Wireless tag reader

Abstract

To provide a handy-type wireless tag reader that can be used for various applications.SOLUTION: A wireless tag reader according to the embodiment includes a reader that receives information from a wireless tag, a first engagement portion provided on the reader, and a handle that can be attached to and detached from the first engagement portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless tag reader. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there are wireless tag readers that read wireless tags attached to items such as goods in stores such as supermarkets and mass retailers, and in logistics warehouses. In stores, the wireless tag readers read information related to the item to be purchased from the wireless tag. In stores, the wireless tags attached to items displayed on shelves are read when inventorying items. In warehouses, the wireless tags attached to items are read to check the number of items stored in the warehouse.

[0003] Among such wireless tag readers, there are handheld wireless tag readers with a handle, which are operated by holding the handle.

[0004] Recently, there has been a demand for wireless tag readers to be used in various places for various purposes, and for example, wireless tag readers are sometimes used in fixed locations. In such cases, the handle of a handheld wireless tag reader may get in the way and prevent it from being used for various purposes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a handheld radio tag reader that can be used for a variety of purposes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wireless tag reader of the embodiment includes a reader that receives information from a wireless tag, a first engagement portion provided on the reader, and a handle portion that is detachable from the first engagement portion. The handle portion further includes a second engagement portion detachable from the first engagement portion, and a grip portion detachable from the second engagement portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wireless tag reading device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a reader and a first engagement portion of the wireless tag reader. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a handle portion of the wireless tag reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wireless tag reader with the handle rotated. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the first modified example in which the second engagement portion is detached from the handle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second modified example in which the second engagement portion is attached to the supporting device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third modified example in which the second engagement portion is attached to a clip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a wireless tag reading device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a commodity sold in a store will be described as an example of an article. Also, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0009] The wireless tag reading device 1 of the embodiment is used, for example, in a logistics warehouse to grasp the number of products in stock. The wireless tag reading device 1 is also used, for example, in a store to take inventory of products. The wireless tag reading device 1 transmits radio waves from a built-in antenna (not shown), receives tag information (response radio waves) including product information from a wireless tag attached to the product that receives the radio waves, and collects information such as the number of products in stock.

[0010] The RFID tag reader 1 of the embodiment is a so-called handheld type equipped with a handle, and tag information is received while holding the handle and moving the RFID tag reader 1 left and right and up and down.

[0011] The following describes the configuration of the wireless tag reading device 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the wireless tag reading device 1 according to the embodiment, as seen obliquely from behind.

[0012] 1, the wireless tag reading device 1 has a reading unit 2, a first engagement unit 3, and a handle unit 4. The reading unit 2 incorporates an antenna that transmits radio waves to a wireless tag and receives tag information from the wireless tag, a control unit that generates the radio waves transmitted by the antenna and captures and analyzes the received tag information, and a power supply unit that drives the antenna and control unit (none of which are shown).

[0013] The first engagement portion 3 is fixed to the reading unit 2 or is formed integrally with the reading unit 2. The first engagement portion 3 is configured to engage the reading unit 2 with the handle portion 4. The first engagement portion 3 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0014] The handle portion 4 is attached to the reading unit 2 by engaging with the first engagement portion 3. The handle portion 4 is held when operating the wireless tag reading device 1. The operator holds the handle portion 4 and moves the reading unit 2 left and right and up and down to collect tag information of the wireless tags attached to products by the wireless tag reading device 1. The handle portion 4 has a second engagement portion 5 and a grip portion 6. The second engagement portion 5 and the grip portion 6 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the reading unit 2 and first engagement unit 3 of the radio tag reading device 1. Fig. 2 shows the radio tag reading device 1 of Fig. 1 with the handle unit 4 removed. As shown in Fig. 2, the first engagement unit 3 has a first engagement piece 31. The first engagement piece 31 is an arc-shaped engagement piece, and two pieces are formed facing each other at a position where the handle unit 4 (specifically, the second engagement unit 5) engages. Specifically, the first engagement piece 31 engages with a second engagement piece 51 described later, whereby the first engagement unit 3 and the second engagement unit 5 engage with each other.

[0016] The first engagement portion 3 also has engagement holes 32. Two engagement holes 32 are provided facing each other at positions shifted by approximately 90° from the position where the first engagement piece 31 is provided in the first engagement portion 3. The engagement holes 32 are holes into which engagement protrusions 52, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the handle part 4 of the wireless tag reading device 1. The handle part 4 is detachable from the first engagement part 3 (i.e., the reading part 2). Fig. 3 shows the handle part 4 in a state where it has been detached from the first engagement part 3.

[0018] The handle portion 4 has a second engagement portion 5 and a grip portion 6. The second engagement portion 5 and the grip portion 6 are detachable from each other. Fig. 3 shows the handle portion 4 in a state in which the second engagement portion 5 and the grip portion 6 are connected (the grip portion 6 is attached to the second engagement portion 5).

[0019] The second engagement portion 5 is detachable from the first engagement portion 3. The second engagement portion 5 has a second engagement piece 51. The second engagement piece 51 is an arc-shaped engagement piece, and two pieces are formed facing each other at a position where the first engagement portion 3 is engaged.

[0020] The second engagement portion 5 is provided with two engagement protrusions 52 arranged opposite to each other at a position other than the second engagement piece 51. The engagement protrusions 52 can be retracted from the second engagement portion 5. The engagement protrusions 52 are biased by a spring (not shown) and are normally in a protruding state from the second engagement portion 5. The second engagement portion 5 also has a slide portion 53. The slide portion 53 is slidable in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. The two engagement protrusions 52 are connected to the slide portion 53, and the engagement protrusions 52 move in the direction of arrow Y1 as the slide portion 53 moves in the direction of arrow Y1, and the engagement protrusions 52 move in the direction of arrow Y2 as the slide portion 53 moves in the direction of arrow Y2. As described above, the engagement protrusions 52 are normally biased in the protruding direction (i.e., the direction of arrow Y1), so the slide portion 53 is normally located at a position moved in the direction of arrow Y1. When the slide portion 53 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y2, the engagement protrusion 52 moves in the direction of the arrow Y2 against the biasing force of the spring. That is, when the slide portion 53 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y2, the engagement protrusion 52 goes from a protruding state from the second engagement portion 5 to a recessed state into the second engagement portion 5 (a retracted state into the second engagement portion 5).

[0021] Moreover, the grip unit 6 has a gripping portion 61 and an operation portion 62. The gripping portion 61 is the portion of the gripping portion 6 that is actually gripped by an operator who operates the wireless tag reading device 1. The operation portion 62 is a switch for operating the wireless tag reading device 1. When the operator operates the operation portion 62 while gripping the gripping portion 61, radio waves are transmitted from an antenna incorporated in the reading unit 2, and tag information transmitted from the wireless tag is received.

[0022] Next, the attachment and detachment of the handle part 4 to the first engagement part 3 will be described. In this case, the handle part 4 has a grip part 6 attached to the second engagement part 5. First, the case of attaching the handle part 4 to the first engagement part 3 will be described. The second engagement piece 51 provided on the second engagement part 5 is aligned with a position of the first engagement part 3 where the first engagement piece 31 is not provided, and the second engagement part 5 is pressed against the first engagement part 3.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a state where the second engagement piece 51 provided on the second engagement part 5 is aligned with a position where the first engagement piece 31 of the first engagement part 3 is not provided. In the state of FIG. 4, the second engagement part 5 does not protrude from the second engagement part 5. When the grip part 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y3 from this state, the second engagement part 5 rotates with respect to the first engagement part 3, and the second engagement piece 51 enters the inside of the first engagement piece 31. Then, when the grip part 6 is rotated approximately 90° in the direction of the arrow Y3, the state of FIG. 1 is reached. In this state, the engagement protrusion 52 protrudes due to the biasing force of the spring and enters the engagement hole 32. When the engagement protrusion 52 enters the engagement hole 32, the first engagement part 3 and the second engagement part 5 are engaged and fixed. In this manner, the handle part 4 is attached to the first engagement part 3.

[0024] 3. When the handle portion 4 is to be removed from the first engagement portion 3, the slide portion 53 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y2 in FIG. 3 in the state shown in FIG. 1. The engagement protrusion 52 is retracted into the second engagement portion 5 as the slide portion 53 moves. Then, the engagement protrusion 52 is disengaged from the engagement hole 32, and the second engagement portion 5 becomes rotatable relative to the first engagement portion 3. When the grip portion 61 is gripped in this state and the grip portion 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y4 in FIG. 4, the second engagement portion 5 rotates approximately 90° relative to the first engagement portion 3, and reaches the state shown in FIG. 4. In this state, the second engagement portion 5 can be removed from the first engagement portion 3. That is, the handle portion 4 can be removed from the first engagement portion 3.

[0025] In this way, the wireless tag reading device 1 of the embodiment can have the handle portion 4 attached to and detached from the first engagement portion 3 (i.e., the reading portion 2). When the handle portion 4 is attached to the first engagement portion 3 (the state in FIG. 1), an operator uses the wireless tag reading device 1 by gripping the handle portion 4 and moving it up, down, left and right. In this case, the number of products in stock is checked in a distribution warehouse, or the number of products is checked when performing an inventory operation in a store.

[0026] On the other hand, the wireless tag reader 1 of the embodiment may be used with the grip 6 detached from the second engagement part 5. From here, a first modification of the wireless tag reader 1 in which the grip 6 is detached from the second engagement part 5 will be described. The handle part 4 can be disassembled into the second engagement part 5 and the grip 6. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the first modification in which the second engagement part 5 is detached from the handle part 4. The grip 6 has a fixing part 63. The fixing part 63 fixes the second engagement part 5 in a detachable manner. The second engagement part 5 may be fixed to the fixing part 63 by, for example, mutual coupling with a magnet, or may be fixed by fitting the second engagement part 5 into the fixing part 63 and locking it using a known coupling means. The second engagement part 5 can be removed from the fixing part 63 by releasing the lock.

[0027] In addition, the second engagement part 5 removed from the fixing part 63 is attached to the fixing member 7. The fixing member 7 has screw hole parts 72, for example, at four corners of the fixing member 7, and is fixed by screwing the screw hole parts 72 to a wall, a fixture, or the like with screws N.

[0028] Next, the second engagement portion 5, from which the grip portion 6 has been removed, is attached to the fixed fixing member 7. For example, the second engagement portion 5 may be attached to the fixing member 7 by press-fitting the second engagement portion 5 into the fixing member 7, or the second engagement portion 5 may be attached to the fixing member 7 by engaging the second engagement portion 5 with a receiving portion 71 or the like provided on the fixing member 7 using a known means. Other attachment methods may also be used.

[0029] In this manner, by attaching the first engagement portion 3 provided on the reading unit 2 to the second engagement portion 5 attached to the fixing member 7, the reading unit 2 can be attached to a wall, a fixture, or the like. The reading unit 2 according to the first modification attached to a wall, a fixture, or the like in this manner receives tag information from wireless tags attached to products that customers place in baskets or on cards to purchase in stores. Since the reading unit 2 is fixed, a store clerk or the like can move the product with both hands and perform registration operations related to the product based on the received tag information.

[0030] In addition, in stores, such a second engagement unit 5 and reading unit 2 can be installed opposite the conveyor that carries the products to be purchased, and the tag information of the wireless tag attached to the product can be automatically received, thereby enabling cashier-less payment.

[0031] Furthermore, by attaching such second engagement portion 5 and reading portion 2 to a shopping cart in a store, customers themselves can receive tag information from the wireless tags attached to products.

[0032] Furthermore, in a logistics warehouse, by arranging one or more such second engagement units 5 and reading units 2 side by side, the system can be used as a tunnel gate that receives tag information from wireless tags attached to products packed in boxes when products are stored in or removed from the warehouse, or that receives tag information from wireless tags attached to products transported on a conveyor.

[0033] Next, another embodiment (variation 2) of the second engagement unit 5 and the reading unit 2 that operate in the manner as shown in Fig. 5 will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the second engagement unit 5 attached to the support device 8 and the reading unit 2 (variation 2). In Fig. 6, the support device 8 has legs 81 and pillars 82. The legs 81 are plate-like members that stably support the support device 8. The pillars 82 are pillar-like members that stand upright from the legs 81.

[0034] The fixed member 7 is attached to a column 82. The fixed member 7 is attached so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a grooved rail 83. The second engagement portion 5 is attached to the fixed member 7. The method of attaching the second engagement portion 5 to the fixed member 7 is the same as the method shown in FIG. 5, and is attached using, for example, a method of pressing the second engagement portion 5 into the fixed member 7, a method of engaging the second engagement portion 5 with a receiving portion 71 or the like provided on the fixed member 7, or other attachment methods. In this way, when the first engagement portion 3 provided on the reading unit 2 is attached to the second engagement portion 5 attached to the fixed member 7, the reading unit 2 is attached to the support device 8.

[0035] In addition, in the second modification, it is desirable that the orientation of the second engagement part 5 is variable in the horizontal direction relative to the fixed member 7. By adopting such a configuration, the reading unit 2 attached to the second engagement part 5 can be swiveled to any position in the left-right direction.

[0036] In this type of modified example 2, the reading unit 2 mainly receives tag information from a wireless tag attached to a product that a customer places in a basket or on a card to purchase in a store. Since the reading unit 2 is fixed, a store clerk or the like can move the product with both hands and perform a registration operation related to the product based on the received tag information. In the case of modified example 2, the second engagement unit 5 can be moved up and down according to the height of the operator, for example, and fixed in a position that is easy to operate. In addition, the reading unit 2 can be oriented to any position in the left-right direction so that the operator can easily operate it. In addition, such second engagement unit 5 and reading unit 2 can also be used for table inspection.

[0037] Next, a further embodiment (variation 3) of the reading unit 2 that operates in the manner as shown in Fig. 5 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the reading unit 2 and the state in which the second engagement portion 5 is attached to the clip 9. The clip 9 can be clamped at any desired location by the force of a spring.

[0038] A fixing member 7 is fixed to the clip 9. A second engagement portion 5 is attached to the fixing member 7. The method of attaching the second engagement portion 5 to the fixing member 7 is the same as the method shown in FIG. 5, and the second engagement portion 5 can be attached using any of the following attachment methods: for example, a method of pressing the second engagement portion 5 into the fixing member 7; a method of engaging the second engagement portion 5 with a receiving portion 71 or the like provided on the fixing member 7; or another attachment method. In this way, the first engagement portion 3 provided on the reading unit 2 is attached to the second engagement portion 5 attached to the fixing member 7, whereby the reading unit 2 can be attached to the clip 9.

[0039] In such a third modification, for example, a clip 9 with a reading unit 2 attached thereto is clamped to a box or container in which a product is packed, and the reading unit 2 is attached to the box or container. Then, tag information is received from a wireless tag attached to the product to be packed. In this way, information on the packed product can be obtained.

[0040] The wireless tag reading device 1 according to the embodiment, and the first, second, and third variations have been described above. Since the wireless tag reading device 1 needs to receive tag information from a product located relatively far away, it is necessary for the antenna to transmit radio waves with a relatively strong radio wave intensity so that the radio waves can reach a long distance. In contrast, the first, second, and third variations receive tag information from a product located relatively close by, so the radio wave intensity transmitted from the antenna does not need to be very strong. If the radio wave is strong, there is a possibility that the tag information of a product packed in another box will be received, resulting in misreading. Therefore, it is desirable to change the intensity of the transmitted radio wave between the wireless tag reading device 1 and the first, second, and third variations.

[0041] For this reason, in the embodiment, the radio wave intensity emitted from the antenna is changed depending on whether the grip portion 6 is attached or detached to the second engagement portion 5 (i.e., whether the wireless tag reading device 1 is used by holding the grip portion 6 and moving it up, down, left and right, or whether it is used as variant 1, variant 2 or variant 3 in which the grip portion 6 is detached and fixed somewhere).

[0042] Therefore, in the embodiment, a detection unit (not shown) is provided that detects whether the grip portion 6 is attached to or detached from the second engagement portion 5. As the detection unit, for example, a physical switch for detecting whether the grip portion 6 is attached to or detached from the second engagement portion 5 may be used as the detection unit. Also, an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor for detecting whether the grip portion 6 is attached to or detached from the second engagement portion 5 may be used as the detection unit. When these detection units detect that the grip portion 6 is attached to the second engagement portion 5, the control unit strengthens the radio wave intensity emitted from the antenna, and when these detection units detect that the grip portion 6 is detached from the second engagement portion 5, the control unit weakens the radio wave intensity emitted from the antenna, functioning as a radio wave intensity control unit.

[0043] The control unit is formed as a hardware configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a memory unit, etc. The ROM and the memory unit store programs that allow the control unit to function as a radio wave intensity control unit.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the gripper 6 is attached to the second engagement portion 5, the radio wave intensity emitted from the antenna can be increased, making it possible to transmit radio waves relatively far and receive tag information from products located relatively far away. Also, in this embodiment, when the gripper 6 is detached from the second engagement portion 5, the radio wave intensity emitted from the antenna can be decreased, making it possible to receive tag information from products located relatively close by. In this case, tag information is not received from products located relatively far away.

[0045] As described above, the wireless tag reading device 1 in the embodiment comprises a reading unit 2 that receives information from a wireless tag, a first engagement unit 3 provided on the reading unit 2, and a handle unit 4 that can be attached and detached to the first engagement unit 3.

[0046] In the wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment, the handle portion 4 is detachable from the first engagement portion 3. Therefore, the wireless tag reading device 1 can be used for various purposes.

[0047] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0048] For example, in the embodiment, the handle portion 4 has been described as being detachable between the second engagement portion 5 and the grip portion 6. However, this is not limited thereto, and for example, the handle portion 4 may be configured such that the second engagement portion 5 and the grip portion 6 are integral (non-detachable). [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Radio tag reader 2 Reading section 3 First engagement part 31 First engagement piece 32 Engagement hole 4 Handle 5 Second engagement portion 51 Second engagement piece 52 Engagement protrusion 53 Slide section 6 Gripping part 61 Grip 62 Operation section 63 Fixed part 7 Fixing member 71 Receiving Department 72 Screw hole 8 Support device 81 Legs 82 Column section 83 Rail 9 Clips N screw [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0050] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-54639 A

Claims

1. A reading unit that receives information from a wireless tag; A first engagement portion provided on the reading portion; a handle portion that is detachable from the first engagement portion; Equipped with The handle portion further includes a second engagement portion detachable from the first engagement portion, and a grip portion detachable from the second engagement portion. Radio tag reader.

2. The second engagement portion is detachably attached to a fixed member other than the grip portion.

2. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1.

3. The handle portion is detachable from the first engagement portion by rotating the handle portion relative to the reading portion.

3. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1 or 2.

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