JP2008146598A - Self-checkout device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace a plastic shopping bag opened on a mounting table of a balance device for mounting an article after article code reading used for weight check in one transaction. <P>SOLUTION: This self-checkout device comprises: a payment terminal 201 allowing the self-checkout by arranging a customer by a user interface such as an article code input section (bar code scanner 203) and a display section (LCD 210) at a position in which the operation by a customer and the information service to the customer are arranged; and the balance device 301 for measuring the weight of the article mounted on the mounting table 303a for mounting the article after article code input. Outside the execution duration of a series of transactions from the article code input to the article information registration processing, previous weight check processing of determining variation of the weight value transmitted from the balance device 301 is executed. When it is determined that the variation of the weight value is weight reduction as a result of the previous weight check processing, the weight value after variation is used as an accurate and present weight value, and progression of the subsequent processing is continued. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-checkout device that enables self-checkout by a customer.

  In recent years, various user interfaces for executing merchandise sales data processing have been placed in locations where customers can operate, provide information to customers, and issue receipts to customers, enabling self-checkout by customers. Development of an out device is underway (Patent Document 1). As various user interfaces, for example, a product code reading unit such as a barcode reader, a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, for example, a settlement enabling settlement such as a coin and banknote depositing and dispensing device And a receipt printer are prepared.

  In addition, in the self-checkout device, in order to prevent fraud, a product that a customer can take home is a product whose product code is read by the product code reading unit, in other words, a purchase subject to product sales data processing. It is necessary to take measures to limit it to products only. As countermeasures for this, for example, as described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, an invention has been made in which the product code read unit checks the weight of a product code read to prevent fraud. ing.

  As a weight check method, Patent Document 2 describes that the weight data of the product is acquired from the PLU file based on the product code read by the product code reading unit, and the product code after the product code is read. In this method, the weight is measured, and the weight is checked with the identity between the weight specified by the weight data and the actually measured weight.

  As a method for checking the weight, Patent Document 3 describes that the weight of the product is measured before and after the product code is read by the product code reading unit, and the weight thus measured is compared with the weight check. It is a technique of performing.

JP 2004-086728 A JP 09-245251 A JP 2002-367030 A

  Even if any one of the two methods described above is adopted as the weight check method, the mounting table which is a weighing pan of a weighing device that measures the weight of the product after reading the product code by the product code reading unit, The merchandise must be placed until the end of a transaction. Otherwise, it will not be possible to determine the identity of the weight specified by the weight data and the actually measured weight, or to determine the identity of the product before and after reading the product code. Because it ends up.

  On the other hand, in a weighing device that measures the weight of the product after the product code is read by the product code reading unit, for example, a plastic bag is widened, and the products after the product code is read are put in the plastic bag one after another. The operation of going is generally taken. For this reason, there is a demand for removing a plastic bag spread on the mounting table of the scale device when the plastic bag is full and expanding the next plastic bag. However, there is a problem in that weight check cannot be performed properly when such an operation of replacing shopping bags is performed.

  Such a problem can be dealt with by increasing the area of the mounting table of the scale device so that a plurality of shopping bags can be mounted. However, this causes a new problem that the scale device becomes larger, leading to an increase in the size of the entire self-checkout device.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to exchange a shopping bag spread on a mounting table of a scale device on which a product after reading a product code used for weight check is placed in one transaction.

  The self-checkout apparatus according to the present invention provides a user interface including a product code input unit for inputting a product code, a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, and a payment unit for executing payment, by a customer operation and a customer. A payment terminal that enables self-checkout by the customer and a placement unit for placing the product, and the product placed on the placement unit. A weighing device that weighs and transmits the weighed weight value to the payment terminal, and the information processing unit of the payment terminal is (1) based on the product code input by the product code input unit, A search process for searching for the corresponding unit price and weight from the product data file storing the unit price and weight corresponding to each product code is executed. (2) Product code input by the product code input unit After the input, a weight check process is performed to determine whether the measured value of the product obtained based on the weight value transmitted from the scale device is the same as the weight of the product acquired by the search process And (3) if the result of the weight check process results in a determination that there is identity between weights, the product code read by the product code reading unit and the unit price acquired by the search process Product information registration processing for storing the product information including the information in the storage unit, and (4) if the determination result that there is no identity between the weights as a result of the weight check processing, (5) sent from the scale device outside the execution period of a series of processes from the product code input by the product code input unit to the product information registration process. A pre-weight check process for determining a change in weight value is executed. (6) If it is determined that the change in the weight value is an increase in weight as a result of the pre-weight check process, the subsequent process is stopped. (7) As a result of the pre-weight check process, if it is determined that the change in the weight value is a decrease in weight, the weight value after the change is set as an appropriate current weight value, A process that continues the process is executed.

  Another aspect of the self-checkout device according to the present invention includes a product code input unit for inputting a product code, a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, and a settlement unit for executing settlement. Is placed at a position where the customer can operate and provide information to the customer, and a payment terminal that enables self-checkout by the customer and a product before the product code is input by the product code input unit An initial weighing unit for weighing the product placed on the first placement unit, and transmitting the measured weight value to the settlement terminal; and for placing the product. And a weighing device that weighs the weight of the product placed on the placement unit and transmits the measured weight value to the payment terminal. The information processing unit of the payment terminal includes: 1) Product code input section Therefore, based on the input product code, a search process for searching for the corresponding unit price from the product data file storing the unit price corresponding to each product code is executed. (2) Product code input by the product code input unit Whether the measured value of the product obtained later based on the weight value transmitted from the weighing device is identical to the measured value of the product obtained based on the weight transmitted from the first weighing device A weight check process for determining whether or not (3) a product code read by the product code reading unit when the result of the weight check process results in a determination that there is identity between weights; And product information registration processing for storing product information including the unit price acquired by the search processing in a storage unit. (4) As a result of the weight check processing, If the determination result that there is no property is obtained, a process for stopping the subsequent process is executed, and (5) a series of processes from the product code input by the product code input unit to the product information registration process The pre-weight check process for determining the variation in the weight value transmitted from the scale device is executed outside the execution period of (6). (6) As a result of the pre-weight check process, the variation in the weight value is an increase in weight. If it is determined, a process for stopping the subsequent process is executed. (7) As a result of the pre-weight check process, if it is determined that the change in the weight value is a decrease in weight, A process for continuing the progress of the subsequent processes is executed with the weight value set to an appropriate current weight value.

  According to the present invention, the pre-weight check process for determining the variation in the weight value transmitted from the scale device is executed outside the execution period of the series of processes from the product code input by the product code input unit to the product information registration process. As a result of the pre-weight check process, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a decrease in weight, the weight value after the change is set to an appropriate current weight value, and the subsequent process is continued. The shopping bags that are spread on the mounting table of the scale device on which the product code used for the weight check is read can be exchanged in one transaction.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The description of the present embodiment will be made along the following items.

1. System configuration (1) Overview of system configuration (2) Self-checkout terminal (3) Attendant terminal Self-checkout process (1) Basic routine of self-checkout process (2) Pre-weight check process (3) Screen transition during self-checkout process (4) Weight check process
(1) Basic processing
(2) Weight check error
(3) Skip weight check processing (5) Register product information by screen input (6) Register product information for packed products
(1) Packing product input method
(2) Second weight check process (7) Cancel specification (8) Call specification (9) Combination discount (set discount)
(10) Settlement (11) Checker mode Hereinafter, the above items will be described in order.
1. System Configuration (1) Overview of System Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall system configuration. The system of the present embodiment is constructed by connecting a plurality of self-checkout systems 11, a plurality of POS terminals 21, and a store controller 31 via a communication network 41.

  The self-checkout system 11 is configured by assigning one attendant terminal 501 to a plurality of self-checkout devices 101. The self-checkout device 101 includes a settlement terminal 201 and a scale device 301.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of each part in the self-checkout system 11. In the self-checkout system 11 of the present embodiment, one attendant terminal 501 is assigned to four self-checkout devices 101. The self-checkout device 101 is arranged such that a pair of self-checkout devices 101 are arranged in parallel along the customer passage 121, and the pair of self-checkout devices 101 face the front side via the customer passage 121. Has been.

  An attendant terminal 501 is disposed at the end of the customer passage 121. The attendant terminal 501 has a form of a personal computer having a main body 502, a display 503 as a display unit, a keyboard 504, and a pointing device 505 as an operation unit, and is placed on the attendant table 601. Yes.

The customer can access any self-checkout device 101 through the customer passage 121. For example, when trying to use the self-checkout device 101 located on the upper right side in FIG. 2 and located on the left side in the direction of travel when viewed from the customer, stand in front of the self-checkout device 101 through the customer passage 121, After the self-checkout, the user walks around to the left or right in front of the attendant table 601 and leaves.
(2) Self-Checkout Terminal FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the self-checkout device 101. The self-checkout device 101 includes a settlement terminal 201 and a scale device 301.

  The settlement terminal 201 has a housing 202 from which a product basket mounting table 102 for mounting a bag (not shown) containing products to be purchased by a customer protrudes from the left side. On the upper surface of the commodity basket mounting table 102, a protrusion 103 for positioning the basket is formed in an L shape.

  The housing 202 of the payment terminal 201 includes a base housing 202a installed on the floor and a small upper housing 202b placed on the upper surface of the base housing 202a. The front surface of the base housing 202a is inclined so as to narrow the projected area of the base housing 202a as it goes downward. As a result, the base housing 202a has a shape that is offset toward the back as it goes downward.

  Various user interfaces are provided in the upper housing 202b. That is, in the upper housing 202b, a barcode scanner 203 as a product code input unit is arranged on the left side, and a printer cover 204 and a monitoring camera 205 are arranged on the right side. These barcode scanner 203, printer cover 204, and monitoring camera are arranged. Between 205, a card reading unit 206 and a numeric keypad 207 as a settlement unit are arranged. The barcode scanner 203 is a vertical scanner that functions as a product code reading unit that reads a product code attached to a product. The printer cover 204 is provided with a receipt issuing port 208. A receipt printer 251 (see FIG. 6) is built in the upper housing 202b on the back side of the printer cover 204, and a receipt (not shown) printed by the receipt printer 251 is issued from a receipt issuing port 208. Yes. The printer cover 204 is attached to the upper housing 202b so as to be openable and closable, and is opened by pulling the flap 209. The monitoring camera 205 is disposed above the printer cover 204. The card reading unit 206 establishes wireless communication with a non-contact IC card (not shown), and reads / writes information from / to the non-contact IC card. As an example, the non-contact IC card can store and save electronic money having a value equivalent to cash. As another example, the contactless IC card stores and stores an identification number for identifying a debited bank account. Used. In FIG. 3, an antenna (not shown) is built in the back side of the portion marked “CARD” in the circle, and wireless communication with the non-contact IC card is established through this antenna. The numeric keypad 207 is used for inputting a personal identification number at the time of settlement with a non-contact IC card.

  An LCD 210 serving as a display unit having a liquid crystal display panel is attached to the upper housing 202b. The LCD 210 has a touch panel 211 as an input unit and a product code input unit on its display surface, and a card reading groove 212 on the right side. A card reader / writer 252 (see FIG. 6) as a settlement unit is built in the card reading groove 212. The card reader / writer 252 reads information recorded on a magnetic card such as a credit card, for example, a card number or a password.

  The base housing 202a incorporates a coin / banknote deposit / withdrawal device 221 (see FIG. 6). As a part of the deposit / withdrawal device 221, a coin insertion slot 213 is disposed on the central upper surface of the base housing 202a, and a coin payout outlet 214 is disposed on the left side thereof. In addition, a bill insertion slot 215 and a bill dispensing outlet 216 are arranged at the upper right position on the front surface of the base housing. Such a deposit / withdrawal apparatus 221 has a mechanism unit that enables handling of money and banknotes and a control unit that controls the mechanism unit (both not shown). About the structure of such a mechanism part and the processing procedure in a control part, since the content is known, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, a display pole 217 for displaying the current state of the self-checkout device 101 is erected from the back surface of the base housing 202a. The display pole 217 has a light emitting portion 218 that selectively emits blue and red light at the tip.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the scale device 301. The scale device 301 is configured such that a scale pan 303 is provided on an upper portion of a scale housing 302, and a bag holder 304 is attached to the scale pan 303. The weighing pan 303 has a mounting table 303a on its upper surface. The bag holder 304 is attached to the mounting table 303a. Therefore, when viewed from the bag holder 304, the weighing pan 303 constitutes a pedestal. That is, a pole-shaped arm support portion 305 is erected at the rear center portion of the mounting table 303a, and a temporary mounting table 306 for mounting an article is fixed to the upper end of the arm support unit 305. The temporary placement table 306 is a table that has a flat upper surface and is used for temporarily placing products after the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 of the payment terminal 201. Both the mounting table 303a and the temporary mounting table 306 play a role as a mounting unit for mounting a product to which a product code is input.

  A pair of holding arms 307 and a hook 308 are attached to the lower surface of such a temporary placing table 306. That is, the arm attachment 309 is fixed to the both end positions of the lower surface of the temporary placing table 306. The fixing is performed by various fixing methods such as screwing and adhesive fixing. A holding arm 307 is embedded in each of the arm attachments 309. Further, a hook attachment 310 is fixed at the center of the lower surface of the temporary table 306. The fixing is performed by various fixing methods such as screwing and adhesive fixing. A hook 308 is embedded in the hook attachment 310.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shopping bag 401 as a storage bag is held by the holding arm 307. The holding arm 307 includes, for example, a plastic bag 401 such as a plastic bag provided to a customer in a supermarket or the like, that is, an opening 402 and a pair of handles 403 protruding from the opening 402, and these handles 403 are provided on both sides. In order to hold the shopping bag 401 folded so as to be positioned, a pair of grips 403 are held in a skewered state. In order to realize such a holding state, a slit 404 is formed in the handle 403. In addition, the plastic bag 401 is formed with a pair of ears 406 that are positioned between the pair of handles 403 and can be removed by the perforation 405, and hooks 407 are formed in these ears 406. ing. The hook 308 is inserted through the hooking hole 407, thereby holding the shopping bag 401 together with the holding arm 307.

  More specifically, when the shopping bag 401 is folded, the hooking hole 407 provided in the ear portion 406 is hooked on the hook 308 and held. The holding arm 307 has a first holding portion 311 on the base side for holding the folded shopping bag 401 held by the hook 308 in this way. These hooks 308 and the first holding part 311 have a holding capacity sufficient to hold a plurality of folded shopping bags 401 in a stacked state. The holding arm 307 has a second holding unit 312 on the distal end side that holds the shopping bag 401 in a state of being opened at a position lower than the holding position by the first holding unit 311 continuously to the first holding unit 311. . The second holding portion 312 is formed in a shape in which the height of the central portion is increased, more specifically in an arch shape. Therefore, the two points at both ends of the second holding part 312 are low in height, and the central part connecting these two low points is raised in an arch shape. The first holding unit 311 and the second holding unit 312 are connected to the second holding unit 312 from the first holding unit 311 by an inclined unit 313 that linearly inclines. Further, the end portion of the second holding portion 312, that is, the tip portion of the holding arm 307 rises obliquely upward from a portion having a low height. The raised portion is a return portion 314 for preventing the handle 403 of the held shopping bag 401 from dropping off.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the payment terminal 201. The payment terminal 201 has a control unit 253 as an information processing unit therein. For example, the control unit 253 may have a semiconductor chip configuration in which an operation sequence is written, or may have a microcomputer configuration in which an operation program is stored in the RAM 254 or the like. Here, the control unit 253 having a microcomputer configuration will be introduced.

  The CPU 255 is the core of the control unit 253. The CPU 255 is connected via a system bus 259 to a ROM 256 that stores fixed data in a fixed manner, a RAM 254 that stores variable data in a rewritable manner, a VRAM 257 that generates a display image to be displayed on the LCD 210, and an HDD 258. Yes. As an example, the HDD 258 includes an operation program, various display frames, a PLU file, a department file, a weight data file WDF (see FIG. 7), various files such as an image file and a sales file, weight check execution definition, product placement location. Definitions, various rule information, etc. (all but the weight data file WDF are not shown) are stored and saved, and all or part of these operation programs, various display frames, various files, and various rule information are settled. When the terminal 201 is activated, it is moved to the RAM 254 and used. These PLU file, weight data file WDF, department file, image file, sales file and other various files, weight check execution definition, product placement location definition, various rule information, etc. constitute a product data file.

  Note that the product data file may have a configuration distributed in another form, or may be configured as a single file.

  The PLU file that constitutes the product data file is associated with the product code that identifies each product, and in addition to the unit price, product display, discount product type, discount amount, combined discount information (M & M (mix and match)) Discount information, set discount information) and the like are stored in a rewritable manner. The product display includes text data of the product name of the product specified by the product code and image data of the product.

  The department file composing the product data file is associated with the department code for each product not stored in the PLU file, its unit price, product display, discounted product type, discount amount, combination discount information (M & M (mix and Match) discount information, set discount information), etc. are stored in a rewritable manner. The product display includes text data of the product name of the product specified by the department code and image data of the product.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the weight data file WDF that constitutes the product data file. The weight data file WDF corresponds to the product code of the product registered in the PLU file and the department file, the set weight (g), the weight check execution definition, the product placement location definition (bag packing skip), the allowable value The type definition, upper limit allowable value, and lower limit allowable value are stored. Such a weight data file WDF may be included in a PLU file or a department file as another example.

  The set weight (g) in the weight data file WDF stores the set value of the weight of the product specified by the product code.

  The weight check execution / non-execution definition is definition information for storing the weight check execution type in association with each product code. The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 interprets that “0” is not checked for weight and “1” is checked for weight during the weight check execution definition. As an example, a product that is not checked for weight is a product that is too light to fit into the weighing by the weighing device 301 or a product that is too heavy to be moved to the weighing pan 303 of the weighing device 301. For many products, a weight check is performed. Therefore, “1”, which means performing a weight check, can be set as a default value.

  As another example, positive information on the weight check may not be provided. That is, since it is sufficient for each product to have only one information on whether or not to check the weight, such a definition method may be used. Such a weight check execution presence / absence definition may be included in the PLU file as another example.

  The product placement location definition (bag filling skip) is a weighing pan 303 (no bag filling skipped) and a temporary placement table 306 (bag filling skipped) as the product placement location where the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 ( Weighing)) or floor (skip bagging (weight)) should be defined for each product. The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 defines “0” for the weight check execution definition, “0” indicates the weighing pan 303 (does not skip bagging), “1” indicates the temporary storage table 306 (skip bagging (weighing)), “2” "Is interpreted as a floor (skip bagging (weight)).

  As another example, the product placement location definition can be included in the PLU file. As another example, characteristics information of the product, for example, characteristic information such as easy to break, easy to break, easy to lose shape, heavy, etc. is stored in a PLU file etc. For products having the characteristic of being easy, the temporary placement table 306 is defined as the placement location, and for products having the characteristic of being heavy, the floor surface is defined as the placement location. As another example, a floor surface is defined as a place for placing a commodity after reading a barcode when the weight stored in the weight data file WDF is heavier than a specified weight.

  In the weight data file WDF, the place where the product is placed is any one of a weighing pan 303 (does not skip bagging), a temporary table 306 (skip bagging (weighing)), or a floor surface (skip bagging (weight)). Actively defines what should be done. On the other hand, in the case of many products, the placing place after reading the barcode is the weighing pan 303. Therefore, as another example, it is not necessary to give special information to that effect about the product whose placement place after reading the barcode is the weighing pan 303. Therefore, for such products, special information to that effect may or may not be set. As the product placement location definition, it is sufficient to define whether the product placement location after reading the barcode is the weighing pan 303, the temporary placement table 306, or the floor surface. It is sufficient to have only information on at least two types of placement locations.

  The allowable value type definition is information for determining whether the allowable width with respect to the set weight (g) is a ratio or an upper limit value and a lower limit value. That is, in the weight check process, a comparison process between the actual measured weight by the scale device 301 and the weight stored in the set weight (g) is executed. Set the width. The permissible width is obtained as a ratio with respect to the weight value stored in the set weight (g) according to the definition stored in the permissible value type definition, or is obtained as an upper limit value and a lower limit value that are numerically set.

  The upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value store numerical information for determining the allowable range for the set weight (g). In the case where the allowable value type definition sets the ratio to the weight value stored in the set weight (g) as the allowable width, the numerical values stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are numerical values of%. In addition, in the tolerance type definition, the upper limit value and the lower limit value for the weight value stored in the set weight (g) are specific numerical values. In this case, the numerical values stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are specific. The numerical value itself.

  The control unit 253 is connected to the bar code scanner 203, LCD 210, touch panel 211, card reading unit 206, numeric keypad 207, card reader / writer 252, receipt printer 251, surveillance camera 205, light emitting unit 218, and speaker 219. An interface 260 that mediates data communication with the deposit / withdrawal device 221 is connected via the system bus 259 and is controlled by the control unit 253. The acoustic circuit 220 is mainly composed of a speech synthesis LSI, generates synthesized speech and synthesized sound, and outputs them from the speaker 219. These speakers 219 and the acoustic circuit 220 constitute an acoustic generator. The control unit 253 controls each of those units, and executes product sales data processing including pre-weight check processing, search processing, weight check processing, product information registration processing, and settlement processing.

  The pre-weight check process is performed outside the execution period of a series of processes from the input of the product code to the product information registration process performed by the barcode scanner 203 reading the barcode and the input operation on the touch panel 211 in accordance with the display on the LCD 210. This is a process for determining the variation of the weight value transmitted as weight data from the scale device 301. The scale device 301 periodically transmits the weight data to the settlement terminal 201. The settlement terminal 201 temporarily stores the weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 in the RAM 254. Therefore, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 compares the weight value based on the weight data already temporarily stored in the RAM 254 with the weight value based on the latest received weight data, and determines the fluctuation.

  In the search process, when a product code is input by reading a barcode with the barcode scanner 203 or by an input operation on the touch panel 211 in accordance with the display on the LCD 210, the search process corresponds to the product code input by searching the PLU file. This is a process for acquiring the unit price, weight, and product display. In this case, the unit price, the weight, and the product display may be acquired based on the barcode attached to the product read by the barcode scanner 203 or based on the input operation on the touch panel 211. It is not necessary to acquire the input operation itself on the touch panel 211 as a trigger. Further, the unit price, weight, and product display need not be acquired at the same time, but may be in a state where they can be accessed when access to the information is necessary.

  The weight check process is performed by weighing the corresponding product obtained based on the weight measured by the weighing device 301 after the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 or the product code is input by the input operation on the touch panel 211 according to the display on the LCD 210. This is a process for determining whether or not the value is the same as the weight acquired by the search process. Whether or not they have the same is set in the weight data file WDF in accordance with the set product weight (g) and its allowable width (allowable value type definition, upper limit allowable value and lower limit allowable value). Value) is obtained by searching, and it is determined whether the weight is within the allowable range of the set weight (g) obtained by the search process.

  The product information registration process is based on the input product code and the product code when the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 or the product code is input by the input operation on the touch panel 211 according to the display on the LCD 210. This is a process of temporarily registering transaction information including the unit price searched by the search process in the RAM 254.

  The settlement process is a process for calculating a settlement amount based on the unit price acquired by the search process and executing settlement of the settlement amount. The settlement amount is calculated by calculating the total sales amount including the necessary consumption tax calculation according to the closing operation on the touch panel 211, and is temporarily registered in the RAM 254 or the like or registered in the sales file. In the payment process, the calculated payment amount enables payment using a magnetic card such as cash, a credit card, electronic money, or a contactless IC card that stores and stores an identification number for specifying a bank account. The handling of cash is executed by the deposit / withdrawal device 221 provided in the base housing 202a, and the handling of the magnetic card is executed by the card reader / writer 252 provided in the card reading groove 212 to handle the non-contact IC card. Is executed via the card reading unit 206.

  In this embodiment, the concept of product sales data processing is used as a broad concept including search processing, weight check processing, product information registration processing, settlement processing, and the like. Therefore, in order to support such merchandise sales data processing in a broad sense, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 displays an operation method on the LCD 210 for the convenience of the customer.

  A communication interface 261 is also connected to the control unit 253 via the system bus 259. The communication interface 261 is connected to the communication network 41, and realizes data communication between the attendant terminal 501, the store controller 31, and the self-checkout device 101.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the scale device 301. The scale device 301 has a load cell unit 351. The load cell unit 351 has one end side of a load cell (not shown) having a structure and shape fixed to the base 352 and a load receiving portion 353 on the other end side. A scale frame 354 is fixed to the load receiving portion 353. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the scale frame 354 has an X shape when viewed from above, and the scale plates 303 are placed at the four corners. The output signal of the load cell unit 351 is amplified by an amplifier 355, converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital converter (AD / C) 356, and analyzed by a calculation unit 357. The arithmetic unit 357 performs weight analysis based on the output signal of the load cell unit 351. The arithmetic unit 357 may have a semiconductor chip configuration in which an operation sequence is written, for example, or a microcomputer configuration that operates by storing an operation program in a RAM or the like. The calculation unit 357 transmits the weight data as the analysis result to the transmission unit 358 and outputs the weight data to the payment terminal 201 via the transmission unit 358.
(3) Attendant terminal FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the attendant terminal 501. The attendant terminal 501 is a microcomputer structurally. That is, the attendant terminal 501 is mainly composed of a microcomputer as an information processing unit that executes information processing. Therefore, the attendant terminal 501 has a CPU 506 that forms the core of the microcomputer. Then, a ROM 507 that fixedly stores fixed data, a RAM 508 that stores variable data in a rewritable manner, a VRAM 509 that generates a display image to be displayed on the display 503, and an HDD 510 are connected to the CPU 506 via the system bus 511. Connected through. As an example, the HDD 510 stores and stores operation programs, various display frames, various files, etc. (all not shown), and all or part of these operation programs, various display frames, various files, etc. are attendant. When the terminal 501 is activated, it is moved to the RAM 508 and used.

  The display 503, the keyboard 504, and the pointing device 505 described above are connected to the CPU 506 through the system bus 511 together with the interface 512 and the communication interface 513, and are controlled by the CPU 506.

The communication interface 513 is connected to the communication network 41 and realizes data communication between the self-checkout apparatus 101 and the store controller 31 and the attendant terminal 501.
2. Self-Checkout Processing In such a configuration, the self-checkout device 101 enables self-checkout. At this time, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 and the calculation unit 357 of the scale device 301 execute various calculation processes, drive control processes of the respective units, and the like to support the self-checkout process. That is, the payment terminal 201 displays various user support screens on the LCD 210, and executes the above-described search processing, weight check processing, product information registration processing, and payment processing. The scale device 301 transmits the measured weight value from the transmission unit 358 to the settlement terminal 201 so as to support the weight check process at the settlement terminal 201. Hereinafter, the flow of the self-checkout process will be described using a flowchart showing the flow of processing, various screen examples, screen transition examples, and the like.
(1) Basic routine of self-checkout processing FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of self-checkout processing in the self-checkout device 101 (settlement terminal 201). The control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 is on standby for the pre-weight check process (step S11) and the determination of whether or not a product code is input (step S12). The product code is input by reading the bar code by the bar code scanner 203 or by an input operation on the touch panel 211 in accordance with the display on the LCD 210.

  When the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 determines the input of the product code (Y in step S12), the control unit 253 executes a search process (step S13). As a result, as described above, the unit price, weight, and product display corresponding to the input product code are acquired.

  The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 executes a weight check process following the search process (step S14). As described above, the weight check process determines whether the measured value of the corresponding product based on the weight measured by the scale device 301 after the product code is input is the same as the weight acquired by the search process. It is processing. Therefore, in the weight check process, it is necessary to be able to refer to the weight measured by the scale device 301 after the product code is input. In order to realize such a state, the scale device 301 must periodically transmit the measurement result to the settlement terminal 201, and the settlement terminal 201 must be kept in a state where the received measurement result can be referred to. Details of the weight check process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of weight data reception processing from the scale device 301 to the settlement terminal 201. As described above, the weighing device 301 transmits the weighing result by the load cell unit 351 to the self-checkout device 101 as weight data. When the start of the self-checkout process is designated, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 is on standby for receiving weight data (step S51). If it is determined that weight data is received (Y in step S51), the received weight data is temporarily stored in the RAM 254 (step S52). At this time, two areas of the temporary storage area of the RAM 254 are prepared. One area is an area for temporarily storing the latest received weight data, and the other area is an area for temporarily storing the previously received weight data. In this case, one area is used as a storage area for the weight data received last time, another area is used as a storage area for the weight data received most recently, and the weight data for the last reception and the weight for the latest reception are determined by the storage area. A usage mode that distinguishes the data from the data is adopted. As another usage mode, the weight data for the previous reception is obtained by temporarily storing the latest received weight data in two storage areas and managing which of these alternate storage processes is the latest. It is also possible to adopt a usage mode that distinguishes the weight data from the latest received data. However, the distinction between the weight data for the previous reception and the weight data for the latest reception can be performed using any other method.

  The start designation of the self-checkout process as a trigger for executing the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is the first initial guidance screen A shown in FIG. 13 described later (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 13). The selection button A1 is designated by touching the touch panel 211.

  Returning to FIG. Following the weight check process, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 executes a product information registration process (step S15). That is, when the weight check process is passed, transaction information such as a product code and its unit price is temporarily registered in the RAM 254.

Following the product information registration process, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 determines whether payment is specified (step S16). The payment designation is executed by an input operation on the touch panel 211 according to the display on the LCD 210. When the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 determines that there is a payment designation (Y in step S16), the control unit 253 executes the above-described payment process (step S17).
(2) Pre-Weight Check Process FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the flow of the pre-weight check process executed by the self-checkout apparatus 101 (settlement terminal 201). First, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 compares and refers to the two types of weight data of the previous time and the latest data transmitted from the scale device 301 and temporarily stored in the RAM 254, and determines whether or not the weight value has changed. (Step S101). That is, as shown in step S52 in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when the CPU 255 of the settlement terminal 201 receives weight data from the scale device 301 (Y in step S51 in FIG. 11), the received weight data is temporarily stored in the RAM 254. The latest weight data received and then received is temporarily stored in another storage area of the RAM 254 (step S52 in FIG. 11). Therefore, it is possible to determine whether there is a change in the weight value by determining the identity of the weight value based on the two types of weight data of the previous time and the latest data temporarily stored in different storage areas of the RAM 254.

  When the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 determines that there is a change in the weight data received from the scale device 301 temporarily stored in the RAM 254 in step S101 of FIG. 12 (Y in step S101), the change is reduced in weight. Or whether the weight is increased (step S102).

  If the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 determines in step S102 that the change in the weight value is a weight loss (Y in step S102), the control unit 253 sets the weight value based on the most recently received weight data to the current weight value. Is registered in the RAM 254 (step S103). Thereafter, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. As a result, the product code input process in step S12 in FIG. 10 is permitted, and the subsequent process continues.

In contrast, if the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 determines in step S102 that the change in the weight value is an increase in weight (N in step S102), it executes an error process (step S104). The process returns to step S102. Then, when a time-out has elapsed in which a preset time has elapsed (Y in step S105), the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 12 is terminated while the error state is maintained. As a result, the product code input process in step S12 in FIG. 10 is not executed, and the subsequent process is stopped.
(3) Screen Transition at the Time of Self-Checkout Processing FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition at the time of execution of self-checkout processing at the self-checkout device 101 (settlement terminal 201). The customer puts a product to be purchased in a bag and brings it to the self-checkout device 101, and places the product on the product bag mounting table 102 of the self-checkout device 101 together with the bag.

  At this time, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 generates an initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left) as shown in FIG. In the initial guidance screen A, the customer guides how to handle the goods carried by the customer. There are two types of handling methods to be guided. One handling method is product code input using the barcode scanner 203, and the other is input designation from the touch panel 211. As the former guidance, a letter “Please touch the barcode on the glass surface” is guided along with a picture indicating the state. As the latter guidance, the characters “Products without barcodes will be registered on the next screen” are guided along with a picture showing the next screen.

  At this time, when starting the self-checkout process, the control unit 253 displays information indicating that the device is in standby as operation status information indicating the operation status of whether the device is in standby or product scanning. The data is output toward the assigned attendant terminal 501.

  On the initial guidance screen A, the user can select whether to use the shopping bag or the my basket with the two selection buttons A1 and A2. My basket means a shopping basket that the customer owns. When the selection button A1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the self-checkout process in the shopping bag 401 is started. When the selection button A2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the self-checkout process in the my basket is started.

  At this time, when the control unit 253 starts the self-checkout process, the control unit 253 displays information indicating that the device is in operation as the operation status information indicating the operation status of whether the device is on standby or scanning the product. The data is output toward the assigned attendant terminal 501.

  FIG. 13 shows an example in which the selection button A2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 and the self-checkout process in the my basket is started (first column, second row from the left in FIG. 13). The difference between the processing in the shopping bag 401 and the processing in the my basket is the 0 point setting in the scale device 301. When executing the processing with the my basket, the control unit 253 generates an image indicating that the store basket is placed on the weighing pan 303 of the scale device 301 and that the my basket should be spread therein, and displays the image on the LCD 210. To the customer. A set completion button A3 and a return button A4 are displayed on the initial guidance screen A (first column, second row from the left in FIG. 13) after My Basket is selected. When the set completion button A3 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 notifies the scale device 301 that 0 point setting should be executed. When the return button A4 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the screen returns to the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 13).

  Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the selection button A1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 on the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), the control unit 253 displays the initial guidance screen. The display content of A is switched to the guidance display when the shopping bag 401 is used. In this guidance display, the opening of the plastic bag 401 held by the bag holder 304 of the scale device 301 is guided. That is, the uppermost registration bag 401 is pulled out from the plurality of registration bags 401 that are closed by the first holding unit 311 of the holding arm 307 and held in a stacked state, and are held by the second holding unit 312. Instruct. At this time, the ear portion 406 of the shopping bag 401 can be removed at the perforation 405 and can be left on the hook 308, so that information is also provided. When the plastic bag 401 is pulled out according to such guidance, the grip 403 of the plastic bag 401 that has been pulled out is positioned at two points where the height of both sides of the arch shape formed in the second holding portion 312 is low. Naturally, the opening 402 is opened. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the selection button A1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 on the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), the set completion button A3 and A return button A4 is displayed.

  On the initial guidance screen A (first column, first row and second row from the left in FIG. 13), a stop button Y and a call button Z are displayed at the lower left. The cancel button Y is a button for instructing to cancel the process, and the call button Z is a button for calling a salesclerk of an information desk (attendant). The control unit 253 generates and causes the cancel button Y and the call button Z to appear as necessary in each screen that transitions according to a series of flows of the self-checkout process.

  In the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), the initial guidance screen A after the selection button A1 or A2 is selected and specified by the touch panel 211 (for example, first from the left in FIG. 13) When the selection button A3 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 in the second column, the control unit 253 generates the basic screen B and displays it on the LCD 210 (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13). ). The basic screen B is composed of a guidance display area B1 and a user area B2. The guidance display area B1 is arranged at the upper position, and the user area B2 is arranged at the lower position. The guidance display area B1 displays various kinds of guidance necessary for proceeding with self-checkout. The user area B2 displays various operation buttons and transaction information necessary for proceeding with self-checkout.

  In the guidance display area B1 on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) waiting to read the barcode attached to the product, “Touch the product barcode on the glass surface. Please display "along with a picture indicating the state.

  In the user area B2 in the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) waiting for reading the barcode attached to the product, a product without a barcode is used as various operation buttons. A product designation button B22 for designating is displayed, and transaction information B21 including the name of the product to be purchased, the number of points, the unit price, and the total price of the product to be purchased is displayed as the transaction information. In the screen example of the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left) shown in FIG. 13, the product has been registered so far, one juice, one milk, and three croquettes. Represents. When the number of purchased items is increased and cannot be displayed, the scroll button in the transaction information B21 can be touch-designated by the touch panel 211 to enable scroll display. In the same screen, juice and croquettes are displayed with a circle mark on the left side. This indicates a discount product. As an example, whether or not the product is a discount product can be displayed by providing discount information in the PLU file.

  In accordance with the guidance display displayed in the guidance display area B1 on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), the customer holds the product in front of the barcode scanner 203 and attaches it to the product. Have the bar code read. As a result, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 executes the above-described search process and acquires necessary information from the PLU file.

  At this time, the control unit 253 reduces the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210, generates the reading confirmation screen C, and displays the generated reading confirmation screen C so as to overlap the user area B2. (Third column, first row from the left in FIG. 13). The reading confirmation screen C includes transaction information such as a unit price, a discount amount, a purchase point, and a purchase amount of the product from which the barcode retrieved from the PLU file is read, and the reference quoted from the product display recorded in the PLU file. Characters based on the text data of the product name of the product and a pattern based on the image data of the product are included. Such a reading confirmation screen C may be displayed using, for example, a general pop-up display technique, or a technique using a display frame that displays the reading confirmation screen C on the basic screen B is used. May be. That is, as a result, it is only necessary that the reading confirmation screen C is displayed so as to overlap the basic screen B, and there is no restriction on the display technology employed for that purpose.

  What is important here is that the reading confirmation screen C is displayed only on the user area B2 in the basic screen B and is not displayed on the guidance display area B1. Thereby, the guidance display in guidance display area | region B1 can be continuously performed with respect to a customer. In the example shown in FIG. 13, when the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the first basic screen “Please touch the product barcode on the glass surface” is displayed in the guidance display area B1. The display transitions from the guidance in B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) to the guidance “please place the product in a shopping bag or my basket” (from the left in FIG. Column first row). Although not shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 253 changes not only the characters but also the pattern displayed in the guidance display area B <b> 1 to a pattern that supports the operation of putting the product into the shopping bag or my basket. By displaying the reading confirmation screen C without overlapping the guidance display area B1, the customer can easily confirm the guidance display and the transition in the guidance display area B1.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a basic screen B and a reading confirmation screen C for a product to be placed on the temporary placement table 306. As described above, the payment terminal 201 has a product placement location definition (bag packing skip) in the weight data file WDF (see FIG. 7). Therefore, on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), the barcode of the product for which the temporary placement table 306 is defined as the product placement location definition is read by the barcode scanner 203. In this case, the control unit 253 generates the image illustrated in FIG. 14 that displays the characters “Please place the product on the temporary table” together with the design supporting the work in the guidance display area B1, and displays the image on the LCD 210. To do.

Returning to the description based on FIG. After the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the control unit 253 waits for the weight check process. For this purpose, the guidance display area B1 after the barcode attached to the product is read has a guidance indicating the characters “Please put the product in a shopping bag or my basket” together with a pattern to support the work. Displayed (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 13). Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 14, when the temporary placement table 306 is defined as the product placement location definition, the guidance display area B <b> 1 includes the characters “please place the product on the temporary placement table”. The guidance shown with the pattern which supports the work for that is displayed.
(4) Weight Check Process (1) Basic Process Therefore, according to the guidance, the customer puts the product whose bar code is read by the bar code scanner 203 into the shopping bag 401 or my basket, or puts it on the temporary placing table 306. . As a result, the product packed in the shopping bag 401 and the product placed on the temporary table 306 are loaded on the weighing pan 303 of the weighing device 301, and the load is measured by the load cell unit 351. become. The measurement result by the load cell unit 351 is output to the settlement terminal 201 via the transmission unit 358 as described above based on the flowchart of FIG. The settlement terminal 201 receives the measurement result from the load cell unit 351 and executes a weight check process (step S14 in FIG. 10).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the flow of the weight check process executed by the self-checkout apparatus 101 (payment terminal 201). First, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 refers to the weight data that is temporarily stored and registered as the current weight value in the RAM 254, and changes the weight value before and after the product code input in step S12 in FIG. The presence or absence is determined (step S151). That is, as shown in step S52 in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when the CPU 255 of the settlement terminal 201 receives weight data from the scale device 301 (Y in step S51 in FIG. 11), the received weight data is temporarily stored in the RAM 254. The latest weight data received and then received is temporarily stored in another storage area of the RAM 254 (step S52 in FIG. 11). Therefore, before and after the product code input in step S12 in FIG. 10, with the identity determination of the weight value based on the two types of weight data of the previous time and the latest data temporarily stored in different storage areas of the RAM 254, It can be determined whether or not the product whose product code is read by the barcode scanner 203 is placed on the placement table 303 a of the scale device 301.

  When the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 determines that there is a change in the weight data received from the scale device 301 temporarily stored in the RAM 254 in step S151 in FIG. 15 (Y in step S151), based on the weight data. It is determined whether or not the weight value (actual measurement value) of the corresponding product obtained is the same as the weight of the product (step S152). This determination is made with reference to the set weight (g), allowable value type definition, upper limit allowable value, and lower limit allowable value stored in the weight data file WDF (see FIG. 7) for each product. That is, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 searches for the set weight (g) and the like from the product code determined by the product code input process in step S12 in FIG. Then, the weight value (actual measurement value) of the corresponding product obtained based on the weight data temporarily stored in the RAM 254 before and after the product code input in step S12 in FIG. 10 is specified by the set weight (g) or the like. Judge whether it is within the weight range. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the actual measurement value is identical to the weight of the corresponding product (step S152).

  If the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 determines in step S152 that the actual measurement value is identical to the weight of the corresponding product (Y in step S152), step S15 in FIG. Execution of the product information registration process is permitted (step S153). Thereby, the product information registration process described above is executed. Thereafter, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 determines in step S152 that the weight value specified by the actual measurement data is not identical to the weight of the corresponding product (step N in S152), error processing is executed (step S154), and the process returns to step S152. Then, when a time-out has elapsed in which a preset time has elapsed (Y in step S155), the process of the flowchart in FIG. 15 is terminated without permitting the execution of the product information registration process in step S15 in FIG.

  Here, the details of the determination processing of the consistency of the weight data in step S152 will be described. This process allows various variations. Thus, here, two types of variations are introduced, and another embodiment of the weight check process is also introduced. Tables 1 to 3 show the procedure for these variations and another example. In these Tables 1 to 3, “scanning” means a product code input operation for which presence / absence of input is determined in step S12 in FIG. 10, typically a barcode reading operation by the barcode scanner 203. To do. “Weighed value” means a measured value calculated based on weight data transmitted from the scale device 301. The “preset value” means a weight value acquired by executing the search process in step S13 in FIG. The process described in “Processing content” means the content of processing executed by the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201.

  The first variation will be described based on Table 1.

  The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 repeats the acquisition of the weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 and the temporary storage of the measurement value based on this in the RAM 254 (procedure 1 in Table 1).

  When the product code for which the presence / absence of input is determined in step S12 in FIG. 10 is input, typically, the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203, the control unit 253 performs the search in step S13 in FIG. The corresponding weight is acquired as a preset value by executing the process (procedure 2 in Table 1), and an expected value is calculated by adding the weight data from the weighing device 301 already temporarily stored in the RAM 254 and the acquired preset value. And temporarily stored in the RAM 254 (procedure 3 in Table 1). The weight data used in this case is the latest weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 immediately before the product code is input and registered as the current weight in the RAM 254. Thereafter, when a product is placed on the mounting table 303a of the scale device 301, the control unit 253 of the scale device 301 acquires weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 thereafter (procedure 4 in Table 1). The expected value acquired in the procedure 3 in the middle is compared with the measured value based on the weight data acquired in the procedure 4, and the identity is determined (procedure 5 in Table 1).

  This makes it possible to correctly determine whether or not the actual measurement value of the product subject to weight check is the same as the weight of the corresponding product (step S152 in FIG. 15).

  The second variation will be described based on Table 2.

  The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 repeats the acquisition of the weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 and the temporary storage of the measurement value based on this in the RAM 254 (Procedure 1 in Table 2).

  When the product code for which the presence / absence of input is determined in step S12 in FIG. 10 is input, typically, the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203, the control unit 253 performs the search in step S13 in FIG. The corresponding weight is acquired as a preset value by executing the process (procedure 2 in Table 2). Thereafter, when a product is placed on the mounting table 303a of the scale device 301, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 acquires weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 thereafter (procedure 3 in Table 2). Then, the difference between the measured value based on the weight data acquired in step 1 in Table 2 and the measured value based on the weight data acquired in step 3 is calculated (step 4 in table 2), and step 2 in table 2 is calculated. Then, the preset value acquired by the search process is compared with the difference value calculated in the procedure 4, and the identity is determined (procedure 5 in Table 2). The weight data acquired in the procedure 1 in Table 2 is the latest weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 and registered as the current weight in the RAM 254 immediately before the product code is input.

  This makes it possible to correctly determine whether or not the actual measurement value of the product subject to weight check is the same as the weight of the corresponding product (step S152 in FIG. 15).

  Another embodiment of the weight check process will be described with reference to Table 3.

  As another embodiment of the weight check process, a method of comparing and comparing the measured weights may be employed. That is, a first weighing device (not shown) separate from the weighing device 301 is provided. The first weighing apparatus includes an initial placement unit (not shown) for placing a product before barcode reading by the barcode scanner 203, and the product placed on the first placement unit. And weighed weight value is transmitted to the settlement terminal 201. Then, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 determines the identity between the weight measured by the first weighing device and the weight measured by the weighing device 301 as the weight check process.

  This will be described in detail with reference to Table 3. In operation, all the products to be purchased are placed on the first stage (not shown) of the first scale device. At this time, the first weighing device and the weighing device 301 transmit the weight data at that time to the settlement terminal 201. Thereby, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 temporarily stores both the weight data received from the first weighing device and the weight data received from the weighing device 301 in the RAM 254 (procedure 1 in Table 3).

  Thereafter, in operation, the products placed on the first mounting table are taken out one by one, the product code is input, typically the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203, and the product after the product code is input is the weighing device 301. It will be mounted on the mounting table 303a. Therefore, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 acquires weight data transmitted from the first weighing device every time the product is taken out from the first weighing device (procedure 2 in Table 3). The difference between the measured value based on the weight data obtained in the procedure 2 with respect to the measured value based on the weight data received from the weighing apparatus is calculated (procedure 3 in Table 3). Then, after the product code is input (procedure 4 in Table 3), the product is placed on the mounting table 303a of the scale device 301. Therefore, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 stores the weight data transmitted from the scale device 301. Obtain (Step 5 in Table 3) and calculate the difference between the weight value obtained in Step 5 and the weight value obtained in Step 5 with respect to the weight value based on the weight data received from the scale device 301 obtained in Step 1 (in Table 3). Procedure 6). And the control part 253 compares the difference value calculated by the procedure 3 in Table 3, and the difference value calculated by the procedure 6, and determines the identity (procedure 6 in Table 3).

  Thereafter, procedures 2 to 6 are repeated.

  This makes it possible to correctly determine whether or not the actual measurement value of the product subject to weight check is the same as the weight of the corresponding product (step S152 in FIG. 15).

  As described above, the weight data coincidence determination process in step S152 allows various variations (see Tables 1 and 2), and also allows a weight check process according to another embodiment. (See Table 3).

(2) Weight Check Error The error process in step S104 in FIG. 12 and the error process in step S154 in FIG. 15 will be described.

  As a result of the pre-weight check process, when the variation in the weight data transmitted from the scale device 301 is a weight increase (N in step S102 in FIG. 12), or as a result of the weight check process, there is identity between both weights If it is determined that there is no such error (N in step S152 in FIG. 15), it means that some operation error or fraud has been made. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 253 informs the customer of the fact as a message, changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the tip of the display pole 217 from blue to red, and causes an operation error or illegal operation. For example, to a salesclerk of an attendant.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight error screen D1 at the time of a pre-weight check error or a weight check error. The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 loads the weighing device 301 when the variation in the weight data transmitted from the weighing device 301 is a weight increase (N in step S102 in FIG. 12) or as a result of the weight check process. When it is determined that the weight of the product placed on the table 303a or the temporary table 306 is not included in the allowable range of the set weight (N in step S152 in FIG. 15), error processing is executed as described above. (Step S104 in FIG. 12, Step S154 in FIG. 15). In this error processing, the brightness of the entire basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210 is reduced, and a weight error screen D1 as illustrated in FIG. 16 is generated and displayed over the basic screen B. On the weight error screen D1, characters “A product whose bar code has not been read are in a bag. Please remove the product” are displayed together with a pattern for supporting the work. When the product is returned according to such a message, the error is canceled. As a result, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D1. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 13).

(3) Skip Weight Check Processing FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic screen B and a reading confirmation screen C for products not subject to weight check. As described above, the payment terminal 201 has a weight check execution definition. Therefore, the control unit 253 refers to the weight check execution definition and displays the confirmation button X on the reading confirmation screen C for the product defined as not checking the weight, as illustrated in FIG. Skip the check process. In the reading confirmation screen C, when the confirmation button X is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 allows the product sales data process to proceed and restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B to the original. The reading confirmation screen C is erased. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13).

  In this way, the weight check process is skipped for products not subject to weight check. On the other hand, it is not necessary to guide the customer to skip the weight check process. Rather, the guidance may trigger an illegal act. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), in spite of skipping the weight check process, the guidance display area B1 after the barcode attached to the product is read is displayed in the guidance display area B1. A guidance is displayed showing the words “Please put in the basket and press the confirm button” along with a picture to support the work. Such a guidance display is the same display as a product that does not skip the weight check process, except for the guidance “please press the confirmation button”. Thereby, it can be made difficult for the customer to know whether or not to perform the weight check process.

However, as described with reference to FIG. 14, the control unit 253 displays the product placement location after reading the barcode in the guidance display area B <b> 1 in accordance with the product placement location definition. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, in the case of a product defined in the product placement location definition with the floor as the placement location, the control unit 253 displays “a product is a shopping bag base” in the guidance display area B1. "Place it next to and press the confirm button" is displayed along with a picture that supports the work.
(5) Product information registration by screen input Returning to the description based on FIG. As described above, the first initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) has the words “Product without barcode will be registered on the next screen” as “Next screen ”And a picture showing“ In response, the control unit 253 displays “Yasai” in the user area B2 in the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) as an image for registering a product without a barcode. , A product designation button B22 including six types of touch buttons of “fruit”, “sazai”, “fish shell”, “others”, and “assortment” is prepared. Therefore, when the product to be purchased is not attached with a barcode, the customer touches and designates the product designation button B22 with the touch panel 211. When any one of these product designation buttons B22 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the transaction information B21 of the user area B2 in the basic screen B is switched and displayed on the department selection screen E (second column from the left in FIG. 13). 2nd line).

  The department selection screen E (second column, second row from the left) shown in FIG. 13 shows an example in which “Sozai” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211. In this case, as the department selection screen E, various foods included in the category of “Sazai” are displayed in a scrollable manner by scroll buttons with a total of 16 types of 4 columns and 4 rows. On the department selection screen E, a return button E1 is also displayed. When this return button E1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the department selection screen E is switched to the transaction information B21 and displayed on the basic screen B (FIG. 13). The display returns to the second column, first row) from the left.

  When the transaction information B21 of the user area B2 in the basic screen B is switched and displayed on the department selection screen E (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 13), the control unit 253 displays “ "Please press the button of your product" is displayed along with a pattern to support the work. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, if the customer touches and designates one food item from the department selection screen E (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 13) with the touch panel 211, the food item is displayed in the user area B2 in the basic screen B. A department registration screen F for the third column (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 13) appears. The department registration screen F (third column, second row from the left) shown in FIG. 13 shows an example in which “Tamago Tofu” is designated by touch. In this case, the department registration screen F for “Tamago Tofu” appears. The department registration screen F includes transaction information such as the unit price of the product, the discount amount, the number of purchases, and the purchase amount, and includes characters based on the text data of the product name of the product and a pattern based on the image data of the product. Includes a numeric keypad. The numeric keypad enables the change input of the purchase points whose default setting is one point. These various data are cited from information recorded in a department file provided separately from the PLU file in the payment terminal 201 as an example. The department registration screen F includes a cancel button F1 and a determination button F2. When the cancel button F1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the screen returns to the screen (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 13) in which the department selection screen E is displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B.

  When the department registration screen F is displayed in the user area B2 in the basic screen B (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 13), the control unit 253 displays “when changing the score” in the guidance display area B1. "Enter from the numeric keys and press the" Enter "button" is displayed along with a picture that supports the task. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, in accordance with the guidance, on the department registration screen F (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 13), if the purchase point is changed and input with the numeric keypad as necessary, the enter button F2 is touch-designated with the touch panel 211. The department registration for the selected food item, “Tamago Tofu” in the example shown in FIG. 13, is completed by the number of purchase points changed or input by default or the numeric keypad. Therefore, the control unit 253 reduces the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210, generates the reading confirmation screen C, and displays the generated reading confirmation screen C so as to overlap the user area B2 ( (4th column, 2nd row from the left in FIG. 13). In addition, the control unit 253 shifts the display of the guidance display area B1 in the basic screen B to a display of “please place the product in a shopping bag or my basket” (in the fourth column from the left in FIG. 13). 2nd line). Although not shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 253 changes not only the characters but also the pattern displayed in the guidance display area B <b> 1 to a pattern that supports the operation of putting the product into the shopping bag or my basket. By displaying the reading confirmation screen C without overlapping the guidance display area B1, the customer can easily confirm the guidance display and the transition in the guidance display area B1.

Here, when five types of product designation buttons B22 “yasai”, “fruit”, “sozai”, “fish shell”, and “others” are touch-designated by the touch panel 211 and the department is registered, that is, “ When the product designation button B22 other than “Assembly” is touch-designated and department registration is performed, the processing after the reading confirmation screen C is displayed over the user area B2 in the basic screen B is a weight check processing. is there. In other words, it has the same processing as that when the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203 described above. Therefore, description of the subsequent processing is omitted.
(6) Product Information Registration for Packed Products (1) Packed Product Input Method FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen transition when executing a self-checkout process for packed products. “Assembly” set in the product designation button B22 in the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) means a packed product. That is, in a supermarket or the like, it is common practice to install a corner where various food items are arranged so that customers can freely pack fried foods, tempura, yakitori, etc. The product to be packed at such a corner is “packing”.

  In the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), when the product designation button B22 “packing” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 is displayed on the LCD 210. In the basic screen B, the brightness of the user area B2 is reduced, screen generation is performed so that the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2 is switched to the department selection screen E, and this department selection screen E is displayed on the LCD 210. (First column, first row from the left in FIG. 18). On the department selection screen E, various foods included in the category of “packing” are displayed in a scrollable manner by a scroll button with a total of 16 types of 4 columns and 4 rows.

  When the transaction information B21 of the user area B2 in the basic screen B is switched and displayed on the department selection screen E (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 18), the control unit 253 displays “ "Please press the button of your product" is displayed along with a pattern to support the work. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, when one food item is touch-designated on the touch panel 211 from the department selection screen E for “packing”, the control unit 253 generates a department registration screen F for the food item, and the user in the basic screen B The department registration screen F generated in the user area B2 is displayed with the brightness of the area B2 lowered (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 18). FIG. 18 shows an example in which “croquette” is touch-designated. In this case, the department registration screen F for “croquette” appears (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 18). The department registration screen F includes transaction information such as the unit price of the product, the discount amount, the number of purchases, and the purchase amount, and includes characters based on the text data of the product name of the product and a pattern based on the image data of the product. Includes a numeric keypad. The numeric keypad enables the change input of the purchase points whose default setting is one point. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the number of purchase points is changed to 2 with the numeric keypad.

  When the department registration screen F is displayed in the user area B2 in the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 18), the control unit 253 displays “when changing the score” in the guidance display area B1. "Enter from the numeric keys and press the" Enter "button" is displayed along with a picture that supports the task. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, on the department registration screen F (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 18), if the purchase point is changed and input with the numeric keypad as necessary, the enter button F2 is touch-designated with the touch panel 211. The department registration for the selected food, “croquette” in the example shown in FIG. 18, is completed by the number of purchase points changed or input by default or numeric keypad. Thereafter, the control unit 253 displays the department selection screen E again without displaying the reading confirmation screen C (for example, the fourth column and the second row from the left in FIG. 13) (from the left in FIG. 18 to the third Column first row). However, in the second and subsequent department selection screen E (first column, third row from the left in FIG. 18), a decision button E2 is displayed instead of the return button E1. Therefore, the food displayed on the department selection screen E can be registered repeatedly until the enter button E2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211.

  In the department selection screen E for the second and subsequent times (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 18), the control unit 253 presses the button of the product you have in the guidance display area B1 to display all the items in the pack. When the input of the product is completed, the text “please press the“ OK ”button” is displayed together with a pattern that supports the work. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, the customer repeats the operation for registration on the department selection screen E and the department registration screen F for all the foods packed by himself. Then, when the registration work for all the food items in the pack is completed, the customer touches the enter button E2 with the touch panel 211. As a result, the control unit 253 generates the reading confirmation screen C and displays the reading confirmation screen C generated in the user area B2 in an overlapping manner while reducing the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B (FIG. 18). 3rd column, 2nd row from the left). In addition, the control unit 253 causes the display of the guidance display area B1 in the basic screen B to transition to a guidance display “please place the product in a shopping bag or my basket” (the second column in the third column from the left in FIG. 18). Line). Although not shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 253 changes not only the characters but also the pattern displayed in the guidance display area B <b> 1 to a pattern that supports the operation of putting the product into the shopping bag or my basket. By displaying the reading confirmation screen C without overlapping the guidance display area B1, the customer can easily confirm the guidance display and the transition in the guidance display area B1.

(2) Second weight check process Thereafter, a weight check process is executed. In this case, in the self-checkout process of the packed product, a weight check process different from the weight check process described above is executed. For convenience, the above-described weight check process will be referred to as a first weight check process, and the weight check process for a “packaged” product will be referred to as a second weight check process.

  As described above, in the user area B2 (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13) in the first basic screen B, “easy”, “fruit”, A product designation button B22 including six kinds of touch buttons of “sazazai”, “fish shell”, “others”, and “assortment” is displayed. The product finally specified based on the touch specification of these product specification buttons B22 is a preset product set in the department file, not set in the PLU file. Among these products, a preset that is finally specified based on the touch specification of the product specification button B22 including the touch buttons of “Yasai”, “Kumono”, “Sozai”, “Fish shell”, and “Others”. For merchandise, the corresponding weight data is set in the department file. Therefore, the first weight check process can be performed. On the other hand, the corresponding weight data is not set in the department file for the preset product that is finally specified based on the touch specification of the product specification button B22 including the “packing” touch button. For this reason, the first weight check process cannot be executed, and the second weight check process is executed.

  In the second weight check process, it is determined whether a product is placed on the weighing pan 303 based on the output from the weighing device 301. That is, when the weighing weight increases even a little in the scale device 301, it is determined that the registered packed product is correctly placed in the shopping bag 401 or my basket, or placed on the temporary table 306. In other words, a simple weight check process is executed.

  In this case, it is not necessary to guide the customer whether or not the second weight check process is executed, which only determines whether or not the product is placed on the weighing pan 303. On the other hand, it can also trigger fraud. Therefore, in the standby screen (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 18) that displays the reading confirmation screen C overlaid on the user region B2 in the basic screen B, the guidance display region B1 displays “Product is a shopping bag” Or, please put it in my basket "and display the same guidance as when performing the first weight check. As a result, it is possible to prevent the customer from being notified that only a simple weight check process has been performed.

  However, the self-checkout operation in the self-checkout device 101 of this embodiment is such that the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, and the product from which the barcode is read is stored in the shopping bag 401 or my basket. The basic operation is to place it on the table or place it on the temporary table 306. For this reason, in the case of a preset product that is finally registered based on the touch designation of the product designation button B22, an operation different from usual is requested. Due to such operational differences, the customer puts the registered packed product in the plastic bag 401 or my basket, or places it in the temporary storage table 306, and then mistakenly puts the unregistered product in the plastic bag 401 or my bag. It is expected that it will be placed in a basket or placed on the temporary table 306, that is, every second occurrence. When such a second occurrence occurs, an error is not caused with respect to the products for which the first weight check process is executed among the preset products, so that no major problem occurs.

  On the other hand, in the case of a product that executes the second weight check process among the preset products, that is, a packed product in the present embodiment, it is merely determined whether or not the product is placed on the weighing pan 303. Since the second weight check process, which is a simple weight check process, is executed, even if an unregistered product is placed twice, this cannot be regarded as an error. In this case, after recognizing the increase in weight based on the output from the scale device 301, a countermeasure may be considered in which an error is generated when a further increase in weight is recognized. However, the weighing apparatus 301 cannot perform weighing for a predetermined time after the article is placed on the weighing pan 303 until the vibration is settled. For this reason, it is necessary to set the standby time as a predetermined time or more until the vibration is settled, and when this occurs twice within this standby time, this cannot be regarded as an error.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, for a product for which the second weight check is executed, it is determined whether the weight measured by the scale device 301 exceeds a specified value, and if it exceeds, an error is determined. Execute. As a result, when a product is placed twice following a packed product, an error can be made if the total weight exceeds the specified weight. When such an error occurs, the control unit 253 may display, on the LCD 210, a screen that displays the weight error screen D1 illustrated in FIG.
(7) Cancel designation FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cancel screen that appears when the cancel button Y is pressed. When the stop button Y displayed on each screen is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit generates a stop screen H as illustrated in FIG. 19, reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B, and the user area B2. The generated stop screen H is displayed in an overlapping manner. On the cancel screen H, two selection buttons H1 and H2 labeled “Yes” and “No” are displayed together with the words “Are you sure you want to stop shopping?”, And a call button Z is also displayed. Is done. When the selection button H1 displayed as “Yes” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 stops all the processes, and displays the LCD 210 on the initial initial guidance screen A (first from the left in FIG. 13). Return to column first row). On the other hand, when the selection button H2 displayed as “No” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 returns the process to the previous state.
(8) Call designation FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a salesclerk call screen that appears when the call button Z is pressed. When the call button Z displayed on each screen is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit generates a store clerk call screen I as illustrated in FIG. 20A, and reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B. Then, the generated salesclerk call screen I is superimposed on the user area B2. On the clerk call screen I, two selection buttons I1 and I2 displayed as "Yes" and "No" are displayed together with the characters "Call clerk. Are you sure?" When the selection button I1 displayed as “Yes” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 causes the salesclerk call screen I to transition as illustrated in FIG. On the clerk call screen I shown in FIG. 20B, a call stop button I3 is displayed with the words “I will stop the call” along with the characters “I'm waiting for the store clerk now. As the calling process, the control unit 253 outputs the clerk calling information to the attendant terminal 501 to which the own device is assigned. On the other hand, when the selection button I2 displayed as “No” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 stops the clerk calling process and returns the process to the previous state. Also, when the call stop button I3 displayed on the store clerk call screen I shown in FIG. 20B is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 stops the store clerk call process and immediately performs the process. Return to the state.
(9) Combination discount (set discount)
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition when executing a self-checkout process when a combination discount (set discount) is established. FIG. 21 shows an example in which the barcode scanner 203 reads the barcode in the order of yogurt, beef belly, yogurt, and yogurt. As an example, assuming that a set discount is established with three yogurts and one set is discounted when the set discount is established, the set discount is established in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, referring to the transition of the basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210 after the bar code is read in FIG. 21, as the total amount in the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2, the first yogurt 150 yen after registration (unit price 150 yen), 630 yen (150 yen + 480 yen) after registration of beef belly (unit price 480 yen), 780 yen after registration of the second yogurt (unit price 150 yen) (150 yen + 480 yen + 150 yen), and after registration of the third yogurt (unit price 150 yen), it will be 780 yen (150 yen + 480 yen + 150 yen + 150 yen-150 yen). Since the set discount is established with three yogurts, the control unit 253 performs a discount process on the unit price of 150 yen, which is the unit price for one yogurt, and −150 as the “set discount total” of the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2. A circle is displayed (fourth column, second row from the left in FIG. 21).

  In FIG. 21, the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2 displays the yogurt that is the target product of the set discount with a round mark. This is displayed based on the set discount information stored in the PLU file. The control unit 253 recognizes that the product is an M & M target product based on the set discount information in the PLU file, and executes a set discount process.

As described above, FIG. 21 shows the screen transition example for the set discount, but the same processing is executed in the case of the M & M (mix and match) discount.
(10) Settlement Return to the description based on FIG. In the user area B2 in the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 13), an accounting button B23 displayed as “accounting” is displayed. The touch designation of the accounting button B23 means a tightening designation. Therefore, when the accounting button B23 is touch-designated on the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 executes a settlement process. That is, the control unit 253 generates an accounting screen J and displays it on the user area B2 (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 13). The accounting screen J displays the total amount, the payment method selection buttons J1 to J5, and “return to the detail screen” for returning to the first basic screen B (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 13). And a return button J6 displayed. The selection button J1 is cash, the selection button J2 is credit, the selection button J3 is an electronic money type contactless IC card, the selection button J4 is a bank account withdrawal type contactless IC card, and the selection button J5 is a gift certificate / coupon. Select and specify.

  When the accounting screen J is displayed in the user area B2, the control unit 253 displays a suggestion about the card settlement that “you can pay with the next card” in the guidance display area B1. The control unit 253 receives near-empty information, empty information, near-full information, and full information for each denomination from a control unit (not shown) of the deposit / withdrawal apparatus 221. Therefore, the control unit 253 displays the near empty information for each received denomination and change information based on the empty information in the guidance display area B1. In the example shown in FIG. 13, it is displayed in the guidance display area B1 that 10,000 yen is out of change (second column, third row from the left).

  FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition at the time of executing the checkout process with cash. In the accounting screen J (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 13) displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B, when the selection button J1 for selecting cash is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 (FIG. 22, the control unit 253 generates the guidance screen K and displays it in the user area B2 of the basic screen B (the second column, the first row and the third line from the left in FIG. 22). Column first row). The guidance screen K displays a guidance including a letter “please insert money” and a picture indicating an operation for the customer together with a settlement status when cash is not yet inserted into the deposit / withdrawal apparatus 221 ( (Second column, first row from the left in FIG. 22). Then, when cash is inserted, the guidance on the guidance screen K transitions to the guidance “Please insert money, please press the“ Confirm ”button” and the input amount confirmation button K1 appears. (Third column, first row from the left in FIG. 22). At this time, the control unit 253 displays guidance information about available banknotes in the guidance display area B1 of the basic screen B.

  When the input amount confirmation button K1 that appears on the guidance screen K is touch-designated, the control unit 253 reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B and displays the payment confirmation screen L in an overlapping manner (the third from the left in FIG. 22). Column second row). The settlement confirmation screen L has selection buttons L1 and L2 on which “Yes” and “No” are displayed. When the selection button L2 corresponding to “No” is touch-designated, the control unit 253 returns to the previous guidance screen K (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 22), and the selection button corresponding to “Yes”. When L1 is touched, the settlement end screen M (the fourth row and the second row from the left in FIG. 22) displaying the guidance “Please take change and receipt” to the final screen N (from the left in FIG. 22). The screen display is shifted in order to the fourth column and the third row). The screen transition from the settlement end screen M to the final screen N is based on a timer process.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen transition at the time of executing a checkout process using a credit card. In the accounting screen J (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 13) displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B, when the selection button J2 for selecting a credit is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 (FIG. 23, the first column from the left in the first row), the control unit 253 generates the guidance screen K and displays it in the user area B2 of the basic screen B (from the left in FIG. 23, the first column, the second row and the first row). Column third row). The guidance screen K includes a collective / revolving payment confirmation button K2 (first column, second row from the left in FIG. 23), and the overall brightness of the basic screen B is lowered by touch designation of the collective / revolving payment confirmation button K2. A transition is made to a screen that allows selection between lump-sum payment and revolving payment (first column, third row from the left in FIG. 23).

  Therefore, the customer selects either lump sum payment or revolving payment, and scans the credit card along the card reading groove 212 provided on the LCD 210 of the settlement terminal 201. When the information recorded on the magnetic stripe of the credit card is correctly read by the card reader / writer 252, the control unit 253 reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B and displays the payment confirmation screen L in an overlapping manner (see FIG. 23). 2nd column, 2nd row from the left). If the information recorded on the magnetic stripe of the credit card is not read correctly, a second scan is prompted (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 23).

  The settlement confirmation screen L has selection buttons L1 and L2 on which “Yes” and “No” are displayed. When the selection button L2 corresponding to “No” is touch-designated, the control unit 253 returns to the previous guidance screen K (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 23), and the selection button corresponding to “Yes”. When L1 is touch-designated, the display screen is changed to the in-authentication screen O, “Please wait for a while now” (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 23), and authentication processing is executed. Thereafter, when the authentication is not obtained, the control unit 253 changes the display screen to the authentication rejection screen P (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 23). On the other hand, when the authentication is obtained, the control unit 253 displays the final screen N from the settlement end screen M (the fourth column, the second row from the left in FIG. 23) displaying the guidance “Please take a receipt”. The screen display is changed in order from the left in FIG. 23 to the fourth column and the third row. The screen transition from the settlement end screen M to the final screen N is based on a timer process.

  As described above, the case of cash settlement (FIG. 22) and the case of credit settlement (FIG. 23) have been described as examples. In the accounting screen J (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 13) displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B, a selection button J3 or bank account withdrawal for selecting an electronic money type contactless IC card When the selection button J4 for selecting the drop-type non-contact IC card is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the settlement processing by a similar method can be performed. That is, in the payment terminal 201, when the customer designates the closing by touching the accounting button B23 on the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 uses the magnetic card such as cash or credit card for the payment amount calculated in the merchandise sales data processing. Then, settlement processing using an electronic money type contactless IC card or a bank withdrawal type contactless IC card is executed.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition when executing a checkout process when using a gift certificate or coupon. The gift certificate or coupon can be used when the settlement is made by any of the above methods. In this case, as shown in FIG. 24, the store clerk is called and an operation by the store clerk is required. For this purpose, the payment terminal 201 changes from an inquiry screen asking whether to call a clerk (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 24) to a standby screen (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 24). Then, it becomes a checker mode. When the checker mode is set, the control unit 253 shifts the screen display to the checker mode standby screen Q (fourth column, first row from the left in FIG. 24).
(11) Checker Mode FIG. 25 is a schematic view illustrating a checker mode standby screen Q. Not only when using a gift certificate or coupon, but when shifting to a checker mode that requires an operation by a clerk, the control unit 253 sets the display screen to the checker mode standby screen Q. When this checker mode standby screen Q is displayed, only when the bar code for the store clerk is read by the bar code scanner 203, the operation mode of the device is set to the checker mode, and operation by the store clerk becomes possible. When the checker mode standby screen Q is displayed on the LCD 210, the control unit 253 does not accept an operation by the customer.

  FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen transition in the checker mode. When the checker mode standby screen Q is displayed on the LCD 210, the control unit 253 sets the screen display to the checker mode initial screen R (first from the left in FIG. 26) when the bar code for the store clerk is read by the bar code scanner 203. Column first row), allowing operation by store clerk. On the checker mode initial screen R, a change replenishment button R1, an accounting operation button R2, and a maintenance mode button R3 are displayed so that they can be touched, and two types of return buttons “return to start screen” and “return to original screen” are displayed. R4 and R5 are displayed so that touch designation is possible. Therefore, when the change replenishment button R1, the accounting operation button R2 or the maintenance mode button R3 is touch-designated on the touch panel 211, the change replenishment, the accounting operation, and the maintenance can be executed.

  In the change replenishment by touching the change change button R1, the completion button R6 is displayed together with the message “Please press the completion button when the change change / recovery operation is completed” (from the left in FIG. 26). 1st column, 2nd row), change replenishment work etc. to the depositing / dispensing device 221 becomes possible.

  The accounting operation by touch-specifying the accounting operation button R2 is used, for example, in the checkout process when using the above-described gift certificate or coupon, and it becomes possible to input the deposit amount using the numeric keypad (from the left in FIG. 26) 2nd column 2nd row). Therefore, if the change amount is input, the control unit 253 displays the final screen from the settlement end screen M (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 26) displaying the guidance “Please take change and receipt”. The screen display can be sequentially changed to N (third column, third row from the left in FIG. 26), and the settlement process can be terminated.

  Various maintenances are possible in the maintenance mode in which the maintenance mode button R3 is designated by touch.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall system configuration as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of each part in a self-checkout system. It is a perspective view which shows a self-checkout terminal. It is a perspective view which shows a scale apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the shopping bag is hold | maintained at the holding arm. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical hardware constitutions of a payment terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a goods data file (weight data file). It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrical hardware constitutions of a scale apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrical hardware constitutions of an attendant terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the self-checkout process in a self-checkout terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the weight data reception process from the scale apparatus included in the weight check process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the flow of a pre-weight check process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of the self-checkout process execution in a self-checkout terminal. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the basic screen and reading confirmation screen about the goods which should be mounted in a temporary placement stand. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the flow of a weight check process. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the weight check error screen at the time of a pre-weight check error or a weight check error. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the basic screen and reading confirmation screen about a product which is not a weight check object. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of execution of the self-checkout process of packed goods. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the cancellation screen which appears when a cancellation button is pushed. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the salesclerk call screen which appears when a call button is pushed. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of self-checkout process execution in case a combination discount (set discount) is materialized. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of the checkout process by cash. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of the checkout process by a credit card. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of checkout process execution in the case of using a gift certificate or a coupon. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates a checker mode standby screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition in checker mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 ... Payment terminal, 203 ... Bar code scanner (product code reading part, user interface), 206 ... Card reading part (settlement part, user interface), 207 ... Numeric keypad (input part, user interface), 210 ... LCD (display part) ,..., 211... Touch panel (input unit, user interface), 221... Deposit / withdrawal device (settlement unit, user interface), 252... Card reader / writer (settlement unit, user interface), 253. ) 254... RAM (storage unit), 301... Scale device, 303 a... Mounting table (mounting unit), WDF.

Claims (7)

A location where a product code input unit for inputting a product code, a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, and a settlement unit for executing settlement can be operated by the customer and information can be provided to the customer. And a payment terminal that allows customers to self-checkout,
A scale device that includes a placement unit for placing the product, measures the weight of the product placed on the placement unit, and transmits the measured weight value to the settlement terminal;
With
The information processing unit of the payment terminal
Means for executing a search process for searching for a corresponding unit price and weight from a product data file storing the unit price and weight in association with each product code based on the product code input by the product code input unit; ,
Whether the measurement value of the product obtained based on the weight value transmitted from the scale device after the product code input by the product code input unit is the same as the weight of the product acquired by the search process Means for executing a weight check process for determining
As a result of the weight check process, when the determination result that there is identity between weights is obtained, product information including the product code read by the product code reading unit and the unit price acquired by the search process Means for executing product information registration processing to be stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the weight check process, when obtaining a determination result that there is no identity between weights, means for executing a process to stop the subsequent process,
Means for executing a pre-weight check process for determining a variation in the weight value transmitted from the scale device outside the execution period of a series of processes from the product code input by the product code input unit to the product information registration process;
As a result of the pre-weight check process, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a weight increase, a means for executing a process for stopping the progress of the subsequent process;
As a result of the pre-weight check process, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a weight loss, a process for continuing the progress of the subsequent process is executed with the changed weight value as an appropriate current weight value. Means to
Comprising
Self-checkout device.   When the information processing of the payment terminal obtains a determination result that there is no identity between the weights as a result of the weight check process, the message indicating the work content for canceling the progress stop of the subsequent process is displayed. The self-checkout device according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying on the unit.   The information processing of the payment terminal, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a weight increase as a result of the pre-weight check process, the message indicating the work content for canceling the progress stop of the subsequent process is displayed. The self-checkout device according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying on the unit.   In the weight check process, an expected value is obtained by adding the weight searched by the search process to the weight value transmitted from the scale device, and then the weight value transmitted from the scale device is defined as the expected value. By comparing, it is determined whether or not the weight value of one or more products obtained based on the weight value transmitted from the scale device is the same as the weight obtained by the search process, The self-checkout device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A position where a user interface including a product code input unit for inputting a product code, a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, and a payment unit for executing payment can be operated by the customer and information can be provided to the customer. And a payment terminal that allows customers to self-checkout,
A first placement unit for placing the product before product code input by the product code input unit is provided, the weight of the product placed on the first placement unit is measured, and the weight value measured is The first scale device to send to the payment terminal;
A scale device that includes a placement unit for placing the product, measures the weight of the product placed on the placement unit, and transmits the measured weight value to the settlement terminal;
The information processing unit of the payment terminal
Based on the product code input by the product code input unit, means for executing a search process for searching for a corresponding unit price from a product data file storing a unit price corresponding to each product code;
After the product code is input by the product code input unit, the measurement value of the product obtained based on the weight value transmitted from the weighing device is obtained based on the weight transmitted from the first weighing device. Means for executing a weight check process for determining whether or not the value is identical;
As a result of the weight check process, when it is determined that there is an identity between weights, product information including the product code read by the product code reading unit and the unit price acquired by the search process Means for executing product information registration processing to be stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the weight check process, when obtaining a determination result that there is no identity between weights, means for executing a process to stop the subsequent process,
Means for executing a pre-weight check process for determining a variation in the weight value transmitted from the scale device outside the execution period of a series of processes from the product code input by the product code input unit to the product information registration process;
As a result of the pre-weight check process, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a weight increase, a means for executing a process for stopping the progress of the subsequent process;
As a result of the pre-weight check process, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a weight loss, a process for continuing the progress of the subsequent process is executed with the changed weight value as an appropriate current weight value. Means to
A self-checkout device comprising:   When the information processing of the payment terminal obtains a determination result that there is no identity between the weights as a result of the weight check process, the message indicating the work content for canceling the progress stop of the subsequent process is displayed. The self-checkout apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for displaying on the unit.   The information processing of the payment terminal, when it is determined that the change in the weight value is a weight increase as a result of the pre-weight check process, the message indicating the work content for canceling the progress stop of the subsequent process is displayed. The self-checkout device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising means for displaying on a section.

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