Communication equipment and programs

Abstract

To provide a communication apparatus configured to improve the accuracy of determining positional relationship of a wireless tag relative to a predetermined range.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus constituting a communication system includes: a movement control unit, which is equipped in a processor of a reader, configured to control movement of a position of an antenna relative to one or more wireless tags attached to one or more articles; an acquisition unit configured to acquire, on the basis of radio waves of the wireless tags received by the antenna, identification information of the wireless tags and multiple pieces of tag data related to the wireless tags in relative positions of the antenna; and a determination processing unit which determines, when the identification information of the wireless tag is identification information of a registered wireless tag, a positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to a first range, on the basis of the multiple pieces of tag data related to the wireless tags and multiple pieces of tag data related to the registered wireless tags, the registered wireless tags being registered to be located within a second range, which is different from the first range corresponding to a central part of a horizontal surface of a counter on which the article is placed, and the second range being located horizontally outside the counter and located in an outer periphery of the horizontal surface of the counter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a device that determines the range in which a wireless tag is included by receiving radio waves transmitted from a wireless tag attached to an article with an antenna. Such a device moves the antenna to detect the phase of the wireless tag. The device determines the range in which the wireless tag is included based on the detected phase pattern. For example, when the wireless tag is placed within a predetermined range, the device can determine that the wireless tag is within the predetermined range based on the detected phase pattern.

[0003] However, depending on the detected phase pattern, the device may not be able to correctly determine the range in which the wireless tag is included.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the determination accuracy of the positional relationship of a wireless tag with respect to a predetermined range.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The communication device of the embodiment comprises a movement control unit, an acquisition unit, and a determination processing unit. The movement control unit controls the movement of the relative position of the antenna to the wireless tag. The acquisition unit acquires identification information of the wireless tag and a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag at a plurality of relative positions of the antenna, based on the radio waves of the wireless tag received by the antenna. If the identification information of the wireless tag is identification information of a registered wireless tag that is registered to be within a second range different from a first range, the determination processing unit determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag to the first range based on the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and the plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of measurement data according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of registration data according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a drive device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the drive device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first and second ranges according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a graph showing an example of multiple phase data related to a wireless tag within the first range according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a graph showing an example of multiple phase data related to a second range wireless tag according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the determination process by the processor of the reading device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process using a trained model by the processor of the reading device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process based on the amount of change in tag data by the processor of the reader according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of display processing by the processor of the terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the display process of an input image by the processor of the terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the process by which the processor of the reading device according to the embodiment generates a trained model. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inference device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Embodiment) The communication system according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the scale of the parts in the drawings used in the description of the embodiment below may have been changed as appropriate. Also, for illustrative purposes, some components may be omitted from the drawings used in the description of the embodiment below.

[0009] (Example configuration) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of communication system 1. The communication system 1 includes a communication device 10, terminals 400, and one or more wireless tags 600 attached to one or more articles 500. Although FIG. 1 shows one wireless tag 600 attached to one article 500, the communication system 1 may include a plurality of wireless tags 600 attached to a plurality of articles 500. Note that the communication system 1 includes the communication device 10 and the terminals 400, but may not include one or more articles 500. The communication system 1 is an example of an information processing system.

[0010] The communication device 10 is a device that wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag 600. The communication device 10 can be applied to inspection in a warehouse or the like, but may also be a store, and the application examples of the communication device 10 are not limited thereto. The communication device 10 includes a reading device 100, a driving device 200, and an antenna 300.

[0011] The reading device 100 is a device that controls the driving device 200 and the antenna 300 to read information from the wireless tag 600. The reading device 100 is also a device that controls the driving device 200 and the antenna 300 to detect tag data regarding the wireless tag 600. Detection includes the meaning of measurement. Configuration examples of the reading device 100 will be described later.

[0012] The tag data is data that is detected in time series based on the radio wave of the wireless tag 600 received by the reading device 100. The radio wave of the wireless tag 600 is a radio wave transmitted from the wireless tag 600. The radio wave of the wireless tag 600 is sometimes referred to as the radio wave from the wireless tag 600. The tag data includes at least one of phase data, Doppler frequency data, and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) data. The phase data is data indicating the phase of the radio wave of the wireless tag 600 received by the reading device 100. The Doppler frequency data is data indicating the frequency of the radio wave of the wireless tag 600 received by the reading device 100. The RSSI data is data indicating the RSSI of the radio wave of the wireless tag 600 received by the reading device 100. RSSI indicates the reception strength. The reception strength is also referred to as the radio wave reception strength or the received signal strength.

[0013] The drive unit 200 is a device that moves the antenna 300. Moving the antenna 300 includes changing the position of the antenna 300. Moving the antenna 300 is an example of changing the relative position of the antenna 300 with respect to the wireless tag 600. The position of the antenna 300 is an example of the relative position of the antenna 300 with respect to the wireless tag 600. An example of the configuration of the drive unit 200 will be described later.

[0014] Antenna 300 communicates with wireless tag 600. Antenna 300 transmits radio waves. Antenna 300 receives radio waves from wireless tag 600. The radio waves from wireless tag 600 are an example of a response wave from wireless tag 600 to the radio waves transmitted from antenna 300. Antenna 300 converts the received radio waves into a high-frequency signal and outputs the high-frequency signal to the reader 100.

[0015] Terminal 400 is a device that processes information. Terminal 400 may be a PC (Personal Computer) or a dedicated device. Terminal 400 can be any device that processes information, but is not limited to these. Figure 1 shows one terminal 400, but communication system 1 may include multiple terminals 400. Terminal 400 is an example of an information processing terminal. An example configuration of terminal 400 will be described later.

[0016] Item 500 refers to goods, etc.

[0017] The wireless tag 600 is a wireless tag whose positional relationship to a first range is determined. For example, the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to the first range is that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. The first range and the second range are different ranges that do not overlap with each other. For example, the first range and the second range are three-dimensional ranges. The second range is the range outside the first range. The second range is described as a range that is not adjacent to the first range, but it may also be a range that is adjacent to the first range. Range includes the meaning of area. The first range is an example of a predetermined range. Examples of the first range and the second range will be described later. The wireless tag 600 may be a wireless tag within the first range or a wireless tag within the second range.

[0018] Determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range includes determining whether the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range. Determining whether the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range includes determining whether the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range. Being within the first range of the wireless tag 600 includes the wireless tag 600 being located within the first range. Being within the first range of the wireless tag 600 may also include considering the wireless tag 600 to be within the first range. Being within the second range of the wireless tag 600 includes the wireless tag 600 being located within the second range. Being within the second range of the wireless tag 600 may also include considering the wireless tag 600 to be within the second range. An article 500 with a wireless tag 600 that is determined to be within the first range is an article that is processed by the communication system 1. Articles 500 that are attached to a wireless tag 600 determined to be within the second range are articles that are not treated as items to be processed by the communication system 1.

[0019] The wireless tag 600 is an IC tag that includes an IC chip and an antenna. The wireless tag 600 is typically an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The wireless tag 600 may be any other type of IC tag. The wireless tag 600 is a passive wireless tag that operates using radio waves transmitted from the antenna 300 as its energy source. The wireless tag 600 transmits a signal containing information stored on the IC chip of the wireless tag 600 via the antenna by performing backscatter modulation on an unmodulated signal. The information stored on the wireless tag 600 may include uniquely identifiable identification information. For example, the identification information stored on the wireless tag 600 may be an EPC (Electronic Product Code) number. The EPC number includes a unique identification code and serial number for item 500. Hereafter, the identification information stored on the wireless tag 600 may be abbreviated as "identification information". Identification information is an example of information about the wireless tag 600. Hereafter, the identification information stored on the wireless tag 600 will also be referred to as the identification information of the wireless tag 600.

[0020] The reading device 100 will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the reading device 100. The reader 100 includes a processor 101, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random-Access Memory) 103, a first connection interface 104, a second connection interface 105, a high-frequency front-end unit 106, a digital amplitude modulation unit 107, a DA (Digital to Analog) conversion unit 108, an AD (Analog to Digital) conversion unit 109, a demodulation unit 110, and a storage device 111. Each part of the reader 100 is connected by a bus 112, etc.

[0021] The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer that performs calculations and control necessary for the operation of the reader 100. The processor 101 loads various programs stored in the ROM 102 or storage device 111, etc., into the RAM 103. The programs are programs that cause the processor 101 to perform various processes. By executing the programs loaded into the RAM 103, the processor 101 realizes the various parts described later and performs various processes.

[0022] The processor 101 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), SoC (System On a Chip), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc. The processor 101 may be a combination of several of these. The processor 101 is an example of a processing circuit.

[0023] ROM 102 corresponds to the main memory of a computer centered around processor 101. ROM 102 is a non-volatile memory used exclusively for reading data. ROM 102 stores the above-mentioned program. ROM 102 also stores data or various setting values ​​used by processor 101 in performing various processes.

[0024] RAM103 corresponds to the main memory of a computer centered around processor 101. RAM103 is memory used for reading and writing data. RAM103 is a work area that stores data temporarily used by processor 101 when performing various processes.

[0025] The first connection interface 104 is an interface for the reader 100 to communicate with the drive unit 200.

[0026] The second connection interface 105 is an interface for the reader 100 to communicate with the terminal 400.

[0027] The high-frequency front-end unit 106 outputs a high-frequency signal to the antenna 300. The high-frequency front-end unit 106 receives a high-frequency signal from the antenna 300.

[0028] The digital amplitude modulation unit 107 is a circuit that adds data to be transmitted to the wireless tag 600 to the carrier wave transmitted to the wireless tag 600.

[0029] The DA conversion unit 108 is a circuit that converts a digital signal to an analog signal. The DA conversion unit 108 converts the digital signal modulated by the digital amplitude modulation unit 107 into an analog signal. The DA conversion unit 108 outputs a high-frequency signal to the antenna 300 via the high-frequency front-end unit 106.

[0030] The AD conversion unit 109 is a circuit that converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The AD conversion unit 109 converts the high-frequency signal input from the antenna 300 into a digital signal via the high-frequency front-end unit 106.

[0031] The demodulation unit 110 is a circuit that acquires information based on the radio waves of the wireless tag 600 received by the antenna 300. For example, the demodulation unit 110 acquires identification information of the wireless tag 600 from the digital signal converted by the AD conversion unit 109 using known technology. The demodulation unit 110 is an example of an information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the wireless tag 600 based on the radio waves of the received wireless tag 600.

[0032] The demodulation unit 110 is also a circuit that detects tag data in a time series based on the radio waves of the wireless tag 600 received by the antenna 300. The demodulation unit 110 can detect phase data in a time series from the digital signal converted by the AD conversion unit 109 using known technology. The demodulation unit 110 can detect Doppler frequency data in a time series from the digital signal converted by the AD conversion unit 109 using known technology. The demodulation unit 110 can detect RSSI data in a time series from the digital signal converted by the AD conversion unit 109 using known technology. The demodulation unit 110 is an example of a detection unit that detects tag data based on the radio waves of the wireless tag 600 received by the antenna 300.

[0033] The storage device 111 is a device composed of non-volatile memory for storing data and programs. The storage device 111 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), but is not limited to these. The storage device 111 is an example of a storage unit.

[0034] The storage device 111 includes a measurement data storage area 1111. The measurement data storage area 1111 stores the measurement data. The measurement data includes a tag dataset for each wireless tag 600. The tag dataset includes multiple tag data at multiple locations on the antenna 300. The tag data is detected by the demodulation unit 110 in accordance with the movement of the antenna 300 along one direction by the drive unit 200. For example, one direction is the horizontal direction. The tag dataset includes multiple position data for the antenna 300. The multiple position data for the antenna 300 is data indicating multiple positions of the antenna 300. The multiple positions of the antenna 300 are multiple positions based on the movement of the antenna 300. Each of the multiple tag data is associated with each of the multiple position data for the antenna 300. Hereafter, the multiple tag data at multiple locations of the antenna 300 may also be referred to as "multiple tag data". The tag dataset is an example of multiple tag data relating to wireless tags 600 at multiple locations on the antenna 300. In the following explanation, the movement of the antenna 300 along one direction is used as an example, but the movement of the antenna 300 is not limited to this. The movement of the antenna 300 may take various forms, such as rotating along the circumferential direction.

[0035] The multiple positions of the antenna 300 may include positions at regular intervals between position 0, which corresponds to the home position, and position L. The interval between position 0 and position L is the range of movement of the antenna 300 as it moves in one direction. The range of movement of the antenna 300 is an example of the range of movement of the antenna 300 relative to the wireless tag 600. Position 0 is an example of a first point. Position L is an example of a second point. The value of the regular interval can be set as appropriate. Position L can be set as appropriate. Depending on the wireless tag 600, the demodulation unit 110 may detect tag data for all positions at regular intervals between position 0 and position L. Depending on the wireless tag 600, the demodulation unit 110 may only detect tag data for some of the positions at regular intervals between position 0 and position L. The measurement data can be updated. An example of the configuration of the measurement data will be described later.

[0036] Although an example has been described in which the memory device 111 stores measurement data, the explanation is not limited to this. The RAM 103 may also store measurement data. In this case, the RAM 103 is an example of a memory unit.

[0037] The memory device 111 includes a learning data storage area 1112. The training data storage area 1112 stores the training data. Training data is data used in machine learning. The training data includes multiple training tag datasets related to multiple training wireless tags. A training wireless tag is an example of a wireless tag configured similarly to wireless tag 600.

[0038] The training tag dataset is an example of a tag dataset containing multiple training tag data at multiple antenna locations. The multiple antenna locations are examples of the antenna's relative positions to the training radio tags. The training tag data is an example of tag data relating to the training radio tags. The training tag data is detected by a reader based on the radio waves of the training radio tags received by the antenna in response to the antenna's movement along a unidirectional direction by a drive device. For example, the unidirectional direction is the horizontal direction. Moving the antenna is an example of changing the antenna's relative position to the training radio tags. The training tag data includes at least one of the following: training phase data, training Doppler frequency data, and training RSSI data. The training tag dataset includes multiple antenna location data. The multiple antenna location data indicates multiple positions of the antenna. The multiple antenna positions are multiple positions based on the antenna's movement. Each of the multiple training tag data is associated with each of the multiple antenna location data. Note that the antenna movement is not limited to the antenna moving along a unidirectional direction. The antenna may move in various ways, such as by rotating along the circumferential direction.

[0039] A training wireless tag may be a wireless tag within the first range or a wireless tag within the second range. Multiple training tag datasets related to multiple training wireless tags are an example of multiple training tag data related to multiple training wireless tags.

[0040] The reading device may be the same as reading device 100, or it may be a different reading device from reading device 100. The antenna may be the same as antenna 300, or it may be a different antenna from antenna 300. The drive device may be the same as drive device 200, or it may be a different drive device from drive device 200.

[0041] The training data includes multiple ground truth data. The multiple ground truth data are multiple data showing the positional relationship of multiple training wireless tags with respect to a first range. For each training wireless tag, the ground truth data shows the positional relationship of the training wireless tag with respect to the first range. The positional relationship of the training wireless tag with respect to the first range means that the training wireless tag is within the first range or the training wireless tag is within the second range. Being within the first range includes the training wireless tag being located within the first range. Being within the first range may also include considering the training wireless tag to be within the first range. Being within the second range includes the training wireless tag being located within the second range. Being within the second range may also include considering the training wireless tag to be within the second range. The ground truth data for training wireless tags within the first range is data showing that the training wireless tag is within the first range. The ground truth data for training wireless tags within the second range is data showing that the training wireless tag is within the second range. The correct answer data is data entered by the user. The training data can be updated.

[0042] The memory device 111 includes a trained model memory area 1113. The trained model memory area 1113 stores the trained model. A trained model is a model generated through machine learning based on training data. The term "generated" includes not only newly created models but also updated models.

[0043] The trained model is used to determine the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to a first range. For each wireless tag 600, the trained model outputs determination output data based on the input determination data. The determination input data includes multiple tag data at multiple positions on the antenna 300. The determination output data is data about the range in which the wireless tag 600 is contained.

[0044] For example, data relating to the range in which wireless tag 600 is included is data indicating the level of the range in which wireless tag 600 is included. The level relating to the range in which wireless tag 600 is included is the degree to which the range indicates the probability of wireless tag 600 being included. The level is explained using probability as an example, but is not limited to this. The level may be a stage selected from multiple stages, such as 10 stages. The range is either a first range or a second range. The level relating to the range in which wireless tag 600 is included shall include the level within the first range and the level within the second range. The level within the first range is the level relating to wireless tag 600 being within the first range. The level within the second range is the level relating to wireless tag 600 being within the second range.

[0045] The data relating to the range in which the wireless tag 600 exists may also be data indicating that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range, a second range, or a third range. In this example, the second range is a range that is not adjacent to the first range. The third range is a range that is outside both the first and second ranges, and is between the first and second ranges. For example, the third range is a three-dimensional range. The third range may or may not be adjacent to the first range. The third range may or may not be adjacent to the second range. In this example, the training data may include ground truth data indicating that the training wireless tag is within the third range.

[0046] The storage device 111 includes a registered data storage area 1114. The registration data storage area 1114 stores registration data for each registered wireless tag. A registered wireless tag is a wireless tag 600 that is registered as being within the second range if the determination processing unit 1014 does not determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range. A registered wireless tag may be a wireless tag 600 that is included in the second range, or a wireless tag 600 that is included in the range between the first range and the second range. The registration data includes identification information of the registered wireless tag.

[0047] The registration data includes a registration tag dataset. The registration tag dataset is a tag dataset related to registered radio tags. The registration tag dataset is an example of multiple tag data related to registered radio tags at multiple locations on antenna 300.

[0048] The registration data includes the number of inputs. The number of inputs is the number of times it has been input that the wireless tag 600 corresponding to the registration wireless tag falls within the second range in the input image described later. The processor 101 can register wireless tags 600 that have been input to fall within the second range in the input image as registration wireless tags. The processor 101 can register wireless tags 600 that are not determined to be within the first or second range when reading when the wireless tag 600 is not within the first range as registration wireless tags. The processor 101 stores the identification information of the wireless tag 600 as the identification information of the registration wireless tag in the registration data storage area 1114. The processor 101 stores the tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 as the registration tag dataset in the registration data storage area 1114.

[0049] Bus 112 includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus, etc. Bus 112 transmits signals exchanged between the various parts of the reader 100.

[0050] The hardware configuration of the reading device 100 is not limited to the configuration described above. The reading device 100 may be modified or have the above-described components omitted or changed, and new components added as appropriate.

[0051] The processor 101 implements the movement control unit 1011, the communication control unit 1012, the acquisition unit 1013, the determination processing unit 1014, the output unit 1015, and the model processing unit 1016. Each part implemented by the processor 101 can also be called a function. Each part implemented by the processor 101 can also be said to be implemented by a control unit including the processor 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103.

[0052] The movement control unit 1011 controls the movement of the antenna 300 along one direction by controlling the drive unit 200.

[0053] The communication control unit 1012 controls the start and end of radio wave transmission from the antenna 300.

[0054] The acquisition unit 1013 acquires identification information and tag data related to each wireless tag 600 based on the radio waves of the wireless tag 600 received by the antenna 300.

[0055] The determination processing unit 1014 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range.

[0056] The output unit 1015 outputs a determination result to the terminal 400 when the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or within a second range. The determination result includes data indicating the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to the first range determined by the determination processing unit 1014. For example, the determination result includes data indicating that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or data indicating that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. The determination result is associated with the identification information of the wireless tag 600 that was determined to be within the first range or within the second range.

[0057] If the determination processing unit 1014 does not determine that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or a second range, the output unit 1015 outputs input request information to the terminal 400. The input request information is information concerning the wireless tag 600 that the determination processing unit 1014 has not determined to be within a first range or a second range. The input request information is information that prompts the user to input whether the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or a second range. Prompting the user to input whether the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or a second range includes prompting the user to input whether the wireless tag 600 should be treated as being within a first range or a second range. Prompting the user to input whether the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or a second range is an example of prompting the user to input the range in which the wireless tag 600 is included. The input request information may also include an instruction to display an input image. The input image is an image that prompts the user to input whether the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or a second range. The input request information may include identification information of wireless tags 600 that are not determined by the determination processing unit 1014 to be within the first range or within the second range. The input request information may also include image data of an input image.

[0058] The model processing unit 1016 generates a trained model.

[0059] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of measurement data. The measurement data includes a tag dataset for each wireless tag 600. The tag dataset includes multiple tag data at multiple locations on the antenna 300. The tag dataset includes tag data associated with some or all of the locations a at a fixed interval between location 0 and location L. The tag dataset may also include tag data associated with each location different from the locations a at a fixed interval between location 0 and location L.

[0060] The tag dataset may include multiple phase data points at multiple locations on the antenna 300. The phase value changes as the position of the antenna 300 changes. This is because the distance between the antenna 300 and the radio tag 600 changes as the antenna 300 moves. Since the phase value depends on the distance between the antenna 300 and the radio tag 600, the distribution of the multiple phase data points will differ depending on the position of the radio tag 600.

[0061] The tag dataset may include multiple Doppler frequency data at multiple locations of antenna 300. The Doppler frequency value changes as the position of antenna 300 changes. This is because the Doppler frequency value differs when antenna 300 is close to the wireless tag 600 and when antenna 300 is far from the wireless tag 600. The distribution of the multiple Doppler frequency data differs depending on the position of the wireless tag 600.

[0062] The tag dataset may include multiple RSSI data points at multiple locations on antenna 300. The RSSI value changes as the position of antenna 300 changes. This is because the distance between antenna 300 and the wireless tag 600 changes as antenna 300 moves. Since the RSSI value depends on the distance between antenna 300 and the wireless tag 600, the distribution of multiple RSSI data points will differ depending on the position of the wireless tag 600.

[0063] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of registered data. The registration data includes the identification information of the registered wireless tag, the registered tag dataset, and the number of entries.

[0064] The drive unit 200 will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the drive unit 200. The drive unit 200 includes a processor 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, connection interface 204, drive unit 205, and home position sensor 206. Each part of the drive unit 200 is connected by a bus 208, etc.

[0065] The processor 201 corresponds to the central part of the computer that performs calculations and control processing necessary for the operation of the drive unit 200. The processor 201 loads various programs stored in ROM 202, etc., into RAM 203. A program is a program that causes the processor 201 to perform various processes. The processor 201 performs various processes by executing the programs loaded into RAM 203. The processor 201 is a CPU, MPU, SoC, DSP, GPU, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, etc. The processor 201 may be a combination of several of these. The processor 201 is an example of a processing circuit.

[0066] ROM202 corresponds to the main memory of a computer centered around processor 201. ROM202 is a non-volatile memory used exclusively for reading data. ROM202 stores the above-mentioned program. ROM202 also stores data or various settings used by processor 201 in performing various processes.

[0067] RAM203 corresponds to the main memory of a computer centered around processor 201. RAM203 is memory used for reading and writing data. RAM203 is a work area that stores data temporarily used by processor 201 when performing various processes.

[0068] The connection interface 204 is an interface for the drive unit 200 to communicate with the reader unit 100.

[0069] The drive unit 205 moves the antenna 300. For example, the drive unit 205 is a stepping motor.

[0070] The home position sensor 206 is a sensor that detects whether or not the antenna 300 is at the starting point. When the drive unit 205 moves the antenna 300 from the first point to the second point, the starting point is the first point and the ending point is the second point. When the drive unit 205 moves the antenna 300 from the second point to the first point, the starting point is the second point and the ending point is the first point.

[0071] Bus 208 includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus, etc. Bus 208 transmits signals exchanged between various parts of the drive unit 200.

[0072] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the drive unit 200. The drive unit 200 includes a rotating shaft 211, a rail 212, and a moving stage 213.

[0073] As illustrated in Figure 6, the drive unit 200 and the antenna 300 are located below the counter base 700. The counter base 700 is a platform having a horizontal surface on which the article 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached is placed. The counter base 700 is an example of a mounting section. The counter base 700 may be included in the communication system 1 or the communication device 10.

[0074] The rotating shaft 211 transmits the driving force of the drive unit 205. Screw grooves are formed on the rotating shaft 211 and the rail 212. The screw grooves are opposite each other and connected. Therefore, when the drive unit 205 is driven to rotate, the rotating shaft 211 rotates, and the rail 212 rotates.

[0075] Rail 212 extends in one direction. A mobile stage 213 on which antenna 300 is mounted is attached to rail 212.

[0076] The moving stage 213 is equipped with a ball screw nut, and when the rail 212 rotates due to the ball screw nut, it moves along the rail 212 in one direction. That is, the moving stage 213 moves horizontally along the x-axis as shown in Figure 6. In addition, the moving stage 213 reciprocates along one direction depending on the rotation direction of the rail 212. In this way, the drive device 200 causes the antenna 300 to reciprocate along the rail 212 in one horizontal direction along the x-axis.

[0077] The hardware configuration of the drive unit 200 is not limited to the configuration described above. The drive unit 200 allows for the omission and modification of the above-described components, as well as the addition of new components, as appropriate. For example, the movement mode of the antenna 300 may be various modes, such as moving along a circumferential direction instead of moving along a horizontal direction.

[0078] The first and second scopes will be explained below. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first range 81 and the second range 82, and is a plan view of the countertop 700 seen from above.

[0079] The first range 81 and the second range 82 are horizontally separated ranges. The first range 81 is the range set in the central part of the horizontal plane of the counter base 700. The second range 82 is the range set in the outer perimeter of the horizontal plane of the counter base 700 and the range set horizontally outside the counter base 700. The second range 82 is set to surround the first range 81. In Figure 7, the second range 82 is set with a gap between it and the first range 81, without being adjacent to it.

[0080] The settings of the first range 81 and the second range 82 are not limited to these. The first range 81 may be a range set in the central part of the horizontal plane of the counter base 700, and the second range 82 may be a range set in the outer periphery of the horizontal plane of the counter base 700. The first range 81 may be a range set across the entire horizontal plane of the counter base 700, and the second range 82 may be a range set horizontally outside the counter base 700. The second range 82 is not limited to a range set to surround the first range 81.

[0081] Referring to Figure 7, the positional relationship between the first range and the range of movement of the antenna 300 will be explained. As illustrated below, the first range is opposite to part or all of the range of movement of the antenna 300. The x-axis is the direction of movement of the antenna 300. The direction of movement of the antenna 300 is an example of the direction of movement of the relative position of the antenna 300 with respect to the wireless tag 600. The z-axis is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the antenna 300. The range of movement of the antenna 300 is between a first point xa and a second point xb along the x-axis. The first point xa is a position that does not face the first range on the z-axis and is outside one end of the first range along the x-axis. The second point xb is a position that does not face the first range on the z-axis and is outside the other end of the first range along the x-axis. The first range is opposite to part of the range of movement of the antenna 300 on the z-axis. Either the first point xa or the second point xb may be a position on the z-axis that does not face the first range, while the other may be a position on the z-axis that faces the first range. In this case, the first range faces a portion of the movement range of the antenna 300 in the direction along the z-axis. Both the first point xa and the second point xb may be positions on the z-axis that face the first range. In this case, the first range faces the entire movement range of the antenna 300 on the z-axis.

[0082] Figure 8 is a graph showing an example of multiple phase data for the wireless tag 600 within the first range. The wireless tag 600 is assumed to overlap with one or more other wireless tags 600 within the first range. The horizontal axis represents the position of antenna 300 along a horizontal direction. The vertical axis represents the phase value. The graph shows the phase value at each of several positions between position 0 and position L for any single radio tag 600. The graph shown in Figure 8 contains inflection points, as indicated by the circles. In the graph shown in Figure 8, phase data is missing at several positions between position 0 and position L. There are various reasons why phase data is missing. One reason is that radio tag 600 overlaps with one or more other radio tags 600 within the first range. Another reason is the presence of a null point in antenna 300. Note that these are examples, and other factors may also exist.

[0083] Figure 9 is a graph showing an example of multiple phase data for the wireless tag 600 within the second range. The horizontal axis shows the position of antenna 300 along one horizontal direction. The vertical axis shows the phase value. The graph shows the phase value at each of multiple positions between position 0 and position L for any one wireless tag 600. As indicated by the circles, inflection points exist in the graph shown in Figure 9. Because the distance between antenna 300 and wireless tag 600 is large, the amount of data is inherently small.

[0084] Comparing the graph within the first range shown in Figure 8 with the graph within the second range shown in Figure 9, the following can be observed: Inflection points exist in both the multiple phase data for the wireless tag 600 within the first range and the multiple phase data for the wireless tag 600 within the second range. The number of data points for the multiple phase data for the wireless tag 600 within the first range and the number of data points for the multiple phase data for the wireless tag 600 within the second range are both small. Therefore, the distribution of the multiple phase data is similar for the wireless tag 600 within the first range and the wireless tag 600 within the second range.

[0085] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of terminal 400. Terminal 400 includes a processor 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, connection interface 404, storage device 405, input device 406, display device 407, and audio output device 408. Each component of terminal 400 is connected by a bus 409, etc. The configuration of processor 401 may be the same as that of processor 101. The configuration of ROM 402 may be the same as that of ROM 102. The configuration of RAM 403 may be the same as that of RAM 103. The connection interface 404 is an interface for terminal 400 to communicate with the reader 100. The configuration of storage device 405 may be the same as that of storage device 111.

[0086] The input device 406 is a device that can receive instructions based on user operation. The input device 406 may include pressable buttons. The input device 406 may also include a touch panel integrated with the display device 407.

[0087] The display device 407 is a device capable of displaying various images. The display device 407 is a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0088] The audio output device 408 is a device capable of outputting sound. The audio output device 408 is a speaker, but is not limited to these.

[0089] (Example of operation) The processing in communication system 1 will be explained. The processing procedure described below is merely an example, and each process may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, steps in the processing procedure described below may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate.

[0090] The determination process performed by the processor 101 of the reading device 100 will now be described. The determination process is the process of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to a first range.

[0091] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the determination process performed by the processor 101 of the reading device 100. For example, the counter 700 has one or more wireless tags 600 attached to one or more items 500 that need to be processed by the communication system 1. The one or more items 500 that need to be processed may be placed directly on the counter 700, or they may be placed on the counter 700 in a housing. For example, the housing is a basket, but is not limited to this. All of the one or more wireless tags 600 may be located within a first range. At least one of the one or more wireless tags 600 may extend beyond the first range and be located in a range between the first range and the second range. The second range may contain items 500 that do not need to be processed by the communication system 1. The range between the first range and the second range may contain items 500 that do not need to be processed by the communication system 1.

[0092] The processor 101 of the reading device 100 may start the determination process based on the acquisition of a determination process start instruction entered by the user at the terminal 400.

[0093] Here, the starting point is the first point, and the ending point is the second point. Therefore, the drive unit 205 moves the antenna 300 in one direction from the first point to the second point.

[0094] The movement control unit 1011 determines whether or not the antenna 300 is present at the starting point (ACT1). If the antenna 300 is not present at the starting point (ACT1, NO), the process transitions from ACT1 to ACT2. If the antenna 300 is present at the starting point (ACT1, YES), the process transitions from ACT1 to ACT3.

[0095] The movement control unit 1011 controls the antenna 300 to move to the starting point (ACT2). In ACT2, for example, the movement control unit 1011 transmits a movement instruction to the drive unit 200 to move to the starting point. The movement instruction to the starting point is an instruction to move the antenna 300 to the starting point. The processor 201 of the drive unit 200 receives the movement instruction to the starting point from the reader 100. Based on the movement instruction to the starting point, the processor 201 controls the drive unit 205 to move the antenna 300 to the starting point. Based on the control by the processor 201, the drive unit 205 moves the antenna 300 to the starting point.

[0096] The movement control unit 1011 controls the movement of the antenna 300 (ACT3). In ACT3, for example, the movement control unit 1011 controls the antenna 300 to move in one direction from the starting point to the ending point. The movement control unit 1011 transmits a movement instruction to the drive unit 200 to move to the ending point. The movement instruction to the ending point is an instruction to move the antenna 300 from the starting point to the ending point. The processor 201 of the drive unit 200 receives the movement instruction to the ending point from the reader 100. Based on the movement instruction to the ending point, the processor 201 controls the drive unit 205 to move the antenna 300 in one direction from the starting point to the ending point. Based on the control by the processor 201, the drive unit 205 moves the antenna 300 in one direction from the starting point to the ending point.

[0097] The communication control unit 1012 controls the start of radio wave transmission from the antenna 300 (ACT4). In ACT4, for example, the communication control unit 1012 controls the start of radio wave transmission from the antenna 300 based on the start of movement of the antenna 300 from the starting point. The communication control unit 1012 may also control the start of radio wave transmission from the antenna 300 based on a movement start notification from the drive unit 200. The movement start notification may indicate that the antenna 300 has started moving from the starting point. The antenna 300 starts transmitting radio waves to read the identification information of the radio tag 600 from the radio tag 600.

[0098] The acquisition unit 1013 acquires identification information and tag data for each wireless tag 600 (ACT5). In ACT5, for example, the acquisition unit 1013 acquires the identification information acquired by the demodulation unit 110 and the tag data detected by the demodulation unit 110 for each wireless tag 600. If the acquisition unit 1013 acquires the identification information and tag data (ACT5, YES), the process transitions from ACT5 to ACT6. If the acquisition unit 1013 does not acquire the identification information and tag data (ACT5, NO), the process transitions from ACT5 to ACT7.

[0099] Based on the acquisition of identification information and tag data, the acquisition unit 1013 stores the tag data relating to the wireless tag 600 identified by the identification information in the measurement data storage area 1111 (ACT6).

[0100] The communication control unit 1012 determines whether the movement of the antenna 300 has finished (ACT7). In ACT7, for example, the communication control unit 1012 determines whether the movement of the antenna 300 from the starting point to the ending point has finished. The communication control unit 1012 may also determine that the movement of the antenna 300 has finished based on a movement completion notification from the drive unit 200. The movement completion notification may indicate that the movement of the antenna 300 has finished upon reaching the ending point. If the movement of the antenna 300 has finished (ACT7, YES), the process transitions from ACT7 to ACT8. If the movement of the antenna 300 has not finished (ACT7, NO), the process transitions from ACT7 to ACT5.

[0101] The acquisition unit 1013 repeats the processes of ACT5 and ACT6 from the time the antenna 300 starts moving at the starting point until it finishes moving at the ending point.

[0102] In ACT5, the acquisition unit 1013 acquires identification information and multiple tag data at multiple locations on the antenna 300 for each wireless tag 600. For example, the acquisition unit 1013 can acquire identification information and multiple phase data, Doppler frequency data, or RSSI data at multiple locations on the antenna 300 for each wireless tag 600.

[0103] In ACT6, the acquisition unit 1013 stores multiple tag data at multiple locations on the antenna 300 for each wireless tag 600 in the measurement data storage area 1111. For example, the acquisition unit 1013 can store multiple phase data, Doppler frequency data, or RSSI data at multiple locations on the antenna 300 in the measurement data storage area 1111 for each wireless tag 600.

[0104] The communication control unit 1012 controls the termination of radio wave transmission from the antenna 300 (ACT8). In ACT8, for example, the communication control unit 1012 controls the termination of radio wave transmission from the antenna 300 based on the termination of movement of the antenna 300. The termination of movement of the antenna 300 is the termination of movement of the antenna 300 along one direction from the starting point to the ending point. The antenna 300 terminates radio wave transmission for reading the identification information of the wireless tag 600.

[0105] The determination processing unit 1014 selects one wireless tag to be determined (ACT9). In ACT9, for example, the determination processing unit 1014 selects one wireless tag 600 as the wireless tag to be determined from one or more wireless tags 600 whose tag dataset is stored in the measurement data storage area 1111. The determination processing unit 1014 then executes the processes of ACT10 to ACT19 for the wireless tag 600 selected as the wireless tag to be determined.

[0106] The determination processing unit 1014 compares the identification information of the wireless tag 600 selected as the wireless tag to be determined with the identification information of the registered wireless tag included in the registration data for each registered wireless tag (ACT10). If the identification information of wireless tag 600 matches the identification information of any registered wireless tag, the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the identification information of wireless tag 600 is the identification information of a registered wireless tag. If the identification information of wireless tag 600 is the identification information of a registered wireless tag (ACT10, YES), the process transitions from ACT10 to ACT11. If the identification information of wireless tag 600 does not match the identification information of any registered wireless tag, the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the identification information of wireless tag 600 is not the identification information of a registered wireless tag. If the identification information of wireless tag 600 is not the identification information of a registered wireless tag (ACT10, NO), the process transitions from ACT10 to ACT13.

[0107] The determination processing unit 1014 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to the first range based on the tag dataset and registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600, through the following processes ACT11 and ACT12. The registered tag dataset relates to registered wireless tags identified by the identification information of the wireless tag 600.

[0108] The determination processing unit 1014 determines whether the comparison result between the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 satisfies the condition (ACT11). The comparison result is the correlation between the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. Here, the correlation coefficient is used as an example of correlation. The correlation coefficient is a value that shows the correlation between the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. The condition is the condition for determining that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. The condition is that the comparison result has a correlation of a predetermined level or higher. If the comparison result has a correlation of a predetermined level or higher, the comparison result satisfies the condition. If the comparison result does not have a correlation of a predetermined level or higher, the comparison result does not satisfy the condition.

[0109] Here, we describe an example where the conditions include a threshold for correlation determination regarding the correlation coefficient. If the correlation coefficient is greater than or equal to the threshold for correlation determination, the comparison result is deemed to have a correlation of a predetermined level or higher. If the correlation coefficient is less than the threshold for correlation determination, the comparison result is deemed not to have a correlation of a predetermined level or higher. The threshold for correlation determination can be set as appropriate. If the comparison result has a correlation of a predetermined level or higher, the tag dataset for the wireless tag 600 is similar to the registered tag dataset. Similarity to the registered tag dataset means that there is little change from the registered tag dataset. If the tag dataset for the wireless tag 600 is similar to the registered tag dataset, the wireless tag 600 is not included in the first range. This wireless tag 600 is not the wireless tag 600 attached to the item 500 that needs to be processed in the communication system 1. Therefore, the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is in the second range.

[0110] An example of calculating the correlation coefficient is described below. For example, the determination processing unit 1014 calculates the correlation coefficient using the correlation function shown in (Equation 1). The correlation function is not limited to the function shown in (Equation 1).

number

[0111] The determination processing unit 1014 can calculate a correlation coefficient based on the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. In this example, the data for x in (Equation 1) are multiple tag data included in the tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. The data for y in (Equation 1) are multiple tag data included in the registered tag dataset.

[0112] The determination processing unit 1014 may calculate the correlation coefficient using all the data from the multiple tag data sets. The determination processing unit 1014 may also calculate the correlation coefficient using some of the data from the multiple tag data sets. Some of the data from the multiple tag data sets may be the data within the range that includes the tag data of the inflection point. Some of the data from the multiple tag data sets may be the data within the range that does not include the tag data of the inflection point.

[0113] Note that the correlation is not limited to the correlation coefficient. The determination processing unit 1014 may determine a value indicating the correlation based on the position of the inflection point for multiple positions of the antenna 300. The determination processing unit 1014 may determine a value indicating the correlation based on the number of multiple tag data. The determination processing unit 1014 may determine a value indicating the correlation based on the slope corresponding to the amount of change in the tag data.

[0114] If the comparison result satisfies the condition (ACT11, YES), the process transitions from ACT11 to ACT12. If the comparison result does not satisfy the condition (ACT11, NO), the process transitions from ACT11 to ACT13.

[0115] The determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range if the comparison result satisfies the conditions (ACT12).

[0116] The determination processing unit 1014 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to a first range based on the tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 (ACT13). In one example, the determination processing unit 1014 executes the process of ACT13 if the comparison result does not satisfy the conditions. In another example, the determination processing unit 1014 executes the process of ACT13 if the identification information of the wireless tag 600 is not the identification information of a registered wireless tag. In ACT13, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range. The determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. The determination processing unit 1014 can decide not to determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or within the second range. An example of the process of ACT13 will be described later.

[0117] If the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or within the second range (ACT14, YES), the process transitions from ACT14 to ACT15. If the determination processing unit 1014 does not determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or within the second range (ACT14, NO), the process transitions from ACT14 to ACT16. Note that the processing of ACT14 by the determination processing unit 1014 is not limited to the determination processing using the trained model exemplified in Figure 12 or the determination processing based on the change in tag data exemplified in Figure 13. The determination processing unit 1014 may also process as exemplified below.

[0118] In the first example, the first condition may be that inflection points exist in multiple tag data, and the number of data points in the multiple tag data is within a range that is less than a first threshold and greater than a second threshold. The first threshold is a value greater than the second threshold. The first and second thresholds can be set as appropriate. In this example, if multiple tag data satisfy the first condition, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is not determined to be within the first range or within the second range. On the other hand, if multiple tag data do not satisfy the first condition, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is determined to be within the first range or within the second range. Based on the determination that it is determined to be within the first range, the determination processing unit 1014 may determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or within the second range by the determination process illustrated in Figure 12 or Figure 13.

[0119] In the second example, the second condition may be that the correlation coefficient showing the correlation between the tag dataset for the wireless tag 600 and the comparison tag dataset is less than a threshold. The comparison tag dataset may be a tag dataset for wireless tags within the first range, or a tag dataset for wireless tags within the second range. The comparison tag dataset includes multiple comparison tag data. Each of the multiple comparison tag data is associated with each of the multiple position data of the antenna. The multiple comparison tag data are pre-acquired data. The threshold can be set as appropriate. In this example, the determination processing unit 1014 uses (Equation 1) described above to determine the correlation coefficient showing the correlation between the tag dataset for the wireless tag 600 and the comparison tag dataset. If the correlation coefficient satisfies the second condition, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or not within the second range. On the other hand, if the correlation coefficient does not satisfy the first condition, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or within the second range. Based on the decision that a determination is made, the determination processing unit 1014 may determine that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or within a second range by the determination process illustrated in Figure 12 or Figure 13.

[0120] In the third example, the third condition may be that the difference between a first value and a second value, based on multiple data points indicating the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to a first range obtained from multiple trained models, is less than a threshold. The multiple trained models are models generated by machine learning based on the same training data, but are different from each other. For example, the multiple trained models are trained models with different initial weight values, but the differences are not limited to this. The number of multiple trained models can be set as appropriate. The first value is the number of data points from multiple data points indicating the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to a first range that indicate the wireless tag 600 is within the first range. The second value is the number of data points from multiple data points indicating the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to a first range that indicate the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. The difference is the number obtained by subtracting the smaller of the two values ​​from the larger of the two values. The threshold can be set as appropriate. In this example, if the difference satisfies the third condition, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is not within the first range or the second range. On the other hand, if the difference does not satisfy the third condition, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range. In this case, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range based on the relative magnitudes of the first and second values.

[0121] The output unit 1015 outputs the determination result for the wireless tag 600 to the terminal 400 via the second connection interface 105 (ACT15). The output unit 1015 also outputs the identification information of the wireless tag 600 read by the reader 100 to the terminal 400 via the second connection interface 105. The determination result is associated with the identification information.

[0122] Terminal 400 may change whether or not to treat the item 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached as a processing target, depending on the determination result for the wireless tag 600. If the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range, terminal 400 will treat the item 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached as a processing target. Treating the item 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached as a processing target includes treating the wireless tag 600 or the identification information of the wireless tag 600 as a processing target. If the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range, terminal 400 will not treat the item 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached as a processing target. Not treating the item 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached as a processing target includes not treating the wireless tag 600 or the identification information of the wireless tag 600 as a processing target.

[0123] The output unit 1015 outputs input request information to the terminal 400 via the second connection interface 105 (ACT16).

[0124] Terminal 400 can display an input image on display device 407 based on input request information. The user can input in the input image whether the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or within a second range. Inputting that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range includes input to treat the wireless tag 600 as being within the first range. Inputting that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range includes input to treat the wireless tag 600 as being within the second range. Terminal 400 may change whether to treat the item 500 to which the wireless tag 600 is attached as a processing target based on user input, for wireless tags 600 that are not determined by the determination processing unit 1014 to be within the first or second range. If the user inputs that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range, terminal 400 treats the item 500 to which the wireless tag 600 is attached as a processing target. If the user inputs that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range, the terminal 400 will not treat the item 500 with the wireless tag 600 attached as an item to be processed.

[0125] If the reading device 100 includes a display device, the output unit 1015 does not need to output input request information to the terminal 400. In this example, the output unit 1015 outputs input request information to the display device in order to display the input image on the display device. The display device of the reading device 100 displays the input image based on the image data of the input image included in the input request information.

[0126] The determination processing unit 1014 obtains the input result from the terminal 400 (ACT17). The input result includes data indicating whether the wireless tag 600 entered by the user in the input image is within a first range or within a second range. The input result also includes identification information for wireless tags 600 that are not determined by the determination processing unit 1014 to be within the first or second range.

[0127] If the input result contains data indicating that it falls within the second range (ACT18, YES), the process transitions from ACT18 to ACT19. If the input result contains data indicating that it falls within the first range (ACT18, NO), the process transitions from ACT18 to ACT20.

[0128] The determination processing unit 1014 updates the data stored in the registration data storage area 1114 based on the input result (ACT19). In ACT19, for example, the determination processing unit 1014 searches for the identification information of a registered wireless tag that matches the identification information included in the input result. The case where the identification information of a registered wireless tag that matches the identification information included in the input result is stored in the registration data storage area 1114 is described below. In this case, the determination processing unit 1014 increases the input count included in the registration data for this registered wireless tag by 1. The case where the identification information of a registered wireless tag that matches the identification information included in the input result is not stored in the registration data storage area 1114 is described below. In this case, the determination processing unit 1014 saves new registration data in the registration data storage area 1114. The registration data includes the identification information of the wireless tag 600 as the identification information of the registered wireless tag. The registration data includes a tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 as a registered tag dataset. The registration data includes 1 as the input count.

[0129] The determination processing unit 1014 determines whether or not all wireless tags 600 have been selected as the wireless tags to be determined (ACT20). In ACT20, for example, the determination processing unit 1014 determines whether or not all wireless tags 600 whose tag dataset is stored in the measurement data storage area 1111 have been selected.

[0130] If the determination processing unit 1014 selects all wireless tags 600 as the wireless tags to be determined (ACT20, YES), the process ends. If the determination processing unit 1014 has not selected all wireless tags 600 as the wireless tags to be determined (ACT20, NO), the process transitions from ACT20 to ACT9.

[0131] In addition, if the identification information of the wireless tag 600 in ACT10 is the identification information of a registered wireless tag, the determination processing unit 1014 may process as follows. If the number of inputs for the registered wireless tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined number at the time the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 is determined, the determination processing unit 1014 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. In this example, it is not considered whether the comparison result of the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 satisfies the conditions.

[0132] The following describes examples of judgment processing performed by the judgment processing unit 1014 in ACT13 described above. The first example is judgment processing using a trained model. The second example is judgment processing based on the amount of change in tag data. Examples of judgment processing performed by the judgment processing unit 1014 are not limited to these.

[0133] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the judgment process using a trained model by the processor 101 of the reading device 100. The judgment processing unit 1014 inputs judgment input data to the trained model (ACT21). In ACT21, for example, the judgment processing unit 1014 obtains judgment input data from the measurement data for the wireless tag 600 selected as the wireless tag to be judged. The judgment processing unit 1014 inputs the obtained judgment input data to the trained model.

[0134] The decision processing unit 1014 obtains decision output data from the trained model based on the input of decision input data to the trained model (ACT22).

[0135] The determination processing unit 1014 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range based on the determination output data (ACT23). Determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range based on the determination output data is an example of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range based on multiple tag data related to the wireless tag 600.

[0136] An example is given where the output data for determination is data indicating the level of the range in which the wireless tag 600 is included. In this example, if the level within the first range is equal to or greater than the first level determination threshold, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range. The first level determination threshold can be set as appropriate. If the level within the second range is equal to or greater than the second level determination threshold, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. The second level determination threshold can be set as appropriate. If the level within the first range is less than the first level determination threshold, and the level within the second range is less than the second level determination threshold, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine whether the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or not.

[0137] An example is given where the output data for determination indicates that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range, a second range, or a third range. In this example, if the output data for determination indicates that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range. If the output data for determination indicates that the wireless tag 600 is within a second range, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within a second range. If the output data for determination indicates that the wireless tag 600 is within a third range, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is neither within a first range nor within a second range.

[0138] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process based on the amount of change in tag data by the processor 101 of the reading device 100. The determination processing unit 1014 calculates the change in tag data (ACT31) for the wireless tag 600 selected as the wireless tag to be determined, based on two different tag data from among multiple tag data. For example, the change in tag data is the difference between the two tag data.

[0139] The determination processing unit 1014 compares the amount of change in the tag data with a first change threshold and a second change threshold (ACT32). The first change threshold is set to a value greater than the second change threshold. The first and second change thresholds can be set as appropriate.

[0140] The determination processing unit 1014 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to a first range based on the amount of change in the tag data (ACT33). Determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to a first range based on the amount of change in the tag data is an example of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to a first range based on multiple tag data related to the wireless tag 600. If the amount of change in the tag data is greater than or equal to the first threshold for determining the amount of change, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range. If the amount of change in the tag data is less than the second threshold for determining the amount of change, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. If the amount of change in the tag data is greater than or equal to the second threshold for determining the amount of change but less than the first threshold for determining the amount of change, the determination processing unit 1014 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or not within the second range.

[0141] This section describes the display process of input images by the processor 401 of terminal 400. The process of displaying the input image is the process of displaying the input image on the display device 407 of the terminal 400. The user can input via the input device 406 that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or within a second range.

[0142] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the display process of an input image by the processor 401 of terminal 400.

[0143] The processor 401 obtains input request information from the reader 100 via the connection interface 404 (ACT 41).

[0144] The processor 401 displays an input image on the display device 407 based on the input request information (ACT 42). In ACT 42, for example, the processor 401 obtains information about the article 500 to which the wireless tag 600 is attached from the server based on the identification information contained in the input request information. The information about the article 500 is information specific to the article 500. For example, the information specific to the article 500 includes, but is not limited to, information indicating the name of the article 500. The server may store information about the article 500 associated with a unique identification code for each unique identification code related to the article 500. The processor 401 displays an input image containing the obtained information about the article 500 in a recognizable manner on the display device 407.

[0145] The processor 401 detects input via the input device 406 based on user operation (ACT43). If no input is received via the input device 406 (ACT43, NO), the processor 401 continues processing ACT43. If input is received via the input device 406 (ACT43, YES), processing transitions from ACT43 to ACT44.

[0146] The processor 401 saves the input result to the memory device 405 (ACT 44). Alternatively, the processor 401 may save the input result to the RAM 403.

[0147] The processor 401 outputs the input result to the reader 100 (ACT45).

[0148] Figure 15 shows an example of an input image (IM) displayed on the display device 407 of terminal 400. The input image IM includes a message to prompt the user to input whether the wireless tag 600 is within a first or second range. The message includes the name of the item 500. The input image IM includes a button BA for selecting that item 500 is within a first range. Item 500 being within a first range is an example of the wireless tag 600 attached to item 500 being within a first range. Button BA is an example of a key for inputting that item 500 is within a first range.

[0149] The input image IM includes a button BB for selecting that item 500 is within a second range. Item 500 being within a second range is an example of the wireless tag 600 attached to item 500 being within a second range. Button BB is an example of a key for inputting that item 500 is within a second range.

[0150] The process of generating a trained model by the processor 101 of the reading device 100 will be described below. The process of generating a trained model is the process of generating a trained model. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the process by which the processor 101 of the reading device 100 generates a trained model. The model processing unit 1016 may start the process of generating a trained model at any time and create a new trained model. The model processing unit 1016 may also start the process of generating a trained model at any time and update the trained model.

[0151] The model processing unit 1016 acquires training data (ACT51). In ACT51, for example, the model processing unit 1016 acquires training data from the training data storage area 1112.

[0152] The model processing unit 1016 generates a trained model (ACT52) using machine learning based on the training data. In ACT52, for example, the model processing unit 1016 learns the training data using machine learning. The model processing unit 1016 estimates the relationship between multiple training tag data for training wireless tags at multiple positions on the antenna and ground truth data showing the positional relationship of the training wireless tags to a first range. Based on the estimation, the model processing unit 1016 generates a trained model. Machine learning can be, but is not limited to, neural networks.

[0153] Multiple training phase data points vary depending on the distance between the antenna and the training wireless tag. The distribution of multiple training phase data points differs depending on the position of the training wireless tag. A certain correlation may exist between multiple training phase data points at multiple antenna positions and the position of the training wireless tag. Multiple training Doppler frequency data points differ depending on whether the antenna is approaching or moving away from the training wireless tag. The distribution of multiple training Doppler frequency data points differs depending on the position of the training wireless tag. A certain correlation may exist between multiple training Doppler frequency data points at multiple antenna positions and the position of the training wireless tag. Multiple training RSSI data points vary depending on the distance between the antenna and the training wireless tag. The distribution of multiple training RSSI data points differs depending on the position of the training wireless tag. A certain correlation may exist between multiple training RSSI data points at multiple antenna positions and the position of the training wireless tag. Thus, a certain correlation may exist between multiple training tag data points at multiple antenna positions and the position of the training wireless tag.

[0154] The model processing unit 1016 saves the generated trained model to the trained model memory area 1113 (step S53).

[0155] The generation of the trained model may be achieved by a device other than the reader 100.

[0156] (modified version) A modified example of communication system 1 will be described. Figure 17 is a block diagram showing a modified example of communication system 1. In this modified version, the communication device 10 includes an inference device 900, which is a device capable of performing processing on a trained model. The reader device 100 includes a third connection interface for the reader device 100 to communicate with the inference device 900.

[0157] Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inference device 900. The inference device 900 includes a processor 901, a ROM 902, a RAM 903, a connection interface 904, and a storage device 905. Each component of the inference device 900 is connected by a bus 906, etc. The configuration of the processor 901 may be the same as that of the processor 101. The configuration of the ROM 902 may be the same as that of the ROM 102. The configuration of the RAM 903 may be the same as that of the RAM 103. The connection interface 904 is an interface for the inference device 900 to communicate with the reader 100. The configuration of the storage device 905 may be the same as that of the storage device 111.

[0158] Memory device 905 stores the training data described above. Memory device 905 also stores the trained model described above. The processor 901 inputs judgment input data for each wireless tag 600 into the trained model. For each wireless tag 600, the processor 901 obtains judgment output data that is output from the trained model based on the input judgment input data to the trained model. The processor 901 generates a trained model through machine learning based on the training data.

[0159] An example of the operation of the reading device 100 and the inference device 900 in a modified example will be described. The judgment processing unit 1014 of the reader 100 transmits the tag dataset for each wireless tag 600 to the inference unit 900 via the third connection interface. The processor 901 of the inference unit 900 receives the tag dataset for each wireless tag 600 from the reader 100 via the connection interface 904. For each wireless tag 600, the processor 901 inputs judgment input data to the trained model based on the tag dataset. For each wireless tag 600, the processor 901 acquires judgment output data output from the trained model based on the input of judgment input data to the trained model. The processor 901 transmits the judgment output data for each wireless tag 600 to the reader 100 via the third connection interface. The judgment processing unit 1014 of the reader 100 receives the judgment output data for each wireless tag 600 from the inference unit 900 via the third connection interface. Receiving judgment output data is an example of acquiring judgment output data.

[0160] (effect) If the identification information of the wireless tag 600 is the identification information of a registered wireless tag, the communication device 10 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to the first range based on the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. Here, the communication device 10 may read the identification information of a wireless tag 600 that is not included in the first range. The position of the wireless tag 600 does not change unless there is human interference such as picking it up. Therefore, the communication device 10 reads the identification information of wireless tags 600 that are not included in the first range each time it processes. If the wireless tag 600 is a registered wireless tag, the communication device 10 can determine the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 using the registered tag dataset of registered wireless tags that are registered to be within the second range. For example, if the two tag datasets are similar, the communication device 10 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range. Therefore, by using the registered tag dataset, the communication device 10 can improve the accuracy of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range. In addition, the communication device 10 can determine the positional relationship of wireless tags 600 that are difficult to determine whether they are within the first or second range based on the tag dataset. Therefore, the communication device 10 can avoid having the user input the range of the wireless tag 600 each time it reads such a wireless tag 600. Users can avoid tasks such as entering the range of the wireless tag 600.

[0161] The communication device 10 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range if the comparison result between the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 satisfies the conditions. If the two tag datasets are similar, the wireless tag 600 can be said to be outside the first range. The communication device 10 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range by a simple process such as comparing the two tag datasets. Therefore, the communication device 10 can improve the accuracy of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range while reducing the processing load. In addition, since the communication device 10 can determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range, it can avoid having the user input the range of the wireless tag 600 each time it is read.

[0162] If the comparison result between the tag dataset and the registered tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600 does not satisfy the conditions, the communication device 10 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range based on multiple tag data related to the wireless tag 600. If the two tag datasets are not similar, the wireless tag 600 may have moved from its position at the time it was registered as a registered wireless tag. However, the wireless tag 600 may or may not be within the first range. Therefore, the communication device 10 determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to the first range based on the tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. In other words, the communication device 10 does not determine that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range simply because it is a registered wireless tag. This allows the communication device 10 to improve the accuracy of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 to the first range.

[0163] If the communication device 10 does not determine that the wireless tag 600 is within a first range or a second range based on the tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600, it outputs input request information. Regardless of whether the wireless tag 600 is actually within the first range or not, it may be located in a position where it is difficult for the communication device 10 to determine whether it is within the first range or the second range. For such wireless tags 600, the communication device 10 can allow the user to input the range of the wireless tag 600. This prevents the communication device 10 from mistakenly determining whether the wireless tag 600 is within the first range or the second range.

[0164] The communication device 10 determines that the wireless tag 600 is within the second range if the number of inputs exceeds a predetermined number. If the number of inputs exceeds a predetermined number, it means that the terminal 400 has been inputting that it is within the second range more than the predetermined number of times. In such cases, it can be said that the wireless tag 600 is not continuously included in the first range. Therefore, it is highly likely that the wireless tag 600 is attached to an item 500 that is unlikely to be subjected to human interference such as being picked up. The communication device 10 determines that such a wireless tag 600 is within the second range without using a tag dataset related to the wireless tag 600. This allows the communication device 10 to reduce the processing load while maintaining the accuracy of determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag 600 with respect to the first range.

[0165] (Note) The embodiment can be expressed as follows: (1) A movement control unit that controls the movement of the relative position of the antenna with respect to the wireless tag, An acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the wireless tag and multiple tag data relating to the wireless tag at multiple relative positions of the antenna based on the radio waves of the wireless tag received by the antenna, If the identification information of the wireless tag is the identification information of a registered wireless tag which is registered to be within a second range different from the first range, a determination processing unit determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to the first range based on a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and a plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag, A communication device equipped with the following features. (2) The communication device according to (1), wherein the determination processing unit determines that the wireless tag is within the second range when the conditions for determining that the comparison result of the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and the plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag are within the second range are met. (3) The communication device according to (1) or (2), wherein if the determination processing unit does not satisfy the conditions for determining that the comparison result of the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and the plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag is within the second range, the determination processing unit determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to the first range based on the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag. (4) The communication device according to (3), further comprising an output unit that outputs information about the wireless tag for the user to input whether the wireless tag is within the first range or the second range, if the determination processing unit does not determine based on a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag that the wireless tag is within the first range or the second range. (5) The communication device according to (1), wherein the determination processing unit determines that the wireless tag is within the second range when determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag, if the number of times it has been input that the registered wireless tag is within the second range is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times. (6) To the computer, A function to control the movement of the antenna's relative position to the wireless tag, A function to acquire identification information of the wireless tag and multiple tag data relating to the wireless tag at multiple relative positions of the antenna, based on the radio waves of the wireless tag received by the antenna. If the identification information of the wireless tag is the identification information of a registered wireless tag that is registered to be within a second range different from the first range, a function is provided to determine the positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to the first range based on a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and a plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag. A program to make it executable.

[0166] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the drive device 200 moves the antenna 300, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The position of the antenna 300 may be fixed, and the drive device 200 may be a device that moves the wireless tag 600. In this embodiment, the drive device 200 may move the stage on which the wireless tag 600 is placed. The stage on which the wireless tag 600 is placed is not limited to a stage that moves in one direction. The stage on which the wireless tag 600 is placed may be a stage with various modes of movement, such as a rotating stage. Moving the wireless tag 600 is an example of moving the relative position of the antenna 300 with respect to the wireless tag 600. The position of the antenna 300 is an example of the relative position of the antenna 300 with respect to the wireless tag 600. Note that the drive device 200 may be a device that moves both the antenna 300 and the wireless tag 600. Moving both the antenna 300 and the wireless tag 600 is an example of moving the relative position of the antenna 300 with respect to the wireless tag 600. The position of antenna 300 is an example of the relative position of antenna 300 to the wireless tag 600.

[0167] The communication device may be implemented using multiple devices as described in the example above, or it may be implemented using a single device that integrates the functions of multiple devices. The reading device, driving device, antenna, and measuring device may be implemented using a single device that integrates their functions. The reading device may be implemented using multiple devices with distributed functions.

[0168] The embodiments described above may apply not only to the apparatus but also to the methods performed by the apparatus. The embodiments described above may apply to a program that can cause the computer of the apparatus to perform each function. The embodiments described above may apply to a recording medium that stores the program.

[0169] The program may be transferred while stored in the device, or it may be transferred without being stored in the device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or it may be transferred while recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-temporary tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The recording medium can be any medium that is capable of storing a program and is readable by a computer, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, and its form is not limited.

[0170] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0171] 1...Communication system, 10...Communication device, 81...First range, 82...Second range, 83...Measurement target, 100...Reading device, 101...Processor, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 104...First connection interface, 105...Second connection interface, 106...High frequency front end section, 107...Digital amplitude modulation section, 108...DA conversion section, 109...AD conversion section, 110...Demodulation section, 111...Storage device, 112...Bus, 200...Drive unit, 201...Processor, 202...ROM, 203...RAM, 204...Connection interface, 205...Drive unit, 206...Home position sensor, 208...Bus, 211...Rotation axis, 212...Rail, 213...Moving stage, 300...Antenna, 400...Terminal, 401...Pro 402...ROM, 403...RAM, 404...Connection Interface, 405...Storage Device, 406...Input Device, 407...Display Device, 408...Audio Output Device, 409...Bus, 500...Item, 600...Wireless Tag, 700...Counter Stand, 800...Measurement Device, 900...Inference Device, 901...Processor, 902...ROM, 903...RAM, 904...Connection Interface, 905...Storage Device, 906...Bus, 1011...Movement Control Unit, 1012...Communication Control Unit, 1013...Acquisition Unit, 1014...Decision Processing Unit, 1015...Output Unit, 1016...Model Processing Unit, 1111...Measurement Data Storage Area, 1112...Training Data Storage Area, 1113...Trained Model Storage Area, 1114...Registered Data Storage Area.

Claims

1. A movement control unit that controls the movement of the relative position of the antenna to the wireless tag, An acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the wireless tag and multiple tag data relating to the wireless tag at multiple relative positions of the antenna, based on the radio waves of the wireless tag received by the antenna. If the identification information of the wireless tag is the identification information of a registered wireless tag which is registered to be within a second range different from the first range, a determination processing unit determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to the first range based on a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and a plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag, A communication device equipped with the following features.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the determination processing unit determines that the wireless tag is within the second range if the comparison result of the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and the plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag satisfies the conditions for determining that it is within the second range.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the determination processing unit does not satisfy the conditions for determining that the comparison result of the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and the plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag is within the second range, the determination processing unit determines the positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to the first range based on the plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, further comprising an output unit that outputs information about the wireless tag for the user to input which of the first and second ranges the wireless tag is within, if the determination processing unit does not determine, based on a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag, that the wireless tag is within the first range or the second range.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the determination processing unit determines that the wireless tag is within the second range when determining the positional relationship of the wireless tag, if the number of times it has been input that the registered wireless tag is within the second range is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times.

6. On the computer, A function to control the movement of the antenna's relative position to the wireless tag, A function to acquire identification information of the wireless tag and multiple tag data relating to the wireless tag at multiple relative positions of the antenna, based on the radio waves of the wireless tag received by the antenna. If the identification information of the wireless tag is the identification information of a registered wireless tag which is registered to be within a second range different from the first range, a function is provided to determine the positional relationship of the wireless tag with respect to the first range based on a plurality of tag data relating to the wireless tag and a plurality of tag data relating to the registered wireless tag. A program to make it executable.

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