Label printer having an RFID communication function

• US 7,429,925 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Sugiyama, Makoto, Aoba, Kunihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US11/120,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/024 for printing on segmented surfaces, e.g. sticker sheets, label rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0025 the arrangement consisting of a wireless interrogation device in combination with a device for optically marking the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Abstract

An electronic apparatus having a RF tag communication function is provided which includes a RF tag reader/writer and a main controller for controlling the RF tag reader/writer. The RF tag reader/writer includes a radio communication section for executing radio communication with a RF tag and a controller for controlling the radio communication section. The main controller is capable of communication with the controller. A command which requests a reply is transmitted from the main controller to the RF tag reader/writer, and the controller is diagnosed based on the reply from the RF tag reader/writer.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a radio communication apparatus including a radio communication section for executing radio communication with a RF tag, and a controller for controlling the radio communication section;

a main controller which is capable of communication with the controller and which controls the radio communication apparatus;

first diagnostic means for executing a first diagnostic process in which the main controller transmits a command to the controller of the radio communication apparatus requesting a reply from the controller of the radio communication apparatus, and then determining whether a radio communication status between the main controller and the radio communication apparatus is abnormal depending on whether the main controller receives the reply from the controller of the radio communication apparatus; and

second diagnostic means for executing a second diagnostic process in which the main controller transmits a radio communication run command to the controller of the radio communication apparatus for communicating with the RF tag, and then determines whether a radio communication status between the radio communication apparatus and the RF tag is abnormal depending on whether the main controller receives a reply from the RF tag.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation section for inputting a diagnostic run command in accordance with an operation by an operator;

wherein the first diagnostic means and the second diagnostic means operate in response to the diagnostic run command.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data communication section for executing data communication with an external apparatus,

wherein the first diagnostic means and the second diagnostic means operate in response to a diagnostic run command from the external apparatus.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display which displays diagnostic results obtained by the first and second diagnostic means.