Label Printer Tag Data Correlation via Segmented Writing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In label printers, there is a challenge in reliably correlating print data with tag data written in wireless tags due to errors in identifying the target label, especially when label intervals are short and conveyance or radio wave status issues occur, leading to mismatches between printed data and tag data.
Innovation Solution
A label printer design that includes a reader/writer capable of writing the same tag data into multiple wireless tags within a communicable range and a print head that prints correlated print data, with a control unit that conveys labels to ensure the print data and tag data are accurately matched, using a reader/writer with an antenna to communicate with wireless tags and a conveying unit to manage label positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reader/writer identifies a single wireless tag with the highest field intensity to write tag data, then the identification process is simple, but identification errors occur when label intervals are short or conveyance/radio wave status varies, leading to mismatches between print data and tag data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tag data writing process into two distinct phases: (1) a preliminary writing phase where tag data is written to all wireless tags within the communicable range without identification, and (2) a selective identification phase where the head label is identified for printing. This segmentation eliminates identification errors during the writing phase while maintaining simple identification only when necessary for printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary tag data writing to all wireless tags in the communicable range before the printing operation. This preliminary action ensures that tag data is already written to the correct label (the head label) before printing occurs, eliminating the risk of mismatch between print data and tag data while simplifying the overall process by removing complex real-time identification requirements during writing.
2Reliability
If the reader/writer communicates with multiple wireless tags simultaneously, then tag data can be written to the correct label, but the control complexity increases due to managing multiple tag communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from the tag data writing process. Instead of identifying specific tags during writing, the system writes tag data to all tags in range and then separately identifies only the head label for printing. This extraction simplifies the writing operation while maintaining accuracy through the separate identification step.
3Productivity
If labels are conveyed at high speed through the printer, then productivity increases, but the time window for accurate tag identification and writing decreases, increasing error rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous tag data writing to all wireless tags within the communicable range as labels pass through the printer at high speed. This continuous action eliminates the need to pause or slow down for identification, maintaining high productivity while ensuring tag data is written to the correct labels through the preliminary writing to all tags approach.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures reliable correlation of print data with tag data, preventing mismatches and maintaining accurate data correlation across multiple labels, even in scenarios where label identification errors might occur.
Implementation Method 1
a reader/writer, shown as reader/writer 4, configured to write the same tag data into a plurality of wireless tags 23 present in a communicable range
Data Source
AI summary
A label printer includes a reader/writer, a head label, and a printer. The reader/writer is configured to write tag data into multiple wireless tags present within a communicable range of the reader/writer. The tag data is the same for one or more of the plurality of wireless tags. The head label includes a wireless tag of the multiple wireless tags and is positioned at a head in a conveying direction of the multiple labels. The printer is configured to print print data on the plurality of labels.