FR2526651A1 - AUTOMATIC CASE FOR LARGE STORE - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS LARGE STORE ARRANGEMENT INCLUDES AN AUTOMATIC CHECKOUT FOR REGISTERING ITEMS OF SELECTED GOODS FOR PURCHASE, AND FOR RECEIVING PAYMENT FOR THE SELECTED GOODS, THIS AUTOMATIC CHECKOUT BEING DIVIDED INTO AT LEAST ONE 11 REGISTRY UNIT AND ONE 16 SEP PAYMENT UNIT THE REGISTRATION UNIT 11. THE REGISTRATION UNIT 11 IS PROVIDED TO REGISTER VARIOUS PARTIAL OPERATIONS CONCERNING THE SELECTED ITEMS, TO TAKE THE SUM OF THESE PARTIAL OPERATIONS, TO CREATE A REFERENCE NUMBER, AND TO TRANSFER THE RESULT OF ADDITION AND THE REFERENCE NUMBER TO PAYMENT UNIT 16, WHICH GIVES THE ADDITION RESULT AND OR THE REFERENCE NUMBER, WHEN ANY OF THIS DATA IS ENTERED IN THE UNIT. IN LARGE COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES, THE NUMBER OF REGISTRATION UNITS MUST EXCEED THAN ONE PAYMENT UNITS BY AT LEAST ONE UNIT, AND MUST PREFERABLY REPRESENT DOUBLE.

Description

STORE ARRANGEMENT

  The invention presented here is related to the store or large area arrangement, and more particularly to the type of arrangement which includes an automatic cash register to record and receive payments made by customers for selected merchandise.

in this way.

  Large and medium-sized areas for the daily purchase of food products are usually self-service stores, and

  -have one or more cash counters with cash registers

  Managers, where products that have been taken from shelves in the store, then piled into baskets or carts, are taken out of the same baskets or trolleys, and packed in bags or boots, after the cashier has registered the articles. choose

  for purchase, their respective prices, and possibly other

  information, on the automatic cash register.

  When the cashier has registered all the items chosen for purchase, the customer is asked to pay the amount indicated by the automatic pay station. He must therefore stop storing the purchased items, take out the cash or make a check, and then continue to

  pack in his shopping bag the products purchased While these

  As a result, it is likely that a long line of customers will be formed at the cash counter, causing a feeling of irritation and tension on both the cashier and the customers.

  can easily cause errors.

  The purpose of the invention in question is to eliminate these disadvantages,

  and also to serve as a basis for benefits such as:

  more accurate merchandise purchased, fast packing of purchased products, lower voltage, reduced number of -2- registration units required, faster work for cashiers, improved monitoring capabilities, and more, regular payment transactions more accurate and faster, greater security against theft, faster cash-out, safer money transportation, and a better work environment. Viewed on a larger scale, the overall positive effect can be

  defined by the following words: direct and indirect costs in person

  lower investment levels, more time available for cash payments, better and more focused customer information, and less

  customers, o greater satisfaction.

  The characteristics of the department store layout according to

  this invention are set forth in the claims hereinafter.

  The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows an automatic pay station comprising a plurality of registration units and a payment unit; FIG. FIG. 3 shows a recording unit, having a transceiver and computing and control devices, FIG. 4 shows a conveyor belt with recording and reading devices, FIG. FIG. 5 shows a recording unit with two conveyor belts, and FIG. 6 represents a recording device with generator.

free choice.

  The device shown in FIG. 1 comprises a cash register

  manager, divided into several registration units 11, 12, 13 15, and a payment unit 16, which is separate from the units -3-

  Each registration unit shall include the provisions

  111, 121, 131 151 to record various operations.

  Partial rations relating to items selected for purchase, to total the said partial operations, and to provide a reference number in relation to each totalization operation. The payment unit 16 comprises a counter 161, connected to the units of purchase. recording, and rule for continuously recording the result of the totalization operations mentioned above, and the reference numbers, as well as for issuing receipts for at least each tabulation result and each reference number

  (or to display them on a screen), when each reference number

  where each corresponding totalization result is introduced

  in the payment unit The payment unit represented is

  born to two cashiers and has, therefore, two counters,

  which are connected to all the recording units.

  As is easily understood, it is also possible to provide

  a single counter, accessible to each teller by

keyboards.

  As can be seen in FIG. 1, the number of recording units 11, 15 included in the schematic representation is much larger than the number of payment units 16. Moreover, the space between the units of registration and the payment unit (s) is completely enclosed In this way, it is separated from the rest of the store A number of counters are arranged in this space, which are intended for the customer This allows the customer to unload his basket and quietly take out his money, make a check, etc. When a customer has placed all items he wishes to buy in a basket or cart, he approaches one of the registration units 11, 15, where a store employee records all items one by one. a ,, using a keyboard for example As a result of

  the registration of the products, the respective prices are automatically

  And the client receives a receipt indicating the total payment claimed and, if applicable, the registration of each

  partial operation As the items become

  The customer places the items already stored in a basket or shopping bag, and when the cost of the items has been totalized,

  the result of the addition and the reference number are sent to the

  161 Then the customer begins to approach one of the counters 171 176, where he can quietly get out the required money, etc., then he goes to the payment unit 16, where he presents the receipt and pays The cashier then strikes the sum on the keypad, after which she receives from the counter 161 a corresponding reference number, which can be compared for verification with the reference number of the receipt The receipt (or alternatively, another receipt) is then returned to the customer, who leaves the store with his goods when

  the cashier receives a reference number from the counter 161, which is

  The customer can also receive at the registration unit a receipt for both the amount to be paid and the reference number to the payment unit. In this case, he himself strikes the sum and the number on a keyboard, and performs the

  payment by means of an automatic payment device.

  In both cases, it is expected that an alarm signal is triggered

  if the recorder does not contain the result combination of totality

  tion / reference number that has been introduced.

  Instead of recording the result of the addition and the reference number

  However, it is possible to record only one or the other. In this case, the alarm signal mentioned above will obviously not be used.

  As can be seen from Figure 2, the recording devices

  registration 111, 121, 151 of the registration units 11, 12

  , are all connected to the counter 161.

  In addition to including the recording device 111 and the hollow frame 31, the recording unit shown in FIG. 3 also includes a control device 33, a conveyor belt 32, a counter 321 disposed along the web The right end of the conveyor belt 32 is its point of entry, and is intended to receive the goods that have already been registered (operation carried out by the cashier).

  through the keyboard 31) As the

  The goods are conveyed to the left by the conveyor belt 32, they pass in turn by the counter 321, which sends calculation pulses to the control device 33 The information relating to the number of partial operations 4 taken into account by the device registration 111 are also sent to the control device 33 In the event that there is contradiction between these two information concerning the number of items purchased by the customer,

  the control device 33 would trigger a signal.

  also includes a weighing unit 34, designed to automatically weigh the selected goods (taking the tare of the cart), and to send to the recording device 111 a

  signal containing the information relating to the weighing result.

  This signal is then sent to the counter 161, as well as the result.

  state of the bill (amount indicated in Swedish kroner), and that the

Reference number.

  Where the selected articles or goods also bear

  mention of a weight data indicator code, these

  data can be entered into the counter of the payroll unit.

  at the same time as the price data In this case,

  it is not necessary to weigh the goods at the registration unit.

  only in the case of certain products, such as fruits or vegetables, for example The weight of goods can then be automatically checked at the payment unit, ie at the moment

o the customer will leave the store.

  The registration of the goods may be effected automatically

  tick, so without keyboard, pencil, or other This is indi-

  in Figure 4, which shows a conveyor belt 42, a

  reading device 421 placed along the strip 42, and a

  In this case, the goods are supposed to mention a code concerning their price. In this way, this information is automatically entered in the counter 161 of the document. payment unit 16.

  The recording unit shown in FIG.

  addition of the device referred to in Figure 4 A system

  The verification system 51 is arranged along the conveyor belt 42 at a distance from the reading device 421. This verification system is controlled from the reading device 421 as follows: when an article passes the reading device 421 , the latter generally sends a signal which prevents the verification system from sending a light signal, for example, across the band 42 into a "rejection zone" of this band Si, for one reason or another, the device 421 is not pressed

  by the passage of an article, the latter interrupts the signal of the system.

  In this way, the conveyor belt 42 is stopped and a scraper 53 is moved through the rejection zone.

  of the band, in the direction of the arrow shown in the diagram.

  Thus, the article mentioned above is transferred from the band 42 to a band 52, the latter being actuated in a direction opposite to the movement of the band 42. The article in question is thus retransported in the immediate vicinity of the end. As soon as the article mentioned has left Band 42, it is set in motion to continue transporting

following articles.

  It has already been mentioned above that, in the case of certain representations, the result of addition and the number of

  reference number are entered in the counter 161 This reference number

  it can be created in various ways In Figure 6, we represent

  an arrangement comprising a free choice generator 61 in the

  When a signal arrives from the reading device 421 (triggered by the passage of an article), this signal causes the recording device 111 a price signal, which is added to the price signals. generated previously, and a reference signal which is subsequently transferred, with the addition signal, to the counter 161 of the payment unit 16.

  The counter 161 of the payment unit 16 is provided so that, when

  the totalization signal or the reference number are given, this record is deleted from the counter In the case where an addition result I 0 and a reference number already recorded have not been recorded.

  been erased in a given time, calculated from the time when the in-

  training has been recorded (for example, 20 minutes), the meter emits an alarm signal On the other hand, the items selected and for which payment has not been made in a given time, can be cataloged automatically for analysis , and we can hold them back. This may happen when a customer, after registering his goods with a registration unit, realizes that he does not have enough money, or that he wants to select one or more other products, etc. It is then possible to cancel the recordings

  compounds of the result of the addition and / or the

  Thus, the customer's account is reduced to zero. Subsequently, after returning goods and / or having selected other products, the customer goes through the same operations, that is to say

  he is treated as a new client This cancellation is effected

  appropriately killed by store personnel, as well as the correction, either total or partial, of the previously issued receipt. In the case of a substantially modified store layout, the registration units may be arranged in such a manner at the time of registration of the goods selected by

  a customer, a yellow receipt, for example, including a

  indicating the result of the addition, and another part

  the registration of the list of partial operations for articles

  This receipt is presented by the customer to a pay-

  part of the totalization result is separated, and replaced

  placed, for example, by a red receipt part indicating the re-

  result of the addition In this way, the customer can keep a receipt

  information relating to the amount paid and the goods

  purchased, while eliminating the risk of manipulating receipts

cities.

  By separating the cash register into at least one recording unit

  at least one payment unit separate from the reporting unit.

  The disadvantages listed in the introduction are obviously

  A practical study has shown that in large commercial complexes, the number of registration units must be at least one unit larger than the payment units, and preferably more than twice the size of the payment units. set of

payment units.

Claims (12)

  A department store arrangement comprising an automatic cash register for registering goods items selected by a customer, and for receiving payment for said goods, characterized by the   the automatic pay station is divided into at least one unit of   registration, and at least one separate payment unit, the unit of   registration being provided for the registration of articles of   chosen, and the payment unit is intended to receive payment   previously recorded articles, according to the registrations   performed in the registration unit.   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 1, characterized   because the number of registration units is greater than   at least one unit to the unit of payment units.   A department store arrangement according to claim 1 or claim   2, characterized in that each recording unit   (11) comprises a device (111) for recording the various operations   Partial rations for selected items, to sum all these partial operations, and to provide a reference number related to each partial operation; characterized by the fact that each payment unit (16) comprises a counter (161), connected   available recording units (11), and intended to record   continuously calculate the totalization result and the number of the   reference, and to give at least each reference number or result   when they are entered in the payment unit. (16).   4 department store arrangement according to claim 3, characterized   in that the recording device (111) of the recording unit in question (11) can be manually operated at   using a keyboard, a pen, or whatever.   Warehouse arrangement according to Claim 3, characterized in that the recording device (111) of the recording unit (11) can be started automatically by a relative movement between the respective products and the device in question (via 421).   6 Department store arrangement according to claim 4, characterized   the fact that the recording unit comprises a trans-   carrier (32), whose input end is intended to receive the items already recorded, and the output end is intended to restore the previously registered and received products Along this band are arranged a counter (321 ) to count the number of items that pass, and, further, a verification system that compares the number of recorded partial operations with the number of items passing, taken into account by the counter (321), and which sends a signal in case the two digits do not match.   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 5, characterized   the fact that the recording unit (11) comprises a conveyor belt (42) whose input end is intended to receive the goods articles and the output end is provided for dispensing the goods. items already received Along this tape is insif   a reading device (421) associated with the recording unit   (111), intended to read product information, serving as a basis for recording partial operations,   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 5, characterized   by the fact that it includes a verification system (51) pre-   seen to automatically renew an article in the immediate vicinity   the entrance end of the conveyor belt, where no   gnal is sent by the reading device (421), immediately   after the article in question has passed this reading device.   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 3, characterized   rised by the fact that the number of registration units is 11 -   more important than that of the payment units, and, preferably, twice as important.   Department store arrangement according to claim 9, characterized   rised by the fact that the space between the recording units (11,   12, 13 15), and the payment units, (ie 16), are all   it is closed, and therefore separated from the rest of the store.   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 3, characterized   by the fact that the device (111) which gives the reference numbers   includes a free choice generator (61) designed to produce   a number chosen at random, in connection with each addition of partial   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 3, characterized   owing to the fact that the recorder (161) is provided for erasing from its memory, at the time it gives them, the totalization results.   and previously saved reference numbers.   13 Department store arrangement according to any one of the   3, characterized in that the recording unit (11) also comprises a weighing unit (34), intended to weigh   automatically the selected articles, and to send the result   the state of these weighing operations at the recording device (111); characterized in that the recorder (161) of the payment unit (16) is provided for recording, and furthermore, providing weighing results.   Warehouse arrangement according to claim 12, characterized   the fact that the recorder (16) is designed to transmit automatically   an alarm signal, when addition results and reference numbers already recorded have not been deleted in   given time, calculated from the moment when these results and nu- meros were recorded.