JP2021117685A - Product reading device and product reading program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a product reading device and a product reading program that can reduce a reduction in quality of products when conveying the products to a sacker table.SOLUTION: A product reading device of an embodiment comprises: a conveying unit; a reading unit; a distribution unit; and a control unit. The conveying unit conveys products. The reading unit reads product information on the products conveyed by the conveying unit. The distribution unit is provided downstream of the conveying unit compared with the reading unit and distributes the products conveyed by the conveying unit into at least two lanes. The control unit controls the distribution unit to switch the lanes for distributing the products based on the product information read by the reading unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a product reader and a product reader program.

Conventionally, in the retail industry, for example, due to labor shortage, there have been cases where sufficient checkers and cashiers to operate stores cannot be secured. Under these circumstances, there is a mechanism to supplement product registration and payment operations by self-operating consumers (customers) themselves. As an example, there is a mechanism in which a product is transported to a loading platform by a belt conveyor, and a product is registered by reading the product by an imaging device or the like provided in the middle of the transport path.

However, in such a conventional technique, when the products are transported to the loading platform, various products are transported in a mixed state, so that there is a risk of quality deterioration due to contact between the products. There was a case.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a product reading device and a product reading program capable of reducing a deterioration in the quality of a product when the product is transported to a loading platform.

The product reading device of the embodiment includes a transport unit, a reading unit, a distribution unit, and a control unit. The transport unit transports the product. The reading unit reads product information about the product transported by the transport unit. The distribution unit is provided downstream of the transport unit from the reading unit, and distributes the products transported by the transport unit to at least two lanes. The control unit controls the distribution unit so as to switch the lane for distributing the product based on the product information read by the reading unit.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a product sales data processing system to which the product reading device according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the product sales data processing system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a product master according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the product reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the product reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the accounting apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the product registration process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an external view showing an example of a product sales data processing system to which the product reading device according to the second embodiment is applied.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the product sales data processing system and the product reading program to which the product reading device according to the first embodiment is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The product sales data processing system described in the present embodiment is a self-registration system in which the customer pays for the purchased product by himself / herself. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, the technique according to the embodiment can be applied to a transport device for transporting an article such as a product.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a product sales data processing system 1 to which the product reading device 1001 according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the product sales data processing system 1 of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the product sales data processing system 1 includes a product reading device 1001, an accounting device 30, and a store server 50. The product reading device 1001, the accounting device 30, and the store server 50 are communicably connected via the network 70.

The product reading device 1001 performs a reading process for reading the product information of the products HA, HB, HC, HD purchased by the customer, and a product registration process for registering the products HA, HB, HC, HD read by the reading process. .. Hereinafter, when individual products HA, HB, HC, and HD are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as product H. The number and shape of the product H are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

The accounting device 30 performs accounting processing related to the product H registered by the product registration processing.

The store server 50 stores a product master or the like related to the product H handled in the store. The details of the product master will be described later.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the product reading device 1001 includes a product stand 141, a base 142, a reading unit 15, a loading platform 143, a transaction-specific sorting unit 18, and a product-specific sorting unit 19. ..

The product stand 141 is a stand on which the product H purchased by the customer is temporarily placed. For example, the customer places the basket 20 containing the product H to be purchased on the product stand 141.

The base 142 is a housing for connecting the product stand 141 and the loading stand 143. The base 142 includes a belt conveyor 144 that moves from the product stand 141 to the loading platform 143. The belt conveyor 144 is driven by a conveyor drive motor 145. The belt conveyor 144 moves along the direction indicated by the arrow 90.

For example, the customer places the product H temporarily placed on the product stand 141 on the transport start position AA on the belt conveyor 144. The belt conveyor 144 transports the product H placed on the transport start position AA toward the loading platform 143. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the transport start position AA side is referred to as upstream, and the loading platform 143 side is referred to as downstream. The belt conveyor 144 and the conveyor drive motor 145 are examples of the transport unit. The belt conveyor 144 may be referred to as a transport unit. Further, the transport unit may further include an inclined portion AB provided between the belt conveyor 144 and the loading platform 143.

A roller conveyor may be used instead of the belt conveyor 144. Further, on the product stand 141 side of the base 142, guidance LEDs may be provided on both side surfaces sandwiching the direction of the arrow 90. The induction LED informs the customer which side of the lane to use.

The reading unit 15 reads the product information of the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 15 has a tunnel-shaped housing in which the upper portion and the side surface are shielded. The tunnel-shaped housing reduces the influence of external brightness on the reading process and stabilizes the reading of the product information of the product H. The reading unit 15 is arranged in the upstream lane so as to cover the conveyor surface of the belt conveyor 144. That is, the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 passes through the inside of the tunnel-shaped housing of the reading unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 15 includes a camera 151 and a wireless tag reader 152. The camera 151 captures an image of the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144, and supplies an image (image data) to the input / output I / F (Interface) 132. As the image sensor of the camera 151, various image sensors such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor can be appropriately used. Further, the camera 151 has a lighting unit that illuminates the conveyor surface of the belt conveyor 144, the product H on the conveyor, and the like with light from a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source is not limited to the LED, and various light sources can be appropriately used depending on, for example, an image sensor. The wireless tag reader 152 communicates with the RFID tag attached to the product H or the like via an antenna arranged near the conveyor surface inside the housing of the reading unit 15. The wireless tag reader 152 reads the tag information from the RFID tag superimposed on the received radio wave. The RFID tag is an example of a wireless tag.

The loading platform 143 is a platform for the customer to pack the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144. The upper surface of the loading platform 143 is horizontal, and this surface is referred to as a loading space. The product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 is placed on the loading platform 143. Specifically, the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 is poured into the loading platform 143 by the conveying force of the belt conveyor 144 and the inclined portion AB provided between the belt conveyor 144 and the loading platform 143. It will be placed. For example, the customer performs accounting work on the accounting device 30 with the product H placed on the loading platform 143, and then packs the product H in the loading space on the loading platform 143.

The loading platform 143 according to the present embodiment has at least two loading spaces. In the example shown in FIG. 1, there are four loading platforms 143: a first normal loading space 14311, a first separated loading space 14321, a second normal loading space 14312, and a second separated loading space 14322. Has a loading space.

In the present embodiment, the first normal loading space 14311 and the first separate loading space 14321 constitute one set of loading space, and the second normal loading space 14312 and the second separate loading space 14321. Space 14322 constitutes another set of loading space. In the present embodiment, when the first normal loading space 14311 and the first separated loading space 14321 are collectively referred to, they are referred to as a first loading space group. Further, when the second normal loading space 14312 and the second separated loading space 14322 are collectively referred to, they are referred to as a second loading space group.

Hereinafter, when the first normal loading space 14311 and the second normal loading space 14312 are not distinguished, it is referred to as a normal loading space 1431. When the first separate loading space 14321 and the second separate loading space 14322 are not distinguished, it is referred to as a separate loading space 1432.

Only one of the first cargo space group or the second cargo space group shall be used for one commodity transaction. In other words, the customer using the product reading device 1001 uses either the first loading space group or the second loading space group. For example, when a customer is loading work in the first loading space group, the customer involved in the next commodity transaction performs loading work in the second loading space group.

The goods H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 are placed in either the normal loading space 1431 or the separate loading space 1432.

For example, a normal product H is placed in the normal loading space 1431. In addition, the product H to be sorted is placed in the separate loading space 1432. In the present embodiment, the product H to be sorted is a product whose weight is lighter than the threshold value, that is, a lightweight product. The size of the normal cargo space 1431 and the separate cargo space 1432 may be the same, and the normal cargo space 1431 may be larger than the separate cargo space 1432. The normal loading space 1431 may be referred to as a main loading space, and the separate loading space 1432 may be referred to as a sub loading space.

Hereinafter, the route through which the product H is transported from the transport start position AA to the loading platform 143 will be referred to as a lane. The product reader 1001 has at least two lanes. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment has four lanes branched into two stages by the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bars 1911 and 1912, that is, the first. It has a normal lane 14711, a first separation lane 14721, a second normal lane 14712 and a second separation lane 14722.

The first normal lane 14711 is a lane for transporting the product H from the transport start position AA in the first normal loading space 14311. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first normal lane 14711 passes the product H from the transport start position AA via the reading unit 15 along the direction of the arrow 90, and further along the directions of the arrows 91 and 911. It is a lane to carry. In other words, the first normal lane 14711 is a lane connecting the transport start position AA and the first normal loading space 14311. The product-specific distribution bar 1911 to the first normal loading space 14311, which will be described later, may be referred to as the first normal lane 14711.

Further, the first separation lane 14721 is a lane for transporting the product H from the transport start position AA to the first separate loading space 14321. In other words, the first separation lane 14721 is a lane connecting the transport start position AA and the first separation loading space 14321. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first separation lane 14721 connects the product H along the direction of the arrow 90, from the transport start position AA via the reading unit 15, and further along the directions of the arrows 91 and 912. It is a lane to carry. The product-specific distribution bar 1911 to the first normal loading space 14311, which will be described later, may be referred to as the first separation lane 14721.

Further, the second normal lane 14712 is a lane for transporting the product H from the transport start position AA to the second normal loading space 14312. In other words, the second normal lane 14712 is a lane connecting the transport start position AA and the second normal loading space 14312. The product-specific distribution bar 1912 to the second normal loading space 14312, which will be described later, may be referred to as the second normal lane 14712.

Further, the second separation lane 14722 is a lane for transporting the product H from the transport start position AA to the second separate loading space 14322. In other words, the second separation lane 14722 is a lane connecting the transport start position AA and the second separation loading space 14322. The product-specific distribution bar 1912 to the second separation loading space 14322, which will be described later, may be referred to as the first separation lane 14721.

Hereinafter, when the first normal lane 14711 and the second normal lane 14712 are not distinguished, it is referred to as a normal lane 1471. Normal lane 1471 is an example of the first lane. When the first separation lane 14721 and the second separation lane 14722 are not distinguished, it is referred to as separation lane 1472. Separation lane 1472 is an example of a second lane. Further, when the normal lane 1471 and the separated lane 1472 are not distinguished, it is simply referred to as lane 147.

The width of the normal lane 1471 and the separation lane 1472 may be the same width, or the width of the normal lane 1471 may be wider than the width of the separation lane 1472.

In the present embodiment, the first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721 constitute one set of lanes 147, and the second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722 form another set of lanes 147. It constitutes lane 147. In the present embodiment, when the first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721 are collectively referred to as a first lane group. Further, when the second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722 are collectively referred to as a second lane group. Only one of the first lane group or the second lane group shall be used for one commodity transaction.

In the first lane group, the common portion between the first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721 from the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 to the product-specific distribution bar 1911, which will be described later, is referred to as the first transaction-specific lane. You may call it. Further, in the second lane group, the common portion between the second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722 from the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 to the product-specific distribution bar 1912, which will be described later, is referred to as the second transaction-specific lane. You may call it.

The first lane group and the second lane group are separated by a transaction-specific partition plate 1461 located between the first separation lane 14721 and the second separation lane 14722. The transaction-specific partition plate 1461 also partitions the first cargo space group and the second cargo space group.

The first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721 included in the first lane group are separated by a product-specific partition plate 14621. The first normal loading space 14311, which is the end point of the first normal lane 14711, and the first separate loading space 14321, which is the end point of the first separation lane 14721, are also partitioned by the product-specific partition plate 14621. Be done.

The second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722 included in the second lane group are separated by a product-specific partition plate 14622. The second normal loading space 14312, which is the end point of the second normal lane 14712, and the second separate loading space 14322, which is the end point of the second separation lane 14722, are also partitioned by the product-specific partition plate 14622. Be done. In other words, the loading space on the loading platform 143 is partitioned by the transaction-specific partition plate 1461 and the product-specific partition plate 1462, 14622, so that four loading spaces (first normal loading space 14311, first). Separate loading space 14321, second normal loading space 14312, second separated loading space 14322) are formed.

Hereinafter, when the product-specific partition plate 14621 and the product-specific partition plate 14622 are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as product-specific partition plate 1462. Further, when the product-specific partition plate 14621, the product-specific partition plate 14622, and the transaction-specific partition plate 1461 are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as the partition plate 146.

Note that FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the loading platform 143 is partitioned by the partition plate 146 to provide four loading spaces 1431, but the present invention is not limited to this. The four loading spaces 1431 may be provided at separate positions.

In the present embodiment, the four lanes 147 are integrated from the transfer start position AA to the transaction-specific distribution bar 181.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 is provided at a position downstream of the reading unit 15 on the belt conveyor 144. More specifically, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 is provided close to the upstream end of the transaction-specific partition plate 1461. The first lane group and the second lane group are branched with the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 as a branch point. The goods H transported from the transport start position AA via the reading unit 15 along the direction of the arrow 90 are the first lane group along the direction of the arrow 91 by the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the arrow 92. It is transported to one of the second lanes along the direction.

The transaction-specific distribution bar 181 distributes the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 to at least two lanes. In the present embodiment, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 distributes the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 to the first lane group or the second lane group.

In the branching by the transaction distribution bar 181, the two lanes 147 included in the first lane group (first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721) and 2 included in the second lane group are included. Since the two lanes 147 (second normal lane 14712 and second separation lane 14722) are not separated, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 sets the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 to the first normal lane 14711. The first transaction-specific lane, which is the common part with the first separation lane 14721, and the second transaction-specific lane, which is the common part between the second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722. Sort.

The transaction-specific distribution bar 181 is configured to be rotatable with the downstream side as a fulcrum, and the entrance is opened by closing the entrance of either the first lane group or the second lane group. Product H is distributed to the lane group. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 is in a state where the entrance / exit of the second lane group is closed and the entrance / exit of the first lane group is open. In this case, the product H transported from the upstream is distributed to the first lane group along the arrow 91.

The transaction-specific distribution bar 181 is driven by the transaction-specific bar drive motor 182. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the transaction-specific bar drive motor 182 are collectively referred to as a transaction-specific distribution unit 18. The transaction-specific distribution unit 18 is an example of the first distribution unit. The transaction-specific distribution bar 181 may be used as an example of the first distribution unit.

Further, in the first lane group, the first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721 are integrated up to the product-specific distribution bar 1911. As shown in FIG. 1, the product-specific distribution bar 1911 is provided at a position on the downstream side of the belt conveyor 144 with respect to the reading unit 15. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the product-specific distribution bar 1911 is provided at a position downstream of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and close to the upstream end of the product-specific partition plate 14621. The first normal lane 14711 and the first separation lane 14721 branch at the product-specific distribution bar 1911 as a branch point.

The product-specific distribution bar 1911 distributes the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 to at least two lanes 147. In the present embodiment, the product-specific distribution bar 1911 further distributes the product H distributed by the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 into at least two lanes 147.

Specifically, the product-specific distribution bar 1911 distributes the product H conveyed to the first lane group by the belt conveyor 144 to the first normal lane 14711 or the first separation lane 14721. The product-specific distribution bar 1911 is configured to be rotatable with the downstream side as a fulcrum, similarly to the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 described above. The product-specific distribution bar 1911 distributes the product H to the lane 147 in which the entrance is open by blocking the entrance of either the first normal lane 14711 or the first separation lane 14721. .. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the product-specific distribution bar 1911 is in a state where the entrance of the first separation lane 14721 is closed and the entrance of the first normal lane 14711 is open. In this case, the product H transported from the upstream is distributed to the first normal lane 14711 along the arrow 911.

Further, in the second lane group, the second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722 are integrated up to the product distribution bar 1912. In the present embodiment, the product-specific distribution bar 1912 is provided at a target position with the product-specific distribution bar 1911 with the transaction-specific partition plate 1461 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the product-specific distribution bar 1912 is provided at a position downstream of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and close to the upstream end of the product-specific partition plate 14622. The second normal lane 14712 and the second separation lane 14722 branch with the product-specific distribution bar 1912 as a branch point. The operation of the product-specific distribution bar 1912 is the same as that of the product-specific distribution bar 1911.

Hereinafter, when the product-specific distribution bars 1911 and 1912 are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as product-specific distribution bars 191. The product-specific distribution bar 191 is driven by the product-specific bar drive motor 192. Although omitted in FIG. 2, it is assumed that there are two product-specific bar drive motors 192 corresponding to the product-specific distribution bars 1911 and 1912, respectively. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the product-specific distribution bar 191 and the product-specific bar drive motor 192 are collectively referred to as a product-specific distribution unit 19. The product-specific distribution unit 19 is an example of the distribution unit in the present embodiment. Further, the product-specific distribution unit 19 is also an example of the second distribution unit. The product-specific distribution bar 191 may be used as an example of the distribution unit or the second distribution unit.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the rotation fulcrum of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bar 191 is located on the downstream side of the belt conveyor 144, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bar 191 are illustrated. The position of the fulcrum of rotation is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the rotation fulcrum of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bar 191 may be provided in the middle of the transport path of the product H by the belt conveyor 144. That is, the belt conveyor 144 may be provided on the downstream side of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bar 191. In this case, the upstream and downstream belt conveyors 144 of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the upstream and downstream belt conveyors 144 of the product-specific distribution bar 191 may each have independent conveyor surfaces. .. Further, in this case, the inclined portion AB may not be provided.

Note that FIG. 1 illustrates, but is not limited to, the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bar 191 as a mechanism for distributing the product H to each lane 147. As a mechanism for distributing the product H to each lane 147, another belt conveyor, roller conveyor, robot hand, or the like can be appropriately used.

Hereinafter, when the same or similar elements are provided in each of the plurality of lanes 147, the same reference numerals are added together with "1" and "2", or "A" and "B", respectively. The description may be omitted as appropriate. Further, when it does not matter which of the plurality of lanes 147 the lane 147 is provided with, or when each element is collectively referred to, the last "1", "2", "A" or "B" May be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the product reading device 1001 further includes a touch panel display 16 and operation buttons 17 (171 and 172).

The touch panel display 16 has a display and a touch panel. The display is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The touch panel is provided on the surface of the display and supplies information according to the touched position to the input / output I / F 132. The touch panel display 16 includes an upstream touch panel display 161 (1611, 1612) and a downstream touch panel display 162 (1621, 1622).

The upstream touch panel display 161 is arranged so that a customer located in the vicinity of the transport start position AA can check and operate the display screen. The upstream touch panel display 161 displays information about the product H read by the operation screen and the reading unit 15 for the customer to instruct the start or end of the transaction.

The downstream touch panel display 162 is arranged so that a customer located in the vicinity of the loading platform 143 can check and operate the display screen. The downstream touch panel display 162 displays an operation screen for the customer to instruct the end of the transaction, information about the product H read by the reading unit 15, information related to accounting processing such as the total amount of one transaction, and the like.

The operation button 17 is arranged on the housing of the product reading device 1001 so that a customer located in the vicinity of the transport start position AA can operate the operation button 17. The operation button 17 supplies an operation signal to the input / output I / F 132 when pressed by the customer. The operation button 17 is pressed by the customer after the customer has placed all the products H in one transaction at the transport start position AA. Here, the operation button 17 is an example of the operation unit. The operation unit is not limited to the operation button 17, and may have other configurations such as a lever and a switch.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the product reading device 1001 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 123, and a communication I / O. It further includes an F131 and an input / output I / F132. The CPU 11, ROM 121, RAM 122, HDD 123, communication I / F 131, and input / output I / F 132 are connected via a bus.

The CPU 11 loads the control program stored in the ROM 121 or the HDD 123 into the RAM 122, and executes the loaded control program to control the operation of the product reading device 1001. The product reader 1001 may further include other processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The ROM 121 is a non-volatile memory that stores data such as programs and parameters executed by the CPU 11.

The RAM 122 is a volatile memory that is used as a working memory and stores data when the CPU 11 executes arithmetic processing.

The HDD 123 stores data such as a control program of the product reading device 1001, a product master, a product registration file, and information indicating the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181. In addition to the HDD 123, or instead of the HDD 123, another non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or a flash memory may be used. HDD 123 is an example of a storage unit.

The product master is a master file that stores information about the product of the product H handled in the store. Since the products handled in the store change daily, the product reading device 1001 acquires the latest product master from the store server 50 by using the communication I / F 131.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the product master M according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the product master M, for example, the product ID, the product name, the unit price of the product H, the weight of the product H, the feature amount of the product H, and the distribution target flag are associated with each other. There is. In addition, other information may be associated with the product master M.

The product ID is identification information that can identify the product H. Specifically, the product ID is, for example, a JAN code (13 digits or 8 digits) which is a product identification number, but the product ID is not limited to this. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the product IDs “H0001” to “H0004” are the product IDs of the products HA, HB, HC, and HD shown in FIG. 1, respectively.

The feature amount of the product H is used to identify the product H when the product reading device 1001 recognizes the product H as an object. For products to which object recognition is not applied, the feature amount does not have to be registered. The product ID and the feature amount of the product H are examples of product information related to the product H, respectively.

The distribution target flag represents the distribution destination lane 147 of the product H. More specifically, when the distribution target flag is "0", the distribution destination of the product H is the normal lane 1471. When the distribution target flag is "1", the distribution destination of the product H is the separation lane 1472. The distribution target flag is an example of distribution information in the present embodiment. It should be noted that, instead of the flag, an ID or the like that can identify the normal lane 1471 and the separated lane 1472 may be registered in the product master M as distribution information.

In the present embodiment, the distribution target flag "1" is set for the lightweight product whose weight is lighter than the threshold value. For example, when the threshold value is "100 g", the distribution destination of the product HD of the product ID "H0004" having a weight of "70 g" is the separation lane 1472. Further, the distribution destination of the product HC having the product ID “H0003” having a weight of “1000 g” is the normal lane 1471. The contents of the product master M shown in FIG. 3 and the above-mentioned threshold values are examples, and are not limited thereto.

Returning to FIG. 2, the product registration file stored in the HDD 123 includes information such as product information of the product to be traded and the total amount of one transaction to be processed. As an example, the product registration file is the total of the product ID of the product H whose product information has been read by the reading unit 15, the product name corresponding to the product ID, the unit price corresponding to the product ID, and one transaction to be processed. It is a file with the amount of money associated with it. The product registration file may include other information necessary for receipt printing, for example, sales promotion information for receipt printing.

Further, the information indicating the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 stored in the HDD 123 is information indicating whether the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 opens the first lane group or the second lane group.

The communication I / F 131 communicates with the accounting device 30 and the store server 50, for example, via the network 70.

The input / output I / F 132 is an interface circuit connected to a conveyor drive motor 145, a camera 151, a wireless tag reader 152, a touch panel display 16, an operation button 17, a transaction-specific bar drive motor 182, and a product-specific bar drive motor 192, respectively.

The accounting device 30 performs accounting processing related to accounting for one transaction based on the product registration file from the product reading device 1001. As shown in FIG. 1, the accounting device 30 includes a touch panel display 35, a receipt printer 36, a deposit / withdrawal device 371, a card reader 372, and a camera 373. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the accounting apparatus 30 further includes a CPU 31, ROM 321 and RAM 322, HDD 323, communication I / F 331, and input / output I / F 332. The CPU 31, ROM 321 and RAM 322, HDD 323, communication I / F 331, and input / output I / F 332 are connected via a bus.

The CPU 31 controls the operation of the accounting device 30 by loading the control program stored in the ROM 321 or the HDD 323 into the RAM 322 and executing the loaded control program. The CPU 31 realizes various functions for performing accounting processing by executing the control program loaded in the RAM 322, but the description thereof will be omitted. The accounting device 30 may further include other processors such as GPU, ASIC, and FPGA. The ROM 321 is a non-volatile memory that stores data such as programs and parameters executed by the CPU 31. The RAM 322 is a volatile memory that is used as a working memory and stores data when the CPU 31 executes arithmetic processing. The HDD 323 stores data such as a control program of the accounting device 30 and a transaction file. The transaction file is a data file that stores accounting data and the like that record the contents of the product registration file received from the product reading device 1001 and the result of the accounting process executed by the accounting device 30. The transaction file is used as data for recording the transaction history. In addition to the HDD 323, or instead of the HDD 323, another non-volatile memory such as an SSD or a flash memory may be used. The communication I / F 331 communicates with the product reading device 1001 and the store server 50, for example, via the network 70. The input / output I / F 332 is an interface circuit connected to the touch panel display 35, the receipt printer 36, the deposit / withdrawal device 371, the card reader 372, and the camera 373, respectively.

The touch panel display 35 includes, for example, a display composed of a liquid crystal panel and a touch panel provided on the surface of the display and supplying information according to the touched position to the input / output I / F 332. The touch panel display 35 displays information related to accounting processing such as an operation screen for the customer to instruct the start, payment method or end of accounting, and the total amount of one transaction.

The receipt printer 36 has a printing unit and a receipt issuing port. The receipt printer 36 issues a receipt printed by the printing unit from the receipt issuing port. The deposit / withdrawal device 371 has a coin / banknote slot and a coin / banknote withdrawal port. The deposit / withdrawal device 371 stores coins / banknotes inserted into the coin / banknote slot, respectively. Further, the deposit / withdrawal device 371 pays out the change of coins / banknotes to the coin / banknote withdrawal port, respectively, in response to the change withdrawal request from the CPU 31. The card reader 372 has a card insertion / ejection port. The card reader 372 reads / writes information on a credit card, membership card, or the like inserted from the card insertion / ejection port, and ejects the information from the card insertion / ejection port. The camera 373 captures information related to payment of electronic money such as a two-dimensional code and a bar code, and supplies an image (image data) to the input / output I / F 332. As the image sensor of the camera 373, various image sensors such as a CCD and a CMOS sensor can be appropriately used. Further, the camera 373 may have a lighting unit including a light source such as an LED. The light source is not limited to the LED, and various light sources can be appropriately used depending on, for example, an image sensor.

Note that, although FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate one accounting device 30, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the accounting device 30 may be provided for each lane.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment. By executing the product reading program (control program) loaded in the RAM 122, the CPU 11 serves as a transport control unit 101, a reading control unit 102, a transaction-specific distribution control unit 103, a product-specific distribution control unit 104, and a communication control unit 105. To realize the function of. Here, the transport control unit 101, the read control unit 102, the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103, the product-specific distribution control unit 104, and the communication control unit 105 are examples of control units. The CPU 11 may be used as an example of the control unit.

The transfer control unit 101 controls the movement of the belt conveyor 144 by controlling the operation of the conveyor drive motor 145.

The reading control unit 102 controls the operation of the reading unit 15. For example, the reading control unit 102 acquires the product information of the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 based on the image data from the camera 151.

For example, the reading control unit 102 reads a code symbol such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code attached to the product H based on the image data. The code symbol is, for example, information in which a JAN code (13 digits or 8 digits), which is a product identification number, is coded. For example, the reading control unit 102 reads the digital watermark attached to the product H based on the image data. The digital watermark is information obtained by encoding information equivalent to the product identification number registered in the code symbol with fine dots and printing it on the package of the product H. That is, the reading unit 15 reads the product ID of the product H by reading the code symbol or the digital watermark under the control of the reading control unit 102.

Further, for example, the reading control unit 102 extracts the feature amount of the product H based on the image data. The extracted feature quantity of the product H is used for object recognition. The object recognition for recognizing the product H included in the image is also called generic object recognition. In other words, the reading unit 15 reads the feature amount of the product H under the control of the reading control unit 102.

The reading control unit 102 identifies the product H based on at least one of the read code symbol, the read digital watermark, and the extracted feature amount, and the product master M stored in the HDD 123.

The reading control unit 102 creates a product registration file that associates the product ID of the product H for which the product information has been read by the reading unit 15, the product name of the product H, the unit price of the product H, and the total amount of one transaction to be processed. Generate and save in HDD 123. In the present embodiment, generating the product registration file is referred to as registering the product H.

For example, when the feature amount of the product H is read by object recognition, the reading control unit 102 acquires the product ID, the product name, and the unit price associated with the feature amount from the product master M, and these acquired items. The product registration file is generated by associating the information of the above with the total value of the calculated unit prices. When the code symbol is read by the reading unit 15, the reading control unit 102 acquires the product name and the unit price associated with the product ID of the product H read from the code symbol from the product master M. , The product registration file is generated by associating the read product ID with the product name acquired from the product master M, the unit price of the product H acquired from the product master M, and the calculated unit price.

The transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 controls the transaction-specific distribution unit 18 so as to switch the lane 147 for distributing the product H, triggered by the acquisition of information indicating the end of the transaction. Specifically, the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 controls the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 by controlling the transaction-specific bar drive motor 182.

Further, when the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 is changed, the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 saves the changed position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 in the HDD 123.

Further, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 controls the product-specific distribution unit 19 so as to switch the lane 147 for distributing the product H based on the product information read by the reading unit 15. Specifically, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 controls the position of the product-specific distribution bar 191 by controlling the product-specific bar drive motor 192.

More specifically, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 refers to the product master M and switches the lane 147 for distributing the product H according to the distribution target flag associated with the product information read by the reading unit 15. Controls the product-specific distribution unit 19. For example, when the distribution target flag associated with the product information read by the reading unit 15 is “0”, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 has a product-specific distribution bar at a position that blocks the entrance / exit of the separation lane 1472. The bar drive motor 192 for each product is controlled so that the 191 is located. Further, when the distribution target flag associated with the product information read by the reading unit 15 is "1", the product-specific distribution control unit 104 sets the product-specific distribution bar at a position that blocks the entrance / exit of the normal lane 1471. The bar drive motor 192 for each product is controlled so that the 191 is located.

Further, in the present embodiment, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 is subjected to the first lane group or the second by the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 based on the information indicating the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 stored in the HDD 123. It is determined which of the lane groups is released, and among the product-specific distribution bars 1911 and 1912, the product-specific distribution bar 191 included in the released lane group is controlled.

The communication control unit 105 communicates with the accounting device 30 and the store server 50, and transmits / receives data, files, and the like.

Hereinafter, each process executed by the product sales data processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is started, for example, when the customer approaches the product reading device 1001.

The customer's approach to the product reading device 1001 is detected, for example, in response to the customer operating the upstream touch panel display 161, but the present invention is not limited to this. The customer's approach to the product reader 1001 may be detected, for example, in response to the product H being placed at the transport start position AA. Therefore, the product reading device 1001 may have a camera, a weight sensor, or the like for detecting that the product H is placed at the transport start position AA. Further, the product reading device 1001 may have a motion sensor or a camera for detecting the approach of the customer. Further, the product stand 141 may be configured so that it can detect that the basket 20 is placed.

The product reading device 1001 executes the product registration process (S1). Although the details will be described later, in the product registration process, the product H specified by the read control unit 102 is stored in the product registration file for each transaction. After the product registration process related to one transaction is completed, the communication control unit 105 transmits the product registration file to the accounting device 30 (S2). After that, the product reading device 1001 ends the process shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the accounting device 30 according to the present embodiment.

The accounting device 30 receives the product registration file from the product reading device 1001 (S3). After that, the accounting device 30 executes accounting processing based on the received product registration file (S4). The accounting process is a process in which the accounting device 30 receives an operation of the customer and executes payment of the price of the product H by cash, a credit card, electronic money, or the like. In the accounting process, the accounting device 30 displays the total amount of one transaction based on the product registration file received from the product reading device 1001, and performs processing related to accounting for the total amount. After the accounting process is completed, the accounting device 30 ends the process shown in FIG.

Next, the details of the product registration process will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the product registration process according to the present embodiment. In the process of FIG. 7, for example, the belt conveyor 144 starts moving by controlling the conveyor drive motor 145 by the transport control unit 101 in response to the detection of the approach of the customer, and the reading control unit 102 reads. It is started after the part 15 is started.

In the present embodiment, at the start of the process of FIG. 7, the product-specific distribution bar 191 is in a position of closing the entrance of the separation lane 1472 and opening the entrance of the normal lane 1471. This position is referred to as the initial position of the product-specific distribution bar 191.

The camera 151 takes an image on the conveyor and outputs the image data obtained by the image (S11). The communication control unit 105 acquires image data from the camera 151. The reading control unit 102 determines whether or not there is an object within the imaging range of the camera 151 on the belt conveyor 144 based on the image data obtained by imaging (S12).

When the reading control unit 102 determines that an object is on the belt conveyor 144 (S12: Yes), the reading control unit 102 is based on the image data from the camera 151 or the tag information from the RFID tag acquired by the communication control unit 105. Read information about an object. The reading control unit 102 determines whether or not the product information has been read as the information about the object (S13).

When the product information related to the product H is read (S13: Yes) as the information related to the object on the belt conveyor 144, the reading control unit 102 registers the read product information in the product registration file (S14). After that, the reading control unit 102 displays the read product H on the touch panel display 16 (S15).

Next, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 acquires information representing the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 stored in the HDD 123 (S16). The product-specific distribution control unit 104 determines whether the first lane group or the second lane group is released by the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 based on the information indicating the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181. ..

Then, in the product-specific distribution control unit 104, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 refers to the product master M, and whether or not the distribution target flag associated with the product information read by the reading unit 15 is "1". (S17).

When the product-specific distribution control unit 104 determines that the distribution target flag is “1” (S17: Yes), the product-specific distribution control unit 104 drives the product-specific distribution bar 191 on the lane group side to which the product H is transported (S18). Specifically, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 moves the product-specific distribution bar 191 from the initial position to a position that closes the entrance / exit of the normal lane 1471 by controlling the product-specific bar drive motor 192. As a result, the entrance of the separation lane 1472 is opened, and the product H is distributed to the separation lane 1472. The goods H distributed to the separation lane 1472 pass through the separation lane 1472 and are placed in the separation loading space 1432. After that, the flow of FIG. 7 returns to S11.

Further, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 does not drive the product-specific distribution bar 191 when it is determined that the distribution target flag is “0” (S17: No). In this case, since the entrance / exit of the normal lane 1471 is open, the product H is distributed to the normal lane 1471. The goods H distributed to the normal lane 1471 are placed in the normal loading space 1431 through the normal lane 1471. After that, the flow of FIG. 7 returns to S11.

If the product-specific distribution bar 191 is located on the opposite side of the initial position at the time of processing S17, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 determines that the distribution target flag is “0”, and then the product-specific distribution bar 191 is determined to be “0”. The distribution bar 191 may be driven so as to return to the initial position side. Alternatively, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 may control the product-specific distribution bar 191 to return to the initial position side each time the registration process of each product H is completed.

On the other hand, when there is no object within the imaging range of the camera 151 on the belt conveyor 144 (S12: No) or when the product information regarding the product H cannot be read (S13: No), the reading control unit 102 registers. The end determination process is executed (S19).

The registration end determination process is a process for determining whether or not information indicating the end of a transaction has been acquired. The information indicating the end of the transaction is, for example, an operation signal indicating that the operation button 17 is pressed by the customer. The operation signal is not limited to the operation button 17, and may be transmitted when each touch panel display 161, 162, 35 is operated. At this time, each touch panel display 161 and 162, 35 can be expressed as an example of an operation unit.

The information indicating the end of the transaction is not limited to the operation signal, but indicates that the end symbol has been read and that a predetermined time has passed since the previous reading of the product information regarding the product H. It may be information or information indicating that there is no object in the vicinity of the transport start position AA. The end symbol is an object conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 after the commodity H of one transaction, and is a specific conveyed object different from the commodity H. As the end symbol, various objects such as stuffed animals and plates can be used as appropriate.

After the registration end determination process is completed, the read control unit 102 determines whether or not to terminate the transaction based on the result of the registration end determination process (S20). In this determination, it is determined that the transaction is terminated when the operation signal from the operation button 17 is acquired, that is, when the operation button 17 is pressed. When it is determined that the transaction is not terminated (S20: No), the flow of FIG. 7 returns to S11.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the transaction is terminated (S20: Yes), the product-specific distribution control unit 104 returns the product-specific distribution bar 191 to the initial position (S21). If the product-specific distribution bar 191 is already in the initial position at this point, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 does not move the product-specific distribution bar 191.

Then, when it is determined that the transaction is terminated, the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 drives the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 so as to switch the lane group for distributing the product H (S22). Specifically, the transaction-specific distribution control unit 103 changes the position of the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 by controlling the transaction-specific bar drive motor 182. After that, the product registration process ends. By changing the position of the distribution bar 181 by transaction at the end of the transaction, the entrance of the lane group used by this transaction is blocked, and the entrance of the lane group not used by this transaction is blocked. Is released. Therefore, when the next transaction is started, the product H is transported to the lane group that has not been used by this transaction.

In this way, the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment switches the lane 147 to which the product H is distributed based on the product information read by the reading unit 15. According to the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment, since the specific product H can be handled separately from the other products H when the product H is transported to the loading platform 143 by such a configuration. It is possible to reduce the deterioration of the quality of the product H when the product H is transported to the loading platform 143.

For example, when the specific product H to be sorted is a lightweight product as in the present embodiment, the weight is reduced by reducing the contact of the lightweight product with a heavy product in the lane 147 or the loading space. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of damage to the product.

Further, the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment stores the product master M that stores the product information and the distribution target flag indicating the distribution destination lane of the product H in association with each other, and is read by the reading unit 15. The lane 147 to which the product H is distributed is switched according to the distribution target flag associated with the product information. Therefore, according to the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment, information indicating the destination lane 147 of the product H to be traded is indicated by registering the distribution target flag in the product master M used in the product registration process. Is easy to manage.

Further, the distribution target flag according to the present embodiment indicates whether the distribution destination of the product H is the normal lane 1471 or the separation lane 1472. Further, the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment distributes lanes 147 for allocating the product H for each transaction of the product H, and the product H distributed for each transaction is further divided into at least two lanes 147 based on the product information. Sort to. Therefore, according to the product reading device 1001 according to the present embodiment, even if the customer of the previous transaction is packing or accounting, the transportation of the product H of the next transaction and the product registration can be started. Further, among a plurality of products H purchased in one transaction, a specific product H can be handled separately from other products H.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the product reading device 1001 has four lanes 147 branched into two stages by the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 and the product-specific distribution bars 1911 and 1912. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the product reading device 1002 does not include the transaction-specific distribution bar 181 but has two lanes 147 branched by the product-specific distribution bar 191.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing an example of a product sales data processing system 1 to which the product reading device 1002 according to the present embodiment is applied. The product sales data processing system 1 includes a product reading device 1002, an accounting device 30, and a store server 50. The accounting device 30 and the store server 50 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, one product reading device 1001 has a plurality of lane groups for each transaction, but the product reading device 1002 according to the present embodiment has only one lane group.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the product reading device 1002 according to the present embodiment includes one normal lane 1471 and one separation lane 1472. Further, the product reading device 1002 includes one normal loading space 1431 which is the terminal point of the normal lane 1471 and one separate loading space 1432 which is the terminal point of the separation lane 1472.

In addition, the product reading device 1002 includes a product-specific distribution bar 191. The product-specific distribution bar 191 of the present embodiment distributes the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 to the normal lane 1471 or the separation lane 1472.

The control method of the product-specific distribution bar 191 realized by the product reader 1002 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Modification example)
In the first and second embodiments described above, the product H to be distributed to the separation lane 1472 is a lightweight product, but the product H to be distributed is not limited to this.

For example, the product H to be sorted may be a fragile product, a high-priced product, a product whose surface is easily scratched, or the like. A high-priced product is, for example, a product whose unit price is higher than a threshold value. In addition, products whose surface is easily scratched are, for example, fruits and the like.

Further, the lane 147 to which the product H is transported may be determined according to the temperature at the time of selling the product H. For example, the destination of the product H sold in the frozen state may be the separation lane 1472, and the destination of the product H sold in the non-frozen state may be the normal lane 1471. Alternatively, the destination of the product H sold at a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold value may be the separation lane 1472, and the destination of the product H sold at a temperature below the threshold value may be the normal lane 1471. When this configuration is adopted, the sudden temperature change of the product H can be reduced by separating and transporting the products H having different temperatures. A sudden temperature change of product H is an example of quality deterioration.

Further, the distribution destination information is not limited to the distribution target flag. For example, in the example described with reference to FIG. 3, the weight of the product H is registered in the product master M. The weight may be used as distribution destination information. In this case, when the weight of the product H registered in the product master M is less than the threshold value, the product-specific distribution control unit 104 determines that the transport destination of the product H is the separation lane 1472 and is registered in the product master M. When the weight of the product H is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the destination of the product H may be determined to be the normal lane 1471.

When the product H to be sorted is other than a lightweight product, information other than the weight of the product H registered in the product master M may be used as the distribution destination information. For example, when the product H to be sorted is a high-priced product, the unit price of the product H registered in the product master M may be used as the distribution destination information.

According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the quality of the product H when the product H is transported to the loading platform 143.

The present embodiment illustrates, but is not limited to, the product sales data processing system 1 including the product reading device 10, the accounting device 30, and the store server 50. The product sales data processing system 1 may be composed of the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30. That is, the product sales data processing system 1 may be configured not to include the store server 50. Further, the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30 may be integrally configured. That is, the product sales data processing system 1 may not be provided with the accounting device 30 having an independent housing. Further, the product sales data processing system 1 may be configured to include a device in which the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30 are integrally configured, and a store server 50. Here, the device in which the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30 are integrally configured may be configured as a device dedicated to cashless payment, in which the deposit / withdrawal device 371 is omitted. In this case, for example, the downstream touch panel display 162 (1621, 1622) is configured to be operable in the same manner as the touch panel display 35. Further, the card reader 372 and the camera 373 are arranged near, for example, the downstream touch panel display 162 (1621, 1622). Further, an electronic receipt obtained by digitizing the receipt print data or the like may be used. In this case, the receipt printer 36 may be omitted.

The product reading devices 1001 and 1002 of the embodiment include a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device, a display device such as a display device, and a keyboard and a mouse. It may be equipped with an input device such as, and may have a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

Each program executed by the product readers 1001 and 1002 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be recorded and provided on a recording medium that can be read by a computer such as.

Further, each program executed by the product reading devices 1001 and 1002 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. .. Further, each program executed by the product reading devices 1001 and 1002 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Further, each program executed by the product reading devices 1001 and 1002 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by incorporating it into a ROM or the like in advance.

The product reading program executed by the product reading devices 1001 and 1002 of the present embodiment is a module including the above-mentioned units (transport control unit, reading control unit, transaction-specific distribution control unit, product-specific distribution control unit, and communication control unit). It is composed. The CPU (processor) reads the product reading program from the storage medium and loads each part on the main storage device. As a result, a transport control unit, a read control unit, a transaction-specific distribution control unit, a product-specific distribution control unit, and a communication control unit are generated on the main storage device.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Product sales data processing system 1001,1001 Product reader 11,31 CPU
15 Reading unit 16,161,1611,1612,162,1621,1622,35 Touch panel display 17,171,172 Operation buttons 18 Transaction-specific distribution unit 19 Product-specific distribution unit 30 Accounting equipment 50 Store server 101 Transport control unit 102 Read control Department 103 Transaction-specific distribution control unit 104 Product-specific distribution control unit 105 Communication control unit 123,323 HDD
141 Commodity stand 142 Base 143 Loading platform 144 Belt conveyor 145 Conveyor drive motor 181 Trading bar drive motor 182 Trading bar drive motor 191, 1912, 1912 Commodity sorting bar 192 Product bar drive motor 1431 Normal loading space 1431 1st Normal loading space 14312 Second normal loading space 1432 Separate loading space 14321 First separated loading space 14322 Second separate loading space 1461 Transaction-specific partition plate 1462, 1462, 14622 Product-specific partition plate 1471 Normal Lane 14711 First normal lane 14712 Second normal lane 1472 Separation lane 14721 First separation lane 14722 Second separation lane AA Conveyor start position AB Inclined part H, HA, HB, HC, HD Product M Product master

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-139595

Claims (5)

A transport unit that transports products and
A reading unit that reads product information related to the product transported by the transport unit, and
A distribution unit provided downstream of the reading unit and distributing the product transported by the transport unit into at least two lanes.
A control unit that controls the distribution unit so as to switch the lane for distributing the product based on the product information read by the reading unit.
A product reader equipped with. A storage unit that stores the product information and the distribution destination information representing the distribution destination lane of the product in association with each other is further provided.
The control unit controls the distribution unit so as to switch the lane for distributing the product according to the distribution destination information associated with the product information read by the reading unit.
The product reading device according to claim 1. The distribution unit distributes the product to the first lane or a second lane different from the first lane.
The distribution destination information indicates whether the distribution destination of the product is the first lane or the second lane.
The control unit determines whether the distribution destination information associated with the product information read by the reading unit represents either the first lane or the second lane. To control,
The product reading device according to claim 2. The distribution part is
A first distribution unit that distributes the product conveyed by the transfer unit to at least two lanes, and a first distribution unit.
A second distribution unit that further distributes the product distributed by the first distribution unit into at least two lanes is provided.
The control unit controls the first distribution unit so as to switch the lane for distributing the product for each transaction of the product, and the lane for distributing the product based on the product information read by the reading unit. The second distribution unit is controlled so as to switch between.
The product reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The acquisition step of acquiring the product information read by the reading unit that reads the product information related to the product transported by the transport unit that transports the product, and the acquisition step.
A control step for controlling a distribution unit provided downstream of the transport unit so as to switch the lane for distributing the product, and
A product reading program for a computer to execute.

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