JP2021140814A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of giving notice of failure if any one of antennas for receiving transmission information from a wireless tag has failed.SOLUTION: A control device of an embodiment comprises: reading means for reading identification information on antennas that have received transmission information from a wireless tag; and control means for outputting a notification signal on a condition that identification information on at least one antenna among operation object antennas is not included in the identification information read by the reading means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to control devices.

Conventionally, the introduction of RFID systems that can collectively read product code tags in POS systems has been promoted. In this RFID system, the product code of each product in the shopping cart is collectively read from the RFID tag attached to each product by the antenna of the RFID reader / writer device.

However, when the RFID reader / writer device uses a plurality of antennas, even if one of them fails, the product code can be normally read from the RFID tag within the communication range of the remaining antennas. Will be done. Therefore, if the failure of the antenna cannot be found, the settlement process proceeds without reading the product code of the product within the communication range of the antenna. For products whose product code has not been read after payment, the products will pass through the exit gate of the store as unpaid products, so measures to avoid this are necessary.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control device capable of notifying a failure of even one antenna that receives transmission information of a wireless tag.

The control device of the embodiment includes a reading means for reading the identification information of the antenna that has received the transmission information of the wireless tag, and at least one of the identification information read by the reading means among the antennas to be operated. A control means for outputting a notification signal on condition that the identification information of the antenna is not included is provided.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of the POS system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall hardware configuration of the POS system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block related to antenna failure detection of a POS terminal. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal flow in the entire POS system when the POS terminal outputs a read instruction. FIG. 5 is an example of the data structure of the correspondence information. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing related to antenna failure detection executed by the CPU of the POS terminal. FIG. 7 is a flow chart (continued) showing an example of processing related to antenna failure detection executed by the CPU of the POS terminal. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an acquisition flow of correspondence information acquired by the POS terminal from the reader / writer device. FIG. 9 is an example of a notification screen displayed on the first display and the second display.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the control device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, an example in which the above control device is applied to a POS (Point of Sales) system as an embodiment is shown.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of the POS system 100 according to the present embodiment. The POS terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a POS register that acquires a product code of a product purchased by a customer and performs registration processing, settlement processing, and the like of the purchased product. The reader / writer device 2 drives the antenna unit 3 based on a reading command output from the POS terminal 1, and acquires a product code which is transmission information of an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag from the antenna unit 3. The antenna unit 3 has a plurality of antennas built-in, and reads the product code of the RFID tag attached to the product in the shopping cart C indicated by the broken line. Although four RFID tags T1, T2, T3, and T4 are shown as an example in FIG. 1, the number of RFID tags may be arbitrary.

The control device may be applied to either the POS terminal 1 or the reader / writer device 2. As an example, here, the one applied to the POS terminal 1 will be shown.

The POS terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a keyboard 102, a card reader 103, a receipt discharge port 104, and the like on the upper surface of the main body 101. The keyboard 102 is arranged with operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a department key, a subtotal key, a deposit / current total key, a receipt issuing key, and a settlement key. The card reader 103 includes a card slit, and reads card information such as a credit card by a reading head in the card slit. The receipt discharge port 104 discharges a receipt or the like printed by the printer 105 (see FIG. 2) inside the main body 101.

Further, the POS terminal 1 has two display displays (first display display 106-1 and second display display 106-2) such as a liquid crystal display on the upper surface of the main body 101. The first display 106-1 of the display displays is arranged with the display surface 106a facing the operator (described as a cashier as an example) side of the keyboard 102. The second display 106-2 is arranged with the first display 106-1 with its backs facing back to each other. A touch input type screen provided with a first touch panel 107a is formed on the display surface 106a of the first display display 106-1. Similarly, the second display display 106-2 has a touch input type screen, which enables the customer to perform a touch operation.

The POS terminal 1 also has a hand scanner 108 for reading a product tag on which a code symbol such as a barcode attached to the product is printed. Further, the POS terminal 1 arranges a drawer 109 for storing coins and banknotes in the lower part of the main body 101. Further, the POS terminal 1 has a communication interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or RS232C in the main body 101. The POS terminal 1 and the reader / writer device 2 can be connected by a connection cable C1 such as USB or RS232C.

The reader / writer device 2 has an indicator lamp 124 on the main body 201. Further, the main body 201 has a communication interface such as USB or RS232C, and a connection port for an antenna cable. The reader / writer device 2 and the antenna unit 3 can be connected by the antenna cable C2.

The antenna unit 3 has four antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 (see FIG. 2) inside the main body 301 as antennas to be operated. The antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 are arranged so as to radiate radio waves to different ranges in the shopping cart C, respectively. All antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 enable communication with RFID tags T1, T2, T3, and T4 of each product in the shopping cart C.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall hardware configuration of the POS system 100. The POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 114, a keyboard 102, a card reader 103, a printer 105, and a first. A display display 106-1, a second display display 106-2, a first touch panel 107a, a second touch panel 107b, a hand scanner 108, a drawer 109, a communication interface 110, and the like are provided. The parts are connected to each other by the bus Y1.

The CPU 111 executes arithmetic processing and control processing of each part. The ROM 112 stores a fixed program such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System). The RAM 113 is used as a work area or the like when the CPU 111 executes a program. The CPU 111, ROM 112, and RAM 113 described above are provided as a microcomputer or the like, and control the entire POS terminal 1.

The HDD 114 stores various programs, various data, and the like. The HDD 114 includes, as various programs, for example, a control program for the entire POS terminal 1 and a program for product registration processing. Further, the HDD 114 has various data such as data such as a flag value and a variable value for detecting a failure of each antenna L1, L2, L3, and L4, and a screen such as a notification screen G (see FIG. 9) for notifying the failure. Includes data etc. In addition, the HDD 114 includes a product master table, a registration table, and the like.

The keyboard 102 outputs the input signal received by the operation keys to the CPU 111. The card reader 103 outputs the card information read by the reading head to the CPU 111. The printer 105 is driven based on a print command from the CPU 111, and performs a printing operation of printing print data on a receipt and discharging the print data. The first display display 106-1 displays the screen data output by the CPU 111 on the display surface 106a. The second display 106-2 displays the screen data output by the CPU 111 on the display surface of the second display 106-2. The first touch panel 107a detects a touch operation on the display surface 106a and outputs a signal indicating the touch position to the CPU 111. The second touch panel 107b detects a touch operation on the display surface of the second display display 106-2, and outputs a signal indicating the touch position to the CPU 111. The hand scanner 108 reads the printed surface of the product tag attached to the product and outputs the product code to the CPU 111. The drawer 109 unlocks the storage case of the drawer 109 based on the release signal output by the CPU 111. The communication interface 110 communicates with the communication interface 127 of the reader / writer device 2 by RS232C, USB, or the like.

Each part of the POS terminal 1 operates by supplying power from a power supply means such as an AC power supply or a battery.

The reader / writer device 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, an indicator lamp 124, a buzzer 125, an antenna connection interface 126, a communication interface 127, and the like. The parts are connected to each other by the bus Y2.

The CPU 121 executes arithmetic processing and control processing of each part. The ROM 122 stores a BIOS, a control program, and the like. The RAM 123 is used as a work area or the like when the CPU 121 executes a program. The RAM 123 has a temporary storage area such as antenna identification information and a product code as a work area.

The indicator lamp 124 has a plurality of indicator lamps such as LEDs, and turns on or off each indicator lamp according to an output signal output from the CPU 121 to each indicator lamp. The buzzer 125 switches the buzzer sound output on and off according to the output signal from the CPU 121. The communication interface 127 communicates with the communication interface 110 of the POS terminal 1 by RS232C, USB, or the like.

The antenna connection interface 126 selectively selects ports connected to the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 in a predetermined order by a control signal from the CPU 121, and attaches an RFID tag to each of the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4. Communicate. FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a switch 126-1 in which a port is selected by electronic or mechanical switch switching. The antenna connection interface 126 drives an antenna connected to the port to transmit a question wave and receives a response wave from the antenna.

Each part of the reader / writer device 2 operates by supplying power from a power supply means such as an AC power supply or a battery.

The antenna unit 3 includes four antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4. Each of the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 is, for example, a circularly polarized wave type antenna, and is used for both transmission and reception. The antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 are connected to the antenna connection interface 126 of the reader / writer device 2 via the antenna cable C2.

Next, the functional block of the POS terminal 1 will be described. The POS terminal 1 reads various programs of the ROM 112 and the HDD 114 into the RAM 113 and executes them in the CPU 111 to exert various functions such as product registration, product settlement, and antenna failure detection.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block related to antenna failure detection of the POS terminal 1. The reading unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 outputs an RFID tag reading command to the communication interface 110 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the communication interface 110 outputs a signal E1 (see FIG. 4) indicating the start of reading the RFID tag to the reader / writer device 2 (see FIG. 4) to which the communication interface 110 is connected. Subsequently, the reading unit 10 acquires the correspondence information D (see FIG. 4) that the reader / writer device 2 returns to the POS terminal 1 from the communication interface 110 (see FIG. 2), and reads the data. Correspondence information D, which will be described later, is the identification information (see FIG. 4) of the antenna in which the reader / writer device 2 (see FIG. 4) receives the product code received by each of the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 (see FIG. 4). It is associated with the antenna numbers A1, A2, A3, and A4).

The control unit 11 shown in FIG. 3 does not include at least one data among the antenna numbers A1, A2, A3, and A4 (see FIG. 4) in the correspondence information D (see FIG. 4) read by the reading unit 10. On condition that, a notification signal is output to the notification means included in the POS terminal 1. In the present embodiment, the POS terminal 1 (see FIG. 2) has a first display display 106-1 (see FIG. 2) and a second display display 106-2 (see FIG. 2) as the notification means. Therefore, the control unit 11 outputs the notification screen data as the notification signal to the notification means. In the above, at least one data of the antenna numbers may not be included, but this differs depending on the design of the correspondence information D, the output form of the correspondence information D by the reader / writer device 2, and the like. For example, one of them corresponds to the case where at least one antenna number itself is missing. In addition, another case corresponds to the case where there is no corresponding product code even if there is an antenna number. In the present embodiment, a continuation of the configuration will be described on the assumption that the former antenna number itself does not exist.

In the batch reading of the product code, it is assumed that the product code may or may not be read by some antennas due to the bias of the RFID tag in the shopping cart C (see FIG. 1). Therefore, it is advisable to take measures to prevent erroneous determination of antenna failure due to the bias of RFID tags.

Assuming such a situation, the control unit 11 shown in the present embodiment includes a counting unit 11-1 and a notification unit 11-2 as an example. The counting unit 11-1 counts the number of consecutive non-appearances for each of the antenna numbers A1, A2, A3, and A4 each time the data of the corresponding information D is read by the reading unit 10 (for each batch reading cycle). The notification unit 11-2 outputs the notification signal on condition that the number of consecutive non-appearances of any of the antenna numbers exceeds the threshold value. The optimum value of the threshold value, such as 1 time, 5 times, 10 times, 20 times, and 30 times, may be appropriately determined according to the arrangement of the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal flow in the entire POS system 100 when the POS terminal 1 outputs a read instruction. As shown in FIG. 4, the POS terminal 1 outputs a signal E1 indicating the start of reading to the reader / writer device 2.

The reader / writer device 2 receives the signal (E1) at the communication interface 127 (see FIG. 2), and under the control of the CPU 121 (see FIG. 2), the antenna connection interface 126 (see FIG. 2) is used for each antenna. The connection ports of L1, L2, L3, and L4 are switched in a predetermined order. By this switching, the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 (see FIG. 4) are driven in their predetermined order, and the signal E2 including the product code of the RFID tags T1, T2, T3, and T4 is sent to the reader / writer device 2. Output.

Consider a case where the RFID tags T1, T2, T3, and T4 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4, and the connection ports of the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 are switched in this order. In such a case, the reader / writer device 2 first connects to the antenna L1 and acquires the product code t1 of the RFID tag T1 in the communication area from the antenna L1. The reader / writer device 2 stores the acquired product code t1 in the RAM 123 in association with the antenna number A1 of the acquisition destination antenna L1. The reader / writer device 2 subsequently connects to the antenna L2 and acquires the product code t2 of the RFID tag T2 in the communication area from the antenna L2. The reader / writer device 2 stores the acquired product code t2 in the RAM 123 in association with the antenna number A2 of the acquisition destination antenna L2. The reader / writer device 2 further acquires the product code t3 and the product code t4 from the antenna L3 and the antenna L4 in this order, and stores them in the RAM 123 in association with the antenna number of the acquisition destination antenna.

When the reader / writer device 2 drives the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 in a predetermined order, the reader / writer device 2 drives the corresponding information D, that is, the product codes t1, t2, acquired via the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4. The t3 and t4 and the antenna number of the antenna connected at the time of acquiring each product code are transmitted from the communication interface 127 (see FIG. 2) to the POS terminal 1 as a read signal E3 with an antenna number.

After outputting the read command (E1), the POS terminal 1 receives a read signal (E3) with an antenna number transmitted from the reader / writer device 2, and detects an antenna failure based on the corresponding information D included therein. Perform the processing related to. Then, the POS terminal 1 performs product registration, settlement processing, and the like for the product code included in the correspondence information D, provided that the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 are operating normally. If the antenna is out of order, the POS terminal 1 discards the product code (end of the batch reading cycle).

FIG. 5 is an example of the data structure of the correspondence information D. As shown in FIG. 5, the correspondence information D has a data structure in which the antenna number d1 and the product code d2 are associated with each other. The antenna number d1 is the antenna number of the antenna for which the product code has been obtained. The product code d2 is a product code acquired by the antenna indicated by the antenna number. If the antenna acquires multiple product codes, all the acquired product codes are included.

6 and 7 are flow charts showing an example of a product registration process (mainly a process related to antenna failure detection) executed by the CPU 111 (see FIG. 2) of the POS terminal 1. For example, the customer places the shopping cart C (see FIG. 1) in a predetermined position on the antenna unit 3 (see FIG. 1), and the POS terminal 1 displays the shopping cart C (see FIG. 1) on the first display display 106-1 (see FIG. 1). The cashier touches the key. By such an operation, the CPU 111 (see FIG. 2) receives an input indicating the start of the product registration process from the first touch panel 107a (see FIG. 2) or the like.

The CPU 111 allocates a flag setting area (flag 1, flag 2, flag 3, flag 4) and a counter area (parameter K1, parameter K2, parameter K3, parameter K4) for each antenna to the RAM 113 (see FIG. 2).

Flags 1 to 4 and parameters K1 to K4 correspond to each antenna number of the antenna to be operated. Specifically, the flag 1 and the parameter K1 correspond to the antenna number A1. Flag 2 and parameter K2 correspond to antenna number A2. Flag 3 and parameter K3 correspond to antenna number A3. Flag 4 and parameter K4 correspond to antenna number A4. The antenna to be operated can be identified by storing the antenna number of the antenna connected to each port in the HDD 114 as setting information in advance. For example, by registering the antenna numbers A1, A2, A3, and A4 in advance from the setting screen of the driver corresponding to the reader / writer device 2, the antenna to be operated can be identified.

Then, the CPU 111 executes the product registration processing program by setting the flag value and the variable value of each antenna saved in the HDD 114 in each value.

The flag setting area is a flag area indicating whether the non-appearance of the antenna number is continuous. When the value of the flag area is "1", it indicates that it is continuous. The counter area is an area indicating the number of consecutive non-appearances of the antenna number (the number of consecutive non-appearances). Hereinafter, the processing flow will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as appropriate.

First, the CPU 111 outputs a read instruction to the reader / writer device 2 to the communication interface 110 (S1).

Subsequently, the CPU 111 reads the data in the correspondence information D (see FIG. 5) returned from the reader / writer device 2 to the communication interface 110 (S2).

Subsequently, the CPU 111 performs the "process for detecting the failure of the antenna" shown below for each case based on the data read from the correspondence information D. In the following, it is assumed that the antenna numbers of the antennas L1, L2, L3, and L4 are A1, A2, A3, and A4, respectively. Further, in the description illustrated below, it is assumed that there are products such as product codes t5, t6, ... Following the product code t4 in the shopping cart C (see FIG. 1).

(Normal processing when all antennas L1, L2, L3, L4 are operating normally)
Following step S2, the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A1 (S3). When the antenna number A1 is included in step S3 (step S3: Yes determination), the CPU 111 reads the flag 1 and determines whether the value is “0” (S4). When the value of the flag 1 is "0" in step S4 (step S4: Yes determination), the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A2 (S5). When the antenna number A2 is included in step S5 (step S5: Yes determination), the flag 2 is read and it is determined whether the value is “0” (S6).

When the value of the flag 2 is "0" in step S6 (step S6: Yes determination), the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A3 (S7). When the antenna number A3 is included in step S7 (step S7: Yes determination), the CPU 111 reads the flag 3 and determines whether the value is “0” (S8). When the value of the flag 3 is "0" in step S8 (step S8: Yes determination), the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A4 (S9). When the antenna number A4 is included in step S9 (step S9: Yes determination), the CPU 111 reads the flag 4 and determines whether the value is “0” (S10).

When the value of the flag 4 is "0" in step S10 (step S10: Yes determination), the CPU 111 determines whether any one of the parameters K1, K2, K3, and K4 exceeds the upper limit value (threshold value). Judgment (S11). When none of the values of the parameters K1, K2, K3, and K4 exceeds the upper limit value in step S11 (step S11: No determination), the CPU 111 performs the product code registration process included in the corresponding information D (S12). .. In the registration process, record information such as the corresponding product name and unit price is acquired from the product master table based on the acquired product code, and the information is registered in the registration table or the like as a purchased product. Here, the registration process is shown, but the settlement process may be continued after the product is registered. When the processing such as registration (or registration and settlement) is completed, the processing of one transaction is completed, and the CPU 111 displays the batch read key or the like on the first display display 106-1.

(Temporary setting processing when it is considered that the antenna has failed)
If the correspondence information D does not include the antenna number A1, a No determination is made in step S3. Following this, the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A2 (S13). Then, when the antenna number A2 is included in step S13 (step S13: Yes determination), the CPU 111 sets the value "1" in the flag 1 (S14), and further counts up the number of consecutive times in the value of the parameter K1. The value "1" to be added is added (S15), and the process proceeds to step S5.

If the correspondence information D does not include the antenna number A2, a No determination is made in step S5. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value "1" to the flag 2 (S16), further adds the value "1" to the value of the parameter K2 (S17), and proceeds to step S6.

If the correspondence information D does not include the antenna number A3, a No determination is made in step S7. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value "1" in the flag 3 (S18), further adds the value "1" to the value of the parameter K3 (S19), and proceeds to step S8.

If the correspondence information D does not include the antenna number A4, a No determination is made in step S9. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value "1" to the flag 4 (S20), further adds the value "1" to the value of the parameter K4 (S21), and proceeds to step S10.

If the non-appearance state "flag value = 1" of the antenna number continues in the product registration process for each transaction due to an antenna failure, the value of the parameter K of the antenna number in the non-appearance state is added by 1 for each transaction. Its value gradually increases. When the value of the parameter K exceeds the upper limit value, in step S11, the CPU 111 determines that the value of the parameter K exceeds the upper limit value (step S11: Yes determination). As a result, the CPU 111 erases all the acquired product codes for one transaction (S22), and displays the notification screen G (see FIG. 9) showing the antenna number of the failed antenna on the first display display 106-1 or the second display. Output to display 106-2 (S23).

Subsequently, the CPU 111 determines whether the hand scan mode key B1 (see FIG. 9) on the notification screen G has been touch-operated (S24). When the hand scan mode key B1 is touch-operated (step S24: Yes determination), the CPU 111 outputs a product registration screen instead of the notification screen G, and registers the product code by the hand scanner 108 (S25). Specifically, in step S25, the CPU 111 receives the product code read by the hand scanner 108. Then, the CPU 111 acquires record information such as the corresponding product name and unit price from the product master table based on the received product code, and registers the information in the registration table or the like as a purchased product. As already mentioned, the settlement process may be continued after the product is registered. When the processing such as registration (or registration and settlement) is completed, the processing of one transaction is completed, and the CPU 111 displays the hand scan mode key or the like on the first display display 106-1.

When the closing key B2 (see FIG. 9) is touch-operated in step S24 (step S24: No determination), the CPU 111 notifies the first display display 106-1 and the second display display 106-2. The output of the screen G (see FIG. 9) is terminated (S26).

(Recovery processing when the antenna is not defective)
When the antenna number A1 is included in the correspondence information D again, a No determination is made in step S4. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value “1” of the flag 1 to the value “0” (S31), further resets the value of the parameter K1 to “0” (S32), and proceeds to step S5.

When the antenna number A2 is included in the correspondence information D again, a No determination is made in step S6. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value “1” of the flag 2 to the value “0” (S33), further resets the value of the parameter K2 to “0” (S34), and proceeds to step S7.

When the antenna number A3 is included in the correspondence information D again, a No determination is made in step S8. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value “1” of the flag 3 to the value “0” (S35), further resets the value of the parameter K3 to “0” (S36), and proceeds to step S9.

When the antenna number A4 is included in the correspondence information D again, a No determination is made in step S10. Following this, the CPU 111 sets the value “1” of the flag 4 to the value “0” (S37), further resets the value of the parameter K4 to “0” (S38), and proceeds to step S11.

In the batch reading of product codes, it is assumed that the reading of the product code in the shopping cart C (see FIG. 1) by a certain antenna may or may not be read by the transaction due to the bias of the RFID tag. In such a case, in order not to mistakenly determine that the antenna has failed, the process shown above resets the number of consecutive times when the product code is read again so that the upper limit value is not exceeded.

(No-count processing that does not mean that the antenna is out of order)
If the correspondence information D does not include the antenna number A1, a No determination is made in step S3. Further, when the correspondence information D does not include the antenna number A2, a No determination is made in step S13. Following this, the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A3 (S41). Then, when the antenna number A3 is not included in step S41 (step S41: No determination), the CPU 111 determines whether the correspondence information D includes the antenna number A4 (S42). Then, when the antenna number A4 is not included in step S42 (step S42: No determination), the process proceeds to step S23.

When the correspondence information D does not include all the antenna numbers A1, A2, A3, and A4, it is assumed that the product in the shopping cart C is a product without an RFID tag. In such a case, it is unlikely that the antenna will fail, so no count is set and the count-up of the number of consecutive non-appearances is suspended.

If the antenna number A3 is included in step S41 (step S41: Yes determination), the CPU 111 shifts to the process of step S14. This is a process when only the antenna number A1 and the antenna number A2 do not appear.

Further, even when the antenna number A4 is included in step S42 (step S42: Yes determination), the CPU 111 shifts to the process of step S14. This is a process when all but the antenna number A4 do not appear.

At the end of this program, the values of flags 1 to 4 and the values of parameters K1 to K4 are saved in the HDD 114.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an acquisition flow of correspondence information D acquired by the POS terminal 1 from the reader / writer device 2. FIG. 8A shows the correspondence information D1 when all the antenna numbers A1, A2, A3, and A4 are included. FIG. 8B shows the correspondence information D2 that does not include the antenna number A1 and is acquired in the next transaction of the correspondence information D1. FIG. 8C shows the correspondence information D3 including the antenna number A1 again, which is acquired in the next transaction of the correspondence information D2. FIG. 8D shows the correspondence information D4 that does not include all the antenna numbers, which is acquired in the next transaction of the correspondence information D3. FIG. 8E shows the correspondence information D5 that does not include the antenna number A3, which is acquired in the next transaction of the correspondence information D4. FIG. 8 (f) shows the correspondence information D35 not including the antenna number A3 after the transaction of the upper limit value including the correspondence information D5. It is assumed that the correspondence information D5 to the correspondence information D35 do not continuously include the antenna number A3.

Hereinafter, the correspondence relationship between the correspondence information acquisition flow chart shown in FIG. 8 and the processing flow chart shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 will be shown. First, the CPU 111 performs normal processing in the transaction of the corresponding information D1.

Subsequently, the CPU 111 performs a temporary setting process of the antenna number A1 in the transaction of the correspondence information D2. Specifically, the CPU 111 sets the value "1" to the flag 1 in step S14, and further adds the value "1" to the value of the parameter K1 in step S15.

Subsequently, the CPU 111 performs a recovery process of the antenna number A1 in the transaction of the corresponding information D3. Specifically, the CPU 111 returns the flag 1 to the value "0" in step S31, and further resets the value of the parameter K1 to the value "0" in step S32.

Subsequently, the CPU 111 performs a no-count process in the transaction of the corresponding information D4. Specifically, the CPU 111 has steps S3 (No determination), step S13 (No determination), step S41 (No determination), and step S42 (No determination), and the values of the parameters K1, K2, K3, and K4 of each antenna. Withhold the count-up of.

Subsequently, the CPU 111 performs a temporary setting process of the antenna number A3 in the transaction of the corresponding information D5. Specifically, the CPU 111 sets the value "1" to the flag 3 in step S18, and further adds the value "1" to the value of the parameter K3 in step S19.

Then, the CPU 111 continues to add the value "1" to the value of the parameter K3 in step S19 until the transaction of the corresponding information D35.

Subsequently, the CPU 111 determines that the antenna L3 (antenna number A3) is a failure in the transaction of the correspondence information D35, and displays a notification screen G (see FIG. 9) showing the antenna number A3.

FIG. 9 is an example of a notification screen displayed on the first display display 106-1 (see FIG. 2) and the second display display 106-2 (see FIG. 2). The notification screen G shown in FIG. 9 includes notification information J indicating an antenna failure, a hand scan mode key B1, and a closing key B2.

The notification information J includes the antenna number and the like during the failure as information indicating the failure of the antenna.

The hand scan mode key B1 is an operation key for instructing the CPU 111 (see FIG. 2) of the product registration process in the hand scan mode.

The close key B2 is an operation key for instructing the CPU 111 to close the displayed notification screen G.

In the present embodiment, the RFID tag is shown as an example of the wireless tag that transmits the product code, but the wireless tag may be of another communication method as long as it transmits the product code.

In this embodiment, an antenna unit 3 incorporating four antennas is illustrated as a plurality of antennas. However, the number of antennas connected to the reader / writer device 2 and the arrangement of the antennas are not limited to this. The number of antennas connected to the reader / writer device 2 may be two or more. Further, each antenna may be provided in one antenna unit, or may be distributed in a plurality of antenna units. For example, in the case of four antennas, four antenna units provided with one antenna may be provided by connecting to four connection ports of the reader / writer device 2. When a plurality of antenna units are provided, the arrangement of each antenna unit may be appropriately set. For example, the radiation surfaces of the antenna units may be arranged at an angle to each other, or the antenna units may be arranged at a distance from each other. Further, a reflecting member (metal plate or the like) may be further arranged in order to apply the radio waves radiated by the antenna to the product from various directions.

In the present embodiment, an example having a first display display 106-1 (see FIG. 2) and a second display display 106-2 (see FIG. 2) as notification means is shown. However, the notification means is not limited to this. For example, as a notification means, a voice circuit, a speaker, or the like may be provided to perform notification by sound or voice. Further, a patrol lamp or the like may be provided to notify by light.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the reader / writer device 2 stores the antenna number and the product code in a buffer and transmits the corresponding information D to the POS terminal 1 as a reply of a reading command. However, the reader / writer device 2 transmits the product code and the corresponding antenna number to the POS terminal 1 each time the product code is received, and is modified so that the correspondence information D is configured on the POS terminal 1 side. Is also good.

In the present embodiment, an example of the control device applied to the POS terminal is shown, but the control device is not limited to the POS terminal. The control device may be applied to other devices. For example, when applied to a reader / writer device, the reader / writer device executes a process of detecting a failure in the same manner as a POS terminal based on the corresponding information acquired from the antenna. When the reader / writer device identifies a malfunctioning antenna, the reader / writer device lights a lamp of the reader / writer device or sounds a buzzer to notify a cashier or the like of the failure. Further, the reader / writer device outputs a notification signal to the POS terminal to display the notification screen on the POS terminal.

As described above, the control device according to the present embodiment causes an antenna failure before product registration based on not only the product code (product identification information) but also the antenna number (identification information) of the antenna that received the product code (product identification information). Execute the process to detect. Since the product code of the wireless tag is not acquired for the antenna that is in operation and the antenna that is out of order, some of the antenna numbers that do not correspond to the product code will be generated. The control device identifies the antenna in failure by detecting such an antenna number, and if even one is identified, notifies the cashier or the like of the failure. In addition, since it is possible to cancel the product registration of the products that have been collectively read at that time, it is possible to prevent the unpaid products from being taken out of the store in advance.

The various programs used in the control device of this embodiment are files in an installable format or an executable format and can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be recorded on a possible recording medium, provided, and read into an HDD or ROM (flash ROM) of the control device for execution.

Further, the program may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network.

Although the configuration of the control device has been described in the above embodiments, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 POS terminal 10 Reading unit 11 Control unit 11-1 Counting unit 11-2 Notification unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-79616

Embodiments of the present invention relate to information processing devices, information processing methods, and information processing systems .

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing system capable of notifying a failure of even one antenna that receives transmission information of a wireless tag. It is to be.

The information processing apparatus of the embodiment acquires the identification information of the antenna that has received the information of the wireless tag based on the information read by batch reading the information of the plurality of wireless tags existing in the predetermined range using the plurality of antennas. The acquisition unit includes a control unit that counts the number of times the acquisition unit has not acquired the identification information of the antenna for each antenna and outputs a notification signal on condition that the counted number of times exceeds the threshold value .

Claims (5)

A reading means that reads the identification information of the antenna that received the transmission information of the wireless tag,
A control means for outputting a notification signal on condition that the identification information of at least one of the antennas to be operated is not included in the identification information read by the reading means.
A control device comprising. In addition
Equipped with a display means for displaying notification information
The display means displays the notification information indicated by the notification signal output by the control means.
The control device according to claim 1. The control means counts the number of consecutive times for each antenna that does not include the identification information, and outputs the notification signal on condition that the number of consecutive times exceeds the threshold value.
The control device according to claim 1 or 2. The control means does not count the cycle as one of the continuous times when no identification information of each antenna is included in the cycle of batch reading of the wireless tags.
The control device according to claim 3. When the identification information is re-included for the antenna that does not include the identification information, the control means resets the number of consecutive times counted for the antenna that includes the identification information again to an initial value.
The control device according to claim 3 or 4.

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