Self-Checkout RFID Antenna Positioning for Tag Reading Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-checkout systems face inefficiencies due to customers needing to manually scan code symbols on commodities, which increases burden and time, especially with multiple items, reducing processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A self-checkout apparatus with a reading module that uses a moving RFID antenna to read wireless tags on commodities within a storage room, allowing for collective and efficient data collection by adjusting its communication range and angle to ensure accurate reading of tags, even when positioned awkwardly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scanner is used to read code symbols on commodities, then commodity information can be read, but the customer needs to manually locate and scan each code symbol one by one, increasing operation burden and time
Solution Approach 1:
The reading apparatus is divided into a fixed section and a movable section. The movable section can be positioned at different locations to read wireless tags on commodities placed in different positions within the storage room, enabling segmented reading of multiple commodities without manual scanning
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically reads wireless tags on commodities when they are placed in the storage room without requiring customer intervention. The reading apparatus autonomously performs the reading operation, eliminating the need for customers to manually scan code symbols
2Reliability
If a fixed antenna is used for reading wireless tags, then the reading position is fixed, but commodities placed in awkward positions cannot be read accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The reading apparatus incorporates a movable section that can be dynamically positioned at different locations within the storage room. This dynamic positioning capability allows the antenna to adapt to various commodity positions and orientations, ensuring reliable tag reading regardless of where commodities are placed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of the reading apparatus by moving the movable section to different positions and orientations. This parameter adjustment enables the antenna to optimize its reading angle and distance for commodities in various positions, maintaining reading reliability across diverse scenarios
3Productivity
If customers manually scan code symbols for multiple commodities, then each commodity can be registered, but the operation burden and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The reading apparatus automatically performs tag reading operations without requiring customer actions. Customers simply place commodities in the storage room, and the system autonomously reads the wireless tags and registers the commodities, dramatically simplifying the operation process
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple reading operations into a single automated process. Instead of requiring separate scanning actions for each commodity, the reading apparatus continuously and automatically reads tags on all commodities in the storage room, merging multiple discrete operations into one unified automated workflow
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances processing efficiency by allowing for rapid and accurate reading of multiple commodity tags without manual scanning, reducing customer burden and time spent on sales registration and checkout.
Implementation Method 1
a reading module configured to read information of a wireless tag from a commodity attached with the wireless tag
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, a self-checkout apparatus comprises a reading module configured to read information of a wireless tag from a commodity attached with the wireless tag and housed in a storage room, and a data processing module configured to carry out sales registration and checkout processing of the commodity of which the wireless tag information is read by the reading module; wherein the reading module includes, inside the storage room, an antenna section for reading the information of the wireless tag from the commodity housed in the storage room, and a moving section for changing communication range of the antenna section with the wireless tag.