Collection container

Abstract

This reduces the chance of misreading wireless tags on the outside of containers. [Solution] The collection container comprises a housing having an input port for inserting wireless tags and a housing for accommodating the inserted wireless tags; an antenna provided inside the housing, such that the reading range includes at least an area below the input port, for reading information from the wireless tags inserted into the input port; and a metal part provided on at least a part of the inner circumference of the housing, which shields the radio waves from the antenna from reaching the outside of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection container.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags have been attached to products such as clothing and books and used for improving accounting efficiency and inventory management. After a product is purchased by a user, such RFID tags are required to be collected by the business operator or the like that attached the tags and recycled or discarded. Patent Document 1 discloses a recycling system in which a dedicated collection box for RFID tags is installed in a store using RFID tags. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an IC tag collection box in a campaign reception system that uses an IC tag attached to a product for a campaign application.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the collection boxes disclosed in Patent Documents 1 or 2 do not take into account the misreading of RFID tags. Therefore, there is a risk of misreading RFID tags located outside the collection box. For example, if a user temporarily places an RFID tag on the top of the collection box, or if they are holding an RFID tag in their hand and standing near the collection box, the RFID tag may be misread. When conducting a campaign using RFID tags collected in a collection box, it is necessary to read the collected RFID tags more accurately. If an RFID tag located outside the collection box is read, uncollected RFID tags will be treated as collected, making it impossible to conduct a fair campaign. Furthermore, if an RFID tag located outside the collection box is read, the number of uncollected RFID tags will be included in the count of collected RFID tags, as well as those collected inside the box, thus reducing the accuracy of the count of collected RFID tags.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a collection container that can reduce the chance of misreading of wireless tags located on the outside of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a collection container comprising: a housing having an input slot for inserting a wireless tag and a storage section for accommodating the inserted wireless tag; an antenna provided inside the housing, such that the reading range includes at least an area below the input slot, for reading information from the wireless tag inserted into the input slot; and a metal part provided on at least a part of the inner circumference of the housing, which shields the radio waves from the antenna from reaching the outside of the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As explained above, this invention makes it possible to reduce the chances of misreading wireless tags located on the outside of a container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the collection box according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an external view of the collection box according to the first embodiment, as seen from above. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the collection box according to the first embodiment, seen from the side. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the collection box according to the second embodiment, seen from the side. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the collection box according to the second embodiment, seen from the side. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing the external appearance of the window portion of the collection box in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the exterior of a collection box, illustrating other possible arrangements of the window section. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the collection box according to the third embodiment, seen from the side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A collection container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [First Embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the collection box 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an external view of the collection box 10 according to this embodiment when viewed from above. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the collection box 10 according to this embodiment when viewed from the side.

[0011] Collection box 10 is an example of a collection container for holding the RFID tags to be collected (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "tags"). The RFID tags to be collected are, for example, RFID tags attached to products purchased by the user (e.g., clothing, books, etc.). The RFID tags (wireless tags) may be those that support frequencies in the UHF band (860-960MHz band), or they may be Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, which are IC tags that support short-range wireless communication standards using frequencies in the 10MHz range.

[0012] In this embodiment, a collection box 10 is described as an example of a collection container, but the collection container is not limited to this, and any container that can hold the tags may be a basket, net, or bag. At least one collection box 10 is installed at a collection point where the tags are collected. The collection point is a location where the collection box 10 is installed, and may be any of the following: a store, commercial facility, public facility, etc. The housing 2 of the collection box 10 is made of a material other than metal, such as plastic resin, cardboard, or wood.

[0013] The collection box 10 comprises a housing 2 having an input slot 11 for inserting tags and a storage section 19 for storing the inserted tags. The input slot 11 is partially open on, for example, the top, side, or front of the housing 2. In the illustrated example, the input slot 11 is open on a part of the top surface 10a of the housing 2. The longitudinal direction of the input slot 11 is positioned along the waterline side of the top surface 10a. The longitudinal and transverse lengths of the input slot 11 are determined to be arbitrary sizes, and here they are set to a size that allows for the insertion of the tags to be stored. For example, the size of the input slot 11 may be narrow, allowing only one tag to be inserted at a time. Inserting tags one at a time improves the accuracy of tag reading by the reading unit 120. Also, by making the input slot 11 narrow, the leakage of radio waves from the reading unit 120 to the outside from the input slot 11 (opening) can be reduced. By inserting the tags to be stored through the input slot 11, the tags are accumulated inside the collection box 10. The collection box 10 may be configured so that there are no openings other than the input slot 11 under normal circumstances. For example, the housing 2 may have only the input slot 11 partially open.

[0014] The input opening 11 may be provided with a valve to close it. For example, the valve may be a one-way valve that allows the tag to be inserted into the collection box 10. Alternatively, the valve may be made of a radio wave absorber. By making the valve a radio wave absorber, it is possible to reduce the leakage of radio waves emitted from the reading unit 120 to the outside through the input opening 11.

[0015] In addition, two guide members 12a and 12b are provided on the housing 2 of the collection box 10 so as to be continuous from the insertion port 11 and incline downward inside the collection box 10. The tag inserted from the insertion port 11 is first conveyed along the inclination of the guide member 12a (the direction of arrow A shown in the figure), then falls onto the guide member 12b, and subsequently is conveyed along the inclination of the guide member 12b (the direction of arrow B shown in the figure), and then falls onto the center of the bottom surface 10b of the collection box 10. The guide members 12a and 12b guide the tag inserted into the insertion port 11 to be conveyed to the storage portion 19. That is, the guide members 12a and 12b are a conveyance path for conveying the tag. By dropping the tag onto the center of the bottom surface 10b, it is possible to prevent the tags from gathering at the ends and reduce the possibility that the reading unit 120 reads information again from the tags stored on the bottom surface 10b. When a large number of tags are inserted and the stored tags are also stored in the conveyance path, the guide members 12a and 12b (the conveyance path) may function as a storage portion.

[0016] The angle and material of the guide members 1,2a and 12b may be any combination of an angle and a material that can ensure the time and position for the reading unit 120 to read information (communicate with the tag) from the tag from when the tag inserted from the insertion port 11 falls onto the guide member 12a until it falls from the guide member 12b. Also, an antistatic agent or a lubricant may be applied to the guide members 12a and 12b so that the inserted tag is smoothly conveyed to the bottom surface 10b of the collection box 10. In addition, in the present embodiment, two guide members 12a and 12b are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the guide member conveys into the collection box 10, there may be one guide member or three or more guide members.

[0017] The reading unit 120 is an antenna (e.g., a UHF antenna) located inside the housing 2 for communicating with tags passing through the guide member 12a or guide member 12b. The reading unit 120 reads information from tags inserted into the input slot 11 such that the reading range (reading area) includes at least the area below the input slot 11. The reading unit 120 is connected to, for example, a reader / writer (e.g., a UHF reader / writer) not shown, which is installed at any position in the collection box 10. The reader / writer reads the tag-specific tag ID, such as the EPC (Electronic Product Code), from the tags passing through the guide member 12a or guide member 12b via the reading unit 120. The reading unit 120 has, for example, a planar appearance, with one side being a radiating surface 120a from which radio waves are emitted. The reading unit 120 is installed so that the radiating surface 120a faces the tag transport path in the guide member 12a or guide member 12b. In other words, the reading unit 120 is positioned to emit radio waves toward the tag's transport path. The reading unit 120 then reads information from the tag along the transport path. That is, the reading area (communication area) of the reading unit 120 is along the tag's transport path. The reading unit 120 is installed so that its reading area covers the entire width (left-right width) of the guide member 12a or guide member 12b. Hereinafter, the act of the reading unit 120 communicating with the tag may be referred to as "reading the tag."

[0018] Also, inside the housing 2 of the collection box 10, a metal part 13 is provided which is provided on at least a part of the inner circumference and shields the radio waves from the reading unit 120 so that they do not reach the outside of the housing 2. For example, the metal part 13 is a metal sheet or metal foil provided so as to cover the inner surface of the housing 2 (for example, so as to surround the inner circumference). Note that the metal part 13 may be, for example, a metal plate, metal sheet, metal foil, etc. attached in a tile shape or the like with a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of several millimeters). By covering the inside of the collection box 10 with metal, it is possible to prevent the radio waves of the reading unit 120 from leaking outside the collection box 10 and prevent the tags outside the collection box 10 from being erroneously read. In particular, by covering the inside of the top surface 10a other than the insertion opening 11 with the metal part 13, it is possible to prevent the reading unit 120 from erroneously reading the tag before insertion (tag not yet inserted into the collection box 10) placed by the user on the top surface 10a. Also, by using a metal sheet or metal foil, the weight of the entire collection box 10 can be made lighter compared to the case where the collection box 10 main body is made of metal. As the metal sheet or metal foil, inexpensive and lightweight aluminum is preferable, but sheet-like materials such as steel or stainless steel may also be used in order to provide strength.

[0019] In the illustrated example, the inner surface of the top surface 10a, the lower part of the guide member 12a, the inner surface of the back surface 10c, and the inner surface of the bottom surface 10b are covered with the metal part 13, but it is not limited to this, and the inner surfaces of the front surface or side surfaces may be covered with the metal part 13.

[0020] Note that if the guide members 12a and 12b which are the conveyance paths are made of metal, it becomes difficult to read the tag, so the guide members 12a and 12b are not provided with the metal part 13 (not covered with a metal sheet or metal foil). That is, the guide members 12a and 12b are made of a material other than metal (for example, plastic resin, cardboard, wood, etc.). For the parts where materials other than metal are used, the radio waves from the reading unit 120 are not shielded or are difficult to be shielded.

[0021] Furthermore, a protrusion 14 is provided on the bottom surface 10b inside the housing 2 of the collection box 10. In the illustrated example, the protrusion 14 is a part that protrudes upward from the center of the bottom surface 10b and has a roughly frustoconical shape. In the illustrated example, there is one protrusion 14, but this is not limited to this, and multiple protrusions may be provided on the bottom surface. By providing the protrusion 14, it is possible to prevent tags from accumulating in a certain area such as the center and to distribute them throughout the collection box 10. In other words, the collection box 10 can accommodate tags in a roughly flat state on the horizontal plane. This improves the tag storage rate. Also, if tags accumulate in a part of the interior, there is a risk that the reading unit 120 may read the tags above it again, but by accommodating the tags in a roughly flat state on the horizontal plane within the collection box 10, this risk can be reduced. Furthermore, the protrusions 14 may be made of rubber to prevent the reading unit 120 from rereading tags accumulated on the bottom surface 10b. By making the protrusions 14 out of rubber, radio wave reflection on the bottom surface 10b can be suppressed, further reducing the possibility of radio wave leakage. Also, by making the bottom surface 10b out of rubber, tags will not clump together in one area, making it possible to collect the tags uniformly in the collection box 10.

[0022] Furthermore, if the reading unit 120 reads the same tag two or more times, a control device (not shown) may perform control processing such as excluding tag IDs that have already been read from the count.

[0023] Furthermore, a radio wave absorber 18 is provided on the housing 2 of the collection box 10 below the input slot 11 and above the reading unit 120. Examples of radio wave absorbers 18 include magnetic sheets or the like that have the characteristic of attenuating radio waves from the reading unit 120. By providing the radio wave absorber 18, it is possible to reduce the leakage of radio waves emitted from the reading unit 120 to the outside through the input slot 11.

[0024] Furthermore, the housing 2 of the collection box 10 may be equipped with a lockable door or the like. For example, the collection box 10 may have double doors on the front, allowing access to the inside of the collection box 10 by opening the doors. This allows workers to retrieve the collected tags.

[0025] It is desirable that the collection box 10 can notify a server that collects tag information (e.g., tag ID, number of tags, etc.) regarding the tags that users have placed in the collection box 10. The server is, for example, a computer that manages campaigns. Here, "campaign" refers to activities related to tag collection, such as those aimed at promoting recycling, and a service in which users who recycle tags can receive benefits such as coupons or points.

[0026] However, if the collection box 10 is equipped with communication capabilities to connect to a communication network such as a WAN or LAN, its installation location will be restricted, and it will not be possible to freely place or move it. Furthermore, the cost of the collection box 10 itself will increase. In addition, communication between the collection box 10 and the server will result in a large amount of communication traffic. Therefore, in this embodiment, the collection box 10 transmits tag information to the server via a user terminal 20 used by the user. The user terminal 20 is an information terminal device operated by the user. For example, a smartphone, tablet, or PC (Personal Computer) can be used as the user terminal 20.

[0027] The communication unit 110, which communicates with the user terminal 20, is provided on the top, side, or front of the housing 2 of the collection box 10. For example, the communication unit 110 is positioned to allow the user to easily hold the user terminal 20 over it, in accordance with the size of the collection box 10. It is preferable that the communication unit 110 be provided on the same surface as the input slot 11. In the illustrated example, the communication unit 110 is provided on the top surface 10a, similar to the input slot 11. For example, the communication unit 110 sends and receives various information with the user terminal 20 using short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or UWB (Ultra Wide Band), which has a different communication path from the communication between the server and the user terminal 20.

[0028] For example, the linking unit 110 notifies the user terminal 20 of the tag information (e.g., tag ID and number of tags) of the tags that the user has placed in the collection box 10. The user terminal 20 sends the tag information received from the linking unit 110 and the user ID that identifies the user to the server. This allows the server to determine which user placed which tag in the collection box 10. Based on the tag information and user ID received from the user terminal 20, the server determines the results of the campaign, etc. (e.g., coupon or point awarding), and notifies the user terminal 20 of the determination result.

[0029] In this embodiment, the collection box 10 transmits tag information to the server via the user terminal 20. However, the collection box 10 may also be equipped with a communication function that connects to a communication network, allowing it to transmit tag information directly to the server.

[0030] As described above, the collection container (collection box 10) according to this embodiment comprises a housing 2 having an input slot 11 for inserting a wireless tag (RFID tag) and a storage section 19 for accommodating the inserted wireless tag; an antenna (reading section 120) provided inside the housing 2, such that the reading range includes at least an area below the input slot 11, for reading information from the wireless tag inserted into the input slot 11; and a metal section 13 provided on at least a part of the inner circumference of the housing 2, which shields the radio waves from the antenna from reaching the outside of the housing 2.

[0031] With this configuration, the collection container according to this embodiment prevents radio waves emitted from the reading unit 120 from leaking to the outside by making the inside metal, and also reflects the radio waves on the inside, making it easier to read information from the wireless tag. This prevents the accidental reading of wireless tags on the outside of the collection container, and makes it possible to more reliably read only the wireless tags placed inside the collection container. In addition, by making only the input opening 11 partially open, it is possible to reduce the leakage of radio waves from the reading unit 120 to the outside from the opening. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized removal of tags from the collection container. Moreover, if cameras or sensors are installed to prevent the reading of wireless tags that have not been placed in the collection container, the structure becomes complex and expensive, but with the collection container according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the reading of wireless tags that have not been placed in the collection container without installing cameras or sensors, thus simplifying the structure of the collection box and making it inexpensive.

[0032] Furthermore, the collection container (collection box 10) according to this embodiment is further equipped with guide members 12a and 12b that guide the wireless tags inserted into the input port 11 to be transported to the storage section 19, and the antenna (reading unit 120) reads information from the wireless tags along the transport path.

[0033] With this configuration, the collection container according to this embodiment reads wireless tags passing through the transport path using the reader unit 120. By providing a transport path that reads wireless tags in this way, information can be read from the wireless tags more reliably.

[0034] Furthermore, the housing 2 of the collection container (collection box 10) according to this embodiment is made of a material other than metal, and the metal part 13 is a metal sheet or metal foil.

[0035] If the housing 2 is made of metal, the collection container itself becomes heavy and difficult to move. Also, if the housing 2 is made of metal, it is difficult to process, making it difficult to achieve a desirable design, and it is difficult to easily remove (collect) the stored tags. In contrast, the collection container according to this embodiment has a housing 2 made of a material other than metal, so the weight of the collection container itself can be reduced compared to the case where it is made of metal, and a more aesthetically pleasing design can be achieved. Furthermore, by making the metal part 13 covering the inside of the housing 2 a metal sheet or metal foil, it is possible to prevent radio waves from the reading unit 120 from leaking to the outside of the collection container while keeping the weight of the collection container itself relatively light.

[0036] Furthermore, the collection container (collection box 10) according to this embodiment is provided with a protrusion 14 on the bottom surface inside the housing. With this configuration, the collection container according to this embodiment prevents tags from accumulating in a certain area such as the center, and allows them to be accommodated substantially uniformly throughout the collection box 10. This reduces the risk that the reading unit 120 will read the tags contained in the collection box 10 again. It also improves the tag storage rate.

[0037] Furthermore, if the guide members 12a and 12b, which form the transport path, are made of metal, reading the tags becomes difficult. In contrast, the guide members 12a and 12b of the collection container (collection box 10) in this embodiment are made of materials other than metal. This prevents a decrease in the reading accuracy of the reading unit 120.

[0038] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the collection box 10 according to this embodiment, viewed from the side. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the housing 2 of the collection box 10A has a storage section 19, at least a portion of which is a retrieval container 15 from which the stored tags can be removed to the outside. For example, the housing 2 has a retrieval container 15 at its lower part 101 for retrieving the tags TG stored in the collection box 10A. The retrieval container 15 is made of a material other than metal. The retrieval container 15 may be a box made of, for example, plastic resin, cardboard, wood, etc., or it may be a basket, net, or bag. The retrieval container 15 is detachable from the housing 2 and can be removed or replaced at an appropriate time. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the worker can slide the retrieval container 15 forward (in the direction of arrow E shown in the figure) and pull it out. The retrieval container 15 may be lockable.

[0040] In this embodiment, the protrusion 14 is provided inside the extraction container 15. This prevents the tags TG from accumulating in a specific area, such as the center, within the extraction container 15, allowing the tags TG to be stored in the extraction container 15 in a substantially flat state on a horizontal plane.

[0041] Furthermore, the collection box 10A in this embodiment is provided with a window 16 located on at least a part of the housing 2, which allows the tags stored in the storage section 19 to be viewed from outside the housing 2. For example, the window 16 is used to check the status of the tags stored in the collection box 10A (e.g., how many tags have been collected) from outside the collection box 10A. In the illustrated example, the window 16 is installed on the back surface 10c of the lower part 101 of the collection box 10A. The window 16 may be a hole (e.g., a slit) of a size that prevents the tags from being removed, or it may be constructed by attaching a transparent member to the opening.

[0042] Figure 6 is a front view showing the external appearance of the window portion 16 of the collection box 10A in this embodiment. This figure shows an example in which the window portion 16 is formed by attaching a transparent member to the opening. The window portion 16 is composed of a transparent base material 161 in the center, allowing workers to check the inside of the collection box 10A from the outside. The size of the transparent base material 161 should be such that workers can check the condition of the tags TG contained inside the retrieval container 15. In addition, the window portion 16 has an edge portion 162 along the outer circumference (edge) of the transparent base material 161, where the inside of the collection box 10A is covered with metal (for example, a metal sheet or metal foil).

[0043] In accordance with the size and position of the transparent substrate 161 of the window section 16, part or all of the back surface 15a of the retrieval container 15 is made of a transparent substrate. The size and position of the transparent substrate of the retrieval container 15 should be such that the worker can see the tag TG contained inside the retrieval container 15 through the window section 16.

[0044] To prevent radio waves from the reading unit 120 from leaking to the outside through the window 16, a metal-covered member 17 (such as a metal sheet or metal foil) is provided between the window 16 on the top side of the window 16 and the reading unit 120. The member 17 may be a plate or a sheet. The position and size of the member 17 should be such that it prevents radio waves emitted from the reading unit 120 from reaching the window 16 and does not obstruct the tag TG from falling from the guide member 12c into the retrieval container 15. In addition, a radio wave absorber may be provided around the window 16 (for example, along the edge). By providing a radio wave absorber, it is possible to further suppress the leakage of radio waves emitted from the reading unit 120 from the window 16 to the outside of the collection box 10.

[0045] In the collection box 10A of this embodiment, one guide member 12c is provided as a transport path for the tags inserted from the input port 11. The tags inserted from the input port 11 are transported along the inclination of the guide member 12c (in the direction of arrows C and D shown in the figure) and then fall into the inside of the retrieval container 15.

[0046] Furthermore, the reading unit 120 in this embodiment reads the tag as it passes through the guide member 12c. For example, the reading unit 120 is installed at a position facing the guide member 12c such that its radiating surface 120a faces the transport path on the guide member 12c.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 2 has its top surface 10a, bottom surface 10b, back surface 10c, front surface 10d, and side surface (not shown) covered with metal parts 13.

[0048] In this embodiment, a window 16 is provided on the back surface 10c of the lower part 101 of the collection box 10A. However, the window 16 can be installed in any location that allows the status of the tags stored in the collection box 10A to be checked. For example, it may be installed on the front surface 10d as shown in Figure 7, or on the side or top surface 10a. The size and shape of the window 16 can also be any size and shape that allows the status of the tags stored in the collection box 10A to be checked. Furthermore, the window 16 may also be provided in the collection boxes 10 and 10B in the first embodiment or the third embodiment described later.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the collection container (collection box 10A) has at least a portion of its storage section 19 that is a retrieval container 15 from which the stored wireless tags can be removed to the outside.

[0050] With this configuration, the collection container (collection box 10A) according to this embodiment can easily collect tags. For example, by replacing the retrieval container 15, the collection container can be efficiently emptied, and the loss of tags can be prevented.

[0051] Furthermore, the collection container (collection box 10A) according to this embodiment is provided in at least a part of the housing 2 and further includes a window 16 that allows the wireless tag stored in the storage section 19 to be viewed from outside the housing 2.

[0052] With this configuration, the collection container (collection box 10A) according to this embodiment allows workers to easily check the status of the tags stored in the collection container (for example, the amount of tags accumulated) through the window 16.

[0053] Furthermore, the collection container (collection box 10A) according to this embodiment further includes a metal-covered member 17 between the antenna (reading unit 120) and the window 16.

[0054] With this configuration, the collection container (collection box 10A) according to this embodiment can prevent the radio waves from the reading unit 120 from leaking out of the window 16 to the outside of the collection container.

[0055] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the collection box 10B according to this embodiment, viewed from the side. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In the embodiments described above, the case where there is one reading unit 120 was explained as an example, but in this embodiment, two reading units 120 (first reading unit 120A and second reading unit 120B) with different reading areas are provided to prevent tag reading errors. Note that the number of reading units 120 is not limited to two, but may be three or more. The first reading unit 120A and the second reading unit 120B are arranged within the housing 2 such that their reading areas are different from each other.

[0056] In this embodiment, the housing 2 of the collection box 10B is provided with two guide members 12d and 12e that are connected to the input opening 11 and inclined downward towards the inside of the collection box 10. Tags inserted from the input opening 11 are first transported along the inclination of guide member 12d (in the direction of arrow F shown in the figure), then fall onto guide member 12e, and subsequently transported along the inclination of guide member 12e (in the direction of arrow G shown in the figure), and then fall onto the bottom surface 10b of the collection box 10B.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first reading unit 120A reads tags passing through the guide member 12d. For example, the first reading unit 120A is positioned opposite the guide member 12d such that its radiating surface faces the transport path of the guide member 12d. That is, the reading area of ​​the first reading unit 120A is the transport path of the tags in the guide member 12d. On the other hand, the second reading unit 120B reads tags that have been stored and accumulated in the bottom surface 10b of the collection box 10B from the guide member 12e. In the illustrated example, the second reading unit 120B is set on the back surface 10c of the lower part 101 of the collection box 10B such that its radiating surface faces the inside of the collection box 10. Note that, not limited to this example, the second reading unit 120B may also be configured to read tags passing through the guide member 12e. For example, the second reading unit 120B may be installed at a position opposite to the guide member 12e (for example, position P shown in the figure) such that its radiating surface faces the tag transport path on the guide member 12e.

[0058] For example, the control device (not shown) provided in the collection box 10B prevents tag reading errors by comparing the tag information read by the first reading unit 120A with the tag information read by the second reading unit 120B. This improves reading performance, for example, even if the first reading unit 120A misses reading a tag, by having the second reading unit 120B read the tag. Note that the tag information comparison may be performed by the server that collects the tag information, or by the user terminal 20 that receives the tag information from the collection box 10B. In this way, the accuracy of tag reading can be further improved by comparing the tag information read by the first reading unit 120A with the tag information read by the second reading unit 120B.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 2 has its top surface 10a, bottom surface 10b, back surface 10c, front surface 10d, and side surface (not shown) covered with a metal part 13 on its inner surface and the lower part of the guide member 12d (between the first reading section 120A and the second reading section 120B). By providing the metal part 13 between the first reading section 120A and the second reading section 120B, the reading area of ​​the first reading section 120A and the reading area of ​​the second reading section 120B do not overlap (the reading areas are separated).

[0060] As described above, the reading units 120 of the collection container (collection box 10B) in this embodiment are multiple, and are arranged within the housing 2 so that their reading ranges (reading areas) are different from each other. This configuration prevents missed tag readings and allows for more reliable reading of tags contained in the collection container.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to allow users to confirm that the tags have been read correctly in the collection boxes 10, 10A, and 10B, the collection boxes 10, 10A, and 10B may be equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light or other indicator that lights up each time the reading unit 120 reads a tag ID. When a tag is inserted, the LED light lights up, allowing the user to confirm that the tag has been read correctly.

[0062] Furthermore, the collection boxes 10, 10A, and 10B may be equipped with a code reader that reads two-dimensional codes such as QR (Quick Response) codes (registered trademark) or barcodes. By equipping the collection boxes 10, 10A, and 10B with a code reader, it is possible for the user to have the code printed on the tag read by the code reader in cases where the reading unit 120 is unable to correctly read the tag ID due to damage to the tag, etc. For example, the code may represent the tag ID (EPC). This prevents tags from being missed in the count, as the code reader can read the tag ID even if the reading unit 120 is unable to correctly read the tag ID due to damage to the tag, etc.

[0063] In the embodiments described above, some or all of the functions of the control device, user terminal, or server of the recovery boxes 10, 10A, and 10B may be implemented by a computer. In this case, the functions may be implemented by recording a program for implementing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that acts as a server or client in such a case. Furthermore, the above program may be for implementing some of the functions described above, or it may be a program that can implement the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or it may be implemented using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0064] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 10, 10A, 10B Collection Boxes 2 cabinets 11 Inlet 12 Guide members 13 Metal parts 14 Convex part 15 Removal container 16 Window section 17 components 18. Radio wave absorber 110 Liaison Department 120 Reading Unit 20 User Terminals

Claims

1. A housing having an input slot for inserting wireless tags and a storage section for accommodating the inserted wireless tags, An antenna is provided inside the housing, such that the reading range includes at least an area below the input slot, for reading information from a wireless tag inserted into the input slot. A metal part is provided on at least a portion of the inner circumference of the housing to shield radio waves from the antenna from reaching the outside of the housing, A collection container equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a guide member that guides the wireless tag inserted into the input port so that it is transported to the storage section. The antenna reads information from wireless tags along the transport route. The collection container according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned housing is made of a material other than metal, The aforementioned metal part is a metal sheet or metal foil. The collection container according to claim 1.

4. The housing further includes a protrusion on the bottom surface inside the housing. The collection container according to claim 1.

5. At least a portion of the storage section is an extraction container from which the stored wireless tag can be removed to the outside. The collection container according to claim 1.

6. The housing is further provided with a window that allows the wireless tag housed in the housing to be viewed from outside the housing, at least a portion of the housing. The collection container according to claim 1.

7. The antenna and the window portion are further provided with a metal-covered member. The collection container according to claim 6.

8. The guide member is made of a material other than metal. The collection container according to claim 2.

9. The aforementioned antennas are multiple in number and are arranged within the housing such that their reading ranges differ from each other. The collection container according to claim 1.

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