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

Abstract

This reading device (10) comprises a commodity reading unit (101), an imaging unit (150), an identification unit (250), and a control unit (230). The commodity reading unit (101) is provided in a passage through which a person who intends to purchase a commodity passes, and reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity. The imaging unit (150) captures an image including at least one among a reading region of the commodity reading unit (101) and the periphery of the reading region. The identification unit (250) uses the reading result of the commodity reading unit (101) and identifies the commodity carried by the person who has passed through the passage. The control unit (230) controls at least one among the reading condition of the commodity reading unit (101) and the identification unit (250) on the basis of the result obtained by processing the image.

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] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that uses the read result of a first person who passes through a gate and the read result of a second person who passes through the gate next, in order to prevent erroneous recognition of merchandise. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the read result of the first person and the read result of the second person both contain information about the same tag, the read result of the first person is determined based on the magnitude of the radio wave intensity received from the same tag.

[0004] International Publication No. 2020 / 179374

[0005] In the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, it may take time to confirm the reading result of the first person by waiting until the second person has passed through the gate.

[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 smoothly identify products carried by a person who has passed through a specified passageway with high accuracy.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a reading device is provided that includes: a product reading means that is installed in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes and that reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product; a photographing means that takes an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the reading area; an identification means that uses the reading results of the product reading means to identify products held by a person passing through the aisle; and a control means that controls the reading conditions of the product reading means and at least one of the identification means based on the results of processing the image.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a product reading means that is provided in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes and that reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product, a first acquisition means that acquires the read result; a second acquisition means that acquires an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the reading area; an identification means that uses the reading result of the product reading means to identify a product held by a person passing through the aisle; and a control means that controls the reading conditions of the product reading means and at least one of the identification means based on the result of processing the image.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accounting system comprising the above-mentioned reading device and an accounting device that performs accounting 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 product reading means provided in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase the product passes; capturing an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the reading area; identifying a product held by a person passing through the aisle using the reading result of the product reading means; and controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the product reading means and the method of identifying a product held by a person passing through the aisle based on the result of processing the image.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method in which one or more computers are installed in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes, a product reading means that reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product acquires the read result, acquires an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the reading area, identifies products held by people passing through the aisle using the reading result of the product reading means, and controls at least one of the reading conditions of the product reading means and the method of identifying products held by people passing through the aisle based on the results of processing the image.

[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 a computer to function as: a first acquisition means, which is provided in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a product passes and acquires the reading results read by a product reading means which reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product; a second acquisition means, which acquires an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the reading area; an identification means, which uses the reading results of the product reading means to identify a product held by a person passing through the aisle; and a control means, which controls the reading conditions of the product reading means and at least one of the identification means based on the results of processing the image.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible 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 smoothly and accurately identify products carried by a person who has passed through a specified passageway.

[0015] FIG. 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 diagram illustrating an overview of a reading method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer for realizing an information processing device. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a reading device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a checkout system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a checkout device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage environment of a reading device according to the third 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 this embodiment includes a commodity reading unit 101, a photographing unit 150, an identification unit 250, and a control unit 230. The commodity reading unit 101 is provided in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes, and reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity. The photographing unit 150 captures an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the commodity reading unit 101 and the periphery of the reading area. The identification unit 250 uses the reading result of the commodity reading unit 101 to identify a commodity held by a person passing through the aisle. The control unit 230 controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 and the identification unit 250 based on the result of processing the image.

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

[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 a first acquisition unit 210, a second acquisition unit 220, an identification unit 250, and a control unit 230. The first acquisition unit 210 acquires the reading results obtained by the commodity reading unit 101. The commodity reading unit 101 is provided in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes, and reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity. The second acquisition unit 220 acquires an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the commodity reading unit 101 and the periphery of the reading area. The identification unit 250 uses the reading results obtained by the commodity reading unit 101 to identify a commodity held by a person passing through the aisle. The control unit 230 controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 and the identification unit 250 based on the results of processing the image.

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

[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 commodity reading unit 101, an image capturing unit 150, and an information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 includes a first acquisition unit 210, a second acquisition unit 220, a control unit 230, an identification unit 250, and a recognition unit 240.

[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 they wish 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 part or all 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 commodity reading unit 101. The commodity reading unit 101 has an antenna 121 for communicating with a wireless communication tag. The commodity reading unit 101 also has a processing unit 131 that drives the antenna 121 and processes signals received by the antenna 121. The commodity reading unit 101 can read commodity information stored in a wireless communication tag by communicating with the wireless communication tag located within the reading area 111. The commodity reading unit 101 outputs the read commodity information to the first acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 as a reading result.

[0027] The reading area 111 of the commodity reading unit 101 is determined based on the housing 100. When viewed from above, part or all of the reading area 111 of the commodity 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 commodity reading unit 101 may not be sandwiched between the two housings 100.

[0028] 4 and 5, the commodity reading unit 101 is equipped with a plurality of antennas 121. One or more antennas 121 of the commodity reading unit 101 are provided on the side wall of the casing 100 on the aisle 92 side. Each of the two casings 100 is provided with antennas 121, namely, antenna 121a, antenna 121b, antenna 121c, and antenna 121d.

[0029] Antennas 121b and 121c are provided on the side of the housing 100 facing the passage 92. Antenna 121b provided on one housing 100 and antenna 121b provided on the other housing 100 face each other across the passage 92. Antenna 121c provided on one housing 100 and antenna 121c provided on the other housing 100 face each other across the passage 92. When viewed from above, the entire reading areas 111 of antennas 121b and 121c are sandwiched between the two housings 100.

[0030] Antenna 121a is provided on the side surface of housing 100 on the entrance side of passage 92. Antenna 121d is provided on the side surface of housing 100 on the exit side of passage 92. When viewed from above, the entire reading areas 111 of antennas 121a and 121d are not sandwiched between the two housings 100.

[0031] The commodity reading unit 101 can output the commodity information read by at least one of the plurality of antennas 121 as the reading result of the commodity reading unit 101. Alternatively, the commodity reading unit 101 may output the commodity information read at least temporarily by all of the plurality of antennas 121 as the read information of the commodity reading unit 101.

[0032] The reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 can be controlled by the control unit 230. The reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 are, for example, at least one of the output strength of the radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101, the output direction of the radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101, and the reading threshold for the reception strength of the commodity reading unit 101.

[0033] When the commodity reading unit 101 is equipped with multiple antennas 121, the commodity reading unit 101 can simultaneously increase or decrease the output strength of all of the antennas 121. Furthermore, the output strength of the radio waves from each antenna 121 can be controlled independently. Additionally, the output direction of the radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 may be controlled, for example, by changing the orientation of at least one of the antennas 121 with an actuator or the like.

[0034] For example, the output strength of radio waves in a specific direction can be increased by increasing the output strength of radio waves from some of the antennas 121 among the multiple antennas 121. Alternatively, the output strength of radio waves in a specific direction can be increased by orienting at least one of the antennas 121 in a specific direction.

[0035] For example, the output strength of radio waves in a specific direction can be reduced by reducing the output strength of radio waves from some of the antennas 121 among the multiple antennas 121. Alternatively, the output strength of radio waves in a specific direction can be reduced by orienting at least one of the antennas 121 in a direction other than the specific direction.

[0036] The reading threshold for the reception strength of the commodity reading unit 101 is, for example, a threshold for determining whether or not received information is recognized as commodity information. For example, when the reception strength of radio waves from a wireless communication tag is equal to or greater than the reading threshold, the processing unit 131 reads the commodity information obtained by receiving the radio waves. On the other hand, when the reception strength of radio waves from a wireless communication tag is less than the reading threshold, the processing unit 131 does not read the commodity information obtained by receiving the radio waves.

[0037] The processing unit 131 of the commodity reading unit 101 controls one or more antennas 121 based on a control signal from the control unit 230 of the information processing device 20. The control performed by the control unit 230 will be described in detail later.

[0038] The first acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires from the commodity reading unit 101 the reading result obtained by the commodity reading unit 101 when the person 90 passed through the aisle 92. Then, the identification unit 250 identifies the commodity (hereinafter also referred to as the "target commodity") held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 based on the reading result acquired by the first acquisition unit 210. For example, the identification unit 250 identifies one or more commodity information included in the reading result acquired by the first acquisition unit 210 as commodity information of the commodity held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92.

[0039] The identification unit 250 outputs the product information of the target product. 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) accessible from the identification unit 250. The product information of the target product can be used for accounting processing, etc.

[0040] The photographing unit 150 photographs an image including at least one of the reading area 111 of the commodity reading unit 101 and the periphery of the reading area 111. The photographing unit 150 is, for example, a camera. The photographing unit 150 is provided, for example, on the ceiling of a store. The second acquisition unit 220 of the information processing device 20 acquires the image photographed by the photographing unit 150 from the photographing unit 150. The image acquired by the second acquisition unit 220 may be a frame image constituting a moving image. In other words, the photographing unit 150 may photograph a moving image, and the second acquisition unit 220 may acquire the moving image.

[0041] The recognition unit 240 processes the image to recognize the state of at least one of the surroundings of the aisle 92 and the inside of the aisle 92. The recognition unit 240 can perform state recognition by processing the image using existing technology. For example, the recognition unit 240 may recognize the state of at least one of the surroundings of the aisle 92 and the inside of the aisle 92 using a learning model that has been subjected to machine learning.

[0042] The recognition unit 240 analyzes the image obtained by the image capturing unit 150 to recognize, for example, a person 90 passing through the aisle 92. That is, the recognition unit 240 can detect a person 90 passing through the aisle 92. Then, based on the recognition result (detection result) of the recognition unit 240, the control unit 230 causes the commodity reading unit 101 to read commodity information from the wireless communication tag. That is, while a person 90 passing through the aisle 92 is detected, the control unit 230 causes the commodity reading unit 101 to read commodity information from the wireless communication tag. Note that the control unit 230 may cause the commodity reading unit 101 to read commodity information from the wireless communication tag based on the detection result of a human presence sensor (not shown) instead of the recognition result of the recognition unit 240. In this case, the human presence sensor is installed so that it can detect a person 90 located in the aisle 92.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 230 controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 and the identifying unit 250 based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 240 .

[0044] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the recognition unit 240 processes an image to recognize the state of the periphery of the aisle 92. Also, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 240.

[0045] In this embodiment, the control unit 230 can control the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 based on the recognition result for the image captured at a time when the person 90 is present in the aisle 92. The control unit 230 may also control the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 based on the recognition result for the image captured at a time when the person 90 is not present in the aisle 92.

[0046] The recognition unit 240 detects at least one of fixtures 95 located around the passage 92 and people 91 not passing through the passage 92, for example, by processing the image obtained by the photographing unit 150.

[0047] A first example and a second example of the method in which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 will be described below.

[0048] <First Example of Control> The recognition unit 240 processes the image to identify the position of fixtures 95 located around the aisle 92. The control unit 230 reduces the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 in at least the direction in which the fixtures 95 are located.

[0049] A plurality of products are displayed on the fixture 95. Since such products are not the products that the person 90 intends to purchase, it is preferable that they are not read by the product reading unit 101. Therefore, the control unit 230 controls the product reading unit 101 to reduce the output strength of radio waves from the product reading unit 101 in the direction of the fixture 95. The control unit 230 may also control the product reading unit 101 not to output radio waves from the product reading unit 101 in the direction of the fixture 95. In this case, the product reading unit 101 outputs radio waves only in other directions to perform reading.

[0050] For example, in the example of FIG. 4 , a fixture 95 is present near the exit of the passage 92. The image captured by the imaging unit 150 includes the fixture 95. The recognition unit 240 then recognizes the presence and position of the fixture 95 in the image. The recognition unit 240 outputs information indicating the position of the fixture 95. Here, a storage unit accessible from the recognition unit 240 previously stores positional relationship information indicating the relationship between the position in the image and the actual position within the store (for example, the position relative to the housing 100). The recognition unit 240 can then use the positional relationship information to convert the information indicating the position in the image into information indicating the position within the store and output the information.

[0051] When the control unit 230 acquires information indicating the position of the fixture 95 from the recognition unit 240, it controls the output of radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 based on the information indicating the position of the fixture 95. Specifically, when the commodity reading unit 101 performs reading, the control unit 230 makes the output strength of radio waves in the direction in which the fixture 95 is located lower than the output strength of radio waves in other directions. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5 , the control unit 230, for example, makes the output strength of radio waves from the antenna 121d that outputs radio waves toward the fixture 95 lower than the output strength of radio waves from the other antennas 121. This makes it difficult to read the commodity information of the commodities displayed on the fixture 95.

[0052] It should be noted that if there are fixtures 95 around the aisle 92, it can be said that this is an environment in which product information that becomes noise is likely to be included in the reading result. Therefore, the control unit 230 may reduce the output of radio waves in all directions or may increase the reading threshold value described above.

[0053] <Second Example of Control> The recognition unit 240 processes the image to detect a person 91 who has not passed through the passage 92. When a person 91 who has not passed through the passage 92 is detected, the control unit 230 reduces the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 at least in the direction in which the person 91 is located.

[0054] For example, person 91 may be a person who is about to pass through aisle 92 next. Or, person 91 may be a person passing near aisle 92. Such person 91 may also be carrying a product. However, the product that person 91 is carrying is not the product that person 90 is trying to purchase, and therefore it is preferable that it is not read by the product reading unit 101. Therefore, the control unit 230 controls the product reading unit 101 to reduce the output strength of radio waves from the product reading unit 101 in the direction where person 91 is located. The control unit 230 may also control the product reading unit 101 not to output radio waves in the direction where person 91 is located. In that case, the product reading unit 101 outputs radio waves only in other directions to perform reading.

[0055] 4, for example, person 91 is present near the entrance to passage 92. Person 91 is included in the image captured by the image capturing unit 150. The recognition unit 240 then recognizes the presence and position of person 91 in the image. Whether person 91 has not passed through passage 92 or is not about to pass through passage 92 can be determined based on, for example, the position, posture, facial orientation, and movement status of person 91.

[0056] The recognition unit 240 outputs information indicating the position of the person 91. As in the first example, the recognition unit 240 can use the positional relationship information to convert information indicating a position in the image into information indicating a position in the store and output the converted information.

[0057] When the control unit 230 acquires information indicating the position of the person 91 from the recognition unit 240, it controls the output of radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 based on the information indicating the position of the person 91. Specifically, when the commodity reading unit 101 performs reading, the control unit 230 makes the output strength of radio waves in the direction in which the person 91 is located lower than the output strength of radio waves in other directions. In the examples of Figures 4 and 5, the control unit 230, for example, makes the output strength of radio waves from the antenna 121a that outputs radio waves toward the person 91 lower than the output strengths from the other antennas 121. This makes it difficult to read the commodity information of the commodity held by the person 91.

[0058] It can be said that when a person 91 is present near the aisle 92, the environment is such that product information that becomes noise is likely to be included in the read result. Therefore, the control unit 230 may reduce the output of radio waves in all directions or may increase the read threshold value described above.

[0059] The above describes the first and second examples of the method by which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101. However, the method by which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 is not limited to these examples.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a reading method according to this embodiment. The reading method according to this embodiment includes steps S11, S12, S13, and S14. Step S13 is a step in which a commodity reading unit 101 provided in an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a commodity passes reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity. Step S11 is a step in which an image including at least one of the reading area 111 of the commodity reading unit 101 and the periphery of the reading area 111 is captured. Step S14 is a step in which the reading result of the commodity reading unit 101 is used to identify a commodity carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. Step S12 is a step in which at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 and the method of identifying a commodity carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 is controlled based on the result of image processing.

[0061] The hardware configuration of the information processing device 20 will be described below. Each functional component of the information processing device 20 (first acquisition unit 210, second acquisition unit 220, control unit 230, recognition unit 240, and identification unit 250) may be realized by hardware (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit) that realizes each functional component, or by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it). A case in which each functional component of the information processing device 20 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described below.

[0062] FIG. 7 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The information processing device 20 can communicate with the commodity reading unit 101 and the photographing unit 150 via the input / output interface 1100 or the network interface 1120 .

[0067] 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.

[0068] The following describes the hardware configuration of the processing unit 131. The processing unit 131 of the commodity reading unit 101 may be realized by hardware that realizes the processing unit 131 (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.).

[0069] The hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the processing unit 131 is, for example, shown in Fig. 7 , similar to that of the information processing device 20. However, a storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the processing unit 131 stores a program module that realizes the functions of the processing unit 131. The processing unit 131 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 131.

[0070] FIG. 8 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, S22, S23, and S24. In step S23, one or more computers acquire the reading results obtained by the commodity reading unit 101. The commodity reading unit 101 is provided in an aisle 92 through which a person 90 intending to purchase a commodity passes, and reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity. In step S21, the one or more computers acquire an image including at least one of the reading area 111 of the commodity reading unit 101 and the periphery of the reading area 111. In step S24, the one or more computers use the reading results obtained by the commodity reading unit 101 to identify a commodity held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92. In step S22, the one or more computers control at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 and the method of identifying a commodity held by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92, based on the results of processing the image.

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, the control unit 230 controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 and the identification unit 250 based on the result of processing the image. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly identify the commodity carried by the person 90 who has passed through a predetermined passage 92 with high accuracy.

[0072] (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.

[0073] In this modified example, an example will be described in which the recognition unit 240 processes an image to recognize the state inside the aisle 92. In addition, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 240.

[0074] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 based on the recognition result for the image taken when the person 90 is present in the passage 92. In particular, it is preferable that the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 based on the recognition result for the image taken when the person 90 is present near the entrance to the passage 92.

[0075] The processes of the recognition unit 240 and the control unit 230 exemplified below may be performed independently or in combination with the processes described in the first embodiment. That is, the control unit 230 according to this embodiment may control the reading conditions using the results of recognizing the conditions around the aisle 92, as described in the first embodiment, and may also control the reading conditions using the results of recognizing the conditions inside the aisle 92.

[0076] Below, a third and fourth example of the method in which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 will be described.

[0077] <Third Example of Control> The recognition unit 240 processes the image to estimate the amount of merchandise carried by the person 90 passing through the passage 92. The control unit 230 controls the output strength of the radio waves from the merchandise reading unit 101 based on the estimated amount of merchandise.

[0078] When person 90 carries a large number of products, it becomes difficult to read the product information due to overlapping of the products, etc. Therefore, the control unit 230 increases the output strength of the radio waves from the product reading unit 101 as the number of products carried by person 90 increases.

[0079] For example, in the example of FIG. 4 , person 90 passes through aisle 92 with products in basket 900. The image captured by imaging unit 150 includes basket 900 and the products in basket 900. Recognition unit 240 recognizes basket 900 in the image obtained by imaging unit 150, and further estimates the amount of products in basket 900. Recognition unit 240 outputs information indicating the estimated amount of products. The amount of products estimated by recognition unit 240 is, for example, the volume of the products. Recognition unit 240 may output an index or level indicating the amount of products as information indicating the amount of products.

[0080] However, instead of using the basket 900, the person 90 may hold products directly in their hands. In this case, the recognition unit 240 estimates the amount of products that the person 90 is holding in their hands. The person 90 may also pass through the aisle 92 with products in a shopping bag. In this case, the recognition unit 240 estimates the amount of products in the shopping bag. The amount of products in the shopping bag can be estimated based on, for example, the size of the shopping bag or the degree of fullness of the shopping bag.

[0081] When the control unit 230 acquires information indicating the quantity of merchandise from the recognition unit 240, it controls the output of radio waves from the merchandise reading unit 101 based on the quantity of merchandise indicated by the information. Specifically, the greater the quantity of merchandise, the higher the output strength of the radio waves when the merchandise reading unit 101 performs reading. In the examples of Figures 4 and 5, for example, the greater the quantity of merchandise, the higher the output strength of all of the antennas 121a to 121d.

[0082] For example, first reference information (such as a table or a formula) indicating the relationship between the quantity of merchandise and the output strength of radio waves is stored in advance in a storage unit accessible by the control unit 230. The control unit 230 specifies the output strength using the first reference information and the quantity of merchandise estimated by the recognition unit 240. The control unit 230 then controls the merchandise reading unit 101 to output radio waves at the specified output strength.

[0083] In the fourth to sixth examples described below, the recognition unit 240 processes the image to estimate the state of the person 90 passing through the passage 92. Then, the control unit 230 controls the output intensity of the radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 based on the estimated state of the person 90.

[0084] <Fourth Example of Control> The recognition unit 240 estimates the manner in which the person 90 passing through the passage 92 is holding the product as the state of the person 90 passing through the passage 92. The control unit 230 controls the output intensity of the radio waves from the product reading unit 101 based on the manner in which the person 90 is holding the product.

[0085] The ease of reading the product information varies depending on how the person 90 holds the product. For example, when the person 90 holds the product directly in their hand (hereinafter also referred to as the "first method"), the product information is difficult to read due to the influence of radio wave reflection by the person 90. When the person 90 holds the product in a shopping bag (hereinafter also referred to as the "second method"), the product information is difficult to read due to the high density of the products. On the other hand, when the person 90 holds the product in a basket 900 (hereinafter also referred to as the "third method"), the product information is relatively easy to read. Therefore, when the person 90 holds the product in the first or second method, the control unit 230 increases the output strength of the radio waves from the product reading unit 101 compared to when the person 90 holds the product in the third method.

[0086] The image captured by the image capturing unit 150 includes a person 90 passing through an aisle 92. The recognition unit 240 recognizes the person 90 in the image captured by the image capturing unit 150, and further identifies (estimates) the manner in which the person 90 is holding the product. For example, the recognition unit 240 identifies whether the manner in which the person 90 is holding the product is the first method, the second method, or the third method described above. The recognition unit 240 then outputs information indicating the identified method. The information output by the recognition unit 240 may be information indicating any of the first method, the second method, and the third method.

[0087] When the control unit 230 acquires from the recognition unit 240 information indicating the manner in which the person 90 holds the product, the control unit 230 controls the output intensity of radio waves from the product reading unit 101 when the product reading unit 101 performs reading, based on the manner indicated by the information. For example, a storage unit accessible from the control unit 230 pre-stores second reference information (such as a table) indicating the relationship between the manner in which the person 90 holds the product (e.g., a first method, a second method, and a third method) and the output intensity of radio waves. The control unit 230 specifies the output intensity using the second reference information and the manner in which the person 90, identified by the recognition unit 240, holds the product. When the product reading unit 101 performs reading, the control unit 230 causes the product reading unit 101 to output radio waves at the specified output intensity.

[0088] <Fifth Example of Control> The recognition unit 240 estimates the speed at which the person 90 is moving as a state of the person 90 passing through the passage 92. The control unit 230 controls the output intensity of the radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 based on the speed of the person 90.

[0089] The ease of reading the product information varies depending on the speed of person 90. The faster person 90 passes through aisle 92, the more difficult it is to read the product information held by person 90. This is because the time available for reading is shorter. Therefore, the control unit 230 increases the output strength of the radio waves from the product reading unit 101 as the speed of person 90 increases.

[0090] The images captured by the image capturing unit 150 include the person 90 passing through the passage 92. In this example, the image capturing unit 150 captures multiple images while the person 90 moves through the passage 92. The image capturing unit 150 may also capture a video of the person 90. The recognition unit 240 recognizes the person 90 in the images obtained by the image capturing unit 150, and determines the speed of the person 90 using the recognition results for the multiple images. The recognition unit 240 then outputs information indicating the determined speed.

[0091] When the control unit 230 acquires information indicating the speed of the person 90 from the recognition unit 240, it controls the output of radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 based on the speed indicated by the information. For example, a storage unit accessible by the control unit 230 stores in advance third reference information (a table, a formula, or the like) indicating the relationship between the speed of the person 90 and the output strength of radio waves. The control unit 230 specifies the output strength using the third reference information and the speed of the person 90 specified by the recognition unit 240. When the commodity reading unit 101 performs reading, the control unit 230 causes the commodity reading unit 101 to output radio waves at the specified output strength.

[0092] <Sixth Example of Control> The recognition unit 240 estimates the side of the aisle 92 on which the person 90 is holding the product as a state of the person 90 passing through the aisle 92. The control unit 230 controls the output intensity of the radio waves from the commodity reading unit 101 based on the side on which the person 90 is holding the product.

[0093] 5 , when antennas 121 are provided on both sides of the aisle 92, the antenna 121 that can easily read product information varies depending on which side the person 90 is holding the product on. For example, when the person 90 is holding the product in his / her right hand, the product information is more likely to be read by the antenna 121 on the right side of the person 90. On the other hand, when the person 90 is holding the product in his / her left hand, the product information is more likely to be read by the antenna 121 on the left side of the person 90. Therefore, when the person 90 is holding the product in his / her right hand, the control unit 230 increases the output strength of radio waves from the antenna 121 located on the right side of the aisle 92 in the direction of travel. When the person 90 is holding the product in his / her left hand, the control unit 230 increases the output strength of radio waves from the antenna 121 located on the left side of the aisle 92 in the direction of travel.

[0094] The image captured by the image capturing unit 150 includes a person 90 passing through an aisle 92. The recognition unit 240 recognizes the person 90 in the image captured by the image capturing unit 150, and further identifies (estimates) on which side the person 90 is holding the product. Specifically, the recognition unit 240 identifies whether the person 90 is holding the product on their right or left side. Note that when the person 90 is holding the product on their right side, this includes a case where the person 90 is holding a basket 900 containing the product or a shopping bag on their right side. When the person 90 is holding the product on their left side, this includes a case where the person 90 is holding a basket 900 containing the product or a shopping bag on their left side. The recognition unit 240 then outputs information indicating on which side the person 90 is holding the product.

[0095] The control unit 230 acquires information from the recognition unit 240 indicating on which side the person 90 is holding the product. The control unit 230 controls the output intensity of radio waves from the multiple antennas 121 when the product reading unit 101 performs reading, based on whether the information acquired from the recognition unit 240 indicates "left side" or "right side." For example, when the control unit 230 acquires information indicating "right side," it increases the output intensity of radio waves from one or more antennas 121 located on the right side of the aisle 92 compared to the output intensity of radio waves from one or more antennas 121 located on the left side of the aisle 92. For example, when the control unit 230 acquires information indicating "left side," it increases the output intensity of radio waves from one or more antennas 121 located on the left side of the aisle 92 compared to the output intensity of radio waves from one or more antennas 121 located on the right side of the aisle 92.

[0096] The above describes the third to sixth examples of the method by which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101. However, the method by which the control unit 230 controls the reading conditions of the commodity reading unit 101 is not limited to these examples.

[0097] Next, the operation and effect of this modification will be described. In this modification, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0098] Second Embodiment A reading device 10 according to a second embodiment is the same as the reading device 10 according to at least one of the first embodiment and the modified example, except for the points described below.

[0099] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the control unit 230 controls the identification unit 250 based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 240. More specifically, the control unit 230 controls the processing for the identification unit 250 to identify product information of the target product based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 240.

[0100] However, the processing of the recognition unit 240 and the control unit 230 exemplified below may be performed independently, or may be performed in conjunction with the processing described in at least one of the first embodiment and the modified example.

[0101] The recognition unit 240 processes the image to detect a person 91 who has not passed through the aisle 92. The recognition unit 240 estimates the attributes of the detected person 91. The control unit 230 then controls the identification unit 250 to use the estimated attributes to identify the product held by the person 90 who has passed through the aisle 92.

[0102] 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the reading device 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 further includes an attribute information storage unit 201. However, the attribute information storage unit 201 may be provided outside the information processing device 20 or outside the reading device 10. When the attribute information storage unit 201 is provided inside the information processing device 20, the attribute information storage unit 201 is realized, for example, by using a storage device 1080 of a computer 1000 that realizes the information processing device 20.

[0103] The attribute information storage unit 201 stores a plurality of pieces of attribute information in advance, each piece associated with one or more pieces of product information. Here, the attribute information indicates, for example, gender, age group, height, weight, or a combination of one or more of these. Each piece of attribute information is associated with product information of a product that is likely to be purchased by a person with the attribute indicated by the attribute information. The attribute information can be associated with one or more pieces of product information based on a prior questionnaire survey, product features, sales performance, etc. The same product information may be associated with multiple pieces of attribute information.

[0104] As described in the first embodiment, the recognition unit 240 according to this embodiment detects a person 90 passing through the passage 92 by analyzing the image obtained by the imaging unit 150. When the recognition unit 240 according to this embodiment detects a person 90 passing through the passage 92, it estimates the attributes of the person 90.

[0105] Furthermore, the recognition unit 240 according to this embodiment detects a person 91 who has not passed through the aisle 92, similar to the second example of control described in the first embodiment. When the recognition unit 240 detects a person 91 who has not passed through the aisle 92, the recognition unit 240 estimates the attributes of the person 91. When the recognition unit 240 detects a person 91 who has not passed through the aisle 92, the control unit 230 causes the identification unit 250 to identify a target product based on the attributes of the person 91. For example, the control unit 230 causes the identification unit 250 to identify a target product as follows.

[0106] The identification unit 250 identifies, in the attribute information storage unit 201, one or more pieces of product information associated with attribute information corresponding to the attributes of the person 91 as a "first product information group." In addition, the identification unit 250 identifies, in the attribute information storage unit 201, one or more pieces of product information associated with attribute information corresponding to the attributes of the person 90 as a "second product information group."

[0107] As in the first embodiment, the first acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires from the commodity reading unit 101 the reading result of the commodity reading unit 101 obtained when the person 90 passes through the passage 92 .

[0108] The identification unit 250 identifies the target product using the reading result of the product reading unit 101, the first product information group, and the second product information group. Specifically, the identification unit 250 identifies product information that is included in the first product information group and not included in the second product information group from the one or more product information included in the reading result acquired by the first acquisition unit 210. Then, the identification unit 250 identifies one or more product information of the target product by excluding the identified product information from the one or more product information included in the reading result.

[0109] In this way, the identification unit 250 removes from the reading result the product information determined using the attribute information of the person 91. By doing so, it is possible to remove from the reading result the product information that is likely to be noise.

[0110] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 230 controls the identification unit 250 based on the recognition result for an image captured at a time when the person 90 is present in the passage 92 .

[0111] Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to this embodiment, the control unit 230 controls the identification unit 250 to identify the product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 using the estimated attributes of the person 91 who did not pass through the aisle 92. Therefore, the product carried by the person 90 who passed through the aisle 92 can be identified with higher accuracy.

[0112] Third Embodiment Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an overview of a checkout system 40 according to the third 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. The target product is a 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 embodiment, second embodiment, and variant examples.

[0113] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a checkout device 30 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 11, 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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 determined by the method described below.

[0116] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the environment in which the reading device 10 according to this embodiment is used. FIG. 12 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 for the person 90 to make a payment. 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.

[0117] <First example of identifying payment information> One example of the reading unit 160 is capturing an image of the person 90. The reading unit 160 captures, for example, an image of the face, fingerprint, or iris of the person 90. In other words, by capturing an image of the person 90, the reading unit 160 obtains information for identifying the person 90. Then, by performing authentication using the information for identifying the person 90, the checkout device 30 can identify the person 90. Note that in this example, the imaging unit 150 may also serve as the reading unit 160.

[0118] 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, or the person 90 immediately before or after passing through the aisle 92. 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] <Second Example of Identifying Payment Information> An example of the reading unit 160 is a reader that reads the member ID of 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 their member ID.

[0122] 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.

[0123] <Third Example of Identifying Payment Information> 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.

[0124] 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 area 111 of the commodity reading unit 101 provided in the reading device 10.

[0125] 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 .

[0126] 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. 7, 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.

[0127] Furthermore, when product information storage unit 301 and customer information storage unit 302 are each provided inside checkout device 30, product information storage unit 301 and customer information storage unit 302 are each realized using storage device 1080, for example.

[0128] 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.

[0129] In the checkout method according to this embodiment, one or more computers perform checkout processing for a target product. The target product is a product that is identified by the identification unit 250 included in the reading device 10 as a product held by a person 90 who has passed through an aisle 92.

[0130] 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 checkout device 30 performs checkout processing for target products that the identification unit 250 of the reading device 10 has identified as products held by a person 90 who has passed through an aisle 92. Therefore, by passing through an aisle 92, the product held by the person 90 can be identified, allowing for a smooth checkout process.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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: a commodity reading means provided in a passageway through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes, and reading commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity; an imaging means for capturing an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the commodity reading means and the periphery of the reading area; an identification means for identifying a commodity carried by a person passing through the passageway using the reading result of the commodity reading means; and a control means for controlling the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and at least one of the identification means based on the result of processing the image. 1-2. A reading device according to 1-1., wherein the reading conditions of the commodity reading means are at least one of the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means, the output direction of radio waves from the commodity reading means, and a reading threshold for the reception strength of the commodity reading means. 1-3. A reading device according to 1-1. or 1-2. 1-4. A reading device described in 1-3., further comprising a recognition means for recognizing the state of at least one of the periphery of the passage and the interior of the passage by processing the image, and the control means controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the identification means based on the recognition result of the recognition means. 1-4. A reading device described in 1-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect at least one of fixtures located around the passage and people not passing through the passage. 1-5. A reading device described in 1-4., wherein the recognition means processes the image to identify the positions of fixtures located around the passage, and the control means reduces the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means in at least the direction of the fixtures. 1-6. 1-4. wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect a person who has not passed through the passage and estimates attributes of the detected person; and the control means controls the identification means to use the estimated attributes to identify a commodity held by a person who has passed through the passage.1-7. A reading device as set forth in 1-4., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect a person who is not passing through the passage, and when a person who is not passing through the passage is detected, the control means reduces the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means at least in the direction of the person. 1-8. A reading device as set forth in 1-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to estimate the amount of merchandise carried by a person passing through the passage, and the control means controls the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated amount of merchandise. 1-9. A reading device as set forth in 1-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to estimate the state of a person passing through the passage, and the control means controls the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated state. 2-1. 2-2. An information processing device comprising: a commodity reading means that is provided in a passage through which a person intending to purchase a commodity passes and that reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity, a first acquisition means that acquires the read result; a second acquisition means that acquires an image including at least one of the read area of ​​the commodity reading means and the periphery of the read area; an identification means that uses the read result of the commodity reading means to identify a commodity carried by a person passing through the passage; and a control means that controls the read conditions of the commodity reading means and at least one of the identification means based on the result of processing the image. 2-2. An information processing device according to 2-1., wherein the read conditions of the commodity reading means are at least one of the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means, the output direction of radio waves from the commodity reading means, and a read threshold for the reception strength of the commodity reading means. 2-3. An information processing device according to 2-1. or 2-2. The information processing device according to the present invention further comprises a recognition means for recognizing a state of at least one of the periphery of the aisle and the inside of the aisle by processing the image, and the control means controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the identification means based on the recognition result of the recognition means.2-4. The information processing device described in 2-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect at least one of fixtures located in the vicinity of the passage and people who have not passed through the passage. 2-5. The information processing device described in 2-4., wherein the recognition means processes the image to identify the positions of fixtures located in the vicinity of the passage, and the control means reduces the output strength of radio waves from the product reading means in the direction of at least the fixtures. 2-6. The information processing device described in 2-4., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect people who have not passed through the passage and estimate attributes of the detected people, and the control means uses the estimated attributes to control the identification means to identify products carried by people who have passed through the passage. 2-7. 2-4. 2-8. The information processing device described in 2-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect a person who is not passing through the passage, and when a person who is not passing through the passage is detected, the control means reduces the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means in at least the direction of the person. 2-8. The information processing device described in 2-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to estimate the amount of merchandise carried by the person passing through the passage, and the control means controls the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated amount of merchandise. 2-9. The information processing device described in 2-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to estimate the state of the person passing through the passage, and the control means controls the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated state. 3-1. A checkout system comprising: the reading device described in any one of 1-1. to 1-9.; and a checkout device that performs checkout processing for the target merchandise identified by the identification means as being carried by the person who passed through the passage.4-1. A reading method comprising: reading product information from a wireless communication tag attached to a product with a product reading means provided in a passageway through which a person intending to purchase the product passes; capturing an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the reading area; identifying the product carried by the person passing through the passageway using the reading results of the product reading means; and controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the product reading means and the method of identifying the product carried by the person passing through the passageway based on the results of processing the image. 4-2. A reading method according to 4-1., wherein the reading conditions of the product reading means are at least one of the output strength of radio waves from the product reading means, the output direction of radio waves from the product reading means, and a reading threshold for the reception strength of the product reading means. 4-3. 4-1. or 4-2. 4-4. A reading method according to 4-3., further comprising recognizing the state of at least one of the periphery of the passage and the interior of the passage by processing the image, and the controlling comprises controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the identification method based on the result of the recognition. 4-4. A reading method according to 4-3., wherein the recognizing comprises detecting at least one of fixtures located around the passage and people not passing through the passage by processing the image. 4-5. A reading method according to 4-4., wherein the recognizing comprises identifying the positions of fixtures located around the passage by processing the image, and the controlling comprises reducing the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means in at least the direction of the fixtures. 4-6. A reading method according to 4-4. wherein the recognizing includes detecting a person who has not passed through the passage by processing the image, and estimating attributes of the detected person, and the controlling includes controlling the identification method to identify a commodity held by a person who has passed through the passage using the estimated attributes.4-7. A reading method according to 4-4, wherein the recognizing includes detecting a person who is not passing through the passage by processing the image, and the controlling includes, when a person who is not passing through the passage is detected, reducing the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means at least in the direction of the person. 4-8. A reading method according to 4-3, wherein the recognizing includes estimating the amount of merchandise carried by a person passing through the passage by processing the image, and the controlling includes controlling the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated amount of merchandise. 4-9. A reading method according to 4-3, wherein the recognizing includes estimating the state of a person passing through the passage by processing the image, and the controlling includes controlling the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated state. 5-1. 5-2. An information processing method in which one or more computers are provided in an aisle through which a person intending to purchase an item passes, and an item reading means that reads item information from a wireless communication tag attached to an item acquires the read result, acquires an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the item reading means and the periphery of the reading area, identifies an item carried by a person passing through the aisle using the read result of the item reading means, and controls at least one of the reading conditions of the item reading means and the method of identifying an item carried by a person passing through the aisle based on the result of processing the image. 5-2. An information processing method in accordance with 5-1, wherein the reading conditions of the item reading means are at least one of the output strength of radio waves from the item reading means, the output direction of radio waves from the item reading means, and a reading threshold for the reception strength of the item reading means.5-3. The information processing method set forth in 5-1. or 5-2., wherein the one or more computers further process the image to recognize the state of at least one of the periphery of the passage and the interior of the passage, and the one or more computers control at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the identification method based on the recognition result of the recognition means. 5-4. The information processing method set forth in 5-3., wherein the one or more computers process the image to detect at least one of fixtures located near the passage and people not passing through the passage. 5-5. The information processing method set forth in 5-4., wherein the one or more computers process the image to identify the position of fixtures located near the passage, and reduce the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means in at least the direction of the fixtures. 5-6. 5-4. 5-7. The information processing method described in 5-4., wherein the one or more computers process the image to detect a person not passing through the passage, estimate attributes of the detected person, and control the identification method to identify products carried by a person passing through the passage using the estimated attributes. 5-7. The information processing method described in 5-4., wherein the one or more computers process the image to detect a person not passing through the passage, and, when a person not passing through the passage is detected, reduce the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means in at least the direction of the person. 5-8. The information processing method described in 5-3., wherein the one or more computers process the image to estimate the amount of products carried by a person passing through the passage, and control the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated amount of products. 5-9. 5-3. wherein the one or more computers process the image to estimate the state of a person passing through the passage, and control the output intensity of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated state.6-1. A checkout method in which one or more computers perform checkout processing for a target product that the identification means provided in the reading device described in any one of 1-1. to 1-9. has identified as a product carried by a person who has passed through the passage. 7-1. A program that causes a computer to function as: a first acquisition means that is provided in a passage through which a person who intends to purchase a product passes and that acquires the read results read by product reading means that reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product; a second acquisition means that acquires an image including at least one of the read area of ​​the product reading means and the periphery of the read area; an identification means that uses the read results of the product reading means to identify a product carried by a person who has passed through the passage; and a control means that controls the read conditions of the product reading means and at least one of the identification means based on the results of processing the image. 7-2. 7-1. 7-3. A program in accordance with claim 7-1. or 7-2., wherein the reading conditions of the commodity reading means are at least one of the output strength of radio waves from the commodity reading means, the output direction of radio waves from the commodity reading means, and a reading threshold for the reception strength of the commodity reading means. 7-3. A program in accordance with claim 7-1. or 7-2., wherein the computer is further made to function as recognition means that recognizes the state of at least one of the periphery of the passage and the interior of the passage by processing the image, and the control means controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the identification means based on the recognition result of the recognition means. 7-4. A program in accordance with claim 7-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect at least one of fixtures located around the passage and people not passing through the passage. 7-5. 7-4. wherein the recognition means processes the image to identify the position of fixtures located around the aisle, and the control means reduces the output strength of radio waves from the product reading means in at least the direction of the fixtures.7-6. A program described in 7-4., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect a person who is not passing through the passage, and estimates attributes of the detected person, and the control means controls the identification means to identify products carried by a person who has passed through the passage using the estimated attributes. 7-7. A program described in 7-4., wherein the recognition means processes the image to detect a person who is not passing through the passage, and when a person who has not passed through the passage is detected, the control means reduces the output strength of radio waves from the product reading means in at least the direction of the person. 7-8. A program described in 7-3., wherein the recognition means processes the image to estimate the amount of products carried by a person passing through the passage, and the control means controls the output strength of radio waves from the product reading means based on the estimated amount of products. 7-9. 7-3. 8-1. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program described in any one of 7-1. to 7-9., wherein the recognition means estimates the state of a person passing through the passage by processing the image, and the control means controls the output intensity of radio waves from the commodity reading means based on the estimated state.

[0134] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Reading device 20 Information processing device 30 Checkout device 40 Checkout system 95 Fixture 100 Housing 101 Product reading unit 111 Reading area 121 Antenna 131 Processing unit 150 Photography unit 160 Reading unit 201 Attribute information storage unit 210 First acquisition unit 220 Second acquisition unit 230 Control unit 240 Recognition 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 product reading means provided in 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; an image capturing means for capturing an image including at least one of the reading area of ​​the commodity reading means and the periphery of the reading area; an identification means for identifying a commodity carried by a person who has passed through the passage using the reading result of the commodity reading means; a control means for controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the specifying means based on the result of processing the image; Equipped with Reading device.

2. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, Further provided is a recognition means for recognizing a state of at least one of the surroundings of the passage and the inside of the passage by processing the image, The control means controls at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the specifying means based on the recognition result of the recognition means. Reading device.

3. 3. The reading device according to claim 2, The recognition means processes the image to detect at least one of fixtures located around the passage and a person not passing through the passage. Reading device.

4. 3. The reading device according to claim 2, the recognition means processes the image to estimate the amount of merchandise carried by a person passing through the passage; The control means controls the output strength of the radio waves from the product reading means based on the estimated quantity of the product. Reading device.

5. a first acquisition means for acquiring a read result of a commodity reading means provided in a passage through which a person who intends to purchase a commodity passes and which reads commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity; a second acquisition means for acquiring an image including at least one of a reading area of ​​the commodity reading means and a periphery of the reading area; an identification means for identifying a commodity carried by a person who has passed through the passage using the reading result of the commodity reading means; a control means for controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the specifying means based on the result of processing the image; Equipped with Information processing device.

6. A reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; 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 product reading means provided in a passageway through which a person intending to purchase the product passes; capturing an image including at least one of a reading area of ​​the commodity reading means and a periphery of the reading area; Identifying a commodity carried by a person who has passed through the passage using the reading result of the commodity reading means; and controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the method of identifying the commodity carried by the person who has passed through the passage based on the result of processing the image. Contains Reading method.

8. One or more computers The product reading means is provided in an aisle through which a person who intends to purchase a product passes, and reads product information from a wireless communication tag attached to the product, and acquires the read result; acquiring an image including at least one of a reading area of ​​the commodity reading means and a periphery of the reading area; Using the reading result of the commodity reading means, a commodity carried by a person who has passed through the passage is identified; Based on the result of processing the image, at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the method of identifying the commodity carried by the person who passed through the passage is controlled. Information processing methods.

9. One or more computers The identification means provided in the reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 performs a checkout process for the target product identified as a product carried by a person who has passed through the passage. Accounting methods.

10. A computer, a first acquisition means for acquiring a read result of a commodity reading means provided in a passage through which a person who intends to purchase a commodity passes, the first acquisition means being configured to read commodity information from a wireless communication tag attached to the commodity; a second acquisition means for acquiring an image including at least one of a reading area of ​​the commodity reading means and a periphery of the reading area; an identification means for identifying a commodity carried by a person who has passed through the passage using the reading result of the commodity reading means; and a control means for controlling at least one of the reading conditions of the commodity reading means and the specifying means based on the result of processing the image; to function as program.