Printing apparatus

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 conveying an ink ribbon stacked on printing paper, and transferring ink from the ink ribbon onto the printing paper with a thermal head. Thermal printers may sometimes set print control settings such as printing speed depending on the type of ink ribbon used. Some conventional thermal printers perform print 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 reader / writer provided in a thermal printer may sometimes be unable to read data from the wireless tag. For this reason, printing apparatuses such as thermal printers are in demand for a data reading process that can reliably read data from a wireless tag provided on a ribbon roll.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

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

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] According to one embodiment, the printing apparatus comprises a shaft, an antenna, a reader, and a control unit. The shaft rotatably supports a medium roll, which is a cylindrical body on which a wireless tag is attached and on which a medium is wound. The antenna is provided on the cylindrical body supported by the shaft and communicates wirelessly with the wireless tag. The reader reads the data recorded on the wireless tag via wireless communication through the antenna. If the reader is unable to read the data recorded on the wireless tag via wireless communication through the antenna, the control unit rotates the cylindrical body around the shaft for an arbitrary amount of time, then stops it, and instructs the reader to attempt to read the data recorded on the wireless tag again. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a label printer as a printing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the main part of the feed shaft in a label printer, which is a printing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the delivery shaft in a label printer, which is a printing device according to an embodiment of this model. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system in a label printer as a printing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a ribbon roll core with a wireless tag attached to the delivery shaft in a label printer, which is a printing device according to an embodiment of this model. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a ribbon roll core with a wireless tag attached to the delivery shaft in a label printer, which is a printing device according to an embodiment of this model. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the results of reading data from a wireless tag based on the positional relationship between the wireless tag and the antenna in a label printer, which is a printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a label printer, which is a printing device according to an embodiment, where the angle between the wireless tag and the antenna is 0 degrees. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a label printer, which is a printing device according to an embodiment, where the angle between the wireless tag and the antenna is 90 degrees. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of setting the rotation time of the paper tube equipped with the wireless tag and the processing time for data reading from the wireless tag in a label printer as a printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of setting the rotation time of a paper tube equipped with a wireless tag in a label printer, which is a printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of data reading processing for wireless tags in a label printer, which is a printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of data reading processing for wireless tags in a label printer, which is a printing device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the scale of the parts in the drawings used in the following description may have been changed as appropriate. Also, the drawings may be simplified or omitted in order to make the explanation easier to understand. First, an example configuration of the label printer 100 as a printing device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a label printer 100 as a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0009] As shown in Figure 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, as shown in Figure 1, which opens the inside of the housing 2, and a closed position, which covers the inside of the housing 2. Between the cover 4 and the housing 2 is a damper 1 to slow the opening and closing operation of the cover 4. When the cover 4 is closed, the label printer 100 has a roughly rectangular block-like external shape.

[0010] The front of the housing 2 has an operation unit 202, a display unit 204, and a power switch 206. The operation unit 202 is an input device (touch panel, operation keys, etc.) in which the user inputs operation instructions. For example, the operation unit 202 is used to input information about the label paper, the number of sheets to print, etc. The display unit 204 is a display device that displays information. For example, the display unit 204 displays operation information, operation menus, etc. The power switch 206 is a switch for turning the power of the label printer 100 on or off.

[0011] The label printer 100 includes a supply shaft 6, a delivery shaft (shaft) 10, a winding shaft 12, and a printing unit 20. The supply shaft 6 is used to mount the label paper roll. The delivery shaft 10 is detachably mounted to a ribbon roll in which an ink ribbon before use is wound around a paper tube 30 (see Figures 5 and 6). The supply shaft 6 and the delivery shaft 10 are examples of shafts that support the media roll (ribbon roll, label paper roll). The winding shaft 12 is detachably mounted to a ribbon roll that winds up the used ink ribbon delivered from the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10. The printing unit 20 is an example of a printing unit that forms an image by transferring the ink ribbon onto the label paper.

[0012] A label paper roll is formed by winding a long strip-shaped label paper (printing paper) into a roll. 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-shaped thermal paper. The label paper roll is an example of a medium roll obtained by winding label paper (printing paper) as a medium used for printing around a core material as a cylindrical body (holding body).

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

[0014] An ink ribbon roll is formed by winding a long ink ribbon into a roll. The ink ribbon is a medium that holds ink (image forming material) to be transferred onto label paper by heat. The unused ink ribbon roll is obtained by winding an ink ribbon before ink transfer around a paper tube 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). As the ink ribbon is fed out from the unused ink ribbon roll, the diameter thereof decreases. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the unused ink ribbon roll is attached to a feeding shaft 10. The unused ink ribbon roll is an example of a medium roll obtained by winding an ink ribbon as a medium used for printing around a paper tube as a cylindrical body (holding body).

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

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

[0017] The supply shaft 6 includes two holding plates 701 and 702 near both ends in the longitudinal direction, the holding plates respectively abutting against both axial end faces of a label paper roll. The rear holding plate 701 close to the side wall 201 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the supply shaft 6. The holding plate 701 determines the axial mounting position of the label paper roll so that the axial center of the label paper roll is aligned with the center of the label printer 100. The front holding plate 702 mounted 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 mounted on the supply shaft 6 in a state where the front holding plate 702 is removed from the supply shaft 6. The front holding plate 702 is mounted on the front end of the supply shaft 6 on which the label paper roll is mounted. 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 a printing unit 20, and exits from the label printer 100.

[0019] The ribbon roll's delivery shaft 10 and winding shaft 12 are each equipped 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. Stopper plate 13 abuts against one axial end of an unused ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10. Stopper plate 13 aligns the axial center of the ribbon roll with the center of the label printer 100. Stopper plate 14 abuts against one axial end of a used ribbon roll attached to the winding shaft 12. Stopper plate 14 aligns the axial center of the ribbon roll with the center of the label printer 100.

[0020] A ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 is located opposite the front end of the feed shaft 10 and the winding shaft 12, away from the side wall 201. The ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 is rotatably connected via a hinge 16 to a support plate 203 that is erected above the bottom wall 205 of the housing 2. The ribbon shaft fixing plate 15 has receiving holes 151 and 152. Receiving hole 151 receives the tip 411 of the fixing shaft 41 of the feed shaft 10 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the tip 411 of the feed shaft 10). Receiving hole 152 receives the tip 121 of the winding 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. The tip 411 of the delivery shaft 10 is inserted through the receiving hole 151. The tip 121 of the winding shaft 12 is inserted through 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 winding shaft 12.

[0022] The ink ribbon, pulled from the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10, passes through the printing unit 20 and is wound up by the winding shaft 12. The printing unit 20 transports the ink ribbon on top of the label paper and passes through the printing unit 20 at the same speed as the label paper.

[0023] The printing unit 20 has a thermal head positioned on the opposite side of the label paper from the ink ribbon. The printing unit 20 has a platen roller positioned opposite the thermal head, with the ink ribbon and label paper in between. The printing unit 20 thermally transfers the ink from 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 the label, such as a two-dimensional barcode, on each label of the label paper.

[0024] Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the main part of the feed shaft 10 in the label printer 100 as a printing device according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the feed shaft 10 in the label printer 100 as a printing device according to the embodiment. The winding shaft 12 has substantially the same structure as the feed shaft 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3, except that it does not have an antenna 40, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0025] As shown in Figures 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 cantilevered manner. The intermediate sleeve 42 is arranged coaxially with the outside of the fixed shaft 41. The bearing 43 is arranged coaxially with the outside of the fixed shaft 41.

[0026] The fixed shaft 41 is, for example, a solid metal shaft, which is fixed to the side wall 201 of the housing 2 in a cantilevered manner 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 near the end on the side wall 201. The bearing 43 is fitted inside the end of the intermediate sleeve 42 and fixed to the intermediate sleeve 42. The bearing 43 is cylindrical and can be made of resin or metal. The inner diameter of the intermediate sleeve 42 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the bearing 43.

[0028] The intermediate sleeve 42 is rotatable (whiptable) relative to the fixed shaft 41 by bearing 43. The intermediate sleeve 42 is provided with the stopper plate 13 described above 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] The outer circumferential surface of the intermediate sleeve 42 has two boss portions 421 for positioning the leaf spring 44 and a screw hole 422 for fastening and fixing the leaf spring 44 to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate sleeve 42. The leaf spring 44 has a slit 441 at one end on the side wall 201 side through which the boss portion 421 is inserted, and a screw hole 442 at the other end through which a screw 442 is inserted. The leaf spring 44 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate sleeve 42 by inserting the boss portion 421 of the intermediate sleeve 42 into the slit 441 and screwing the screw 442 into the screw hole 422.

[0030] The leaf spring 44 is made of metal, for example. With the ribbon roll's paper tube 30 attached to the outside of the intermediate sleeve 42, the leaf spring 44 presses the inner surface of the paper tube 30 outward, fixing the paper tube 30 to the intermediate sleeve 42. The leaf spring 44 protrudes from the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve 42 to the 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] A sheet-like antenna 40 is located on the outer surface of the fixed shaft 41. A wiring 401, electrically connected to the antenna 40 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the fixed shaft 41, is also located on the outer surface of the fixed shaft 41. The antenna 40 and wiring 401 may be, for example, a continuous metal foil, or a metal foil patterned onto the surface of a flexible substrate. For example, the pattern of the antenna 40 is in the shape of a loop antenna to generate a magnetic field.

[0032] A magnetic sheet 45 is placed between the outer surface of the fixed shaft 41 and the antenna 40. The magnetic sheet 45 is installed to prevent eddy currents from being generated in the metal fixed shaft 41 by the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40, and to prevent the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40 from being canceled out. For this reason, the magnetic sheet 45 is slightly larger than the antenna 40 so that it is located between the antenna 40 and the fixed shaft 41.

[0033] The antenna 40 is separated from the outer surface of the fixed shaft 41 by the thickness of the magnetic sheet 45. Therefore, the end of the wiring 401 on the antenna 40 side is slightly inclined toward the antenna 40, away from the outer surface of the fixed shaft 41. Because 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. Therefore, the antenna 40 and the wiring 401 do not slide against 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 relative to the fixed shaft 41, the antenna 40 and the wiring 401 do not slide against the inner surface of the intermediate sleeve 42.

[0034] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of a label printer 100 as a printing device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the label printer 100 has a control unit 60 that performs various controls. The control unit 60 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor may also be an MPU (microprocessing 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). Furthermore, the processor may be a combination of several of these.

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

[0036] Memory 62 includes, for example, rewritable non-volatile memory. Memory 62 stores various data, such as control programs and control data. For example, memory 62 stores data related to 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 communicates wirelessly with the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40. For example, the reader / writer 63 reads data recorded on the wireless tag 32 by communicating wirelessly with the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40.

[0038] The label paper transport motor 64 rotates the label paper transport roller 68, which pulls the label paper from the 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. The ribbon roll is set in the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feed shaft 10 before use.

[0039] The delivery motor 65 is composed of a motor such as a DC motor and is driven (rotates) in accordance with the control from the control unit 60. The rotation direction and rotation torque of the delivery motor 65 are also controlled by the control unit 60. For example, when a positive voltage is applied to the delivery motor 65, it rotates in a predetermined first direction (forward direction), and when a negative voltage is applied, it rotates in the opposite direction to the first direction (reverse direction). Furthermore, the torque that rotates the intermediate sleeve of the delivery shaft 10 is controlled by the magnitude of the applied voltage of the delivery motor 65.

[0040] The ink ribbon winding motor (winding motor) 66 rotates the intermediate sleeve 42 (4202) of the winding shaft 12. The intermediate sleeve 4202 of the winding shaft 12 is set with a used ribbon roll on which the ink ribbon, which was fed out from the ribbon roll before use, has been wound. The winding motor 66, like the feed motor 65, is composed of a motor such as a DC motor and is driven (rotates) in accordance with the control unit 60. The control unit 60 drives the winding motor 66 to rotate the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the winding shaft 12 and winds up the ink ribbon fed out from the ribbon roll before use. The paper core 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feed shaft 10 rotates in accordance with the winding of the ink ribbon by the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the winding shaft 12.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 60 may rotate only the feed motor 65 in the forward direction without driving the winding motor 66. When the feed motor 65 rotates in the forward direction, the paper core 30 of the unused ribbon roll set in the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feed shaft 10 rotates, and the ink ribbon is fed out. When the ink ribbon is fed out, the control unit 60 may rotate the feed motor 65 in the reverse direction by the same amount as the forward rotation. When the feed motor 65 rotates in the reverse direction, the amount of ink ribbon that was fed out is rewound onto the unused ribbon roll attached to the intermediate sleeve 4201 of the feed shaft 10. Alternatively, when the ink ribbon is fed out, the control unit 60 may rewind the fed-out ink ribbon by rotating the feed motor 65 in the reverse direction at a low voltage for a predetermined time.

[0042] The communication unit 67 is comprised of a communication interface that communicates 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 sends and receives various types of data with the external device ED.

[0043] Next, we will describe the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 in the label printer 100, which is a printing device according to this embodiment. Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views showing examples of paper tubes 30 for ribbon rolls to be attached to the delivery shaft 10. The ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 consists of an ink ribbon wound around the outer surface of a paper core 30. The diameter and length of the paper core 30 of the ribbon roll are determined by the shape and size of the delivery shaft 10 of the label printer 100.

[0044] Furthermore, a wireless tag 32 is provided on the outside of the ribbon roll's paper tube 30, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The wireless tag 32 has an IC circuit including a processor and memory (internal memory) and a loop antenna, and is driven by power generated by the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40. However, the wireless tag 32 may be provided on the paper tube 30, on the inner surface of the paper tube 30, or in an intermediate part between the outer and inner surfaces of the paper tube 30. There are no specific regulations regarding the shape and size of the wireless tag 32 attached to the outer surface 301 of the paper tube 30, and it is acceptable as long as it is provided on the paper tube 30.

[0045] The ribbon roll's paper tube 30 can be attached to the delivery shaft 10 in any orientation. In other words, the circumferential position of the wireless tag 32 relative to the antenna 40 when the ribbon roll is attached to the delivery shaft 10 is not specified. Therefore, the wireless tag 32 may be attached facing directly towards the antenna 40, or it may be attached in the opposite direction.

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

[0047] The control unit 60 controls printing using the ink ribbon based on the information read from the wireless tag 32. For example, the control unit 60 sets print control settings such as the print speed according to the ink ribbon based on the information read from the wireless tag 32. As a result, the control unit 60 controls the label paper transport motor 64, the ink ribbon delivery motor 65, and the ink ribbon winding motor 66 so that the print control is appropriate for the ink ribbon.

[0048] Next, we will describe the wireless tag 32 on the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 of the label printer 100, which is a printing device according to this embodiment. Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views showing examples of paper tubes 30 for ribbon rolls to be attached to the delivery shaft 10. Figure 5 shows wireless tag TagA as a first example of a wireless tag 32 to be attached to the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10. Figure 6 shows wireless tag TagB as a second example of a wireless tag 32 to be attached to the paper tube 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10.

[0049] The wireless tags 32 illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 are attached to the outer surface 301 of the paper tube 30 by adhesive at approximately the axial center of the paper tube 30. The wireless tag TagA illustrated in Figure 5 is an example of a sheet-shaped wireless tag equipped with a circular loop antenna of a predetermined diameter (e.g., φ35 mm). The wireless tag TagB illustrated in Figure 6 is an example of a rectangular sheet-shaped wireless tag equipped with a loop antenna of a predetermined rectangular size (e.g., 31 × 14 mm).

[0050] As described above, the ribbon roll used in the label printer 100 does not have specific regulations regarding the shape and size of the wireless tag 32 attached to the paper core 30. Furthermore, the ribbon roll is attached to the delivery shaft 10 with the paper core 30 in any orientation. In other words, the shape and size of the wireless tag 32 attached to the paper core 30 of the ribbon roll attached to the delivery shaft 10 are arbitrary, and the positional relationship with the antenna 40 is also arbitrary. The control unit 60 controls the reader / writer 63 so that it can read data from the wireless tag 32 even if the wireless tag 32 of any shape and size is attached in any position.

[0051] Next, we will explain the data reading process from the wireless tag 32 based on the positional relationship between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40. Figure 7 shows an example of data reading results from wireless tags depending on the positional relationship (angle) between the wireless tags 32 (wireless tag TagA and wireless tag TagB) attached to the paper tube 30 and the antenna 40. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the state where the angle between the wireless tag 32 attached to the paper tube 30 and the antenna 40 is 0 degrees. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the 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 of the radial width of the wireless tag 32 (referred to as the center of the wireless tag 32) and the center point of 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 expressed as a clockwise angle with the normal direction passing through the center of the antenna 40 being 0 degrees, and the center of the diameter of the antenna 40 being the center of the normal direction.

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

[0054] Furthermore, in Figures 8 and 9, the white arrows indicate the main direction and magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40. In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the width of the antenna 40 in the radial direction of the fixed shaft 41 is half the radial width of the fixed shaft 41 (i.e., the antenna 40 covers half the radial width of the fixed shaft 41). As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40 is stronger in the center of the antenna 40 in the radial direction and weaker at the ends.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, when the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 0 degrees, the wireless tag 32 receives a strong magnetic field generated by the antenna 40. When the wireless tag 32 receives a strong magnetic field, it can acquire (generate) the power necessary for operation to perform data communication from the antenna 40. When the wireless tag 32 is generating the necessary power 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] In contrast, as shown in Figure 9, when the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is 90 degrees, the wireless tag 32 becomes less susceptible to the magnetic field generated by the antenna 40. If the magnetic field it receives is weak, the wireless tag 32 cannot acquire (generate) the power necessary for operation to perform data communication from the antenna 40. If the wireless tag 32 cannot generate the necessary power for operation, stable data communication between the reader / writer 63 and the wireless tag 32 becomes difficult. 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 results shown in Figure 7, a circle indicates successful data reading, and an "X" indicates unsuccessful data reading. In the example shown in Figure 7, the reader / writer 63 failed to read data from wireless tags TagA and TagB, which were at an angle of 90 degrees or 270 degrees with respect to the antenna 40. The reader / writer 63 also failed to read data from wireless tag TagB, which was at an angle of 90 to 315 degrees with respect to the antenna 40.

[0058] The wireless tag 32, installed 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) becomes impossible. The reading results shown in Figure 7 show that the smaller the wireless tag 32 installed on the paper tube 30, the wider the range of angles over which data reading fails. The reading results shown in Figure 7 also show 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 and the antenna 40, which are attached to the ribbon roll, changes as the ribbon roll rotates. In the label printer 100, the ribbon roll is attached to the delivery shaft 10 in any orientation (the angle between the wireless tag and the antenna is in any state). Therefore, the label printer 100 rotates the ribbon roll (changing the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40) to read data from the wireless tag 32.

[0060] Furthermore, while the ribbon roll is rotating (while the position of the wireless tag 32 is moving), the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes, causing the amplitude of the response signal from the wireless tag 32 that the reader / writer 63 receives via the antenna 40 to fluctuate. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately read the data from the wireless tag 32. For this reason, the control unit 60 of the label printer 100 performs data reading of the wireless tag 32 with the rotation of the ribbon roll stopped. If the data from the wireless tag 32 cannot be read by the control unit 60 of the label printer 100, it rotates the ribbon roll further and then repeatedly performs data reading with the ribbon roll stopped.

[0061] Figure 10 shows an example of the operation timing when a label printer 100, as a printing device according to this embodiment, performs data reading processing of a wireless tag 32. The control unit 60 repeatedly performs the rotation and stopping 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 Figure 10, T(n) is the rotation time (rotation time) for rotating the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10, with counter n as a variable (n=1, 2, ..., 5). For example, any time can be set as T(n)(T(1), T(2), ..., T(5)). Also, in the example shown in Figure 10, TS is a predetermined processing time for performing the data reading process of the wireless tag 32.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 10, the control unit 60 rotates the paper tube 30 equipped with the wireless tag 32 for T(1) time and then performs data reading for TS time while the tube is stopped. If data cannot be read after rotating for T(1) time, the control unit 60 rotates the paper tube 30 for another T(2) time and then performs data reading for TS time while the tube is stopped. In other words, the control unit 60 repeatedly rotates the paper tube 30 for T(n) time and then performs data reading for TS time while the tube is 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] Figure 11 shows an example of setting T(n), which is the rotation time for rotating the paper tube 30 attached to the delivery shaft 10. T(n) is set to any time such that the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 does not repeatedly become the same angle. In the example shown in Figure 11, n=1, 2, ... 5, and 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] For T(n), for example, an arbitrary time (rotation time) is set. As the rotation for the arbitrary time is repeated, the paper tube 30 equipped with the wireless tag 32 will change by an arbitrary rotation angle (the amount of change in the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40). However, T(n) may also be set as a constant time so that the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 does not become an angle that repeatedly results in data reading failures.

[0065] In other words, the rotation time set as T(n) is set so that the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 does not become an angle that repeatedly causes data reading failures (around 90 degrees or 270 degrees). Also, the maximum value (Nmax) of "n", which is the number of rotations of the paper tube 30 (the number of times the data reading process is repeated), is set in advance.

[0066] Furthermore, the rotation time T(n), as shown in Figure 11, may be stored in memory 62 as a pre-set value. Alternatively, 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 Figure 10, the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes by any arbitrary angle as the paper tube 30 rotates for any arbitrary rotation time. Therefore, the reader / writer 63 can be expected to read the data from the wireless tag 32 at some point. Furthermore, since the control unit 60 controls the rotation of the paper tube 30 by rotation time, it is not necessary to precisely control (strictly grasp) the rotation angle of the paper tube 30. As a result, the control unit 60 can easily control even a mechanism that rotates the delivery shaft 10 and the winding shaft 12 using a DC motor or the like, where it is difficult to precisely grasp the rotation angle.

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

[0069] However, the timing for starting the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 is not limited to when the power switch 206 is turned on. The control unit 60 can stop the rotation of the paper tube 30 and perform the data reading process for the wireless tag at any time, as long as the paper feed is stopped. For example, the control unit 60 may start the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 in response to an operation on the operation unit 202. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may start the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 in response to an instruction from an external device ED communicating 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 counter n, which is located in the internal memory or memory 62, to its initial value of "0" (ACT11). After setting the initial value for counter n, the control unit 60 keeps the transmission shaft 10 stationary and performs the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 for a predetermined processing time (TS time) (ACT12). For example, the control unit 60 instructs the reader / writer 63 to read the data stored in the wireless tag 32 and obtains 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 unit 60 and transmits a data read request to the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40. Meanwhile, the wireless tag 32, which is installed on a 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 data (data related to the ink ribbon) stored in its internal memory in response to a read request from the reader / writer 63.

[0072] The reader / writer 63 receives data output by the wireless tag 32 in 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 read was successful if the reader / writer 63 was able to acquire the data output by the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40, and that the read was a failure if the data could not be acquired.

[0073] If the data from the wireless tag 32 is successfully read (ACT13, YES), the control unit 60 terminates the data reading process for the wireless tag 32. If the data from the wireless tag 32 is successfully read, the control unit 60 performs actions such as setting print settings based on the data read from the wireless tag 32.

[0074] Furthermore, if reading data from the wireless tag 32 fails (ACT13, NO), the control unit 60 increments the value of counter n (n=n+1) (ACT14). After incrementing counter n, the control unit 60 determines whether 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 example setting shown in Figure 11, the variable n of T(n) is n=1, 2, ..., 5, so Nmax is set to "5". In this case (when Nmax=5), the control unit 60 determines whether counter n is less than or equal to "5".

[0075] If the counter n is less than or equal to Nmax (ACT15, YES), the control unit 60 drives the winding motor 66 for T(n) hours (ACT16). When the winding motor 66 is driven for T(n) hours, the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the winding shaft 12 rotates for T(n) hours. As the intermediate sleeve 4202 of the winding shaft 12 rotates, it winds up the ink ribbon being fed out from the ribbon roll on 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 the ink ribbon is wound onto the winding shaft 12 (the amount the ink ribbon is fed out).

[0076] In other words, the paper tube 30, on which the wireless tag 32 attached to the delivery shaft 10 is mounted, rotates for T(n) hours by the drive of the winding motor 66. When the paper tube 30 rotates for T(n) hours, the positional relationship (angle) between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes according to the amount of rotation of the paper tube 30 over T(n) hours. The control unit 60 changes the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 by driving the winding motor 66 for T(n) hours, then returns to ACT 12 and executes the data reading process again. This allows the control unit 60 to perform the data reading process with the positional relationship between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changed.

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

[0078] As described above, in the first example of operation, if the label printer's control unit fails to read data from the wireless tag, it rotates the paper tube containing the wireless tag for a specified number of rotation times. The control unit then stops the paper tube after rotating it for the specified number of rotation times and has the reader / writer perform the data reading process for the wireless tag. The control unit repeatedly rotates the paper tube for the specified number of rotation times, stops it, and has the reader / writer perform the data reading process until it successfully reads data from the wireless tag.

[0079] This allows the label printer to change the relative positions of the wireless tag and the antenna and retry the data reading process if it cannot read data from the wireless tag. As a result, the label printer, as a printing device, can read data from wireless tags with simple control, regardless of the shape and size of the wireless tag and whether it is attached in any position.

[0080] Furthermore, if the label printer's control unit cannot read the data from the wireless tag, it repeatedly performs the rotation of the paper tube and the data reading process until the number of repetitions exceeds a predetermined maximum value. When the number of rotations of the paper tube exceeds the predetermined maximum value, the control unit stops the rotation of the paper tube, notifies an error, and then terminates the data reading process for the wireless tag. As a result, the label printer, as a printing device, can prevent the discharge of a large amount of unused ink ribbon, thereby reducing the consumption of ink ribbon and the waste of power.

[0081] Furthermore, the label printer's control unit performs data reading on the wireless tag by the reader / writer when the paper tube rotation is stopped. This prevents data reading failures caused by the wireless tag moving, ensuring reliable data reading from the wireless tag. Next, a second example of data reading processing for a wireless tag 32 provided on a paper tube 30 in a label printer 100 as a printing device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing a second example of the data reading process for a wireless tag 32 attached to a paper tube 30 in a label printer 100. In this example, the control unit 60 of the label printer 100 starts the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 shown in Figure 12 when the power switch 206 is turned on. However, even in the second example of operation, the timing for starting the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 is not limited to when the power switch 206 is turned on.

[0082] When the control unit 60 starts the data reading process, it sets the value of counter n, which is located in the internal memory or memory 62, to its initial value of "0" (ACT31). After setting the initial value of counter n, the control unit 60 keeps the transmission shaft 10 stationary and performs data reading on the wireless tag 32 for a predetermined processing time (TS time) (ACT32). For example, the control unit 60 instructs the reader / writer 63 to read the data stored in the wireless tag 32 and obtains the data reading result from the reader / writer 63.

[0083] The reader / writer 63 generates a magnetic field in the antenna 40 in response to the control unit 60 and transmits a data read request to the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40. Meanwhile, the wireless tag 32, which is installed on a 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 its internal memory in response to the read request from the reader / writer 63.

[0084] The reader / writer 63 receives data output by the wireless tag 32 in 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 read was successful if the reader / writer 63 was able to acquire the data output by the wireless tag 32 via the antenna 40, and that the read was a failure if the data could not be acquired.

[0085] If reading data from the wireless tag 32 fails (ACT33, NO), the control unit 60 increments the value of counter n (n=n+1) (ACT34). After incrementing counter n, the control unit 60 determines whether 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] If the counter n is less than or equal to Nmax (ACT35, YES), the control unit 60 drives the feed motor 65 in the forward direction for T(n) hours (ACT16). Here, the feed 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 feed motor 65 is driven in the forward direction for T(n) hours, the paper tube 30, which has the wireless tag 32 attached to the feed shaft 10, rotates in the direction that feeds the ink ribbon (forward direction) for T(n) hours. When the paper tube 30 attached to the feed shaft 10 rotates in the forward direction, the ink ribbon (the ink ribbon before use) that is 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 onto the winding shaft 12 and remains in the fed-out state.

[0087] When the paper tube 30 rotates for T(n) time, the relative position (angle) between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 changes according to the amount of rotation of the paper tube 30 over T(n) time. The control unit 60 changes the angle between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 by driving the delivery motor 65 for T(n) time, then returns to ACT 32 and executes the data reading process again. In this way, the control unit 60 can perform the data reading process while the relative position between the wireless tag 32 and the antenna 40 is changed.

[0088] If the data reading from the wireless tag 32 is successful in ACT32 (ACT33, YES), the control unit 60 terminates the data reading process for the wireless tag 32. Once the data reading process for the wireless tag 32 is complete, the control unit 60 rotates the feed motor 65 in the reverse direction to perform rewind control, which rewinds the fed ink ribbon (ACT38).

[0089] For example, the control unit 60, as a rewind control, rewinds the sent ink ribbon by rotating the send motor 65 in the reverse direction for the same amount of time it was rotated in the forward direction. Specifically, if data reading is successful after rotating for T(2) time (if reading is successful for n=2), the control unit 60 reverses the send motor 65 for a rotation time of T(1)+T(2). This allows the control unit 60 to rewind the sent ink ribbon. Furthermore, after the rewind control is completed, the control unit 60 may remove any slack in the ink ribbon by rotating the send motor 65 in the reverse direction and the take-up motor 66 in the forward direction for a small amount of time.

[0090] However, the rewind control is not limited to the method described above. For example, the control unit 60 may rewind the dispensed ink ribbon by rotating the dispense motor 65 in the reverse direction with low torque at a low voltage for a predetermined time as part of the rewind control. In this case, the dispense motor 65 should be driven with enough torque to rewind the dispensed unused ink ribbon and not pull out the used ink ribbon wound on the winding shaft 12.

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

[0092] In the second example of operation described above, if the label printer's control unit fails to read the data from the wireless tag attached to the paper tube, it rotates the feed motor for a specified number of rotational times to rotate the paper tube. The control unit then stops the paper tube after it has been rotated for the specified number of rotational times and instructs the reader / writer to perform the data reading process for the wireless tag. The control unit repeats the operation of stopping the paper tube after it has been rotated for the specified number of rotational times and performing the data reading process until it successfully reads the data from the wireless tag.

[0093] This allows the label printer to change the relative positions of the wireless tag and the antenna and retry the data reading process if it is unable to read data from the wireless tag. As a result, the label printer, as a printing device, can reliably read data from wireless tags of any shape and size with simple control.

[0094] In the second operational example, when the label printer's control unit acquires data from a wireless tag, it rotates the paper tube in the reverse direction by the amount it has rotated up to that point. This allows the ink ribbon that was sent out to read the data from the wireless tag to be rewound onto the ribbon roll, preventing unnecessary consumption of the ink ribbon.

[0095] In the second example of operation, if the number of rotations of the paper tube exceeds a predetermined maximum value, the control unit of the label printer rotates the paper tube in the reverse direction by the amount it has rotated up to that point. This allows the label printer to stop feeding out unnecessary 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 reduce ink ribbon consumption.

[0096] Furthermore, in the second operation example shown in Figure 13 above, the ink ribbon rewind control may be omitted after the data reading process for the wireless tag is completed. Even if the ink ribbon is not rewound, it is still possible to reduce unnecessary ink ribbon consumption, albeit to a lesser extent than when rewind control is performed. In addition, omitting the ink ribbon rewind control has the advantage of allowing immediate transition to printing.

[0097] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment may also be applied to data reading processing 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. The supply shaft 6 to which the core material of the label paper roll with the wireless tag is attached is provided with an antenna connected to a reader / writer, similar to the delivery shaft 10 described above. A label printer having these configurations can acquire data from a wireless tag provided on the core material of a label paper roll by applying the above-described embodiment.

[0098] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments described above and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 2...Housing, 10...Delivery shaft (shaft), 12...Winding shaft, 20...Printing unit, 32, 321, 322...Wireless tag, 40...Antenna, 41...Fixed shaft, 42...Intermediate sleeve, 4201...Intermediate sleeve for delivery shaft, 4202...Intermediate sleeve for winding 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 winding 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, in which a medium is wrapped around a cylindrical body equipped with a wireless tag, An antenna for wireless communication with the wireless tag is provided on the cylindrical body supported by the shaft, A reader that reads data recorded on the wireless tag via wireless communication through the antenna, If the reader is unable to read the data recorded on the wireless tag via wireless communication through the antenna, the control unit causes the reader to perform the reading of the data recorded on the wireless tag again while the cylindrical body is rotated around the shaft for an arbitrary amount of time and then stopped. A printing device equipped with the following features.

2. The control unit repeatedly performs the process of rotating the cylindrical body around the shaft for an arbitrary rotation time different from the previous rotation time, stopping it, and then 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. The system includes a winding shaft for winding up the medium being fed out from a medium roll supported by the shaft, and a winding motor for rotating the winding shaft. If the reader is unable to read the data recorded on the wireless tag, the control unit drives the winding motor for a specified rotation time, and then, with the cylindrical body that rotates in accordance with the winding of the medium by the winding shaft stopped, causes the reader to attempt to read the data recorded on the wireless tag again. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. It has a feed motor that rotates the shaft supporting the media roll, If the reader is unable to read the data recorded on the wireless tag, the control unit rotates the transmission motor in the forward direction for a specified rotation time, and then, with the cylindrical body supported by the shaft stopped, causes the reader to attempt to read the data recorded on the wireless tag again. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The control unit further rotates the transmission motor in the reverse direction by the same amount as the forward rotation when the reader has read the data recorded on the wireless tag. The printing apparatus according to claim 4.

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