Tag information reader and product payment system

Abstract

To provide a tag information reading device that can reduce a labor in reading work.SOLUTION: A tag information reading device includes: a reading unit 111 that communicates with one or more RFID tags 120 and reads information stored in the RFID tags 120; a display unit 112 that can display a two-dimensional code 115; and a control unit 114 that causes the reading unit 111 to attempt communication with the RFID tags 120 and converts the information read by the reading unit 111 into the two-dimensional code 115 to display it on the display unit. The control unit 114 causes the reading unit 111 to continuously attempt communication with the RFID tags 120 and sequentially updates the two-dimensional code 115 to be displayed on the display unit 112 based on reading results from the reading unit 111.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tag information reading device that reads information from an RFID tag, and a product payment system that includes the device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for reading information from an IC card and displaying the read information as a two-dimensional code. When the reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 reads information stored on the IC card, the IC card is brought close to a communication unit provided in the reading device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-207095 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Consider using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 to read product information. To do this, an RFID tag is used instead of an IC card. Note that IC cards and RFID tags only differ in form, but have the same function.

[0005] The reader disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the IC card be brought close to a communication unit included in the reader when reading information stored on the IC card. Therefore, even if the IC card is replaced with an RFID tag, each RFID tag must be brought close to the communication unit one by one.

[0006] In addition, the reader disclosed in Patent Document 1 erases the information read from the IC card from the storage unit after displaying it as a two-dimensional code. This creates the following problem. If there are multiple RFID tags to be read, but the two-dimensional code is displayed before one or more of them can be read, all of the RFID tags must be read again. This can make the reading process cumbersome.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in light of this situation, and its purpose is to provide a tag information reading device and a product payment system that can reduce the effort required for reading. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object is achieved by the combination of features recited in the independent claims, and the subclaims define further advantageous specific examples. The reference numerals in parentheses in the claims correspond to specific aspects described in the following embodiments as one aspect, and do not limit the technical scope of the disclosure.

[0009] One disclosure relating to a tag information reading device to achieve the above object is: a reader (111) for communicating with one or more RFID tags to read information stored on the RFID tags; A display unit (112) capable of displaying a two-dimensional code; a control unit (114) that causes the reading unit to attempt communication with the RFID tag and causes the information read by the reading unit to be converted into a two-dimensional code and displayed on the display unit; The control unit is a tag information reading device that causes the reading unit to continuously attempt to communicate with the RFID tag and successively updates the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit based on the reading results from the reading unit.

[0010] The reader communicates with multiple RFID tags and can read the information stored in those tags. The controller causes the reader to continuously attempt to communicate with the RFID tags. Based on the results of the reading, the controller updates the two-dimensional code displayed on the display.

[0011] Therefore, even if an RFID tag is temporarily unreadable despite being within the reading area, a person who wants to display the two-dimensional code on the display unit does not need to operate the tag information reader, thereby reducing the effort required for reading.

[0012] One disclosure relating to a product payment system for achieving the above object is: A product payment system comprising the tag information reading device and a mobile terminal (130), The mobile device is a camera (131) for capturing an image of the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit of the tag information reader; a mobile display unit (132) that reads the two-dimensional code photographed by the camera and displays one or more pieces of product display information determined based on the information stored in the two-dimensional code; an operation unit (134) that the user operates to select a product to be paid for from the product display information displayed on the mobile display unit; and a payment processing unit (138) that processes payment based on the product display information selected by operating the operation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the usage state of the product payment system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tag information reading device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the configuration of a smartphone. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a process executed by a control unit of the tag information reading device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing detailed processing of S4 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing detailed processing of S6 in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating display information displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of display information after updating from FIG. 7; [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a process executed by a control unit of the smartphone. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product selection screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a payment screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the usage state of the product payment system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tag information reading device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process executed in place of FIG. 5 in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the use of a product payment system 100 according to this embodiment. The product payment system 100 according to this embodiment is used in a fitting room 10. The product payment system 100 includes a tag information reader 110, an RFID tag 120, and a smartphone 130.

[0015] The tag information reader 110 is installed in each fitting room 10. If there are multiple fitting rooms 10, a tag information reader 110 is installed in each fitting room 10. The tag information reader 110 continuously attempts to communicate with the RFID tag 120. If the tag information reader 110 is able to read information from the RFID tag 120 and determines that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area, it displays a two-dimensional code 115 (see FIG. 2 ) storing that information on the display unit 112.

[0016] The RFID tag 120 is attached to the product 20. In FIG. 1, the RFID tag 120 is affixed to a tag 21 of the product 20. It is preferable that the RFID tag 120 uses a tag that uses a UHF band for communication frequency. The RFID tag 120 is a passive tag. The RFID tag 120 stores a product ID, which is information that identifies the individual product 20 to which the RFID tag 120 is attached.

[0017] The smartphone 130, which is a mobile terminal, is owned by the user 30. An application for making payment for merchandise is installed on the smartphone 130.

[0018] 2 shows the configuration of tag information reading device 110. Tag information reading device 110 includes reading unit 111, display unit 112, memory unit 113, and control unit 114. Reading unit 111 communicates with RFID tag 120 to read information stored in RFID tag 120. Reading range of reading unit 111 is an area that includes fitting room 10, and it can simultaneously read multiple RFID tags 120 that are present within the reading range.

[0019] The display unit 112 is capable of displaying a two-dimensional code 115. The display unit 112 is placed in a position in the fitting room 10 that is easy for the user 30 to see.

[0020] The storage unit 113 stores product IDs and product display information 116 associated with each other for a plurality of products 20. The product display information 116 is information that allows the user 30 to recognize the product 20 to which the RFID tag 120 is attached. For example, the product display information 116 may include the product name and a photo of the product 20. The storage unit 113 also stores a read tag list and a display tag list, which will be described later.

[0021] The control unit 114 can be realized by a configuration including at least one processor. For example, the control unit 114 can be realized by a computer including a processor, nonvolatile memory, RAM, I / O, and a bus line connecting these components. The nonvolatile memory stores a program for operating a general-purpose computer as the control unit 114. The processor executes the program stored in the nonvolatile memory while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM, and the control unit 114 controls the reading unit 111, the display unit 112, and the storage unit 113, and executes the processing shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later.

[0022] The smartphone 130 captures the two-dimensional code 115 displayed on the display unit 112. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the smartphone 130. The smartphone 130 includes a camera 131, a mobile display unit 132, a communication unit 133, an operation unit 134, and a control unit 135. The camera 131 is used to capture the two-dimensional code 115. The mobile display unit 132 displays the two-dimensional code 115 captured by the camera 131, etc. The communication unit 133 wirelessly communicates with the outside of the smartphone 130. Various information can be acquired from the outside of the smartphone 130 via the communication unit 133. The operation unit 134 is, for example, a touch panel superimposed on the mobile display unit 132.

[0023] The control unit 135 can be realized by a configuration including at least one processor. For example, the control unit 135 can be realized by a computer including a processor, nonvolatile memory, RAM, I / O, and a bus line connecting these components. The nonvolatile memory stores a program for operating a general-purpose computer as the control unit 135. The processor executes the program stored in the nonvolatile memory while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM, causing the control unit 135 to operate as the optical information reading unit 136, the display control unit 137, and the payment processing unit 138.

[0024] The optical information reading unit 136 controls the camera 131 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code 115. Then, the optical information reading unit 136 decodes the captured two-dimensional code 115 and acquires the information stored in the two-dimensional code 115.

[0025] The display control unit 137 controls the mobile display unit 132 to display various information on the mobile display unit 132. An example of the information that the display control unit 137 causes the mobile display unit 132 to display is information for performing payment processing. The payment processing unit 138 performs payment processing based on an operation by the user 30.

[0026] [Processing Executed by Control Unit 114] Fig. 4 shows the processing executed by the control unit 114. When the tag information reading device 110 is powered on, the control unit 114 starts the processing shown in Fig. 4. In S1, an initial screen is displayed on the display unit 112. The initial screen is, for example, a screen displaying "No read information."

[0027] In S2, the reading unit 111 is caused to start continuous reading processing. In the reading processing, the reading unit 111 first periodically transmits radio waves to the surrounding area to which the RFID tag 120 can respond, and attempts to communicate with the RFID tag 120. If the reading unit 111 is able to receive a response radio wave from the RFID tag 120, it demodulates and decodes the response radio wave and reads the information stored in the RFID tag 120. If the information is read, it outputs the information to the control unit 114. The reading unit 111 continuously executes the reading processing until it is instructed by the control unit 114 to end the reading processing.

[0028] In S3, it is determined whether or not information has been acquired from the RFID tag 120. If the determination result in S3 is NO, the determination in S3 is repeated. If the determination result in S3 is YES, the process proceeds to S4.

[0029] In S4, a display tag list is generated. The display tag list is a list of RFID tags 120 that store information in two-dimensional codes 115 to be displayed on the display unit 112. Detailed processing of S4 is shown in FIG.

[0030] 5, in S410, it is determined whether the product ID included in the information determined to have been acquired in S3 is in the read tag list. The read tag list is a list of RFID tags 120 that have been read by the reading unit 111, and is updated sequentially. The read tag list can be considered a list of candidates for RFID tags 120 to be included in the display tag list.

[0031] If the determination result in S410 is NO, the process proceeds to S420. In S420, the product ID included in the information determined to have been acquired in S3 is added to the read tag list. In this embodiment, the read tag list describes communication status information in addition to the product ID. Note that this communication status information may be stored in the storage unit 113 separately from the read tag list, as long as it corresponds to the product ID.

[0032] In S420, communication status information is also added to the read tag list. The communication status information is information indicating the communication status when the reader 111 reads the RFID tag 120. The communication status information is, for example, (1) maximum RSSI, (2) RSSI variation, (3) phase variation, (4) number of reads, and (5) read frequency. The communication status information written in the read tag list can be one or more of (1) to (5). Furthermore, other communication status information may be used instead of or in addition to (1) to (5). The following description will be given assuming that five of (1) to (5) are used.

[0033] (1) The maximum RSSI is the maximum RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) obtained in repeated communications with one RFID tag 120. (2) The RSSI variation is a value representing the variation in RSSI obtained in repeated communications with one RFID tag 120. The RSSI variation may be the difference between the maximum RSSI and the minimum RSSI. Alternatively, the RSSI variation may be the change in RSSI over time. (3) The phase variation is a value representing the variation in the phase of a response radio wave obtained in repeated communications with one RFID tag 120. The phase variation may be the difference between the maximum phase value and the minimum phase value. Alternatively, the phase variation may be the change in phase over time. (4) The number of reads is the number of times information has been read from one RFID tag 120. Alternatively, the number of reads may be the number of times information has been read from the RFID tag 120 within a predetermined period of time up to the present time. (5) The reading frequency is the number of times that information is successfully read from one RFID tag 120 for a predetermined number of reading attempts. After S420 is executed, the process proceeds to S460.

[0034] If the determination result in S410 is YES, the process proceeds to S430. If the process proceeds to S430, the product ID already exists in the read tag list. Therefore, in S430, the RSSI and phase of the response radio wave carrying the information determined to have been obtained in S3 are obtained from the reading unit 111. Then, based on the obtained RSSI and phase, the above (1) to (5) described in the read tag list are updated.

[0035] In S440, it is determined based on the updated communication status information whether the RFID tag 120 whose communication status information has been updated is present within the display area. The display area is an area in which, if the RFID tag 120 is present in this area, the information stored in the RFID tag 120 is displayed as a two-dimensional code 115. In this embodiment, the display area is the fitting room 10.

[0036] When the communication status information is the maximum RSSI, if the maximum RSSI exceeds a preset maximum RSSI threshold, it is determined that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area. This is because a large maximum RSSI means that the RFID tag 120 is likely to be nearby.

[0037] If the communication status information is a fluctuation amount indicating the difference between the maximum RSSI and the minimum RSSI, and if the fluctuation amount exceeds a preset fluctuation amount threshold and the code changes to the side where the RFID tag 120 is approaching, it is determined that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area.

[0038] If the communication status information is the amount of phase fluctuation, and the amount of fluctuation is the difference between the maximum and minimum phase values, the following is performed: If the amount of phase fluctuation exceeds a preset threshold value for the amount of phase fluctuation, and the sign of the amount of phase fluctuation is a sign indicating that the RFID tag 120 is approaching, it is determined that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area.

[0039] When the communication status information is the number of reads, if the number of reads exceeds a preset threshold value for the number of reads, it is determined that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area. When the communication status information is the read frequency, if the read frequency exceeds a preset threshold value for the number of reads, it is determined that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area.

[0040] When S440 is judged based on multiple types of communication status information, if it can be determined that RFID tag 120 is present within the display area from any number of communication status information among the communication status information used, RFID tag 120 is deemed to be present within the display area.

[0041] Note that the above determination only determines whether the RFID tag 120 has entered the display area, and does not determine whether the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display area. Whether the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display area is determined in S46, which will be described later, so there is no need to determine this here.

[0042] In S450, the RFID tag 120 that is determined to be present in the display area is added to the display tag list. Then, the process proceeds to S460. If the determination result in S440 is NO, the process proceeds to S460 without executing S450.

[0043] In S460, RFID tags 120 that are determined to have become highly likely to be unable to communicate are excluded from the read tag list. For example, if the time that the tag remains unread, i.e., the time that communication with the RFID tag 120 has not been possible, exceeds the exclusion time threshold, the RFID tag 120 is excluded from the read tag list. Therefore, if it is determined that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area, even if communication with the RFID tag 120 becomes impossible, the RFID tag 120 will continue to be determined to be present within the display area for a certain period of time.

[0044] Furthermore, if it can be determined from the amount of RSSI fluctuation or the amount of phase fluctuation that the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display area, the RFID tag 120 may be excluded from the read tag list. Also, an RFID tag 120 whose frequency of being left unread exceeds an exclusion frequency threshold may be excluded from the read tag list. The amount of RSSI fluctuation or phase fluctuation, and the frequency of being left unread are values ​​determined based on multiple communication status information, i.e., the history of communication status information. After executing S460, proceed to S5 in FIG. 4.

[0045] In S5, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to update the information displayed on the display unit 112. If the display tag list has been updated in the processing of S4, the determination result of S5 is YES. If the determination result of S5 is YES, the process proceeds to S6.

[0046] In S6, display information is generated. The display information is information to be displayed on the display unit 112. Details of the processing in S6 are shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, in S61, a display tag list is acquired from the storage unit 113. In S62, a two-dimensional code 115 is generated that stores all of the product IDs included in the display tag list acquired in S61. If the display tag list includes multiple product IDs, one two-dimensional code 115 including the multiple product IDs is created.

[0047] In S63, product display information 116 corresponding to each product ID included in the display tag list is obtained from storage unit 113. In S64, overall display information to be displayed on display unit 112 is generated. After S64 is executed, the process proceeds to S7 in FIG. 4.

[0048] In S7, the display information displayed on the display unit 112 is updated. Fig. 7 shows an example of the display information displayed on the display unit 112. In Fig. 7, a two-dimensional code 115, product display information 116, and a product count 117 are displayed on the display unit 112. As the product display information 116, two pieces of product display information 116a and 116b indicating two products 20 are displayed. The two-dimensional code 115 was generated in S62. The product display information 116 was acquired in S63. The product count 117 can be determined from the number of product IDs included in the display tag list acquired in S61.

[0049] Once the display information has been updated in S7, the process proceeds to S8. If the determination result in S5 is NO, the process also proceeds to S8. In S8, it is determined whether or not termination processing has been performed. Termination processing is, for example, the operation of a termination processing switch by the administrator of the tag information reading device 110. If the determination result in S8 is YES, the process proceeds to S9. In S9, the reading unit 111 is instructed to terminate the reading processing. If the determination result in S8 is NO, the process returns to S3. Therefore, S3 to S8 are repeatedly executed until termination processing is performed.

[0050] When the display tag list is updated while steps S3 to S8 are repeated, the display information displayed on the display unit 112 is updated in S7. Fig. 8 shows an example of the display information after Fig. 7 is updated. The display example shown in Fig. 8 is a display example when one product ID is added to the display tag list.

[0051] A situation in which one product ID is added to the display tag list is assumed to be a situation in which one RFID tag 120 was temporarily unable to be read due to some kind of obstruction, but then became readable due to a change in the position of the RFID tag 120, etc.

[0052] 8, three pieces of product display information 116, namely, product display information 116a, 116b, and 116c, are displayed. Correspondingly, the number of products 117 has been changed to "3." In addition, the two-dimensional code 115 has also been changed to a two-dimensional code 115 in which three product IDs are stored.

[0053] [Smartphone 130 processing] Next, the process executed by the control unit 135 of the smartphone 130 will be described. Fig. 9 shows the process executed by the control unit 135. The process shown in Fig. 9 starts with a start operation by the user 30. In S101, the optical information reading unit 136 causes the camera 131 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code 115 displayed on the display unit 112. Then, the captured two-dimensional code 115 is decoded and the information stored in the two-dimensional code 115 is read. The read information includes the product ID.

[0054] In S102, the display control unit 137 communicates with the outside using the communication unit 133 to acquire product information corresponding to the product ID included in the information read in S101.

[0055] In S103, a product selection screen is displayed. Fig. 10 shows the smartphone 130 with the product selection screen displayed on the mobile display unit 132. The product selection screen shown in Fig. 10 displays product names 139 for three products 20. The product selection screen also displays a selection box 140 indicating whether each product 20 has been selected, and a decision button 141.

[0056] In S104, it is determined whether or not a selection operation has been performed. A selection operation is an operation of touching the selection box 140 or the product name 139. If the determination result in S104 is YES, the process proceeds to S105.

[0057] In S105, the display of the selection box 140 corresponding to the selected product 20 is changed. If the selection box 140 corresponding to the selected product 20 indicates that it has been selected, the selection box 140 is changed to an unselected state. If the selection box 140 corresponding to the selected product 20 indicates that it has not been selected, the selection box 140 is changed to a selected state. After S105 is executed, the process proceeds to S106. If the determination result in S104 is NO, the process also proceeds to S106.

[0058] In S106, it is determined whether or not a confirmation operation has been performed. The confirmation operation is an operation of touching the confirmation button 141. If the determination result in S106 is NO, the process returns to S104. If the determination result in S106 is YES, the process proceeds to S107.

[0059] In S107, a payment screen is displayed. Fig. 11 shows the smartphone 130 with the payment screen displayed on the mobile display unit 132. The payment screen displays a purchase button 142 in addition to the product name 139 of the selected product 20.

[0060] In S108, it is determined whether or not a payment operation has been performed. The payment operation is an operation of touching the purchase button 142. If the determination result in S108 is NO, S108 is repeated. If the determination result in S108 is YES, the process proceeds to S109. In S109, payment processing is performed. The payment processing is processing for purchasing the product 20 with the product name 139 displayed on the payment screen. The payment processing is the same as the processing performed after the product 20 to be purchased is confirmed, for example, on a product purchasing site of a company that manages the store where the fitting room 10 is installed.

[0061] Summary of the embodiment In the embodiment described above, the reading unit 111 included in the tag information reading device 110 can communicate with a plurality of RFID tags 120 and read information stored in the plurality of RFID tags 120. The control unit 114 causes the reading unit 111 to continuously attempt to communicate with the RFID tags 120 (S2). Then, based on the reading results from the reading unit 111, the two-dimensional code 115 to be displayed on the display unit 112 is successively updated (S3 to S7).

[0062] Therefore, even if a certain RFID tag 120 is within the reading area but cannot be read temporarily, a person who wants to display the two-dimensional code 115 on the display unit 112 does not need to operate the tag information reading device 110. This reduces the effort required for reading.

[0063] Furthermore, when multiple product IDs contained in the information of multiple RFID tags 120 read by reading unit 111 are to be converted into two-dimensional codes 115, control unit 114 creates one two-dimensional code 115 including the multiple product IDs (S62). User 30 performing the operation to read this two-dimensional code 115 has to read fewer two-dimensional codes 115 compared to when two-dimensional codes 115 are created for each product ID, so the effort required for reading is reduced.

[0064] The control unit 114 displays the product number 117, which is the number of RFID tags 120 corresponding to the product IDs stored in the two-dimensional code 115, on the display unit 112 together with the two-dimensional code 115 (S7). When the product number 117 is displayed on the display unit 112, the user 30 can determine by looking at the product number 117 whether all of the RFID tags 120 attached to the products 20 that the user 30 wants have been read.

[0065] The control unit 114 displays product display information 116, which is determined based on the information read by the reading unit 111, on the display unit 112 together with the two-dimensional code 115. By looking at the product display information 116, the user 30 can see which product 20 has an RFID tag 120 that has not been successfully read.

[0066] The tag information reader 110 includes a storage unit 113 that stores a read tag list. The read tag list describes RFID tags 120 from which the reader 111 has read information, and information on the communication status between the RFID tags 120 and the reader 111. The control unit 114 determines whether or not an RFID tag 120 is present within the display area based on this read tag list (S440). Based on this determination, the control unit 114 displays a two-dimensional code 115 generated using only information from RFID tags 120 that are determined to be present within the display area on the display unit 112 (S6, S7). This makes it possible to prevent information obtained from RFID tags 120 that are likely not present within the display area from being stored in the two-dimensional code 115.

[0067] If the control unit 114 determines that the RFID tag 120 has entered the display area from outside (S440: YES) and does not determine that the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display area (S460), it determines that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area. This prevents the information of the RFID tag 120 present within the display area from being omitted from the two-dimensional code 115, even though communication with the RFID tag 120 was simply temporarily unavailable.

[0068] After determining that the RFID tag 120 is present within the display area, if it can be determined based on the history of communication state information that the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display area, the control unit 114 determines that the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display area (S460). By determining whether the RFID tag 120 has moved outside the display tag area using a value determined based on the history of communication state information, the determination result is less susceptible to the influence of temporary communication states.

[0069] The product payment system 100 uses a smartphone 130 as a mobile terminal. The smartphone 130 is equipped with a camera 131, a mobile display unit 132, and an operation unit 134 as standard components. Various applications can also be installed on the smartphone 130. Therefore, a mobile terminal for the product payment system 100 can be easily prepared by installing an application that operates the smartphone 130 as a payment processing unit 138.

[0070] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, elements having the same reference numerals as those used previously are the same as those in the previous embodiments unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, when only a portion of the configuration is described, the previously described embodiment can be applied to the other portions of the configuration.

[0071] 12 shows the configuration of a product payment system 200 according to the second embodiment. In the product payment system 200, tag information readers 210 provided in each fitting room 10 are connected via a network and can communicate with each other.

[0072] Fig. 13 shows the configuration of a tag information reader 210. The tag information reader 210 includes a communication unit 215 that communicates with other tag information readers 210. The control unit 114 executes the process shown in Fig. 4, similar to the first embodiment. However, the detailed process of S4 in Fig. 4 is not the process shown in Fig. 5, but the process shown in Fig. 14.

[0073] 14 differs from Fig. 5 in that S441, S442, and S443 are added between S440 and S450. Therefore, in the second embodiment, if it is determined in S440 that the RFID tag 120 whose communication status information has been updated is present within the display area, S441 is executed.

[0074] In S441, the latest read tag list is acquired from the other tag information reading device 210 in order to acquire the latest communication status information from the other tag information reading device 210. In the following S442, if the communication status information acquired in S441 and the communication status information stored in the memory unit 113 of the own device contain information from the same RFID tag 120, the communication status information is compared.

[0075] In S443, of the RFID tags 120 determined to be present in the display area in S440, those RFID tags 120 for which the comparison in S442 indicates that the communication state is better with another tag information reader 210 are excluded.

[0076] For example, the communication status information of the own device may indicate from its history that the RFID tag 120 has moved away from the closest state. In contrast, the communication status information acquired from the adjacent tag information reader 210 may indicate that the RFID tag 120 continued to approach even during the period in which the communication status information of the own device indicates that the RFID tag 120 had moved away. In this case, it is determined that the other tag information reader 210 has a better communication status. Alternatively, the communication status may be determined by simply comparing the maximum RSSI. Alternatively, the quality of the communication status may be determined from the average RSSI over a predetermined period of time (approximately a few seconds) from the present time. In S450, the RFID tags 120 remaining after S443 is executed are added to the display tag list.

[0077] In the tag information reading device 210 of the second embodiment, the control unit 114 acquires communication status information from another tag information reading device 210 (S441), and compares the acquired communication status information with the communication status information stored in the memory unit 113 of the own device (S442). If, as a result of the comparison, it is determined that the other tag information reading device 210 has a better communication status, the RFID tag 120 is determined not to be present within the display area of ​​the own device, and is not added to the display tag list.

[0078] When multiple fitting rooms 10 are adjacent to each other and a tag information reader 210 is installed in each fitting room 10, there is a possibility that adjacent tag information readers 210 will simultaneously read information from the same RFID tag 120. In the second embodiment, the possibility that adjacent tag information readers 210 will simultaneously read information from the same RFID tag 120 is taken into consideration, and communication status information is compared to determine which tag information reader 210 has its display area in which the RFID tag 120 is present. This prevents the display of a two-dimensional code 115 containing information from the wrong RFID tag 120, even if adjacent tag information readers 210 are simultaneously reading information from the same RFID tag 120.

[0079] Although the embodiments have been described above, the disclosed technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications are also included in the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, various modifications other than those described below can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0080] <Variation 1> In the embodiments, the tag information readers 110 and 210 are installed in the fitting room 10. However, the installation location of the tag information readers 110 and 210 is not limited to the fitting room 10. The tag information readers 110 and 210 may also be installed at self-checkout registers.

[0081] <Variation 2> In the embodiment, the product display information 116 is stored in the storage unit 113. However, the tag information reading device 110 may acquire the product display information 116 from another computer such as a server based on the product ID. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10: Fitting room 20: Product 21: Tag 30: User 100: Product payment system 110: Tag information reader 111: Reading unit 112: Display unit 113: Memory unit 114: Control unit 115: Two-dimensional code 116: Product display information 117: Number of products 120: RFID tag 130: Smartphone (mobile terminal) 131: Camera 132: Mobile display unit 133: Communication unit 134: Operation unit 135: Control unit 136: Optical information reading unit 137: Display control unit 138: Payment processing unit 140: Selection box 141: Confirmation button 142: Purchase button 200: Product payment system 210: Tag information reader 215: Communication unit

Claims

1. a reader (111) for communicating with one or more RFID tags to read information stored on said RFID tags; A display unit (112) capable of displaying a two-dimensional code; a control unit (114) that causes the reading unit to attempt communication with the RFID tag and converts information read by the reading unit into the two-dimensional code and displays it on the display unit; The control unit continuously attempts to communicate with the RFID tag, and sequentially updates the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit based on the reading results from the reading unit.

2. 2. The tag information reading device according to claim 1, A tag information reading device, wherein when the information of the multiple RFID tags read by the reading unit is converted into the two-dimensional code, the control unit creates one two-dimensional code including the information of the multiple RFID tags.

3. 3. The tag information reading device according to claim 2, The control unit displays the number of RFID tags corresponding to the information stored in the two-dimensional code on the display unit together with the two-dimensional code.

4. 4. The tag information reading device according to claim 2, The control unit displays product display information determined based on the information read by the reading unit on the display unit together with the two-dimensional code.

5. The tag information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A storage unit (113) is provided, The control unit stores in the memory a read tag list, which is a list of RFID tags from which the reading unit has read information, and communication status information indicating the communication status between the RFID tag and the reading unit, and when it can determine based on the communication status information that the RFID tag is present within a pre-set display area, the control unit displays the two-dimensional code containing information about the RFID tag on the display unit.

6. 6. The tag information reading device according to claim 5, A tag information reading device in which the control unit determines that the RFID tag is present within the display area when it can determine that the RFID tag has entered a pre-set display area from outside the display area and does not determine that the RFID tag has moved outside the display area.

7. 7. The tag information reading device according to claim 5 or 6, A tag information reading device in which, after determining that the RFID tag is present within the display area, the control unit determines that the RFID tag is present within the display area for a predetermined period of time even if communication with the RFID tag becomes impossible.

8. The tag information reading device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, A tag information reading device in which the control unit determines that the RFID tag is present within the display area, and then, if it can be determined based on the history of the communication status information that the RFID tag has moved outside the display area, determines that the RFID tag has moved outside the display area.

9. The tag information reading device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, A communication unit (215) for communicating with other tag information reading devices, A tag information reading device in which the control unit acquires the communication status information from another tag information reading device, compares the acquired communication status information with the communication status information indicating the communication status between the reading unit of the device itself and the RFID tag, and determines whether the RFID tag is present within the display area of ​​the reading unit of the device itself.

10. A commodity settlement system comprising the tag information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a mobile terminal (130), The mobile terminal a camera (131) for capturing an image of the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit of the tag information reader; a portable display unit (132) that reads the two-dimensional code photographed by the camera and displays one or more pieces of product display information determined based on the information stored in the two-dimensional code; an operation unit (134) that is operated by the user to select a product to be paid for from the product display information displayed on the mobile display unit; a payment processing unit (138) that performs payment processing based on the product display information after selection by operating the operation unit.

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