JP4134638B2 - Self-check system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a self-check system that is used in a retail store or the like and registers a product purchased at the time of checkout by the customer himself.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a checkout system in which products are registered by operating a self-checkout by a customer himself / herself at a checkout place for products purchased at a retail store such as a supermarket.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the self-check system, since the customer himself operates the self-checkout, if an error occurs and an error occurs, the capacity is called and the check-out often stops. As a result, this customer not only feels unpleasant, but also the subsequent customers have a longer waiting time, which may reduce the impression of the store.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a self-check system that can smoothly perform self-checkout by finding and handling a customer's error operation early. To do.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the first aspect of the present invention, the customer himself performs product registration, a plurality of self-checkout for calculating the sum, the clerk registration clerk performs settlement and product registration are communicably connected to, the self-checkout Comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the cash register identification information and error information to the store clerk when an error operation is detected. When the store clerk receives the cash register identification information and error information, based on, among the plurality of self-checkout, what error has occurred in which the self-checkout, the case in transactions with a Viewing means that displays on the screen together with the transaction data in the store clerk cashier Features.
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the invention according to the first aspect, further comprising setting means for setting cash register identification information of a clerk cash register in which an error content is displayed by the error display means.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the store clerk register is installed at a service counter in the store.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the self-check system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement in a store including a self-check system according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated, a plurality of product shelves 1 are provided in the store. In addition, a checkout area is provided in the vicinity of the entrance in the store, and a plurality of self-registers 11 to 13 are arranged there. The self-registration refers to a cash register in which a customer who has made a purchase in the store registers a purchased product and settles the purchase price by self-service.
A service counter 2 is provided in the vicinity of the check-out area, and a cashier operation register (hereinafter referred to as a shop assistant cash register) 10 is provided there for accepting gifts (products requiring packaging) and delivery. Is going. Further, the clerk cash register 10 can be registered and cleared by the clerk.
[0007]
In the self-check system, the self-registers 11 to 13 and the store clerk register 10 are communicably connected. When any error operation is performed in the self-registrations 11 to 13, the self-registration transmits error information to the store clerk register 10. When the error information is received from the self-registers 11 to 13, the clerk register 10 displays the error content and notifies the clerk.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration including a store controller that manages self-checkout. A store controller is arranged in an office (not shown) in the store, and the self-registers 11 to 13 and the store clerk register 10 are communicably connected via a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0009]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the self-registration.
Since the self-registrations 11 to 13 have the same configuration, the self-registration 11 will be described as an example here.
The self-register 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, a liquid crystal touch panel 114, a communication unit 117, a scanner unit 118, a deposit / withdrawal unit 119, printing Unit 120 and weighing unit 121.
The ROM 112 stores various programs such as a program for detecting an error operation and a program for transmitting the register identification information and the error information in which the error operation is detected to the store clerk.
The CPU 111 controls each unit 112 to 121 of the safe register.
[0010]
The RAM 113 stores a flag, a register, a PLU file, a preset queue file, and the total amount of merchandise registered.
The RAM 113 stores an error code table. In this error code table, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the error code 1 is associated with display data for each error code such as “underpayment error”. This error code table can be received by the store controller, or can be set by setting mode input from the operation unit 116.
[0011]
The liquid crystal touch panel 114 includes a display unit 115 and an operation unit 116, and performs various displays, mode switching by customer operation, and screen display of each mode.
The communication unit 117 communicates with the store clerk cash register 10 and the store controller through a network system such as a LAN.
The scanner unit 118 reads a product barcode and registers a product, and is provided at the center of the counter stand of the self-checkout 11.
The deposit / withdrawal unit 119 automatically deposits the purchase price by the customer and changes the change with respect to the deposit.
[0012]
The printing unit 120 issues a receipt when the self-checkout by the customer is successfully completed.
The weighing unit 121 is provided with a weighing table at the front and rear of the counter table with the scanner unit 118 in between. The weight of the basket containing the product before registration and the weight of the basket containing the registered product are calculated. Each can be weighed.
Although the clerk cash register 10 is not shown in the drawing, it is smaller than the self cash register 11 and is different from the self cash register 11 in that there is no counter stand, weighing unit 121, and deposit / withdrawal unit 119, and a drawer is provided instead. Has the same configuration.
[0013]
Next, operations of the self register and the store clerk register in the self check system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG.
It is assumed that the error display is set in advance in each of the self-registers 11 to 13 so as to be performed at the store clerk register 10.
First, the operation procedure in the self-registration 11 will be described with reference to the flow of FIG.
The customer picks up a favorite product from the product shelf 1 of the products arranged in the store and puts it in the basket. When the selection of the desired product is completed, the customer places the basket containing the product on the weighing unit 121 of the self-checkout 11 of the self-check system, and performs operation inputs such as setting and registration using the operation unit 115.
[0014]
The CPU 111 determines whether or not the operation input is in the setting mode (step 500). Here, in the setting mode (“Yes” in step S500), and further to set a registration number for displaying an error (“Yes” in step S502), the CPU 111 sets the registration number in the RAM 113 in advance. The setting is stored in the area, and the process returns to step S500. On the other hand, if the setting mode is set (“Yes” in step S500) but the register number is not set (“No” in step S502), other setting processing (not shown) is performed, and the process proceeds to step S500. Return.
[0015]
If the CPU 111 is not in the setting mode (“No” in step S500), the CPU 111 determines whether it is in the registration mode (step S506). If it is the registration mode (“Yes” in step S506), it is determined whether or not a registration operation has been performed by the customer (step S508).
In the registration mode (“Yes” in step S506), if a registration operation has been performed (“Yes” in step S508), product registration is performed (step S510), and the amount of the product registered this time is added to the total purchase amount. Add and return to step S500.
On the other hand, in the registration mode (“Yes” in step S506), when the registration operation is not performed (“No” in step S508), a confirmation key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 116 is operated by the customer. Then, it is determined whether or not an operation indicating that the registration of all the products has been completed, that is, whether or not a registration end operation has been performed (step S514).
[0016]
If it is determined that the registration end operation has been performed (“Yes” in step S514), the CPU 111 determines whether or not the payment for the total purchase amount has been deposited in the deposit / withdrawal unit 119 (step S518). If the CPU 111 determines that the total purchase amount has been received in the deposit / withdrawal unit 119 (“Yes” in step 518), the CPU 111 determines that the payment has been settled and issues a receipt by the printing unit 120. The transaction process is terminated, and the process returns to step S500.
In addition, when the CPU 111 determines that the payment for the total purchase amount has not been deposited in the deposit / withdrawal unit 119 (“No” in step 518), whether or not it is within a predetermined time from the registration end operation in step S514. Judgment is made (step S520).
[0017]
If it is within a predetermined time from the registration end operation in step 514 (“Yes” in step S520), it is determined that an error operation of “insufficient payment error” has been performed, and the corresponding code is read from the error code table in the RAM 113 (step S522). Then, the CPU 111 determines from its own register number (here, the self register 11), the error code in step S522, and the register number (here, the clerk register 10) that displays the error stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 113. An error text as shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 111 transmits the error text to a cash register that displays an error (step S524), and returns to step S500. If the CPU 111 determines that its own register number is the same as the register number for displaying an error, the CPU 111 does not perform this transmission.
If it is not within the predetermined time from the registration end operation in step 514 (“No” in step S520), the process returns to step S500.
[0018]
On the other hand, when the registration end operation has not been performed (“No” in step S514), the CPU 111 checks the weight of the unregistered product basket and the registered product basket in the weighing unit 121 (step S516). .
Here, the CPU 111 determines whether the product registration may not be performed after the basket weight for the unregistered product has decreased by a predetermined amount and the basket weight for the registered product has increased by that amount. Judge by weight check. If the CPU 111 determines that there is a product that has been placed in the registered basket without being scanned by the scanning unit 118 by the weight check, that is, that there is an injustice (“No” in step S516), “scan error” And the corresponding code is read from the error code table in the RAM 113 (step S528). Then, the CPU 111 creates an error text as described above, transmits the error text to the cash register displaying the error (step S530), and returns to step S500.
[0019]
If there is no problem with the weight check in step 16 (“Yes” in step S516), the process returns to step S500.
If the registration mode is not set in step S506 (“No” in step S506), the CPU 111 performs other processing (for example, maintenance) other than the above, such as product registration and setting, and returns to step S500.
[0020]
Next, the operation procedure in the store clerk cash register 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the CPU of the clerk cash register 10 is waiting to receive an error text from each of the self cash registers 11-13.
When the CPU of the clerk register 10 receives the error text transmitted in step S524 of the flow of FIG. 5 (“Yes” in step S600), the CPU reads the corresponding message data from the error code table based on the error code of the error text. . Then, the CPU displays the cash register identification information in which an error has occurred as shown in FIG. 7 and the error content (here, “insufficient payment error”) on the display screen of the clerk cash register 10 from the own cash register number of the error text (step “insufficient payment error”). S602). Here, it is assumed that an error monitor is displayed on a part of the registration screen of the clerk cash register 10.
[0021]
Next, the CPU determines whether or not a clerk at the clerk cash register 10 has operated a clear key (not shown) provided in the operation unit (step S604). When this clear key is operated, it means that the store clerk has confirmed the error display.
If the CPU determines that the clear key has been operated (step S604), the CPU clears the error display (step S606) and returns to step S600.
On the other hand, when the error text is not received (“No” in step S600), the CPU determines whether the setting mode is set (step S608).
[0022]
If it is the setting mode (“Yes” in step S608), the CPU sets and stores setting data such as product settings and self-checkout settings in a predetermined area of the RAM, and returns to step S600.
On the other hand, if the CPU is not in the setting mode (“No” in step S608), the CPU determines whether it is in the registration mode (step S614).
Here, if the registration mode is set (“Yes” in step S614), it is determined whether or not a registration operation by the customer has been performed (step S616). When the registration mode is set (“Yes” in step S614) and a registration operation is performed (“Yes” in step S616), the CPU performs product registration and adds the price of the product to the total price (step S615). ). Then, the process returns to step S600.
[0023]
If the registration mode is selected (“Yes” in step S614) and the registration operation is not performed (“No” in step S616), it is determined whether the registration end operation is performed (step S617).
If the operation is a registration end operation (“Yes” in step S617), the CPU performs a transaction settlement process (step S618), and returns to step S600. If it is not an end operation (“No” in step S617), the process returns to step S600, and a series of processes is repeated.
[0024]
On the other hand, if the registration mode is not set in step S614 (“No” in step S614), the CPU performs other processing (for example, maintenance) other than the above such as product registration and setting, and returns to step S600.
In order to expedite the processing when it is crowded, a store clerk may enter the self-checkout, and when the self-checkout receives an error text, an error display may be made possible.
When the clerk cash register receives the error text, the POPUP display enables the error display even during the transaction. However, this is not restrictive. An area may be provided.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the error contents of the self-checkout can be displayed at the cashier operated by the store clerk, the store clerk can quickly detect and deal with the customer's error operation, and the customer calls when there is an error. There is no store clerk, so there is a sense of security. Moreover, it can be used normally at a cash register operated by a store clerk.
Preferably, when the self-checkout and the cashier operated by the store clerk are both installed in the checkout area or in the vicinity thereof, a relatively close store clerk can know the error and can respond quickly.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the identification information of the cash register for displaying an error can be set by the error display means.
In the invention according to claim 3, since the clerk cash register displaying the error by the error display means is installed in the service counter, there is a lot of unused time, and the clerk cash register is used even if the error contents of other self-checkout are displayed. Inconvenience to this can be relatively reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement in a store including a self-check system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration including a store controller that manages self-registration.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a self-registration.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an error text and an error code table.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the self-registration operation.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the clerk cash register.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error display.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 clerk cash register 11-13 self cash register 111 CPU
112 ROM
113 RAM
114 Liquid crystal touch panel 117 Communication unit 118 Scanner unit 119 Input / output unit 120 Printing unit 121 Weighing unit

Claims (3)

Customer himself makes a product registration, and a plurality of self-checkout to calculate the total amount, and the clerk Checkout clerk makes a settlement with the product registration is connected to be able to communicate,
The self-checkout includes a transmission unit that transmits the checker identification information and error information to the store clerk when an error operation is detected,
Wherein the clerk cashier receives the said register identification information and error information, based on the information, among the plurality of self-checkout, what error has occurred in any self-checkout clerk in the case of being traded self-check system comprising the Viewing means that displays on the screen together with the transaction data in the cash register. 2. The self-check system according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting cash register identification information of a clerk cash register in which error contents are displayed by the error display means. The self-check system according to claim 1, wherein the store clerk cash register is installed at a service counter in the store.

Images