JP2016053842A - Checkout counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a checkout counter capable of improving the degree of freedom in layout of equipment placed on a placement plane.SOLUTION: The checkout counter includes: a placement table which has a placement plane for placing a power reception device; plural transmitting coils which are disposed generally parallel to the placement plane; and power transmission control means that generates an electromotive force on receiving coils of the power reception device which is placed on the placement plane by means of electromagnetic induction using the transmitting coil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a checkout counter.

  Conventionally, in a store such as a supermarket, a rectangular checkout counter is installed in parallel with the direction of customer movement. In a store, it is common that a shopping cart containing purchased products brought by a customer is placed on a placement surface of a checkout counter, and an operator performs operations such as sales registration. In this case, various devices such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal that performs settlement operations such as money transfer and peripheral devices of the POS terminal are placed on the placement surface of the checkout counter.

  By the way, in the checkout counter of the conventional configuration, it is necessary to route a cable for supplying power to various devices, and thus there is a possibility that the layout of the various devices on the mounting surface may be limited. Further, in the checkout counter having the conventional configuration, work for routing the cable occurs, and thus there is a problem that it takes time to place various devices.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout counter capable of improving the degree of freedom of layout of a device placed on a placement surface.

  The checkout counter of the embodiment includes a mounting table having a mounting surface for mounting a power receiving device, a plurality of power transmission coils disposed substantially in parallel with the mounting surface, and the power transmission coil. Power transmission control means for generating electromotive force in the power receiving side coil of the power receiving device placed on the placement surface by the electromagnetic induction used.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a checkout counter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of arranging the power transmission side coil. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of arranging the power transmission side coil. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of arranging the power transmission side coil. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a power receiving unit included in the power receiving device of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the power transmission device included in the checkout counter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of power transmission processing executed by the power transmission device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a power receiving unit included in the power receiving device of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the power transmission device provided in the checkout counter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power transmission process executed by the power transmission apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a checkout counter according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout counter 1 of this embodiment has mounting bases 2, such as a cash register stand or a soccer stand, for example. The checkout counter 1 is provided at a checkout location or the like in a store such as a supermarket.

  On the upper surface of the mounting table 2, a mounting surface 3 for mounting the power receiving device 20 such as the POS terminal 201 and the peripheral devices 202 and 203 of the POS terminal 201 is provided. The power receiving device 20 mounted on the mounting surface 3 includes a power receiving side coil 22 (see FIG. 5) described later. These power receiving apparatuses 20 are connected so as to be communicable by, for example, wireless communication. The placement surface 3 is used to place a product to be purchased or a shopping basket storing the product in a product registration operation or a checkout operation.

  In FIG. 1, the mounting table 2 is L-shaped, but the shape is not limited to this. Further, the number of power receiving devices 20 placed on the placement surface 3 is not particularly limited, and may be one or plural.

  A plurality of power transmission side coils 4 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) for non-contact power transmission are disposed substantially in parallel to the placement surface 3 at the lower portion of the placement surface 3. The checkout counter 1 transmits power to the power receiving device 20 in a non-contact manner via the power transmission side coil 4 by using a non-contact power transmission technique using an electromagnetic induction effect.

  Here, the arrangement method of the power transmission side coil 4 is not particularly limited, and various arrangement methods can be employed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the power transmission side coil 4 may be arranged on the entire surface (or a part of the surface) of the mounting surface 3 (hereinafter referred to as a first multi-coil system). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the power transmission side coil 4 is good also as a structure arrange | positioned in each area A which divided the mounting surface 3 (henceforth a 2nd multi-coil system).

  A known moving coil system may be used as the power transmission side coil 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, one moving coil type power transmission side coil 4 capable of moving in the X-Y direction is arranged in each area A where the placement surface 3 is divided (hereinafter, referred to as “a”). , Called moving coil method). When this method is employed, each area A has a position detection mechanism (see FIG. 5) for detecting the position of the power receiving device 20 (power receiving side coil 22) placed on the area A (on the placement surface 3). (Not shown). The position detection mechanism is, for example, a position detection coil arranged in a matrix on the XY plane. In addition, when employ | adopting this system, it is preferable to determine the number of the power receiving apparatuses 20 which can be mounted in each area A as one, for example.

  In addition, it is preferable to determine the size of the area A to be classified in each method according to the size of the power transmission side coil 4 and the movement range of the power transmission side coil 4. Further, when the upper surface of the mounting surface 3 is divided into a plurality of areas A, a boundary line or the like may be clearly indicated on the mounting surface 3 so that each area A can be identified when viewed from the upper surface of the mounting surface 3. Good. Thereby, since the user who arrange | positions the power receiving apparatus 20 can perform easily one power receiving apparatus 20 in the area A, a user's convenience can be improved, for example. In addition, when the upper surface of the mounting surface 3 is divided into a plurality of areas A, a shield process such as electromagnetic shielding may be performed between the areas A so that radio wave interference does not occur between the adjacent areas A.

  The power receiving device 20 placed on the placement surface 3 includes a power receiving unit 21 shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the power receiving unit 21 included in the power receiving device 20. As shown in the figure, the power reception unit 21 includes a power reception side coil 22, a secondary battery 23, and a power reception control unit 24.

  The power reception side coil 22 performs electromagnetic coupling with the power transmission side coil 4. The secondary battery 23 is a storage battery capable of storing electric power. The power reception control unit 24 charges the secondary battery 23 by supplying the induced electromotive force generated in the power reception side coil 22 to the secondary battery 23. The secondary battery 23 operates the power receiving device 20 by supplying power to each part (not shown) of the power receiving device 20.

  On the other hand, the checkout counter 1 includes a power transmission device 10 shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the power transmission device 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the power transmission device 10 includes a power supply unit 11, a position detection unit 12, and a power transmission control unit 13 together with the above-described power transmission side coil 4.

  The power supply unit 11 converts power supplied from an external power source such as a commercial power source into a mode that can be used by the power transmission device 10, and supplies the power to each unit of the power transmission device 10.

  The position detection unit 12 detects the position of the power receiving device 20 placed on the placement surface 3 by using the power transmission side coil 4 or the like. Specifically, the position detection unit 12 excites the power receiving side coil 22 of the power receiving device 20 by inputting a predetermined pulse signal (pulse current) to the power transmitting side coil 4 or the like. Next, the position detection unit 12 receives a response signal emitted from the power receiving side coil 22 of the power receiving device 20 via the power transmitting side coil 4 or the like. The position detection unit 12 detects the position of the power receiving device 20 placed on the placement surface 3, that is, the position of the power receiving coil 22 based on the signal strength (magnetic field strength) of the response signal.

  For example, the position detection unit 12 inputs a pulse signal to each of the power transmission side coils 4 when the power transmission side coil 4 is arranged in a first multi-coil system or a second multi-coil system. As a result, the power receiving side coil 22 of the power receiving device 20 placed on the placement surface 3 is excited. Next, the position detection unit 12 receives a response signal emitted from the power reception side coil 22 of the power reception device 20 from each of the power transmission side coils 4. Then, the position detection unit 12 detects the position of the power transmission side coil 4 whose signal intensity has exceeded a predetermined threshold as the mounting position of the power receiving device 20 mounted on the mounting surface 3.

  Here, the position detection unit 12 may input the pulse signal to each of the power transmission side coils 4 at a time, or may input the pulse signal in a time division manner in units such as every other or every other row. . In the case of the second multi-coil system, the position detection unit 12 inputs a pulse signal to one power transmission side coil 4 in each area, and the placement area and placement of the power receiving device 20 from the obtained signal strength. It is good also as a form which narrows down a position sequentially.

  Further, when the power transmission side coil 4 is arranged in the moving coil system, the position detection unit 12 excites the power reception side coil 22 of the power reception device 20 by inputting a predetermined pulse signal to the position detection coil. Next, the position detection unit 12 receives a response signal emitted from the power reception side coil 22 of the power reception device 20 from the position detection coil. Then, the position detection unit 12 uses the position (X, Y coordinate, etc.) of the position detection coil whose signal intensity exceeds a predetermined threshold as the placement position of the power receiving device 20 placed on the placement surface 3. To detect.

  Note that the position detection method of the power receiving device 20 is not limited to the above-described threshold value, and other methods may be used. In the first multi-coil system and the second multi-coil system, the position of the power receiving device 20 is detected using the power transmission side coil 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a position detection coil similar to the moving coil system is used. Or the like.

  The power transmission control unit 13 determines the power transmission side coil 4 to be a current input target based on the detection result of the position detection unit 12. Then, the power transmission control unit 13 generates an induced electromotive force in the power receiving side coil 22 of the power receiving device 20 by causing a high frequency current to flow through the power transmitting side coil 4 that is a current input target. In the power receiving device 20, when the induced electromotive force is generated in the power receiving side coil 22, the induced electromotive force is charged in the secondary battery 23 by the function of the power reception control unit 24.

  For example, when the power transmission side coil 4 is arrange | positioned by the 1st multi-coil system or the 2nd multi-coil system, the power transmission control part 13 is a high frequency current with respect to the power transmission side coil 4 which the position detection part 12 detected as a mounting position. Shed. Thereby, since the coil position of the power transmission side and a power receiving side becomes substantially equivalent, power transmission efficiency can be improved.

  Moreover, when the power transmission side coil 4 is arrange | positioned by the moving coil system, the power transmission control part 13 moves the power transmission side coil 4 to the position which the position detection part 12 detected as a mounting position of the power receiving apparatus 20. FIG. Then, the power transmission control unit 13 causes a high-frequency current to flow through the moved power transmission side coil 4. Thereby, since the coil position of the power transmission side and a power receiving side becomes substantially equivalent, power transmission efficiency can be improved.

  By the way, depending on the mounting position on the mounting surface 3, one power receiving device 20 may be mounted across the plurality of power transmission coils 4 and the area A. In some cases, the plurality of power receiving devices 20 are placed adjacent to each other. In such a case, the position detection unit 12 may detect a plurality of adjacent power transmission side coils 4 or a position adjacent in the XY plane as a placement position of the power receiving device 20. Hereinafter, a case where the detected power transmission side coil 4 is adjacent or a case where the distance between the detected positions on the XY plane is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold is referred to as having an adjacent relationship. In the case of the moving coil method, when the distance between the position detected in one area A and the position detected in another area A adjacent to the area A is equal to or smaller than a threshold value, the adjacency relationship It is judged that it has.

  Moreover, when the detection result of the position detection unit 12 has an adjacent relationship, the power transmission control unit 13 causes a high-frequency current to flow through the plurality of power transmission side coils 4 in the adjacent relationship. However, if the power transmission control unit 13 causes a high-frequency current to flow through the power transmission side coils 4 that are adjacent to each other at the same time, there is a possibility that the power transmission efficiency may decrease due to the influence of radio wave interference or the like.

  Therefore, the power transmission control unit 13 controls the high-frequency current to flow through any one of the power transmission side coils 4 at the same timing when the current transmission target coil 4 has an adjacent relationship. Here, the current input control method is not particularly limited. For example, the power transmission control unit 13 may perform control so that a high-frequency current is input in a time division manner to each of the power transmission side coils 4 that are adjacent to each other.

  Further, the power transmission control unit 13 may have a function of detecting the charge state of the secondary battery 23 of the power receiving device 20. When the function is provided, the power transmission control unit 13 stops the current input to the power transmission side coil 4 based on the charged state of the secondary battery 23 of the power receiving device 20. In addition, the detection method of a charge condition is not ask | required in particular, You may use a well-known technique.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the checkout counter 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the power transmission process executed by the power transmission device 10 of the present embodiment.

  First, the position detection unit 12 stands by until the power receiving device 20 is placed on the placement surface 3 (Step S11; No). Specifically, the position detection unit 12 inputs a pulse signal to the power transmission side coil 4 and the like, and determines whether or not the power receiving device 20 is placed based on whether or not the response signal has been received. Here, when receiving the response signal, the position detection unit 12 determines that the power receiving device 20 is placed (step S11; Yes), and proceeds to step S12. Note that the timing of inputting the pulse signal is not particularly limited. For example, the pulse signal may be input at a predetermined time interval.

  In step S12, the position detection unit 12 detects the placement position of the power receiving device 20 placed on the placement surface 3 based on the signal strength of the response signal (step S12). Subsequently, the power transmission control unit 13 determines whether there is an adjacent power transmission target coil 4 that is determined based on the detection result in step S12 (step S13).

  The power transmission control unit 13 inputs the high-frequency current in a time-division manner for the power-transmission-side coil 4 having an adjacent relationship among the power-transmission-side coils 4 that are current input targets (Step S13; Yes) (Step S14). Moreover, the power transmission control part 13 inputs a high frequency current into each of the said power transmission side coil 4 about the thing which does not have adjacent relation among the power transmission side coils 4 of electric current input object (step S13; No) (simultaneous input) (Step S15).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, power can be transmitted cordlessly to each of the power receiving devices 20 placed on the placement surface 3. Thereby, since the user who arranges the power receiving device 20 does not need to route a cable for supplying power on the placement surface 3, the degree of freedom of layout on the placement surface 3 can be improved.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the power transmission side coils 4 that are current input targets are adjacent to each other, the simultaneous input of the high-frequency current to the power transmission side coils 4 is suppressed. Thereby, in the checkout counter 1, since generation | occurrence | production of electromagnetic interference etc. can be suppressed, the improvement of power transmission efficiency can be aimed at.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the power reception unit 21a included in the power reception device 20a of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the power reception unit 21 a includes a power reception side coil 22, a secondary battery 23, a power reception control unit 24, and a communication control unit 25.

  The communication control unit 25 performs short-range wireless communication with the power transmission device 10a described later via the power receiving side coil 22. Specifically, the communication control unit 25 transmits the identification information of its own power receiving device 20a stored in a storage unit (not shown) to the power transmitting device 10a via the power receiving side coil 22. Here, the identification information is unique information that can identify each power receiving apparatus 20a. For example, as the identification information, a device ID or manufacturing number assigned in advance to each power receiving device 20a, a management ID assigned by the store to each power receiving device 20a, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, the power receiving side coil 22 is used as an antenna for short-range wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be provided that includes an antenna for short-range wireless communication.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the power transmission device 10a included in the checkout counter 1a of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the power transmission device 10 a includes a power transmission side coil 4, a power supply unit 11, a position detection unit 12, a communication control unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a power transmission control unit 16.

  The communication control unit 14 performs short-range wireless communication with the power receiving device 20a. Specifically, when the position detection unit 12 detects the placement position of the power receiving device 20a, the communication control unit 14 receives identification information from the power receiving device 20a via the power transmission side coil 4 corresponding to the placement position. . In the present embodiment, the power transmission side coil 4 is used as an antenna for short-distance wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which an antenna for short-distance wireless communication is additionally provided may be used.

  The storage unit 15 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 15 stores various programs and various setting information related to the operation of the power transmission device 10a. In addition, the storage unit 15 stores a power transmission list 151 in which identification information of each power receiving device 20a that is a target of power transmission is set (registered).

  The power transmission control unit 16 has the same function as the power transmission control unit 13 described above. In addition, the power transmission control unit 16 compares the identification information received by the communication control unit 14 with the identification information of the power transmission list 151, so that the identification information of the power receiving device 20 a placed on the placement surface 3 is transmitted. It is determined whether it is a target. Then, when the identification information received by the communication control unit 14 is registered in the power transmission list 151, the power transmission control unit 16 performs power transmission using the power transmission side coil 4 corresponding to the detection position of the position detection unit 12. When the identification information received by the communication control unit 14 is not registered in the power transmission list 151, the power transmission control unit 16 suppresses power transmission by suppressing current input to the corresponding power transmission side coil 4.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the power transmission device 10a of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the power transmission process executed by the power transmission device 10a.

  First, the position detection unit 12 performs the same processing as in steps S11 and S12 described above in steps S21 and S22. Subsequently, the communication control unit 14 acquires identification information from the power receiving device 20a via the power transmission side coil 4 corresponding to the position detected in Step S22 (Step S23).

  Next, the power transmission control unit 16 compares the identification information acquired in Step S23 with the identification information of the power transmission list 151 to determine whether or not the target is a power transmission (Step S24). Here, if the power transmission control part 16 determines with power transmission object (step S24; Yes), based on the detection result detected by step S22 about the identification information, the power transmission side coil 4 of electric current input object is determined. Next, the power transmission control unit 16 determines whether there is a power transmission side coil 4 that is the target of current input that has an adjacent relationship (step S25). And power transmission control part 16 performs processing similar to Steps S13-S15 mentioned above in Steps S25-S27.

  In addition, the power transmission control part 16 suppresses the electric current input to the corresponding power transmission side coil 4, when it determines with the non-object of power transmission in step S24 (step S24; No).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the power receiving device 20a to be transmitted can be limited to those registered in the power transmission list 151. Accordingly, in the checkout counter 1a, for example, the power receiving device 20a (equipment) in the store can be targeted for power transmission, and the power receiving device 20a brought by the customer can be untargeted. Can be prevented.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, each said embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. Each of the embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, additions, combinations, and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Each of the above embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, in the second embodiment, each power receiving device 20a can be identified and the position can be specified from the identification information obtained from the power receiving device 20a and the mounting position of the power receiving device 20a. Therefore, the power transmission control unit 16 determines whether the one power receiving device 20a is placed across the plurality of power transmission side coils 4 or the plurality of power receiving devices 20a are arranged adjacent to each other in the above-described determination of the adjacent relationship. It is good also as a structure which discriminate | determines whether it exists. Furthermore, the power transmission control unit 16 may be configured to switch the current input control method according to the determination result.

  For example, when one power receiving device 20 a is placed across a plurality of power transmission side coils 4, the power transmission control unit 16 temporarily inputs a high-frequency current to each of the power transmission side coils 4 in a time division manner. And the power transmission control part 16 selects one power transmission side coil 4 with the highest power transmission efficiency from these power transmission side coils 4, and inputs a high frequency current into the selected power transmission side coil 4 continuously. In addition, the measuring method of power transmission efficiency is not particularly limited, and a known technique is used.

  Further, in the case of the moving coil method, the power transmission control unit 16 sequentially transmits power to each of the power receiving devices 20a when a plurality of power receiving devices 20a are placed in the same area A. Here, the priority order in which power transmission is performed is not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration may be adopted in which power is transmitted in order from the first placed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Checkout counter 2 Mounting base 3 Mounting surface 4 Power transmission side coil 10, 10a Power transmission apparatus 11 Power supply part 12 Position detection part 13 Power transmission control part 14 Communication control part 15 Storage part 16 Power transmission control part 20, 20a Power receiving apparatus 21 , 21a Power reception unit 22 Power reception side coil 23 Secondary battery 24 Power reception control unit 25 Communication control unit

Japanese Patent No. 5379834

Claims (6)

A mounting table having a mounting surface for mounting the power receiving device;
A plurality of power transmission coils disposed substantially parallel to the mounting surface;
Power transmission control means for generating electromotive force in the power receiving side coil of the power receiving device placed on the placement surface by electromagnetic induction using the power transmitting side coil,
Checkout counter with Further comprising position detecting means for detecting the position of the power receiving device placed on the placement surface,
The power transmission control unit generates an electromotive force in the power receiving side coil of the power receiving device placed on the mounting surface using the power transmitting side coil corresponding to the position detected by the position detecting unit. Item 2. A checkout counter according to item 1. Further comprising an acquisition means for communicating with the power receiving device placed on the placement surface, and for acquiring identification information for identifying the power receiving device;
The power transmission control unit corresponds to the position of the power receiving device from which the identification information is acquired when the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is included in the power transmission list in which the identification information of the power receiving device to be transmitted is registered. The checkout counter according to claim 2, wherein an electromotive force is generated in the power reception side coil of the power reception device using the power transmission side coil.   When the plurality of power transmission side coils corresponding to the positions detected by the position detection unit are adjacent to each other, the power transmission control unit uses any one of the power transmission side coils and uses the power reception side of the power reception device. The checkout counter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an electromotive force is generated in the coil.   The checkout counter according to claim 4, wherein the power transmission control unit generates an electromotive force in the power receiving side coil of the power receiving apparatus using the plurality of power transmitting side coils in the adjacent relationship in a time division manner.   The checkout counter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the placement surface is divided into a plurality of areas, and one or a plurality of the power transmission coils are arranged in each of the areas.

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