Reading device, information processing device, accounting system, reading method, information processing method, accounting method, and program

Abstract

A reading device (10) comprising a first wireless reading unit (101), a second wireless reading unit (102), and an identification unit (250). The first wireless reading unit (101) and the second wireless reading unit (102) define, as respective reading regions, mutually different regions positioned along a passage through which a person who attempts to purchase a commodity passes, and read commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity. The identification unit (250) identifies a commodity indicated by the commodity information included in common in first reading information and second reading information as a commodity possessed by the person who has passed through the passage. The first reading information is information read by the first wireless reading unit (101) at a first timing. The second reading information is information read by the second wireless reading unit (102) at a second timing different from the first timing.

Description

Reading device, information processing device, accounting system, reading method, information processing method, accounting method, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention relates to a reading device, an information processing device, an accounting system, a reading method, an information processing method, an accounting method, and a recording medium.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Technology is being developed that reads information from RF (Radio Frequency) tags attached to products for purposes such as product accounting.

[0003] The patent document 1 describes providing multiple antennas to collect data in multiple areas along a product identification path, and also describes determining user product data based on data collected in different areas.

[0004] Special Publication No. 2022-510771

[0005] In the technology of Patent Document 1, user product data is obtained by taking the union or difference of data collected in different areas. However, there is room for improvement in the accuracy of identifying target products.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one example of the object of the present invention is to provide a reading device, an information processing device, an accounting system, a reading method, an information processing method, an accounting method, and a recording medium that can identify with high accuracy products carried by a person who has passed through a specified passage.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a reading device is provided, comprising: a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means, each of which has a reading area defined as a different area located along an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes, and which reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product; and an identification means for identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first reading information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and the second reading information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product held by the person passing through the aisle.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means, each of which has a reading area defined as a different area located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a product passes; an acquisition means for acquiring the reading results read by each of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means, which read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product; and an identification means for identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first reading information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and the second reading information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product held by the person passing through the passageway.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a checkout system comprising the above-mentioned reading device and a checkout device that performs checkout processing for target products identified by the identification means as products held by a person who has passed through the passage.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading method including: reading product information from a wireless communication tag attached to a product using a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means, each of which has as its reading area a different area located along an aisle through which a person passing by intending to purchase the product passes; and identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and the second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product held by the person passing by the aisle.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing method is provided in which one or more computers each use different areas located along an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes as reading areas, and a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means that read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product each obtain reading results, and a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first reading information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and the second reading information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing is identified as a product held by the person passing through the aisle.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accounting method in which one or more computers perform accounting processing for target products that the identification means provided in the reading device has identified as products held by a person who has passed through the passage.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program causing the computer to function as: an acquisition means for acquiring reading results read by a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means that read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to a product, each of which has different reading areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a product passes; and an identification means for identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first reading information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and the second reading information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product possessed by the person passing through the passageway.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a reading device, an information processing device, an accounting system, a reading method, an information processing method, an accounting method, and a recording medium are provided that can identify with high accuracy products carried by a person who has passed through a specified passage.

[0015] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a reading device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of a reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of a reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a table illustrating a first example of the relationship between the reading results of multiple wireless reading units and the reading timing. FIG. 7 is a table illustrating a second example of the relationship between the reading results of multiple wireless reading units and the reading timing. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a reading method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer for realizing an information processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a reading device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of a reading device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a table illustrating a third example of the relationship between the reading results of multiple wireless reading units and the reading timing. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a reading device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining multiple timings according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a checkout system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a checkout device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of a reading device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0017] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a reading device 10 according to a first embodiment. The reading device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first wireless reading unit 101, a second wireless reading unit 102, and an identification unit 250. The first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 have different reading areas located along an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes, and read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product. The identification unit 250 identifies a product indicated by product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information as a product possessed by a person passing through the aisle. The first read information is information read by the first wireless reading unit 101 at a first timing. The second read information is information read by the second wireless reading unit 102 at a second timing different from the first timing.

[0018] This reading device 10 can identify with high accuracy the products carried by a person who has passed through a specified passage.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing device 20 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 20 according to this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 210 and an identification unit 250. The first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 each have a reading area that is different from each other and located along an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes, and read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product. The acquisition unit 210 acquires the reading results obtained by the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102. The identification unit 250 identifies a product indicated by product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information as a product possessed by a person passing through the aisle. The first read information is information read by the first wireless reading unit 101 at a first timing. The second read information is information read by the second wireless reading unit 102 at a second timing different from the first timing.

[0020] According to this information processing device 20, it is possible to identify with high accuracy the products carried by a person who has passed through a specified passage.

[0021] Hereinafter, detailed examples of the reading device 10 and the information processing device 20 will be described.

[0022] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the reading device 10 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, the reading device 10 includes a first wireless reading unit 101, a second wireless reading unit 102, and an information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 includes an acquisition unit 210, a control unit 230, and an identification unit 250. In this embodiment, the reading device 10 further includes a human presence sensor 150.

[0023] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating an example of a usage environment of the reading device 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a side view of an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a product passes. Fig. 5 shows a top view of the aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a product passes. In the examples of Figs. 4 and 5, the person 90 passes through the aisle 92 in the direction of the arrow.

[0024] In a store selling products, each product is attached with a wireless communication tag that stores product information about the product. The product information includes, for example, identification information for identifying the product. The wireless communication tag is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

[0025] A person 90 carries a product that he or she wishes to purchase and passes through a predetermined aisle 92. In this embodiment, the aisle 92 is defined based on at least one housing 100. Specifically, at least a portion of the aisle 92 is sandwiched between two housings 100. However, it is not necessary that two housings 100 are provided. For example, the aisle 92 is defined to run along at least one housing 100. The housing 100 can form a walk-through gate. The housing 100 is provided, for example, near the exit of a store that sells products.

[0026] The housing 100 is provided with a first wireless reader 101 and a second wireless reader 102. The first wireless reader 101 has an antenna 121 for communicating with a wireless communication tag. The second wireless reader 102 has an antenna 122 for communicating with a wireless communication tag. The first wireless reader 101 also has a processing unit 131 for driving the antenna 121 and processing signals received by the antenna 121. The second wireless reader 102 has a processing unit 132 for driving the antenna 122 and processing signals received by the antenna 122. The first wireless reader 101 and the second wireless reader 102 can read product information stored in a wireless communication tag by communicating with the wireless communication tag located within their respective reading areas. The first wireless reader 101 and the second wireless reader 102 each output the read product information to an acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 as a reading result.

[0027] The reading areas of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 are determined based on the housing 100. The reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 is located closer to the exit of the passage 92 than the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101.

[0028] When viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 may be sandwiched between the two housings 100. Also, when viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 may not be sandwiched between the two housings 100. In other words, when viewed from above, the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 may include the outer side of the entrance side of the area sandwiched between the two housings 100.

[0029] When viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 may be sandwiched between the two housings 100. Also, when viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 may not be sandwiched between the two housings 100. That is, when viewed from above, the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 may include the outside of the exit side of the area sandwiched between the two housings 100. Also, both the antenna 121 of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the antenna 122 of the second wireless reading unit 102 may face the outside of the area sandwiched between the housings 100 when viewed from above. That is, when viewed from above, the area sandwiched between the housings 100 may not overlap any of the reading areas. An antenna may not be provided on the side of the housing 100 facing the passage 92.

[0030] The reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 may at least partially overlap each other, but it is preferable that they do not overlap each other.

[0031] 5 , the antenna 121 of the first wireless reader 101 and the antenna 122 of the second wireless reader 102 are provided on the side wall of the housing 100 on the passage 92 side. The antenna 121 of the first wireless reader 101 and the antenna 122 of the second wireless reader 102 are provided in each of the two housings 100. The antenna 121 of the first wireless reader 101 provided in one housing 100 and the antenna 121 of the first wireless reader 101 provided in the other housing 100 face each other across the passage 92. The reading areas of the two antennas 121 of the first wireless reader 101 partially overlap each other. When the first wireless reader 101 has multiple antennas 121 in this way, the reading areas of all the antennas 121 of the first wireless reader 101 are collectively referred to as the reading area 111 of the first wireless reader 101. That is, the first wireless reading unit 101 outputs the product information read by at least one of the antennas 121 of the first wireless reading unit 101 as the reading result read by the first wireless reading unit 101 .

[0032] Similarly, the antenna 122 of the second wireless reading unit 102 provided in one housing 100 and the antenna 122 of the second wireless reading unit 102 provided in the other housing 100 face each other across the passage 92. The reading areas of the two antennas 122 of the second wireless reading unit 102 partially overlap each other. When the second wireless reading unit 102 has multiple antennas 122 in this manner, the reading areas of all the antennas 122 of the second wireless reading unit 102 are collectively referred to as the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102. In other words, the second wireless reading unit 102 outputs the product information read by at least one of the antennas 122 of the second wireless reading unit 102 as the reading result read by the second wireless reading unit 102.

[0033] In this embodiment, the control unit 230 controls the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102. For example, the control unit 230 controls the timing at which the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 each perform reading. For example, the first wireless reading unit 101 transmits a predetermined radio wave from the antenna 121 based on a control signal from the control unit 230. The first wireless reading unit 101 then receives a radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication tag in response to the radio wave. The processing unit 131 of the first wireless reading unit 101 generates a reading result based on the received radio wave. Similarly, for example, the second wireless reading unit 102 transmits a predetermined radio wave from the antenna 122 based on a control signal from the control unit 230. The second wireless reading unit 102 then receives a radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication tag in response to the radio wave. The processing unit 132 of the second wireless reading unit 102 generates a reading result based on the received radio wave. In this manner, the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 read product information.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first wireless reader 101 and the second wireless reader 102 do not need to perform reading all the time, but only need to perform reading when a control signal for performing reading is received from the control unit 230. This reduces power consumption and communication traffic.

[0035] The first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 can read multiple pieces of product information in a single reading. That is, the reading results obtained at the same time may include multiple pieces of product information. The reading results or each piece of product information included in the reading results is associated with the reading time. Furthermore, each piece of product information is associated with information indicating the wireless reading unit that read the product information (for example, an ID assigned to each wireless reading unit). The identification unit 250 can identify which wireless reading unit produced the reading result based on the information indicating the wireless reading unit.

[0036] When the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 read the product information, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires the read results from each of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 .

[0037] The human presence sensor 150 is installed so as to be able to detect a person 90 located in the passage 92. The detection area in which the human presence sensor 150 can detect the person 90 includes at least the entire reading area 111 and the entire reading area 112. The human presence sensor 150 is always able to detect the person 90, for example, while the reading device 10 is in operation. The human presence sensor 150 outputs the detection result to the information processing device 20, for example, at a predetermined cycle T. The cycle T is, for example, not less than 0.1 seconds and not more than 1 second. Furthermore, when the human presence sensor 150 detects the person 90, it can output information indicating the position of the person 90. In the example of FIG. 4 , the human presence sensor 150 is installed on the ceiling and detects the person 90 from above.

[0038] In this embodiment, the control unit 230 switches between reading by the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 based on the position of the person 90 detected by the human presence sensor 150. Specifically, the control unit 230 causes the first wireless reading unit 101 to perform reading at a first timing described below, and causes the second wireless reading unit 102 to perform reading at a second timing described below.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first timing is the timing when the person 90 is located within the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101. The second timing is the timing when the person 90 is located within the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102. The second timing is usually later than the first timing. This will be explained in detail below.

[0040] When person 90 passes through passage 92, human presence sensor 150 detects person 90. Then, control unit 230 acquires the detection result of human presence sensor 150. The detection result of human presence sensor 150 includes information indicating the position of person 90. Furthermore, control unit 230 can use information indicating a predetermined reading area 111. Using the information indicating the position of person 90 and the information indicating the reading area 111, control unit 230 determines whether person 90 is located within reading area 111 of first wireless reading unit 101. Then, when it is determined that person 90 is located within reading area 111 of first wireless reading unit 101, control unit 230 outputs a control signal to first wireless reading unit 101 to cause first wireless reading unit 101 to perform reading. Note that reading by first wireless reading unit 101 only needs to be performed at least once per passage of person 90 while person 90 is within reading area 111 of first wireless reading unit 101. That is, the first timing only needs to occur once per passage of person 90. In this embodiment, first wireless reader 101 does not need to perform reading all the time, but only needs to perform reading at least at the first timing. First wireless reader 101 may perform reading only at the first timing.

[0041] As the person 90 moves further along the passage 92, the information indicating the position of the person 90, which is included in the detection result of the human presence sensor 150, changes. The control unit 230 can use information indicating the predetermined reading area 112. The control unit 230 uses the information indicating the position of the person 90 and the information indicating the reading area 112 to determine whether the person 90 is located within the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102. Then, when it is determined that the person 90 is located within the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102, the control unit 230 outputs a control signal to the second wireless reading unit 102 to cause the second wireless reading unit 102 to perform reading. Note that the second wireless reading unit 102 only needs to perform reading at least once per passage of the person 90 while the person 90 is within the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102. In other words, the second timing only needs to occur at least once per passage of the person 90. In this embodiment, the second wireless reader 102 does not need to read constantly, but only needs to read at least at the second timing. The second wireless reader 102 may read only at the second timing.

[0042] When the acquisition unit 210 acquires the reading results of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102, the identification unit 250 uses these reading results to identify the product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92.

[0043] In this embodiment, the reading result of the first wireless reading unit 101 acquired by the acquiring unit 210 is the reading result of the first wireless reading unit 101 at the first timing. The identifying unit 250 uses the reading result of the first wireless reading unit 101 at the first timing as first read information.

[0044] In this embodiment, the reading result of the second wireless reading unit 102 acquired by the acquiring unit 210 is the reading result of the second wireless reading unit 102 at the second timing. The identifying unit 250 uses the reading result of the second wireless reading unit 102 at the second timing as second read information.

[0045] The identification unit 250 identifies the product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information as product information of a product carried by the person 90 who passed through the passage 92 .

[0046] FIG. 6 is a table showing a first example of the relationship between the read results of a plurality of wireless reading units and the read timing.

[0047] In this example, the product information included in the first read information is information about product A, information about product B, and information about product C. Furthermore, the product information included in the second read information is information about product A and information about product B. In this case, the identification unit 250 identifies the information about product A and information about product B, which are commonly included in the first read information and the second read information, as product information about products possessed by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. Because the information about product C is included in the first read information but not included in the second read information, the identification unit 250 does not identify the information about product C as product information about products possessed by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92.

[0048] There may be other products around the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 in addition to the products held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. These may be products on display or products held by a person 90 who has not passed through the aisle 92 (for example, a person 90 who is waiting in line). In this case, the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 may read the wireless communication tag of a product that is present around the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102, even if the product is not held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92.

[0049] 6 , there is a high possibility that the product information of a product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 is commonly included in both the first read information and the second read information. On the other hand, even if other products are read, there is a low possibility that they will be included in both the first read information and the second read information. Therefore, by the identification unit 250 identifying the product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information as the product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92, it is possible to identify the product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 with high accuracy.

[0050] The identification unit 250 outputs product information of a product (hereinafter also referred to as a "target product") that has been identified as a product held by the person 90 who passed through the passage 92. The identification unit 250 may output the product information of the target product to another device, or may store the product information in a storage unit (not shown) that is accessible from the identification unit 250. The product information of the target product can be used for accounting processing, etc.

[0051] As another example, the identification unit 250 may further identify a product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 based on the appearance or disappearance of product information in multiple time-series reading results. In this case, it is preferable that the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 do not overlap with each other. For example, the identification unit 250 can identify the target product as follows.

[0052] The first wireless reader 101 performs reading at both the first timing and the second timing. That is, the control unit 230 outputs a control signal to the first wireless reader 101 to cause the first wireless reader 101 to perform reading at both the first timing and the second timing.

[0053] The identifying unit 250 then identifies, as the product information of the target product, the product information that is commonly included in the first read information and the second read information and that satisfies the following first condition: the product information is not included in the read result read by the first wireless reading unit 101 at the second timing.

[0054] Alternatively, the second wireless reader 102 performs reading at both the first timing and the second timing. That is, the control unit 230 outputs a control signal to the second wireless reader 102 to cause the second wireless reader 102 to perform reading at both the first timing and the second timing.

[0055] The identifying unit 250 then identifies, as the product information of the target product, the product information that is commonly included in the first read information and the second read information and that satisfies the following second condition: The second condition is that the product information is not included in the read result read by the second wireless reading unit 102 at the first timing.

[0056] 7 is a table showing a second example of the relationship between the read results of multiple wireless readers and the read timings, in which both the first wireless reader 101 and the second wireless reader 102 perform readings at both the first timing and the second timing.

[0057] 7 , it is highly likely that product C, whose product information is read by the first wireless reading unit 101 at both the first and second timings, did not travel with the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. In other words, it is highly likely that product C is not a product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. On the other hand, product A and product B traveled with the person 90, and are therefore highly likely to be target products. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately identify the target products by identifying product information that satisfies the first condition or the second condition as the product information of the target products.

[0058] The identification unit 250 may use a combination of the first condition and the second condition to identify the target product. For example, the identification unit 250 may identify, as the product information of the target product, product information that is commonly included in the first read information and the second read information and that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition. Alternatively, the identification unit 250 may identify, as the product information of the target product, product information that is commonly included in the first read information and the second read information and that satisfies both the first condition and the second condition.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a reading method according to this embodiment. The reading method according to this embodiment includes steps S11 and S12. Step S11 is a step in which the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to a product. The first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 each set different areas located along an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a product passes as their reading areas. Step S12 is a step in which a product indicated by product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information is identified as a product possessed by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. The first read information is information read by the first wireless reading unit 101 at a first timing. The second read information is information read by the second wireless reading unit 102 at a second timing different from the first timing.

[0060] The hardware configuration of the information processing device 20 will be described below. Each functional component of the information processing device 20 (the acquisition unit 210, the control unit 230, and the identification unit 250) may be realized by hardware that realizes each functional component (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit, etc.), or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it, etc.). Below, a case where each functional component of the information processing device 20 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a computer 1000 for realizing the information processing device 20. The computer 1000 is any computer. For example, the computer 1000 is a system on chip (SoC), a personal computer (PC), a server machine, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed to realize the information processing device 20, or may be a general-purpose computer. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may be realized by a single computer 1000, or may be realized by a combination of multiple computers 1000.

[0062] The computer 1000 includes a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage device 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path through which the processor 1040, the memory 1060, the storage device 1080, the input / output interface 1100, and the network interface 1120 transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of interconnecting the processor 1040 and other components is not limited to bus connection. The processor 1040 may be any of various processors, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The memory 1060 is a main storage device implemented using a random access memory (RAM) or the like. The storage device 1080 is an auxiliary storage device implemented using a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, a read-only memory (ROM), or the like.

[0063] The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to an input / output device. For example, an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display are connected to the input / output interface 1100. The input / output interface 1100 may be connected to the input device or output device via a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0064] The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to a network. This communication network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1120 may be connected to the network wirelessly or by wire.

[0065] The information processing device 20 can communicate with the first wireless reading unit 101 , the second wireless reading unit 102 , and the human presence sensor 150 via the input / output interface 1100 or the network interface 1120 .

[0066] The storage device 1080 stores program modules that realize the various functional components of the information processing device 20. The processor 1040 reads these program modules into the memory 1060 and executes them to realize the functions corresponding to the respective program modules.

[0067] The following describes the hardware configuration of the processing unit 131 and the processing unit 132. The processing unit 131 of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the processing unit 132 of the second wireless reading unit 102 may be realized by hardware (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit) that realizes the processing unit 131 and the processing unit 132, respectively, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it).

[0068] When the processing unit 131 is realized by a combination of hardware and software, the hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the processing unit 131 is shown, for example, in Fig. 9 , similar to the information processing device 20. When the processing unit 132 is realized by a combination of hardware and software, the hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the processing unit 132 is shown, for example, in Fig. 9 , similar to the information processing device 20. However, the storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the processing unit 131 and the processing unit 132 stores program modules that realize the functions of the processing unit 131 and the processing unit 132. The processing unit 131 and the processing unit 132 can communicate with the information processing device 20 via the input / output interface 1100 or the network interface 1120 of the computer 1000 that realizes the processing unit 131 and the processing unit 132.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing method according to this embodiment. The information processing method according to this embodiment includes steps S21 and S22. In step S21, one or more computers acquire the read results obtained by the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102, respectively. The first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 each have a different read area located along an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a product passes, and read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product. In step S22, the one or more computers identify a product indicated by product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information as a product possessed by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. The first read information is information read by the first wireless reading unit 101 at a first timing. The second read information is information read by the second wireless reading unit 102 at a second timing different from the first timing.

[0070] As described above, according to this embodiment, the identification unit 250 identifies the product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first read information and the second read information as the product possessed by the person who passed through the passage. Therefore, it is possible to identify with high accuracy the product possessed by the person who passed through the specified passage.

[0071] (Modification) The reading device 10 according to this modification is the same as the reading device 10 according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below. In this modification, the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 perform continuous reading (for example, all the time) in addition to the first timing and the second timing while the reading device 10 is in operation. The acquisition unit 210 then acquires the reading results of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102. The identification unit 250 extracts and uses the reading result at a predetermined timing from the multiple reading results acquired by the acquisition unit 210. This will be described in detail below.

[0072] Similar to the control unit 230 according to the first embodiment, the identification unit 250 according to this modification determines whether or not the person 90 is located within the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 150. Similarly to the control unit 230 according to the first embodiment, the identification unit 250 determines whether or not the person 90 is located within the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 150. The identification unit 250 then identifies the timing when the person 90 is located within the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 as a first timing. The identification unit 250 also identifies the timing when the person 90 is located within the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 as a second timing.

[0073] The identifying unit 250 extracts, as first read information, a read result at a first timing from the plurality of time-series read results acquired by the acquiring unit 210 from the first wireless reading unit 101. The identifying unit 250 also extracts, as second read information, a read result at a second timing from the plurality of time-series read results acquired by the acquiring unit 210 from the second wireless reading unit 102.

[0074] Then, the identification unit 250 uses the extracted first read information and second read information to identify the product information of the target product in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0075] Furthermore, the identification unit 250 according to this modification may identify product information of the target product by further using at least one of the first condition and the second condition, as described in the first embodiment. In this case, the identification unit 250 may further extract a read result at a second timing from the multiple time-series read results acquired by the acquisition unit 210 from the first wireless reading unit 101. The identification unit 250 may further extract a read result at a first timing from the multiple time-series read results acquired by the acquisition unit 210 from the second wireless reading unit 102. Then, the extracted read result may be further used to identify product information of the target product.

[0076] In this modification, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to this modification, the control unit 230 does not need to control the first wireless reader 101 and the second wireless reader 102 to perform reading at a specific timing.

[0077] Second Embodiment Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a reading device 10 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which the reading device 10 according to the second embodiment is used. Fig. 12 shows an overhead view of an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a product passes. The reading device 10 according to this embodiment is the same as the reading device 10 according to the first embodiment or the modified example, except for the points described below.

[0078] The reading device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a third wireless reading unit 103. The reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 is aligned with the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 and the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 along the aisle 92, but is located at a different position from the reading area 111 and the reading area 112. The identification unit 250 according to this embodiment identifies a product indicated by product information commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and the third read information as a product possessed by a person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. The third read information is information read by the third wireless reading unit 103 at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing. This will be described in detail below.

[0079] The third wireless reading unit 103 is provided in the housing 100, similar to the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102. The third wireless reading unit 103 includes an antenna 123 for communicating with a wireless communication tag. The third wireless reading unit 103 also includes a processing unit 133 that drives the antenna 123 and processes signals received by the antenna 123. The third wireless reading unit 103 can read product information stored in a wireless communication tag by communicating with the wireless communication tag located within the reading area 113. The third wireless reading unit 103 outputs the read product information to the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 as a reading result.

[0080] The reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 is determined based on the housing 100. The reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101, the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102, and the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 are lined up along the passage 92 in this order from the entrance side to the exit side of the passage 92.

[0081] When viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 may be sandwiched between the two housings 100. Also, when viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 may not be sandwiched between the two housings 100. That is, when viewed from above, the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 may include the outside of the exit side of the area sandwiched between the two housings 100. In the example of FIG. 12 , when viewed from above, the entire reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 and the entire reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 are not sandwiched between the two housings 100. When viewed from above, the reading area 111 of the first wireless reading unit 101 includes the outside of the entrance side of the area sandwiched between the two housings 100. The reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 includes the area sandwiched between the two housings 100 and outside the exit side.

[0082] The reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 and the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 may at least partially overlap each other, but it is preferable that they do not overlap each other.

[0083] 12 , the antenna 123 of the third wireless reading unit 103 is provided on the side wall of the housing 100. An antenna 123 of the third wireless reading unit 103 is provided in each of the two housings 100. The reading areas of the two antennas 123 of the third wireless reading unit 103 partially overlap each other. When the third wireless reading unit 103 has multiple antennas 123 in this way, the reading areas of all the antennas 123 of the third wireless reading unit 103 are collectively referred to as the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103. In other words, the third wireless reading unit 103 outputs the product information read by at least one of the antennas 123 of the third wireless reading unit 103 as the reading result read by the third wireless reading unit 103.

[0084] In this embodiment, the control unit 230 controls the third wireless reading unit 103. For example, the control unit 230 controls the timing at which the third wireless reading unit 103 performs reading. For example, the third wireless reading unit 103 transmits a predetermined radio wave from the antenna 123 based on a control signal from the control unit 230. The third wireless reading unit 103 then receives radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication tag in response to the transmitted radio waves. The processing unit 133 of the third wireless reading unit 103 generates a reading result based on the received radio waves. In this manner, the third wireless reading unit 103 reads the product information.

[0085] The third wireless reader 103 does not need to perform reading all the time, but only needs to perform reading when it receives a control signal for performing reading from the control unit 230. In this case, power consumption and communication volume can be reduced.

[0086] The third wireless reading unit 103 can read multiple pieces of product information at one time. When the third wireless reading unit 103 reads the product information, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires the read result from the third wireless reading unit 103.

[0087] The detection area in which the human presence sensor 150 according to this embodiment can detect the person 90 further includes the entire reading area 113. In this embodiment, the control unit 230 switches between reading by the first wireless reading unit 101, the second wireless reading unit 102, and the third wireless reading unit 103 based on the position of the person 90 detected by the human presence sensor 150. Specifically, the control unit 230 causes the third wireless reading unit 103 to perform reading at a third timing described below.

[0088] In this embodiment, the third timing is the timing when the person 90 is located within the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103. Usually, the third timing is later than the second timing.

[0089] The control unit 230 can use information indicating a predetermined reading area 113. Using information indicating the position of the person 90 and information indicating the reading area 113, the control unit 230 determines whether the person 90 is located within the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103. Then, when it is determined that the person 90 is located within the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103, the control unit 230 outputs a control signal to the third wireless reading unit 103 to cause the third wireless reading unit 103 to perform reading. Note that reading by the third wireless reading unit 103 only needs to be performed at least once per passage of the person 90 while the person 90 is within the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103. In other words, the third timing only needs to be performed at least once per passage of the person 90. In this embodiment, the third wireless reading unit 103 does not need to perform reading all the time, but only needs to perform reading at least at the third timing. The third wireless reader 103 may perform reading only at the third timing.

[0090] When the acquisition unit 210 acquires the reading result of the third wireless reading unit 103 , the identification unit 250 further uses the reading result of the third wireless reading unit 103 to identify the product held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 .

[0091] When the control unit 230 performs the above-described control, the reading result of the third wireless reading unit 103 acquired by the acquisition unit 210 is the reading result of the third wireless reading unit 103 at the third timing. The identification unit 250 uses the reading result of the third wireless reading unit 103 at the third timing as third read information. The identification unit 250 according to this embodiment identifies the product information commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and the third read information as product information of the product held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92.

[0092] As another example, the identification unit 250 may further identify a product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 based on the appearance or disappearance of product information in multiple time-series reading results. In this case, it is preferable that the reading area 112 of the second wireless reading unit 102 and the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 do not overlap with each other. For example, the identification unit 250 can identify the target product as follows.

[0093] The second wireless reader 102 performs reading at both the second timing and the third timing. That is, the control unit 230 outputs a control signal to the second wireless reader 102 to cause the second wireless reader 102 to perform reading at both the second timing and the third timing.

[0094] The identifying unit 250 then identifies, as the product information of the target product, the product information that is commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and the third read information and that satisfies the following third condition: The third condition is that the product information is not included in the read result read by the second wireless reading unit 102 at a third timing.

[0095] Alternatively, the third wireless reader 103 performs reading at both the second timing and the third timing. That is, the control unit 230 outputs a control signal to the third wireless reader 103 to cause the third wireless reader 103 to perform reading at both the second timing and the third timing.

[0096] The identifying unit 250 then identifies, as the product information of the target product, the product information that is commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and the third read information and that satisfies the following fourth condition: The fourth condition is that the product information is not included in the read result read by the third wireless reading unit 103 at the second timing.

[0097] 13 is a table showing a third example of the relationship between the read results of a plurality of wireless reading units and the read timing, in which the first wireless reading unit 101, the second wireless reading unit 102, and the third wireless reading unit 103 all perform readings at the first timing, the second timing, and the third timing.

[0098] 13 , product C, whose product information is read by the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102 at all of the first to third timings, is likely not to have traveled with the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. In other words, product C is likely not a product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. On the other hand, product A and product B traveled with the person 90, and are likely to be target products. Therefore, by identifying product information that satisfies the third or fourth condition as product information of the target product, the target product can be identified more accurately.

[0099] The identification unit 250 may use a combination of two or more of the first to fourth conditions to identify the target product. For example, the identification unit 250 may identify, as the product information of the target product, product information that is commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and the third read information and that satisfies at least one of the two or more conditions. Alternatively, the identification unit 250 may identify, as the product information of the target product, product information that is commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and the third read information and that satisfies all of the two or more conditions.

[0100] In this embodiment, similar to the modified example described above, the third wireless reading unit 103 may perform continuous reading at times other than the third timing (for example, all the time) during operation of the reading device 10. Then, the acquiring unit 210 may acquire the reading result of the third wireless reading unit 103, and the identifying unit 250 may extract and use the reading result at the specific timing from the multiple reading results acquired by the acquiring unit 210.

[0101] That is, the identification unit 250 determines whether the person 90 is located within the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 150. Then, the identification unit 250 identifies the timing at which the person 90 is located within the reading area 113 of the third wireless reading unit 103 as the third timing. The identification unit 250 extracts the reading result at the third timing as third read information from the multiple time-series reading results acquired by the acquisition unit 210 from the third wireless reading unit 103. Then, the identification unit 250 uses the extracted third read information together with the first read information and the second read information to identify product information of the target product.

[0102] Similarly, the identification unit 250 can extract the reading results at one or more timings required to identify the product information from the reading results of each wireless reading unit.

[0103] The hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment is, similar to the information processing device 20 according to the first embodiment, shown in Fig. 9. The information processing device 20 according to this embodiment can further communicate with the third wireless reader 103 via an input / output interface 1100 or a network interface 1120.

[0104] Similarly, the reader 10 may include four or more wireless reader units.

[0105] The following describes the hardware configuration of the processing unit 133. The processing unit 133 of the third wireless reading unit 103 may be realized by hardware that realizes the processing unit 133 (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit, etc.), or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it, etc.).

[0106] When the processing unit 133 is realized by a combination of hardware and software, the hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the processing unit 133 is, for example, as shown in Fig. 9 , similar to the information processing device 20. However, a storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the processing unit 133 stores a program module that realizes the function of the processing unit 133. The processing unit 133 can communicate with the information processing device 20 via an input / output interface 1100 or a network interface 1120 of the computer 1000 that realizes the processing unit 133.

[0107] Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. The same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment. In addition, according to this embodiment, the reading device 10 further includes a third wireless reading unit 103. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately identify the product information of the target product.

[0108] (Third embodiment) Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a reading device 10 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining a plurality of timings according to the third embodiment. The reading device 10 according to this embodiment is the same as the reading device 10 according to at least one of the first embodiment, the modified example, and the second embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0109] The reading device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a detection unit 220 that detects movement of a wireless communication tag based on a change in the reading radio wave intensity of the wireless communication tag. That is, the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment further includes a detection unit 220. Note that while Fig. 14 shows an example in which the reading device 10 includes the third wireless reading unit 103 in addition to the first wireless reading unit 101 and the second wireless reading unit 102, the reading device 10 according to this embodiment does not necessarily have to include the third wireless reading unit 103.

[0110] In this embodiment, the second timing t2 is a timing when a predetermined time Δty has elapsed from the time t0 when the first wireless reading unit 101 detected the movement of at least one wireless communication tag.

[0111] In this embodiment, the third timing t3 is a timing when a predetermined time Δtz has elapsed from the time t0 when the first wireless reading unit 101 detected the movement of at least one wireless communication tag.

[0112] 15, the first timing t1 is, for example, the timing when a predetermined time Δtx has elapsed from time t0, but time t0 may be the first timing t1, i.e., the predetermined time Δtx may be 0 seconds.

[0113] The predetermined time Δty is longer than the predetermined time Δtx, and the predetermined time Δtz is longer than the predetermined time Δty. Δtx, Δty, and Δtz can be determined based on the average speed of a person passing through the passage 92.

[0114] In this embodiment, the first wireless reader 101 continuously reads the product information at times other than the first, second, and third times (for example, all the time) while the reader 10 is in operation. The reading result of the first wireless reader 101 also includes information indicating the read radio wave intensity at which the product information was read, linked to the product information. That is, the acquisition unit 210 can obtain time-series data on the read radio wave intensity of each piece of product information from the first wireless reader 101. The read radio wave intensity refers to the strength of the radio waves received by the first wireless reader 101 from the wireless communication tag storing the product information.

[0115] The detection unit 220 obtains the time-series data of the read radio wave intensity of the product information from the acquisition unit 210, and calculates the rate of change of the read radio wave intensity over time. If the calculated rate of change is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the detection unit 220 detects that the wireless communication tag that transmitted the product information has moved. The detection unit 220 identifies the time point at which it detects that the wireless communication tag has moved for at least one of the one or more pieces of product information read by the first wireless reading unit 101 as time point t0.

[0116] The control unit 230 according to this embodiment acquires information indicating time t0 from the detection unit 220. The control unit 230 then determines the relationship of each timing with respect to time t0 and identifies the first timing t1, the second timing t2, and the third timing t3 based on time t0. As in the first or second embodiment, the control unit 230 causes the first wireless reading unit 101, the second wireless reading unit 102, and the third wireless reading unit 103 to perform reading at each timing.

[0117] Note that the identification unit 250, instead of the control unit 230, may identify the first timing t1, the second timing t2, and the third timing t3 based on the time t0, and extract the necessary read information as in the modified example.

[0118] The hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment is, for example, shown in Fig. 9, similar to the information processing device 20 according to the first embodiment. However, the storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment further stores a program module that realizes the function of the detection unit 220.

[0119] Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. The same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment. Additionally, according to this embodiment, the second timing t2 is a timing when a predetermined time Δty has elapsed from the time t0 when the first wireless reading unit 101 detected the movement of at least one wireless communication tag. Therefore, the reading device 10 does not need to include a human presence sensor 150 to identify the first timing, etc.

[0120] Fourth Embodiment Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an overview of a checkout system 40 according to the fourth embodiment. The checkout system 40 according to this embodiment includes a reading device 10 and a checkout device 30. The checkout device 30 performs checkout processing for a target product that the identification unit 250 of the reading device 10 has identified as a product held by a person 90 who has passed through an aisle 92. The reading device 10 is the same as the reading device 10 according to at least one of the first to third embodiments and the modified examples.

[0121] 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a checkout device 30 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 17, the checkout device 30 includes an acquisition unit 320, a calculation unit 340, a processing unit 360, a product information storage unit 301, and a customer information storage unit 302. However, the product information storage unit 301 and the customer information storage unit 302 may each be provided external to the checkout device 30.

[0122] The product information storage unit 301 previously stores product information and product prices in a mutually associated state. The acquisition unit 320 of the checkout device 30 acquires product information for one or more target products identified by the identification unit 250 from the identification unit 250 of the reading device 10. The calculation unit 340 calculates, for each person 90 who passed through the aisle 92, the total price of all products possessed by that person 90. Specifically, the calculation unit 340 accesses the product information storage unit 301 to identify the price of each target product, and calculates the amount to be paid by the person 90 based on the result of adding up the prices of all target products.

[0123] The processing unit 360 then performs accounting processing using the amount determined by the calculation unit 340 and the payment information of the person 90, which is determined by the method described below. The payment information is information used by the person 90 to make a payment.

[0124] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the environment in which the reading device 10 according to this embodiment is used. FIG. 18 shows a side view of an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a product passes. The reading device 10 according to this embodiment is provided with a reading unit 160. The reading unit 160 reads information for identifying the person 90 or payment information. The reading unit 160 and the checkout device 30 are connected so that they can communicate with each other. An example of a method for identifying the payment information of the person 90 will be described below.

[0125] <First Example> An example of the reading unit 160 is an imaging unit that captures an image of the person 90. Examples of imaging units include a camera and a fingerprint reader. The reading unit 160 captures, for example, an image of the face, fingerprint, or iris of the person 90. In other words, the reading unit 160 captures an image of the person 90 to obtain information for identifying the person 90. Then, by performing authentication using the information for identifying the person 90, the accounting device 30 can identify who the person 90 is. Authentication can be performed using existing technology.

[0126] The position of the reading unit 160 relative to the housing 100 and the aisle 92 is not particularly limited. However, it is preferable that the reading unit 160 captures an image of the person 90 passing through the aisle 92, the person 90 just before passing through, or the person 90 just after passing through. In this way, one or more target products identified by the identification unit 250 and the information read by the reading unit 160 are associated with each other.

[0127] Person 90 registers in advance information required for authentication, such as their facial photograph, and payment information (e.g., credit card information) to be used for payment. The registered information is stored in customer information storage unit 302, associated with, for example, identification information (e.g., member ID) of person 90. When acquisition unit 320 of checkout device 30 acquires information for identifying person 90 from reading unit 160, it compares the information acquired against the information required for authentication stored in customer information storage unit 302 to identify the identification information and payment information of person 90 who has passed through passage 92.

[0128] In this example, person 90 can pay for the items he or she is carrying by simply walking through aisle 92 without having to stop.

[0129] <Second Example> An example of the reading unit 160 is a reader that reads the member ID of the person 90 as information for identifying the person 90. For example, the reading unit 160 is an IC reader, barcode reader, or two-dimensional code reader that reads the member ID from a membership card held by the person 90. The membership card has an IC chip or a wireless communication tag that stores the member ID built in. Alternatively, the membership card has a barcode or two-dimensional code that indicates the member ID printed on it. The position of the reading unit 160 relative to the housing 100 and the passage 92 is not particularly limited, but the reading unit 160 may be located, for example, at the entrance, exit, or midway of the passage 92. Before, after, or while passing through the passage 92, the person 90 holds their membership card over the reading unit 160 to have the reading unit 160 read the member ID.

[0130] Person 90 registers their payment information (e.g., credit card information) in advance. The registered payment information is stored in customer information storage unit 302, for example, in association with person 90's membership ID. When acquisition unit 320 of checkout device 30 acquires person 90's membership ID from reading unit 160, it accesses customer information storage unit 302 and identifies the payment information associated with that membership ID as the payment information of person 90 who passed through passage 92.

[0131] <Third Example> An example of the reading unit 160 is a reader that reads payment information of the person 90. For example, the reading unit 160 is a reader that reads payment information from a portable terminal, card, or the like carried by the person 90. By having the reading unit 160 read the payment information from the portable terminal, card, or the like, the person 90 can make an electronic payment on the spot using electronic money or a credit card. In this example, the customer information storage unit 302 does not need to be provided.

[0132] In this example, the reading unit 160 is provided near the exit of the passage 92. The reading unit 160 is also provided at a position where the person 90 arrives after passing through the reading areas of all the wireless reading units (the first wireless reading unit 101, the second wireless reading unit 102, etc.) that the reading device 10 has.

[0133] When the acquisition unit 320 of the checkout device 30 acquires the payment information from the reading unit 160 , it identifies the information as the payment information of the person 90 who passed through the passage 92 .

[0134] The hardware configuration of the computer that realizes each functional component of the accounting device 30 (acquisition unit 320, calculation unit 340, and processing unit 360) is shown in Fig. 9, for example, similar to that of the information processing device 20. However, the storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the accounting device 30 according to this embodiment stores program modules that realize the functions of each functional component of the accounting device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0135] Furthermore, when the product information storage unit 301 and the customer information storage unit 302 are each provided inside the accounting device 30, for example, the product information storage unit 301 and the customer information storage unit 302 are each realized using the storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the accounting device 30.

[0136] The accounting device 30 can communicate with the reading unit 160 and the information processing device 20 via the input / output interface 1100 or the network interface 1120 of the computer 1000 that implements the accounting device 30. The information processing device 20 of the reading device 10 can communicate with the accounting device 30 via the input / output interface 1100 or the network interface 1120 of the computer 1000 that implements the information processing device 20.

[0137] In the checkout method according to this embodiment, one or more computers perform checkout processing for the target product that the identification unit 250 provided in the reading device 10 has identified as a product held by a person 90 who has passed through the aisle 92.

[0138] Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. This embodiment also provides the same operation and effect as the first embodiment. Additionally, according to this embodiment, the checkout device 30 performs checkout processing for a target product that the identification unit 250 of the reading device 10 has identified as a product held by a person 90 who has passed through an aisle 92. Therefore, by passing through the aisle 92, the product held by the person 90 can be identified, allowing for a smooth checkout process.

[0139] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0140] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in a sequential order, the order of steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order shown. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of content. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as the content is not contradictory.

[0141] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1-1. A reading device comprising: first and second wireless reading means, each of which has as reading areas different areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a product passes, for reading product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product; and identification means for identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product carried by the person passing through the passage. 1-2. In the reading device described in 1-1, the second timing is a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first wireless reading means detected the movement of at least one of the wireless communication tags. 1-3. 1-2. 1-4. The reading device described in 1-1., further comprising a detection means for detecting movement of the wireless communication tag based on a change in the read radio wave intensity of the wireless communication tag. 1-4. The reading device described in 1-1., wherein the first timing is a timing when the person is located within the read area of ​​the first wireless reading means, and the second timing is a timing when the person is located within the read area of ​​the second wireless reading means. 1-5. The reading device described in 1-4., wherein the identification means determines whether the person is located within the read area of ​​the first wireless reading means and whether the person is located within the read area of ​​the second wireless reading means based on a detection result of a human presence sensor. 1-6. The reading device described in 1-4., further comprising a control means for switching reading between the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means based on the position of the person detected by the human presence sensor. 1-7. 1-1. 1-6. The reading device according to any one of 1-5. to 1-6., wherein the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means are determined based on the housing.1-8. The reading device described in any one of 1-1. to 1-7., further comprising a third wireless reading means having as its reading area an area that is aligned along the passage with the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means and the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means and that is in a position different from the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means and the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means, and the identification means identifies, as a product carried by the person who has passed through the passage, a product indicated by the product information that is commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and third read information read by the third wireless reading means at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing. 2-1. An information processing device comprising: different areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a product passes, each of which serves as a reading area, and an acquisition means for acquiring reading results read by a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means which read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product, and an identification means for identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product carried by the person passing through the passageway. 2-2. The information processing device described in 2-1., wherein the second timing is a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first wireless reading means detected the movement of at least one of the wireless communication tags. 2-3. The information processing device described in 2-2., further comprising a detection means for detecting the movement of the wireless communication tag based on a change in the read radio wave intensity of the wireless communication tag. 2-4. 2-1. wherein the first timing is a timing when the person is located within a reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means, and the second timing is a timing when the person is located within a reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means.2-5. The information processing device described in 2-4., wherein the identification means determines whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means and whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means based on the detection result of a human presence sensor. 2-6. The information processing device described in 2-4., further comprising control means for switching reading by the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means based on the position of the person detected by the human presence sensor. 2-7. The information processing device described in any one of 2-1. to 2-6., wherein the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means are determined based on the housing. 2-8. The information processing device described in 2-1. to 2-7. 3-1. An information processing device according to any one of the above, wherein the acquisition means further acquires a read result read by a third wireless reading means having a read area that is aligned along the passage with the read areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means but is located at a different position from the read areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means, and the identification means identifies, as a product possessed by the person who has passed through the passage, a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and third read information read by the third wireless reading means at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing. 3-1. An information processing device comprising: a reading device according to any one of the above 1-1. to 1-8.; and a checkout device that performs checkout processing for the target product identified by the identification means as a product possessed by the person who has passed through the passage. 4-1. A reading method including: reading product information from a wireless communication tag attached to a product using a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means, each of which has as its reading area different areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a product passes; and identifying a product indicated by the product information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product possessed by the person passing through the passageway.4-2. The reading method described in 4-1., wherein the second timing is a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first wireless reading means detected the movement of at least one of the wireless communication tags. 4-3. The reading method described in 4-2., further comprising detecting the movement of the wireless communication tag based on a change in the reading radio wave intensity of the wireless communication tag. 4-4. The reading method described in 4-1., wherein the first timing is a timing when the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means, and the second timing is a timing when the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means. 4-5. The reading method described in 4-4., wherein, in order to identify the product, it is determined whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means and whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means based on a detection result of a human presence sensor. 4-6. 4-4. The reading method described in 4-4., further comprising switching reading between the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means based on the position of the person detected by a human presence sensor. 4-7. The reading method described in any one of 4-1. to 4-6., wherein the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means are determined based on the housing. 4-8. The reading method described in 4-1. to 4-7. the reading method described in any one of the above, further comprising reading the product information from the wireless communication tag with a third wireless reading means having as its reading area an area that is aligned along the passage with the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means and that is at a position different from the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means, and identifying the product includes identifying, as a product carried by the person who has passed through the passage, a product indicated by the product information that is commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and third read information read by the third wireless reading means at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing.5-1. An information processing method in which one or more computers, each having a different area located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a product passes as a reading area, acquire reading results from a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means that read product information from a wireless communication tag attached to a product, and identify a product indicated by the product information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a product carried by the person passing through the passage. 5-2. The information processing method described in 5-1., wherein the second timing is a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first wireless reading means detected the movement of at least one of the wireless communication tags. 5-3. The information processing method described in 5-2., wherein the one or more computers further detect the movement of the wireless communication tag based on a change in the read radio wave intensity of the wireless communication tag. 5-4. 5-1. The information processing method described in 5-1, wherein the first timing is the timing when the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means, and the second timing is the timing when the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means. 5-5. The information processing method described in 5-4, wherein the one or more computers determine whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means and whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means based on a detection result of a human presence sensor. 5-6. The information processing method described in 5-4, wherein the one or more computers further switch between reading by the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means based on the position of the person detected by a human presence sensor. 5-7. The information processing method described in 5-1 to 5-6. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means are determined based on a housing.5-8. An information processing method described in any one of 5-1. to 5-7., wherein the one or more computers further acquire a reading result read by a third wireless reading means having a reading area that is aligned along the passage with the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means but is located at a different position from the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means, and identify, as a product possessed by the person who passed through the passage, a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and third read information read by the third wireless reading means at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing. 6-1. An information processing method wherein one or more computers perform accounting processing for a target product identified by the identification means provided in the reading device described in any one of 1-1. to 1-8. as a product possessed by the person who passed through the passage. 7-1. 7-2. A program that causes a computer to function as: an acquisition means that acquires read results read by a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means that read commodity information from wireless communication tags attached to commodities, each of which has different read areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes, and an identification means that identifies, as a commodity carried by the person passing through the passageway, a commodity indicated by commodity information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing. 7-3. A program that causes the computer to function as: a detection means that detects movement of a wireless communication tag based on a change in read radio wave intensity of the wireless communication tag.7-4. A program according to 7-1., wherein the first timing is a timing when the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means, and the second timing is a timing when the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means. 7-5. A program according to 7-4., wherein the identification means determines whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means and whether the person is located within the reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means based on a detection result of a human presence sensor. 7-6. A program according to 7-4., wherein the computer further functions as control means for switching reading by the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means based on the position of the person detected by the human presence sensor. 7-7. A program according to any one of 7-1. to 7-6., wherein the reading areas of the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means are determined based on the housing. 7-8. A program according to 7-1. 8-1. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program described in any one of 7-1. to 7-7., wherein the acquisition means further acquires a read result read by a third wireless reading means having a read area that is aligned along the passage with the read area of ​​the first wireless reading means and the read area of ​​the second wireless reading means but is located at a different position from the read area of ​​the first wireless reading means and the read area of ​​the second wireless reading means, and the identification means identifies, as a product carried by the person who has passed through the passage, a product indicated by the product information commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and third read information read by the third wireless reading means at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing.

[0142] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Reading device 20 Information processing device 30 Checkout device 40 Checkout system 90 Person 92 Passage 100 Housing 101 First wireless reading unit 102 Second wireless reading unit 103 Third wireless reading unit 150 Human presence sensor 160 Reading unit 210 Acquisition unit 220 Detection unit 230 Control unit 250 Identification unit 301 Product information storage unit 302 Customer information storage unit 320 Acquisition unit 340 Calculation unit 360 Processing unit 1000 Computer

Claims

1. a first wireless reader and a second wireless reader, each of which defines a reading area as a different area located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes, and which reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity; an identification means for identifying a commodity indicated by the commodity information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a commodity carried by the person who has passed through the passage; Equipped with Reading device.

2. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, The second timing is a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first wireless reading means detected the movement of at least one of the wireless communication tags. Reading device.

3. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, The first timing is a timing when the person is located within a reading area of ​​the first wireless reading means, and the second timing is a timing when the person is located within a reading area of ​​the second wireless reading means. Reading device.

4. 4. The reading device according to claim 1, a third wireless reader having a reading area that is aligned with the reading area of ​​the first wireless reader and the reading area of ​​the second wireless reader along the passage and that is at a different position from the reading area of ​​the first wireless reader and the reading area of ​​the second wireless reader, The identification means identifies a commodity indicated by the commodity information commonly included in the first read information, the second read information, and third read information read by the third wireless reading means at a third timing different from the first timing and the second timing, as a commodity carried by the person who has passed through the passage. Reading device.

5. different areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes are set as reading areas, and an acquisition means acquires the reading results read by the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means that read commodity information from the wireless communication tags attached to the commodity; an identification means for identifying a commodity indicated by the commodity information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a commodity carried by the person who has passed through the passage; Equipped with Information processing device.

6. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; an accounting device that performs accounting for the target product identified by the identification means as a product held by a person who has passed through the passage; Accounting system.

7. reading product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product by a first wireless reading means and a second wireless reading means, each of which has a reading area that is different from each other and located along a passage through which a person intending to purchase the product passes; and identifying a commodity indicated by the commodity information commonly included in first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a commodity carried by the person who has passed through the passage. Reading method.

8. One or more computers The first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means read product information from the wireless communication tags attached to the products, and acquire the reading results, respectively. A commodity indicated by the commodity information commonly included in the first read information read by the first wireless read means at a first timing and the second read information read by the second wireless read means at a second timing different from the first timing is identified as a commodity possessed by the person who passed through the passage. Information processing methods.

9. One or more computers The identification means provided in the reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 performs accounting for the target product identified as a product carried by a person who has passed through the passage. Accounting methods.

10. A computer, different areas located along a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes are set as reading areas, and an acquisition means acquires the reading results read by the first wireless reading means and the second wireless reading means that read commodity information from the wireless communication tags attached to the commodity; an identification means for identifying a commodity indicated by the commodity information commonly included in the first read information read by the first wireless reading means at a first timing and the second read information read by the second wireless reading means at a second timing different from the first timing, as a commodity carried by the person who passed through the passage; to function as program.