording device> Next, the functional configuration of the recording device 100 will be described. 6 is a block diagram showing the functions of the recording device 100. As shown in the figure, the recording device 100 has a data acquisition unit 610, an image forming unit 620, a read / write unit 630, a calibration processing unit 640, a conveying speed determination unit 650, an auto / manual setting unit 660, and the like.

[0036] The data acquisition unit 610 acquires recording data for forming an image on the label 302 and writing data for writing to the RFID tag 405. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the recording data and writing data are supplied from the host computer 104, but data stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) of the recording device 100 may also be acquired.

[0037] In the image forming operation, the recording device 100 records one page of data on one label 302. Therefore, the recording data for the sheet 200S on which multiple labels 302, 302, ... are arranged includes data for the number of pages corresponding to the number of labels. In the data writing operation, the recording device 100 writes data corresponding to the content to be recorded on each of the labels 302, 302, ... to the RFID tags 405, 405, ... of the multiple labels 302, 302, .... Therefore, the writing data for the sheet 200S on which multiple labels 302 are arranged includes the number of writing data corresponding to the number of labels. However, the amount of data written to each RFID tag 405, 405, ... (the number of digits of the code in the case of an identification code) is the same throughout the series of recording operations.

[0038] The image forming unit 620 forms an image on the recording surface of the labels 302 arranged on the sheet 200S based on the recording data acquired by the data acquisition unit 610. When the label 302 (target label) on which an image is to be formed is transported to a predetermined image forming position, the image forming unit 620 ejects ink from the recording head 210 based on the recording data to form an image on the label surface.

[0039] The read / write unit 630 performs a read process to read data from the RFID tags 405 of the labels 302 arranged on the sheet 200S, and a write process to write individual write data to each RFID tag 405. More specifically, the write process is performed as a set of inventory processing, write processing, and verify processing. In the write process, a locking process may be performed as necessary, or a pause time may be set to limit the continuous output of radio waves.

[0040] The inventory process is a process for detecting the RFID tag 405 to be written to, and is performed by reading unique information from the RFID tag 405. The write process is a process for specifying the TID and EPC and writing data to be written to the target RFID tag. The verify process is a process for confirming whether the data used for writing matches the data actually written, and is a process for reading the written data from the RFID tag 405 and comparing it with the data used for writing. If there is a defect in the IC chip 403 of the RFID tag 405, the write process will not end normally, and a discrepancy will occur between the data read from the RFID tag 405 in the verify process and the data written. A label for which a discrepancy occurs between the read data and the written data in the verify process is determined to be a defective label. Note that a defective label may be determined to be a defective label not based on a single write process failure, but on multiple repeated write process failures.

[0041] <Example 1: Case where labels can be arranged in random order> In this embodiment, processing for a case where re-recording and rewriting of defective tag labels is added to the end of a job will be described. An example of this is when a serial number is included in the image to be recorded and used as a product label, with the serial number also written to the RFID tag 405. In such a case, it is sufficient that the labels affixed to each product are distinguished by their serial numbers, and changing the order in which the labels are arranged does not pose any problems in terms of application.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 14, there are cases where a label attached to a box containing a product (shoes) includes an image showing the product contents as well as a serial number containing the production date and a unique number for managing each product, and the same serial number is written on the RFID tag. The serial number is used to manage product shipping destinations and inventory levels. In such cases, since the product contents are the same, there is no problem in terms of use no matter which label is attached to which box as long as the products have the same production date.

[0043] As an example of such a case, we will explain the case of processing a job to record numbers "1" to "9" on multiple labels 302 attached to a sheet 301 as shown in Figure 7, and write the numbers recorded on the labels to the RFID tags 405 of each label.

[0044] 8 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the recording head 210 and the R / W antenna 230 inside the recording device 100. The R / W antenna 230 is located downstream of the recording head 210 in the transport direction A. The R / W antenna 230 writes data to the RFID tag 405 of a label after recording by the recording head 210. Therefore, when a label is determined to be a defective tag label at the position of the R / W antenna 230, recording has already been performed on the subsequent label. In FIG. 8, when label 702 is transported below the R / W antenna 230 and determined to be a defective tag label, image recording by the recording head 210 has already been completed on labels 703 and 704, and image recording on label 705 is only partially completed.

[0045] When label 702 is determined to be a defective tag label, image recording and data writing are completed up to label 705, but image recording and data writing for label 706 and beyond are stopped. Next, as shown in FIG. 9 , label 702 is fed back in the direction of arrow B to recording start position P and then transported in a predetermined transport direction. NG printing is performed on label 702 determined to be a defective tag label, i.e., an X is overwritten as an error pattern to identify labels for which data writing did not end normally. Recording continues from label 706 onwards until the end, i.e., printing a "9" on label 709 and writing data. Then, the image recorded on label 702 determined to be a defective tag label, i.e., a "2," is recorded on label 710 following label 709, and the data is written, completing the job. In other words, recovery printing, in which images are recorded and data is written on labels determined to be defective tag labels, is performed by adding it to the end of the job. The process of adding and arranging image data and writing data at the end of the job data is performed by the main controller 501.

[0046] By recording images in this manner, it is possible to finally output labels on which the numbers "1" to "9" are recorded, as shown in Fig. 10. Furthermore, by overwriting an "X" as NG print 901 on a label 702 determined to be a defective tag label, it is possible to easily identify the defective tag label. The NG print 901 as an error pattern can be anything other than an "X" as long as it can be determined to be a defective tag label.

[0047] In this embodiment, the case where there is one defective tag label has been described, but even if there are multiple defective tag labels, they may be added and arranged in order at the end of the job.

[0048] Furthermore, recovery printing can be performed on a label on which recording has not yet started at the time the label is determined to be defective. In other words, recovery printing can be performed on any label after label 706, which is the label after label 705 on which recording has started in Fig. 8. Therefore, when recovery printing is to be performed in a position close to the defective tag label, recovery printing is performed on label 706 as shown in Fig. 11.

[0049] <Example 2: Case where the order of labels is not changed> Next, we will explain the process for arranging labels so that the order of the labels remains the same. For example, as shown in Figure 15, there is a case where the address of the delivery destination is recorded on a label as a delivery label, and the delivery destination information is written on an RFID tag, which is then attached to the delivery item.

[0050] When attaching corresponding shipping labels to deliveries with different destinations and contents transported by a belt conveyor or the like, if the order of the delivered deliveries and the order of the labels to be attached do not match, it becomes difficult to correctly match the deliveries and the shipping labels. Therefore, even if a defective tag label is detected, it is preferable to arrange the labels so that their order does not change.

[0051] As an example for dealing with such a case, similar to the first embodiment, we will explain the case where numbers from "1" to "9" are recorded in ascending order on labels as images, and the numbers recorded on the labels are written as data to the RFID tag of each label.

[0052] In this embodiment, the method for determining defective tag labels is the same as in embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 12, if label 802 is determined to be a defective tag label, recording on labels 706 and onwards, for which recording has not yet begun, is stopped. Next, label 802 is fed backward to the recording start position, and then conveyance in a predetermined conveyance direction is started. Then, label 802, which has been determined to be a defective tag label, is overwritten with an "X" to indicate NG printing, and also with an "X" on labels up to label 805. Then, image recording and corresponding data are written for labels 806 and onwards, starting with "2".

[0053] By recording images in this manner, it is possible to rearrange and output labels with the numbers "1" to "9" recorded in ascending order, as shown in Fig. 12. Furthermore, by overwriting labels 803 to 805 with an "X" to indicate NG printing in addition to label 802, which has been determined to be a defective tag label, it becomes easier to identify the labels to be used in ascending order. If NG printing is not performed, the label with overlapping recorded content that is located downstream in the transport direction will be the label to be used.

[0054] It is also possible to make it possible to execute both the process of embodiment 1 and the process of embodiment 2, and to switch the process when a defective tag label is detected according to the user's settings or instructions. This allows the user to select, depending on the application, whether to place the reprinted label at the end of the job, even if it means changing the label order, or to place the reprinted label so that the label order does not change. Furthermore, it is also possible to select the process of stopping image recording and data writing when a defective tag label is detected.

[0055] In addition, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical ideas disclosed in this application, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0056] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100 Recording device 200S seat 209 Tip detection sensor 210 Recording head 230 R / W antenna 302 Label 405 RFID tags

Claims

1. A recording method for a recording device using a label including an RFID tag as a recording medium, in which a recording means records an image on the label as it is conveyed in a conveyance direction, and a writing means located downstream of the recording means in the conveyance direction writes data to the RFID tag, a receiving step of receiving a job including image data and write data; a recording step of recording, based on the image data, on a label conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction using the recording means; a writing step of writing, using the writing means, based on the write data to an RFID tag included in the label recorded in the recording step; a determining step of determining whether the writing step has been completed normally; a recovery step of, when it is determined in the determination step that the writing step for the predetermined RFID tag has not been completed normally, re-recording an image and writing data on a label including the predetermined RFID tag on which image recording has not yet started; A recording method including:

2. 2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein a label for recording an image and writing data in the recovery step is placed at the end of the job.

3. 2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the labels on which the images are recorded and the data are written in the recovery step are arranged so that the order of the images to be printed in the job is not changed.

4. The recording method according to claim 1, further comprising an error pattern recording step of using the recording means to record a pattern that indicates that the writing step was not completed normally on a label including an RFID tag for which the writing step was not completed normally.

5. 4. A recording apparatus that allows a user to select a recording method from a plurality of recording methods including the recording method according to claim 2 and the recording method according to claim 3.

Images