Self-checkout apparatus and self-checkout method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2015302708-A1
Application number	US-201514689141-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 17, 2015
Priority date	Apr 18, 2014
Publication date	Oct 22, 2015
Grant date	—

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a self-checkout apparatus comprises a reading module configured to read information of a wireless tag from a commodity attached with the wireless tag and housed in a storage room, and a data processing module configured to carry out sales registration and checkout processing of the commodity of which the wireless tag information is read by the reading module; wherein the reading module includes, inside the storage room, an antenna section for reading the information of the wireless tag from the commodity housed in the storage room, and a moving section for changing communication range of the antenna section with the wireless tag.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A self-checkout apparatus comprising:
a reading module configured to read information of a wireless tag from a commodity attached with the wireless tag and housed in a storage room, and a data processing module configured to carry out sales registration and checkout processing of the commodity of which the wireless tag information is read by the reading module; wherein the reading module includes, inside the storage room, an antenna section for reading the information of the wireless tag from the commodity housed in the storage room, and a moving section for changing communication range of the antenna section with the wireless tag.

2 . The self-checkout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the reading module includes: a plurality of antenna sections in the storage room for reading the information of the wireless tag from the commodity housed in the storage room, a moving section for changing the communication range of at least one of the plurality of antenna sections with the wireless tag, and a switch control section which selects one antenna section from the plurality of antenna sections in a pre-determined order to alternatively operate the plurality of antenna sections.

3 . The self-checkout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of antenna sections includes a fixed antenna section of which the communication range with the wireless tag is fixed, and a moving antenna section of which the communication range with the wireless tag can be changed; and the moving section moves the moving antenna section when the fixed antenna section communicates with the wireless tag.

4 . The self-checkout apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the plurality of antenna sections includes a fixed antenna section of which the communication range with the wireless tag is fixed, and a moving antenna section of which the communication range with the wireless tag can be changed; and the moving section moves the moving antenna section when the fixed antenna section communicates with the wireless tag.

5 . The self-checkout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the moving section moves the antenna section in one direction to change the communication range with the wireless tag.

6 . The self-checkout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the moving section moves the antenna section in two directions to change the communication range with the wireless tag.

7 . A self-checkout method including:
reading information of a wireless tag from a commodity attached with the wireless tag and housed in a storage room while moving an antenna section arranged in the storage room to change communication range between the antenna section and the wireless tag; and carrying out sales registration and checkout processing of the commodity of which the wireless tag information is read.

Assignees

• Toshiba Tec Kk

Inventors

• Hattori Daisuke

Classifications

• G07G1/0018

  Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means · CPC title

• G06K7/10336

  the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil · CPC title

• G07G1/009 Primary

  the reader being an RFID reader · CPC title

• G06Q20/18

  involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals · CPC title

• G06K7/10356

  using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas · CPC title