JP2010223742A - Foreign substance detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect whether a metal is contaminated in a commodity before a visitor takes the commodity by hand, and to thereby secure safety of the commodity without causing uneasiness in the visitor. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic pop 200 as a foreign substance detection device includes: a metal detection part 220 for detecting a metal; a human detection part 252 for detecting existence of a human in a detection range of the metal detection part 220 or in a position range touchable by the detection range; and a detection reporting part 256 for reporting detection information showing that a metal is detected, when the metal detection part 220 detects the metal and the human detection part 252 does not detect a human. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a foreign object detection device that detects foreign objects such as metal pieces mixed in a product.

  In a manufacturing plant for foodstuffs such as bread, a metal detector is installed on a belt conveyor or the like of a production line to detect mixing of metal pieces into the manufactured foodstuff. Here, when the contamination of a metal piece is detected, the manufacturer does not dispose of the food product mixed with the metal piece and distributes it to the market, and investigates the cause to increase the safety of the food product. Secured.

  However, in recent years, malicious stores pretending to be visitors (purchased customers) in stores that take the form of displaying food products on display shelves, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, discount shops, department stores, etc. Incidents have occurred in which metal pieces such as sewing needles and clips are mixed into products.

  Accordingly, a cash register with a metal detector using a metal detector, a terminal device having a display screen connected to a product number reader and an input device, and a cash register (so-called cash register) provided with a belt conveyor has been proposed. (For example, Patent Document 1). In such a technique, the product basket containing the product or the product itself is placed on the belt conveyor, moved, and passed through a metal detector installed in the traveling direction of the belt conveyor, so that the metal piece contained in the product basket or product. Can be detected.

JP 2000-276655 A

  If the technology described above is used, a foreign object such as a metal piece can be detected when a visitor purchases a product. However, if foreign matter is detected during accounting, the customer must take out the product in front of the visitor and explain that the foreign matter has been mixed into the product. There is a risk of anxiety and damage to the trust of the store.

  In addition, in the above-described technology, the fact that foreign matters are mixed in the product is first grasped when the visitor purchases the product, and until that time, the product in which the foreign matter is mixed is left on the display shelf and displayed. It was not possible to ensure the safety of the products.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention can detect whether or not a metal is mixed in such a product before the visitor picks up the product, and the product can be obtained without giving the visitor anxiety. An object of the present invention is to provide a foreign object detection device capable of ensuring safety.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the foreign object detection device of the present invention includes a metal detection unit that detects metal and a human detection that detects the presence of a person in a detection range of the metal detection unit or a position range that can touch the detection range And a detection notification unit for notifying the detection information indicating that the metal is detected when the metal detection unit detects the metal and the human detection unit does not detect the person. To do.

  The metal detection unit of the present invention is installed on a display shelf of goods, and can detect metal contamination before a visitor selects an individual product that he wants to purchase. It is possible to ensure the safety of the products displayed in the store without giving the visitor anxiety that it has been done. In addition, since it is possible to specify the point in time when metal is mixed into the merchandise on the display shelf, it is possible to identify the person who mixed the metal and cope with the depression pretending to be mixed with metal. Furthermore, when the human detection unit detects a person, the detection notification unit does not function so that a metal such as a watch, a ring, and a bracelet worn by a visitor is erroneously detected as a metal mixed in the product. It is possible to avoid a situation where the metal is mixed, and to reliably notify the mixing of the metal into the product.

  An employee authentication unit that authenticates an employee in the vicinity of the human detection unit is further provided, and the detection notification unit detects the person even if the human detection unit detects a person when the metal detection unit detects the metal. When the person authentication unit authenticates the detected person as an employee, the detection information may be notified.

  When the above-described human detection unit detects a person, the configuration in which the detection notification unit does not function, and as a result, the visitor does not need to know the fact that the metal is detected, and the confusion of the visitor can be avoided. . However, if thorough avoidance of notification by the human detection unit is employed, an employee who should recognize the fact that metal was originally detected cannot understand the fact. With the configuration including such an employee authentication unit, in the present invention, it is possible to actively notify detection information only to employees while maintaining avoidance of notification to visitors. Therefore, since the employee can surely recognize the detection of the metal, it becomes possible to quickly dispose of the product mixed with the metal and identify the person mixed with the metal.

  The said detection alerting | reporting part may alert | report detection information in the aspect which a visitor cannot recognize that the metal was detected.

  With this configuration, even if the metal detection unit notifies the detection of metal, the visitor is not able to recognize, so the fact that only the employee is mixed with the metal without giving anxiety to the visitor. It is possible to grasp, and it is possible to appropriately and quickly dispose of a product mixed with metal.

  The aspect in which the visitor cannot be identified may be that an indicator that can be identified only by an employee is displayed on the monitor when the detection notification unit notifies the detection information through the monitor.

  When an employee sees the above index, the meaning can be identified, but the visitor cannot see the fact that the metal is mixed even by looking at the index. Therefore, only the employee can grasp the fact that the metal is mixed without giving anxiety to the visitor, and the product mixed with the metal can be appropriately and promptly disposed of.

  The aspect in which the visitor cannot be identified may be that when the detection notification unit notifies the detection information through the speaker, the speaker can reproduce the sound that can be identified only by the employee.

  When an employee listens to the above sound, the meaning can be identified, but even if a visitor listens, the fact that metal is mixed cannot be grasped. Therefore, only the employee can grasp the fact that the metal is mixed without giving anxiety to the visitor, and the product mixed with the metal can be appropriately and promptly disposed of.

  The said detection alerting | reporting part may alert | report detection information to the alarm output part arrange | positioned in the position where a visitor cannot visually recognize.

  By detecting the detection information at a position where the visitor cannot see it, such as a backyard or a register device (register), the detection information can be reliably notified only to the employee, without causing anxiety to the visitor. It is possible to ensure the safety of the products displayed in the store.

  The detection notification unit is selected from a group of price information, manufacturer information, discount information, and advertisement information when the metal detection unit is not detecting metal or when the human detection unit is detecting a person. Or you may alert | report several information.

  The foreign object detection device can ensure the safety of goods on the display shelf. However, if a special device such as a foreign object detection device is separately arranged on the display shelf, the visitor may feel uncomfortable, and the visitor may be anxious on the contrary. In the present invention, by adding the function of the foreign matter detection device to a notification device such as an electronic pop, which has become commonplace on display shelves, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a special device causes a sense of incongruity to visitors. Is possible.

  The foreign object detection device may include a plurality of metal detection units. With such a configuration, it is possible to narrow down the installation position of a product mixed with metal, and it is possible to easily specify a product mixed with metal.

  As described above, according to the present invention, before a visitor picks up a product, it is possible to detect whether or not there is metal contamination in the product, and it is possible to detect the product without giving the visitor anxiety. It is possible to ensure safety.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the schematic structure of the shop which installed the electronic pop as a foreign material detection apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the functional block diagram which showed the schematic structure of the electronic pop concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage pattern of the electronic pop concerning 1st Embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of the other example of an electronic pop. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other example of a metal detection part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the parameter | index which only the employee which the detection alerting | reporting part displayed on the monitor can identify. It is a schematic functional block diagram of the electronic pop concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage pattern of the electronic pop concerning 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a store 100 in which an electronic pop 200 as a foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of display shelves 102 are installed in a store 100 such as a supermarket, a convenience store, a discount shop, or a department store, and a commodity 104 such as a grocery product is displayed on the display shelf 102. We sell. The display shelf 102 is provided with an electronic pop 200 as a foreign object detection device. The electronic pop 200 can provide information (price information, manufacturer information, discount information, advertisement information) about the product 104 to the visitor (purchased customer) 106. The visitor 106 selects the desired product 104 from the plurality of products 104 arranged on the display shelf 102 while referring to the electronic pop 200, and proceeds to the register device 108 to purchase the selected product 104. Information about the product 104 is comprehensively managed in the register device 108, the backyard 110, and the like.

  On the other hand, in recent years, there has been an incident in which a malicious person posing as a visitor intentionally mixes metal pieces such as sewing needles and clips into the product 104 placed on the display shelf 102. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electronic pop 200 with the function of a foreign object detection device capable of detecting a foreign object is installed on the display shelf 102 so that the visitor 106 picks up the product 104 before picking it up. The object is to detect whether there is a foreign object such as a metal piece. Below, the typical electronic pop 200 concerning this embodiment is demonstrated.

(Electronic Pop 200)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic pop 200 according to the present embodiment, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic pop 200 includes a memory 210, a control unit 212, a plurality of metal detection units 220, a monitor 230, a speaker 232, and an alarm output unit 240.

  The memory 210 includes a flash memory such as an SD memory card or a CF card, and indicates that metal has been detected in addition to programs processed by the control unit 212, price information, manufacturer information, discount information, and advertisement information. Holds detection information and the like. Further, a recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk may be used instead of the memory 210. The control unit 212 includes a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU) and a signal processing unit (DSP), and manages and controls the entire electronic pop 200 using a program held in the memory 210. .

  The metal detector 220 detects a metal that is a conductor. In the present embodiment, the metal detection unit 220 includes one or more coils 222 wound with one or more windings, a current measurement unit 224 connected to the coil 222, and a metal determination unit 250 described later. It is comprised including. Specifically, the current measurement unit 224 applies AC power to each coil 222 and generates a magnetic field near the coil 222. Here, when a metal appears in the vicinity of the coil 222, an eddy current is generated in the metal, and an alternating current flowing through the coil 222 changes through a change in the magnetic field due to the eddy current. Therefore, the metal determination unit 250 determines the presence / absence of metal based on the change in the average value of the alternating current based on the change in the alternating current measured by the current measuring unit 224, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a plurality of coils 222 (indicated by 222 a, 222 b, and 222 c in FIG. 3) constituting the metal detection unit 220 are mounted on the shelf plate of the display shelf 102, for example, the product 104. Installed on the surface. With the configuration in which the coil 222 is installed on the display shelf 102 that displays the product 104, it is possible to detect metal contamination before the visitor selects an individual product that the customer desires to purchase, that is, at the time when the product is displayed. it can. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the safety of the merchandise displayed in the store without giving the visitor anxiety that the metal has been mixed into the selected merchandise. Further, if the coil 222 is made of a transparent conductor, the coil 222 is covered with an arbitrary sheet, or the coil 222 is installed on the back side of the product mounting surface of the shelf board, the shelf board of the display shelf 102 It is possible to reliably detect the mixing of metal into the product arranged on the shelf board while maintaining the aesthetic appearance.

  Since the metal detection unit 220 detects whether or not metal is included in the product 104 arranged on the display shelf 102, the point in time when the metal is mixed into the product on the display shelf 102 can be specified. In such cases, it is possible to quickly investigate the cause and to dispose of the product, and to avoid a situation in which a product is left unattended in a state where metal is mixed. Then, by specifying the point in time when the metal is mixed into the commodity on the display shelf 102, it is possible to specify the person mixed with the metal by collating with the video of the surveillance camera. In addition, even if a fraudulent person intentionally mixes metal after picking up a product and pretends to be intimidated that the metal was mixed in advance, it should be specified that the metal was not mixed at the time of display. Therefore, it is possible to deal with such unauthorized persons.

  Note that the metal detection unit 220 can be prevented from functioning (invalidated) depending on the products arranged on the display shelf where the electronic pop 200 according to the present embodiment is installed. For example, if the product already contains metal such as canned food, the metal detection unit 220 does not function effectively even if metal is mixed in the product. Further, even when the product is a thing such as bottles where it is difficult to mix metal in the first place, the metal detector 220 can be prevented from functioning.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic pop 200 includes a plurality of coils 222 constituting the metal detector 220 as shown in FIG. With such a configuration, it is possible to narrow down the installation position of a product mixed with metal, and it is possible to easily specify a product mixed with metal.

  In the present embodiment, the coil 222 has been described as being installed on the product placement surface of the shelf of the display shelf 102, but the coil 222 may be disposed on the back side of the monitor 230.

  4A and 4B are external perspective views of another example of the electronic pop 200. FIG. 4A is an external perspective view seen from the monitor 230 side, and FIG. An external perspective view is shown.

  In the electronic pop 200 shown in FIG. 4, the coil 222 is disposed on the back surface of the monitor 230. Therefore, the metal detection unit 220 detects the metal in the horizontal direction of the back surface of the electronic pop 200 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. In such a configuration, the metal detection accuracy is lower than when the coil 222 is arranged on the product placement surface of the shelf board of the display shelf, but it is also installed on the display shelf where the coil 222 cannot be arranged afterwards. In addition, the ease of replacement and portability are greatly improved.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the metal detection unit 300. The metal detection unit 220 of the present embodiment detects the metal by passing an alternating current through the coil 222 and detecting a change in the alternating current. However, as shown in FIG. Two metal plates 302 (indicated by 302a to 302d in FIG. 5) are arranged on each shelf plate, and a change in capacitance between the metal plates 302 (302a and 302b in FIG. 5) is measured. Therefore, metal can also be detected.

  Specifically, another metal detection unit 300 includes a metal plate 302, a voltage application unit 304, and a frequency measurement unit 306. The voltage application unit 304 applies a predetermined AC voltage to each metal plate 302. Here, when a metal appears between the metal plates 302, the capacitance between the metal plates 302 changes, and the frequency of the AC voltage changes. Therefore, the frequency measurement unit 306 connected to the voltage application unit 304 can detect the presence or absence of metal based on a change in frequency.

  In addition, the voltage application unit 304 can be used in combination with the above-described current measurement unit 224 that can be replaced with the frequency measurement unit 306. For example, the voltage application unit 304 applies voltage by connecting both ends of the coil 222 to the terminals 310 and 312 of the voltage application unit 304. Thus, the current measurement unit 224 can detect a change in the alternating current flowing through the coil 222.

  Further, since the metal plate 302 is in the form of a sheet, it can be easily installed on the shelf plate of the display shelf 102, and the appearance after installation does not cause a sense of incongruity.

  The monitor 230 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like, and displays price information, manufacturer information, discount information, advertisement information, and detection information stored in the memory 210 in accordance with the control of the control unit 212. To do.

  The speaker 232 reproduces the price information, manufacturer information, discount information, advertisement information, and detection information stored in the memory 210 as sound under the control of the control unit 212.

  The alarm output unit 240 is composed of a rotating lamp (diffuse warning light), a speaker, a monitor, and the like, and is installed at a position where the visitor 106 such as the backyard 110 and the register device 108 shown in FIG. . A detection notification unit 256 described later causes the alarm output unit 240 to notify the detection information.

  The control unit 212 also functions as a metal determination unit 250, a person determination unit 254, and a detection notification unit 256 in cooperation with the memory 210 and other circuits.

  The metal determination unit 250 determines the presence / absence of metal based on the measurement result of the current measurement unit 224.

  The human detection unit 252 detects the presence of a person in the detection range of the metal detection unit 220 or a position range that can touch the detection range. In the present embodiment, the human detection unit 252 includes a coil 222 of the metal detection unit 220, a current measurement unit 224, and a human determination unit 254, and follows a transition locus of a change in current measured by the current measurement unit 224. Detect the presence of a person based on the For example, the person determination unit 224 detects that a person exists when the current value measured by the current measurement unit 224 fluctuates many times per unit time and does not stabilize, and finally returns to the current value before the fluctuation. To do. That is, the presence of a person is detected by detecting metal fluctuations such as a watch, a ring, and a bracelet worn by the person. If metal is mixed, the final current value after the fluctuation should be different from that before the fluctuation.

  Therefore, neither the metal determination unit 250 nor the person determination unit 254 makes any determination while the current value measured by the current measurement unit 224 is changing, and the current value that has settled after the change is the current value before the change. If it is different from the above, the metal determination unit 250 determines that there is a metal, and if it is almost the same value, the person determination unit 254 determines that there is a person. This is based on the fact that the current value changes steadily depending on the metal mixed in the product, but the current value suddenly changes depending on the movement of the person but does not change steadily.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the human detection unit 252 combines the coil 222 and the current measurement unit 224 with the metal detection unit 220. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect a person without using a dedicated sensor for detecting a person separately, so that the cost can be reduced.

  The detection notification unit 256 causes the monitor 230 and the speaker 232 to notify detection information when the metal detection unit 220 detects metal and the human detection unit 252 does not detect a person.

  When the human detection unit 252 detects a person, the detection notification unit 256 does not function so that a metal such as a watch, a ring, and a bracelet worn by a visitor is erroneously detected as a metal mixed in the product. It is possible to avoid such a situation, and it is possible to reliably notify the mixing of metal into the product.

  The detection notification unit 256 notifies that a visitor cannot recognize that metal has been detected. In this embodiment, the detection notification unit 256 causes the monitor 230 to display an index that can identify that only the employee has detected metal, and a speaker that can identify that only the employee has detected metal. 232.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an index that can be identified only by an employee displayed on the monitor 230 by the detection notification unit 256. FIG. 6A shows the monitor 230 when the detection information is notified. FIG. 6B shows the monitor 230 when the detection information is not notified. As shown to Fig.6 (a), in this embodiment, the parameter | index which only an employee can identify is set to the image 260 which shows a shop name, for example. Therefore, if the image 260 is displayed on the monitor 230 and the employee is made aware in advance that the metal is mixed in the product, the employee can simply view the monitor 230 and detect the metal detection unit. Whether 220 has detected a metal can be grasped.

  Further, the image 260 indicating the store name does not give a special impression to the visitor, nor does it remind metal detection. Therefore, only the employee can identify the meaning, that is, that the metal is detected, and the visitor cannot see the fact that the metal is mixed even if the visitor sees the image 260.

  The sound reproduced by the speaker 232 according to the present embodiment is a sound that does not give a sense of incongruity to the visitor and is not associated with metal detection, for example, a store advertisement.

  Therefore, as with the index displayed on the monitor 230, when such promotional music is flowing from the speaker 232, it is only possible for the employee to know that the product is mixed with metal beforehand. The meaning, that is, that the metal has been detected can be identified, and even if the visitor listens to the sound, the fact that the metal is mixed cannot be grasped.

  In addition, an aspect in which the visitor cannot recognize that the metal has been detected is that an LED or the like is separately provided around the monitor 230 of the electronic pop 200, and the detection notification unit 256 lights or blinks the LED. Alternatively, the color or brightness of the image displayed on the monitor 230 may be changed.

  The detection notification unit 256 notifies the detection information in a manner in which the visitor cannot recognize that the metal has been detected, so that even if the metal detection unit 220 detects the metal, the visitor cannot be recognized. Therefore, only the employee can grasp the fact that the metal is mixed without giving anxiety to the visitor, and the product mixed with the metal can be appropriately and promptly disposed of.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the present embodiment, the detection notification unit 256, when the metal detection unit 220 is not detecting metal, or when the human detection unit 252 is detecting a person, One or more pieces of information selected from the group of price information, manufacturer information, discount information, and advertisement information are displayed on the monitor 230 and reproduced by the speaker 232.

  As described above, it is possible to ensure the safety of goods on the display shelf by the function of the foreign object detection device. However, for example, if a special device as a foreign object detection device is separately arranged on the display shelf in addition to the electronic pop, it may give the visitor a sense of incongruity and invite the visitor's anxiety. Therefore, by adding the function of the foreign object detection device to the electronic pop that has become commonplace in the display shelf as in this embodiment, the user can visually recognize the foreign object detection device only as an electronic pop in appearance. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the visitor feels uncomfortable.

  In the present embodiment, the detection notification unit 256 also notifies the detection information to the alarm output unit 240 disposed at a position where the visitor cannot visually recognize.

  As shown in FIG. 1 described above, in this embodiment, the alarm output unit 240 is installed at a position where the visitor 106 such as the backyard 110 and the register device 108 cannot see and only the employee 112 can see. Is done. That is, the detection notification unit 256 can notify only the employee 112 of the metal contamination with the configuration in which the detection information is notified to the position where the visitor 106 cannot visually recognize, and the visitor 106 is uneasy. It is possible to ensure the safety of the product 104 displayed in the store 100 without giving it.

  As described above, according to the electronic pop 200 according to the present embodiment, before the visitor 106 picks up the product 104, it is possible to detect whether or not the product 104 has a foreign object such as a metal piece. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the safety of the product without giving the visitor 106 anxiety.

  In general, electronic pops are often rented out to stores for the purpose of advertising the products. Therefore, the maker lends the electronic pop 200 as a foreign substance mixing device to the store, so that the maker can appeal to the store that the safe product is being provided.

(Second embodiment: electronic pop 400)
The electronic pop 200 according to the first embodiment described above does not cause the detection notification unit 256 to function when the human detection unit 252 detects a person, and as a result, the visitor does not know the fact that metal has been detected. As a result, it is possible to ensure the safety of the product without causing any anxiety to visitors.

  However, if the avoidance of notification by the human detection unit 252 is thoroughly performed, the employee who should originally recognize the fact that the metal has been detected cannot grasp the fact. Therefore, the detection notification unit 256 of the first embodiment described above notifies the detection of the metal only to the employee by notifying the detection information in a manner in which the visitor cannot recognize that the metal has been detected. However, when a person such as a former employee who is familiar with the store situation visits the store as a visitor, the visitor may be inadvertently informed that metal has been detected. Although it is possible that the visitor frequently changes the unrecognizable aspect, the employee must remember the aspect of the change every time, and instead notify the employee of the metal detection reliably. May become difficult.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, an electronic pop 400 as a foreign object detection device that can actively notify detection information only to employees while maintaining notification avoidance to visitors will be described. In the following description, the electronic pop 400 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail, and the components having substantially the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above will be given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic functional block diagram of the electronic pop 400 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage pattern of the electronic pop 400.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the electronic pop 400 includes a memory 210, a control unit 412, a plurality of metal detection units 220, a monitor 230, a speaker 232, an imaging unit 430, a human detection unit 432, and human detection. An employee authentication unit 450 installed in the vicinity of the unit 432 and an alarm output unit 240 are configured.

  The control unit 412 includes a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU) and a signal processing unit (DSP), and manages and controls the foreign object detection device 400 as a whole.

  The imaging unit 430 is configured by, for example, an infrared camera, images a subject, generates imaging data, and stores the imaging data in the memory 210. In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 430 images a position range that is in front of the display shelf 102 and that can touch the detection range of the metal detection unit 220.

  The human detection unit 432 analyzes the imaging data generated by the imaging unit 430 and detects the presence of a person in the position range that is in front of the display shelf 102 and that can touch the detection range of the metal detection unit 220.

  The employee authentication unit 450 authenticates the employee using, for example, wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, an employee 112 possesses an authentication device 440 having a radio wave transmission unit, and the employee authentication unit 450 receives the identification information transmitted by the radio wave transmission unit of the authentication device 440. Then, the employee 112 is authenticated by comparing with identification information set in advance. As such a wireless communication standard, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication) can be used. Also, wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA DATA and ZigBee established by IrDA (Infrared Data Association) can be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 412 also functions as the metal determination unit 250 and the detection notification unit 456 in cooperation with the memory 210 and other circuits.

  In this embodiment, the detection notification unit 456 notifies detection information when the employee authentication unit 450 authenticates the detected person as the employee 112 even if the person detection unit 432 detects the person. .

  When the human detection unit 252 of the first embodiment described above detects a person, the detection notification unit 256 does not function, so that the visitor does not need to know the fact that the metal has been detected. Can avoid confusion. However, as described above, if the notification avoidance by the human detection unit 252 is thoroughly performed, an employee who should originally recognize the fact that metal has been detected cannot grasp the fact.

  As shown in FIG. 8, with the configuration of the employee authentication unit 450, the detection is performed only when the radio wave transmission unit of the authentication device 440 included in the employee 112 is close to a distance where wireless communication with the electronic pop 400 can be performed. Information can be notified. In other words, the employee 112 can recognize that the metal has been detected only by the employee 112 approaching the electronic pop 400. Therefore, it is possible to actively notify the detection information only to the employee 112 while maintaining avoidance of notification to visitors.

  As described above, according to the electronic pop 400 according to the present embodiment, the employee 112 can be made to recognize the detection of the metal reliably, so that the disposal of the product mixed with the metal or the person mixed with the metal Identification can be performed quickly.

  Further, a push switch is further provided in the electronic pop 400 so that the employee authentication unit 450 can authenticate the detected person as the employee 112 and notify the detection information only when the push switch is pressed. Good. With such a configuration, the detection information can be displayed while the employee visually recognizes that there is no visitor in the vicinity, so that it is possible to limit the display timing and display time, and further avoid the notification to the visitor. It is possible to actively notify the detection information only to the employee 112 while performing it reliably.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a foreign object detection device that detects foreign objects such as metal pieces mixed in a product.

106 ... Visitor 200, 400 ... Electronic pop (foreign matter detection device)
212, 412 ... control unit 220 ... metal detection unit 230 ... monitor 232 ... speaker 240 ... alarm output unit 252, 432 ... human detection unit 256, 456 ... detection notification unit 450 ... employee authentication unit

Claims (8)

A metal detector for detecting metal;
A human detection unit that detects the presence of a person in a detection range of the metal detection unit or a position range that can touch the detection range;
When the metal detection unit detects a metal and the human detection unit does not detect a person, a detection notification unit that notifies detection information indicating that the metal is detected;
A foreign matter detection device comprising: Further comprising an employee authentication unit for authenticating an employee in the vicinity of the human detection unit,
When the metal detection unit detects metal, the detection notification unit has authenticated the detected person as an employee even if the person detection unit detects a person. The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection information is sometimes notified.   The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection notification unit notifies the detection information in a manner in which a visitor cannot recognize that metal has been detected.   The foreign object according to claim 3, wherein an aspect in which the visitor cannot be identified is that, when the detection notification unit notifies the detection information through a monitor, an indicator that only an employee can identify is displayed on the monitor. Detection device.   The aspect in which the visitor cannot be identified is that when the detection notification unit notifies the detection information through a speaker, the speaker reproduces a sound that can be identified only by an employee. Foreign object detection device.   The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection notification unit causes the alarm output unit disposed at a position where a visitor cannot visually recognize the detection information.   The detection notification unit is selected from a group of price information, manufacturer information, discount information, and advertisement information when the metal detection unit does not detect metal or when the person detection unit detects a person. The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein one or more pieces of information are notified.   The foreign object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the foreign object detection device includes a plurality of the metal detection units.

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