Wireless Tag Reader Preliminary Scanning to Reduce Registration Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reading apparatuses face communication errors due to blocked radio waves from commodities, leading to incomplete registration of wireless tags attached to items in a shopping basket, as the tags may not face the reader directly.
Innovation Solution
A POS terminal equipped with a wireless tag reader that emits radio waves and a processor to control the reading process, detecting tags based on returned radio waves and registering commodity codes before items are placed in a predetermined area, ensuring accurate reading by positioning the reader to face the scale and its periphery, thereby covering the area where commodities are placed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless tags are read only after commodities are placed in the dedicated area, then the reading process is simple, but communication errors occur due to blocked radio waves
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reading of wireless tags before commodities are placed in the dedicated area. The reader continuously scans and reads tags on commodities in the shopping basket before placement, ensuring that tag data is captured even if the tag orientation is not optimal at the time of placement. This preliminary action prevents communication errors that would occur if reading only happened after placement.
2Device complexity
If the reader is positioned to face only the dedicated area, then the device structure is simple, but tags on commodities cannot be read accurately due to blocked radio waves
Solution Approach 1:
The system expands the reading coverage from a single directional focus (only the dedicated area) to multiple spatial dimensions. By continuously scanning and reading tags in the broader shopping area before placement, the system captures tag data from various angles and positions, ensuring accurate reading even when the final tag orientation relative to the reader is not optimal.
3Device complexity
If reading is performed only when the tag directly faces the reader, then the reading mechanism is simple, but registration is incomplete due to tag orientation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous tag reading operations in the shopping area before commodities are placed in the dedicated area. This continuous scanning ensures that tag information is captured regardless of temporary orientation issues. The reading process is not interrupted by placement actions, maintaining continuous data capture to prevent information loss.
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 the accuracy of commodity registration by reading tags both before and during placement, increasing the chances of successful communication and reducing errors caused by wave blockages, thus improving the overall registration process.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless tag reader configured to emit a radio wave and read information in a radio wave returned from a wireless tag
Data Source
AI summary
A reading apparatus for reading a wireless tag attached to a commodity includes a wireless tag reader configured to emit a radio wave and read information in a radio wave returned from a wireless tag, and a processor configured to control the wireless tag reader to emit the radio wave, upon detection of radio waves returned from one or more wireless tags, determine one or more commodity codes based on information contained in the radio waves, and upon detection of at least one commodity placed in a predetermined area, register the one or more commodity codes determined within a predetermined time prior to the placement of said at least one commodity in the predetermined area.