Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a multi-layer electromagnetic coupler arrangement, for encoding an RFID tag, suitable for being used in a printing device. The coupler arrangement employs a differential transmission line loop, as a coupling element arranged on a top surface layer of the multi-layer arrangement, which is arranged close to a metallic ground plane layer for shielding on the side opposite the top surface. Coupling is achieved by inductive coupling in the reactive near field and based on the fact that each RFID tag comprises a current loop, itself. The differential property of the transmission line loop is achieved by feeding the terminals of the loop with signal parts having a phase shift of 180° with respect to each other. The feeding components are arranged on the opposite side of the ground plane with respect to the top surface layer comprising the current loop.

Abstract: A customer service support system includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a visitor terminal carried by a visitor, and a customer service support unit that transmits customer service support information to a store clerk terminal used by a store clerk for work in response to determining, based on the acquired position information, that the visitor terminal stays in a predetermined area in a store space for a predetermined time or longer, the customer service support information being indicate that it is time for the store clerk to approach the visitor and perform customer service.

Abstract: An item management support system includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of an RFID medium attached to an item, and an item management support unit that transmits item management support information to a store clerk terminal used by a store clerk for work in response to determining, based on the acquired position information, that the RFID medium being located in an area different from a predetermined area of a store space divided into a plurality of areas and is located in the different area for a predetermined time or longer, the item management support information being include information about an area where the RFID medium is currently located.

Abstract: A store system includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of an RFID medium attached to an item and position information of a visitor terminal carried by a visitor, an event detection unit that detects an event that the RFID medium or the visitor terminal enters or leaves a predetermined area in a store space based on the acquired position information, an event information storage unit that stores event information including an ID that identifies the RFID medium or the visitor terminal, information about the predetermined area based on the position information, and a detection time of the event, and a status determination unit that determines a status, which is a state of the item or is an action content of the visitor, based on the event information.

Abstract: A printer capable of separating a print medium from a mount and ejecting the print medium includes: a platen roller configured to feed, along a feeding path, a mount to which a print medium temporarily adheres; a print head configured to print on the print medium, the print head being opposed to the platen roller; a driven roller that is movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position; a separation member configured to separate a feeding path of the mount and a feeding path of the print medium; and a looseness prevention mechanism configured to prevent the mount from being loose while the driven roller moves from the second feed position to the first feed position. The first position is a position where the driven roller is opposed to the platen roller. The driven roller is configured to be driven by the platen roller while coming in contact with the mount.

Abstract: A printer includes, a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon roll up shaft configured to roll up an ink ribbon used in the printing portion, a ribbon supply shaft provided movably between a first position and a second position with respect to the ribbon roll up shaft, the ribbon supply shaft configured to hold the ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion, and a ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism to be brought into a lock state where rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is regulated when the ribbon supply shaft is placed at the first position, and into a non-lock state where the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is permitted when the ribbon supply shaft is placed at the second position.

Abstract: A printer for issuing a print medium includes: a rechargeable battery configured to supply power to the printer; a printing part configured to print information on the print medium; a controller configured to determine a number of print media on which the printing part can print with present remaining battery capacity of the battery, based on information related to variation of remaining battery capacity of the battery relative to a number of print media that have been issued.

Abstract: An RFID label includes: a substrate; a dipole antenna formed of a metal foil so as to have a predetermined antenna length and a predetermined antenna width, the dipole antenna being arranged on a surface of the substrate; an IC chip connected to the dipole antenna; and a separator temporarily adhered to an adhesive agent overlaid on the surface of the substrate on which the dipole antenna is arranged, wherein a tear off line cuts through the substrate and the dipole antenna, in at least a part of the dipole antenna, so as to extend along an antenna length direction and so as to be superimposed with the part of the dipole antenna.

Abstract: A printer includes, a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon supply shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion, a ribbon roll up shaft configured to roll up the ink ribbon used in the printing portion, a partition member provided swingably, the partition member partitioning the ink ribbon and the print medium; and a ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism configured to regulate rotation of the ribbon supply shaft, wherein the ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism is switched between a lock state where the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is regulated and a non-lock state where the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is permitted in conjunction with swing actions of the partition member.

Abstract: The printer has a closed state where the printing head portion and the damper portion are positioned on a position printable on the print mediums, and an open state where the printing head portion and the damper portion are positioned on a position separated from the print mediums. In a case of a transition from the closed state to the open state, the printing head portion and the damper portion behave in conjunction, and in a case of a transition from the open state to the closed state, the damper portion and the printing head portion independently behave.

Abstract: An antenna pattern used in a UHF frequency band RFID inlay is provided with a substance; a dipole antenna formed from a metal foil upon the front surface of the substance; and a sub-element formed from a metal foil upon the back surface of the substance, wherein the dipole antenna is provided with a loop portion having a IC chip connecting portion; a pair of meanders configured to respectively extend from the loop portion so as to be line symmetrical; and capacitance hats, the sub-element has a pair of U-shapes, and a part of the sub-element overlaps with the dipole antenna through the substance.

Abstract: A server, which is capable of communicating with a printer or printers, each performing radio frequency identification (RFID) communication with a RFID tag, contains: a record unit configured to record, in a memory device, printer identification information for identifying a printer, tag identification information for identifying a RFID tag, and communication parameters with which the printer performs RFID communication, in an associated manner; a first obtaining unit configured to obtain, from a printer, printer identification information and tag identification information read by the printer; an identifying unit configured to identify communication parameters associated with the printer identification information and the tag identification information obtained by the first obtaining unit; and a first transmission unit configured to transmit the communication parameters identified by the identifying unit, to the printer.

Abstract: The manufacturing method of the antenna pattern has: a step of forming a dipole antenna on a front surface of a continuous substrate while conveying the continuous substrate; and a step of forming a sub-element on a back surface of the continuous substrate.

Abstract: A position locating system includes: a position locating tag provided in an indoor space, the position locating tag being associated with position information in the indoor space in advance; a tag information acquisition unit provided on a mobile body moving in the indoor space, the tag information acquisition unit being configured to read a signal transmitted from the position locating tag; and a mobile-body position locating unit configured to locate a position of the mobile body based on the signal from the position locating tag read by the tag information acquisition unit.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing unit configured to print on the print medium, a ribbon shaft configured to hold the ink ribbon, a partition member provided swingably between a close position where gears that transmit drive force to the ribbon shaft mesh with each other and an open position where meshing between the gears is released, and a lock mechanism configured to hold the partition member with respect to the printing unit when the partition member is placed at the close position.

Abstract: A printer includes, a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon roll up shaft configured to roll up an ink ribbon used in the printing portion, a ribbon supply shaft provided movably between a first position and a second position with respect to the ribbon roll up shaft, the ribbon supply shaft configured to hold the ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion, and a ribbon supply shaft lock mechanism to be brought into a lock state where rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is regulated when the ribbon supply shaft is placed at the first position, and into a non-lock state where the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is permitted when the ribbon supply shaft is placed at the second position.

Abstract: A printer includes, a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon supply shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion; and a ribbon roll up shaft configured to roll up the ink ribbon used in the printing portion, wherein when the ribbon supply shaft is placed at a ribbon replacement position where the ink ribbon is attachable and detachable, rotation of the ribbon supply shaft and rotation of the ribbon roll up shaft are regulated.

Abstract: A printer includes, a casing, a cover provided swingably, the cover covering an opening portion of the casing, a printing portion configured to print on a print medium, a ribbon supply shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon to be supplied to the printing portion, and a printing unit provided swingably, in a state where the printing unit is accommodated in the cover, rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is permitted, and when the open end side of the printing unit is separated from the cover and the ribbon supply shaft is placed at a ribbon replacement position where the ink ribbon is attachable and detachable, the rotation of the ribbon supply shaft is regulated.