Label printer and program

Abstract

To provide a label printer that has a communication function of communicating with an IC tag attached to a label, which can easily prepare a label that can be utilized for management.SOLUTION: A label printer 1 reads out a unique ID previously memorized in an area where an RFID tag 50b cannot be written in, from the RFID tag 50b attached to an RFID label 50a being conveyed, through an RFID reader writer 16. Further the label printer 1 prints an image showing the read-out unique ID on a printing surface of the RFID label 50a using a printing engine 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a label printer and a program capable of communicating with an IC tag. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, label printers have been known that have a printing function for printing on labels and a communication function for communicating with IC tags attached to the labels. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a label issuing device that communicates with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag attached to a label to read security information, and if the security information is valid, acquires identification information that makes the RFID tag identifiable, communicates with the RFID tag to erase the security information and write identification information, and then prints a barcode indicating the identification information on the label. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-178641 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, identification information from an RFID tag can be obtained, written to an RFID tag attached to a label, and then printed on the label, allowing the label to be used for managing goods. However, in order to obtain the identification information, the identification information must be prepared in the label printer beforehand, which is time-consuming preparation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The label printer, which was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, a conveying unit that conveys the label; a printing unit that prints an image on a printing surface of the label; a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the IC tag attached to the label; A controller; Equipped with The controller a read process that reads, via the wireless communication unit, from the IC tag attached to the label transported by the transport unit, a unique ID that is information unique to each IC tag and that is pre-stored in a non-writable area of ​​the IC tag; an ID printing process in which an image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process is printed on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit; To execute It is configured as follows.

[0006] The label printer described in this specification reads the unique ID from the IC tag attached to the label and prints an image showing the unique ID on the printing surface of the label, so that the user can easily create labels that can be used for management without having to prepare a management ID in advance.

[0007] A control method for realizing the functions of the above-described device, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a technology that allows a label printer having a communication function for communicating with an IC tag attached to a label to easily create labels that can be used for management. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an external perspective view of a label printer according to an embodiment; [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of the internal configuration of the printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a tape having a label with an RFID tag. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a setting screen of a label creation application. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of RFID printing according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of RFID printing. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a database file and label data for performing database printing. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for combining RFID printing with database printing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of printing that combines RFID printing with database printing. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history file. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a label printer capable of communicating with an RFID tag attached to a label.

[0011] <Outline of label printer configuration> 1, the label printer 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The label printer 1 also has a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF"), a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, a printing unit 15, and an RFID reader / writer 16, which are electrically connected to the controller 10.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. Note that the controller 10 in Figure 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used to control the label printer 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the label printer 1.

[0013] The memory 12 of the label printer 1 of this embodiment stores various programs, including a control program 21, and various data. The control program 21 is a program that causes the label printer 1 to perform printing operations and input and output various data. The control program 21 includes a program that functions as an operating system. Examples of data stored in the memory 12 include label data 22 to be printed, a database file 23 used to print the label data 22, and a history file 24. The label data 22, database file 23, and history file 24 are data created by the user or by the CPU 11 in conjunction with printing, and are not stored in the memory 12 when the label printer 1 is shipped from the factory. Details of each data will be described later. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffers provided by the CPU 11 are also an example of memory.

[0014] Note that examples of memory are not limited to ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the label printer 1, but may also be storage media that can be read and written by the CPU 11. For example, external memory such as a USB memory or HDD connected to the label printer 1, and memory or HDD provided in a device connected to the label printer 1 via the communication IF 14 are also examples of memory.

[0015] The user IF 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for accepting user operations. Specifically, the user IF 13 of this embodiment includes a key group 31 consisting of a plurality of keys and a liquid crystal display 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The user IF 13 may also include a touch panel having a notification function and an operation acceptance function. The user IF 13 may also include another notification means such as an indicator lamp.

[0016] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices. Communication standards for the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The label printer 1 may be equipped with multiple communication IFs 14 that support multiple communication standards. As shown in FIG. 1 , the label printer 1 can be connected to the Internet 40 via the communication IFs 14, for example, and can communicate with various devices connected to the Internet 40, such as a personal computer (PC) 100 and a cloud server 200.

[0017] The printing unit 15 includes components for printing images on a long print medium that will become a label. Because the label printer 1 prints on a continuous tape-like print medium having a predetermined width and transports the print medium, the printing unit 15 includes a print engine 51 that prints, various transport rollers 52 that transport the print medium, and a cutter 53 that cuts the print medium after printing. In this embodiment, the print medium is referred to as "tape," and the width of the tape is referred to as the "tape width." The direction in which the tape is transported through the label printer 1 is referred to as the "length direction." The tape is a tape-like substrate with multiple sticker-like labels attached lengthwise to a backing paper. The label printer 1, for example, prints labels while unwinding a built-in roll of tape and then cuts the printed labels from the tape.

[0018] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the label printer 1 is capable of detachably mounting a cassette 54 that stores a roll of tape 50. With the cassette 54 installed, the tape 50 is unwound by a transport roller 52 and printed on by a print engine 51 in parallel. The print engine 51 may be of a thermal type or a thermal transfer type. The label printer 1 is compatible with multiple tape widths and determines the print range depending on the tape 50 installed. The printable range in the width direction by the label printer 1 is determined for each tape width by the mechanical configuration of the print engine 51. The transport roller 52 is an example of a transport unit. The print engine 51 is an example of a printing unit.

[0019] The label printer 1 prints on the tape 50 while unwinding the tape 50. The printed portion of the tape 50 is then projected outside the machine through the discharge port (see FIG. 1). The label printer 1 has a cutter 53 located near the inside of the discharge port (see FIG. 3), and the label that has projected outside the machine from the remaining tape 50 is cut by the cutter 53. The cutter 53 may also be attached to the outside of the discharge port as an optional unit.

[0020] 4, a plurality of labels 50a are attached to the tape 50 in a line along its length, and each of the attached labels 50a is further provided with an RFID tag 50b. In this specification, the label 50a with the RFID tag 50b attached thereto is referred to as an "RFID label." The label printer 1 has an RFID reader / writer 16 disposed in front of the print engine 51, and before printing is performed on one of the RFID labels 50a, the RFID reader / writer 16 can read information from the RFID tag 50b attached to that RFID label 50a.

[0021] As described above, the RFID reader / writer 16 includes hardware for communicating with the RFID tag 50b. In this embodiment, since there is no need to write data to the RFID tag 50b, the RFID reader / writer 16 does not need to have a write function. In other words, it may be a read-only device. The RFID reader / writer 16 is an example of a wireless communication unit. The RFID tag 50b is an example of an IC tag.

[0022] <Outline of label data> Next, a description will be given of label data, which is data to be printed by the label printer 1. The label data is created by a label creation application 110 (see FIG. 1) installed on a PC 100 that can communicate with the label printer 1.

[0023] The label creation application 110 is a program that realizes the functions of creating label data and sending print commands for printing the created label data. Specifically, the label creation application 110 displays an editing screen 150 on the display of the PC 100, as shown in FIG. 5, for editing an image to be printed on a label, and accepts various editing instructions for the image. Based on the accepted editing instructions, the label creation application 110 then creates label data that indicates the content of the edited image. The application then generates a print command that executes printing based on the created label data and sends it to the label printer 1. The print command includes the label data to be printed and setting information for controlling the label printer 1, etc.

[0024] The editing screen 150 of the label creation application 110 includes, for example, a printer selection field 151 that accepts the selection of the device that will execute printing, a tape setting field 152 that accepts the setting of the tape type, a label display field 153 that displays an image of the label to be printed, an attribute setting field 154 that accepts the setting of the attributes of the object selected in the label display field 153, a print execution button 155 that accepts an instruction to execute printing, an object specification field 156 that accepts an instruction to add various objects, and a transfer button 157 that accepts an instruction to transfer label data that indicates the label being edited. The label creation application 110 then causes the PC 100 to accept instruction input into each field.

[0025] Furthermore, the label display field 153 of the editing screen 150 includes a specified object 161 and a label frame 162. For example, when the user specifies a text object from the object specification field 156, the text object is placed in the label frame 162 of the label display field 153. Once the text object is placed, it becomes possible to input a character string to be included in the text object. The label display field 153 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a preview display of an image in which a text object 161a including the character string "control number," a text object 161b including no character string, and a barcode object 161c are placed within the paper frame 62.

[0026] Furthermore, when the label creation application 110 receives an operation on the tape setting field 152 of the editing screen 150, it displays a window that offers options for the tape width size, and receives the selection of one of the options displayed.

[0027] Furthermore, when one of the objects included in the label display field 153 of the editing screen 150 is selected, the label creation application 110 displays attributes that can be set for the selected object in the attribute setting field 154 and accepts attribute settings.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a state in which a text object 161b is selected and attributes that can be set for the text object 161b are displayed. The attributes that can be set for the text object include information 154a indicating whether RFID printing is enabled and information 154b indicating whether database printing is enabled. RFID printing is a printing mode in which, when printing with the label printer 1, information from an RFID tag is read and the read information is written into a text object. When RFID printing is enabled, the text set in the text object is invalidated and erased. Database printing is a printing mode in which a text object is associated with a database file in which multiple pieces of text are written, and, when printing, each piece of text written in the database file is written into the text object and printed. When database printing is enabled, the text set in the text object is invalidated and erased. Details of RFID printing and database printing will be described later.

[0029] In addition to text objects, other objects that include information on whether to enable RFID printing include barcode objects. A barcode object allows you to specify the information to be stored in the barcode, creates a barcode that stores the specified information, and places the created barcode in the object area. Note that any two-dimensional code is not limited to barcodes; for example, a QR code (registered trademark) may be used. In the case of a barcode object, if RFID printing is enabled, when printing is performed with the label printer 1, the information from the RFID tag is read, a barcode that stores the read information is generated, and the generated barcode is placed in the barcode object. When RFID printing is enabled for a barcode object, the information to be stored in the barcode set in the barcode object is invalidated and erased, just as in the case of a text object.

[0030] When the print execution button 155 is operated, the label creation app 110 creates label data indicating the label being edited on the editing screen 150, and transmits a print command including the created label data to the label printer 1 selected in the printer selection field 151. The label printer 1 receives the print command transmitted by the label creation app 110 and performs printing based on the label data included in the print command.

[0031] When the transfer button 157 is operated, the label creation app 110 creates label data indicating the label being edited on the editing screen 150, transfers the created label data to the label printer 1 selected in the printer selection field 151, and the label data is stored in the label printer at the transfer destination. For example, if the transfer destination is the label printer 1, it is stored by being stored in the non-volatile memory area of the memory 12 of the label printer 1. Then, even when the label printer 1 receives a print instruction for the selected label data via the user IF 13 in a state where one of the stored label data is selected, the label printer 1 performs printing based on the selected label data.

[0032] The label data stored in the label printer 1 is also called template data. Some of the stored label data contains an object that enables RFID printing, and some does not. The object that enables RFID printing is an example of a specific object. The label data containing the object that enables RFID printing is an example of the first template data, and the label data not containing the object that enables RFID printing is an example of the second template data.

[0033] <Procedure of RFID printing> Next, the printing process by the label printer 1 to achieve the above-mentioned RFID printing will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 6. The printing process is executed by the CPU 11 based on processing by the control program 21 in response to receiving a print command from the label creation application 110 via the communication IF 14, or in response to accepting a print instruction for label data 22 stored in the label printer 1 via the user IF 13.

[0034] In the printing process, the CPU 11 first acquires the label data to be printed (S01). That is, if the process is executed in response to a received print command, the CPU 11 acquires the label data included in the print command. If the process is executed in response to a print operation, the CPU 11 reads and acquires the selected label data from the memory 12.

[0035] After S01, the CPU 11 determines whether the acquired label data includes an object that enables RFID printing (S02). If the acquired label data does not include an object that enables RFID printing (S02: NO), the CPU 11 performs normal printing based on the acquired label data (S03) and ends the printing process. In this case, no processing related to RFID printing is performed. A description of normal printing will be omitted.

[0036] On the other hand, if an object that enables RFID printing is included (S02: YES), the CPU 11 starts processing related to RFID printing. Specifically, in the processing related to RFID printing, the CPU 11 determines whether the tape being fed has an RFID label attached thereto (S11).

[0037] In S11, the CPU 11 transports a label, for example, attached to the beginning of the tape in the longitudinal direction, to a chip position where the RFID reader / writer 16 can communicate with the RFID tag attached to that label, and attempts to communicate with the RFID tag using the RFID reader / writer 16. If there is a response from the RFID tag, the CPU 11 determines that the tape has an RFID label attached to it, and if there is no response from the RFID tag, the CPU 11 determines that the tape does not have an RFID label attached to it.

[0038] In S11, the CPU 11 may determine whether the tape has an RFID label attached thereto without attempting to communicate with an RFID tag. For example, the type of cassette that stores the tape currently installed in the label printer 1 may be obtained, and based on the cassette type, it may be determined whether the cassette is a specific cassette that stores a tape with an RFID label attached thereto. If the cassette is a specific cassette, it may be determined that the tape has an RFID label attached thereto. If the cassette is not a specific cassette, it may be determined that the tape does not have an RFID label attached thereto. The type of cassette installed in the label printer 1 may be determined by, for example, the cassette having a memory that stores information indicating the type, and the CPU 11 reading the information from the cassette memory while the cassette is installed in the label printer 1. Alternatively, the cassette may have a different mechanical mechanism for each type, and when the cassette is installed in the label printer 1, the CPU 11 may obtain a detection signal that the CPU 11 can detect based on the mechanism, and the detection signal may differ for each mechanism.

[0039] If it is determined that the tape does not have an RFID label attached (S11: NO), RFID printing cannot be performed, so the CPU 11 displays an error message on the liquid crystal display 32 (S12) and ends the printing process.

[0040] If it is determined that the tape has an RFID label attached thereto (S11: YES), the CPU 11 transports the RFID label to be printed to the chip position (S21), and reads the unique ID from the RFID tag attached to the RFID label using the RFID reader / writer 16 (S22).

[0041] An RFID tag has a readable / writable memory area and a non-writable memory area, and a unique ID is stored in the non-writable memory area by the RFID tag manufacturer when the RFID tag is manufactured. The unique ID is information that is unique to each RFID tag and cannot be changed after manufacturing. S22 is an example of a read process.

[0042] After S22, the CPU 11 applies the read unique ID to the object for which RFID printing is enabled (S23). For example, if the object for which RFID printing is enabled is a text object, the read unique ID is updated as text set in the text object. Also, if the object for which RFID printing is enabled is a barcode object, the read unique ID is updated as information set in the barcode object. In the barcode object, a barcode that stores the set information is generated, and therefore a barcode that stores the unique ID read from the RFID tag is generated.

[0043] After S23, the CPU 11 rasterizes the label data including the object to which the read unique ID is applied to generate print data (S24). Then, the CPU 11 transports the RFID label to be printed toward a head position where printing by the print engine 51 is possible (S25), and prints an image of the object to which the unique ID is applied on the printing surface of the RFID label to be printed using the print engine 51 based on the generated print data (S26). S23 to S26 are an example of ID printing processing.

[0044] After S26, the CPU 11 transports the RFID label on which an image of the object to which the unique ID is applied, i.e., an image indicating the unique ID, is printed, to a cutting position where the RFID label can be cut by the cutter 53, and the RFID label is cut off from the tape by the cutter 53. As a result, the cut RFID label has an image printed thereon that indicates the unique ID of the RFID tag affixed to the RFID label.

[0045] After S26, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a next page to be printed (S31). If it determines that there is a next page (S31: YES), the process proceeds to S21, where the CPU 11 transports the RFID label for printing the next page to the chip position and executes the processes from S22 onwards to print the next page. If it determines that there is no next page (S31: NO), the CPU 11 ends the RFID printing process and also ends the printing process.

[0046] According to the printing process described above, when label data representing a label with the layout shown in FIG. 5 is printed, in which RFID printing is disabled for text object 161a and enabled for text object 161b and barcode object 161c, the process proceeds as follows: An RFID label is conveyed by label printer 1, and the unique ID of the RFID tag attached to the RFID label is read. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, if "12345678" is stored as the unique ID in RFID tag 50b, "12345678" is read. The text in text object 161b of the label data is then updated to "12345678." A barcode containing "12345678" is also generated, and the barcode in barcode object 161c is updated to that barcode. However, since RFID printing is disabled for text object 161a, the text is not updated. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the text object 161b and the barcode object 161c are printed based on the updated label data on the printing surface of the RFID label 50a to which the RFID tag 50b with the unique ID "12345678" is attached.

[0047] In this way, in RFID printing, an image indicating the unique ID of the RFID tag 50b is printed on the RFID label 50a with the RFID tag 50b attached. When the unique ID is printed as text in a text object, the user can know the unique ID by visually checking the RFID label. On the other hand, when the unique ID is printed as a barcode in a barcode object, even if the ID has a large number of digits, it can be printed in a space-saving manner, increasing the possibility of printing on a label with a small printing space. Also, by arranging an image indicating the unique ID in the object area of an object that can be edited as label data, the user can set the location where the image indicating the unique ID is printed, enhancing the designability of the label.

[0048] Note that in this embodiment, a setting item for enabling or disabling RFID printing is provided for the text object and the barcode object, and RFID printing is realized by the text object and the barcode object. However, for example, a dedicated object corresponding to RFID printing may be provided. Further, for the dedicated object, there may be a setting item for selecting whether the image indicating the unique ID is a text image or a barcode image. When a dedicated object corresponding to RFID printing is provided, in S02, it may be determined whether the dedicated object is included. Then, in S23, the unique ID read from the RFID tag 50b in S22 may be applied to the dedicated object, and in S26, the dedicated object may be printed on the printing surface of the RFID label 50a.

[0049] <Application Form of the Printing Procedure of the RFID Object (Database Printing)> Subsequently, an application form combining the above-described RFID printing and database printing will be described.

[0050] When performing database printing, prior to executing the printing process, the user prepares a database file 23 in advance, as shown in Fig. 8(A), which stores the text to be printed. For example, a plurality of character strings indicating the names of the managed objects are written in the database file 23. The file format of the database file 23 is, for example, CSV. The database file 23 is an example of a text file.

[0051] The user then creates label data for database printing using the label creation application 110. For example, the user prepares label data 22 in advance, as shown in FIG. 8(B). In the label data 22 shown in FIG. 8(B), a text object 161d is added to the label with the layout shown in FIG. 5. When a text object is selected, the label creation application 110 becomes able to set information 154b indicating whether database printing is enabled, as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, database printing is enabled for text object 161d, and disabled for text objects 161a and 161b. Furthermore, RFID printing is enabled for text object 161b, and RFID printing is disabled for text objects 161a and 161d.

[0052] When database printing is enabled, the label creation application 110 allows the selection of a database file. When a database file is selected, the selected text object and the selected database file are stored in association with each other. For example, FIG. 8(B) shows a state in which the text object 161d included in the label data 22 is associated with the database file 23. The label creation application 110 sends this label data 22 and the database file 23 to the label printer 1, and the label data 22 and the database file 23 are stored in the memory 12 of the label printer 1, thereby enabling database printing on the label printer 1.

[0053] The association between the text object included in the label data 22 and the database file 23 may be accepted by the label printer 1 through an operation via the user IF 13 after the label data 22 and the database file 23 have been saved in the label printer 1.

[0054] The procedure for printing based on the label data 22 shown in Figure 8(B) using the label printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9, following the printing process shown in Figure 6. Note that in Figure 9, the same processes as in Figure 6 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. It is also assumed that the label printer 1 has the label data 22 and database file 23 stored in advance in the memory 12, and that a print instruction for the label data 22 has been issued via the user IF 13.

[0055] First, the CPU 11 reads and acquires the label data 22 from the memory 12 (S01). Since the acquired label data 22 includes a text object 161d that enables database printing, the CPU 11 reads the database file 23 associated with the text object 161d from the memory 12 (S41). Next, the CPU 11 creates a history file 24 corresponding to the current printing process (S42). Details of the history file 24 will be described later.

[0056] Thereafter, since there is an object for which RFID printing is enabled, the process proceeds to S11 and thereafter, and the CPU 11 reads the unique ID of the RFID tag attached to the RFID label in S22 (S22) and applies the unique ID to the text object 161a and the barcode object 161c (S23).

[0057] Furthermore, CPU 11 acquires one of the unprinted texts included in database file 23 (S51) and applies the acquired text to text object 161d (S52). Steps S41 and S51 are an example of the acquisition process. CPU 11 then rasterizes label data 22 with each updated object to generate print data (S24), and performs printing based on the print data (S26).

[0058] After successful printing in S26, the CPU 11 updates the history file 24 created in S42 by writing the unique ID read in S22 and the text acquired in S51 in association with each other into the history file 24 (S61). S61 is an example of storage processing. Thereafter, if there is unprinted text among the texts included in the database file 23, the CPU 11 determines that there is a next page (S31: YES), and repeats this procedure the number of times corresponding to the number of texts included in the database file 23. If there is no unprinted text among the texts included in the database file 23, the CPU 11 determines that there is no next page (S31: NO), and ends the printing process. This results in the creation of labels on which the texts included in the database file 23 are individually printed.

[0059] 10(A), if "12345678" is stored as the unique ID in RFID tag 50b1 attached to RFID label 50a1 and "Tanaka Ichiro" is stored at the beginning of the text in database file 23, the text in text object 161b1 of label data 22 is updated to "12345678", the barcode in which "12345678" is stored is updated to the barcode in barcode object 161c1, and the text in text object 161d1 is updated to "Tanaka Ichiro". Then, as shown in FIG. 10(B), printing based on the label data in which each object has been updated is performed on the printing surface of RFID label 50a1.

[0060] Thereafter, if "12345670" is stored as the unique ID in RFID tag 50b2 attached to RFID label 50a2 to be conveyed next, and "Yamamoto Hanako" is stored as the text next to "Tanaka Ichiro" in database file 23, the text of text object 161b2 in label data 22 is updated to "12345670," the barcode in which "12345670" is stored is updated to the barcode of barcode object 161c2, and the text of text object 161d2 is updated to "Yamamoto Hanako." Then, as shown in FIG. 10(B), printing based on the label data in which each object has been updated is performed on the printing surface of RFID label 50a2.

[0061] Thereafter, if "12345679" is stored as the unique ID in RFID tag 50b3 attached to RFID label 50a3 to be conveyed next, and "Kobayashi Akira" is stored as the text next to "Yamamoto Hanako" in database file 23, the text of text object 161b3 in label data 22 is updated to "12345670", the barcode in which "12345670" is stored is updated to the barcode of barcode object 161c3, and the text of text object 161d3 is updated to "Kobayashi Akira". Then, as shown in FIG. 10(B), printing based on the label data in which each object has been updated is performed on the printing surface of RFID label 50a3.

[0062] Furthermore, when printing as shown in Fig. 10 is performed, a history file 24 as shown in Fig. 11 is created. The history file 24 stores, as a history of information written for each RFID label 50a, text read from the database file by database printing and the unique ID read from the RFID tag 50b by RFID printing, in association with each other. Furthermore, the CPU 11 may automatically transfer the history file 24 stored in the memory 12 to a specified external device.

[0063] When RFID printing is combined with database printing in this way, a unique ID, which is different for each RFID tag, is printed on a single RFID label along with one of the texts stored in the database file. This allows a user to visually identify the managed objects by their unique IDs by storing the names of the managed objects in the database file, for example.

[0064] Furthermore, by associating the unique ID and text printed on one RFID label and storing the association in the history file 24, the user can understand which unique ID is associated with the management target indicated in the text, for example. In particular, when a code image is printed as an image indicating the unique ID, this is particularly effective when you want to know the unique ID from the text printed on the RFID label, since the unique ID cannot be determined just by looking at the RFID label.

[0065] In the embodiment described above, the label creation application 110 associates the text objects included in the label data with the database file, but this association may also be performed by the label printer 1. That is, the label data and the database file may be stored in advance in the memory 12, label data may be selected via the user IF 13 of the label printer 1, and the text objects of the selected label data may be associated with the database file.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, all text written in the database file is printed, but it is also possible to select one or more pieces of text to be printed from the text written in the database file via the user IF 13 of the label printer 1, and perform database printing of the selected text.

[0067] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the label printer 1 retrieves text from the database file and updates the text object of the label data, but the label creation application 110 of the PC 100 may retrieve text from the database file, update the text object of the label data, and create label data for the number of pieces of text contained in the database file, and have the label printer 1 print the data.

[0068] As explained in detail above, a unique ID that is unique to each RFID tag is stored in advance in each RFID tag, and because this unique ID is data in a write-protected area, this unique ID is suitable for managing items. Therefore, the label printer 1 of this embodiment reads the unique ID from the RFID tag 50b attached to the RFID label 50a, and prints an image indicating the unique ID, such as text indicating the unique ID or a barcode that stores the unique ID, on the printing surface of the RFID label 50a, thereby easily creating labels that can be used for management, without the user having to prepare a management ID.

[0069] Furthermore, if management identification information (ID) is to be prepared in an external device such as the PC 100 or the cloud server 200, the label printer 1 must be online. Since the label printer 1 of this embodiment uses the unique ID written in the RFID tag 50b, it can create management labels offline by storing the label data 22 in the memory 12 in advance.

[0070] Furthermore, if the label printer 1 is to create an ID for management purposes, a program for creating the ID is required. However, the label printer 1 of this embodiment does not require such a program because it uses the unique ID written in advance in the RFID tag 50b.

[0071] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, label data is created by the label creation application 110 of the PC 100, but label data may also be created by the label printer 1.

[0072] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be changed or they can be executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0073] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 label printer 10 Controllers 15 printing units 16 RFID reader / writer 22 Label Data 23 Database files 24 History File 50a RFID label 50b RFID tag

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys the label; a printing unit that prints an image on a printing surface of the label; a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the IC tag attached to the label; A controller; Equipped with The controller a read process for reading, via the wireless communication unit, from the IC tag attached to the label transported by the transport unit, a unique ID, which is information unique to each IC tag and is pre-stored in a non-writable area of ​​the IC tag; an ID printing process in which an image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process is printed on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit; To execute A label printer configured to:

2. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, In the ID printing process, printing text indicating the unique ID on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit as the image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process; A label printer configured to:

3. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, In the ID printing process, a code image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process is printed on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit; A label printer configured to:

4. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, It has memory, The memory is capable of storing first template data including a specific object; In the ID printing process, reading the first template data from the memory, arranging the image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process in an object area of ​​the specific object, and printing an image based on the first template data in which the image indicating the unique ID is arranged on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit. A label printer configured to:

5. 5. The label printer according to claim 4, The memory can also store second template data that does not include the specific object, The controller If the template data read from the memory is the first template data, the read process and the ID printing process are executed; If the template data read from the memory is the second template data, the reading process and the ID printing process are not executed, and printing is performed using the printing unit based on the read second template data. A label printer configured to:

6. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, The controller Attempts wireless communication with the IC tag via the wireless communication unit, If there is a response from the IC tag, the ID printing process is executed. If there is no response from the IC tag, the ID printing process is not executed and an error is reported. A label printer configured to:

7. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, The cassette that stores the tape with the label attached can be attached and detached. The controller Get the type of cassette installed, determining whether the cassette being loaded is a specific cassette storing a tape to which the label with the IC tag attached is affixed based on the acquired type; If it is determined that the installed cassette is the specific cassette, the ID printing process is executed; If it is determined that the installed cassette is not the specific cassette, the ID printing process is not executed and an error is notified. A label printer configured to:

8. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, It has memory, The memory is capable of storing a text file in which text information is written, The controller reading the text file from the memory and executing an acquisition process to acquire the text information from the text file; In the ID printing process, printing the image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process and the text information acquired in the acquisition process on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit; A label printer configured to:

9. 9. The label printer according to claim 8, The controller After the ID printing process is executed, a storage process is executed in which the unique ID read in the reading process and the text information acquired in the acquisition process are stored in the memory in association with each other. A label printer configured to:

10. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, the wireless communication unit is capable of communicating with an RFID tag as the IC tag attached to the label, In the read process, via the wireless communication unit, reading the unique ID written at the time of manufacturing the RFID tag from the RFID tag attached to the label transported by the transport unit; A label printer configured to:

11. A program executable by a label printer including a conveying unit that conveys labels, a printing unit that prints an image on a printing surface of the label, and a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an IC tag attached to the label, The label printer, a read process for reading, via the wireless communication unit, from the IC tag attached to the label transported by the transport unit, a unique ID, which is information unique to each IC tag and is pre-stored in a non-writable area of ​​the IC tag; an ID printing process in which an image indicating the unique ID read in the reading process is printed on a printing surface of the label using the printing unit; Execute A program that is structured as follows.

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