JP2016009394A - Wireless tag, and its auxiliary member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide wireless tags in which antennas arranged respectively in a plurality of RF tags are hardly overlapped so as to improve reading performance of the RF tags, and their auxiliary members.SOLUTION: The wireless tag includes an antenna for conducting wireless communication with a wireless communication device, a storage unit for storing commodity information on commodities being attachment objects, a wireless communication medium for receiving a radio wave from the wireless communication device and transmitting the commodity information stored in the storage unit from the antenna to the wireless communication device, a base substrate for covering the communication medium, and a straddling member which is a part of the base substrate and forms a certain space above the antenna while straddling the antenna.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a wireless tag and an auxiliary member.

  Conventionally, a merchandise sales data processing apparatus that reads merchandise information from an RF tag (RFID chip) attached to each merchandise using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) mechanism, and performs sales registration and accounting processing based on the merchandise information Is present. For example, there has been proposed a reading device that collectively reads product information by placing a product or a shopping basket containing the product on the upper surface of a checkout counter in which a flat antenna is embedded.

  In recent years, merchandise sales data processing devices (also referred to as self-checkout devices, self-POS (Point Of Sales) devices, and self-checkout devices) have been introduced to allow customers to perform product sales registration and accounting. . In general, in such a self-checkout device, a customer scans a code symbol attached to a product with a scanner and registers the sale of the product.

  By the way, the conventional RF tag was formed in flat form. According to such a flat RF tag, antennas provided on the RF tag are easily overlapped with each other. When the antennas of flat RF tags overlap in this way, the antenna provided on the RF tag does not function as an antenna.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make it difficult for antennas provided in a plurality of RF tags to overlap each other and improve the reading performance of the RF tag.

  The wireless tag of the embodiment includes an antenna that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device and a storage unit that stores product information related to a product to be attached, and receives radio waves from the wireless communication device. A wireless communication medium that transmits the product information stored in the storage unit from the antenna to the wireless communication device, a base that covers the wireless communication medium, a part of the base, and the antenna And a straddling member that forms a certain space above the antenna.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a self-checkout device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the reading apparatus. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of an RF tag. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of how the RF tag is used. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of the RF tag. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of how the RF tag is used. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an RF tag provided with an auxiliary member. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the self-checkout device and the reading device. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the self-checkout device and the reading device. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the self-checkout apparatus and the reading apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a self-checkout apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The self-checkout device 1 is a product sales data processing device for the customer himself to perform product sales registration and accounting processing. The self-checkout device 1 is installed and used in a store such as a supermarket or a clothing store. The main body 2 of the self-checkout device 1 includes a display 3b on which a touch panel 3a is disposed. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display 3b.

  The main body 2 of the self-checkout device 1 is provided with a card insertion slot 4 for inserting a customer's point card or credit card at the time of payment and a receipt issuing slot 5 for issuing a receipt. Further, the main body 2 has a banknote deposit / withdrawal port 6 for depositing banknotes for settlement and receipt of fishing banknotes, a coin slot 7 for inserting coins during settlement, and a coin outlet for receiving fishing coins. 8 etc. are provided.

  On the right side of the main body 2, a reading device 10 for reading an RF (Radio Frequency) tag T (see FIG. 3) that is a wireless tag attached to the product G is provided. The reading device 10 is connected to the self-checkout device 1 by a cable (not shown) and outputs (transmits) various information read from the RF tag T attached to the product G to the self-checkout device 1. Here, it is assumed that each product G is attached with an RF tag T on which a product code for identifying the product G is recorded. Further, it is assumed that the RF tag T has a storage area for writing a registered flag to be described later. The registered flag is written to prevent the product G from being taken out of the store without being settled. The presence / absence of a registered flag is checked, for example, at a gate installed at the entrance of the store, and if there is no registered flag, a warning is given by a notification means such as a buzzer.

  Hereinafter, the reading apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus 10. 2A shows an opened state in which the opening / closing lid 12 of the reading apparatus 10 is opened, and FIG. 2B shows a closed state in which the opening / closing lid 12 of the reading apparatus 10 is closed. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the reading apparatus 10 and shows a closed state of the opening / closing lid 12.

  The reading device 10 includes a housing 11 that constitutes a main exterior of the reading device 10, and an opening / closing lid 12 that opens and closes an opening H serving as an entrance / exit of a shopping basket C (product G) provided in the housing 11. Have. The outer shape of the housing 11 has a substantially box shape, and is a proportion that is longer in the depth direction and has a depth dimension larger than the width dimension. Here, the opening H has such a size that the shopping basket C for housing the product G can pass through. Moreover, the housing | casing 11 has the reading chamber 13 of the magnitude | size which can accommodate the shopping basket C in the inside.

  The casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 are formed of a member that reflects radio waves (a radio wave reflection material) or a member that absorbs radio waves (a radio wave absorber) in order to prevent external radio waves from reaching the reading chamber 13. As such a member, a publicly known / public radio wave reflecting material or radio wave absorbing material such as a metal, a molding material, or ferrite can be used. Further, for example, the outer wall (outer surface) of the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 and the inner wall (inner surface) of the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 forming the reading chamber 13 may be covered with a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material. Good.

  The open / close lid 12 can be opened by pulling up in the direction of the arrow X1 around the hinge mechanism 111 provided on the back surface of the housing 11 (FIG. 2A). The open / close lid 12 can be closed by pulling it down in the direction of the arrow X2 around the hinge mechanism 111 (FIG. 2B). By opening the opening / closing lid 12, the customer can put the shopping basket C containing the product G into and out of the reading chamber 13 of the casing 11 through the opening H of the casing 11. . Note that a damper 112 may be provided between the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 in order to reduce the opening / closing speed of the opening / closing lid 12 and maintain the open state (see FIG. 2A).

  In the reading chamber 13, the shopping basket C is placed on the placing table 14. The mounting table 14 is made of an insulating (radio wave transmitting) plate member such as wooden or glass, and is supported with a predetermined gap from the housing 11. In addition, a planar RFID antenna 15 is provided on the surface (hereinafter referred to as a bottom surface) of the mounting table 14 that faces the mounting surface of the shopping basket C. The RFID antenna 15 is a wireless communication device that communicates with the RF tag T existing in the reading chamber 13, that is, the RF tag T of each product G stored in the shopping basket C, by emitting radio waves such as UHF band. is there. The number of RFID antennas 15 is not limited to one, and a plurality of RFID antennas 15 may be provided. Moreover, the installation method of the RFID antenna 15 is not limited to the above example, and for example, the RFID antenna 15 may be provided separately from the mounting table 14. The installation position of the RFID antenna 15 is not limited to the bottom surface side of the reading chamber 13 and the mounting table 14, and may be provided on another surface such as a side surface of the reading chamber 13.

  According to the reading apparatus 10 having such a structure, by storing the shopping basket C in the reading chamber 13, the products G (RF tags T) in the shopping basket C can be collectively read. In addition, by separating the reading chamber 13 from which the RFID antenna 15 reads from the space where customers or the like are present, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized operation such as extraction of the product G during reading from being performed. it can. In addition, since the reading chamber 13 can be shielded from external radio waves (noise) by covering the outer surface of the reading device 10 (the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12) with a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material, Occurrence can be prevented. In this way, by using the reading device 10, it is possible to reduce the influence of the environment around the device itself on the reading operation, and thus it is possible to efficiently read the RF tag T.

  By the way, the conventional RF tag was formed in flat form. According to such a flat RF tag, antennas provided on the RF tag are easily overlapped with each other. When the antennas of flat RF tags overlap in this way, the antenna provided on the RF tag does not function as an antenna.

  Further, when the shopping basket C is accommodated in the reading chamber 13 of the reading device 10 and the products G in the shopping basket C are read at a time, the antennas provided on the flat RF tag overlap each other. If it is not, it is not known which RF tag cannot be read even if a reading error occurs, so that the self-checkout device 1 may end the process without accounting.

  Therefore, the RF tag T of the present embodiment makes it difficult for the antenna 103 (see FIG. 4) provided on the RF tag T and the antenna 103 provided on another RF tag T to overlap.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the RF tag T. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the RF tag T has a base 101 and a wireless communication medium 102 covered with the base 101. The wireless communication medium 102 includes an antenna 103 that performs wireless communication with the reader 10 (RFID antenna 15), and an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip 104 that is connected to the antenna 103. The wireless communication medium 102 is a so-called passive wireless communication medium that operates using a radio wave that is a transmission wave from the reading device 10 as an operating power. The wireless communication medium 102 receives the radio wave from the reading device 10 and is stored in the IC chip 104. The product information is transmitted from the antenna 103 to the reading device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the base 101 is formed in a flat plate shape. The base 101 is made of a nonmetallic material such as paper. The base 101 has a two-layer structure composed of a pair of plate members 101a and 101b laminated in the front and back directions, and a wireless communication medium 102 is disposed between the pair of plate members 101a and 101b. Note that, on the outer surface of the base 101, character information indicating product information or the like in characters, a code symbol displaying product information as a symbol, or the like is printed.

  Further, the base 101 of the RF tag T has a U-shaped cut 105 along the periphery of the wireless communication medium 102 (antenna 103). The notch 105 is formed in a state in which the base 101 is deeply cut by the blade and penetrated. In addition, fold lines 106 that are substantially parallel to one side of the base 101 are formed at both ends of the notch 105 of the base 101 of the RF tag T.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of how the RF tag T is used. As shown in FIG. 5, the RF tag T bends a portion (a part of the base 101) separated by a U-shaped cut 105 along the periphery of the wireless communication medium 102 (antenna 103) by a fold line 106. Used. As a result, a straddling member 107 that forms a certain space X above the antenna 103 across the antenna 103 is formed in the RF tag T.

  The straddling member 107 shown in FIG. 5 straddles the antenna 103 so as to reach from the opposite one to the other. More specifically, the straddling member 107 shown in FIG. 5 straddles the upper side of the antenna 103 in a direction crossing the antenna 103.

  According to the RF tag T as shown in FIG. 5, the straddling member 107 straddles the antenna 103 and forms a space X above the antenna 103, so that even if a plurality of RF tags T overlap, an interval corresponding to the space X is provided. When the plurality of RF tags T are accommodated in the shopping basket C, the antennas 103 provided on the RF tags T are difficult to overlap with each other, so that the reading performance of the RF tag T can be improved. it can.

  In addition, the RF tag T of this embodiment is not restricted to the shape shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and various aspects can be considered. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the base 101 of the RF tag T has an L-shaped notch 105 along the periphery of the wireless communication medium 102 (antenna 103), and the apex of the base 101 from both ends of the notch 105. It is assumed that there is a fold line 106 extending toward the end. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the RF tag T has a fold line 106 at a portion (part of the base 101) separated by an L-shaped cut 105 along the periphery of the wireless communication medium 102 (antenna 103). A certain space X may be formed above the antenna 103 across the antenna 103 in a diagonal direction of the antenna 103 by the straddling member 107 formed by bending.

  In the present embodiment, the straddling member 107 is formed by bending a part of the RF tag T. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a straddling member 110 similar to the straddling member 107 may be disposed on the base 101 of the RF tag T as an auxiliary member provided separately from the RF tag T. . According to the example shown in FIG. 8, the straddling member 110 straddles the antenna 103 and forms the space X above the antenna 103, so that even if a plurality of RF tags T overlap, the space X is spaced by the space X. Thus, when a plurality of RF tags T are accommodated in the shopping basket C, the antennas 103 provided on the RF tags T are difficult to overlap with each other, so that the reading performance of the RF tags T can be improved.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the self-checkout apparatus 1 and the reading apparatus 10.

  The self-checkout apparatus 1 includes a control unit 20 having a computer configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 20 includes a touch panel 3a, a display 3b, a card reader 21, a receipt printer 22, a bill deposit / withdrawal unit 23, a coin insertion unit 24, and a coin discharge unit 25 via various input / output circuits (not shown). Connected.

  The card reader 21 reads information on a customer's point card or credit card inserted from the card insertion slot 4. The receipt printer 22 prints a receipt after the accounting process and issues it from the receipt issuing port 5. The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 23 processes banknotes deposited / withdrawn from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 6. The coin insertion unit 24 processes coins input from the coin input port 7, and the coin discharge unit 25 processes coins discharged to the coin outlet 8.

  The control unit 20 is connected to a storage unit 26, a communication I / F 27, and the like via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  The storage unit 26 is a storage device that includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 26 stores various programs and various data related to the operation of the self-checkout device 1. Examples of the data stored in the storage unit 26 include a product master that registers product information related to each product G in association with a product code that identifies the product G. Such product information includes, for example, the product name and price of the corresponding product G. The communication I / F 27 is an interface for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the reading device 10.

  On the other hand, the reading apparatus 10 includes a control unit 30 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 30 is connected to a reader / writer unit 31, an open / close sensor 32, a storage unit 33, a communication I / F 34, and the like via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  The reader / writer unit 31 uses the RFID antenna 15 to transmit a modulated wave (radio wave) for reading and writing the RF tag T. The reader / writer unit 31 outputs various information (for example, product information) read from the RF tag T via the RFID antenna 15 to the control unit 30. Further, the reader / writer unit 31 writes the information to be written on the RF tag T by outputting the information to be written (for example, flag information) via the RFID antenna 15.

  The open / close sensor 32 is a sensor device that detects the open / close state of the open / close lid 12. The open / close sensor 32 outputs open / close state information indicating the open / close state of the open / close lid 12 to the control unit 30. The opening / closing sensor 32 can be realized by, for example, a microswitch or a magnetic sensor provided in a contact portion between the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 or a hinge mechanism 111 of the opening / closing lid 12. Further, when the reading chamber 13 is in a dark place when the open / close lid 12 is closed, it can be realized by an optical sensor provided in the reading chamber 13.

  The storage unit 33 is a storage device that includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 33 stores various programs and various data related to the operation of the reading device 10. The communication I / F 34 is an interface for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the self-checkout device 1.

  Next, functional configurations of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the self-checkout apparatus 1 and the reading apparatus 10.

  The control unit 20 (CPU) of the self-checkout device 1 cooperates with the program stored in the storage unit 26 to display the display control unit 201, the input reception unit 202, the communication control unit 203, and the sales registration unit. 204 is realized as a functional unit.

  The display control unit 201 controls the display 3b and displays various screens on the display 3b. For example, the display control unit 201 is an operator for instructing to start reading a product code (RF tag) (hereinafter referred to as a reading start button) or an operator for instructing to end reading (hereinafter referred to as a reading end button). ) Is displayed. Further, based on the product code transmitted from the reading device 10, the display control unit 201 reads product information corresponding to the product code from the product master, and displays the product name, price, deposit amount, change amount, and the like of the product G. Display.

  The input receiving unit 202 receives an operation input via the touch panel 3a. For example, when an operation element is operated (touch operation) on the operation screen displayed on the display 3 b, the input reception unit 202 outputs instruction information corresponding to the operation element to the control unit 20.

  The communication control unit 203 controls the communication I / F 27 and transmits / receives various kinds of information to / from the reading device 10 via the communication I / F 27. For example, when the reading start button is operated, the communication control unit 203 transmits instruction information for instructing reading to the reading device 10. In addition, the communication control unit 203 receives the product code transmitted from the reading device 10. In addition, when the reading end button is operated, the communication control unit 203 transmits instruction information for instructing the reading end to the reading device 10. In addition, when the sales registration by the sales registration unit 204 is completed, the communication control unit 203 transmits instruction information instructing the completion of registration to the reading device 10.

  When the sales registration unit 204 confirms payment for each product G corresponding to the product code transmitted from the reading device 10 by a settlement process, the sales registration unit 204 registers the product code as a product G purchased by the customer. Specifically, the sales registration unit 204 registers the product code of each product G in the registration database together with the deposit amount, change, and transaction date and time. The registration database may be provided in the storage unit 26 of the self-checkout device 1 or may be provided in an external device that can communicate with the self-checkout device 1.

  On the other hand, the control unit 30 (CPU) of the reading device 10 functions as an open / close state acquisition unit 301, a reader / writer control unit 302, and a communication control unit 303 in cooperation with a program stored in the storage unit 33. Realize as a part.

  The open / close state acquisition unit 301 cooperates with the open / close sensor 32 to acquire open / close state information indicating whether the open / close lid 12 is open or closed.

  The reader / writer control unit 302 controls the reader / writer unit 31 to read the RF tag T attached to the product G and write to the RF tag T.

  Specifically, the reader / writer control unit 302 starts reading when an instruction to start reading is given from the self-checkout device 1 and the opening / closing state information acquired by the opening / closing state acquisition unit 301 indicates the closed state of the opening / closing lid 12. To do. In addition, when the reading end instruction is given from the self-checkout device 1, the reader / writer control unit 302 ends the reading by the reader / writer unit 31. When the completion of registration is instructed from the self-checkout device 1, the reader / writer control unit 302 controls the reader / writer unit 31 to start writing a registered flag. Here, the registered flag is information indicating that the sales registration is completed, and is written in a predetermined storage area of the RF tag T.

  Further, the reader / writer control unit 302 ends the reading when the open / close cover 12 is opened between the start of reading of the RF tag T and the writing of the registered flag, and the reading is performed until then. Perform a reset process to reset the product code. It is assumed that the product code transmitted to the self-checkout device 1 is also reset by this reset process. Then, when the reader / writer control unit 302 confirms that the opening / closing lid 12 is closed again, the reader / writer control unit 302 reads the RF tag T again.

  Thereby, even when a product whose RF tag T has not been read is added to the shopping basket C (reading chamber 13) before the settlement process is completed, the reading of the RF tag T is performed again. The product in the shopping basket C can be read reliably. In addition, even when the product G whose RF tag T has been read is extracted from the shopping basket C (reading chamber 13) before the completion of the settlement process, the reading of the RF tag T is performed again to execute the shopping. The product G in the basket C can be read reliably. In addition, by notifying the self-checkout device 1 that the opening / closing lid 12 is in the open state, a screen for notifying that the opening / closing lid 12 is in the open state is displayed on the display 3b of the self-checkout device 1. It is good also as a form.

  The communication control unit 303 controls the communication I / F 34 and transmits / receives various types of information to / from the self-checkout apparatus 1 via the communication I / F 34. For example, the communication control unit 303 receives instruction information for instructing the start of reading transmitted from the self-checkout apparatus 1. In addition, the communication control unit 303 transmits the product code read from the RF tag T by the reader / writer control unit 302 to the self-checkout device 1. In addition, the communication control unit 303 receives instruction information for instructing the end of reading transmitted from the self-checkout apparatus 1. In addition, the communication control unit 303 receives instruction information instructing completion of registration transmitted from the self-checkout apparatus 1.

  Next, operations of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10.

  A customer who operates the self-checkout device 1 opens the opening / closing lid 12 of the reading device 10 and stores the shopping basket C containing the product G in the reading chamber 13. Next, the customer operates the reading start button displayed on the display 3b of the self-checkout device 1 to start this process.

  In the self-checkout device 1, when the input receiving unit 202 receives an operation of a reading start button, the communication control unit 203 transmits instruction information instructing to start reading to the reading device 10 (step S11).

  In the reading device 10, when the communication control unit 303 receives instruction information instructing to start reading, the reader / writer control unit 302 is in the closed state based on the open / closed state information acquired by the open / closed state acquiring unit 301. It is determined whether or not (step S21). If the reader / writer control unit 302 determines that the opening / closing lid 12 is in the open state, the reader / writer control unit 302 waits until the opening / closing lid 12 is in the closed state (step S21; No). The reader / writer control unit 302 may cooperate with the display control unit 201 of the self-checkout device 1 to display a screen that prompts the user to close the opening / closing lid 12 during the standby in step S21.

  If it is determined in step S21 that the open / close lid 12 is in the closed state (step S21; Yes), the reader / writer control unit 302 starts reading the RF tag T (step S22). Next, the reader / writer unit 31 determines whether or not the product code has been read from the RF tag T (step S23). If the product code cannot be read (step S23; No), the process proceeds to step S25.

  When the product code is read (step S23; Yes), the communication control unit 303 sequentially transmits the product code to the self-checkout device 1 (step S24), and proceeds to step S25.

  In subsequent step S25, the reader / writer control unit 302 determines whether or not the open / close lid 12 is in the closed state based on the open / close state information acquired by the open / close state acquisition unit 301 (step S25). When it determines with it being in an open state (step S25; No), the reader / writer control part 302 stops reading of RF tag T (step S26). Then, the reader / writer control unit 302 performs a reset process for resetting the product code read so far (step S27), and returns to step S21 again.

  Further, when it is determined in step S25 that it is in the closed state (step S25; Yes), the reader / writer control unit 302 determines whether or not the end of reading is instructed from the self-checkout device 1 (step S28). . If there is no instruction to end reading (step S28; No), the process returns to step S23.

  If reading of the RF tag T is started with the reading chamber 13 being empty, the loop of steps S23; No → S25; Yes, S28; No continues without reading any RF tag T. It will be. Therefore, in order to avoid such a state, when a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) elapses without reading any RF tag T, or when the above loop is executed a predetermined number of times, the RF tag T The reading may be forcibly terminated. In this case, it is preferable that the reader / writer control unit 302 displays a message indicating that the RF tag T cannot be read by cooperating with the display control unit 201 of the self-checkout apparatus 1.

  In the self-checkout device 1, when the communication control unit 203 receives a product code from the reading device 10, the display control unit 201 reads product information corresponding to the product code from the product master and displays it on the display 3b (step S12). ).

  When the customer refers to the product information displayed on the display 3b and confirms that all the products G put in the shopping basket C are displayed, the customer operates the reading end button displayed on the display 3b. When the input accepting unit 202 accepts the operation of the reading end button, the communication control unit 203 transmits instruction information for instructing the end of reading to the reading device 10 (step S13).

  In the reading device 10, when the communication control unit 303 receives the instruction information instructing the end of reading, the reader / writer control unit 302 determines that the end of reading has been instructed (step S28; Yes). Next, the reader / writer control unit 302 stops reading the RF tag T (step S29).

  Subsequently, the reader / writer control unit 302 determines whether or not registration completion is instructed from the self-checkout device 1 (step S30). When there is no registration completion instruction (step S30; No), the reader / writer control unit 302 determines whether or not the opening / closing lid 12 is in the closed state based on the opening / closing state information acquired by the opening / closing state acquisition unit 301 ( Step S31).

  Here, when it determines with it being in a closed state (step S31; Yes), it returns to step S30. If it is determined that the device is in the open state (step S31; No), the reader / writer control unit 302 performs a reset process similar to step S27 (step S32), and returns to step S21 again.

  In the self-checkout apparatus 1, when the sales registration unit 204 completes the settlement process for each product displayed as a registration candidate (step S14), the sales registration of each product is performed. And the communication control part 203 transmits the instruction information which instruct | indicates completion of registration to the reading apparatus 10 (step S15), and complete | finishes a process.

  In the reading device 10, when the communication control unit 303 receives the instruction information instructing the completion of registration, the reader / writer control unit 302 determines that the registration completion has been instructed (step S30; Yes). Then, the reader / writer control unit 302 controls the reader / writer unit 31 to write a registered flag to the RF tag T of each product G (step S33), and ends this process.

  Note that while the registered flag is being written, the reader / writer control unit 302 cooperates with the display control unit 201 of the self-checkout device 1 to display a screen indicating that the open / close lid 12 is closed. Good. In addition, when writing of the registered flag is completed, the reader / writer control unit 302 cooperates with the display control unit 201 of the self-checkout device 1 to display a screen that prompts the user to open the opening / closing lid 12. Also good.

  As described above, according to the RF tag T of the present embodiment, the straddling member 107 straddles the antenna 103 and forms the space X above the antenna 103, so that the space X can be obtained even when a plurality of RF tags T overlap. Since the interval between the antennas 103 provided in the RF tag T is difficult to overlap when the plurality of RF tags T are accommodated in the shopping basket C, the reading performance of the RF tag T is improved. Can be made.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the reading of the RF tag T is started in response to an operation instruction from the customer, but the present invention is not limited to this. As another form, for example, the reading of the RF tag T may be automatically started in conjunction with the opening / closing lid 12 being switched to the closed state without requiring an operation instruction from the customer.

  In the above embodiment, if the open / close cover 12 is opened between the start of reading of the RF tag T and the writing of the registered flag, the reading is terminated and the reset process is executed. Although it is a form, it is not limited to this. As another form, for example, a lock mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the opening / closing lid 12 is provided at the contact portion between the casing 11 of the reading device 10 and the opening / closing lid 12 so that the opening / closing lid 12 cannot be opened. May be. Specifically, the reader / writer control unit 302 controls the lock mechanism so that the open / close lid 12 cannot be opened until the registered flag is written after the reading of the RF tag T is started. Hold. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the commodity G whose RF tag T has not been read from being inserted into the shopping basket C (reading chamber 13) before the settlement process is completed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the form which completes reading of RF tag T according to the termination instruction from a customer, it shall not be restricted to this. As another form, for example, when the RF tags T corresponding to the number (number of products) designated by the customer are read, the reading may be automatically terminated.

  The program executed by each device of the above embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device, but is not limited thereto, and can be installed or executed. These files may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like. Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, or the like is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

  Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or via a network such as the Internet. It may be configured to be provided or distributed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Wireless communication apparatus 101 Base body 102 Wireless communication medium 103 Antenna 104 Storage part 107 Crossing member 110 Auxiliary member T Wireless tag

JP 2007-264918 A

Claims (5)

An antenna that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device, and a storage unit that stores product information related to a product to be attached, receive radio waves from the wireless communication device, and are stored in the storage unit A wireless communication medium for transmitting the product information from the antenna to the wireless communication device;
A substrate coated with the wireless communication medium;
A straddling member that is a part of the base body and forms a certain space above the antenna across the antenna;
A wireless tag comprising: The straddling member straddles so as to reach from one to the other facing in the antenna,
The wireless tag according to claim 1, wherein: The straddling member straddles the upper side of the antenna in a direction across the antenna,
The wireless tag according to claim 2, wherein: The straddling member straddles above the antenna toward the diagonal direction of the antenna,
The wireless tag according to claim 2, wherein: An antenna that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device, and a storage unit that stores product information related to a product to be attached, receive radio waves from the wireless communication device, and are stored in the storage unit An auxiliary member provided in a wireless tag including a wireless communication medium that transmits the product information from the antenna to the wireless communication device, and a base that covers the wireless communication medium,
Disposed on the base and provided at a position across the antenna, forming a certain space above the antenna;
An auxiliary member characterized by that.

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