JP6254895B2 - Reading apparatus and merchandise sales data processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a reader and a merchandise sales data processing apparatus.

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

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

  By the way, when the RFID tag reading device is applied to a self-checkout device, the customer himself reads the RFID tag. However, in the configuration of the conventional reader, a space where the flat antenna reads the RFID tag and a space where a customer or the like exists are continuous. Therefore, there is a possibility that radio waves emitted from the flat antenna may affect other devices, or radio waves emitted from other devices may affect the own device.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a reading device and a merchandise sales data processing device capable of reducing the influence of radio waves related to reading of an RFID tag.

The reading device according to the embodiment is a reading device that reads information from an RFID tag attached to a product, and has an opening serving as an entrance of the product and a space for accommodating the product in the interior thereof. information and body, an antenna provided in said housing, a closing cover for opening and closing the opening portion, via the antenna, to the commodity from the commodity each of the RFID tags the accommodated in a housing Reading means, output means for outputting information read by the reading means, and when the open / close lid is closed, reading by the reading means is executed until a predetermined number of RFID tags are read , When the open / close lid is in the open state during the reading, the reading by the reading unit is terminated, the read information is reset, When closing the lid is closed again, and a control means for executing a read again by the reading unit, the housing and the closing cover is formed of a member which reflects or absorbs radio waves, said antenna, radio It is provided in the lower part of the mounting base for mounting the said goods formed with the permeable member.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a self-checkout device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the reading apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the boundary portion. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the self-checkout device and the reading device. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the self-checkout device and the reading device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the self-checkout apparatus and the reading apparatus. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus according to the second modification. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a reading apparatus according to the third modification.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In the reading chamber 13, the shopping basket C is placed on the placing table 14. The mounting table 14 is made of an insulating (radio wave transmitting) plate member such as wooden or glass, and is supported with a predetermined gap from the housing 11. In addition, a planar RFID antenna 15 is provided on the surface (hereinafter referred to as a bottom surface) of the mounting table 14 that faces the mounting surface of the shopping basket C. The RFID antenna 15 communicates with the RFID tag T existing in the reading chamber 13, that is, the RFID tag T of each product G stored in the shopping basket C, by emitting a radio wave such as a UHF band (see FIG. 3). ). The number of RFID antennas 15 is not limited to one, and a plurality of RFID antennas 15 may be provided. Moreover, the installation method of the RFID antenna 15 is not limited to the above example, and for example, the RFID antenna 15 may be provided separately from the mounting table 14. The installation position of the RFID antenna 15 is not limited to the bottom surface side of the reading chamber 13 and the mounting table 14, and may be provided on another surface such as a side surface of the reading chamber 13.

  According to the reading device 10 having such a structure, the product G (RFID tag T) in the shopping basket C can be collectively read by storing the shopping basket C in the reading chamber 13. Further, by separating the reading chamber 13 from which the RFID antenna 15 performs reading from the space in which the customer or the like exists, an illegal operation such as extraction of the product G or addition of the product G during reading is performed. This can be suppressed. In addition, since the reading chamber 13 can be shielded from external radio waves (noise) by covering the outer surface of the reading device 10 (the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12) with a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material, Occurrence can be prevented. As described above, by using the reading device 10, it is possible to reduce the influence of the environment around the device itself on the reading operation, and thus it is possible to efficiently read the RFID tag T.

  By the way, the reading device 10 has a boundary portion that partitions the inside and the outside of the housing 11 (reading chamber 13). As the boundary portion, for example, the peripheral edge of the opening H where the open / close lid 12 and the housing 11 are in contact, or the drawer of the housing 11 formed to extend a cable, a connector, or the like to the outside of the reading device 10. A passage (not shown) etc. are mentioned. In the boundary portion, a gap may be generated due to loose mounting, etc., and external noise may enter the housing 11 (reading chamber 13) from this gap, or radio waves from the RFID antenna 15 may leak to the outside as noise. there's a possibility that. Such noise may affect the reading of the RFID tag T in the device itself or another self-checkout device 1 or the like, which causes a decrease in reading accuracy. Therefore, in the reading apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, noise intrusion and leakage are reduced by providing a packing portion that reflects or absorbs radio waves at the boundary portion described above.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the boundary portion. In FIG. 4, the contact part of the housing | casing 11 shown with code | symbol A1 of FIG. 3 and the opening / closing lid | cover 12 is shown typically. For example, the packing part 16 is provided in the periphery of the opening part H used as the boundary of the housing | casing 11 and the opening / closing lid | cover 12, as shown in FIG. Although not shown, when the boundary portion is a drawer passage, the packing portion 16 is provided in a form that is press-fitted into the opening of the drawer passage.

  According to the reading device 10 having such a structure, when the opening / closing lid 12 is closed, the reading chamber 13 can be sealed from the external noise. As a result, it is possible to prevent external noise from entering the reading chamber 13 and leakage of radio waves from the RFID antenna 15 to the outside of the reading chamber 13. Can reduce the influence of radio waves on reading.

  In addition, the packing part 16 can use a publicly known / public radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material, regardless of the type. The packing portion 16 is preferably formed of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge. By using the packing part 16 as an elastic material, the airtightness in the reading chamber 13 can be improved. Moreover, since the occurrence of injury can be reduced when the user puts a finger in the opening / closing lid 12, safety can be improved.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the self-checkout apparatus 1 and the reading apparatus 10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Next, functional configurations of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Next, operations of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the self-checkout device 1 and the reading device 10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the shopping basket C containing the product G is accommodated in the reading chamber 13 and the opening / closing lid 12 is closed, so that it is separated from the space where the customers are present. The RFID tag T attached to each product G can be read at once. As a result, the reading operation can be performed in a state where the influence of the environment around the own device on the own device is reduced, and thus the RFID tag T can be read efficiently.

  Further, the casing 11 and the opening / closing lid 12 of the reading device 10 are formed of a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material, and a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave is formed at a boundary portion that partitions the inside and the outside of the housing 11 (reading chamber 13). An absorbent packing 16 is provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent external noise from entering the reading chamber 13 and leakage of radio waves from the RFID antenna 15 to the outside of the reading chamber 13, so that the influence of radio waves related to reading of the RFID tag T can be prevented. Can be reduced.

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

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

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

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

  In the reading device 10 of the above embodiment, the opening / closing lid 12 is an upper lid type. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods may be adopted. Hereinafter, a reading apparatus 10 adopting another method as a modification will be described.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus 10a according to the first modification. FIG. 8A shows an opened state in which the opening / closing lid 12a of the reading apparatus 10a is opened, and FIG. 8B shows a closed state in which the opening / closing lid 12a of the reading apparatus 10a is closed.

  The opening / closing lid 12a is provided so as to cover the opening H provided in the substantially box-shaped casing 11a. The opening / closing lid 12a is a shutter in which a plurality of slats are connected, and is slidably supported along both edge walls of the opening H. In the example of FIG. 8, the open / close lid 12a can be opened by pulling it down in the direction of the arrow X3 (FIG. 8A). Moreover, it can be in the closed state by pulling up the opening / closing lid 12a in the direction of the arrow X4 (FIG. 8B).

  Here, the casing 11a and the opening / closing lid 12a are formed of a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material in order to prevent external radio waves from reaching the reading chamber 13. For example, the outer wall (outer surface) of the casing 11a and the opening / closing lid 12a and the inner wall (inner surface) of the casing 11a and the opening / closing lid 12a surrounding the reading chamber 13 may be covered with a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material.

  Further, a packing portion 16 (not shown) similar to that of the above-described embodiment is provided at a boundary portion that separates the inside and the outside of the reading device 10a (reading chamber 13), for example, the peripheral edge of the opening H and the connecting portion of the slat. ) Is provided. Thereby, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce noise intrusion from outside and leakage of noise from inside the reading apparatus 10a. Note that the opening / closing direction and shape of the opening / closing lid 12a are not limited to the example of FIG.

[Modification 2]
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the reading apparatus 10b according to the second modification. FIG. 9A shows an open state in which the opening / closing lid 12b of the reading apparatus 10b is opened, and FIG. 9B shows a closed state in which the opening / closing lid 12b of the reading apparatus 10b is closed.

  The opening / closing lid 12b is provided so as to cover the opening H provided in the substantially box-shaped housing 11b. The open / close lid 12 b is a foldable open / close lid that can be folded in a bellows shape, and is slidably supported along both edge walls of the opening H. In the example of FIG. 9, the open / close lid 12b can be opened by pulling up in the direction of the arrow X5 (FIG. 9A). Moreover, it can be set in the closed state by pulling down the opening / closing lid 12b in the direction of the arrow X6 (FIG. 9B).

  Here, the casing 11b and the open / close lid 12b are formed of a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material in order to prevent external radio waves from reaching the reading chamber 13. For example, the outer wall (outer surface) of the housing 11b and the opening / closing lid 12b and the inner wall (inner surface) of the housing 11b and the opening / closing lid 12b forming the reading chamber 13 may be covered with a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material.

  Further, a packing portion 16 (not shown) similar to that of the above-described embodiment is provided at a boundary portion that separates the inside and the outside of the reading device 10b (reading chamber 13), for example, the periphery of the opening H. Thereby, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce noise intrusion from outside and leakage of noise from inside the reading apparatus 10b. The opening / closing direction and shape of the opening / closing lid 12b are not limited to the example of FIG.

[Modification 3]
FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a reading apparatus 10c according to Modification 3. FIG. 10A shows an open state in which the opening / closing lid 12c of the reading device 10c is opened, and FIG. 10B shows a closed state in which the opening / closing lid 12c of the reading device 10c is closed.

  The opening / closing lid 12c is provided so as to cover the opening H provided in the cylindrical casing 11c. Here, the opening / closing lid 12c is a substantially cylindrical structure that is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow X7 about the axis AX, and has an opening having a size corresponding to the opening H of the housing 11c on the side surface thereof. H1 is provided. In the example of FIG. 10, when the opening H of the housing 11c and the opening H1 of the opening / closing lid 12c overlap each other due to the rotation in the direction of the arrow X7, the open state can be achieved (FIG. 10A). Moreover, it can be set as a closed state, when the opening part H of the housing | casing 11c and the opening part H1 of the opening-and-closing cover 12c do not overlap (FIG.10 (b)). In addition, it is good also as a form which rotates shopping basket C with rotation of the opening-and-closing lid 12c by integrating the bottom face of the opening-and-closing lid 12c and the mounting base 14 mentioned above.

  Here, the rotation of the opening / closing lid 12c may be manually performed, or may be automatically performed in response to an instruction to start reading. When performing automatically, the reader / writer control unit 302 controls to read the RFID tag T when the opening / closing lid 12c is closed. Alternatively, the reading of the RFID tag T may be terminated when the opening / closing lid 12c rotates a predetermined number of times (for example, one turn).

  The casing 11c and the open / close lid 12c are formed of a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material in order to prevent external radio waves from reaching the reading chamber 13. For example, the outer wall (outer surface) of the casing 11c and the opening / closing lid 12c and the inner wall (inner surface) of the casing 11c and the opening / closing lid 12c surrounding the reading chamber 13 may be covered with a radio wave reflecting material or a radio wave absorbing material.

  Further, a packing portion 16 (not shown) similar to that of the above-described embodiment is provided at a boundary portion that separates the inside and the outside of the reading device 10c (reading chamber 13), for example, the periphery of the opening H. Thereby, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce the intrusion of noise from the outside and the leakage of noise from the inside of the reading device 10c. The rotation direction and mechanism of the opening / closing lid 12c are not limited to the example of FIG.

  Moreover, the system of the opening / closing lid | cover 12 is good also as a form which opens / closes by a drawer type other than the above-mentioned modification 1-3, for example, and is good also as door systems, such as a double door. In any method, a packing portion 16 similar to that in the above-described embodiment is provided at a boundary portion that partitions the inside and outside of the reading chamber 13.

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

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Self-checkout apparatus 10, 10a, 10b, 10c Reading apparatus 11, 11a, 11b, 11c Case 12, 12a, 12b, 12c Opening / closing cover 13 Reading chamber 14 Mounting table 15 RFID antenna 16 Packing part 111 Hinge mechanism 112 Damper 201 Display control unit 202 Input reception unit 203 Communication control unit 204 Sales registration unit 301 Opening / closing state acquisition unit 302 Reader / writer control unit 303 Communication control unit C Shopping basket G Product H, H1 Opening T RFID tag

JP 2007-264918 A

Claims (6)

A reading device that reads information from an RFID tag attached to a product,
A housing having an opening serving as a doorway for the product, and having a space for accommodating the product therein,
An antenna provided in said housing,
An opening / closing lid for opening and closing the opening;
Reading means for reading information related to the product from the RFID tag of each of the products stored in the housing via the antenna;
Output means for outputting information read by the reading means;
When the opening / closing lid is closed, reading by the reading unit is executed until a predetermined number of RFID tags are read. When the opening / closing lid is opened during the reading, reading by the reading unit is performed. Control means for resetting the read information and re-reading by the reading means when the open / close lid is closed again;
With
The casing and the opening / closing lid are formed of a member that reflects or absorbs radio waves ,
The antenna is a reading device that is formed of a radio wave transmitting member and is provided at a lower portion of a mounting table for mounting the product .   The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a packing portion that reflects or absorbs radio waves is provided at a boundary portion that partitions the inside and the outside of the housing.   The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the packing portion is provided on a peripheral edge of the opening.   The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the packing unit is provided in an external drawing path formed in the housing.   The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the packing portion is formed of an elastic material. Which has an opening serving as a doorway of the product, a housing having a space for accommodating the products therein, and an antenna provided in the housing, an opening and closing lid for opening and closing the opening The reading means for reading information about the product from the RFID tags of each of the products housed in the space via the antenna, and when the open / close lid is closed , a predetermined number of RFID tags are attached. Reading by the reading means is executed until reading, and when the opening / closing cover is opened during the reading, the reading by the reading means is terminated, the read information is reset, and the opening / closing cover is again opened. A reading device comprising: control means for re-execution of reading by the reading means when in the closed state;
A registration unit that executes a product registration process of a product stored in the reading device based on the information read by the reading unit;
With
The casing and the opening / closing lid are formed of a member that reflects or absorbs radio waves ,
The antenna is a merchandise sales data processing device that is formed of a radio wave transmitting member and is provided at a lower portion of a placing table for placing the merchandise.

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