JP2011170744A - Automated checkout system and automated checkout method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an art for improving convenience when information from an RFID tag cannot be read in an automated checkout system using an RFID technology used in a company cafeteria and the like. <P>SOLUTION: This automated checkout system is equipped with a checkout device and an RFID reader device. The checkout device has a function for the checkout by an automated register method and a function for a checkout by an operation method, operates in the operation method in a state that the RFID reader device cannot read the information from the RFID tag, and operates in the automated register method in a state that the RFID reader device is recovered to be read from the RFID tag. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic settlement system and an automatic settlement method used in employee cafeterias and the like.

  In general, in the employee cafeteria, users can select the desired items from the food items displayed for sale and carry them to the checkout counter so that many users can eat in a short time. A self-service method is adopted.

  In such a self-service employee cafeteria, there is a high demand for further efficiency, and a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for meeting this demand.

  In the automatic checkout system disclosed in Patent Document 1, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag in which product name information and money amount information of dishes placed on the tableware is written in advance is attached to the bottom of all tableware. Then, when the user selects a desired product from the food items displayed for sale, and puts it on the tray and carries it to the fee settlement office, the RFID reader installed at the fee settlement office The RFID tags of all the dishes on the carried tray are read, the total amount of each dish is calculated, and presented to the user. On the other hand, the user pays the fee presented using an employee ID (Identification) card or a prepaid card.

JP 2004-102563 A

  In the automatic checkout system disclosed in Patent Document 1, if information cannot be read from the RFID tag due to some reason, the charge cannot be calculated, so the checkout person calculates the charge using a calculator and presents it to the user There was a need to do. However, calculation of a charge using a calculator or the like requires a great deal of time and labor, and in this case, convenience has been reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving convenience when information cannot be read from an RFID tag in an automatic settlement system using RFID technology used in an employee cafeteria or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic payment system of the present invention is an automatic payment system having a control means for calculating a charge of an article,
A reader having a wireless communication function with a wireless tag affixed to the container of the article, and reading tag identification information for identifying the wireless tag recorded on the wireless tag and transmitting the tag identification information to the controller;
Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the reading means, generating status information indicating whether or not the reading means is ready to read information recorded on the wireless tag, and transmitting the status information to the control means;
Storage means for storing, in association with each item to be sold, item information for identifying the item, the tag identification information corresponding to the item, and amount information indicating the amount of the item;
Display means for displaying a list of articles for sale;
When an operator selects an article from the list, an input means for notifying the control means of article information of the selected article;
Have
The control means includes a first mode for calculating the price of the article using the tag identification information and the amount information received from the reading means, and the article information obtained from the input means and the amount information. A function for calculating a charge in any one of the second modes for calculating a charge is provided, and the first mode and the second mode are switched based on the state information received from the monitoring unit.

Further, another automatic payment system of the present invention is an automatic payment system having a control means for calculating the charge of an article,
A reader having a wireless communication function with a wireless tag attached to the container of the article, and reading the amount information indicating the amount of the article recorded in the wireless tag and transmitting it to the control means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the reading means, generating status information indicating whether or not the reading means is ready to read information recorded on the wireless tag, and transmitting the status information to the control means;
Storage means for storing article information for identifying the article and amount information of the article in association with each article to be sold;
Display means for displaying a list of articles for sale;
When an operator selects an article from the list, an input means for notifying the control means of article information of the selected article;
Have
The control means uses the first mode for calculating the price of the article using the amount information received from the reading means, the article information obtained from the input means, and the amount information stored in the storage means. A function for calculating a charge in any one of the second modes for calculating the charge, and switching between the first mode and the second mode based on the state information received from the monitoring means.

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic checkout method of the present invention is an automatic checkout method of an automatic checkout system having a control means for calculating a charge of an article,
For each article to be sold, the storage means corresponds to article information for identifying the article, tag identification information for identifying the wireless tag attached to the container of the article, and amount information indicating the amount of the article Stored with
Reading means having a wireless communication function with the wireless tag reads tag identification information recorded on the wireless tag and transmits the tag identification information to the control means,
The control means causes the display means to display a first mode in which the price of the article is calculated using the tag identification information and the amount information received from the reading means, and the list of articles to be sold is displayed on the display means. When an operator selects an article from the list, the charge is calculated in one of the second modes of calculating the charge of the article using the article information of the selected article and the amount information,
The monitoring unit monitors the state of the reading unit, generates state information indicating whether or not the reading unit is in a state where the information recorded in the wireless tag can be read, and transmits it to the control unit,
The control means switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the state information received from the monitoring means.

Another automatic settlement method of the present invention is an automatic settlement method of an automatic settlement system having a control means for calculating the price of an article,
In the storage means, for each article to be sold, article information for identifying the article and amount information indicating the amount of the article are stored in association with each other.
Reading means having a wireless communication function with a wireless tag attached to the container of the article reads the amount information of the article recorded in the wireless tag and transmits it to the control means,
The control means causes the display means to display a list of articles to be sold and a first mode in which the price of the goods is calculated using the amount information received from the reading means, and the list is displayed by the operator via the input means. When an article is selected from among the items, the price is calculated in one of the second modes in which the price of the article is calculated using the article information of the selected article and the amount information stored in the settlement apparatus,
The monitoring unit monitors the state of the reading unit, generates state information indicating whether or not the reading unit is in a state where the information recorded in the wireless tag can be read, and transmits it to the control unit,
The control means switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the state information received from the monitoring means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the convenience when information cannot be read from an RFID tag can be improved in the automatic adjustment system using the RFID technology used in an employee cafeteria or the like.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the automatic adjustment system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen when the payment apparatus 1 operate | moves by an auto cash register system. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen when the payment apparatus 1 operate | moves with an operation system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the RFID reader apparatus 2 of this embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a comparator 25 provided in a reading unit 21. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus 11 of this embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when it is determined whether or not the RFID reader device 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 is in a state in which tag information can be read from an RFID tag. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when determining whether the RFID reader apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 operate | moves in any mode of an auto registration system or an operation system. It is a figure which shows the structure of embodiment of the minimum structure of this invention.

  Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic settlement system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic checkout system of the present embodiment is a checkout device 1, an RFID reader device 2, an RFID antenna 3, a photoelectric sensor 4, and dishes such as tea bowls and dishes on which dishes are served. The container 5, the tray 6 for carrying the container 5, the RFID tag 7 attached to the bottom surface (back surface) of the container 5, and the tray 6 and the container 5 for reading information from the RFID tag 7 by the RFID reader device 2 It has a tray base 8 as an installation location and a card 9. The payment apparatus 1 is connected to the RFID reader apparatus 2, and the RFID reader apparatus 2 is connected to the RFID antenna 3 and the photoelectric sensor 4.

  The RFID tag 7 is a passive type wireless tag that does not include a battery, and includes an antenna coil and communicates with the RFID reader device 2 by an electromagnetic induction method. Note that tag information including tag identification information for identifying the RFID tag is recorded in the RFID tag 7 in advance.

  The RFID antenna 3 is an antenna coil for performing wireless communication with the RFID tag 7. Note that the RFID antenna 3 is disposed on the tray base 8.

  The RFID reader device 2 reads information recorded on the RFID tag 7 attached to the bottom surface (back surface) of the container 5 via the RFID antenna 3 and transmits the read information to the checkout device 1. The RFID reader device 2 monitors the state of the device itself, generates state information indicating whether the information recorded in the RFID tag 7 is readable, and transmits the state information to the settlement device 1.

  The photoelectric sensor 4 is a well-known detection device that emits visible light, infrared light, and the like, and detects an object according to a change in a reflected light amount or a blocked light amount, and an object (a tray 6 and a container 5) is placed on a tray base 8. Is detected, and installation information indicating the installation state of the object on the tray base 8 is transmitted to the RFID reader device 2. The photoelectric sensor 4 is installed on the tray base 8.

  The settlement apparatus 1 is an apparatus that calculates the total amount of foods carried by the user to the fee settlement office, presents it to the user, and makes a settlement. The control apparatus 11, the display apparatus 12, the input apparatus 13, and the maintenance input apparatus. 14, a printer device 15, a card reader device 16, and a storage device 17. The control device 11 is connected to the display device 12, the input device 13, the maintenance input device 14, the printer device 15, the card reader device 16, the storage device 17, and the RFID reader device 2, respectively.

  The storage device 17 includes, for each dish sold in the cafeteria, article information for identifying the dish, tag identification information of an RFID tag attached to a container in which the dish is stacked, and the dish. The amount information indicating the amount of the item, the item name information indicating the item name of the dish, and the calorie information indicating the amount of heat of the dish are stored in association with each other.

  The display device 12 is a device that displays a list of dishes sold in the cafeteria and information such as the name, price, and calorific value of the dishes carried by the user to the billing counter. For example, the display device 12 is a CRT (Cathode Ray). Tube) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

  The input device 13 is a device for inputting an instruction of the operator. When a food item in the list of food items displayed on the display device 12 is selected by the operator, the selected food item is displayed. Corresponding article information is notified to the control device 11. Note that examples of the input device 13 include a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

  The maintenance input device 14 is a device for inputting maintenance operations, and includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.

  The printer device 15 is a device for printing a receipt provided to a user, and is a receipt journal printer used in a known automatic checkout system.

  The card reader device 16 is a device for a user to make a payment using the card 9, and includes, for example, a magnetic card reader, a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader, and the like. The card 9 used for settlement is a card corresponding to the card reader device 16.

  The control device 11 has a function of calculating the total amount of dishes that the user has carried to the fee checkout.

  The payment apparatus 1 calculates a charge using tag information read by the RFID reader apparatus 2 from the RFID tags of all containers on the tray 6 carried by the user (hereinafter referred to as an auto cash register method), A mode in which a list of dishes sold in the cafeteria is displayed on the display device 12 and charges are calculated using the article information of the dishes selected by the operator acquired from the input device 13 (hereinafter referred to as an operation method). ) Works either.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen when the checkout apparatus 1 operates in the auto register system. As shown in FIG. 2, when the checkout apparatus 1 operates in the auto cash register method, when calculating the total amount of food items carried by the user, together with the calculated total amount, the name, unit price, number, subtotal of each food item Display information such as heat quantity.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen when the settlement apparatus 1 operates in the operation mode. As shown in FIG. 3, when the checkout apparatus 1 operates in the operation mode, it displays a list of dishes sold in the cafeteria and calculates the total price of the dishes selected by the operator. Along with the calculated total amount, information such as the item name, unit price, number of pieces, amount of money, and heat amount of each dish is displayed.

  Further, the control device 11 switches the mode for calculating the fee based on the state information received from the RFID reader device 2. For example, when the RFID reader device 2 is in a state in which the information recorded on the RFID tag 7 can be read, the control device 11 performs a checkout process by an auto register method, and the RFID reader device 2 stores the information recorded on the RFID tag 7. If it is in a state where it cannot be read, the settlement process is performed by the operation method.

  Next, the configuration of the RFID reader device 2 of the present embodiment will be described using the configuration diagram shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the RFID reader device 2 of this embodiment includes a reading unit 21, a sensor communication unit 22, a monitoring unit 23, and a transmission unit 24. The reading unit 21 is connected to the RFID antenna 3, the sensor communication unit 22 is connected to the photoelectric sensor 4, and the transmission unit 24 is connected to the payment apparatus 1. The monitoring unit 23 is realized by, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration) composed of a logic circuit or the like, or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) operating according to a program, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like. The communication unit 22 and the transmission unit 24 are realized by, for example, an LSI configured by a logic circuit or the like.

  The sensor communication unit 22 has a communication function with the photoelectric sensor 4. When installation information is received from the photoelectric sensor 4, the sensor communication unit 22 transfers the received installation information to the reading unit 21 and the monitoring unit 23.

  The reading unit 21 has a wireless communication function with the RFID tag 7, and determines whether or not an object (the tray 6 and the container 5) is placed on the tray base 8 based on the installation information received from the sensor communication unit 22. If it is determined that an object is placed on the tray base 8, tag information is read from the RFID tag 7 attached to the container 5 via the RFID antenna 3.

  Specifically, the reading unit 21 first causes a current to flow through the RFID antenna 3 to generate a magnetic field. On the other hand, in the RFID tag 7 placed on the RFID antenna 3, a current flows through a built-in coil antenna by electromagnetic induction by a magnetic field generated by the RFID antenna 3. As a result, the RFID tag 7 is activated, and tag information recorded in advance is transmitted to the RFID antenna 3. Accordingly, the reading unit 21 can read the tag information recorded on the RFID tag 7 via the RFID antenna 3.

  The reading unit 21 includes a comparator 25 shown in FIG. 5 in order to measure the voltage level of the input voltage. As shown in FIG. 5, the comparator 25 compares the input voltage Vi from the RFID antenna 3 with the reference voltage Vref, and outputs a positive power supply voltage as the output voltage Vo when the input voltage Vi exceeds the reference voltage Vref. When the input voltage Vi does not exceed the reference voltage Vref, a negative power supply voltage is output as the output voltage Vo.

  The monitoring unit 23 monitors the state of the reading unit 21 and generates state information indicating whether or not the reading unit 21 can read information recorded on the RFID tag 7.

  The transmission unit 24 has a communication function with the settlement apparatus 1, and transmits the tag information read by the reading unit 21 from the RFID tag 7 and the state information generated by the monitoring unit 23 to the settlement apparatus 1.

  Next, the structure of the control apparatus 11 of this embodiment is demonstrated using the block diagram shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control device 11 according to the present embodiment includes an input / output interface unit 31, a reception unit 32, a calculation unit 33, and a switching unit 34. The input / output interface unit 31 is connected to the display device 12, the input device 13, the maintenance input device 14, the printer device 15, and the card reader device 16, the calculation unit 33 is connected to the storage device 17, and the reception unit 32 is It is connected to the RFID reader device 2. The calculation unit 33 and the switching unit 34 are realized by, for example, an LSI configured by a logic circuit or the like, or a CPU or DSP that operates according to a program, and the input / output interface unit 31 and the reception unit 32 are configured by a logic circuit or the like, for example. This is realized by an LSI configured.

  The input / output interface unit 31 is an interface device with the input device 13, the maintenance input device 14, the printer device 15, and the card reader device 16.

  The reception unit 32 has a communication function with the RFID reader device 2, transfers tag information received from the RFID reader device 2 to the calculation unit 33, and transfers state information received from the RFID reader device 2 to the switching unit 34. .

  The calculation unit 33 calculates the total amount of food items carried by the user by either the auto cashier method or the operation method.

  Based on the status information received from the receiving unit 32, the switching unit 34 determines whether the settlement apparatus 1 should operate in the auto-registration mode or the operation mode, and issues a request for calculating the charge in the determined mode. It transmits to the calculation part 33.

  Next, the procedure of the settlement process when the settlement apparatus 1 operates in the auto register system will be described.

  RFID tags in which tag information including tag identification information is recorded in advance are attached to the bottom surfaces (back surfaces) of all containers used in the automatic checkout system of the present embodiment. In addition, in the storage device 17, article information, tag identification information, amount information, item name information, and heat quantity information are stored in advance in association with each dish sold in the cafeteria.

  First, the user selects a container with the desired food from the containers with the food displayed for sale, puts it on the tray 6 and carries it to the charge settlement office. Place on the tray base 8. When the tray 6 is placed on the tray base 8, the photoelectric sensor 4 detects the tray 6 and the container placed on the tray 6, and sets installation information indicating that an object is placed on the tray base 8 to the RFID reader device 2. Send.

  When the installation information is received from the photoelectric sensor 4, the sensor communication unit 22 of the RFID reader device 2 transfers the received installation information to the reading unit 21. When receiving the installation information from the sensor communication unit 22, the reading unit 21 determines whether or not an object is placed on the tray base 8 based on the received installation information. When it is determined that an object is placed on the tray base 8, the reading unit 21 reads the tag information from the RFID tags attached to all containers on the tray 6 via the RFID antenna 3, and reads the tag. Information is transmitted to the control device 11 of the settlement apparatus 1 via the transmission unit 24.

  When receiving tag information from the transmission unit 24 of the RFID reader device 2, the reception unit 32 of the control device 11 transfers all the received tag information to the calculation unit 33. When receiving the tag information from the receiving unit 32, the calculation unit 33 reads out the amount information of the food corresponding to the tag identification information included in each received tag information from the storage device 17, and the total of the foods carried by the user. Calculate the amount. Further, the calculation unit 33 reads the product name information and the calorific value information of each dish from the storage device 17, and together with the calculated total price, information such as the product name, unit price, number of pieces, subtotal, and calorie of each dish carried by the user. Is output to the display device 12 via the input / output interface unit 31.

  On the other hand, the user inserts a magnetic card or holds a non-contact IC card over the card reader device 16 and settles the fee displayed on the display device 12. When the fee settlement is completed, the control device 11 causes the printer device 15 to print a receipt to be provided to the user.

  Next, the procedure of the settlement process when the settlement apparatus 1 operates by the operation method will be described.

  When the control device 11 operates in the operation method, the control device 11 always displays a list of dishes sold in the cafeteria on the display device 12.

  Then, as in the case of the auto cash register method, the user selects a container with a desired dish from among containers with a dish displayed for sale, and puts it on the tray 6 for a fee. Carry it to the checkout office and place the tray 6 on the tray base 8.

  In the charge settlement office, the operator selects all the dishes carried by the user from the list of dishes displayed on the display device 12 using the input device 13.

  When the food item is selected by the operator, the input device 13 notifies the control device 11 of article information corresponding to all the selected food items.

  When the product information is acquired from the input device 13 via the input / output interface unit 31, the calculation unit 33 reads the amount information of the food corresponding to the acquired product information from the storage device 17, and the food carried by the user. Calculate the total amount of. Further, the calculation unit 33 reads the product name information and the calorific value information of each dish from the storage device 17, and together with the calculated total price, information such as the product name, unit price, number of pieces, subtotal, and calorie of each dish carried by the user. Is output to the display device 12 via the input / output interface unit 31.

  On the other hand, the user inserts a magnetic card or holds a non-contact IC card over the card reader device 16 and settles the fee displayed on the display device 12. When the fee settlement is completed, the control device 11 causes the printer device 15 to print a receipt to be provided to the user.

  Next, a processing procedure for determining whether or not the RFID reader device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is in a state where information recorded on the RFID tag 7 can be read will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The monitoring unit 23 first determines whether or not an object is placed on the tray base 8 based on installation information received from the photoelectric sensor 4 via the sensor communication unit 22 (step S1).

  If it is determined that no object is placed on the tray base 8 (step S1; No), the monitoring unit 23 determines whether or not the output voltage Vo of the comparator 25 included in the reading unit 21 is a positive power supply voltage ( Step S2).

  When the output voltage Vo of the comparator 25 is a positive power supply voltage (step S2; Yes), a voltage equal to or higher than the reference voltage Vref is input to the reading unit 21 even though no object is placed on the tray base 8. Yes. In this case, the RFID reader device 2 is highly likely to be strongly influenced by external noise, and the RFID tag 7 attached to the container 5 when the tray 6 on which the container 5 is placed is placed on the tray base 8. There is a high possibility that the information recorded in cannot be read. Therefore, in this case, the monitoring unit 23 sends status information indicating that the reading unit 21 is unable to read the information recorded in the RFID tag 7 due to external noise to the control device 11 of the settlement apparatus 1 via the transmission unit 24. (Step S3).

  On the other hand, when the output voltage Vo of the comparator 25 is not a positive power supply voltage (step S2; Yes), the monitoring unit 23 displays state information indicating that the reading unit 21 can read the information recorded on the RFID tag 7. It transmits to the control apparatus 11 of the payment apparatus 1 via the transmission part 24 (step S4).

  As described above, when an object is placed on the tray base 8, the reading unit 21 reads tag information from the RFID tag 7 via the RFID antenna 3. Therefore, when determining that an object is placed on the tray base 8 (step S1; Yes), the monitoring unit 23 determines whether the reading of the tag information by the reading unit 21 is successful (step S5). If the tag information cannot be read even though an object is placed on the tray base 8 (step S5; No), there is a high possibility that some trouble has occurred in the RFID reader device 2. Therefore, for example, when the reading unit 21 fails to read the tag information continuously for a predetermined number of times, the monitoring unit 23 is in a state where the reading unit 21 cannot read the information recorded on the RFID tag 7 due to a malfunction. The state information indicating this is transmitted to the control device 11 of the settlement apparatus 1 via the transmission unit 24 (step S6).

  On the other hand, when the reading of the tag information by the reading unit 21 is successful (step S5; Yes), the monitoring unit 23 transmits state information indicating that the reading unit 21 can read the information recorded on the RFID tag 7. It transmits to the control apparatus 11 of the payment apparatus 1 via the part 24 (step S7).

  Next, a processing procedure when the settlement apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 determines in which mode of the auto registration method and the operation method will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the switching unit 34 waits until status information is received from the RFID reader device 2 via the receiving unit 32 (step S <b> 11). When the status information is received, the switching unit 34 determines whether the RFID reader device 2 is in an abnormal state or a normal state based on the received state information (step S12).

  When it is determined that the RFID reader device 2 is in an abnormal state (step S12; Yes), the switching unit 34 determines whether or not the checkout device 1 is currently operating in the auto register system (step S13). When the checkout apparatus 1 is currently operating in the auto registration method (step S13; Yes), the switching unit 34 transmits a switching request for switching to the operation method to the calculation unit 33. And the calculation part 33 which received the switching request | requirement for switching to an operation system implements subsequent settlement processes by an operation system (step S14).

  Note that the calculation unit 33 changes to the operation method before switching the checkout process to the operation method, such as the message “Switching to the operation method because it is affected by external noise” or “RFID tag information cannot be read. A message “switch” may be output to the display device 12. Alternatively, the message “I am affected by external noise. Do you want to switch to the operation method?” Or “Can't read RFID tag information. Do you want to switch to the operation method?” May be switched to the operation method after an instruction to switch to the operation method is input via the input device 13.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the RFID reader device 2 is in a normal state (step S12; No), the switching unit 34 determines whether or not the settlement apparatus 1 is currently operating in the operation mode (step S15). When the checkout apparatus 1 is currently operating in the operation method (step S15; Yes), the switching unit 34 transmits a switching request for switching to the auto-registration method to the calculation unit 33. And the calculation part 33 which received the switching request | requirement for switching to an auto registration system implements subsequent settlement processes by an auto registration system (step S16).

  In addition, as a maintenance function of the checkout apparatus 1, a function of switching between the auto register method and the operation method according to an instruction from the operator may be provided. In this case, the operator can switch between the auto-registration method and the operation method using the input device 13 or the maintenance input device 14.

  In the auto cash register method of the present embodiment, tag information including tag identification information is recorded on the RFID tag, and the fee is calculated using the tag identification information and the amount information stored in the storage device 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, tag information including container information for identifying a container to which the RFID tag is attached may be recorded on the RFID tag. In that case, if the storage device 17 stores the container information in association with the price information, the product name information, and the calorie information of the food items stored in the container, the checkout apparatus 1 uses the container information. The total amount of the dishes carried by the person can be calculated, and the calculated total amount and information such as the item name, unit price, number of pieces, subtotal, and heat amount of each dish can be displayed.

  In addition, for example, tag information including amount information of food items to be placed in a container to which the RFID tag is attached may be recorded on the RFID tag. In that case, since the checkout apparatus 1 can calculate the total amount of food carried by the user using the amount information included in the tag information received from the RFID reader device 2 without referring to the storage device 17, There is no need to store tag identification information in the storage device 17.

  In this case, if tag information including the product name information and the calorie information of the food to be collected in the container to which the RFID tag is attached is recorded on the RFID tag, the information is stored when the amount of the food is calculated. Without referring to the device 17, information such as the product name, unit price, number of pieces, subtotal, and heat quantity of each dish can be displayed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the RFID tag 7 is a passive type wireless tag that does not include a battery and includes an antenna coil and communicates with the RFID reader device 2 using an electromagnetic induction method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an active type wireless tag incorporating a battery may be used as the RFID tag 7, and an electromagnetic coupling method or a radio wave method may be employed as a communication method between the RFID tag 7 and the RFID reader device 2.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the settlement apparatus has a function for settlement by the auto-registration system and a function for settlement by the operation system, and the RFID reader apparatus can read information recorded on the RFID tag. The settlement method is determined based on whether or not there is. Then, the settlement apparatus operates in the operation method when the RFID reader apparatus cannot read the information recorded in the RFID tag, and operates in the auto register system when the information recorded in the RFID tag is restored.

  As a result, even if the automatic checkout system cannot read information from the RFID tag, it switches to the operation method and continues the checkout process, so that the checkout person does not need to calculate the charge using a calculator or the like. Therefore, in an automatic checkout system using RFID technology used in an employee cafeteria or the like, convenience when information cannot be read from the RFID tag can be improved.

  Further, when the automatic checkout system is configured to record the tag identification information on the RFID tag and store the article information, the tag identification information, and the money amount information in association with each other in the storage device of the checkout apparatus, the amount of the food to be sold is In order to change, only the storage device needs to be updated, and there is no need to rewrite the information of each RFID tag. Therefore, the fee system can be easily changed in the automatic checkout system.

  On the other hand, when the automatic settlement system is configured to record the amount information on the RFID tag, in order to increase the number of food items to be sold, it is only necessary to increase the number of RFID tags (containers), and it is not necessary to update the storage device. . Therefore, it is possible to flexibly change the number of food items sold in the automatic checkout system.

  In addition, the settlement apparatus according to the present embodiment operates according to the operation method when a voltage higher than a preset value is input to the RFID reader apparatus in a state where no object is placed on the tray table. As a result, the automatic checkout system is automatically switched to the auto-registration method when the RFID reader device is strongly influenced by external noise, so that convenience can be improved.

  In addition, the checkout apparatus according to the present embodiment operates in an operation method when the RFID reader apparatus cannot read information from the RFID tag continuously for a predetermined number of times while an object is placed on the tray table. As a result, the automatic checkout system automatically switches to the auto-registration system when any trouble occurs in the RFID reader device, so that convenience can be improved.

(Embodiment of the minimum configuration of the present invention)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the minimum configuration of the present invention.

  The automatic settlement system according to the embodiment of the minimum configuration of the present invention has a wireless communication function with the RFID tag 7 attached to the container of the article, and identifies the RFID tag 7 recorded in the RFID tag 7. A reading unit 21 that reads the tag identification information and transmits it to the control device 11, and monitors the state of the reading unit 21, and indicates whether or not the reading unit 21 can read the information recorded in the RFID tag 7 For each article to be sold is associated with article information for identifying the article, tag identification information corresponding to the article, and amount information indicating the amount of the article. Storage device 17, display device 12 that displays a list of items to be sold, and an item selected by the operator from the list displayed on display device 12. A first mode for calculating article charges using the input device 13 for notifying the article information of the article to the control device 11, the tag identification information received from the reading unit 21, and the amount information stored in the storage device 17; A state in which a charge is calculated in one of the second modes for calculating the charge of an article using the article information acquired from the input device 13 and the amount information stored in the storage device 17 and received from the monitoring unit 23 And a control device 11 that switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the information.

  Alternatively, the automatic checkout system has a wireless communication function with the RFID tag 7 attached to the container of the article, and reads the amount information indicating the amount of the article recorded on the RFID tag 7 and the reading unit 21. The status of the unit 21 is monitored, and the monitoring unit 23 that generates status information indicating whether or not the information recorded in the RFID tag 7 can be read by the reading unit 21 is identified for each item to be sold. Storage device 17 for storing article information and price information for the article in association with each other, display device 12 for displaying a list of articles to be sold, and an article by an operator from the list displayed on display device 12 Is selected, the article information of the selected article is notified to the control device 11 and the first mode for calculating the price of the article using the amount information received from the reading unit 21. A state in which a charge is calculated in one of the second modes for calculating the charge of an article using the article information acquired from the input device 13 and the amount information stored in the storage device 17 and received from the monitoring unit 23 And a control device 11 that switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the information.

As described above, even the embodiment of the minimum configuration of the present invention can solve the problems by producing the functions and effects of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Checking apparatus 2 RFID reader apparatus 3 RFID antenna 4 Photoelectric sensor 5 Container 6 Tray 7 RFID tag 8 Tray stand 9 Card 11 Control apparatus 12 Display apparatus 13 Input apparatus 14 Maintenance input apparatus 15 Printer apparatus 16 Card reader apparatus 17 Storage apparatus 21 Reading Unit 22 sensor communication unit 23 monitoring unit 24 transmission unit 25 comparator 26 reference voltage Vref
27 Input voltage Vi
28 Output voltage Vo
31 Input / output interface unit 32 Reception unit 33 Calculation unit 34 Switching unit

Claims (8)

An automatic settlement system having a control means for calculating the price of an article,
A reader having a wireless communication function with a wireless tag affixed to the container of the article, and reading tag identification information for identifying the wireless tag recorded on the wireless tag and transmitting the tag identification information to the controller;
Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the reading means, generating status information indicating whether or not the reading means is ready to read information recorded on the wireless tag, and transmitting the status information to the control means;
Storage means for storing, in association with each item to be sold, item information for identifying the item, the tag identification information corresponding to the item, and amount information indicating the amount of the item;
Display means for displaying a list of articles for sale;
When an operator selects an article from the list, an input means for notifying the control means of article information of the selected article;
Have
The control means includes a first mode for calculating the price of the article using the tag identification information and the amount information received from the reading means, and the article information obtained from the input means and the amount information. An automatic settlement system comprising a function for calculating a charge in one of the second modes for calculating a charge, and switching between the first mode and the second mode based on the state information received from the monitoring means. An automatic settlement system having a control means for calculating the price of an article,
A reader having a wireless communication function with a wireless tag attached to the container of the article, and reading the amount information indicating the amount of the article recorded in the wireless tag and transmitting it to the control means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the reading means, generating status information indicating whether or not the reading means is ready to read information recorded on the wireless tag, and transmitting the status information to the control means;
Storage means for storing article information for identifying the article and amount information of the article in association with each article to be sold;
Display means for displaying a list of articles for sale;
When an operator selects an article from the list, an input means for notifying the control means of article information of the selected article;
Have
The control means uses the first mode for calculating the price of the article using the amount information received from the reading means, the article information obtained from the input means, and the amount information stored in the storage means. An automatic checkout system that has a function of calculating a charge in any one of the second modes for calculating the charge, and switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the status information received from the monitoring means. In the automatic settlement system according to claim 1 or 2,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the container is placed at an installation location of the container for reading information from the wireless tag by the reading means, and transmitting information indicating the installation state of the container to the monitoring means; In addition,
The monitoring means, when a voltage equal to or higher than a preset value is input to the reading means in a state where the container is not placed at the installation location, the reading means displays information recorded on the wireless tag. Generate state information indicating that the state cannot be read and send it to the control means,
When the control means receives the status information indicating that the reading means cannot read the information recorded in the wireless tag from the monitoring means when calculating the charge in the first mode. Switching to the second mode is an automatic settlement system. In the automatic settlement system according to claim 1 or 2,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the container is placed at an installation location of the container for reading information from the wireless tag by the reading means, and transmitting information indicating the installation state of the container to the monitoring means; In addition,
When the monitoring unit cannot read the information recorded on the wireless tag continuously for a predetermined number of times in a state where the container is placed at the installation location, the reading unit is configured to read the wireless tag. Generating state information indicating that the information recorded in the state cannot be read and transmitting the state information to the control means,
When the control means receives the status information indicating that the reading means cannot read the information recorded in the wireless tag from the monitoring means when calculating the charge in the first mode. Switching to the second mode is an automatic settlement system. An automatic settlement method for an automatic settlement system having a control means for calculating the price of an article,
For each article to be sold, the storage means corresponds to article information for identifying the article, tag identification information for identifying the wireless tag attached to the container of the article, and amount information indicating the amount of the article Stored with
Reading means having a wireless communication function with the wireless tag reads tag identification information recorded on the wireless tag and transmits the tag identification information to the control means,
The control means causes the display means to display a first mode in which the price of the article is calculated using the tag identification information and the amount information received from the reading means, and the list of articles to be sold is displayed on the display means. When an operator selects an article from the list, the charge is calculated in one of the second modes of calculating the charge of the article using the article information of the selected article and the amount information,
The monitoring unit monitors the state of the reading unit, generates state information indicating whether or not the reading unit is in a state where the information recorded in the wireless tag can be read, and transmits it to the control unit,
An automatic settlement method in which the control means switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the state information received from the monitoring means. An automatic settlement method for an automatic settlement system having a control means for calculating the price of an article,
In the storage means, for each article to be sold, article information for identifying the article and amount information indicating the amount of the article are stored in association with each other.
Reading means having a wireless communication function with a wireless tag attached to the container of the article reads the amount information of the article recorded in the wireless tag and transmits it to the control means,
The control means causes the display means to display a list of articles to be sold and a first mode in which the price of the goods is calculated using the amount information received from the reading means, and the list is displayed by the operator via the input means. When an article is selected from among the items, the price is calculated in one of the second modes in which the price of the article is calculated using the article information of the selected article and the amount information stored in the settlement apparatus,
The monitoring unit monitors the state of the reading unit, generates state information indicating whether or not the reading unit is in a state where the information recorded in the wireless tag can be read, and transmits it to the control unit,
An automatic settlement method in which the control means switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the state information received from the monitoring means. In the automatic checkout method according to claim 5 or 6,
The detecting means detects whether or not the container is placed at the installation location of the container for the reading means to read information from the wireless tag, and transmits information indicating the installation state of the container to the monitoring means. And
When the monitoring unit inputs a voltage higher than a preset value to the reading unit in a state where the container is not placed at the installation location, the reading unit displays information recorded on the wireless tag. Generate state information indicating that the state cannot be read and send it to the control means,
When the control means receives the status information indicating that the reading means cannot read the information recorded in the wireless tag from the monitoring means when the charge is calculated in the first mode. And switching to the second mode. In the automatic checkout method according to claim 5 or 6,
The detecting means detects whether or not the container is placed at the installation location of the container for the reading means to read information from the wireless tag, and transmits information indicating the installation state of the container to the monitoring means. And
When the monitoring unit cannot read the information recorded on the wireless tag continuously for a predetermined number of times in a state where the container is placed at the installation location, the reading unit Generating state information indicating that the information recorded in the state cannot be read and transmitting the state information to the control means,
When the control means receives the status information indicating that the reading means cannot read the information recorded in the wireless tag from the monitoring means when the charge is calculated in the first mode. And switching to the second mode.

Images