JP2006005765A - Radio wave direction changing device and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means capable of avoiding the problem caising when a radio wave obstacle exists in a straight line path for transmission and reception of radio wave signals and suppressing or preventing the occurrence of interference. <P>SOLUTION: This radio wave direction changing device 70 is provided with: a reflecting surface 72 for receiving a radio wave signal sent from a first position and reflecting the radio wave signal in the direction of a second position different from the first position; and an absorbing surface 74 formed on a surface other than the reflecting surface to absorb the radio wave signal. In this configuration, even though a radio wave obstacle 52 exists between a master station transmitter-receiver 60 and slave station transmitter-receivers 62 and 64 while the master station transmitter-receiver 60 is placed at the first position and the slave station transmitter-receivers 62 and 64 are placed at the second position, the reflection of the reflecting surface 72 is used to be able to make the radio wave signal reach a desired position by rounding the radio wave obstacle. In addition, since the absorbing surface 74 absorbs a radio wave signal going in an unwanted direction, interference can be prevented and suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system in a retail store or the like such as a supermarket, and also relates to a radio wave direction changing device used in such an information processing system.

  In recent years, in a supermarket or the like, a consumer searches for product attribute information (for example, price, manufacturer (producer), production location, raw material, usage method, cooking example, feature, etc.) to obtain the attribute information. The system is being used. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a system that searches for products that meet customer budget conditions and provides information about the prices of the products. In addition, in Patent Document 2, when the product information of the same classification as the product taken in the hand is desired, the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode reader, the product information of the product is provided, and the same classification is provided. The system which provides the merchandise information concerning the inside merchandise is described. Further, conventionally, a similar system using an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag instead of a bar code has been proposed.

  However, the configuration described above is relatively large because the input device, the display device, the control device, and the information storage device are integrated. For this reason, it is not preferable to install a large number in retail stores such as supermarkets because the sales floor area is reduced. Further, the control device and the information storage device form the center of the system, and it should be avoided to leave them on the sales floor as they are.

For this reason, it is desirable to arrange only the input device and the display device in the store floor, and arrange the control device and the information storage device in a separate room such as an office. In this case, since the facilities are complicated in a wired manner, means for connecting the control device, the input device, and the display device by wireless communication, that is, a wireless local area network (LAN) is preferable. More specifically, the master station transmission / reception device is connected to the control device in a wired manner, and the slave station transmission / reception device is connected to each input device and each display device to transmit / receive radio signals between the transmission / reception devices. The parent station transmission / reception device will be installed on the ceiling in a place with good visibility, for example, at a retail store, and the slave station transmission / reception device will be integrally attached to each of the input device and the display device.
JP 10-149392 A JP 2002-49968 A JP-A-6-169213

  However, in large retail stores and the like, a large number of tall product shelves are arranged, which may cause radio interference. That is, since the input device and the display device are placed in a narrow gap between the product shelves, it is conceivable that the radio signal emitted from the master station transmission / reception device is blocked by the product shelves.

  In addition, when a large number of input devices and display devices are arranged, a plurality of parent station transmission / reception devices are provided. However, when a plurality of parent station transmission / reception devices are provided, the problem of interference increases.

  For such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to apply a rotating direction changing device (reflecting plate) as disclosed in Patent Document 3, but in this device, radio wave signals are irregularly reflected, and However, there is a problem that radio wave transmission / reception becomes discontinuous and radio wave interference is likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to avoid a problem in the case where a radio wave obstacle exists in a linear path for transmission / reception of radio wave signals, and to suppress or prevent interference. It is to provide means.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a reflection surface that receives a radio signal emitted from a first position and reflects in a direction of a second position different from the first position, and other than the reflection surface And a radio wave direction changing device including an absorption surface that absorbs radio wave signals.

  In this configuration, even if there is a radio wave obstruction in the straight line between the transmitting and receiving apparatuses, it is possible to bypass the radio wave signal using reflection and reach a desired position. In addition, since radio signals that travel in unnecessary directions are absorbed by the absorption surface, interference can be prevented and suppressed.

  It is effective for the reflecting surface to have a shape that receives a radio signal emitted from the first position and reflects it in a wide angle. As such a shape, for example, a convex shape can be considered. This is because the degree of freedom of the installation position of the transmission / reception device can be improved by widening the reach of the radio signal.

  Further, when the reflecting surface is concave, for example, the radio signal can be converged even if the radio signal from the first position is weak, so that the radio signal can be reliably propagated to the second position. It becomes possible.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the radio wave direction changing device having the above-described configuration is applied to an information processing system such as a system for searching for product information. That is, in the information processing system according to the present invention in such an aspect, an information storage unit storing attribute information for each of a plurality of objects, a plurality of input units for inputting an identifier of the object, and an identifier of the object are input. Connected to the input means, a control means for retrieving and extracting the attribute information of the object from the information storage means, a plurality of display means for displaying the attribute information extracted by the control means, A transmitting unit that transmits a radio signal corresponding to the identifier input to the input unit, and a radio unit that is connected to the control unit, receives a radio signal emitted from the transmitting unit, and corresponds to attribute information extracted by the control unit Information processing system comprising transmission / reception means for transmitting radio wave signals, and reception means for receiving radio wave signals emitted from the transmission / reception means and connected to display means In this case, when there is a radio wave obstruction on the first straight line connecting the transmission unit and the transmission / reception unit, the radio wave direction changing device is configured to reflect the radio signal from the transmission unit to the transmission / reception unit. When a radio wave obstacle exists on the second straight line connecting the transmission / reception means and the reception means, the radio signal from the transmission / reception means is received and reflected to the reception means. As described above, the radio wave direction changing device is arranged at a position different from the position on the second straight line.

  The radio wave direction changing device between the transmission / reception unit and the transmission unit and the radio wave direction changing device between the transmission / reception device and the reception unit may be common.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the input unit and the control unit and / or the control unit and the display unit are connected to each other wirelessly. This is because, by appropriately connecting these means, the space for installing them can be reduced, and the layout can be easily changed.

  Further, it is effective to use an RFID tag for inputting an identifier and use an RFID tag reader as an input means. This is because non-contact identifier input is possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, for example, even if a radio wave obstacle exists between the master station transmitter / receiver and the slave station transmitter / receiver, the radio wave can be bypassed and reach, and interference can be prevented. Can be suppressed. Therefore, even in a region where there are many radio wave obstacles such as a supermarket, it is possible to connect the control unit, the input unit and the display unit, which are terminals, with no problem with the wireless LAN.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, in order to distinguish the same element, it demonstrates by attaching | subjecting a subscript suitably.

  1 and 2 are diagrams showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment provides consumers with various product information such as advertisements and product (object) attribute information in a large retail store such as a supermarket, for example, in response to consumer demand. Yes, basically, a plurality of display devices (display means) 10 for displaying product information and a plurality of input devices (input means) for inputting product identifiers (ID = IDentification) related to product information desired by consumers 20, an information storage device (information storage means) 30 that stores product information, and a control device (control means) that controls and processes information transmission and the like for the display device 10, the input device 20, and the information storage device 30. 40.

  The display device 10 is preferably a device that can display visual information such as characters and symbols such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. However, for a blind person, a device that can output audio information such as a speaker, And visual information may be switchable. Moreover, it can also be set as the display apparatus by printing like a printer.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one display device 10 is installed on the front and the back of a plurality of product shelves 52 arranged in parallel in a two-row column in the store 50 of the store. To do. The product shelf 52 is a vertical and tall one, and the display device 10 is preferably arranged so as to be approximately at the height of the eyes of the consumer.

  In the present embodiment, the product identifier is registered in advance in an RFID tag attached to the product. Therefore, the input device 20 includes a so-called RFID tag reader. The RFID tag reader can receive a radio wave signal (identifier signal) corresponding to an identifier emitted from the RFID tag, and an identifier can be input in a non-contact manner by placing the product, that is, the RFID tag within the receiving range of the reader. Can be done.

  In this embodiment, since the input device 20 is provided corresponding to each display device 10, one input device 20 is installed on the front surface and the back surface of each product shelf 52. As described above, since the input device 20 reads the product identifier by bringing the product held by the consumer close to the input device 20, the input device 20 is preferably disposed slightly below the display device 10.

  The control device 40 includes a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores program data for the CPU to control operations, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data to be processed by the CPU. When a radio signal corresponding to a product identifier is input from the input device 20, the attribute information of the product is retrieved from the information storage device 30 and extracted.

  The information storage device 30 stores one or more types of attribute information in advance for each of all products handled in the store. The attribute information includes, for example, price, manufacturer (producer), production place, raw material, usage method, cooking example, and characteristics. The information storage device 30 is generally a hard disk device, but may be composed of a CD (compact disk), MO (magneto-optical disk), DVD (digital video disk) or the like. The product attribute information extracted by the control device 40 from the information storage device 30 is displayed on the display device 10 via the control device 40.

  Further, in the present embodiment, transmission / reception of signals between the control device 40 and the display device 10 and between the control device 40 and the input device 20 is performed by radio communication using radio waves, so-called wireless LAN. Yes. That is, the information processing system 100 includes at least one master station transmission / reception device (transmission / reception means, first position or second position) 60 connected to the control device 40 by wire. Further, slave station transceivers 62 and 64 that transmit and receive radio signals to and from the master station transceiver 60 are attached to the display device 10 and the input device 20, respectively. The slave station transmitting / receiving device (receiving means; second position or first position) 62 of the display device 10 has a main function of reception. On the other hand, the slave station transmitting / receiving device (transmitting means, second position or first position) 64 of the input device 20 has a main function of transmission. In the illustrated embodiment, one horizontal row in FIG. 2 is considered as one group, and one master station transmission / reception device 60 is provided for each group A and B.

  When the control device 40 and the display device 10 and the input device 20 are connected by wire, the control device 40 and the information storage device 30 associated therewith are arranged in the vicinity of the display device 10 and the input device 20, and the sales floor 50 This will reduce the area. Moreover, about the control apparatus 40 and the information storage device 30, the situation situation which persons other than the person concerned in a shop can touch is not preferable. However, if the control device 40 and the information storage device 30 can be separated from the display device 10 and the input device 20 by using a wireless LAN as in the present embodiment, the control device 40 and the information storage device 30 are connected to the sales floor 52. It becomes possible to arrange in another area, for example, the office room of a store, and the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

  As understood from FIG. 1, the master station transmission / reception device 60 is attached to the ceiling. The master station transmission / reception device 60 is omnidirectional, and can perform transmission / reception with respect to the display device 10 and the slave station transmission / reception devices 62 and 64 of the input device 20 located in a range that can be seen from the transmission / reception device 60. In the illustrated embodiment, transmission / reception of the slave station transmission / reception devices 62a and 64a located in the immediate vicinity of the master station transmission / reception device 60 is possible.

  On the other hand, there are the display device 10 and the input device 20 that are not located in a range where the product shelf 52 becomes a radio wave obstacle and is visible from the master station transmission / reception device 60. In order to satisfactorily communicate between the slave station transceivers 62b and 64b and the master station transceiver 60 at such positions, according to the present invention, a straight line connecting the master station transceiver 60 and the slave station transceivers 62b and 64b. A position separated from the first straight line shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and the second straight line shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 (both straight lines are shown only for one slave station transmitting / receiving device 62b and one 64b). In addition, a radio wave direction changing device 70 that changes the direction of the radio signal is provided. The mounting direction of the radio wave direction changing device 70 extends from the master station transmitting / receiving device 60 and does not include a radio wave obstacle, and the straight line extends from each of the slave station transmitting / receiving devices 62b and 64b and does not include a radio wave obstacle. Is the position where In the present embodiment, the radio wave direction changing device 70 is 1 for each gap between the product shelves 52 (except directly below the master station transmitting / receiving device 60. Also, between the product shelves at the end and the inner wall of the sales floor 52). Each table is provided and fixed to the ceiling above the gap. Further, since the radio wave direction changing device 70 itself can be an obstacle, as is understood from FIG. 2, the radio wave direction changing device 70 is not aligned on a single straight line extending from the master station transmitting / receiving device.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the radio wave direction changing device 70. The illustrated radio wave direction changing device 70 is formed from a plate-like member, and a reflective surface 72 is formed on one surface thereof by applying a reflective material that reflects radio wave signals. The reflection surface 72 allows the radio signal from the master station transceiver device 60 to propagate to the slave station transceiver devices 62b and 64b or the radio signal from the slave station transceiver devices 62b and 64b to the master station transceiver device 60. It has become. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, radio wave propagation will be described only in the direction from the master station transceiver device 60 to the slave station transceiver devices 62 and 64.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the radio wave direction changing device 70 refracts a radio wave signal that travels substantially horizontally along the ceiling from the parent station transmission / reception device 60, so that the reflection surface 72 and the ceiling surface are 30 degrees to It is preferable that the angle is 60 degrees, preferably 45 degrees. This angle does not need to be constant, and it is preferable that the angle can be adjusted so that the radio wave intensity can be changed.

  In addition, two display devices 10 and two input devices 20 are provided in each gap between the product shelves 52, and both are separated in the horizontal direction. In order to propagate the radio signal to the slave station transmitting / receiving devices 62b and 64b for the devices 10 and 20, the reflection surface 72 of the radio wave direction changing device 70 is connected to the target master station transmitting / receiving device 60 and the slave station transmitting / receiving devices 62b and 64b. The shape is curved in a convex shape. Considering that the positions of the display device 10 and the input devices 20 at the sales floor 50 and the number of installed devices may be changed, it is effective to distribute the radio signal over the entire gap between the product shelves 52. It can also be sent locally. Therefore, the shape of the reflecting surface 72 can be changed as appropriate, and may be flat, concave, or uneven.

  Further, the radio wave direction changing device 70 is made of a radio wave absorbing material such as a foamed resin or a ferrite-containing resin, or the surface opposite to the reflecting surface 72 is coated with the radio wave absorbing material. An absorbing surface 74 for absorbing is formed. Thereby, the radio wave direction changing device 70 belonging to one group (for example, group A) absorbs the radio wave signal from the master station transmitting / receiving device 60 belonging to the other group (group B) to prevent or suppress so-called interference. It becomes possible. Further, the absorption surface 74 of the radio wave direction changing device 70 not only absorbs the direct radio wave signal from the master station transmission / reception device 60 as described above, but also can absorb a variety of irregularly reflected radio waves. It is also possible to prevent radio interference due to various factors.

  As described above, since the master station transmission / reception device 60 in this embodiment is omnidirectional, most of the radio signals emitted from the master station transmission / reception device 60 travel to the radio wave direction change device 70 along the ceiling. It is not limited, and is considered to cause interference. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an adjustment plate 80 is disposed below each parent station transmission / reception device 60. The adjustment plate 80 has a reflection surface 82 on the upper surface. As a result, the radio wave signal emitted obliquely downward from the master station transmitter / receiver 60 is reflected, so that the radio wave intensity in the vicinity of the ceiling is improved, and the radio wave direction changing device 70 reliably propagates to the slave station transmitter / receivers 62b and 64b. As a result, interference will be prevented and suppressed. Further, the central portion of the adjustment plate has an opening 84 so that a radio signal emitted from the parent station transmission / reception device 60 is sent to the lower display device 10 and the slave station transmission / reception devices 62a and 64a of the input device 20. ing. Note that it is preferable to use a radio wave absorbing surface other than the upper surface of the adjusting plate 80. In addition, the upper surface of the adjustment plate 80 can also be a radio wave absorbing surface to prevent radio signals from being scattered in useless directions, thereby preventing interference due to irregular reflection.

  Next, the operation of the information processing system configured as described above will be described.

  First, for example, when a consumer in front of the product shelf 52a wants attribute information of the product in front of the customer, the consumer takes the product out of the product shelf 52 and uses a nearby input device (for RFID tags). Leader 20a is moved closer (see the three-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Thereby, the identifier recorded on the RFID tag attached to the product is input to the input device 20a without contact. As a result, the input device 20a transmits a radio signal corresponding to the product identifier from the slave station transmitting / receiving device 64b. Since the slave station transmission / reception device 64b is located almost immediately below the radio wave direction changing device 70a, the radio wave signal is reflected by the radio wave direction changing device 70a and received by the parent station transmission / reception device 60 of the same group. Then, the signal received by the master station transmission / reception device 60 is input to the control device 40. The control device 40 searches and extracts the attribute information of the target product from the information storage device 30 based on the identifier related to this signal. Thereafter, the control device 40 causes the master station transmitting / receiving device 60 to transmit a radio signal corresponding to the information. The signal transmitted from the master station transmission / reception device 60 is sent to all the slave station transmission / reception devices 62 of the same group, but also includes identification information of the display device 10 to be displayed, and therefore the input device 20a to which the identifier is input. The attribute information of the product is displayed on the display device 10a that is paired with.

  During transmission / reception of radio wave signals, as described above, the radio wave absorption function of the radio wave direction changing device 70 suppresses interference with the parent station transmission / reception device 60 and the slave station transmission / reception devices 62 and 64 to other groups. Is prevented.

  In a state where the product identifier is not input to the input device 20, it is preferable that, for example, an advertisement information signal is issued from the control device 40 and the advertisement is displayed on the display device 10. In this way, consumers can view detailed information and advertisements about individual products that they want to purchase from the display device 10, making it possible to easily select products, and for the store side to effectively purchase. There is an effect that can be caused to.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described in detail, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

  For example, like the radio wave direction changing device 170 shown in FIG. 4A, the reflecting surface 172 may be limited to the central portion, and all other portions may be the absorbing surface 174. Other shapes of the radio wave direction changing device include those obtained by bending both ends of a rectangular plate material, such as the radio wave direction changing device 270 shown in FIG. 4B, or the radio wave shown in FIG. There are various conceivable ones, such as a plate material curved in the longitudinal direction as in the direction changing device 370, a plate material curved in the short direction (not shown), or a combination of them appropriately. The shape of the plate material itself is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a shape with rounded corners, a triangle shape, a polygonal shape with five or more corners, an elliptical shape, a circular shape, or the like. The shape of the curve may be a curve composed of a polynomial or a combination of curves represented by a polynomial. Furthermore, a semi-conical shape as shown in FIG. In the case of the semi-conical radio wave direction changing device 470, if the inner surface is the absorbing surface 474 and the outer surface is the reflecting surface 472, the radio signal can be propagated more widely.

  In the above embodiment, the radio wave direction changing device 70 is fixed to the ceiling. However, the position can be changed as appropriate, and can be installed on the product shelf 52. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, by allowing a bendable support arm 290 to be interposed between the ceiling and the radio wave direction changing device 270, the direction and position of the radio wave direction changing device 270 can be adjusted. be able to. In this case, when the positions of the transmission / reception devices 60, 62, and 64 are changed, it is possible to respond quickly and easily.

  Furthermore, the master station transmission / reception device 60 and the slave station transmission / reception devices 62 and 64 are not limited to omnidirectionality, and directional devices may be used. Furthermore, the information processing system and radio wave direction changing apparatus according to the present invention can be used when managing stored items in a warehouse or the like.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the information processing system by this invention schematically, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in alignment with the II line | wire of FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly the state which looked at the downward direction from the surface of the ceiling of the information processing system of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the electromagnetic wave direction change apparatus which can be applied to the information processing system of FIG.1 and FIG.2 which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows various embodiment of an electromagnetic wave direction change apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display apparatus (display means), 20 ... Input device (input means), 30 ... Information storage apparatus (information storage means), 40 ... Control apparatus (control means), 50 ... Sales floor, 52 ... Merchandise shelf (radio wave obstruction) ), 60... Master station transceiver (transmitter / receiver), 62... Slave station transceiver (receiver), 64... Slave station transceiver (transmitter), 70, 170, 270, 370, 470. 72, 472 ... reflecting surface, 74, 474 ... absorbing surface, 80 ... adjusting plate, 82 ... reflecting surface, 84 ... opening, 100 ... information processing system.

Claims (7)

A reflection surface that receives a radio wave signal emitted from the first position and reflects in a direction of a second position different from the first position;
A radio wave direction changing apparatus comprising: an absorption surface that absorbs a radio wave signal and is formed on a surface other than the reflection surface.   The radio wave direction changing device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection surface has a shape that receives a radio wave signal emitted from the first position and reflects the wide angle signal.   The radio wave direction changing device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is convex.   The radio wave direction changing device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is concave. Information storage means for storing attribute information for each of a plurality of objects;
A plurality of input means for inputting an identifier of the object;
Control means for retrieving and extracting attribute information of the object from the information storage means when an identifier of the object is input by the input means;
A plurality of display means for displaying the attribute information extracted by the control means;
Transmitting means connected to the input means and transmitting a radio signal corresponding to the identifier input to the input means;
A transmission / reception means connected to the control means for receiving a radio signal emitted from the transmission means and transmitting a radio signal corresponding to the attribute information extracted by the control means;
Receiving means connected to the display means for receiving a radio signal emitted from the transmitting / receiving means;
An information processing system comprising:
What is said on the first straight line so that a radio wave signal from the transmission means is received and reflected by the transmission / reception means when there is a radio wave obstacle on the first straight line connecting the transmission means and the transmission / reception means? The radio wave direction changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and / or arranged at a different position.
What is said on the second straight line so that when there is a radio wave obstacle on the second straight line connecting the transmission / reception means and the reception means, the radio signal from the transmission / reception means is received and reflected by the reception means? An information processing system comprising the radio wave direction changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 disposed at another position.   The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the input unit and the control unit and / or the control unit and the display unit are connected to each other wirelessly.   The information processing system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the input means is an RFID tag reader.

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