JP3482229B2 - Checkout device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-service checkout device which is used in a mass-market store or the like, and which a purchaser (shopper) of a product operates by himself to settle the price. In particular, the present invention relates to a checkout device in which the purchaser's operations are reduced so that the purchaser's effort is saved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it can be used in mass retailers, supermarkets, day and night stores, etc. even during early morning / night hours when there are few clerk, avoiding congestion, protecting buyer's privacy, and making the store unattended. As a merchandise selling device that can also be used for such purposes, a self-service checkout device is being used in which a purchaser operates the checkout by himself / herself. In such a checkout device in which the purchaser self-services the product registration, the operator (purchaser) is not accustomed to the product, and the product is double-registered or misregistered. It is necessary to detect and prevent unauthorized operations such as taking out registered products.

Conventionally, as this type of checkout device, for example, the device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-46591 (reference 1) is known. This device was transported to the exit by the purchaser, an entrance for introducing the product to be purchased, a conveyor for transporting the product from the entrance through the intermediate tunnel area (maintenance area) to the exit, and the exit. It has a stocker for packing products, and the purchaser can read the product code etc. of the product to be purchased with the product code reader (scanner) at the entrance and then put the product on the conveyor for transportation. A system for checking products by means of product check means provided in a tunnel area, for example, in the middle of the transport path. As a method of checking products by this product checking means, product characteristics such as weight or size (product characteristic data) for each product are measured by a product characteristic measuring device (product characteristic sensor) provided in the tunnel area, and Using the product code read by the product code reader, compare the characteristic data of the product registered in advance for each product code with the data actually measured by the product characteristic measuring device, and check whether the two data match. Check. If they match, the product is conveyed to the stocker, but if they do not match, the product is conveyed back to the entrance to return the product to the entrance, thereby preventing fraud.
In addition, as a method of using the product weight check for the product check, in addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-3292 (Reference 2)
There is also a device described in.

[0004]

The prior art described in the above-mentioned Document 1 or Document 2 prevents an erroneous operation or fraud when a purchaser purchases a product by himself / herself and checks out on behalf of a store clerk. This is an effective system, but when a purchaser (operator) wants to purchase a product, it needs to read each product code with a product code reader and place it on the conveyor. There is a problem in that the operation is burdensome for the purchaser, which is troublesome, troublesome, and causes an erroneous operation.

In the above-mentioned document 1, in addition to the product code reader (first product code reader) at the entrance, a second product code reader is also provided in the tunnel area to read both product codes. It is also proposed to make a configuration to judge that there is no erroneous operation when the output of the device matches, but to reduce the operational burden on the purchaser by having the product code reader at the entrance read the product code. Nothing to do is considered.

Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and eliminate the need for the purchaser to read the product code or the like in advance with a reader prior to the introduction of the product. Is to provide a checkout device that does not cause a troublesome operation by simply placing the product to be purchased on the entrance conveyor and automatically performing all the subsequent checking operations.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a checkout device which prevents a reduction in processing speed due to re-operation by allowing manual reading when the automatic reading of the product code is defective. is there.

On the other hand, the conventional techniques described in Document 1 or Document 2 have the following problems (1) to (6).

(1). In order to identify each product by checking the weight and size, it is necessary to have a high measurement accuracy, but it is difficult to ensure the accuracy because the measurement is performed by the transport unit. In addition, it is not possible to check items of the same weight and size.

(2). When the product code is read during transportation, the number of retries at the time of reading failure becomes larger than that in the case of manual operation, which takes time. In addition, the product without the product code label cannot be registered.

(3). When the product code is read during transportation, the product name and unit price of the product registered by the code are displayed after the product code is read, so the operator has time to confirm the display and cancel the registration. There is a need.

(4). It takes time to prepare the product characteristic data for checking, and the checkout device cannot be used until it is ready.

(5). If the check is strictly performed, even a product with a small measurement error will be caught in the check and re-operation is required, which takes time, deteriorates operability, and causes congestion. Further, if the checks are relaxed, high-priced products that need to be sufficiently checked and inexpensive products have the same accuracy.

(6). Monitoring is performed by a surveillance camera as a fraud prevention means, but if there are a large number of cameras, there is a high possibility of overlooking.

Therefore, a third object of the present invention is to solve the problems (1) to (6), to identify each product with high accuracy, and to read the product code read during the transportation of the product. The buyer can see the display of the product name and unit price of the product corresponding to, and the buyer can cancel the registration,
Characteristic data for product check can be automatically generated, and the tolerance of product check measurement error can be changed according to the degree of congestion of members (purchasers) and stores, product price, operation status, etc. Another object of the present invention is to provide a checkout device that can monitor unauthorized operations and reduce the overall processing time.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems First , Second and Third
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides the following (1) to
It is configured as in ( 4 ).

[0017]

( 1 ) A product input section, a stocker for storing the product, a product identification section located between them, a transport path for transporting the product to the stocker through the input section, and an operation of the transport path. Conveyance control means for controlling, merchandise code input means for inputting merchandise code in the loading section, merchandise detection means for detecting that the merchandise is placed on the transportation path in the loading section, and merchandise identification section In the checkout device having a commodity code reading means for reading the commodity code of
Only when the product detection unit detects that the product is placed on the transfer path in the input unit, the transfer of the product is started, and the product is transferred to the stocker or the stocker according to the identification result of the product identification unit. A first mode in which the product is selectively conveyed to the loading section, and after the product code is input by the product code input means, it is detected by the product detection means that the product is placed on the transfer path in the input section. At this time, a second mode of starting the transportation of the product and selectively transporting the product to the stocker or the loading unit according to the identification result of the product identification unit.

( 2 ) A manual mode switching means for switching between the first mode and the second mode in advance is provided.

( 3 ) When the product detection unit detects that the product is placed on the transport path of the loading section without inputting the product code by the product code input unit, the mode is switched to the first mode, An automatic mode switching unit is provided for switching to the second mode when the product detection unit detects that the product is placed on the conveyance path of the loading unit while the product code input unit inputs the product code. .

( 4 ) The product identification unit uses the product code read by the product code reading unit for product identification in the first mode, and inputs the product code by the product code input unit in the second mode. The comparison result of the product code and the product code read by the product code reading means is used for identifying the product.

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

The operation based on the above configuration will be described.

(1) According to the present invention, the transfer control means is
Only when the product detection means detects that the product has been placed on the transport path in the product insertion section (inserted),
Since the product is started to be transported and is selectively transported to the stocker or the loading unit according to the identification result of the product identification unit, the operator (purchaser, etc.) can perform self-service or the like. When purchasing a product, it is not necessary to manually read the product code of the product to be purchased with a scanner in advance, and the operator can complete the checkout simply by placing the product on the conveyor belt of the loading section. it can. Therefore, the operation load on the operator can be reduced, and even a person unfamiliar with the device can easily perform the checkout.

[0035] as above SL (1), the operator first mode is not performed manual input commodity code by a scanner or the like (product code input means) before turning the product (i.e., "automatic reading mode In addition to "), a second mode (that is," match check mode ") for manually inputting a product code by a scanner or the like (product code inputting means) before the operator puts in a product is provided. When there is a reading failure in the mode and the product identification is not normal, in the second mode, by manually inputting the product code before inputting, the reading accuracy is improved and the processing speed is improved by repeating the reprocessing. It can prevent the deterioration. In order to confirm whether the reading is normal, the product name and unit price are displayed on the display without transporting the product that has passed through the product identification unit directly to the stocker, and the transport of the product is stopped before the stocker.

( 2 ) The first mode and the second mode can be manually switched in advance by a store clerk or the like with a mode selector switch or the like.

( 3 ) One of the first mode and the second mode can be automatically selected by the action of the operator (automatic switching mode). That is, the second mode is automatically selected when the product is input after the product code is input by the product code input means, and the first mode is automatically selected when the product is input without inputting the product code. To be selected. This is the logical product of the output of the detector that detects the input of the product code (or its negative output) and the output of the detector that detects the product input, and the output switches between the first and second modes. It can be realized with a simple circuit such as switching the switch.

( 4 ) In the second mode, since the match between the product code input by the product code input means and the product code read by the product identification unit is checked, the reading accuracy is higher than that in the case where no match check is performed. Goes up.
In the second mode, the product code reading means of the transport unit (product identification unit) is used for checking, and the read product code is compared with the product code input before insertion. return.

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043]

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
(Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a checkout device configured according to front operation, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a main part inside. The check-out device includes a belt conveyor 51 that conveys a product, a product sensor 52 that optically detects a product (for example, a front product sensor 5
2a, a rear product sensor is shown by 52b), a scanner 53 which reads a bar code of the product inside (each one is shown by 53a to 53g), a stocker 54 divided into two for storing the product, operation guidance and A display 55 that displays product information, a keyboard 56 that an operator who is usually a purchaser instructs to process, a stopper 57 that prohibits passage of people, a switching lever 58 that switches a stocker that stores products, a printer 59 that prints a receipt. A magnetic card reader / writer 60, a scanner 61 that is attached to the front panel in a variable angle and that reads a barcode of a product by an operator, a clerk call lamp 62 that indicates a call of a clerk
In addition, it is composed of an operator sensor 63 that detects an operator. The internal scanner 53 is provided on the inner surface of the tunnel of the mount portion, that is, the tunnel portion 64 shown in FIG. Also, the keyboard 56, the display 55,
The card attaching / detaching window of the magnetic card reader / writer 60, the receipt extracting portion of the printer 59, etc. are provided on the front panel provided on the mount portion 64 as shown in FIG. The clerk call lamp 62 is provided on the upper front portion of the mount portion 64, and the operator sensor 64 is provided on the front surface of the product table.
On the surface of the belt conveyor 51, crosspieces are provided in the conveying direction in order to prevent rolling of cylindrical round products.

First, when it is detected by the operator sensor 63 that the operator stands in front of the apparatus, the operation is enabled and the display 55 shows a display indicating the operation method. At this time, the belt conveyor 51 is in a stopped state and the stopper 57 is in a passage prohibited state. The operator places the commodity to be purchased on the belt conveyor 51 with the bar code label facing up or facing sideways. Then, the product detection sensor 52a in the loading section detects the product, and starts to convey the belt conveyor 51 in the forward direction toward the stocker 54. When the product passes through the reading area of the scanner 53, the barcode label of the product is read and the product code is recognized. In order to increase the reading rate, the scanner 53 scans the upper surface 53a to 53d and the side scan 53e of the product.
A plurality of .about.53f are arranged so as to widen the reading range. When the product is detected by the front stocker sensor 52b located between the scanner 53 and the stocker 54, the conveyance of the belt conveyor 51 is stopped there when the bar code of the product is read. When the bar code of the product cannot be read, the belt conveyor 51 is reversed and the product is conveyed in the reverse direction toward the loading section. When the bar code of the product is read during reverse feeding, the belt conveyor 51 is reversed again and the product is stopped at the position of the stocker front sensor 52b. When the product cannot be read even during the reverse feeding, the belt conveyor 51 is stopped at the position where the product insertion section product sensor 52a detects the product, and the display 55 shows a display for instructing the operator to perform the operation again. When the barcode of the product can be read, the product information corresponding to the product code is displayed on the display 55 and the product is registered. When the next product is loaded, the product stopped in front of the stocker is loaded into the stocker 54 along with the transportation of the product. When the cancellation of the product stopped in front of the stocker 54 is instructed from the keyboard 56 instead of the next product being input, the belt conveyor 51 is conveyed in the opposite direction to return the product to the input section. To stop and cancel the registration. When the product cannot be read or is difficult to read, the operator reads the bar code of the product with the scanner 61 provided on the front surface, and then places the product on the belt conveyor 51. If the reading cannot be performed many times, the clerk call lamp 62 is turned on to urge the clerk to assist the operation. When all products are registered,
The operator uses the keyboard 56 to instruct the end. Then, the magnetic card reader / writer 60 becomes ready for use, and when the operator inserts a payment card, the information on the card is read, payment processing is performed, and the card is ejected after completion. At the same time, the printer 59 issues a receipt. Further, the switching lever 58 switches the stocker for storing the next product. When the operator receives the receipt, the stopper 57 is in a passable state, and when the operator moves to the position of the stocker 54, the stopper 57 is again in a passable state. The operator finally takes out the product from the stocker 54. When the next operator starts the operation, the product is stored in a stocker different from the stocker on one side where the product is taken out. The mount 64 is
It has sufficient height and width so that the purchaser (operator) cannot throw the product over the mount 64 onto the exit side conveyor.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment (second embodiment) of the checkout device of the present invention in which the configuration of the sideways operation is provided with the fraud prevention function.
(Embodiment) FIG. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) in that it is a horizontal type in which the operator faces sideways (while the first example is a vertical operation type). (While the scanner 61 is rotatably attached to the front panel in the first embodiment), the hand scanner 5, that is, the operator can hold and move the hand scanner 5 to read the product code attached to the product. A scanner is used, and similar input is performed on the touch panel 2 (in contrast to various key inputs such as the cancel key input performed on the keyboard 56 in the first embodiment), (first embodiment) In order to detect the gap when two or more products are put in, the product sensors 52 are provided at only two places, the entrance and the exit. Array It scanner 53 such as a line scanner in (first embodiment
In contrast to the above, two CCD cameras 7 for top surface imaging and side surface imaging capable of imaging a two-dimensional plane are provided.
In addition, the number of product stockers 10 is one. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

The control method will be described with reference to this embodiment. The check-out device is located in the middle of the conveyance path of the belt conveyor 6 and the display 1 with the touch panel 2, the printer 3, the card reader 4, the touch scanner 5, and the product registration unit having the product inlet to the belt conveyor 6. , C
It comprises a product recognition unit having a CD camera 7 and a product storage unit having a product stocker 10. Further, a product detection sensor 8 and a stopper 9 for prohibiting passage of a person are provided between the operation unit and the identification unit on the conveyance path of the belt conveyor 6. In the present embodiment, two CCD cameras are used for the top and the back of the product corresponding to the position of the product code symbol.

The merchandise registration section is blocked by the stopper 9 so that merchandise in the merchandise stocker 10 cannot be put out until the merchandise registration and payment processing is completed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a fraudulent act in which an unregistered product is directly placed in the product stocker 10 without being placed on the conveyor 6.

An example of making payment with a membership card will be shown. In operation, the purchaser first reads the membership card with the card reader 4. Next, the product is placed on the conveyor 6 at the product insertion port with the product code label facing upward or backward. Then, the product is automatically conveyed, the product code is read and checked, and if normal, the product name and price of the product are displayed on the display 1. The operator confirms this and puts in the next product. In the case of an abnormality, the product is returned to the slot, so take out the product, check it, and perform the operation again. For products whose product code is difficult to read, read the product code with the touch scanner 5 or touch the touch panel 2.
You may enter the product after inputting with. When canceling the registration of the product by looking at the display after the product is put in, the cancel key is entered on the touch panel 2. This returns the product to the slot. When registration of all the products is completed, when the end key is entered on the touch panel 2, the printer 3 issues a receipt and the stopper 9 is opened. The operator receives the receipt, moves to the stocker 10, and receives the product.

This will be described with an actual movement. When the card is inserted, the card reader 4 reads the information on the card and ejects the card. The conveyor 6 conveys the product between the product insertion port and the product stocker 10 in both the forward and reverse directions. A plurality of product sensors 8 are arranged along the conveying path of the conveyor 6 to detect the products and monitor their movement. When the product is detected by the product sensor at the product inlet, the conveyor 6 is driven in the forward direction to convey the product to the image pickup area of the CCD camera 7 for reading and checking the product code. When detecting the product, the CCD camera 7 focuses the lens on the upper surface of the product and captures an image of the product. At this time, the height data of the product is also obtained from the focus position of the upper CCD camera 7. Display 1
Displays the operating procedure, the product name and unit price of the registered product, and the input items on the touch panel 2. The touch panel 2 selects and detects the item displayed on the display 1. The touch scanner 3 reads the product code by manually bringing it close to the product code label of the product. The printer 3 issues a receipt on which the name and price of the registered merchandise and the total price are printed. The stopper 9 opens and closes a lever that blocks the passage.

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) and the second embodiment.
The block diagram of the control part common to an Example (FIG. 3) is shown.
However, in the following, the second embodiment (FIG. 3) will be mainly described, and the corresponding reference numerals in the first embodiment will be added in parentheses and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 4, the part including the image recognition controller 32 and the focus controller 33 is the scanner controller in the case of the first embodiment. Also, for simplicity, in FIG. 4, the switching lever 5
8 control circuit, clerk call lamp 62, product sensor 5
The circuit that operates 2 is not shown. In FIG. 4, an address / data bus 36 is included in the CPU 21 for controlling.
ROM 22 for storing the program, RAM 2 for storing the control data of the program and the product information via
3, magnetic disk controller 24, display controller 25, touch panel controller (or keyboard controller) 26, scanner controller 29, printer controller 27, card reader controller 28,
Sensor controller 31, conveyor controller 30,
Image recognition controller (or scanner controller)
32, a focus controller 33, a stopper controller 34, and a line controller 35 are connected.

In the magnetic disk controller 24,
The magnetic disk 37, the display 1 (or 55) in the display controller 25, the touch panel 2 (or keyboard 56) in the touch panel (or keyboard) controller 26, and the touch scanner 5 in the scanner controller 29. (Or 6
1), the printer 3 (or 59) in the printer controller 27, the card reader 4 (or 60) in the card reader controller 28, and the product sensor 8 (or 5) in the sensor controller 31.
2) the conveyor controller 30 includes the conveyor 6 (or 51) and the image recognition controller 32.
And the focus controller 33 includes the CCD
The camera 7 (or line scanner 53) has the stopper 9 (or 57) in the stopper controller 34.
Are connected to each other. A monitoring device is connected to the line controller 35.

The CPU 21 controls each of the above-mentioned controllers according to a program stored in the ROM 22. 7 to 11 show the processing flow (flow chart) of this program.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the entire checkout process. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the details of step S06 in FIG. 7, and in particular, the characteristic feature of the present invention is that the purchaser merely places the product on the conveyor at the entrance (touch scanner, touch panel or keyboard). 9 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing including an operation mode (hereinafter, referred to as “automatic reading mode”) in which all necessary processing is automatically performed until completion of checkout thereafter (without performing an operation). FIG. 9 shows step S3 in FIG.
2 is a flowchart showing details of No. 2; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of step S50 in FIG. In addition, FIG.
Changes part of the processing in FIG. 6 (step 23), and after the purchaser reads the product code by operating the touch scanner, the touch panel, or the keyboard in the "automatic reading mode" described above, Check the product match by placing it on the conveyor (Fig. 10 S6
3 is a flow chart of a process of an embodiment in which an operation mode capable of performing 1) (hereinafter referred to as a “match check mode”) is switched.

The operation will be described below with reference to these processing flows (flow charts). When the operator first reads the membership card (S02 in FIG. 7), the card reader controller 28 controls the card information read from the card reader 4 (or 60), and the magnetic disk is read by the membership number in the card information. The member information stored in 37 is searched (S03 in FIG. 7), and the corresponding member information is stored in the RAM.
It stores in the table provided in 23. FIG. 13 shows a data structure diagram of this member information. As a result, the product check allowance corresponding to the read membership card is obtained (S04 in FIG. 7). This product check allowance is corrected by the store congestion degree recognized by monitoring the operation free time of this device (S05 in FIG. 7). When the member card is not read (pass from S01 to S10 in FIG. 7), the allowance for the product check is determined by the shop congestion degree.

When the product sensor 8 (or 52a) detects that a product is placed in the product insertion portion of the conveyor 6 (or 51) (FIG. 8, S23), the conveyor controller 30 moves the conveyor 6 (or 51) in order. 8 (S24 in FIG. 8), the product is conveyed to the reading range of the CCD camera 7 (or the scanner 53). When the product is within the reading range of the CCD camera 7 (or the scanner 53), the focus controller 33 focuses the CCD camera 7 on the product, and the image recognition controller 3
The image of the product is recognized by 2 (or the scanner controller 32). At this time, the height of the product is recognized from the focus position or the recognized image of the product, and the product barcode label is detected and the product code is decoded by the obtained image. When the product code in the image is recognized and read before the product passes through the reading area, the product information stored in the magnetic disk 37 is retrieved by the product code (S31 in FIG. 8), and the product code corresponding to the code is retrieved. The product information is stored in the table provided in the RAM 23.

FIG. 12 shows the data structure of product information. The product information is composed of a product name, unit price, and check information, and the check information is 3 as fixed color data.
It is composed of data in which the value of each component decomposed into colors and the height data of the product are shown by a central value and an allowable error indicating a range of variation, respectively. Further, as the check data, in addition to the confirmed data, there are data indicating the presence or absence of provisional data and data indicating whether or not other confirmed data is registered. The provisional data is the value measured from the actual product by the learning function described later.It is the data that is provisionally registered when there is no definitive data or inconsistency, and the value is reviewed when the number is collected. By doing so, it becomes finalized data.

There are a plurality of pieces of check information depending on the measurement direction of the product and the change or variation of the product itself. The check information in the product information is compared with the height of the product and the average value of the data for each color component obtained from the image of the product. As a result, it is checked that there is only one product (Fig. 8
S32, FIGS. 9 to 10). For example, when a plurality of products are lined up, the colors of the products are different, or even if the products have the same color, the ratio of the image of the product in the image changes, so that the products do not match the registration data and are recognized as a plurality of products. Also, when a plurality of products are stacked, it is recognized as a plurality of products by checking whether the height is less than or equal to a specified value. The determination method at this time is as shown in FIG.

As described above, the process flow of FIG. 8 shows the case of the “automatic reading mode” in which the product code of the product is automatically read on the conveyor 6 (path from S70 in FIG. 11 directly to S23 in FIG. 8). However, it is possible to input the product code before loading by manually reading the barcode of the product with the touch scanner 5 (or 61) of the operation unit or by entering the product code with the touch panel 2 (or keyboard 56). FIG. 11 shows a processing flow including the case of setting. In this process, be sure to enter the product code and then put the product in "match check mode"
(Pass from S70 to S71 in FIG. 11) and whether to insert the product after inputting the product code (pass from S73 to S72 in FIG. 11) or without input (S73 to S23 in FIG. 8) It also has two "automatic switching modes" that automatically determine (path to). The above three modes are set in advance before use. For example, a mode changeover switch (not shown) such as a cover switch that can be operated only by a store clerk is provided so that the store clerk can selectively switch one of these three modes in advance. If the product code has been entered before the product is put in, it is checked whether it matches the product code read on the conveyor 6,
If they do not match, the product is determined to be defective by checking (S61 in FIG. 10). In the automatic reading mode, of course, the product code match check (the match check between the product code read by the touch panel 2 or the like before the product is put in and the product code read by the product identification unit (scanner 53, CCD) on the conveyor 6) is natural. Although not performed, the product code independently read by the product identification unit is used for product identification together with other product characteristic data such as product size and color.

Besides the present embodiment, a scanner may be used as a means for reading the product code. Further, as a product check means, a plurality of product codes in the products that are simultaneously conveyed, a transmission type sensor that crosses the conveyance path of the conveyor 6 or a reflection type sensor that is perpendicular to the conveyance path is provided, and the size of the goods can be checked. The weight may be measured by measuring and detecting the presence or absence of a gap in the product, or by providing a weight sensor under the conveyor 6. In the case of a single item check that checks that there is only one product, the check method is that the measured value is less than or equal to the value corrected by the allowable error in the characteristic data of the product. In the case of the coincidence check to be checked, it is checked that the measured characteristic value of the product is within the allowable error range of the corresponding characteristic data. The single item check is used when the product code is read while the product on the conveyor is being conveyed, and the coincidence check is used when the product is conveyed after the product code is input. In the case of the coincidence check, since it is necessary to recognize the individual differences of the products, the allowable error is made smaller than that of the single product check.

In the present embodiment, the allowable error of the product check is corrected by the member information and the shop congestion degree, but it is also corrected by the unit price in the product information (the more expensive the error, the tighter the allowable error). Further, the sensor 8 or the like detects an abnormality in the product check, the movement of the product due to an external force other than the conveyor 6 (for example, by hand), the product other than the product insertion port is detected by the product detection sensor 8, or the stopper 9 is used.
The correction may be made by detecting the opening of the stopper due to an external force (human power, etc.) while blocking the passage. (If any of these is detected, the tolerance is tightened as if there was a fraud or abnormality).

When the product code cannot be read even though the product passes the reading range of the CCD camera 7 (see FIG. 8).
(Pass from S26 to S27), the conveyor 6 is reversed to return the product to the product insertion port. The product code is also read during this reverse feeding, and when the product code is read, the conveyor 6 is switched to the forward feeding (FIG. 8, S40). This is the match mode (comparison mode) even in the automatic reading mode.
Can also be applied when

When the product code cannot be read (see FIG. 8)
When an abnormality is detected in the product check (pass from S29 to S37) (pass from S32 to S40 in FIG. 8), the product is returned to the product inlet, the conveyor 6 is stopped (S38 in FIG. 8), and the re-operation is performed. The requested display is displayed on the display 1 (S39 in FIG. 8).

If the product is checked normally, the product is registered and the product transportation is stopped before the stocker 10 (see FIG. 8).
S35). Further, the product name and price in the product information of this product are displayed on the display 1 (S33 in FIG. 8). Here, when the input of the cancel key is detected from the touch panel 2 (pass from S22 to S36 in FIG. 8), the registration is canceled and the conveyor 6 is fed backward (S36 in FIG. 8), and when the product returns to the product inlet, the conveyor is released. 6 is stopped (S38 in FIG. 8).

When the input of the end key is detected on the touch panel 2 (S22 in FIG. 8), the registration of the product is completed, and in the case of a member, the member information is updated (S07 in FIG. 7). After that, a receipt is issued by the printer 3 (S08 in FIG. 7) and the lever of the stopper 9 is closed to open the passage (S09 in FIG. 7) to allow the operator to pass through the stocker 10.

FIG. 5 shows registration conditions for realizing a product check function and a learning function for checking data. In the product check, if the characteristic data is not registered in the product data, or if the clerk ID code is input on the touch panel 2 during product registration and the product check does not match, the recognized value is fed back as provisional data. Then, the data is confirmed when a plurality of matches are obtained. Further, in the case where the mismatch with the registered characteristic data occurs a plurality of times, the mismatch data is acquired, and the value of the confirmed data is corrected by periodically reviewing it. When registering a product, the salesclerk's ID is displayed on the touch panel
When the input of the code is detected, the data is registered as provisional data even if a mismatch occurs. As a result, the product characteristic data at the time of introduction is automatically created.

FIG. 6 shows the connection between the checkout device 40a and the monitoring device 44. When the product sensor 8 of the transport section continuously loads products, detects products other than the loading port, detects movement of products by an external force other than the conveyor 6, and when the stopper controller 34 blocks the passage by the stopper 9. An alarm signal is output to the monitoring device 44 monitored by the monitoring camera 41a when the opening to the stopper by the external force is detected and when the mismatch is detected during the product check. The observer can easily detect abnormality and fraud by gazing at the monitor monitor 43a provided with the alarm lamp 42a.

[0076]

The effects of the present invention, which have been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, are listed below.

(1) According to the present invention, the transfer control means is
Before placing the product, simply place the product on the transport path of the loading section without operating the product code input means such as a manual scanner.
It is possible to start the transportation of the product, perform predetermined product identification by the product identification unit, and complete the checkout automatically. As a result, the operation load on the operator is reduced, and even a person unfamiliar with the device can easily perform the checkout.

(2) A first mode (automatic reading mode) in which the operator does not manually input the product code before the product is input, and a second mode in which the operator manually inputs the product code before the product is input. Since (matching check mode) is provided, it is the first to prioritize saving the operator's time and effort.
The second mode is used to improve the reading accuracy and the second mode can be used properly. For example, when the normal reading is not performed in the first mode first, it is possible to switch to the second mode for reprocessing.

(3) One of the first mode and the second mode can be preset by a clerk or the like.

(4) It is possible to automatically select the first mode or the second mode depending on whether the operator inputs the product code before inserting the product code.

(5) In the second mode, the coincidence check between the product code input by the product code input means and the product code read by the product identification section is performed, so that the reading accuracy is improved.

(6) The products to be registered are placed one by one on the belt conveyor and the product code attached to the transported product is read to prevent replacement of the read product. As a result, the product check can be simplified from individual identification for each product code to identification of the number of products, and an effective checking mechanism with few errors can be realized.

By providing the product code manual input means in the operation section, it is possible to prevent a decrease in processing speed due to re-operation when the product code is difficult to read. Also,
It is possible to read the water product with the operation unit, put it in a bag for preventing wetting, and transport it.

(7) Since the product is temporarily stopped before the stocker, it is possible to cancel the registration after confirming the price of the product.

(8) By automatically generating the characteristic data for product check by the learning function, it is possible to save the trouble of data creation.

(9) A flexible check mechanism according to the situation of the store is realized by changing the tolerance of the measurement error in the product check according to each member, the congestion degree of the store, the price of the product, and the operation situation. it can.

(10) When an abnormal operation or an operation which seems to be an illegal operation is detected by monitoring the operation, an alarm signal can be output to the monitor monitored by the monitoring camera. As a result, even if the number of devices increases, the devices to be noted can be known, so that monitoring can be facilitated and check omissions can be prevented.

(11) When the merchandise code cannot be read during the progressive feeding of the merchandise, the merchandise is sent back and the merchandise code is read again during the backward sending. The conveyor can be immediately switched to progressive feeding, and the overall check processing time and labor can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a checkout device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a checkout device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a condition for generating check data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout and connection relationship between a checkout device and a monitoring device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the overall processing of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a merchandise item registration process according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a check process according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a product check process according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a mode switching function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of product data.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of member information of a member who is a purchaser.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 display 2 touch panel 3 printers 4 card reader 5 touch scanner 6 belt conveyor 7 CCD camera 8 Product detection sensor 9 stopper 10 product stocker 40a, 40b, 40c checkout device 41a, 41b, 41c Surveillance cameras 42a, 42b, 42c Alarm lamp 43a, 43b, 43c Monitoring monitor 44 Monitoring device 51 conveyor 52 Product Sensor 53a-53g Scanner 54 Stocker 55 display 56 keyboard 57 Stopper 58 Switching lever 59 Printer 60 magnetic card reader / writer 61 Scanner 62 clerk call lamp 63 Operator sensor 64 mount

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Abe 810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Office Systems Department, Hitachi, Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-61-46591 (JP, A) JP Patent HEI 4-239996 (JP, A) JP-A-4-346185 (JP, A) JP-A-3-257687 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 7 / 00-9/00 G07G 1/00-1/14

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A product input section, a stocker for storing the product, a product identification section located between them, a transport path for transporting the product to the stocker via the input section, and an operation of the transport path. Transport control means, product code input means for inputting a product code in the input section, product detection means for detecting that a product has been placed on the transfer path in the input section, and product identification in the product identification section. In a checkout device having a product code reading unit for reading a product code, the transport control unit only detects that the product is placed on the transport path in the loading unit by the product detection unit. The first transporting of the product and selectively transporting the product to the stocker or the loading unit according to the identification result of the product identification unit.
Mode, and when the product detection unit detects that the product is placed on the transfer path after the product code is input by the product code input unit, the transfer of the product is started. And a second mode for selectively transporting a product to the stocker or the loading unit according to the identification result of the product identification unit. 2. A checkout apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a manual mode switching means for switching in advance and the first mode and the second mode. 3. When the product detection unit detects that the product is placed on the transport path of the loading section without the product code input unit inputting the product code, the mode is switched to the first mode, An automatic mode switching unit is provided for switching to the second mode when the product detection unit detects that the product is placed on the transport path of the loading unit while the product code input unit inputs the product code. The checkout device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The product identification unit uses the product code read by the product code reading unit in the first mode for product identification, and the product code input by the product code input unit in the second mode. checkout apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, characterized by being configured to use a comparison result of the product code read by the code and the product code reader to identify the product 3.