JPH0962934A - Tag and system for inventory management with shoplifting preventing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inventory managing system with a shoplifting preventing function provided with both of an inventory managing function and a shoplifting preventing function. SOLUTION: A tag 1 provided with the inventory managing function and the shoplifting preventing function incorporates a small battery such as a mercury battery for operating the shoplifting preventing function and is capable of transmitting and receiving merchandise data of a power receiving circuit and a reader/writer 2 for operating the inventory managing function. The reader/writer 2 is capable of power transmission and transmitting/receiving merchandise data for operating the inventory managing function of the tag 1. When the tag 1 approaches the area of radio waves outputted from a gate antenna 3 with an alarming function, the tag 1 and the gate antenna 3 output an alarm.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shoplifting prevention tag system for preventing fraud in retail stores and the like, and an inventory management system represented by POS in large-scale retail stores and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, department stores, supermarkets,
In mass retail stores such as record stores, prevention of shoplifting in the sales floor is always an important issue, and therefore, a large number of store staff and security guards are arranged to keep an eye on the products. In recent years, a shoplifting prevention RFID tag system has been introduced and is becoming popular in order to cope with soaring labor costs and concealing goods during shoplifting. This system is equipped with a detection radio wave transmission gate (which may have an alarm function) and a tag with an alarm function by radio wave detection, and transmits radio waves for detection of the passage of a product with the tag attached. It is intended to be detected at the gate. FIG. 11 shows a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a shoplifting prevention tag system as a conventional example.

In the figure, 101 is a shoplifting prevention tag, which is individually attached to the products 102. A fraudulent person holding the product 102 in this state can detect the radio wave transmission gate 1 for detection.
When it passes near 03, the alarm issuing function inside the tag 101 operates to issue an alarm.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since it is necessary to prepare tags for all the products to be managed, the cost for introducing the system is reduced from the single purpose of preventing shoplifting. It is quite expensive. Further, in a retail store that requires such a system, it is inevitable to make an investment in the inventory management system because grasping the selling items and accurate inventory management by the retailers influence the sales.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function which has both an inventory management function and a shoplifting prevention function.

[0007]

As a structure of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object, claim 1 is a tag attached to a product, and the tag is an alarm issuing means for issuing an alarm. An inventory management tag with a shoplifting prevention function, comprising: storage means for storing product information of the product, and bidirectional communication means for reading / writing the stored product information.

By using a tag as a common medium for realizing the shoplifting prevention function and the stock management function, the shoplifting prevention and the stock management are realized at the same time.

The tag according to claim 2 is provided with a battery for operating the alarm issuing means, and further includes power receiving means for operating the bidirectional communication means and the storage means. The inventory management tag with a shoplifting prevention function described in 1.

As a result, the size and weight of the tag is reduced, and the alarm issuing means that consumes less power is always operated with a small battery.

The inventory management tag with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional communication means of claim 3 uses infrared wireless communication.

This makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the tag.

The inventory control tag with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 1, wherein the alarm issuing means of claim 4 issues an alarm when a radio wave transmitted from an external device is detected. .

This realizes the shoplifting prevention function.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inventory management system for managing product information such as inventory and sales, which is a tag individually attached to a plurality of products, a device for reading / writing information stored in the tags, and the product. Is equipped with a gate installed near the doorway of the area where the tag is placed, and the tag stores alarm-issuing means for detecting an approach to the gate and issuing an alarm, and information for each product. Storage means,
A read / write device communication means for communicating with the read / write device, wherein the read / write device reads the product information stored in the tag; and a write device for updating the product information. In the inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function, a tag detection means for detecting the approach of the tag is provided in the gate, and a tag communication means for communicating with a target tag among the tags. is there.

By using a tag as a common medium for realizing the shoplifting prevention function and the inventory management function, shoplifting prevention and inventory management are realized at the same time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the reading / writing device, an input unit for inputting the product information, a register terminal unit for selling the product, a database unit for storing the product information, and a plurality of the reading units. 6. The inventory control system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, further comprising a read / write device communication means for equalizing the product information between the write / write devices.

This realizes an inventory management system having a plurality of read / write devices, and unifies the product information between the read / write devices.

The read / write device according to claim 7 is of a stationary type or a portable type.
It is the inventory management system with the shoplifting prevention function described.

A stationary type with a register function as the center and a portable type with easy movement can be used for different reader / writers.

The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, wherein the read / write device according to claim 8 comprises power transmission means for transmitting power to the tag.

This makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the tag.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the tag pair read / write device communication means and the read / write device pair tag communication means are wireless communication by infrared rays and bidirectional communication is possible. The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5.

By the non-contact communication, the number of key inputs at the time of selling a product is reduced.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the tag includes a battery for operating the alarm issuing means, and further includes power receiving means for operating the pair reading / writing device communication means and the storage means. The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5.

As a result, the tag is made smaller and lighter, and the alarm issuing means, which consumes less power, is always operated by a small battery.

According to claim 11, as the communication means between the read / write devices, infrared communication is carried out between the portable read / write devices, and wired serial data communication is carried out between the stationary read / write devices. The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 7, wherein:

Data equalization is efficiently realized by properly using the communication method.

10. The shoplifting prevention according to claim 5, wherein the alarm issuing means of the tag of claim 12 issues an alarm when the radio wave transmitted by the tag detecting means of the gate is detected. It is an inventory management system with functions.

This realizes a shoplifting prevention function.

13. The inventory with shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, wherein the gate of claim 13 comprises tag approach alarm issuing means for detecting the approach of the tag and issuing an alarm. It is a management system.

This makes it easier to detect fraud.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the inventory control tag with a shoplifting prevention function according to the third aspect, wherein the alarm issuing means can be turned on / off by the two-way communication means.

As a result, the alarm function is turned on / off for each tag by remote operation from the reading / writing device.

According to a fifteenth aspect, the alarm issuing means of the tag is operated by the pair reading / writing device communication means.
The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, 9 or 10, which can be turned off / on.

As a result, the alarm function is turned ON / OFF for each tag by remote operation from the reading / writing device.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline of the inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional outline of an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a tag having an inventory management function and a shoplifting prevention function. The tag 1 contains a small battery such as a mercury battery that operates a shoplifting prevention function. Further, the tag 1 can transmit and receive product data between the power receiving circuit for operating the inventory management function and the reader / writer 2. Reference numeral 2 is a reader / writer, which can perform power transmission for operating the inventory management function of the tag 1 and transmission / reception of product data. Reference numeral 3 is a gate antenna with a reporting function. When the gate antenna 3 detects the approach of the tag 1, the tag 1 and the gate antenna 3 issue an alarm.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is the above-mentioned tag, 4 is a stationary R / W with a register function, and 5 is a portable R / W that is small and convenient for carrying. Is possible. In addition, a gate antenna 3 is provided near the doorway to operate the shoplifting prevention function of the tag 1 (note that the shoplifting prevention function of the tag 1 is always operating independently of the inventory management function. .). The product data stored in the inventory management function of Tag 1 (the structure of the data will be described later) is managed by the installed R / W 4 and the portable R / W 5, all of which are transmitted to Tag 1 by infrared data communication. It is accessible without contact. In addition, installed type R / W
4 and the portable R / W 5 can contactlessly equalize product data held by each other by infrared data communication. In this case, the equalization operation is triggered by the R / W that has changed or updated the product data. Stationary R / W4
Communication between them is performed by wired serial communication such as RS-232C. The following items are specific details of data modification.

1) At the time of selling the product to customers (regular sale) 2) At the time of exchanging the product 3) At the time of changing the price 4) At the time of taking the inventory of the product 5) At the time of checking the product data Next, the installed R / W 4, The portable R / W 5 and the tag 1 will be individually described with reference to FIGS.

<Installable R / W> FIG. 3 is a view showing the outer shape of the installed R / W 4 as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 41 is a display unit for displaying product data and the like. Reference numeral 42 denotes a tag slot into which the tag 1 is inserted. By inserting the tag 1 into this slot, data communication can be performed when selling a product or confirming product data. Reference numeral 43 denotes a portable R / W slot into which the portable R / W 5 is inserted. By inserting the portable R / W 5 into this slot, the portable R / W 5 can be charged. Further, data communication can be performed even when the portable R / W 5 is inserted in this slot. Reference numeral 44 is a data input key such as a numeric keypad or a function key. Reference numeral 45 is an antenna for power transmission to the tag 1.

The operator removes the tag 1 from the product at the time of regular sale of the product and inserts the tag 1 into the tag slot 41 to sell the product. In this case, there is basically no need to input ten keys such as inputting the amount of money.
Also, when selling multiple products of the same type at the same time,
As a representative, one tag should be inserted and the number should be entered on the numeric keypad. Further, a cash drawer may be provided under the device as needed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of a stationary R / W 4 as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 111 is a light receiving element for receiving data, 112 is a received signal conversion circuit for converting the signal received by the light receiving element 111 into an electric signal, and 113 is a data input key (the above-mentioned data input key). (Same as key 44), 11
Reference numeral 4 denotes a data processing circuit that performs arithmetic processing on received signals and input data, and 115 denotes the processed data on the display unit 116.
An I / O control unit for displaying data on the same display unit (the same as the display unit 41 described above) and converting data for connection to an external inventory management system (POS system), 118 is an oscillator, 117 is a data processing circuit 114. A mixer 119 for superimposing the frequency of the oscillator 118 according to the processed data to be transmitted is a drive circuit 119 for transmitting from the light emitting element 120 as infrared data.

Further, the stationary R / W 4 is provided with a power supply circuit 121 which is a power supply for driving the above circuits, and a power transmission circuit 122 for transmitting power to the tag 1 from a power transmission antenna 123. . Further, the power supply circuit 121 includes an AC / DC conversion circuit and a portable R / W 5 charger.

<Portable R / W> FIG. 4 is a view showing the outer shape of the portable R / W 5 as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 51 is a display unit for displaying product data and the like. Reference numeral 52 is a data input key such as a numeric keypad or a function key. Reference numeral 53 is a tag insertion slot into which the tag 1 is inserted. When the data of the tag 1 is updated, the data communication can be performed by inserting the tag 1 into this slot. Reference numeral 54 is an antenna for power transmission to the tag 1. Reference numeral 55 denotes a light emitting / receiving unit that performs infrared communication with the stationary R / W 4.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the portable R / W 5 as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 131 is a light receiving element for receiving data, 132 is a reception signal conversion circuit for converting a signal received by the light receiving element 131 into an electrical signal, and 133 is a data input key (the above-mentioned data input key). (Same as key 52), 13
Reference numeral 4 denotes a data processing circuit that performs arithmetic processing on received signals and input data, and 135 denotes the processed data on the display unit 136.
An I / O control unit 138 for converting data for display on the display (the same as the display unit 51 described above), an oscillator 138,
Reference numeral 137 is a mixer for superposing the frequency of the oscillator 138 according to the data to be transmitted processed by the data processing circuit 134, and 139 is a drive circuit for transmitting the infrared data from the light emitting element 140.

Further, the portable R / W 5 is provided with a power supply circuit 141 which is a power supply for driving the above circuit and a power transmission circuit 142 for transmitting power to the tag 1 from the power transmission antenna 143. . Further, the power supply circuit 141 includes a charging circuit and a battery.

<Tag 1> FIG. 5 is a view showing the outer shape of the tag 1 as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 11 is a fixing band for fixing the tag 1 to a product. The fixing band 11 is easy to attach,
The shape does not have to be a band as long as it is difficult to remove. Reference numeral 12 denotes a light emitting / receiving unit that performs infrared communication with the stationary R / W 4 and the portable R / W 5.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the tag 1 as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 151 is a light receiving element for receiving data, 152 is an input signal processing circuit for converting the signal received by the light receiving element 151 into an electrical signal, and 153 is for which tag the input data is. An ID detection processing circuit for determining whether the data is directed, 154 is an ED / EC processing circuit for performing error detection and error correction of data received when the ID detected by the ID detection processing circuit 153 is addressed to itself, 1
55 is a data storage memory such as a non-volatile RAM for storing data, 156 is a transmission data processing circuit for performing a process of transmitting data in the data storage memory 155, 157
Is a transmission driver for transmitting the data to be transmitted from the light emitting element 158 as infrared data. Also, 1
Reference numeral 63 denotes an administrator ID identification circuit for identifying the ID code of the transmission source in order to normally cancel the shoplifting prevention function, and 164 is an alarm function reset circuit capable of turning on / off the shoplifting prevention function.

Further, the tag 1 has a power receiving antenna 16 for receiving power from the stationary R / W 4 or the portable R / W 5.
3, and a power supply receiving circuit 159 which is a power supply for driving the above circuit. The above circuit is for the inventory management function, and operates only when the tag 1 is in the R / W power transmission range.

In order to always realize the shoplifting prevention function, the reception antenna 160 for receiving the signal from the gate antenna 3, the shoplifting prevention alarm control circuit 161 for issuing an alarm according to the received signal, and this circuit are provided. A small battery 162 for driving is provided.

Next, communication of product data will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Communication between the tag 1 and the R / W is performed by ID code,
It is performed by data of a predetermined block length including a product code, management data and the like. In addition, a normal one-time communication operation is performed by using the data of the predetermined block length a predetermined number of times (N
Confirmed while repeating) times.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a data format as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 71 is a preamble for recognizing that it is a data block start point during data communication. Reference numeral 72 is an ID code that makes clear the source and destination of data by the administrator code and the individual tag number of the tag 1. When operating the product data with R / W, the security of the system is maintained by first inputting this ID code. Reference numeral 73 is a product code such as product classification information.
74 is stocking, inventory, price, format, size, weight,
It is a management code that is management information such as colors. Reference numeral 75 is an ECC code for parity check or the like for detecting errors in data communication / correction and ensuring accuracy of data management.
Based on this code, the tag 1 and the R / W try to correct when an error in the received data is detected, and if the error cannot be corrected, request the other party to retransmit the data. Reference numeral 76 is a postamble for recognizing the end point of the data block. This data block is communicated by the NRZI modulation format or the like in accordance with the IrDA system which is a general infrared wireless communication system.

FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the communication operation | movement of the data for a case.

In the figure, the data block of FIG. 9 is repeated N times within one data transmission time.

For communication between the installed R / Ws 5, a sales management data section is further added to the data block of FIG. 9, and the basic configuration other than the wired serial data communication is as described above. The description is omitted because it is the same as the communication between the tag 1 and the R / W. If necessary, a stationary R / W
The communication between the five may be wireless.

<Modification of Embodiment> 1) In the above embodiment, the infrared communication wireless communication is used to read the product data of the tag, but the system may be configured by an electromagnetic induction communication system. 2) The inventory management system with the shoplifting prevention function operates with the system configuration of the above-described embodiment, but a publicly known inventory management system is installed through the POS register and installed R / W.
4 may be connected to operate.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function as an application example of one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 6 is an inventory management system and 9 is a POS.
It is a register and can communicate with each other by the I / O control unit 115 of the installed R / W 4. It goes without saying that the inventory management system 6 is provided with a database function 7 for storing data such as product inventory, product order history, and sales, and a data backup function 8 such as a streamer tape device.

<Effects of Embodiment> (1) By using the tag 1 as a common medium for realizing the shoplifting prevention function and the stock management function, shoplifting prevention and stock management can be realized at the same time with a small capital investment. . (2) Installed R to operate the inventory management function of Tag 1
/ W4 and portable R / W5 to transfer power, and by not having a battery for the operation of the inventory management function unit,
The weight increase of the tag 1 can be avoided. (3) Since the small battery 162 is mounted for the operation of the shoplifting prevention function section, the shoplifting prevention function can be always operated independently of the inventory management function that operates only when electric power can be received. (4) A tag slot 42 is provided on the stationary R / W 4 so that sales can be registered without inputting the price of the product with the numeric keypad. This can prevent an operator's erroneous operation. (5) By the non-contact communication by infrared communication, the exposed portion of the operating circuit such as the connector portion can be eliminated in the tag 1.
This reduces the defect rate of the tag 1. (6) The tag 1 is provided with an administrator ID identification circuit 164 and an alarm function reset circuit 165, and is installed R / W 4 and portable R
Turn on / off the shoplifting prevention function from / W5 for each tag by remote control. As a result, the regular operation of the alarm function due to the sale of goods or stocktaking can be efficiently and easily performed.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function that has both an inventory management function and a shoplifting prevention function.

[0073]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional outline of an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outer shape of a stationary R / W 4 as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outer shape of a portable R / W 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outer shape of a tag 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a stationary R / W 4 as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a portable R / W 5 as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the tag 1 as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of a data format as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication operation of data for one case as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a shoplifting prevention tag system as a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of an inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function as an application example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 tag 2 reader / writer (R / W) 3 gate antenna 4 installed R / W 5 portable R / W 6 inventory management system 7 database function 8 data backup function 9 POS register 11 fixed band 12 light emitting / receiving unit 41 display unit 42 Tag slot 43 Portable R / W slot 44 Data input key 45 Power transmission antenna 51 Display unit 52 Data input key 53 Tag insertion slot 54 Power transmission antenna 55 Light emitting and receiving unit 71 Preamble 72 ID code 73 Product code 74 Management Code 75 ECC code 76 Postamble 101 Shoplifting prevention tag 102 Product 103 Radio wave transmission gate for detection 111 Light receiving element 112 Received signal conversion circuit 113 Data input key 114 Data processing circuit 115 I / O control section 116 Display section 117 Mixer 118 Oscillator 119 Drive circuit 120 Light emitting element 121 Power supply circuit 122 Power transmission circuit 123 Power transmission antenna 131 Light receiving element 132 Received signal conversion circuit 133 Data input key 134 Data processing circuit 135 I / O control section 136 Display section 137 Mixer 138 Oscillator 139 Drive circuit 140 Light emitting element 141 Power supply circuit 142 Power transmission circuit 143 Power transmission antenna 151 Light receiving element 152 Input signal processing circuit 153 ID detection processing circuit 154 ED / EC processing circuit 155 Data storage memory 156 Transmission data processing circuit 157 Transmission driver 158 Light emitting element 159 power receiving circuit 160 receiving antenna 161 shoplifting prevention alarm control circuit 162 battery 163 power receiving antenna 164 administrator ID identification circuit 165 Alarm function reset circuit

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A tag attached to a product, the tag comprising an alarm issuing means for issuing an alarm, a storage means for storing product information of the product, and a reading of the stored product information. A stock management tag with a shoplifting prevention feature, which is equipped with a two-way communication means with a writing device. 2. The tag comprises a battery for operating the alarm issuing means, and further comprises power receiving means for operating the bidirectional communication means and the storage means. Stock management tag with shoplifting prevention function. 3. The inventory control tag with shoplifting prevention function according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional communication means uses infrared wireless communication. 4. The inventory control tag with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 1, wherein the alarm issuing means issues an alarm when a radio wave transmitted from an external device is detected. 5. An inventory management system for managing merchandise information such as inventory and sales, wherein a tag is attached to each of a plurality of merchandise, a reading / writing device for information stored in the tag, and a placement of the merchandise. The tag is installed near the entrance of the area, the tag detects an approach to the gate and issues an alarm, and a storage means for storing the individual product information. A read / write device communication unit that communicates with the read / write device, wherein the read / write device reads the product information stored in the tag, and a write unit that updates the product information. And tag communication means for communicating with a target tag among the tags, and the gate includes tag detection means for detecting approach of the tag. Shoplifting prevention function with inventory management system, characterized in that. 6. The read / write device, input means for inputting the product information, register terminal means for selling the product, database means for storing the product information, and a plurality of the read / write devices. The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, further comprising a read / write inter-device communication means for equalizing the product information between the devices. 7. The inventory management system with shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, wherein the read / write device includes a stationary type and a portable type. 8. The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, wherein the read / write device includes power transmission means for transmitting power to the tag. 9. The tag-to-read / write device communication means and the tag-to-tag communication means of the read / write device are wireless communication by infrared rays and bidirectional communication is possible. Inventory management system with shoplifting prevention function described in 5. 10. The tag comprises a battery for operating the alarm issuing means, and further comprises power receiving means for operating the pair read / write device communication means and the storage means. An inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to item 5. 11. As the communication means between the read / write devices, infrared communication is performed between the portable read / write devices, and the stationary read / write device is used.
The inventory control system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 7, wherein wired serial data communication is used between the writing devices. 12. The shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, wherein the alarm issuing means of the tag issues an alarm when the radio wave transmitted by the tag detecting means of the gate is detected. Inventory management system. 13. The inventory management system with shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, wherein the gate is provided with a tag approach alarm issuing means for detecting an approach of the tag and issuing an alarm. . 14. The inventory control tag with shoplifting prevention function according to claim 3, wherein the alarm issuing means can be turned on / off by the bidirectional communication means. 15. The alarm issuing means of the tag is turned on / off by the pair reading / writing device communication means.
The inventory management system with a shoplifting prevention function according to claim 5, 9 or 10, characterized in that it is possible.