JP5149943B2 - Wireless tag reader and program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a wireless tag reader and a program.

  In recent years, in the distribution industry, development of a checkout system using a radio tag such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has been promoted (see Patent Document 1). In this system, a wireless tag is attached to each product, and information such as a product code for specifying a product to which the wireless tag is attached is stored in the memory of the wireless tag. In addition, a tag reader / writer is connected to a merchandise sales data processing apparatus such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, and an antenna of the reader / writer is provided in the vicinity of the checkout counter. When the customer places the product on the checkout counter for product accounting, the information stored in the wireless tag attached to each product is read by the reader / writer and sent to the product sales data processing device. Based on the information received from the reader / writer, the merchandise sales data processing apparatus processes the information of the merchandise with the wireless tag and processes the payment for the price.

  By the way, a reader / writer that reads information from a wireless tag such as an RFID communicates with the wireless tag using radio waves. Therefore, the reader / writer user can read information from the wireless tag using the reader / writer. However, it is impossible to visually grasp the range. Therefore, the conventional technique has a problem that it is difficult to understand the reading range when the reader / writer is used.

The wireless tag reader according to the embodiment includes a reading unit, a display unit, a switching unit, and a control unit. It said reading means is to radiate electric waves, reading information from the wireless tag in a non-contact manner. The display means, before Symbol read read range capable of reading information from the wireless tag by means displays a range display reading to visualize a portion of the reading range. The switching means switches the transmission output of the radio wave radiated by the reading means at every preset time. The control unit changes the reading range display every predetermined time longer than the set time in accordance with a predetermined condition including a transmission output of a radio wave emitted by the reading unit as a condition for changing the reading range.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a product sales system according to the present embodiment, and a side view and a top view of a POS counter in which a wireless tag reader is installed. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the commodity sales terminal device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless tag reader. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of switching the transmission output level. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a reading range in which the RFID reader / writer can read data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the reading range due to switching of the transmission output of the antenna. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a table in which RFID tag types and RFID tag reception sensitivity levels are associated with each other. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a table in which the current value input to the transmission amplifier is associated with the transmission output level. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table in which the material of the POS counter and the attenuation level of the radio wave radiated from the antenna are associated with each RFID tag type. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a table in which the reading level and the amount of light emitted from the LED (reading range display) are associated with each height of the illuminator from the POS counter. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of display or change processing of the reading range display.

  The configuration of the product sales system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a product sales system according to the present embodiment, and a side view and a top view of a POS counter in which a wireless tag reader is installed.

  The product sales system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a store system 2. The store system 2 is connected to an external information device 70 such as a PC (for example, a POS headquarter system) via a telecommunication line W such as a public network or the Internet VPN (Virtual Private Network).

  The store system 2 includes a product sales terminal device 4 and a store server (not shown). The merchandise sales terminal device 4 and the store server (not shown) are connected via a telecommunication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The store server (not shown) is a computer that plays a central role in the store system 2 and manages product information about each product sold in the store.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the commodity sales terminal device. As shown in FIG. 2, the product sales terminal device 4 includes a POS terminal 40 and a wireless tag reading device 30.

  The POS terminal 40 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 41, a read only memory (ROM) 42, a random access memory (RAM) 43, a storage unit 44, a communication unit 45, an operation unit 46, and a display unit 47. And a printing unit 48 and a wireless tag reader controller 49.

  The CPU 41 comprehensively controls the operation of the POS terminal 40 by executing various computer-readable programs stored in the ROM 42 and the storage unit 44. The ROM 42 stores various programs executed by the CPU 41 and setting information.

  The RAM 43 functions as a work memory for the CPU 41 and the wireless tag reader controller 49.

  The storage unit 44 includes a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and stores various programs executed by the CPU 41 and setting information in the storage medium.

  The communication unit 45 controls data communication with the external information device 70 connected through the telecommunication line W. The operation unit 46 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and various buttons, and notifies the CPU 41 of an operation signal according to the operation content of the input device. The display unit 47 has an operator display and a customer display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and controls the display to display characters according to display data provided from the CPU 41. The printing unit 48 includes a printing device such as a receipt printer, and controls the driving of the printing device to perform receipt printing and journal printing based on print data provided from the CPU 41.

  The wireless tag reader controller 49 outputs a signal for controlling the wireless tag reader 30 according to the instruction signal output from the CPU 41.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless tag reader. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless tag reader 30 includes an RFID reader / writer 50, an antenna 58, a controller 80, an illuminator 90, and the like.

  The RFID reader / writer 50 operates as an RFID reader or an RFID writer based on a signal input from the wireless tag reader controller 49, reads or writes data from / to the RFID tag 60, and notifies the CPU 41 of the read data. .

  Specifically, the RFID reader / writer 50 includes a reader / writer control unit 51, a modulation unit 52, a demodulation unit 53, a transmission amplifier 54, a reception amplifier 55, an interface unit 56, a switching circuit 57, and the like.

  The reader / writer control unit 51 controls the operation of the wireless tag reader 30 according to a control signal from the wireless tag reader controller 49 input via the interface unit 56. The modulation unit 52 modulates the transmission data received from the reader / writer control unit 51. The transmission amplifier 54 amplifies the radio wave modulated by the modulation unit 52 and radiates it from the antenna 58. The reception amplifier 55 amplifies the radio wave received by the antenna 58. The demodulator 53 demodulates the radio wave amplified by the reception amplifier 55. The interface unit 56 performs data communication with the wireless tag reader controller 49.

  The switching circuit 57 has a D / A conversion function for converting a digital control signal input from the CPU 41 (wireless tag reader controller 49) into an analog (current value).

  The transmission amplifier 54 is a power amplifier that switches the transmission output (transmission power) level of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58 in accordance with the analog signal (current values 1 to 6) that changes from the switching circuit 57 in six stages. include. Here, the transmission output of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58 is switched by the transmission amplifier 54 because the RFID reader / writer 50 can read data from the RFID tag 60 even if the type of the RFID tag 60 to be communicated changes. This is to keep the reading range 59 substantially constant.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of switching the transmission output level. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission amplifier 54 switches the transmission output for communication with the RFID tag 60 at preset time intervals in accordance with the current values 1 to 6 from the switching circuit 57. For example, the transmission amplifier 54 switches to a transmission output (40 mW) for communicating with the high-sensitivity RFID tag or a transmission output (500 mW) for communicating with the low-sensitivity RFID tag at every preset time set in advance. Here, the high-sensitivity RFID tag is a large (long) RFID tag added to a commodity such as general clothing, and data can be read by the RFID reader / writer 50 located far away even with small power. The low-sensitivity RFID tag is a small RFID tag added to small items such as accessories and socks, and even with a large electric power, data cannot be read by the RFID reader / writer 50 located far away. When data is read from both RFID tags with the same transmission output, the high-sensitivity RFID tag transmits data by the RFID reader / writer 50 located several times away from the low-sensitivity RFID tag. Reading is possible.

  The antenna 58 is an RFID antenna for communicating with an RFID tag 60 that is a non-contact wireless tag. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the antenna 58 communicates with the RFID tag 60 located about 30 cm away from the antenna 58 using the UHF band. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 58 is installed at a lower part of the POS counter 100 provided at the accounting place in the store and is directed on the POS counter 100. The reading range 59 in which the RFID reader / writer 50 can read data from the RFID tag 60 in response to the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58 is controlled so as to include the area on the POS counter 100. Accordingly, the RFID reader / writer 50 can read data in the RFID tag 60 by performing contactless communication with the RFID tag 60 added to the product purchased by the customer.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a simulation result of a reading range in which the RFID reader / writer can read data. The simulation result of the reading range 59 shown in FIG. 5 is the reading range 59 of the RFID reader / writer 50 in a vacuum state. However, the reading range 59 of the RFID reader / writer 50 varies depending on the surrounding environment such as the material of the POS counter 100, the positional relationship between the POS terminal 40 and the antenna 58, the transmission output of radio waves radiated from the antenna 58, and the like. 5 cannot be obtained. For example, when the POS counter 100 is glass, the reading range 59 is narrowed. When the POS terminal 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the antenna 58, the reading range 59 changes due to the radio wave reflected by the POS terminal 40.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the reading range due to switching of the transmission output of the antenna. In the present embodiment, as described above, the transmission output of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58 is switched so that the reading range 59 does not change depending on the type of the RFID tag 60, but the actual reading range of the RFID reader / writer 50 is changed. 59 slightly changes depending on the transmission output of the antenna 58. Specifically, the reading range 59 when communicating with the high sensitivity RFID tag is larger than the reading range 59 when communicating with the low sensitivity RFID tag.

  The illuminator 90 includes a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 92 and a diaphragm 91. The plurality of LEDs 92 irradiate light from above the POS counter 100 toward the POS counter 100 to display a reading range display 61 that distinguishes the reading range 59 from the reading range 59 and a range 62 other than the reading range 59. To display. Thereby, the reading range 59 of the RFID reader / writer 50 can be visualized in a pseudo manner. The diaphragm 91 adjusts the amount of light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 92 according to the signal output from the control device 80.

  In this embodiment, the illuminator 90 displays the reading range display 61 using the LED 92, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reading range is displayed using a black light, a fluorescent paint, a hologram, or the like. The display 61 may be displayed. Furthermore, the illuminator 90 may arrange a lens on the optical path of the light emitted from the LED 92 in order to prevent the reading range display 61 displayed by the LED 92 through the diaphragm 91 from becoming elliptical. .

  The control device 80 includes an illuminator control unit 81 and an interface unit 82. The interface unit 82 performs data communication with the wireless tag reader controller 49.

  The illuminator control unit 81 adjusts the amount of light emitted from the LED 92 using the diaphragm 91 of the illuminator 90 according to a predetermined condition for changing the reading range 59, and displays the reading range displayed by the LED 92. 61 is changed.

  Here, the predetermined conditions for changing the reading range 59 include the transmission output of radio waves radiated from the RFID reader / writer 30 (antenna 58), the type of the RFID tag 60 that reads data by the RFID reader / writer 50, and the RFID reader / writer 50 The type of the antenna 58 connected, the positional relationship between the illuminator 90, the POS counter 100 (surface on which the reading range display 61 is displayed) and the antenna 58, the material of the POS counter 100, the surrounding environment, and the like. An example in which the surrounding environment changes the reading range 59 is an example in which the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58 is reflected by the POS terminal 40 to change the reading range 59.

  7 to 10, depending on the type of the RFID tag 60, the transmission output level of the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58, the material of the POS counter 100, and the positional relationship between the illuminator 90 and the POS counter 100. An example of changing the reading range display 61 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a table in which RFID tag types and RFID tag reception sensitivity levels are associated with each other. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a table in which the current value input to the transmission amplifier is associated with the transmission output level. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table in which the material of the POS counter and the attenuation level of the radio wave radiated from the antenna are associated with each RFID tag type. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a table in which the reading level and the amount of light emitted from the LED (reading range display) are associated with each height of the illuminator from the POS counter. 7 to 10 may be stored in advance in the ROM 42 provided in the POS terminal 40, or may be acquired from the external information device 70 via the communication unit 45.

  First, the illuminator controller 81 communicates the type of RFID tag 60 (RFID tags A to D) communicated from the RAM 43 via the antenna 58 via the interface unit 82 and the wireless tag reader controller 49, and the POS counter 100. The material (inlay, glass, wood, plastic, etc.) and the height from the POS counter 100 to the lighting device 90 (height: 1 to 20) are read out. The type of the RFID tag 60, the material of the POS counter 100, and the height from the POS counter 100 to the illuminator 90 are set by the operator via the operation unit 46 provided in the POS terminal 40 and stored in the RAM 43. To do.

  In this embodiment, the illuminator control unit 81 reads the type of the RFID tag 60, the material of the POS counter 100, and the height from the POS counter 100 to the illuminator 90 from the RAM 43, but the communication unit 45. Each information may be read out from the external information device 70 via the. Alternatively, the illuminator control unit 81 captures an image of the RFID tag 60 with a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera (not shown), and performs character recognition processing such as OCR (Optical Character Reader) from the captured image of the RFID tag 60. The model number printed on the RFID tag 60 may be read, and the type of the RFID tag 60 may be recognized from the read model number. Alternatively, the illuminator control unit 81 may read information stored in the RFID tag 60 using another RFID reader / writer, and recognize the type of the RFID tag 60 from the read information.

  Next, the illuminator control unit 81 detects the current values 1 to 6 output to the transmission amplifier 54 via the reader / writer control unit 51. And the illuminator control part 81 reads the transmission output level (dBm) matched with the detected electric current value from the table shown in FIG. Furthermore, the illuminator control unit 81 reads out the RFID tag reception sensitivity level (dBm) associated with the read type of the RFID tag 60 from the table shown in FIG. Further, the illuminator control unit 81 determines, from the table shown in FIG. 9, the attenuation level (dBm) corresponding to the type of the read RFID tag 60 among the attenuation levels (dBm) associated with the read material of the POS counter 100. ).

  In the present embodiment, the illuminator control unit 81 reads the transmission output level (dBm) from the table shown in FIG. 8, but when it has an antenna or the like that can receive the radio wave radiated from the antenna 58. The transmission output level (dBm) of the radio wave received by the antenna may be detected.

When the illuminator control unit 81 reads the RFID tag reception sensitivity level (dBm), the transmission output level (dBm), and the attenuation level (dBm), the illuminator control unit 81 calculates a reading level using the following equation (1).
Reading level = transmission output level (dBm) + attenuation level (dBm) −RFID tag reception sensitivity level (dBm) (1)

  When the illuminator control unit 81 calculates the reading level, the illuminator control unit 81 reads the light amount corresponding to the acquired height from the light amount associated with the calculated reading level from the table shown in FIG. Then, the illuminator control unit 81 adjusts the amount of light emitted from the LED 92 using the diaphragm 91, and changes the reading range display 61 displayed by the LED 92 to the read amount of light.

  In addition, the illuminator control unit 81 links the display of the reading range display 61 by the LED 92 with the emission of radio waves from the antenna 58. Specifically, the illuminator control unit 81 displays a reading range display 61 by the LED 92 as the radio wave is radiated from the antenna 58. As a result, the reading range display 61 is not performed while the radio wave is not radiated from the antenna 58, so that the power consumption in the wireless tag reader 30 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the illuminator control unit 81 changes the reading range display 61 by the LED 92 every predetermined time longer than the set time for which the transmission output is switched by the transmission amplifier 54. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the reading range display 61 from being frequently changed and causing the operator of the POS terminal 40 to feel uncomfortable.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of display or change processing of the reading range display. The illuminator control unit 81 determines whether or not radio waves are radiated from the antenna 58 (step S1101). When radio waves are radiated from the antenna 58 (step S1101: Yes), the illuminator control unit 81 sets the type of the RFID tag 60, the material of the POS counter 100, and the height from the POS counter 100 to the illuminator 90 from the RAM 43. Is read (step S1102). Furthermore, the illuminator control unit 81 detects the current values 1 to 6 output to the transmission amplifier 54 (step S1103).

  Next, the illuminator control unit 81 reads out a transmission output level associated with the detected current value from the table shown in FIG. 8 (step S1104). Further, the illuminator control unit 81 reads the RFID tag reception sensitivity level associated with the type of the read RFID tag 60 from the table shown in FIG. 7 (step S1104). Furthermore, the illuminator control unit 81 reads the attenuation level associated with the read material of the POS counter 100 from the table shown in FIG. 9 (step S1104).

  Then, the illuminator control unit 81 calculates a reading level from the read transmission output level, RFID tag reception sensitivity level, and attenuation level (step S1105). Next, the illuminator control unit 81 reads the light amount associated with the calculated reading level from the table shown in FIG. 10 and adjusts the light amount emitted from the LED 92 using the diaphragm 91 to read the reading range. The display 61 is displayed or changed (step S1106). Thereafter, the illuminator control unit 81 repeats the processes shown in steps S1101 to S1106 every time a predetermined time elapses (step S1107: Yes). When the radio wave is no longer radiated from the antenna 58, the illuminator control unit 81 stops the reading range display 61.

  As described above, according to the wireless tag reader 30 according to the present embodiment, the RFID reader / writer 50 that radiates radio waves for communication with the RFID tag 60 and reads data from the RFID tag 60 in response to the radio waves, and the radio waves An illuminator 90 for displaying a reading range display 61 for distinguishing a reading range 59 and a range 62 other than the reading range 59 in a reading range 59 in which data can be read from the responding RFID tag 60 by the RFID reader / writer 50; By providing the illuminator control unit 81 that changes the reading range display 61 according to a predetermined condition for changing the range 59, the reading range 59 can be visually grasped, so that the RFID reader / writer 50 can be used. The reading range 59 becomes easy to understand. Further, it is possible to know where the reader / writer should be placed when the RFID reader / writer 50 is installed and how much the output of the reader / writer should be.

  Note that the program executed by the POS terminal 40 of this embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROM 42 or the like.

  The program executed by the POS terminal 40 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. You may comprise so that it may record and provide on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the POS terminal 40 according to the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the POS terminal 40 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program executed by the POS terminal 40 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (such as the illuminator control unit 81), and as actual hardware, the CPU 41 reads the program from the ROM 42 and executes it. The above units may be loaded on the main storage device, and the illuminator control unit 81 and the like may be generated on the main storage device.

30 RFID Tag Reader 50 RFID Reader / Writer 54 Transmission Amplifier 59 Reading Range 60 RFID Tag 61 Reading Range Display 81 Illuminator Control Unit 90 Illuminator

JP 2007-226320 A

Claims (5)

By radiating electric wave, and reading means for reading information from the wireless tag without contact,
And display means from said wireless tag read range capable of reading information, and displays the range display reading to visualize a portion of the reading range by the previous SL reading means,
Switching means for switching the transmission output of radio waves radiated by the reading means at preset time intervals;
Control means for changing the reading range display every predetermined time longer than the set time in accordance with a predetermined condition including a transmission output of a radio wave radiated by the reading means as a condition for changing the reading range;
A wireless tag reader characterized by comprising:   The wireless tag reader according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the reading range display to be interlocked with radio wave radiation by the reading unit. Further comprising detection means for detecting a transmission output of radio waves radiated by the reading means,
The wireless tag reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the reading range display according to the predetermined condition including the transmission output detected by the detection unit. Further comprising a recognizing means for recognizing scanning type before cinchona line tag of interest,
The control means, in response to the predetermined condition including a type of the wireless tag is recognized, reading the wireless tag as claimed in any one of 3, characterized in that for changing the reading range display apparatus. By radiating electric wave, and reading means for reading information from the wireless tag in a non-contact, said the possible reading range read information from the radio tag by the reading means, the range display reading to visualize a portion of said read range A computer for controlling the wireless tag reader having display means for displaying,
Switching means for switching the transmission output of radio waves radiated by the reading means at preset time intervals;
And control means according to a predetermined condition, changes the read range displayed for each long predetermined time than the setting time including the transmission output of the radio waves emitted by said reading means as a condition for changing the reading range,
Program for to function.