JP4413377B2 - Self-checkout system and tag - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shopping cart that carries goods at a department store, a shopping center, or the like, and in particular, has a function capable of paying for goods.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a department store or a shopping center, a purchaser carries a product to be purchased using a shopping cart, etc., and when the product is settled, the product is brought to a checkout counter that performs product settlement, For each purchaser, the employee entered the product price into the checkout machine one by one to obtain the total price, and paid the total price, fishing, and delivery of the product. .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a method, the price is entered manually by the employee or the checkout work is performed for each purchaser, so there are many products to be purchased, and more processing is required when there are many purchasers. It took a long time for the line of buyers to wait for payment.
[0004]
Further, since the purchaser cannot know the total price of the products to be purchased in the middle of shopping unless he / she performs the calculation himself, it is difficult to select the products to be purchased in accordance with the budget. Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention enables the purchaser to pay for the product without taking the product to the checkout counter, and to know the total price of the product to be purchased in the middle of shopping. An object of the present invention is to provide a self-checkout system and a tag having a function capable of performing the above.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a self-checkout system of the present invention comprises a shopping cart for carrying a product purchased at a department store, a shopping center, or the like, and a tag attached to the product. A self-settlement system for settlement of a product, wherein the tag includes product information storage means for storing product information that is information on a product to which the tag is attached, and attachment of the tag transmitted from the shopping cart. Payment confirmation information receiving means for receiving payment confirmation information indicating that payment of the amount of the goods received has been confirmed, and stored in the product information storage means based on the payment confirmation information received by the payment confirmation information receiving means Based on the product information update means for updating the product information and the product information updated by the product information update means, It is determined whether or not there is an error in the product information, and when it is determined that there is no error, a release means for releasing the attachment of the tag is provided, and the shopping cart is placed in a basket provided in the shopping cart Product information reading means for reading product information from the tag attached to the product, Total price calculation means for calculating the total price of the product using the product information read by the product information reading means, and the total price calculation Display means for displaying the total price calculated by means, payment means for paying the total price, payment confirmation means for confirming that the total price has been paid by the payment means, and payment confirmation means Payment confirmation information storage means for storing payment confirmation information of a product whose payment has been confirmed by the method, and attached to the product put in the basket Against was tag, and a payment confirmation information transmission means for transmitting the payment confirmation information.
Further, in order to achieve the above object, the tag of the present invention is a tag applicable to the self-settlement system, and product information storage means for storing product information that is information of a product to which the tag is attached; Payment confirmation information receiving means for receiving payment confirmation information transmitted from the shopping cart and indicating that payment of the amount of the commodity with the tag attached has been confirmed; and payment confirmation received by the payment confirmation information receiving means Product information update means for updating the product information stored in the product information storage means based on the information, based on the product information updated by the product information update means, determine whether there is an error in the product information, When it was determined that there was no mistake, a release means for releasing the attachment of the tag was provided.
[0006]
When a purchaser puts a product into a basket attached to the shopping cart, the self-settlement shopping cart reads product information from a tag attached to the product in advance by the product information reading means. The product information is read by a sensor or the like so that the product information of all the products in the basket can be read as soon as a new product is put in the basket. Next, the total price calculation unit receives the product information read by the product information reading unit, and calculates the total price of the product using it. The total price is calculated at a sufficient speed so that the purchaser knows the current total price before selecting the next product, and the calculated total price is displayed on the display means almost simultaneously with the calculation. To do.
[0007]
When the selection of the products to be purchased is completed, the purchaser pays the total price displayed on the display means by the payment means. The payment means is provided with a cash entrance, a card entrance, a fishing delivery port, etc. so that the purchaser can make a payment alone with cash or a credit card. When the purchaser pays, the shopping cart for self-checkout confirms whether or not the payment contents satisfy the condition by the payment confirmation means, and if the condition is satisfied, the payment confirmation information is stored in the payment confirmation information storage means. To remember. The stored payment confirmation information is mainly used to prevent shoplifting. Further, when the payment contents satisfy the conditions, the self-payment shopping cart transmits the payment confirmation information to the tag attached to the product put in the basket by the payment confirmation information transmission means.
On the other hand, when the payment confirmation information receiving means receives the payment confirmation information transmitted from the self-settlement shopping cart, the tag updates the commodity information stored in the commodity information storage means with the commodity information updating means. For example, the payment confirmation information is additionally stored in the product information storage means as one of the product information. When the merchandise information is updated, the tag determines whether or not the updated merchandise information has an error by the release unit. When it is determined that there is no error, the tag releases the tag.
[0008]
Therefore, there is no need to bother to bring the product to the checkout counter and check out the product, so there is no need to wait in line to check out the product, and you can know the total price while selecting the product. , Making it easier to do shopping considering the budget.
In addition, since the purchaser settles the product alone, no employee is required and labor costs are reduced.
[0009]
In addition, since payment confirmation information is stored, it is possible to prevent shoplifting and prevent sales loss by detecting products that do not have the same information and installing a security device at the entrance to give a warning. it can.
Furthermore, the tag attached to the product can be removed from the shopping cart for self checkout without going to the checkout counter.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment using a shopping cart for self-checkout according to the present invention in a merchandise store.
First, the configuration will be described. The shopping cart 7 for self-checkout has a configuration in which a shopping cart used in a supermarket or a shopping center is provided with a product information reading device 1, a checkout device 2, and a touch panel 3. ing. Moreover, the tag 6 is previously attached to the product.
[0011]
The merchandise information reading apparatus 1 includes a transmission function and a reception function, acquires merchandise information by the reception function, and transmits payment confirmation information by the transmission function. The product information reading device 1 corresponds to the product information reading means described in claim 1.
The checkout device 2 includes a control device, a total price calculation device, and a payment confirmation device, and has a card receiving port 4 on the outside, and further can transmit and receive data to and from the touch panel 3 and the product information reading device 1. As possible, they are connected by a data transmission path (not shown). Further, the product information reading device 1 and the touch panel 3 are also controlled by a program incorporated in a control device built in the checkout device 2. The total price calculation device, the card receiving port 4, and the payment confirmation device respectively correspond to the total price calculation means, the payment means, and the payment confirmation means described in claim 1.
[0012]
The touch panel 3 displays the calculated total price, payment instructions, etc. according to instructions from the settlement apparatus 2 and the purchaser touches the menu displayed on the touch panel 3 with his / her finger to check out after selecting the product. Can be done. The touch panel 3 corresponds to the display means described in claim 1.
The tag 6 includes a transmission / reception device, a release device, and a warning device, and further has a string for attaching the tag 6 to a product.
[0013]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the purchaser puts the selected product into the basket 8, the product information reading device 1 transmits product information as an electromagnetic wave from the transmission / reception device built in the tag 6. Is sent to the settlement apparatus 2 via a data transmission path (not shown).
When the settlement apparatus 2 receives the product information, the built-in total price calculation device calculates the total price using the price information included in the product information and displays it on the touch panel 3.
[0014]
Here, the merchandise information reading device 1 always reads the merchandise information of the merchandise put in the basket 8 and sends the merchandise information to the settlement apparatus 2 as soon as it is read. On the other hand, the checkout device 2 calculates the total price at a fixed short time interval so that the purchaser knows the total price of the product as soon as the new product is put in the basket 8. The price is displayed on the display device. That is, in this case, even if a new product is not put in the basket 8, the total price of the product in the basket 8 is calculated and displayed at regular intervals.
[0015]
When the purchaser finishes selecting the product and puts all the products to be purchased into the basket 8, he / she purchases it to the checkout apparatus 2 by touching the “product selection end” menu displayed on the touch panel 3 (not shown). Register that the product has been selected. When the registration is confirmed, a menu for selecting a payment method is displayed on the touch panel 3, a payment method is selected by touching the image, and a card corresponding to the selected payment method is inserted into the card receiving port 4. Make a payment at
[0016]
In this embodiment, the total price can be paid by a membership card, credit card, debit card, or electronic money card.
When any one of the above cards is inserted into the card receiving port 4, the payment confirmation device built in the checkout device 2 checks the card number or the like to confirm whether payment is possible.
[0017]
When the payment check device 2 confirms the payment, the checkout device 2 requests the product information reading device 1 to send the payment check information. Upon receiving the request, the reading device 1 sends the payment check information to the basket 8. Send.
The transmitted payment confirmation information is received by the transmitting / receiving device of the tag 6 and stored in the memory of the canceling device built in the tag 6. When the cancellation device confirms that the stored payment confirmation information is correct, it enables the tag 6 to be removed from the product. The tag 6 removed from the product is reused in such a way that the purchaser returns it to a dedicated tag storage area (not shown). Here, the canceling device also serves as the payment confirmation information storage means described in claim 1.
[0018]
When the tag 6 is forcibly removed from the product by cutting the string with scissors or the like, the warning device built in the tag 6 detects the cutting of the string and generates a warning sound.
In addition, when a detection device (not shown) that detects the product information transmitted from the tag 6 and transmits a detection signal is installed at the entrance and exit, and the product with the tag 6 still attached is to be taken out of the store, As in the case where the tag 6 receives the detection signal and forcibly removes the tag 6, a warning sound is emitted by a built-in warning device.
[0019]
As described above, the shopping cart for self-settlement in the above embodiment calculates the total price of the products in the basket 8 every predetermined time and displays the total price on the touch panel 3. You can know the total price of the product along the way.
Moreover, since the purchaser inserts a credit card or the like into the card receiving port 4 of the settlement apparatus 2 in accordance with the screen guidance displayed on the touch panel 3 after selecting the product and pays the total price alone, the purchase of the product is bothered. You don't have to pay even if you have a counter, and you don't need employees to check out the product, which reduces labor costs.
[0020]
And if you forcibly remove the string of the tag 6 or if you try to take the product with the tag 6 out of the store, you will be alerted, so shoplifting will be prevented and sales loss will be reduced. Can be reduced.
In the above embodiment, a tag with a built-in transmission / reception device is attached to a product to acquire product information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a bar code, a tag with a built-in electromagnetic wave absorption device instead of the transmission / reception device, etc. May be attached to the product, and magnetic information, attenuated electromagnetic waves, etc. may be read by a barcode reader or receiving device, and the product information may be read directly or indirectly through a data base or the like. .
[0021]
In the checkout apparatus 2, the total price of the product is calculated at regular time intervals. However, the product information reading device 1 stores the product information read once and compares it with the product information that is always read. For example, when a new product is put in the basket 8 or when a product in the basket 8 is returned to the product shelf, that is, the stored product information and the received product information are In comparison, the total price may be calculated only when a difference occurs. In this way, the power consumption of the total price calculation device can be reduced compared to calculating the total price every fixed time.
[0022]
Further, although the total price of the product is displayed on the touch panel 3 and the settlement operation is progressed, the total price may be displayed and the settlement operation may be performed on a notebook computer or other dedicated controller. For example, when a dedicated controller is manufactured and used, dedicated buttons such as “end shopping”, “cash payment”, and “card payment” are provided to the minimum necessary, and automatic card identification and voice guidance are provided. With the addition of functions, the controller operation will be made as simple as possible so that the purchaser will not be confused when paying for the product, or the cost will be reduced by using a general-purpose notebook computer.
[0023]
As described above, the total price can be paid only by various cards. However, in addition to the card receiving port 4 and the cash receiving device 4 and the cash receiving device 2, the payment device 2 can be used for payment by other cards. It is also possible to make a payment by cash by providing a entrance.
Furthermore, whether shoplifting is performed is determined based on whether or not the tag 6 is attached to the product, and a reusable tag is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Without removing the tag, a product for which payment confirmation information is not stored is detected at the doorway to give a warning, and when a barcode is used, the payment confirmation information stored in the barcode is read, You may make it give a warning with respect to the goods which cannot read this payment confirmation information. In this case, a warning is given to the unpurchased product detection device itself installed at the doorway.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, since the tag always transmits product information, the product information reading device 1 is attached to a product of another purchaser nearby or a product placed on a product shelf. Product information may also be received from other tags, so if you do not remove the product from the product shelf, the tag will not transmit product information, or the shopping cart basket will be shielded from external electromagnetic waves You may make it.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the shopping cart for self-settlement according to the present invention, it is possible to know the total price of the products in the basket even during the shopping, thereby facilitating shopping considering the budget. In addition, since it is possible to check out the product without taking the product to the checkout counter, there is no need to wait in line for the checkout and no employee is required to check out the product. Therefore, the labor cost is reduced, and furthermore, payment confirmation information is stored. Therefore, shoplifting can be prevented and sales loss can be reduced by using the stored information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment using a self-checkout shopping cart according to the present invention in a merchandise store.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Product Information Reading Device 2 Settlement Device 3 Touch Panel 4 Card Entrance 6 Tag 7 Shopping Cart 8 for Self-Checkout Basket

Claims (2)

A self-checkout system comprising a shopping cart for carrying a product purchased at a department store or a shopping center, and a tag attached to the product, wherein the product is settled in the shopping cart.
The tag is
Product information storage means for storing product information which is information of the product to which the tag is attached;
Payment confirmation information receiving means for receiving payment confirmation information transmitted from the shopping cart and indicating that payment of the amount of the item with the tag attached has been confirmed;
Product information updating means for updating the product information stored in the product information storage means based on the payment confirmation information received by the payment confirmation information receiving means;
Based on the product information updated by the product information update means, it is determined whether there is an error in the product information, and when it is determined that there is no error, a release means for releasing the attachment of the tag,
The shopping cart is
Product information reading means for reading product information from the tag attached to the product placed in a basket attached to the shopping cart;
Total price calculation means for calculating the total price of the product using the product information read by the product information reading means;
Display means for displaying the total price calculated by the total price calculation means;
A payment means for paying the total price;
Payment confirmation means for confirming that the total price has been paid by the payment means;
Payment confirmation information storage means for storing payment confirmation information of the product whose payment has been confirmed by the payment confirmation means;
A self-settlement system comprising payment confirmation information transmitting means for transmitting payment confirmation information to a tag attached to a product placed in the basket. A tag applicable to the self-checkout system according to claim 1,
Product information storage means for storing product information which is information of the product to which the tag is attached;
Payment confirmation information receiving means for receiving payment confirmation information transmitted from the shopping cart and indicating that payment of the amount of the item with the tag attached has been confirmed;
Product information updating means for updating the product information stored in the product information storage means based on the payment confirmation information received by the payment confirmation information receiving means;
Based on the product information updated by the product information update means, it is determined whether or not there is an error in the product information, and when it is determined that there is no error, a release means for releasing the attachment of the tag, Tag.

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