JP2018136862A - RFID reader controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an RFID reader control device for controlling an RFID reader to reliably read a target RFID tag.SOLUTION: An RFID reader control device 220 comprises a suppressing unit 222 for causing an RFID reader to repeatedly issue a suppression command for placing an RFID tag into a response prohibited state to suppress a response thereof, a reading unit 224 for causing the RFID reader to issue a reading command indicating reading of the RFID tag, an operation control unit 228 for controlling operations of the suppressing unit and the reading unit. The operation control unit issues a suppression command from the RFID reader to the suppressing unit so as to place a flag of an RFID present in an area where reading of RFID tags is performed into the response prohibited state until a reading instruction for a new RFID tag is given. When there is a reading instruction for a new RFID tag, the suppressing unit is stopped issuing the suppression command, and the reading unit is caused to start issuance of the reading command.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID reader control device, and more particularly to a technique for reading a tag to be read while avoiding a tag other than the target to be read.

As a problem when reading an RFID tag, there is a problem that even an unrelated RFID tag in the vicinity is read. Three examples of countermeasures are introduced below. Hereinafter, the RFID tag is also simply referred to as a tag.
(1) Suppression of reading range by radio wave intensity or RSSI value The radio wave intensity is reduced to the minimum necessary to narrow the reading area, or the received signal intensity (RSSI) from the tag is used to see the distance of the tag position to a very constant value. Excludes below (threshold).
(2) Pre-reading / stationary tag removal method Tag information existing in the vicinity is collected in advance or empty time, and the tags read in advance at the time of necessary reading are removed. It should be noted that tags that have been temporarily read, such as temporarily passing through the vicinity, are removed by monitoring / analyzing fluctuations in the number of readings and RSSI values.
(3) Create a physically shielded space using a physical radio wave shielding type shield or radio wave absorber, and put the target tag in it and read it.

However, each of the above countermeasure methods has the following problems.
(1) Suppression of reading range by radio wave intensity or RSSI value The accuracy of the boundary line between the range that is desired to be read and the range that is not desired to be read is low, and the method is located between the boundaries or the tag condition (tag movement If the reading becomes unstable due to the orientation with respect to the antenna, the overlapping of the tags, etc., the possibility of misreading increases.
(2) Pre-reading / stationary tag removal method A method of reading and accumulating tags existing in the vicinity in advance or empty time and comparing them in the required reading processing, and comparing changes in RSSI values etc. by increasing the reading frequency Although there is a technique for determining movement by analysis, etc., an increase in the number of peripheral tags leads to deterioration in reading performance of the processing apparatus. Further, in order to maintain the reading performance, the processing device becomes expensive.
(3) Physical radio wave shielding method Although the radio wave is blocked by a shielding material, it is the most reliable in terms of the system, but the shielding member for realizing the shielding space is relatively expensive, and the reading target New operational restrictions and equipment installation issues when moving in and out are issues.

  In addition to the above methods, various countermeasure proposals have been proposed. For example, the data reading device of Patent Document 1 does not change the determination information to the flag control unit of the tag to be read by the Select command, and does not permit the response of the determination information to the flag control unit of the tag to be read. Make it change.

JP 2010-21901 A

  In a cashier counter such as a department store or a retail store, a product settlement process is performed by an RFID reader connected to a POS terminal. There are many cases where there are other products in addition to the POS processing target products in the register counter, and the RFID tag of other products may be erroneously read by the RFID reader. There is also a possibility that the store clerk will perform the checkout process without noticing the error.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide an RFID reader control device that controls an RFID reader so as to reliably read an RFID tag to be read even in an environment in which an RFID tag to be read and an RFID tag that is not to be read are mixed. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in an RFID reader controller for controlling an RFID reader that reads an RFID tag provided with a flag capable of switching between a response permitted state and a response not permitted state, the flag is set to a response not permitted state. A suppression unit for issuing a suppression command for suppressing the response of the RFID tag from the RFID reader, a reading unit for issuing a reading command for instructing reading of the RFID tag from the RFID reader, the suppression unit, and the An operation control unit that controls the operation of the reading unit is provided, and the operation control unit does not permit the response of the RFID flag existing in the area where the RFID tag is read until a new RFID tag reading instruction is issued. The deterrence unit issues the deterrence command from the RFID reader so that the When there is an instruction to read an RFID tag, the deterrence unit stops issuing the deterrence command from the RFID reader, causes the reader to start issuing the read command from the RFID reader, and the reading unit Thus, when reading of the new RFID tag is completed, the suppression unit is allowed to resume issuing the suppression command from the RFID reader.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an RFID reader control device that controls an RFID reader so as to reliably read an RFID tag to be read even in an environment in which an RFID tag to be read and an RFID tag that is not to be read are mixed.

It is an external view of the POS system 1 applied to 1st-4th embodiment. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the POS system 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram regarding RFID reader control applied to the first to fourth embodiments. It is the table | surface which put together the conditions of state maintenance of each session flag. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a radio wave area and a tag in order in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a reading process procedure according to the first embodiment. 6 is a time chart of a reading operation in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a radio wave area and a tag in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the reading process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart of reading operation in a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a radio wave area and a tag in 3rd Embodiment. It is the flowchart 1 explaining the procedure of the reading process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart 2 explaining the procedure of the reading process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a time chart of reading operation in a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a radio wave area and a tag in 4th Embodiment. It is the flowchart 1 explaining the procedure of the reading process in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart 2 explaining the procedure of the reading process in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart 3 explaining the procedure of the reading process in 4th Embodiment. It is a time chart of reading operation in a 4th embodiment. It is a time chart of reading operation in a 4th embodiment. It is a time chart of reading operation in a 4th embodiment. It is an external view of the POS system 2 of 5th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding RFID reader control in a 5th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a radio wave area and a tag in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the flag clear process in 5th Embodiment. It is a time chart of flag clear processing operation in a 5th embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example in which the RFID reader control apparatus is applied to a POS system will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a POS system 1 to which an RFID reader control device is applied.

  The POS system 1 of FIG. 1 is applied to the first to fourth embodiments described below. The POS system 1 includes a POS terminal device 10, an RFID reader 20, and an antenna 25. The POS terminal device 10 is a device that performs product registration and checkout processing based on tag information attached to a product. In the following, the POS terminal device 10 operated by a store clerk is taken as an example, but the POS terminal device 10 may be a self-POS terminal device.

  The RFID reader 20 is connected to the POS terminal device 10, reads an RFID tag attached to a product, and outputs the read tag information to the POS terminal device 10. The RFID reader 20 is connected to the POS terminal device 10 through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a LAN (Local Area Network). The LAN may be either wired or wireless.

  The antenna 25 transmits the output from the RFID reader 20 as a radio wave, receives the signal returned from the RFID tag, and outputs it to the RFID reader 20. The RFID reader 20 and the antenna 25 are connected by a coaxial cable, for example.

  The POS terminal device 10 is installed on the counter 50. Further, the RFID reader 20 and the antenna 25 are accommodated in, for example, the counter 50. In addition, the antenna 25 is often arranged directly under the open space of the counter 50 in order to read a product placed on the counter 50.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the POS system 1. The POS terminal device 10 includes a CPU 100, a RAM 102, a ROM 104, a graphic processing unit 106, an input / output IF 108, a communication IF 110, a display unit 112, an input unit 114, a card R / W 116, a barcode scanner 118, a receipt printer 120, and a deposit / withdrawal unit 122. Etc.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100 is a processor that comprehensively controls the POS terminal device 10. The CPU 100 reads the control program, executes the control program, and performs product registration and settlement processing based on tag information attached to the product.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 temporarily stores an OS (Operating System) program, a part of an application program, and image data to be executed by the CPU 100.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 104 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and stores application programs executed by the CPU 100 and table data in a nonvolatile manner.

  The graphic processing unit 106 creates an operation screen and a POS processing screen for performing product registration and settlement in accordance with a command from the CPU 100, converts it into an image signal, and outputs it to the display unit 112. The display unit 112 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

  An input / output IF (Interface) 108 controls peripheral devices such as the input unit 114 to be connected. A communication IF (Interface) 110 transmits and receives data to and from the outside, and has a connection format such as a LAN or USB. A RAM 102, a ROM 104, a graphic processing unit 106, an input / output IF 108, a communication IF 110, and the like are connected to the CPU 100 via a bus 130.

  An input unit 114, a card R / W 116, a barcode scanner 118, a receipt printer 120, a deposit / withdrawal unit 122, and the like are connected to an input / output IF (Interface) 108. The input unit 114 is an operation unit through which a store clerk inputs operation details and instructions, and is a touch panel, for example. The card R / W 116 reads and writes magnetic cards and IC cards. The barcode scanner 118 reads the barcode scanner attached to the product. The receipt printer 120 issues a receipt to be given to the customer. The deposit / withdrawal unit 122 stores and manages banknotes and coins deposited from customers, and manages the withdrawal of change to be delivered to the customers.

  The RFID reader 20 is also connected to the input / output IF 108. In response to the reading instruction from the POS terminal device 10, the RFID reader 20 reads information from the RFID tag of the product via the antenna 25 and notifies the POS terminal device 10 of the reading result.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to RFID reader control. The POS control unit 200 performs control processing of the POS terminal device 10. The POS control unit 200 is realized by software processing by the CPU 100 that reads a control program from the ROM 104.

  The POS control unit 200 includes a POS processing unit 210 that mainly performs a POS process according to a store clerk operation, and an RFID reader control unit 220 that controls the RFID reader 20 and reads information from the RFID tag. The RFID reader control unit 220 includes a suppression unit 222, a normal reading unit 224, a new product detection unit 226, and an operation control unit 228. The RFID reader controller 220 is also called an RFID reader controller.

  The deterrence unit 222 performs a process of deterring reading of the RFID tag of the non-handled product. The RFID tag of the product not to be handled is an RFID tag that exists from the beginning within the radio wave range of the antenna 25 (placed on the counter 50). An RFID tag of a product that is not handled is also referred to as a non-target tag.

  Specifically, for the RFID tag provided with a flag capable of switching between a response permission state and a response non-permission state, the suppression unit 222 performs a command to suppress the response of the RFID tag by setting the flag to a response non-permission state. It is issued from the RFID reader 20. A command that suppresses the response of the RFID tag by setting the flag to the response non-permission state is also referred to as a suppression command.

  The suppression unit 222 sets the flag of the non-target RFID tag to a response non-permitted state. Then, the deterrence unit 222 issues a deterrence command from the RFID reader at a predetermined time interval so that the response non-permission state of the flag of the non-target RFID tag is continuously maintained.

  Further, after the deterrence command is issued, the deterrence unit 222 may cause the RFID reader to issue a maintenance command for maintaining the non-target flag set in the response non-permitted state by the deterrence command in the response non-permitted state. The deterrence unit 222 may change the deterrence command to the maintenance command at the timing of starting the transaction of the new product approaching near the counter 50. An RFID tag that is newly brought in from the outside and attached to a new product approaching the vicinity of the counter 50 is referred to as a new RFID tag. The maintenance command is different in flag type from the suppression command. Further, the suppression unit 222 may set the radio field intensity of the suppression command and the maintenance command to be larger than the radio field intensity of the command for reading (reading command).

  The normal reading unit 224 causes the RFID reader 20 to issue a command for reading the RFID tag of a new product, which is a new RFID tag. A command for reading the RFID tag of the new product is also called a reading command. The new RFID tag is also called a target tag. The normal reading unit 224 is also simply referred to as a reading unit.

  The new product detection unit 226 performs processing for detecting a new RFID tag. The new product detection unit 226 causes the RFID reader 20 to issue a command for detecting a new RFID tag. A command for detecting a new RFID tag is also referred to as a new product detection command. The new product detection unit 226 may set the radio wave intensity of the new product detection command to be larger than the radio wave intensity of the suppression command.

  The suppression unit 222, the normal reading unit 224, and the new product detection unit 226 issue a command specifying a session flag corresponding to each process, set the radio wave intensity according to each process, and instruct the RFID reader 20.

  The operation control unit 228 controls operations of the suppression unit 222, the normal reading unit 224, and the new product detection unit 226. Specifically, the operation control unit 228 instructs the suppression unit 222 to set the RFID flag existing in the area where the RFID tag is read to a response non-permission state until a new RFID tag reading instruction is issued. A deterrence command is issued from the reader 20.

  Then, when there is a new RFID tag reading instruction, the operation control unit 228 causes the suppression unit 222 to stop issuing a suppression command from the RFID reader 20, and causes the normal reading unit 224 to read a command for reading from the RFID reader 20. Start issuing. Furthermore, when the normal reading unit 224 finishes reading a new RFID tag, the operation control unit 228 causes the suppression unit 222 to resume issuing a suppression command from the RFID reader 20.

  The RFID tag is simply referred to as a tag, the RFID tag of a product that is not handled is also referred to as a non-target tag, and the RFID tag of a product that is handled is also referred to as a target tag.

  In the present embodiment, the session flag is used to read the target tag while suppressing the reading of the non-target tag. First, an outline of the session flag will be described.

  When reading a tag compliant with EPC global Class 1 Generation 2 (ISO / IEC 18000-63), which is an air interface between the RFID reader 20 and the RFID tag used in the present embodiment, the RFID reader 20 sends an inventory command to the RFID tag group. Issue. When an inventory is issued, RFID tags can be selected and read in order by anti-collision processing even if a plurality of tags are present in the same area.

  Specifically, the RFID tag has a flag (inventory completed flag) for storing that it has been inventoried. When the tag responds, the flag is inverted (A → B) so as not to respond. By reading this in order for all tags, reading of all tags can be realized.

  The tag has four independent session flags (S0, S1, S2, and S3) as inventory completed flags. Each session flag has A and B state values. The initial value of each session flag (when the power is turned off) is in state A, and is invented from RFID reader 20 to become state B. FIG. 4 is a table in which the conditions for maintaining the state of each session flag are summarized. In addition, the maintenance time of FIG. 4 is a case at normal temperature. State A is also called a response permission state, and state B is also called a response non-permission state. The response permission state is also called a response ready state, and the response non-permission state is also called a non-response state.

  Further, if the tag side is in a power supply state (command reception enabled state), the above-described session flag can be controlled (arbitrarily reversed) by a parameter of a select command issued by the reader. Hereinafter, the session flag is also simply referred to as a flag.

Next, this embodiment will be specifically described. As this embodiment, five embodiments are shown.
<First embodiment>
First, a process of POS processing of a product by the POS terminal device 10 will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the area G, which is the radio wave range in the POS process, and the tag in order. Area G is also called a radio wave area. FIG. 5 is a view of the cashier counter 50 as viewed from above, with the counter 50 sandwiching the counter 50 on the left and the customer on the right. The product checkout process proceeds in the order of P1, P2, and P3.

  P1 is a state where customers A to D are lined up on the counter 50. It is assumed that customers A to D have two target tags Ta before reading. Hereinafter, the target tag before reading is expressed as Ta1, the target tag at reading is expressed as Ta2, and the target tag after reading is expressed as Ta3.

  An area G that is a radio wave range centered on the position of the antenna 25 is a reading range (area) of the RFID tag. In the area G on the counter 50, there are many cases where non-handled products such as returned products are placed in addition to handled (sales) products. Assume that the counter 50 has four non-target tags Tb.

  P2 is a state in which the store clerk receives the product from the customer A, places the target tag Ta2 in the area G, and performs reading. P3 is a state in which the customer who has finished reading the tag of the product and has finished payment leaves the counter 50 with the product with the target tag Ta3 after the reading.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the tag reading process according to the first embodiment. The RFID tag reading process by the POS system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a time chart of the reading operation by the POS terminal device 10 and the RFID reader 20. The horizontal axis is time, progressing from left to right. The axis of the inhibition process in FIG. 7 indicates the issue timing of the select command specifying the flag S2. The axis of the normal reading process in FIG. 7 indicates the issue timing of the inventory command specifying the flag S2. Further, the axis of the POS process in FIG. 7 indicates the timing of various events of the POS process generated by the operation of the store clerk. The same applies to time charts in the second and subsequent embodiments.

  The non-target tag suppression process in FIG. 6 is mainly performed by the suppression unit 222 and the operation control unit 228. The suppression unit 222 issues a select command periodically at an interval of 2 seconds or less by designating the flag S2 during the standby time period when there is no customer (step S100, see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 4, the flag S2 is maintained for a minimum of 2 seconds after the power is stopped. By issuing the flag S2 within 2 seconds, the non-target tag in the area G maintains the flag S2 in the B state. Response continues to be suppressed. A command issued for such a purpose is also called a dummy command. Further, an inventory command may be issued as a dummy command instead of the select command.

  The operation control unit 228 determines whether a transaction start instruction has been received from the store clerk (step S102). For example, the store clerk determines that the customer has approached the counter, or performs an input operation (for example, a transaction start operation, see FIG. 7) to the POS terminal device 10 by other means (detection by a sensor or the like, not shown). Upon receiving a transaction start operation from the store clerk, the POS processing unit 210 notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the transaction start.

  When the operation control unit 228 determines that the transaction start is not notified from the POS control unit 200 (NO in step S102), the suppression unit 222 determines whether the state maintenance time has been reached (step S104). The state maintenance time is 2 seconds. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has not reached (NO in step S104), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S102. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has been reached (YES in step S104), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S100. That is, the suppression unit 222 performs dummy access at intervals of 2 seconds in order to maintain the B state of the flag S2.

  When the operation control unit 228 determines that the transaction start is notified (YES in step S102), the operation control unit 228 switches to a normal reading process. The processing is switched so that the inventory command is issued with the flag S2 and the read item is handled as a handling (transaction) target product. The operation control unit 228 stops the operation of the suppression unit 222 and starts the operation of the normal reading unit 224.

  That is, in response to the transaction start notification, the suppression unit 222 stops issuing the selection command for the suppression process (see FIG. 7), and the normal reading unit 224 starts issuing the inventory command for the normal reading process (FIG. 7). reference).

The normal reading unit 224 issues an inventory command specifying the flag S2 (step S130). In normal reading processing, inventory commands are issued with high frequency (see FIG. 7). Thereby, only the tag whose flag S2 is in the A state, that is, only the target tag before reading is read.
That is, by repeatedly issuing an access to the flag S2 within the predetermined maintenance time described in FIG. 4 for the non-target tag, power is supplied to the session flag of the non-target tag. The B state of the flag of the non-target tag is continued, and only the new target flag can be read reliably.

  The normal reading unit 224 determines whether all tags have been read (step S132). If the normal reading unit 224 determines that reading of all tags has not been completed (NO in step S132), the normal reading unit 224 returns to step S130. In order to suppress the response of irrelevant tags in the normal reading process even during normal reading processing, an inventory command for normal reading or other commands that emit radio waves to the tag are included (the S2 flag state of the tag). It must be issued at intervals within 2 seconds of the specified time (to maintain

  When the normal reading unit 224 determines that reading of all the tags has been completed (YES in step S132), the operation control unit 228 determines whether POS processing completion has been notified (step S134).

  As a POS process, the store clerk confirms the registered (tag read) product information and the actual product displayed on the display unit 112 and performs a settlement process (settlement). Upon receiving an operation for completing the POS process from the store clerk, the POS processing unit 210 notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the completion of the POS process.

  If the operation control unit 228 determines that the completion of the POS process has not been notified (NO in step S134), the normal reading unit 224 returns to step S130.

  If the operation control unit 228 determines that the POS process has been completed (YES in step S134), the operation control unit 228 returns to step S100. When the POS process is completed, the operation control unit 228 stops the operation of the normal reading unit 224 and restarts the operation of the suppression unit 222. The suppression unit 222 resumes issuing a select command at intervals of 2 seconds (see FIG. 7). When the store clerk presses the deposit total button after completion of the POS process (end of the reading process), the operation control unit 228 is notified that the POS all process is completed, assuming that the transaction is completed. The suppression unit 222 may resume the suppression process (issue a select command at intervals of 2 seconds) after receiving the notification of the completion of all POS processes from the operation control unit 228.

  In addition, the read target tag (Ta3 in FIG. 5) is also kept in a read inhibition state within a certain time (at least 2 seconds) after being separated from the area G.

  Note that the select command in step S100 may be replaced with an inventory command. In the above description, the flag S2 is used, but the flag S3 may be used. If there is a possibility that the counters approach each other and the area G overlaps, mutual interference can be avoided by using one as the flag S2 and the other as the flag S3.

  In summary, the first embodiment described above uses the flag S2 to maintain the non-target tag around the antenna in the B state in advance, and continues to use the flag S2 when reading the target tag. The target tag is read using the flag S2 while maintaining the B state.

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, a part of the suppression process of the first embodiment is changed. In the first embodiment, when the store clerk performs a transaction start operation, the suppression process is immediately stopped. In the second embodiment, after the clerk's transaction start operation, the flag S2 is switched to the flag S1, and the suppression process is continued.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the area G and the tag in the POS process. FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the positional relationship diagrams described with reference to FIG. 6 are combined into one sheet. The positional relationship between the area G and the tag in the second embodiment is the same as that in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the reading process in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the reading operation in the second embodiment.

  Steps S100 to S104 are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 6), and a description thereof will be omitted.

  If the suppression unit 222 determines that it has received a transaction start instruction from a store clerk (YES in step S102), it designates S1 and issues a select command (step S120). In response to the transaction start instruction, the suppression unit 222 switches from issuing the select command of the flag S2 at an interval of 2 seconds before that to issuing the select command of the flag S1 at an interval of 2 seconds (see FIG. 10).

  The operation control unit 228 determines whether there is a reading instruction from the store clerk (step S122). The reading instruction is an operation in which the store clerk confirms reading objects (transaction objects) one by one, puts them on the area G, and presses a reading button (not shown) of the POS terminal device 10, for example. is there. The POS processing unit 210 receives a reading instruction from the store clerk and notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the reading instruction.

  When the operation control unit 228 determines that there is no reading instruction (NO in step S122), the suppression unit 222 determines whether the state maintenance time has been reached (step S124). The state maintenance time is 2 seconds. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has not reached (NO in step S124), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S122. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has been reached (YES in step S124), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S120. The suppression unit 222 performs dummy access (issues a select command for the flag S1) at intervals of 2 seconds as power supply for maintaining the B state of the flag S1.

  When the operation control unit 228 determines that there is a reading instruction (YES in step S122), the operation of the normal reading unit 224 is started while the operation by the suppression unit 222 (issue of a select command specifying the flag S1) is continued. . That is, by repeatedly issuing a dummy access (select command of flag S1) for supplying power to the non-target tag within the predetermined maintenance time described in FIG. 4, power is supplied to the non-target tag. Supplied and the B state of the flag is continued. As a result, only the target flag can be reliably read.

  The normal reading unit 224 performs normal reading processing. The normal reading process in steps S130 to S134 is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 6). When the operation control unit 228 determines that the POS process has been completed (YES in step S134), the operation control unit 228 stops the operation of the normal reading unit 224. The normal reading unit 224 stops issuing the inventory command (see FIG. 10). At the same time, the operation control unit 228 resumes the operation of the suppression unit 222. The suppression unit 222 stops issuing the select command (S1) of the flag S1 at intervals of 2 seconds and restarts issuing the select command of the flag S2 at intervals of 2 seconds (see FIG. 10).

  Note that the select commands in steps S100 and S120 may each be replaced with an inventory command. Similarly to the second embodiment, the suppression unit 222 may resume the suppression process (issue a select command at intervals of 2 seconds) after receiving notification of the completion of all POS processes from the operation control unit 228. .

  The key point of the second embodiment described above is that, with respect to the first embodiment, relaying is performed with another flag (flag S1 in this example) in the suppression process between the transaction start and the reading instruction. Thereby, a margin can be provided in the switching timing between the transaction start and the reading instruction. This is because if there is no relay by another flag, there is a possibility that the time for switching timing is reduced and the reading target is erroneously suppressed. More specifically, if there is no relay, the product flag S2 is displayed while the customer brings the product to the counter 50, that is, from when the customer approaches the counter 50 until the store clerk starts reading. This is because there is a risk that the select command of S2 may result in a B state, that is, a suppression state.

<Third embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the radio wave intensity during the suppression process is made stronger than the radio wave intensity during the normal reading process.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the area G and the tag in the POS process. In the third embodiment, the radio wave intensity during the suppression process is made stronger than the radio field intensity during the normal reading process, and the area G2 that is the radio wave range during the suppression process is changed to the area that is the radio wave range during the normal reading process. Make it larger than G1.

  12A and 12B are flowcharts for explaining the procedure of the reading process in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the reading operation in the third embodiment. The process starts from the process in FIG. 12A.

  In FIG. 12A, the non-target tag suppression process is performed by the suppression unit 222 and the operation control unit 228. In the non-target tag suppression process, the suppression unit 222 performs setting to increase the radio wave intensity as compared with the normal reading process (step S200). For example, the radio wave intensity is increased by +3 dB from the normal reading process.

  The suppression unit 222 issues a select command periodically at intervals of 2 seconds or less by specifying the flag S2 during the standby time period when there is no customer (see step S202, FIG. 13). In FIG. 13, it is expressed as 2 seconds.

  The operation control unit 228 determines whether or not a transaction start instruction has been received from the store clerk (step S204). The store clerk performs an input operation (for example, a transaction start operation, see FIG. 13) to the POS terminal device 10, for example, when it is determined that the customer has approached the counter or by other means (detection by a sensor or the like; not shown). Upon receiving a transaction start operation from the store clerk, the POS processing unit 210 notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the transaction start.

  When the operation control unit 228 determines that the transaction start is not notified from the POS control unit 200 (NO in step S204), the suppression unit 222 determines whether the state maintenance time has been reached (step S206). The state maintenance time is within 2 seconds. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has not reached (NO in step S206), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S204. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has been reached (YES in step S206), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S202. That is, the suppression unit 222 performs dummy access at intervals of 2 seconds or less in order to maintain the B state of the flag S2.

  When the operation control unit 228 determines that the transaction start has been notified (YES in step S204), the operation control unit 228 performs flag change processing. The suppression unit 222 stops issuing the select command specified by the flag S2 at intervals of 2 seconds, and instead starts issuing the select command specified by the flag S1 within 2 seconds (see FIG. 13).

  The inhibiting unit 222 designates the flag S1 and issues a select command (step S210). The suppression unit 222 determines whether the state maintenance time has been reached (step S212). The state maintenance time is within 2 seconds. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has been reached (YES in step S212), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S210. The suppression unit 222 performs dummy access (issues a select command for the flag S1) at intervals of 2 seconds or less in order to maintain the B state of the flag S1.

  If the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has not reached (NO in step S212), the suppression unit 222 determines whether a notification of completion of all POS processes has been received (step S214). The POS processing unit 210 notifies the operation control unit 228 of the completion of the POS all process in response to an operation for completing the POS all process from the store clerk. Completion of all POS processes means completion of merchandise transaction. For example, when a store clerk presses the deposit total button after completing the reading process, the completion of all POS processes is notified. The operation control unit 228 notifies the suppression unit 222 and the normal reading unit 224 of the completion of all POS processes. The POS all process completion notification is also referred to as a merchandise transaction processing completion notification.

  If the suppression unit 222 determines that it has not received the POS all process completion notification (NO in step S214), it returns to step S212. When the suppression unit 222 determines that a notification of completion of all POS processes has been received (YES in step S214), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S202. The inhibiting unit 222 stops issuing the flag S1 select command (S1) within an interval of 2 seconds and resumes issuing the flag S2 select command within an interval of 2 seconds (see FIG. 13).

  Next, it progresses to FIG. 12B. In FIG. 12B, the normal reading unit 224 performs a target tag reading process. In the normal reading process, the normal reading unit 224 performs setting to weaken the radio wave intensity with respect to the suppression process (step S220). For example, it is set to −3 dB compared to the radio wave intensity of the suppression process.

  The normal reading unit 224 determines whether a transaction start notification has been received (step S222). If the normal reading unit 224 determines that there is no transaction start notification (NO in step S222), the normal reading unit 224 returns to step S222.

  When the normal reading unit 224 determines that the transaction start notification has been received (YES in step S222), the normal reading unit 224 designates the flag S2 and issues an inventory command (step S224). In normal reading processing, inventory commands are issued with high frequency (see FIG. 13). Thereby, only the tag whose flag S2 is in the A state, that is, only the target tag before reading is read.

  The normal reading unit 224 determines whether reading of all tags has been completed (step S226). If the normal reading unit 224 determines that reading of all tags has not been completed (NO in step S226), the normal reading unit 224 returns to step S224.

  When the normal reading unit 224 determines that all tags have been read (YES in step S226), the operation control unit 228 determines whether the POS process is completed (step S228).

  If the POS processing unit 210 determines that the POS processing is not completed (NO in step S228), the POS processing unit 210 returns to step S224. When it is determined that the POS process has been completed (YES in step S228), the POS processing unit 210 determines whether or not a POS all process completion notification has been received (step S230).

  When the store clerk determines that all POS processing has been completed, the store clerk presses a deposit total button (not shown) of the POS terminal device 10, for example. When the POS processing unit 210 detects that the store clerk button is pressed by the store clerk, the POS processing unit 210 notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the completion of all POS processing.

  If the normal reading unit 224 determines that it has not received the POS all process completion notification (NO in step S230), it returns to step S224. If the normal reading unit 224 determines that the notification of completion of all POS processes has been received (YES in step S230), it ends issuing the inventory command and ends the normal reading process (see FIG. 13). The normal reading unit 224 returns to step S222 and waits for a new transaction start notification.

  According to the third embodiment described above, power is supplied by repeatedly issuing a dummy access (select command of flag S1) within a predetermined maintenance time described in FIG. The B state of the flag is continued and the target flag can be read reliably.

  Further, in the third embodiment, since the radio wave intensity of the suppression process is increased compared to the normal reading process (for example, +3 dB up with respect to the normal reading process), the normal reading process is performed independently of the normal reading process. Non-target tags in a range wider than the range (approximately 1.4 times the linear distance) can be maintained in a suppressed state.

  Further, by making the radio wave intensity during the normal reading process weaker (for example, −3 dB) than the non-target tag suppression process, it is possible to reliably prevent reading of the non-target tag near the reading area limit. Note that the processing of peripheral non-target tags is executed independently (within an interval of 2 seconds) on the non-target tag suppression processing side, so there is no need to be aware of the 2-second cycle on the normal reading processing side. Even after completion of the reading process, there is a degree of freedom in irregular response time.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment is a process in which a new product detection process is further added to the third embodiment to make the radio wave intensity into three stages. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the area G and the tag in the POS process. In the fourth embodiment, an area G3 is set as a radio wave range for new product detection processing, a G2 area is set as a radio wave range for suppression processing, and a G1 area is set as a radio wave range for normal reading processing.

  The G3 area is an area where products are detected in advance, and there is only one customer on the counter (following people wait before this). The G2 area is an area on the counter, and there are cases where non-handled items such as returned items are placed in addition to handled (sales) items. The G1 area is an area in which the G2 area is further narrowed and is a normal reading area. As the size of the radio wave range, the relationship of area G1 <G2 area <G3 area is established.

  FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, and FIG. 15C are flowcharts for explaining the procedure of the reading process in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a time chart showing a reading operation in the fourth embodiment.

  In the following, the three processes of the new product detection process, the suppression process, and the normal reading process are performed by one RFID reader 20 and the POS terminal device 10, and are performed independently and in parallel.

  FIG. 15A shows a procedure for new product detection processing. The new product detection process is mainly performed by the new product detection unit 226. The new product detection unit 226 sets the radio wave intensity to a large value (step S300). For example, it is +3 dB compared to the suppression process, and +6 dB compared to the normal reading process.

  The new product detection unit 226 issues the inventory command specified by the flag S3 at a relatively high frequency (for example, at intervals of 0.1 seconds), and reads the new product (step S302). The radio wave range issued by the new product detection unit 226 is the G3 area in FIG.

  The reason why the radio wave intensity of the new product detection process is made larger than that of the suppression process is to prevent the tag detected by the new product detection process from being suppressed by the suppression process and becoming unreadable by the normal reading process.

  The new product detection unit 226 determines whether a new tag has been detected (step S304). If the new product detection unit 226 determines that a new tag has not been detected (NO in step S304), the process returns to step S302. When the new product detection unit 226 determines that a new tag has been detected (YES in step S304), the new product detection unit 226 notifies the suppression unit 222 and the normal reading unit 224 of tag detection (step S306).

  FIG. 15B shows the procedure of the suppression process. The suppression process is mainly performed by the suppression unit 222. In the non-target tag suppression process, the suppression unit 222 sets the radio wave intensity to a medium level (step S320). For example, it is set to +3 dB as compared with the radio wave intensity of the normal reading process.

  The suppression unit 222 periodically issues a select command designating the flag S2 at intervals of 2 seconds or less during a standby time period when there is no customer (see step S322, FIG. 16).

  The suppression unit 222 determines whether a new tag is detected in the G3 area (step S324). As described in step S306, the new product detection unit 226 notifies the suppression unit 222 of new tag detection.

  If the suppression unit 222 determines that a new tag is not detected in the G3 area (NO in step S324), the suppression unit 222 determines whether the state maintenance time has been reached (step S326). The state maintenance time is 2 seconds. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has not reached (NO in step S326), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S324. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has been reached (YES in step S326), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S322. The suppression unit 222 performs dummy access at intervals of 2 seconds in order to maintain the B state of the flag S2.

  If the suppression unit 222 determines that a new tag is detected in the G3 area based on the notification from step S306 (YES in step S324), it performs flag change processing. The suppression unit 222 stops issuing the select command specified by the flag S2 at intervals of 2 seconds, and instead starts issuing the select command (S1) specified by the flag S1 at intervals of 2 seconds (see FIG. 16).

  The inhibiting unit 222 issues a select command by designating S1 (step S330). The suppression unit 222 determines whether the state maintenance time has been reached (step S332). The state maintenance time is 2 seconds. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has been reached (YES in step S332), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S330. The suppression unit 222 performs dummy access (issues a select command for the flag S1) at intervals of 2 seconds in order to maintain the B state of the flag S1.

  If the suppression unit 222 determines that the state maintenance time has not reached (NO in step S332), the suppression unit 222 determines whether a notification of completion of all POS processes has been received (step S334). This is the same processing as step S214.

  If the deterrence unit 222 determines that it has not received a notification of completion of all POS processes (NO in step S334), it returns to step S332. When the suppression unit 222 determines that the notification of completion of all POS processes has been received (YES in step S334), the suppression unit 222 returns to step S322. The suppression unit 222 stops issuing the select command (S1) specified by the flag S1 at intervals of 2 seconds and restarts issuing the select command specified by the flag S2 at intervals of 2 seconds (see FIG. 16).

  Proceed to FIG. 15C. FIG. 15C shows a procedure of normal reading processing. Normal reading processing is mainly performed by the normal reading unit 224. The normal reading unit 224 sets the radio wave intensity to a small value (Step S340). For example, it is −3 dB compared to the radio wave intensity of the suppression process.

  The normal reading unit 224 determines whether a new tag is detected in the G3 area (step S342). As described in step S306, a new tag detection is notified from the new product detection unit 226 to the normal reading unit 224.

  If the normal reading unit 224 determines that a new tag is not detected in the G3 area (NO in step S342), the normal reading unit 224 repeats step S342. When the normal reading unit 224 determines that a new tag is detected in the G3 area (YES in step S342), the normal reading unit 224 determines whether the POS transaction service is being performed (step S344). If the normal reading unit 224 determines from the notification from the POS processing unit 210 that the POS transaction service is not in progress (NO in step S344), the process proceeds to step S352. The POS transaction service is a period in which the store clerk receives a product, reads the RFID tag of the received product, and confirms the read display. This processing is ignored when the POS service is stopped.

  If the normal reading unit 224 determines that the POS transaction service is being performed (YES in step S344), the normal reading unit 224 issues an inventory command designated by the flag S2 (step S346). In normal reading processing, inventory commands are issued with high frequency (see FIG. 16). Thereby, only the tag whose flag S2 is in the A state, that is, only the target tag before reading is read.

  The normal reading unit 224 determines whether reading of all tags has been completed (step S348). If the normal reading unit 224 determines that reading of all tags has not been completed (NO in step S348), the normal reading unit 224 returns to step S346.

  When the normal reading unit 224 determines that all tags have been read (YES in step S348), the normal reading unit 224 determines whether the POS process has been completed (step S350). Upon receiving an operation for completing the POS process from the store clerk, the POS processing unit 210 notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the completion of the POS process.

  When the POS processing unit 210 determines that the POS processing is not completed (NO in step S350), the POS processing unit 210 returns to step S346. When it is determined that the POS process has been completed (YES in step S350), the POS processing unit 210 determines whether or not a POS all process completion notification has been received (step S352). When the POS processing unit 210 detects that the store clerk button is pressed by the store clerk, the POS processing unit 210 notifies the RFID reader control unit 220 of the completion of all POS processing.

  If the normal reading unit 224 determines that it has not received the POS all process completion notification (NO in step S352), it returns to step S346. If the normal reading unit 224 determines that the notification of completion of all POS processes has been received (YES in step S352), it ends issuing the inventory command and ends the normal reading process (see FIG. 16). The normal reading unit 224 returns to step S342 and waits for a new tag to be detected in the G3 area.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, power is supplied by repeatedly issuing a dummy access (select command of the flag S1) within the predetermined maintenance time described in FIG. The B state is continued and the target flag can be read reliably.

  Further, according to the fourth embodiment, since a tag newly brought into the POS terminal device 10 is automatically detected in the G3 area, the burden on the store clerk is reduced. Further, since the new product detection area (G3 area) is sufficiently larger than the suppression area (G2 area), a tag newly brought into the POS terminal device 10 can be reliably detected.

  In the new product detection process, a tag approaching the POS terminal device 10 is detected as a target tag to be POS processed. However, even when an irrelevant tag that is not a target tag approaches the POS terminal device 10, there is a possibility that it will be detected by the new product detection process. Two examples of irregular processing for removing an irrelevant tag in the new product detection processing will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a time chart for explaining the first irregular processing. There is a case where an irrelevant tag temporarily passes through the G3 area. In this case, the process temporarily shifts to the suppression process and the normal reading process. However, if no new tag is detected in the G1 area within a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) after the start of the normal reading process, the POS process is performed. The unit 210 performs a timeout process. The store clerk may determine the timeout and operate.

  FIG. 18 is a time chart for explaining the second irregular process. This is a case where an irrelevant tag passes temporarily in the route of G3 area → G2 area → G1 area. If the POS terminal device 10 is not in a transaction, the POS processing unit 210 will systematically invalidate the tag as an irrelevant tag if the reading process does not start even after a certain period of time has elapsed (for example, 10 seconds). It can respond by doing. Further, if the POS terminal device 10 is in a transaction, the store clerk may invalidate the irrelevant tag by checking the actual item or quantity on the screen.

  In the fourth embodiment, by using another antenna other than the antenna 25 for the G3 area, it is also possible to concentrate the customer arrangement side in a different row from that in FIG.

<Fifth Embodiment>
According to the first to fourth embodiments, a tag that already exists in the counter 50 becomes unreadable by the suppression process. However, there are cases where it is necessary to read a tag that already exists in the counter 50 and has been subjected to suppression processing. The fifth embodiment is a process of reading a tag that has been subjected to the suppression process existing in the counter 50 as a target tag by using a clear box. In the following, an example in which flag clear processing is applied to the configuration of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 19 is an external view of the POS system 2 of the fifth embodiment. The POS system 2 is an example of a configuration in which a clear box 60 is added to the basic configuration of the POS system 2. The clear box 60 is a radio wave shielding box that shields radio waves from the outside.

  The clear box 60 is disposed beside the POS terminal device 10 above the counter 50. Inside the clear box 60, the second antenna 25b is provided. The RFID reader 20 is connected to an antenna 25 and a second antenna 25b.

  FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram relating to RFID reader control of the POS system 2. The functional block diagram relating to the RFID reader control of the POS system 2 will be described mainly with respect to differences from the functional block diagram of the POS system 1 of FIG.

  The RFID reader control unit 220 further includes a flag clear processing unit 230. The flag clear processing unit 230 causes the RFID reader 20 to issue a clear command for switching the flag of the RFID tag stored in the clear box 60 to the response permission state.

  In addition to the antenna 25, the RFID reader 20 is connected to a second antenna 25b. The second antenna 25b is housed inside the clear box 60. The flag clear processing unit 230 instructs the RFID reader 20 to issue a clear command from the second antenna 25b.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the radio wave area and the tag. As an example, we will explain the case where the customer's reserved items (2 points) are placed on the counter (in a deterrent state) and the customer comes to receive the product. As described above, the configuration based on the fourth embodiment will be described. The G3 area, the G2 area, and the G1 area are the same as in the fourth embodiment.

  As described in the fourth embodiment, the flag S3 of the RFID tag that already exists in the G3 area is maintained in the B state by the new product detection process, and the flag of the RFID tag that already exists in the G2 area. In S2, the B state is maintained by the suppression process.

  As a result, the customer's reserved item (target tag Tc) is already placed in the G3 area and the G2 area, and therefore cannot be read (detected) by the flag S3, and reading by the flag S2 is also inhibited. It cannot be read. In addition, No1-No6 is a number which shows the operation procedure of a shop assistant in order.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the flag clear process. When the customer visits the store, the store clerk puts the customer's reserved item (target tag Tc) in the clear box 60 and executes a flag clear process. The RFID tag flag clear process is mainly performed by the flag clear processing unit 230.

  The store clerk stores the customer's reserved item (target tag Tc) placed on the counter 50 in the clear box 60 and closes the door (No1 → No2 in FIG. 21). The flag clear processing unit 230 determines whether or not the door of the clear box 60 is closed (step S400). The closed state of the door of the clear box 60 is detected by the RFID reader control unit 220 based on, for example, a signal from a sensor (not shown) of the door of the clear box 60.

  If flag clear processing unit 230 determines that the door of clear box 60 is not closed (NO in step S400), it repeats step S400. If the flag clear processing unit 230 determines that the door of the clear box 60 is closed (YES in step S400), the flag clear processing unit 230 issues a select command for changing the flag of the target tag Tc from the B state to the A state. Issued from the second antenna 25b.

  Specifically, the flag clear processing unit 230 alternately performs a select command for clearing the S2 flag (from B to A state) and a select command for clearing the S3 flag (from B to A state) from the second antenna 25b. The RFID reader 20 is instructed to issue (see step S402, FIG. 23).

  The flag clear processing unit 230 determines whether the issue of the select command has been executed twice (step S404). If the flag clear processing unit 230 determines that the selection command has been issued twice (YES in step S404), the flag clear processing is completed. The issue of the select command may be executed once. In the present embodiment, the process is executed twice for more reliable processing. The flag clear processing unit 230 may issue a completion notification to the POS processing unit 210.

  Next, the store clerk takes out the customer's reserved item (target tag Ta1) from the clear box 60 (No. 3 in FIG. 21) and moves it to the reading position (No. 4, No. 5 in FIG. 21). For the processing after the flag clear processing, the reading processing according to the fourth embodiment is applied as it is. This product state is the same as a normal customer bringing a product placed in the store to the counter register. That is, it can be detected as a new product in the G3 area and can be read in the G1 area.

  Specifically, the customer's reserved item (target tag Ta1) is detected as a new product in the G3 area by the new product detection unit 226, and the following processing proceeds using this as a trigger. Other products in the G2 area are switched from the flag S2 to the flag S1, and the inhibition state is maintained. When the customer's reserved items enter the G1 area, they are treated as transaction products. After the reading process, the store clerk gives the customer's reserved item (target tag Ta3) to the customer (No. 6 in FIG. 21).

  In addition, as a starting method of flag clear processing, you may be other than the door closed state detection of the clear box 60 mentioned above. For example, an activation switch is prepared on the POS terminal device 10 in the same manner as the reading process in the first embodiment, and the RFID reader 20 issues a flag clearing select command (explained in step S402) by operating the activation switch. You may do it. Alternatively, it may be activated by a manual operation after the clear box 60 is closed. Further, the issue of the select command may always be executed. In general, the flag clearing process itself takes a short time that takes less than 1 second.

  In the above description, the example in which the flag clear process is applied to the configuration of the fourth embodiment has been described as the fifth embodiment. According to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, since new product detection in the G3 area (flag S3) is a trigger for starting a normal reading process (explained in step S342), signal cooperation with the flag clear process is unnecessary. become.

  Further, as the fifth embodiment, it is possible to apply a flag clear process to the configurations of the first to third embodiments. In this case, “flag clear process completion” can be easily realized by using a normal reading process start trigger. Further, since it can be realized in cooperation with an instruction from the same POS terminal device 10 and the same RFID reader 20, it is easy to construct. In the case of the first to third embodiments, the flag clear process only needs to be performed in the clear box 60 to clear the S2 flag.

  Note that the antenna for the clear box 60 may be formed by connecting only the second antenna 25b to the RFID reader 20 used in the first to fourth embodiments.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, by using the clear box 60, even the target tag Tc that already exists in the counter 50 and has been subjected to the suppression process can be read by clearing the flag reliably in a short time.

  As another method for clearing the target tag Tc (from the B state to the A state), it can also be realized by placing it in a general (open) environment where no radio wave is applied. However, the S2 / S3 flag retention rule of 2 seconds or more may actually take several tens of seconds or more, and it is not possible to prepare a general (open) and reliable environment that does not receive radio waves. It's getting harder. On the other hand, according to the flag clear process, it takes less than 1 second.

  In addition, although the RFID reader control unit (RFID reader control device) 220 in each embodiment has been described as being implemented by software processing, a part or all of it may be configured by hardware.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. It goes without saying that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1, 2 POS system
10 POS terminal device 20 RFID reader 25 antenna 25b second antenna 50 counter 60 clear box 100 CPU
102 RAM
104 ROM
106 Graphic processing unit 108 Input / output IF
110 Communication IF
200 POS Control Unit 210 POS Processing Unit 220 Reader Control Unit 222 Suppression Unit 224 Normal Reading Unit 226 New Product Detection Unit 228 Operation Control Unit 230 Flag Clear Processing Unit

Claims (13)

In an RFID reader control device that controls an RFID reader that reads an RFID tag provided with a flag capable of switching between a response permission state and a response non-permission state,
A deterrence unit that issues a deterrence command from the RFID reader to deter the response of the RFID tag by setting the flag to a response non-permitted state;
A reading unit for issuing a reading command for instructing reading of the RFID tag from the RFID reader;
An operation control unit for controlling operations of the suppression unit and the reading unit;
The operation controller is
Until the RFID tag reading instruction is issued, the inhibition command is issued from the RFID reader to the inhibition unit so that the RFID flag existing in the area where the RFID tag is read is set to a response non-permission state. Let
When there is an instruction to read the new RFID tag, the deterrence unit stops issuing the deterrence command from the RFID reader, and the reading unit starts issuing the read command from the RFID reader,
An RFID reader control apparatus, wherein when the reading unit finishes reading the new RFID tag, the inhibition unit restarts issuing the inhibition command from the RFID reader. The RFID reader control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the new RFID tag is an RFID tag that is newly brought into the area where the RFID tag is read from outside. The said suppression part makes the said RFID reader issue the said command for a suppression at predetermined time intervals so that the response non-permission state of the flag of the said RFID tag may be maintained continuously. RFID reader controller. 2. The RFID reader control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the types of flags of the inhibition command and the reading command are the same type. Further, after the issuance of the deterrence command, the deterrence unit causes the RFID reader to issue a maintenance command for maintaining the flag that has been set in a response non-permitted state by the deterrence command,
The operation control unit causes the suppression unit to stop issuing the suppression command from the RFID reader when there is an instruction to read the new RFID tag, and causes the reading unit to execute the reading command from the RFID reader. And issuing the maintenance command from the RFID reader to the suppression unit,
The RFID reader control device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The RFID reader control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inhibition unit designates a type different from the type of the flag for the suppression command as the type of the flag for the maintenance command. 6. The RFID reader control device according to claim 5, wherein the suppression unit sets the radio field intensity of the suppression command and the maintenance command to be larger than the radio field intensity of the reading command. After the completion of reading the new RFID tag, the operation control unit further receives a transaction processing completion notification of a product corresponding to the new RFID tag, and then sends the suppression command from the RFID reader to the suppression unit. The RFID reader control device according to claim 1, wherein issuing is resumed. A new product detection unit for issuing a new product detection command for detecting the new RFID tag from the RFID reader;
2. The RFID reader according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit determines that there is an instruction to read the new RFID tag when the new RFID tag is detected by the new product detection unit. Control device. The new product detection unit detects the new RFID tag that exists outside the radio wave range of the suppression command by setting the radio wave intensity of the new product detection command to be larger than the radio wave intensity of the suppression command. The RFID reader control device according to claim 9. The RFID reader control device according to claim 1, wherein the RFID reader control device is mounted on a POS terminal device. In an RFID reader control method for controlling an RFID reader that reads an RFID tag provided with a flag capable of switching between a response permission state and a response non-permission state,
Until there is a new RFID tag reading instruction, the RFID reader issues a deterrence command so that the RFID flag existing in the area where the RFID tag is read is in a response non-permitted state,
When there is an instruction to read the new RFID tag, stop issuing the suppression command from the RFID reader, start issuing the reading command from the RFID reader,
An RFID reader control method, wherein reading of the suppression command from the RFID reader is resumed when reading of the new RFID tag is completed by the reading command. In a program for causing a computer to execute a control method for controlling an RFID reader that reads an RFID tag provided with a flag capable of switching between a response permission state and a response disapproval state,
The control method is:
Until there is a new RFID tag reading instruction, the RFID reader issues a deterrence command so that the RFID flag existing in the area where the RFID tag is read is in a response non-permitted state,
When there is an instruction to read the new RFID tag, stop issuing the suppression command from the RFID reader, start issuing the reading command from the RFID reader,
A program for resuming issuance of the deterrence command from the RFID reader when reading of the new RFID tag is completed by the reading command.