JPH07200948A - Self-service accounting system with manned desk for guidance and guard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a self-service type payment system providing communication between a clerk of a sales store and a self-service payment counter. CONSTITUTION: This system includes plural self-service type payment counters 12 each of which includes a terminal 17, a bar code scanner 18, monitors and a communication equipment 22. The communication equipment 22 includes a speaking body microphone for speaking with the clerk of the sales store, a camera for allowing the clerk 30 to observe the customer 24 of self-service, and a card reader for receiving payment. This system includes a guide and security disk 14 arranging the clerk 30. The desk 14 includes a terminal 27, the monitors for observing the customer 24 of self-service, the speaking body microphone for speaking with the customer 24 of self-service and a controller for the clerk 30 to select and observe one of the customers 24 of self-service. The clerk 30 can observe the same merchandise specification and price as is displayed on one of the monitors at a counter 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-service accounting system, and more particularly to a self-service accounting system having manned guidance and a security desk.

[0002]

[Background Art] Personnel expenses are a large expense for the sales point (POS) environment, such as retail stores and wholesale companies.
In fact, labor costs may amount to approximately 80% of direct sales costs. On the other hand, the equipment cost is only about 5% of the direct sales cost.

Traditionally, accounting systems include cash registers for servicing one line, servicing one customer at a time per cash register. Such a system was limited to full service operation, and each cash register needed to have at least a POS operator or cashier. A clerk scans with a scanner, weighs, bags the goods, and receives payment. Such systems are expensive to operate, inflexible, and do not provide any security facilities to service self-service customers.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a self-service accounting system that saves labor costs but provides guidance and security to customers.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a self-service accounting system with manned guidance and security desks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-service accounting system having a manned guidance and security desk to provide guidance to self-service customers and to provide anti-theft and security. .

Another object of the present invention is a self-service accounting system having a manned guidance and security desk that includes a communication system in the self-service accounting counter that couples each self-service accounting counter with a manned guidance and security desk. Is to provide.

[0008]

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention,
A self-service accounting system with manned guidance and security desk is provided. The system includes a plurality of self-service accounting counters, each including a terminal, a bar code scanner, a monitor, and a communication device. The communication device includes a sounding microphone for listening to and speaking by a store employee, a camera for allowing the store employee to observe a self-service customer, and a card reader for receiving payment. including. The system also includes a guidance and security desk where dealer employees are stationed, including a terminal, a monitor for observing self-service customers, and a sounding body for listening and talking to self-service customers. It includes a microphone and a controller to allow the dealer employee to select and view one of the self-service customers. At the self-service accounting counter, the store employee can check the item details and price displayed on one of the monitors.

[0009]

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiments and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 10 of the present invention comprises a self-service accounting counter 12.
And a guidance and security desk 14. Self-service accounting counter 12 is conveyor belt 16, terminal 1
7. Includes scanner and weighing device 18, bagging area 20, and communication device 22. The scanner and weighing device 18 and the communication device 22 are coupled to the terminal 17.

The guidance and security desk 14 includes a terminal 27 and a communication device 28. Communication device 28 is coupled to terminal 27 and is similar to communication device 22.

The customer 24 passes through an accounting checkout 26. The customer lowers the goods onto the conveyor belt 16 and scans and weighs the goods using a scanner and weighing device 18. The scanned product is processed by the terminal 17. After paying for the goods, the customer exits the retail store.

The store employee 30 communicates with the customer 24 via the communication device 28 about the guidance and security desk 14. Customers who pay in cash are paid by employee 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, the communication devices 22 and 28 form part of a communication system 34. The communication device 22 includes a sounding microphone 38, a card reading device 40, a camera 42, and a monitor device 44. Communication device 2
8 includes a monitor 46, a sounding microphone 48, an optional camera 50, and a controller 52. Communication device 22,
Each member of 28 is illustrated in a single housing 60,62. However, the present invention contemplates independent multimedia components and other combinations that include scanner 18, terminal 17, and communication device 22 in a single housing.

Each of the communication devices 22 is coupled with the communication device 28 to provide voice and video communication between the terminal 12 and the guidance and security desk 14. The audio and video connections are normal audiovisual intercom line 54 or server 3.
6 via multimedia line 56. Using the sounding microphones 38, 48, the customer 24 can communicate with the store employee 30. The store employee 30 can use the camera 42 to observe the customer bagging again while the customer 24 is scanning the product. The optional camera 50 allows the customer 24 to see the store employee 30 during a conversation. The cameras 42, 50 are preferably wide-angle video cameras.
To achieve a wide viewing range, the camera 42 can be panned or multiple mirrors 64 can be used to direct light from each viewing position to the camera 42.

Monitor 44 and card reader 40 are coupled to server 36 via terminal 17. Monitor 46
Is connected to the server 36 via the terminal 27. Monitor 4
4 displays the details and price information of each scanned item.
Using the monitor 46, the dealer employee 30 can observe the same price and statement information displayed on any one of the monitors 44. Monitors 44, 46
Is also coupled to the video information from the cameras 42,50. The card reader allows the customer to pay for scanned goods using a SMART, credit or debit card.

The store employee 30 can select any one of the customers 24 by the control device 52 and observe it on the monitor 46 using the camera 42. System 10
Is an integrated computerized multimedia system, the controller 52 can be the terminal 27. The store staff 30 can display the item details and price from any of the terminals 17 via the server 36.

[0018]

The present invention relates to a self-service accounting system, and more particularly to a self-service accounting system having manned guidance and a security desk.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an accounting system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system that couples each accounting counter with manned guidance and security desks.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Accounting System 12 Accounting Counter 14 Information and Security Desk 16 Conveyor Belt 17 Terminal 18 Scanner and Weighing Device 20 Bagging Part 22 Communication Device 24 Customer 27 Terminal 28 Communication Device 30 Employee 34 Communication System 36 Server 38 Sounder Microphone 40 Card Reading device 42 Camera 44 Monitor 46 Monitor 48 Sounder microphone 50 Camera 52 Control device 54 Audiovisual line 56 Multimedia line 64 Mirror

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of self-services each including a terminal, a bar code scanner coupled to the terminal for scanning goods, and a card reader coupled to the terminal for reading a customer's payment card. A self-service accounting counter, a store employee is located adjacent to the self-service account counter, to provide guidance to self-service customers and to prevent theft; and by the store employee. An accounting system comprising: a communication system for monitoring self-service customers and for facilitating communication between the self-service employee and a store employee.