JP4230318B2 - Product information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise information processing apparatus that processes information related to merchandise.

  In retail stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and pack centers that supply products to stores, various product information processing that processes information related to products for weighing, packaging, pricing, and settlement of food products The device is in use.

  In recent years, in such a product information processing apparatus, a display unit having a touch panel has been adopted to facilitate operation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a label printer that is a commodity information processing apparatus including a touch panel. This label printer measures the weight of goods such as meat, derives a price according to the weight based on a predetermined unit price, and prints the derived result on a label. A salesperson who is a user of a label printer easily performs various operations such as selection of products to be sold and label printing instructions by appropriately pressing a plurality of command buttons displayed on the screen of the display unit. It is possible.

  In addition, there is Patent Document 2 as prior art document information related to this application.

JP 2001-101529 A JP 2003-122507 A

  With the recent increase in functionality of product information processing devices, the number of information and command buttons to be displayed on the display unit of the product information processing device has increased. It tends to be smaller. For this reason, when handling the touch panel of a merchandise information processing apparatus, there is a high possibility that an input error such as an incorrect command button to be pressed will occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a product information processing apparatus that can prevent an input error when handling a touch panel.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is a product information processing apparatus for processing information relating to a product , and has a screen on which a plurality of command buttons are displayed, and responds to pressing of the screen. A pressing unit on the screen for detecting a pressing position, and a display unit capable of vibrating in response to a vibration instruction signal; and a storage unit for storing a plurality of setting files each including a plurality of different vibration patterns. Each of the plurality of setting files includes a plurality of buttons associated with vibration patterns different from each other in the plurality of command buttons. Between the plurality of setting files, vibration patterns associated with the same command button are mutually associated. It is different, depending on the operation of the predetermined command buttons included in the plurality of command buttons, and selection means for selecting one of the configuration file to be used from among the plurality of configuration files, in response to pressing of the screen Then, the control means for specifying the vibration pattern associated with the command button corresponding to the pressed position from the one setting file selected by the selection means, and providing the display means with a vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern And further .

Further, the invention of claim 2, in product information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined command buttons, Ru user button der for selecting the user.

The invention of claim 3 is the product information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined command button is a type button for selecting a type of the product, and the plurality of command buttons are: A product button for selecting the product is included, and the product selected by the product button changes according to the type of the product selected by the type button.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the commodity information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein each of the plurality of setting files corresponds to a command button having a different command system in the plurality of command buttons. Are associated with different vibration patterns.

The invention according to claim 5 is a product information processing apparatus for processing information related to a product, having a screen on which a plurality of command buttons are displayed, and pressing on the screen in response to pressing of the screen A display means capable of detecting a position and capable of vibrating in response to a vibration instruction signal; and a storage means for storing a plurality of different vibration patterns, wherein the storage means is different from each other in the plurality of command buttons. Storing the plurality of vibration patterns by associating any one of the plurality of vibration patterns with each of the plurality of command buttons so that a plurality of buttons associated with the plurality of vibration patterns are included. A vibration pattern associated with the command button corresponding to the pressed position in response to the pressing of the screen is selected from the plurality of vibration patterns stored by the means. And a control means for providing the display means with a vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern, wherein the plurality of command buttons are grouped for each command system and displayed on the screen, and the plurality of command buttons In this case, the display colors before the press of the command buttons adjacent to each other are set to different colors, and the storage means is a command button in which the display colors before the press are set to different colors among the plurality of command buttons. On the other hand, different vibration patterns are associated with each other .

According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, when the command button is pressed, the display means vibrates in a vibration pattern associated with the command button. For this reason, a plurality of command buttons on the screen can be distinguished by tactile sense, and input errors can be prevented.

Further, according to the invention of claim 1, the configuration file used in accordance with the operation of the predetermined command button is selected. For this reason, the vibration pattern associated with each command button can be collectively changed according to the operation of a predetermined command button .

In particular, according to the invention of claim 2 , the setting file to be used is selected in accordance with the operation of the user button . For this reason, the vibration pattern respectively linked | related with a command button can be changed for every user, and an input mistake can be prevented effectively.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 3 , a setting file to be used is selected according to an operation of a type button for selecting a type of product. For this reason, the vibration pattern respectively linked | related with a command button can be changed for every type of goods, and an input mistake can be prevented effectively.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 4 , since a unique vibration pattern is associated with each command system of the command button, the user can effectively store the relationship between the command system of the command button and the vibration. Input mistakes can be prevented.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 5 , since a unique vibration pattern is associated with each display color before the command button is pressed, the user stores the relationship between the display color before the command button is pressed and the vibration pattern. Therefore, input errors can be effectively prevented.

<1. First Embodiment>
<1-1. Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a product information processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the product information processing apparatus 1. The merchandise information processing apparatus 1 has a function of measuring the weight of merchandise such as meat, deriving a price corresponding to the weight based on a predetermined unit price, and printing the derived price on a label.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the product information processing apparatus 1 includes a weighing unit 10 that measures the weight of a product, a display unit 20 that displays various types of information, and a label issuing unit that prints and issues information related to the product on a label. 30, a key input unit 41 in which a plurality of keys are arranged, and a speaker 42 that outputs sound.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the product information processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 50 for controlling the entire apparatus. The control unit 50 includes a CPU 51 that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM 52 that is a read-only memory, a RAM 53 that is a memory as an operation work area, and a battery-backed SRAM 54 that is a non-volatile memory. The lines 100 are electrically connected to each other. In addition, each processing unit of the product information processing apparatus 1 such as the weighing unit 10, the display unit 20, the label issuing unit 30, the key input unit 41, and the speaker 42 is connected to the bus line 100. Operates under control.

  The weighing unit 10 has a weighing function for weighing the product placed on the upper surface thereof. The measurement result of the measuring unit 10 is transmitted as a signal to the control unit 50 via the bus line 100. The price of the product is derived by the control unit 50 based on the measurement result and a unit price per predetermined weight (for example, 100 g) set in advance.

  The display unit 20 is configured by attaching a touch panel 21 capable of detecting a pressed position on the surface of a liquid crystal display 22 capable of color display (generally, a flat panel display capable of variably displaying an arbitrary image). (See FIG. 2). During operation of the product information processing apparatus 1, various command buttons are displayed on the screen of the display unit 20. The user can perform various information inputs and operation instructions to the product information processing apparatus 1 by pressing a command button displayed on the screen (touching with a finger or the like). The display unit 20 will be further described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the label issuing unit 30 is incorporated in the product information processing apparatus 1 and includes a label storage unit 34, a transport unit 33, and a printing unit 32. The label storage unit 34 stores a label mount, on which a plurality of labels are continuously attached, wound in a roll shape. The transport unit 33 includes an electric motor, a plurality of feed rollers, and the like, and pulls out the label mount stored in the label storage unit 34 and transports it to the label issuing port 31. The printing unit 32 prints the printed content such as the price of the product transferred from the control unit 50 on the label on the label board transported to the label issuing port 31 by a thermal method or the like. The label printed in this way is sent out from the label issuing port 31 to the outside of the apparatus. In the present embodiment, the label issuing unit 30 that issues a label is employed, but instead, a receipt issuing unit that prints and issues a print content on a receipt may be employed.

  The key input unit 41 includes a plurality of stroke keys such as numeric keys and print keys. When the user presses any key, a signal corresponding to the key is transmitted to the control unit 50 via the bus line 100. Based on the signal transferred from the control unit 50, the speaker 42 emits sound for operation confirmation and warning.

  A control program is stored in the ROM 52 shown in FIG. Various functions for controlling the merchandise information processing apparatus 1 are realized by the CPU 51 performing arithmetic processing according to the control program. The SRAM stores a product master which is data in which “product codes” of various products handled by the product information processing apparatus 1 are associated with “product name”, “tare weight”, “unit price”, and the like. Has been. The product master is referred to when the product information processing apparatus 1 operates such as deriving the price of the product.

<1-2. Display example of display section>
Next, a display example of the display unit 20 will be outlined. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the screen of the display unit 20. The display example shown in FIG. 3 is an example in the case where the product information processing apparatus 1 is used for face-to-face sales at a store that sells meat.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper part of the screen of the display unit 20 is an area for displaying various information about the product to be weighed, a product name area 61 for displaying the product name, and a tare area for displaying the tare weight. 62, a unit price area 63 for displaying the unit price, a weight area 64 for displaying the measured weight, and a price area 65 for displaying the price.

  Among these areas, the product name area 61, the tare area 62, and the unit price area 63 also function as command buttons for changing the contents of the product master. Specifically, when the user presses the product name area 61, the tare area 62, and the unit price area 63, a screen for changing the content of the product master is displayed on the display unit 20, and the product name, tare weight, and The contents of the unit price can be changed. Hereinafter, the product name area 61, the tare area 62, and the unit price area 63 are referred to as a product name button 61, a tare button 62, and a unit price button 63, respectively.

  In the lower part of the screen of the display unit 20, a plurality of product buttons 66 for selecting a product to be weighed are arranged. Each product button 66 is associated with one product, and when the user presses the product button 66, the product associated with the product button 66 is set as a product to be weighed.

  Three type buttons 67 for changing the type of the product associated with the product button 66 are arranged on the right side of the product button 66. Each of these type buttons 67 is associated with one type of product. In the example of FIG. 3, the three type buttons 67 are associated with the types “beef”, “pork”, and “chicken”, respectively. A unique type code (type information) is assigned in advance to each type of product. When the type button 67 is pressed, the type code of the type associated with the type button 67 is input to the control unit 50. The product button 66 displayed in response to is changed to one corresponding to the type. More specifically, when the type button 67 indicating “beef” is pressed, the beef product is pressed, when pressing the type button 67 indicating “pork”, the pork product is pressed, and the type button 67 indicating “chicken” is pressed. In this case, a product button 66 corresponding to each chicken product is displayed.

  Three user buttons 68 used for selecting a salesperson who is a user of the product information processing apparatus 1 are arranged on the right side of the type button 67. The product information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is shared by three salespersons, and each of the three user buttons 68 is associated with one salesperson. Each salesperson is assigned a user code as unique identification information in advance, and when the user button 68 is pressed, the salesperson's user code associated with the user button 68 is input to the control unit 50 and sold. A member is identified.

  In addition, at the right end of the screen of the display unit 20, there are eight menus labeled “menu”, “zero”, “addition”, “page”, “function”, “manual”, “previous feed”, and “subtotal”. Function buttons 69 are arranged in the vertical direction. When these function buttons are pressed, a predetermined function (operation or processing) associated with the function button in advance is executed.

  In this way, a number of command buttons are displayed on the display unit 20. These command buttons are “product master change system”, “product selection system”, “type selection system”, “user selection system”, and “function”. It can be classified into five command systems of “execution system”. That is, the product name button 61, the tare button 62, and the unit price button 63 are “product master change system” for changing the product master, and the plurality of product buttons 66 are “product selection system” for selecting a product, and three types. The button 67 is a “type selection system” for selecting a product type, the three user buttons 68 are a “user selection system” for selecting a user, and the eight function buttons 69 are “for performing a predetermined function”. It is classified into “function execution system”.

<1-3. Processing example>
Next, an example of processing of the product information processing apparatus 1 at the time of product sales will be outlined with reference to FIG.

  At the time of merchandise sales, first, a salesperson who is a user of the merchandise information processing apparatus 1 presses the user button 68 associated with the display unit 20 itself. Thereby, the salesperson's user code is input into the control part 50, and the salesperson (user) to operate is specified.

  Subsequently, the salesperson presses the product button 66 associated with the product that the customer desires to purchase (hereinafter referred to as “purchased product”). At this time, if the type of the purchased product is different from the type of the product indicated by the displayed product button 66, the salesperson associates with the purchased product by pressing the type button 67 indicating the type of the purchased product. After the displayed product button 66 is displayed, the product button 66 is pressed.

  When the product button 66 is pressed, the product associated with the product button 66, that is, the information of the purchased product is acquired from the product master, and the “product name”, “tare weight”, and “unit price” are the product name. It is displayed on the button 61, the tare button 62 and the unit price button 63.

  Subsequently, the salesperson places the purchased product on the upper surface of the measuring unit 10. As a result, the weight of the purchased product is measured by the measuring unit 10, and the result obtained by subtracting the tare weight (the weight of the tray or the like) from the weight is input to the control unit 50 as a measurement result. Then, the price of the purchased product is derived by the control unit 50 from the measurement result and the unit price obtained from the product master. The measurement result and the price of the purchased product are displayed in the weight area 64 and the price area 65 of the display unit 20, respectively.

  Subsequently, the salesperson presses the print key of the key input unit 41. In response to this, the product information (purchase date, product name, unit price, weight, price, salesperson name, etc.) of the purchased product is printed on the label by the label issuing unit 30, and the label is issued from the label issuing port 31. Is done. Then, the product is settled based on the contents printed on the label.

  The above processing is processing when selling one type of product to one customer, but the product information processing apparatus 1 can be settled once when selling multiple types of products to one customer. Thus, an addition process for adding the prices of the products and printing the addition results is possible. For example, when one customer wishes to purchase “for beef tongue yakiniku” and “bone ribs”, the product information processing apparatus 1 uses the prices for “beef tongue yakiniku” and “bone ribs”. The result of adding and can be printed on one label.

  When causing the merchandise information processing apparatus 1 to perform addition processing, the salesperson first presses the user button 68 associated with the salesperson in the same manner as described above. Then, one purchased product is selected by the product button 66, and the purchased product is placed on the upper surface of the measuring unit 10, and the price of the purchased product is derived. Thereafter, the salesperson presses not the print key of the key input unit 41 but the addition button labeled “addition” among the function buttons 69. As a result, the price of the purchased product is stored in the SRAM 54.

  Thereafter, the salesperson performs such operations from “pressing the user button 68” to “pressing the addition button” for all purchased products. As a result, the prices of all purchased products are stored in the SRAM 54. Thereafter, when the print key of the key input unit 41 is pressed, the prices of all the purchased products stored in the SRAM 54 are added, the addition result and the product information of all the purchased products are printed on the label, and the label is issued.

  When such an addition process is performed, until the sale of the product to the customer related to the addition process is completed, the product information processing apparatus 1 is occupied only by one salesperson in charge of the customer, Other salespersons cannot use the product information processing apparatus 1 and the sales efficiency is reduced. For this reason, in the product information processing apparatus 1, after the addition button is pressed once in the addition process (that is, after the price of one purchased product related to the addition process is stored in the SRAM 54), the other salespersons Processing for customers can be performed by interruption. Then, when the original salesperson related to the addition process resumes the process, the salesperson presses the user button 68 associated with the salesperson. By pressing the user button 68, the price of the product that has already been derived and stored in the SRAM 54 is called up. That is, in the addition process, the price of the product is associated with the salesperson's user code and stored in the SRAM 54, and when the user button 68 is pressed, the product associated with the user code specified by the user button 68 is stored. The price of will be called. Thereby, in the addition process, even if another salesperson performs the process by interruption, the addition process can be continued thereafter. In addition, a plurality of salespersons can perform addition processing in parallel.

<1-4. Configuration and operation of display unit>
Thus, in the merchandise information processing apparatus 1, the display unit 20 includes the touch panel 21, and is used for various operations. When the touch panel 21 of the display unit 20 is pressed so as to give not only a function of detecting a coordinate position (pressed position) on the pressed screen but also a pressing feeling (click feeling) to the pressed user. It has a force feedback function that vibrates.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of the touch panel 21, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the product information processing apparatus 1 according to the touch panel 21. In FIG. 5, a command button specifying unit 511, a command execution unit 512, a vibration control unit 513, a display control unit 514, and a voice control unit 515 are realized by the CPU 51 of the control unit 50 performing arithmetic processing according to a control program. The function to be performed is shown schematically.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the touch panel 21 includes a surface-side flexible plate 71 pressed by a user, a support substrate 72 that supports the flexible plate 71 from the back side, and a piezoelectric substrate 73 that serves as a vibrating body. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pressing position detection circuit 74 for detecting the pressed coordinate position and a piezoelectric substrate driving circuit 75 for driving the piezoelectric substrate 73 are provided.

  The flexible plate 71 is a rectangular transparent plate made of flexible synthetic resin or the like, and has a rigidity enough to be bent slightly by human pressure. The support substrate 72 is a rectangular transparent plate having relatively high rigidity, such as a glass plate or an acrylic substrate. When the touch panel 21 is assembled, the flexible plate 71 and the support substrate 72 are stacked and arranged with a slight gap therebetween.

  Further, on the surfaces of the flexible plate 71 and the support substrate 72 facing each other, conductor films 711 and 721 having uniform film thicknesses made of ITO (indium tin oxide) are formed. The pressed position detection circuit 74 is electrically connected to these conductor films 711 and 721. When the touch panel 21 is pressed, the conductor films 711 and 721 come into contact with each other. The pressing position detection circuit 74 detects pressing based on the contact of the conductor films 711 and 721, and further detects the pressed coordinate position based on the potential at these contact points.

  Specifically, when detecting the coordinate position in the vertical direction of the screen, a voltage is applied to the conductor film 711 on the surface side so that an electric gradient is generated in the vertical direction. The vertical coordinate position is detected by detecting the potential of the conductor film 721 on the back surface side at the contact point. On the other hand, when detecting the coordinate position in the horizontal direction of the screen, a voltage is applied to the conductor film 721 on the back surface side so that an electric gradient is generated in the horizontal direction. Then, the horizontal coordinate position is detected by detecting the potential of the conductor film 711 on the surface side at the contact point.

  The piezoelectric substrate 73 is a long thin plate made of a piezoelectric (piezo) material such as piezoelectric ceramic, and has a property of expanding and contracting according to an applied driving voltage. When the touch panel 21 is assembled, the piezoelectric substrate 73 is sandwiched between the flexible plate 71 and the support substrate 72 and is fixed to both plates so as not to contact the conductor films 711 and 721. In addition, a piezoelectric substrate drive circuit 75 is electrically connected to the piezoelectric substrate 73. When a drive voltage having a predetermined waveform is applied from the piezoelectric substrate drive circuit 75 to the piezoelectric substrate 73, the piezoelectric substrate 73 vibrates in response thereto. Along with this, the flexible plate 71 and the support substrate 72 fixed to the piezoelectric substrate 73 also vibrate.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the product information processing apparatus 1 responding to the pressing when the touch panel 21 of the display unit 20 is pressed will be described.

  When the touch panel 21 is pressed, first, the flexible plate 71 and the support substrate 72 come into contact with each other, and the pressed position detection circuit 74 detects that the touch panel 21 has been pressed. In response to the detection of the pressing, the pressing position detection circuit 74 further detects the coordinate position on the screen that has been pressed.

  Next, the detected coordinate position is input to the command button specifying unit 511. The command button specifying unit 511 acquires the coordinate range of each of the plurality of command buttons displayed on the screen of the display unit 20 (liquid crystal display 22) from the display control unit 514, and collates it with the coordinate position from the pressed position detection circuit 74. . When the coordinate position from the pressed position detection circuit 74 is included in the coordinate range of any command button, the command button is specified as the pressed command button. When the coordinate position from the pressed position detection circuit 74 is not included in any of the coordinate ranges of the plurality of command buttons, no command button is pressed, and the operation is ended as it is.

  When the pressed command button is specified, information indicating the specified command button is input from the command button specifying unit 511 to the command executing unit 512. Accordingly, the function (operation or processing) defined for the command button is executed by the command execution unit 512.

  At the same time, information indicating the specified command button is also input from the command button specifying unit 511 to the vibration control unit 513, the display control unit 514, and the voice control unit 515, respectively. In response to this, the display control unit 514 controls the operation of the liquid crystal display 22 so as to invert the display color of the command button, and the sound control unit 515 generates an operation confirmation sound from the speaker 42.

  Further, the vibration control unit 513 gives a vibration instruction signal for instructing vibration of the piezoelectric substrate to the piezoelectric substrate driving circuit 75. As a result, a drive voltage is applied from the piezoelectric substrate drive circuit 75 to the piezoelectric substrate 73, and the piezoelectric substrate 73 and the flexible plate 71 and the support substrate 72 fixed thereto are vibrated. By this vibration, a pressing feeling (click feeling) or a feeling of vibration is given to the user who pressed the touch panel 21.

  A user who presses the touch panel 21 confirms the reverse display of the command button on the liquid crystal display 22, the operation confirmation sound from the speaker 42, and the vibration of the touch panel 21. 1 can be recognized.

  Further, in the merchandise information processing apparatus 1, the vibration mode of the touch panel 21 (hereinafter referred to as “vibration pattern”) can be changed. The change of the vibration pattern is realized by changing the waveform of the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric substrate 73. A plurality of pieces of information indicating such vibration patterns (that is, information indicating the waveform of the drive voltage) are stored in advance in the SRAM 54 as a vibration pattern file 542 as shown in FIG.

  When the touch panel 21 is vibrated with a certain vibration pattern, the vibration control unit 513 reads the vibration pattern file 542 corresponding to the vibration pattern, and gives the vibration pattern file 542 to the piezoelectric substrate drive circuit 75 as a vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern. It is done. Thereby, a drive voltage having a waveform corresponding to the vibration pattern is generated from the piezoelectric substrate drive circuit 75, and the touch panel 21 is vibrated with the vibration pattern.

  In the present embodiment, any one of the plurality of vibration patterns is associated with each of the plurality of command buttons displayed on the screen of the display unit 20 by the setting file 541 stored in the SRAM 54. It has been. When a certain command button is pressed, the command button is first identified by the command button identifying unit 511, and then the setting file 541 is referenced by the vibration control unit 513, and the vibration associated with the command button is identified. A pattern is selected. Then, the vibration control unit 513 gives a vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern to the piezoelectric substrate driving circuit 75. Thereby, the touch panel 21 is vibrated with the vibration pattern.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting file 541. As shown in the figure, the setting file 541 has a table format in which each record indicates various information related to one command button, and for the “button code” and “command button name” for identifying the command button. , “Vibration patterns” are associated. When the command button is pressed, the setting file 541 is referred to by the vibration control unit 513, and the vibration pattern to be selected is specified.

  Further, as shown in the figure, in the setting file 541, the “command system” described above is also associated with the “button code” and “command button name” for identifying the command button. In the present embodiment, a unique vibration pattern is associated with each “command system”. Which vibration pattern is associated with each command system is set by the user.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for associating a vibration pattern with each command system. This setting screen is displayed on the display unit 20 by a predetermined operation. As shown in the figure, on the setting screen, five command buttons 81 corresponding to each of the five command systems are displayed at the top of the screen, and a plurality of vibration patterns that are candidates to be associated with these command systems are displayed at the bottom of the screen. A plurality of corresponding command buttons 82 are displayed.

  When associating one vibration pattern with a certain command system, first, the command button 81 indicating the command system to be correlated is pressed. Then, the command button 81 is highlighted. Next, the command button 82 indicating the vibration pattern to be associated with the command button 81 is pressed. Then, the command button 82 is also highlighted. Thereby, the command system and the vibration pattern are associated with each other. By repeating such an operation for each command system, vibration patterns are associated with all command systems. Thereafter, by pressing the registration button 83, the contents of the association are reflected in the setting file 541.

  When the command button 82 indicating the vibration pattern is selected, the command button 82 corresponding to the vibration pattern already related to another command system is darkly displayed and cannot be selected (in FIG. 7, Patterns B, E, G, K are darkly displayed.) As a result, the same vibration pattern cannot be associated with a plurality of command systems, and a unique vibration pattern is associated with each command system.

  Thus, in the product information processing apparatus 1, a unique vibration pattern is associated with each command system of the command button. Thereby, if the command system of the command button is the same, the touch panel 21 is vibrated with the same vibration pattern when pressed, and if the command system of the command button is different, the touch panel 21 is vibrated with a different vibration pattern when pressed.

  For this reason, if the salesperson (user) who handles the product information processing apparatus 1 remembers the command system and the actual sense received from the vibration of the vibration pattern associated therewith, an operation error that makes the command system incorrect can be made. If you do it, you can immediately notice the mistake. For example, when the user presses the user button 68 of “user selection system” and accidentally presses the type button 67 of “type selection system”, the salesperson corresponds to the expected feeling (“user selection system”). A sensation is to receive another sensation (a sense corresponding to the “type selection system”). For this reason, it is possible to intuitively grasp that an operation error has been made. As a result, input mistakes can be prevented.

  As described above, as described in the first embodiment, in the product information processing apparatus 1, one of a plurality of vibration patterns is associated with each of a plurality of command buttons. When the screen of the display unit 20 is pressed, a vibration pattern associated with the pressed command button is selected in response to the press, and a vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern is given to the display unit 20. . Thereby, the touch panel 21 of the display unit 20 vibrates in a vibration pattern associated with the pressed command button. For this reason, a plurality of command buttons on the screen can be distinguished by tactile sense, and input errors can be prevented.

  In addition, since a unique vibration pattern is associated with each command system of the command button, an input error can be effectively prevented when the user stores the relationship between the command system of the command button and the actual vibration.

<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, a unique vibration pattern is associated with each command system of the command button. However, in this embodiment, a unique vibration pattern is associated with each display color before the command button is pressed. It is like that. The configuration of the product information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the configuration of the touch panel 21 and the functional configuration related thereto are the same as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. is there. For this reason, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the screen of the display unit 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the product name button 61, the tare button 62, the unit price button 63, the product button 66, the type button 67, the user button 68, and the function button. 69 is displayed on the display unit 20. The functions (operations and processes) of the commodity information processing apparatus 1 defined for these command buttons are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, each command button is displayed in one of three display colors of “red”, “green”, and “blue” before pressing. In FIG. 8, the display color is expressed by hatching. As shown in FIG. 8, the display colors of adjacent command buttons are always different.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the setting file 541 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the setting file 541 of the present embodiment, “display color” is associated with “button code” and “command button name” together with “vibration pattern”. In the present embodiment, each command button is displayed in a color according to this “display color” at the time before pressing, and a unique vibration pattern is associated with each “display color”. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on the display unit 20 for associating a vibration pattern with each display color. As shown in the figure, on the setting screen, three command buttons 84 corresponding to the three display colors ("red", "green", and "blue") are displayed at the top of the screen. As in the first embodiment, a plurality of command buttons 82 respectively corresponding to a plurality of vibration patterns that are candidates to be associated with these display colors are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

  The association between the display color and the vibration pattern can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, when associating one vibration pattern with a certain display color, first, the command button 81 indicating the display color to be associated is pressed. Then, the command button 81 is highlighted. Next, the command button 82 indicating the vibration pattern to be associated with the command button 81 is pressed. Then, the command button 82 is also highlighted. Thereby, the display color and the vibration pattern are associated with each other. By repeating such an operation for each display color, vibration patterns are associated with all display colors. Thereafter, by pressing the registration button 83, the contents of the association are reflected in the setting file 541.

  Also in the present embodiment, when the command button 82 indicating the vibration pattern is selected, the command button 82 corresponding to the vibration pattern already related to another display color is darkly displayed and cannot be selected. (The patterns B and H are darkly displayed in FIG. 10). As a result, the same vibration pattern cannot be associated with a plurality of display colors, and a unique vibration pattern is associated with each display color.

  Thus, in the product information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a unique vibration pattern is associated with each display color before the command button is pressed. Thereby, if the display color of the command button is the same, the touch panel 21 is vibrated with the same vibration pattern when pressed, and if the display color of the command button is different, the touch panel 21 is vibrated with a different vibration pattern when pressed.

  For this reason, if the salesperson (user) who handles the product information processing apparatus 1 remembers the display color before pressing and the actual feeling received from the vibration of the vibration pattern associated therewith, the display color difference When an operation mistake is made to press the command button, the operation mistake can be immediately noticed. For example, if you try to press the “red” command button and accidentally press the “blue” command button, the salesperson will have a different sensation than the sensation that is expected (the sensation corresponding to “red”). (Feeling corresponding to “blue”). For this reason, it is possible to intuitively grasp that an operation error has been made. As a result, input mistakes can be prevented.

  In addition, since the display colors of the adjacent command buttons do not match, an operation error can be immediately grasped when the command button adjacent to the command button to be pressed is erroneously pressed. Since there are many cases where an erroneous operation is performed by pressing an adjacent command button, an input error can be effectively prevented by making the display colors of adjacent command buttons inconsistent.

<3. Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, only one setting file is used, but in this embodiment, one setting file is selected and used from a plurality of setting files according to input information. Yes. The configuration of the product information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the main configuration of the touch panel 21 is the same as that shown in FIG. For this reason, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the product information processing apparatus 1 according to the touch panel 21. As shown in the figure, the control unit 50 of the present embodiment has a command button specifying unit 511, a command similar to that of the first embodiment, as a function realized by the CPU 51 performing arithmetic processing according to the control program. In addition to the execution unit 512, the vibration control unit 513, the display control unit 514, and the audio control unit 515, a setting file selection unit 516 is provided.

  The SRAM 54 stores three setting files 541. Each of these setting files 541 is the same as that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). That is, in the setting file 541, “vibration pattern” is associated with “button code” and “command button name” for identifying a command button. A unique vibration pattern is associated with each “command system” of the command button.

  Further, the setting screen for associating the vibration pattern with each command system is the same as that shown in FIG. The user displays such a setting screen for each setting file 541 and associates a vibration pattern with each command system. However, the vibration pattern associated in one setting file 541 is darkly displayed on the setting screen related to the other setting file 541 so that it cannot be selected. Therefore, there is no overlapping vibration pattern among the three setting files 541.

  Which of these setting files 541 is to be used is selected by the setting file selection unit 516 according to the type of product selected by the user via the type button 67. In the present embodiment, when the touch panel 21 is pressed and the command button pressed by the command button specifying unit 511 is specified, information indicating the specified command button includes the command execution unit 512, the vibration control unit 513, In addition to the display control unit 514 and the voice control unit 515, the setting file selection unit 516 also inputs. In response to this, the setting file selection unit 516 performs processing for selecting the setting file 541.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing in which the setting file selection unit 516 selects the setting file 541. First, it is determined whether or not the pressed command button is a type selection system (step S11). If it is not a type selection system, the processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is a type selection system, then the setting auxiliary file 543 is read from the SRAM 54 (step S12). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting auxiliary file 543. As shown in FIG. 13, the setting auxiliary file 543 has a table format, and a unique setting file 541 (more precisely, a setting file) is used for “type code” and “type name” for identifying the type. 541 (identification information).

  Next, the setting file selection unit 516 refers to the setting auxiliary file 543, and selects one setting file 541 associated with the type code specified by the pressed command button (step S13). The setting file 541 selected in this way will be referred to when the vibration control unit 513 selects a vibration pattern.

  Thus, in this embodiment, a plurality of setting files 541 are stored in advance, and the setting file 541 to be used is selected according to the type code specified by the type button 67. In addition, there are no overlapping vibration patterns among the plurality of setting files 541. For this reason, when the product type is changed, all the vibration patterns associated with the command buttons are changed together. Thereby, the vibration pattern of the vibration generated when the touch panel 21 is pressed becomes unique to both the product type and the command system.

  For this reason, the salesperson (user) who handles the product information processing apparatus 1 performs an operation that makes a mistake in the product type if the product type, the command system, and the actual sense received from the vibration of the vibration pattern are associated with each other. If you make a mistake, you can immediately notice the mistake. For example, when the product button 66 corresponding to the product “beef” is displayed and the product button 66 is pressed without pressing the type button 67 in order to select the product related to “pork”, the salesperson Will receive a different sensation ("beef" and product selection sensation) than the expected sensation ("pork" and product selection sensation). For this reason, it can be grasped intuitively that the user has forgotten to press the type button 67. As a result, input mistakes can be prevented.

  In general, the salesperson remembers the position of the command button (typically, the product button 66) on the screen, and therefore often presses the command button without confirming the display content on the screen. When the product button 66 is pressed without confirming the display content on the screen, another product having a different type from the product to be selected is selected, an incorrect price is derived, and the product is settled at the incorrect price. There is a possibility. In the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent a mistake in the type, and therefore it is possible to effectively prevent the settlement of the product at such an incorrect price.

<4. Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration and operation of the product information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the third embodiment, the following description will focus on differences from the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the setting file 541 is selected according to the type of product. However, in this embodiment, the setting file 541 is selected according to the salesperson (user) to be used. It has become so.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing in which the setting file selection unit 516 according to the present embodiment selects the setting file 541. This process is also performed in response to information indicating the specified command button being input from the command button specifying unit 511.

  First, it is determined whether or not the pressed command button is a user selection system (step S21). If it is not a user selection system, the processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is a user selection system, then the setting auxiliary file 543 is read from the SRAM 54 (step S22). FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting auxiliary file 543 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, in the setting auxiliary file 543 of the present embodiment, a unique setting file 541 (accurately for the “user code” and “user name” for identifying the salesperson (user) is identified. Is associated with the identification information of the setting file 541.

  Next, the setting file selection unit 516 refers to the setting auxiliary file 543, and selects one setting file 541 associated with the user code specified by the pressed command button (step S23). The setting file 541 selected in this way will be referred to when the vibration control unit 513 selects a vibration pattern.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, a plurality of setting files 541 are stored in advance. As described above, the salesperson presses the user button 68 associated with the user at the start of the operation, and the setting file 541 to be used is selected according to the user code specified by the user button 68. The In addition, there are no overlapping vibration patterns among the plurality of setting files 541. For this reason, when the salesperson to be used is changed, all the vibration patterns associated with each command button are changed together. Thereby, the vibration pattern of the vibration generated when the touch panel 21 is pressed becomes unique to both the salesperson operating and the command system.

  For this reason, the salesperson (user) who handles the product information processing apparatus 1 forgets to press the user button 68 if the command system and the actual sense unique to the user received from the vibration of the vibration pattern are associated and remembered. When an operation mistake is made, the operation mistake can be immediately noticed.

  For example, if the salesperson presses one product button 66 without pressing the user button 68 associated with the salesperson, the salesperson expects a sense (a sense of a product selection system unique to the salesperson). ) Is to receive another sense (the sense of the product selection system of others). For this reason, it is possible to intuitively grasp that the user button 68 has been forgotten to be pressed. As a result, input mistakes can be prevented.

  As described above, in the addition process, the price of the product associated with the user code is called in response to pressing of the user button 68. For this reason, if the user button 68 is forgotten to be pressed, processing is performed based on the price of the product related to another salesperson, and the addition process cannot be continued normally, and the product may be settled at an incorrect price. . In the present embodiment, forgetting to press the user button 68 can be prevented, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the settlement of the product at such an incorrect price.

  Note that if the user button 68 is associated not only with the salesperson but also with an administrator who manages the data of the product information processing apparatus 1, the vibration pattern can be made different between the salesperson and the administrator. That is, it is possible to cause the merchandise information processing apparatus 1 to generate a vibration pattern according to the user's job system. According to this, for example, in a configuration file for a salesperson, the command button is mistakenly associated by associating a warning vibration pattern with a command button frequently used by the administrator but not used by the salesperson. A warning can also be given to the salesperson when pressed by the salesperson.

<5. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

  For example, in the first embodiment, a unique display color may be assigned to each command system, and the same command system may be displayed in the same display color before pressing. In this case, a unique vibration pattern is associated with each command system, and a unique vibration pattern is associated with each display color.

  In the second embodiment, the display color before pressing the command button is three colors, but it may be two colors or four or more colors.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, a setting file in which a unique vibration pattern is associated with each “command system” as in the first embodiment is used. A setting file in which a unique vibration pattern is associated with each “display color” similar to the above-described form may be employed.

  In the third embodiment, the setting file is selected according to the product type information. In the fourth embodiment, the setting file is selected according to the user identification information. The setting file may be selected according to other input information.

  Further, all the functions of the first to fourth embodiments may be provided in one commodity information processing apparatus 1 so that any one of the functions can be activated according to a user setting.

  Moreover, although the touch panel 21 of the said embodiment demonstrated as what generate | occur | produces a non-sound vibration, it may generate | occur | produce a sound vibration. In this case, since the touch panel 21 can also operate as sound generation means (speaker), the product information processing apparatus 1 does not need to be provided with a dedicated component as sound generation means, and the product information processing apparatus 1 can be downsized.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although price was derived | led-out according to the result which weighed goods, and it demonstrated as an example the merchandise information processing apparatus 1 which prints the derived price on a label, the technique which concerns on this invention is demonstrated. The applicable merchandise information processing apparatus is not limited to this. For example, any product information processing apparatus that processes information related to a product, such as a weighing device having only a product weighing function or a label printer having only a label printing function related to a product, may be used. The technology according to the present invention can be applied.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of another example of the product information processing apparatus. The product information processing apparatus 9 shown in FIG. 16 wraps the product in a film by raising the product from the lower side with respect to the weighing unit 92 that takes in and measures the product placed on the tray, and the stretched film. A packaging unit 93 for printing, a printing unit 94 for printing a label on which a price corresponding to a measurement result is displayed, an affixing unit 95 for affixing a label to the packaged product by blowing air, and a carry-out unit for carrying out the product 96. Thereby, the merchandise information processing apparatus 9 can measure, package and price merchandise.

  In addition, the product information processing apparatus 9 includes a display unit 91 having a touch panel 91a, and the user can perform various operations via the touch panel 91a of the display unit 91. About the structure and operation | movement of this touch panel 91a, the structure and operation | movement similar to the said embodiment are employable.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the merchandise information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a merchandise information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of the display part of 1st Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the main structures of a touch panel. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the merchandise information processing apparatus which concerns on the touchscreen of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting file of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of the display part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting file of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the merchandise information processing apparatus which concerns on the touchscreen of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which selects the setting file of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting auxiliary | assistant file of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which selects the setting file of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting auxiliary | assistant file of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the other example of merchandise information processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Merchandise information processing apparatus 20 Display part 50 Control part 67 Type button 68 User button 71 Flexible board 72 Support board 73 Piezoelectric board

Claims (5)

A product information processing apparatus for processing information related to a product,
A display unit having a screen on which a plurality of command buttons are displayed , detecting a pressing position on the screen in response to pressing of the screen, and capable of vibrating in response to a vibration instruction signal;
Storage means for storing a plurality of setting files each including a plurality of different vibration patterns;
With
Each of the plurality of setting files includes a plurality of buttons associated with vibration patterns different from each other in the plurality of command buttons. Is associated with,
Among the plurality of setting files, vibration patterns associated with the same command button are different from each other,
Selecting means for selecting one setting file to be used from among the plurality of setting files in response to an operation of a predetermined command button included in the plurality of command buttons;
The vibration pattern associated with the command button corresponding to the pressed position in response to the pressing of the screen is identified from the one setting file selected by the selection means, and the vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern is Control means for giving to the display means;
A product information processing apparatus, further comprising: The product information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
It said predetermined command buttons, product information processing apparatus according to claim user button der Rukoto for selecting a user. The product information processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The predetermined command button is a type button for selecting a type of the product,
The plurality of command buttons include a product button for selecting the product,
A product information processing apparatus , wherein a product selected by the product button changes according to a type of the product selected by the type button . In the merchandise information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
In each of the plurality of configuration files,
A product information processing apparatus characterized in that different vibration patterns are associated with command buttons having different command systems in the plurality of command buttons . A product information processing apparatus for processing information related to a product,
A display unit having a screen on which a plurality of command buttons are displayed, detecting a pressing position on the screen in response to pressing of the screen, and capable of vibrating in response to a vibration instruction signal;
Storage means for storing a plurality of vibration patterns different from each other;
With
The storage means may store any one of the plurality of vibration patterns for each of the plurality of command buttons so that the plurality of buttons are associated with different vibration patterns. Storing the plurality of vibration patterns in association with each other;
A vibration pattern associated with a command button corresponding to the pressed position is selected from the plurality of vibration patterns stored in the storage means in response to pressing of the screen, and a vibration instruction signal indicating the vibration pattern is displayed on the display Control means given to the means;
Further comprising
The plurality of command buttons are grouped for each command system and displayed on the screen,
In the plurality of command buttons, the display colors before pressing the adjacent command buttons are set to different colors,
The product information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit associates different vibration patterns with the command buttons set to different colors before being pressed among the plurality of command buttons .

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