JP2018185333A - Weighing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a weighing apparatus capable of preventing inappropriate operations performed by customers who are unfamiliar with the weighing apparatuses and preventing incorrect operations performed by customers who are familiar with handling of the weighing apparatuses, even when price-fixed commodities and commodities sold by weight are mixed with each other.SOLUTION: A weighing apparatus 1 is a weighing apparatus in which a customer weighs an object to be weighed including one container of a group of containers having feature parts different from each other and a commodity. The weighing apparatus comprises: a weighing mechanism 5 for weighing the object to be weighed; an identification unit 31 for identifying a container on the basis of the feature parts different from each other; a price calculation information storing unit 43 for associating price calculation information, such whether a price of a commodity is calculated as a price-fixed commodity or the price of the commodity is calculated as a commodity sold by weight, for each of the containers having the feature parts different from each other and storing the price calculation information; and a price calculation unit 33 for calculating the price of the commodity in accordance with the price calculation information associated with the container identified by the identification unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a weighing device in which a customer performs weighing.

  There is known a weighing device in which a customer performs weighing. Such a weighing device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-92338. According to the weighing device of Patent Literature 1, a feature portion is extracted from imaging data of an object to be weighed acquired by a camera, and the extracted feature portion is compared with the feature portion for each product stored in the storage portion. Thus, the product of the object to be weighed is automatically specified.

  In a grocery store in a store such as a supermarket, the weighing and pricing of products to be sold may be entrusted to the customer himself, not the manager (clerk). In order to measure and price such a product, for example, it is conceivable to use a weighing device described in Patent Document 1. In this case, the product placed in the container is automatically identified, and the price of the product is calculated. However, when a flat-rate product with a fixed unit price per unit and a quantity-sold product with a unit price per unit mass are mixed, the product price calculation method differs between the flat-rate product and the unit-sale product. Therefore, the customer needs to input whether the product in the container is a fixed-price product or a measured-sale product by performing some operation (hereinafter referred to as “price system selection operation”) in the weighing device.

JP-A-6-92338

  However, as described above, the customer himself / herself operates the weighing device, and a customer unaccustomed to handling the weighing device may not be able to appropriately select the price system. On the other hand, it is also conceivable that a customer accustomed to handling the weighing device performs fraud so as to reduce the amount of money at the time of price system selection operation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent inappropriate operations by unfamiliar customers and prevent unauthorized operations by customers who are used to handling even when fixed-price products and scale-selling products are mixed. It is to provide a weighing device that can be used.

  A weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a weighing unit for weighing an object to be weighed including one container and a product in a container group having different characteristic parts, an imaging unit for imaging the container and the product, For each container having different features from each other, a storage unit storing price calculation information as to whether to calculate the price of the product as a fixed-price product or to calculate the price of the product as a weighed sale product, A feature part is extracted from the imaging information acquired by the imaging unit, and the container is identified based on the extracted feature part, and if the price calculation information associated with the identified container is a flat-rate product, Estimate the number of products put in, calculate the price based on the estimated number, and if the price calculation information associated with the identified container is a metered product, the weighing unit A price calculation unit that calculates a price based on the measured weight value, and the price calculation unit calculates the price of the product as a fixed amount product, and the estimated number is greater than or equal to a predetermined number Set a certain rate of discount on the product price.

  In the weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, when the price calculation unit calculates the price of the product as a fixed amount product, if the estimated number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, Configured to set a certain discount rate. This makes it easy to set not only the product price obtained by multiplying the unit price per product by the number of products, but also the product price such as volume discount for discounting when the number of products is more than one. .

  In the weighing device according to the above aspect, the price calculation unit preferably calculates a fixed amount from a price calculated by multiplying the estimated number of products by a unit price per product when calculating the price of the product as a flat-rate product. The discounted price is used as the product price.

  In the weighing device according to the above aspect, preferably, the price calculation unit calculates the price of the product as a flat-rate product, the measurement value measured by the measurement unit, the mass information of the container, and the per product. The number of fixed-price products is estimated based on the mass of the product.

  In the weighing device according to the above aspect, the price calculation unit is preferably configured to estimate the number of products based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit when calculating the price of the product as a fixed amount product. Has been.

  In the weighing device according to the above aspect, preferably, the price calculation unit calculates the price of the product as a flat-rate product, the measurement value measured by the measurement unit, the mass information of the container, and the per product. The number of products is estimated on the basis of both the mass of the product and the image data acquired by the imaging unit.

  The “fixed price product” here refers to a product whose unit price per unit or a plurality of units is determined, and the “scale sale product” refers to a product whose unit price per unit mass is determined.

  Further, in the weighing device with this configuration, the storage unit calculates the price of the product as a fixed-price product or the price of the product as a sale item for each container having different characteristic parts. Information is stored in association with each other. For this reason, when a product placed in a container is placed on the weighing unit, one container is identified from a group of containers having different characteristic parts based on the characteristic parts of the respective containers. The price of the product is calculated according to the price calculation information associated with the container. As a result, even when flat-rate products and weigh-in products are mixed, customers can be unfamiliar because the price of the product is automatically calculated just by placing the product in the container on the weighing unit. Inappropriate operations by customers can be prevented. In addition, since the price of the product is automatically calculated when the product placed in the container is placed on the weighing unit, the price of the same product is calculated regardless of which customer operates. As a result, operations that may be fraudulent can be eliminated, and therefore, fraudulent operations by customers who are accustomed to handling can be prevented.

  In the weighing device of the present invention, the identification unit may extract the feature from the imaging information acquired by the imaging device that images the container, and identify the container based on the extracted feature.

  In the weighing device with this configuration, one container can be identified from a group of containers having different features with a simple configuration.

  In the weighing device of the present invention, the price calculation unit may estimate the number of products based on the imaging information acquired by the imaging device when calculating the price of the product as a fixed amount product.

  In the weighing device of this configuration, since the operation of inputting the number of products in the weighing device can be omitted, it is possible to prevent improper operation by an unfamiliar customer and to prevent unauthorized operation by a customer accustomed to handling. The effect can be further enhanced. In addition, even if the weighing device is configured to allow the customer to input the number of products, it is possible to check whether the number input by the customer is correct and to take measures such as notifying the customer of that fact. Become.

  In the weighing device of the present invention, the price calculation unit may estimate the number of products based on the measurement value measured by the measurement unit when calculating the price of the product as a fixed amount product.

  In the weighing device of this configuration, since the operation of inputting the number of products in the weighing device can be omitted, it is possible to prevent improper operation by an unfamiliar customer and to prevent unauthorized operation by a customer accustomed to handling. The effect can be further enhanced. In addition, even if the weighing device is configured to allow the customer to input the number of products, it is possible to check whether the number input by the customer is correct and to take measures such as notifying the customer of that fact. Become. Furthermore, when the number of products can be estimated based on the imaging information acquired by the imaging device, cross check can be performed, so that the estimation accuracy of the number of products can be improved.

  In the weighing device of the present invention, the price calculation unit may calculate the price of the product based on the estimated number of products when calculating the price of the product as a fixed amount product.

  In the weighing device having this configuration, the price calculated by multiplying the estimated number of products by the unit price per product is used as the product price, or when the estimated number of products exceeds a predetermined number, the estimated product Various product prices can be calculated based on the estimated number of products, for example, a product price obtained by multiplying the number of products by a unit price per product and a certain discount price.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent improper operation by an unfamiliar customer and unauthorized operation by a customer accustomed to handling even when a fixed amount product and a metered sale product are mixed.

It is a block diagram of a network including a weighing device according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the weighing device concerning one embodiment. It is a block diagram of a measuring device concerning one embodiment. It is an example of the container information which a container information storage part memorize | stores. It is an example of the price calculation information which a price calculation information storage part memorize | stores. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the weighing | measuring device which concerns on one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(1) Overall Configuration The weighing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a self-type weighing device that is used for weighing items such as side dishes by customers themselves in a food department of a store 100 such as a supermarket. When the customer puts a desired product into a desired container and performs weighing, the weighing device 1 issues a label on which the price of the product based on the mass value of the product is displayed. The customer puts the issued label on the container and brings it to the desired cash register terminal 103. Hereinafter, a product in a container is referred to as a “measurement”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the weighing device 1 can communicate with each of the store server 102 and the plurality of cash register terminals 103 via a network 101 built in the store 100. The store server 102 stores various types of information related to products. Each cash register terminal 103 performs calculation of the amount charged to the customer, calculation of change for the customer's payment, and the like. Information relating to the product (specifically, the price of the product, product number (ID), etc.) input to each cash register terminal 103 is sent to the store server 102 via the network 101 and the information is accumulated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing device 1 includes a main body 2, a weighing pan 3, and a touch panel 4. The main body unit 2 is provided with a measuring mechanism (measuring unit) 5. The weighing pan 3 is detachably mounted on a tray mounting portion 5 a of the weighing mechanism 5 that protrudes upward from the main body portion 2. The touch panel 4 is supported by two struts 6 extending upward from the back surface of the main body 2. The touch panel 4 is mainly used for a customer to see and operate, but is used for a store clerk to see and operate when performing various settings.

  Here, in the present embodiment, in the sales mode in which customers freely put favorite products among a plurality of types of products, the unit price of each product is the same for each of the sale item and the fixed amount product. I will explain to you. That is, it is assumed that the unit price per unit mass is the same for any product for sale by weight, and the unit price per unit is the same for any product for a fixed amount product.

(2) Configuration of Each Part As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the weighing device 1 includes a weighing pan 3, a touch panel 4, a weighing mechanism (weighing unit) 5, a camera (imaging device) 7, a human sensor 8, and a label issuance. A mechanism 9, a speaker 11, a store-side radio unit 12, a communication unit 13, a control unit 30, a container information storage unit 41, and a price calculation information storage unit (storage unit) 43 are provided. Among these components, the weighing mechanism 5, the label issuing mechanism 9, the store-side wireless unit 12, the communication unit 13, the control unit 30, the container information storage unit 41, and the price calculation information storage unit 43 are accommodated in the main body unit 2. Has been.

(2-1) Weighing pan On the weighing pan 3, an object to be weighed including a container and a product is placed. The weighing pan 3 is made of metal, for example, and the surface thereof is given a color that can easily identify the container. For example, when the container is white, the surface of the weighing pan 3 is preferably black.

(2-2) Weighing mechanism The weighing mechanism 5 measures an object to be weighed placed on the weighing pan 3. The weighing mechanism 5 transmits the mass value (weighing signal) of the object to be weighed to the control unit 30.

(2-3) Camera The camera 7 is attached to the support member 6a spanned by the two support | pillars 6 in the lower side of the touch panel 4, and takes the image of the imaging area containing the weighing pan 3 from the upper side. The camera 7 transmits image data of the imaging area to the control unit 30.

(2-4) Human sensor The human sensor 8 is attached to the support member 6a so as to be positioned on the left and right sides of the camera 7, and detects the presence of a person around the weighing pan 3. The human sensor 8 is an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic distance sensor, for example, and detects the presence of a person in the space on the front side of the weighing device 1. When the human sensor 8 detects the presence of a person around the weighing pan 3, the human sensor 8 transmits a signal indicating that to the control unit 30.

(2-5) Label issuing mechanism The label issuing mechanism 9 issues a label displaying the price of a product to a customer. The label issuing mechanism 9 includes a label cassette and a plurality of sensors. The label issuing mechanism 9 prints the price of a product on a sheet fed from the label cassette and issues it as a label. As the label paper, one having adhesiveness only on the back surface is used.

(2-6) Touch panel The touch panel 4 displays an image including various information for customers. For example, the touch panel 4 starts displaying an image for purchasing procedure guidance when the human sensor 8 detects the presence of a person due to the approach of a customer. Specifically, the touch panel 4 prompts the customer to press an issue button displayed on the touch panel 4 in order to issue an image that prompts the customer to place an object to be weighed on the weighing pan 3 and the label described above. An image prompting the customer to attach the issued label to the container is displayed.

(2-7) Speaker The speaker 11 is built in the support member 6a and outputs sound including various information for customers. For example, when the human sensor 8 detects the presence of a person due to the approach of a customer, the speaker 11 outputs a sound that is linked to the display of an image on the touch panel 4.

(2-8) Store-side wireless unit The store-side wireless unit 12 performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal possessed by a store clerk. For example, when the human sensor 8 continuously detects the presence of a customer for a predetermined time or longer, the store-side wireless unit 12 transmits a signal indicating that to the portable terminal of the store clerk. Thereby, the store clerk can provide a service quickly to the customer who is confused about the operation of the weighing device 1. In addition, the store side radio | wireless part 12 shows that when the remaining amount of the label roll in the label issuing mechanism 9 becomes below a predetermined amount, when the number of unused containers becomes below a predetermined number, etc. The signal may be transmitted to the store clerk's mobile terminal.

(2-9) Communication unit The communication unit 13 communicates with each of the store server 102 and the plurality of cash register terminals 103. For example, the communication unit 13 transmits information related to the label issued by the label issuing mechanism 9 to each of the store server 102 and the plurality of cash register terminals 103. Examples of the information on the label include the price of the product described on the label and the time when the label is issued.

(2-10) Container Information Storage Unit The container information storage unit 41 is a part that stores a characteristic part of a container in association with each container. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the container information storage unit 41 of the present embodiment stores container information T1 in which a container ID, size information (long side size, short side size), and mass information are associated with each other. .

(2-11) Price Calculation Information Storage Unit The price calculation information storage unit 43 calculates the price of the product as a flat-rate product or calculates the price of the product as a scale sale product for each container having different characteristic parts. The price calculation information is stored in association with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the price calculation information storage unit 43 of the present embodiment stores price calculation specific information T2 in which a container ID is associated with price calculation information such as a scale sale product or a fixed price product.

(2-12) Control Unit The control unit 30 is a part that controls various operations in the weighing device 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like. Is done. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 30 includes an identification unit 31 and a price calculation unit 33 as conceptual parts for executing various control processes in the weighing device 1. Such a conceptual part can be configured as software that is executed by the CPU after a program stored in the ROM is loaded onto the RAM, for example. The control unit 30 may be configured as hardware such as an electronic circuit.

(2-12-1) Identification part The identification part 31 is a part which identifies a container based on a mutually different characteristic part. Specifically, the identification unit 31 extracts the container feature, that is, the size information of the container from the image data (imaging information) acquired by the camera 7 that images the container, and selects the container based on the extracted size information. Identify. The size information of the container is calculated based on, for example, the container part extracted from the image data, and the number of pixels of the extracted container part, etc. In addition to the long side size and the short side size of the container, for example, a circular container or the like In this case, it can also be determined from the total of the sides of the approximated polygon, the perimeter, and the like.

(2-12-2) Price Calculation Unit The price calculation unit 33 is a part that calculates the price of the product according to the price calculation information associated with the container identified by the identification unit 31. Specifically, the price calculation unit 33 determines whether the price calculation information that matches the container specified by the identification unit 31 from the container information T1 stored in the container information storage unit 41 is a scale sale product. It is specified whether it is.

  When it is specified that the product for which the product price is to be calculated is a sale item, the price calculation unit 33 selects the container ID specified by the identification unit 31 from the container information T1 stored in the container information storage unit 41. Is extracted, and the internal capacity obtained by subtracting the mass information value from the measurement value measured by the measurement mechanism 5 is calculated. And the price calculation part 33 calculates the price of goods by multiplying this internal capacity by the unit price per unit mass.

  When it is determined that the product for which the product price is calculated is a fixed-price product, the price calculation unit 33 estimates the number of fixed-price products put in the container. The estimation of the number of fixed amount products in the price calculation unit 33 may be based on the image data acquired by the camera 7 or may be estimated based on the mass measured by the weighing mechanism 5. Good. Hereinafter, the case where the number is estimated based on the mass measured by the weighing mechanism 5 will be described in detail.

  When estimating the number based on the mass measured by the weighing mechanism 5, the price calculation unit 33 subtracts the mass of the container put in when weighing the flat-rate product from the measured value measured by the weighing mechanism 5. Calculate the content. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, since there is only one container (NO. 4) for weighing flat-rate products, the price calculation unit 33 stores the container information stored in the container information storage unit 41. By referring to T1, the mass of the container at the time of weighing the flat-rate product can be obtained. The price calculation unit 33 can estimate the number of fixed amount products by dividing the content calculated by the above-described method by the mass per product stored in the container information T1 in advance.

  The price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the flat-rate product based on the number of products estimated by the above method. Specifically, the price calculation unit 33 can calculate the price of the product by multiplying the unit price per product by the estimated number of products. At this time, for example, when the number of products is five or more, the price calculation unit 33 may set a discount at a certain rate.

  In addition, the price calculation unit 33 may calculate the price of a product based on information associated with a product price corresponding to the number of products, for example. This makes it easy to set not only the product price obtained by multiplying the unit price per product by the number of products, but also the product price such as volume discount for discounting when the number of products is more than one. .

  When estimating the number based on the image data acquired by the camera 7, the price calculation unit 33 first processes the image data acquired by the camera 7 and extracts a feature image. Next, when the extracted feature image is included in the product image information stored in the product image information storage unit 45, the price calculation unit 33 counts the number of the feature images. Accordingly, the price calculation unit 33 can estimate the number of fixed-price products based on the image data acquired by the camera 7.

(2-12-3) Label information generating unit The label information generating unit 35 generates information to be displayed on the label issued by the label issuing mechanism 9. Examples of the information include the expiration date of the product, the unit price of the product, the price of the product calculated by the price calculation unit 33, the content of the product, the number of products, and the barcode indicating the price of the product.

(3) Processing procedure of control unit during measurement Next, the operation of the weighing device 1 will be described. A customer in the store selects one type of container from among a plurality of types of containers placed in the merchandise store, and puts the product in the container.

  The weighing mechanism 5 measures an object to be weighed including one container and a product placed on the weighing pan 3 by the customer (step S1). The weighing mechanism 5 outputs the measured value of the object to be weighed to the control unit 30. Further, when the object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan 3 by the customer, that is, when the weighing signal output from the weighing mechanism 5 is received, the camera 7 puts the product placed on the weighing pan 3. The container is photographed and image data is acquired (step S2). The camera 7 transmits the captured image data to the control unit 30.

  The identification unit 31 specifies the size of the container in the short side direction and the long side direction from the image data acquired by the camera 7 (step S3). Specifically, the identification unit 31 extracts an image of the container part from the image data, and specifies the size of the container in the short side direction and the long side direction based on the number of pixels of the extracted image of the container part, for example. .

  Next, the identification unit 31 extracts a container ID that matches the size information specified in step S3 from the container information T1 stored in the container information storage unit 41 (step S4). Thereby, the type of the container placed on the weighing pan 3 can be specified.

  Next, the price calculation unit 33 extracts price calculation information that matches the container ID specified in step S3 from the container information T1 stored in the container information storage unit 41 (step S4). Thereby, it is determined whether the price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the product of the object to be weighed as a sale product or a fixed amount product (step S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the price of the item to be weighed is calculated as a measured sale product (S5: measured sale product), the price calculation unit 33 stores the container information T1 stored in the container information storage unit 41. The mass information that matches the container ID specified in step S4 is extracted. Next, the price calculation unit 33 calculates the internal capacity obtained by subtracting the value of the mass information from the measurement value measured by the measurement mechanism 5. Then, the price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the product by multiplying the internal capacity by the unit price per unit mass (step S6).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4 that the price of the item to be weighed is calculated as a fixed amount product (S5: fixed amount product), the price calculation unit 33 calculates the number of the fixed amount products in the container. Estimate (step S7). The estimation of the number of fixed amount products in the price calculation unit 33 may be based on the image data acquired by the camera 7 or may be estimated based on the mass measured by the weighing mechanism 5. Good. Alternatively, the number may be estimated based on both the image data acquired by the camera 7 and the mass measured by the weighing mechanism 5 (W check / cross check).

  The price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the flat-rate product based on the number of products estimated by the above method (step S8). Specifically, the price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of a product by multiplying the unit price per product by the estimated number of products.

  Next, the label information generation unit 35 generates information to be displayed on the label issued by the label issuing mechanism 9. That is, the label information generation unit 35 generates information including the price of the product calculated in step S6 or step S8. The label issuing mechanism 9 prints information on the label based on the information generated by the label information generating unit 35 (step S8). In addition to the price of the product, the label issuing mechanism 9 can print, for example, a expiration date, a unit price of the product, an internal capacity, a barcode indicating the price of the product, and the like.

  The customer sticks the label printed from the label issuing mechanism 9 in this manner to the container and takes it to the cash register.

(4) Features, Actions, and Effects In the weighing device 1 of the above embodiment, the price calculation information storage unit 43 calculates the price of a product as a flat-rate product for each container having different size information, or a product sold by weight Is stored in association with price calculation information indicating whether to calculate the price of the product. For this reason, when a product placed in a container is placed on the weighing pan 3, one container is specified from a group of containers having different size information based on the size information of each container. The price of the product is calculated according to the price calculation information associated with the identified container. As a result, even if a fixed-price product and a metered-sale product are mixed, the customer can automatically calculate the price of the product simply by placing the product in the container on the weighing pan 3, so It is possible to prevent inappropriate operation by an unskilled customer. Further, since the price of the product is automatically calculated when the product placed in the container is placed on the weighing pan 3, the price of the same product is calculated regardless of which customer operates. As a result, operations that may be fraudulent can be eliminated, and therefore, fraudulent operations by customers who are accustomed to handling can be prevented.

  In the weighing device 1 of the above embodiment, when the price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the product as a fixed amount product, the number of products is estimated based on the image data acquired by the camera, or The number of products is estimated based on the measured value measured by the measuring mechanism 5. Accordingly, since the operation of inputting the number of products in the weighing device 1 can be omitted, it is possible to prevent an inappropriate operation by an unfamiliar customer and to further enhance an effect of preventing an unauthorized operation by a customer accustomed to handling. be able to.

  In the weighing device 1 of the above embodiment, when calculating the price of a product as a fixed amount product, the price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the product based on the estimated number of products. Therefore, the price calculated by multiplying the estimated number of products by the unit price per product is used as the product price, or when the estimated number of products is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, 1 is added to the estimated number of products. Various product prices can be calculated based on the estimated number of products, for example, a product price obtained by multiplying a unit price per unit price by a certain discount.

(5) Modifications Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

<Modification 1>
In the weighing device 1 of the above embodiment, the method of extracting size information from image data captured by the camera and identifying the container based on the size information has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a feature portion such as a shape, a color, a material, and a texture of a container may be extracted from image data captured by a camera, and the container may be specified based on the extracted feature portion.

  Moreover, the weighing device 1 may further include visible light illumination. In this case, color irregularities such as shadows may occur depending on the lighting environment of the store. However, by providing visible light illumination, color irregularities are reduced and containers can be easily identified. Moreover, the weighing device 1 may include a black light instead of the visible light illumination. In this case, for example, information that can identify the container by a special paint that reacts with black light is added to the container as a feature. The container can be identified by photographing the container in a state in which the information is reacted by the black light with a camera.

  The weighing device 1 may be configured to include a code reader, an IC (integrated circuit) reader, or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader instead of the camera. In the case of a code reader, the container can be identified by attaching a code that can identify the type of the container to the container. The code in this case may be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode. In the case of an IC reader, the container can be identified by attaching an IC tag that can identify the type of the container to the container. In the case of an RFID reader, a container can be identified by attaching an IC tag that can identify the type of container to the container.

  The weighing device 1 may be configured to include an X-ray device instead of the camera. Even in this case, the container can be identified by fixing a metal piece or the like that can specify the type of the container to the container.

<Modification 2>
In the weighing device 1 of the above embodiment, when it is determined to calculate the price of the product of the object to be weighed as a fixed amount product, an example is given in which the price calculation unit 33 estimates the number of fixed amount products placed in the container. Explained. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined to calculate the price of a product to be weighed as a flat-rate product, an interface that allows a customer to input the number of products may be displayed on the touch panel 4. And the price calculation part 33 may calculate the price of goods based on the number of goods inputted into this customer.

  Further, as described above, even in the weighing device configured to allow the customer to input the number of products, the price calculation unit 33 uses the method described in the above embodiment to calculate the number of fixed-price products placed in the container. It may be estimated. Thereby, it is possible to confirm whether there is an error in the number of products input by the customer from the touch panel 4, and when there is a possibility of an input error, the customer is notified via the touch panel 4 and the speaker 11 or the like. be able to.

<Modification 3>
In the weighing device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the unit price per unit mass is the same for any product in a scale sale product, and the unit price per piece is the same for any product in a fixed amount product. Although the case has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, even if the unit price per unit mass is different for each product in a scale sale product, and the unit price per product is different for each product in a fixed-price product, the following functions are provided. Can be used.

  For example, a function for displaying on the touch panel 4 an interface that allows a customer to input (select) the type of product may be provided. The timing for displaying such an interface may be any timing as long as it is up to the step of calculating the price of the product (step S6 or step S8 shown in FIG. 6). The price calculation unit 33 can calculate the price of the product based on the unit price per unit mass or the unit price corresponding to the product input by the customer.

  Further, the identification unit 31 may have a function that can automatically identify the product in the container placed on the weighing pan 3. Specifically, a product image information storage unit 45 (see FIG. 3), which is a part that stores a feature image of a product in association with each product, is newly provided. The product image information storage unit 45 stores, for example, product image information in which a product ID, unit price information, and a feature image are associated. Here, the feature image refers to data obtained by processing product image data that can be acquired by a camera or the like to extract product features.

  The identification unit 31 processes the image data acquired by the camera 7 and extracts the characteristics of the captured product. Next, the identification unit 31 extracts product ID and unit price information that matches the feature image of the product previously extracted by the identification unit 31 from the product image information stored in the product image information storage unit 45. When calculating the price of the product (step S6 or step S8), the price calculation unit 33 calculates the price of the product based on the unit price information of the extracted product.

  For example, by adopting one of the two configurations described above, not only mixed-price products and scale-sale products are mixed, but also at least one of fixed-price products and scale-sell products has a different unit price for each product. Even so, the customer can automatically calculate the price of the product simply by placing the product placed in the container on the weighing pan 3, thereby preventing inappropriate operation by an unfamiliar customer. . Further, since the price of the product is automatically calculated when the product placed in the container is placed on the weighing pan 3, the price of the same product is calculated regardless of which customer operates. As a result, operations that may be fraudulent can be eliminated, and therefore, fraudulent operations by customers who are accustomed to handling can be prevented.

  Various embodiments and modifications described above may be combined in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Measuring device, 2 ... Main-body part, 3 ... Measuring pan, 4 ... Touch panel, 5 ... Measuring mechanism (measuring part), 7 ... Camera (imaging device), 8 ... Human sensor, 9 ... Label issuing mechanism, 30 ... Control part 31 ... Identification part 33 ... Price calculation part 35 ... Label information generation part 41 ... Container information storage part (storage part) 43 ... Price calculation information storage part 45 ... Product image information storage part 100 ... Store, T1 ... container information, T2 ... price calculation specific information.

Claims (5)

A weighing unit for weighing an object to be weighed including one container and a product in a container group having different features;
An imaging unit for imaging the container and the product;
A storage in which price calculation information is stored in association with each container having different features from each other, whether the price of the product is calculated as a fixed-price product or the price of the product is calculated as a weighted sale product. And
The feature is extracted from the imaging information acquired by the imaging unit, the container is identified based on the extracted feature, and the price calculation information associated with the identified container is the flat-rate product. In some cases, when the number of products put in the container is estimated, a price is calculated based on the estimated number, and the price calculation information associated with the identified container is the weighing product Includes a price calculation unit that calculates a price based on a measurement value measured by the measurement unit,
The price calculation unit, when calculating the price of the product as the fixed price product, sets a discount at a certain rate for the product price when the estimated number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.   When calculating the price of the product as the fixed-price product, the price calculation unit calculates a price obtained by multiplying the estimated number of the product by a unit price per unit and a price obtained by discounting a certain price. The weighing device according to claim 1.   When calculating the price of the product as the fixed amount product, the price calculation unit is based on the measurement value measured by the measurement unit, the mass information of the container, and the mass per product. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of the fixed amount products is estimated.   The metric according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the price calculation unit estimates the number of products based on image data acquired by the imaging unit when calculating the price of the product as the fixed-price product. apparatus.   The price calculation unit, when calculating the price of the product as the fixed-price product, the measurement value measured by the measurement unit, the mass information of the container, the mass per piece of the product, and The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of the products is estimated based on both the image data acquired by the imaging unit.

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