JP4782211B2 - Product settlement system and shoplifting prevention device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a commodity settlement system used in retail stores and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a product settlement system that reads a product code from a radio tag (RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag) attached to a product and processes product sales data based on the read product code. The present invention also relates to a shoplifting prevention device used in the product settlement system.

  Mass merchandise stores such as supermarkets are equipped with product containers such as shopping baskets and shopping carts for customers. The customer who visits the store holds the shopping basket or pushes the shopping cart, goes around the store, puts the products to be purchased together in the shopping basket or the shopping cart, and transports them to the checkout place. A settlement device called a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal equipped with a barcode reader is installed at the checkout location. The store clerk (casher) takes out the products put in the product container one by one and reads the barcode attached to the product, thereby inputting the product information to the settlement apparatus. When the input of all the product information stored in the product container is completed, the total amount is displayed on the display unit of the settlement apparatus. The store clerk notifies the customer of the total amount, and the customer pays the price and receives a receipt.

  In the method in which the store clerk takes out the products one by one from the product container and inputs the product information to the payment apparatus, there is a problem that the input work takes time and the clerk's fatigue increases because the take-out operation is repeated. is there.

  In order to solve such a problem, a settlement apparatus including a wireless tag reader (wireless tag reader) that reads data from a wireless tag has been proposed. The wireless tag stores a product identification code unique to each product as data and is attached to each product. The wireless tag includes a memory, an antenna, a transmission / reception circuit, and the like, and wirelessly transmits memory data (product identification code) in synchronization with an external electromagnetic wave. The wireless tag reader transmits a wireless electromagnetic wave that is tuned to the wireless tag, inquires about memory data, and acquires memory data by the wireless electromagnetic wave transmitted from the wireless tag. The wireless tag reader is connected to an antenna that transmits and receives wireless electromagnetic waves. The antenna connected to the wireless tag reader is formed in a tunnel shape through which the product container can pass so that the antenna is arranged in all directions of the product container.

  At the checkout place, the store clerk can read the product identification code for one customer from the memory of each wireless tag and input it to the settlement apparatus together with the wireless tag reader without taking out the product from the product container. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the work time for the store clerk to input data to the settlement apparatus, and to reduce the work load on the store clerk (see Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, if products such as aluminum vapor deposition packages that enclose confectionery or steel cans of juice or alcohol are present near the wireless tag, the antenna of the wireless tag may not function properly, reducing the reception power of the wireless tag. . Accordingly, there is a problem that the wireless tag reader cannot read information of all the wireless tags in the product container.

  A high-gain rectifier circuit and a wireless tag using the same are known as a high-sensitivity wireless tag improved so that the wireless tag can operate even when reception power of the wireless tag is reduced (see Patent Document 2).

  Unauthorized take-out warning systems are known. The RFID reader reads the tag data stored in the RFID tag attached to the product possessed by the person approaching the gate, and the value of the settlement flag included in the tag data is a value indicating that the settlement has not been completed. At some time, image data or video data included in the tag data is displayed on the screen of the display. The warning message included in the tag data is synthesized and displayed on the screen of the display unit, and sound corresponding to the warning message included in the tag data is output from the speaker. (See Patent Document 3)

  In a conventional merchandise settlement system using a radio tag and a radio tag reader, the antenna of the radio tag reader is arranged in all directions of the merchandise container so that the merchandise container can be passed through as a tunnel-like structure at the checkout location. It was necessary to install. When the antenna is configured in a tunnel shape, there is a problem that the facility for the settlement is large. Moreover, the store clerk at the checkout location was required to pass the product container through the tunnel, which was a heavy labor. It is possible to install a belt conveyor in the checkout counter so that the product container is automatically passed through the tunnel, but the facility at the checkout location has to be larger. .

In the fraudulent take-out warning system described in Patent Document 3, the RFID tag flag attached to the product that the customer has purchased properly is taken out of the store while the flag is already settled. By reading the RFID tag of the product purchased by the customer outside the store, the product purchased by the customer can be known to others. Privacy will not be protected, such as the customer can know the product information purchased personally.

  In order to solve the above problems, the following configuration is adopted.

A capacitor having a capacitor, a rectifier circuit, a memory and a first antenna, wherein the capacitor is formed such that an induced current generated by the first antenna by receiving a radio wave from the outside can be charged to the capacitor as a direct current by the rectifier circuit; In the product settlement system for communicating data related to the product stored in the wireless tag in order to perform the settlement processing of the product having a wireless tag capable of storing provisional settlement information in
The commodity settlement system includes a wireless tag reader / writer, a second antenna connected to the wireless tag reader / writer, and an alarm device, and the wireless tag reader / writer communicates the data with the wireless tag via the second antenna, The merchandise settlement system activates the alarm device when the provisional settlement information is recognized as being uncleared, and discharges the capacitor when the provisional settlement information is recognized as settled. Commodity settlement system.

In a transition period in which no wireless tag is attached to all products, the product is settled by using both the barcode and the wireless tag. According to the present invention, a merchandise settlement system using a wireless tag can be constructed even during the transition period. In addition, since the sensitivity of the wireless tag can be controlled, it is possible to avoid a risk that information on the wireless tag can be read by a third party by reducing the sensitivity of the wireless tag after settlement.

It is a figure which shows the goods shelf used with the goods settlement system of this invention. It is a block diagram of a goods settlement system. It is a block diagram of the portable terminal of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the account machine connected to the goods settlement system of this invention. It is a block diagram of the shoplifting prevention apparatus connected to the goods settlement system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the wireless tag used by this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the wireless tag used by this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory map inside a wireless tag.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a product shelf used in the product settlement system. Each shelf of the commodity shelf 2 is provided with a plurality of shelf antennas 5, and each shelf antenna 5 is connected in series by a coaxial cable 4. The wireless tag reader / writer 3 is connected to the shelf antenna 5 by a coaxial cable 4. The wireless tag reader / writer 3 is connected to the server 11 through the network cable 14. A product 7 to which a wireless tag 8 (RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)) and a barcode 9 are attached is arranged on the product shelf 2. The customer goes around the store while pushing the shopping cart 6 (product container), puts the product 7 to be purchased in the shopping cart 6 and carries it to the checkout place. The customer can perform the payment process in a short time by using the portable terminal 1 described later.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the commodity settlement system of the present invention. An access point 10, a payment machine 12, and a shoplifting prevention device 13 are connected to the server 11 via a network cable 14. The mobile terminal 1 has functions of a barcode reader (barcode reader) and a wireless tag reader / writer (device for writing data to the wireless tag and reading data from the wireless tag), and via the access point 10 It can communicate with the server 11. The access point 10 and the mobile terminal 1 transmit and receive data via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Bluetooth can also be used as a communication method. In addition, it is possible to use general wireless communication means.

  The server 11 is provided with a product master file. Data relating to each product is stored in advance in the product master file. The data relating to the product includes item data such as a product code for identifying the product, an attribute code representing the product attribute, a product name identifying the product, and a sales price.

  When the customer inputs the product code of the product using the barcode reader of the portable terminal 1, data such as the product name and sales price of the product identified by the product code is called from the product master file of the server 11. Those data are transmitted to the mobile terminal 1 via the access point 10. The mobile terminal 1 displays data related to the product, that is, the price and the product name, and notifies the customer.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the mobile terminal 1. The mobile terminal 1 includes a display 1a for displaying information related to products, a keyboard 1c for inputting data to the mobile terminal, and a wireless LAN transceiver 1e (WLAN transceiver (Wireless Local) for communicating with the server 11 via the access point 10. Area Network Transceiver)), a wireless tag reader / writer 1h for data communication with a wireless tag attached to a product, a barcode reader 1g for reading a barcode attached to the product, and a controller 1b for controlling them A battery 1d for supplying power for operating the mobile terminal 1 is provided. A display 1a, a keyboard 1c, a wireless LAN transceiver 1e, a wireless tag reader / writer (RFID reader / writer) 1h, and a barcode reader 1g are connected to the controller 1b, and the operation of the portable terminal 1 is controlled. An antenna 1f that performs data communication with the access point 10 is connected to the wireless LAN transceiver 1e, and an antenna 1k that performs data communication with the wireless tag 8 attached to the product is connected to the wireless tag reader / writer 1h. The portable terminal 1 is connected to the access point 10 via the antenna 1f by the wireless LAN transceiver 1e and can communicate with the server 11.

  FIG. 4 shows the checkout machine 12. The checkout machine 12 is a POS terminal, which is an aspect of a merchandise sales data processing apparatus. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is mounted as a main body control unit (controller 12b). Also, ROM (Read Only Memory) in which fixed data such as programs are stored in advance, RAM (Random Access Memory) in which various memory areas for storing variable data such as input data and arithmetic processing data are formed. A clock unit that measures the current date and time, a LAN interface 12m (Local Area Network) that controls data communication with the store server 11 (store server) connected online, and a wireless LAN transceiver that performs data communication with a wireless tag 12e (WLAN transceiver 12e (Wireless Local Area Network transceiver)). The wireless LAN transceiver 12e is connected to an antenna 12f, and performs communication with the portable terminal 1 and data communication with the wireless tag 8. Further, the checkout machine 12 controls the screen display of the keyboard controller that captures the key signal corresponding to the operation key of the keyboard 12c, the first display controller that controls the screen display of the operator display (display device 12a), and the display for the customer display. A second display controller, a printer controller that controls the printing operation of the printer 12h that performs receipt printing, a cash receiving device 12d (drawer) for storing cash, and a card reader that reads and writes data on the magnetic card 12k and an input / output (I / O) port that outputs signals to a buzzer that emits data reading sound and the like. The CPU, ROM, RAM, clock unit, LAN interface 12m, wireless LAN transceiver 12e, I / O port, and controllers of various input / output devices are connected by a bus line such as an address bus or a data bus. Yes.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the shoplifting prevention device 13. The shoplifting prevention device 13 includes a display 13a, a controller 13b, an alarm device 13c, a LAN interface 13d, and a wireless tag reader / writer 13e that can read the memory information of the product wireless tag 8 attached to the product 7. Then, an antenna 13f connected to the wireless tag reader 13e is provided at the exit of the store, and the memory information of the product wireless tag 8 attached to the product 7 held by the customer going out of the store is read from the exit. The alarm device 13c issues a shoplifting warning when it is detected that the memory information has not been rewritten to the adjusted information. Further, the RFID tag reader / writer 13e provided in the shoplifting prevention device 13 can discharge the electric power charged in the capacitor of the RFID tag 8 attached to the product.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the wireless tag 8. The wireless tag 8 includes an antenna 8a, a load modulation circuit 8b, a rectification circuit 8c, a capacitor 8d, a control circuit 8e, a memory 8f, and a switch 8g for turning on / off the capacitor 8d. The control circuit 8e controls the load modulation circuit 8b and the switch 8g. When the wireless tag 8 responds based on the data stored in the memory 8f, the load modulation circuit 8b changes the load based on the data signal, thereby returning a response signal to the wireless tag reader / writer 3 and the portable terminal 1. Generate a scatter signal. The switch 8g causes the capacitor 8d to be charged or discharges the capacitor.

  FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the wireless tag 8. The wireless tag 8 includes an antenna 8a, a load modulation circuit 8b, a rectifier circuit 8c, a capacitor 8d, a control circuit 8e, a memory 8f, and a discharge circuit 8h that discharges the capacitor 8d.

  FIG. 8 shows a memory map inside the wireless tag 8. The header indicates the start of data. The product code represents the name of each product. The unique ID is a unique identification number assigned to each product. The checkout flag indicates whether the product is in a tentative checkout state or an unchecked state. The customer takes out the product 7 from the product shelf 2, reads the barcode 9 of the product with the portable terminal 1 (scanning), rewrites the settlement flag of the wireless tag 8 with the wireless tag reader / writer built in the portable terminal 1, and makes a provisional settlement state. And When the customer returns the product 7 to the product shelf 2, the wireless tag reader / writer 3 of the product shelf 2 rewrites the settlement flag of the wireless tag 8 to an unsettled state. In this way, the settlement information is rewritten into the provisional settlement state and the unsettled state.

  The operation of the wireless tag 8 will be described. When the product 7 is placed on the product shelf 2, the wireless tag reader / writer 3 performs CW transmission (non-modulated wave) and signal transmission from the antenna 5, and periodically performs a checkout in the memory of the wireless tag 8. Information has been rewritten to an uncleared state. Since the wireless tag 8 is located in the vicinity of the antenna 5, it always exists in a strong electric field radiated from the antenna 5.

  The high frequency power received by the antenna 8a of the wireless tag 8 is converted into a direct current by the rectifier circuit 8c, and the capacitor 8d is charged. The rectifier circuit 8c is applied with a bias voltage by the capacitor 8d, and the rectification sensitivity is increased. Therefore, the reception sensitivity of the wireless tag 8 is increased. When the product 7 to be purchased by the customer is taken out from the product shelf 2, the wireless tag 8 attached to the product 7 comes out of the strong electric field region radiated from the wireless tag reader / writer. Even if the wireless tag 8 leaves the strong electric field region, the rectifier circuit 8c can maintain high sensitivity by the capacitor 8d. Therefore, the wireless tag 8 can maintain the high sensitivity state for several hours.

  A product registration procedure of the product settlement system will be described.

  In the store, when the store clerk displays the product 7 with the wireless tag 8 and the barcode 9 displayed on the product shelf 2, the wireless tag reader / writer 3 performs CW transmission and signal transmission from the antenna 5, so that the wireless tag 8 in the memory The provisional settlement information in is rewritten to an uncleared state. Thereby, when the product 7 is displayed on the product shelf 2 and a predetermined time has passed, the provisional settlement information of all the products is automatically rewritten to an unsettled state.

  The customer places a shopping basket on the cart 6 and searches for the product 7 to be purchased while holding the mobile terminal 1 and goes around the store. The mobile terminal 1 can be lent to a customer by the store, or the customer can own the mobile terminal 1.

  Although the barcode 9 and the wireless tag 8 are attached to the product 7, it is assumed that the wireless tags 8 are not attached to all the products 7. Therefore, the customer reads the barcode 9 of the product with the barcode reader 1g of the portable terminal 1 when selecting the product and putting it in the shopping basket. At the same time, the wireless tag reader / writer 1h of the portable terminal 1 reads the product code in the memory 8f of the wireless tag 8 attached to the product, rewrites the settlement information of the settlement flag, and enters the provisional settlement state (see FIG. 8). . The product code of the barcode 9 read by the barcode reader 1g and the product code of the wireless tag 8 so that the wireless tag reader / writer 1h will not accidentally rewrite the settlement information of the wireless tag 8 attached to another product. When the two match, the settlement information of the wireless tag 8 is rewritten.

  When only the barcode 9 is attached to the product 7 and the wireless tag 8 is not attached, only the barcode 9 can be read. That is, when the wireless tag reader / writer 1h cannot read the product code of the wireless tag 8, only the barcode 9 is read.

  The controller 1b of the portable terminal 1 that has recognized the product code of the barcode 9 wirelessly connects to the access point 10 via the antenna 1f by the wireless LAN transceiver 1e, and inquires the server 11 about the product name and price. The product name and price information returned from the server 11 are stored in the controller 1b via the access point 10 and the wireless LAN transceiver 1e, and are displayed on the display 1a. Inquiry of the product name and its product price to the server and obtaining information is called PLU (Price Look Up). The controller 1b stores product information (product code) regarding all products 7 taken out from the product shelf 2 by the customer in a memory provided in the mobile terminal 1. Since the mobile terminal 1 displays the product names, prices, and total price of all the products placed on the cart 6, the customer can know the total price during shopping.

  The customer may stop purchasing the product after the customer reads the barcode 9 of the product 7 with the barcode reader 1g and the wireless tag reader / writer sets the settlement flag to the provisional settlement state. When the customer returns the temporarily settled product 7 to the product shelf 2, the customer reads the barcode 9 of the product 7 with the barcode reader 1 g of the mobile terminal 1 and cancels the returned product information in the mobile terminal 1. When the customer returns the provisionally settled product 7 to the commodity shelf 2, the wireless tag reader / writer 3 performs CW transmission and signal transmission from the antenna 5, so the provisional settlement information in the memory of the wireless tag 8 is not settled. Rewrite to state.

  The procedure for checkout will be described. The customer puts the product provisionally settled with the mobile terminal 1 into the shopping basket, puts it on the cart, and heads for the settlement machine 12. The customer operates the mobile terminal 1 in front of the checkout machine 12 and starts the checkout process. The mobile terminal 1 is connected to the access point 10 or the wireless LAN transceiver 12f of the payment machine 12 via the wireless LAN transceiver 1e, and transfers the product information stored in the built-in memory of the mobile terminal 1 to the payment machine 12. The checkout machine 12 performs PLU on the transferred product code, acquires the product name and price from the server 11, calculates the total price, and displays the total price on the display 12a.

  The customer puts the money into the money transfer device 12d of the checkout machine 12. Alternatively, payment is made by passing a credit card through the card reader 12k. When the payment is completed, the checkout machine 12 issues a receipt from the receipt printer 12h and transmits the completion of the checkout to the portable terminal 1 via the wireless LAN transceiver 1e. When the portable terminal 1 is lent from the store, the customer returns the portable terminal 1 to the store here.

  Since the customer puts the product 7 on the shopping cart 6 and carries it to the checkout place, and the customer puts cash into the checkout machine 12 or pays with a credit card, the work in the checkout of the store clerk is reduced. Depending on the customer, payment may be made through a store clerk, but even in such a case, work such as carrying goods is reduced.

  The procedure of the shoplifting prevention check is explained. The customer passes through the shoplifting prevention device 13 together with the cart 6 on which the shopping basket is placed. When an inquiry signal is transmitted from the antenna 13f of the shoplifting prevention device 13 to the wireless tag 8 of the product 7, the wireless tag 8 returns only the settlement information. In general, it is considered that the time for the customer to stay in the store, that is, the time from the provisional settlement of the product with the mobile terminal 1 to the settlement with the settlement machine 12 is generally within one hour. Since the capacitor 8d of the wireless tag 8 is designed to last for 1 hour or longer, the wireless tag 8 maintains high sensitivity.

  Therefore, even if the product 7 is randomly stored in the shopping basket or the product 7 such as an aluminum vapor deposition package is mixed and the antenna 8a of the wireless tag 8 is inconsistent, the shoplifting prevention device 13 Can reliably communicate with the wireless tag 8. If the shoplifting prevention device 13 detects a wireless tag whose settlement information is not settled, the alarm device 13c issues an alarm.

  Further, when no wireless tag whose payment information is not yet settled is detected, the shoplifting prevention device 13 transmits a control signal to the wireless tag 8 so that the switch 8g of the wireless tag 8 is turned off. When the control circuit 8e of the wireless tag 8 that has received this signal turns off the switch 8g, the capacitor 8d becomes ineffective and the sensitivity of the rectifier circuit decreases. That is, since the sensitivity of the wireless tag 8 is reduced, the risk of inadvertently reading the information of the wireless tag outside the store is greatly reduced.

  In the configuration of the wireless tag 8 shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 8e of the wireless tag 8 operates the discharge circuit 8h and the capacitor 8d is discharged by the control signal transmitted from the shoplifting prevention device 13. Therefore, since the sensitivity of the wireless tag 8 is lowered, the risk of inadvertently reading the information of the wireless tag outside the store is greatly reduced.

The shoplifting prevention device is configured to read only the settlement information of the wireless tag and issue an alarm if there is any unsettled product. By issuing an alarm, the product can be prevented from being stolen. Further, since the sensitivity of the wireless tag is lowered by discharging the capacitor of the wireless tag, it is possible to protect the product information purchased by the customer. The sensitivity of the wireless tag will remain low for about an hour, and the sensitivity of the wireless tag will be reduced when the customer finishes shopping and leaves the store. become.

  Payment processing can be completed in a short time for a product including a barcode and a wireless tag using a portable terminal. For the store, the work of transporting the product to the checkout machine is reduced, and the work of the store clerk is reduced. The goods can be prevented from being stolen.

It becomes possible to execute settlement processing for a plurality of products carried on a shopping cart in a supermarket or a shopping center in a short time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile terminal 2 Product shelf 3 Reader / writer 4 Coaxial cable 5 Shelf antenna 6 Shopping cart 7 Product 8 Radio tag 9 Bar code 10 Access point 11 Server 12 Settlement machine 1

JP 10-49756 A JP 2006-166415 A JP 2007-200299 A

Claims (2)

A capacitor having a capacitor, a rectifier circuit, a memory and a first antenna, wherein the capacitor is formed such that an induced current generated by the first antenna by receiving a radio wave from the outside can be charged to the capacitor as a direct current by the rectifier circuit; In the product settlement system for communicating data related to the product stored in the wireless tag in order to perform the settlement processing of the product having a wireless tag capable of storing provisional settlement information in
The commodity settlement system
A wireless tag reader / writer, a second antenna connected to the wireless tag reader / writer, and an alarm device;
The wireless tag reader / writer communicates the data with the wireless tag via the second antenna;
When the commodity settlement system recognizes that the provisional settlement information is in an unsettled state, the alarm device is activated,
The product settlement system, wherein the capacitor is discharged when the provisional settlement information is recognized as being settled. A capacitor having a capacitor, a rectifier circuit, a memory and a first antenna, wherein the capacitor is formed such that an induced current generated by the first antenna by receiving a radio wave from the outside can be charged to the capacitor as a direct current by the rectifier circuit; In a shoplifting prevention apparatus used in a product settlement system for communicating data related to the product stored in the wireless tag in order to perform settlement processing of a product having a wireless tag capable of storing provisional settlement information therein,
The shoplifting prevention device is
A wireless tag reader / writer, a second antenna connected to the wireless tag reader / writer, and an alarm device;
The wireless tag reader / writer communicates with the wireless tag via the second antenna;
When the shoplifting prevention device recognizes that the provisional settlement information stored in the memory is in an uncleared state, the alarm device is activated.
A shoplifting prevention apparatus, wherein the capacitor is discharged when the provisional settlement information is recognized as being settled.

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