JP2784995B2 - Self-service sales system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to self-service sales of unpackaged foods, and more particularly to a self-service sales system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a large number of devices relating to automatic sales of packaged foods have been devised. The sale of unpackaged foods targeted by this system cannot be obtained with bare hands due to food hygiene, so it must be handled through tools and instruments. Conventionally, a method using "scissors" (hereinafter referred to as "holders") is generally used.

[0003] In other words, in a store, a user himself obtains an article using a holder from a food display shelf, carries the article to a checkout place, and requests a fee settlement. This form, called self-service, was effective as a means for solving the labor saving of the store.

However, in order to attend a manned account, a salesperson memorizes the product name, unit price, etc., inputs the quantity by looking at the obtained product, and drives the register. When entering,
There was a problem that human errors such as goods, quantity, unit price, change, etc. occurred.

[0005] Further, there is a problem that a sales person performs a food packaging operation and a cash processing operation, and in a peak time period, the waiting time is long and an unpleasant state occurs.

[0006] In addition, since non-packaging does not reduce its commercial value (freshly baked, freshly prepared, etc.), there is also a fatal problem that a price tag cannot be directly attached to an article packaging or article.

[0007]

At present, general users are well known for their vending machines, automatic ticket vending machines, cash dispensers, etc., and have shown great interest in convenience and quickness, and the number of installations has also jumped. Is improving. The technical problem to be solved by the present invention solves the problem that was difficult to automate because of no packaging,
It provides the comfort of a self-service sales system that is a user need.

[0008] In other words, the technical issues required for acquiring goods in self-service sales are accurate article confirmation technology, accurate acquisition technology, accurate return technology, information storage technology for holders, and technology for extracting stored information. , Holder restoration technology, automatic charge settlement technology, and automatic statement issuance technology.

[0009] Further, in terms of food hygiene, a technical device for issuing an alarm when a bare hand is acquired, and secondaryly, a technology for detecting the removal of a holder outside the field, are required as a total system.

[0010]

According to the present self-system, a large number of different products are arranged on a display shelf in units of product trays (hereinafter referred to as trays), each tray has a unique number, and a ceiling at the center of the tray. From a product display device that emits a tray number via near-infrared light, a product placed on the tray, a holder that stores the information, and a payment device that pays for the product obtained. The problem of realizing the purchase of goods is solved by the following means.

As an accurate article confirmation means, when the holder enters the tray, a unique tray number is emitted from the tray ceiling via near infrared rays, and a total of 6 points are provided at the curved upper end of the holder and on both side surfaces. The light is received by the sensors. Regardless of the position of the holder in the tray, the tip of the holder receives light at a wide angle and recognizes it reliably. The tray number is temporarily stored in the holder, and when transmitted to the checkout device, the fee is displayed by referring to the product name and unit price from the software table of the transmission device. There is no need for the user to be conscious, and the user only has to acquire the article by the conventional acquisition method, which provides comfort.

Further, the means for recognizing the acquisition of the article utilizes a near-infrared sensor formed opposite to the tip of the holder, and the sensor is shut off by sandwiching the article. The product acquisition is recognized by detecting the signal. The timing to count the acquisition counter is to sandwich the article inside the tray (when the holder is detecting near-infrared light), and then exit the tray as it is (when the holder is not detecting near-infrared light). Update the acquisition counter when released. When the object is sandwiched in the tray, once exits the tray, and re-enters or re-enters the tray while sandwiching the article (when the article is finally opened in the tray), the acquisition counter is not updated.

The recognizing means for returning the obtained article once returns the article to the tray as it is, after the holder obtains the article outside the tray, and recognizes the returned article when the article is opened. Any act of merely acquiring (pinching) an item outside the tray or entering the tray with the item acquired and leaving the tray without opening the item will not be recognized as a return. However, if an item is opened in the tray, and once returned goods are recognized, another item in the same tray is acquired, and after exiting the tray and opening the item, an acquisition counter is counted.

[0014] When returning the obtained article once, if the user mistakenly attempts to return it to another tray, if the holder has recognized the tray, it is recognized as returned. On the other hand, if the holder does not recognize the tray, the holder emits an alarm sound simultaneously with the approach. In this case, check the acquired article and try to return it to the correct tray again. Generally, it is easy to occur when the shape of the goods is similar, but if executed intentionally, since different kinds of goods exist in the same tray, it will be checked by other users as illegal activities. Strict recognition is not performed.

When all the articles have been obtained, the holder is attached to a predetermined position of the automatic payment apparatus. When the door is closed after mounting, the grip portion of the holder and the reading portion of the payment device are optically coupled, and a start command is emitted from the payment device. The acquired information in the holder is transmitted to the checkout device, and when it is normally received, an end command is received, and after the holder self-reset, the power is automatically turned off.

After the settlement device has received the holder information, it refers to the software table using the tray number as a key,
Display the applicable fee. The user is cash (1,000 yen bill, 500
Yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, and 10 yen).
If a change is required, it will be automatically calculated and put out. When the money processing is completed, the product name, unit price, quantity, amount and corresponding date are edited, and a transaction statement is automatically issued from the printing device.

On the other hand, when a bare hand (or an object other than the holder) enters the tray, a sensor at the entrance of the tray detects the alarm and emits an alarm sound until the user exits the tray. When entering the tray, the tip of the holder is brought into contact with the holder touching part on the front surface of the apparatus, and the entry lamp is turned on to permit. A magnetic body is attached to the tip of the holder, and the switch on the apparatus is momentarily turned on by magnetism, and the entry lamp is turned on for about 5 seconds. When the holder is moved in the tray after the entry lamp is turned on, an electronic shutter detection signal is activated, the entry can be continued during that time, and reentry is allowed for 5 seconds after the detection signal disappears (holder exit). The approach warning sound is valid after 5 seconds.

In addition, as a security measure when the holder main body is taken out of the field, a magnetic piece is stuck inside the sandwiched portion of the holder. This magnetic piece is automatically detected by a magnetic sensor at the entrance of the sales floor, and warns of unauthorized removal.

[0019]

The self-system converts the sales form by 180 degrees from the conventional face-to-face sales to automatic sales by mechanization. According to the present invention, a user can enjoy a comfortable shopping environment with a short waiting time using a plurality of payment devices. Conventionally, the lack of such a device has made it difficult for managers to secure personnel and hired more sales personnel than necessary. This self-system greatly reduces the labor cost of selling low-priced products, so that the reduction effect has the effect of promoting small-lot production of other products. In addition, since the acquired product is accurately recorded, it is possible to develop a product that meets the needs of the user. On the other hand, this self-system is characterized by a function that warns about acquisition by bare hands in terms of food hygiene. Although a secondary feature, this function is also effective as an action for suppressing shoplifting.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The self-system comprises a merchandise display device shown in FIG. 1, a holder for obtaining merchandise shown in FIG. 2, and a charge adjusting device shown in FIG. 3, and is installed in an open place indoors such as a supermarket. The product display device shown in FIG. 1 has a structure that enables simultaneous acquisition in opposition from both sides. Free combinations and expansions are possible according to the size and handling volume of the product. On the other hand, any number of holders shown in FIG. 2 can be used according to the number of users. A plurality of fee settlement devices shown in FIG. 3 can be connected, and can be installed in response to busy times.
The tip portion of the holder in FIG. 2 is molded and subjected to a waterproof treatment capable of being washed with water from a sanitary point of view.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the tray portion of FIG. The rear part has the same structure (not shown) as the front part. (3) in FIG. 4 is a fee display connected to the control mechanism of FIG. 1 (2). The switch (not shown) inside (2) designates the tray number, and the fee is input from the numeric keypad. The display can be changed immediately by setting and pressing the execute button. In (4), when the tip of the holder is brought into contact with (4) immediately before obtaining the product on the tray by the holder touch mechanism, the built-in reed switch is turned ON, and entry is permitted. The alarm sound is disabled for 5 seconds by detecting this switch. (5) is an alarm which emits three consecutive tones when an object (such as a bare hand) other than the holder enters. (7) is a commodity tray for storing commodities, and a plurality of identical commodities are displayed in the commodity tray.

FIG. 4 (8) shows a light source which constantly emits near infrared rays. This light source faces the near-infrared light receiving section of (9) and forms an electronic shutter. There is a plurality of (9) on the inner surface of the front panel, which are linearly opposed to (8) and are usually in a light receiving state. The object is somewhere in this sensor 1
When two places are shut off, (2) recognizes the entry of the object because the plurality of light receiving units in (9) are connected in parallel.

On the other hand, the light-emitting section (8) is an application of remote control technology often used in AV equipment. When the touch of the holder (4) is recognized, a code is generated by modulation of the near-infrared ray which encodes the tray number. Emits light. Fig. 2
(11) The tray light receiving unit receives and notifies the holder. Further, the light emitting unit of (8) always emits near infrared rays, but the timing of transmitting the tray number is only the time during which entry is permitted by touching the holder of (4). It fires continuously during the entry permit,
Once the holder recognizes, subsequent reception is ignored.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder. (10)
Is a means for fixing stationary magnetic material to both ends of the pinch to prevent objects other than the holder from entering. (1
Reference numeral 1) denotes a tray number light receiving portion, which is mounted on the curved upper surface of the sandwiching portion and on both side surfaces thereof so that near infrared rays emitted from (8) can be received at any position in the tray. (1
Reference numeral 2) denotes a holder light-emitting unit for recognizing acquisition of an article, and a holder light-receiving unit (13) is provided on the opposite side. This sensor normally detects near-infrared rays, but shuts off when an object (acquired product) enters in the middle, so the detection signal is cut off. Acquisition recognition is performed using this signal. In (14), a magnetic piece is adhered, and a warning is issued by a magnetic sensor when the holder is erroneously carried out of the field.
(18) is an alarm which, when the holder enters the tray and recognizes the tray number transmitted from (8), emits a beep once to notify the user. (17) can be charged by a battery. By turning on the battery switch of (19), the lamp is turned on, and the usable state is displayed. (28) is an information accumulation control mechanism section incorporating a microcomputer for controlling the entire holder. This mechanism is based on the detection signal from each sensor.
Receives the tray number and counts and stores the quantity of acquired products. On the other hand, the accumulated acquisition information is sent from the light emitting unit for the payment device (15) to the payment device via near infrared rays.
(16) is a light receiving unit from the settlement apparatus, which is an optical coupling mechanism that receives an information transmission start command and an information reception completion command. When the information reception completion command is transmitted from the settlement apparatus, the holder body is reset (initial state) and the battery switch is automatically turned off. Therefore, a switch once turned on cannot be turned off manually.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fee settlement device. (2
0) is the money processing mechanism department, 5 denominations (1,000 yen bill, 500 yen, 1
00 yen, 50 yen, and 10 yen). (21)
Displays on the charge indicator based on the information obtained from the holder. (22) prints the product name, quantity, amount, date, etc. and automatically issues it as a statement (receipt). (23) is a holder storage mechanism. Pressing the (26) opening button automatically opens the door. There is a holder hook inside, the holder is set on the back of the door as shown in the figure, and when the door is manually closed, activation is started, the lamp (25) is turned on, and data transfer by optical coupling is started. The opening button in (26) is effective when the starting lamp in (25) is extinguished.
(24) is a control unit of the charge settlement apparatus. Executes information reception from the holder, charge display, and storage control of the holder.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the holder storage section of the fee settlement device. (29) is an adjustment unit optical coupling unit for optically coupling the information stored in the holder. The holder is inserted between the inside of the holder guide of (30) and the holder hook of (31). At this time, a projection (33) is provided to prevent the holder from being set on the back side. A force is applied to the door by the helical spring (34) in the direction in which it is always opened. When the door is manually closed, the door is locked by the excitation magnet claw (35). Once the door is closed (3
The door will not be opened unless the excitation magnet of 5) is driven. In addition, the fixed magnet (36) fixed to the door side in synchronization with the opening and closing of the door sucks the reed switch (37) opposed thereto, and notifies the control device of the open / close recognition.
The accumulated information from the holder is transmitted to the fee settlement device, and when all the information transfer is completed, the holder hook of (31) moves backward (not shown), and the holder falls to the holder storage guide of (32), It is stored inside and waits for the next settlement. The control device recognizes the number of holders stored, and outputs an alarm when the storage limit is reached, prompting removal.
Although (40) has a cavity for accommodating the holder inside, the position of (32) is set so that the holder cannot be set in the cavity by mistake. (38) is a holder door,
(39) shows a front panel.

[Use Example] A specific use example of the self-system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an operation flow of the commodity display device.
The user holds the holder shown in FIG. 2 and purchases the articles placed on the product tray. When the tip of the holder comes into contact with the holder touch mechanism shown in FIG. 4D, permission to enter the tray is received, and the lamp is turned on. When the holder enters the tray, the tray number is automatically transmitted from the ceiling of the tray via near infrared rays by the entry sensor. This signal is emitted continuously until the holder leaves the tray. If the holder leaves after receiving, re-entry is allowed for about 5 seconds. After elapse of about 5 seconds, re-entry is prohibited, and it is necessary to come in contact with the holder touch mechanism again. On the other hand, when entering without performing the holder touch, an alarm is issued for all objects including the holder. This alarm will continue to sound until the object leaves the tray.

In the charge display on the front of the tray, the tray number is designated by the control unit of the apparatus, and the charge is set from the numeric keypad.
This setting can be automatically changed via a floppy disk device. In addition, a work switch (not shown) at the time of product replacement is provided inside the control device, and the function can be stopped for each tray.

FIG. 7 shows the operation flow of the holder. The holder moves freely by the user. As shown in FIG. 7, this holder has an acquisition flag generated by pinching an article, an entry flag generated by the holder entering the tray, and a reception flag generated by receiving the tray number transmitted from the tray ceiling. The states will occur independently. The holder captures this state change, recognizes the operation of, and stores the acquired information.

A warning sound is issued. When a tray number is received twice consecutively, a single beep sound is generated. The user knows that the article recognition has been normally performed by the alarm. Acquires the article in the tray, exits the tray as it is, captures the time when the acquisition flag is turned off, and counts the article acquisition counter. Raise an alarm at the same time. Acquires the article outside the tray, enters the tray as it is, captures the time when the acquisition flag is turned off, and counts the article acquisition counter. Raise an alarm at the same time.

When all the acquisitions have been completed, the holder is set in the holder storage mechanism in the settlement apparatus. The door is opened by pressing the door opening button, the door is closed, and at the same time the holder and the settlement apparatus are optically coupled to generate a transmission flag. I do. The transfer of the acquired data is completed by the start command and the end command of both.

FIG. 8 shows an operation flow of the fee settlement apparatus.
If a new product is added or the price, tray, etc. change on the day, register the product master. Check the near end of cash and paper, and wait for the holder to arrive. When the door is pressed, the holder is set at a predetermined location, and then the door is closed, the start lamp is turned on, and holder information is exchanged. According to the charge display, a statement is automatically issued when the cash input is completed, and the holder is automatically taken in.

[Other Embodiments] In the present invention, products are attached by software using a tray number as a key.
The reverse method is also possible. In other words, each holder has a unique number (ID), and the ID number is emitted toward the tray through near infrared rays. In this case, it is necessary to provide a call button on the holder, and there is a disadvantage that the user is troublesome.

The present invention employs a method in which the holder is touched immediately before entering the tray to obtain entry permission. Although a switch made of a magnetic material is employed as the entry detecting means, a method of emitting near-infrared light instead of the magnetic material to be the detecting means is also possible.

[0035]

According to the present invention, the problem for realizing comfortable self-service by the user is solved by the above-mentioned means. Unpackaged foods are mainly low-priced products, and because they are unpackaged, a sales clerk has to be added, resulting in higher labor costs than necessary. By shifting to this system, the effect of improving the labor cost ratio becomes direct. It is also effective for the user side because the waiting time due to fee settlement, packaging and the like is reduced. The present apparatus is suitable for a tenant sales floor which performs separate accounting with a supermarket at a specific corner adjacent to a supermarket sales floor or the like. In particular, since it is adjacent to a supermarket that performs self-service such as product packaging, it can be easily introduced without a sense of incongruity. On the other hand, in order to introduce this apparatus into an unmanned store, it is necessary to enhance security measures, and it is impossible to do so as it is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product display device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a holder used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a fee settlement device used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a product display device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a holder accommodating portion of the fee settlement device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation flow of the commodity display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation flow of the holder showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation flow of the fee settlement apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Brief description of reference numerals]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Product display stand 2 Display device control mechanism part 3 Charge display part 4 Holder touch mechanism part 5 Alarm 6 Product 7 Product tray 8 Near infrared light emitting part 9 Near infrared light receiving part 10 Fixed magnetic body 11 Tray light receiving part 12 Holder light emitting part 13 Holder light receiving unit 14 Magnetic piece 15 Light emitting unit for checkout device 16 Light receiving unit for checkout device 17 Battery 18 Alarm device 19 Battery switch (with lamp) 20 Money processing mechanism unit 21 Charge indicator 22 Printing mechanism unit 23 Holder storage mechanism unit 24 Adjustment Device control unit 25 Starting lamp 26 Door open button 27 Staff call button 28 Holder information accumulation control mechanism unit 29 Checkout device optical coupling unit 30 Homer guide 31 Holder hook 32 Holder storage guide 33 Projection portion 34 Helical spring 35 Excitation magnet 36 Fixed Magnet 37 Reeds Switch 38 Holder door 39 Front panel 40 Storage cavity

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07F 9/00 A47F 10/00 G06F 17/60

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A product display stand on which various unpackaged products are arranged on a product tray for performing self-service sales;
A product display device having a control mechanism for issuing a warning to the inside of each tray of the product display stand via a near-infrared sensor through the near-infrared sensor or an intrusion of an object other than the holder; In addition to the pinch function to acquire the arranged products, it has the functions of intrusion detection into the tray, tray number reception, article acquisition recognition, article acquisition information accumulation, confirmation alarm, and acquisition information transmission. A self-service sales system, comprising: a holder controlled by a Mythro computer; 2. A system for performing self-service sales.
Display stand with various unpackaged products on the product tray
And; sandwich them to obtain the goods placed on the tray
In addition to the functions, detection of intrusion into the tray, reception of the tray number,
Product acquisition recognition, article acquisition information accumulation, confirmation alert, acquisition information transmission
Near infrared and Mythro computer
And a holder controlled by the holder; the statement and fee of the product acquired using this holder
A self-service sales system comprising an automatic fee production device having a money processing mechanism for collecting money .