Wireless tag reader

Abstract

To provide a wireless tag reader that is less likely to incur the inconvenience of incorrectly reading off-target articles and that is easy to operate and easy to put in and out of the space for reading target articles.SOLUTION: A wireless tag reader includes: one or more antennas that emit radio waves above themselves to read information held by a wireless tag within a predetermined range; and a mounting unit provided at a position that does not overlap the antennas in plane view and at a lower height than the antennas, on which an article with the wireless tag that is not read by the antennas can be placed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, stores such as apparel (clothing) mass retailers and supermarkets have adopted wireless tag readers that attach wireless tags to products sold in the store and read information related to the products purchased by customers from the wireless tags (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The wireless tag readers read tag information using short-range wireless communication such as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology. The products purchased by customers are placed in, for example, a shopping basket and brought to the checkout.

[0003] The wireless tag reader used to read the information on such products to be checked out must read all the wireless tags attached to the products to be read and register them as products to be checked out, without fail, while not mistakenly registering products that are not to be read. For this reason, various measures have been taken, such as surrounding the products to be read with a wall that blocks radio waves and emitting radio waves from within the wall, so that radio waves can be transmitted and received to and from the products to be read but not to and from other products.

[0004] The above-described configuration can prevent the inconvenience of mistakenly reading an unintended wireless tag, but it is not easy to use because products must be taken in and out of a space surrounded by walls. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a radio tag reading device that is less likely to accidentally read non-target products, is easy to insert and remove into a space for reading target products, and is highly operable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The radio tag reading device of the embodiment comprises one or more antennas that emit radio waves above the device to read information held by radio tags present within a specified range, and a mounting section that is positioned so as not to overlap the antennas in a planar view and at a lower height than the antennas, and on which items with attached radio tags that are not subject to reading by the antennas can be placed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a POS system including a wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a semi-self-service POS system equipped with a wireless tag reader. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless tag reader. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described. First, the configurations of a POS system 5 and a semi-self-service POS system 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a POS system 5 equipped with a wireless tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a semi-self-service POS system 6 equipped with a wireless tag reading device 1.

[0010] The POS system 5 and semi-self-service POS system 6 are devices for reading the wireless tags attached to the products to be purchased and for performing payment operations. The POS system 5 comprises a wireless tag reader 1 and a POS terminal 3, and is operated by a store clerk O. The semi-self-service POS system 6 comprises a wireless tag reader 1 and an accounting device 4. The wireless tag reader 1 is operated by the store clerk O. The accounting device 4 is operated by a customer Cp making a payment. The POS terminal 3 and accounting device 4 perform accounting processing based on the information output by the wireless tag reader 1.

[0011] Here, we will explain wireless tags. Wireless tags are, for example, electronic tags such as RF tags. RF tags are compatible with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology and include an IC (Integrated Circuit) that can be read contactlessly using radio waves or the like.

[0012] A wireless tag has a memory unit such as an IC chip and an antenna. When the antenna of the wireless tag receives radio waves, an electromotive force is generated. This electromotive force causes the wireless tag to transmit tag information stored in the memory unit. The tag information is information that can identify a product, such as an individual product number or product code.

[0013] The wireless tag reading device 1 is provided on a mounting table 9. The mounting table 9 has a first mounting section 91 and a second mounting section 92. The first mounting section 91 and the second mounting section 92 each have an upward-facing flat surface (top surface) on which an item can be placed. The flat surfaces of the first mounting section 91 and the second mounting section 92 each have an area large enough to accommodate one or more shopping baskets 8. A shopping basket 8 is an example of a container that a customer uses to carry merchandise inside a store.

[0014] The wireless tag reading device 1 is built into the first mounting section 91 and is located near the top surface of the first mounting section 91, and reads information (tag information) held by wireless tags present within a predetermined range above the first mounting section 91.

[0015] The second placement section 92 is an example of a placement section. A customer Cq in the queue can place a shopping basket 8 containing the product 7 that he or she intends to purchase (or the product 7 itself) on the second placement section 92.

[0016] This embodiment may be applied to a self-service POS system, and the devices of this embodiment may constitute a self-service POS system. A self-service POS system is a system in which customers themselves perform the operation of reading the wireless tags attached to products and the operation of payment. For example, if the wireless tag reading device 1 in the semi-self-service POS system 6 described above is configured to be operated by customer C himself during payment, it can be used as a self-service POS system.

[0017] 3 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device 1. The upper surfaces of the first mounting section 91 and the second mounting section 92 are located at different height positions, with the upper surface of the first mounting section 91 being located at a higher position. A first antenna 17 and a second antenna 18 are disposed below the upper surface of the first mounting section 91. The first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 are located at a higher position than the upper surface of the second mounting section 92.

[0018] The first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 are examples of one or more antennas included in the RFID tag reading device 1. In this embodiment, the RFID tag reading device 1 includes two antennas 17 and 18, but in practice the RFID tag reading device 1 may include one antenna or three or more antennas.

[0019] The first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 emit radio waves upward to read information stored in wireless tags present in a predetermined range (first area 171 and second area 181, described below). The predetermined range is a range in which wireless tags attached to items placed on the top surface of the first placement section 91 may be present. The output (or radio wave intensity) of the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 is set to a level necessary and sufficient for reading the predetermined range.

[0020] The second mounting section 92 is an example of a mounting section that is provided at a position that does not overlap the antennas (first antenna 17 and second antenna 18) in a plan view and at a position lower than the antennas, and is capable of mounting an article having a wireless tag attached thereto that is not subject to reading by the antennas. The position of the second mounting section 92 relative to the first mounting section 91 is set at a position where the wireless tag attached to the article placed on the second mounting section 92 is not included in the above-mentioned predetermined range.

[0021] The wireless tag reading device 1 reads tag information (including an individual product number that uniquely identifies the product 7 to which the wireless tag is attached) transmitted from a wireless tag attached to a product by using radio waves emitted from the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18. Hereinafter, "tag information transmitted from a wireless tag" will be referred to as "tag information of a wireless tag."

[0022] The first antenna 17 receives tag information transmitted from a wireless tag present within the first area 171. The first area 171 is an area in which the first antenna 17 can receive tag information from a wireless tag. In other words, wireless tags outside the first area 171 cannot be read by the first antenna 17. The first area 171 is determined according to the shape, output, type of polarization, directivity, etc. of the first antenna 17. The first area 171 is also located above the first placement unit 91. Therefore, the first antenna 17 receives tag information from a wireless tag attached to a product 7 placed on the first placement unit 91.

[0023] Similarly, the second antenna 18 receives tag information from wireless tags present within the second region 181. The second region 181 is an area in which the second antenna 18 can receive tag information from wireless tags. In other words, wireless tags outside the second region 181 cannot be read by the second antenna 18. The second region 181 is determined according to the shape, output, type of polarization, directivity, etc. of the second antenna 18. The second region 181 is also located above the first placement unit 91. Therefore, the second antenna 18 also receives tag information from wireless tags attached to products 7 placed on the first placement unit 91. However, the second region 181 is set to be located adjacent to or close to the first region 171. The first region 171 and the second region 181 may partially overlap.

[0024] The RFID tag reader 1 reads tag information from a RFID tag by receiving the tag information via the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18. The first area 171 and the second area 181 are examples of a predetermined range.

[0025] The first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 are provided at a position higher than the upper surface of the second mounting portion 92. As a result, the first region 171 and the second region 181 are spaced apart in the height direction from the upper surface of the second mounting portion 92 and are positioned at a higher position.

[0026] More specifically, the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 are positioned so that the first area 171 and the second area 181 cannot include the wireless tags attached to the products 7 contained in the shopping basket 8 placed on the second placing section 92. With this type of wireless tag reading device 1, the wireless tags attached to the products 7 that customer Cq in queue plans to purchase will not be mistakenly read as the products that customer C will purchase during checkout.

[0027] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless tag reader 1. The wireless tag reader 1 further includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a communication unit 14, a storage unit 19, etc.

[0028] The CPU 11 is the main controller. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 expands the programs and various data. The memory unit 19 stores various programs 191. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory unit 19 are connected to one another via a bus. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute the control unit 10. In other words, the control unit 10 executes control processing of the wireless tag reading device 1 by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 12 and memory unit 19 and expanded in the RAM 13.

[0029] The RAM 13 includes a tag information unit 131. The tag information unit 131 stores product information (including the individual product number) of the product, which is acquired based on the tag information of the wireless tag read by the wireless tag reading device 1.

[0030] The memory unit 19 is composed of a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disc drive (HDD), a flash memory, etc., and maintains its stored contents even when power is cut off. The memory unit 19 stores a program 191 and a product master 192. The program 191 is a control program for controlling the wireless tag reading device 1. The product master 192 stores product information of the product in association with an individual product number that identifies the product, or a product code of the product that includes the individual product number.

[0031] The control unit 10 is connected via a bus to the communication unit 14, first antenna 17, and second antenna 18. The communication unit 14 is a communication interface for connecting to the POS terminal 3 (or the checkout device 4) and the like so that communication is possible.

[0032] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 3. The accounting device 4 is also configured to include almost the same components as those shown in Figure 5. The POS terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, a communication unit 34, a display unit 35, an operation unit 36, a memory unit 39, an audio output unit 40, a change dispenser 41, a card reader 42, a printing unit 43, etc.

[0033] The CPU 31 comprehensively controls each section of the POS terminal 3. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 is a workspace for expanding programs and various data. The CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 are connected via a bus or the like to form a computer-configured control unit 30. The RAM 33 also includes a product information section 331. The product information section 331 stores information on registered products (registered products) from the start to the completion of at least one transaction.

[0034] The storage unit 39 has a storage medium such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 39 stores a program 391 that can be executed by the CPU 31, various setting information, and the like.

[0035] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that communicatively connects the control unit 30 and the RFID tag reading device 1. The display unit 35 has a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various information under the control of the CPU 31. The operation unit 36 ​​has input devices such as a touch panel overlaid on the surface of the display unit 35, a keyboard, and a pointing device, and outputs operation contents input via the input devices to the CPU 31. The audio output unit 40 has a speaker and a buzzer, and outputs audio under the control of the CPU 31.

[0036] The change dispenser 41 has built-in cash (coins and bills) and accepts deposits and dispenses change during settlement. The card reader 42 reads information stored in a storage medium such as a credit card. The printing unit 43 prints and issues a receipt recording the transaction.

[0037] In this configuration, the wireless tag reading device 1 reads tag information from wireless tags present within a predetermined range (first area 171 and second area 181) on the first mounting section 91 by emitting radio waves at a predetermined output (or a predetermined strength) from the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18.

[0038] As a result, the tag information of the wireless tag attached to the product 7 on the first placement section 91 is read by the wireless tag reading device 1. The wireless tag reading device 1 obtains product information associated with the individual product number or product code that matches the read tag information from the product master 192, and transmits it to the POS terminal 3 or the checkout device 4.

[0039] The wireless tags attached to the products 7 placed on the second placement section 92 are not located within the first area 171 or the second area 181. Therefore, the wireless tag reading device 1 does not read the wireless tags attached to the products 7 on the second placement section 92. Therefore, the product information of the products 7 on the second placement section 92 is not transmitted to the POS terminal 3 or the checkout device 4.

[0040] Furthermore, when the store clerk has finished the transaction with customer C, he or she simply lifts the shopping basket 8 of customer Cq, who is waiting in line, from the second placement section 92 to the first placement section 91, eliminating the need to go through the trouble of transferring the products 7 to a space surrounded by a wall or the like, as was done in the past.

[0041] In this way, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a radio tag reading device 1 that is highly easy to operate, is less likely to cause the inconvenience of accidentally reading non-target products, and is easy to insert and remove from the space for reading target products.

[0042] The above-described embodiment can be modified as needed by partially changing the configuration or functions of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, several modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. The following mainly describes differences from the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used for common features with the content already described, and detailed description will be omitted. The modifications described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

[0043] (Second embodiment) 6 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the difference in height between the upper surface of the first placement section 91 and the upper surface of the second placement section 92 is greater than the height of the shopping basket 8. Note that the height of the shopping basket 8 here refers to the height of the container portion excluding the handle. The height of the shopping basket 8 can also be said to be the maximum height at which a wireless tag attached to an item placed on the second placement section 92 can be positioned.

[0044] With this configuration, the products 7 in the shopping basket 8 placed on the second placement section 92 are more reliably positioned outside the first area 171 and the second area 181. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the distance between the boundary between the first placement section 91 and the second placement section 92 and the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 can be made smaller than in the first embodiment.

[0045] (Third embodiment) 7 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the third embodiment. The first antenna 17 in this embodiment is provided with a tilted surface 170 that emits radio waves. An imaginary line 1701 extending from this surface 170 toward the second placement section 92 forms an angle α with the upper surface of the second placement section 92, which is equal to or larger than the angle at which the imaginary line 1701 does not intersect with the shopping basket 8 placed on the second placement section 92 but is positioned above the shopping basket 8. The maximum value of the angle α is less than 90°.

[0046] When there are multiple antennas provided on the first mounting portion 91, at least the antenna located near the second mounting portion 92 is tilted as described above.

[0047] When the first antenna 17 is tilted as described above, the area in which a wireless tag can be read by radio waves emitted by the first antenna 17, i.e., the first area 172, is less likely to extend outside the first placement section 91 in a plan view. This makes it possible to more reliably position the product 7 placed on the second placement section 92 outside the first area 171 and the second area 181.

[0048] 7, the first region 172 in which the tilted first antenna 17 can read a wireless tag can be made larger than the first region 171 in which the first antenna 17 is not tilted. In other words, the output of the first antenna 17 can be increased (or the radio wave intensity can be strengthened). Therefore, suitable and stable reading performance can be obtained.

[0049] (Fourth embodiment) 8 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to the fourth embodiment. The wireless tag reading device 1 is provided with a first antenna 17 and a second antenna 18 at a plurality of positions at different distances from the second mounting portion 92. In this embodiment, the strength of the radio waves emitted by the first antenna 17 or the second antenna 18 located closer to the second mounting portion 92 is weaker than the strength of the radio waves emitted by the antenna located farther from the second mounting portion 92.

[0050] That is, the area in which a wireless tag can be read by radio waves emitted by the first antenna 17, i.e., the first area 173, is set smaller than the first area 171 of the first embodiment. Also, the area in which a wireless tag can be read by radio waves emitted by the second antenna 18 of this embodiment, i.e., the second area 183, is set larger than the second area 181 of the first embodiment.

[0051] According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the first region 173 from protruding onto the second placement portion 92 while suppressing the height difference between the first placement portion 91 and the second placement portion 92.

[0052] (Fifth embodiment) 9 is a front view showing an example of a radio tag reading device according to a fifth embodiment. The radio tag reading device 1 of this embodiment includes a partition member 93 at the boundary between a first mounting section 91 and a second mounting section 92. The partition member 93 separates the position (first mounting section 91) where the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18 are provided from the second mounting section 92. The partition member 93 is configured to include a material that absorbs or reflects radio waves.

[0053] With this configuration, the partition member 93 blocks radio waves, so that even if the first area 171 and the second area 181 are set to a size that extends beyond the first placement portion 91 in a plan view, it is possible to prevent the wireless tag on the second placement portion 92 from being erroneously read. Furthermore, with this configuration, it is also possible to set the height difference between the first placement portion 91 and the second placement portion 92 to be small.

[0054] (Sixth embodiment) 10 is a front view showing an example of a wireless tag reading device according to a sixth embodiment. This embodiment is a modified example of the fifth embodiment. The partition member 93 of this embodiment is provided with a third antenna 16 on the surface facing the first mounting portion 91. The third antenna 16, like the first antenna 17 and the second antenna 18, emits radio waves to read the wireless tag on the first mounting portion 91.

[0055] With this configuration, the wireless tags attached to the products 7 on the first placement section 91 can be read more easily and without omission.

[0056] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...Radio tag reader, 10...control unit, 11...CPU, 12...ROM, 13...RAM, 131...tag information unit, 14…Communications Department, 16...Third antenna, 17...first antenna, 171, 172, 173...first region, 170...surface, 1701...virtual line, 18...second antenna, 181, 183...second region, 19...storage unit, 191...program, 192...product master, 3...POS terminal, 4...accounting device, 30...control unit, 31...CPU, 32...ROM, 33...RAM, 331...product information unit, 34...communication unit, 35...display unit, 36...operation unit, 39...Memory unit, 391...Program, 40...Audio output unit, 41...Change machine, 42...Card reader, 43...Printing unit, 5...POS system, 6...Semi-self POS system, 7...product, 8...shopping basket, 9...Placement table, 91...First placement section, 92...Second placement section, 93...Partition member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0058] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-043826

Claims

1. one or more antennas that radiate radio waves above themselves to read information stored in wireless tags present within a predetermined range; a placement section that is provided at a position that does not overlap the antenna in a plan view and is lower in height than the antenna, and that is capable of placing an article having a wireless tag attached thereto that is not a target for reading by the antenna; A wireless tag reader comprising:

2. The height difference between the position where the antenna emits radio waves and the placement portion is: It is set taller than the containers customers use to carry items around the store.

2. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1.

3. the antenna is provided with a surface that emits radio waves tilted, The angle formed by an imaginary line extending from the surface toward the placement section and the placement section is equal to or larger than the size at which the imaginary line does not intersect with the container placed on the placement section but is positioned above the container.

3. The wireless tag reader according to claim 2.

4. the antenna is provided at a plurality of positions at different distances from the placement portion, The strength of the radio waves emitted by the antennas located near the mounting portion is weaker than the strength of the radio waves emitted by the antennas located farther from the mounting portion.

2. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1.

5. The antenna further includes a partition member that includes a member that absorbs or reflects radio waves and separates the position where the antenna is provided from the placement section.

4. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1.

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