JP2006085216A - Information reader, information writer, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor adapted so that a reader/writer for wireless tag can be set even in a narrow store or the like, and thus capable of being set without considering a bad influence on the appearance in the store. <P>SOLUTION: In this information processor, a transmitting and receiving antenna 10 and a signal processing part 4 including a processing circuit executing transmitting and receiving processing for performing transmission and receipt of information with a wireless tag by radio communication through the antenna 10 are buried in a floor 2 on which a shopping cart with the wireless tag attached thereto or the like is moved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field of an information reading device, an information writing device, and an information processing device, and more specifically, an information reading device and an information writing device that exchange information by wireless communication, and information including these devices It belongs to the technical field of processing equipment.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, development has been actively conducted on so-called wireless tags that are attached to individual products that are distributed and that transmit and receive information for identifying the products by wireless communication.

  Here, in general, the wireless tag exhibits its function by being used together with an information writing device that writes information to the wireless tag by wireless communication or an information reading device that reads information from the wireless tag by wireless communication, Recently, an experiment for application to distribution management of baggage at an airport has begun.

  Here, in general, the information writing device and the information reading device in a system including a conventional wireless tag are generally provided, for example, at a baggage doorway in a store or an airport. The information writing device or the information reading device is collectively referred to as a reader / writer hereinafter.

  On the other hand, in recent years, for example, it is becoming common to purchase and store foods used for the next week on the weekend for a week, and so-called shopping carts are used for such large-scale shopping. Is normal.

  Therefore, a wireless tag storing cart identification information for identifying the shopping cart itself from other shopping carts is also attached to the shopping cart itself, and in a passage provided in the store for passing the shopping cart. The cart identification information is exchanged wirelessly between the installed reader / writer and the radio tag, and in addition, information from the radio tag attached to the product put in the shopping cart. By using together, it is considered that, for example, various sales promotion information, information that becomes a clue when changing the product arrangement in the store, and the like can be collected.

  However, many of the above-mentioned conventional reader / writers are large and have a conspicuous shape. If such a reader / writer is installed in a passage in a store, especially when the store itself is small, it is used for a shopping cart. There is a problem that the passage itself becomes narrow and the aesthetic appearance on the product arrangement may be impaired.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the problem is that it is possible to install a reader / writer for a wireless tag even in a narrow store or the like, and to adversely affect the aesthetics in the store. An object of the present invention is to provide an information reading apparatus and an information writing apparatus that can be installed without consideration, and an information processing apparatus including these apparatuses.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the information is recorded from information recording means such as a wireless tag that is provided in a mobile body such as a shopping cart and records information that can be read by wireless communication. In the information reading apparatus that performs reading by the wireless communication, a signal processing for reading the information from the information recording unit by the wireless communication via the reception antenna embedded in the surface of the passage through which the moving body moves and the reception antenna Reading means such as a scanning unit.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna that receives information from the information recording means by wireless communication is embedded in the surface of the passage, the receiving antenna does not disturb the movement of the moving body that moves in the passage, and There is no loss of aesthetics.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 2 further includes power supply means such as a battery for supplying power to the reading means in the information reading apparatus according to claim 1.

  Therefore, since the power supply means is provided by itself, it is not necessary to provide a large-scale power supply facility for centrally supplying power.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 3 is the information reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reception antenna is a loop antenna embedded in the surface. The

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is a loop antenna embedded in the plane of the passage, information in the low / medium frequency band can be received with high sensitivity.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 4 is the information reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reception antenna is a bar-type antenna embedded in the surface. Is done.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is a bar antenna embedded in the plane of the passage, information in a high frequency band can be received with high sensitivity.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 5 is the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable body is a shopping cart, and the surface is It is comprised so that it may be the floor surface of the said channel | path for the said shopping cart provided in the shop where the said shopping cart is used.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is installed on the passage floor in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information reading apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the receiving antenna is installed on the surface of the floor surface.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is installed on the surface of the passage floor in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 7 is the information reading device according to claim 5, wherein the receiving antenna is made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. It is buried in.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is embedded in the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 8 is the information reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the floor surface is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication, The receiving antenna is installed on the back surface of the floor surface.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is installed behind the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 9 is the information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable body is a shopping cart, and the surface is It is comprised so that it may be the wall surface which comprises the said channel | path for the said shopping cart provided in the shop where the said shopping cart is used.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is installed on the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 10 is the information reader according to claim 9, wherein the receiving antenna is installed on the surface of the wall surface.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is installed on the surface of the passage wall surface in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 11 is the information reading device according to claim 9, wherein the reception antenna is provided in the wall surface made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. Buried.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is embedded in the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 12 is the information reading device according to claim 9, wherein the wall surface is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication, and A receiving antenna is installed on the back surface of the wall surface.

  Therefore, since the receiving antenna is installed behind the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 13 is configured such that in the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the information recording means is a wireless tag. .

  Therefore, information from the wireless tag attached to the mobile object can be received effectively.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the information is stored in an information recording means such as a wireless tag provided in a mobile body such as a shopping cart and capable of writing information by wireless communication. In the information writing apparatus that performs writing by the wireless communication, the information is recorded to the information recording unit by the transmission antenna installed on the surface of the path through which the moving body moves and the wireless communication through the transmission antenna. Writing means such as a signal processor for writing.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna for transmitting information from the information writing means by wireless communication is installed on the surface of the passage, the transmitting antenna does not hinder the movement of the moving body moving in the passage, and the There is no loss of the beauty of the passage.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 15 is the information writing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising power supply means such as a battery for supplying power to the writing means. Prepare.

  Therefore, since the power supply means is provided by itself, it is not necessary to provide a large-scale power supply facility for centrally supplying power.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 16 is the information writing device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the transmission antenna is a loop antenna installed on the surface. Is done.

  Therefore, since the transmission antenna is a loop antenna installed in the plane of the passage, information in the low / medium frequency band can be transmitted with high sensitivity.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 17 is the information writing device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the transmission antenna is a bar antenna installed on the surface. Composed.

  Therefore, since the transmission antenna is a bar antenna installed in the plane of the passage, information in a high frequency band can be transmitted with high sensitivity.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention according to claim 18 is the information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the movable body is a shopping cart, and the surface is The floor of the aisle for the shopping cart provided in the store where the shopping cart is used.

  Therefore, since the transmission antenna is installed on the passage floor in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmission antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the movement path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention described in claim 19 according to the information writing apparatus described in claim 18, the transmitting antenna is installed on the surface of the floor surface.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna is installed on the surface of the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmitting antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 20 is the information writing device according to claim 18, wherein the transmitting antenna is made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. It is buried inside.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna is embedded in the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmitting antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention according to claim 21, in the information writing device according to claim 18, the floor surface is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. The transmitting antenna is installed on the back surface of the floor surface.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna is installed behind the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 22 is the information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the movable body is a shopping cart, and the surface is The shopping cart is configured to be a wall surface constituting the passage for the shopping cart provided in the store where the shopping cart is used.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna is installed on the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmitting antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention described in claim 23, in the information writing device described in claim 22, the transmitting antenna is installed on the surface of the wall surface.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna is installed on the surface of the passage wall surface in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmitting / receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in an invention according to claim 24, in the information writing device according to claim 22, the transmitting antenna is provided in the wall surface made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. It is buried in.

  Therefore, since the transmitting antenna is embedded in the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmitting antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 25 is the information writing device according to claim 22, wherein the wall surface is formed of a material that transmits the radio wave for wireless communication. The transmitting antenna is installed on the back surface of the wall surface.

  Therefore, since the transmission antenna is installed behind the wall of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the transmission antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the movement path of the shopping cart.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 26 is the information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the information recording means is a wireless tag. The

  Therefore, information can be effectively transmitted to the wireless tag attached to the mobile object.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 27 is the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and the information according to any one of claims 14 to 26. An information processing apparatus including a writing device, wherein the reception antenna and the transmission antenna are integrated, and a transmission / reception antenna installed on the surface is provided.

  Therefore, since information is transmitted and received by one antenna, information can be effectively transmitted and received while saving the installation place.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the receiving antenna for receiving information from the information recording means by wireless communication is installed on the surface of the passage, the movement of the moving body in which the receiving antenna moves in the passage There is no hindrance and the appearance of the passage is not impaired.

  Therefore, even when the passage is narrow, the receiving antenna can be installed without impairing its beauty.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, since the power supply means is provided by itself, it is necessary to provide a large-scale power supply facility for centrally supplying power. There is no.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, since the receiving antenna is a loop antenna installed in the plane of the passage, information on the low / medium frequency band Can be received with high sensitivity.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, since the receiving antenna is a bar-type antenna installed in the plane of the passage, information on the high frequency band is obtained. High sensitivity can be received.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the receiving antenna is installed on the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves. Therefore, the receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, since the receiving antenna is installed on the surface of the passage floor in the store where the shopping cart moves, the shopping cart The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the movement path.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, the receiving antenna is embedded in the floor of the aisle in the store where the shopping cart moves. The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, the receiving antenna is installed on the back floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves. The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, a receiving antenna is installed on the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves. The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 9, since the receiving antenna is installed on the surface of the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path.

  According to the invention described in claim 11, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 9, since the receiving antenna is embedded in the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the movement of the shopping cart The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the route.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the ninth aspect of the invention, since the receiving antenna is installed behind the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the movement of the shopping cart The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the route.

  According to the invention described in claim 13, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 12, it is possible to effectively receive information from the wireless tag attached to the mobile body. it can.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the transmission antenna that transmits information by wireless communication from the information writing means is installed on the surface of the passage, the transmission antenna moves in the passage. The movement is not hindered, and the beauty of the passage is not impaired.

  Therefore, even when the passage is narrow, the receiving antenna can be installed without impairing its beauty.

  According to the invention described in claim 15, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 14, since the power supply means is provided by itself, it is necessary to provide a large-scale power supply facility for centrally supplying power. There is no.

  According to the invention of claim 16, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 14 or 15, since the transmitting antenna is a loop antenna installed in the plane of the passage, information on the low / medium frequency band Can be transmitted with high sensitivity.

  According to the invention described in claim 17, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 14 or 15, since the transmission antenna is a bar-type antenna installed in the plane of the passage, information on the high frequency band can be obtained. It can be transmitted with high sensitivity.

  According to the invention described in claim 18, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 14 to 17, the transmitting antenna is installed on the passage floor in the store where the shopping cart moves. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the transmitting antenna at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  According to the nineteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the eighteenth aspect, the transmitting antenna is installed on the surface of the passage floor in the store where the shopping cart moves. The transmission antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the movement path.

  According to the invention described in claim 20, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 18, since the transmitting antenna is embedded in the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, The transmission antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the movement path.

  According to the invention described in claim 21, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 18, since the transmitting antenna is installed behind the floor of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, The receiving antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path.

  According to the invention of claim 22, in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of claims 14 to 17, the transmission antenna is installed on the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves. The transmitting antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the moving path of the shopping cart.

  According to the invention of claim 23, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 22, the transmitting antenna is installed on the surface of the passage wall surface in the store where the shopping cart moves. The transmission / reception antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the movement path.

  According to the invention of claim 24, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 22, since the transmitting antenna is embedded in the wall surface of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves, the movement of the shopping cart The transmission antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the route.

  According to the invention described in claim 25, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 22, the transmission antenna is installed behind the wall of the passage in the store where the shopping cart moves. The transmission antenna can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the route.

  According to the invention described in claim 26, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 14 to 25, information is effectively transmitted to the wireless tag attached to the mobile body. Can do.

  According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, since information is transmitted and received by one antenna, information can be effectively transmitted and received while saving the installation place.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a case where a reader / writer for a wireless tag is provided in a store where a shopping cart as a mobile body is used.

(I) Embodiment First, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the information processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment as a whole is embedded in a floor 2 of a store such as a supermarket as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1B, the loop antenna 10 embedded in the floor base material 2B and the signal processing unit 4 connected to the loop antenna 10 and embedded in the floor 2 It is configured. At this time, the surface of the floor base material 2B in which the loop antenna 10 is embedded is attached to, for example, the lower part of the vicinity of the wheel portion T of the shopping cart C as a shopping cart that approaches the position where the loop antenna 10 is embedded. Covered with a surface protective material 2A that is permeable to radio waves used for wireless communication, such as concrete, so that information can be exchanged between the wireless tag 100 and the loop antenna 10 by wireless communication. ing. The surface protective material 2A has a function as a protective material for the loop antenna 10 as well as a protective material for the floor 2 itself.

  On the other hand, as will be described later, the signal processing unit 4 includes a processing circuit that performs processing for exchanging information with the wireless tag 100 via the loop antenna 10. Is configured to exchange information with a central processing unit 25 (described later) via connection lines 11 and 12 penetrating through the floor 2.

  In addition, a power line 13 for supplying power to the processing circuit passes through the floor 2 together with the connection lines 11 and 12 and is connected to the signal processing unit 4.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the signal processing unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the signal processing unit 4 includes an RF (Rapid Frequency) input / output unit 20 and a signal processing unit 21 serving as a reading unit and a writing unit as the processing circuits described above. Is provided.

  In this configuration, two end portions of the loop antenna 10 are connected to the RF input / output unit 20. When receiving information from the wireless tag 100 approaching the embedded position of the loop antenna 10, an electrical signal induced in the loop antenna 10 by the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the wireless tag 100 is sent to the RF input / output unit 20. The received signal Srr corresponding to the electric signal is generated in the RF input / output unit 20 and output to the signal processing unit 21.

  As a result, the signal processing unit 21 performs a predetermined demodulation process on the received signal Srr to generate a read signal Sread, and outputs the read signal Sread to the central processing unit 25 via the connection line 11.

  On the other hand, when writing information to the approaching wireless tag 100, a write signal Swrt corresponding to the information to be written is transmitted from the central processing unit 25 to the signal processing unit 21 via the connection line 12. The

  Then, the signal processing unit 21 performs a preset modulation process on the write signal Swrt and outputs the signal to the RF input / output unit 20 as a transmission signal Srw.

  Thereby, the RF input / output unit 20 outputs the transmission signal Srw to the loop antenna 10 and radiates it toward the wireless tag 100.

  In the series of transmission / reception processes described above, power required for the operation of the signal processing unit 21 and the RF input / output unit 20 is transmitted from the central processing unit 25 through the power line 13 as the power signal Spw.

  Next, the configuration of the entire information processing system including the central processing unit 25 and the information processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the information processing system S according to the embodiment includes a signal processing unit 4 included in each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses 1 and a connection line 11 to the signal processing unit 4. And 12 and the central processing unit 25 separately connected via the power line 13.

  At this time, the central processing unit 25, specifically, the antenna 30, the wireless interface unit 29, the processing unit 28, and the connection lines 11 and 12 provided outside the store where the information processing system S is provided. The interface unit 27 is connected, and the power supply unit 26 is connected to the power line 13.

  In this configuration, necessary power is supplied to the signal processing unit 4 by transmitting the power signal Spw via the power line 13 connected to each signal processing unit 4.

  Further, when the information transmitted from the wireless tag 100 is received by any one of the information processing apparatuses 1, each read signal Sread is output to the interface unit 27.

  Then, the interface unit 27 classifies the read signals Sread from each signal processing unit 4, generates an interface signal Sif corresponding to each read signal Sread, and outputs the interface signal Sif to the processing unit 28.

  Thus, the processing unit 28 processes the interface signal Sif corresponding to each read signal Sread and outputs the processed signal Spb to the wireless interface unit 29.

  Then, the wireless interface unit 29 performs a preset modulation process on the processed signal Spb and transmits the processed signal Spb as an external transmission / reception signal Sant to an external server device (not shown) via the antenna 30.

  On the other hand, information to be written to each wireless tag 100 transmitted from the server device by wireless communication is received by the antenna 30 and output to the wireless interface unit 29 as an external transmission / reception signal Sant.

  Then, the wireless interface unit 29 performs a preset demodulation process on the external transmission / reception signal Sant and outputs the processed signal Spb to the processing unit 28.

  Accordingly, the processing unit 28 performs an interface process for transmitting the processing signal Spb to the wireless tag 100 to which the processing signal Spb is to be transmitted, and outputs the processed signal to the interface unit 27 as an interface signal Sif.

  Then, the interface unit 27 classifies the interface signal Sif and outputs it to the corresponding signal processing unit 4 as the write signal Swrt. As a result, the write signal Swrt is written to the corresponding wireless tag 100.

  According to the operation of the information processing system S described above, for example, cart identification information for identifying the shopping cart C itself is written in the wireless tag 100 attached to the corresponding shopping cart C, and the information processing apparatus 1 is used. The advertisement information adapted to the user (in this case, the shopper) moving the shopping cart C identified by the cart identification information is read into the shopping cart C by reading it out and transmitting it to an external server. By displaying on a display (not shown) or the like provided, it is possible to provide an information providing service such as delivering advertisement information suitable for the user to the user in a timely manner.

  As described above, according to the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the loop antenna 10 and the signal processing unit 4 are embedded in the floor 2 and information transmission / reception processing using the loop antenna 10 is performed. Since the signal processing unit 4 includes the processing circuit for performing the above, the loop antenna 10 does not hinder the movement of the shopping cart C moving along the passage, and the aesthetic appearance of the passage is not impaired.

  Moreover, since information is transmitted and received by the loop antenna 10 embedded in the floor 2, information in a wide frequency band can be received with high sensitivity.

  Furthermore, since the loop antenna 10 is embedded in the floor 2 of the passage, the loop antenna 10 can be disposed at an appropriate position according to the movement path of the shopping cart C.

  In addition, since information is transmitted / received to / from the wireless tag 100 by the single loop antenna 10 embedded in the floor 2, information can be effectively transmitted / received while saving a buried place.

(II) Modification The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.

  That is, as a first modification, bar-type antennas 40 and 41 are embedded in the floor 2 instead of the loop antenna 10 according to the embodiment as in the information processing apparatus 1A shown in FIG. The RF input / output unit 20 in the unit 4 may be connected.

  In this case, since information is transmitted and received using the embedded bar antennas 40 and 41, information in a specific frequency band can be received with high sensitivity.

  Here, when a so-called electromagnetic induction method (for example, a frequency used is 13.56 MHz or less) is used for wireless communication with the wireless tag 100, the loop antenna 10 according to the above-described embodiment is used. In the case of using a so-called radio wave system (frequency used is, for example, 800 to 900 megahertz or 2.45 gigahertz or higher), it is possible to use the bar antennas 40 and 41 according to the first modification.

  Furthermore, as a second modification, a battery or the like as a power supply unit may be provided in each signal processing unit 4 and power supply may be supplied independently for each information processing apparatus 1.

  In this case, since each information processing apparatus 1 has its own power supply device, it is not necessary to provide a large-scale power supply facility for centrally supplying power.

  Furthermore, as a third modification, the grounding position of the loop antenna 10 or the bar antennas 40 and 41 is not only embedded in the floor 2 as in the embodiment or the first modification, but for example, the shopping cart C It may be provided at the lower end of the wall surface of the moving passage. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the first and second modifications can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the grounding position of the loop antenna 10 or the bar antennas 40 and 41 is not only embedded in the floor 2 or at the lower end of the wall surface, but may be installed with a protective material on the floor 2 or the surface of the wall, for example. Then, it may be embedded inside the surface protective material 2A (or the surface protective material on the wall). Further, the entire floor 2 or the entire wall may be formed of a material that is permeable to radio waves used for the wireless communication and then installed on the back side of the floor 2 or the wall.

  In addition, as an application of the present invention, for example, a plurality of information processing apparatuses 1 according to the embodiment are arranged side by side along a path where a shopping cart C in a store is expected to move, and wirelessly on one shopping cart C. The cart identification information from the tag 100 is sequentially received by the information processing apparatus 1 arranged in accordance with the movement of the shopping cart C, so that the movement route for one shopping cart C is tracked and recorded. You can also keep it. In this case, since the movement mode (movement direction or movement speed, etc.) of the shopping cart C in the store can be grasped, for example, information indicating these movement modes as customer purchase information at the time of display change in the store, etc. Can be utilized.

  As described above, the present invention can be used in the field of information exchange by wireless communication with a wireless tag, and in particular, a transmission / reception device that transmits / receives information to / from the wireless tag is arranged in the store. If applied to the case, a particularly remarkable effect can be obtained.

It is a block diagram showing the outline composition of the information processor of an embodiment, (a) is a plane perspective view which looked at the floor where the information processor is laid from the floor, and (b) is (a It is a figure which illustrates the positional relationship of AA 'sectional drawing shown to) and a shopping cart. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus of embodiment, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal processing part which concerns on embodiment, (b) is the information processing system containing the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the information processing apparatus of a 1st modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Information processing apparatus 2 Floor 2A Surface protection goods 2B Floor base material 4 Signal processing part 10 Loop antenna 11, 12 Connection line 13 Power line 20 RF input / output part 21 Signal processing part 25 Central processing unit 26 Power supply part 27 Interface part 28 processing unit 29 wireless interface unit 30 antenna 40, 41 bar type antenna 100 wireless tag S information processing system C shopping cart T wheel unit

Claims (27)

In an information reading apparatus that is provided in a mobile body and that reads information by wireless communication from an information recording unit that records information that can be read by wireless communication,
A receiving antenna installed on a surface of a passage through which the moving body moves;
Reading means for reading the information from the information recording means by the wireless communication via the receiving antenna;
An information reading apparatus comprising: The information reader according to claim 1,
An information reading apparatus further comprising power supply means for supplying power to the reading means. The information reader according to claim 1 or 2,
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving antenna is a loop antenna installed on the surface. The information reader according to claim 1 or 2,
The information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving antenna is a bar-type antenna installed on the surface. In the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The mobile is a shopping cart;
The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a floor surface of the passage for the shopping cart provided in a store where the shopping cart is used. The information reading apparatus according to claim 5,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the receiving antenna is installed on a surface of the floor surface. The information reading apparatus according to claim 5,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the receiving antenna is embedded in the floor surface made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. The information reading apparatus according to claim 5,
The floor is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the receiving antenna is installed on a back surface of the floor surface. In the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The mobile is a shopping cart;
The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a wall surface constituting the passage for the shopping cart provided in a store where the shopping cart is used. The information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The information reading apparatus, wherein the receiving antenna is installed on a surface of the wall surface. The information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The information reading apparatus, wherein the receiving antenna is embedded in the wall surface made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. The information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The wall surface is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication,
The information reading apparatus, wherein the receiving antenna is installed on a back surface of the wall surface. In the information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The information reader is a wireless tag. In an information writing apparatus that performs writing of the information by wireless communication with respect to an information recording unit that is provided in a mobile body and capable of writing information by wireless communication,
A transmitting antenna installed on the surface of the passage in which the moving body moves;
Writing means for writing the information to the information recording means by the wireless communication via the transmission antenna;
An information writing apparatus comprising: The information writing device according to claim 14,
An information writing apparatus, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to the writing means. The information writing device according to claim 14 or 15,
The information writing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting antenna is a loop antenna installed on the surface. The information writing device according to claim 14 or 15,
The information writing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting antenna is a bar-type antenna installed on the surface. In the information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
The mobile is a shopping cart;
The information writing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a floor surface of the passage for the shopping cart provided in a store where the shopping cart is used. The information writing apparatus according to claim 18,
The information writing apparatus, wherein the transmitting antenna is installed on a surface of the floor surface. The information writing apparatus according to claim 18,
The information writing apparatus, wherein the transmitting antenna is embedded in the floor surface made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. The information writing apparatus according to claim 18,
The floor is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication,
The information writing apparatus, wherein the transmitting antenna is installed on a back surface of the floor surface. In the information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
The mobile is a shopping cart;
The information writing device according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a wall surface that constitutes the passage for the shopping cart provided in a store where the shopping cart is used. The information writing device according to claim 22,
The information writing apparatus, wherein the transmitting antenna is installed on a surface of the wall surface. The information writing device according to claim 22,
The information writing apparatus, wherein the transmitting antenna is embedded in the wall surface made of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication. The information writing device according to claim 22,
The wall surface is formed of a material that transmits radio waves for wireless communication,
The information writing apparatus, wherein the transmitting antenna is installed on a back surface of the wall surface. In the information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 25,
The information writing device, wherein the information recording means is a wireless tag. An information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
An information writing device according to any one of claims 14 to 26;
An information processing apparatus comprising:
An information processing apparatus comprising: a reception / transmission antenna provided on the surface, wherein the reception antenna and the transmission antenna are integrated.

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