JPH0526718A - Self-scanning system arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a structure and to attain sharp reduction of cost. CONSTITUTION:In self-scanning system arrangements 1, 1A and 1B in each of which an operating element 10, a bringing-in and metering element 20, a bringing-out element 40 and a stocking and bagging element 50 are disposed in a line, a scanning commodity data storage means 31C, a metered commodity weight data storage means 31C, comparing decision means 31A and 31B for judging the sameness of commodity weight data with metered weight data and conveyor operation control means 31A and 31B are provided. The self- scanning system arrangements are so constructed that a bringing-in conveyor 21 is operated for conveyance after it is confirmed that a self-scanned commodity is put on the bringing-in conveyor 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-scanning system device that allows a customer to scan the product data of a purchased product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a checkout device provided in a supermarket, a customer himself / herself uses a self-scanning system device to scan the product data of a purchased product, and a checkout operation including money transfer is performed electronically. There is a cash register that is configured to be performed by a clerk (cashier).

For example, the checkout device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-46591 is a dual-purpose cashier system comprising a plurality of self-scanning system devices and a common electronic cash register. On the other hand, 1
There is also a dedicated system including one or two self-scanning system devices and one or two dedicated electronic cash registers.

FIG. 6 shows a general structure of the latter checkout device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a self-scanning system device, which is an operation unit 10 for a customer to perform a scanning operation, a loading / weighing unit 20, an unloading unit 40, and a stock / bagging unit 50.
And are arranged in rows in the product flow direction. The operation unit 10 includes
A product reading means (optical scanner or the like) 11 for reading a bar code attached to a product and an input / display unit 12 including various switches such as a start button and a display are provided. Further, the carry-in / measurement unit 20 is a carry-in conveyor 2 for carrying in the self-scanned products in the arrow direction.
1 and a weighing machine 22 that weighs the weight of the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21. Carry-out section 40
Includes a carry-out conveyor 41 and an inclined shooter 42, and is configured to carry out the products after settlement to a stock / bagging unit 50 having a stock place 51.

Here, the electronic cash register 31 is
It forms the settlement unit 30, and is provided between the carry-in / measurement unit 20 and the carry-out unit 40.

In such a checkout device, when the customer himself scans his or her purchased merchandise on the operation unit 10, the merchandise data is stored in the electronic cash register 31.
While being registered in the sales registration file of, the products are conveyed to the stock / bagging unit 50 through the carry-in conveyor 21 and the carry-out conveyor 41. Therefore, the cashier only needs to perform the settlement operation for the customer after scanning in the settlement unit 30. After that, the customer goes to stock place 51
Will be packed in.

[0007] Therefore, the cashier can concentrate on the settlement work only, so that the work efficiency is improved. On the other hand, customers can shop quickly without waiting for a long line. According to the checkout device disclosed in the above publication, work efficiency can be further enhanced by the dual role of cashier.

However, regardless of the dual-use system or the exclusive-use system, in such a self-scanning system device 1, the product scanned by the customer and the carry-in conveyor 21 are used.
There may be a case where the product actually placed on the customer does not match. If this is left unattended, the settlement work becomes troublesome and the improvement of work efficiency and customer service due to the introduction of the self-scanning system device 1 cannot be achieved. On the other hand, when a customer is willing to do so, it is difficult to overlook this dishonesty.

In the checkout device, however, the weight of the product scanned by the customer is read from the product data file in the electronic cash register 31, and the weight of the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 is measured by the weighing machine 22.
Is automatically weighed and automatically determines whether or not the two weights match.

That is, when a customer places a product after scanning on the carry-in conveyor 21 which is being transported,
As shown in FIG. 7, the weighing device 22 automatically weighs the product (ST50), while the control unit such as the electronic cash register 31 reads the data input by scanning (ST51), and the input data is the product. The product is a legitimate product registered in the data file (ST52 YE
S) and both weights match (YES in ST53)
On that condition, the sales are registered (ST54).

On the other hand, when the merchandise is not an authorized merchandise (NO in ST52) or when the weight of the merchandise input by scanning does not match the merchandise weight automatically measured (NO in ST53), the carry-in conveyor 21 is stopped (ST55). And carry out the reverse transportation operation (ST56) to deliver the product to the customer (operation unit 10).
Return to. Then, it is generally said to display a coping message such as "Please rescan" or "Place the scanned product" to the customer (ST57).

[0012] Thus, it is possible to improve business efficiency and service while preventing intentional or negligent fraud.

[0013]

However, the above-described conventional self-scanning system device 1 has the following problems, which prevents its further widespread use.

The carry-in conveyor 21 is continuously operated to speed up checkout. On the other hand, it is essential to install the product weight scale 22. Here, the weighing device 22 must be in sliding contact with the moving-in conveyor 21 and must accurately detect the weight of the product on any of the conveyors 21, so that the structure is complicated and the cost is very high. Become.

Further, the carry-in conveyor 21 and the weighing device 22
The life of the carry-in conveyor 21 is shortened due to the mechanical relationship with. On the other hand, there is a certain limit in increasing the accuracy of the weighing device 22, and it becomes difficult to accurately follow when handling a wide variety of products (products with a very small weight difference).

In the case where the weights do not match, the carry-in conveyor 21 needs to be reversely conveyed, so the carry-in conveyor 2
The controller of No. 1 is not only complicated and costly, but also the desired speedup is not achieved as a whole. Moreover, some point out that it gives the customer some unpleasant feeling.

Even during the off-hours in the store, since the carry-in conveyor 21 is continuously operated, the power labor cost is large.

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-scanning system device having a simple structure, easy handling, and low cost.

[0019]

According to the present invention, the influence of the construction of the carry-in / weighing section on the cost of the entire apparatus, the difficulty of handling, the operational stability, the quick checkout, etc. Focusing on the fact that it is extremely large in comparison, it is configured to operate the carry-in conveyor after confirming that the product scanned by the customer and the product actually placed on the carry-in conveyor are matched to achieve the above object. Is.

That is, according to the present invention, an operation unit including product reading means arranged in a line in the product flow direction, a carry-in conveyor,
In a self-scanning system device consisting of a loading / weighing unit having a weighing instrument, an unloading unit including an unloading conveyor, and a stock / bagging unit having a stock location, the product data of the product self-scanned by the customer at the operation unit is displayed. Scanning product data storage means for storing, weighing product weight data storing means for storing weighing data of a product placed on the carry-in conveyor by the customer and weighed by the weighing device, and corresponding to the scanning product data Comparison and determination means for comparing the product weight data and the measured weight data to determine whether the two weight data are equal to each other;
Conveyor operation control means for causing the carry-in conveyor to carry out operation under the condition that both weights are judged to be equal by the comparison and judgment means.

[0021]

In the present invention, the self-scanned merchandise data is stored in the scanning merchandise data storage means, and the measured weight data automatically measured by the weighing machine is stored in the measured commodity weight data storage means. Here, the comparison / determination means compares the product weight data corresponding to the scanning product data with the measured product weight data to determine whether the two weights are equal.

Then, the conveyor operation control means carries out the transfer operation of the carry-in conveyor on condition that the comparison and determination means determines that the two weights are equal. Therefore, the weighing device can be configured to weigh the weight of goods on the carry-in conveyor that is stopped, and since the reverse carrying operation of the carry-in conveyor is not required, the structure can be extremely simple. In addition, quick and stable operation can be performed.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 3, this self-scanning system device has two units (1A, 1B) arranged in parallel, and a common settlement unit 30 [two electronic cash registers 31 in the middle.
(A), 31 (B)] is provided as a so-called two-lane checkout device.

This self-scanning system device 1A
(1B) has the same basic configuration as the conventional example (FIG. 6), but is provided with scanning product data storage means, measured product weight data storage means, comparison determination means, conveyor operation control means, etc. When it is determined that the self-scanned product (weight) and the weighed product (weight) match each other, the carry-in conveyor 21 is operated for the first time.

The same or common parts as those of the conventional example (FIG. 6) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

In FIG. 3, the weighing device 22 has a structure for automatically weighing the weight of the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 which is stopped. Therefore, since it can be arranged corresponding to the upstream side of the transfer conveyor 21, it is much smaller and more accurate than the conventional example. In addition, the conveyor 2 in operation
Since it does not come into sliding contact with 1, it can be constructed at a low cost with a simple structure. The same applies to the carry-in conveyor 21.

Further, since the weighing device 22 can be configured to be able to move up and down, after the weighing, that is, the carry-in conveyor 2
1 is in operation, the weighing machine 22 is loaded into the conveyor 2
Can be separated from 1.

By the way, the scanning commodity data storage means, the weighing commodity weight data storage means in this embodiment,
The comparison / determination means is constructed by combining the constituent elements of the electronic cash register 31 (A) [31 (B)] constituting the settlement section 30 and the functions thereof. Therefore, first, the electronic cash register 31 will be described.

In FIG. 1, the electronic cash register 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU 31A that manages calculations, judgments, commands, etc., a ROM 31B that stores various programs and fixed data, a RAM 31C that temporarily stores various data, a keyboard 32 (controller 32C), a printer 37 (controller 37).
C), drawer 34 (controller 34C), operator display 35 (controller 35C), customer display 3
6 (controller 36C) and an interface 31D are formed, and a general setting mode, a registration mode,
Data processing can be performed in the inspection mode and the settlement mode, and data can be transmitted to a host computer (not shown).

The RAM 31C has a work area WA for temporarily storing data being processed and a sales registration area RM.
There is a product data file area DM shown in FIG. In the product data file area DM, in addition to the product code, product name, and unit price, the weight of the product is preset and stored.

In the sales registration area RM, the operation unit 1
In addition to the product data that the customer self-scanned with 0,
The product data input by the cashier operating the scanner 33 or the keyboard 32 shown in FIG. 1 is also stored.

On the other hand, the interface 31D is connected to the following devices forming the self-scanning system device 1. That is, the merchandise reading means 11 forming the operation unit 10, the four-digit display 14, and the start switch 1
5, the input / display unit 12 having the stop switch 16 is connected. The start switch 15 is for declaring that the customer starts inputting product data for self-purchase using the product reading means 11, and the stop switch 16 is for declaring the end thereof.

Therefore, the start switch 15 is turned on.
Then, the self-scanned product data is automatically input to the electronic cash register 31 via the interface 31D, and the scanned product data is stored in the RAM3.
It is temporarily stored in the working area WA of 1C. Here, it is understood that the RAM 31C constitutes scanning product data storage means.

On the other hand, the weighing machine 22 is means for automatically weighing the weight of the self-scanned product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 in which the customer is stopped, and the weighed weight is temporarily stored in the working area WA of the RAM 31C. Where RA
It is clear that the M31C also forms the weighing product weight data storage means.

Further, the conveyor controller 29 connected to the interface 31D is means for controlling the operation of the carry-in conveyor 21 and the carry-out conveyor 41. The operation of the carry-in conveyor 21 is started by the conveyor operation control means described later, and the sensor 23 provided on the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21.
This conveyor controller 29 stops when (FIGS. 1 and 3) detect a product. On the other hand, the carry-out conveyor 41 is transported after the start switch 15 is turned on.

Further, the conveyor controller 29 is
As shown in FIG. 3, the carry-in conveyor 21 can be transported and operated by a foot switch 38 provided in a range where the cashier can be operated, and an emergency switch 39 can be used for emergency stop.

The product reading means 11, the input / display unit 12, the weighing device 22, and the conveyor controller 29 are
Based on the programs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 stored in the ROM 31B, they are executed in association with each other under the control of the CPU 31A.

The comparison / determination means compares the product weight data (Di) with the measured weight data (Dm) and determines whether or not both weights are equal (Dm = Di). It is composed of a CPU 31A and a ROM 31B. Specifically, it is executed in ST17 of FIG.

The product weight data (Di) is stored in the product data file (RAM31C) shown in FIG. 2 on the basis of the scanning product data (D) input by the customer's self-scanning and temporarily stored in the RAM31C. The weight of the product in question is calculated by the CPU 31A.

Next, the conveyor operation control means is the CPU 3
1A, ROM 31B, and comparison judgment means (31
A, 31B) determines that both weights are equal (Dm = Di), and outputs a transfer operation command signal for the carry-in conveyor 21 to the conveyor controller 29.
In other words, the customer self-scans for self-purchased products,
Moreover, only when the product is placed on the carry-in conveyor 21, the carry conveyor 21 is started and the carry operation is started.
Therefore, the wasteful operation of the transfer conveyor 21 is eliminated,
There is no need to operate the conveyor 21 in reverse. Moreover, since only the regular purchased products are conveyed, it is possible to operate at high speed.

On the other hand, when the self-scanning is not good, the CPU 31A places a product on the carry-in conveyor 21 without self-scanning, or places a product different from the self-scanned product by the customer on the carry-in conveyor 21. However, the carry-in conveyor 21 is not operated.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the customer's negligence or intentional fraud without giving the unpleasant feeling of reversely transporting the product.

The shelf 15 in FIG. 3 is used to temporarily store products or the like that have failed in self-scanning.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. A customer who has placed a large number of purchased products in a cart stops at the operation unit 10 and turns on the start switch 15 (ST1 in FIG. 4).
0).

Then, the CPU 31A causes the display 14 to display the message (1) "Please scan the product" (ST11). The product data D self-scanned by the customer using the product reading unit 11 is temporarily stored in the scanning product data storage unit (RAM 31C) (ST12, 13).

At this time, the CPU 31A reads the weight Di of the product corresponding to the scanning product data D from the product data file (RAM 31C) of FIG. 2 and temporarily stores it in the work area WA.

Subsequently, the display device 14 displays a message (2) "Place the scanned product in the frame of the conveyor" (ST14). Carry-in conveyor 21
The merchandise placed on it is automatically weighed by the weighing machine 22, and the weighed merchandise weight Dm is stored in the RAM 31C forming the weighed merchandise weight data storage means (ST15, 16).
Here, comparison / determination means (CPU 31A, ROM 31B)
Judges the identity between the product weight data Di and the measured weight data Dm (ST17).

When it is judged that Dm = Di (YES in ST17), the CPU 31A forming the conveyor operation control means.
Outputs a transfer operation command signal to the conveyor controller 29 to start the operation of the carry-in conveyor 21.

On the other hand, when Dm ≠ Di (N in ST17)
In O), the CPU 31A causes the display 14 to display a message (3) such as "Please place the scanned product on the carry-in conveyor" (ST18). In this case, the carry-in conveyor 21 is not operated and remains stopped.

Now, the product which is determined to be the same (same weight) as the product self-scanned and the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 (YES in ST17) is moved downward by the carry-in conveyor 21 in FIG. (ST19), and is sent to the stock place 51 via the carry-out conveyor 41.

During this process, when the sensor 23 detects a product (ST20 in FIG. 5), the scanning product data temporarily stored in the scanning product data storage means (RAM 31C) is transferred to the sales registration storage area (31C) by the CPU 31A. ) Is registered (ST21). At the same time, the conveyor controller 29 stops the carry-in conveyor 21 (ST22).

After that, the CPU 31A causes the display 14 to display a message (4) such as "Please scan the next product" and "Press the stop switch" (ST23).

The following products are handled in the same manner (ST11 to 23). After self-scanning for all products,
When the stop switch 16 is pressed, the self-scanning work ends (ST24).

After that, the electronic cash register 31
The total amount of money is displayed on the display 36 of the
Pay at. For a product temporarily placed on the shelf 15 due to a self-scanning malfunction, the cashier is manually input using the keyboard 32 or the scanner 33. The settled customer bags the product in the stock / bag unit 50.

However, according to this embodiment, the operation unit 1
In the self-scanning system device 1 in which 0, the loading / weighing unit 20, the unloading unit 40, and the stock / packing unit 50 are arranged in a row in the product flow direction, the scanning product data storage unit (31C) and the weighing product weight data storage unit ( 31C)
And comparison / determination means (31A, 31B) and conveyor operation control means (31A, 31B) are provided, and when it is determined that the self-scanned product and the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 are the same. Since the configuration is such that the transporting operation of 21 is performed, the weighing device 22 can be configured to perform weighing while the carry-in conveyor 21 is stopped. Therefore, the structure of the carry-in / weighing unit 20 can be greatly simplified, a significant cost reduction can be achieved, and power saving can be achieved to further improve customer service.

Further, scanning product data storage means,
The weighed product weight data storage means, the comparison determination means, and the conveyor operation control means are the CPU 31A, the ROM 31B, and the RAM 3 of the electronic cash register 31 that constitutes the settlement unit 30.
Since the configuration is also used for 1C, organic and high-speed processing is possible, and the cost of the entire checkout device can be reduced.

Since the weighing device 22 may have a structure in which it comes into contact with the carry-in conveyor 21 which is stopped and weighs the weight of the product, it is very small and highly accurate. Therefore, the present invention has wide applicability that can be introduced into a multi-product store with a small weight difference, and a stable operation is assured.

Further, since the carry-in conveyor 21 is constructed so that the operation is started after the product identity is confirmed and is stopped after the sales registration is completed, it can be operated at a high speed and the operation time can be shortened to save electricity, and the customer can handle it. In the case of deficiency or negligence, it does not give the unpleasantness of carrying the carry-in conveyor 21 backward and returning the product to the operation unit 10.

Although the above self-scanning system device 1 was introduced into the two-lane dedicated check-out device, it can be directly implemented as the self-scanning system device for the dual-purpose check-out device disclosed in the above publication. ..

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operating portion,
In the self-scanning system device in which the loading / weighing unit, the unloading unit, and the stock / bagging unit are arranged in a row, the scanning product data storage means, the weighed product weight data storage means, the product weight data, and the weighed weight data are made identical. Since the comparison and determination means for determining and the conveyor operation control means are provided, and the transfer conveyor is operated after confirming that the self-scanned products are placed on the transfer conveyor, the weighing instrument Carry-in including conveyor
The structure of the weighing unit can be dramatically simplified and the accuracy can be improved, the cost of the entire device can be significantly reduced, and power saving and customer service can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise a diagram for explaining a product data file.

FIG. 3 is likewise a plan view of the entire checkout device.

FIG. 4 is likewise a flow chart (1) for explaining the operation.

FIG. 5 is also a flowchart (2) for explaining the operation.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B Self-scanning system device 10 Operation unit 11 Product reading means 12 Input / display unit 14 Display unit 15 Shelf 20 Carry-in / measurement unit 21 Carry-in conveyor 22 Metering device 23 Sensor 29 Conveyor controller 30 Settling unit 31, 31A, 31B Electronic cash register 31A CPU (comparison judgment means, conveyor operation control means) 31B ROM (comparison judgment means, conveyor operation control means) 31C RAM (scanning product data storage means, measured product weight data storage means) 31D interface 32 keyboard 33 scanner 34 Drawer 35 Display for operator 36 Display for customer 37 Printer 38 Foot switch 39 Emergency switch 40 Carrying out section 41 Carrying out conveyor 50 Stock / bagging section 51 Stock place

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location // B65G 43/08 F 9245-3F 47/49 8010-3F

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. An operating unit including product reading means arranged in a line in the product flow direction, a carry-in conveyor, a carry-in / measurement unit having a measuring device, and a carry-out unit including a carry-out conveyor. In a self-scanning system device comprising a stock / packing unit having a stock location, a scanning product data storage unit for storing product data of a product self-scanned by a customer by the operation unit, and a customer placing the product on the carry-in conveyor. Measured weight data storage means for storing the measured weight data of the measured product measured by the measuring device, and the weight data corresponding to the scanned product data and the measured weight data are compared, and both weight data are equal. The comparison judgment means for judging whether or not the carrying-in is carried out on the condition that both weights are judged to be equal by this comparison judgment means. Self-scanning system and wherein the conveyor drive control means for transfer operation the conveyer, that was provided.