JPH04153795A - Commodity sending reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automate the reception for sending of the gift commodities by storing the sender information signal in a storage means or transmitting the signal to an external device and at the same time setting the difference between a received amount and a displayed charge to a change signal. CONSTITUTION:A money reception/payment part 16 starts its operation in response to the command given from a CPU 11 and discriminates, counts and stores the received money. Then the part 16 the commodity sending charge and pays the change. An external transmission part 17 transmits the transaction data such as the name of the ordered commodity, the quantity of the commodity, the received charge, the sending destination, the sender, etc., which are stored in a RAM 14 to a host computer of a commodity sending system via a communication circuit. The host computer arranges for sending the commodity through a department where the commodity is actually stocked. As a result, the sending and adjustment jobs are automated for the gift commodities and the labor is saved for the receiving jobs for sending the commodities. Furthermore the commodity sending speed is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically accepting the shipment of goods.

[Conventional technology]

The sales format for gift products at department stores and supermarkets is to set up special venues during the midsummer and year-end holidays, to display a wide variety of products in one place for the convenience of customers, and to centralize a large number of staff. The system handles the shipping and receiving of gift items manually.

In addition, except during special times like these, orders are generally accepted at each sales floor.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, there are opportunities to gift products outside of times such as midsummer holidays. In such cases, it is troublesome to browse the sales floors of department stores, etc., and decide on gift items, and it is also inefficient to go out of your way to department stores, etc. when there are only a few destinations.

In such a case, if you use a gift product known as a so-called "hometown parcel" from the post office, you can use it relatively close to your home, but the types of products handled by the "hometown parcel" mentioned above are not available at department stores. In addition, since it is limited to local specialty products, the range of choices available to users is narrow.

On the other hand, for product sellers such as department stores,
Having a person in charge of accepting gifts constantly on standby at each sales floor even when the products are not used by customers requires extra personnel.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a product shipping reception device that can automatically accept shipping of gift products.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the product shipping reception device according to the present invention includes a product display means that can visually display at least information regarding product content and price, and a product display device that can visually display information regarding the product content and price, and A product selection means that generates a product name signal representing the selected product name in response to a selection operation, and a destination information signal representing the destination and a sender information signal representing the sender in response to input operations of the address and name of the destination and sender. shipping information input means for generating a shipping information input means; charge display command means for adding a delivery charge obtained based on the destination information signal to the price corresponding to the product name signal and displaying the addition result on a charge display means; It determines the amount of money inserted by looking at the displayed fee and outputs an accepted amount signal representing the amount, and also outputs a received amount signal representing the amount of money to be dispensed as change. a money receiving and dispensing unit that dispenses a corresponding amount from among the money, and a storage means that stores at least the product designation signal, the destination information signal, and the sender information signal when the amount of the received amount signal is equal to or greater than the displayed fee. and transmitting the received amount signal to an external device, and when the amount of the received amount signal exceeds the displayed fee, the receiving amount includes processing means for setting the difference between the received amount and the displayed fee in the change signal. It is a feature.

[For production]

A user who wishes to ship a product selects the product by looking at various product information such as product content and price displayed on a product display means such as a color LCD screen, and selects the product using a product selection means such as a keyboard switch. input. Further, the destination and sender of the product are input using a shipping information input means such as a touch panel or a combination of a handwritten cover panel and an electronic pen.

Once you have finished selecting the product and entering the destination and sender,
The charge display command means causes the charge display means, such as a CRT, to display the charge obtained by adding the delivery charge to the price (unit x quantity) of the selected product.

When the user inserts money while looking at this display, the money receiving and paying means determines whether the amount is excessive or insufficient, and if the amount inserted is large, change is paid. When the necessary fee is paid, the product name, product destination, sender, etc. are stored in the information storage medium, or the information necessary for shipping the product is transferred to an external product delivery system. and communicated.

As a result, products can be automatically shipped based on the user's instructions.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the product shipping reception apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the external appearance of the product shipping reception device according to the present invention, and includes a screen display 1 on the front of the device that visually introduces products, and a command installed near this to switch the display content on the screen. A display changeover switch 2 that issues commands in response to operations, and an operation console 3 on which keyboard switches and a CRT display are arranged are provided.

The screen display device 1 is a display device such as a color liquid crystal display or a color CRT capable of displaying two-dimensional information such as the appearance of a product and character information, and corresponds to a product display means.

The operation console 3 includes a banknote deposit/disburse port 4 and a coin deposit/dispatch port 5 of a currency receiving/disbursing section for receiving and paying banknotes and coins, a shipping operation section 6 for inputting the destination and sender of the product, and a handwritten input of addresses, etc. A handwriting input section 7 is provided for the purpose of the delivery, and a slip issuing port 8 is provided for issuing a shipping slip.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation console 3 viewed from above.
Components corresponding to those in the figure are given the same reference numerals.

The shipping operation unit 6 inputs numerical values and commands such as sender mode and destination mode using a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as MPU) 10 formed by a CPU, ROMSRAM, etc.
It is composed of a keyboard switch 6a, a CRT 6b for displaying destination information, etc., and a transparent touch sensor 6c arranged two-dimensionally on the CRT 6b.

The keyboard switch 6a is provided with a ``numeric'' key, a CEJ key, a ``C'' key, a ``correction'' key, a ``confirmation'' key, and the like. The rCEJ key (clear entry key) can be used to clear input data, and the "C" key (clear key) can be used to clear a series of input data.

The "correction" key and the "confirmation" key will be described later. address,
The CRT 6b that displays names, telephone numbers, charges, etc. constitutes an address, name, etc. display section 19. The touch sensor 6c is C
When you touch a selection area such as ``00 Prefecture'', ``Confirmation'', or ``Correction'' displayed on the RT6b screen together with visible information such as operation guidance, a command signal is generated indicating that the area has been selected. do.

The handwriting input section 7 includes a transparent handwriting input plate 7a pasted on the CR7 screen for the operator to display the trajectory of characters.
When a character is written with the electronic pen 7b, this is read and the handwriting of the handwritten character is shown on the CRT, and the handwritten input character is discriminated.

The read handwritten character information is transferred to the CPU.

The keyboard switch 6a, touch panel 6b, and handwriting input section 7 of the shipping operation section 6 constitute an input section 2o, and commands and data inputted through the keyboard switch etc. are temporarily stored in an internal register and transferred in accordance with the command.

The operator must pay for the product in order for it to be shipped. The banknote deposit/withdrawal port 4 and coin deposit/withdrawal port 5 of the currency receiving/disbursing unit 16 for depositing the product price and paying change are normally open, and the receiving door opens only when making a payment. ing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the control system of this device. A CPU 11 that controls the device based on user operations is internally equipped with various registers, an arithmetic processing section, a human output interface, and the like. This input/output interface and each section are connected by a data bus 12. The ROMI 3 connected to this data bus stores a device control program to be executed by the CPUI 1. The battery-backed RAM 14 has a storage area for various data such as a memory table to be described later, and stores data transferred from an input/output device and data processed by the CPU II.

The CD-ROM 5 stores various information about products, such as product appearance, name, contents, unit quantity, weight, external dimensions, price, and address data such as prefecture name, city, town, village name, and postal code. In response to a designation or an address display command, information is supplied to the CPU II, product display section 18, and address/name display section 19 via the data bus. In addition, CD-ROM
Instead of I5, it is also possible to use a video disc player system containing digital data to provide moving product information.

The money receiving and paying unit 16 starts operating in response to a command from the CPU II, discriminates, counts, and stores the inserted money, and receives product shipping charges and pays change.

The external transmission unit 17 transmits transaction data such as the ordered product name, quantity, receiving fee, destination, and sender stored in the RAM 14 to the host computer of the product shipping system via a communication line. This host computer can make arrangements for shipping the product to the department that actually stocks the product.

The product display unit 18 includes an image display device 1 that is a visible two-dimensional display such as a color liquid crystal screen, and displays the above product information, for example, a video still image of the product stored in a CD-ROM. .

The address/name display section 19 displays the address information and operation guidance transferred from the CD-ROM 15 on the screen of the CRT 6b.

The input unit 20 includes the keyboard switch 6a s described above.
Information input from the touch panel 6c, handwriting input plate 7a, and electronic bezel 7b is converted into data, temporarily stored in an internal register, and then supplied to a predetermined storage area of the RAM 14 or the CPU 11 in response to a command.

When the data is transferred from the RAM 14, the slip issuing unit 21 issues a receipt in response to a command from the CPU II, which includes the name of the product for which the shipping command was given, the charge, the received amount, change, etc.

Floppy disk drive (hereinafter referred to as FD) 2
2 sequentially records data to be transferred to a host computer on a floppy disk when online processing is not performed. The floppy disks are periodically collected by the administrator of the apparatus and used for batch processing.

An overview of the control of this device will be explained with reference to FIG.
Thereafter, a more detailed explanation will be given with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 4, when the device is powered on, an initialization program for resetting the memory in the device, setting initial values, etc. is executed, and the process proceeds to a product shipping acceptance routine.

The initialization program starts the CD-ROM 15, transfers initial image information to the product display section 18, and displays product information on the screen display 1 as shown in FIG. 7, for example. A user who wants to gift a product can check the product by looking at this. The CPU II monitors the user's designation of a product using the keyboard switch 6a (step Sl). If no product is specified, a routine (step S2) is executed to accept product introduction screen switching. In this routine, C
The content of another display screen is read from the D-ROM and transferred to the product display unit 18 to change the display content of the screen display, or the product displayed on the screen is changed at predetermined time intervals. C.P.
The UII repeats steps S1 and S2 and waits for instructions from the user.

When a product is selected by inputting from the keyboard switch 6a (step S1), the CRT 6b displays a message for inputting information regarding the destination (step S1).
3). Touch panel 6c.

When the information is input using the keyboard switch 6a1, handwriting input section 7, etc. (step S4), a display is made to prompt for input of information regarding the sender (step S5).

Information regarding the sender is input using the touch panel 60 or the like and a confirmation key is pressed (step S6), and if there is no correction to the inputted information (step S7), the process moves to a charge display.

If the input of the sending light information and the sender information is not completed, steps 84 to 7 are repeated until the input is completed.

When the above input is completed, the price of the specified product (unit price
Calculate the fee by adding shipping materials and tax amount to
It is displayed on the RT6b (step S8). The CRT screen is displayed so that the money corresponding to this fee can be separately put into the banknote deposit/withdrawal port 4 and the coin deposit/withdrawal port 5 (step S9).
). The money receiving and paying unit 16 distinguishes and counts the money inserted by the user, detects the amount of money inserted, and transfers the money to the CRT.
6b (step 510). When the input amount is larger than the fee, the difference is displayed as change (step 511), and the slip issuing unit 21 issues a copy of the application for shipping the product and the money receiving and paying unit 16 issues the change (step 512). .

The product shipping information is transferred to the host computer, which is an external management machine (step 31B), and the process ends.

The above-described flow will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In Figure 5, after completing the initialization described above, the CPU II
executes the product display step 5100. That is,
Display the first product information on the CD-ROM 15 in the product display section 1.
8 and causes the screen display 1 to display the first product group.

In this product display, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, product information such as the appearance, name, contents, unit quantity, weight, external dimensions, and size of the product is visually shown as necessary. At the top of the screen,
Multiple product names are displayed, and the background of the name of the product currently displayed at the bottom of the screen is distinguished by a different color from the background color of the other product names. clearly indicated. When the user inputs a desired product name using the keyboard switch 6a, screen information for this product is called up from the CD-ROM 15, and the product display at the bottom of the screen is replaced.

The user presses the display changeover switch 2 when the desired product is not displayed. Display changeover switch 2 has “↑
” and “↓” switches are included. Pressing the "↑" switch advances the displayed product number, and pressing the "↓" switch returns the displayed product number. When the CPU II detects this (step 5101), the CPU II causes the CD-ROM 15 to transfer information on the second product group to the product display section 18. As a result, the display content of the product on the screen display 1 is changed (step 5102).

Steps 8100 to 103 are repeated to continue displaying the product until the user presses the product number and confirmation key on the keyboard switch 6a to select the product.

In addition, when the device is not used for a certain period of time or more, it is also possible to function as a product advertising device by automatically updating the product display contents on the screen one after another at a predetermined period.

When the user specifies a product number using the "number keys" of the keyboard switch 6a and then presses the confirmation key to select the product (step 8103), this product number is temporarily stored in the built-in register of the input unit 20. is,
Thereafter, it is transferred to the product name storage area of the RAM 14. If you press the wrong number key, you can use the rcEJ key or the C key to clear the input data and re-enter it. Next, the CRT 6b is instructed to display the quantity of the product to be shipped, and when the quantity is input from the keyboard 6a (step 5104), this input content is temporarily stored in the register built in the input unit 20, Thereafter, it is transferred to the quantity storage area of the RAM 14.

After selecting the product and quantity, enter the destination input mode (
(corresponding to step S3).

The CPU 11 causes the CD-ROMI 5 to transfer the list of prefecture names to the product display section 18. Then, CRT6b
A list of destination prefectures as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (step S105). When the user touches the corresponding prefecture name (step 5106), the position on the screen is determined by the touch panel 6c, and the prefecture name etc. is detected. The detected prefecture name etc. is once stored in a register built into the input section 20 and then transferred to the prefecture name storage area of the RAM 14.

After inputting the prefecture name, etc., CPUI 1 will display the CD-RO
The M15 transfers the list of city, town, village and county names to the product display section 18. Then, a list of destination cities, towns, and villages as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the CRT 6b (step 5107). When the name of a city, town, village, etc. is input through the touch panel 6c (step 3108), the name of the city, town, village, etc. is temporarily stored in a register built in the input section 2o, and then transferred to the city, town, village name storage area of the RAM 14. The CPU 11 is a CD-RO
A list of town names within the selected municipality, town, and village is transferred to the product display section 18 in M15.

Then, a list of destination town names is displayed on the CRT 6b (step 5109). When the corresponding town name is input via the touch panel 6c (step 5110), this town name is temporarily stored in the built-in register of the input section 2o, and then transferred to the RAM and then transferred to the town name storage area.

The CPU 11 instructs the CD-ROMI 5 to search for a postal code based on the destination address data stored in the prefecture name storage area, city name storage area, and town name storage area of the RAM 14. When the postal code is searched, it is stored in RAM14.
is stored in the postal code storage area of the product display section 18.
and display them together with the prefecture center, city/town/gun name, and town name stored in the RAM 14 (step S111).
). Furthermore, a message is displayed to input the address using the numeric keys of the keyboard switch 6a (step 5112),
When the address is input (step 5113), it is temporarily stored in the built-in register of the input section 20, and then stored in the RAM 1.
4 to complete the destination address data formed in the RAM 14.

If the corresponding name is not found in the specification of the city, town, village, or county name (steps 8108, 114), or if the name of the town is not found (steps 5110, 118), "Not applicable" is pressed as shown in Figure 9. . At this time, in order to obtain address data by handwriting using the electronic pen, the mode shifts to handwriting input mode.

When the user writes one character at a time on the handwritten input plate 7a with the electronic pen 7b, the CPU 11 distinguishes this (step 5116) and displays the distinguished characters one after another on the CRT 6b as shown in FIG. If it cannot be determined, the character is requested to be input again (steps S115 to S116). When the end of handwriting is input from the touch panel 6C (step 5117), the address data in the discriminated characters is transferred from the input unit 20 to the municipality name storage area of the RAM 14. Thereafter, the process moves to step 5111 and the postal code display described above (steps 8111 to 113) is performed.

When the destination address data is completed, the CPU II instructs the address/name display section 19 to input and display the name in handwriting in order to obtain the destination's name data. Then, a display as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the CRT 6b to prompt the user to input a name by hand (step 5121). When characters are drawn by the operator on the handwriting input plate 7a with the electronic pen 7b, each character is discriminated. The identified characters are sequentially displayed within the name frame on the screen of the CRT 6b. If the characters cannot be distinguished, handwritten input is requested again (step 5121).
．． 122). The name data is stored in the name storage area of the RAM 14 (step 81) until the completion of handwritten name input is notified from the touch panel 6c (step 5123).
21-123).

When the handwritten name input is completed (step 5123),
The CPU II instructs the address/name display section 19 to input and display a telephone number. Then, a guide is displayed on the screen of the CRT 6b instructing the user to enter a telephone number using the numeric keys of the keyboard switch 6a (step S124). Once the numerical value of the telephone number is input from the keyboard switch 6a, it is temporarily stored in the internal register of the input section 20.

When the input of the telephone number is completed, the CPU 11 transfers the input light transmission information to the address, name, etc. display section 19 and instructs the display thereof (step 5125). Then, a screen display as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed.

The CPU 11 is installed on the keyboard switch 6a or on the first
From the touch panel 6C as shown in Figure 2, select "Confirm" or "
monitor the issuance of a command to ``correct'' (step 51)
26, 127). For example, when the correction area of the touch panel 6C is pressed (step 5127), the correction mode (step 5128) is executed.

In the correction mode, the input destination information and cursor movement keys as shown in FIG. 13 are displayed on the screen of the CRT 6b. The operator can make corrections by inputting from the touch panel 6C on the CRT screen or the keyboard switch 6a, specifying the range that requires correction with a cursor, and re-entering. For example, to correct the name ``Yamada Abe'', use the cursor movement keys.
First, the correction range is determined by placing the cursor on ``mountain'' and pressing the specified key, then placing the cursor on ``section'' and pressing the specified key. Note that the operator may issue a cancellation command from the keyboard switch 6a, clear all the contents displayed on the screen, and enter data again from the beginning (step 8128).

When the confirmation key is pressed (step 5126), the input of light sending information ends.

Steps similar to inputting the sending light information (3105 to 124
) to input sender information (step 31
30). When inputting sender information for the second time when repeating input is selected in step 8138, which will be described later, the previous sender is memorized.

Therefore, if it is the same sender and a command to continue input is given (step 5129), the previous sender's information is displayed on the CRT 6b (step 5131), and this is stored as the current sender information.

If there is a correction to the sender information, the content is corrected using the same correction mode as step 8128 (step 313
4). When the operator confirms that there is no error in the sender information and presses the confirmation key (step 5132)
, the specified product name, quantity, unit price, destination data, and sender data are combined in a fixed format to create product shipping data (step 8135). This product shipping data is transferred to the RAM 14 and added to a memory table formatted as shown in FIG. 15 (step 51).
36). When the list of destinations is created in the memory table, the CRT 6b displays a message asking ``Are there any other destinations?'' (step 8137). keyboard switch 6a
, or when input is made from the touch panel 6C that there are still destinations, steps 8100 to 137 are repeated to create a list of destinations.

When the data input is completed (step 5138), the above -
The writing part of the list is completed.

When this list is completed, a subtotal of costs is calculated for each destination based on the product unit price, quantity, and shipping fee. Next, calculate the total and add it to the right column of this list (step 5139).
.

Display the contents of the above list on the CRT6b (Step 5
140), a message indicating whether correction is necessary is displayed (step 5141). The operator looks at this and determines whether there are any input errors or budget overruns. When a correction is commanded (step 5142), a correction input routine (step 5143) is performed to accept or accept changes in, for example, product type or quantity. After the correction is completed, step 8139
Return to , calculate the charges again, and correct the table above.

If there is no need to make any corrections (step 5142) and the confirmation key on the keyboard switch 6a or touch panel 6C is pressed (step 5144), the CRT 6b will display a message to ``put the fee into the deposit slot'' (step 5145).
). The money receiving and paying unit 16 is instructed to make a payment (step 5146). In response to this command, the money receiving/paying unit 16 opens the banknote deposit/withdrawal port 4 and the coin deposit/withdrawal port 5 and stands by.

When banknotes and coins are inserted into the money receiving and paying unit 16 (step 5147), the money is discriminated, the amount is calculated (step 5148), and the inserted amount is displayed.

If the input amount does not exceed the product price (step 515)
0), wait for money to be inserted (steps 8147 to 150)
. When the input amount matches or exceeds the product price (step 5150), if there is change, the amount of change is displayed (step 5151). The slip issuing unit 21 issues a copy of the application for shipping the product, for example, a receipt with the list of destinations and costs printed (step 5152).
). Causes the money receiving and paying unit 16 to dispense change (step 51
53). Step S154) of transmitting the contents of the destination list to a host computer or the like of an external product delivery system via the external transmission section 17.

When performing batch processing or storing transaction records, a list of destinations for each customer is stored in, for example, the floppy disk drive 22 or magnetic tape storage means (not shown) (step 5155).

When the data transfer and recording are completed, the data table and the like are reset so that they can be used by the next customer (step 5156), the process returns to the product display mode (step 5100), and the above-described process is repeated.

In this way, a product shipping reception device is realized that can automatically ship the product and receive and pay fees.

Note that since this device can also function as a kind of unmanned store, it is also possible to form a network for receiving product shipments using this device as a terminal.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the product shipping reception device of the present invention, when the data necessary for shipping the product is input from the input section, a list of this data is formed in the memory, and the necessary amount is sent to the money receiving and dispensing machine. When input, the above data is transmitted to the product shipping system and fees are received and paid, so shipping and payment of products such as gift products are automated. As a result, it is possible to save labor in receiving the product shipment and to speed up the product shipment.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the device according to the present invention;
The figure is a top view of the operation console 3, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the control operation of this device, FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts explaining the control operation in more detail, and FIGS. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display mode of the display, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the contents of a memory table formed in the RAM 14. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Screen display, 3...Operation console, 6...Shipping operation section, 11...CPU, 16...Money receiving and paying section, 18
...Product display section, 19...Address name display section, 20
...Input section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Product display means capable of visually displaying at least information regarding product content and price, and a product representing a product name selected in response to a product selection operation performed while viewing the product display. a product selection means for generating a name signal; a shipping information input means for generating a destination information signal representing the destination and a sender information signal representing the sender in response to an input operation of the address and name of the destination and sender; charge display command means for adding the delivery charge obtained based on the destination information signal to the corresponding price and displaying the addition result on the charge display means; and determining the amount of money inserted by looking at the displayed charge. a money receiving and dispensing unit that outputs an accepted amount signal representing the amount of money to be dispensed as change, and dispenses only the corresponding amount from pre-stored coins in response to a change signal indicating the amount of money to be dispensed as change; When the amount of the accepted amount signal is equal to or higher than the displayed fee, at least the product designation signal, the destination information signal, and the sender information signal are stored in a storage means or transferred to an external device, and the accepted amount signal is A product shipping acceptance device characterized by comprising: processing means for setting the difference between the accepted amount and the displayed fee in the change signal when the amount exceeds the displayed fee.