JP2012058788A - Commodity code reader and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict the provision of service with a service display label.SOLUTION: A commodity code reader comprises: image capturing means which captures an image taken by imaging means; label reading means which detects a service display label attached to a commodity from the image of the commodity captured by the image capturing means, and reads service information corresponding to the service display label; and holding means which holds setting information for setting the validity/invalidity of the reading by the label reading means. The label reading means reads the service information according to setting contents of the setting information.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a product code reader and a program.

  Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets, in order to reduce waste loss of fresh products, products are often discounted and sold when closing time approaches. In this case, the store side affixes a label (hereinafter referred to as a service display label) that displays a discount amount, a discount rate, etc. to the product to clearly indicate to the customer that the product is a discounted product. In addition, when a service display label is affixed to a product purchased by a customer, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal operator reads the barcode of the product with a scanner and operates a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like. In the process of discounts.

  Further, regarding barcode reading, an image sensor such as a CCD is used to capture an image of a barcode and a discount label, and the product code and discount information read from the captured image are output to a POS terminal. A technique for automatically performing discount processing in a terminal is known.

  However, in the conventional technology described above, the bar code and the service display label are read by the image sensor and the discount process is automatically performed. Therefore, the discount by the service display label is limited for reasons such as store operation. If you want to, it was not convenient.

  The product code reading apparatus according to the embodiment includes an image capturing unit, a label reading unit, and a holding unit. The image capturing unit captures an image captured by the imaging unit. The label reading unit detects a service display label attached to the product from the image of the product captured by the image capturing unit, and reads service information corresponding to the service display label. The holding unit holds setting information in which the validity / invalidity of reading by the label reading unit is set. Furthermore, the label reading unit reads the service information according to the setting contents of the setting information.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a checkout system including a product code reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the POS terminal and the product code reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between an imaging region of the imaging unit and a product. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the service display label. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the service display label. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the label feature file. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of label reading flag setting processing performed by the POS terminal and the product code reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information output processing performed by the product code reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the product code reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a POS terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a time zone file. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of label reading flag setting processing performed by the POS terminal and the product code reading device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the product code reading apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  A product code reading apparatus and program according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a checkout system as an example. In addition, this embodiment demonstrates the example applied to the checkout system introduced into stores, such as a restaurant and a supermarket.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a checkout system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout system includes a POS terminal 100 and a product code reading device 200.

  The POS terminal 100 is a product information processing apparatus for registering sales of products purchased by customers, and is placed on the checkout table 11. The POS terminal 100 includes a keyboard 101, an operator display 102, a customer display 103, a printer 104, and a drawer 105. Each unit provided in the POS terminal 100 will be described later.

  A counter table 12 having a horizontally long table is arranged so as to form an L shape with the checkout table 11. A load receiving surface 13 is formed on the upper surface of the counter table 12. The product code reading device 200 is placed on the cargo receiving surface 13 and connected to the POS terminal 100 so as to be communicable by wire or wirelessly.

  The product code reading device 200 is a device for reading a barcode attached to a product and outputting the product code included in the barcode to the POS terminal 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the product code reading device 200 includes a reading window 201, a keyboard 202, an operator display 203, and a customer display 204. Each unit included in the product code reading device 200 will be described later.

  On the cargo receiving surface 13, a shopping basket 14 for storing each commodity G to which a code label and a service display label described later are attached is placed. The shopping basket 14 is classified into a first shopping basket 14a brought in by a customer and a second shopping basket 14b placed at a position sandwiching the commodity code reading device 200 from the first shopping basket 14a.

  In the first shopping basket 14a brought in by the customer, a commodity G for one transaction is stored. The product G is affixed with a code label representing a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, or a service display label representing discount or point addition. The code symbol holds the product code related to the product G in a coded state. Here, the product code is a code assigned to each product in order to specify the product G, and there is a JAN code as an example.

  The commodity G in the first shopping basket 14a is moved to the second shopping basket 14b by the operator who operates the commodity code reading device 200. In this movement process, the code label and the service display label are directed to the reading window 201 of the product code reading apparatus 200. At this time, an imaging unit 216 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, provided in the reading window 201 images a code label and a service display label.

  The product code reader 200 reads a product code related to the product G by detecting and decoding a code symbol included in the image captured by the imaging unit 216. In the present embodiment, an example in which a barcode is used as a code symbol will be described.

  Next, the configuration of the checkout system will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the POS terminal 100 and the product code reading device 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the POS terminal 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 as microcomputers for executing information processing.

  The CPU 111 comprehensively controls the POS terminal 100 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 112 and a storage unit 114 described later. The ROM 112 stores a program for performing basic operations. The RAM 113 is a main storage device of the POS terminal 100 and functions as a work area for the CPU 111.

  Further, the above-described keyboard 101, display 102, display 103, printer 104, and drawer 105 are connected to the CPU 111 via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  The keyboard 101 is an input device that notifies the CPU 111 of key information (hereinafter referred to as key information) input from an operator who operates the POS terminal 100. The keyboard 101 is provided with a label reading setting key 101a in addition to various operation keys such as a numeric keypad for inputting numbers and operators and a closing key necessary for settlement of a commodity price.

  Here, the label reading setting key 101a is an operation key for setting validity / invalidity of reading a service display label attached to a product. Specifically, the label reading setting key 101a outputs key information representing two states of an “on” state in which reading of the service display label is enabled and an “off” state in which reading of the service display label is disabled. Possible switch keys, toggle keys, etc.

  When the CPU 111 receives key information for turning on the label reading setting key 101a by operating the label reading setting key 101a, the CPU 111 outputs a flag on signal as a flag setting signal for instructing setting of a label reading flag 217b described later. It transmits to the product code reading device 200. When key information for turning off the label reading setting key 101a is received, a flag off signal is transmitted to the product code reading apparatus 200 as a flag setting signal.

  The display device 102 and the display device 103 have a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and display various information such as product names and prices based on instructions from the CPU 111. Here, the display device 102 is a display device for an operator who operates the POS terminal 100, and a display surface thereof is arranged facing the operator (see FIG. 1). The display 103 is a display for customers, and its display surface is arranged toward the customer (see FIG. 1). In addition, it is good also as a form which implement | achieves all the keys or some keys of the keyboard 101 on a touch panel by making the indicator 102 into a touch panel structure.

  The printer 104 is a printing device such as a thermal printer, and prints receipts, journals, and the like under the control of the CPU 111. The drawer 105 is a cash drawer for storing cash or the like, and opens and closes under the control of the CPU 111.

  The CPU 111 is connected to a storage unit 114, a timer unit 115, and a communication I / F 116 via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  The storage unit 114 is a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and stores a program 114a that can be executed by the CPU 111 and various files. An example of the program 114a stored in the storage unit 114 is a program for sales registration processing. An example of a file stored in the storage unit 114 is a PLU file 114b distributed from an external device or the like. The PLU file 114b is a file that stores a product code uniquely assigned to each product in association with information about the product such as the name, price, and product classification of the product.

  The time measuring unit 115 is a time measuring device such as an RTC (Real Time Clock), and outputs the current date and time (time) to the CPU 111. The communication I / F 116 is an interface for performing data communication with the product code reading device 200. The CPU 111 transmits / receives various data to / from the product code reading device 200 via the communication I / F 116.

  On the other hand, the product code reading apparatus 200 also includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213 as a microcomputer that executes information processing.

  The CPU 211 comprehensively controls the product code reading apparatus 200 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 212 or a storage unit 217 described later. The ROM 212 stores a program for performing basic operations. The RAM 213 is a main storage device of the product code reading device 200 and functions as a work area for the CPU 211.

  In addition, the above-described keyboard 202, display 203, and display 204 are connected to the CPU 211 via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  The keyboard 202 is an input device that notifies the CPU 211 of key information input from an operator who operates the product code reading apparatus 200. The keyboard 202 is mainly used when registering a product that cannot be registered with a barcode.

  The display device 203 and the display device 204 have a display device such as an LCD, and display various types of information such as product names and prices based on instructions from the CPU 211. Here, the display device 203 is a display device for an operator who operates the product code reading apparatus 200, and the display surface thereof is arranged facing the operator (see FIG. 1). The display 204 is a display for customers, and its display surface is arranged facing the customer (see FIG. 1). In addition, it is good also as a form which implement | achieves all the keys or some keys of the keyboard 202 on this touch panel by making the display device 203 into a touch panel structure.

  The CPU 211 is connected to a communication I / F 214, a timer unit 215, an imaging unit 216, and a storage unit 217 via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  The communication I / F 214 is an interface for performing data communication with the POS terminal 100. The CPU 211 transmits / receives various data to / from the POS terminal 100 via the communication I / F 214. The timer unit 215 is a timer device such as an RTC, and outputs the current date and time (time) to the CPU 211.

  The imaging unit 216 is an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and is provided in the reading window 201 shown in FIG. In addition, the imaging unit 216 captures an image of a code symbol or a service display label attached to a product under the control of the CPU 211.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the relationship between the imaging region of the imaging part 216 and the goods G is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the imaging region of the imaging unit 216 and the product G. A region surrounded by a two-dot chain line in the figure is an imaging region 216a that is a region that the imaging unit 216 can capture in one frame. In addition to the code label CL, a discount label SL1, which is an example of a service display label, is attached to the product G shown in FIG.

  In the code label CL, a bar code BC or the like is represented as a code symbol in addition to the product name “pig rose thin slice” and the product price “200 yen”. In addition, a numerical value “21012345567890” of a product code incorporated in the barcode BC is displayed below the barcode BC.

  In addition, the discount label SL1 displays character information “50 yen discount from display price” indicating the discount amount for the product G. In addition, as a service display label, what is attached | subjected to the goods G and displays the service regarding the service provided at the time of the purchase of the goods G should just be displayed. As another example of the service display label, as shown in FIG. 4, a discount label SL2 that displays the discount rate of the product G, or a customer who purchased the product G as shown in FIG. Examples include a point premium label SL3 that displays the number of points that are added and awarded from the number of points granted. The service display label may be represented by a logotype or the like.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the storage unit 217 is a storage medium such as an HDD or a flash memory, and stores a program 217 a that can be executed by the CPU 211 and various files. Here, the program 217a stored in the storage unit 217 is a control program for the imaging unit 216, a code symbol reading program, an image such as OCR or pattern matching, a program for character recognition, and the like. The storage unit 217 holds a label reading flag 217b and a label feature file 217c as files necessary for the operation of the product code reading device 200.

  The label reading flag 217b is a setting file composed of binary data indicating ON / OFF, and the value is switched by a flag switching unit 223 described later. The label feature file 217c is a data table in which the feature of the service display label is associated with the content of the service indicated by the service display label.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the label feature file 217c. As shown in the figure, the label feature file 217c corresponds to the label feature data indicating the characteristics of the characters and symbols included in the service display label and the service information indicating the service content given to the product by the service display label. I remember it.

  More specifically, the label feature data is information extracted from the service display label by a recognition process such as pattern recognition or OCR. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, for the discount label SL1 described as “50 yen discount from the display price”, No. in the label feature file 217c of FIG. As shown in one label feature data, information “50, circle, pull” is extracted by pattern recognition or character recognition processing. Similarly, for the discount label SL2 and point premium label SL3 shown in FIGS. 2, no. As shown in the label feature data 3, information on discounts and point grants such as “10,%, discount” and “10, points” is extracted.

  Further, the service information is information obtained by converting information related to service contents such as discounts and point grants read from the service display label into alphanumeric values so that the information can be used in the sales registration process of the POS terminal 100. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the label feature data “50, yen, discount” is stored in association with service information “−50YEN” meaning a discount of 50 yen. Further, service information “−10%” meaning a discount of 10% is stored in association with the label feature data “10,%, discount”. Further, the service information “+ 10P”, which means a point increase of 10 points, is stored in association with the label feature data “10, points”.

  Next, characteristic functions of the product code reading apparatus 200 will be described. The CPU 211 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 212 expanded in the RAM 213, whereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the image data capturing unit 221, the code reading unit 222, the flag switching unit 223, the label reading unit 224, and the information output It functions as the unit 225.

  The image data capturing unit 221 causes the imaging unit 216 to start an imaging operation by outputting an imaging on signal to the imaging unit 216. The image data capturing unit 221 captures image data in the imaging area 216 a captured by the imaging unit 216 and stores the image data in the RAM 213. Further, when receiving an instruction from the label reading unit 224, the image data capturing unit 221 captures image data in the imaging region 216 a captured by the imaging unit 216 and stores it in the RAM 213.

  The code reading unit 222 detects a barcode image from the image data stored in the RAM 213 by the image data capturing unit 221 and performs a barcode reading process of reading a product code from the detected barcode. Specifically, the code reading unit 222 binarizes one frame of image data stored in the RAM 213, and detects whether or not a data area related to a barcode exists in the binarized data. When the code reading unit 222 detects a data area related to the barcode, the code reading unit 222 decodes the barcode and reads the decoded data as a product code of the product G. The code reading unit 222 stores the read product code in the RAM 213.

  The flag switching unit 223 switches the label reading flag 217b held in the storage unit 217 on or off according to a flag setting signal input from the POS terminal 100 via the communication I / F 214. Specifically, when the flag switching unit 223 receives a flag ON signal from the POS terminal 100, the flag switching unit 223 sets the label reading flag 217b to “ON”. When a flag-off signal is received from the POS terminal 100, the label reading flag 217b is set to “off”.

  The label reading unit 224 detects the image of the service display label from the image data stored in the image work area of the RAM 213 by the image data capturing unit 221 in accordance with the on / off setting of the label reading flag 217b. Specifically, when the label reading flag 217 b is “ON”, the label reading unit 224 reads the service display label image from one frame of image data stored in the image work area of the RAM 213 by the image data capturing unit 221. A label reading process to be detected is performed.

  In this label reading process, the label reading unit 224 collates the features such as characters, pictures, and symbols included in the service display label with the label feature data (see FIG. 6) of the label feature file 217c by pattern recognition or OCR character recognition. When the label feature data having a high degree of coincidence is detected, it is determined that the service display label has been detected. When the label reading unit 224 detects an image of the service display label, the label reading unit 224 reads service information corresponding to the detected label feature data from the label feature file 217c, and stores the read service information in the RAM 213.

  On the other hand, when the label reading flag 217b is “off”, the label reading unit 224 stops the detection of the service display label by performing control so as not to execute the label reading process described above. In this case, since the service display label is not detected, only the product code read by the barcode reading process is stored in the RAM 213.

  Further, the label reading unit 224 limits the time for executing the label reading process based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 215. Specifically, the label reading unit 224 starts measuring a timeout time that is an execution time (for example, 5 seconds) of the label reading process based on the time counted by the time measuring unit 215 when the label reading process is executed. To do. Then, even when the service display label is not detected, the label reading unit 224 continues the label reading process until the time-out time is reached, and the image data capturing unit 221 captures an image. The image capturing unit 216 instructs to newly capture image data in the imaging region 216a. In this way, the operator of the product code reading device 200 can capture the product G by the imaging unit 216 a plurality of times during a predetermined time during which the label reading process is executed.

  The information output unit 225 outputs the product code and service information stored in the RAM 213 to the POS terminal 100. Specifically, when the service information read by the label reading unit 224 is stored in the RAM 213, the information output unit 225 stores the service information together with the product code stored in the RAM 213 by the code reading unit 222. Output to.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the 50 yen discount label SL1 is attached to the product G and the label reading flag 217b is “ON”, the label reading unit 224 displays the discount label SL1. The corresponding service information “−50YEN” is read from the label feature file 217 c and the service information is stored in the RAM 213. Accordingly, the product code reading apparatus 200 transmits a set of a product code representing “21012345567890” and service information representing “−50YEN” to the POS terminal 100.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 111 of the POS terminal 100 receives the product code from the product code reading device 200, the CPU 111 reads the price of the product corresponding to the product code with reference to the PLU file 114b. Further, when the service information is received together with the product code, the POS terminal 100 performs a process according to the service content represented by the service information. For example, if the service information represents “−50 YEN”, the product is registered for sale by discounting 50 yen from the price read based on the product master.

  Next, the operation of the checkout system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of label reading flag setting processing performed by the POS terminal 100 and the product code reading device 200.

  First, when the CPU 111 of the POS terminal 100 receives the key information of the label reading setting key 101a (step S11), the CPU 111 transmits a flag setting signal corresponding to the key information to the product code reading device 200 via the communication I / F 116. (Step S12).

  On the other hand, in the product code reading apparatus 200, when the flag switching unit 223 receives the flag setting signal transmitted from the POS terminal 100 via the communication I / F 214, it is determined whether or not the flag setting signal is a flag on signal. (Step S21).

  If the flag setting signal is a flag on signal (step S21; Yes), the flag switching unit 223 sets the label reading flag 217b held in the storage unit 217 to “on” (step S22), and processing Exit. When the flag setting signal is a flag off signal (step S21; No), the flag switching unit 223 sets the label reading flag 217b held in the storage unit 217 to “off” (step S23), and performs processing. finish.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information output processing performed by the product code reading device 200. The CPU 211 of the product code reading device 200 starts an information output process when a transaction start is instructed by a predetermined command transmitted from the POS terminal 100. The image data capturing unit 221 outputs an imaging on signal to the imaging unit 216, and starts an imaging operation by the imaging unit 216 (step S31). The image data capturing unit 221 captures the image data captured by the imaging unit 216 into the RAM 213 (step S32). Then, the code reading unit 222 starts the barcode reading process described above (step S33).

  The code reading unit 222 determines whether or not the barcode BC is detected in the barcode reading process of step S33 (step S34). If the barcode BC cannot be detected (step S34; No), the process returns to step S32 again, and the code reading unit 222 continues imaging by the imaging unit 216.

  When the barcode BC is detected (step S34: Yes), the label reading unit 224 refers to the label reading flag 217b and determines whether ON or OFF is set (step S35). Here, when the label reading flag 217b is “OFF” (step S35; No), the information output unit 225 sends the product code stored in the RAM 213 by the barcode reading process in step S33 via the communication I / F 214. The data is transmitted to the POS terminal 100 (step S41), and the process proceeds to step S43.

  On the other hand, when the label reading flag 217b is “ON” (step S35; Yes), the label reading unit 224 starts measuring the timeout time based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 215 (step S36). Subsequently, the label reading unit 224 starts a label reading process on the image data captured in the RAM 213 in step S32 (step S37). Then, the label reading unit 224 determines whether or not a service display label is detected in the label reading process in step S37 (step S38).

  Here, when the service display label cannot be detected (step S38; No), the label reading unit 224 determines whether or not the timeout time has been reached (step S39). If the timeout time has not been reached (step S39; No), the label reading unit 224 controls the image data capturing unit 221 to newly capture image data (step S40). Then, the label reading unit 224 returns to step S <b> 37 to execute the label reading process on the newly captured image data again.

  If it is determined that the time-out period has been reached (step S39; Yes), the information output unit 225 uses the communication code I / F 214 to store the product code stored in the RAM 213 through the barcode reading process in step S33. 100 (step S41), and the process proceeds to step S43.

  If the service display label is detected before the timeout time is reached (step S38: Yes), the information output unit 225 is stored in the RAM 213 by the barcode reading process at step S33 and the label reading process at step S37. The product code and service information are transmitted to the POS terminal 100 via the communication I / F 214 (step S42), and the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, the CPU 211 determines whether or not a transaction end is instructed by a predetermined command transmitted from the POS terminal 100 (step S43). If the end of the transaction is not instructed (step S43; No), the process returns to step S32 again, and steps S32 to S43 are repeatedly executed until the sales registration of all products is completed. When the end of the transaction is instructed (step S43; Yes), the image data capturing unit 221 outputs an imaging off signal to the imaging unit 216 (step S44) and ends the imaging operation by the imaging unit 216. .

  As described above, according to the product code reading apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, the label reading flag 217b is switched on / off according to the flag setting signal transmitted from the POS terminal 100, and according to the setting contents of the label reading flag 217b. Read the service display label (service information). Thereby, provision of the service according to the service display label can be restricted. Further, by operating the label reading setting key 101a of the POS terminal 100, the reading operation of the service display label (service information) can be easily controlled, so that the convenience related to sales registration can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the label reading setting key 101a for switching the on / off of the label reading flag 217b is described in the POS terminal 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as a form provided in the keyboard 202 of the code reader 200. FIG. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the product code reading apparatus 200 includes the label reading setting key 101a will be described as a modification of the present embodiment with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a product code reading device 300 according to a modification of the present embodiment. Here, the product code reading device 300 has the same configuration as the product code reading device 200, and the keyboard 202 includes the label reading setting key 101a described above. In the case of this configuration, the flag switching unit 223 switches on / off the label reading flag 217b according to the key operation of the label reading setting key 101a of the keyboard 202. Thereby, the reading operation of the service display label (service information) can be controlled by the product code reader 300 alone.

  In the present embodiment, the flag setting signal is output according to the operation of the label reading setting key 101a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, according to the operation of switching the operation mode of the dip switch or the POS terminal 100. Thus, the flag setting signal may be output. Further, the setting contents of the label reading flag 217b are expressed in a coded state such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code, and the code reading unit 222 is made to read this code so that the on / off setting of the label reading flag 217b is flagged. It may be configured to instruct the switching unit 223.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a configuration capable of automatically switching on / off of the label reading flag 217b according to time will be described. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is provided and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the POS terminal 400 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the POS terminal 400 has the same configuration as the POS terminal 100 described above. Here, in addition to the above-described program 114a and PLU file 114b, the storage unit 114 stores a time zone file 114c that defines a time zone in which the service content of the service display label is valid (hereinafter referred to as service provision time). ing.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the time zone file 114c. In the figure, by combining the valid / invalid of the service providing time with a settable setting value, the interval from “11:00” to “13:00” and “17:00” to “19:00” In this example, the service provision time is shown between the two. In FIG. 11, the service providing time is defined in units of time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the service providing time may be defined using a date or a day of the week. Moreover, it is good also as a form which defines exclusively the service provision time to validate by defining the time which invalidates service provision time.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the CPU 111 of the POS terminal 400 functions as the service providing time monitoring unit 401 by executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM 112 or the storage unit 114.

  Here, the service providing time monitoring unit 401 monitors the time counted by the time measuring unit 115 every predetermined time or constantly, and when the service providing time defined in the time zone file 114c is reached, the flag on signal is transmitted to the communication I / O. The information is transmitted to the product code reading apparatus 200 via F116. In addition, the service provision time monitoring unit 401 sends a flag off signal to the product code reading device 200 via the communication I / F 116 when the time provided by the time measuring unit 115 exceeds the service provision time defined in the time zone file 114c. Send to.

  Next, a label reading flag setting process performed by the POS terminal 400 and the product code reading device 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the label reading flag setting process performed by the POS terminal 400 and the product code reading device 200.

  The service providing time monitoring unit 401 of the POS terminal 400 monitors the time (current time) timed by the time measuring unit 115 (step S51), and whether or not the current time has reached the service providing time defined in the time zone file 114c. Is determined (step S52). Here, when it determines with not having reached service provision time (step S52; No), it returns to step S51 again.

  If it is determined in step S52 that the service provision time has been reached (step S52; Yes), the service provision time monitoring unit 401 uses a flag on signal as a flag setting signal and a product code reading device via the communication I / F 116. 200 (step S53).

  Subsequently, the service providing time monitoring unit 401 monitors the current time measured by the time measuring unit 115 (step S54), and determines whether or not the current time has passed the service providing time defined in the time zone file 114c. (Step S55). Here, when it determines with it being within service provision time (step S55; No), it returns to step S54 again.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the service provision time has elapsed (step S55; Yes), the service provision time monitoring unit 401 uses a flag-off signal as a flag setting signal and a product code reading device via the communication I / F 116. 200 (step S56), and the process returns to step S51 again.

  On the other hand, when the flag switching unit 223 of the product code reading apparatus 200 receives the flag setting signal transmitted from the POS terminal 400 via the communication I / F 214, the flag switching unit 223 determines whether or not the flag setting signal is a flag on signal (Step S1). S61).

  If the flag setting signal is a flag on signal (step S61; Yes), the flag switching unit 223 sets the label reading flag 217b held in the storage unit 217 to “on” (step S62), and processing Exit. When the flag setting signal is a flag off signal (step S61; No), the flag switching unit 223 sets the label reading flag 217b held in the storage unit 217 to “off” (step S63), and performs the processing. finish.

  As described above, according to the product code reading apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, the label reading flag 217b is turned on / off according to the flag setting signal transmitted from the POS terminal 400, and according to the setting contents of the label reading flag 217b. Read the service display label (service information). Thereby, provision of the service according to the service display label can be restricted.

  The POS terminal 400 transmits a flag-on signal for turning on the label reading flag to the product code reading device 200 when the time counted by the time measuring unit 115 is included in a predetermined service providing time. The service display label (service information) can be read only during the service provision time. For this reason, when a product is discounted only during a certain time period (for example, 1 hour until closing), the time period file 114c is set so that the label reading flag is turned on during this period. Since the discount by the service display label can be provided only during this time period, the convenience related to sales registration can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the mode for determining whether or not the POS terminal 400 is in the service provision time has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the service provision time monitoring unit 401 and the time zone file 114c are included in the product code reading device 200. The product code reading apparatus 200 may be configured to determine whether or not it is in service providing time. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the product code reading apparatus 200 includes the service provision time monitoring unit 401 and the time zone file 114c will be described as a modification of the present embodiment with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a product code reading device 500 according to a modification of the present embodiment. Here, the product code reading device 500 stores the time zone file 114c in the storage unit 217, and an example in which the service provision time monitoring unit 401 is realized in cooperation with the CPU 211 and a predetermined program stored in the ROM 212. Show. In the case of this configuration, the service providing time monitoring unit 401 monitors the time counted by the time measuring unit 215, and reads the label according to whether or not the time is included in the service providing time defined in the time zone file 114c. The flag 217b is turned on / off.

  Thereby, the reading operation of the service display label (service information) can be controlled by the product code reader 500 alone. Further, the product code reading device 500 turns on the label reading flag 217b when the time counted by the time measuring unit 215 is included in the predetermined service providing time, so that only the service display label ( Service information) can be executed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, and the like are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, a program executed by the POS terminal 100 (400) and the product code reading device 200 (300, 500) of the above embodiment is installed in a format that can be installed or a file in an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD). ), A CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or other computer-readable recording medium.

  In addition, the program executed by the POS terminal 100 (400) and the product code reading device 200 (300, 500) of the above embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. You may comprise so that it may provide. Further, the program executed by the POS terminal 100 (400) and the product code reading device 200 (300, 500) of the above embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Checkout stand 12 Counter stand 13 Cargo-receiving surface 14, 14a, 14b Shopping basket 100 POS terminal 101 Keyboard 101a Label reading setting key 102 Display 103 Display 104 Printer 105 Drawer 111 CPU
112 ROM
113 RAM
114 Storage Unit 114a Program 114b PLU File 114c Time Zone File 115 Timekeeping Unit 116 Communication I / F
200 Product Code Reading Device 201 Reading Window 202 Keyboard 203 Display 204 Display 211 211 CPU
212 ROM
213 RAM
214 Communication I / F
215 Timing unit 216 Imaging unit 217 Storage unit 217a Program 217b Label reading flag 217c Label feature file 221 Image data capturing unit 222 Code reading unit 223 Flag switching unit 224 Label reading unit 225 Information output unit 300 Product code reading device 400 POS terminal 401 Service provision time monitoring unit 500 Product code reader

JP 2008-33640 A

Claims (6)

Image capturing means for capturing an image captured by the image capturing means;
A label reading unit that detects a service display label attached to the product from the image of the product captured by the image capturing unit, and reads service information corresponding to the service display label;
Holding means for holding setting information in which valid / invalid of reading by the label reading means is set;
With
The product code reading device, wherein the label reading unit reads the service information in accordance with a setting content of the setting information. Code reading means for detecting a code symbol from the image captured by the image capturing means and reading a product code corresponding to the code symbol;
Information output means for outputting the service information read by the label reading means to an external device together with the product code read by the code reading means;
The product code reader according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The product code reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches between valid / invalid of the setting information.   4. The product code reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit switches between valid / invalid of the setting information in accordance with a predetermined signal input from an external device. It further comprises a time measuring means for measuring time,
4. The product code reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit switches between valid / invalid of the setting information according to a time measured by the time measuring unit. The computer of the product code reader
Image capturing means for capturing an image captured by the image capturing means;
A label reading unit that detects a service display label attached to the product from the image of the product captured by the image capturing unit, and reads service information corresponding to the service display label;
To function,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the label reading unit reads the service information in accordance with a setting content of setting information set to enable / disable reading by the label reading unit.

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